From the USA Today-bestselling author, a tale of a beautiful spy, an abduction, and a thrilling love in seventeenth-century Scotland . . . 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 … 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 she lose control and risk her very life in the process?
“A high degree of sensuality and a fast-moving plot.” —RT Book Reviews
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Madeline Martin is one of the best at writing feisty heroines, and Delilah is all that and more. Add a tortured hero to the story and you have a winner, especially when sparks begin to fly between Kaid and Delilah.
I have never been disappointed in a book by Madeline Martin. Her books are always excellently written, well-paced and filled with extraordinary, robust and well-developed characters. This second book in the Mercenary Maidens series just adds to that legacy. Well done!
You COULD read this as a stand-alone book, but I wouldn’t recommend it. In the first book, Highland Spy, you learn the origins of the ladies, their training, their skills, etc. You don’t get that background in this book and it is something you’d want. That book explains so much about these ladies we are going to meet and learn more about in the upcoming books. Besides, it is an absolutely outstanding book!
Kaid MacLeod – well – you just can’t say enough good things about him. Not only is he a large and handsome highlander, he is a considerate, caring, thoughtful, loving, and tortured man. The fact that he couldn’t save many in his clan from slaughter eats at him day-after-day. They are in constant danger of new attacks by a merciless clan, the MacKenzie’s, led by a cruel and vicious Laird.
Kaid finally sees a chance to achieve peace for his clan and even though it goes against everything he believes in, he’s going to take that chance. He’s learned that Elizabeth, the betrothed of the MacKenzie Laird is traveling from London to the MacKenzie lands for the wedding. Kaid will just kidnap her and ransom her to her betrothed in return for peace between the clans. What could possibly go wrong with that plan?
We met Delilah Canterbury in the first book. She was quite an interesting and intriguing character. The ladies have been hired by Elizabeth’s father to throw off any attempts at stopping the wedding by having one of them impersonate Elizabeth and take a different route to the wedding. Delilah looks similar to Elizabeth and is chosen as the one to be the decoy. As Delilah leaves the inn where she and Elizabeth switched places, she has no idea what adventures await her.
The plot is complex but entirely believable. There are abductions, betrayals, traitors and love in all of its forms to make up a story that will hold your attention from beginning to end. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop! I just know you’ll love it as much as I did!
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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”
Great follow up to Highland Spy!
Delilah is the middle child of fifteen and was sent to work for a relative in the English court. Soon after arriving and losing her virtue, Delilah is approached by a woman named Sylvi and offered the opportunity of a lifetime. With no options, Delilah agrees to work with Sylvi.
After years of training and working to prove herself, Delilah is finally embarking on her first solo mission. Her job is to act a decoy and apprehend the people who are trying to abduct Lady Elizabeth and to ensure that Lady Elizabeth reaches her betrothed without incident.
All goes according to plan and Delilah is taken captive by Kaid MacLeod, Laird of the MacLeod’s. Kaid mean Elizabeth no harm, but her betrothed, Seamus MacKenzie is another story. Haunted by the savage attack that left many in his village, including his father dead, Kaid needs a bargaining chip. He plans to ransom Elizabeth back to MacKenzie in exchange for his father’s sword and the hope of peace.
Delilah employs several tactics to delay their journey and tries to harden her heart against Kaid. But when one of her plans goes awry and Kaid cares for them and then later she witnesses his nightmares and learns the truth, she begins to have doubts about Elizabeth’s safety. Kaid tries to comfort Delilah and things start to heat up, but Kaid refuses to go any further. Kaid decides to leave the coach and travel on horseback, forcing Delilah to leave most of her possessions.
Worried that they will arrive too soon and ruin the plan, Delilah takes action and turns the tables on Kaid. Delilah tells Kaid who she is and proceeds to take him to Sylvi, but soon they cross onto Kaid’s lands and Delilah realizes she has lost her advantage.
Kaid approaches Delilah with a new plan, asking her to impersonate Lady Elizabeth and help him find the lost MacKenzie heir, Torra. He feels that if Torra is restored to her rightful position, there can be peace between the clans. At first Delilah refuses, but when she meets a young orphan girl named Claire and learns the horrors the MacKenzie brought to the MacLeod’s, she knows what she must do.
When things start to go bad, Kaid rushes to rescue the woman he loves. And Delilah turns to Sylvi for help. Things go from bad to worse and just when it seems all hope is lost, Ms. Martin is able to work a miracle and give Delilah and Kaid the HEA they deserve.
This book was well written, flowed non-stop from the first page until the last, there was action, sword fights, steamy love scenes, secrets, betrayals, heartache and moments when it seemed there was no way this was going to end well. There are cameos with Sylvi, Percy, Liv & Isabel as well as the introduction of several secondary characters that add so much depth to this story. This is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title. I am happy to recommend this book and look forward to the next book in the series Highland Wrath (Sylvi’s book!!!!)
