Third in this series, this book grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go until the last word is read. I liked the enemies to friends to romance theme going on with Morrigan and Aidan. It was well-written and well-paced to help the reader feel their affection grow and build. This book did a great job of telling their story, while building on the previous two books in the series, which let us visit old friends and tie up all the on-going storylines. The very difficult political times were so well written, and the intrigue and suspense that followed was nicely done. It was a gripping read, and difficult to put down. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. This is my freely given, honest review.

Morrigan Drummond is on a mission when she crosses paths with Aidan Grant who convinces to assist in his cause and marriage. This is the third of the A Royal Highlander series and a keeper that will have the reader turning pages til the end.
Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

🍷🍷🍷.5 #Review of Highland Swordby May McGoldrick
Kimberly's Thoughts:

Uprooted from her home after her father's murder, Morrigan has fled to the Highlands. There, with her step-mother, step-sister, and their husbands, they continue to fight to get out from under the yoke of the English.
Aidan has soldiered for England and now as a barrister, he fights to bring justice to his fellow Highlanders. With his brother at his side, he works to establish rule of law in this turbulent time.
Politics, entrapment, spying, blackmail, and love come alive in the highlands.

"Her insides burned with sadness, and rage."

Highland Sword is third in the Royal Highland series and would work best read after the first two. The connecting thread in the series is Cinaed Mackintosh (Highland Crown), he is the secret son of Queen Caroline and looked upon by rebel Scots as to be the true king and savior of Scotland against the harsh treatment of England. In book one, Cinaed marries Morrigan's step-mother and thus begins her connection to the plot thread. The beginning of this and a lot of the story focuses on the turmoil of Scotland at the time. Morrigan's father was killed in a raid where rebels were thought to be meeting. The authors center the misdeeds of the English on the character Sir Rupert Burney to help draw a clear picture of what was happening at the time. Sir Rupert appears in all three books and works as a spy master for the Home Office and abuses his power by blackmailing and orchestrating entrapments.

"Her feelings for Aidan Grant were beginning to confuse her. She wanted some distance from him, but at the same time she enjoyed having him near. She was attracted and yet still afraid. Not afraid. Cautious."

Our hero comes into the picture as he is chasing down a man he thinks has worked for the Home Office and Sir Rupert and can give testimony against them, therefore saving his current clients from the noose. The man, Robert Sparrow, ends up being Morrigan's uncle and the source of a childhood trauma, he raped her when she was twelve years old. After a scuffle in an alleyway, Aidan and Morrigan meet and Aidan is intrigued by this woman who gave him a black eye. When Sparrow is moved to the castle Morrigan is staying at, he's dying of cancer, she is forced to confront her past.

The political climate and historical setting is done very well, you're going to have to enjoy stories leaning heavier on the historical part of historical romance. I loved the character of Aidan and how calm, strong, and easy he was with Morrigan. Unfortunately, we don't get a lot of him and the political threads did steal away from their romance; they just didn't spend enough time together for me. Aidan was constantly on the move trying to build his case for his clients and Morrigan was stretched thin herself. While Aidan was working to defeat Sir Rupert in the courts, Morrigan finds allies and turns a blackmail situation against her to her favor.

"With one sweep of his hand, he cleared the desk. Books and papers crashed fluttered to the floor. He lifted her onto the edge."

The emotions between the two were felt, even though their time on page was too fleeting and left me wanting more. Morrigan's struggle with facing her past was dealt well in that it wasn't the center point of her character, it shaped her but didn't define her and I wish such villains were done more in this way. Her thoughts and feelings regarding not wanting to burden her family with knowledge of her pain and not be a detriment to Aidan's budding political career provided some deep emotional moments. There was a lot being said in this series, governments utilizing the law and courts in underhanded ways was the main message in this one, and I appreciated the historical details and weaving of real people, places, and events. This had an exceptional hero who I wish had more time to shine with the heroine as their relationship was sweet and flaring at times. If looking for a historical series that will give you plenty to go off and learn about on your own, Royal Highland does that, along with compelling and loving heroes and heroines.

I have read this whole series now and was really looking forward to Morrigan's story. She is feisty and strong and I was interested in the what type of man they would pair her up with. Aidan is sweet and smart and a great balance to her personality.

