Scottish pride, persuasion, and passion–this is Highland romance at its breathtaking best. From USA Today bestselling author May McGoldrick comes Highland Sword, the third book in the Royal Highlander series. A VOW FOR VENGEANCE Fleeing to the Highlands after her father’s murder, fiery Morrigan Drummond has a score to settle with Sir Rupert Burney, the English spymaster responsible for his … Sir Rupert Burney, the English spymaster responsible for his death. Trained to fight alongside the other rebels determined to break Britain’s hold on Scotland, she swears to avenge her father’s death–until a chance encounter with a barrister as proud and principled as she is presents her with a hard choice…and a bittersweet temptation.
A PLEA FOR PASSION
Aidan Grant has never encountered another woman like dangerous beauty Morrigan–and he has the bruises to prove it. Yet she could be the key to defending two innocent men, as well as striking a death blow to the reprehensible Burney. Convincing Morrigan to help him will take time, but Aidan is willing to wait if it means victory over corrupt government forces and freedom for his people…and Morrigan’s hand in marriage. Can two warriors committed to a cause stand down long enough to open their hearts to a love fierce enough to last…forever?
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Highland Sword is the third installment in May McGoldrick’s Royal Highlander series. Having not read the first two books, I had a hard time following the characters and storyline in the first three chapters. It seemed the author assumed you had read the prior books and knew who the characters were and how they were related. However, once I finally figured things out I loved the story!
Morrigan is one feisty woman! And given her past, she must be. She has seen both parents die; her father’s death was caused by the same man who wreaked havoc and pain directly on Morrigan. After her father’s death, Morrigan trains alongside her stepmother’s new husband and his men becoming a warrior intent on seeking revenge. It is while she is trying to revenge her father’s death that she meets Aidan – in a dark alley. The villain gets away but Morrigan and Aidan fight and are quite a match! He was shocked such a beautiful woman could hold her own in a fight and get away!
Aidan needs the villain to testify in court, but Morrigan only wants to see him dead. The villain is seeking forgiveness from Morrigan before he dies (he is very ill and may not even live long enough to testify) but she would rather see him rot than offer forgiveness.
Morrigan and Aidan are perfect for each other. They are strong people and their innate strengths counter-balance each other. His patience calms her temper. His love opens her heart. Their humor and jesting bring out the best in each other.
This was my first May McGoldrick book, but it will not be my last. I am sold on their writing style, use of accurate historical references, and character development! I plan to go back and read the first two books so I can enjoy more of this series that offers intrigue, romance, heart-ache, murder, humor, action-packed drama, and above all a HEA!
I voluntarily agreed to read and review an advanced copy I kindly received from St. Martin’s Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
u202aThis is the third book in a trilogy and is best read after the first two, though it is more of a standalone and could be read as such (the first two books covered the same time period, whereas this follows on). I felt this neatly tied up all the loose ends from books 1 and 2 and gave a happy ending to all three couples. I very much enjoyed the romance between Morrigan and Adam, Morrigan’s backstory and the sisterhood between the women. Recommended read for those interested in the turbulent economic period after Waterloo and amidst the Highland clearances.u202c
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Morrigan Drummond’s hot temper has her pulling out her dagger when following her quarry. When barrister Aidan Grant keeps Morrigan from her quarry, Aidan realizes what a fierce woman she is. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgallery. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. This is the first book that I have read by May McGoldrick. I really like how Aidan admires and is drawn to Morrigan. In turn, I like discovering why Morrigan was so strong and fierce. I enjoy Aidan and Morrigan’s verbal battling and flirting. This is an interesting Scottish historical romance set during the 1820’s Radical War. I really like how history is interwoven into the story as well as the suspenseful moments. I enjoyed reading this book.
Morrigan wants revenge for her father murder.
I like the story, it has so many characters in it
Overall, it is a good story.
