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Mackenzies & McBrides #9
Alec Mackenzie's Art of Seduction
Alec Mackenzie earns a living in exile as an art instructor, a cover for his search of several countries for his missing brother. Lady Celia, an Englishwoman who refuses to marry gentlemen her martinet mother chooses for her, is sent to Alec, the mysterious Scottish recluse, for drawing lessons–her family commands her to learn a skill if she’s put herself off the marriage mart. Alec decides that the courageous Celia needs to expand her talents in painting the human figure, especially that of the male...
Celia is intrigued by the man who pretends his name is Mr. Finn. He’s a Scotsman, she deduces, but he can’t be one of the Highlanders who rose against the king, else she’d be allowed nowhere near him, and he’d be under arrest or already dead.
But as Celia lets her curiosity guide her, she uncovers more about Alec, including his name, his title, and the fact that he was indeed one of the Highlanders at Culloden. She sees the loneliness in Alec, his terrible sense of loss, his tenderness toward his daughter, and realizes he’s a complex man trying to survive now that his home has been destroyed. She also wonders why he’s left the safety of France to come to England, and the learns that he believes she’s the key to finding his missing brother.
But Celia unravels too many secrets, which put not only her life and Alec’s but also her heart in grave danger.
Note: Alec Mackenzie is the brother of Malcolm from The Stolen Mackenzie Bride. He is an ancestor of the Mackenzie family whose story begins with The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie.
Celia is intrigued by the man who pretends his name is Mr. Finn. He’s a Scotsman, she deduces, but he can’t be one of the Highlanders who rose against the king, else she’d be allowed nowhere near him, and he’d be under arrest or already dead.
But as Celia lets her curiosity guide her, she uncovers more about Alec, including his name, his title, and the fact that he was indeed one of the Highlanders at Culloden. She sees the loneliness in Alec, his terrible sense of loss, his tenderness toward his daughter, and realizes he’s a complex man trying to survive now that his home has been destroyed. She also wonders why he’s left the safety of France to come to England, and the learns that he believes she’s the key to finding his missing brother.
But Celia unravels too many secrets, which put not only her life and Alec’s but also her heart in grave danger.
Note: Alec Mackenzie is the brother of Malcolm from The Stolen Mackenzie Bride. He is an ancestor of the Mackenzie family whose story begins with The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2017
336 people are currently reading
2550 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Ashley
210 books7,330 followersNY Times Bestselling author Jennifer Ashley writes historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance, historical mysteries, and urban fantasy as Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, and Ashley Gardner.
Jennifer's novels have been translated into many different languages, and earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. More about her books at http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://gardnermysteries.com.
Jennifer's novels have been translated into many different languages, and earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. More about her books at http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://gardnermysteries.com.
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November 2, 2017Alec Mackenzie is the brother of Malcolm from the Stolen Mackenzie Bride. We start with Ian Mackenzie, telling Beth tales of his family of old. This book is now available for pre-order for a pub date of November 14, 2017. Angela Dawe is narrator for the audio! The print and e-book will be available worldwide! I have posted an excerpt here:
http://www.jenniferashley.com/jennife...
http://www.jenniferashley.com/jennife...
November 12, 2019
This wasn’t one of my favourites in the series... but even though it wasn’t, I still fell in love with the main couple!!
Unfortunately, I have also have been very sick the past few days which made it challenging to keep my focus at all the time! I plan to do a proper review when I am feeling better ❤️
Unfortunately, I have also have been very sick the past few days which made it challenging to keep my focus at all the time! I plan to do a proper review when I am feeling better ❤️
April 14, 2018
4+ "Mackenzie" Stars!
I love this family. Both the men and the ladies. I've finally caught up. Now I can't wait for Will. Happy reading!
I love this family. Both the men and the ladies. I've finally caught up. Now I can't wait for Will. Happy reading!
November 9, 2021
«Ο Δάσκαλος Ζωγραφικής» πρόκειται για το 9ο βιβλίο της σειράς «Οικογένεια Μακένζι». Ωστόσο δεν είναι απαραίτητο να έχετε διαβάσει τα προηγούμενα για να πιάσετε αυτό.
Ήταν μια απίστευτα γλυκιά και ρομαντική ιστορία. Φυσικά, δεν λείπει ο Σκωτσέζικος αέρας και τα πολιτικά ζητήματα, γεγονός που έκανε την ιστορία πιο συναρπαστική και γεμάτη δράση.
Αγάπησα την γραφή και το «κόλπο» με το ημερολόγιο. Έκανε την αφήγηση πιο ζεστή, κάνοντας με να πιστεύω ότι διάβαζα ένα μυστικό ερωτικό γράμμα.
Οι πρωταγωνιστές έδεσαν τόσο όμορφα μεταξύ τους. Εξαιρετική χημεία που όσο κυλούσε η ιστορία γινόταν όλο και καλύτερη. Ο πόνος που προσπαθούσε να ξεπεράσει ο Άλεκ σε συνδυασμό με το ανήσυχο πνεύμα της Σίλια πραγματικά ήταν το κάτι άλλο.
Αν θέλετε ένα δυνατό love story και ένα βιβλίο που να διαβάζεται γρήγορα, τότε σας το προτείνω ανεπιφύλακτα!
Ευχαριστώ τις Εκδόσεις Διόπτρα για το αντίτυπο
Ήταν μια απίστευτα γλυκιά και ρομαντική ιστορία. Φυσικά, δεν λείπει ο Σκωτσέζικος αέρας και τα πολιτικά ζητήματα, γεγονός που έκανε την ιστορία πιο συναρπαστική και γεμάτη δράση.
Αγάπησα την γραφή και το «κόλπο» με το ημερολόγιο. Έκανε την αφήγηση πιο ζεστή, κάνοντας με να πιστεύω ότι διάβαζα ένα μυστικό ερωτικό γράμμα.
Οι πρωταγωνιστές έδεσαν τόσο όμορφα μεταξύ τους. Εξαιρετική χημεία που όσο κυλούσε η ιστορία γινόταν όλο και καλύτερη. Ο πόνος που προσπαθούσε να ξεπεράσει ο Άλεκ σε συνδυασμό με το ανήσυχο πνεύμα της Σίλια πραγματικά ήταν το κάτι άλλο.
Αν θέλετε ένα δυνατό love story και ένα βιβλίο που να διαβάζεται γρήγορα, τότε σας το προτείνω ανεπιφύλακτα!
