Review will be posted on 1/24/2020

Isabella isn't your usual woman living in the early 1800s. She is a trained doctor, which is unusual for the time period. She finds herself on the run from the British government and ends up saving Captain Cinead Mackintosh, who was essentially dying after his ship's demise. Now that Isabella has saved his life, he feels like he owes her to keep her save since he made her dire situation even more complicated. There's an undeniable attraction between the two that neither person can ignore. Cinead takes her to Dalmigavie Castle, where his family resides, with the hopes of keeping her safe. However, once there they find much more is in store for these star-crossed lovers, not to mention the fact that Cinead's relationship with his family isn't great as they essentially abandoned him. If you love historical romances that remind you a bit of Outlander, then check out Highland Crown by May McGoldrick, which is the first book in a historical romance series.

So, Isabella sounds familiar, yes? A beautiful doctor amongst a bunch of Scots? She's definitely got a Clarie Fraser from Outlander vibe going on and I appreciated it. Like Claire, Isabella isn't some young naive teenager; she is an experienced woman and an educated physician. She was married previously to an older man (a marriage of convienance), so her feelings for Cinead take her by surprise. It's not something she is used to. Speaking of Cinead, I wish McGoldrick would have developed their relationship a bit more. There's a bit of insta-love going on in Highland Crown, but I guess that should be expected when reading a romance novel? Once I looked past the insta-love, I was able to enjoy their romance.

Speaking of romance, I am not a romance reader by any means. I dabble in the historical romance genre from time to time, and I decided to pick up Highland Crown as I heard it's a good choice for Outlander fans. Highland Crown had a lot more action in it than I expected. So, if you like your romance novels action-packed, look no further. While this wasn't on the same level as Outlander, it was a fun romp through the Scottish highlands filled with a delightful romance, action, and historical events.

This is a great read. A female doctor in this time period, totally unheard of but we have one. This is the first in the series and I can’t wait to read the next book. Thanks for the great read!

It started slow but the action picked up quickly. In some ways, this is more historical fiction than romance. I learned more about Scottish history in the early 19th century. Isabella and Cinaed are both strong and inspiring figures.

I got 57% of the way through this one and decided to put it down for now. I really enjoyed the beginning and thought I was in for an exciting Scottish story with broad scope. I thought the writing was good and the characters were compelling, but 50% of the way into the book, we were still only on day two of the timeline. And I think we were supposed to believe the characters had really gotten to know and care for each other to the point where they're in love and are sacrificing their lives for each other, but I always have trouble suspending disbelief with that kind of uber quick relationship development. Ultimately, this one was not for me, but I do think others would enjoy it if they don't mind the quick timeline!

We begin an all new series, set in turbulent 19th century Scotland, with a bang as Isabella and Cinaed find love in the most unlikely of times and places during the danger and drama of a deadly escape and evade maneuver for the ages. I am a huge fan of pretty much any story set in Scotland and I have come to really enjoy the work from this husband and wife team under the pen name of May Goldrick, but I think I will enjoy this series even more than the previous one. Isabella is on the run from the government and the rebels as she tries to get out of Scotland after the death of her husband in a firefight in their home. She has lived her life in a dangerously odd profession for a woman as a physician, but she refuses to hide her calling when a shipwreck washes a man up at her feet with a gunshot wound. Cinaed wakes to find a beautiful woman caring for him, but soon realizes that he owes his life to a woman that is in serious need of a protector and he must decide is he is willing to fill that role. Cinaed is the type of hero that could lead an army into battle with no trouble at all, his charisma and sensuality could also lead any woman into sin in the blink of an eye, but his dedication and steadfast nature are even more enchanting. Isabella is brave and smart and a woman way before her time, but her willingness to forfeit even her own safety to protect those around her is what truly makes her a heroine in my eyes. I enjoyed very much seeing Cinaed and Isabelle working together to outsmart those that hunted them as they slowly found their footing in a relationship that built slowly even though their attraction to one another was immediate. There is a kind of subtle and sweet heat between them from the beginning and when they give in to it, it become they are meant to be together despite the world pulling them apart again and again. I am looking forward to whatever comes next in this series and seeing how the war affects the lives of these people. Another great series begins and I am dying to see where we go from here.

A wonderful book, rich in history and character development. Yes it's a romance, and a good one at that, but it’s so much more. The story is well-developed, with many details. It’s rich with the history of the times, as well as period details as the characters came to life. We get a real sense of this time period, the life and times of Scotland, as well as how the characters feel and think. It’s a great read. I’m heading right into the next in the series (which I don’t normally do). I received a complimentary copy of this book. This is my freely given, honest review.

