Customer Reviews

Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage (Berkley Sensation)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Lord Mac Mackenzie is a legend as a respected painter compared to the likes of Monet. Mac lives and breaths for his art, but his muse is missing. The reason is because his wife, who he loves dearly, left him three years ago after being fed up with his disappearing for weeks on end and drinking himself into a stupor. The moment his Isabella separated from him, Mac turned over a new leaf and would do whatever he could to make her come back. But it hasn't worked. Only recently have they started talking again after Mac's brother, Ian married. But she still keeps him at arm's length and it's killing him having her so close and not being able to enjoy those marital relations they both couldn't get enough of.

Mac is in for a great surprise when Isabella comes to see him at his home. She has found out that another man is impersonating him and selling his paintings signed with Mac's signature, trademark style, brushwork and use of colors. Mac shrugs it off because he paints for the love of it, not for the reputation or the coin it brings him. But since Isabella is upset about it, he will investigate the matter. This is also his way of keeping Isabella close and courting her again so they can go back to being husband and wife.

Isabella longs for Mac desperately and gave up so much for him the moment they met and kissed at a ball when she was eighteen. That very same night they ran off and eloped. Isabella was disowned by her father and not allowed any communication with her mother or younger sister because of Mac's reputation of being a careless rogue. They shared a passion and love for one another that still burns brightly, but she can't forgive Mac for leaving her one time too many after a horrible event that occurred where she lost something very special.

Mac has much to atone for and is willing to do whatever he can to show Isabella that he is more mature, steady and the only thing he craves is a strong brew of tea, and of course her body. Isabella finally gives into temptation and welcomes those pleasures they both have denied themselves for so long. But Mac doesn't just want these intimacies Isabella is willing to offer him. He wants a true marriage. Isabella won't budge with her decision. But when Mac's copy cat grows dangerous and Isabella is targeted, Mac rises up, and with his brothers as backup, will stop this blackguard from running his happiness that is within reach.

When Jennifer Ashley released The Madness of Lord Ian, she wrote a very moving and poweful novel about a very special type of hero and his undying devotion for his lady. With Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage, Jennifer has gone back to the basics. And that is where the problem lies. Because The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie took major chances, this tale about Ian's brother Mac, and his marital woes left some things to be desired.

Jennifer can really write outstanding love scenes, and the relationship the Mackenzie brothers have with one another is wonderful. Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage comes across a bit too soap opera in its telling with too many issues occurring all at once. Not only do we have the Mac and Isabella dynamic, but Mac being targeted by some deranged individual, plus too many mentions of subplots dealing with Mac's brothers that happened in Ian's book, as well as a secret plot cliché that comes out of nowhere. When I read it, I almost couldn't stop from rolling my eyes.

I did find Mac and Isabelle to be very enjoyable characters, but Isabella comes across as a bit of a tease. She is all for keeping her separation as it stands, but has no problem in acting on some lusty love she and Mac had together when they first were married. She makes the first move in such a way where I found it all very unrealistic. If you are a woman who doesn't want to rebuild your marriage and have stated it time and again to your husband, who wants nothing more than to have a marriage in truth, then why are you having certain intimacies with him that gives him false hope? Comes across as selfish and greedy to me. Actions may speak louder than words, but the way Isabella wanted her cake, and they way she ate it, put me out of sorts. I couldn't understand her motivation even though it is explained in what I guess is a reasonable manner. But when all was said and done, it just didn't ring true to me.

The dramatic ending is another cliché that has been showing up all too often in historical romance and really could have been left out. The best sections were Mac and Isabella's interactions with Ian and Beth, who also have a few lovely surprises for the readers who can't get enough of this couple.

Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage is a simple read with a great deal of hot love play and much pushing and pulling from the two main characters whose actions may irk some readers. I was one of them. But, I do look forward to reading the next book in this series about Cameron, who is a big time rake, and his new love with a heroine, who may seem to be the complete opposite of everything he is attracted to in a woman.

Katiebabs

This was my Must Read book for the month and I'm not at all sorry I read it. I think you should read it too. I really like the world that Ashley is building with the Mackenzies and I will certainly put book 3 as my must read when it comes out, but Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage wasn't the perfect relationship for me.