A wonderful story written by the husband and wife team of Nikoo and Jim McGoldrick. They weave a wonderful tale of treachery, blackmail and intrigue. The love story between Morrigan, a tough, well trained in fighting and beautiful woman with a secret that makes it hard for her to give her affection and Aiden, a barrister who takes on cases for the wrongly accused is a slow process. But it is a process that is necessary for Aiden to win Morrigan’s heart. Aiden has some enemies due to his work at taking down corrupt officials of the Crown. How Morrigan and Aiden first meet is quite humorous and they end up being a great team. I enjoyed this interesting, historical story. Review of advanced copy.
Highland Sword by May McGoldrick
Royal Highlander #3
A man with royal blood hidden as a child by his mother
Unwilling to take the throne as an adult
Machinations
Evil-doers
AND
As usual
Some are caught in the crossfire
Will they do well
OR
Will they not?
This is a great book! I love this author’s books that are filled with historical settings, wonderful characters, delightful plots and of course…the splendid romance they provide in every book. This story caught us up with Cinead but went directly into the story of Aidan Grant and Morrigan Drummond.
Morrigan is a woman who was wronged as a child and the wrong has festered for years. She has become adept at fighting and deals with her emotions by working on improving her skills as a female warrior. She is the daughter of a doctor who was killed in a previous book and though she has skills as a healer it is not her calling to be a doctor. Aidan is a superb sought after lawyer who has been to war, lost family and wants to see wrongs righted. His brother Sebastian is a character I would love to have find his HEA in a future book.
Morrigan and Aidan should have nothing in common but they soon realize that perhaps they do. They both are on the same side politically and have the same vision for Scotland. In their “meet cute” he is pummeled, bruised and battered…by her. Meeting strangers in alleys is not always a pleasant experience. As the story progresses we find out more about both characters and a bit about what makes them tick. There are secrets exposed, bad men to deal with, political intrigue, family and clan events and the slow wooing of Morrigan by Aidan.
So often in reading historical romances I get caught up in the costumes or what is going on with the people and lose sight of the historical time period and what is going on in history. I know, my bad. This author wove into this story just enough information from previous books to remind me what happened in the previous books in the series and thus helped me remember why I care about the outcome of THIS book. And care I did.
What I liked:
* Morrigan: smart, strong, daring and caring – loved that she was also unbending and in some cases unforgiving
* Aidan: intelligent, has a vision, strong and heroic – loved the way he knew just how to handle Morrigan
* Sebastian: an interesting man I want to know more about
* the political issues taking place in the background
* The characters, plot and writing
* The closeness of the women in the story
* That evil was thwarted – at least a few times
What I did not like:
* The spymaster…a horrible person who deserved much more pain than he eventually received
* The Sparrow…another horrible man that got just what he deserved
* Having to say goodbye to the characters when the story ended
Did I like this book? Yes indeed
Would I read more by this author? Without a doubt
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
I requested and received an ARC of this book from the publisher.
I love strong heroines especially in a historical romance where they were expected to just be prim, proper and not concern themselves with things considered to be ‘manly’.Morrigan has vowed vengeance after her father is killed. She’s learned to fight, and when she sees the man while she’s in town the time is right. Or so she thought.
Barrister Aiden Grant is looking to get testimony out of the man called Sparrow. Sparrow had been selling out the Highlanders to the British for years. Now he wants to make restitution, but what is the actual cost?
Morrigan is set to get her vengeance but is blocked and gets into a bit of an altercation, losing her knife in the ensuing fight she has no choice but to flee.
In interesting circumstances, Morrigan’s prey ends up at Dalmigavie, home to Searc and Isabella as well has the hope of the highlands Cinaed. Unfortunately for her so does the man she had the fight with.
Oh so much fun, tension and romance as this story unfolds, along with some very uncomfortable secrets. I really do love Morrigan and Aiden.
I really have to go back to the beginning of this series, I need to get to know other characters in this book.
Such an exciting ending to May McGoldrick’s Royal Highlander series! Highland Sword, book #3 in the series, is Morrigan Drummond’s story. She ended up with her stepmother Isabella at Dalmigavie Castle in the Scottish Highlands after the death of her surgeon father. There she meets and falls in love with Edinburgh barrister Aiden Grant. Aiden Grant works to represent the unjustly accused. I loved these two characters and enjoyed reading about them as they traveled the path to their Happily Ever After!
