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Heart of the Highlands #1
Deception of a Highlander
Scottish Romance doesn’t get much steamier—or more dangerous—than a spy hunting her quarry, and losing her heart to him instead.
To pay a seemingly impossible debt, Mariel Brandon has become a spy for Aaron, one of England’s deadliest minds. Aaron’s latest mission for the sharp-witted and daring Mariel is to find two people in a heavily fortified castle on the Isle of Skye, a castle headed by the clan MacDonald and the powerful Kieran. Mariel is to seduce Kieran and get him to take her to Skye. If she succeeds, Aaron promises to let Mariel’s young brother go, and to free both of them from their debt. If she fails, her brother will die.
What she doesn’t count on is craving Kieran MacDonald almost immediately upon meeting him. Now Mariel must keep a secret from Kieran—one that could get them both killed—as she tries to form a plan that will save her brother, get her out from under Aaron’s thumb once and for all, and keep her in Kieran’s strong arms forever.
To pay a seemingly impossible debt, Mariel Brandon has become a spy for Aaron, one of England’s deadliest minds. Aaron’s latest mission for the sharp-witted and daring Mariel is to find two people in a heavily fortified castle on the Isle of Skye, a castle headed by the clan MacDonald and the powerful Kieran. Mariel is to seduce Kieran and get him to take her to Skye. If she succeeds, Aaron promises to let Mariel’s young brother go, and to free both of them from their debt. If she fails, her brother will die.
What she doesn’t count on is craving Kieran MacDonald almost immediately upon meeting him. Now Mariel must keep a secret from Kieran—one that could get them both killed—as she tries to form a plan that will save her brother, get her out from under Aaron’s thumb once and for all, and keep her in Kieran’s strong arms forever.
392 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2015
108 people are currently reading
1,405 people want to read
About the author
Madeline Martin
75Ìýbooks3,817ÌýfollowersMadeline Martin is a New York Times, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, and international bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance with books that have been translated into over twenty-five different languages.
She lives in sunny Florida with her two daughters (known collectively as the minions), two incredibly spoiled cats and a man so wonderful he's been dubbed Mr. Awesome. She is a die-hard history lover who will happily lose herself in research any day. When she's not writing, researching or 'moming', you can find her spending time with her family at Disney or sneaking a couple spoonfuls of Nutella while laughing over cat videos. She also loves research and travel, attributing her fascination with history to having spent most of her childhood as an Army brat in Germany.
Check out her website for book club visits, reader guides for her historical fiction, upcoming events, book news and more:
She lives in sunny Florida with her two daughters (known collectively as the minions), two incredibly spoiled cats and a man so wonderful he's been dubbed Mr. Awesome. She is a die-hard history lover who will happily lose herself in research any day. When she's not writing, researching or 'moming', you can find her spending time with her family at Disney or sneaking a couple spoonfuls of Nutella while laughing over cat videos. She also loves research and travel, attributing her fascination with history to having spent most of her childhood as an Army brat in Germany.
Check out her website for book club visits, reader guides for her historical fiction, upcoming events, book news and more:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
December 7, 2020
4.5 steamy + mysterious + hot highlander = happy MG stars
Mariel Brandon is a desperate woman who will sacrifice anything, including herself, to save her young brother that she has been separated from for 2 years after trusting the wrong man to help her when she was out of options. The man she is indebted to has milked her for all she's worth... and she's worth a lot. With the ability to seduce any man, she has gained important secrets for her adversary, but this last mission will be the toughest test: she must convince a highland laird to take her to Isle of Skye with him so that she can gain his trust and learn the location of 2 members of his clan that her employer has been tasked with finding. If she is successful, she and her brother will be free and clear from the monster for the rest of their lives.
Kieran MacDonald does not trust easily after he was duped by a man that he believed to be a friend; that deception led to the death of his older brother, which left a devastated Kieran in the role of laird - something he never wanted as he preferred the life of a warrior. When he is approached by the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, he is wary but also captivated by her. She surprises him with her intellect as well when she wins a game of chess... one he was sure he would win so that he wouldn't have to allow her to come with him to his home in Isle of Skye. But fair is far, so he agrees. Now if only he can keep his distance as he cannot seem to be able to resist her.
What will happen if Kieran gives into his desires? Will he be betrayed again? And when Mariel discovers the identities of the 2 people she has been tasked with finding and revealing their whereabouts, can she go through with her deception? Does she have any other choice when it means her brother's life if she does not follow through with her ruthless employer's demands?
What I liked:
--- Mariel is a kick ass h - loved that she wasn't a pushover and could absolutely take care of herself (and then some) - there is much more to her than initially believed (by the reader as well as by Kieran)
--- Kieran was the kind of H we all wish we had... hot highlander protector type with what was described as a pretty sizable.... um.... sword under that kilt!
--- The intrigue and suspense --- it unfolded at a good pace and really had me glued to the pages
--- The other characters in the story enhanced things - I am looking forward to the other 2 books in this series to see what happens to those clans members
--- STEAMY GOODNESS - please, thank you, and please again
What I didn't like as much:
--- There was some reference to Kieran's brother's death towards the end
--- The final confrontations with the bad guys was pretty rushed --- as noted in the spoiler above, it seemed like there was more to flesh out there
Overall, this book had the ingredients I most enjoy in a historical romance: suspense, intrigue, likeable characters, and steamy goodness! This is the first book I have read by this author, but it will definitely not be the last. I actually have all three in this series (hooray for discount deals!), so I am excited to jump into the next book that focuses on one of Kieran's trusted clansmen and friend who was featured in this story.
Plot --- 4.5/5
Main Characters --- 4.5/5
Supporting Cast --- 4/5
Steam Level* --- 4/5
Violence --- nothing graphic (some fight sequences)
Language --- not egregious
POV --- 3rd
*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild (nothing descriptive); 2/5 - 3rd base action/1 home run; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere (a couple of full-on steamy scenes); 4/5 - yes please! (erotica territory); 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all
Mariel Brandon is a desperate woman who will sacrifice anything, including herself, to save her young brother that she has been separated from for 2 years after trusting the wrong man to help her when she was out of options. The man she is indebted to has milked her for all she's worth... and she's worth a lot. With the ability to seduce any man, she has gained important secrets for her adversary, but this last mission will be the toughest test: she must convince a highland laird to take her to Isle of Skye with him so that she can gain his trust and learn the location of 2 members of his clan that her employer has been tasked with finding. If she is successful, she and her brother will be free and clear from the monster for the rest of their lives.
Kieran MacDonald does not trust easily after he was duped by a man that he believed to be a friend; that deception led to the death of his older brother, which left a devastated Kieran in the role of laird - something he never wanted as he preferred the life of a warrior. When he is approached by the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, he is wary but also captivated by her. She surprises him with her intellect as well when she wins a game of chess... one he was sure he would win so that he wouldn't have to allow her to come with him to his home in Isle of Skye. But fair is far, so he agrees. Now if only he can keep his distance as he cannot seem to be able to resist her.
What will happen if Kieran gives into his desires? Will he be betrayed again? And when Mariel discovers the identities of the 2 people she has been tasked with finding and revealing their whereabouts, can she go through with her deception? Does she have any other choice when it means her brother's life if she does not follow through with her ruthless employer's demands?
What I liked:
--- Mariel is a kick ass h - loved that she wasn't a pushover and could absolutely take care of herself (and then some) - there is much more to her than initially believed (by the reader as well as by Kieran)
--- Kieran was the kind of H we all wish we had... hot highlander protector type with what was described as a pretty sizable.... um.... sword under that kilt!
