Customer Reviews

Mackenzie's Mission (Sensation)

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Joe Mackenzie, son of Wolf and beloved stepson of Mary (the hero and heroine of Mackenzie's Mountain) is now a fighter pilot. His "baby" is Nightwing, an aircraft with superior capabilities, but someone is sabotaging the project, and one of the suspects is lovely Caroline, whom Joe is attracted to on sight.

Caroline represents so many surprises to Joe, who must decide whether this woman he can't get out of his system is the one betraying her country.

This is Linda Howard at her best, strong heroes and heroines, steamy love scenes, and lots of action!

I have been a fan of Linda Howard and her MacKenzie series for some years now, and was eagerly awaiting this book. I was not disappointed when the Amazon package arrived and I immediately excused myself from all evening activities (eating, sleeping, etc.) until I finished it.

This is the story of Joe MacKenzie, who was introduced to readers as the son of Wolf MacKenzie years ago (MacKenzies Mountain). While Joe was only 16 years old in his first appearance, he was a charismatic character and a book was definitely called for.

Joe is now in the airforce and has fulfilled and exceeded his original ambition to become a pilot, as he is now a test pilot and a senior officer. While he obviously remains ambitious and intensely focused on his work, he now also has the support of a full loving family (his father Wolf, step mother Mary and siblings).

Caroline, a seriously intelligent scientist, joins Joe's technical team to work on the lastest in fighter plane technology (the Nighthawk). Linda Howard has included some technical aspects in the story which were interesting and strengthened the subplot to the main relationship. A strong attraction between the two main characters is developed into an intense and sensual relationship (I told you this book was worth waiting for!). Fortunately, while the Howard male character remains very alpha, very dominant and very protective, the female lead, Caroline, is bright and opinionated enough to balance him out very nicely indeed.

While I did give this 5 stars, I admit that it is not as richly developed relationship-wise as some of her other works (Kill and Tell, Dream Man) but the responsibility of this lies more with the restrictions of a 250 page Silhouette than with any fault of Linda Howards.

Beg, borrow or buy it. You'll enjoy it.

The follow up to MacKenzie's Mountain. This is the story of Colonel Joe "Breed" MacKenzie and Caroline Evans, Physicist and computer geek. They meet while working on the Night Hawk, a top secret military air craft. He is the project manager and she is a civilian working for a private military contractor.

Their romance is combustible although they go through a rough spot of mistrust. He suspects her of sabotaging the project. It all gets cleared up in the end, however after some exciting twists and turns. Joe is a sexy dude and has the sensitivity to handle the skittish and innocent Caroline. Their romance sizzles.

I love the MacKenzie series and think that Linda Howard should keep going with this fabulous family. I am a huge LH fan. Other books in this series are: Mackenzie's Mountain, A Game of Chance, MacKenzie's Pleasure and MacKenzie's Magic.

A few years ago I found a copy of "Mackenzie's Mission" in my local library at the paperback swap. I borrowed it several times and sadly one day it was no longer there. Since then I have been trying to find my own copy. I was so happy when the book was released again. It is by far the best in the series with an intense, complex hero and a woman who is more than his match. Joe "Breed" Mackenzie is a man who makes no excuses for what he is and what he does. Caroline Evans is intelligent, true and strong. Together they make a "dream" couple. I found the storyline exciting and real. My husband is active duty Air Force and we were stationed in New Mexico with the Stealth fighter, so I can understand Joe's love for the plane. I hope that Linda writes another segment in the Mackenzie tale!