This book, like the entire series, is filled with historical knowledge. The strong women and men that make up the cast of characters are strong fighters for the freedom and independence of Scotland. They fight injustice as hard as the love their family, clan and spouses. Morrigan has a demon in in her past that has driven her to fight harder than any of the others. It takes a very strong and confident man in the form of Aiden, to breakdown her barriers and gain her trust and love. This is an epic series that will be a great addition to any readers library.
4.5 Stars
Fleeing to the Highlands after her father’s murder, fiery Morrigan Drummond has a score to settle with Sir Rupert Burney, the English spymaster responsible for his death. Aidan Grant has never encountered another woman like dangerous beauty Morrigan and he has the bruises to prove it. Yet she could be the key to defending two innocent men, as well as striking a death blow to the reprehensible Burney.
This is the final book in the series & it could be read on its own but I’d recommend reading the books in order. I found it to be a very well written book, which was harrowing at times, so if you’re looking for a frothy romance then this certainly isn’t it. It is however a captivating, engrossing read, which doesn’t gloss over the hardships, conflicts & machinations that were very real at the start of the nineteenth century. Strong characters with lots of depth added to my enjoyment. I loved Aidan, a strong successful man but who also lived with survivor’s guilt. Whilst I liked Morrigan I didn’t love her but did admire her. I’ve loved the whole series & this was an enthralling finale
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Morrigan Drummond follows her greatest enemy into an alley with murder in her heart, but before she can act, she meets Aidan Grant who is protecting the man she wants dead. Morrigan makes it clear that she is not to be underestimated. She gives him a through thrashing and manages to escape, but not without losing her blade and taking a couple of knocks herself.
They meet again days later when Isabella is called to tend a sick man brought to Dalmigavie by barrister Aidan Grant and his solicitor brother, Sebastian. Isabella asked Morrigan to accompany her and she is shocked when she realizes the man she fought is the man Isabella is meeting. She hopes he will not tell Isabella of their first introduction – she also learns that the man she hates more than anyone is the man Aidan is trying to have Isabella save. She is grateful that he keeps her secret and thinks that they will have no further contact – but that thought is blown away when his witness sees Morrigan and tells everyone that he is her uncle.
Aidan needs the man’s testimony and approaches Morrigan for help. They soon start an unlikely friendship and gradually they fall in love, but there are secrets that Morrigan hasn’t shared and when a common enemy threatens to reveal her secrets, Morrigan will have to make a choice – share her fears and shame or lose the man she has come to love.
This was a well written, intense story with a lot of emotion and sensitivity triggers – parts of the story are truly heartbreaking and difficult to read, but Aidan manages to keep the story from becoming oppressive. I feel a little torn in this review, I liked the story and felt the romance suited the storyline, but I also felt that some parts dragged and the romance was really downplayed. Considering the subject material, the story was executed perfectly, but I still wished for more. This is the third book in the series and I recommend reading the books in order – this installment ties up all the loose ends and provides both closure and comeuppance| I enjoyed the book and would be happy to recommend it!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provide to me by NetGalley and the Publisher.*
4.5*
Morrigan, a feisty, battle trained rebel hell bent on revenging the death of her beloved father is torn and tempted when she meets the handsome barrister, Aiden.
After almost killing Aiden, an unexpected alliance is formed as well as feelings that neither of them can seem to quell.
When Morrigan’s past rears its ugly head, she distances herself from Aiden to protect his future.
The Royal Highlander series is wonderful!
Morrigan Drummond’s life has been upended since her father’s murder forced her to leave behind her life in Edinburgh and make a new life in the Highlands with her remaining family. Determined to take back some control, Morrigan trains with the fighters of her new adopted clan and hopes for the chance to take her revenge. But when she meets a clever and highly moral barrister who shares similar views, she’s tempted to abandon all her plans, despite knowing there can never be any real future between them.