--- The intrigue and suspense --- it unfolded at a good pace and really had me glued to the pages
--- The other characters in the story enhanced things - I am looking forward to the other 2 books in this series to see what happens to those clans members
--- STEAMY GOODNESS - please, thank you, and please again
What I didn't like as much:
--- There was some reference to Kieran's brother's death towards the end
--- The final confrontations with the bad guys was pretty rushed --- as noted in the spoiler above, it seemed like there was more to flesh out there
Overall, this book had the ingredients I most enjoy in a historical romance: suspense, intrigue, likeable characters, and steamy goodness! This is the first book I have read by this author, but it will definitely not be the last. I actually have all three in this series (hooray for discount deals!), so I am excited to jump into the next book that focuses on one of Kieran's trusted clansmen and friend who was featured in this story.
Plot --- 4.5/5
Main Characters --- 4.5/5
Supporting Cast --- 4/5
Steam Level* --- 4/5
Violence --- nothing graphic (some fight sequences)
Language --- not egregious
POV --- 3rd
*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild (nothing descriptive); 2/5 - 3rd base action/1 home run; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere (a couple of full-on steamy scenes); 4/5 - yes please! (erotica territory); 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all
February 25, 2017
I one-clicked this by mistake but what a happy accident it turned out to be! In classic “Highlander� fashion, we had a heroine, Mariel, forced into an unspeakable circumstance in order to protect her young brother, Jack and free herself from under the thumb of the ruthless Aaron. I’m always struck by how powerless and dependent on “good� men women were back in that time.
Kieran MacDonald was kind, compassionate and loving towards Mariel, despite his inherent distrust, which was warranted since Mariel was sent to betray him. I kept wishing Mariel would trust Kieran with her secrets so he could help but understood her unwillingness to do so.
Very engaging read!
Kieran MacDonald was kind, compassionate and loving towards Mariel, despite his inherent distrust, which was warranted since Mariel was sent to betray him. I kept wishing Mariel would trust Kieran with her secrets so he could help but understood her unwillingness to do so.
“Ye dinna belong to me, Mariel.� His words were choked with the yearning he’d fought too long to deny.
Her eyes flashed with hurt. “I want to,� she whispered.�
Very engaging read!
April 29, 2015
I absolutely LOVED this story! Seriously LOVED it!
This is honestly one of the few historical romances that I was in love with by page five. This book was such an emotional, suspenseful read. It follows Mariel Brandon who has become a spy for a deadly man, in order to protect her brother. Her mission is to seduce the head of a powerful clan, Kieran McDonald, and get him to take her to his castle. She definitely finds Kieran and she definitely seduces him. What she didn't expect was to fall in love with her target.
There are so many things I can say about how much I loved this story. I've never read anything by Madeline Martin before, but I can definitely say that after reading this book, I am on board to read more. I'm not a fan of historical fiction, I tend to find them boring and wordy. Not only was this book engaging from page one, but the writing was just fantastic.
I loved these characters. Every single one of them. I love how the progression of the relationships, friends or romantic, were deliberate but not too quickly paced. I love how believable each of the relationships were. I loved how Kieran's character came off as this hardcore, tough guy but Martin's portrayal of a more complex being made his all the more interesting.
I love how strong yet feminine Mariel was in the book. It is so common to create a tough and strong female lead, but forget her femininity. Martin packaged that all together so well with Mariel and I loved that about her.
This story is, in my opinion, driven equally by the characters as well as the world. And I find that it can be hard to do both. Especially when it comes to romance stories, historical or not. I just can't say enough good things about this book. I loved it all.
I highly recommend this book and I eager await a time when I can get my hands on another Madeline Martin book. She's gained a new fan in me!
This is honestly one of the few historical romances that I was in love with by page five. This book was such an emotional, suspenseful read. It follows Mariel Brandon who has become a spy for a deadly man, in order to protect her brother. Her mission is to seduce the head of a powerful clan, Kieran McDonald, and get him to take her to his castle. She definitely finds Kieran and she definitely seduces him. What she didn't expect was to fall in love with her target.
There are so many things I can say about how much I loved this story. I've never read anything by Madeline Martin before, but I can definitely say that after reading this book, I am on board to read more. I'm not a fan of historical fiction, I tend to find them boring and wordy. Not only was this book engaging from page one, but the writing was just fantastic.
I loved these characters. Every single one of them. I love how the progression of the relationships, friends or romantic, were deliberate but not too quickly paced. I love how believable each of the relationships were. I loved how Kieran's character came off as this hardcore, tough guy but Martin's portrayal of a more complex being made his all the more interesting.
I love how strong yet feminine Mariel was in the book. It is so common to create a tough and strong female lead, but forget her femininity. Martin packaged that all together so well with Mariel and I loved that about her.
This story is, in my opinion, driven equally by the characters as well as the world. And I find that it can be hard to do both. Especially when it comes to romance stories, historical or not. I just can't say enough good things about this book. I loved it all.
I highly recommend this book and I eager await a time when I can get my hands on another Madeline Martin book. She's gained a new fan in me!
January 30, 2022
I must say this was wonderful read. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a very well written medieval romance.
The chemistry between them wasn’t the best, was alright, but sexual tension was great. They were so attracted to each other and I was captivated by their attraction.
I liked that unlike other medieval romances, this author managed to balance the romance & the action well. The action (which i usually dislike in medieval romance) was not more than the romance, did not compromise it and thankfully the bonding between them and romance development was very focused on. The action was not dragged out or boring either.
However, I did think they spent more time fantasizing about going to bed with each other than their bonding. Would have preferred less fantasizing and more talking.
Would have liked to see if they had children, hopefully that will be shown in the next few books of this series that I will definitely be reading.
The chemistry between them wasn’t the best, was alright, but sexual tension was great. They were so attracted to each other and I was captivated by their attraction.
I liked that unlike other medieval romances, this author managed to balance the romance & the action well. The action (which i usually dislike in medieval romance) was not more than the romance, did not compromise it and thankfully the bonding between them and romance development was very focused on. The action was not dragged out or boring either.
However, I did think they spent more time fantasizing about going to bed with each other than their bonding. Would have preferred less fantasizing and more talking.
Would have liked to see if they had children, hopefully that will be shown in the next few books of this series that I will definitely be reading.
July 14, 2022
I loved this book. LOVED IT! I have a hard time believing that this was a debut effort. It was as good, if not better than a lot of books I have read by established veteran authors.
Mariel and Kieran were both amazing characters. The both have secrets and trust issues. But they are so right for each other. My heart was breaking for Mariel. She had to make choices that no person should ever have to make and Ms. Martin did an excellent job of detailing exactly how impossible those choices were. I found myself racking my brain trying to find alternatives for Mariel and when none were found, I felt her pain and hopelessness.
The story takes off from the first page and never really slows down until the the very end. The writing was great, the love scenes hot, the secondary characters were likable and the villains pure evil.
I kept putting the book down, not because it was boring, but because I want to savor it - I knew I could have read this entire book in a few hours and then I would be sad that it was over. So I took my time reading and forced myself to put it down every couple of chapters, just to prolong the enviable ending.
I highly recommend this book and I will be waiting for the next book. Ms. Martin definitely has a new fan!
