Jan Coffey

With the epic series beginning in Highland Crown, I thought that the following books couldn’t possibly live up to the bar that was set. Au contraire. This was every bit as good as the first book – just a bit less intense. Not less exciting and interesting, just less intense because this story happens at the same time as the first one – but from another perspective. Therefore, I already knew some of the events that would take place and I could read with that in mind.

There was a lot of show more social unrest in Scotland, England, and Ireland after the Napoleonic wars. Rather than try to make fair laws to help all of its citizenry, the Regent/King and parliament passed laws that basically stripped citizens of their basic rights. Those laws lead to more unrest and the populace began to rebel. Ever fearful of its citizens taking the same path as those in France had taken, the government clamped down, sent in spies to infiltrate the groups, and sent in troops who beat, massacred and the participants. The Peterloo massacre was one of those events. The author has masterfully woven fact and fiction together that keeps you riveted to the page. I particularly liked the reimagining of Princess Caroline’s life.

Maisie Murray has always lived in the shadow of her older sister who was always their father’s favorite. Her sister was brilliant, compassionate, beautiful and shared their father’s interest in medicine. Maisie just never measured up in her father’s eyes, so she quit trying. She didn’t give up on life – she just went her own way and did her own thing while presenting a meek, mild, and frivolous face to her family. After their father died and her sister married a man in order to give Maisie security and stability, Maisie continued to present the same face to her new family.

Maisie became appalled at the oppression of those around her especially after the new laws were passed. Things were getting worse and worse for ordinary citizens and Maisie had to get involved. She and her best friend, Fiona, founded the Edinburg chapter of the Female Reform Society with the goal of suffrage for all citizens. Once the new seditions laws were passed even their non-violent meetings were illegal and would be treated as treason by the crown. Maisie really came into her own and began to blossom as a real leader. Her main talent was writing and she wrote all of the pamphlets and flyers for the society. However, later, she was forced upon the speaking platform and found that she also had a real talent for engaging the crowds. She never had any thoughts about love, marriage or even whether she was attractive or not – her entire focus was in her suffrage movement. Then, the troops started cutting a swath through one of the rallies and she was on the stage – and couldn’t get down – until a very large and handsome man saved her.

Niall Campbell, highly decorated war hero, had had enough of being required to draw his sword against his own countrymen – so he retired from the military. Not only was he highly decorated, he was revered by his men, and greatly respected by those to whom he reported. They tried their best to convince him not to retire, but he’d just had enough. Niall knew of his sister’s political activities and was on the outskirts of a rally when he saw the militiamen start cutting through the crowd. As he started toward the platform to save his sister Fiona, he caught sight of another woman who was saving her. His sister begged him to go and save her friend Maisie. After that first meeting – he and Maisie became closer and closer and finally agreed to marry.

When Fiona is arrested and charged with treason, Niall is beside himself. He’ll do anything to free her – even if that means giving up Maisie. The government has a task for him to do – and if he completes it, his sister will go free.

I loved this book – but I don’t suggest reading it as a standalone. Be sure to read the first book as it sets up the entire premise of the series and the additional books work off that one. I loved that all of the ends were wrapped up and we got to know Morrigan better – setting up for the next adventure.

One thing I didn’t understand was – why was Niall still only a Lieutenant? He was in the military for ten years, he was highly decorated, his men loved him and his superiors greatly respected him. I’d think he’d have been a major or more likely a colonel at that point.

I highly recommend this book – and I can hardly wait for the next one.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

Maisie is quiet and docile for all outward appearances, but inside lurks a woman full of passion and intent on aiding the fight for freedom and equality. In a time where anyone outspoken is branded a traitor and hanged, Maisie must carefully strategize the best ways to bring about more support without outing herself or placing others in harm’s way. A bit naive to the danger, she continues to make appearances at rallies and very nearly gets caught. If it weren’t for the handsome stranger show more who appears at her side to rescue her, she would have been cut down on the street. When she discovers the identity of her champion is none other than Fiona’s brother, she fears he will out her and her secret activities. Together she and Fiona founded the Edinburgh Female Reform Society. Her family has no clue what she’s been up to and would likely put an end to her fight. But something unexpected happens and before too long, she finds trust and love within the arms of Niall. Unfortunately, his past as a successful soldier brings their future plans to a screeching halt. Maisie suddenly finds herself alone and at a loss. Fear of discovery forces Maisie into hiding and a brutal attack on her home forces her into a new home surrounded by strangers. When Niall shows up and shocks Maisie with his unexpected appearance, she is sure she knows what he is about. But Niall has another purpose and he’s in need of some luck if he’s going to be able to pull it off without getting those he loves caught up in the crosshairs. Maisie has only to trust in him.

