Mackenzie Family Christmas by Jennifer Ashley

The entire Mackenzie Family



Mackenzie Family Christmas (Highland Pleasures book 4.5)

By Jennifer Ashley

Book Blurb:The Mackenzies gather for a clan Christmas and New Year's in Scotland. In the chaos of preparations for the celebration--the first of Hart and Eleanor's married life--one of Ian's Ming bowls gets broken, and the family scrambles to save the day. Daniel busily runs a betting ring for everything from the time Eleanor's baby will arrive to whether Mac's former-pugilist valet can win a boxing match to who will be the first of the many guests to be caught under the mistletoe. Ian begins a new obsession, and Beth fears the loss of one of his precious bowls has made him withdraw once more into his private world. 

If you are a fan of Jennifer Ashley's Mackenzie family, then Mackenzie Family Christmas will be the best $1 you spend this holiday season. 

Seriously, I loved Mackenzie Family Christmas. I can't believe what a treat Jennifer Ashley wrote for her fans! There was so much content in this story. Each of the Mackenzie brothers had something going on here. Mackenzie Family Christmas was chalk full of updates and completely satisfied my Mackenzie craving. 

Each of the brother's and their wives had a moment in the spotlight and all of the stories interconnected with Christmas and family being the staple. I want to read it again. 

I know that Mackenzie Family Christmas is meant as a novella but it just seemed longer. I am a horrible judge of ebook sizes (325KB) but I did get the impression that it was longer than most novellas.

Teasers: Broken Ming bowl, lost baby, new baby, domino train 

The Mad, Bad Duke by Jennifer Ashley

Meagan Tavistock and The Grand Duke Alexander's book





The Mad, Bad Duke (Nvengaria book 2)

By Jennifer Ashley

Book Blurb:Meagan Tavistock can easily see how Alexander earned the nickname Mad, Bad Duke. His deep blue eyes promise sinful pleasure and his rich voice intimates that as soon as they are skin to skin, he'll fulfill desires she isn't even aware of. When a love spell misses its intended target, Meagan can no longer resist the temptation...until the magic wears off, leaving the pair in a most compromising position. Their only option is a marriage that thrusts Meagan into a new world of high danger, dark secrets, and a passion so intense she can t help wondering: Is it the lingering power of the spell or true love at last?

I got The Mad, Bad Duke in paperback as a super good deal at a giant booksale. Hey a book just has to say it's written by Jennifer Ashley and I am buying it. You can tell that The Mad, Bad Duke is an early work of Jennifer Ashley as it is not as awesome as her more recent books but it was still an enjoyable read regardless. 

It is not too often I read a historical romance with paranormal elements thrown into the mix. As I had indicated above, I just saw Jennifer Ashley's name and grabbed the book so I didn't even read what the story was about. The paranormal shape-shifters and the touch of magic took me by surprise. Not in a disappointing way rather just in an unexpected way. I can probably count on one hand how many times I've read a paranormal historical romance. 

There were a lot of the book 1 elements included in The Mad, Bad Duke. Since I didn't read book 1, Penelope & Prince Charming, I discovered that in reading book 2 there are some gaps and history missing. You could read it as a stand alone as I did but I am wondering if my rating would have been higher if I had read book 1 first. 

Meagan and Alexander fall in love right away. However the powerful lust, attraction and love they feel is due to a talisman spell. I loved that the couple were immediately drawn together and were very free voicing their feelings and showing their affection. No bent up frustration or miscommunication. No wondering on thoughts or confusion. Their attraction was not over the top and very much resembled a newly dating couple who are really in to one another. I was excited for them. 

Alexander is the Grand Duke of a country called Nvergaria. The country is so believable that I fully admit to Googling it to see where it was. *giggles* Jennifer Ashley was brilliant with her descriptions, customs and politics. Totally believable. 

I enjoyed the story; I just didn't love the story. 

Teasers: fishing in puddles, sexy sword dance, black panther, magic letter delivery service

Jennifer Ashley Giveaway!

Helping me kick off Another Look Book Reviews celebration of “Mature Romance Week” I am beyond excited to welcome Jennifer Ashley. One of my all time favourite historical romance collections is the Highland Pleasures series which is home to the beloved Mackenzie brothers.  Today Jennifer is going to take a wee bit of time from her busy schedule to answer a few questions regarding mature, sexy heroes.

Jennifer, 1000 thank yous for the Mackenzie men! Congratulations on all the success that this wonderful series, Highland Pleasures, has brought to you.

Q - The Duke’s Perfect Wife, the 4^th book in the Highland Pleasures series, features a very sexy Hart as the main character. Hart is the eldest of the Mackenzie brothers. What made you decide to write about the oldest brother, Hart, at this point in the series?