About a year ago I picked up "The Mackenizes", the 3rd & 4th book in this series of 5 books. I could not stop until I found Mackenize's Mountain and Mackenize's Mission. These books revived my love of reading. Now I read 2 or 3 books a week. This book is a well written novel about a young man with a damaged childhood who grows up to obtain his career dreams in the military. His goal never included a woman, until he meets Caroline, a woman also dedicated to her career, as a scienctist. When problems on the job occur it's refreshing to understand their loyalities to their careers first and their love second. They fight to find the truth so they may learn to trust each other. Caroline is a brainy type who has not had time for men so it's interesting how Linda Howard pulls these two people together. Both characters are strong, focused individuals. This is an excellent book. Please try to read all 5 books in this series in order. Start with "Mackenize's Mountain" then "Mackenize's Mission", they will really warm your heart. You'll be glad you did. I am a hard person to entertain when it comes to reading. My husband is a Carnegie Metal winner this year for heroism. I lead a busy, fast life and these books by Linda Howard seem to hold my attention and relax me at the same time. Thanks Linda.

This book follows the tradition of Linda Howard. I loved reading another installment of the Mackenzie family. Joe is the oldest son of Wolfe Mackenzie and is a jet fighter pilot. He meets an extremely intelligent yet naive young woman. Caroline's IQ is off the charts, but she knows next to nothing about love. She also teaches Joe about trust. It's a great book and I can hardly wait until Ms. Howard gives us the story of Joe's adopted brother, Chance.

Col. Joe Mackenzie is the head of the top secret "Night Wing" project. He is also intelligent, sexy, and a legend to his men. Caroline Evans is a brilliant woman in a mans field. She is used to putting men in their place with a cold shoulder and a sharp tongue. Needless to say, Joe takes Carolines attitude as a direct challenge, and she soon finds herself in over her head. Throw in a little government espionage, and you have one fantastic story. It's Joe and Caroline that carry the story completely though. They are magnetic and passionate. A VERY enjoyable story!

MACKENZIE'S MISSION by Linda Howard is a romantic haven boosted by tight characterization and wonderful characters. This installment remains by far my favourite - because the obstinate and fiercely passionate Joe matched by an equally powerful Caroline is one lethal combination. Their squabbles are intensely infectious, their love made even more vulnerable yet rewarding by their trust in each other and the mistakes Joe has committed.

Ms. Howard has sculpted with finesse a delicious hero in the air-force and a sabotage is the centre of the plot. Caroline is suspected and Jow wonders whether their magnetic attraction is a treacherous web of deceit... It is with such panache and fun that the two character learn to fortify their trust, to understand each other's past in order to walk the future. It is dazzling and certainly the best out of the whole series.

I wish to congratulate the incredibly talented Ms. Howard : Mission accomplished.

While certainly not on the level of "Son of the Morning" or "Heart of Fire," I found this book worth a read and quite enjoyable. For MacKenzie lovers, of course, it's a must no matter what.

The characters were interesting and held promise, but the sexual tension and romantic interaction in general seemed a little forced. That is unusual for Howard; if nothing else, she usually gets that part absolutely right.

The heroine was a computer expert working on a military plane project, so the plot was much more technical than is typical for a romance or a Howard novel. There were a lot of complicated details to get through to make the story make sense, and Howard's usually rich character/relationship development suffered.

Despite its shortcomings, this is still a very readable and entertaining book. I love computers, so I understood what she was talking about and liked the plot as much as the romance. People looking for a straight romance or a "classic" Linda Howard novel might be disappointed.

If I can give it 10 star, I will. But the highest rating is 5. In MacKenzie's Mountain, I fell in love with Wolf, Joe's father. Joe was 16 years old in that book. Joe's character was very interesting, it just grabs you and nearly stole the show. Then in MacKenzie's Mission, he was just sizzling! Caroline is a perfect match for Joe. I fell in love with Joe in this book. MacKenzie's Mountain and MacKenzie's Mission is just 2 of the most beautiful, most romantic, wonderful story of all time. I've read both MacKenzie's Pleasure and Game of Chance, it pulls all the characters together. I have yet to read Maris' story though and can't wait to do so. I only have 1 complaint though, I want more MacKenzie stories!... I hope Ms. Howard writes about Michael and Joshua as well.