Review: My Highland Spy by Victoria Roberts

My Highland Spy 

by Victoria Roberts

Series:  Highland Hearts #1

Pub. Date:  Sept. 2, 2014

Publisher:  Sourcebooks Casablanca

Pages:  316

Format:  eBook

Source:  Purchased

   

My Rating:  
Sultry Scale:

This Highland Laird won't bow to the Crown

Laird Ruairi Sutherland refuses to send his only son away to be educated by the English. And he most definitely will not appear in Edinburgh to pay homage to a liege who has no respect for Scotland. So he does what any laird would do—he lies to the king. The last thing Ruairi expects is a beautiful English governess to appear on his doorstep.

But this lady spy might make him...

Lady Ravenna Walsingham is a seasoned spy who is sent to the savage Highlands to uncover a nefarious plot against the Crown. Playing the part of an English governess—a job easier said than done—she infiltrates the home of Laird Sutherland, a suspected conspirator.

If she doesn't betray him first

Ravenna soon discovers that the only real threat Sutherland poses is to her heart. But will the proud Highland laird ever forgive her when he discovers the woman he loves in an English spy? 

I first learned of Victoria Roberts when I saw her Bad Boys of the Highlands series. She has some of the most eye-catching vibrant covers that you can't help but pick one up, and I am so glad I did!

This new Highland Spies series promises to be as good as the Bad Boys. Instead of clan feuds and battles, it looks like we will be getting the court intrigue side of things. While I did not enjoy the last spy book that I read, this one was a delight.

I honestly liked Ravenna Walsingham; her goodness and kind heart showed through despite her espionage activities. She was a strong female lead, smart and loyal to her king and family. It's nice to see a strong heroine in a historical instead of the stereotypical damsel in distress. I would have liked a tad more back story on Ravenna... we knew she was in love before and was not chaste, so I would have liked the who, when and why of that story. As for her espionage activities, she is sent to act as a governess in what she believes to be the barbaric Highlands to uncover whether any of the clans band together against King James. Luckily her deception of Ruairi Sutherland was somewhat harmless and mild, which was a good thing because everyone is sure to fall head over heels for the Highland laird.

Ruairi is a charming braw lad like as not to make any lass swoon. He did not display overly alpha male tendencies, but was assertive enough to get his point across. He certainly killed all Ravenna's preconceived notions about the Scots being a bunch of wild barbarians.  Ruairi was a charming hero who cared for his family and clan, and was not afraid to stand for his beliefs against kings and clans alike.

There was no insta-love here, but a sweet romance that unfolded at a good pace and with little drama. There were also some great secondary characters. Torquil, Ruairi's son was a sweet lad and his stilted use of English was endearing. Angus, Torquil's large black wolf caused all sorts of antics as Ravenna was deathly afraid of the beast. And Fagan, the witty captain of the guard stole the show on several occasions.

This book is sure to be enjoyed by romance readers new and old. There are enough historical details to satisfy historical fiction fans, but the focus remains on the romance enough to keep the romance readers' interest. I look forward to following the rest of the series.

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Highland Spies Series

My Review	Review coming May 28