I know I am supposed to adore Maise and what she supposedly brings to suffrage and the feminist movement but all I kept thinking was how stupid and oblivious to reality she was. There were pages written to make it seem as though she learns a lesson but just I didn't believe it. Headstrong is a word some would like to use to describe her but ridiculous is more apropos. I just could not relate to her.

This book is a well, written story by an author new to me. The characters and story lines are deep and well developed and I very much enjoyed reading this story, will look for more from this author in the future..

I have completely enjoyed this book. The characters have so much depth and the story had me transported into their world. I always like books that include characters from previous books. I like knowing what is going on for them. I truly look forward to reading the next installment of this series!


Great characters & story!

I love this book. It's well written, well researched and the cast of characters are likable and you cannot help rooting for them.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I received this book from NetGalley in return for a fair review.

This book is okay but I found it took me three days to read. I felt I had been mislead by the prologue and kept looking for it to take place in the book. I didn't realize until the authors page at the end that this is book two in a trilogy. The book has a lot of history in it which I like, but I just felt we spent too much time getting to the point.

This well written historical romance tale chronicles the terrible time when the English tried to control the Scots and the Irish who didn't follow the English king without question The author details how horrible it was and develops several romances in the midst of the chaos. Her vivid descriptions of the characters brings them to life
The intrigue inherit in the circumstances peppers the pages and makes one hope for a HEA, despite the bleakness in some of the circumstances There is a HEA and I recommend for those who love a Scottish Historical romance

This is the first book that I have read by May McGoldrick. It was a good book. I do feel it is not a standalone and I should of read the first book in the series. There are so many references to the first book that I did not get. If, you like historical romances, than this is a win.
I received this as an ARC from the publisher through Net Galley.

An historical romance set in the 1800s in which it is described the strenuous struggle of the Scottish population overwhelmed by the oppression of the English crown. In this tumultous scenario a romantic story arises betweeb a girl who apparently seems fragile and peaceful but underneath those layers hides a fierce woman struggling to obtain women's rights and a retired officer of the Royal Highland Regiment who is enthralled by her passionate features. A book that greatly describes the historical situation of that time with the addition of a romance between too highly developed characters. A story full of love for one's strong beliefs and homeland leaving the reader that eagerness to read more.

I couldn't have anticipated that 'Highland Jewel' would turn out in any way positively. I was completely charmed and surprised with this intense offering by the writing team of May McGoldrick. I think it may be more historically accurate to think my ancestors were more driven by the fight for survival than the desire to correct social injustice. Aside from that more modern sensibility this was a wonderful story with gripping intrigue and interspersed with real persons in history. I didn't read the first in the series and will be getting it. I highly anticipate the third in the trilogy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Maisie and Niall must overcome history itself in order to be together. Another masterpiece by May McGoldrick. To be fair, I am a fan of their work. I did read Highland Crown and loved it very much, and Highland Jewel did not disappoint. This is the second book in the Royal Highlanders series, and probably should be read in order to avoid confusion and references that are used. This book steps back in time a bit more before Highland Crown which at first left me thinking that perhaps this should have been first in the series. I really enjoyed hearing about some of the action from Highland Crown from another character’s perspective and meeting Morrigan. Highland Jewel then speeds past where Highland Crown left off and it all works itself into a beautifully woven story full of adventure and of course love. As is expected, team McGoldrick did their homework with intertwining historical events into fiction and it left me with wanting to find out more about the real life events that took place. I really appreciated seeing the character of Queen Caroline given a small storyline given her real life story.
My only negative would be that I would have liked to see this story be a bit longer in order to fully explain things more, it felt rushed to me. Maisie and Niall’s romance seemed to happen in a matter of days which to me didn’t fit either of their strong characters. I also thought that there wasn’t many scenes with just Maisie and Niall, there was always someone else or a reference back to Isabella’s story. The ending does leave many questions and things up in the air which was understandable given that there is another book due out soon (Highland Sword), but again, I thought it could use more.
Overall the storyline for Highland Jewel is strong and engaging with some unexpected twists and turns. Well done to the writing team and I cannot wait for Highland Sword and more of Morrigan!
My thanks to St. Martin's Press and May McGoldrick for an advanced e-copy in exchange for my review

Maisie Murray and Niall Campbell are maybe both writers at heart but they are opposite in most ways. Maisie, is an activist, fighting for women’s rights with the help of her friend Fiona who happens to be Niall’s sister. Niall is a retired military man who have always followed the law. When he met Maisie, he already have enough of the violence and just wanted a stable life. But thanks to his sister and Maisie, he was thrown again to the political issues he was trying to walk away from. Everything turned worse when Fiona was arrested. Their lives are in danger, and Maisie and Niall have to set aside their budding romance because of it.

This is one of those books I was invited to review on Netgalley and when I read the blurb, I was really intrigued. I was excited to see the romance between a retired military and an activist. Plus the theme is so strong and important, I just couldn’t say no to it. Turned out I was right to be excited though I can say the book isn’t everything I hoped it would be.

I felt unsatisfied by the romance in this book. I found it unromantic and bit bland. It didn’t help that the writing is filled with ‘telling’ and ‘little’ to showing. There’s also lots of info-dumping. It affects the flow of the story because it ended up as if I’m reading a history book. Like for example, a new character would appear, there would be an info-dumping of who that character is and how does the main character met him/her. And chapters also usually start with info-dumps. It’s really not good for a romance book. The characters are okay, I guess. But they’re not the most interesting.

The great news about this book is the historical part. Like I said, the theme and issues tackled in this book are important. I found it really interesting and in my opinion, the authors handled the theme well. They really did a great job. There’s even further information in the author’s note which I enjoyed reading.