*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an Uncorrected eARC provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*
The second book in The Mercenary Maidens series a well written story with a very good storyline. Kaid MacLeod and Delilah Canterbury turned spy as Lady Elizabeth this is their story. I was not putting the book down until I was finished. A story that will have your emotions all over the place there is action, fear, heartbreak, drama, danger, suspense, kidnapping, humour, hope, twists, turns, and romance. I recommend this book. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Great book. Ms. Martin writes excellent historical fiction. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of her books that I have had the opportunity to read.
Madeline Martin , this is by far my most favorite book. Thank you for this amazing read. I could not put it down . this book is what made me continue reading all your wonderful books
This second book in the Mercenary Maiden series is full of action, romance, and strong characters especially the ladies. Set in the early 1600’s, when women were considered weak and really only good for making favorable alliances. It was very rare for women to be warriors, strong and capable. After an overwhelming disappointment, Delilah joins the mercenary maidens. After many years of hard training, she is ready for her first assignment as a decoy. Unfortunately things do not go quite as expected, however we would not have a story if they did. Laird Laid MacLeod was very unexpected. Although physically strong, he is suffering from the losses his clan has experienced at the hand of Laird MacKenzie. What Kaid needs is a dose of Delilah. Even in the 1600’s Scots had a different view of women, their strength and talents were respected. An woman could even be a laird. The storyline holds the readers interest from beginning to end. This is the first book by Madeline Martin I have read, although I have several in my TBR pile including the next in the series, Highland Wrath, one I am greatly looking forward to reading.
Delilaha is paid to play the part of Elizabeth, to draw out her would be kidnapper, Laid.
Melissa’s mission is to keep Kaid busy until the real Elizabeth travels to meet her fiance. Delilaha thinks this will be an easy assignment. That is until she hears the reason Kaid kidnapped “Elizabeth”,and her feelings she is developing for Kaid. There is intrigue and action in this 2nd book of the Mercenary Maidens series. Highly recommend reading this.
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 Seumas McKenzie’s betrothed Lady Elizabeth will be travelling through Scotland. Delilah Canterbury has been striving to make her own way for a long time. The middle child of fifteen, Delilah spent one night with the king only to be spurned. In dire straits, her life was saved when she was taken in by a group of female spies and taught their deadly skills. Now she takes on her first solo mission disguised as Lady Elizabeth. Kaid abducts this innocent woman to give him the leverage he desperately needs to end the continuing massacres and bring peace to his clan.
This is the second book in the trilogy, it could be read on its own but seriously why would you! To fully appreciate it I’d definitely read in order. Another engrossing enthralling read which I read well into the night & woke up early & had to finish it. The characters come alive & take you with them on their adventures, I lost my heart to Claire. The pace flows effortlessly & doesn’t lag at all. It has all you could want a gorgeous, caring hero, feisty heroine, a small child, a cat & horrid villains through in romance & my enjoyment was complete. I can’t wait to read Silvi’s story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This story had me smiling and crying. Kaid’s story and that of his village and home almost broke my heart. Each time a part of the story was told, tears filled my eyes. Kaid had his vulnerabilities but found the inner strength to do what he must. Delilah’s past led her on a warrior’s path but never took away her heart. Her fierceness to do a job and softness for a child made me fall in love with her. The ups and downs of this story kept me reading until the end. Second in the series and I look forward to the next one.
This is my unsolicited review of a story that I received through Netgalley.
I just finished reading Highland Ruse by Madeline Martin! LoVeD It!
I love a good story with depth and grit. This story has suspence, tragedy and loss, unity, selflessness, redemption, and a surprising ending. I enjoyed the different characters and can’t wait for more.
Dishonored by a king at 15, Delilah could not go home. There were too many children there to burden her parents.
Sylvi is the leader of a group of women that have skills that no man can guess. She takes Delilah under her protection and teaches her what she needs to know to become one of her women.
When Lady Elizabeth is sent to Scotland to wed, there is fear of abduction so her father hires Sylvi’s group to ensure the lady gets to Laird MacKenzie safely. They decide to substitute Delilah for Lady Elizabeth and send both in different directions.
Kaid MacLeod is bend on peace with Laird MacKenzie. He plans the abduction and it goes off without a hitch. Delilah is kidnapped and she just needs to delay Kaid until Lady Elizabeth reaches MacKenzie.
A great story with deceit, honor, and love. Wonderful descriptions and adventure. Madeline Martin does it again with an exciting tale of Scotland Highlanders!
Amazing does not do justice to this book. My heart is bursting with emotion and love for the characters. I was pulled in from the first few pages and not let go until the end. How often is the heroine going to see the king to be acknowledged from giving herself to him the night before? Delilah Canterbury had felt less than nothing her entire life. Being the 8th child of 15, her expectations had always lacked any substance. But being turned away by the king she meets Sylvi who will change her life. Sylvi, head of a group of women spies, would teach her to fight and become something other than a victim. On a mission posing as someone else, she is kidnapped by Laird Kaid MacLeod to use her as a negotiating tool against his worst enemy of a rival clan. Can I say Sparks fly in more ways than one between Kaid and Delilah? This story has it all! Suspense, mystery, intrigue and of course a great romance. You feel you are there in Scotland and part of the characters. Another great read by Madeline Martin! I would give this a 10 if I could!!