Niall is fuming when he discovers the blackguards who tried to enlist him into their nefarious schemes have turned the tables on him; now blackmailing him to carry out their orders. He had plans for a future with Maisie. He was finally going to be free of the death and destruction which plagued his military career. Wanting only a quiet, happy life with Maisie and their future family, he has now been completely derailed and unsure if a future with Maisie is even possible. Hope now barely hanging by a thread, he concocts a plan that just might allow the best outcome possible if he can convince others of his intentions. Maisie showing up before he has a chance to speak his mind ends up working in his favor. But her presence throws a bit of a wrench in his plans – until he ends up married to her. He still has a huge undertaking to pull off and letting Maisie in on the plan isn’t an option. He just prays everything will work out the way he’s desperately hoping it will. If it doesn’t, they could all well die very soon.

Good grief! And the story just gets better! I was wondering how the writing team of May McGoldrick could possibly continue to run with the fast-paced, thrilling read that was book one, but dang! Did they ever! Picking up prior to where book one, HIGHLAND CROWN began, much of the events prior to Isabella’s exile are explained. In the first story, Isabella has already been forced from her home and into hiding. Much of the events leading to such circumstances were explained, but not in great detail. Now, with book two, the reader is allowed to travel back in time and experience everything that happened. HIGHLAND JEWEL begins with an accounting of why Cinaed was abandoned by his mother, then directly to where the first book left off. Following Niall’s unexpected reappearance, the book then travels back to the months prior to the attack on the house at Infirmary Street. I was extremely happy to be able to have a clearer understanding of what took place and everything that led to such a horrific ordeal. Even though a bit of the events were being retold, the telling was created in a way that nothing seemed repetitive. Given that this was all happening through the eyes of Maisie and Niall, rather than Isabella, the information presented as a fresh accounting. In truth, given their very different perspectives, it actually was new. I remained engaged and just as eager to turn each page as I had been in the previous book. Not only was Maisie quite a surprise in her alteration from book to book, but we are also reunited with Cinaed and Isabella. Their transformation was inspiring – both trusting one another implicitly; operating together almost as if two halves of a whole; projecting nothing but love and respect for one another. I loved that their union had progressed to something so powerful when next they appear.

There was a bit of a shift within this book as far as the intimacy between Niall and Maisie. Whereas book one has very little description, the joining within this story was more descriptive. I wouldn’t call it raunchy by any means, but their union was born more of desperation and then having been separated and unsure if they would ever again be together – their circumstances always leaving a bit of doubt and fear that each time could be the last. Also revealed in quite a bit more detail is Cinaed’s mother and finally, her appearance. There is literally just as much, if not more, occurring within these pages as the first tale. May McGoldrick had no problem what-so-ever reeling me right back in and capturing my attention through the books entirety. The bar was set high with HIGHLAND CROWN. I was a bit worried given how wonderful it was, but they met that bar easily with this second installment of the ROYAL HIGHLANDERS series. I very much enjoyed how they were able to expand on events within the previous book, keep every character true to self, and bring something completely new to this story with the love between Maisie and Niall. I knew I would be jumping into a book that continued on the journey begun in the previous book and was thrilled to see all of the former characters once again spring to life. Isabella and Cinaed remain my favorite. How could they not with so much time and emotion invested in them? However, I was very nearly as enchanted with Maisie and Niall’s story and excited that theirs was a completely different path from the previous book.

My advice with this author stands. If you have yet to experience this wonderfully told, beautifully crafted world, interwoven with history and fiction, you are doing yourself a disservice. Do yourself a favor and jump into this series. I promise there will be no regrets. However, this is a series that definitely needs to be read in order. A reader would likely make it through book two without book one just fine, but the absence of knowledge in doing so would be a tragic mistake. Guaranteed to enchant, captivate, and inspire, the ROYAL HIGHLANDS series has thus far been one of the best in HR I have ever come across; truly giving new meaning and life to the genre.

Kindle version provided by NetGalley/St. Martin’s in exchange for an honest review. show less

Dramatic, Highlands romance a winner!