Ευχαριστώ τις Εκδόσεις Διόπτρα για το αντίτυπο
November 16, 2017
This book takes us back in time, (for those of us who have been reading this series on the crazy MacKenzie family!) It's a lot less raunchy than JA's usual style but a good read nevertheless.
Here we have a sweet love story (no angst re: the relationship, which is a nice change!) with lots of colourful description of the politics and social issues pertaining to Scotland shortly after the Jacobite revolt is put down and Bonnie Prince Charlie has done a runner. And created a whole lot of shite for his poor, oppressed people. Ah, British history. What bastards they often were!
Weirdly awful mother of the heroine (these days, label her a psychotic mommy dearest) and weak-as-piss Duke father were rather extreme, but everyone was kind of larger than life, so I just rolled with it. That the father and brother would tolerate heroine's marriage to an aged, diseased rake was a bit OTT. That her mother arranged it was worse. Die, you bitch.
Anyhoo, it was a fun ride, lots of action and good background for the books in the series that are set in later times.
Here we have a sweet love story (no angst re: the relationship, which is a nice change!) with lots of colourful description of the politics and social issues pertaining to Scotland shortly after the Jacobite revolt is put down and Bonnie Prince Charlie has done a runner. And created a whole lot of shite for his poor, oppressed people. Ah, British history. What bastards they often were!
Weirdly awful mother of the heroine (these days, label her a psychotic mommy dearest) and weak-as-piss Duke father were rather extreme, but everyone was kind of larger than life, so I just rolled with it. That the father and brother would tolerate heroine's marriage to an aged, diseased rake was a bit OTT. That her mother arranged it was worse. Die, you bitch.
Anyhoo, it was a fun ride, lots of action and good background for the books in the series that are set in later times.
October 24, 2018
Love the Mackenzies in any era. Ashley does a wonderful job of giving a sense of time and place. May add more later.
November 23, 2017
Sweet love story with loving characters but sadly it wasn't steamy or angsty and I need steamy love scenes and angst when I read a historical! Other books in this series were better.
March 31, 2022
I enjoyed most of the earlier books in this series, but I'm not enjoying these books about the Mackenzie ancestors as much. This one was about Alec and Celia. Alec, the son of a Scottish Highlander duke, is in England in disguise as an Irish painting teacher. It's after Culloden, and Alec's brother Will is being held somewhere in England by a nasty Englishman. While Alec searches for clues about Will's whereabouts, he and Celia, an English duke's daughter, fall in love over their art lessons.
It was an OK read, and there were some lovely scenes. But somehow I just wasn't as invested in Alec and Celia's story as I was in some of the couples in the other books. I admit to doing some skimming in the later part of the book, not a good sign. It wasn't a bad read, just not that memorable for me.
It was an OK read, and there were some lovely scenes. But somehow I just wasn't as invested in Alec and Celia's story as I was in some of the couples in the other books. I admit to doing some skimming in the later part of the book, not a good sign. It wasn't a bad read, just not that memorable for me.
August 27, 2020
Se state seguendo la saga dei Mackenzie, non vi sarà sfuggito che a partire dall'ottavo libro la storia ha fatto un passo indietro di circa 150 anni, rievocando le vicende dei figli di Daniel, duca di Kilmorgan, al tempo della insurrezione giacobita (quando Carlo Edoardo Stuart tentò di sollevare la Scozia contro le forze di re Giorgio II) conclusasi nel sangue con la battaglia di Culloden (1746).
Dei sei figli del duca, soltanto tre sono ancora vivi e sopravvissuti alla sconfitta e alla feroce repressione inglese:
- Malcom (protagonista di UNA SPOSA PER IL LIBERTINO),
- Alec (protagonista di questo ALEC MACKENZIE'S ART OF SEDUCTION)
- e infine Will (che sarà protagonista di LE MILLE VITE DI WILL MACKENZIE).
Anche questo romanzo si apre con la rievocazione della storia da parte di Ian Mackenzie e già ho avuto un sobbalzo per la presenza sua e di Beth, sono sempre una bellissima coppia. (Se non aveste avuto modo di leggere LA PAZZIA DI IAN MACKENZIE, il libro che ha dato origine all'intera saga, consiglio di rimediare e di andarvelo a leggere perché è un romance storico imperdibile).
Alec è uno dei fratelli più "pacifici", ha vissuto male l'adesione della famiglia alla fazione scozzese e si trova costretto a tornare a Londra soltanto per salvare il fratello minore, un vero combinaguai.
Essendo un pittore con un corpo da highlander, il suo piano prevede di intrappolare la figlia di un duca, l'unico che può sapere dove sia imprigionato Will. Ma quando inizia a impartirle lezioni di disegno, scopre che Celia non è la solita gentildonna frivola, ma un'allieva di talento, una ragazza determinata a costruirsi il proprio destino e che potrebbe stargli accanto per la vita.
La Ashley è riuscita a calare bene la vicenda all'interno dell'epoca e di fatti realmente accaduti. Certo, questi seguiti sono forse un filino inferiori ai suoi primi romanzi, ma appassionano comunque, hanno bei dialoghi, belle scene d'amore (il catalogo dei baci di Alec mi è piaciuto molto) e contengono una sottotrama di azione/indagine che dona il giusto pizzico avventuroso.
4 stelline piene e alla fine, mi è venuta voglia di leggere pure la storia di Will: infatti a breve ve ne parlerò.
Dei sei figli del duca, soltanto tre sono ancora vivi e sopravvissuti alla sconfitta e alla feroce repressione inglese:
- Malcom (protagonista di UNA SPOSA PER IL LIBERTINO),
- Alec (protagonista di questo ALEC MACKENZIE'S ART OF SEDUCTION)
- e infine Will (che sarà protagonista di LE MILLE VITE DI WILL MACKENZIE).
Anche questo romanzo si apre con la rievocazione della storia da parte di Ian Mackenzie e già ho avuto un sobbalzo per la presenza sua e di Beth, sono sempre una bellissima coppia. (Se non aveste avuto modo di leggere LA PAZZIA DI IAN MACKENZIE, il libro che ha dato origine all'intera saga, consiglio di rimediare e di andarvelo a leggere perché è un romance storico imperdibile).
Alec è uno dei fratelli più "pacifici", ha vissuto male l'adesione della famiglia alla fazione scozzese e si trova costretto a tornare a Londra soltanto per salvare il fratello minore, un vero combinaguai.
Essendo un pittore con un corpo da highlander, il suo piano prevede di intrappolare la figlia di un duca, l'unico che può sapere dove sia imprigionato Will. Ma quando inizia a impartirle lezioni di disegno, scopre che Celia non è la solita gentildonna frivola, ma un'allieva di talento, una ragazza determinata a costruirsi il proprio destino e che potrebbe stargli accanto per la vita.