First, the strong points. Isabella is a serious heroine. She's a fully realized person who acts logically for the character. There are no Big Misunderstandings or Failures To Communicate. Isabella and Mac have real problems to overcome and neither of them is fully blameless in their separation. Mac's erratic behavior drove his wife away and she used the time to reflect on what went wrong in their relationship while rebuilding her life. The emotional life of Mac and Isabella is solid and true. There is a moment in a carriage where Mac realizes there is nothing he can say to her that rings perfectly true. Isabella's issues with Mac are absolutely realistic and well explained. Her reluctance to open herself to him while unable to stay away from him are brilliantly merged with the first few sex scenes. I generally skim those and I read all of 90% of them. They were that important to the development of the characters and their relationship. For these reasons alone, Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage is well worth your time and money. Buy it.

Now, the weaker points. The initial excuse for Isabella's contacting Mac (and it is an excuse, but it's one she's unknowingly been looking for) could have been developed in a number of directions, but it feels like the author never quite fit her villain into the story. The characters that join the book because of him feel forced and unneeded, a cliche. Even though he is sympathetically portrayed and carefully considered, he feels tired, familiar and totally unwelcome. The pages containing him (or issues related to him) are a diversion from the story, not an enhancement to it. Then, the resolution of Isabella's family issues is so quickly done as to feel like a Disney tale. Actually, if Isabella's sister had been an artist, and in anger at Isabella had.... see that's what happens when there's an unsatisfying plot line in an otherwise satisfying book. Rewrites. These weak points keep the book from my best of the year list and put it in the good read category. I wanted to connect to it more than I did. The first chapter of this series 3rd book definitely has me interested, but I hope there's not a similar subplot running through it.

This is book two in the Highland Pleasures series. The first book was The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie. I recommend reading these in order, because I feel it creates a richer back story.

This book was nothing like I expected it to be. From the hints we received in Ian's book, it seemed like Isabella and Mac had much stronger feelings than I felt were portrayed here. Call me crazy, but when you're fed up enough to leave someone (even if you love them) there are strong emotions there. Even though we were told of their pain, I didn't feel it.

There were a few times that I did feel their pain. The author did a good job of involving my emotions in an event that eventually led to Isabella leaving Mac. Anytime it was brought up I felt their emotions. I wish I would have felt as in tune through the rest of the book.

I found it very unsatisfying that Isabella seemed to float through most of the book in a calm friendish manner with Mac. It just seemed so at odds with the way their relationship was portrayed in the first book. There seemed to be no passion to her feelings. I expected bitter and angry (on both sides), not indecisive and pleasant. I could understand why Mac tried to be cheerful, it's usually easier to win someone over that way.

I felt that it took too long to get to the reveal of why they separated. If I could have felt that anguish in the beginning I think I would have understood the characters better.

Truthfully, the few flashbacks we saw were the most vivid part of Mac and Isabella's relationship for me. At those moments I saw a real relationship. Even though they were on the rocks, I could feel their intensity. I think that was what was missing in the book for me, intensity.

I liked getting a glimpse of all the brothers again. Hart was in this one for only a short time, but Cameron had a bigger role. I'm interested in seeing how his story will develop.

Ian was a great character in this book. I loved him in the last book, and it hasn't faded in this one. He was such a rock for Isabella through their marriage. Getting to see him and Beth was great.

I really liked the snippets from the newspapers chronicling Isabella and Mac's marriage. It was a glimpse of the past that I appreciated.

I found the subplot involving the forger to be rather lame. It seemed like a weak excuse to throw Mac and Isabella together. I wish it had been better developed and seemed more genuine.

I read Ian's book right before I read this one so I would be fresh in their world and remember all the details. I think that this one suffered because of that. Also, because the first book was so sexy I went into this expecting more of the same. While the world saw them as scandalous, I saw their sexual relationship as tame and rather average.

My love of this series hasn't dimmed. I look forward to reading about Cameron and Hart.

This is the second book in Jennifer Ashley's `Highland Pleasures'/'Mackenzies' series about the Mackenzie brothers. The first book, `The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie' was an instant-favourite of mine, and told the story of youngest Mackenzie brother, Ian. This second book is about the second-youngest brother, Mac, and his efforts to win back his wife, Isabella, who left him three years ago.

