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?
more
Isabella Drummond is an unusual combination of strength and intelligence, caught up in the machinations of politics.
Circumstances and luck, along with people who want justice for those caught, have given Isabella safehaven with Jean, an old wizened brusque woman. I enjoyed the character building the author did for this secondary character. At first, she’s concerned for her own skin, regrets helping her nephew by providing a hiding place for Isabella. But soon her priorities change as the story flies off the page.
The old woman is part of a community which lives off what the sea cough up.
One night a ship carrying weapons for the rebels in Scotland crashes against the rocks. Villagers are eager to grab what they can, killing the survivors of the shipwreck. Cinaed, captain of the ship is almost killed by a bullet, but miraculously, he makes it to shore. As the villagers scan the shore for wreckage and survivors, Isabella takes it upon herself to try to save them man. Just one more body for the old woman to hide in her wee cottage.
She hauls him to the cottage under cover of darkness with the help of the old woman Her actions of compassionate as a doctor to heal puts both herself and the old woman at peril. Even when Cinaed is close to death he’s concerned for the women. He’s a man of fine qualities. His actions go beyond his physical capacities, yet, his will makes him a survivor. The journey these three take together is one filled with honor, justice and determination to save each other and do what is right. To live they must escape the cottage…
You won’t be disappointed in this adventurous, fast-paced, character-driven story. From the first chapter you are hooked through the events and kind of people who make this story zip along. The best and worst of man is portrayed. Cinaed truly finds himself in the Highlands among family which surprise him.
This is the first book in the new series Royal Highlanders and it started the series off wonderfully. The prologue itself draws you into the story and you never want to put the book down! The story is full of political suspense, history, romance, and adventure. It was well written and fast paced. The authors research and knowledge of history in that time period shows in the writing of the story. The descriptions were so wonderful and full of detail. I loved all the suspense and was drawn in by the characters. Isabella and Cinaed were so courageous and brave. I can’t wait to read more about them in the next book of the series. I received a digital ARC of this novel courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
I am a fan of this book genre. The mix of historical data, location and unexpected (to them) romance is always a winner to me. This book kept me wanting to read more and not want to set it down….wanting to see exactly how things would work out. The dashing captain, Cinaed and the strong-willed Isabella, were meant to both clash and love. The villainous British officer and his soldiers during the turbulent uprising times of the Scottish people bring the drama to the story. Well-worth reading. Was surprised to find that this is the first in a series….but totally look forward to the next two books to see how the story of Cinaed and Isabella, family and friends plays out. Thanks to author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in return for an honest interview, which this has been. #HighlandCrown, #StMartinsPress, #NetGalley
This was a riveting, fast-paced romantic adventure story! The main characters were engaging, and their story and romance were captivating.
When I picked up Highland Crown I thought it’s going be straight up romance novel but this book turned out to be so much more. Highland Crown is a start to a historical fiction series, rich in Scottish history and lore. Of course, we also get a swoony romance.
In Highland Crown, we are introduced to Isabella Drummond, university educated physician, and Cinaed Macintosh, a sea captain whose ship crashes near the coastal village where Isabella hides. Isabella is on the run from both the British soldiers and the Scottish rebels. British soliders want her for treason and the rebels want her because they are afraid she will reveal their secrets to the soldiers. After she saves Cinaed’s life, he wows to help her evade her pursuers. The constant danger that they find themselves in brings them closer and closer together.
I liked both Isabella and Cinaed very much. Cinaed respects Isabella’s intellect and her skills as a physician and Isabella is attracted to his charisma and his leadership skills. But Cinaed have secrets in his past that even he is not aware of and that may prevent them from finding happiness together. Highland Crown is not a stand alone book, it’s only the beginning of Cinaed and Isabella’s journey and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
Isabella and Cinead stumbled upon each other and fall into love under very perilous circumstances. It seems no matter where they turn, the Devil myself is after them, in one form or another. If not for her dedication to duty and skill as a physician/surgeon, there is no doubt Cinead would have ceased to exist, folks. I don’t know about you, but I love it when the leading lady saves the day.