La Ashley è riuscita a calare bene la vicenda all'interno dell'epoca e di fatti realmente accaduti. Certo, questi seguiti sono forse un filino inferiori ai suoi primi romanzi, ma appassionano comunque, hanno bei dialoghi, belle scene d'amore (il catalogo dei baci di Alec mi è piaciuto molto) e contengono una sottotrama di azione/indagine che dona il giusto pizzico avventuroso.
4 stelline piene e alla fine, mi è venuta voglia di leggere pure la storia di Will: infatti a breve ve ne parlerò.
November 18, 2020
This book starts with Ian telling Beth about Ian's ancestors, but this story is told via diary written by Alec Mackenzie about how met his love Celia Fotheringhay while searching for his twin brother Will, who was a prisoner of war.
There is a little history here with England and Scotland, and we learn through this diary that not all the Mackenzies perished at the battle of Culloden. While two brothers will killed, We know Malcolm, Will and Alec escaped.
After the famous battle, Alec learned that his twin wasn't dead but was being held at a super secret prison. So Alec impersonated a french artist giving lessons in order to gain access to a Duke who has knowledge about said prison. The Duke's daughter Celia signs up for lessons and that is Alec's way to gain information.
Here is Alec learns to control his pain and anger while Celia comes out of herself to reach for more. Both of them have a restless spirit so they fit together. They had chemistry and the sprinkled in bits of history kept this story exciting. I enjoyed this one as much as Malcolm's story. The author has pulled off such a genius move by revisiting the Mackenzie's ancestors.
July 25, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Having a reading list that can be all over the spectrum in regards to genre, writing styles etc., sometimes you need a heroic & romantic adventure with some mystery to complete the list. Jennifer Ashley never fails to disappoint when it comes to a well-written romantic story with historical significance. Her ability to put two characters together in a believable and original narrative never misses. This entire series has been that and more.
Selecting the right narration can make or break a book no matter how well it’s written. Angela Dawe performs this story and her delivery was perfection. I look forward to to the next when it comes time for me to indulge again! Will that be soon? Most likely!!
Having a reading list that can be all over the spectrum in regards to genre, writing styles etc., sometimes you need a heroic & romantic adventure with some mystery to complete the list. Jennifer Ashley never fails to disappoint when it comes to a well-written romantic story with historical significance. Her ability to put two characters together in a believable and original narrative never misses. This entire series has been that and more.
Selecting the right narration can make or break a book no matter how well it’s written. Angela Dawe performs this story and her delivery was perfection. I look forward to to the next when it comes time for me to indulge again! Will that be soon? Most likely!!
January 11, 2022
This is the 2nd prequel/earlier generation book part of the MacKenzies & McBrides series. The hero in this book, Alec MacKenzie is the brother of Malcolm from The Stolen MacKenzie Bride (book 8 in the series). Both brothers are ancestors of the MacKenzie family whose family stories began with The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie (book 1 in the series). The previous book in this series didn’t really work for me, I felt the romance was really lacking compared to the politics and story. But this book blew me away and I loved it! Definitely one of my favs in the entire series. It had plot and suspenseful things happening, plus the swoony romance!
The book starts out with Ian & Beth MacKenzie, it’s 1892 and they spend time in the family’s castle reading about his old family history. I loved Ian telling Beth his family history and as a way to flashback into the past. The story then cuts to 1746 in England, after the Battle of Culloden Alec MacKenzie left Paris in search of his brother Will. Alex packed his things, took his 1-year-old daughter Jenny and assumed a fake name posing as a poor Irish artist struggling to make a living, all in hopes of finding his beloved brother Will. He poses as a drawing master/art instructor for Celia, the Duke of Crenshaw’s daughter. Celia sees through Alec’s lie right away and knows he’s a Highlander.
I really loved not only this romance, but the entire story. Alec’s love for his brothers and family was something that is so familiar in the MacKenzie series. Alec had suffered loss in his past (his twin brother, his daughter’s mother, 2 other brothers, etc) and he is just desperately wanting to find Will. Celia feels connected to Alec right away and they form a sort of easy friendship while he’s teaching her art. She forms a bond with his daughter Jenny, which was so sweet to see as well. Celia’s mother is the worst and because of some events, her and Alec get married quickly. This book dives into how Scotland was changing (being forced to change) following Culloden and all that it was bringing up for the MacKenzie family and fellow Scots. I just adored this glimpse back into the MacKenzie family past and cannot wait to continue on in the series, I will read about past, future, present generations of this family forever!
4.5 stars/rounded up
The book starts out with Ian & Beth MacKenzie, it’s 1892 and they spend time in the family’s castle reading about his old family history. I loved Ian telling Beth his family history and as a way to flashback into the past. The story then cuts to 1746 in England, after the Battle of Culloden Alec MacKenzie left Paris in search of his brother Will. Alex packed his things, took his 1-year-old daughter Jenny and assumed a fake name posing as a poor Irish artist struggling to make a living, all in hopes of finding his beloved brother Will. He poses as a drawing master/art instructor for Celia, the Duke of Crenshaw’s daughter. Celia sees through Alec’s lie right away and knows he’s a Highlander.
I really loved not only this romance, but the entire story. Alec’s love for his brothers and family was something that is so familiar in the MacKenzie series. Alec had suffered loss in his past (his twin brother, his daughter’s mother, 2 other brothers, etc) and he is just desperately wanting to find Will. Celia feels connected to Alec right away and they form a sort of easy friendship while he’s teaching her art. She forms a bond with his daughter Jenny, which was so sweet to see as well. Celia’s mother is the worst and because of some events, her and Alec get married quickly. This book dives into how Scotland was changing (being forced to change) following Culloden and all that it was bringing up for the MacKenzie family and fellow Scots. I just adored this glimpse back into the MacKenzie family past and cannot wait to continue on in the series, I will read about past, future, present generations of this family forever!
4.5 stars/rounded up
January 29, 2018
Good writing, very weak plots. Readable but not enjoyable.
I think Jennifer Ashley can write. Her imagery is vivid and she has a fluid style. It isn’t a chore to follow her writing. But I think we have read enough about this family. Either that or JA really isn’t very good at plotting. Alec Mackenzie, the artist in this generation, had to save his brother Will. To do so he had to gather intel from a certain duke and he had hoped to accomplish his goals by getting to know said duke’s daughter Celia. So Alec taught Celia painting, it was all good. Alec is your typical Scotsman. Celia is a level-headed girl. So they met and somehow started kissing and that was pretty much it about romance. Alec and Celia had no inherent conflicts. They were happy to be together and did so midway in the book. So that wasn’t very exciting. Then the “finding my brother” plot was just boring.
