'A MacKenzie Clan Gathering' MacKenzies & McBrides 8.5 by Jennifer Ashley

From the BLURB:

Ian Mackenzie is awakened at Kilmorgan Castle one night to find robbers stealing the priceless art collection of his oldest brother, Hart. Since Ian and Beth are the only ones in resident at Kilmorgan at the moment, Ian decides he must find the art and the culprits before the family shows up for Hart's birthday gathering. With Inspector Fellows and Beth, he investigates, though Ian is somewhat worried by Beth's late husband's brother, a retired missionary, who decides to visit. Does John Ackerley hold the "cure" to Ian's madness? And can Ian discover what has happened to Hart's treasures, and who is targeting the Mackenzies before the enemy strikes again?

‘A MacKenzie Clan Gathering’ is book 8.5 in the ‘MacKenzies & McBrides’ historical romance series by Jennifer Ashley.

This book is set in 1892, and though I had to catch-up on my reading with books #7 and #8, I followed the story of ‘Clan Gathering’ just fine, though others may be wary of spoilers for who ends up with who.

The book takes place in the lead-up to Hart Mackenzie’s birthday celebrations at Kilmorgan, with Ian and his family staying at the castle home when it’s broken into and a number of Hart’s priceless artworks stolen and Ian attacked when he confronts the thieves. This event triggers an investigation, with half-brother Mackenzie Inspector Fellows on the case of who is causing problems for the family.

The other storyline centring on Ian is the arrival of John Ackerley for a visit; he’s Beth’s brother-in-law from her marriage to deceased first husband, Thomas. When this book takes place, Ian and Beth have been married ten years and have three beautiful children – but Ian is still a little discombobulated by the arrival of someone from Beth’s past. Even more so when John – a missionary who has travelled to a variety of exotic locations – tells Ian that he is hoping to go into the mental health profession, and wishes to try his treatments out on the famously “mad” Mackenzie himself. This triggers Ian’s memories of growing up in a mental asylum, though John assures him such institutions have changed and improved since Ian’s torture at the hands of such “doctors”.

What’s really heartbreaking about this book is that a lot of it sees Ian questioning the life he has built with Beth, all because John dangles the promise of a “cure” for his madness;

 Help me do what? Be normal? Give Beth a husband she doesn’t have to apologize for, change her life for, be ashamed of?
 

It’s a fascinating time to touch base again with Ian, the lodestone of Ashley’s series and undoubtedly the most beloved of the Mackenzie clan. On the one hand he is thoroughly happy, content in his marriage and fatherhood – but even after ten years with Beth who has seen his socialising improve, he still questions and doubts himself as “good enough” for her.

I really loved this book though, for the way that Jennifer Ashley makes abundantly clear that Beth loves Ian in spite of nothing; she just loves all of him, always.

 The clarity of the numbers, the equation that existed in eternal perfection started to penetrate the fog. He was Ian Mackenzie, husband of Beth and father to Jamie, Belle, and Megan. Children with no madness in them, and clever, all three of them in different ways. Children to make a man proud.
 

Ian remains a real outlier in historical romances, for Ashley choosing to write a hero who is on the autism spectrum. ‘A MacKenzie Clan Gathering’ is a fun book to touch-base with all the Mackenzie families (though I always want more mention of Cam and Ainsley, my personal favourites) but it’s Ian who shines a little brighter in this delicious series, and a book so focused on him and his many happy years as a family man will be a lovely salve for fans of this series.

5/5

‘The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie’ Highland Pleasures #6 by Jennifer Ashley

From the BLURB:

Second Sight And Seduction…

Daniel Mackenzie lives up to the reputation of the scandalous Mackenzie family—he has wealth, looks, and talent, and women love him. When he meets Violet Bastien—one of the most famous spiritual mediums in England—he immediately knows two things: that Miss Bastien is a fraud, and that he’s wildly attracted to her.

Violet knows she can’t really contact the other side, but she’s excellent at reading people. She discerns quickly that Daniel is intelligent and dangerous to her reputation, but she also finds him generous, handsome, and outrageously wicked. But spectres from Violet’s past threaten to destroy her, and she flees England, adopting yet another identity.

Daniel is determined to find the elusive Violet and pursue the passion he feels for her. And though Violet knows that her scandalous past will keep her from proper marriage, her attraction to Daniel is irresistible. It’s not until Daniel is the only one she can turn to that he proves he believes in something more than cold facts. He believes in love.

To settle a gambling debt, one of Daniel Mackenzie’s rotten opponents takes him to a tucked-away town house in the rough part of London. Here, Daniel is introduced to Violet Bastien – daughter to the city’s most famous medium – and promised a reading of his very own. It is here that Daniel witnesses nothing magical or mystical, but downright intriguing and smart. Violet has the parlour rigged with contraptions and mechanisms to fool punters into buying all her trickery fortune telling and ghost-talk. Daniel isn’t fooled for a second, but he’s impressed. Even more so when he remains behind and asks to see Violet’s various machines – amazed at the ingenuity of this woman. 

And though she’s not as beautiful as some of the courtesan’s he’s sampled, Violet intrigues and beguiles Daniel … even as she’s clobbering him over the head for stealing a kiss … Even when she dumps his unconscious body outside a doctor’s house, and escapes into the night with her mother and maid. 

‘The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie’ is the sixth book in Jennifer Ashley’s addictive ‘Highland Pleasures’ series.

