Highland Crown (Royal Highlander, 1) Mass Market Paperback – April 30, 2019

Scottish pride, persuasion, and passion…The Radical War of 1820 is tearing Britain apart. In Scotland, cries of liberty, equality, and fraternity ring out in the streets, and the planned visit of the newly crowned British king fuel is fueling the Rising.In this new series, an aging Sir Walter Scott wrestles with his past as he recalls three extraordinary women who found courage in the Highlands to fight for the future of a nation.Historical fiction is one of my absolute favourite genres and especially when set against the turbulent backdrop of 1800’s Scotland. Highland Crown is a breath-taking novel which will pull you right into the heart of the action from the very beginning. The attention to detail is absolute perfection and even if you have never visited Scotland before, you will feel like you know it inside out by the time that you finish this book.The book opens with a prologue by non-other than Sir Walter Scott! As someone who has read all of his books, this was so wonderful to have him be given a voice as a character in Highland Crown. He sets the reader up with a vivid backdrop of a turbulent 1820's Scotland, right before jumping into the action where we meet our main protagonist, Isabella Drummond; a beautiful physician on the run from English soldiers and Scottish rebels alike. After her husband is murdered, she makes her escape into the Highlands and holes up in a spinster’s cottage in the hope of disappearing from sight. Her plan to lay low is abruptly cut short when a ship’s Captain is washed ashore during a terrible storm and her life is put in even more danger than she could ever imagine.Cinaed Mackintosh has just lost everything; his ship (Highland Crown), his trade, most of his crew and almost his life. Washed up on shore after a devastating ship wreck he is saved by Isabella. Adding more risk to her life, the only way Cinaed can keep Isabella safe is to return to the place from which he was banished years before. When the truth of his past is revealed, what are these two ill-fated lovers willing to sacrifice in order to be together.Highland Crown is book 1 of the Royal Highlander Series but can be read as a standalone, although I know I for one, will be reading all the books in this fabulous series!

I’ve recently discovered the author duo May McGoldrick and I’ve fallen in love with their beautiful classic historical writing style and captivating fast-paced plots. What I couldn’t get enough of is their weaving of real events happening during the Georgian era in the Highland with fictional characters inspired by true historical figures. Highland Crown is the first book in the Royal Highlander series, featuring a female physician and the long lost son of Scotland...This is the 2nd book I’ve read about a female physician during the 1800s (the first being Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas, set in Victorian era). As someone working in the medical field, I’ve always interested in the history of medicine and past medical practice. Isabella Drummond was a university-trained physician, a dedicated doctor who took in every patient without discrimination. After her husband was murdered in a raid at their home clinic, she had to flee Edinburgh with her younger sister and her stepdaughter. While she was separated from them, she happened to save the life of a ship’s captain during a stormy night. This chance encounter had set off their entwined fates...While severely injured, Cinaed Mackintosh still managed to rescue Isabella from those who went after the bounty upon her head. At first, it was about his returning her favor for saving his life, but eventually he realized she was a beautiful, courageous, and talented woman, a rare gem that he’d never encountered in his life. Their journey was thrilling and full of nerve wracking events that helped converge their ideals together: to fight for liberty and equality for Scotland...I love to see the transformation in Isabella, from a single-minded doctor to a brave fighter, and the recognition in Cinaed for his sense of belonging in his birth land even after 20 years being away, his passion and his leadership igniting the fire in the Highlanders... I’d consider this book as a historical fiction with a bit of steam, and not your typical historical romance. Nonetheless, I’ve really enjoyed reading it and learning about this tumultuous period, and I’m excited for the rest of the series 😍!4.5⭐️ for me!

What a great read! This author duo has done it again! This historical fiction centers around the uprising of Scotland against England in the 1800s. It reminds me a lot of Outlander ( just 100 years later) since Isabella is a doctor and Cinead is a Highland Hero, she is older than him, and they both save each other’s lives ! The characters are so believable and have great depth. I also enjoyed the secondary characters Jean and Searc full of spunk and wisdom and cunning. This was a page turner filled with adventure and romance from the beginning when Isabella finds Cinead shot and washed up on the beach to where he saves her from the British dragoon’s all the while almost bleeding to death. Greta job! Can’t wait to start book 2!

I found this story of Isabella Murray Drummond, MD and Cinead James ? MacKintosh to be highly entertaining with just the right amount of romance and intrigue! I really liked the character of the old crusty and feisty Jean and also Cinead's uncle, Searc. These old crusty characters added another level of depth to the story

This was a really good read. The romance was okay albeit more in the background, however, I was quite swept up with the historical tidbits to mind. I’m very curious to see what happens next for Cinaed and Isabella.

May McGoldrick never fails to deliver great stories woven into real history. Highland Crown is another good one. Isabella and Cinead come across each other and fall in love in 1800s Scotland, in spite of their secrets and fears.