Tess and the Highlander

MacPherson Clan #6

by May McGoldrick

Tess
Tess Lindsay has spent most of her life on the remote Isle of May, uncertain of her identity. Raised by the two sole inhabitants of the island, she is left to fend for herself after their deaths, until a stranger washes ashore in a storm. Tess pulls him from the surf, not knowing that in saving the Highlander she is saving herself.

The Highlander
If good looks and a taste for adventure are a curse, Colin Macpherson is destined for ruin. Until he ends up a castaway on Tess's windswept island, he's been roaming the seas, seeking fame, fortune... and a different girl in every port. But his fascination for this strong-willed lass goes beyond her wild beauty, intriguing him as no girl ever does.

As Colin gains her trust, Tess reveals what little she knows about herself and her past. From her scant clues, though, Colin comes to one conclusion: he must return Tess to the mainland to reclaim her birthright, even if it means losing her to a destiny that does not include him.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Scotland, Fiction

265 pages, Paperback

First published October 22, 2002

About the author

May McGoldrick, Nik James, and Jan Coffey are pen names for USA Today bestselling authors Nikoo Kafi and Jim McGoldrick. Together, they have crafted over fifty fast-paced, conflict-filled historical, contemporary, and Western novels, and two works of nonfiction.

Nikoo’s education and training was in engineering. She worked in robotics and submarine shipbuilding. Before earning a PhD in sixteenth-century Scottish and English literature, Jim pursued a hundred and one jobs, including a decade in submarine construction.

Storytellers at heart, Nikoo and Jim were always searching for careers that gave them time for both family and writing. Then, after thirteen years of marriage, they recognized each other’s creative strengths. Nikoo is all about characters and feeling. Jim is about action and sense of place. Their first attempt in writing fiction together produced their award-winning novel, The Thistle and the Rose. Since then, their stories have touched the hearts and minds of millions of readers all over the world. Their work has been translated into over a dozen languages and counting.

Nikoo and Jim are four-time Rita Finalists and the winners of numerous awards for their writing, including the Daphne DeMaurier Award for Excellence, the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewers’ Choice Award, three NJRW Golden Leaf Awards, two Holt Medallions, and the Connecticut Press Club Award for Best Fiction.

The authors make their home in California.

Here is a complete catalogue of May McGoldrick, Nik James and Jan Coffey’s work, in chronological order.
Each book stands on its own.

MAY McGOLDRICK

Macpherson Clan Series
The Thistle and the Rose
A Midsummer Wedding (novella)
Angel of Skye
Heart of Gold
Beauty of the Mist

The Intended
Flame
Tess and the Highlander
The Dreamer (Highland Treasure)
The Enchantress (Highland Treasure)
The Firebrand (Highland Treasure)

Much Ado About Highlanders (Scottish Relic)
Taming the Highlander (Scottish Relic)
Tempest in the Highlands (Scottish Relic)

Arsenic and Old Armor
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Pennington Family Series
The Promise
The Rebel
Borrowed Dreams
Captured Dreams
Dreams of Destiny
Romancing the Scot
It Happened in the Highlands
Sweet Home Highland Christmas (novella)
Sleepless in Scotland
Dearest Millie (novella)
How to Ditch a Duke (novella)
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Royal Highlander Series
Highland Crown
Highland Jewel
Highland Sword
---

A Prince in the Pantry (novella)
Ghost of the Thames
---

Made in Heaven
Thanksgiving in Connecticut (novella)

NIK JAMES
The Winter Road (novella)
High Country Justice
Bullets and Silver
Silver Trail Christmas

JAN COFFEY
Trust Me Once
Twice Burned
Triple Threat
Fourth Victim
Five in a Row
Silent Waters
Cross Wired
The Janus Effect
The Puppet Master
Blind Eye
Road Kill
Mercy (novella)
Tropical Kiss
Aquarian
When the Mirror Cracks

NONFICTION

Marriage of Minds: Collaborative Fiction Writing
Step Write Up: Writing Exercises for 21st Century

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Reviews

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's Kindle freebie romance time again! This was a light and pleasant read, with a few twists that made it a little more interesting than the standard Highlander-in-kilt + lovely maiden historic romance.

Colin MacPherson was washed overboard in a storm and washes up on the isolated Isle of May off the coast of Scotland.