This isn’t the first time that I felt this way about JA’s books. There just isn’t enough story in this book. Their sex scenes are reduced to “they made love well into the night”. Not that I always want explicit sex scenes but either you make a run for it or you let it be. This “I will tell you what they did but I won’t” tactic.......I don’t appreciated it.
I think Jennifer Ashley can write. Her imagery is vivid and she has a fluid style. It isn’t a chore to follow her writing. But I think we have read enough about this family. Either that or JA really isn’t very good at plotting. Alec Mackenzie, the artist in this generation, had to save his brother Will. To do so he had to gather intel from a certain duke and he had hoped to accomplish his goals by getting to know said duke’s daughter Celia. So Alec taught Celia painting, it was all good. Alec is your typical Scotsman. Celia is a level-headed girl. So they met and somehow started kissing and that was pretty much it about romance. Alec and Celia had no inherent conflicts. They were happy to be together and did so midway in the book. So that wasn’t very exciting. Then the “finding my brother” plot was just boring.
This isn’t the first time that I felt this way about JA’s books. There just isn’t enough story in this book. Their sex scenes are reduced to “they made love well into the night”. Not that I always want explicit sex scenes but either you make a run for it or you let it be. This “I will tell you what they did but I won’t” tactic.......I don’t appreciated it.
February 9, 2022
Another great addition to the series! Enjoyed via audiobook and the narrator is amazing!! Enjoying learning about the previous generation of the Mackenzie family.
December 5, 2017
3.5 Stars
We are back in Medieval England and Scotland looking at the forefathers of the original Mackenzie brothers. Although everyone thinks that the Mackenzies were killed in Culloden, that’s not quite true, only two of the brothers perished. But, now Will Mackenzie is missing and Alec Mackenzie is on the hunt to find him, suspecting that the English are holding him in an secret prison. To find his brother, Alec thinks he would do whatever it takes…including manipulating and seducing an innocent young lady.
There is no doubt that Jennifer Ashley can write a fantastic historical romance and I very much enjoyed this instalment of the Mackenzie series. We get to go back even further in time and get a glimpse of a tumultuous time in British history and a peek at the Mackenzie ancestors. But, as much as I liked this book, it just doesn’t seem quite as intense as the first books with the original Mackenzie brothers…although it could be argued in a chronological sense these are the original brothers. Ian, Mac, Cameron and Hart managed to reach through the pages and get a firm grasp of my heart. However, with Alec’s book although I liked it, it isn’t a story that held the emotional grasp on me as they did.
But, the romance between Alec and Celia was good, they have immediate chemistry that only grew as the book went on. Ashley wrote to good characters who I liked immensely as I was reading, she’s particularly good ar writing intelligent heroines who you can like as much as the hero and this continued in Alec Makenzie’s Art of Seduction.
I now can’t wait to get a hold of Will’s book, he seems like a complex man with his mind always on the next intrigue. It’s sure to be a good read.
November 10, 2017
I was provided with an ARC by the author for my honest review.
Our story begins with Lord Ian Mackenzie ("The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie) in the attic at Kilgoram organizing past Mackenzies' journals, diaries, art, etc. Ian's wife, Beth, finds him and is curious about the collection. Ian and Beth settle down and Ian, in his own unique way, tells Beth the tale of Lord Alec Mackenzie (our hero), his formidable ancestor.
It is 1746, after the Battle of Culloden, in London, England where we find Lord Alec Mackenzie. Alec is residing with the notorious Lady Flora under an assumed name pretending to be famous French artist giving lessons. His mission is to locate his missing brother who left France where the family escaped to after the Battle of Culloden. Lady Flora believes their best source of information on Will's location is a powerful Duke whose daughter is in need of art lessons.
Our hero, Alec, IS a renown artist in France. Before the war, he was quite the rogue; however, war, loss of family members, the addition of a young daughter and the war itself has turned him sober and responsible. He has learned to keep his rage at all he has lost below the surface, but it still exists and is barely contained. He will do anything to locate and rescue his missing brother, Will, and is determined to save what is left of his family.
Our heroine, Lady Celia Fotheringhay, is clever, strong willed and determined. She loves her father, the Duke, but has been humiliated and manipulated by her cold, ruthless mother. Celia is also restless and longs to discover the world, but she has been confined to her home as punishment for not heeding her mother's machinations. Her little escape each day is her "art lesson" with Alec. And, so the real story begins.
I just loved Alec. He is a true Mackenzie with a presence, a wildness and an innate power that all the Mackenzie men seems to exude. The relationship he begins with Celia, who is quite overwhelmed with Alec's maleness in the beginning, is a thing of beauty to watch develop. Reading Celia's true character emerging slowly, but surely, was a joy. She starts out timid, but Alec is so wonderful with her allowing her to grow with confidence with each meeting. Through the development of her art and her relationship with Alec, she begins to blossom as a person. Celia has a wonderful way about her and her calming influence over our untamed hero is fabulous. The two characters complimented each other beautifully.
I also enjoyed the secondary characters in the book, who were fascinating in their own right.
This book is a definite page turner. I was on the edge of my seat most of the time. It is an exciting, fun read. Ms. Ashley once again brings us another memorable Mackenzie! I highly recommend this book, as well as ALL the Mackenzie books! Start with "The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie." I guarantee that you will fall madly in love with every single Mackenzie in the family!
Our story begins with Lord Ian Mackenzie ("The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie) in the attic at Kilgoram organizing past Mackenzies' journals, diaries, art, etc. Ian's wife, Beth, finds him and is curious about the collection. Ian and Beth settle down and Ian, in his own unique way, tells Beth the tale of Lord Alec Mackenzie (our hero), his formidable ancestor.
It is 1746, after the Battle of Culloden, in London, England where we find Lord Alec Mackenzie. Alec is residing with the notorious Lady Flora under an assumed name pretending to be famous French artist giving lessons. His mission is to locate his missing brother who left France where the family escaped to after the Battle of Culloden. Lady Flora believes their best source of information on Will's location is a powerful Duke whose daughter is in need of art lessons.
Our hero, Alec, IS a renown artist in France. Before the war, he was quite the rogue; however, war, loss of family members, the addition of a young daughter and the war itself has turned him sober and responsible. He has learned to keep his rage at all he has lost below the surface, but it still exists and is barely contained. He will do anything to locate and rescue his missing brother, Will, and is determined to save what is left of his family.
