This is a fantastic romance novel that's chock-full of the best tropes. We've got enemy to lovers, highland warriors, Scottish clans warring, secrets between lovers, and tortured childhoods. McCollum manages to use some of the oldest tricks in the book and still make an original, emotionally charged story. The whole idea of the four brothers being raised to represent the Four Horsemen certainly added a juicy twist that played out in ways that I seriously enjoyed and can't wait to explore more in future volumes of the series.
Both Cain and Ella are characters you can empathize with. Cain is the typical Alpha male who just needs the right woman to show him what love is and Ella is just feisty enough to do it. Plus, I fell in love with the entire Sinclair clan. Every brother has a personality that's restricted by the Horseman their father pushed on them, but we get hints of their true selves and I can't wait to explore them more.
McCollum had me rooting for this couple from the very beginning and I loved how their romance played out on the way to the always dependable Happily Ever After they so deserve. If it weren't obvious already from previous comments, I'm definitely excited to follow along with more stories of the Sons of Sinclair.

Massive thanks to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for the chance to read it!

Mandatory note: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Scottish romance, book 1 in new Son's off Sinclair series. The Sinclair brothers were named after the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. The first up is the oldest Cain, he captures neighboring clan Sutherland chief Ella. These two are constantly setting off Sparks. A lot of fighting and making up. I love a good Scottish romance. Looking forward to see who's book is next

Could you find love with your sworn enemy? The Sinclair brothers have always been told that they are the four horsemen from revelations and they are been as such by their father. Now that he has been killed by their enemy Cain Sinclair knows that he will need to make the Sutherland clan pay and he knows how to do it. But his brothers Joshua, Gideon and Bas don't agree with him about marrying Ella Sutherland they should just declare war. But Cain wants this woman in his life he just needs to figure out how to win her over. Ella knows that she needs to escape as Cain will never give her what she wants. But no matter how hard she tries they always stop her. Can she trust him with her secret or is it too dangerous? She finds herself falling for the highlander but she worries about what happens when he tries to take over her clan. They are both fighting for what they believe but where will this leave them? Can they ever trust each other?
A great read very interesting. Loved that we had two strong characters and they are both strong-willed.
I was lucky enough to receive a copy via Netgalley & the publishing house in exchange for my honest review.

There is so much to like about Highland Conquest, the story line overshadows those few odd parts that seem a bit off. Built off the hurt the Sutherland Chief inflicted on the sister of the Sinclair Chief lasting for decades. The two clans and their leaders are left to deal with the feud. Cain Sinclair and Ella Sutherland must find a way to bring their clans together with a huge secret between them before reaching their ‘forever and always’ HEA. (Sigh)!

At times it seemed as through Ms. McCollum was ‘writing’ the story in slow motion, such as the ‘death’ of the Sinclair leader and how it was carried out, but at others, the pace was extremely fast. It all worked to make a great first in the Sons of Sinclair series.

The numerous references and connection to the biblical four horsemen add to the identity of the Sinclair sons. It gives each of them their life path and adds to their character. Even their sister, who is not even recognized by their father, is touched by their larger than life identity as brothers with huge life expectations.

I love to see a man question what he has been raised to think and still come out strong, but in this instance the questioning happened for both Cain and Ella. They become better for it. I loved this book and am looking forward to the rest of the Sinclair clan finding their match, would even enjoying seeing Hanna and Merida find love.

Even though they each have killed the other’s father, Cain and Ella must unite for the good of their respective clan. They both must overcome their preconceived notions about the other’s clan and learn to trust each other. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

2.5 stars

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, but it does not influence my opinion of the book nor the contents of this review in any way. 

Gosh I seem to be in the minority for this one, which is an usual occurrence for me but... kdslfj I just couldn't get into this one. The first 16 percent, I was frustrated and would have certainly put the book down, if it wasn't an ARC. Gradually... things got better and I was curious enough to finish it, but if I had not received this book for request, I'm not sure I would've gotten to that part. 

