I loved Connor and Ariana's story!!

I loved that Ariana was so strong. She did what she had to do to survive and when Connor brings her into the Mercenary Maidens, she puts her all into it.

I really liked Connor too. He tried to push his feelings for Ariana aside so that he could be the best leader that he could be, but the pull to her was too strong.

I loved watching the two of them together. I didn't want the story to end.

This is a great start to a new series. Martin was masterful in how she wove the other Maidens into this story and having me on pins and needles awaiting the time when they get their HEA.

I had a hard time getting into this book. At the beginning of the book I had a hard time telling where this book was going with the story. As the story progressed I found that I did not like the main female character. She was a little on the annoying. side. I didn't dis like this book, but it is not one of my favorites.

Connor needed a new woman for his ranks. King James had knowingly laid the perfect trap. Delilah wanted to know if he had found another woman yet. None of Connor’s women were fragile. The perfect spies. He hated having to look for a new woman. Yet it was an opportunity to spare her from ruin before her ruin could be known. Connor had been doing missions for the king for three years. Ariana had been too greedy. She had gone beyond what she needed for the merchants bill, the servants pay, and rent on her meager lodgings. Ariana despised the word cheating and that she had to do it but that was the only way she could survive. Then Connor went to Ariana and let her know he had seen her cheating. Then Ariana was told she could avoid being in trouble if she went to work for Connor as a spy. But when Connor met in private with the king he had to kill another person. Liv was also to become a spy. So Ariana and Liv became friends. Liv got sick along the way to wherever they were going in Scotland. Sylvi had already escorted them from London. They had already traveled almost a month together. Connor was given two names this time and they had to be taken care within four months. Connor had lost all his land and people from a brutal attack from his friend Kenneth who betrayed him. Kenneth was one of the people’s name he had been given. Ariana is learning to fight and be a spy. Ariana is developing feelings for Connor and he for her. Connor fights his feelings for Ariana. All he has cared about for a long time is getting back what he lost. He also feels that all he has done he doesn’t deserve Ariana. The women were trained in seduction , hand to hand combat, and sword fighting. Connor had an agreement with King James for ten years of service to the crown and then he will be free and his holdings returned to him.
I liked this story It had a lot to it: spies, down trodden women, an assassin, vengeance, deception, love, action, secrets, treachery, murder, a king and so much more. This has a good plot and was well written. I didn’t want to put this down it definitely held my interest all the way through this story. I felt bad for Ariana and Connor and all they had lost in the past. But I did feel the the girls trained much too quickly. Some parts seemed to rush to me but all and all a very good read. I loved the characters and the twists and turns of this story and I recommend.

Loved this book can't wait for the next one in the series

Book: Highland Spy by Madeline Martin
Series: The Mercenary Maidens
Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook of Tartan Book Reviews and Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog and Purple Tulip Book Reviews
Heat setting:
Overall setting: 5/5 stars

Highland Spy

London, February, 1605

Ariana Fitzroy has lost everything her fortune and family. Connor Grant is the trainer of fallen women from the English court and personal assassin for the King. Connor was missing a girl another spy and despised he had to find another to train. Additionally to add to his list of fallen women. His guilt was heavy and lists were getting long.

This is the first book of Madeline Martin's new series and trilogy. It's about fallen women that becomes an all female spy ring.

You can feel Ariana and Connor’s chemistry right from the get go and it definitely a heart puller! When you hear their back grounds, have the Kleenex ready as you will need them. The villain’s are dark, creepy, sadistic and cruel as expected, but no spoilers. You will have to read the book to find out more.

Ms. Martin really outdid herself in this new first installment as it was truly wonderful. The settings were breathtaking, plus a phenomenal dialogue that will knock your socks off! The fast paced page turning plots have your stomach in knots ! As you truly didn't know what to anticipate next!

I have been reading Ms. Martin since her debut as an author. This book truly blew me away as I have loved all her books. I felt this book was more intense and had more depth and emotion. I seriously could not put this book down it was that fabulous!

