Highland Crown

The start of a new series set in the Highlands and follows the struggles as a female English physician is hiding from the soldiers who seek her. Isabella isn’t one to hold her tongue before sharing her thoughts, and while she isn’t strictly wrong in her proclamations, it also has brought her no friends and many searching for her, on both sides of the conflict. Inverness in the early 19th century is a hotbed of conspiracies, suspicions and survivors, and she is just one more evading both the crown and the home-grown rebels. Intelligent, fierce and wholly determined to be her own woman, she’s not going to go easily or temper her tongue. Cinead is a MacIntosh, although never actually living in the family home lands. Fierce, determined and wholly self-serving, he’s learned the hard way that he can rely on no one, and to that end, he’s unwilling to try. But, quickly he’s finding that there are some things he can’t do by himself, and Isabella may hold the key to his life, if only for the moment. She’s saved it, and her care is all that stands between him and no more, but he’ knows that neither of them is safe in the city. Heading to his clan at Dalmigavie castle, he can rest easier knowing that a measure of safety is there. Of course, the clan and castle also know his deepest secrets; secrets that could scuttle the budding relationship he and Isabella are building. McGoldrick cleverly mixes the historical fact and fiction here, adding bits of intrigue and danger surrounding the reasons Isabela is wanted by BOTH the Crown and the Rebels, as well as the overriding struggles between the Highlanders and the English becomes an intriguing and easily readable story. Detailed descriptions of the highlands raw beauty, a clever relationship developing between Isabella and Cinead with plenty of moments to enjoy. An interesting and intriguing start to a series. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Rich with history, I enjoyed this tale. Isabella and Cinead were both strong and formidable characters, each driven by their pasts and circumstances. I held my breath every time a situation arose. Would they succeed? Would they be caught? Their attraction brought a softness to the story. I recommend this story. I received an ARC through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

Cast from his home as a child, Cinaed Mackintosh is a fierce soul whose allegiance is only to himself, he's made a life for himself after being sent to sea aged nine, now the proud owner of the Highland Crown a ship that travels across the Atlantic bringing amongst other things arms to the Highlanders. Then a storm hits & his ship flounders on a reef, whilst in the long boat Cinaed is shot & tumbles nto the sea only to be saved by Isabella. Isabella Drummond is thirty four & a widow running with a price on her head. A true beauty and trained physician who’s now hunted by both the British government and Scottish rebels, she came to the Highlands in search of survival. Now, the only way Cinaed can keep her safe is to seek refuge at Dalmigavie Castle, the Mackintosh family seat. This book is the start of a new series & what a start, another book to avoid starting late at night if you're planning to get any sleep. Enthralling & engrossing it grabbed me from the start & didn’t let go until the end. It had everything smuggling, fugitives, intrigue & of course romance. There are strong characters & the attraction between a slightly younger man & older woman sizzles. The revelation near the end was unexpected & surprising & made me want to read the next book immediately My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read