Highland Ruse By: Madeline Martin

Highland Ruse

By: Madeline Martin

Publication Date: November 14, 2017

Series: The Mercenary Maidens Series Book 2

Pages: 284

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

This having been my first experience reading Madeline Martin i can say that i am not only impressed but hooked, i will be adding Madeline's collection to my personal library. Being an avid historical romance reader i can say that i am shocked to have missed the first in Madeline Martin's "Mercenary Maidens series "Highland Spy". Rest assured that if you have also missed the first book in the series that you can safely enjoy book two "Highland Ruse" much like i did prior to reading book one.

The beginning of the story sets a tone of mystery and high expectation for heroine Delilah Canterbury. Spurned humiliated and seemly helpless Delilah is spirited away by a woman offering a life so titillating that even through her wall of misery Delilah cannot refuse.

Kaid MacLeod lives each day reliving the horror of his clan's slaughter, spurned by nightmares and the weight of failing those whom depended on him for protection. Only one man is responsible for the butchering of Kaid's people, the same man whom is to marry soon. Kaid cannot send his people to war in order to claim the vengeance his clan so deserves at the risk of loosing more lives. But by chance a different plan formulates in Kaid's mind, though the details turn his very stomach he knows that he must complete this mission not only for his people, but himself.

Delilah is on a mission, her first assignment alone she is determined to prove herself and not let the woman down who had taken her in and given her a life, strength, and purpose when she thought she had nothing else to live for. Traversing through the highlands under the guise of being another Delilah is thrown in the trap of Kaid MacLeod.

Kaid cannot believe his own fortune when his plan falls into place, his new gentle bred charge Elizabeth "Delilah" is invaluable to Kaid and his clan. Yet there is something about Elizabeth other then her beauty, her silent strength and gentle heart start to warm Kaid towards his forbidden fruit, a pawn for his scheme. Delilah posing as Elizabeth cannot help but smile internally at her fortune as she realizes the men whom have kidnapped her thinking her to be Elizabeth a gentle woman in route to her betrothed castle in the highlands are good nature-ed pliable men, this mission would prove easy finally securing her place in the all female team of magnificent spys.

As days and weeks pass both Kaid and Delilah struggle to hold onto their determination to not deviate from their missions. Little does each know that they are in for a surprise that could destroy everything that had each hoped for. Kaid is driven by the love he has for his people, Delilah driven to bring this man to justice, both vying for what they feel is right in their hearts. As the attraction and admiration between Kaid and Delilah grow, both are tormented by what they must do for those that are depending on them.

Delilah soon finds herself immersed in Kaids clan, surrounding her is evidence of loss and suffering yet these people accept her as one of her own. Torn between what is right and compromising her mission Delilah must make a choice. Will she choose her newly found love for Kaid and his people over her duties and put her very life at risk in order to save them? Can Kaid find another way to save his clan as well as keep Elizabeth for himself when "Elizabeth proves to not be who he expected?

Delilah a beautiful strong and captivating woman puts her life and personal ties at risk to help the man she has hopelessly fallen in love with. Kaid allows his heart and soul to ride away from his home in the form of Delilah. "His" woman going alone into the Lions den, his nemesis a man with a soul black enough to slaughter Kaid's defenseless women and children in cold blood. Each must trust in each other and work together as dark schemes and betrayals arise putting many lives at risk.

Each page of this story is infused with anticipation awaiting both Kaid and Delilah to spill theirs hearts and change each others life paths. After both suffering such hardship in their pasts Kaid and Delilah deserve what is hidden in their hearts that both are too afraid to hope to come true. As both unexpected friends and foes surface around Kaid and Delilah they embark on a risk so great together that it could only be worth the greatest of rewards. A true tale of trust, bravery, and un-explainable love. Worth the read and then some.

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Book Bio

Kaid MacLeod couldn’t protect his clan from an unimaginable slaughter that killed his father and took the lives of many of his people. Wracked with guilt, he knows retaliation will only bring more death, but his clan thirsts for revenge and all seems lost…until Kaid discovers his nemesis’s betrothed will be traveling through Scotland. Abducting this innocent woman will give him the leverage he desperately needs to end the continuing massacres and bring peace to his clan. Though he is loath to do so, it's the least bloody solution he can see.

Delilah Canterbury has been striving to make her own way for a long time. One of many children, with no money or noble blood to fall back on, Delilah dreamt of joining the court of King James. After her beauty earned her one tender night with the king, he spurned her on a whim, causing her to lose not just her chance at a better life, but her reputation. In dire straits, her life was saved when she was taken in by a group of female spies and taught their deadly skills. Now, testing her prowess, she is disguised as Lady Elizabeth, daughter of a well-known noble, betrothed of a Scottish laird, and a target in the war between clans.

Kidnapped by Kaid, Delilah's mission as a decoy is near completion, but when she finds herself attracted to the very man she's supposed to deceive, will Delilah lose control and risk her very life in the process? Will finding out who Delilah really is be Kaid's undoing, and that of his entire clan?

“A large cast of characters, plenty of adventure and heated love scenes.” ―RT Book Reviews on Highland Spy