Highland Conquest follows Cain Sinclair, and begins on the battlefield, where his father is killed by another clan. He captures Arabella Sutherland, the enemy clan's chief, and tells her that they are going to marry, thus "peacefully" bringing the two clans together under his leadership. Ella, kidnapped and not wanting to relinquish her clan to a monster, does not agree. As one would. But they spend time together ... yada yada yada ... and eventually come to care for each other. But still the question of her clan comes between them. 

See it's not even that simple. Cain is the first-born son of four brothers... the four horsemen of the apocalypse, so his dad claimed and so his dad raised them. He was delusional, but the brothers followed anyway. They each had an army of horses in the appropriate color (the youngest son literally dyes his horse green before battle, because Death was said to have a green horse). The youngest son got the most of the delusion, named for death and wears a skull mask, scythe and cape. It's all quiet fancy and crazy. 

I just... ugh. I couldn't get into it, no matter how much I wanted to. The language slipped in and out of old English, Gaelic, and a few others, which kept bringing me out of the story as I went back to my first bookmark to see what it meant. I laughed myself hoarse when Cain saw his father slain in battle and said "Nay!" with a hand stretched out his way. Just imagining the scene makes me giggle. "Nay"?? Really?? There was no other reaction outside of that, which was rather odd. Not to mention, all the simile's and metaphors in the beginning made my head spin 😨

I really, really wanted to like Ella. And I did, she could be pretty cool. But as a supposedly dynamic character, I was unimpressed. She was said to be cunning and brave and all that fierce women stuff... but to be honest, I didn't see it. When she gave the order to have Cain's father killed, Cain started riding right towards her. She sat on her horse and said things like "Oh he's getting closer," "Oh my he's moving quite fast," "I should move?" before someone told her to go! and she ran away into the woods. Honey, if you have an army, I beg of you to utilize it and not run away from it's protection. No wonder she was captured!! You marveled at how fast his horse was, and then led him in a merry game of chase? *scoff* 

I couldn't help but feel that there were multiple opportunities for her to escape that weren't taken. And though Cain and she kept marveling after her cunning and how she would definitely escape... she never did. She never even came close. She wasn't scared of Cain and that's about the old brave thing she could do. Oh, and she stands on her horse when she rides. That was pretty cool, but it was highlighted so much that I think it was the only things she could do. Towards the end she started to act more like a warrior - or others thought that she was and allowed her some freedom to be in charge - but I didn't look at her and think Warrior. I still don't.

The enemies-to-lovers connection had some substance but... I stick with my statement of "some." The connection was made fairly obvious, they just both had to make a *choice* and it was pretty obvious which one they were going to individually make. Plus, although they were definitely "enemies," I couldn't help but feel some insta-love on his side. Which... gross. Overall, I wasn't too impressed but it wasn't awful. If I had to give it a word-rating, I'd say "fine." But I do also seem to be in the minority for this one, so definitely check it out if you're interested! 

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for the review copy and for all that you do! ✨

“Will you catch me?”
“Always and forever…”

Having watched his father fall in battle to the Sutherland Clan, Cain Sinclair has an idea on how to bring peace between the feuding clans…marry the chief, Ella Sutherland. But Ella isn’t one to be conquered easily, and demands her freedom or her death over being married to a Sinclair. But as time passes, Ella finds that the Sinclair brothers are not totally the harbingers of death and destruction as everyone has long believed…especially their leader Cain. Cain and Ella discover that enemies may make for the best lovers, but will their impending union be forever shattered when Cain discovers the truth behind the secret Ella has pledged to keep with her life…

Heather McCollum has become my one click must read for highland romance and adventure! With her start of the Sons of Sinclair series, we are introduced to the brothers Sinclair, whose father raised them as being none other than The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse. Cain Sinclair is a fierce warrior and compassionate lover, and I’ve totally added him to my book boyfriend list! Loved and highly recommend!