Daniel is my favourite Mackenzie after his uncle Ian and father Cam. For that reason, I went into this sixth book with weary expectations … weary, because Once Upon a Time I would have declared eldest Mackenzie, Hart, my absolutely favourite of the Highland Pleasures brood. That was, until his book ‘The Duke's Perfect Wife’ when I think Jennifer Ashley made an abysmal attempt at writing Hart’s “dark delights” and turned him very sanitary and dull (despite his much-commented upon dastardly reputation of previous books). So, I love Daniel and have done ever since his lengthy appearance as secondary character in his dad’s book ‘The Many Sins of Lord Cameron’, in which he helped Cam to woo his lady love, Ainsley.

I admit, after reading the blurb for Daniel’s book (an older woman AND a medium? Oh, boy) I was highly sceptical and kept forcing myself to go in with lowered expectation. But, to my surprise, a truly stellar heroine and new facets to Daniel’s previously cheeky-Casanova persona make ‘The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie’ one of Jennifer Ashley’s best thus far.

Yes, Violet is somewhat older than Daniel and daughter to a medium. Now, while Violet swears up and down that her mum is the real-deal (and very fragile for all her spirit-talking) Violet has a more calculating, mathematical mind and does invent gadgets to help her convince punters of a gift she does not possess. Violet and her mum have actually lived a really rough life because her mother has insisted on travelling the continent, sharing her gifts. For this reason, Violet is more a parent to her mother and has been in charge of keeping them from the law and sleazy marks. Though Violet hasn’t always been able to save herself, and she has the psychological scars to prove it. 

Within a few moments of studying a man, Violet could understand what he loved and what he hated, what he wanted with all is heart and what he’d do to get it. She’d learned these lessons painstakingly from Jacobi in the backstreets of Paris, had been his best pupil. But she couldn’t read Mr. Mackenzie. He didn’t let anyone behind his barriers, not easily. But when he did … When he did, worlds would unfold. 

I love, love, loved Violet. Previously Beth and Ainsley were my favourite Mackenzie wives, but Violet is now front-runner. She is older than Daniel, and she has had to be a parent to her own mother, but there’s something very innocent and childlike about Violet too … even despite having had to grow up fast. She doesn’t really trust anybody and imagines the worst in any situation, so for that reason when she starts developing feelings for Daniel and daring to imagine becoming part of his family – there’s a childlike wonder and hope to her that’s instantly catching. 

And, of course, she’s wicked smart. Daniel loves to tinker with machinery and in this book he’s actually building a racing car and imagining a motorbike (or the ye olde equivalent of them, at least!) and she’s as captivated and fascinated by his blueprints as he is. This is, really, what attracts Daniel to her and everything else comes later – but her brain is the big pull for him throughout.

Now, Daniel surprised me in this book. He actually reminded me a lot of Ian, come to think of it. He’s so fascinated with machinery and lives in his own head that he can get that very determined, focused drive that Ian displays (though not to the same extent). I know in previous books much has been made of Daniel taking after his father’s footsteps in the lady-stakes (taking courtesans, and his first mistress at age fourteen or thereabouts) but in this book Ashley really hits home how much of a creative mind Daniel is and what a dreamer he can be. I liked seeing this side of him, though I do think I needed a bit more about his voracious love life to be reconciled.

If there was anything that frustrated me in the book, it’s the same old argument I’ve had since book three – more Cam & Ainsley! I feel like in all subsequent books since theirs, every other Mackenzie has had more than enough secondary character page-time. Lord knows Mac and Isabella are always clamouring across the page with their brood, and I’m thrilled that Ian is always very much intricate to his brother’s stories (he is in Daniel’s too). But Cam and Ainsley feel like the forgotten Mackenzies, and I was hoping that in his own son’s book Cam would make more of an appearance and us fans would have a chance to peek at the progress of his and Ainsley’s marriage (now with two little ones, half-siblings for Daniel). But, alas, Daniel speaks to Violet of the feeling of distance and disappointment he feels from his dad (and lengthy conversations the impact his mother’s insanity had on his life) but as for actual scenes with Cam, they are few and far between. Ainsley gets much more page-time with both Daniel and Violet, but Ashley keeps Cam stoically silent and gruff when all I wanted was some glimpses into his relationship with Daniel as it has now progressed into his son’s adulthood. 

Still, ‘The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie’ far exceeded my expectations and Daniel proves why he’s a favourite Mackenzie and his lady love is a formidable new lassie to bring into the family. This book almost makes up for Hart’s lackluster one … almost.

4/5

'A Mackenzie Family Christmas: The Perfect Gift' Highland Pleasures #4.5 by Jennifer Ashley

From the BLURB:

The Mackenzies gather for a clan Christmas and New Year's in Scotland. In the chaos of preparations for the celebration--the first of Hart and Eleanor's married life--one of Ian's Ming bowls gets broken, and the family scrambles to save the day. Daniel busily runs a betting ring for everything from the time Eleanor's baby will arrive to whether Mac's former-pugilist valet can win a boxing match to who will be the first of the many guests to be caught under the mistletoe. Ian begins a new obsession, and Beth fears the loss of one of his precious bowls has made him withdraw once more into his private world. 

Everyone is descending on Kilmorgan for Christmas festivities, followed by the all-important Hogmanay (New Year) celebrations to be enjoyed by the Mackenzie clan.

And, indeed, the clan has expanded in the last few years. Present at Kilmorgan this year is troubled but brilliant brother, Ian, his wife Beth and their two young children. Famous painter Mac Mackenzie  is in tow with his wife Isabella and their three children. Then there’s Cam Mackenzie  with his wife Ainsley and their mischievous one-year-old daughter, with Cam’s grown son, Daniel, arriving later in the week. And, finally, recently married Duke of Kilmorgan, Hart Mackenzie , is in a rare state as his wife Eleanor is soon to give birth to their first child and future heir.