I voluntarily reviewed this book which was given to me by the publisher and author through netgalley.com. All words, thoughts and ideas are my own.

This author's books never disappoint me. This is Book 1 in her new Mercenary Maidens Series, and I loved it! The main characters, Conner and Ariana, are very interesting and likable. Their characters are very complex and very well developed. The minor characters in the book were also very interesting, likable and well developed, and I'm sure that we will see more of them in future installments of this series. I'm really looking forward to that.
The story itself was extremely interesting. I was pulled into the story from the minute I started reading it right up until the end. It was so well-written with some great twists and turns as the book progressed. There was also a very nice sizzle between Connor and Ariana that I really loved.
Not a dull moment in the book! Wonderful suspense, nicely paced, intense emotion, great romance and some unexpected surprises made this book a winner for me! Well done! Highly recommended!

The classy book cover and synopsis pretty much paints an accurate picture of what you are in store for, folks, if you choose to accept the mission of reading Highland Spy by Madeline Martin. No lengthy review is really required. Connor Grant, the hero, plays his role to perfection as the handsome Liam Neeson type Scottish laird without a castle who is forced against his will to recruit/train beautiful, damsel in distress noble women to become well-trained spies.

I have to admit I was very nervous to learn how he acquired them and what they would be expected to do. At first, I conjured up an image of a nefarious character lurking around a dark secluded place hoping to come across runaways desperate to do anything for a quick meal/roof over their head. Fortunately, that was not the case. Sure, these women had backgrounds/issues that left them vulnerable to be manipulated into recruitment, but they were good women who were given a choice. Of course, it was more like an offer they couldn’t refuse, since the alternative of not accepting was worse. More good news is it did not involve offering up any more than their eyes, ears, at times flirtatious behavior, and a dress with a plunging neckline. Their skill with weapons training seemed more for their own protection. The killing part was always supposed to fall in Connor’s hands. However, things don’t always go as planned, now do they?

It was nice to see the heroine, Ariana, go from living off sheer determination/her wits/Lady Luck with slight of hand at card tables to a Zena the warrior type character who knew how to defend herself. Joining the already established small posse of other women, they quickly seemed to bond and came together for a common cause, to serve at King James’ forced command.

Most of the story line was drama based with just an underlying romantic undertone between the main couple. Eventually Connor and Arianna gave in to temptation but their few passionate, steamy scenes never hijack the story line. When conflict develops between them, I was quite proud of Ariana’s response. Let’s just say, this girl decides to take matters and her future into her hands. I was mentally applauding thinking, “You go, girl!”

But like I just said, things don’t always go as planned. With several twist and turns, big secrets get revealed and tables get turned. The multi-pronged plot keeps unfolding, and I stayed so engaged I didn’t even notice romance had taken a backseat. But, for once, my fellow romance book-loving friends, I didn’t seem to mind, which is unusual. You see, I’m actually not into spy type romantic reads. It was enough this time around to just feel the constant emotional connection/chemistry between Connor and Ariana. Not that I wasn't given some steamy scenes.

So if you are looking for an English/Scottish spy themed romance (that mostly picks up its pace the second half) featuring a good guy hero forced to be an assassin and a determined to take care of herself/be in charge of her own happiness heroine, you might want to consider Highland Spy. As this is book 1, I can only assume the other ladies in this band of spies will eventually each get their own stories told.

Title: Highland Spy, Series: Mercenary Maidens (Book 1), Author: Madeline Martin, Pages: 354, stand-alone but part of a series, HEA, no cheating, no love triangle, no OW/OM drama, virgin heroine, good guy hero forced into a life he doesn’t want, some graphic violence, only a few very steamy scenes, passionate kisses, mostly drama with underlying romantic theme that picks up pace the second half.

(This review is based on NetGalley advanced reader copy issued in exchange for a fair, unbiased review. No compensation was given to the reviewer, nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer/author/publisher/NetGalley. It will be posted on Amazon, Goodreads, NetGalley, and Barnes and Noble.)

