The Many Sins of Lord Cameron by Jennifer Ashley (Highland Pleasures #3)
Historical Romance
August 2, 2011
Paperback
Berkley

Reviewed by Mandi

Six years ago, Lord Cameron Mackenzie found Ainsley Douglas rooting around his bedroom. Before she left, she was seduced and had secretly taken a necklace which she thought belonged to another woman. Later, Cameron was angry she took the necklace, but more angry that she stopped the seduction. Feeling she would betray her elderly husband, she wouldn’t let Cameron have his wicked way with her. For these past six years, Cameron has burned for her. Bitter and angry over his wife’s scandalous death many, many years ago, Cameron has had the pleasures of many ladies in his bed. Well known for training race horses, some say he likes them better than he likes women.

In present day, Ainsley’s husband has died, and not leaving her much money, she takes a position to be an aide to the Queen. The Queen wrote some letters to an admirer that could get her into much scandal if they become public – and someone has those letters and is blackmailing the Queen. It is Ainsley’s job to find the letters, and return them. She just so happens to see a woman put a letter into Lord Cameron’s pocket – and that is how Ainsley finds herself rooting around Lord Cameron’s bedroom again. And gets caught again.

This time Cameron is not going to let her escape. Not used to women telling him no, he likes the chase that Ainsley provides. He also becomes aware of the blackmail scheme and is determined to help Ainsley whether she wants his help or not.

I adore this series about the four Mackenzie brothers that Jennifer Ashley writes. The Many Sins of Lord Cameron is the third book, and can be read as a stand alone, although you are missing out if you haven’t read the first two. The Mackenzie brothers are all wealthy, powerful, MEN. I use caps because they act so male. Always getting what they want, always leaving women drooling in their wake (well, maybe not Ian, but you have to read his book to understand him). Cam is the “dangerous” brother. Having a wife who slashed her own throat when their son was only 6 months old (he is about 18 now), many still accuse Cam of murdering her. But this also makes him very attractive to those women who seek a thrill in bed. Cam is pretty much set upon never marrying again – until he can’t keep his mind off of Ainsley. He wants her. And the cute thing is, she wants him just as bad. But she tries her best to be a lady. As Cameron points out:

“You pick locks and sneak into my bedroom, you know the back ways through my ancestral home, you’re blatantly searching my bedchamber, and last night you wrestled with me on my bed.” He took a deliberate sip of whiskey. “I’d say that makes you not a lady.”

I really enjoyed Ainsley. She can see through Cameron’s bitter layers, to the hurt way down deep. Plus she is so attracted to his body – hello, he wears a kilt, and we learn, nothing under it. Jennifer Ashley writes very sensual, sexy books and Cameron is definitely a very wicked Mackenzie brother. They play this game where Cameron dares her to unbutton a certain number of buttons from the front of her dress. It becomes quite a naughty game – and it continues throughout the book. And then they are in a dark opera box, and she asks him, how many buttons (referring to his pants) he will undo. Oh so sexy.

On the surface Cameron is your typical broody, alpha male. But, as you read he really has a unique, and devastating past. He was abused by his wife. Horribly, physically abused. This big hulk of a man, desperate to protect his infant son, let horrible things happen to him. And this still affects how he trusts females in present day.

The conflict with the blackmail and the Queen is not my favorite here. I’m not sure why – maybe because Cameron is so powerful, the blackmailer really was no match for him. And Ainsley, after a brief hesitation to accept his help, realizes she needs him to complete this nonsense. I enjoyed Cameron and Ainsley working together to solve this blackmail problem though.

Otherwise, this book is very enjoyable. We see some nice scenes from Lord Ian (still my favorite Mackenzie brother). And Hart is set up for his book next – which I am dying for.

If you love the first two books in this series, you will enjoy this one as well. If you haven’t tried these, I definitely recommend.

Rating: B

Quick Note: I noticed on Goodreads, after Hart’s book, we get two more in this series! The Seduction of Elliott McBride (Ainsley’s Brother) and The Life and Love of Daniel Mackenzie (Cam’s son). Both expected 2013.

Recent Reviews:
Dear Author – B
Demon Lovers Books and More – 5/5
The Book Reading Gals – A
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