Everyone is descending on Kilmorgan, and the estate is overcrowded with love and happiness; something the Mackenzie  men haven’t had enough of in their troubled, turbulent lives.

‘A Mackenzie Family Christmas: The Perfect Gift’ is part of Jennifer Ahsley’s ‘Highland Pleasures’ series, instalment #4.5, before fifth book ‘The Seduction of Elliot McBride’ is released on December 31.

I’ll admit, I needed this spectacularly delicious ‘Highland Pleasures’ instalment to relieve some of the sting after Hart’s disappointing book, ‘The Duke’s Perfect Wife’. His was my most-anticipated Mackenzie  novel, and I wasn’t alone in my bitter disappointment. But Ashley somewhat makes up for that lacklustre offering with this Christmas special, which gives each Mackenzie  brother a starring role and also offers up some delicious possibilities for future instalments. . .

Ian Mackenzie  has everyone walking on eggshells after a disaster with a Ming bowl. Meanwhile, Beth is beside herself and trying to find the perfect opportunity to tell Ian that their family will be expanding once again.

Cam and Ainsley are sent into a whirlwind when their curious daughter, Gavina, goes wandering and sends the family into panic-mode. Meanwhile, Cam is reflecting on the fact that his son, Daniel, is now full-grown and becoming more independent each day.

Mac is hiding a delicious surprise from Isabella, while trying to steer clear of Nanny Westlock and her forbidding rules.

Hart, meanwhile, is beside himself with worry as Eleanor’s due date draws near – he remembers his deceased fist wife, who he lost during childbirth and his first baby with her.

Also joining the Mackenzie ’s for Christmas celebrations is Isabella’s little sister, Louisa, who has a curious announcement to make to her sister. Also tagging along is bastard Mackenzie , Inspector Fellows, whose last encounter with Miss Louisa has his blood heating in remembrance. Ainsley’s brothers are also in tow – widower Sinclair McBride with his two wayward children, Elliott McBride with his wife Juliana, eldest brother Patrick McBride, with his wife and Steven McBride, dressed in his regimentals and an instant hit with the ladies.

Hart has also invited David Fleming – old friend, forever in love with Eleanor Ramsay and soon to be recruited in a special Christmas surprise for Ian.

It’s wonderful that Jennifer Ashley lets fans catch-up with the goings-on of the Mackenzie  clan – particularly the likes of Cam and Ian, whose stories and romances with their wives have so far been the best instalments of the series. Ashley also redeems herself somewhat with Hart and Eleanor’s appearance in this book, both excited and nervous for their child to be born. Here is the sweet romance that seemed to be dulled in their actual instalment.

The others raised glasses once more. 

Ian put his arm around Beth and sank into her warmth, hefting his daughter in one arm, while his son sat happily at his mother’s. This time next year, their little family would be larger, and Ian’s happiness would expand yet again. 

“They change you,” Ian said to Hart. “We’re not the same now.” 

“Bloody good thing,” Cameron rumbled. 

“Aye,” Hart said. He leaned to his wife. “Thank you, El, for saving my life.” 

Eleanor winked at Ian as she moved to kiss Hart’s lips. “You are most welcome, love.” 

With this Christmas special, Ashley is also teasing fans for upcoming instalments in the ‘Highland Pleasures’ series. Daniel remains a favourite, and his rambunctious goings-on in ‘Mackenzie Family Christmas’ will whet fan’s appetites for his book, due October 2013. But Ashley has also planted stories for Fellows and Louisa, and their instalment will be #5.5 ‘The Untamed Mackenzie’, due out August 2013. Ashley has also announced that Ainsley’s brother, Sinclair, will get a book called ‘Rules for a Proper Governess’ – we spend some time with Sinclair in this Christmas story, and he’s beautifully set up as a rather tragic hero with a broken heart.

For what it’s worth, I’m also crossing my fingers that David Fleming gets a book or novella at some point – since his love for Eleanor is still strong and unwavering, I think he needs someone new to occupy his heart.

All in all, ‘Mackenzie Family Christmas’ is a perfect little treat for fans of the ‘Highland Pleasures’ series. We get to revisit old favourites, and have our interest piqued concerning a few future heroes. Lovely, all round.

5/5

'The Duke's Perfect Wife' Highland Pleasures #4 by Jennifer Ashley

 From the BLURB:

Lady Eleanor Ramsay is the only one who knows the truth about Hart Mackenzie. Once his fiancée, she is the sole woman to whom he could ever pour out his heart.

Hart has it all--a dukedom, wealth, power, influence, whatever he desires. Every woman wants him--his seductive skills are legendary. But Hart has sacrificed much to keep his brothers safe, first from their brutal father, and then from the world. He's also suffered loss--his wife, his infant son, and the woman he loved with all his heart though he realized it too late.

Now, Eleanor has reappeared on Hart's doorstep, with scandalous nude photographs of Hart taken long ago. Intrigued by the challenge in her blue eyes--and aroused by her charming, no-nonsense determination--Hart wonders if his young love has come to ruin him . . . or save him.

Hart is the notorious eldest Mackenzie brother. He is a ruthless politician in the House of Commons, currently with his sights on becoming Prime Minister. But Hart has a reputation outside of Parliament too… a reputation that has stalked him since his youth when it was the worst kept secret that he kept a house on High Holborn for his mistress, Mrs Palmer, where they practiced dark delights.