Our heroine, Lady Celia Fotheringhay, is clever, strong willed and determined. She loves her father, the Duke, but has been humiliated and manipulated by her cold, ruthless mother. Celia is also restless and longs to discover the world, but she has been confined to her home as punishment for not heeding her mother's machinations. Her little escape each day is her "art lesson" with Alec. And, so the real story begins.
I just loved Alec. He is a true Mackenzie with a presence, a wildness and an innate power that all the Mackenzie men seems to exude. The relationship he begins with Celia, who is quite overwhelmed with Alec's maleness in the beginning, is a thing of beauty to watch develop. Reading Celia's true character emerging slowly, but surely, was a joy. She starts out timid, but Alec is so wonderful with her allowing her to grow with confidence with each meeting. Through the development of her art and her relationship with Alec, she begins to blossom as a person. Celia has a wonderful way about her and her calming influence over our untamed hero is fabulous. The two characters complimented each other beautifully.
I also enjoyed the secondary characters in the book, who were fascinating in their own right.
This book is a definite page turner. I was on the edge of my seat most of the time. It is an exciting, fun read. Ms. Ashley once again brings us another memorable Mackenzie! I highly recommend this book, as well as ALL the Mackenzie books! Start with "The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie." I guarantee that you will fall madly in love with every single Mackenzie in the family!
September 9, 2018
Et un MacKenzie de plus un ! Alec est le grand frère de Malcom, l’ancêtre de la fratrie qui débute la série (ya une frise de la famille à la fin, mais c’est toujours difficile de s’y retrouver xD)
Alec est à Londres à la recherche de Will, un autre frère, qui a disparu et qu’il pense prisonnier et destiné à être exécuté (ça se passe peu de temps après Culloden). Pour arriver à ses fins, séduire la fille d’un duc et lui faire livrer tous les secrets de papounet semble le meilleur plan... sauf que forcément il ne va pas résister longtemps à Celia ^^
J’ai adoré que les deux craquent pour l’autre tout simplement, qu’Alec n’étant pas un espion professionnel choisisse de faire confiance à Celia en lui avouant tout très vite (pas de spoil ici) et que celle-ci ayant trouver un amour sincère avec Alec choisisse de lui faire confiance en retour et de ne pas le dénoncer. La romance est donc toute choupinette et sans chichi et quiproquo.
Le gros de l’intrigue est donc dans la recherche du frère perdu et comment le sauver, ce qui tien assez en haleine jusqu’au dénouement. Ils vont être aidés de personnages secondaires qui servent vraiment l’histoire, j’ai bien aimé lady Flora et mrs Reynolds, le papa de Celia se découvre être plus profond que le portrait qui lui ait fait au début, et Edward le frère de Celia, même si très peu présent mériterait un happy ending ^^
Evidemment le tome suivant est sur Will le frère perdu, j’ai hâte !!
Alec est à Londres à la recherche de Will, un autre frère, qui a disparu et qu’il pense prisonnier et destiné à être exécuté (ça se passe peu de temps après Culloden). Pour arriver à ses fins, séduire la fille d’un duc et lui faire livrer tous les secrets de papounet semble le meilleur plan... sauf que forcément il ne va pas résister longtemps à Celia ^^
J’ai adoré que les deux craquent pour l’autre tout simplement, qu’Alec n’étant pas un espion professionnel choisisse de faire confiance à Celia en lui avouant tout très vite (pas de spoil ici) et que celle-ci ayant trouver un amour sincère avec Alec choisisse de lui faire confiance en retour et de ne pas le dénoncer. La romance est donc toute choupinette et sans chichi et quiproquo.
Le gros de l’intrigue est donc dans la recherche du frère perdu et comment le sauver, ce qui tien assez en haleine jusqu’au dénouement. Ils vont être aidés de personnages secondaires qui servent vraiment l’histoire, j’ai bien aimé lady Flora et mrs Reynolds, le papa de Celia se découvre être plus profond que le portrait qui lui ait fait au début, et Edward le frère de Celia, même si très peu présent mériterait un happy ending ^^
Evidemment le tome suivant est sur Will le frère perdu, j’ai hâte !!
November 18, 2017
Another sparkling gem in the MacKenzie crown!
Once again the MacKenzie Clan steals into my heart. Bring those stories on! I just love them all! And yes! Ian still remains my favorite.
Ashley taking a step back into previous generations is brilliant. The story of Alec MacKenzie and Lady Celia Fotheringhay is rewarding. Celia has fire and determination and Alec, who seeks to use her, quite finds his world turned upside down. She is more than he bargained for. It's great to see where the artistic talent in the family stems from.
Alec is seeking his brother Will who vanished after Culloden. By involving Celia, the daughter of the Duke of Crenshaw, Alec hopes to discover more about Will's fate. To that end, Alec takes up the task of becoming Celia's art instructor. (I loved the camera obscura inclusions by the way!) Mind you Celia has her own troubles including a ruthless mother who is determined that her daughter will be a pawn in her pointed political machinations. Hence Celia's troubles, dubbed The Disaster.
Definitely a one sitting read! Fabulous!
Once again the MacKenzie Clan steals into my heart. Bring those stories on! I just love them all! And yes! Ian still remains my favorite.
Ashley taking a step back into previous generations is brilliant. The story of Alec MacKenzie and Lady Celia Fotheringhay is rewarding. Celia has fire and determination and Alec, who seeks to use her, quite finds his world turned upside down. She is more than he bargained for. It's great to see where the artistic talent in the family stems from.
Alec is seeking his brother Will who vanished after Culloden. By involving Celia, the daughter of the Duke of Crenshaw, Alec hopes to discover more about Will's fate. To that end, Alec takes up the task of becoming Celia's art instructor. (I loved the camera obscura inclusions by the way!) Mind you Celia has her own troubles including a ruthless mother who is determined that her daughter will be a pawn in her pointed political machinations. Hence Celia's troubles, dubbed The Disaster.
Definitely a one sitting read! Fabulous!