The island looks abandoned, but it isn't, quite: seventeen-year-old Tess was shipwrecked when she was just six, and was brought up by an old couple who lived alone on the island. Now the couple has passed away and Tess is alone, avoiding all other humans who may visit the island because she knows they'll rape her or something. But Colin is very handsome, and even though he's always been the love 'em and leave 'em type, something in Tess's lovely, wild innocence speaks to his heart and makes him tame his typical seductive ways, even though they're all alone and oh so very lonely. Yup: it's instalove. Well, okay, it takes about a week for them to decide they're in love.

Anyway, gradually Tess learns to trust Colin, and then the question arises of where Tess originally came from and how she ended up where she is, and Colin is all, Fear not! I will help you! I won't spoil the mystery; it's a bit simplistic, as is this book, but for the light, clean historic romance category it's a decent read. Tess is suspiciously socially adept for a girl who's been living in isolation her entire life with an old, very simply-living couple (seriously, how'd she learn to curtsy so well?), but whatever, it's romantic fantasy. Definitely in the brain candy category, but if you like this kind of sweet read, grab it while it's free.

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun Highlander story. I liked Colin and Tess a lot and thought they had good chemistry. I would have liked it if the story had been stretched out over a longer time period, overall it seemed like everything happened rather quickly. Maybe a week, two at most. Their relationship would have been more believable if the events took place over a longer time period, IMO. I thought the mystery and suspense could have been built up a little better. My only other complaint is that Tess seemed almost too smart and confident with her background. She didn’t have any school past the age of six, but still seemed too savvy at times. Not that I really minded, she was still really likable and I liked that she took charge and was intelligent. I still thought it was enjoyable though and enjoyed the Highland setting. A fun read.

[kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tess Lindsay saves Colin Macpherson when he washes up on the isle of May, where she has been living for 11 years. Via a brief conversation, Colin deduces that clearly Tess is the long-lost daughter of the clan Lindsay so he convinces her to leave her island, come to his house, meet his fam, and live happily ever after. Oh, yeah, and Tess's mother—who was widowed during the attack on the Lindsays—is around, too.

1. All that hair tho.

2. This is basically a standard romance except everyone keeps their hands to themselves, somehow.

3. Tess's is one of those innocent, sassy angels that plague romances. Colin's a bit better except for his original future plans: 100 women in 100 ports. Such #goals, I guess.

4. I don't have much to say about this one? It's enjoyable, but it is what it says on the tin: a romance with training wheels for those emotionally fragile teenagers!!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun book. It was a different story line then other highlander books I have read. I loved the whole island and swept ashore. The characters were good well developed and fun to read. This is a sweet, clean romance with no sexuality or religious aspects. It is a well thought out little book, I was pleasantly surprised. Fun little read for a windy, rainy day.
7-2021
Such a fun read. Love this one again and again. Lucky girl stranded on a deserted island with a highlander:}

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, short, clean romance book.

Tess washed up on an island when she was six years old. She was taken in and cared for by the elderly care takers of an ancient monastary that had been deserted centuries before. People come there on pilgrimage.

Colin washes on shore during a storm and finds Tess alone on the island. Her persuades her to come with him when he is rescued and face the nightmares from her past.

Of course love must bloom between the two, and of course there is a villain or two.

[Katrina Knittle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun story. I haven't read any of the others, but I wasn't really confused at all. Colin and Tess seemed to really good chemistry that helped the story along. One small issue with the book is how fast there relationship took place. It would have been a little more believable if it took a little longer to happen. Other then that I enjoyed the suspense, mystery, and romance that happened throughout the book.

[P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a pretty dull book. I don't read YA and wouldn't have bothered with this one if the cover of the copy I got had this disclaimer: a true romance for teens, which some covers do. But, not forewarned, I plodded on, trying to figure out what exactly is wrong with this book. Turns out it's a poorly written teen romance. It's free though, just a waste of time.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the series. Tess seemed to be crying constantly and at the drop of a hat, and the villain was obvious. Not to mention most of the final battle and the final resolution happened offscreen. Also lots of instalove. On the plus side, it was short. I’m glad to be done with it.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the first romance novels I ever read. So for nostalgia alone it will always hold a dear place in my heart.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally

I have been waiting for this one to be on sale and it did not disappoint! But darn if I don't want to get the rest of the books in this series now! ...my mistake... Just because you read a clean romance does not mean that the authors other books will be clean. I just finished reading May McGoldrick's book "Angel of Skye" and it is not even close to clean. You've been warned.