I felt I was immersed into the politics and struggle running rampant in the Highlands right along with this main couple. The romance and circumstances that put them on the run and into hiding seemed to go like them, hand in hand. Normally, I’m jealous and resentment of content that isn’t focused solely on the romance, but somehow the subplots helped cement this main couple’s relationship.
Isabella was strong, courageous, and always tried to do the right thing. Goodness, between her awesome character and Cinead’s always putting her safety before his own, they both deserved not just crowns, but highland halos.
As usual this author keeps her writing engaging and flowing across the pages. She seems to always give me a romantic tale with a likable main couple I can’t help but root for.
Title: Highland Crown, Series: Royal Highlander (Book 1), Author: May McGoldrick, Pages: 320, stand-alone but part of a series, detailed historical backdrop interwoven, tough as nails hero, doctor/surgeon heroine, both on the run, widow heroine, HEA for now, more to come, steamy scenes, perilous situations.
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)
Rich with history, I enjoyed this tale. Isabella and Cinead were both strong and formidable characters, each driven by their pasts and circumstances. I held my breath every time a situation arose. Would they succeed? Would they be caught? Their attraction brought a softness to the story. I recommend this story.
I received an ARC through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.
BOOKREVIEW
Book: Highland Crown
by May McGoldrick
Series: (Royal Highlander, Book #1)
Release Date: April 30th
Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook of
Tartan Book Reviews
Celtic World of Historical Book Reviews, Purple Tulip Book Reviews
Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog
Heat Rating: Sizzling hot
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Abbotsford, the Scottish Borders
September 1832
This book begins with a magnificent prologue, centering around the famous historical novelist-poet-playwright and historian, Sir Walter Scott. As he is near his death it shows how reflects about himself as his sees himself, and as others see him to his eyes only. It shows how the heroine of this novel did the biggest favor of his life and he wants to repay it. As he had only admiration and respect for Isabella Murray Drummond. Many men were jealous of Mrs. Drummond’s abilities. This would actually change history except she was now missing! As she disappeared in the Highlands, but was about to have the biggest adventure of a lifetime. Definitely more exciting than any story he has written with his pen.
He was born August 15, 1717 and died September 21, 1832. In each chapter there is a beautiful poem from the brilliant work of Sir Walter Scott.
My personal favorite in the book:
So Wondrous wild,
the whole might seem,
the scenery of a fairy dream.
— Sir Walter Scott
“Lady of the Lake”
This is a favorite poem of mine not in the book:
“ Up with the Bonnie Blue Bonnet,
The dirk, and the feather and a’ ! ”
— Sir Walter Scott
“ Lady of the Lake”
This is the book of two lost souls who meet but there are many rough seas and rip tides they have to get over. If they even have a chance at survival to reaching calm seas!
Duff Head, Northeast
Highland Coast
June 1820
The city of Inverness is on the North Sea in Scotland. It is a port town where Highland rebels and Sassenach forces clash for mortal survival for endurance and sovereignty. Among the struggle is Isabella Drummond, a woman who has unique and extraordinary talents. In addition she is being tracked by Scottish Rebels and the English Government. So she goes into hiding in the highlands an area she was born in, but has no memory of.
With the advice of a lawyer friend John Gordon he tells her to hide with his elderly Aunt Jean in this secluded fishing village in Duffhead, Northeast Qi! Highland Coast. As John is booking her passage on a ship to Canada. In Duffhead, the villagers pretty much live off the sea and others misfortunes . It can be shipwrecks, dead corpses or strangers they rob. They take from the sea and give to the seas as they say. They split the newly discovered treasures between all the villagers. These villagers owe loyalty to no one, yet trust no one outside of their village. They will rob, murder and cut the throat of any stranger on their lands, than they throw the dead body into the sea. This is also the best place for Isabella to hide as it is pretty much unknown and secluded as not many know of its existence.