This story was a bit of a slow start for me. It took me a while to really get invested in the story, but once I did it was a really exciting tale. I love how this story is based around real historical events and includes some historical figures as characters. I also was happy with the ending and how it tied up the stories of all 3 couples from the series

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. This was just a wonderful book to read and it was just easy to lose yourself in the story. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

This is an enjoyable historical romance fiction book. I really enjoyed reading about this time period in the highlands. I have read very few books that were based in Scotland and I had never read one in this time period. I loved the characters and the story was very good. I wish I had read the first two books in the series but I was able to understand everything even without reading books one and two. I received this book from Netgalley from St. Martin’s Publishing for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Highland Sword by May McGoldrick is the third in the Royal Highlander series. The final novel is the story of Morrigan and Aidan and the love that they find in the 1800s during the wars in Scotland with England. I didn't find this novel as compelling or readable as the first two novels, which just swept me along with both the history and the love stories. I found Morrigan to be a much harder character to like and her love Aidan to be a very flat character, not nearly as developed as the characters in the previous novels. In all, I was somewhat disappointed in this weak conclusion to the series.

That being said, I do plan to go back to read some of the other series written by this author/couple. Thank you to the authors, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

This book was about half historical fiction and half romance. It's the third in the Royal Highlander series, and focuses on Morrigan, a fiesty and determined fighter, who has trained with weapons, in part to cope with a difficult secret. We also see many of the characters from the earlier books in the series, at least in passing. This book would be ok to read as a stand alone, but possibly more satisfying having read the earlier books.

One thing I always appreciate in romances, and it happens all too infrequently, is when the characters communicate about the problems that keep them apart vs. going silent and avoiding. I added a star for that :). I didn't feel a lot of fireworks between the two main characters, but I did really like this historical setting and context.

Morrigan’s story was the perfect ending!

Morrigan and Aiden meet in pursuit of the same man but with very different goals in mind. I absolutely loved the look of the three “sisters” through Morrigan’s eyes: the healer, the writer, and the warrior.

As I’ve stated in my reviews for the first two books in the series, the Royal Highlander series leans more historical than romance but the chemistry and love between Morrigan and Aiden is very present and satisfying.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction with more than a little romance, I highly recommend this whole series and feel confident you will be very pleased with the ending.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.

Great story! I'm sad to see the series end but I can't wait for more books from the author. Loved that the main characters were both strong-willed.

Morrigan has been wanting to seek revenge against Sir Rupert Burney since the night that her father was killed. Living with her step mother and her new husband, she has carved a new life for herself a well as learned how to defend herself. When she sees a man that harmed her in the past, she goes after him. But she is thwarted by Aidan Grant.

Aidan finally has the means to bring down Sir Rupert Burney, but the man that can testify for him is dying. He also has one last request...an audience with Morrigan. Can he convince Morrigan to get passed her anger so that he can bring down Burney.

As Morrigan and Aidan spend time together, they form a mutual attraction. But what one wants will mean that the other loses. Can they figure out a way that both of them can win?

I loved Aidan and Morrigan's story!! After reading the first book in the series, I was so eager to read the stories of the other two ladies and we finally have Morrigan's. It was everything that I could hope for. We see that she has become not only strong of mind but a fierce fighter in her own right. Aidan was perfect for her! While both of their end games were the same, they both had different idea about how to get there. It was great to watch them butt heads and finally work together to get what they both wanted. This was a great conclusion to this series!!

This team duo has written a series where I see history just bursting off the page. While Jim McGoldrick holds a Ph.D. degree in Scottish and English literature, his mechanical engineer wife takes the events of history to another level through her sensuous characters. It is obvious they both love history and making it live and breathe. I spent some time Googling characters to discover who are the real characters in history and who are the fictitious ones and how closely the authors followed events.

The reader quickly gets wrapped up in continuing the story already laid out in book one and two. We meet the Queen of England and Ireland again in this book which allows the reader to understand her love for her son and how aware she is her life won’t be a long one. Powerful forces close to her wish her harm. In consequence, her son, Cinaed who was adopted by the Mackintosh clan is in danger by those seeking to destroy any bloodline related to the Queen.

