REVIEW Highland Jewel by May McGoldrick

Sportochick's Musings ~ Well deserved 5 STARS for this exciting historical love story.

Highland Jewel

A Royal Highlander Novel #2

by May McGoldrick 

Publisher ~ St. Martin's Press Swerve

Genres ~ Historical Romance

Maisie Murray is the picture of docility, quiet and compliant in the eyes of her family. To her activist friends, however, she's a fearless crusader for women's rights. In the wake of the Peterloo Massacre, Maisie and a friend found the Edinburgh Female Reform Society, and she carries the banner for universal suffrage.

Niall Campbell, a hero of the wars, a decorated officer of the Royal Highland Regiment, is battle weary and searching for stability in his life. A fierce warrior by training and a poet at heart, Niall walks away from the shining career that lies ahead of him, to the dismay of his superiors. In saving his sister when a protest turns violent, he meets Maisie. Their relationship begins as one of experience versus idealism, of scars versus hope. Soon, however, he finds in Maisie the heart he longs for.

When Niall's sister is arrested and disappears, he quickly realizes his life is not his own, for the British authorities have a mission for him to accomplish in exchange for his sister's freedom. Overnight, Maisie loses Niall, her friend, and her home. And the wake of the riots that sweep through the cities of Scotland, Maisie's own sister Isabella is branded a traitor to the crown, and the family must flee to the Highlands. Here in the heart of the Highlands, Maisie runs into Niall again. He has a new name and carries a message of hope―but Niall has a task to complete―and their future rests on their ability to overcome the forces that divide them, or―for the future of Scotland―she must stop the man who owns her heart.

Surprised is just a beginning of what I think about this book. Author May McGoldrick takes the reader on a merry chase with the delightful character of Maisie Murray. You know that saying "Cool waters run deep"? That is Maisie and what a merry chase she takes us on in her quest to advance women's rights.

Both Maisie and Fiona, sister to Niall Campbell, are entangled in the quest to advance women's right which put them in a precarious position. The times are unruly and the Crown is persecuting anyone speaking out against the crown. 

Niall loves his sister and supports her beliefs but wants her safe. His frustration regarding keeping Maisie safe also takes a huge toll on his sanity. When the government wants him for their personal gain neither of these women are safe so the reader is taken on a roller coaster ride involving these three characters.

The story picks up speed when Maisie and her family go on the run to avoid being taken by the soldiers. The twists and turns to the storyline add even more excitement to this already well written storyline.

Well deserved 5 STARS for this exciting historical love story.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

My Reviews Of A Royal Highlander Novel Series 

Highland Crown (#1) - My Review  

Highland Jewel (#2) - My Review 

Highland Sword (#3) - My Review 

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5 STAR REVIEW Highland Crown by May McGoldrick

Sportochick's Musings ~ 5 STARS for the depth of this storyline and showing the readers that anything is possible even in the darkest of times. 

Highland Crown

A Royal Highlander Novel #1

by May McGoldrick 

Publisher ~ St. Martin's Press Swerve

Genres ~ Historical Romance

Scottish pride, persuasion, and passion - this is Highland romance at its breathtaking best.  

Inverness, 1820 

Perched on the North Sea, this port town - by turns legendary and mythological - is a place where Highland rebels and English authorities clash in a mortal struggle for survival and dominance. Among the fray is a lovely young widow who possesses rare and special gifts.    

WANTED: Isabella Drummond 

A true beauty and trained physician, Isabella has inspired longing and mystery - and fury - in a great many men. Hunted by both the British government and Scottish rebels, she came to the Highlands in search of survival. But a dying ship’s captain will steer her fate into even stormier waters...and her heart into flames.     

FOUND: Cinaed Mackintosh 

Cast from his home as a child, Cinaed is a fierce soul whose allegiance is only to himself...until Isabella saved his life - and added more risk to her own. Now, the only way Cinaed can keep her safe is to seek refuge at Dalmigavie Castle, the Mackintosh family seat. But when the scandalous truth of his past comes out, any chance of Cinaed having a bright future with Isabella is thrown into complete darkness. What will these two ill-fated lovers have to sacrifice to be together...for eternity?