November 14, 2017
This is my first time reading a MacKenzies book by author Jennifer Ashley and it was a delight to read. This is book 9 in the Mackenzie’s series and this is Alec Mackenzie’s story. Alec Mackenzie knows that Lady Celia is the key to finding his missing brother. Only problem is, Alex is supposed to be dead along with his father & brothers after Culloden. So Alec does what he needs to in order to find out what he can in order to get answers/bring his brother home by pretending to be someone(s) he isn’t in order to get close to Lady Celia. Lady Celia isn’t fooled by the Scotsman who proclaims to be her art instructor when she knows he has to be a warrior or someone of that nature; she knows she shouldn’t dare let him teach her to draw things that a young lady shouldn’t know. Poor Celia has a “disaster” in her past so she eagers for attention and for love, so she lets Alec draw her in, not knowing he has ulterior motives for doing so. Alec at first thought different of Celia, then as he comes to know her realizes she is more bonny lass than he thought. Will Alec change his mind about Celia and let her in? Will Celia realize Alec is the man she is meant to be with? Will Alec find his missing family?
This was a fantastic historical romance that has a lot of action, mystery and romance. I loved the plot, how everything was woven together and even reading how future family members see previous family members view each other. Alec and Celia have this connection, this chemistry that immediately comes across. She doesn’t take any gruff from him yet he gets to see who she is and loves her for who she is. The passion and love comes across and that really captured my attention and kept me hooked on this story. I really appreciate the tact while also showing the damage and pain done at Culloden. It was expressed in such a way that it didn’t go overboard. It is great to see an author who really researches the past and writes it in such a way that makes you feel as though you are right there. I will most definitely look at purchasing past books in this series and also future books.
My Rating: 4.7 stars *****
“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."
This was a fantastic historical romance that has a lot of action, mystery and romance. I loved the plot, how everything was woven together and even reading how future family members see previous family members view each other. Alec and Celia have this connection, this chemistry that immediately comes across. She doesn’t take any gruff from him yet he gets to see who she is and loves her for who she is. The passion and love comes across and that really captured my attention and kept me hooked on this story. I really appreciate the tact while also showing the damage and pain done at Culloden. It was expressed in such a way that it didn’t go overboard. It is great to see an author who really researches the past and writes it in such a way that makes you feel as though you are right there. I will most definitely look at purchasing past books in this series and also future books.
My Rating: 4.7 stars *****
“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."
Read
December 7, 2021A DNF for me at 22%. I really wanted to love this cause I LOVE Mal’s book, and I love the idea of a highlander single daddy!! But it was just moving too slowly. Perhaps I’ll come to it later.
June 19, 2023
FINAL DECISION: This was a very enjoyable book. I loved Alec and Celia together and there is a good plot surrounding the romance. I can't wait for the next book.
THE STORY: Alec Mackenzie is dead...at least to the English who are searching for the traitors after the Scottish uprising that ended with Culloden. After his remaining family fled to France, Alec has returned to England with his young daughter in order to search for his brother Will who may have been captured by the English. Alec is masquerading as Mr. Finn, a poor Irish artist taking on students. His student is Lady Celia who is the daughter of the duke that Alec suspects is implicated in his brother's disappearance. Celia is intrigued by Mr. Finn and feels that there is much more to the man than he presents.
OPINION: I loved the interaction between Alec and Celia. That interaction is what made the book for me. Like the other Mackenzie books, this book has larger than life characters who have intense feelings for one another. The connection between these two is immediate and quite beautiful.
Alec's kindness and gentleness made me fall for him, too. He is a man who has big emotions and love. One of his best qualities is the love he has for his daughter and his family. He is adorable in that seriously manly fashion. As he meets Celia, he is pulled into caring for her as well. His support for her artistic talent and her wishes and thoughts is very attractive as well.
Celia is strong and determined even under the intense manipulation and pressure of her mother. Her willingness to do what is right for her despite the pressures of society which leaves her ruined, her complex feelings for her family members, and her insistence of being treated as a partner give Celia depth that I enjoyed as well.
The plot here works as well. Alec's search for his brother involves various schemes and plots and unwinding the villains and heroes. There is also enjoyable glimpses of the remainder of the Mackenzie family so those who have read THE UNTAMED MACKENZIE will be pleased to see what has happened with the family since the events of that book.
Ian and Beth also open and close this novel. Fans of the original books will be pleased. I'm hoping that in the next book we will get to see more of the more of the Victorian era Mackenzies.
WORTH MENTIONING: This book sets up Alec's brother Will's book. I can't wait to hear his story.
CONNECTED BOOKS: ALEC MACKENZIE'S ART OF SEDUCTION is the ninth book in the Mackenzies and McBrides series. While this book is a self-contained romance (which is a prequel to others in the series), there is an introduction from Ian Mackenzie (THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE) and I think at least that book should be read first just to put the story in context.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.
NOTE: I received an ARC from the author in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
THE STORY: Alec Mackenzie is dead...at least to the English who are searching for the traitors after the Scottish uprising that ended with Culloden. After his remaining family fled to France, Alec has returned to England with his young daughter in order to search for his brother Will who may have been captured by the English. Alec is masquerading as Mr. Finn, a poor Irish artist taking on students. His student is Lady Celia who is the daughter of the duke that Alec suspects is implicated in his brother's disappearance. Celia is intrigued by Mr. Finn and feels that there is much more to the man than he presents.
OPINION: I loved the interaction between Alec and Celia. That interaction is what made the book for me. Like the other Mackenzie books, this book has larger than life characters who have intense feelings for one another. The connection between these two is immediate and quite beautiful.
Alec's kindness and gentleness made me fall for him, too. He is a man who has big emotions and love. One of his best qualities is the love he has for his daughter and his family. He is adorable in that seriously manly fashion. As he meets Celia, he is pulled into caring for her as well. His support for her artistic talent and her wishes and thoughts is very attractive as well.
Celia is strong and determined even under the intense manipulation and pressure of her mother. Her willingness to do what is right for her despite the pressures of society which leaves her ruined, her complex feelings for her family members, and her insistence of being treated as a partner give Celia depth that I enjoyed as well.
The plot here works as well. Alec's search for his brother involves various schemes and plots and unwinding the villains and heroes. There is also enjoyable glimpses of the remainder of the Mackenzie family so those who have read THE UNTAMED MACKENZIE will be pleased to see what has happened with the family since the events of that book.
Ian and Beth also open and close this novel. Fans of the original books will be pleased. I'm hoping that in the next book we will get to see more of the more of the Victorian era Mackenzies.
WORTH MENTIONING: This book sets up Alec's brother Will's book. I can't wait to hear his story.
CONNECTED BOOKS: ALEC MACKENZIE'S ART OF SEDUCTION is the ninth book in the Mackenzies and McBrides series. While this book is a self-contained romance (which is a prequel to others in the series), there is an introduction from Ian Mackenzie (THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE) and I think at least that book should be read first just to put the story in context.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.
NOTE: I received an ARC from the author in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
November 20, 2017
Quick and easy read.
