'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."

Madeline Martin is a top of the line author. The stories are lifelike and seem real, as if you are reading something that actually happened! She has definitely earned a permanent home on my keeper shelf. I now have all of her books and will read and reread and reread them. You can finish reading and then go back to the first page and begin reading all over again. I highly recommend Madeline Martin to any romance fan and is placed on my auto buy list.