Jennifer - I’d decided early on to write the brothers youngest to oldest. Hart I think has the most baggage (though Ian had a hard life too), so it made sense to finish with him.  But mostly, I had to decide an order, Ian’s story was begging to be told first, so I said “youngest to oldest.” Easy! :-)

Q - Hart is, of course, head of the Mackenzie family as well as a Duke with wealth and power. Do you think Hart’s age and experience gives him that extra sexy edge your readers seem to love with this particular Mackenzie?

Jennifer - I do. He’s got it all—wealth, power, title, influence . . . It’s interesting to see a character like that realize he really *doesn’t* have it all. And of course, the heroine is not afraid to help him find that out.

Q - Do you think Hart’s domineering personality comes from his age or more from his background? In other words, do you think Hart would still be the same person if he and Mac (his younger brother) were switched in birth order?

Jennifer - Hart’s background definitely shaped him. He had to be the protector of the whole family, because both his father and mother were ineffectual. He had to make tough decisions and become the head of the family even before he was technically its head. So, of course that made him much harder than his brothers. Oldest siblings often feel the need to control or take care of the younger members of the family.

If he and Mac switched birth order, Hart might still have the need to protect his brothers, particularly Ian, but I think the age difference between Hart and Ian had a lot to do with Hart’s character as well.

I enjoyed portraying the dynamics between the younger two Mackenzies (Ian and Mac) against the older two (Cam and Hart).

Q – How is it different to write about a mature, desirable hero like Hart (who is well established and set in his ways) compared to a younger hero like his nephew Daniel who is still trying to establish himself in the world?

Jennifer - It’s very different. In Duke’s Perfect Wife, we do see a few flashbacks of Hart when he was younger—arrogant, demanding, sure he was right about everything (well, he still is, but even more so then—he wasn’t willing to admit his mistakes). Part of what broke up Eleanor and Hart in the first place was their youth (they were both in their early twenties). They didn’t have the maturity to work things out yet.

With age comes experience and hopefully wisdom. Because of the years between Hart’s break-up with Eleanor and “now,” Hart can look back over his mistakes and learn from them.

Daniel, on the other hand, is just starting to make his mistakes and discover who he is. Telling his story will be quite different—but he’s still a Mackenzie!

Q- There is this one scene in The Duke’s Perfect Wife early on where Hart and Eleanor were still trying to figure each other out. Eleanor has just “accidentally” managed to spill wine on Lady Murchison who was clinging to Hart like a barnacle. I LOVED that Hart and Eleanor discussed that “accident” and Eleanor boldly states, “I disliked watching her touch you.”  (I cheered at the moment) That moment just flows with maturity. No games, just facts. If Eleanor was a younger girl in her twenties, how differently would you have written that scene if different at all?

Jennifer - I enjoyed writing that scene (LOL). Lady Murchison had that wine coming! I’m not sure Eleanor would have done differently in her twenties. She might have been more arch and flirtatious with Hart (who, me? Dump wine on a lady’s gown on purpose? What *can* you mean?).

I like heroines who are straight up with the heroes. Eleanor was jealous and she admits it without stamping her feet, tossing her locks, or running away in tears (or all three).  She pretty much said what she thought and why without embarrassment.

Book Recommendation from Jennifer Ashley– Can you recommend to our readers other books that may have sexy, mature heroes (that you have written or that you have read)?

From Me - Many Sins ofLord Cameron has another mature hero (he’s about two years younger than Hart, and he has a seventeen-year-old son and a tortured past).  

My Captain Lacey mystery series (which I write as Ashley Garder , features a mature hero—Captain Gabriel Lacey, injured in the Napoleonic wars and struggling to figure himself out in Regency London. He’s about the same age as Hart, and he’s got a lot of past to get over too. A romance weaves through the story arc of that series (heroine introduced in book 2). I just love Captain Lacey!

Paranormal romance offers a good range of mature heroes (though these guys can be hundreds of years old!). The one that springs to mind is Curran from Ilona Andrews’ KateDaniels series. He’s been around a while, in charge, and has learned to survive.

Mary Jo Putney has a wonderful novel from a while ago called Shattered Rainbows. That hero (Michael Kenyon) is one of my favourites in historical romance—mature, has been through hell in the war, and is in love with a married woman. Both h/h are mature in that one. It’s just been reissued on Kindle.

Thank you so much Jennifer for taking the time to answer my questions about Hart Mackenzie, mature heroes and for kicking off my 1 year Blog Anniversary with Mature Romance Week!

Giveaway Time – I am giving away any one of the books from the Highland Pleasures series. If you haven’t started the series, it is a MUST read.

#1 The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

#2 Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage

#3 The Many Sins of Lord Cameron

#4 The Duke’s Perfect Wife

As a thank you to all my followers and and a thanks for visiting my blog, there are no hoops to jump through to win a copy of one of the Jennifer Ashley books. No need to follow my blog (but appreciated though :)

1. If you are international, please just ensure Book Depository delivers to your area. 

2. If you are US or Canada, please just mention in the comments below whether you prefer Kindle or paperback. 

3. Tell me which of the Highland Pleasure books would you like? 

4. Don't forget an email address so I can contact you if you win! Winners announced on Wednesday May 9th for all giveaways. 

