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The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Mackenzies & McBrides, #1)

Jennifer Ashley

Start date: February 1, 2011

Finish date: February 28, 2011

Discussion: Group Reads

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last updated Dec 19, 2012 08:46AM

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last updated Jan 06, 2012 03:40PM

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What Members Thought

Oct 05, 2010 Sarah MacLean rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical, favorites, romance

Fabulous fabulous book. I can't say enough good things about the deft development of characters, the remarkable pacing and the emotional punch. I loved every word of it. It's an instant favorite, and one I will reread again and again. Brilliant. ...more

44 likes · Like · see review

Jul 07, 2010 Wendy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, 2010, 2013, 2012, first-book, books-i-own, 2025, keeper, re-read, 2011

It is extremely rare for me to read a book when I have only just purchased it (I am weird - I like to savour my books for a while), but the premise for this one was so enticing and the reviews so glowing that I just couldn't resist. And I am so glad I didn't.

This was fantastic! I would give it more than 5 stars if possible. The whole premise was not a new one but it was delivered superbly. I loved Ian - his vulnerability, his strenght, his devotion to his brothers and ultimately to Beth. It is a ...more

15 likes · Like · see review

Feb 09, 2010 Yz the Whyz rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2010-reads, jennifer-ashley, aar-s-top-100-romances-2018

Delightful. Refreshing. No wonder many of my GR friends spoke so highly of this book.

Ian Mackenzie is a unique hero. Plagued by a malady that is barely understood in his time, he was declared mad and had even spent time in an asylum, subjected to the inhuman cruelties done by doctors in the name of medical research.

Burdened by the inability to connect emotionally, blessed with uncanny abilities, Ian is an intriguing mixture of childlike innocence and bawdy talk (Boy, the man can talk that will m ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Oct 20, 2010 Jen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favs, ashley-james

I was hesitant going into this book. A hero that has Aspergers? How would that work? Well let me tell you how that worked. Ian was lovable, endearing, wonderful, awesome and I could go on. Ashley did a fabulous job of writing about Ian. I wanted to pack him up and take him home with me, forever. I was totally sucked in by Ian's brothers also. This book when straight to my favs shelf. ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Apr 21, 2009 Pamela(AllHoney) rated it really liked it

Shelves: 1st-in-series, aristocracy-royalty, redhead-hero-or-heroine, tortured-tormented, victorian-era, virgin-heroine, scots-highlanders, married-couple, mrs-robinson, across-the-tracks

The first book in the Highland Pleasures series by Jennifer Ashley. Not your typical hero. This is one of those books I wasn't sure I'd like but I did. It came close to a 5 star for me. ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Jan 11, 2010 Anne OK rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2010-reads

My first book by this author. A dark, sensual, and troubling storyline much different from anything I've read before with strong-willed, troubled and determined characters that captivated me from the beginning. It concluded with one of the best "ahhhhhhh" romance moments I've had from a book in a long time. I truly enjoyed this book.

(Note: Won AAR Romance of the Year) ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Sep 30, 2011 NatalyaVqs rated it really liked it

Shelves: nook, unputdownable

4/2016 This novel had a lot going for it, an engaging writing style, a murder mystery, refreshing characterization (H with aspergers, well portrayed in his straightforward ways, his inability to look in the eye, his uncontrollable anger flashes, also immensely smart; h an independently wealthy widow with a humble childhood which gave her an atypical woman-of-the-world experience, making her unafraid to face the harsh realities of life.) An added bonus is the intriguing cast of secondary characte 4/2016 This novel had a lot going for it, an engaging writing style, a murder mystery, refreshing characterization (H with aspergers, well portrayed in his straightforward ways, his inability to look in the eye, his uncontrollable anger flashes, also immensely smart; h an independently wealthy widow with a humble childhood which gave her an atypical woman-of-the-world experience, making her unafraid to face the harsh realities of life.) An added bonus is the intriguing cast of secondary characters such as his brothers and their various assorted past and present wives which clearly hold a treasure trove of anguish to be explored... however, this was not to be, as I abandoned at 107/268 due to getting fed up with Beth. What seems like strength in the beginning seems obtuse as things get heated up, as she blithely ignores common sense and just plows along towards carnal pleasues. It just seems implausible and out of character. Great premise though, hope the books about the brothers are better.

2/2018 Having just read The Devil Takes a Bride with an OCD hero, I decided to give this one another try. This time I was curious enough to stick all the way through. Even though there was a lull in the middle, it accelerated nicely towards the end and has a strong whodunit plot. Ian is a remarkable character in his brilliance and limitations, especially given his abusive childhood. Beth was likable for her maturity and unashamedness of her background, which seemed a source of her impressive confidence and tolerance. Where she fell short for me is in my understanding of why she fell in love with Ian. With a special hero like that, the gap to bridge towards love runs wide and deep, so simple acceptance of who he is and thinking he is a beautiful specimen of masculinity, just does not cut it. It didn't fit her character to simply be flattered by him being so single mindedly in love with her, she seems too inquisitive to be that complacent. The strength of Devil Takes a Bride was in its heroine coming to terms with her beloveds condition, having gone through stages of being scared and appalled by it. Beth could have benefited from being humanised in such a way, instead of rushing to bedroom Olympics and then plunging headfirst into clearing his name and mending his family feud. Overall a creative and well woven story, and the scene on the train at the end was especially powerful. Glad I gave it another chance, upgrading from three to four stars. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 23, 2010 Megan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-romance, e-book, obsessive-and-or-stalker, all-time-favorites, forced-or-arranged-marriage

Book 1 in the Highland Pleasure or “Mackenzie” series.

This book is so good!! I fell in love with the characters as soon as I met them! If you are looking for a different type of HR, something that’s out of the norm, then look no further. This is the book for you.

Ian is considered- well, mad. He remembers everything that is spoken, he has a violent temper, and won’t look anyone in the eye. Oh, and he doesn’t think he’s capable of loving anyone. Then enters Beth Ackerley, a rich widow about to ma ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 12, 2009 Stamatia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance-keeper

I'm so glad Julie's review persuaded me to buy this book! -Thank you JJ!
A most unusual story in that the hero and heroine are not what fairytales are made of . Espescially the hero has serious problems communicating with the rest of the world and is not "miraculously" cured of them. Ms Ashley had me "believing" her story and I think I'm going to follow this series. I like this author's way of narrating. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 27, 2010 Jenny Rebecca rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance-novels, highlander-scottish

Awwww! This book was soo sweet. I fell in love with both Ian and Beth. I can't wait to read about the other brothers. Each one has a story I really want to hear. This book also had the perfect amount of steam. Well done Jennifer Ashley! Good on ya! ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 30, 2009 Kelly rated it liked it

I really liked the MacKenzie botheres and hope that this may become a series. I want to find out if Mac and Isabelle will make it back to each other. 3.5 Romance.

1 like · Like · see review