The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie – Jennifer Ashley
“You could always marry me,” Lord Ian said abruptly.Beth blinked. “I beg your pardon?”“I said, you could marry me. I don’t give a damn about your fortune.”“My lord, why on earth should you ask me to marry you?”“Because you have beautiful eyes.”“How do you know? You’ve not once looked at them.”“I know.”
Although Ian has issues, Beth does not believe he is capable of murder. Ian becomes worrisome that Beth, getting too involved in the past murder cases, will be the next target. He is fiercely protective of her and oh so naughty in his advances. This romance is HOT. Lord Ian may not always get what is going on around him, but he knows his way with a woman. Beth is no innocent virgin either. There is a scene in the carriage when Beth decides to take the upper hand in the intamacy….whew!
Beth never defines Ian with his disability. Even though he doesn’t always understand jokes, she continues to do it. She speaks to him as she would any other. She trusts him from the very beginning and never doubts his mind. She writes in her journal:
“I do not think of him as Lord Ian Mackenzie, aristocratic brother of a duke and well beyond my reach; not as the Mad Mackenzie, an eccentric people stare at and whisper about.To me, he is simply Ian.”
This book also features Ian’s three brothers – Hart, the Duke of Kilmorgan and head of the family. His frail wife died in childbirth and has some unique interests with his mistress. Cameron had a wife that went insane and tried to kill him and their son before turning the knife on herself, or at least that is the story. Some believe Cam may have been the killer. And Mac, who is married to Isabella, although they have been estranged for years. Beth befriends Isabella in this book, and the hurt and pain Isabella and Mac are going through, alone, makes me very eager for their book – luckily it is next!
Glad you enjoyed the book! I'm looking forward to the rest of the series but Jennifer Ashley has set the bar so very high with Lord Ian. I hope the others can compare.
Sarah – I agree..this one was so good I hope the others don't disappoint. She set up the other brothers so well though…can't wait to get their books.
Dang, do we really have to wait until mid 2010 for the next book? Shall we send a case of red bull to Jennifer Ashley? Perhaps that might speed things up LOL
I agree Mandi, loved Lord Ian, his complete character had me from the first page and your review brings it all back why. The first quote at the theatre…now some historicals have some hot and heavy scenes in theatres but this one struck home with me, and your right Mandi, with other heroes it might not have worked but is somehow did for Lord Ian!
Enjoyed your review!
PS:my word verification is solly…is it drunk or what? Did happy hour start this early? LOL
I loved this book,something just that bit different. Really looking forward to the brothers' stories too. Great review Mandi :-)
Great Review Mandy!
I've read many a great thing about this book. I'm not too sure that it is my sort of read but am keeping it in mind for future consideration.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
L
Leontine – I know..2010 seems too far away.
ps – it is always happy hour here at Smexy ;)
Teddyree – I agree..had a bit of a different feel. It was a nice change.
Lea – Thanks:)
Everyone do seem to enjoy it, and that looks promising for me :)
I have sure never read anything like it
I loved this book!
That passage with the wedding proposal at the beginning of the book was so good and just made you smile at Ian.
I have not read a Historical Romance in a long time but every now again I do pick one up. I may have to add this one to my summer reading, thanks for the review. Is there another book by her I should also check out?
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Hi Mandi,
That was an awesome review!! I am going to read this as soon as I finish To Taste Temptation by Elizabeth Hoyt.
I have an award waiting for you… http://randiromancereader.blogspot.com/2009/06/heartfelt-award.html
Hey, great review! Good point that she never lets his disability define him in her mind. And totally true – that marriage proposal wouldn't have worked for any other hero. I really loved that part of it though, how special their world is, in a way/
Blodeuedd – It is a great historical romance to try!
Amy – so many good passages in this book. It got lots of smiles from me.
Ann Marie – The only other book I have read of hers is Mortal Temptations written under Allyson James. I didn't really enjoy that book..very much on the erotic side. I am not familiar with her other work. I think I read on her site she is going to start a paranormal series..that will be interesting!
Randi – I just ordered To Taste Temptation!! I've never read Elizabeth Hoyt. Award? Cool!!
CJ – Yes..it is a good world they live it:)
Fantastic Review Mandi!
I have this one waiting in my TBR pile. Lord Ian is sounding mighty interesting. I love a man who is direct.
;) VFG
Such an incredible, sexy and romantic book. This is Jennifer's masterpiece. The way she wrote Ian was so well done.
VFG – can't wait to hear your thoughts!
KB – That is perfect description..just romantic and sexy.
Such a wonderful book. I just loved Beth and Ian together. Actually I love Ian, period. lol I can't wait for the next book in this series.
btw – I left you an award on my blog. :)
Tracy – I loved Ian too!! Might have to add him to my list of boyfriends..lol.
Cool an award! Thanks!
U and me have a very similar liking to men. I loove JM, Bones *faints*… and Eric!
And this was a very good review! You actually got me interested in this book, and I do not read that many romance novels.
http://www.bloodybookaholic.blogspot.com ^^
Taschima – Thanks! Bones – I can not wait for his book next month!!! Glad to see you are a JM fan too ;)
I wasn't to sure about this one but your review has convinced me to give it try. Great Review.
Good review! Glad that you enjoy the book, it was a good one indeed :D
Like you, I hope the other ones hold up to this one… Have you ever read her paranormal books?
Hi Mandi!
You make this book sound so good! I can't wait to try it! LOL! I agree that the proposal was smilerific! Also lovin' all the intrigue and angst!
Dottie :)
I love, love, love this book. It was one of those books I just couldn't let go of and read three times before I could really move on to read another book.
Thank for the review, Mandi! Can't wait to read this one. Sounds like a great start to a new series!
Tricia – thanks! Let me know what you think about it!
Nath – The only other book I have read from her is Mortal Temptation written under Allyson James. I was not impressed by it.
Dottie – So many moments that make you smile in this book
Kristie – I agree! As soon as I was done, I wanted to start over again at the beginning. This will definitely be one of those that gets reread all the time.
Renee – I wish it was May 2010 already ;)
I have to say this was a big change of pace for me. Am used to reading paranormal books not historical romance. I loved the book! Thanks Mandi for the suggestion. I so love Ian!!
Bridget – I am so glad I gave you a historical to read and you liked it! *giggles* Have you started the other gazillion books I pushed on you? :) I still haven't started Karen Chance yet..bad smexy.