Great book, I really enjoyed it. Looking forward for next book, from this author.

I am voluntarily submitting my review after receiving a NetGalley ARC edition of this book.

In Highland Spy, Madeline Martin combines compelling characters, gripping suspense and a touch of romance to create a novel that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. After just a few pages, I found myself so engrossed in this book that I set aside the remainder of the afternoon to finish it in one sitting. While the love story between the main characters is somewhat predictable, the female characters are so fascinating and unique that I can't get enough of them and hope they return in future additions to the series. Without giving away any spoilers, I will only say that some elements of the surprising ending, while imaginative and entertaining, seemed possibly a bit short on realism, but then again, this is fiction, so why not go for broke? Overall, this book was a fast-paced, highly entertaining read that left me looking forward to reading more from this author. Fans of historical fiction, in particular, will be delighted by this book.

What an engaging and intriguing book Ms. Martin has written. It's 1605 and Connor Grant is indebted to King James. If he wants his inheritance, then he must carry out "missions" for the King, but he can't do everything alone. He recruits "broken" women--women who've been mistreated by life. He trains them and with them, he gathers the information he needs to complete his missions. Ariana has always done what was expected of her--she obeyed her parents, then her brother and none of them ever saw her as anything but a bargaining chip. It's only when Connor recruits her does she begin to believe in herself.

This is a story of trust, betrayal, love and longing. Ms. Martin has written a compelling book and the secondary characters are as engaging as Connor and Ariana. There were some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I couldn't put the book down. Fans of Scottish romances and spy stories will definitely love this book.

Swashbuckling and sexy! Taking place in the 1600s in the Scottish highlands, Connor meets Ariana when he sees her cheating at cards which she taken up in order to survive. He agrees to keep her secret if she will be trained as a spy for the King. She is a strong and bold heroine and he is a dashing, loyal hero who come together in love and service to the King.

Thanks Diversion Books and netgalley for this ARC.

Adventure, passion, and sexy highlands!

Connor Grant has the task of recruiting and training lady spies to serve the king even while performing deadly missions at the king’s orders. He feels that he has sold a piece of his soul to do this in exchange for the change to restore him as the laird of his ancestral lands even as he works hard to care for and protect the troubled and vulnerable women that come under his care.

Ariana Fitzroy is reduced to cheating at cards to make ends meet after the deaths of her parents and brothers leaving her alone in the upper echelons of London society and court. She is discovered and given a choice of being outed as a cheat or being trained as a spy. She opts for the world of intrigue and not without some excitement for something new that may give her purpose once again.

Ariana is eager and a natural at the skills she needs to acquire. She enjoys her time with the other women and particularly as Connor is her trainer. She is no longer alone and starts to wonder what it would be like to be with Connor.

Connor learns the identity of his next two marks. One is troublesome as the man was once his childhood friend, but also son of the man who attacked and killed his father and people. Even still, Connor finds it difficult to believe the man has become a traitor to the crown. And what of this attraction he feels for Ariana? She is in his care and he is honor-bound not to take advantage not to mention he has nothing to offer her.

This was a first time with a new to me author and it was also the beginning of a new and exciting series. I loved the blend of espionage, history, and romance. There is a well-drawn and engaging cast of characters with Connor, the women spies, and a few others. The setting of London society and then rugged Scotland of the 17th century was colorful and interesting. But the two pronged plot of espionage missions and the slow building passionate romance was the best part.

Connor is an honorable and deeply troubled man after all he has been through. The past weighs on him heavily as does the responsibility he feels toward the women in his care. He hates that he was forced to coerce them during their weak moments into the King’s service and he works extra hard to make sure they are safe and equipped for their new lives. He yearns for Ariana and gives in to his attraction, but when he tries to do the honorable thing, he ends up hurting her because she has her own issues of the past.