Former soldier turned barrister Aidan Grant is intrigued by the fiery and unique Morrigan from the first time he sees her, even if she is attempting to assassinate his key witness. She could be integral to his attempts to destroy English spymaster Sir Rupert Burney, but gaining her agreement to help will take some doing, as will convincing her to turn their mutual feelings into a marriage. But Aidan is patient, especially when the end goal is so important, both for himself and the people of Scotland.
Man was this book a slow burn. Morrigan had an incredibly tragic past which only made her relationship with Aidan all the sweeter, although I think this could’ve been taken a bit farther between them, and her constant attempts to keep him at arm’s length did get a bit wearying at times. Aidan was lovely and had the patience of a saint in dealing with the often prickly Morrigan. The romance took a bit of a backseat here but the book was well-written and well-researched, providing an enthralling view into a turbulent time in Scottish history that really made me feel like I was there with giving me the elevated stress levels the previous books of this series have. I also enjoyed the fact that this series was tied up nicely with no glaring loose ends and overall it left me satisfied.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Morrigan is an angry woman with secret anguish. She eases her quicksilver temper on the training field. She excels in weapon skills most women avoid. When she spots her childhood nemesis, she acts with a knife in hand. This act puts her in contact with Aidan, a lawyer who needs her nemesis alive for the information he can provide in order to save two innocent men. Much to Morrigan’s chagrin, they all end up at Dalmigavie castle. Soon Morrigan and Sudan’s battles become an attraction and more. What is Morrigan’s to do to sooth her anger? Will she act on her desire to kill Aidan ‘s witness or will a cooler head prevail? This last book in the Royal Highlander series does a very nicely tied all three books together. The characters are real, the history accurate, and the story a powerful tale of Scottish history. These authors always do a wonderful job of keeping the history valid while giving us a superb entertaining read. Since we saw some of the characters from the previous series, I am hoping these characters show up in future books. They are just too marvelous to let go. I received this eBook from NetGalley for an honest review.
I have to say first off I have read other books by May McGoldrick and really liked them. That being said I had a really hard time finishing this book. The beginning was interesting with how Aidan and Morrigan meet for the first time. It’s hard to below the amount of damage and hurt this woman causes him. This is not the first Highlander/Historical/Romance I have read. If a book is listed as romance I don’t think the story should have more about the the law of the times and historical events
then about the couple. I almost stopped reading half way thru. I hate not finishing a book, even if am not enjoying it, I feel I owe it to the authors to get the whole story before reviewing it. In my opinion the beginning and the end is only good reading.
As much as I tried it felt like I was back in History Class.
I haven’t read the first two books in this series, and am not sure right now I want to give it a try.
If you love lots of history and what was happen at in the Highlands in 1800 and little romance then this is the book for you…
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you Goodreads and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review Highland Sword before its publication date!
I have to be honest, I really struggled with this one. This is my first May McGoldrick book but certainly not my first Highlander/historical romance and, unlike with most Highland romances, this one seemed to pay special attention to the political movements of the Highland and Britain. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing and refreshing to read in its own right, it’s not really what I was expecting from a book branded a Highland romance. I felt like a great deal of the plot is focused more on the political tensions between Scotland and Britain than on the tensions and budding relationship between Morrigan and Aidan. It’s only really within the last handful of chapters that we see their relationship progress.
I felt like too much of my attention was focused on the historical elements and Aidan and Morrigan’s slow burn romance was kind of regulated to the backburner. This, in turn, made me a little antsy to get to the actual romance portion of the novel. In the end, it felt like Aidan and Morrigan’s relationship wasn’t given its fair share of the limelight due to the developing plot involving imprisoning the “bad guy.”
Overall, even though I felt the pacing was a little too slow for my tastes and that more time could have been devoted to the blossoming relationship between the two main characters, I did enjoy the characters. Morrigan was intelligent and sassy, an advocate for women’s rights and independence, and someone who gave as good as she got. Aidan was charming, completely undeterred by Morrigan’s rough edges, and undeniably passionate about helping those in need.
Morrigan’s story was the perfect ending!