Rumours of Hart’s notoriety followed him into his marriage with Lady Sarah Graham (a duke’s daughter), who died in childbirth, along with Hart’s son. Rumours swirled that Lady Sarah was fragile and timid, scared-to-death of her overbearing husband and too weak for childbirth.

But even before Lady Sarah, there were rumours about Hart’s first cancelled engagement to Lady Eleanor Ramsay, a woman of noble Highland birth. Nobody outside of the tight-knit and tight-lipped Mackenzie clan quite knows what happened between Hart and Eleanor, to have her jilt him and live the next eight years a spinster… but there are rumours, always rumours.

Tongues are set to wag yet again where Hart is concerned, since it is reported that he has taken Lady Eleanor into his home (for “secretarial work”). Curious that she would re-enter his life, right when he is challenging Prime Minister Gladstone on the Irish Home Rule Bill, and incurring the wrath of Irish nationalists as Hart is set to force a vote that could see him become Prime Minister. Even more curious is that Hart recently announced to his family that he was looking to take a wife. Could Hart be returning to the woman who jilted him eight years ago? And if so, does he think he can hold onto her this time?

‘The Dukes Perfect Wife’ is the fourth book in Jennifer Ashley’s ‘Highland Pleasures’ historical romance series.

This is the one I have been waiting for since I first read Ashley’s delicious highlander series. Hart Mackenzie, eldest of the clan, was presented as a dark and foreboding man, not to be trifled with. Readers have gleaned bits and pieces about Hart over the course of the series . . .  from rumours about his timid and dearly-departed wife, Sarah, to his mistress, Mrs Palmer, whose jealousy drove her to violence. And we slowly pieced together Hart’s romantic past that included a Lady Eleanor Ramsay, who jilted him years ago (for reasons unknown) and chose a life of spinsterhood instead. Jennifer Ashley did a wonderful job of enticing fans to Hart’s story . . .  stringing us along with his sad past and bull-headed personality (not to mention rumours of his particular bedroom activities!). It’s safe to say that Hart’s story is one of the most anticipated of all the Mackenzie males – but, dare I say?, there was more enjoyment in the build-up than the delivery.

Ashley set Hart and Eleanor’s story in motion at the end of Cameron’s book, ‘The Many Sins of Lord Cameron’. Eleanor Ramsay was introduced to us in that book, as a close friend of Cameron’s wife, Ainsley. We met Eleanor when Ainsley came to her seeking advice on how to deal with Mackenzie men, and received some curious words of wisdom from a woman who jilted one of them eight years ago; “They entice you, these Mackenzies, first with their wickedness and then with all that is heartbreaking.” Eleanor appeared again towards the end of that book . . .  when she approached Hart with a small conundrum. Knowing full well that Hart was in the race to be Prime Minister, Eleanor broke the delicate news that she had received some potentially-damning photographs of Hart, taken in his youth – photographs in which he is gloriously unkilted and naked as a jaybird.

Thus, ‘The Duke’s Perfect Wife’ starts where ‘Many Sins’ left off – with Hart having recently declared to his family that he intends to remarry, and with Eleanor approaching him with a problem that conveniently places her in his household, when she insists on searching for the origin of the photos.

Accompanying Eleanor to London is her doddering academic father, Lord Ramsay. Also staying at Hart’s townhouse (to keep scandal at bay while Eleanor resides there too) is his brother Mac, his wife Isabella and their children. Of course, it’s not long before more Mackenzie’s invade Hart’s home – partly out of curiosity over Eleanor’s stay.

Eleanor and Hart were engaged eight years ago. They were very much in love, and Eleanor lost her virginity to the delectable eldest Mackenzie . . .  but then something went wrong. Mrs Palmer, Hart’s mistress of seven years at the time, revealed herself to Eleanor and warned her off marrying Hart (making mention of his bedroom antics). Throughout a lot of ‘Perfect Wife’, Hart reflects on his broken engagement with Eleanor and regrets harsh words he flung at her when she left him . . . but Hart curiously maintains that Eleanor was not jealous of Mrs. Palmer (especially since Hart had not been with his mistress since he started courting Eleanor).

Part of this book is about Hart and Eleanor reopening old wounds from their past, so that they may heal . . .  and this was a bit of a problem for me. Eleanor’s reasoning behind leaving Hart eight years ago didn’t quite sit right. I won’t give anything away, but it seemed an unlikely response from a woman who had recently learned that her fiancée and love of her life not only kept a house for his mistress . . .  but filled it with other women too. Even more frustrating was the fact that in present time, Eleanor and Hart don’t really talk about Mrs. Palmer in the context of her being Hart’s mistress and companion. Indeed, Eleanor just seems to accept that, despite Mrs. Palmer’s callous nature, Hart was with her for a little over a decade. Hart admits that the naked photos of him were in fact taken by Mrs. Palmer, during the early days of their relationship. I thought then, that it was especially curious Eleanor didn’t poke and prod at Hart’s old relationship with Mrs. Palmer – because she mentions many times how happy Hart looks in these photos. The photos, though erotic, also capture a care-free and genuinely happy Hart in his youth. Coupled with the fact that Mrs. Palmer was part of the reason behind their break-up . . .  I couldn’t believe that Eleanor didn’t want to know more about Hart’s feelings for his old mistress. I can’t believe she didn’t want to know if he was at his happiest with her, as those captured smiles in the photos would suggest? The most Eleanor mentions of Mrs. Palmer and Hart’s relationship in this context is when she points out that he went back to her, after their engagement was broken off. Even that would have surely rankled? Especially if he was as furious with Mrs. Palmer as he seemed to be, for speaking with his fiancée behind his back? And yet, he stayed with her? Eleanor seems reluctant to speak too much about Hart’s deeper feelings for Mrs. Palmer, since she did turn out to be a villain and is now dead . . .  but I read a humungous pink elephant in the book that was never addressed.

