Highland Crown

I just loved this, the only downside was that this is the first of a true trilogy, and the full story arc is not resolved in this one novel. I was desperate to find out what happens next.

I love the mix of history and adventure and romance in May McGoldrick books, and this first book in a new trilogy didn’t disappoint. Mrs Isabella Murray Drummond is hiding in a crofters cottage next to the sea in the village of Duff Head in the Northeast corner of the Highlands. Her doctor husband has died whilst tending to injured radicals, and she has had to flee for her life with her stepdaughter and half sister, Morrigan and Maisie. Isabella is also a qualified doctor, who had attended university and practised as a physician in Wurzberg, she married a much older man to provide for herself and her sister, and he brought them all back to Edinburgh. On the run for her life, as both the radicals and the British army have placed a huge bounty on her head, she is hiding in the home of an old woman, Jean, whose nephew John Gordon, has agreed to help the three women. Because she is the hunted one, she has been separated from her sister and stepdaughter..

One evening a ship, The Highland Crown, runs aground on the rocks. The villagers want the vessel as salvage, so they try to kill the survivors from the shipwreck.. In the struggle for the ship, they shoot the captain Cinaed Mackintosh. He has managed to torch the cargo, before being shot, and the villagers are enraged.

Isabella watches with horror, and her doctors training revels against this violence. She managed to pull Cinaed from the sea and deals with his wound, despite Jean’s protest. They are discovered by one of the villagers, and are forced to flee for their lives, they travel to Edinburgh after evading capture by the evil British officer Ellis Hudson., assisted by a mysterious band of Highlanders, and end up at the home of Cinaed..’s kinsman Searc Macintosh.

Cinaed has felt rejected by his clan and his mother, at the age of 7 he was forced to leave the clan, and sent to Searc, he was then apprenticed to a ship. He has made his way alone since then, buying the Highland Crown and transporting cargo from the colonies, he also carries weapons for the radicals occasionally.

Searc is a fixer, one of the most powerful men around, with fingers in all the intrigues in the city. He works with all sides including the British. His house is not safe, and Isabella and Cinaed masquerade as husband and wife, so that Searc will protect her too. Isabella tends Cinaed, who has been shot again, and Jean poses as their servant.

As he recovers they are both drawn to each other, they discover the house is being watched by an unknown band of Highlanders. Cinaed is formally introduced to the locals, who very confusingly, treat him as a hero. He is focused on saving Isabella and reuniting her with Maisie and Morrigan. He ignores these strange signs and continues to plan to save them all.

As they try to eliminate the threat Hudson poses to Isabella, find Maisie and Morrigan, and save John Gordon who has been captured by the British, they fall in love with each other, and Cinaed decides to marry Isabella in truth if she’ll have him. On the way they learn a lot more about themselves, and Cinaed discovers secrets about himself and his family. They mystery is not entirely solved, we need to wait for book 2 and 3 for that.

I absolutely loved the use of real history and fiction in this book. The plot was exciting and pacy, and very satisfying The relationship between to two main characters is lovely. So nice to see an older heroine, capable and competent. Their connection develops very well, and was pleasingly free of misunderstandings and lack of communication. They are both admirable characters it was easy to like and root for. It was lovely to see Cinaed’s protectiveness not result in hobbling Isabelle’s actions. All in all a most satisfying romance and book. Can’t wait for the rest of the series.

Highly recommended.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Also posted on Goodreads.

I adored this book! I loved the main characters SO MUCH and rooted for them to be together from the moment they met. The backstory of why everyone was after both characters was told so wonderfully that I was just as in love with their history and the world surrounding them as I was the characters themselves.

I truly enjoyed this wonderful historical romance. It was very fast paced and I couldn't put it down.! Cinaed and Isabella were strong characters that fought for their loved ones and for those in need. Cinaed is the captain of the Highland Crown. Due to the weather he loses his ship and some of his crew and is washed upon the beach of where Isabella is hiding. Isabella is a trained physician who, due to her first husband's political activities she is on the run. It is when she is in hiding that she encounters an injured Cinaed. She is determined to save his life even if she is risking being discovered. Together they embark in an adventure and romance blooms between them. Cinaed is a very sweet and honest man who will do anything to protect Isabella. We are also introduced to an array of secondary characters that play an important roles in the lives of Cinaed and Isabella.
Both authors did a wonderful job in mixing in actual historical events and fiction to tell us a story of adventure and romance in the Highlands. The series will continue, according to the Authors Note, with two more books. The stories will continue with Cinaed and Isabella's story, but we will also learn the fate of her stepdaughter and sister.