The Royal Highlander series is a trilogy but only the first two have been published. I was going to wait until the third one comes out, but this series is too good to be put on hold. Author May McGoldrick masterfully wove fiction into history with very little artistic license, meaning she stuck to facts as close as possible.

And if that does not impress you, how about heroines that are older than the usual debutantes in historical romances. In Highland Crown, Isabella Drummond is a medical doctor and a widow. She trained in the university and was practicing medicine with her husband who was killed honoring his Hippocratic Oath.

Hunted by both the British government and Scottish rebels, Isabella fled to the Highlands with her half sister and stepdaughter. She could have kept on hiding but like any physician, she was compelled by her Hippocratic Oath to save Cinaed Mackintosh from dying when his ship, the Highland Crown run aground in the coast.

But as an urban saying goes, “no good deed goes unpunished,” Isabella found herself in peril once again because she saved Cinaed Mackintosh. The two found themselves on the run and somewhere along the way, they fell in love.

DNF @ 15%

I wanted so badly to love Highland Crown as the blurb drew me in and excited me for what it had to offer, but unfortunately I was unable to connect to the characters or fall into the writing. After a couple of times trying prior to release and now a couple of times after, I think it's time to admit defeat. I'm sure many others will love (and have loved) this story, it just wasn't for me sadly.

Mverness, 1820
Perched on the North Sea, this port town―by turns legendary and mythological―is a place where Highland rebels and English authorities clash in a mortal struggle for survival and dominance. Among the fray is a lovely young widow who possesses rare and special gifts.

WANTED: Isabella Drummond
A true beauty and trained physician, Isabella has inspired longing and mystery―and fury―in a great many men. Hunted by both the British government and Scottish rebels, she came to the Highlands in search of survival. But a dying ship’s captain will steer her fate into even stormier waters. . .and her heart into flames.

FOUND: Cinaed Mackintosh
Cast from his home as a child, Cinaed is a fierce soul whose allegiance is only to himself. . .until Isabella saved his life―and added more risk to her own. Now, the only way Cinaed can keep her safe to seek refuge at Dalmigavie Castle, the Mackintosh family seat. But when the scandalous truth of his past comes out, any chance of Cinaed having a bright future with Isabella is thrown into complete darkness. What will these two ill-fated lovers have to sacrifice to be together…for eternity?

My thoughts
Rating:4.5
A great start to a new to me historical romance story ,that has everything in it that you could want , and the you can tell as your read it that the author has put the time and effort to research her facts and that she has a way of mixing the facts with the fiction so we'll that they blend seamless together.And as your reading it the story comes to live with that said I want to thank Netgalley for letting me read and review it exchange for my honest opinion.

Highland Crown by May McGoldrick is the first book in a Scottish historical series, and despite the absence of a time-travel element, it feels extremely Outlander-y.

The book features a doctor heroine, an outlaw hero, and both are on the run from a very bad English solider.

Sound familiar?

The book is a lot of fun and it’s got almost non-stop action that makes it easy to read in a single sitting. Unfortunately all that action and movement don’t give the main characters an awful lot of time to take a breath and get to know each other, so the development of their romance was a little stilted.

Also, the big reveal at the end had me kinda…

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It’s eighty years after the Battle of Culloden, and things are still tense in Scotland. Isabella Drummond is a female surgeon, and she’s on the run. Her late husband, also a doctor, was secretly supporting the Scottish rebellion. English soldiers burst into their medical practice as they were treating people injured in a protest in Edinburgh, and Isabella’s husband was killed. She managed to escape, but only just barely.

The English, specifically Lt. Ellis Hudson, want Isabella as they believe that she can lead them to her late husband’s fellow rebels.

When the book opens, Isabella is making her way to Inverness and a man who can help her escape to Canada. She’s just arrived at the small village of Duff’s Head where a crotchety but lovable woman named Jean helps her hide for the night. Unfortunately things don’t go according to plan. That night a ship, The Highland Crown, runs aground on a reef and the captain, Cinaed Mackintosh, blows the ship up rather than risk its illegal cargo of weapons being confiscated. There’s a kerfuffle with the villagers which results in Cinaed being shot.

Jean wants Isabella to stay hidden so they can get to Inverness, but Isabella can’t ignore a person bleeding to death outside the cottage, so she drags Cinaed inside and saves his life.

This is all in the first few chapters, by the way. Like I said, this book has a lot of action

“Highland Crown” is the first book in the new trilogy by May McGoldrick. This book is loosely based on true historical events and gives us a feel for the Scots fight for independence from the British.

