Highland Heart

By Heather McCollum

Alec Munro, chieftain of the Munros, has captured the Englishman who swindled his father. Set on retribution, he's caught off-guard by the thief's beautiful daughter, a lass whose beauty and spirit leave him questioning the value of revenge. Rachel Brindle has a secret: she can heal people with her magic. While journeying with her father and sister into the Highlands, she becomes a prize sought between two warring clans. She must use her cunning and her healing magic to prevent the same slaughter that started the blood feud a century ago. But when her secret is exposed, will it condemn her in the eyes of the barbarian who has capture not only her family, but also her heart?

The Highland Hearts series can be read out of order, but is best enjoyed in order.
Reading Order:
Book #1 Captured Heart
Book #2 Tangled Hearts
Book #3 Untamed Hearts
Book #4 Crimson Heart
Book #5 Highland Heart

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Dec 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781622669950

Heather McCollum

Heather McCollum is an award winning, historical and contemporary YA paranormal romance writer. She earned her B.A. in Biology from the University of Maine, much to her English professor's dismay. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, won the 2015 Readers' Crown, and was a 2009 Golden Heart Finalist. Ms. McCollum has twelve historical romances released in both electronic and digital formats. She also has three YA paranormal romances released in both formats. When she is not busy writing and answering calls of "Mom", she can be found educating women about ovarian cancer. She is a teal warrior herself and slayed the ovarian cancer beast in 2012. She currently resides with her very own Highland hero and three spirited children in the wilds of suburbia on the mid-Atlantic coast. More information about Ms. McCollum and her books can be found at www.HeatherMcCollum.com.

Book preview

Highland Heart

Heather McCollum

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © 2012 by Heather McCollum. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.

Entangled Publishing, LLC

2614 South Timberline Road

Suite 109

Fort Collins, CO 80525

Visit our website at www.entangledpublishing.com.

Edited by Libby Murphy

Cover design by Liz Pelletier

ISBN 978-1-62266-995-0

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition November 2012

Chapter One

Edge of Loch Tuinn

Highlands of Scotland

August 1512

Rachel Brindle sat her mare with ease, just like any well-bred Englishwoman. She twisted an escaped strand of dark brown hair and poked it under her velvet cap. Foolish hat! It couldn’t possibly contain her wild curls.

The wagons of provisions rambled behind Rachel and her sister, Isabelle, as they skirted the large lake that glittered with a million diamond-like bits of sunlight. The water looked so cool, but their father hadn’t allowed them to wade in it. She and Isabelle had been commanded to sip water and pray while everyone else refreshed.

Rachel huffed at the rebellious strands. She looked askance to her sister. Do you think we’re almost there?

Isabelle shielded her eyes against the sun. I remember the lake from when we visited with Father years ago. We’re close.

They were traveling to Munro Keep to meet with the elderly Hamish Munro, great Highland chieftain and her father’s business partner. William Brindle brought shillings and provisions in exchange for the fine wool that the Munros grew on their herds. It had been ten years since Rachel and her sister had accompanied him to the Munros, back when he smiled, back when their mother still lived.

I’m melting. A trail of perspiration tickled between Rachel’s breasts. Perhaps she shouldn’t have begged their father to bring them along to escape the boredom of country life. Even with the summer heat, her father had insisted she wear long sleeves when outside their home to hide her strange dragonfly-shaped birthmark. She dabbed at her forehead and chest with a lacy handkerchief.

If I succumb to vapors will you revive me? Rachel teased. As usual, Isabelle frowned at any mention of their special healing abilities.

I’ll pour water on your face, her sister threatened.

Rachel laughed. The sound cut off as her glance strayed through the copse of thick pines on their left. Her lips opened on an unuttered gasp as her gaze locked with the intense stare of a man. He sat statue-like on his horse a hundred yards back in the thick growth. His massive chest was bare like that of a barbarian. Red-brown hair nearly reached his broad, tanned shoulders, giving him a wild look. Though the forest shadows dappled along his skin, Rachel could see sculpted muscles protecting his ribs. He held a sword in one arm, his bicep large, as if accustomed to holding its weight for long periods of time.

Narrowed eyes assessed her, judging, waiting perhaps for her outcry. But Rachel kept silent, her thudding heart the only warning. Her chin rose as she met his challenge in defiance.

Did you see that plant? Isabelle pointed into the high grass of the small meadow they were crossing. I think it’s shepherd’s purse.

Rachel forced her eyes from the man even though the effort seemed ridiculously difficult. Nay, Isabelle, I missed it, she murmured. Should she alert her father? Who was the barbarian? Rachel didn’t even know whose land they traveled across. She knew the Munros warred with a neighboring clan, but surely her father would have kept their route along friendly territory.

Isabelle, Rachel asked casually. Do you have your arrows within reach?

Yes, but I don’t think father wants me hunting this close to the Munros.

Keep them close. Rachel looked at her sister, her eyes intense. Just in case. She pulled her

Reviews for Highland Heart

[alwaysyaatheart · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I typically don't read a great deal of historical romance, but thoroughly enjoyed Heather McCollum's Captured Heart, and was so excited to hear about her novella, Highland Heart. We originally met Rachel and Alec in Captured Heart, but they were much older. Highland Heart takes place before Captured Heart and is the story of how Rachel and Alec met. Rachel is what many would call a witch, but she calls herself blessed, a healer. Alec Munro is the leader of his clan and is quite the character, rough as they come while at the same time very desirable. He experiences Rachel's gift firsthand. Though the novella is only 50 pages, it is packed full or action, fantasy, and steamy romance. Since reading Heather McCollum's novels, I will never think of men in kilts the same way. I mean, who would have ever thought 15th century burly Scottish men who called their women "lass" could be so hot and passionate. Well they are, at least they are in the world Heather McCollum creates, which also includes adventure, beautiful imagery, fantasy, and historical elements. If you enjoy historical romance then I would recommend you check out Highland Heart and Captured Heart.