Monday, June 28, 2010

Jennifer Ashley's Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage

Next up in my "All things Jennifer Ashley" week is my review of Book 2 in the Mackenzie series, Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage. This instant historical romance classic is all about Mac Mackenzie – the ingenious artist – and Isabella – the runaway debutante. They met on her coming out party where Mac snuck in uninvited on a bet to kiss an unknown debutante. Smitten instantly, Mac whisked Isabella away and married her in a scandalous elopement. Their relationship began a tumultuous one and sadly continued down that same rugged path.



We first meet Isabella and Mac in The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie where we learned they’d been estranged; separated when Isabella left Mac and neither one had spoken to one another in over three years. It was the near death experience Ian and Beth endured, that brought them somewhat back together. Mac, shaken by the tragedy, began to relook at his life, making a vow to get Isabella back in his life – and in his bed.


Relationships are a funny thing. Isabella, after marrying the notorious Mac Mackenzie was disowned by her family and then heavily scrutinized or slandered, rather by the ton.  But the worst part of her marriage was Mac and his alcohol induced episodes. After three years of instability, followed by another three of loneliness - as much as Mac wanted her back - Isabella wasn’t sure she could venture a second try at being married to such an incessantly maddening man.


What I loved about this book was Ashley stayed true to the characters – Mac and Isabella. This tale is not a rollercoaster of plot twists – like the previous novel. Oh, it wouldn’t be a Mackenzie story if there wasn’t some sort of an evil opportunist threatening the livelihood of Mac and his family. And so there is a no name man, trying to impersonate the great Mac Mackenzie to the point of being delusional about Mac, his career, his family and even his wife, Isabella. Oh the plot does get delicious but that’s not the crux of the book. What is then? Love.


The rollercoaster ride in this book is an emotional one; all courtesy of its main characters, Mac & Isabella. Now with a renewed commitment on Mac’s part, at what lengths will he go to mend Isabella’s broken heart?


In order to get a true appreciation for this book, you must…MUST read The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie. Only then will you truly appreciate this tale. The Mackenzie dysfunction is alive and still thriving and as a vivacious reader of this series I promise you’ll adore the glimpses of Ian and Beth as well as a few other family members.

On the Mina Burrows KilloMeter, I give Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage a 4 ½ .


Until next time…you MUST read about those kilt wearing Mackenzies!


Mina B.


Reminder:
Tune in tomorrow - June 29th - for my
Interview with Jennifer Ashley!
She'll be stopping by my mystic mind blog for an up close and personal interview.
Don't miss out on revealing insight into 
a beloved, brilliant and successful author.

PLUS -
going on now through July 1st.
Win a copy of Allyson James,
aka Jennifer Ashley's, Stormwalker.
This series is hot, hot, hot!
Don't miss out on your free copy today.
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2 comments:

Unknown said...

I have this one ordered and can't wait.

Mina Burrows said...

Thanks. I'm curious to know what you think. Drop me a comment or an email. :)