Title: Highland Jewel Royal Highlander Series, Book 2
Author: May McGoldrick
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: 1820 Scotland
Pages: 313
Published by: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Published Date: September 24, 2019
Sold by: Macmillan
ASIN: B07PBLFV1K

Royal Highlander Series:
Highland Crown   Book 1
Highland Jewel     Book 2
Highland Sword   Book 3

Publisher’s Summary:

A REBEL AT HEART
Maisie Murray’s sweet, docile exterior masks the courageous spirit of a firebrand determined to champion women’s suffrage with like-minded friends. But fighting for her principles has swept her directly into harm’s way—and into the arms of a man she cannot resist.

A WARRIOR BY BLOOD
A trained officer with the Royal Highland Regiment, Niall Campbell has spent his life serving the Crown. Battle-weary and searching for peace, he nothing to do with trouble—until he meets Maisie. But unless Niall and Maisie can find a way to stand up to the destructive forces that threaten to divide them, long-buried secrets and political schemes are destined to stand in the way of the glorious love they’ve found…

5-Star Read

My Thoughts: I’ve had the pleasure of reading from the beginning of the series and most certainly will continue reading the rest. The stories are entertaining with just the right amount of intrigue. Coupled with the rich fodder of historical events which the characters play their parts, I was caught up in the utter turmoil of their circumstances. Concerned for their well-being, I was compelled to keep flipping the pages!

The author told the story using three strong women of spirit and determination who wish to make the world a better place for all. Isabella, who was the main heroine in book one, Maisie and Fiona, taking the stage in book two, and Maggie in book 3, The Highland Sword, publishing March 2020.

Fiona and Maisie are heavily involved in changing the conditions women work under. They start a branch of the Female Reform Society. These societies actually existed. The author captures the sentiment of the times when grassroot efforts of women like Fiona and Maisie are spread throughout England.

When the government decides to curb these so-called disturbances of society, they attack unarmed men and women such as what happened at the Peterloo Massacre. Take time to Google and learn about the massacre. They then enacted The Six Acts, further fueling the outrage of the people. With a heavy hand they beat people suspected of involvement and imprison them.

Fiona and Maisie, our heroines, print material to inform the people what is happening and lead rallies. On several occasions they were almost caught, once saved by Niall, Fiona’s brother. Romance is afoot when Niall and Maisie are drawn to each other, but it is questionable whether a burgeoning love can keep danger at bay.

This chaos was a perfect cover for the undergoing of powerful people who had a different agenda, an agenda to weaken Scotland through killing the man known as The Son of Scotland.

Niall, Fiona’s brother, loves his sister and her two children very much and tries his best to protect her, yet give her the freedom she deserves. He understands her motives and sympathizes with her. When a good man has a weakness, his enemies will use it to get what they want. Niall is snared into a plot to harm the queen. He has choices. All are risky and dangerous. Which does he choose?

A remarkable story and clearly one I will remember long into the future.