Friday, April 27, 2012

The Duke's Perfect Wife by Jennifer Ashley















Hart Mackenzie and Lady Eleanor Ramsey's book 






The Duke's Perfect Wife (book 4 Highland Pleasures) 


By Jennifer Ashley


Book Blurb:
Lady Eleanor Ramsay is the only one who knows the truth about Hart Mackenzie. Once his fiancee, she is the sole woman to whom he could ever pour out his heart. 

Hart has it all--a dukedom, wealth, power, influence, whatever he desires. Every woman wants him--his seductive skills are legendary. But Hart has sacrificed much to keep his brothers safe, first from their brutal father, and then from the world. He's also suffered loss--his wife, his infant son, and the woman he loved with all his heart though he realized it too late. 

Now, Eleanor has reappeared on Hart's doorstep, with scandalous nude photographs of Hart taken long ago. Intrigued by the challenge in her blue eyes--and aroused by her charming, no-nonsense determination--Hart wonders if his young love has come to ruin him . . . or save him. 





**Come back for a chance to win The Duke's Perfect Wife on Monday April 30th***


Oh Hart you have my heart. 


I just loved The Duke's Perfect Wife. This Highland Pleasures series is really fabulous. You must start with The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie though. I would not recommend reading these books out of order. You won't really understand Hart's youngest brother, Ian unless you start at the beginning. Plus I think Ian's book is the most beloved out of the four published so far. So really, you are in for a treat to meet these Mackenzie men. 


One of the biggest draws for me regarding The Duke's Perfect Wife is that the protagonists, Hart and Eleanor are a mature couple. Not senior citizens by no means. They handle situations with definite experience as oppose to a young Highland stud or a flighty lass would. I wish that there were more books like this out there! That does lead me to the one small complaint about The Duke's Perfect Wife though. As drool worthy as that beautiful cover is, I wish they had  a different cover model for Hart. I know that this compliant has zero reflection on the author but I wish the art department made Hart a bit more, well mature. I do like the cover models to match the characters inside the story. Eleanor's portrayal on the cover is very beautiful. 


Another winning formula for The Duke's Perfect Wife is that Hart and Eleanor have a history that dates back to their early young adult lives. I love a book where the characters have a history. You can really see the change in Hart and Eleanor over the years. The couple were betrothed years previously and that engagement was broken. Both of them suffered from that loss. I have to admit I wasn't so agreeable with why that engagement was dissolved but again I think the maturity may have played a part in that. 


I adored the scandalous photography plot that the author, Jennifer Ashley created. I imagine quite a bit of research had to go into investigating photography and the equipment that was required for that time period. It was a fresh new angle and I really had no idea about who the mystery person was that was sending out the nude photographs of Hart. 


Hart is written so that he is a hard, stern and powerful Duke to the public but when he is alone with Eleanor he becomes almost fragile. Only Eleanor can bring out this side of Hart. To see the night and day difference with Hart was so heartwarmly sweet. I love a hero that has such a vulnerable side. Don't get me wrong, Hart is alpha through and through. 


Youngest brother, Ian is thankfully in The Duke's Perfect Wife a lot. I adore Ian and I am always pleased to read an update about him and his wife Beth. 


Teasers: awesome descriptions of a nude Hart in the photos, wedding day blowout, unbreakable brotherly love, secret flower messages



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