The next book in the new lush Scottish historical series from USA Today bestselling author, May McGoldrick. A REBEL AT HEART Maisie Murray’s sweet, docile exterior masks the courageous spirit of a firebrand determined to champion women’s suffrage with like-minded friends. But fighting for her principles has swept her directly into harm’s way–and into the arms of a man she cannot resist. A … man she cannot resist.
A WARRIOR BY BLOOD
A trained officer with the Royal Highland Regiment, Niall Campbell has spent his life serving the Crown. Battle-weary and searching for peace, he nothing to do with trouble–until he meets Maisie. But unless Niall and Maisie can find a way to stand up to the destructive forces that threaten to divide them, long-buried secrets and political schemes are destined to stand in the way of the glorious love they’ve found…
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Highland Jewel (Royal Highlander, #2) by May McGoldrick…Thank you to the publisher and #NetGalley for letting me preview this book. I felt a little lost with the jumping back and forth from past to present. I also felt I missed to much from not reading the first book in this series. There is history, intrigue and suspense.. I would give this 3 1/2 stars.
“Highland Jewel” by May McGoldrick
This is a good story…that took me just short of forever to finish reading. My because, I just never really got hooked by the any of the characters. I cared but never got fully emotionally attached. I received an ARC via NetGalley from the publisher and this is my opinion of the story. It is a good read and an excellent reminder that we should know history, if for no other reason than to ensure that history does NOT repeat itself. This story is well worth the read. Happy Reading !!
Maisie Murray is a woman of two faces—one she shows to her family playing the meek and obedient sister, and the other is that of a fierce activist and co-founder of the Edinburgh Female Reform Society. Maisie is determined to bring a change to the way the government treats the women regardless of the threats of violence and risks of imprisonment. But lack of fear of the consequences costs her greatly…the arrest of her dear friend as well as the loss of her fiancé.
Niall Campbell, decorated war hero and officer of the Royal Highland Regiment, continues to warn his sister the dangers of being involved in the activist community. When she begs him to assist her dearest friend, Niall is taken by Maisie’s beauty and spirit. As he grows to know her more, Niall is certain he has found the woman he wishes to take as wife and start a family away from the continuous fighting and drama within Parliament. But when his sister is arrested, Niall is faced with making a deadly choice to regain her freedom.
Maisie and Niall are each set upon a path of their own convictions that could either lead to their own version of happily ever after or destroy all they hold dear.
Highland Jewel is the second installment to May McGoldrick’s Royal Highlander series. Having read Highland Crown (book 1) and thoroughly enjoying Isabella and Cinaed’s story, I did a bad, bad thing in assuming this one would pick up where the other ended. I couldn’t have been more wrong! Highland Jewel takes place prior to Highland Crown telling the story from Maisie’s point of view, then begins to overlap. So the beginning left me a wee bit confused, but once I finally figured out what was going on, I began to enjoy the story.
Personally, I would not consider this series a romance. The chemistry between Maisie and Niall was ok, but I found myself skipping around to get back to Cinaed and Isabella. The real passion in this story lies in how fiercely Maisie and Niall fight for what they feel is right and just.
Highland Jewel is well written, and readers that appreciate the history of these times will enjoy. However, if you are picking up this book thinking it’s going to be a smexxy kilt wearing highlander romance, you may be disappointed. Overall, I would recommend to fans of historical reads.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Highland Jewel (Royal Highland Book 2) features Maisie Murray and Niall Campbell. Joining the struggle for women’s suffrage in Scotland, Maisey and former military officer Nially Campbell share an instant attraction. After loyally serving the Crown, Niall wants nothing to do with the suffrage movement. Maisey and Niall struggle to overcome outside forces trying to divide. Overall Highland Jewel is a great read featuring history, intrigue and loads of action.
I read the first book in the series and couldn’t wait to read book #2. Royal Highlander Guard, Niall Campbell, has resigned his commission and wants to live a simple life away from the oppressive English rule over Scotland. Unfortunately, his sister Fiona and her friend Maisie Murray, are heavily involved in the female suffrage moment in Edinburgh and his warnings of danger go unheeded by the two of them. When Niall saves Maisie from a raid on their latest rally, he is intrigued with the blond beauty. Their attraction is immediate and when Niall proposes to her and she accepts, he feels like it’s the perfect time to retire to the country with Maisie, Fiona and her two young daughters. Everything changes in an instant when Fiona is kidnapped and Niall is forced to be involved in another English mission if he ever wants to see his sister again.