You are in for a treat if you love a fast-paced action-packed historical romance. Author May McGoldrick is respected in the writing world for their intense research and descriptive writing which continues in this new "A Royal Highlander Novel" series.

The development of the primary characters Isabella and Cinaed are noteworthy. Both of them individually excel in what they do, have strong integrity and personalities with deep beliefs. On the surface they appear to have nothing in common but as the reader gets further into the story you will see they have more in common than what appears on the surface. Commitment to doing the right thing, caring and helping others who can't protect themselves and taking care of those they love are just a few examples. As they run for their lives they learn how to work as a team, to trust each other and then come to like and respect each other. 

There is constant action in this book to keep the reader glued to the pages wanting to know what will happen next. This is what the author does with precision. Enthrall the reader.

5 STARS for the depth of this storyline and showing the readers that anything is possible even in the darkest of times.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

My Reviews Of A Royal Highlander Novel Series 

Highland Crown (#1) - My Review  

Highland Jewel (#2) - My Review 

Highland Sword (#3) - My Review 

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Sleepless in Scotland by May McGoldrick

Sportochick's Musings ~ Author May McGoldrick never ceases to amaze me with the depth of feelings they invoke with their written word.

Sleepless in Scotland

The Pennington Family #3

by May McGoldrick 

Publisher ~ St. Martin's Press Swerve

Genres ~ Historical Romance

Captain Ian Bell is a tortured man fighting through grief and guilt over the loss of his sister. When she went missing, he searched for months until he found her remains. Now, three years later as the deputy lieutenant of Fife, Ian still hunts for her murderer in the dangerous criminal underworld of Edinburgh. He is the "Night Watch" bent on revenge even as he saves others from the same violent fate that claimed his sister. Then one night, a young woman narrowly escapes death and lands at his feet...his late sister’s best friend, Phoebe Pennington.  

Lady Phoebe Pennington - dreamer and storyteller to her family - is a committed reformer writing articles anonymously for an Edinburgh newspaper. One night, in an effort to acquire documents embarrassing to the city’s political leaders, Phoebe descends into the corrupt and seething netherworld known as the Vaults. When she tries to save a street urchin from an assailant, she becomes the target of a violent attack, only to be saved by the one man she has desired for years.  

Ian’s attraction to Phoebe is as undeniable as it is unexpected, and she awakens in him passions he thought long dead. Fearful that she doesn’t understand the dangers of this criminal world, he is determined to save her from the risks she takes. 

Phoebe’s blood burns for Ian, but when she learns that he may be implicated in the scandal she is set on exposing, she finds herself torn between love and truth. But even as they strive to find the meaning of trust, fate is taking a hand. For Phoebe is the only one who has seen the face of the killer, and the sinister shadows of evil are closer than they imagine.

Author May McGoldrick never ceases to amaze me with the depth of feelings they invoke with their written word. Each story is carefully plotted and well executed drawing the reader into their fantasy world.

My heart has been won over by Phoebe as she seeks truth to write about. Though to be honest there are times her stubbornness blinds her to the danger. She is still a woman who seeks truth and to help others so I was able to overlook her naivety in this area. 

Ian is a torn soul seeking retribution for the death of his late sister. Phoebe drives him crazy when she continually puts herself in danger to get her story and he will do anything to keep her from ending up like his sister. Dead. He and his family has been destroyed by his sister's death and not knowing why his sister was killed. He can't let go of his need for revenge. I could feel my heart hurting for him on every page of the book and I wanted him to find his peace and move on with his life.

What evolves between the pages is pure magic and the authors wind the drama of a killer into this well written love story. Now you should know this is more than a normal love story. This is the love for a dead sister, the love of a grieving mother and brother and the love of friend. You will see in the pages of this story how it is possible to find peace amongst all the pain and that love will always win.

The suspense added to the storyline with explicit detail will keep the reader enthralled with the storyline.

