Book Review: The Highlander's Tudor Lass

I don't want to get cocky, but I was kind of a reading rockstar this weekend, more so than I've been in awhile. I've just got to keep up my pace, no biggie, right??

The Highlander's Tudor Lass 

Heather McCollum

Callum Macquarie would give anything to go back to the Highlands and Wolf Isle. Instead, he’s stuck circling an undefended English castle in too-tight breeches, longing for his bed and his plaid. But he has an oath to keep: to bring home the bonny Anna Montgomerie and her sister before that devil of a blaggard pirate Jundeau finds them first. Only the lass he’s come to rescue has no interest in going back to Scotland with him. Or ever.

To hell with Callum and his oath. Anna won’t step one foot in Scotland—no matter the danger. Not after what she’s left behind, and not while there’s a chance she can remain in England. But she has a plan. And the only hitch involves a braw, fiercely protective highlander who refuses to leave…and whose touch burns hotter than fire.

Now Anna and Callum are caught between the threat coming for Anna. Staying means danger. Leaving means death. And a blazing attraction that could spoil everyone’s plans.

I honestly could not tell you what the last book I read that was set in the Tudor period, so this was fun in that regard all on its own. This is part of the Brothers of Wolf Isle series, it's number 3, and while it is technically a stand alone, I feel like it almost would have been helpful to have read books one and two. The book is Anna and Callum's story, but it keeps mentioning that Anna won't go back to Scotland and while we do find out why, having no back story really made it hard for me to really understand what her dang problem was. So if you're on the fence, I'd recommend books one and two, which I am now going to read because I really enjoyed this one. 

With that, this book begins with Anna and her sister Dora, who have left Scotland and are now hanging out in England, in a castle, basically hanging out and helping Princess Elizabeth. One day though, Callum comes along, from Scotland, on a mission to bring both Anna and Dora back to Wolf Isle at the command of their older sister Lark. Anna doesn't know that pirate Jundeau is on his own mission to capture her, which puts her in imminent danger. She very much doesn't want to go back (she is basically wanted for the murder of her father, which I was so confused about, but it is elaborated on later in the book) and out of nowhere, a man of stature named Griggs proposes to her. Anna of course is just excited because she would no longer be on the bottom rung of economic status. It then becomes a waiting game on whether she will accept the proposal or go with Callum, while waiting for the pirate and his crew. 

With that, the story starts having some comedy and fun, and I was absolutely here for it. I totally LOVED Callum, and though Anna was driving me nuts at points because WHY, why, WHY FOR THE LOVE OF WHY would she even consider Griggs? Can we just all acknowledge he needs to be pushed off a cliff? Even the first appearance of him, I wanted to push him off a cliff. Sue me. 

Anyways..... 

I love how Callum give zero craps on what others think of him, he's just confident in his abilities and qualities, and he is absolutely the best match for Anna there ever could be. Of course, we know pirates are coming, and they do, and holy hell- Callum does the damn thing. It was so great, quite possibly the best action sequence I've read in a romance in a long time. It does have one real steamy scene and a couple of almost/we're getting there moments, and I was so thrilled. 

I absolutely loved this one, I can't wait to read more of this series! I also love the author's writing style, the story was fun and I didn't want to put this down at all, needless to say...... my family ate cereal for dinner and I never went to bed. 100% worth it. 

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for sending me an ARC for review, this was an unexpected delight, and it makes me want to read a whole lot more historical romances, that's for sure!

I am going to include the links of the three books that have been released so far, I know you'll love them- I highly recommend getting all three at the same time. 

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Book Review: Highland Justice

I swear, the closer we get to summer, the less ambition I have to do anything. I thought I was doing pretty well yesterday, until I realized it was the day Jackson has tennis, I still haven't gone grocery shopping this week, and I realized I signed up to bring snacks to the dance recital this week and I haven't done that yet. Today it's really raining and storming so I clearly am not trying to go do any shopping today, so apparently, I have some delusion that I'll be able to do it all tomorrow.  

Because that never backfires on me. *insert panic laughing here*

Highland Justice - Heather McCollum

Without mercy, there is no love in this third installment of the Sons of Sinclair historical romance series by award-winning author Heather McCollum.

Gideon Sinclair, the third Sinclair brother, judges everything in stark terms of good and evil. There is nothing in between, and he is efficient at passing judgment without mercy. Now that his clan has conquered the warring Mackays, Gideon starts the process of integrating them into the Sinclair Clan. He will sort the people, punish the bad, and better the lives of the good. Judging is as easy to him as breathing, until he meets Cait Mackay, who steals his breath...along with his Sinclair ring.

A young widow, Cait Mackay has given her life over to helping the orphaned children in the clan. But love won’t put shoes on their cold feet and food in their stomachs. Cait tired years ago of seeing the rich get richer and the poor suffer more and more, so she decided to do something about it. An agile thief of the rich by night, when she is caught, the new conquering chief must decide her fate.

When Gideon realizes that the thief is the same woman who had already captured his attention, he hesitates for the first time in his life. Letting her get away with her deed leads to more trouble when she is accused of stealing from King James and is arrested. Now Gideon must commit his own crime against the Scottish crown if he is to save Cait. But can a man who was raised to honor and uphold justice break the law for the woman who’s stolen his heart?

What I have learned after reading this book is 1. I am not reading nearly enough historical romance books and 2. I apparently really like Scottish romances because I completely LOVED this book. It's part of a series, but of course, they are all stand-alones so you can jump in anywhere you'd like. After finishing this one though, I really do want to go back and get the first two. Also, author Heather McCollum is a new to me author, and I really liked her writing style and how she had the story flowing through all while weaving this relationship development with Cait and Gideon. 

I really liked both Cait and Gideon too, and I really wanted them to work out, even though there are a lot of obstacles in the way. The thing about historical romances that always throws me at first is how rigid the expectations everyone has put on them. Early on when the author is setting up Cait's character, the concept of her literally not marrying anyone so she can basically mother all of these orphans seemed a bit much, but then it almost has an Oliver Twist feel to it, but obviously she's not a boy. I can't knock Gideon and how black and white he is, because somehow that feels like a standard, so I guess that's me approving the patriarchy here (ha!), but I prefer a dark, brooding, grumpy male lead versus a sweet guy. Red flags are clearly my favorite. ;) 

Not only does this book feature the best first kiss ever, it also features a broken bed, so if that's any indication of the steam level, that basically says it all. I really liked this one a lot and I definitely need to read more of this series, and more from this author. 

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and Entangled Publishing for having me on this tour and providing a copy for review! (That cover isn't bad to look at either, if we're being honest.)