Ariana is vulnerable because she is a lady alone without prospect or resources so she makes her own. The cheating is wrong, but is a necessity. She is relieved to be caught and offered a new life. The world that she enters is tough and filled with danger, but it suits her. She loves having the other women around her and grows to feel more than gratitude toward Connor. She’s rather impulsive and has a few stupid moments where she’s more lucky than right. She lets her past of being abandoned by others really do a number on her so that it dictates her actions with Connor.

The writing style and overall story kept me reading steadily and then riveted for the big ending. Some shockers there and had me very satisfied with the book and eager to continue on. So, I can easily recommend it to historical romance lovers who like suspense, a dashing and lethal hero, and a bold heroine.

My thanks to Diversion Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

When Ariana Fitzroy is caught cheating at cards by the King's assassin Connor Grant things do not look good for her already tenuous situation. Faced with either being exposed for her cheating or being trained as a spy Ariana follows Connor to his Highlands training camp setting the course of her destiny.

Madeline Martin made a sensational debut on the historical romance scene with her Highland trilogy and the release of her new Mercenary Maiden's series shows her continued rise. Desperation is a subject that this author handles expertly. With sharp writing Ms. Martin keeps her story from being overwhelmed by her characters circumstances and manages to bring the pages of Highland Spy to life with an adventure and romance of high quality. Passion and deceit lurk within every chapter in this stealthy tale. Ariana and Connor show how partnership and caring can lighten combined burdens rather than drag you down. In her latest work Madeline Martin just upped the ante on Highland romance!

Publisher's Description:

In the first of a new Scottish Historical Romance series by Madeline Martin, a young woman on the edge of ruin finds redemption as a spy in the court of James I. Perfect for fans of Monica McCarty.

Ariana Fitzroy has lost her family and her fortune. The fight for survival leads her to the shadowed card games of court where she discovers she has quite a talent for slipping cards into her favor. While the winnings are enough to sustain her at present, they will not last forever…

Connor Grant, trainer of the fallen women from the English court and personal assassin to the king, is just as broken as the women he trains. After losing his own land and all his people in a brutal attack from a trusted friend, he has no choice but to rebuild any way he sees possible—even if it means going against everything he’s ever believed in.

After catching Ariana cheating at cards, Connor has a new trainee to instruct at one of the king’s many confiscated castles. In the dilapidated ruins, he discovers Ariana is more than she appears and falls in love with her incredible tenacity and dedication—a love that is challenged by Connor’s chance at reclaiming the inheritance he once lost and has sought so desperately to regain.

This story is one of second chances, of realizing a strength where only hopelessness once resided—a story of rising above the bad hand one has been dealt into a life of accomplishment and love.

My Thoughts:

Madeline Martin has created an incredible story of love, loss and second chances in this first book of a new series., Mercenary Maidens. The author has captivated us from her the release of her debut novel in 2015 and continues to amaze.
The characters are well thought out and the storyline well developed. The premise is a bit unusual in that the spies for the crown are women, but the author gives it credence and it certainly becomes believable..
I look forward to the continuation of this new series.
I gave this unusual storyline and characterization 4.5 of 5 stars and the heat in this book screams at us for 4.5 of 5 flames. It most certainly has some very hot and sexy love scenes.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley to read and review.
This in no way affected my opinion.

Highland Spy: Mercenary Maidens Series, Book 1 by Madeline Martin definitely shows craftsmanship in writing a mesmerizing Medieval Scottish Romance. Book 1 promises readers an exciting thrill ride into the "Mescenary Maidens" series. WOW! Set in a delapicated castle in Scotland and at the English court.

Ariana Fitzroy, after losing her family and her fortune, resorts to card games at court to survive, which she thinks she has the capability of winning. Connor Grant, is a trainer of fallen women from the English court and a broken personal assassin to the king. Which is where he encounters Ariana, cheating at cards, he gives her the option of going to prison or going with him in training. Of course, she accepts his offer. This is how she becomes his newest trainee.