[Elizabeth Plav · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, sweet romance! Tess is a girl who's raised on the Isle of May by an elderly couple, who found her washed ashore as a child. Now, eleven years later, a handsome young Highlander ends up on the island, and realizes who Tess is. He convinces her to leave the island to go claim her birthright, but along the way, they fall in love. Very cute.

[Voirrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Amazon freeby - and a really quick read. I was amazed that it has over 200 pages, to be honest.

Really easy reading for me as I know the period and the places mentioned quite well, so had no problem placing the characters in their landscape.

And the true villain of the piece was well picked, being someone you would not have expected...

[Cooper Tennant]

AHHHHH! I totally forgot about this book! This was my first highland romance novel that I probably read when I was about 12! It was a downright scandalous read for my pre-teen eyes...but really just a sweet, cute little love story:) Glad I stumbled upon this once again...

[Margo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to purchase this book since this couple were mentioned in 'Much Ado about Highlanders'. A good, enjoyable story but an epilogue would be appreciated once in a while. I feel like the story ended too abruptly.

[Rebekah Gyger · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Sweet, quick, clean read. Not much as far as a moral dilemma, but good outside conflict.

[Debra French · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few unexpected turns along the way to keep it interesting.

[Marina Marchese · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice bit of storytelling, I must say. Although having read the 'Scottish Dream' series I think the authors could have developed more of the characters and plot with detail, particularly that of Tess's mother and lover given that they played such an important part in Tess's 11 year disappearance. They were roughly sketched in at the end with broad strokes making them appear evil. I don't believe they should be considered evil even though their actions are decidedly so, rather I would have preferred to see more depth into their motives, their angst at not being able to marry and the circumstances that lead to their actions. It could have been an excellent subplot adding pathos and a twist of fate that turns them from star crossed lovers into villains for whom all goes bad ultimately. Perhaps that story needs to be told in a separate novel. I understand that the Highlander formula is for the principal characters to live happily ever after, but it is permissible to have a subplot that may be more telling, shall we say, of dreams gone astray, loss, psychological conflict and reality. Having said that, I look forward to more good storytelling from the McGoldricks.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tess Lindsay has spent most of her life on the remote Isle of May, uncertain of her identity. Raised by the two sole inhabitants of the island, she is left to fend for herself after their deaths, until a stranger washes ashore in a storm. Tess pulls him from the surf, not knowing that in saving the Highlander she is saving herself.

The Highlander - If good looks and a taste for adventure are a curse, Colin Macpherson is destined for ruin. Until he ends up a castaway on Tess's windswept island, he's been roaming the seas, seeking fame, fortune... and a different girl in every port. But his fascination for this strong-willed lass goes beyond her wild beauty, intriguing him as no girl ever does.

As Colin gains her trust, Tess reveals what little she knows about herself and her past. From her scant clues, though, Colin comes to one conclusion: he must return Tess to the mainland to reclaim her birthright, even if it means losing her to a destiny that does not include him.

[Lizette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully detailed world, believable characters and romance

Four finely crafted places and lifestyles with and a tender, slowly developing romance between Tess and Colin make this story a delight. The believable supporting characters, the Isle of May and Tess' life on it, her interactions with Colin, are so crisp and clear that I felt I was there with them. Colin's life is also fully and beautifully presented: his brothers, fellow pirates, parents and family relationships, and the people of the fishing villages and castle village. Likewise with Tess' abandoned people, castle and the oppressive castle life created by her mother and the murderer of her father.
The process of Tess regaining her memory is detailed and believable. As she remembers her early life we come to know the cause of her amnesia and her difficulty trusting strangers.
All in all, this is a wonderful tale with heart.

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, yet forgettable and flawed in key ways. There were some problematic issues with the romance and attitudes toward women and their treatment, but I suppose those were accurate for the time.
The POV switched back and forth from the main characters so often that the reader knew all far too soon and didn't get to figure things out gradually with the main characters. A book should make you work for a resolution or at least make you wonder a bit!
There were some interesting twists, bit things progressed so quickly it became unrealistic. Our abrupt ending would really have benefitted from an epilogue. The mother and the other man were too one-dimensional. No one is entirely good or entirely bad. One last thought: wouldn't it have been fascinating if the MacPhersons were responsible for what happened to the Lindsays and our Macs had to navigate a complicated star-crossed lovers situation?