5 STARS for the depth of this storyline.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

My Reviews Of The Pennington Family Series 

Romancing the Scot (#1) - My Review   Amazon

Sweet Home Highland Christmas (#1.5) - My Review   Amazon
It Happened in the Highlands (#2) - My Review    Amazon

Sleepless in Scotland #3 - My Review

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REVIEW The Defender by Donna Grant

Sportochick's Musings ~ Love the complicated plot.

The Defender

Sons of Texas #4

by Donna Grant

Publisher ~ St. Martins Press Romance

Genres ~ Contemporary Romance, Military, Suspense

Their love knows no borders.

A loner who exudes danger, Lev Ivanski has spent his life in service to one man, someone he loves and respects. But things are changing. Rapidly. Lev and his boss have allies and friends and a new mission more important than their business, all because of the Saints. This clandestine organization needs to be taken down, and Lev has the skills to help. What he doesn’t expect is to be at the mercy of a woman who makes him crave more than he ever thought to want. 

Determined and dedicated, Reyna Harris is used to danger and living on the edge. An ex-CIA operative, she’s been embedded with the Saints for years, trying to take them down from the inside. When her cover is blown, she is forced to trust a man she just met, fighting their way out of one battle after another. But there’s something about Lev that Reyna knows she can trust. And love. She needs Lev - and not just to take a swipe at the Saints. Together they’re an unstoppable force. And with their friends, they just might succeed in their mission. 

Finally, Lev's story. This enigmatic man has held my interest since he first appeared on the pages of the Sons of Texas series. Coming up from the dark side of the streets he's always appeared as a hard stiff exact man handing out judgement even death. In this book the reader will see the hidden sides to his character and fall more in love with him as a person.

The Defender storyline is complicated, complex and intermingled with two independent people needing to depend on each other to survive the Saints. Reyna is the perfect female main character... tough, strong, smart, able to defend herself and make quick decisions. She feels real.

In each book the Saints and all their associates get more aggressive to dominate the world. They are chasing Lev and Reyna to capture and torture them for information. The reader will be sitting on the edge of their chair quickly turning pages with the intensity of the drama enveloped within the pages. 

I give it 5 STARS for the complicated plot and the the sexual tension between Lev and Reyna.

My Reviews of the Sons of Texas Series ~ 
The Hero #1 - My Review
The Protector #2 - My Review

The Legend #3 - My Review
The Defender #4 - My Review

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5 STAR REVIEW My Favorite Cowboy by Donna Grant

Sportochick's Musings ~ A phenomenal cowboy book full of mystery, conspiracies and a large dose of love.

My Favorite Cowboy

Heart of Texas #3

by Donna Grant

Publisher ~ St. Martins Press Romance

Genres ~ Cowboy, Contemporary Romance

Audrey Martinez is a veterinarian who has devoted her whole life to the care and protection of horses―even if doing so leaves her little time for meeting a man. Who would have thought that a strange case of criminal horseplay would lead her to falling deeply, wildly in love? If only the man who makes her heart race faster than a wild mustang would let his guard down, that is. . .

Caleb Harper is no ordinary cowboy. Sure, he wears his hat, boots, and jeans like a second skin, and displays an easygoing charm that comes from years of working on the ranch. But with his military background, and Army buddies at his side, he is tried-and-true Texas tough. Audrey knows she can trust a man like Caleb to help her save horses. But can Caleb trust himself to resist his attraction to Audrey―or will the sparks of their desire end up getting them burned?

Welcome to phenomenal cowboy book full of mystery, conspiracies and a large dose of love.

Yes it is all of this. The first chapter setups the intense storyline with veterinarian Audrey Martinez called in by a close family friend to see why his horses are getting sick and what from. During this very descriptive chapter Author Donna Grant sets up the main characters and several secondary characters. With this chapter she also leads the reader into a "who done it" with precision and expertise.

Audrey and her sister, Maddy are both fully developed characters showing how hard it is for sisters to understand each other through their differences and love for each other. The constant friction between them adds an element of tension that increase the mystery to the storyline.

Caleb Harper finally gets his story and I am delighted on how it was handled in this book. He has always been a tough and hard to read character causing me to wonder what drove him to be so hard headed and against relationships. The reader will discover the answer to that question in this book. 