We meet Cinaed in Highland Crown. His ship is destroyed and his men lost in a ship wreck. Barely alive, he is saved by a dedicated surgeon and doctor, Isabella. Scotland wants him to be king someday, but he isn’t interested in being king. This story is of Cinaed finding out who he is.

It is also a story about Isabella’s sister, Morrigan Drummond, who has a story deeply buried in her heart that slowly rises to the surface through events unfolding. You will hurt for Morrigan. I did. She is determined to never be helpless again. She learns to take up the sword. She is a force to be reckoned with when Aidan Grant gets in her way.

Aidan Grant finds his calling in the Highlands. He is a man seeking justice for those who are unfairly persecuted. He is a perfect match for Morrigan, both in wit and weaponry.

The bad guys play their parts very well, perfect catalysts to propel the story forward. You’ll love to hate Morrigan’s uncle. You’ll love to hate Sir Rupert Burney, both fictitious characters.

One final thought: This series has been totally captivating. I suggest you read the series to get the full impact of events and characters. I can also see the series being expanded. There are three women, Isabella, Fiona, and Morrigan, closely linked, whom the authors could use to bring the reader more historical events with beguiling stories.

I loved this book! And how can one go wrong with, firstly, a Scottish hero; secondly, a barrister; and, thirdly, with a hero named Aidan Grant. The romance between hero and heroine/between Aidan and Morrigan was a very intricate dance, and, of course, there are the Shakespearean highs and lows in this book...those that pervade all good plots. However, when concentrating plot and characters in Scotland, the drama and romance are heightened. For some reason, I was not quite enamored of the initial chapters that are focused only on one person and then the other. (e.g., Chapter 2 Morrigan; Chapter 3 Aidan), but that is a minor point. I had an advanced reader copy of this book, and I was excited to have been able to preview this. I have read the others in the series and was not disappointed. :)

I liked this book but not without issue. What worked: I thought the chemistry was intense and the main characters likable. The story is made up of a mix of powerful emotions, drama, intrigue, danger. What didn't: I found the pacing exceptionally slow and I overall I felt it was just kind of bland. Still, that is just my opinion and as I said there were some good elements. I'd classify it as a good read.

“My dear is that my past will one day be exposed and become quicksand beneath my feet.” Highland Sword by May McGoldrick

3 stars. The end of the trilogy about one of the more turbulent times in Scottish history.

Morrigan’s turn now, and she meets Aidan in the most unusual manner. they meet again at the Macintosh keep as Aidan is invited to stay over there as he defends his clients who were unjustly arrested.

Morrigan is prickly and hot tempered. Aidan, calm and thorough and on his way to a political career. He’s a perfect foil for her. And together they bring down one of the corrupt heads of the Home Office.

It is a love story but...more of a historical fiction book with a female lead who happens to fall for a barrister. So glad the series is finished, Cinead and Isabella are safe, as are the other characters in the trilogy. Scotland sort of settles (no spoiler there) and Aidan and Morrigan are together and vanquished their foe.

Thank you St Martin’s Press for the copy of this book. It was released last March 31, 2020 (which I missed 😣). I enjoyed the series.

Highland Sword: A Royal Highlander Novel by May McGoldrick
This is the third and final book of the Royal Highlander Series. The series is based on the historical revolutionary events called “The Radical War of 1820”.
I loved the physical fight (dark at night) between the main protagonists Morrigan and Aiden, especially when they show up at the same meeting both with black and purple faces with scowls upon recognition and everyone stops to look at them and realize, you’ve met before! You have to read it to appreciate the humorous situations and the witty and hilarious banter.
Great characters and a creative plot that twist and turns, keeping you off balance. The storyline is complete with a painful dark secret, revenge, spies, intrigue, lies and fake news, treasonous villains, a great court scene, and a slow burn romance that turns to ignited flames.
Happy Reading♥️

Content: Adult due to a mentioning of a crime of rape against a child of 12 (not graphic), steamy romance with explicit description (later in last quarter). 3 flames.

