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.

Full review: https://rebeccasreadingcorner.blog/review-may-mcgoldrick-highland-jewel/ ( )

I enjoyed this book more than the first one, there was a lot of back and forth in the story that had me confused at times. Maisie is a strong woman who truly wants whats right for all and will fight to get it. Niall, her friend Fiona's brother, saves her a few times and falls in love. Lots of twists that I didn't expect, no spoilers here, that made it such a good story! Can't wait for book 3 and Morrigan's story. I would highly recommend reading book 1 in this series, Highland Crown, before reading this one as it's a continuation in the story.

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own. ( )

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 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. ( )

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. 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. ( )

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Highland Jewel, by May McGoldrick, is the second in the Royal Highlander series. Available 9-24-19, it can work as a stand-alone but I would strongly recommend reading Highland Crown first. The timeline between Crown and Jewel overlap. Highland Jewel is told from Maisie Murray's perspective of events during "The Rising". Once again I'm giving a rare 5 stars. The research and talent it takes to blend fact with fiction so well is to be commended.

Our heroine, Maisie, fades into the background on purpose. She plays the part of just another biddable, empty-headed girl. The truth is a far cry from what she projects. She's a political and social activist, dedicated to the cause & aware of the possible consequences. She's so much stronger than anyone knows. She meets her friends brother, Niall Campbell, recently retired from military service. She's put out with him & he can't stop thinking about her. Niall is also strong, determined, loyal, he's a fleshed out complicated character in an impossible situation. He's forced to choose blood or love, who to save & who must be hurt. They spend a lot of the story apart so it's a good thing each can be written independent of the other

Up next will be Highland Sword, Morrigan's tale. Pretty sure it will be entwined with books 1 & 2. Looking forward to it's release. Happy reading.

#Netgalley #MayMcGoldrick #HighlandJewel #RoyalHighlander #StMartin'sPress #Romance ( )