I really think Ashley dropped the ball on Celia though, half the time she only felt like the outline of a character. She ticked all the boxes of a Likable Heroine (sensible, good with children, kind, etc.) but lacked any sort of real personality. The only character with less substance was Jenny, Alec's daughter. I don't even know why the author bothered to include her (or Genevieve, her mother); Jenny was basically a prop, used to tell readers that big, tough Alec could be gentle after all (or that Likable Heroine Celia is good with children).
Overall, none of the other books in this series have lived up to Ian's, which is disappointing but not surprising.
I really think Ashley dropped the ball on Celia though, half the time she only felt like the outline of a character. She ticked all the boxes of a Likable Heroine (sensible, good with children, kind, etc.) but lacked any sort of real personality. The only character with less substance was Jenny, Alec's daughter. I don't even know why the author bothered to include her (or Genevieve, her mother); Jenny was basically a prop, used to tell readers that big, tough Alec could be gentle after all (or that Likable Heroine Celia is good with children).
Overall, none of the other books in this series have lived up to Ian's, which is disappointing but not surprising.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2022
Reread July 5, 2022
Made me just as happy this time!
June 11, 2018
*4+ Stars*
I loved this! Alec and Celia were wonderful! This story made me happy, but most of them in this series have.
I loved Angela Dawe's performance in the audiobook.
Made me just as happy this time!
June 11, 2018
*4+ Stars*
I loved this! Alec and Celia were wonderful! This story made me happy, but most of them in this series have.
I loved Angela Dawe's performance in the audiobook.
November 24, 2017
We are back in Medieval England and Scotland looking at the forefathers of the original Mackenzie brothers. Although everyone thinks that the Mackenzies were killed in Culloden, that’s not quite true, only two of the brothers perished. But, now Will Mackenzie is missing and Alec Mackenzie is on the hunt to find him, suspecting that the English are holding him in an secret prison. To find his brother, Alec thinks he would do whatever it takes…including manipulating and seducing an innocent young lady.There is no doubt that Jennifer Ashley can write a fantastic historical romance and I very much enjoyed this instalment of the Mackenzie series. We get to go back even further in time and get a glimpse of a tumultuous time in British history and a peek at the Mackenzie ancestors. But, as much as I liked this book, it just doesn’t seem quite as intense as the first books with the original Mackenzie brothers…although it could be argued in a chronological sense these are the original brothers. Ian, Mac, Cameron and Hart managed to reach through the pages and get a firm grasp of my heart. However, with Alec’s book although I liked it, it isn’t a story that held the emotional grasp on me as they did.
But, the romance between Alec and Celia was good, they have immediate chemistry that only grew as the book went on. Ashley wrote to good characters who I liked immensely as I was reading, she’s particularly good ar writing intelligent heroines who you can like as much as the hero and this continued in Alec Makenzie's Art of Seduction.
I now can’t wait to get a hold of Will’s book, he seems like a complex man with his mind always on the next intrigue. It’s sure to be a good read.
*ARC provided by author
Reviewed by Suzanne❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤
February 1, 2022
I enjoyed the story of Alec and Celia. Their story moved a little slower, but I liked the twists and turns the storyline made and it was worth it in the end! Alec is in London to find his missing brother, Will. He and Lady Flora plan to use Celia to gain information she may have learned from his father. But Celia is smart and picks apart Alec’s story all while falling in love with each other!
Read
December 13, 2018wow. mackenzies and mcbrides are amazing and I love Jennifer Ashley! the beginning and end were such great additions to this book.
Read
November 19, 2017DNF - too slow and I just couldn't get into it.
November 4, 2021
Διαβάστε το review στο site μας:
https://www.culture21century.gr/2021/...
Οι περιπέτειες της οικογένειας Μακένζι συνεχίζονται στο ένατο βιβλίο της σειράς με τίτλο "Ο δάσκαλος ζωγραφικής", με τον Ίαν να μιλάει στην Μπεθ για τους προγόνους του και πιο συγκεκριμένα για τον Άλεκ Μακένζι, που σε μια δύσκολη περίοδο για τους Σκοτσέζους, όπου έπρεπε να προστατεύσει τον εαυτό του διατηρώντας κρυφή την ταυτότητα και την καταγωγή του για να επιβιώσει, αναζητούσε τον χαμένο του αδερφό Γουίλ, ενώ παράλληλα, από εκεί που δεν το περίμενε, γνώρισε τον έρωτα της ζωής του στο πρόσωπο της λαίδης Σίλια, μιας Αγγλίδας που κόντρα στα κοινωνικά πρέπει και στην προσπάθεια της μητέρας της να της επιβληθεί, εκείνη ακολούθησε το μονοπάτι που όριζε η δικιά της καρδιά και τα δικά της θέλω.
Η αφήγηση της ιστορίας γίνεται μέσω του ημερολογίου του Άλεκ, στο οποίο ο ίδιος κατέγραψε όλα τα παραπάνω, ενώ μέσω αυτού μαθαίνουμε και περισσότερες πληροφορίες και σε ό,τι αφορά τον πόλεμο ανάμεσα στους Άγγλους και στους Σκοτσέζους, και ιδίως τη μάχη του Κάλλοντεν, όπου η οικογένεια Μακένζι αποδεκατίστηκε. Ή ίσως και όχι, αφού κάποιοι από αυτούς κατάφεραν να επιζήσουν -πράγμα που εν μέρη το γνωρίζουμε ήδη, αλλά όχι με τις λεπτομέρειες που μας δίνονται χάρη στον Άλεκ και στις καταγραφές του, που όχι μόνο μας προσφέρουν πληροφορίες που δεν κατείχαμε ως τώρα κι ενισχύουν άλλες, αλλά μας βάζουν ακόμα περισσότερο μέσα στο κλίμα της εποχής, σε κοινωνικό, πολιτικό και ανθρώπινο επίπεδο.
Αν κάτι μου αρέσει σε αυτή τη σειρά, είναι το γεγονός πως η Ashley δεν αφηγείται απλά μια σειρά από ρομαντικές ιστορίες αγάπης που έχουν να περάσουν εμπόδια και σκοπέλους μέχρι ν' αγγίξουν την απόλυτη ευτυχία, αλλά μαι σειρά από ιστορίες που έχουν τις ρίζες τους σε πραγματικά γεγονότα, δημιουργώντας ρεαλιστικές συνθήκες δημιουργίας και ανάπτυξης σχέσεων ανάμεσα σε ανθρώπους που ακόμα κι αν δεν θα έπρεπε να είναι μαζί, έχουν την αρετή και την τόλμη να πάνε κόντρα στα "πρέπει" των άλλων, ή ακόμα και της συνείδησής τους, και να παλέψουν με όλη τους τη δύναμη για τα "θέλω" τους χωρίς, ωστόσο, αυτό να τους κάνει ν' απορρίπτουν τις όποιες ηθικές ευθύνες μπορεί να έχουν απέναντι σε άλλους ανθρώπους ή στις υπόλοιπες συνθήκες και καταστάσεις που περιπλέκονται στην ιστορία αυτή.
