Sandy M’s review of The Stolen Mackenzie Bride (Mackenzies, Book Eight) by Jennifer Ashley
Historical Romance published by Berkley 29 Sep 15
I had no idea where Jennifer Ashley was going to go next with her Mackenzie family. This look back at their ancestor, Malcolm Mackenzie, is the perfect place to keep the series fresh and intriguing. Though Lord Ian, Hart, the current Duke of Kilmorgan, and the rest of the Mackenzie men we’ve come to know so far are more modern men, Malcolm is the epitome of the Scottish Highland warrior romance readers love. He and his brothers, along with all of Scotland, are racing toward that terrible day at Culloden. Because we all know what happened there in 1745, you’ll find yourself holding your breath until that sad day is done, hoping against hope the Mackenzies will beat the odds.
Spying Lady Mary Lennox at a gala to honor Charles Stuart, Malcolm knows he’s just found the woman for him. He never once waivers in that belief, that’s how sure this man is of most everything in his life. He plans and he plots and then he acts, success a foregone conclusion after such attention to detail. Thus he woos Mary into believing they belong together, despite the unrest the country is going through. His family is split when it comes to the brewing war, but Malcolm wants only his lady and the freedom to continue to live life as he always has.
The one thing standing in Malcolm’s way to happiness is the fact Lady Mary is betrothed. She the usual tool parents use to strengthen their aristocratic ranks and fatten the coffers. Mary has had duty ingrained basically from the cradle, and she’s determined to see to that duty no matter what. Including the handsome and arrogant Highlander who corners her when she least expects it, but who also is charming and romantic and who makes her feel things she certainly doesn’t feel with her fiance. She is perfect for Malcolm – calm and intelligent under pressure, and more than willing to toss duty by the wayside as she succumbs to his secretive courting.
Malcolm is also the one in the family who looks after everyone else. Especially his father. The duke has become hard and distant to his sons since the death of his duchess. Duncan, the eldest, is the Jacobite in the family, and no one, not even Malcolm, can talk him out of marching against the English. Malcolm is closest to Alec, who is twin to Angus, their father’s favorite. Then there’s Will, who is an expert at garnering information to keep them all apprised of major events so they can plan ahead. The brothers do seem to go their own way, but no one can predict what is in store for them that will bring them closer to each other than ever before. I’m glad family is in the forefront of this book as it has been in all of the books in the series so far. Ms. Ashley has the touch for allowing these Mackenzie men to show their emotions when necessary. It makes them that much more real.
The Culloden scenes are heart wrenching, especially because they are shared in several points of view. Not even this family goes unscathed in this horrible massacre. But the heart and the will of these Mackenzies still prevail, showing us exactly where their descendants we’ve come to know and love got their love of family, zeal for life, and moral compass that directs them just as true as Malcolm and his brothers. I know there is a holiday novella in the series releasing next month. After that, what’s coming in the series, I don’t know. I sure hope there is more to come, though. I’m not sure I can do without these Mackenzies, no matter what era of Scotland they hail from.
Grade: A+
Summary:
Malcolm Mackenzie knows the moment he sees Lady Mary Lennox, daughter of an English earl, that she is the one for him. The trouble is, Highland clans are rising to join Charles Stuart, who has landed in Scotland and headed for Edinburgh where Mary’s family is currently residing. Not only that, Mary’s father is in thick with the English government, and certainly doesn’t want his daughter anywhere near a Highland barbarian. Plus, Lady Mary is already engaged to another.
Malcolm, who considers himself neither Jacobite nor loyalist, wants only to build up his business, avoid the uncertain tempers of his father and oldest brother, and win the hand of the beautiful and lively Mary. He makes plans to sweep her away to his castle north of Inverness, but his four interfering brothers and father, not to mention this annoying uprising, keep getting in the way.
Mary Lennox believes she’s happy. She is fine with going through with her arranged marriage to please her father, at the same time helping her sister to find romance.
That is, until she sees Malcolm Mackenzie, youngest of the Duke of Kilmorgan’s five sons, lounging like a lazy wolf in the middle of a proper English soiree. It isn’t only his kilt that makes him different from her English acquaintances in Scotland, but his predatory air, his golden eyes, and his casual arrogance.
Soon she finds herself under the scrutiny of this man, and of his entire Highland family. Her ideas of duty and happiness splinter and fall away, as Malcolm makes her face the truth about herself and her life.
The dark winds of change, however, are flowing around Malcolm and Mary. Scotland is drawn inexorably into the battle between the Jacobites and the armies sent by the English government to crush the rebellion. Scots fight Scots, loyalties shift, and Malcolm finds himself plunged into a fight he didn’t want, one that will change his life and the Highlands of Scotland forever.
Read an excerpt.
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