I have not read a lot of historical romances, but what better place to start than with a story by a master of Highland romance, Victoria Roberts? This is the story of a beautiful English woman who is following in her late father's footsteps as a spy for King James, in the early 17th century. It was particularly interesting to read this in the current atmosphere of the vote for Scottish independence, since it occurs before Scotland joined what became the United Kingdom but in the early days of the Union of Crowns under King James.

Lady Ravenna goes undercover as an English governess to what we would call today homeschool the son of a Highland Laird. The fact that the boy speaks no English and Ravenna speaks no Gaelic certainly makes the chore of instruction more difficult, but Ravenna heads to Scotland determined to find out who is plotting against King James.

Not everything is as it appears and she soon finds that the handsome Laird Ruairi, widower and father of young Torquil, is facing problems of his own, including cattle rustlers and an ex-father-in-law who is a threat to everything Ruairi holds dear. At a time when powerful men didn't play the role of loving father very often, we find that Ruairi loves his son very much and is capable of loving a new woman in his life. I adore erotic romance that includes a strong-willed woman who is not only smart but clever and able to find humor in even dark moments. And a man in a kilt? Well, who doesn't love that?

A castle with a hidden chamber full of money that is mysteriously disappearing, a man who understands more than he lets on, a beautiful countryside, brutal fighting, thrilling fast-paced run-for-your-life encounters, a boy who misses his mother, a best friend with a wolf for a pet, and hot sex in the bedchamber … this is the background for a love story that transcends time and place.

This is a plot-based story, full of humor, with solidly developed characters, including the secondary characters, and it grabbed my attention from page one. While this is a gripping espionage tale it is definitely a hot romance and the ending is everything a romance reader could want. Whether you have read historical romances before or love them as your favorite reads, this is a book I recommend. My Highland Spy is the first in a new series, and I'm eager to read the next one, which I hope will include the charming Fagan and Ravenna's sister Grace.