Overall, I still enjoy reading this book. I was just disappointed with the ‘Romance’ part. My one-line review after reading this book said ‘…the focus is confusing’. This book is advertised as Historical Romance so of course, I jumped in hoping to find romance and maybe even feel giddy (hehe). For me, this read more as Historical Fiction, Literary or maybe even Chick Lit. I don’t know, but the romance became the side plot instead of the main. I really hope there’s more romance.

Highland Jewel take you into a piece of Scottish history when social unrest is spreading. Maisie family thinks she a quite young lady with no interest. Only she not what they think she is. She an activist and part of the Female Reform Society with he friend Fiona. Fighting for change in Scotland when England is trying to take rights away. Fiona's brother Niall retires from the military is back home to see his sister when life takes a turn for all of them. Only thing is I wish know this was the second book of the Royal Highland Series. The first book is Highland crown which fallows Cinaed and Isabella's story. I enjoy the strong women characters who stand up for what the believe in. Can't wait for Morrigan's story to be published next.

The second installment in the Royal Highlander series is an intriguing walk through the sordid history of England, Ireland and Scotland in the late 1700's through the early 1800's. Princes Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel is separated from your young son, but not by choice. She has married the present King (arranged, not by choice) and he wants the young child banished because he fears loosing the throne to him at some point.

Cinaed Mackintosh is banish, but at least he is not killed. At four years of age he set adrift without his mother.

Years later he becomes know as "the son of Scotland," a title that represents his position as the future leader of the Scottish people.

Young Maisie is a woman who also has been put adrift somewhat by the death of her parents. She though has remained with family and lives with her sister and brother-in-law. They think she is meek and mild manner. But what they don't know is that she is an activist working diligently to bring the rights of women to the forefront of politics.

This second story is the story of how Maisie falls in love, only to have it thwarted by the throws of anarchy. It is also the story of how Cinaed and his mother, the Queen, are reunited.

There is intrigue, deception, turmoil, desperation, betrayal and love. Each chapter brings us closer to devastation that might tear each character apart. But each chapter also brings us closer to how love, loyalty and integrity might triumph and bring victory to those who are oppressed.

While loosely tied to history, the story has enough relevance to what truly happened to make it an excellent read and insight into the times and lives of those caught up in political deception and control.

The characters are very well developed. They become the hero's that we all want to find in our lives and times. They will wow you, confuse you, devastate you, but also give you hope for a brighter future for the Land of the Scot's.

I am waiting with anxiousness for the third book in the series.

I couldn't get into the story, I thought the premise sounded good but it lacked in the execution. Maisie's motives and her relationship with her family weren't that believable to me. I mean, her sister is a doctor and her sister's husband is in politics, all of them are radicals but they will be against her fighting for women's rights? Just because she has created this "persona" that is naive, ignorant and only cares about finding a good husband?. It didn't make any sense to me.

And Maisie was like a white feminist, because she's like "we women don't have any rights and we are supposed to live to serve men, it doesn't matter your class" and that wasn't AT ALL true. She had privileges that other women's hadn't and she wasn't even aware of it. I couldn't connect with her.

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet, sexy romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

Highland Jewel is a delightful mix of strong heroines, daring men, and political intrigue. Scotland is in a uproar, people are protesting injustice and the new laws set forth by the crown make everyone a target. Maisie Murray is a docile little mouse at home but in reality she is a fiery spitfire that helped found a women's reform group with her best friend Fiona. Danger comes for the women and Fiona's brother Niall saves Maisie from the law. A soldier looking for peace, Niall Campbell finds love instead until disaster strikes and his sister is held over his head by the crown to make him pull off a dangerous mission. In the background runs the story of Princess Caroline trying to be reunited with her son and hoping to place a new man on the throne of Scotland. I love the unconventional female leads in this story and the men make you want to swoon. The pages turn quickly and the story draws you in for a sweet and addicting read with just the right dash of spice to heat up the pages. May McGoldrick has gained a new fan for life. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

My suggestion is to read the first book, HIGHLAND CROWN, before this one, because of the overlap of characters and events. 1820, George III dies and Prinny becomes King George IV. Crowds of dissension and protesting the loss of people's rights, including women and the homeless veterans of the Napoleon War and their families, create fear in the King and his cronies. In the middle of all this turmoil are Maise Murray, Fiona Campbell and Fiona's brother Nial, recently out of the 42nd Royal Highland. Maise and Fiona found the Edinburgh Female Reform Society. Nial is their protector who finds his love for Maise tested when a kidnapping and a betrayal come into play. Will the "King of Scotland" live or die? A lot of politics based on historical facts with a romance included in the story makes this a very interesting book.
An ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

This series really brings the Scottish struggles to life. Danger lurks around every corner and standing up for your principles isn’t easy. I loved the characters and the snippets of history that are thrown in. The first few chapters were a little unsettling with the time sequences, but I understood later what the author was driving for. The end seems a little rushed and I look forward to getting more information in the next book in the series.

Highland Jewel by May McGoldrick is a fantastic historical romance. The actual history of the time is highlighted in this book as much as the character's story. I loved that, but folks that aren't big fans of history might not care for this book as well as others they may have read by this author. Maisie spends her time secretly writing speeches for the Female Reform Society and attending forbidden protests. Niall is a retired officer of the 42nd Royal Highlanders and just wants to find a peaceful life with his sister and nieces. Maisie and Niall's story is full of drama, humor, sexy bits, action and cover to cover suspense. I enjoyed reading Highland Jewel and look forward to my next book by May McGoldrick. Highland Jewel is book 2 of the Royal Highlander Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

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

Great story full of twists and turns that keeps you reading page after page. Can't wait till the next installment.