I would also have liked Eleanor to poke more at Hart’s bedroom proclivities because so much is made of them being naughty and nasty, something done hush-hush and under the deepest of secrecies. Yet, once Hart and Eleanor re-heat their romance, it’s all pretty tepid . . .  Honestly, the way Jennifer Ashley built up the mystery and danger around Hart and his tastes, I was expecting some 18th century BDSM, at the very least. Alas, it’s all very 18th century vanilla. Don’t get me wrong, Hart is still a Mackenzie and therefore breathtaking . . .  but this isn’t the dark, brooding and tormented Hart I had built up in my mind. Actually, and curiously, I found Cameron Mackenzie to be a far darker protagonist. I thought Cameron had more skeletons in his closet than Hart, and was more interesting for it.

And, my final complaint about ‘Perfect Wife’ was Ashley’s preoccupation with Hart’s political side-story. I think Ashley really veered off course when she wrote so much about Prime Minister William Gladstone and the Irish Home Rule Bill, the basis behind Hart calling out Gladstone for a vote in parliament and the brown-nosing he had to do to win seats . . .  y’know what? I get that Hart had to be a legitimate politician and be playing a crucial political game. But I could have done without the factoids about Irish Home Rule and the House of Commons. In an historical romance, I'd rather not be given a parliamentary history lesson cause it’s not really conducive to sexy times.

A few things did work for me. Lady Eleanor Ramsay is indeed a formidable love interest for Hart. She’s lovely and charismatic, a chatter-box and stubborn as an ox. I rather loved her, and Ashley has indeed written another fiery ferocious lady for one her Mackenzie men;

“Aye, you’ve got a fire in you, lass, that is true. A temper.” The delicious Highland accent broadened as more whiskey went into him. “And a fire of another kind. I’ve not forgotten that.”
Surrender. That was what Hart Mackenzie always wanted, she realized. For others to surrender to him, to let him be their master. Not because he wanted to punish them, or to have his own way, but for their own good, because he wanted to take care of them. Those who didn’t understand that dashed themselves to bits on him.

I also really loved that another focus of this book is on Hart’s relationship with Ian. Hart feels particularly protective of his youngest brother, and has done ever since he took beatings from their beast of a father to protect Ian. Furthermore, Hart was there when their tyrannical father sent Ian to the insane asylum. He was the one who freed Ian, and promised he would never suffer ever again.

A hand reached out of a dark passage and landed on Hart’s shoulder. Eyes the color of Mackenzie single-malt regarded Hart in the dim light of Reeve’s lantern. Hart looked back at Ian Mackenzie, face smudged and bearing lines of exhaustion. Ian put both hands on Hart’s shoulder, and his fingers dug through Hart’s coat.
“I found you,” Ian said, his voice low and fierce. “I found you.” He put his arms around Hart, and Hart for a moment sank into the strength that was his youngest brother. “I always find you,” Ian whispered.

I got quite choked-up at the brotherly bonding between Ian and Hart in this book, and it was my favourite aspect of the whole story. I really felt like it was Ian’s story coming full circle – the fact that throughout a lot of the book he was given the opportunity to return the favour, and save Hart for once. And I especially liked Ian’s role because there were plenty of scenes with him and Beth and their children. Eleanor hasn’t seen Ian for a long time (she was there when he was in the asylum) so it was nice to understand what a transformation Ian has undergone, from someone who knew him before Beth.

I will admit that I had high expectations for Hart’s book, and unfortunately ‘The Duke’s Perfect Wife’ just didn’t live up to those expectations. Hart wasn’t the brooding, scarred Duke I had hoped to see redeemed . . .  and as disappointing as his supposedly ‘dark bedroom antics’ were, even more frustrating was Eleanor’s lack of prodding into his past relationship with the duplicitous Mistress Palmer. I did like Eleanor, and was happy to read such a fine woman paired with Hart. And I especially loved the focus on Ian and Hart’s brotherly bond in this book. But overall, I would say ‘The Duke’s Perfect Wife’ gets a resounding “meh”.

I am now most looking forward to Daniel’s book, titled ‘The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie’ (now *that’s* a promising title!) which is scheduled for October 2013. Before that we have ‘The Seduction of Elliot McBride’ coming in January 2013 . . .  although, I don’t know how I feel about Elliot’s book coming at all. He’s not a Mackenzie, he’s Aisnley’s brother (Cameron’s brother-in-law). I can’t help but wish Ashley would write a spin-off McBride series, and bump up Daniel’s much-anticipated Mackenzie finale. But I shall reserve judgement, and suitably lower my expectations (lesson learned!) . . .

3/5

'The Many Sins of Lord Cameron' Highland Pleasures #3 by Jennifer Ashley

From the BLURB:

A renowned rake, Cameron Mackenzie doesn't care if Ainsley Douglas has a virtuous excuse for sneaking around his bedchamber. He only cares that she's at his mercy. One kiss at a time, he plans to seduce her. But what starts out as a lusty diversion may break Cam's own rules.

Ainsley Douglas has the most bothersome task of circumventing a blackmail attempt against the Queen of England. An unhappily married ton darling has got it into her pretty, conniving little head to exploit Queen Victoria’s private infatuation with her servant, John Brown. Ainsley, being a graduate of the Pringle Select Academy for Young Ladies and a family favourite of the Queen, has been given the mission to retrieve the incriminating love letters from the bothersome blackmailer.