Unfortunately this is where Cinaed Macintosh ends up after a monster storm shipwrecked his ship and livelihood. They had no choice but to destroy all the illegal cargo too, which infuriated this gang of thieves that live in Duff Head! Cinaed’s life has not been easy, he was thrown out of his clan at age nine to become a Captains boy. He has been on ships his entire life, even a woman’s touch was never free, he always had to pay for it. He never owned anyone’s heart nor had anyone owned his. He also feels like a loner and doesn’t belong to any clan, King or cou His ship the Highland Crown explodes as he tries to save all his men on long boats, but becomes separated. He ends up in this deadly, twisted, evil , fishing village and gets shot in the chest. This was done just so they can steal from him! Isabella Drummond becomes his savior and as cannot stay hidden as she had previously promised John Aunt Jean as she wasn’t even to speak with her low lander accent! Plus the villagers are furious there is no ships booty or fortune to steal and someone has to pay for their loss.
Isabella sees a man’s life is in jeopardy, she was a healer and had to help heal him no matter what the consequences were. Although he does nearly choke the life out of her in the process, but the Doctor in her understands as he was confused and guarding his own life. Of course John’s Aunt is furious and would rather the assume let this sea dog die as she knew the people in her village would end up asking her questions or worse. These were definitely not kind, caring, trustworthy, charity driven souls in Duff Head! Than the worst happened as Cinaed killed a villager for the right reasons and they had to leave. Plus Cinaed who needed rest and healing was shot again by the English. This time it was an officer in protecting Isabella but now the English Lieutenant was obsessed in finding Isabella dead or alive!
Isabella Drummond becomes his savior, as Cinaed Macintosh becomes her savior as well. As these black hearted Dragoon Hussars of the English Calvary just tracked and stalked her, offering an outrageous amount for the reward if anyone turns her in! Asking the rebellious starving Scottish who don’t trust her to turn her in as they are desperate people yet their position and standing in life is caused by these English Dragoon Hussars. Yet the Scottish rebels want to kill her due to fearing she has to much information about their illegal activities. Isabella murdered husband husband was heavily involved as it has been for over 70 years since the battle of of Culloden in ‘45!
Now they all have to leave Duffhead due to a villain that has to be killed or the man would of killed them not to mention turn Isabella in or worse. Isabella feels so guilty forcing Johns elderly Aunt Jean leave the only place she has ever called home and Cinaed who still needs to rest and tending to his gunshot wounds to avoid a fever that could be fatal. Yet during these desperate hard time these two end up falling in love. A feeling Isabella has never felt as her marriage before had been to a man 28 years her senior. It was an arranged marriage to help her in her medicine education and so she keep practicing and helping people. Unfortunately he was killed because of his rebellious activities by the English and her knowing too much everyone wants Isabella dead.
Will these two triumph or will they be hung by the hangman’s noose or worse?
This book was a definite nail biter that I could not put down. Only this first book in this brand new Royal Highlander series and I am totally hooked! It was absolutely another fast moving, action packed , page turning, riveting romantic adventure that had me gasping with delight! It is filed with my absolute favorite best loved book combination which is true history blended with a beautiful fictional romance. So much has true events and even having iconic figures like Sir Walter Scott and mentions of other true Scottish figures in this novel. Plus the dialogue was incredible, the settings were amazing, the plotting will have readers gasping for air, wondering with high anticipation what could possibly happen next, how will they ever be able to get ahead? Plus the awe inspiring chararacters that are absolutely exhilarating and unforgettable!
I have been a huge fan of May McGoldrick close to twenty years and have loved each and everyone and this new book was no different!
I received this book from St. Martin’s Paperback publishers for a fair and honest review. I voluntarily agreed to read, review, blog and promote through netgalley. All words, ideas and thoughts are my own.
Buy Links
https://www.amazon.com/Highland-Crown-Royal-Highlander-McGoldrick/dp/1250314976
https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/highland-crown-may-mcgoldrick/1128526361?
https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Highland_Crown?id=ceRhDwAAQBAJ&hl=en_US
https://www.kobo.com/ww/en/ebook/highland-crown
Well written, with engaging characters and a good grasp of the history of the time. There is violence, ill-treatment and protest marches, as well as intrigue and romance. We have the female physician/surgeon being persecuted by the authorities and surrounded by those wanting her demise and the charismatic wounded hero, whose strong spirit enables him to fight for those needing his protection, even whilst dangerously ill.