**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

I found this author a while ago and I liked her, and I love highlanders but this book just didn't do it for me which made me sad. We the Sinclairs who are feuding with the Sunderlands for years and I did understand why the Sunderlands had a grudge. So as they are feuding both clan leaders lose their lives and now it is up to the new heirs to bring some type of peace. Cain has this bright idea of making Ella marry him which he feels is the only way they can have some sort of peace, but he sure goes about it all wrong.

Two strong, clever heads of opposing clans are the perfect match on and off the battlefield in Highland Conquest. Heather McCollum has kicked off her Sons of Sinclair with an engaging enemies-to-lovers tale.

Cain Sinclair was raised to be a conqueror. After the death of Cain’s mother, his father raised his sons to be the biblical Four Horseman, determined to see the Sinclairs rule a united Scotland. As the new chief of the Sinclair clan, Cain’s first order of business is to take over the holdings and people of their enemies, the Sutherlands. When he captures Ella Sutherland, the Sutherlands’ chief, Cain decides marrying her and absorbing her clan would be the best and most peaceful solution. Only Ella has no intention of submitting and giving away the birthright she’s held onto. It’s the perfect stage for a battle of wills, mostly because Cain and Ella are perfect for each other. If their clans weren’t warring, their love story would be a simple one. But duty and family are heavy burdens for each to bear.

Cain and Ella are strong, honorable characters who have their work cut out for them. Cain is trying to not only do right by his clan, but to live up to the legend his father wanted him to be. Ella was raised by a monster and has spent her life protecting others. Cain and Ella are easy to like and they have wonderful chemistry. Cain’s wooing and Ella’s escape attempts bring a liveliness and energy to what would could otherwise be a heavy book. There is a core of respect to the romance that I really enjoyed. And though Ella is Cain’s captive, there is expressed consent when things turn carnal. Everything about Cain and Ella’s romance worked and I was rooting for them to find a way to get their happily ever after. Both have hard choices to make throughout the story and sometimes the easiest road isn’t what’s best or what’s right for the one you’re coming to love and the people you hold dear.

Highland Conquest is the first book in the Sons of Sinclair series and I finished it looking forward to more. In particular, I cannot wait to see what Ms. McCollum has in store for the youngest brother, Bàs.

Highland Conquest follows Cain, leader of the Sinclair clan as he comes to terms with his father's recent death at the hands of the Sutherland chief, Arabella. Clans Sinclair and Sutherland have been at war for decades and once Cain realizes that clan Sutherland is led by a very beautiful woman, he is determined to end the war. When Arabella is captured after the death of Cain's father, Cain is determined to marry her and take the Sutherland lands for himself. He is the Conqueror, sent by God.

Arabella has no time or patience for arrogant men. She has even less time for men who think they know what is best for her. She won the right to lead her clan and a Sinclair beast will not take that from her. She is strong, fearless, and has secrets that she will protect with her life.

Cain is immediately drawn to the stubborn and capable lass, but Ella wants nothing to do with him. He plans on wooing and marrying her, then taking her lands. She plans on marrying and murdering him to protect her lands. They can't both get what they want.

This was a delightful romance. It was a sweet slow burn tale where both Cain and Ella learn to change and bend in order to find happiness. This is the first book in a series that will follow the four Sinclair brothers and I am already looking forward to reading the second book.

Highland Conquest is the first book in a NEW series by Heather McCollum. I discovered this author only a couple of years ago and truly have enjoyed her work so much. She really knows how to write great angst in her books. And anyone that really knows my reading tastes knows how picky I am when it comes to angst that enters the relationship between the main characters. But this author has such talent in writing it. The only downside is that this is an ARC and the text the publisher had chosen really didn’t work well for my eyes but the actual story was really well done.