I went into this book with no expectations, which is unusual for me. I loved `The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie' *so* much that in the back of my mind I knew Ms. Ashley couldn't possibly reach the lofty heights of that first book again, at least not in my mind. On the one hand I think I was right not to expect another book like Ian's, because I would have been disappointed... but in another way I was pleasantly surprised...

When I learnt the reason behind Isabella and Mac's separation, I initially had a moment of deflation and saying "is that all?" The reason seemed a little anti-climactic - when you think that Isabella and Mac have been estranged for 3 years you start to expect the reason will be crucial and awful - infidelity, abuse etc. The real reason is quite sad and tragic, but not on-par with what I was imagining. But thinking back on it now, I quite like the fact that there wasn't a huge precipitating event that tore Isabella and Mac apart. The reason for their separation is actually quite common, and relatable - a matter of words unspoken building up over time to fester into resentment and hostility that eventually led to Isabella slipping away.

I love the fact that Jennifer Ashley's heroes and heroines in the Mackenzie series are slightly older, and dealing with more pertinent marital and relationship issues than we're used to in historical romances. Case and point is Mac and Isabella - a separated couple who are trying to rebuild their marriage. This could have been a very hum-drum romance about regaining trust. But Ashley knows that romance doesn't stop with "I do" and a husband and wife can be just as steamy as a debutante and bachelor rake. And I thought it was ingenious of Ashley to give Mac and Isabella a past that was shrouded in romantic mystery - she was 18 when Mac swept her off her feet at her coming-out ball and they eloped the same night they met. That could have been the story - Mac abducting a virginal ton darling and marrying her, but instead the story is what happens *after* the debutante and her rake get their `happily ever after' and it doesn't all go according to plan. Wonderful!

I think Jennifer Ashley excels in writing flawed heroes. With Ian, it was the fact that he was `mad', quite literally - he was thrown into an insane asylum when he was a child. Ian's `madness' will never be cured; instead it was a matter of Beth loving him regardless of his little quirks and foibles, and even appreciating a few of them.
I wish Ashley had placed more emphasis on Mac's version of `madness' - his alcoholism. When the book begins Mac has been sober for three years, and only recounts the hellish time he had getting sober. I would have really appreciated reading his recovery - even to have some consistency in the series as an observation of these very imperfect, damaged brothers who learn to cope and accept their various short-comings, and who likewise find women to accept them too.

`The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie' also worked well because there was a murder-mystery plot running simultaneously with the romance. That secondary plot worked really well with Ian and Beth's romance, because it allowed Beth to learn about the Mackenzie brothers' shady dealings, and also forced her and Ian's romance to be sped up as dangerous matters came to a head.
There is a second storyline in `Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage' - this one concerning a doppelganger to Mac who is forging his artwork. But this `whodunnit' plot isn't particularly well developed until the latter half of the book, when that plot really starts to make sense and complement the Mac/Isabella romance.

I had a few problems with this book - mainly the lack of friction with regards to Mac's reformation and a secondary plot that was hard to get stuck into. But I loved the fact that this is a story about rebuilding a marriage - it made for a very different historical romance when virgins and rakes rule the genre, Ashley is writing about what happens *after* `happily ever after'.

I really look forward to the last two books in this series, about Cameron and Hart Mackenzie. Ashley whets reader's appetites in this book by introducing Cam's HEA, but August 2011 is a looooooong wait! Hart is my favourite Mackenzie, I think. I like a good tragic hero, and Hart seems to have been given the bulk of tragedy in the series, so that alone appeals to me. And I am very eager to see how Ashley breaks down Hart's many, many barriers and defences (and addresses his eye-brow raising sexual predilections) but his book will be a 2012 release - Ye gods! That is a LONG wait!

Lady Isabella Scranton and Lord Mac Mackenzie made every gossip paper in London when they eloped six years ago after falling in love at first sight. Although extremely wealthy, Mac who comes from a very boisterous family, is not the match Isabella's family wants for her. Disowning her, Isabella was heartbroken, but so in love with Mac they spent the next few years in wedded bliss. But slowly, Mac's drinking and leaving in the middle of the night started to wear on Isabella. He would come home from long absences and they would start a passionate affair, but would soon burn out. Finally, after three years, Isabella couldn't stand it and separated from Mac.