Isabella Drummond is a university trained doctor whose occupation draws just as much danger to herself as the memory of her late husband. After running away from Edinburgh to the highlands, she is now trying to find a way to reunite with her younger sister and stepdaughter. But she is a doctor who will go to any length to heal a person in need and that’s how she meets the dashing Cinaed Mackintosh.

Cinaed Mackintosh was sent away from his clan when he was just a little boy. Since then, he has had to fend for himself. He has made a name for himself as the Son of Scotland smuggling weapons for rebels to help in their fight against the British. But when he has to blow up his ship and get shot while sailing to land, he finds himself in the healing hands of a woman who is just as beautiful as she is gifted at healing. But this woman is not only unique due to her occupation, she is also wanted by the British and has a high price on her head.

A story hat will keep you on the edge of your seat! Mystery, excitement and a sweet and passionate love story. Can’t wait to find out the mystery behind Cinaed’s past and what will become of his and Isabella’s future. A great start to another beautiful series by May McGoldrick.

I've been reading May McGoldrick for a while and I love her Highland tales! I enjoyed this one. Plot had a few holes but nevertheless a win. A favorite author of mine indeed!

2.5 Stars

My biggest issue with this book is that I didn’t like the romance and since it’s primarily a romance, this was an issue. Isabella and Cinaed come together so quickly and don’t really have time to get to know each other that it was hard to but the connection they supposedly had. Politics played a major role in the plot which was an rare addition to a historical romance, I thought.

I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Terrific it-could-have-really-happened story with a strong sense of Scottish history. I liked it so much I read it twice! Can't wait for the rest of the series.

*ARC via netgalley*

Oh this was just really lovely? I wasn't quite sure what I'd be getting here, with the historical figure addins and many, many factual references, but this was just such a delightful read--a nice mix of action and oomph and drama and romance. The twist ending was a bit...different, but curious about the next one!

It took me a little while to finish this book, not because I didn't enjoy it but because life got in the way. I really enjoyed reading about Isabella and Cinaed but I do feel like they fell in love way too fast. There were some action parts in this book that I enjoyed but there was an action scene with Isabella that I would have actually liked to read about but it seemed a bit rushed. Overall this was an enjoyable escape from the stresses of life.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the galley.

Kindly provided with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.......

I am a sucker for a good historical romance and I every much enjoyed Cinaed and Isabella's story. It for me had that wonderful blend of a"highlander" and a "pirates of the sea" storyline........you just cannot fault that !!!

Isabella as a character was brave and her life was part tragedy, however this does not stop her generous heart and her capacity to care and eventually fall in love with our rogue sea captain Cinaed.

Cinead is a what I want becomes mine type of guy and I am glad her directs that ethos to Isabella !!!

Yup, a very action packed but romantic read !!!

Well done May !!. Many thanks for this opportunity xx

Later peeps xxx

Isabella Drummond is wanted by both the British government and the Scottish rebels. She is in the Highlands to hide when she finds a ship's captain washed ashore. Isabella is a doctor and will do her best to help him. Cinaed was cast out of his home as a child and has been a sailor. He will now do anything to protect Isabella. Will their love stand once the truth of his past comes out?

I am not a huge fan of books with war in the background. I was able to ignore that to read this book. I liked the writing and the characters.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you!

I fell in love with this beautiful romance set in Scotland during a time of poverty, war and social unrest.

Isabella is that strong, independent female character that you can’t help but love. She is a doctor, which in itself is enough to be admired as women in general were not encouraged to do something like this during these time periods but she also is confident in herself and her skills and she never backs down. She is also a wanted woman by both the British and the Scottish people. Her deceased husband was proclaimed a rebel to the crown and the British want her for her knowledge. The Scottish people want her so that they can ensure she never speaks. She is torn in between and desperate to escape and ensure her families safety.

By luck, she crosses path with Cinead, a ship captain that imports weapons and other supplies to the Highlands. They meet at his weakest moment and she cares for him until he is strong again. This sets them off on a path of survival, hope and perhaps a chance at a new future?

I loved so much about this book from the plot, the writing to the characters themselves. I loved how Isabella was portrayed to the reader, she was strong, intelligent and calm in the face of so much disaster, death and pain. You immediately fall in love with her and want to know more about her and keep praying that everything will work out okay for her. The relationship that begins to blossom between her and Cinead leaves you wanting more. I would love to see a second installment of this story! This is a definite must read.

Great love story full of adventure and risk. Two well set people that come together to meet in a rough situation, but allow their love for each other to grow. Great story.