Summers are always a time when I read a ton of books. I think it comes from wanting to earn prizes at the library for the summer reading club as well as finally having the time to read all of the books I had to put off in college until I was home on break. I recently discovered Jennifer Ashley thanks to Kristen of See You in a Porridge who recommended the Madness of Lord Ian in her books lately post.Jennifer writes what is known as the Mackenzie/McBride series and I have read almost all of them at this point. The first four are listed below and follow the main Mackenize brothers before we start adding in books of other relations.
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie
It was whispered all through London Society that Ian Mackenzie was
mad, that he’d spent his youth in an asylum, and was not to be
trusted-especially with a lady. Yet Beth found herself inexorably drawn
to the Scottish lord. Despite his decadence and his intimidating
intelligence, she could see that he needed help- her help.
Because suddenly the only thing that made sense to her was … the madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie.
I loved this book since it was so non-traditional for a romance novel. Ian has Asbergers Syndrome according to Jennifer Ashley's Goodreads response but of course there was not a term for that in the period of the novel. I loved the connection between Beth and Ian and learning all about the past for the Mackenzies made me want to read more.
Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage
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 explicit 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.
After meeting Isabella and Mac in Ian/Beth's story I instantly wanted to know about their relationship. Married but never together? What caused the rift? Could it be repaired? I loved the art forgery story line within the novel as I love a good mystery element and I did not predict the forger which is always refreshing since I watch way to many crime dramas.
The Many Sins of Lord Cameron
Lord Cameron Mackenzie is intrigued when he finds the pretty widow,
Ainsley Douglas, hiding in the window seat of his bedchamber. Cam
remembers Ainsley Douglas all right—six years ago, he’d caught her in
this very bedchamber, during a house party in the Mackenzies’ Scottish
manor. Enchanted by her ingenuous excuses, he decided to seduce her, but
stopped shy when she’d made a rather touching appeal about her “good
husband who didn’t deserve to be heartbroken.”
Later, Cameron learned that her visit to his bedchamber was part of
some female intrigue against him, the kind his late wife used to
practice. Ainsley protested her innocence, but Cameron’s anger made him
never want to see her again. Now she’s back, at another houseparty—and
Cameron finds the gray-eyed minx in his bedchamber, again. Her excuses
are just as ingenuous, but this time Cameron is determined to teach her a
lesson.
They have unfinished business, Cameron tells her. He asks her how
many of her many buttons she’ll let him unclasp, promising that before
the houseparty is over, she’ll be asking him to undo them all.
Ainsley’s dismay is real. She’s on a mission to prevent embarrassment
to Queen Victoria, and time is running out. Though the needs he’d
stirred long ago during her unhappy marriage rise again, she knows it
would be foolish to fall for love-them-and-leave-them Cameron Mackenzie.
But he asks her a question that challenges her beliefs about love and
happiness, and she finds herself risking all to be with the black sheep
of the Mackenzie family.
Yet again, scandal is always a part of the Mackenzie family and that is no exception in this book. Ainsley is connected with the Queen and is on a mission to protector her. Cameron has had a terrible time with women after his wife's death. Add in a son who causes lost of mischief and running a horse racing empire and you have one interesting story.
The Duke's Perfect Wife
Lady Eleanor Ramsay is the only one who knows the truth about Hart
Mackenzie. Once his fiancee, 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 Mackenzie is always the mystery in the series. I loved learning more about the boorish Duke and his history with Eleanor. Hart plays a large role in all of his brother's lives but to finally get a glimpse into his was a great way to wrap up the brothers.
What have you been reading lately?
Best,
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