The Highland Outlaw

And this is why I love historical romance books.<br /><br />I haven’t read the other books from the series yet I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything expect that I wanted to read more about these characters.<br /><br />If written well, historical romances can sweep you off your feet from the very first chapter. The Highland outlaw was truly an awesome historical romance. It was packed full of action and adventure. It had the most stunningly brawny, brave and honourable hero. And a sassy, fierce, brave and beautiful heroine. These two together makes the story a page flipper.<br /><br />I love historical romances set in the highland (Thank you very much Julie Garwood) and I am always on the look out to be carried away by story. And The Highland Outlaw did just that… I was transported to a whole different realm. I was consumed with the action, I was captivated with the chemistry between Shaw and Alana, I felt like I could hear my heart beating so loudly during some of their near death events. This book had it all.<br /><br />I can’t wait to read more!

Loved this!

The Highland Outlaw <br />Heather McCollum <br /><br /><i>The Highland Outlaw</i> is book four in The Campbells series by award-winning historical romance writer, Heather McCollum. Though part of a series, this novel is a standalone. All the books in The Campbells series are standalone, though there is some character overlap. <br /><br />Shaw Sinclair, hardened warrior and Laird of Clan Sinclair, has been tasked with an important mission that could literally have life or death consequences. He enlists the help of Alana Campbell, sister of the Chief of Clan Campbell, a beautiful woman and skilled fighter. The mission requires them to be in close contact, which is both a blessing and a curse for these two members of rival clans.<br /><br /><i>The Highland Outlaw</i> is an excellent read. Ms. McCollum has once again successfully written a novel that is masterfully executed. The plot is exciting and held my attention from start to finish. I found the characters to be interesting and believable. The highland scenery is used smartly. McCollum wisely mixes in humor to counter the serious plot. The ending is well-executed, and the accurate historical atmosphere ties all the elements together, adding another interesting aspect to the story. <br /><br />This is another <b>5 out of 5</b> from this author, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romance. There is some violence and sexual content that may be offensive to sensitive readers. <br /><br />I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and thank Entangled Publishing, LLC for the opportunity. All thoughts and opinions are my own. <br />

Series: The Campbell’s #4<br />Publication Date: 10/21/19<br />Number of Pages: 400<br /><br />WOW! What a fast-paced, interesting, breath-holding chase across Scotland this story was! From the first page to the last there are fearsome Highland warriors – of the male and female sort. The entire series has been that way, so I was sure this book would follow suit – and it did.<br /><br />Shaw Sinclair, Chief of the Sinclair clan, has had a hard, miserable life – and he has the scars – inside and outside – to prove it. After Shaw’s father died, his wicked uncle took over as Laird. He abused Shaw, his sisters, and his mother. Not only that, he ran up huge debts from drinking, gambling and other debaucheries and ended up giving up the Sinclair castle and lands to the northern Campbells. Since then, the Sinclair clan has been homeless and the vindictive Campbells constantly runs them out of their cottages – even in the dead of a harsh Scottish winter. So, it is no surprise that Shaw jumps at the chance to have the crown restore his home and lands. All he has to do is deliver a newborn baby girl to a boat in St. Andrews. Except, when he finally receives the babe, her wet-nurse has died and there are English soldiers pursuing the baby – to put it to death. He has to find someone to care for the babe – especially someone who can feed her – all while avoiding the English soldiers. Piece of cake for a braw highlander.<br /><br />Alana Campbell, sister to the Laird of the southern Campbells, is one of the older members of the Highland Roses school. We’ve met her in the earlier books in the series and she is an intelligent, lovely young woman who just happens to be a trained warrior as well. Imagine her surprise when a huge, fierce warrior appears in her tent – and abducts her so she can care for an infant girl. Of course, once she discovers that their destination is just north of Edinburgh, she decides to willingly go along. She needs to get to Edinburg to rescue her mother that all of them had thought dead.<br /><br />Somewhere along the way – dodging soldiers and caring for an infant – Alana comes to care deeply for both the Highlander and the babe. How will she ever have the strength to put that sweet babe on the boat? She doesn’t care much for the idea of separating from the Highlander either.<br /><br />How will their love survive once all of the treachery, lies, and deceit are revealed? What will happen if Shaw cannot regain the Sinclair lands and castle? Why in the world are the English soldiers out to murder a tiny, innocent, defenseless babe?<br /><br />NOTE: Possible spoilers below – so don’t read if you don’t want to know<br /><br />Is it a sign of a really good story when, at the end, you keep wondering what happened next? I hope we will see some of that in a future book – maybe Kirsten’s book. I have to wonder how they got the Campbells off their land. Are they still being harassed by the Campbells? Can Shaw learn to trust Alistair and Logan again? Will they get there in time to save the Sinclair’s from the harsh winter? Will they actually start a second Highland Rose shool? <br /><br />One thing that seemed confusing to me is that although they got the proclamation from King James – they were still talking about paying the northern Campbells for the debt Shaw’s uncle owed. Did they just want to pay it off because they felt the clan owed it? It sounds fair to me for them to pay it, but it just wasn’t made very clear.<br /><br />I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.<br />