I loved all the historical details in this story, but I wasn’t a fan on the many info-dumps throughout the book. I wanted to “feel” Niall and Maisie’s love, but it seemed too distant for the reader to really be submerged in their love affair. The resolution of the major conflict in the book was well done and I definitely am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.
It makes me feel like a bad fan when I have to say that I did not enjoy a book by one of my favorite authors. Unfortunately, that is the case with Highland Jewel. Jim and Nikoo made Edinburgh in 1820 come alive, but Maisie, Niall, and their relationship never clicked for me.
read my full review: https://rebeccasreadingcorner.blog/review-may-mcgoldrick-highland-jewel/
May McGoldrick continues the adventure in Highland Jewel, the second in a three-part series. Reading them in order is recommended because this is a complex, layered story. Prepare to have your heart beating faster as you read the tale of Maisie and Niall, and the complications of a Scotland still under the thumb of an England that wants to stamp out all rebellion. In addition to a passionate love story, the characters are in real danger, and the pace of the story is thrilling. What makes these books so good? Lots of historical details, characters with depth and intelligence, and a plot that engages the reader from start to finish. Whew. (I received an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions mine.
Make no mistake, May McGoldrick is one of my verra favorite top ten Scottish historical romance authors. Having absolutely loved book 1, Highland Crown, which featured a brave, courageous, talented doctor heroine and an equally awesome, protective, selfless, dashing swoon worthy hero, I had high hopes for the next book of this series. Well, folks, I’m going to have to chalk this one up to personal preferences getting in the way of my overall enjoyment of the story line. You see, unlike the first book, I felt the scales were tipped way too far to the political content side, stealing too much time from developing an authentic, genuine romantic connection. Normally this author does a great job of juggling both. This time around I felt romance got lost in the shuffle. In order for Highland Jewel to shine, I needed more of the spotlight on the main couple.
My literary litmus test is at 40% I found myself not wanting to continue. A red flag warning for me was instead of being swept off my feet when Maisie and Niall both said .“I love you”… I just wasn’t feeling it. Because of all the verbage/dialog being spent on politics and other matters, they really had not spent all that much time together. Therefore, their connection felt very premature and undeveloped. Their first smexy scene felt rushed and thrown in all for the sake of having one at that point in the story. It didn’t help matters right afterwards they parted ways in such a manner it could be assumed he just ended things.
At 60%, I definitely was done. They weren’t even together anymore, folks. Though circumstances were not of their choosing, I could only guess more time was going to be wasted…Ooops, I likely should say “spent” on the political drama/danger.
So here’s to hoping others really enjoy this addition to the series. Morrigan, Maisie’s sister, is the heroine of the next book. Since she was not portrayed all that favorably in regards to her interactions with Maisie at the start (sarcastic/bratty/even accusing Maisie of having a secret lover), I’m actually surprised she was considered worthy of getting her own book. Yeah, about mid-way they find some common ground/understanding/bonding. I guess we are supposed to forgive, forget, even pretend what I just mentioned didn’t happen. These books after all were meant to feature these three sisters getting their own HEA. So far, I can only recommend Book 1 (Isabella’s story), Highland Crown. Again, I LOVED it.
Title: Highland Jewel, Series: Royal Highlander (Book 2), Author: May McGoldrick, Pages: 329, stand-alone but part of a series, loyal/good guy/former soldier hero, privileged life/activist heroine, perilous situations.
Book 1 – Highland Crown (Isabella and Cinead)
Book 2 – Highland Jewel (Maisie and Niall)
Book 3 – Highland Swords (Morrigan and Aidan), releases in 2020
(I voluntarily read and reviewed a free 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.)
I loved this hybrid prequel/sequel to Highland Crown. It continues to build the world of the Royal Highlander series, deepening our knowledge of the social justice and women’s suffrage movement in late 1700s Scotland. Danger, suspense, and romance brews amid the political intrigue as England seeks to prevent the rise of a charismatic leader with secret royal ties. This is gritty and unglamorous. I can’t wait for the next installment!
I requested and voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.