Mariel and Kieran were both amazing characters. The both have secrets and trust issues. But they are so right for each other. My heart was breaking for Mariel. She had to make choices that no person should ever have to make and Ms. Martin did an excellent job of detailing exactly how impossible those choices were. I found myself racking my brain trying to find alternatives for Mariel and when none were found, I felt her pain and hopelessness.
The story takes off from the first page and never really slows down until the the very end. The writing was great, the love scenes hot, the secondary characters were likable and the villains pure evil.
I kept putting the book down, not because it was boring, but because I want to savor it - I knew I could have read this entire book in a few hours and then I would be sad that it was over. So I took my time reading and forced myself to put it down every couple of chapters, just to prolong the enviable ending.
I highly recommend this book and I will be waiting for the next book. Ms. Martin definitely has a new fan!
August 10, 2017
This was a debut?
I loved this book. LOVED IT! I have a hard time believing that this was a debut effort. It was as good, if not better than a lot of books I have read by established veteran authors.
Mariel and Kieran were both amazing characters. The both have secrets and trust issues. But they are so right for each other. My heart was breaking for Mariel. She had to make choices that no person should ever have to make and Ms. Martin did an excellent job of detailing exactly how impossible those choices were. I found myself racking my brain trying to find alternatives for Mariel and when none were found, I felt her pain and hopelessness.
The story takes off from the first page and never really slows down until the the very end. The writing was great, the love scenes hot, the secondary characters were likable and the villains pure evil.
I kept putting the book down, not because it was boring, but because I want to savor it - I knew I could have read this entire book in a few hours and then I would be sad that it was over. So I took my time reading and forced myself to put it down every couple of chapters, just to prolong the enviable ending.
I highly recommend this book and I will be waiting for the next book. Ms. Martin definitely has a new fan!
I loved this book. LOVED IT! I have a hard time believing that this was a debut effort. It was as good, if not better than a lot of books I have read by established veteran authors.
Mariel and Kieran were both amazing characters. The both have secrets and trust issues. But they are so right for each other. My heart was breaking for Mariel. She had to make choices that no person should ever have to make and Ms. Martin did an excellent job of detailing exactly how impossible those choices were. I found myself racking my brain trying to find alternatives for Mariel and when none were found, I felt her pain and hopelessness.
The story takes off from the first page and never really slows down until the the very end. The writing was great, the love scenes hot, the secondary characters were likable and the villains pure evil.
I kept putting the book down, not because it was boring, but because I want to savor it - I knew I could have read this entire book in a few hours and then I would be sad that it was over. So I took my time reading and forced myself to put it down every couple of chapters, just to prolong the enviable ending.
I highly recommend this book and I will be waiting for the next book. Ms. Martin definitely has a new fan!
March 19, 2016
Why I can't bother with the book:
1. Mariel practically threw herself at Kieran. For whatever reasons, it is irrelevant. To save her brother or not, I don't know how she could offer to be his mistress within an hour of meeting him. Unbelievable.
2. Mariel is the scheming kind. I know she was supposed to be an assassin and was sent to collect information or kill. Scheming is required. It is just not my cup of tea.
3. Kieran wants to sleep with Mariel, of course. Was there ever any doubt? Mariel is special and everything that he wants but he just cannot accept her offer because he is an honorable?
So I am left with an honorable hero who refused to sleep with a heroine who would sell her and lie through her teeth to save her brother. This Mariel pushes all the wrong buttons for me. I have to drop it.
1. Mariel practically threw herself at Kieran. For whatever reasons, it is irrelevant. To save her brother or not, I don't know how she could offer to be his mistress within an hour of meeting him. Unbelievable.
2. Mariel is the scheming kind. I know she was supposed to be an assassin and was sent to collect information or kill. Scheming is required. It is just not my cup of tea.
3. Kieran wants to sleep with Mariel, of course. Was there ever any doubt? Mariel is special and everything that he wants but he just cannot accept her offer because he is an honorable?
So I am left with an honorable hero who refused to sleep with a heroine who would sell her and lie through her teeth to save her brother. This Mariel pushes all the wrong buttons for me. I have to drop it.
July 29, 2022
Mariel Brandon has been forced to become a spy for one of England’s most ruthless underground crime lords, but her new assignment is more than she can bear: she must become an assassin. With her brother Jack being used as an incentive to make her compliant, she has no choice but to agree.
Kieran MacDonald, Laird of the MacDonald clan, has his suspicions about the English, most especially the lovely lass who has suddenly taken an interest in him and has insisted he escort her to Scotland. She’s far too beautiful, far too interested in him and he is far too tempted. While he longs for the freedom to act on his fierce desires, he too has secrets that must be safeguarded.
The first in the series & What a series it looks to be. Very well written, fast paced, wonderful characters & the chemistry between Kieran & Mariel is electric. There are twists & turns as the pair head on their journey to a HEA, there are also secrets, misunderstandings & assumptions, which all make for a read that once started is hard to put down. I loved both Kieran & Mariel & loved their rocky journey.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Kieran MacDonald, Laird of the MacDonald clan, has his suspicions about the English, most especially the lovely lass who has suddenly taken an interest in him and has insisted he escort her to Scotland. She’s far too beautiful, far too interested in him and he is far too tempted. While he longs for the freedom to act on his fierce desires, he too has secrets that must be safeguarded.
The first in the series & What a series it looks to be. Very well written, fast paced, wonderful characters & the chemistry between Kieran & Mariel is electric. There are twists & turns as the pair head on their journey to a HEA, there are also secrets, misunderstandings & assumptions, which all make for a read that once started is hard to put down. I loved both Kieran & Mariel & loved their rocky journey.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
December 17, 2017
Best book ever!! This is the first book I ever read of Madeline Martin and after reading it, I went looking for more. It started out interesting and stayed that way to the end. It was a great read!
December 10, 2015
You know how there are just some books that get under your skin and you enjoy them no matter what? This is one of those books.
This is the story of Mariel, a young woman who has been trained as an assassin and spy, and Kieran, a Scottish barbarian and the Laird of the MacDonald clan. Mariel has had a tough life, after her parents died when she was young, she was left to fend for herself and her young brother. In their greatest hour of need, Mariel's trust was abused by a man named Aaron, and she is basically forced to become his assassin/spy slave, in order to keep her brother safe. She is tasked with finding two people in Scotland, and the best way to find out their locations is to cosy up to Kieran MacDonald. Kieran is a fierce Scotsman and takes the safety of his family and his clan very seriously. Will Mariel be able to get the information she needs to save her brother? Will she be able to hold onto her heart while trying to get the information from Kieran?
Now, firstly, I have to mention that my enjoyment of this may have been accented by the fact that I am currently obsessed with Outlander the tv show and therefore anything Scottish. I also do not read much historical fiction at all, so the tropes in this are pretty fresh to me.
Sometimes I think I must be in a terrible mood when I am reading books - because most of the time I can't stand the characters being frustrating and keeping secrets from each other. And then this book comes along with its intrigue, mysteries and frustratingly silly leading lady and Scottish hunk, and it turns me into a hypocrite, because I enjoyed it so much.
Sure, I could see things coming from a mile off. I knew that they were making problems for themselves by not answering each others questions, or even asking the right questions in the first place. But I did not care one bit. This was a sweet, saucy book, that held my attention and kept me smiling the entire way through.
The sexual tension in this book. I swear, I was ready to tear my hair out because they had so many near misses. But when Kieran and Mariel finally got together, it was sweet, and tender and steamy, steamy, steamy.
