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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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What Members Thought

May 08, 2010 Suzanne (Under the Covers Book blog) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: heroine-i-love, genre-historical-romance, hero-hot-male-in-my-harem, hero-mad-bad-and-dangerous-to-know, hero-i-wanna-hug, faves-kings-of-the-harem, hero-highlander-hotness, hero-tortured-angsty, hero-disability

Lord Ian Mackenzie is known as the "Mad Mackenzie" having being shut in a asylum for most of his youth and freed by his brother on his cruel fathers death. But mad or not there is something different about Ian Mackenzie, unable to relate to others and more comfortable on his own, afraid that his rages will hurt someone. But when he see's Beth, he wants her and knows he must save her from a disatrous marriage so he is able to keep her for hisself as his sancturary and also keep her away from the Lord Ian Mackenzie is known as the "Mad Mackenzie" having being shut in a asylum for most of his youth and freed by his brother on his cruel fathers death. But mad or not there is something different about Ian Mackenzie, unable to relate to others and more comfortable on his own, afraid that his rages will hurt someone. But when he see's Beth, he wants her and knows he must save her from a disatrous marriage so he is able to keep her for hisself as his sancturary and also keep her away from the sordid secrets of his and his brothers past.

This book was brilliant, I read it after seeing all the rave reviews and I was not disappointed. It held a cast of interesting and engaging secondary characters, such as the Mackenzie brothers and Isabella, which has made me eager for the next book and the others yet to come.

I also liked Beth, the heroine of the story very much, although after such a good array of strong and quirky personalities she didn't really stand out to me. But she managed to see in Ian what others did not, including his family, and I think it took a brave woman to take him on when such little was known about mental illness at the time, as ofcourse demonstrated by what poor Ian experienced in the asylum he was locked a way in for a good portion of his life.

Now to the crux of the whole book Lord Ian Mackenzie, he was very unique, an adorable and sympathetic character as you experience life through his eyes. The way he can get lost in the simple beauty of things, like a drop of ink, a beautiful Ming bowl and most romantically his Beth's eyes. However, he did have troubles aswell, unable to function well in crowds and knowing things but not understanding them e.g. music and literature, his rages and inability to connect with people. I thought it would be difficult to have a character such as this who declares himself in all seriousness incapable of feeling love to be a romantic lead, and yet he was a truly memorable one.

As you can tell I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend this to anyone who loves historical romance, and perhaps wants to read something a bit different.

August 2011 Reread

I STILL LOVE THIS BOOK! In fact I think I may like it a little more, Ian was as sexy as hell, and I liked Beth. I can't wait for Hart's book to come out!

March 2013 Reread

Has it really been this long since I last read this book? I stil love it, Ian dazzles me every time!

March 2015 Reread

Yup, still love it, Ian still manages make my heart melt and my girly parts dance with joy. I look forward to the next reread! ...more

30 likes · Like · see review

Apr 22, 2010 Melanie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: flawed-tortured-hero, hero-in-pursuit, hero-with-a-bad-reputation, romance, virgin-heroine, angsty-read, heartbreaking-heroes-or-heroines, owned, historical-romance, physically-imperfect-heroine-or-her

Amaaaazing story! Definitely in one of my top 5 books! Can't wait to read the second book! Ian is such an endearing hero, and the love scenes are surprisingly hot! ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Apr 03, 2011 Monica Maybe rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-again, favorite, kindle

I really enjoyed this book. It was intense, emotional and made me cry a few times. The way Ian is, the things he says, like "I wouldn't expect love from you. I can't love you back" is so heartbreaking. I found myself crying often. There were some things I didn't enjoy, the 'bawdy talk' was a little too bawdy for my taste in a book. It broke my heart that he couldn't look anyone in the eyes, the way he was inadvertently treated by his family, his horrible father and what he'd faced in the asylum ...more

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Aug 05, 2011 Tina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-rom, eccentric-hero

I have heard about this book FOREVER and finally was able to get my hands on it and boy the hype was so true. I loved Ian and Beth so got him and I even cried in places because of how well Ian was portrayed. The family bond between the volatile Mackenzie's was full of love even though they were each so different. Although the romance was not as spicy as I like them it was still sizzling in some spots and the tenderness of their love was very breathtaking. I am so looking forward to the rest of t ...more

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Jan 16, 2012 Wandax21 rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, hero-th-th, funny, kindle, romance-historical, hero-th-eth, insanity-madness-mental-disease, asylum, heroine-older-than-hero, heroine-witty-clever-funny

I do not know who I liked more: Beth or Ian. Beth was just so smart and funny and Ian's illness and strength were described so gently. I was totally tied up. ...more

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