Scottish pride, persuasion, and passion—this is Highland romance at its breathtaking best. From USA Today bestselling author May McGoldrick comes Highland Crown, the first book in the Royal Highlander series. Inverness, 1820Perched 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 … 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 is 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?
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I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Many thanks to the author for this opportunity.
I rarely give out a 5 star rating, for me a book must be outstanding and riveting to achieve high praise. Highland Crown by May McGoldrick has moved into that rare category. An astounding amount of research must have happened to mix fiction and history so seamlessly. I’m interested in learning more about “The Rising” thanks to the author.
Highland Crown refers to a ships name and also a mysterious part of the plot. We start with a dying Sir Walter Scott lamenting his part in the downfall of an autonomous Scotland. His reminiscing leads us into this heartrending tale.
Set in 1820 Scotland we’re in what is called “The Rising”, protests across the country for freedom from England. Pockets of activists, called reformers, stage work stoppages which makes the British very angry, it’s considered treason. They ride in with guns blazing to “contain” the rable-rousers which really means death.
We have our hero, Cinaed MacKintosh, something of a privateer and loyal to his country. He’s referred to as the “Son of Scotland”. He loses his ship and cargo along a costal town where Isabella Murray Drummond is hiding out. Thanks to her late husband, our heroine is fleeing not only the British but also the reformers. The bounties on her head are astronomical. These 2 are thrown together by circumstances, there’s strength in numbers. The attraction is instant, you know fate has brought them to each other, ah cupid. I’ll not include any spoilers so you can enjoy this wonderful tale yourself.
Highland Crown is the first in a trilogy and is available April 30,2019, Highland Jewel will be next up. I’ll be waiting. Happy reading.
#HighlandCrown #MayMcGoldrick #StMartin’sPress #historicalromance #NetGalley
dnf at 61%
This is my first May McGoldrick book. First off, I love the cover, but it will fool you thinking this is a romantic historical fiction. Either that or its a real slow burn and I never made it that far to really find out. This book was just dry, boring, and dragging majority of the story. I wasn’t really falling in love with the characters either. I couldn’t even figure out what the story was about aside from them being on the run. I won’t let this one prevent me from reading more of the duo’s work, but Highland Crown wasn’t for me.