Highland Conquest begins with a battle between two warring clans, and the father of the Sinclair’s is killed and the oldest son and now the Laird, goes after the leader of the battling clan, his enemy but also a woman he has known for years but somehow has been turned into his enemy. When he races after her, they share a kiss in the forest and he brings her back to his home as his captive and future bride. Cain is a thinker, and out of the four sons, he likes to see all possibilities and when he sees Ella, he knows that she is the answer. If they marry it will bring peace between them and allow Cain to conquer the other clan and bring balance to Scotland once again. But Ella has no plan in marrying Cain, a man she thinks has despised her since she was twelve years old. But as these two battle out their future a deep abiding desire forms and only once trust and love is built will the answer to all their problems be formed and a match of the clan be forged

Highland Conquest is a fabulous book and I really had such a blast with this one. I really love how this author handles these “captive” scenarios because they feel so real but not non-consensual where the relationship is concerned. Because there is consent in this book and I really liked seeing how well this author balances out that and seeing how well these two are matched for each other. They are both fierce in what they believe and stand for and I really love how protective they both are in the people they care about. The tension between them especially at the beginning is very strong at times, but seeing the level of trust that slowly forms between them is what makes this book so sweet in the end.

Overall I found Highland Conquest to be a battle of wills that is powerful, engaging and portrays the strength and beauty of the historic Scotland

The Sinclairs and the Sunderlands have been feuding ever since the Sunderland laird divorced his Sinclair wife & send her back to her clan in disgrace for not bearing him an heir. In the bitter battles that follow, both lairds are killed leaving their respective heirs to continue on the feud.
When Cain Sinclair takes on the mantle of laird the day his father is killed in battle with the Sunderland, he captures Ella, who has also inherited the position of laird from her father. He gives her an ultimatum, marriage to merge their two clans together under his rule, or death. When Ella chooses death, Cain decides that he really couldn’t care to give her a choice after all (lol) and marriage it is. Thereafter Cain finds quite a different battle on his hands in trying to court the beautiful but very spirited Ella.
The story was vastly entertaining with two strong characters in Cain and Ella. Born the oldest and groomed from birth to be the next laird, Cain is steadfast and sure of himself and the path his father set him on – uniting all of Scotland under Sinclair rule by might of the sword. It takes getting to know Ella and the different perspective she gives him that awakens him to that fact that conquering all of Scotland may not be the right path.
Ella in turn, as she spends more time (not that she had a choice) finds that Cain is not the bloodthirsty man she feared him to be. While undoubtedly a strong leader, she finds kindness and gentleness and fierce intelligence tempering the fearsome warrior.
A good read.

Highland Conquest by author Heather McCollum is a read that grabs your attention with the many marvellous characters therein. Ella and Cain are two characters that are perfectly matched. The secondary characters of Joshua, Gideon and Bàs are entertaining, and I cannot wait for their stories. A fabulous beginning in the Son's of Sinclair series by Ms McCollum.
Review copy received from Entangled Publishing via Netgalley

First off I love Heather McCollum. All of her Highlander books are amazing and I was so happy to she that she is staring a new series. The Sinclair brothers were told by there father they are the Horsemen, and each was groomed based on conquest, war, famine, and death. Cain’s the first brother and the H of this story. Ella and Cain’s families have been warring for 30 years. And when Ella kills the old chief Cain captures her and decided to marry her. Both Ella and Cain have strong personalities and they clash on pretty much everything. This a a fantastic start to a new series and I can not wait for more.

Highland Conquest by Heather McCollum is listed as the first book in the Sons of Sinclair series. This is a historical romance novel and is the tale between Cain and Ella, who are from two clans that are at war. This then makes the story about two enemies that overcome their hatred for each other. Cain’s brothers and sister are well developed and present a lead into further books in the series.
The story concept just did not work for me. The flow of the story moved rather slowly in the first portion of the book but picked up in the second portion. It would have been much better is the flow stayed smoother. The action was done well as was the passion. The story felt a bit heavy and difficult to read at times, and it could also have been shortened. I always love Scottish romances, but this one was only okay for me.