Ainsley’s only opportunity to confront the lady is at a house party being thrown by politico, Hart Mackenzie, at his family estate. And Ainsley’s one weakness is in attendance – Cameron Mackenzie. Six years ago Ainsley and Cameron had a seductive near-miss where Ainsley nearly found herself committing adultery to be with the smoulderingly handsome middle Mackenzie brother. Six years on and Ainsley is a widower – Cameron is a cavorting Lothario who enjoys losing himself in training horses and swilling whiskey.

When these two join forces to curb the blackmailer sparks are reignited. Cameron is himself a widower, survivor of a horrendous marriage that ended in his wife’s suicide and him being accused of her murder. The last thing he could ever want is to marry again – but Ainsley Douglas piqued his interest six years ago, and now she’s back and more appealing than ever . . .

‘The Many Sins of Lord Cameron’ is the third book in Jennifer Ashley’s deliciously decadent historical romance series; ‘Highland Pleasures / Mackenzies’.

I fell in love with Ashley’s series last year, when I read first book ‘The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie.’ I loved Ashley’s blend of unconventional rakes, family saga and seductive romantic entanglements . . . I was somewhat deflated by second book ‘Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage.’ But I am well and truly enamoured of the Mackenzie men, and settled into this series for the long haul. Still, I was rather delighted to read that Cameron’s book brings the series back to romantic brilliance.

Cameron piqued my interest back in Ian’s book, when it was revealed that his wife met an untimely death that left Cameron’s reputation in tatters and the relationship with his son somewhat strained. Middle child he may be, but Cameron’s mysterious past, shrouded in tragedy and London gossip, had me very much intrigued. Still, I was unprepared for the devastating lengths Jennifer Ashley would go to with Cameron’s past. We learn about his ‘mad’ wife, Elizabeth, who was older than Cameron when they married and remained hell-bent on using him for his money while carrying on her hedonistic lifestyle. Elizabeth was truly heinous – a self-destructive, bitter and egotistical lecher. She scarred Cameron and left him a shell of a man. His only saving grace was their son, Daniel, whom Cameron protected against his wife’s callousness. Honestly, when you read what Cameron went through in his first marriage you will alternate between disgust and outright sympathy.

So when Cameron runs into Ainsley Douglas, six years after their first seductive almost-encounter, he is attracted and intrigued . . . but in no way likely to start a relationship. Which is fine by Ainsley – she is a working widow, dependent upon the Queen’s paycheque and her brother’s kindness. Ainsley doesn’t expect a Mackenzie Lord to be serious about her – not to mention she has her own war wounds from ruined relationships.

It’s only through undeniable attraction (and Daniel Mackenzie’s match-making) that these two form an unlikely but undeniable bond. I loved reading them together, because it’s a matter of opposites attracting. Despite her station in life, Ainsley is upbeat and cheerful – always looking on the bright side and willing to give a helping hand to those she loves. Cameron, by contrast, is pessimistic and solitary; a veritable curmudgeon except where his horses and his close-knit family are concerned. They bring out the best in each other, and work at tearing down each other’s walls and defeating the other’s demons;

“I love your hair,” Cameron said. “I've always wanted to see it down.”

“A bit difficult to tame, I've always found.”

“I don’t want it tame.” Cameron fisted a lock of hair, kissed it. “I want it wild. I want you wild, Ainsley. I know it’s in you.” He put his hand between her breasts, right over her heart.

“Wild? Me?” She contrived to look innocent.

“I work with horses all day, every day. I know which ones are happy to plod along and which ones are bursting to throw off their fetters and run free.”

I did love Cameron – it’s impossible not to, when this big strong and handsome man has such a tender touch despite a dark past. Still, my favourite Mackenzie man remains Hart Mackenzie – the oldest brother and hardest nut to crack. Hart is a politician and widower, whose frail wife died in childbirth years ago. Hart was rumoured to host orgies in his youth, before politics became his world. But even before all that, Hart was the first Mackenzie to fall in love – and get his heart broken. He was engaged to Eleanor, but she broke off the engagement (for reasons unknown, but hinted at) and Hart has never been the same since.

I love Hart. What can I say? I like them tall, dark and unyielding. And I especially loved him in this book, because we get to meet his ‘one that got away’. Eleanor is a most interesting woman, with wise words to share with her friend about those pesky and delicious Mackenzie men;

Eleanor smiled as she lifted her teacup. “Do be careful, Ainsley. They entice you, these Mackenzies, first with their wickedness and then with all that is heartbreaking.”

I’m just perturbed that I’ll have to wait for Hart’s book, ‘The Duke’s Perfect Wife’, until April 2012. Bother and damnation! But my ire was somewhat lessened when I discovered that Ms Ashley has two more books planned after Hart’s instalment. In 2013 we’ll get ‘The Seduction of Elliott McBride’ – not a Mackenzie, but Ainsley’s brother who has an interesting story to tell. And in October 2013 we’ll be treated to ‘The Life and Love of Daniel Mackenzie’ – which I am *THRILLED* about because Daniel proved himself a lovable and ramshackle young man in ‘Many Sins’, and I am eager to read his transformation into a mad Mackenzie man!

Jennifer Ashley has well and truly suckered me into the Mackenzie family. I love these men; with their brutish facades, tragic pasts and tender hearts. Lord Cameron is another brilliant protagonist, paired with an equally infectious heroine. Ashley’s ‘Highland Pleasures’ series keeps getting better and better – but I predict she will hit her stride with the beautiful and cold, Hart Mackenzie. Hurry up 2012!