Speaking of Kieran and Mariel. Wow. I would like a Kieran please. And Mariel, she was so strong and self assured, no wilting daisy around here! She really held her own, especially around Kieran and I really enjoyed her strength.
My only gripes with this book were the overuse of the phrase "blunt edge of his erection", I should hope his erection is blunt, if it was sharp, then that could cause some serious damage, right? And the way that Mariel ran straight into Kieran's arms and got all touchy feeling, after didnt sit well with me.
Towards the end of this, it seemed a little long, and there was just so much happening, I guess I did not expect so much action? But besides these minor annoyances, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
This was a lovely introduction to a new to me genre, and I will most certainly be reading more work similar to this in the future.
4 Stars!
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.
"Ye look different, Mariel. Verra, verra different. I dinna think I've seen ye look more beautiful."
This is the story of Mariel, a young woman who has been trained as an assassin and spy, and Kieran, a Scottish barbarian and the Laird of the MacDonald clan. Mariel has had a tough life, after her parents died when she was young, she was left to fend for herself and her young brother. In their greatest hour of need, Mariel's trust was abused by a man named Aaron, and she is basically forced to become his assassin/spy slave, in order to keep her brother safe. She is tasked with finding two people in Scotland, and the best way to find out their locations is to cosy up to Kieran MacDonald. Kieran is a fierce Scotsman and takes the safety of his family and his clan very seriously. Will Mariel be able to get the information she needs to save her brother? Will she be able to hold onto her heart while trying to get the information from Kieran?
Now, firstly, I have to mention that my enjoyment of this may have been accented by the fact that I am currently obsessed with Outlander the tv show and therefore anything Scottish. I also do not read much historical fiction at all, so the tropes in this are pretty fresh to me.
Sometimes I think I must be in a terrible mood when I am reading books - because most of the time I can't stand the characters being frustrating and keeping secrets from each other. And then this book comes along with its intrigue, mysteries and frustratingly silly leading lady and Scottish hunk, and it turns me into a hypocrite, because I enjoyed it so much.
Sure, I could see things coming from a mile off. I knew that they were making problems for themselves by not answering each others questions, or even asking the right questions in the first place. But I did not care one bit. This was a sweet, saucy book, that held my attention and kept me smiling the entire way through.
"Ye are the most fragile thing, and yet ye have the strength within ye I've only seen in my warriors. I've no seen such spirit nor unyielding determination in any other woman."
The sexual tension in this book. I swear, I was ready to tear my hair out because they had so many near misses. But when Kieran and Mariel finally got together, it was sweet, and tender and steamy, steamy, steamy.
Speaking of Kieran and Mariel. Wow. I would like a Kieran please. And Mariel, she was so strong and self assured, no wilting daisy around here! She really held her own, especially around Kieran and I really enjoyed her strength.
"The healer looked out the window to where Kieran paced and shook her head. 'The toughest men are the most helpless when their women are ill.'"
My only gripes with this book were the overuse of the phrase "blunt edge of his erection", I should hope his erection is blunt, if it was sharp, then that could cause some serious damage, right? And the way that Mariel ran straight into Kieran's arms and got all touchy feeling, after didnt sit well with me.
Towards the end of this, it seemed a little long, and there was just so much happening, I guess I did not expect so much action? But besides these minor annoyances, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
This was a lovely introduction to a new to me genre, and I will most certainly be reading more work similar to this in the future.
4 Stars!
" 'Damn it Mariel'. Kieran growled and spun her around to face him once more. 'Ye belong to me.' Her heart skipped a beat. He wanted her. Mariel wrenched her arm from his hold but did not back down from the heat of his stare. 'Then be a man and take what's yours.' "
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.
June 6, 2015
Deception of a Highlander reminded me why I fell in love with Scottish Historicals. Like the island nation itself, this story is raw and beautiful--nothing about it is cute or light. It is an emotional journey full of hard choices for the well-drawn characters at the heart of the story.
Mariel is bold, courageous, smart, and talented, but it is her guilt, self-doubt, and determination that drew me to her and made me root for her through the journey. Kieran is part rough highlander, part chivalrous male and all deadly sexy. His loyalty to his family and his self-perceived failings made me feel for him and trust him to find his way past Mariel's necessary deception. She is faced with a terrible choice: betray him or kill him. And her motivations are so strong, it seems only a strong man could see his way past her actions and to her heart. I read to the end, breathless and desperate to see if he would see the truth in time.
The novel is well written with luxurious description, well paced narrative, and more action than any historical I've read to date. A wonderful debut by a talented new author!
Mariel is bold, courageous, smart, and talented, but it is her guilt, self-doubt, and determination that drew me to her and made me root for her through the journey. Kieran is part rough highlander, part chivalrous male and all deadly sexy. His loyalty to his family and his self-perceived failings made me feel for him and trust him to find his way past Mariel's necessary deception. She is faced with a terrible choice: betray him or kill him. And her motivations are so strong, it seems only a strong man could see his way past her actions and to her heart. I read to the end, breathless and desperate to see if he would see the truth in time.
The novel is well written with luxurious description, well paced narrative, and more action than any historical I've read to date. A wonderful debut by a talented new author!
September 25, 2017
Mariel is a young woman who parents have passed , leaving her brother Jack in her care , she would do anything to keep him safe , including train as a spy and assassin for the unscrupulous Aaron, who is holding Jack as ransom to ensure her co-operation.
Kieran McDonald is a braw Highland Laird , his clan and his family mean everything to him , so when Mariel asks him to take her to Scotland, he’s not Kean on the idea .
After a lot of persuading he agrees , she spends her time trying to seduce information out of him and he try’s to keep his distance , afraid he’s putting his family at risk taking her along .
The story is , as -always , from Madeline very well written and gripping, I love her book , you live the story they are so descriptive.
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review
Kieran McDonald is a braw Highland Laird , his clan and his family mean everything to him , so when Mariel asks him to take her to Scotland, he’s not Kean on the idea .
After a lot of persuading he agrees , she spends her time trying to seduce information out of him and he try’s to keep his distance , afraid he’s putting his family at risk taking her along .
The story is , as -always , from Madeline very well written and gripping, I love her book , you live the story they are so descriptive.
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review
February 25, 2015
Highland Deception is a Highland Historical Romance like none I've read. It combines action, adventure, high-stakes, trans-formative love and thrilling passion against the background of personal and political intrigue. In perfect balance, the intrepid, kick-ass heroine must learn to expand her heart to include, not only the hero, but an entire community while the hero, who already loves an bears responsibility for his community, must learn how to weave intimate commitment into his understanding of devotion. Add to all this vivid description and lush prose that transports the reader to the highlands of old. This is a debut not-to-be-missed!
December 7, 2017
This book could be set in any time. But I love that it was set when it was. And it has pretty much everything. It's got a heroine that is fierce, a hero who is every bit of a man, war, traitors, secrecy, family to protect... oh! And a love that happens despite the mission that the heroine is on. I hated to put this down, but you know, work. I also didn't want it to end.
Mariel and Kieran are two people who have seen too much in their lives which is why I think they work so well together. She has had to not only deal with the loss of her parents but also raising her young brother on her own. She has had to turn to people that could help but also put a price on that help. She has become someone she doesnt like but will do whatever she has to to make sure her broether Jack is well.