This is a trilogy and the story continues on, though I guess you could call the ending of this part as HFN. It is however difficult to see how the future bigger (rather than personal) story can end happily. Set during a shameful period in British history when fear of revolution led to heavy handedness on the part of the Government and Army; and landlord greed led to the Highland Clearances, the fate of the poor, the uneducated and landless is unenviable.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Enter a world of intrigue, danger and growing love with Cinaed and Isabella as their paths cross to the resulting journey together. Enjoyed the storyline and characters. Looking forward to the next book of the series.
Ebok from net galley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.
3.5 stars rounded up.
Isabella Murray Drummond is a woman on the run. A gifted doctor, she was content to administer aid to those in Edinburgh at her husband Archibald’s practice, but Archibald led a double life – doctor by day and radical reformer by night – when the weavers strike and all hell breaks loose – Isabella takes her younger sister and step-daughter and flees with the help of Sir Walter Scott. Now Isabella has been labeled an enemy of the crown and a bounty has been placed on her head by the surviving radicals. With no options, she places her trust with Sir Walter’s friend, John Gordon – he hides her in the highlands with his Aunt Jean and takes the girls to an unknown location.
Cinead MacKintosh aka the “Son of Scotland” is a smuggler and unknown enemy of the crown. He was cast out by his clan at the age of 9 and lived in Inverness with a kinsman, until he too sent Cinead away. He spent 20 years at sea and captains his own ship, the Highland Crown. But his latest mission has ended in tragedy – and he is forced to blow up his ship the Highland Crown in order to prevent his cargo from falling into the wrong hands. But the scavengers don’t take kindly to his plan and Cinead ends up shot and barely makes it to shore. Isabella heard the explosion and ventured out of the cottage to see what is going on – she finds Cinead, barely alive and saves his life – much to the disgust of Jean. When a villager learns that Jean is hiding outsiders, they have no choice but to flee to Inverness and hopefully find John and leave Cinead in his kinsmen’s care.
The arrive at the inn where John is staying and prepare to part ways, the ladies go inside and Cinead knows he should go, but he can’t seem to walk away from Isabella. Isabella just wants get the girls and leave Scotland and the nightmare of the last few weeks far behind her. But things do not go as planned and the innkeeper betrays them to the English. If not for Cinead’s quick thinking – Isabella would have been arrested and hanged as a traitor. But as they escape, Cinead is shot again and Isabella cannot leave him. The travel to his kinsman Searc MacKintosh and tell him they are married. Searc is something of a crime lord and trusts no one – so Cinead warns her to stick to their story and stay by his side.
This was a good story, filled with a lot of intrigue, secrets, betrayal, warm love scenes, nail-biting moments, wonderful characters as well as the heartache and horrors of the Radical Wars in 1820 Scotland. This book is the first in the Royal Highlanders series and sets up the series nicely.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
Romance – History – Adventure – Danger…all this words describe this fabulous historical highland romance. These two take the best of their author voices and combine it into a rich historical adventure.
Isabella Drummond is a widow running for her life. The British want her because she kn0ws the names of the Edinburgh rebels working to restore Scottish independence. The rebels want her because she knows too much and don’t want her to give them away. She’s a female doctor trained by her father and very good. Unfortunately woman can’t practice medicine outright in this time period. She wants to disappear and find a measure of peace. The twist in this story is she’s being aided in her escape by Sir Walter Scott, the famous Scottish poet and favorite of the English queen. Cinaed MacKintosh is a privateer ship captain, shipwrecked off the scottish coast of her hideaway. Isabella finds and saves his life. The town’s scavengers want him as he blew up their prize when he crashed. He was carrying arms for the Scottish rebellion. The both are running for their lives.
Both characters are strong survivors and I fell for them both. Cinead defied physics many times by surviving and saving Isabella. She in turn used her skills and cleaver mind to keep him alive. These two are larger than life and embody the best of highland romance. I am so glad I stumbled onto this author duo. They offer the best stories in the genre.