5/5

'Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage' Highland Pleasures #2 by Jennifer ASHLEY

From the BLURB:

Six years ago, eighteen-year-old Lady Isabella Scranton scandalized all of London by eloping the night of her come-out ball with the notorious rake, Lord Mac Mackenzie. After three turbulent years of marriage, she scandalized London once again--this time by leaving him.

Now the reformed Mac has returned, and he wants one thing: Isabella back in his life, his house, his bed. He'll do anything he has to, play any game, as long as he gets her back. Isabella resists, but when she agrees to pose for erotic paintings he's been working on, she realizes her body has never stopped craving her husband’s very skilled touch. Mac is determined to show Isabella that he's a changed man, but three years without her has only increased his hunger for her.

When an ingenious forger with designs on Mac's paintings, and Isabella herself, comes dangerously near, Mac sets himself up as Isabella’s protector and vows to never leave her side, whether his independent and proud lady likes it or not.

This is the second book in Jennifer Ashley’s ‘Highland Pleasures’/’Mackenzies’ series about the Mackenzie brothers. The first book, ‘The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie’ was an instant-favourite of mine, and told the story of youngest Mackenzie brother, Ian. This second book is about the second-youngest brother, Mac, and his efforts to win back his wife, Isabella, who left him three years ago.

I went into this book with no expectations, which is unusual for me. I loved ‘The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie’ *so* much that in the back of my mind I knew Ms. Ashley couldn’t possibly reach the lofty heights of that first book again, at least not in my mind. On the one hand I think I was right not to expect another book like Ian’s, because I would have been disappointed... but in another way I was pleasantly surprised...

When I learnt the reason behind Isabella and Mac’s separation, I initially had a moment of deflation and saying “is that all?” The reason seemed a little anti-climactic – when you think that Isabella and Mac have been estranged for 3 years you start to expect the reason will be crucial and awful – infidelity, abuse etc. The real reason is quite sad and tragic, but not on-par with what I was imagining. But thinking back on it now, I quite like the fact that there wasn’t a huge precipitating event that tore Isabella and Mac apart. The reason for their separation is actually quite common, and relatable – a matter of words unspoken building up over time to fester into resentment and hostility that eventually led to Isabella slipping away.

“This isn’t a game. It is our lives – your life. Your art. And I’d be a bloody fool to play any game you invented.”
Mac leaned to her as the carriage slowed. Isabella had no idea where they were, and she didn’t have the energy to lift the curtain to find out.
“It is a game, my love.” He held her gaze. “It is the most serious game I've ever engaged in. And I intend to win it. I will have you back, Isabella – in my life, in my house, and in my bed.”

I love the fact that Jennifer Ashley’s heroes and heroines in the Mackenzie series are slightly older, and dealing with more pertinent marital and relationship issues than we’re used to in historical romances. Case and point is Mac and Isabella – a separated couple who are trying to rebuild their marriage. This could have been a very hum-drum romance about regaining trust. But Ashley knows that romance doesn’t stop with “I do” and a husband and wife can be just as steamy as a debutante and bachelor rake. And I thought it was ingenious of Ashley to give Mac and Isabella a past that was shrouded in romantic mystery – she was 18 when Mac swept her off her feet at her coming-out ball and they eloped the same night they met. That could have been the story – Mac abducting a virginal ton darling and marrying her, but instead the story is what happens *after* the debutante and her rake get their ‘happily ever after’ and it doesn’t all go according to plan. Wonderful!

I think Jennifer Ashley excels in writing flawed heroes. With Ian, it was the fact that he was ‘mad’, quite literally – he was thrown into an insane asylum when he was a child. Ian’s ‘madness’ will never be cured; instead it was a matter of Beth loving him regardless of his little quirks and foibles, and even appreciating a few of them.
I wish Ashley had placed more emphasis on Mac’s version of ‘madness’ – his alcoholism. When the book begins Mac has been sober for three years, and only recounts the hellish time he had getting sober. I would have really appreciated reading his recovery – even to have some consistency in the series as an observation of these very imperfect, damaged brothers who learn to cope and accept their various short-comings, and who likewise find women to accept them too.

‘The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie’ also worked well because there was a murder-mystery plot running simultaneously with the romance. That secondary plot worked really well with Ian and Beth’s romance, because it allowed Beth to learn about the Mackenzie brothers’ shady dealings, and also forced her and Ian’s romance to be sped up as dangerous matters came to a head.
There is a second storyline in ‘Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage’ – this one concerning a doppelganger to Mac who is forging his artwork. But this ‘whodunnit’ plot isn’t particularly well developed until the latter half of the book, when that plot really starts to make sense and complement the Mac/Isabella romance.

I had a few problems with this book – mainly the lack of friction with regards to Mac’s reformation and a secondary plot that was hard to get stuck into. But I loved the fact that this is a story about rebuilding a marriage – it made for a very different historical romance when virgins and rakes rule the genre, Ashley is writing about what happens *after* ‘happily ever after’.

I really look forward to the last two books in this series, about Cameron and Hart Mackenzie. Ashley whets reader’s appetites in this book by introducing Cam’s HEA, but August 2011 is a looooooong wait! Hart is my favourite Mackenzie, I think. I like a good tragic hero, and Hart seems to have been given the bulk of tragedy in the series, so that alone appeals to me. And I am very eager to see how Ashley breaks down Hart’s many, many barriers and defences (and addresses his eye-brow raising sexual predilections) but his book will be a 2012 release – Ye gods! That is a LONG wait!