Don’t you just hate when you’ve written a long, detailed review and suddenly your iPad cuts off and your review goes right out the window ?. <br />Heather McCollum is one of the authors I know I can count on for a great reading experience. She’s never failed me yet. ❤️ Highly recommend this book with the awesome, sexy cover! I would just love to have met one of these super sexy highlanders when I was young. ?❤️

4.5 stars - Reviewed for <b> <a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2019/10/review-highland-outlaw-by-heather.html" rel="nofollow noopener">Wit and Sin</a> </b><br /><br />Shaw Sinclair grew up under the brutal thumb of his wastrel uncle who sold the Sinclair lands to the Campbells. Shaw takes his duties as chief of the Sinclair clan seriously and is determined to protect his people at all costs. His fears for their welfare are well-founded so when the chance to reclaim his lands and guarantee health and safety for his people is offered, he jumps on it. All he has to do is deliver a very important newborn to the coast where she’ll be taken to France. But when the baby is delivered to Shaw, starving and clearly in imminent danger, Shaw knows he and his trusted warriors are going to need help. Chance throws him in the path of Alana Campbell and when her problem-solving skills and kind heart show she’d be perfect to help with the baby, Shaw kidnaps then bargains with her to gain her assistance. Their journey is fraught with danger as they work together to care for and defend the child in their care. Threats they expect, but their mutual attraction is something neither could anticipate. Sinclairs and Campbells are enemies, so there’s no way anything could happen between Shaw and Alana. Is there?<br /> <br /><b> <i>The Highland Outlaw</i> </b> is an exciting, engaging ride thanks to its two leads. Alana and Shaw have great personalities and fantastic chemistry, making the pages of their story fly by.<br /><br />Alana has a generous heart, a spine of steel, and a deadly aim. She’s exactly the kind of heroine I enjoy and I liked her resourcefulness and spirit. As for Shaw, he’s a chieftain desperate to save his people and will go to great lengths to do so. He’s also as protective as they come and has more honor than he gives himself credit for. He and Alana clash, then become allies in the name of protecting the baby in their charge, and then they become something much more. Their dialogue made me smile, their romance made me sigh, and the way they cared for their vulnerable charge absolutely melted my heart. I loved every bit of Alana and Shaw’s journey and hated it whenever I had to put <b> <i>The Highland Outlaw</i> </b> down because I so wanted them to get their happily ever after.<br /><br />Feuding clans aren’t the only problem in Shaw and Alana’s way. There are also the men hunting the child they’re sworn to protect, whose origins I’ll leave readers to discover. Alana and the Sinclair warriors with her are outgunned and outnumbered, but I’ll put my money on these fearsome Highlanders any day of the week. And though I must be purposefully vague so as to avoid spoilers, I enjoyed how the secrets, questions of loyalty, and various plots unfolded over the course of the book. Author Heather McCollum balanced the action and the romance perfectly there was never a dull moment in this book.<br /><br /><b> <i>The Highland Outlaw</i> </b> is the fourth book in the Campbells series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. I’ve adored every single outing with the Campbell clan and the Highland Roses School, where women are taught everything from reading to self-defense. Alana and Shaw’s story is no exception and I dearly hope Ms. McCollum has more adventures in store for the Highland Roses. Ms. McCollum’s strong, compassionate, and skilled heroines and the brave, protective warriors who love them are always a draw for me.<br /><br /><br /><i>FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i>