Morrigan and Aiden meet in pursuit of the same man but with very different goals in mind. I absolutely loved the look of the three “sisters” through Morrigan’s eyes: the healer, the writer, and the warrior.
As I’ve stated in my reviews for the first two books in the series, the Royal Highlander series leans more historical than romance but the chemistry and love between Morrigan and Aiden is very present and satisfying.
If you’re a fan of historical fiction with more than a little romance, I highly recommend this whole series and feel confident you will be very pleased with the ending.
I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.
This team duo has written a series where I see history just bursting off the page. While Jim McGoldrick holds a Ph.D. degree in Scottish and English literature, his mechanical engineer wife takes the events of history to another level through her sensuous characters. It is obvious they both love history and making it live and breathe. I spent some time Googling characters to discover who are the real characters in history and who are the fictitious ones and how closely the authors followed events.
The reader quickly gets wrapped up in continuing the story already laid out in book one and two. We meet the Queen of England and Ireland again in this book which allows the reader to understand her love for her son and how aware she is her life won’t be a long one. Powerful forces close to her wish her harm. In consequence, her son, Cinaed who was adopted by the Mackintosh clan is in danger by those seeking to destroy any bloodline related to the Queen.
We meet Cinaed in Highland Crown. His ship is destroyed and his men lost in a ship wreck. Barely alive, he is saved by a dedicated surgeon and doctor, Isabella. Scotland wants him to be king someday, but he isn’t interested in being king. This story is of Cinaed finding out who he is.
It is also a story about Isabella’s sister, Morrigan Drummond, who has a story deeply buried in her heart that slowly rises to the surface through events unfolding. You will hurt for Morrigan. I did. She is determined to never be helpless again. She learns to take up the sword. She is a force to be reckoned with when Aidan Grant gets in her way.
Aidan Grant finds his calling in the Highlands. He is a man seeking justice for those who are unfairly persecuted. He is a perfect match for Morrigan, both in wit and weaponry.
The bad guys play their parts very well, perfect catalysts to propel the story forward. You’ll love to hate Morrigan’s uncle. You’ll love to hate Sir Rupert Burney, both fictitious characters.
One final thought: This series has been totally captivating. I suggest you read the series to get the full impact of events and characters. I can also see the series being expanded. There are three women, Isabella, Fiona, and Morrigan, closely linked, whom the authors could use to bring the reader more historical events with beguiling stories.
Highland Sword: A Royal Highlander Novel by May McGoldrick
This is the third and final book of the Royal Highlander Series. The series is based on the historical revolutionary events called “The Radical War of 1820”.
I loved the physical fight (dark at night) between the main protagonists Morrigan and Aiden, especially when they show up at the same meeting both with black and purple faces with scowls upon recognition and everyone stops to look at them and realize, you’ve met before! You have to read it to appreciate the humorous situations and the witty and hilarious banter.
Great characters and a creative plot that twist and turns, keeping you off balance. The storyline is complete with a painful dark secret, revenge, spies, intrigue, lies and fake news, treasonous villains, a great court scene, and a slow burn romance that turns to ignited flames.
Happy Reading
Content: Adult due to a mentioning of a crime of rape against a child of 12 (not graphic), steamy romance with explicit description (later in last quarter). 3 flames
Highland Sword, the third and final book in the Royal Highlander Series, brings the series to a fantastic end. The story takes place following the Napoleonic Wars, a time of political unrest and social upheaval across the British Isles. Danger, secrecy, intrigue, betrayal, narrow escapes, and rescues, and a cast of absolutely marvelous characters come together to create fantastic Highland adventure and a dramatic romance. Morrigan Drummond and Aidan Grant are both after the English spymaster, Sir Rupert Burney. Morrigan wants revenge for the murder of her father. Aidan wants the traitorous Burney brought to justice for that and other crimes through the courts. Their quest to find Burney is intense. Their romance develops slowly and is quite worth the wait. This has been an exciting series. The end is compelling. I recommend Highland Sword and the whole Royal Highlanders series.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.