Highland Spy

Mercenary Maidens, Book 1

By: Madeline Martin

Narrated by: Dave Gillies

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.

©2017 Madeline Martin (P)2017 Tantor

Intrigue and Suspense with a Good Dose of Romance

As I finished listening to Highland Spy, I just had to write a review to encourage anyone interested to listen to Dave Gillies narrate a wonderful romantic story of court intrigue and suspense.
Madeline Martin has written a fantastic story delivered by the incredible Dave Gillies!
All I can say is "I loved it" and would give it more than 5 stars if possible!

romance historical fiction

I listened to a book by this author with the name 'book' init. I liked it enough that I wanted to try a book by her to determine if I wanted to pursue more of her books. I came across this book in the Plus catalog and it fit the bill I was looking for.

Set in 1605 Scotland, it's about a Scot and the lady he meets and falls for and how their lives are all tangled up in varied issues of the time, the royal family, Scots versus English, the poor versus the rich, etc. They navigate their way trying to survive and get their lives on somewhat solid footing.

The seating in 165 Scotland was fun, hearing about the varied aspects of life the author tells us about.

The romance part was always there, they two main characters had a sexual attraction from the very start. If anything, it was overdone.

It was a fun listen.

Great Start to a Series

Ariana and Connor make a good pair. The story is about two people whose family and life-style has been destroyed by others. The intrigue is how it happened, who was responsible, can it be fixed and how do they fix it? There are a number of supporting characters who are interesting within themselves. You will enjoy this book.

Wonderful!

A really great story which I enjoyed so much. I loved both hero and heroin as well as all the secondary characters involved. Madeline Martin will certainly be on my favorite author list from now on. I heartily recommend this listen. A great storyline, full rounded character development, a tender romance with steam to add spice, as well as action and adventure. As I said - a truly great book. Last but definitely not least is the performance of Dave Gillies which was very, very good. Well done all! 5*****

Absolutely a must read

You said you hope Id like it!. Thank you Madeline , it was an awesome book you created a life in my mind of Scotsmen’s who can love even in those harsh time ! What an amazing novel !! 100 + for me!!!