All the characters from the previous two books to this series make a showing in this book and I loved the diversity of all of them when they are in the same room. I would truly love to be at a dinner with all of them. Now that would be a fun night.

This book includes lots of twists and turns. But..... the most enjoyable thing is that you think you know the answer to the ending but you will be surprised and have a few tears added for good measure.

Sportochick's Musings gives 5 STARS for this storyline continuing the fine job of showing how families work together with friends to solve the seemingly impossible odds.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

The Christmas Cowboy Hero #1 - My Review

Cowboy, Cross My Heart #2 - My Review

My Favorite Cowboy #3 - My Review

A Cowboy like You #4 - My Review

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REVIEW Fever by Donna Grant

Sportochick's Musings ~ I was impressed with the intricacy and detail that was used to maneuver this storyline

Fever

Dark Kings #16

by Donna Grant

Publisher ~ St. Martin's Press Romance

Genres ~ Paranormal Romance

His kiss was fire and passion. She shivered, wondering how he knew just how to touch her, to send her spiraling into an abyss of pleasure...

For centuries, the Dragon Kings have lived among mortals, forsaking their true selves. But for Kelton, hiding in the realm of shadows—and existing only in the world of dreams—is no longer an option. A human woman claims to know that he, like other dark warriors of his kind, is real. That the legends about these powerful, seductive men with hearts ablaze are true. And that, with just one embrace, Kelton could destroy her…or love her until the end of time.

Bernadette Davies is an anthropologist who knows better than to fall into the arms of a Dragon King. But how can she resist Kelton when he’s so willing to share his secrets and bare his soul? He hasn’t met a beautiful, trustworthy woman like Bernadette in…forever. But once they give into their mutual desire, their worlds will never be the same. Soon Bernadette must face her dilemma: Should she expose the truth about Kelton in the name of science? Or join him in his battle with the dark forces—in the name of love?

The opening chapter to this book is enthralling starting with the first sentence out of Bernadette's mouth and ending with Kelton's shock as he sat listening.

Once again in the fluid writing style of the author Donna Grant the reader is immediately drawn into the plot of the storyline and held stuck to the pages till the very end. This story has another twist to the drama known as the villian Mikkel. He really is a devious bad guy and one that always adds drama and intrigue to any story he is involved in.

Kelton dislikes this assignment and really wants to be doing something else but he finds he can't help his attraction to Bernadette. Fortunately for him he gets his chance to talk to her and try to change her mind about her research. His thoughtfulness on the problem and how to approach it does make him the perfect Dragon King for this job.

Bernadette doesn't give up or in easy but she is always willing to listen to another's opinion. Her academia existence is threatened because of her crusade about dragons existing so I was interested to see how the author would made everything workout realistically in this story so Bernadette and Keltan could have a romance. Quite honestly I was impressed with the intricacy and detail that was used to maneuver this storyline that made it realistic and nail biting at the same time. 

A big 4 STARS .

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

My Reviews Of The Dark King Series ~ 

Darkest Flame #1 - Read Not Reviewed

Fire Rising #2 - Read Not Reviewed

Burning Desire #3 - Read Not Reviewed

Hot Blooded #4 - Read Not Reviewed

Night’s Blaze #5 - Read Not Reviewed

Soul Scorched #6 - Read Not Reviewed

Passion Ignite #7 - Read Not Reviewed

Smoldering Hunger #8 - Read Not Reviewed

Smoke and Fire #9 - Read Not Reviewed

Firestorm #10 - My Review Buy: Amazon | B&N | Goodreads | Audible

Blaze #11 - My Review  Buy: Amazon | B&N | Goodreads | Audible

Heat #12 - My Review  Buy: Amazon | B&N | Goodreads | Audible
Torched #13 - My Review  Buy: Amazon | B&N | Goodreads | Audible
Dragonfire #14 - My Review  Buy: Amazon | B&N | Goodreads | Audible
Ignite #15 - My Review 
Fever #16 - My Review 

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