3.5/5

Book 1: The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Ian) May 2009
Book 2: Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage (Mac) July 2010
Book 3: The Many Sins of Lord Cameron (Cam) August 2011
Book 4: The Duke Takes a Wife (Hart) May 2012

'The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie' Highland Pleasures #1 by Jennifer Ashley

From the BLURB:

The year is 1881. Meet the Mackenzie family--rich, powerful, dangerous, eccentric. A lady couldn't be seen with them without ruin. Rumors surround them--of tragic violence, of their mistresses, of their dark appetites, of scandals that set England and Scotland abuzz. 



The youngest brother, Ian, known as the Mad Mackenzie, spent most of his young life in an asylum, and everyone agrees he is decidedly odd. He's also hard and handsome and has a penchant for Ming pottery and beautiful women. 
 


Beth Ackerley, widow, has recently come into a fortune. She has decided that she wants no more drama in her life. She was raised in drama--an alcoholic father who drove them into the workhouse, a frail mother she had to nurse until her death, a fussy old lady she became constant companion to. No, she wants to take her money and find peace, to travel, to learn art, to sit back and fondly remember her brief but happy marriage to her late husband. 
 


And then Ian Mackenzie decides he wants her.

I absolutely, thoroughly, unashamedly LOVED this book. I finished it and straight away I wanted to go back to the beginning and dive in all over again.

This is an historical romance. Beth Ackerley is a widower with a small fortune, who is engaged to a notorious rake when she first meets Ian Mackenzie. Ian cannot stand the thought of lovely, innocent, blue-eyed Beth marrying such scum and promptly tells her as much. He also offers to marry her himself.

If this sounds like it could be any number of historical/regency romances, then you’d be right to wonder what was so special about this plot.

Well, Jennifer Ashley has ingeniously set herself apart from all other romance writers in the genre by writing a leading man who is mad. Quite mad; with documentation to prove it. Ian Mackenzie was thrown into an insane asylum when he was nine-years-old, and wasn’t released until he was twenty-years-old.

Lord Ian Mackenzie cannot look people in the eye. He hates crowds. He does not understand humor, sarcasm or subtly and needs direct instruction. He does not know why people clap at the end of plays, but he does it because he has been told he must. He can learn a foreign language in a few days and is a mathematical genius. He is obsessed with bowls from the Ming dynasty and is prone to bouts of rage.

Today, Ian Mackenzie would be diagnosed as having Asperger syndrome – a form of high-functioning autism. But in 1881 Ian was subjected to electro-shock therapy and strapped to his bed at night.

Ashley doesn’t shy away from Ian’s syndrome, or ‘madness’. It is present in every scene, every one of his actions and is always lurking just below the surface. It’s really quite clever, how Ashley works his symptoms into his narrative and the story – during points of climax, for example, when other characters are discussing recent events, Ian is preoccupied with the smell of Beth’s hair.

His syndrome makes for a thoroughly fascinating and intense character. It makes him into a very sweet romantic lead – he is convinced that he cannot love Beth, because he is not ‘built that way’, but readers (and Beth) begin to observe the way his neurosis focuses on her.

His symptoms also make for some very funny and surprisingly erotic scenes. Ian must speak bluntly and honestly, as he does not understand social nuances and subterfuge – which leads to a few scenes like this one;

Beth warmed. “My lord, I do believe you are the most flattering man of my acquaintance.”
Ian paused, his expression unreadable. “I state truths. You are perfect as you are. I want to see you bare, and I wish to kiss your cunny.”
The heat there flared. “And as always, I don’t know whether to run away from you or stay and bask in you attention.”
“I know how to answer that.” He snaked his strong fingers around her wrist. “Stay.” His hand was heavy and warm, and he traced a circle on the inside of her arm.

Beth is a perfectly complimentary leading lady for Ian. She grew up in the slums, became a companion to a wealthy woman who left her a fortune and married a vicar who she loved dearly, but who died within a year of their marriage. Beth is not a blushing virgin, but a widower who is aware of the pleasures of the flesh and misses intimacy with a man. And in Ian she is reminded of those pleasures (after nine years of going without) and she finds him irresistible when he makes his amorous intentions known.

Beth is patient, caring and understanding of Ian’s ‘madness’ – and she does not see his neuroses as being negative in any way. She is utterly charmed by him, and sees his brilliance beneath the madness.

‘The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie’ is also a murder-mystery. A bow-street runner by the name of Fellows is convinced that Ian is responsible for the murder of two ‘game girls’. Detective Fellows sets out to prove Ian’s guilt, while Beth is determined to prove his innocence.

The murder subplot is wonderfully robust and intriguing. It creates great narrative tension and adds new layers to Ian’s madness. It’s a real whodunit, a page-turned till the end.

‘The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie’ is the first book in Ashley’s ‘Mackenzie’s’ series. She beautifully sets up characters for future books, which will have Ian’s brothers in the main role. Each brother has a secret which will make for compelling reading. I cannot wait for the other books in the series, the next of which is ‘Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage’ released July 6th this year.

It was Ms. Smexy who first recommended this book, and I cannot thank her enough. It took me long enough to pull it from my TBR pile, but I’m sure glad I did!

5/5

Book Two coming 6 July 2010

Book 1: The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Ian) May 2009

Book 2: Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage (Mac) July 2010

Book 3: The Many Sins of Lord Cameron (Cam) August 2011

Book 4: The Duke Takes a Wife (Hart) May 2012