Highland Sword, the third and final book in the Royal Highlander Series, brings the series to a fantastic end. The story takes place following the Napoleonic Wars, a time of political unrest and social upheaval across the British Isles. Danger, secrecy, intrigue, betrayal, narrow escapes, and rescues, and a cast of absolutely marvelous characters come together to create fantastic Highland adventure and a dramatic romance. Morrigan Drummond and Aidan Grant are both after the English spymaster, Sir Rupert Burney. Morrigan wants revenge for the murder of her father. Aidan wants the traitorous Burney brought to justice for that and other crimes through the courts. Their quest to find Burney is intense. Their romance develops slowly and is quite worth the wait. This has been an exciting series. The end is compelling. I recommend Highland Sword and the whole Royal Highlanders series.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

I encountered no issues following the events or relationships in Highland Sword despite not reading any prior novels in this series. Against a historical Scottish backdrop, Morrigan and Aiden search for vengeance. Both characters are determined and capable in their quests, whether they are working together toward a goal or individually. Morrigan is a strong-willed, fun heroine, and Aiden is well suited to calm Morrigan's storm. The romance between Morrigan and Aiden was slow to take effect, but I enjoyed the pacing of it. I found their snarky and flirtatious encounters to be endearing. I enjoyed reading Highland Sword and recommend it for lovers of historical romantic fiction.

This is the third book of the Royal Highlander series and I enjoyed it just as much as the first two and am sad to see the series come to an end.....or has it? Morrigan Drummond is the third of the three women who were involved with her father, Dr. Archiband Drummond , and witnessed his murder during a raid by the British. She has fled with her step-mother, Isabella, and her sister, Maisie, to the Scottish highlands. With Isabella marrying the Son of Scotland, Cinead Mackintosh, the drama continues as she tries to sort out her own complicated life. Morrigan is the warrior of the three, and does not hesitate to take on anyone when they have piqued her fiery temper. Aiden Grant is a friend to the Scottish cause but gets on the wrong side of her temper, as we see in their interactions which leave him bruised and bleeding. This type of passion often has two sides, which Morrigan tries to fight off as she also fights the demons of her past which she has come face-to-face with. The treachery and intrigue of Sir Rupert Burney as he attempts to bring down the Scottish people weaves many webs around Morrigan and her loved ones until she is brave enough to ask for help to undo her predicaments and face her past. The characters are well-loved and an enjoyment to follow through their storylines. Even the peripheral characters who have been a part of the three-book series are familiar and fun to revisit. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review, which this has been. #NetGalley #HighlandSword

------‐-------Book Review--------------
The Highland Sword by @maymcgoldrick
Sass-o-meter 5/5💜s - Ultimate Sass
Release Date: March 31st
#thehighlandsword @stmartinspress
------‐-------Quote----------------------
“Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”
------‐------Description-------------------
Tagline: Scottish pride, persuasion, and passion—this is Highland romance at its breathtaking best.

A VOW FOR VENGEANCE - Fleeing to the Highlands after her father’s murder, fiery Morrigan Drummond has a score to settle with Sir Rupert Burney, the English spymaster responsible for his death. Trained to fight alongside the other rebels determined to break Britain’s hold on Scotland, she swears to avenge her father’s death—until a chance encounter with a barrister as proud and principled as she is presents her with a hard choice…and a bittersweet temptation.
A PLEA FOR PASSION - Aidan Grant has never encountered another woman like dangerous beauty Morrigan—and he has the bruises to prove it. Yet she could be the key to defending two innocent men, as well as striking a death blow to the reprehensible Burney. Convincing Morrigan to help him will take time, but Aidan is willing to wait if it means victory over corrupt government forces and freedom for his people…and Morrigan’s hand in marriage. Can two warriors committed to a cause stand down long enough to open their hearts to a love fierce enough to last…forever?
-----------------Sassy Review---------------
Thank you @netgalley and #Stmartinspress for the advanced copy to provide my own sassy opinions.

I adore this husband and wife author team - I am here for every book they write!

This book is the third and I think final in the series, but there might be more side stories planned! I would love to read and continue the amazing story they have started.

I loved Morrigan in the first two books - talk about the ultimate sass!!! She delivers and of course - May McGoldrick - has delivered the perfect man, Aidan, to sass back.

If you love an amazing historical story that envelops you in a huge hug of comfort with sassy banter that gives you the giggles and plasters an uncontrolable smile on your face then this book is highly recommended to you!

----Sassiest character - Morrigan & Adian-----
Qotd: Do you have a favorite romance author?