"Highland Spy" is emotionally charged, intriguing, mesmerizing and utterly captivating! It has second chances, betrayal, challenges, female spies, claiming an inheritance once stolen, retribution, facing the consequences life has dealt head on, overcoming hopelessness to become confident, strong, and of course, romance and finding love. But will Ariana and Connor find their HEA or lose all to lies and deception?
The secondary characters are as enticing as the hero/heroine. They are very intriguing and makes the reader wish to learn more of their circumstances and how they became spies. This story has twists and turns, and surprises I didn't see coming, betrayals I never preserved until the evil was encountered. I was captivated from the first few pages to the last page and beyond. I can not wait to read more of this exciting and thrilling series. Another must read Medieval Scottish Romance by Madeline Martin, who has become another favorite author of mine. She holds her readers in awe, and totally entranced in her stories. Definitely a WOW moment! Highly recommended! Fans of Medevial romance, Scottish romance, second chances, fast paced stories and well written romance are sure to enjoy "Highland Spy" by MadelineMartin. I definitely enjoyed this tale of live, love and finding a HEA! Another hit for Madeline Martin!
Received a complimentary copy.

Rating: 5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR

This book is a terrific start for Madeline Martins Mercenary Maidens book series. It has mystery, intrigue and romance... And Highlanders! What more could you want?
The plot is very clever, the characters are fabulous. The story flowed very nice in my opinion. And there were a few surprises I didn't see coming.
Connor Grant is working as the King's assassin to get his lands back. He does this by training and using his carefully chosen lady spies. When all is said and done, is a guy I'd totally take home to mom. I loved him.
Ariana Fitzroy is on her own after the death of her family and has to make it on her own by any means necessary. At this point it's cheating at cards and Connor sees something he shouldn't so he uses that to offer her the opportunity to join his female spies and leave the cheating behind.

I'm really looking forward to the next book!

I have to say, I really rather enjoyed this one, provided by the publisher in return for a review. As well as having two solid protagonists and a well-rounded group of supporting characters, it had a dynamic, and pretty well thought-out plot with a couple of fun twists and turns.

The hero and heroine are fairly well matched. Neither were really sparklingly attractive HR characters that made you quiver at the knees or sigh in sheer joy, but neither were they annoying or unrealistic. The one real criticism I had was that it was never clear why the hero felt such a pull to the heroine. In my opinion, romances at least need to try and tackle the question of why her and not someone else, and I felt that this one didn't adequately manage that.

Anyway, 4 stars, I really like it, and particularly appreciated this it was set in a very clearly defined period of history, which wasn't Regency and included a real person as a character!

A great start to what I think is going to be a fabulous series.

This is about Connor, the trainer of a group of ladies, who he has taken under his wing, to help extract information from individuals on orders of the king, and Ariana, a card cheat he saves from punishment by recruiting her.

This story has betrayal by not one, but two people, manipulation, guilt, fear and love.

You are going to love it, I did and couldn't put it down.

'Highland Spy' by Madeline Martin is book one in the "The Mercenary Maidens" series. This is the story of Ariana Fitzroy and Connor Grant. Connor lost lost his family and lands and now he is the King's assassin along with taken fallen when in to train them to spy. Ariana family were now gone and alone with them them money they had. So to survive Ariana has taken to cheating at card for money. On one such game she meets Connor who pulls her aside to inform her that he knows she is cheating. Connor offers her the job of joining his Spy group in exchange for not being placed in jail.
Of Course Ariana goes with Connor and joins his team. There Ariana meets other women who have fallen on hard times and hard situations. As Ariana starts learning to fight and spy she starts to have feelings for Connor. Connor too starts to see Ariana as someone he cares about but tries to fight his growing feelings as he as his goal of getting what he lost back. In addition, Connor feels that with all that he has done he is not worthy of Ariana.
I so love Ms. Martin's book at this one did not disappoint! This book is a great start to a great series!.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."