Kieran is the second son in his family. After his brother is killed he must take over running the family land and castle. It's not something he's comfortable with or that he was really prepared to do. He also has family to protect along with the people of his land. He doesn't trust easily and he is hesitant to bring Mariel home at her insistence. She wins a bet with him and her prize is a new start. That's the first deception. There are more and every one that she has to do is for Jack's freedom as well as her own.
I fell on love with these two as well as the supporting characters. Alec and Colin are fantastic! Im hoping that there are books for them. And I would love to catch up with Mariel and Kieran too.
Mariel and Kieran are two people who have seen too much in their lives which is why I think they work so well together. She has had to not only deal with the loss of her parents but also raising her young brother on her own. She has had to turn to people that could help but also put a price on that help. She has become someone she doesnt like but will do whatever she has to to make sure her broether Jack is well.
Kieran is the second son in his family. After his brother is killed he must take over running the family land and castle. It's not something he's comfortable with or that he was really prepared to do. He also has family to protect along with the people of his land. He doesn't trust easily and he is hesitant to bring Mariel home at her insistence. She wins a bet with him and her prize is a new start. That's the first deception. There are more and every one that she has to do is for Jack's freedom as well as her own.
I fell on love with these two as well as the supporting characters. Alec and Colin are fantastic! Im hoping that there are books for them. And I would love to catch up with Mariel and Kieran too.
July 19, 2022
Marial and Kerians story has a lot of passion and intense steam. I enjoyed reading the sensual seduction that played between the two characters. The writer did a wonderful job of keeping their romance at the forefront of the book. The background story of the mission from both parties I would like to have read more of. The characters were pretty charming even Colin with his bad self. The story reads like a page turner on a rainy day.
February 28, 2015
After gorging on Outlander TV show, I was really in the mood for a book with a Highlander hottie. Well, I certainly picked a winner to read. This is the first book by Madeline Martin and after blasting through this story, I have very high expectations of her career.
This book has an amazing plot line with so much depth in the adventure. Mariel (isn’t that such a pretty name?) is not the typical courtier. She is a spy for a ruthless handler named Aaron. But Aaron isn’t working for the crown; he is working for who has the highest pay. He has kidnapped her precious brother Jack and is forcing Mariel to work for him to work off the debt she owes him. Mostly the work involves drugging unsuspecting Lords and wheedling her charms to get the information Aaron requires. He gives her one last mission and then promises her freedom. This time the mission is more dangerous than ever. She must infiltrate a Highland Laird’s home, find two people and then kill the Laird.
Mariel has been extensively trained by Aaron. She possesses crazy ninja skills and is lethal, although she balks at killing. She’d rather rely on her wiles and intelligence. Meeting Laird Kieran MacDonald is life changing for Mariel. She is taken with the broad shouldered warrior. He is interested in her, but not enough to take her up on her request to relocate to the Highlands. She wears him down and the adventure starts. Mariel shows herself to be a fascinating character. The life she has lived is tragic and yet at the same time, she has the most remarkable strength. She wants Kieran even though the guilt of her mission is crippling. She must prove herself to him and the clan. Regardless of her intentions, Mariel is honest in her actions and thoughts. She wants Kieran more than she has ever wanted anything besides Jack’s wellbeing.
Kieran is the perfect Highlander Laird. Strong, forceful and smart are attributes that only begin to describe him. He is naturally cautious around strange English folk and the clawing desire he feels for Mariel only make it worse. He wants to trust her, he wants her underneath him and he wants her in his life. I just love a Highlander who is a fierce warrior and yet so gentle with women. Kieran’s protective instincts make him an excellent lover. He begins to unravel Mariel’s story and his heart breaks at the horror she has lived through. When her guard is down, he can see the troubles in her soul. As hard as he tries, he just can’t stay away from her.
The heat between the two leapt off the pages. I’d use the word ‘cock tease� but Mariel wasn’t teasing. At first she offered him her body as a method of getting her way, but as they spent time together, it was the truth. The kisses and banter between the two is so hot. When Mariel seeks to make Kieran jealous, I seriously fist pumped when he swooped in and claimed her. What on earth is so hot about a Highlander claiming his woman? I pride myself on being a feminist, but man, there is something so compelling about a man going for what he wants. They are sensual with each other as well as sexual. They talk, they bathe and they care about each other. There is real intimacy between the two � sometimes the walls that are built up crumble and leave them bared. Not to spoil anything, but the sex between the two has a surprising start and because of this it creates a bond that is crucial to the relationship.
The plot moves swiftly. Mariel as a time frame to find the two missing people and kill the Laird, or as she sees it, come up with a new plan that allows Kieran to live. What pulled me in was the sense of dread I had while reading. I was so happy that Kieran and Mariel were advancing their relationship, but so tense because I knew the deception that weighed on her shoulders every minute of every day. How would she deal with it? How would Kieran discover her true intentions? What would become of all of those involved in the intrigue?
This was a great book. It has that special element that makes for a fantastic read. As the reader, I was sucked in with my emotions fully engaged. The book was so well researched and accurate to the time � the setting, the clothes, the food � it all set the stage for a wonderful romantic story. Mariel is an unexpected heroine and Kieran is the Highlander every reader dreams about. Madeline Martin has managed to capture all the components that make a fantastic story � love, action, adventure and passion.
Reviewed for
This book has an amazing plot line with so much depth in the adventure. Mariel (isn’t that such a pretty name?) is not the typical courtier. She is a spy for a ruthless handler named Aaron. But Aaron isn’t working for the crown; he is working for who has the highest pay. He has kidnapped her precious brother Jack and is forcing Mariel to work for him to work off the debt she owes him. Mostly the work involves drugging unsuspecting Lords and wheedling her charms to get the information Aaron requires. He gives her one last mission and then promises her freedom. This time the mission is more dangerous than ever. She must infiltrate a Highland Laird’s home, find two people and then kill the Laird.
Mariel has been extensively trained by Aaron. She possesses crazy ninja skills and is lethal, although she balks at killing. She’d rather rely on her wiles and intelligence. Meeting Laird Kieran MacDonald is life changing for Mariel. She is taken with the broad shouldered warrior. He is interested in her, but not enough to take her up on her request to relocate to the Highlands. She wears him down and the adventure starts. Mariel shows herself to be a fascinating character. The life she has lived is tragic and yet at the same time, she has the most remarkable strength. She wants Kieran even though the guilt of her mission is crippling. She must prove herself to him and the clan. Regardless of her intentions, Mariel is honest in her actions and thoughts. She wants Kieran more than she has ever wanted anything besides Jack’s wellbeing.
Kieran is the perfect Highlander Laird. Strong, forceful and smart are attributes that only begin to describe him. He is naturally cautious around strange English folk and the clawing desire he feels for Mariel only make it worse. He wants to trust her, he wants her underneath him and he wants her in his life. I just love a Highlander who is a fierce warrior and yet so gentle with women. Kieran’s protective instincts make him an excellent lover. He begins to unravel Mariel’s story and his heart breaks at the horror she has lived through. When her guard is down, he can see the troubles in her soul. As hard as he tries, he just can’t stay away from her.
The heat between the two leapt off the pages. I’d use the word ‘cock tease� but Mariel wasn’t teasing. At first she offered him her body as a method of getting her way, but as they spent time together, it was the truth. The kisses and banter between the two is so hot. When Mariel seeks to make Kieran jealous, I seriously fist pumped when he swooped in and claimed her. What on earth is so hot about a Highlander claiming his woman? I pride myself on being a feminist, but man, there is something so compelling about a man going for what he wants. They are sensual with each other as well as sexual. They talk, they bathe and they care about each other. There is real intimacy between the two � sometimes the walls that are built up crumble and leave them bared. Not to spoil anything, but the sex between the two has a surprising start and because of this it creates a bond that is crucial to the relationship.