We are reunited once again with some of the lasses from The Highland Roses School, a rare for its era learning ground that teaches young women to read, write, and how to protect themselves in dangerous situations. Yeah, yielding a dagger and using super sharp hair pins seem to be their weapons of choice. You have to work with what you’ve got, folks. What can I say? Stilettos haven’t been invented yet. Otherwise, they likely would have found those pointy heels useful, as well. <br /><br />Alana, the heroine, especially has a unique skill set when it comes to accuracy in hitting her mark. Of course, she found herself outnumbered when Shaw decides to borrow her to accomplish an important task to secure the future of his people. Such a rash, bold decision does not come without consequences though. It was just his luck to discover she is from a rivalry, enemy clan after the fact.<br /><br />Their journey is slow paced in parts yet danger does pop up from time to time putting them on edge and on the run from bad guys. It gives them plenty of time to develop feelings for one another and bond over a common goal. Alana is seemingly quick not to judge Shaw, despite the animosity between their clans, but he is hiding a big secret. He seems verra determined to complete his task and won’t be swayed, yet obviously is not applying that same will power in finding a way for them to stay together. In fact, they both seemed resigned to reluctantly walking away when the job is done. I must admit my enthusiasm for a couple often gets dampened when I see they aren’t fighting for love from the get go. <br /><br />Will the secret/big reveal rip the trust and affection Alana now feels for this verra handsome, brawny lad to shreds? Or will she decide to focus on the future and not let the past destroy their love? You’ll have to stay tuned and read it for yourself, my fellow Scottish romance book loving friends.<br /><br />Just know I did enjoy seeing this main couple get their HEA. However, it was verra slow paced in some parts enough I started to wonder when it was going to wrap up. At least it lead to a lot of couple time together. <br /><br />Romance Safety Gang: <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="587deed7-f23e-4c11-8c55-ef9d2b32b3db" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="587deed7-f23e-4c11-8c55-ef9d2b32b3db"> There is another man, Alistar, who is very attracted to Alana. He is one of Shaw’s men and makes it clear he is willing to fight to protect her and a chance to woo her. Shaw tells his men she is off limits to all of them, including himself. Shaw falls for her but keeps telling himself she has too many reasons to hate him (including once she discovers his secret). They do get smexy/intimate and yet still seemed resigned to having to walk away from each other. </label><br /><br />Title: The Highland Outlaw, Series: The Campbells (Book 4), Author: Heather McCollum, Pages: 400, stand-alone but part of a series, slow paced in parts, enemies to in love, perilous situation, virgin heroine, laird hero, graphic smex scenes. Rating: 3.5 stars<br /><br />Book 1 - A Rose in the Highlands<br />Book 2 - A Protector in the Highlands<br />Book 3 - The Wicked Viscount<br />Book 4 - The Highland Outlaw<br /><br />(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

The Highland Outlaw by Heather McCollum<br />The Campbells #4<br /><br />Absolutely what I needed to read yesterday! I fell in love with Shaw and admired Alana – they were perfect for each other! Beginning with a caber toss and ending with a wedding with a kidnapping, baby to care for, bad guys to deal with, secrets exposed and potential for a spin-off series to do with the Clan Sinclair it was a delight from the first page to the last! <br /><br />The Sinclairs have lost their castle and their land and Shaw, as the laird of the clan, has spent years trying to get it all back for his people. When he is given the opportunity to do so by delivering a newborn to a boat by taking it overland he of course jumps at the chance. So, what could go wrong? He needs a bit of help from more than his men at arms to get the baby from point A to point B and Alana just happens to be handy...whether she is willing or not. <br /><br />The trip draws the two closer together as they care for the tiny girl. Shaw learns a great deal about babies and also about women who have attended the Highland Roses School. Alana is intelligent and realizes she can use the opportunity of caring for the baby to her own advantage as she has an agenda or her own. The road is not easy not only due to the fragility of taking care of a baby but also because there are military men out to murder the child. So, daggers and swords and punches are definitely a part of this story. <br /><br />What I liked: <br />* Alana – what a strong woman she was and so able to state what she wanted and then go for it<br />* Shaw – a good man with a horrible childhood who always put his clan first<br />* The way the romance develops between Shaw and Alana<br />* The men that traveled with Shaw<br />* The writing, plot and way it made me feel while reading<br />* The fact that I won’t have to say goodbye to all of the characters due to the spin-off that is coming<br /><br />What I did not like: <br />* The bad guys...as I was supposed to<br />* The lengths those bad guys would go to to get what they wanted<br /><br />Did I enjoy this book? Definitely<br />Will I read more by this author? Without a doubt<br /><br />Thank you to NetGalley, Entangled – Amara and InkSlinger PR for the ARC = This is my honest review.<br /><br />5 Stars