:I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Cast from his home as a child, Cinaed Mackintosh is a fierce soul whose allegiance is only to himself, he’s made a life for himself after being sent to sea aged nine, now the proud owner of the Highland Crown a ship that travels across the Atlantic bringing amongst other things arms to the Highlanders. Then a storm hits & his ship flounders on a reef, whilst in the long boat Cinaed is shot & tumbles nto the sea only to be saved by Isabella.
Isabella Drummond is thirty four & a widow running with a price on her head. A true beauty and trained physician who’s now hunted by both the British government and Scottish rebels, she came to the Highlands in search of survival. Now, the only way Cinaed can keep her safe is to seek refuge at Dalmigavie Castle, the Mackintosh family seat.
This book is the start of a new series & what a start, another book to avoid starting late at night if you’re planning to get any sleep. Enthralling & engrossing it grabbed me from the start & didn’t let go until the end. It had everything smuggling, fugitives, intrigue & of course romance. There are strong characters & the attraction between a slightly younger man & older woman sizzles. The revelation near the end was unexpected & surprising & made me want to read the next book immediately
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
“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!
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.
The story idea was pretty awesome, especially with actual history included in the story. Cinaed was a strong hero who would do anything to protect his people. Isabella slowly developed into an extremely strong woman who knew what she believed in. What I was disappointed in was how the story ended. It’s not a cliffhanger exactly, it’s a “Happily Ever After-for now” ending with unresolved major parts of the story. The part after the book says we’ll get the rest of the story in the next 2 books which are about the girls. Sadly this is my biggest pet peeve when reading. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy.
A while ago I commented on Facebook that so many historical romances today do not include any real history. They are somewhat generic. Well, that complaint is not relevant with Highland Crown. It is loaded with fascinating history AND there is a compelling romance as well. Isabella Drummond is a doctor and was recently widowed. She is wanted by the British government because she knows the name of Scottish insurgents in Edinburgh. Cinead Mackintosh is a ship captain importing weapons and other supplies to the Highlanders until his ship crashed on the Scottish coast. From that point Isabella and Cinead are on the run and danger abounds while love develops.
This book is full of heart-stopping adventure and its all part of history! I was so happy to find out that the love story (and history-embedded story) of Cinead and Isabella is not over. Their adventures in Scotland will continue in two more books, focusing on her half-sister and her step-daughter. I am definitely looking forward to them! Anyone who enjoys history and a really good romance will love Highland Crown.
I received an eARC at no cost from the author, in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. Thank you.
2.25*
This was the first book I’ve read of May McGoldrick (whom is actually two people) and, sadly, it just wasn’t it for me.
I really wanted to like the characters, but I found myself annoyed by Isabella, and a bit confused by Cinaed.
The book has a great premise, and the story is interesting – I love stories that have not only the romance, but something that ties everything together, and this book had that, even if it is sometimes confusing.
I really wanted to like Isabella, but she just didn’t rise to the expectations. She was a physician, and that was the most interesting part about her.
I liked Cinaed, but sometimes he was a bit confusing – completely trusting, and then suspicious, but always ready to protect Isabella… It seemed a bit forced.
Also, I’m not a fan of insta-love. And even though this was more of an insta-attraction for Isabella, it felt like insta-love to Cinaed.
There was a lot going around and sometimes it became confusing and the actions of the characters didn’t seem completely faithful to whom they were.
Sadly, I just didn’t connect with the book. It was the first book I read in 2019, and it took me a whole month to read it. Not the best introduction to this author.
3.5 stars. This is a very good and complex 1700’s Highlands romance. The author did an excellent job with the history of the period. Isabella was a complex character who was a doctor which was unheard of for the time. Cinaed was a Captain of a ship that went down. His character was also unique as well as strong. The book contained suspense, intrigue, violence as was common for the era. I received a complementary copy of this book via Net Galley and chose to write a review.
“Highland Crown” by May McGoldrick
For me this was a hard read… But the setting is in a hard time in Scotland’s history. Yes there is romance, and violence. I think I had moments of glee and for sure fear for the characters. If you like 1820’s historical fiction set in Scotland this is for you. It is the first book in a three book series. I was gifted an ARC via NetGalley and the opinions expressed are mine. I think the story is well done.. the reason for only four stars… I prefer lighter, happier, stories.