The plot moves swiftly. Mariel as a time frame to find the two missing people and kill the Laird, or as she sees it, come up with a new plan that allows Kieran to live. What pulled me in was the sense of dread I had while reading. I was so happy that Kieran and Mariel were advancing their relationship, but so tense because I knew the deception that weighed on her shoulders every minute of every day. How would she deal with it? How would Kieran discover her true intentions? What would become of all of those involved in the intrigue?
This was a great book. It has that special element that makes for a fantastic read. As the reader, I was sucked in with my emotions fully engaged. The book was so well researched and accurate to the time � the setting, the clothes, the food � it all set the stage for a wonderful romantic story. Mariel is an unexpected heroine and Kieran is the Highlander every reader dreams about. Madeline Martin has managed to capture all the components that make a fantastic story � love, action, adventure and passion.
Reviewed for
January 16, 2018
Deception of a Highlander has made it's way to the top of my top 5 list for Scottish historicals. Wow! The writing is remarkable and the characters are memorable and will stick with me for a long time to come.Ìý Kieran and Mariel's story tugged at my heartstrings. I loved them both so much.Ìý I read this in one day, which is no easy feat seeing as I have 4 kids, but I could just not put it down!Ìý If I could give more than 5 stars I would. I am just dying to hear about Colin, I adored him too. This is a book you won't regret reading!
May 12, 2016
Steamy Story of Treachery and Danger in the Highlands
Set in 1604, this is the story of Mariel Brandon, who, on the death of her parents and to feed herself and her younger brother, becomes a seducer of men to learn their secrets for an evil man named Aaron. Her latest assignment (that will hopefully set her brother free) is to seduce a Scottish laird, Kieran MacDonald, and find the whereabouts of Blair and Dougal Hampton, who are under Kieran’s protection.
Mariel attaches herself to Kieran and convinces him to take her with him when he leaves London for Skye. Though she continually tries to get him into her bed, he resists for reasons that are unclear. He wasn’t meant to be laird, but at his older brother’s death, has assumed the role.
This is very definitely a steamy romance and a well written one. While there is attention paid to historical detail (which I much appreciated), and a mystery surrounds the two Mariel hunts for, the focus is clearly on the will he-won’t-he seduction of Kieran.
Once in Skye, Mariel tries to be useful, even spending a day dying clothes with blue woad die. The people are initially mistrusting of her, but she wins them over, managing to save a child from a horse. Oh, and she also speaks fluent Gaelic but does not let the people know. You have to feel sympathy for Mariel given her hard life.
Kieran’s sidekicks, Colin and Alec, are worthy of note. One a ladies man and the other a brooding Scot, they add dimension to Kieran.
All in all, if you like romances that dwell on the steamy side, this may be the one for you!
Set in 1604, this is the story of Mariel Brandon, who, on the death of her parents and to feed herself and her younger brother, becomes a seducer of men to learn their secrets for an evil man named Aaron. Her latest assignment (that will hopefully set her brother free) is to seduce a Scottish laird, Kieran MacDonald, and find the whereabouts of Blair and Dougal Hampton, who are under Kieran’s protection.
Mariel attaches herself to Kieran and convinces him to take her with him when he leaves London for Skye. Though she continually tries to get him into her bed, he resists for reasons that are unclear. He wasn’t meant to be laird, but at his older brother’s death, has assumed the role.
This is very definitely a steamy romance and a well written one. While there is attention paid to historical detail (which I much appreciated), and a mystery surrounds the two Mariel hunts for, the focus is clearly on the will he-won’t-he seduction of Kieran.
Once in Skye, Mariel tries to be useful, even spending a day dying clothes with blue woad die. The people are initially mistrusting of her, but she wins them over, managing to save a child from a horse. Oh, and she also speaks fluent Gaelic but does not let the people know. You have to feel sympathy for Mariel given her hard life.
Kieran’s sidekicks, Colin and Alec, are worthy of note. One a ladies man and the other a brooding Scot, they add dimension to Kieran.
All in all, if you like romances that dwell on the steamy side, this may be the one for you!
September 26, 2017
Mariel was forced to work for Aaron once she lost her parents to the plague. She tried to get out of the life that she hated but couldn't because Aaron kept her brother Jack hostage. Just when she though all hope was lost Aaron asks her to do one last task, promising to set both brother and sister free after it's done.
Unfortunately Mariel will be forced to do the one thing that she has never had the stomach to do, kill someone. She hopes to get the information required from the Scottish Barbarian, so that she is not forced to murder him.
Kieran MacDonnald is the laird of Skye, and he's extremely suspicious of beautiful English women. There is no denying that he is drawn to the mysterious Mariel, but he is equally sure that he is never going to act on what seems to be a mutual attraction.
He's convinced that she will not survive the hard life at Skye and eventually will return to England. Instead he is surprised at how resilient she prove and how she wins over all his people. Just as he goes and falls in love with her, she decides that she needs to murder him.
There are many moments in the book where human vulnerabilities are beautifully depicted. The moment when she realizes that she would need to sacrifice the man she loved, so that another child should not suffer like Jack has, was great. I particularly loved the way the author handled the scene where she is finally reunited with her brother, only to be rejected by him. Extremely well handled.
Unfortunately Mariel will be forced to do the one thing that she has never had the stomach to do, kill someone. She hopes to get the information required from the Scottish Barbarian, so that she is not forced to murder him.
Kieran MacDonnald is the laird of Skye, and he's extremely suspicious of beautiful English women. There is no denying that he is drawn to the mysterious Mariel, but he is equally sure that he is never going to act on what seems to be a mutual attraction.
He's convinced that she will not survive the hard life at Skye and eventually will return to England. Instead he is surprised at how resilient she prove and how she wins over all his people. Just as he goes and falls in love with her, she decides that she needs to murder him.
There are many moments in the book where human vulnerabilities are beautifully depicted. The moment when she realizes that she would need to sacrifice the man she loved, so that another child should not suffer like Jack has, was great. I particularly loved the way the author handled the scene where she is finally reunited with her brother, only to be rejected by him. Extremely well handled.
July 18, 2017
Yet another beautiful piece of work from Madeline Martin.
Just when I thought Book #3 couldn't get any better, this Book #1 had me floating on cloud nine! (Yes, I jumbled the sequence of the Novel)
Right from the moment I picked up this book, there was no way I could set it back down.
This book was worth many late nights that I had, just to reached the last page of the book.
Let's talk a little about our Beautiful & Brave Protagonist, Mariel.
As the title suggest, deception is going to come into play between a Wee Lass and a Laird. Best prepare you heart as you can expect extreme roller coaster of emotions as we journey with the protagonist and antagonist.
From the first chapter, every reader would understand that her actions are solely for one purpose, Jack. But what happens when a strapping Highlander laird comes along?
He becomes PART of her consideration, and to make things worse, his sister, Blair and nephew, Dougal turns out to be her target which she cannot bring herself to do them harm.
