I received this book for free from St. Martins Press in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Highland Crown by May McGoldrick Series: Royal Highlander #1
Published by St. Martin's Press on April 30, 2019
Genres: Historical Romance, Scottish Highlands, Regency Era
Pages: 312
Format: eARC
Source: St. Martins Press
ISBN: 1250314976
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 and dominance. Among the fray is a lovely young widow who possesses rare and special gifts.
WANTED: Isabella DrummondA 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 MackintoshCast 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 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?
Highland Crown is the first book in this trilogy and WHAT A BOOK. I simple adored this story in every way. There was so much delicious moments and great historical adventures. First off SALUTE to this couple writing team (and yes the name May McGoldrick is for a couple that have been writing romances since I got hooked on them) they definitely were in depth with all their research that came into play with this book here. I simply loved it in so many ways. It might not be for everyone though, there is plenty of focus on the romance but there is just as much romance as there is historical plot but at least for myself, I didn’t feel like the romance was neglected in any form but its style might not work for everyone. But seriously, I was on the edge of my seat while reading this book and I have no complaints here.
The story begins with our heroine whose husband has been captured and viewed a traitor to the crown, and so she and her sister and stepdaughter are on the run and Isabella is now in hiding but then a ship captain ends up injured on the shore near where they live and as a Doctor, Isabella aids him but through a series of events she and Cinead will be forced to go on the run and find help with his mentor and friend. Along the way of their journey there is a connection that forms that is sweet and sensual but also each of them discover many elements of their own lives and the history and where they are heading in the future.
Highland Crown is a great beginning to a fabulous story and I am thrilled to be able to pick up books two and three and see where this journey takes our characters and those people that are connected to Cinead and Isabella. I have a feeling May McGoldrick will be taking us on quite a ride and I am totally ready for that. It’s really so fascinating the history that is shown here but its a history that is not easy to read at times to be honest. This is the WORST time for the Scot’s (in my humble opinion) the regency era while in Scotland is full of turmoil and hardship for the great people of Scotland. And McGoldrick really showed this so well but at the same time they also show the true strength, zest and courage they had to fight for what they believed in.
Overall I found Highland Crown to be elemental reading for anyone who loves a historical rich romance that elevates and illuminates the beauty and strength of the Scottish people!! Beautifully portrayed in every way!!
About May McGoldrick
May McGoldrick
(a.k.a. Nikoo & Jim McGoldrick)
Two peas in a pod, a pair of halfwits, the Laurel and Hardy of romance fiction...Nikoo & Jim McGoldrick were married in St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin 68 years ago before a worldwide television audience. After a honeymoon tour of their oil fields in Iran, they embarked on a writing career that has produced dozens of New York Times bestsellers, two Academy Award Winning film adaptations, and a Nobel Prize for Literature. After all this, fortune FINALLY smiled on them and they won the New Jersey Lottery. Taking their two sons, Nikoo and Jim spent a year backpacking through Africa and then seven years in Tibet, teaching the Dalai Lama the subtle intricacies of Scrabble. Upon returning to the States, these two storytellers wrote thirty adult and young adult novels, two of which were RITA finalists and three which were NJRW Golden Leaf winners. They have also written two nonfiction works. Nikoo picked up an engineering degree somewhere along the way, and Jim has a PhD in 16th Century British literature.
These two write under the pseudonyms of May McGoldrick, Jan Coffey, and Nicole Cody and they now reside in Watertown, Connecticut.
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