During a time that the struggle of simply trying to stay alive was difficult, two people find each other and find a love that many never do.

Exciting from the first page to the last. You never know which way the story will go or what some of the characters will do.

Highland Crown is the first in a new series by the husband/wife team - May McGoldrick. And friends, I Loved it! I couldn't put it down and read straight through the night. This book has everything I treasure in romance. A complicated yet intelligent heroine, a misunderstood yet caring hero, mystery, and intrigue with our hero's past, drama to overcome within the book, yet setting up enough open-ended issues to entice me to read more. And friends, I want more. I want this series done. Because I cannot wait to read how Isabella and Cinead's relationship deepens, and how others love stories might follow.

Everything about this book made me want to keep reading. The writing is crisp, creating lovely allusions and described in such a way so I felt I was there with them, along for the ride. The dialogue felt natural and not contrived. Finally, the sparks flew with our leads. I kept getting zingers through my body with each glance. Simple moments where clothes were still on and body parts hadn't even touched. The chemistry is fantastic.

I cannot wait for the next installment.

Riveting! From beginning to end. Wow! What a story! I am not sure how much of Sir Walter Scott`s prologue is fact based, though do know how these authors do their research I am sure the majority is true. The excerpts from Sir Walter`s writings certainty are fact. I loved the way each excerpt set up the happenings that would take place in the chapter. This is one of the best books I have read, full of action, intrigue, romance, a little humor, and rich in history. Cinead and Isabella`s story is worthy reading. I couldn't read it fast enough, it is so very good. However, it is a little unfinished in the end, to be continued in the next books in the series. I hope Nikoo and Jim write fast. I am very impatient to read the rest of their story.

“Highland Crown” by May McGoldrick is the first novel in the new Royal Highlander Series.
I strongly recommend this amazing and emotional story of survival to everyone! If you have never read or enjoyed historical fiction or romance before, then this novel will make you an instant fan!
The author masterfully sets a vibrantly detailed world, with cleaver plots interwoven with twist and turns, that carry you along with the characters through their journey of danger and intrigue. You never know who can be trusted or where your fate will take you. This exciting fast paced novel will keep you rooted flipping pages until they are gone.
This is definitely going to be a best seller and a book I’ll read again!

Isabell is a trained Doctor at a time when women were not accepted as such. Cinead is a man that has been sent away from his clan and becomes a captain of his own ship. One night Isabell finds him shot on the beach, and that’s were their troubles combine. The romance and adventure in this story is wonderful. It pulled me in and didn’t let go! I can’t wait for the next book.

If you are a true history buff, you will absolutely appreciate the depth of research the author has put into this book. She captures the fighting spirit of the people of Scotland admirably. This is the beginning of the love story of Cinaed and Isabella. It also tells the story of the path they take in their fight to see Scotland gain its freedom from British oppression. The plot and character development are well done. Readers will be impressed with Isabelle’s fierce willingness to fight for her beliefs. Cinaed is loyal and tenacious. The dialogue is witty and smart. I look forward to the continuation of the series to see how all the action plays out.

Good story flow. Interesting and entertaining characters. Like a story written in history. Fun to read the development of relationship and how people were in the past. Good read.

What could be more pertinent to the suffering of the Scottish Highlanders during the Highland Clearances inflicted on them by the English king than a connection to Bonnie Prince Charlie? Highland Crown by May McGoldrick is a book that is steeped in the history of Scotland in the 1820s and lays a solid foundation for the intense romance built on top of it.

Where history stops, imagination takes off, and McGoldrick seamlessly blends real history with her invention of connections, people and events. Against the fierce action of capture and escape, Cinaed and Isabella’s story of hope unfolds. Just as Isabella saves Cinaed’s life, he saves hers, and it is lovely to see how this strong bond between them deepens into love. I really enjoyed watching how despite the desperation of their circumstances, they are tender with each other, even as attraction simmers strongly between them. McGoldrick’s skillful writing makes that contrast momentous — at times, shocking, at times, sigh-worthy.

Highland Crown is one of the best Regency-era books I have read in recent months, and it is a worthwhile addition to your home library.

https://frolic.media/the-heart-of-a-story-highland-crown/

A Historical Scottish romance with good history of the times and conflict.
Great characters Isabella a Doctor is a strong woman ,caught up in the conflict of the times.
Cinead is a rogue and pirate who tries to helphis people.
Drama, adventures,angst suspense and romance.
Really liked the story,characters just a good Historical romance.
Voluntarily reviewed

I was given a ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.

This is my favorite series from McGoldrick. Love the history, passion, and tease of future books.