The dramatic soliloquy in the introduction from no less than sir Walter Scott captured my attention first up, setting the initial steps for this sensational new series, 'Royal Highlander', set in Scotland, mostly in Inverness during the 1820's.
I loved the stanza's from Scott's poetry as chapter headings!
We have an intriguing rogue physician (female no less) pursuing her calling in firstly Edinburgh, without favor to any injured be they British troops or show more Rebel Scots.
After a Weavers strike, where many were slaughtered by British troops she became a wanted woman. The English authorities (well one despicable representative in particular) furiously searching for her because she treated the wounded and dying strikers, and the Scottish rebels for her knowledge of their identities. Oh, did I mention her husband was sympathetic towards the Rebels? (or Independence fighters depending on your point of view).
Throw in a shipwreck off the coast of a desolate Scottish coastline where Cinaed MackIntosh's ship is thrown onto rocks, the threat of scavengers and pursuit by government troops and the scene is set.
I adored the characters of Cinaed and Isabella Drummond. I particularly enjoyed the character of the village woman who hides them both, Maisie.
A well crafted novel with just the right amount of suspense, intrigue and of course, passion, all underlined by actual historical happenings.
So here's a fine thing! Another series I'm hooked into! With this first in the series being such a winner, all I can say is, "Bring it on!"

A NetGalley ARC show less

3.5 stars

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

“Cinaed Mackintosh is my sister Isabella’s husband. I can’t let you do it. I’ll not let you kill him.”

Highland Jewel is the second in the Royal Highlanders series that follows three women. In the first, readers learn that Isabella's husband was killed by British soldiers as they ransacked their house thinking it was a den of traitors. show more While the first is more of an after the fact, this story brings us back to the beginning and follows Isabella's sister Maisie. We learn about the build up to the impetus that led to the three women (the daughter of Isabella's husband) having to run for their lives. While I wouldn't say it would be absolutely necessary to read the first before this one, like I said, this story gives us the background story glossed over in the first, having knowledge about Cinaed (Isabella's love interest) would certainly help as the connecting thread between the series is not only the women's connection but the tumultuous time period in Scotland and how Cinaed is tied up in it.

Lieutenant Campbell was far too bossy and interfering for her to harbor any illusions about.

Niall is the brother of Maisie's bestfriend Fiona and comes into the picture as he rescues Maisie during a public protest that gets broken up by British soldiers. Niall was a solider in the Black Watch, so Maisie is distrustful of him at first but Niall does a sweet job of breaking down her walls. He listens to her and admires her will and mind, which her family has no idea about as they just look upon her as a pretty empty headed girl. I was a little confused by Maisie and Isabella's relationship as I thought they read to be closer in the first but here we see them as pretty distant and not knowing one another at all. Maisie purposefully keeping her actions, like starting a chapter of the Female Reform Society, from Isabella didn't competently feel true to me. As Fiona becomes the catalyst for angst between Niall and Maisie and they are kept apart, I missed that friendship, too.

The back of their hands brushed. Her fingers were cold, his hand was warm . She wondered what it would feel like to entwine her fingers with his, to absorb the heat.

The majority of the story takes place in the past, with going back to explain how Maisie is at the place she is and why she distrusts Niall. Around the 60% mark is where the story catches up and we get to the present time. I liked this as it helped fill in a lot questions I had and we get to actually see Maisie and Niall fall in love. However, I did think the romance took somewhat of a backseat to the political drama going on. The authors do such a great job melding true history with their fictional story. The intrigue with Cinaed, the Scots wanting freedom, spy rings, and a Queen, were absorbing. The placement and tie-ins with the three women are very well done and although you have to pay attention and keep some characters straight in your mind, I thought how everything and everyone was brought together was inspired.

He stared into her face, and for the first time, Maisie felt like he was seeing her, who she really was. Not the outer shell of a young and reasonably pretty woman. And she saw him too. Niall Campbell was a man who wasn’t intimidated by talk of equality or of women fighting for their rightful place in society.

This series is shaping up to remind me of Grace Burrowes' Captive Hearts and Marsha Canham's Highland, the historical intrigue can eclipse the romance at times but it's interesting and still highlighted with sweet and sexy moments. I can't wait for Morrigan's story, the daughter of Isabella's husband, and to read about her hardened heart captured by a hero.

What duty did a man owe to a king and a government that had forgotten the people, he thought. Not only forgotten. Conspired against, stealing their rights under the pretense that their actions were for the good of all. show less