Book Description 

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?

My Review 

This is the first book in the series, but I accidentally read the second book first and then this book after that. It ended up working out because most of the second book takes place BEFORE the events of the first book. 

This book has way too much “tell” and not nearly enough “show.” As the story begins, Isabella has fled Edinburgh and is hiding out because of her association with seditious efforts. Her husband has been killed and she only got out of the city because of Sir Walter Scott. Yes, THAT Sir Walter. 

But the reader doesn’t get to experience any of that; we are merely told of these events as Isabella hides in a cottage waiting to move to her next location. That’s where she meets Cinead when he washes up onshore after his ship sinks. 

Like I said in my review of Highland Jewel, when considering this book as a historical romance, it’s somewhat lacking. There’s virtually no chemistry between the two protagonists. It’s also strange that Isabella’s husband has JUST been killed in an attack on his clinic, yet she’s jumping into a new situation only a few months later. Yes, they had a marriage of convenience, but she’s still not particularly upset about his death.  

Ironically, there are plenty of details when it comes to torture and abuse from the English. In one scene, at least three or four characters described what the English did to their antecedents. Yes, the English were unequivocally horrible, but the effect was more “infodumping” rather than invoking sympathy for the torture and degredation. 

I would recommend this book as historical fiction. The story is intriguing and the characters are likeable, despite their lack of romantic chemistry. The series as a whole would probably make more sense chronologically rather than the piecemeal fashion in which it’s presented. 

I received a digital ARC of this book from St. Martin’s/NetGalley.