A Protector in the Highlands by Heather McCollum
Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: Highland Roses School, #2

Release Date: November 26, 2018

Everyone is shattered…

Scarlet Worthington, sister of Evie Worthington Campbell fled London with her sister after a traumatic event at court. Plagued with nightmares, Scarlet slowly begins to heal aided by the defense classes her sister started at her Highland Rose school and finally begins to feel safe in her new Highland home.

Aiden Campbell, Grey Campbell’s commander, hates the English, he too to plagued by nightmares, but not from the fire that almost killed him, his nightmares are caused by an Englishwoman. When Grey is tasked with delivering the heads of the traitors (from the previous book) to London, he leaves Aiden in charge. He is quickly informed by Scarlet that part of his duties will be teaching the defense classes in Grey’s place. Aiden scoffs at the idea, but agrees.

This starts a whirlwind adventure filled with secrets, traitors, betrayals, unexpected visitors, healing, steamy love scenes, kidnapping and the “Roses” growing (and using) thorns.

I loved Aiden and Scarlet together, they are both scarred by their pasts and unwilling to trust easily, but despite their issues, they are supportive of each other and slowly their past traumas are revealed and start to heal. With Aiden’s help, Scarlet learns to control her fears and saves herself. I liked the story, but I was disappointed that the same title errors (and a whole host of new ones) from the first book carried over to this story and combined with several inconsistencies in this book kept this from being a 5 star read for me. This is the second book in the series and I would highly recommend reading the books in order to fully understand the plots against the King and the school.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

A Rose in the Highlands by Heather McCollum
Tracy’s rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Highland Roses School, #1

Release Date: September 24, 2018

Evelyn Worthington flees to the Highlands with her maid and her sister Scarlet to avoid marriage to Lord Philip Sotheby. Her brother Nathaniel recently purchased a forfeited castle and has given Evelyn three months to prove she can support herself. Their father left instructions in his will that if Evelyn didn’t marry Philip, she would be left penniless and her inheritance would go to Nathaniel and Scarlet. Nathaniel gives her an opportunity to remain unwed, but he can only hold off Philip for so long.

Evelyn’s idea is to start a school at the castle and Scarlet has her own reasons for going with her. They arrive during a storm and are shocked at what they find – a burned castle and a hostile, half dressed highlander ordering them to leave, at sword point! When Evelyn tries to explain that she owns the castle and shows him the bill of sale, he burns it and orders her off his land.

Greyson “Grey” Campbell is the chief of the Campbells or Breadalbane and Finlarig Castle. His father was killed by the English and they told him his lands were forfeited for treasonous acts against the crown. The English soldiers under the command of Capt. Cross go as far as to try and burn them out of the castle, severely injuring Grey’s cousin and commander, Aiden. When the English girl shows up saying she is now the owner, he is angry and acts rashly, but he is firm, this is his castle. She follows him in and immediately starts making plans for her school. He plays along, but tells his clan to hinder her.

Evelyn is a wonderful heroine, she is intelligent, kind, compassionate and truly horrified by what the soldiers have done to these people. If she was not so desperate, she would give Grey back his castle, but for now, that is not an option, so she sets out to befriend (and bribe, if necessary) the clan. Grey is attracted to her and finds himself softening to her, despite his desire to clear his parents names and reclaim his castle.

I really enjoyed the story, it is well written and interesting, with wonderful characters, steamy love scenes, really vile villains, secrets, lies and a seemingly impossible HEA. My major problem with the book was the complete butchering of titles – it is really a personal pet peeve and doesn’t affect the story – but it irked me to no end and cost the book a 1/2 star. Aside from that, I liked the book and would be happy to recommend it and look forward to next installment.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*