The Highland Outlaw (The Campbells Book #4) by Heather McCollum is a heart-pounding, heart racing tale of danger, love, romance and keeping a Royal baby safe. While #4 in this series, it can be read as a stand alone. <br />Meet, Shaw Sinclair chief of the clan Sinclair, of Caithness in Northern Scotland and an outcast. And, the beautiful and skilled Alana Campbell. They meet at a Samhain Festival, where they promptly kidnap Alana, to help with saving the baby. Of course Alana's wolfhound, Robert, follows his mistress everywhere. Sparks fly between Alana and Shaw, and things get really complicated. A romp though Scotland with a royal baby turns into a struggle to survive. <br />Steady paced, well written and well excuted. The cast of characters will steal your heart, they are engaging, endearing, and entertaining. <br />The storyline flows seamlessly and effortlessly, plus is captivating and compelling. <br />A well thought-out story where danger surrounds them. With, mystery, intrigue, suspense, loyalty, brawn highlanders, skilled lass, love, and romance, readers will be turning pages as they follow Shaw, Alana, Robert (the wolfhound), and a royal infant, as they journey through Scotland's the countryside. Once again, Ms. McCollum has written a well developed story that will blow readers away, and keep them on the edge of their seat. Heather McCollum is talented storyteller. A must read for fans of Historical Romance, adventure, brawn highlanders, skilled and determined lass, the power of love and finding peace and truth. WOW! Awesome Scottish Romance. <br />#NetGalley, #TheHighlandOutlaw,#HeatherMcCollum,#Scottishromance, #Historical<br /><br />"Each book in The Campbells series is STANDALONE:<br />* The Scottish Rogue<br />* The Savage Highlander<br />* The Wicked Viscount<br />* The Highland Outlaw"<br /><br />"I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however,  these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review."<br /><br />Rating: 5<br />Heat rating: Mild <br />Reviewer: AprilR

The Highland Outlaw <br />The Campbell's #4<br />Heather McCollum<br />⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ <br /><br />Shaw Sinsclair, is the chief of an outcast clan of Sinclairs of Caithness in northern Scotland who has made a deal with the devil so to speak. Even though he is strong with lethal skills, he really needs help. Help specifically from a woman. A woman who will help him accomplish his mission to bring a special bairn to safety to the coast. Where a ship awaits him. To accomplish this mission he needs a wet nurse, as his died along the way. Then he meets the brave, beautiful, and fearless Alana Campbell at a Samhain Festival and knows he's just the woman he needs.<br /><br />Alana Campbell is tired of the way that men treat women and is more then ready to show the world that she's just as skillfull with a sagian dubh as any man can be. Then she attracts the attention of a brawny chief who coerces her to join him on his journey to the coast of Scotland and also gives her the very opportunity to save her Mother . Sparks will fly between them as they are forced to act as husband and wife. However when the secrets threaten to tear them apart, they will have to make the ultimate decision do they take a chance on eachother or go their separate ways?<br /><br />I'm speechless Heather McCollum gets better and better with every book I read. This book was chalked full of betrayal, action, love, and twists and turns that you certainly did not seen coming. In one word this book is absolutely brilliant and I can't wait to read the next one. Ms McCollum you ha e a true talent for weaving stories that not too many authors are lucky enough to have. Trust me if the book says it's written by Heather McCollum do not desitate read it as you will not be sorry.