[Leann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the whole book in one sitting , I really enjoyed Tess and the Highlander😘 (I have a kindle).I Love it !! It says teenager , however I'm a couple decades older and I'd rank it at the top of the adult books of similar genre! -

they made me laugh and cry and all the while rooting for Tess. This story was refreshing and one that I recommend for anyone that needs a stand alone love story that leaves you dreaming of islands and highlanders on their very own.

wish it were longer because I couldn't put it down. It was so refreshing to read a romance that doesn't rely on graphic sex to supposedly generate a romantic relationship.

Well written, well paced, with evocative descriptions, hilarious narrative banter among the characters along with surprising plot situations and interesting human responses

[Teressa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the first romance novels I ever read when I was an impressionable young teenager so when I saw it come across my kindle unlimited, I thought it would be fun to revisit and it did not disappoint. I always loved that I shared a name with the heroine and it was such a fun story with twists and turns and a hidden murder mystery and found family. Tess and Colin were sweet and given that this is a teen romance, there were just enough stolen kisses to give me the warm and fuzzies. It's funny because now as an adult re-reading it, it makes me want to go check out some other May McGoldrick books.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tess and the Highlander, book 6 of May McGoldrick’s MacPherson Clan series is the story of Theresa Catherine “Tess” Lindsay and Colin MacPherson, youngest son of Alexander and Fiona. Tess was shipwrecked at a young age on the Isle of May, with little memory of her tragic past. When Colin washes ashore on the same Isle, she saves his life, and he changes hers forever. When they are rescued from the isle by the oldest MacPherson brother Alexander, Colin and Tess begin a journey of discovery to uncover the past and find a future together. This was a heartwarming tale of beauty, laced with treachery, and a mystery to be solved. You will love it, and this next generation of MacPhersons!

[alvie hoffmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, a wonderful novel.

May McGoldrick once again captures the romantic & historical essence of Scottish legend. When good triumphs over evil, a special bond of hopefulness is evident in the human spirit, & this is so professionally woven into all of these novels.
Thanks for making your books such wonderful reads. Some day before decrepitude sets in, I would like to meet you both & find out your favorite places in Scotland. You've set my dream to go there in motion through your writing. Thank you so much.
Alvie Hoffmann
a122500@gmail

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was a good historical romance. It was fine as a stand alone, but I realized later that it is part of a Highlander series of books.

Tess was a fascinating character at the beginning as the sole inhabitant of a rough island. Then Colin washes up as a mysterious castaway. When their identities are later revealed, the plot moves a little too quickly.

Still, it was an enjoyable read. I had to look up a few Scottish terms, so the authors did a good job of creating an authentic backdrop.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colin and Tess

Colin washes up on the shore of the island where Tess is living after a storm causes him to go overboard. Tess pulls him from the water and saves him although she is scared of him. Tess has been living on the island for 11 years with no real memories of her life from before. An attraction ensues and Colin helps her find her real family.

Another great book by this author. My only complaint was that the ending was too abrupt. It needed one more chapter to tie up some loose ends to a great book and series.

[✨ Gramy ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is based on a young woman named Tess. She has lived a sheltered life on the island, raised by an older couple. They have since passed away.

Out of no where comes a heroic and charming young man. Together they work to unravel the mysteries of her past. Maturity was exemplified in both Tess and Colin in their decision making process.

This was a clean romance filled with intrique, fear, and compassion.

[Amanda Lauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed May McGoldrick's historic romance books through the years. As this book was written for a teen audience, this was the first "clean" read of theirs that I read. I actually prefer leaving more to the imagination, so I really enjoyed this book. The story was intriguing (what romance about a Scottish Highlander isn't?) but it felt like the climactic ending was rushed and much less-detailed than their usual books.

[Lakisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Misgivings

Tess has been living on a deserted island for 11 years, the Colin washes up on the shore and her whole life is flipped upside down. Can Colin unlock the secret of who Tess is. Not gonna lie the beginning had me bothered, but baby once the story got going, I could not stop. Intrigue, hate; adventure; this story had it ALL!!! I loved it. I read it in one day. You are going to love this read.

[Cayla rimmell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not sadly fall in love with the book, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. There were a few concepts that I liked which was the characters and the plots, but there just seemed to be more flaws to those concepts than anything else.

Read the rest of my book review at https://caylasbooktopia.wordpress.com...