Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage (Mackenzies & McBrides, #2) in Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group

Jul 08, 2010 LuvBug rated it it was ok

Shelves: zzzzzzzzzzz, kindle, dnf-returned, dnf-100-page-try

I just finished reading The Madness Of Lord Ian Mackenzie and I thought that book was okay and was looking forward to this insallment since the couple captivated me in the prior book. I'm sad to say that the hero and heroine are not as captivating in their own book. From the start, I realized that they were not as interesting as they were before. Something was missing from each of them. The heroine's personality didn't seem so unique and wild anymore, and the hero lost his sex appeal because he ...more

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Aug 18, 2011 Duchess Nicole rated it liked it

Shelves: make-me-cry, e-pcs, read-in-2013, genre-historical-romance, y-complete-series

"It is a game, my love." He held her gaze. "It is the most serious game I've ever engaged in. And I intend to win it. I will have you back, Isabella - in my life, in my house, and in my bed."

I have very mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I think the subject matter hit a little too close to home for me in a couple of ways, and this sort of spun me in to a bit of depression. On the other, either this author has had firsthand knowledge of some of the details about the book or knows someon "It is a game, my love." He held her gaze. "It is the most serious game I've ever engaged in. And I intend to win it. I will have you back, Isabella - in my life, in my house, and in my bed."

I have very mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I think the subject matter hit a little too close to home for me in a couple of ways, and this sort of spun me in to a bit of depression. On the other, either this author has had firsthand knowledge of some of the details about the book or knows someone intimately who has because she sure got it right!!

So while this is spot on reality wise, it is most definitely NOT a feel good book. If you've already read The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, then you will already be prepared for it, perhaps.

Mac and Isabella have been separated for three years. The reasons are revealed slowly, and I think that was a perfect way to do it. Unfolding their secrets truly made this a journey of understanding instead of an easy way to point the finger at the one at fault. Not to say that forgiveness came easy, but it does come.

Mac is a painter, and let me tell you...the description of this man while he's painting is so remarkably sexy...imagine a big Scottish man, wearing nothing but a kilt, his boots, and a handkerchief tied around his head...covered in paint and sweat, with an intense, passionate expression on his face while he lives and breathes his art...which is erotic art, by the way. WOW! Take my breath away!!! And he was so in love with Isabella that it almost hurt to read!!!!! This man is obsessed with his wife, consumed with missing her...

"Mac's friends had viewed his celibacy as a joke, and his brothers had thought he'd been trying to prove himself to Isabella. Proving himself had been part of it, but the truth was that Mac had not wanted another woman..."

Isabella could have turned into a bit of a dull character. I thought at times that she was such a gently, sweet, and proper lady. But she was almost too gray....the woman who eloped on the night of her coming out ball to marry a man she only just met was missing. Except for when she was with Mac. HE definitely brought out her anger, her despair, her passion.

While I enjoyed their story, I just thought it dragged on too long. I got bored somewhere in the middle, and Mac and Isabella's push and pull started to stagnate. One thing that I did love is that Ian played a big role in their story, as well as Beth...and we get to see their relationship move forward by leaps and bounds, as well as see how content Ian is...and that part was really magical.

"Mac had watched Ian, marveling at the change in him. His soul-wounded younger brother, who could withdraw into himself until no one could reach him, had been talkative - for Ian - a smile touching his mouth whenever he looked across the table at his wife..."

Overall, it was a hard book for me. A little boring at times, and at others, there was too much truth. But it's a great tale of how working through problems in a marriage is imperative. Giving up is easy. But sticking it out can be so very rewarding, and love that comes through adversity is so much stronger than love that comes easy. ...more

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Oct 24, 2010 Elizabeth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-stars, historical-romance, romance-books-i-love, 2010

A sexy painter hero, a smart, elegant heroine add up to a very satisfying romance!

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Jan 04, 2012 Pet rated it it was amazing

Shelves: dhggrc

This one was tough! I really wanted Isabella to forgive Mac, but the more we hear about her reasons, the more we realise there are worse things than infidelity. While they both stayed faithful, he really needed a reboot and then to win back her trust. I love that he realised that too and stood up for himself when he needed to. And I adore how strong, independent, and feisty she is.

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