I can’t get enough of Heather McCollum I have read most of her novels and fall in love every time. Highland Conquest was no exception, the character swept me away. I will admit I had a little difficulty overcoming the idea that these characters were falling in love with the person who murdered each other’s sire. As the story went along Ella’s ability to look past that was clear but Cain’s still was not. Especially when his brothers barely looked poorly upon her for it as well. Overall I enjoyed the story. I know with editing the slow parts, which abounded in the beginning half of the book, will be tightened up and the book will be amazing, I can’t wait to purchase this one when it comes out in print.

Yes! It has been a while since I've read a Scottish type romance that was unique and well written. I loved this story. The way the two main characters interacted. Oh, the tension between them. It was a love hate relationship I could get behind. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Review will be live on the Book Confessions blog on 3-31-20

I received an advanced reader’s copy of Highland Conquest by Heather McCollum.

This book had great conflict between Cain and Ella from the start. Ella is captured and Cain plans to bring their two clans together by marrying her. She’s an unwilling bride and Cain decides he needs to woo her. His attempts don’t go well but as she sees different facets to Cain she does start to soften her stance. Ella is a strong character and has honed her own abilities as a warrior. I liked both of these characters and how Cain and Ella, but mainly Cain, had to grow and change to be together. I felt Ella was portrayed in a way that showed her vulnerability but also her strength. When Ella took actions that were risky, I found it refreshing that I understood why she was taking them, that she had skills, and also knew her limitations.

Cain’s brothers are interesting in their own right and I can’t wait to read their stories.

3.5 stars

I enjoyed this book, though it was a bit predictable and a bit too perfect. Ella tries so hard to dislike Cain and remain his enemy, but somewhere around midway, her feelings change. Cain isn't the ruthless killer that legend makes him out to be, and Ella begins to see that. With some misunderstandings and a few secrets, these two have an uphill battle ahead of them if they want a HEA.

My thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for the opportunity to read and review Highland Conquest by Heather McCollum.

3.7/5 🦄

So I rounded up to four in my goodreads rating...

This book was action packed to biblical proportions...specifically Revelations. The Sinclair sons have been presented by their conquest-crazed father as the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Their enemy, the Sutherland clan, is in all out war with them and has been for 30 years since the Sinclair chief divorced and disgraced Merida Sinclair. That is, until Ella Sutherland, new chief of the Sutherlands, successfully kills the chief of the Sinclairs and end up captured by the eldest son and new chief. He decides that she will marry him and they will unite under his rule, but Ella has a secret, has given oaths, that she must protect. Duh duh duuuuuuh!

I’ll tell you what I liked first. The story, while very much in line with tough warrior, hate-to-love tropes of historical romance, had a good flow to it with plenty of action and twists. I like both the main characters, but my favorite side character is Bas—he is the quiet one, the baby marshmallow boy of the sons, and I love him. I like also that the brothers, still going with trope, are very much NOT what they have been made to represent. They actually have some understanding of human emotions too—but other times, especially their comments about how to get women (and it actually plays out like they said!) I wanted to strangle someone. Let’s hope we aren’t that petty.

My biggest issue with the book is the particularly needless historicizing/archaizing of the language. It was bulky. It made me constantly slow down to read. For example, the word “fok” in this book means exactly what you think it means, but the human brain is conditioned to supplying expected letters (and corrects the failures of autocorrect). This word was literally the bane of my existence because I’d been happily reading along and then someone yells “fork!” No wait not fork! Go back, brain! Suffice it to say, I found this super annoying. It was like reading an unedited book that autocorrect had it’s wicked way with. I don’t feel it added to the story in any way. It just took me out of it and I had to constantly reengage. If you can get past this, you’ll be fine.

Would I read a sequel in this series?
If it’s for Bas, HECK YEAH!

Would I recommend this book?
If you like big broody highlanders and romance novel tropes, I do!

It was a good read. Maybe not a great read, but a good one.


I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.