Then comes, tricky choices Mariel had to make, choosing her brother, killing the man she come to love or cause the innocent lives of Blair & Dougal to be at stake
Deep breaths everyone, and let'us be grateful for the plot twist when our laird is spared from death and saved the world from floods of tears from readers. =)
Just when I thought Book #3 couldn't get any better, this Book #1 had me floating on cloud nine! (Yes, I jumbled the sequence of the Novel)
Right from the moment I picked up this book, there was no way I could set it back down.
This book was worth many late nights that I had, just to reached the last page of the book.
Let's talk a little about our Beautiful & Brave Protagonist, Mariel.
As the title suggest, deception is going to come into play between a Wee Lass and a Laird. Best prepare you heart as you can expect extreme roller coaster of emotions as we journey with the protagonist and antagonist.
From the first chapter, every reader would understand that her actions are solely for one purpose, Jack. But what happens when a strapping Highlander laird comes along?
He becomes PART of her consideration, and to make things worse, his sister, Blair and nephew, Dougal turns out to be her target which she cannot bring herself to do them harm.
Then comes, tricky choices Mariel had to make, choosing her brother, killing the man she come to love or cause the innocent lives of Blair & Dougal to be at stake
Deep breaths everyone, and let'us be grateful for the plot twist when our laird is spared from death and saved the world from floods of tears from readers. =)
September 18, 2017
This is the first book I have read by this author and it certainly won’t be the last. I was captivated right from the beginning and found myself so enthralled that I totally lost track of time and before I knew it I was at the end of the story. Wow, where to begin describing this wonderful book. First you have a strong, feisty heroine who is forced to do uncharacteristic things in order to pay a debt and free her brother. Her last mission is her toughest as she falls in love with the man she may have to kill and her brother will die if she does not succeed. Then you have a swoon worthy Highlander who will make you fall in love and want to take him home. And lastly there is the villain that is so evil you can feel the emotional pull of wanting him caught. Along with many wonderful secondary characters the author weaves an amazing story that will leave you wanting to go back and read the story all over again. I received this book for an honest review and can honestly highly recommend it and I can’t wait to read the next story in the series.
August 14, 2017
Loved this story. What an amazing read. Madeline writes such an amazing story. You fall in love with her characters and the story. If you love Highlander's and strong females you'll love this book
August 16, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up.
Marial Brandon has fallen under the thumb of one of England’s most ruthless crime lords and is now being forced to go from reluctant spy to assassin. Her brother is being kept from her as a bargaining chip, leaving her little choice but to agree to her employer’s evil scheme. She doesn’t expect to fall for the man she’s meant to kill, especially when she can’t afford to allow those feelings to grow when it means condemning her brother.
Kieran MacDonald, Laird of Clan MacDonald, is wary of all the English and the beautiful woman who inserted herself into his traveling party back to Skye is no exception. She’s too interested in him, and he’s entirely too tempted to give in. He’d love to let his body have free rein over his mind but reminds himself that he has secrets to protect at all costs.
Kieran and Mariel will both face tough decisions and be forced to determine where their love and loyalties lay. With the stakes so high, it seems unlikely the passion between them will be able to grow into more with so many lies and secrets between them.
I’m a sucker for a classic highlander hero and Kieran was no exception. He was a solid hero, with just the right amount of protectiveness, though he did get a bit too distracted by his physical desires a few times. I struggled to like Mariel though and wasn’t the biggest fan of all the misunderstandings, though they were pretty necessary for this plot, and I knew to expect them, so I wasn’t as bothered by them as I otherwise might’ve been. I still didn’t care for Mariel that much, but her actions and reasoning did make sense for the most part, though I do wish she’d confided in Kieran a bit earlier and we’d gotten more of them working to solve the problem together instead of her trying to go off half-cocked on her own. That illogical streak was my main issue with Mariel since she kept saying she didn’t want anyone to suffer and then formulating plans that made that suffering inevitable and left me wanting to shake some sense into her. Fortunately, she and Kieran did eventually get on the same page, and I enjoyed it when they came together to make things right and gain justice for the past wrongs done to both of them. These two made a good pair and their story was an enjoyable read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link:
Marial Brandon has fallen under the thumb of one of England’s most ruthless crime lords and is now being forced to go from reluctant spy to assassin. Her brother is being kept from her as a bargaining chip, leaving her little choice but to agree to her employer’s evil scheme. She doesn’t expect to fall for the man she’s meant to kill, especially when she can’t afford to allow those feelings to grow when it means condemning her brother.
Kieran MacDonald, Laird of Clan MacDonald, is wary of all the English and the beautiful woman who inserted herself into his traveling party back to Skye is no exception. She’s too interested in him, and he’s entirely too tempted to give in. He’d love to let his body have free rein over his mind but reminds himself that he has secrets to protect at all costs.
Kieran and Mariel will both face tough decisions and be forced to determine where their love and loyalties lay. With the stakes so high, it seems unlikely the passion between them will be able to grow into more with so many lies and secrets between them.
I’m a sucker for a classic highlander hero and Kieran was no exception. He was a solid hero, with just the right amount of protectiveness, though he did get a bit too distracted by his physical desires a few times. I struggled to like Mariel though and wasn’t the biggest fan of all the misunderstandings, though they were pretty necessary for this plot, and I knew to expect them, so I wasn’t as bothered by them as I otherwise might’ve been. I still didn’t care for Mariel that much, but her actions and reasoning did make sense for the most part, though I do wish she’d confided in Kieran a bit earlier and we’d gotten more of them working to solve the problem together instead of her trying to go off half-cocked on her own. That illogical streak was my main issue with Mariel since she kept saying she didn’t want anyone to suffer and then formulating plans that made that suffering inevitable and left me wanting to shake some sense into her. Fortunately, she and Kieran did eventually get on the same page, and I enjoyed it when they came together to make things right and gain justice for the past wrongs done to both of them. These two made a good pair and their story was an enjoyable read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link:
August 15, 2017
A steamy highland romance from Madeline Martin!
Deception of a highlander is the story of Mariel Brandon, a spy working for one of the most dangerous underlords in all of England. It is Mariel's mission to locate two people hiding on the Isle of Skye, or to kill the Laird if she cannot locate the two... if she fails her mission, the unthinkable will happen, her brother will die instead. It's very clear that our heroine will do anything to keep her kid brother, Jack out of harms way and away from the life that she's been trapped in. What Mariel doesn't plan on is falling madly for Kieran MacDonald, her target. It is a game of seduction and deception, it's wickedly addictive!
Deception of a highlander is the story of Mariel Brandon, a spy working for one of the most dangerous underlords in all of England. It is Mariel's mission to locate two people hiding on the Isle of Skye, or to kill the Laird if she cannot locate the two... if she fails her mission, the unthinkable will happen, her brother will die instead. It's very clear that our heroine will do anything to keep her kid brother, Jack out of harms way and away from the life that she's been trapped in. What Mariel doesn't plan on is falling madly for Kieran MacDonald, her target. It is a game of seduction and deception, it's wickedly addictive!
January 6, 2019
After reading books like this one, it's no wonder I so love Highlander romances! This author never fails to impress me with her writing skills, she just knows how to pique our interest from page one!! Mariel is such a strong heroine but she is forced to go against her nature so that she can free her brother from the clutches of the dastardly Aaron. Kieran, be still my heart, is a strong hero who only wants to do what is right for his clan. Put the two of them together and you have some very hot and steamy friction....*fanning self*!! Excellent story, excellent writing and deserves a solid 5 rating:)
August 2, 2022
A beautiful spy forced to be an assassin, seduces a Laird for information. His instinct to not give in to his desire will create a chain of events that will put himself and the two people he protects in more danger. Her dilemma is her love for the Laird versus her love for her brother. When she is caught and stops telling lies, he will do whatever he can to help her. A passionate, steamy, hot, sizzling, action romance with a heroine (ninja) trained to take care of herself.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy gifted by the author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy gifted by the author.
