Highland Spy by Madeline Martin

Highland Spy by Madeline Martin
Series: Mercenary Maidens Series Book #1
on January 10, 2017
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical / Scottish, Fiction / Romance / Suspense, Fiction / Thrillers / Espionage
Pages: 358
Goodreads

USA Today-Bestselling Author: A tale of intrigue and romance with “a large cast of characters, plenty of adventure and heated love scenes” (RT Book Reviews).
 
Connor Grant is in search of a lady. Not a bride, but a woman to become a skillful and seductive spy in the service of King James. In addition to being the king’s personal assassin, Connor heads a group of female spies who aid him in his work, women with nothing left to lose.
 
Ariana Fitzroy is the perfect mark. Destitute, orphaned, and completely alone, she’s missed her chance at an advantageous match at court and cheats at cards to survive. When Connor catches her in the act, he threatens to expose her, unless she joins his elite roster of spies.
 
She agrees and is whisked away to a deserted Scottish castle to begin her training. Ariana quickly takes to her lessons in seduction, deception, and hand-to-hand combat, but less easy to fight are her feelings of lust toward the ruggedly handsome Connor, feelings she suspects may be reciprocated.
 
When Connor recruits her help on a mysterious task, the pair must work together to track a dangerous target. But Ariana suspects Connor isn’t telling her everything—not just about the mission, but also about his past. Will the secrets between them threaten their mission? And will they be able to fight their attraction as they wonder who they can trust?
 
“[An] appealing romance set in the early days of the Stuart dynasty…A solid thread of teamwork and family, provided by the strong supporting cast of Ariana’s fellow spies underlies the romance…creating a community that will surely thrive as the series continues.” —Publishers Weekly

Highland Spy is book one in the Mercenary Maidens series by Madeline Martin. I am absolutely in awe of this author’s writing. I was so captivated by the story that I stayed up late to read it far into the night, then slept a few hours and woke up before dawn just so I could finish it. It is an absolutely breathtaking medieval Scottish tale.  It has everything a reader could want in a book – intrigue, romance, drama, gut wrenching heartbreak, joy, and heart pounding action. I had to remind myself to breathe several times because I was so enthralled…..I can’t wait to read more. “He should turn from her now. He should walk away and keep his distance. Yet he knew he could not. “Ye,” he said. “I’m protecting ye. I care about ye, lass.” Her lips parted with her surprise. “You do?” “Aye. Too damn much.” His voice came out rough and hard. “I care.” Her breathing came faster, evidenced by the repeated rapid swell of her breasts against the low-cut bodice. Before he could let his thoughts circle around once more, he cupped the elegant line of her jaw in his palm. Her eyes widened. “Are you going to kiss me?” she whispered. Instead of answering, he lowered his mouth to the luscious warmth of hers.”

Truly one of the best books I’ve read lately.