Come back on Friday for a chance to enter to win $50 Gift Card for online bookstore of your choice. 

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

The Many Sins of Lord Cameron by Jennifer Ashley

Ainsley and Lord Cameron's book




The Many Sins of Lord Cameron (Highland Pleasures book 3)

By Jennifer Ashley

Book Blurb:
A renowned rake, Cameron Mackenzie doesn't care if Ainsley Douglas has a virtuous excuse for sneaking around his bedchamber. He only cares that she's at his mercy. One kiss at a time, he plans to seduce her. But what starts out as a lusty diversion may break Cam's own rules.

I do love the MacKenzie men. I really enjoyed reading about their current life updates in The Many Sins of Lord Cameron. Although I have to say, every single time an update was shared about Ian (my favourite book) it had to do with Ian bedding his wife. Surly there has to be more to Ian than the constant nookie. Lord Cameron’s book was nicely set up for The Duke’s Perfect Wife, Hart Mackenzie’s book. (not due out until April 2012)

Ainsley Douglas was an extremely likable character. She was able to pull off this prim and proper façade yet when she was alone with Cameron, she was able to open up and be herself. She was smart and witty and played the part of a respectable widow remarkably well. Ainsley was someone I would want as a friend. Loyal when the time period seem to disregard loyalty as a top value. I do believe that was one of the main characteristics that drew her to Lord Cameron.

Cameron seemed like such a tragic character. I have to admit I was very confused by him. He seemed like an alpha male yet allowed his late wife to rule him emotionally AND physically. I found many of the things that she had done to him unbelievable. I guess I should say, I believe that she may have been crazy enough to try and do them but I do not believe that Cameron would let her get away with it. I just found it difficult to swallow. I realise that 18 years had passed from time she committed suicide until the present day but I still struggled with Cameron allowing it all to occur. I think I needed more evidence that Cameron would allow such atrocities to occur other than it was 18 years ago, he was young and allowed himself to be abused to protect his baby son. 

I enjoyed reading about Lord Cameron and Ainsley coming together as a couple and I smiled at all the interruptions that kept preventing them from moving forward. I enjoyed the plot line conflicts and thought that they were creative diversions. I loved reading a bit more about Daniel and I hope that he does get his own book. He is a bit too young right now for marriage so it would make sense to age him a bit more.

I was hoping for a bit more excitement regarding Ainsley and Cam’s travels around the continent and I kept expecting something dramatic to happen. It felt like unwarranted angst built in. 

Overall I did enjoy it but it was easy to put the book down and pick it up again. Regardless, I love this Mackenzie family and I did love The Many Sins of Lord Cameron. I will most definitely continue with the series and look forward to reading about the more mature Hart MacKenzie. Speaking of more mature, as much as I LOVE the cover it seems to portray a young man. With Cameron being in his 40’s, it would have been great to have a mature cover model. I know that author has no control over that but it would have been nice.

Teasers - button games, horse drama, bitch queen, honey pot thoughts 

Teaser Tuesdays - The Many Sins of Lord Cameron

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Many Sins of Lord Cameron

by Jennifer Ashley

     The count said in careful English, "That was perhaps not, as you English say, very sporting."

     "Games are played to win," Cameron said. "And we're Scottish."

page 35

I loved that line!     

The Pirate Next Door by Jennifer Ashley

Grayson Finley, Vicount Stoke and Alexandra Alastair's book




The Pirate Next Door

By Jennifer Ashley

Book Blurb: 

What is a proper English lady to do when a pirate moves next door? Add the newly titled viscount to her list of possible suitors? Take his wildly eccentric young daughter under her wing? Let the outlandish rogue kiss her with wild abandon? As everyday etiquette offers no guidance, Alexandra Alastair simply sets aside her tea and follows her instincts -- whether that involves rescuing her new neighbor from hanging, fending off pirate hunters, plotting against aristocratic spies, or succumbing to a little passionate plundering. Forget propriety! No challenge is too great and no pleasure too wicked, for Grayson Finley promises the adventure of a lifetime.

In all the historical romances I have read, (up to this point of writing this review) I have never picked up a book about pirates. I don't really know why other than they really don't appeal to me. I picked up The Pirate Next Door simply because it was Jennifer Ashley and I adore her writing. So when I was at a used book sale and saw it for $1.50 I snatched it up.

Well I really liked it. The characters were awesome and a joy to read. The cover art is really hokey but looking past it, the book was a fun read.

Alexandra was a great character and my favorite parts of the story was when she was drugged. I loved how she talked so freely and without fear. She had me giggling.

Grayson was an extremly likeable male character. Handsome, a bit dangerous and in love with his daughter Jennifer Ashely made up the perfect combo for an alpha lead.
I liked the beginning alot. I liked that it was Alexandra that saved Grayson. I love when a woman saves the day!

I picked up another pirate book by Jennifer Ashley so I just may give it a start next.