January 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this book, my first by this author. She character developed very well, the emotions flowed nicely with the tempo of the book. It was long. But someone was always going on so it was easy to keep pace.
It’s a 4.5 star but we can’t do half’s yet. Ha ha
Plot 7(1-10) steaminess 7(1-10)
It’s a 4.5 star but we can’t do half’s yet. Ha ha
Plot 7(1-10) steaminess 7(1-10)
February 2, 2017
No I will not stop reading ridiculous romances. This is a good one.
April 19, 2017
Hotness Rating 3 out of 5
Review to come...
Review to come...
February 23, 2015
Mariel Brandon is a quick-witted English beauty who has seen more than her fair share of heartache: her parents died in the plague and she used all her wits and strength to keep herself and her little brother Jack alive. Unfortunately, she can't stay out of the web of the truly un-likeable Aaron, a master manipulator who does other people's dirty business--or rather, has his debtors, people like Mariel, do other people's dirty business while keeping himself (and his fresh manicure, I'd imagine) clean.
Mariel is daring, brave, and devoted to her brother, but she's stuck in Aaron's employ ("employ") until her debt is paid. Aaron finally promises to release Jack if she completes one more mission: find two people in a castle on the Isle of Skye, clan Macdonald's fortress. Mariel has a few months to seduce Kieran, the head of the clan, to gain information and access and provide Aaron's client with the location of the two refugees. If she succeeds, Aaron promises to release both Jack and Mariel from his clutches. If she fails, her brother will die. Mariel's never failed...yet.
But--and you saw this coming--Kieran turns out to be a gorgeous be-kilted man she just can't help falling in lust/love with. Fortunately for her, the feeling is mutual. Unfortunately for her, the stakes are absurdly high. One poor decision, one secret whispered in the wrong ear, could mean death for her, Jack, and Kieran. As you might imagine, people who hire assassins don't have many qualms about killing their hired help and/or reneging on promises, and, too, head clansmen don't like being deceived.
I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would--not because I doubted Martin's writing ability, but because I am not so much a romance reader. The first few chapters, I'll be honest, I might have rolled my eyes once or twice--how convenient, I thought, that Kieran is literally the first person Mariel meets at a party after getting her assignment. Of course he is more taken with her than with the rich blonde all the other men are drooling over; of course he is a beautiful specimen of ripply-muscled manhood.
But! This is not all rippling muscles, although there are plenty (and well-written--no judgement here, I like muscles as much as the next lady!) for those who are interested: very quickly after Mariel meets Kieran, things get real. Despite the lust, they don't/can't trust each other; she outwits him; they've each got some painful scars, literal and otherwise; the journey to Skye is arduous and the welcome less than friendly. They are constantly aware of and aroused by each other, but it's like playing near the edge of the high-dive: each knows that it can get far too deep, far too fast. And that was one of the best parts of this story, I thought. It's fast-paced, and there are twists and turns, and surprises, and it is for sure action-packed, but the resolution of their sexual tension is (mostly) a slow burn. So there were two main contrasts: the strains of lust vs. responsibility, and the fast-paced action scenes vs. the slow work of trust-building. Both are well-written.
Two other things I enjoyed were the development throughout the story of Mariel's strength and Kieran's, well, upstandingness. Mariel is a "strong female character" to be sure, but she has a fully developed back story (that's unveiled over the course of the book with some very disciplined pacing on the part of the author) to explain her strength. I worried at the beginning that she would veer too much into a stereotype--gorgeous woman, haunted by her past, turns into badass--but she's drawn tenderly and has real scenes of weakness, indecision, and hurt, and her yearning to be free of Aaron is overwhelming and palpable. She is the driver of this story, and she is good at it.
In the same way, Kieran isn't a stereotypical brawny specimen, long-haired, brutal in battle, etc. I mean, he is that. But he is also a new, wounded leader struggling with what that means, and he is thoughtful in more ways than one, and he values Mariel's boundaries and consent (a turn-on if ever there was one), and he sometimes makes regrettable decisions but learns to live and forgive.
In short: great debut novel. I am looking forward to see what Martin does next.
Mariel is daring, brave, and devoted to her brother, but she's stuck in Aaron's employ ("employ") until her debt is paid. Aaron finally promises to release Jack if she completes one more mission: find two people in a castle on the Isle of Skye, clan Macdonald's fortress. Mariel has a few months to seduce Kieran, the head of the clan, to gain information and access and provide Aaron's client with the location of the two refugees. If she succeeds, Aaron promises to release both Jack and Mariel from his clutches. If she fails, her brother will die. Mariel's never failed...yet.
But--and you saw this coming--Kieran turns out to be a gorgeous be-kilted man she just can't help falling in lust/love with. Fortunately for her, the feeling is mutual. Unfortunately for her, the stakes are absurdly high. One poor decision, one secret whispered in the wrong ear, could mean death for her, Jack, and Kieran. As you might imagine, people who hire assassins don't have many qualms about killing their hired help and/or reneging on promises, and, too, head clansmen don't like being deceived.
I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would--not because I doubted Martin's writing ability, but because I am not so much a romance reader. The first few chapters, I'll be honest, I might have rolled my eyes once or twice--how convenient, I thought, that Kieran is literally the first person Mariel meets at a party after getting her assignment. Of course he is more taken with her than with the rich blonde all the other men are drooling over; of course he is a beautiful specimen of ripply-muscled manhood.
But! This is not all rippling muscles, although there are plenty (and well-written--no judgement here, I like muscles as much as the next lady!) for those who are interested: very quickly after Mariel meets Kieran, things get real. Despite the lust, they don't/can't trust each other; she outwits him; they've each got some painful scars, literal and otherwise; the journey to Skye is arduous and the welcome less than friendly. They are constantly aware of and aroused by each other, but it's like playing near the edge of the high-dive: each knows that it can get far too deep, far too fast. And that was one of the best parts of this story, I thought. It's fast-paced, and there are twists and turns, and surprises, and it is for sure action-packed, but the resolution of their sexual tension is (mostly) a slow burn. So there were two main contrasts: the strains of lust vs. responsibility, and the fast-paced action scenes vs. the slow work of trust-building. Both are well-written.
Two other things I enjoyed were the development throughout the story of Mariel's strength and Kieran's, well, upstandingness. Mariel is a "strong female character" to be sure, but she has a fully developed back story (that's unveiled over the course of the book with some very disciplined pacing on the part of the author) to explain her strength. I worried at the beginning that she would veer too much into a stereotype--gorgeous woman, haunted by her past, turns into badass--but she's drawn tenderly and has real scenes of weakness, indecision, and hurt, and her yearning to be free of Aaron is overwhelming and palpable. She is the driver of this story, and she is good at it.
In the same way, Kieran isn't a stereotypical brawny specimen, long-haired, brutal in battle, etc. I mean, he is that. But he is also a new, wounded leader struggling with what that means, and he is thoughtful in more ways than one, and he values Mariel's boundaries and consent (a turn-on if ever there was one), and he sometimes makes regrettable decisions but learns to live and forgive.
In short: great debut novel. I am looking forward to see what Martin does next.
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