Now three and a half years later, Mac hasn't painted a decent portrait since Isabella left him. He has been desolate and extremely depressed over his separation. He has stopped drinking and tried to make himself a better man. When Isabella knocks on his door to warn him of someone forging his work, he decides the time is right for a proper seduction of his wife. Isabella takes a look at Mac, in nothing but his kilt, covered in paint, and can't help but feel a longing for his touch again. When Mac gets wind of someone impersonating him, and matters turn violent, he will do everything to protect Isabella.

I started Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage with trepidation. First of all this book has been greatly anticipated. The first in the series, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie is on the list of my all time favorite books. It not only introduced us to Lord Ian, but his rowdy, loving, and very mysterious brothers. I was very curious to see how Mac would stand up to Ian. But I also worried because I have read other paranormal romance and erotic books by Jennifer Ashley written under various pen names and always walked away very disappointed. It is almost like a different person writes this series. I absolutely adore her style and her characters. I still think Ian holds top spot in my heart but Mac, with his passion and charm very much endeared me to him.

What I like best about this book is that both Mac and Isabella are grieving over their ruined marriage. The first fifty pages holds such intensity, tension and heartbreak I about ripped out my hair. These are two people who truly love each other, and want another chance with each other but Isabella questions whether Mac's good graces will last. Will his sobriety stand the test of time? One of my favorite scenes from the book is right at the beginning, when due to outside circumstances Isabella is forced back into Mac's life. They both accept they love each other but there is such a far way to go.

I was afraid after the first 50-100 pages the tension and Isabella's indecisiveness would get on my nerves but that never happened. It was very clear she wanted Mac, but she needed time to see if he was going to revert back to his unruly self. She makes him court her and there is a scene where he shows up at her door (although he was staying at her house) to take her for a drive and he acts extremely proper that had me laughing out loud. Although Mac is the one that needs to redeem himself for his past actions, he is such a good hearted, warm person, you just know Isabella is not going to be able to resist.

I really think this series is a must read for all historical romance fans. Next up is The Many Sins of Lord Cameron and I can't wait!

Rating: 4.5/5

I adored the first book in ths series. It was original, fresh, and intense. I expected similar from this book having already fallen in love with the Mac and Isabella in the first book, and I got it to a point. Jenifer Ashley gave us a new look on the typical regency romance. Our characters are already in love, but are unable to maintain their intense marriage of wicked bedplay, nonstop arguing, and weeks of seperation. When Isabella leaves Mac, it shakes up Mac's world, forcing him to let her slip from him and forcing himself to change. At the opening of the novel and three years after their legal seperation, Ashley delighted me, creating a whirlwind of emotions and desires. The novel is filled with touching scenes of repemption and pain. What ruined it for me was how Mac went from openly pursuing her, building glorious tension with every move from the characters, to deciding to pursue her by simply being near her. There was no more pursuit. He stepped back to allow her to choose, resulting in a string of lacking encounters. Don't get me wrong,the scenes are still beautiful, but in comparison to the intense scenes, some just fizzle away. I got a emotional charge from this book, from the characters,and enjoyed reading it overall.

I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Having read the previous one and not liking it, I wasn't too sure about this one but wanted to give it a shot. I liked the touch of mystery that was running throughout the story, with Mac's imposter. I liked the wounded hero, Mac but I never warmed up to Isabella. She seemed a bit cold and I didn't really feel like she wanted to get back together with Mac even though she declaired her love for him.

I do look forward to the next in the series!

I agree with so many of the reviews. I loved the first book in this series and I look forward to the third book, but I just didn't care about these characters. I love Jennifer Ashley's writing, that is what keeps me coming back. The plot just didn't hold my attention. Now if the story had been about the night these two met and eloped and then went into the sufferings and tragedy that occurred and then to have them overcome those and declare their everlasting love, well that would have been more interesting to me. The parts of the story that describe the night they met were intriguing to say the least. An enjoyable read, just didn't make me want more. Now Cam's story sounds good, I just hope it has more of the angst, depth and characteristics of the first in this series.

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 seemed too desperate for the heroine. I want deperation in the end from both characters, but I would like to see how they came by that desperation. In other words, tell the story to it's conclusion first. They were already married. They were already in love with each other and the only thing that kept them apart was the heroine's reluctance, and I realized that I was only going to be led on a wild goose chase for the heroine's forgivness and I was not the least bit interested in reading about them anymore.

Just going to make this review short and sweet.. I loved it. Loved the characters, their story... Everything about it.