Η Ashley έχει αποδείξει πολλάκις το πόσο πολύ αγαπάει και γοητεύεται από τα Χάιλαντς και δεν χάνει ευκαιρία να μας το δείχνει ξανά και ξανά, σε κάθε ευκαιρία που της δίνεται. Κι ακριβώς επειδή τ' αγαπάει πολύ, ο τρόπος με τον οποίο τα προσεγγίσει είναι μοναδικός, τόσο ως προς την παραστατικότητα των περιγραφών της, όσο και ως προς τη μυστηριακή δυναμική των αφηγήσεών της. Μια δυναμική που μοιράζονται και οι ήρωές της, που ό,τι κι αν συμβαίνει στη ζωή τους, κι ακόμα κι αν πέσουν κάτω, βρίσκουν τη δύναμη, το θάρρος και το κουράγιο να ξανασηκωθούν, να σταθούν στα πόδια τους και να παλέψουν με όλη τη γενναιότητα που μπορεί να χαρακτηρίζει κάποιον που έχει ψυχή βαθιά.
Και μέσα σε όλα αυτά, τις περιπέτειες, τους αγώνες, τις μάχες, τις ίντριγκες και τις προδοσίες, βρίσκει πρόσφορο έδαφος για ν' ανθίσει και ο έρωτας, με τη χημεία ανάμεσα στον Άλεκ και στη Σίλια να είναι εξαιρετική και να αναπτύσσεται όλο και περισσότερο όσο η ιστορία εξελισσόταν. Το πιο σημαντικό, όμως, είναι πως μέσα απ' την αλληλεπίδρασή τους, εξελίχθηκαν και οι δύο ως άνθρωποι, ως προσωπικότητες, βρήκαν τον εαυτό τους, συνειδητοποίησαν τα θέλω τους κι ανακάλυψαν που πραγματικά θέλουν ν' ανήκουν. Μια ιστορία γεμάτη εντάσεις, εκπλήξεις κι ανατροπές, που παρά την έμμεση αφήγησή της δεν χάνει τον ρεαλισμό και τη ζωντάνια της, με έντονη δράση και δυνατά συναισθήματα που δε γίνεται να μην σε κερδίσει από την πρώτη μέχρι και την τελευταία της σελίδα.
https://www.culture21century.gr/2021/...
Οι περιπέτειες της οικογένειας Μακένζι συνεχίζονται στο ένατο βιβλίο της σειράς με τίτλο "Ο δάσκαλος ζωγραφικής", με τον Ίαν να μιλάει στην Μπεθ για τους προγόνους του και πιο συγκεκριμένα για τον Άλεκ Μακένζι, που σε μια δύσκολη περίοδο για τους Σκοτσέζους, όπου έπρεπε να προστατεύσει τον εαυτό του διατηρώντας κρυφή την ταυτότητα και την καταγωγή του για να επιβιώσει, αναζητούσε τον χαμένο του αδερφό Γουίλ, ενώ παράλληλα, από εκεί που δεν το περίμενε, γνώρισε τον έρωτα της ζωής του στο πρόσωπο της λαίδης Σίλια, μιας Αγγλίδας που κόντρα στα κοινωνικά πρέπει και στην προσπάθεια της μητέρας της να της επιβληθεί, εκείνη ακολούθησε το μονοπάτι που όριζε η δικιά της καρδιά και τα δικά της θέλω.
Η αφήγηση της ιστορίας γίνεται μέσω του ημερολογίου του Άλεκ, στο οποίο ο ίδιος κατέγραψε όλα τα παραπάνω, ενώ μέσω αυτού μαθαίνουμε και περισσότερες πληροφορίες και σε ό,τι αφορά τον πόλεμο ανάμεσα στους Άγγλους και στους Σκοτσέζους, και ιδίως τη μάχη του Κάλλοντεν, όπου η οικογένεια Μακένζι αποδεκατίστηκε. Ή ίσως και όχι, αφού κάποιοι από αυτούς κατάφεραν να επιζήσουν -πράγμα που εν μέρη το γνωρίζουμε ήδη, αλλά όχι με τις λεπτομέρειες που μας δίνονται χάρη στον Άλεκ και στις καταγραφές του, που όχι μόνο μας προσφέρουν πληροφορίες που δεν κατείχαμε ως τώρα κι ενισχύουν άλλες, αλλά μας βάζουν ακόμα περισσότερο μέσα στο κλίμα της εποχής, σε κοινωνικό, πολιτικό και ανθρώπινο επίπεδο.
Αν κάτι μου αρέσει σε αυτή τη σειρά, είναι το γεγονός πως η Ashley δεν αφηγείται απλά μια σειρά από ρομαντικές ιστορίες αγάπης που έχουν να περάσουν εμπόδια και σκοπέλους μέχρι ν' αγγίξουν την απόλυτη ευτυχία, αλλά μαι σειρά από ιστορίες που έχουν τις ρίζες τους σε πραγματικά γεγονότα, δημιουργώντας ρεαλιστικές συνθήκες δημιουργίας και ανάπτυξης σχέσεων ανάμεσα σε ανθρώπους που ακόμα κι αν δεν θα έπρεπε να είναι μαζί, έχουν την αρετή και την τόλμη να πάνε κόντρα στα "πρέπει" των άλλων, ή ακόμα και της συνείδησής τους, και να παλέψουν με όλη τους τη δύναμη για τα "θέλω" τους χωρίς, ωστόσο, αυτό να τους κάνει ν' απορρίπτουν τις όποιες ηθικές ευθύνες μπορεί να έχουν απέναντι σε άλλους ανθρώπους ή στις υπόλοιπες συνθήκες και καταστάσεις που περιπλέκονται στην ιστορία αυτή.
Η Ashley έχει αποδείξει πολλάκις το πόσο πολύ αγαπάει και γοητεύεται από τα Χάιλαντς και δεν χάνει ευκαιρία να μας το δείχνει ξανά και ξανά, σε κάθε ευκαιρία που της δίνεται. Κι ακριβώς επειδή τ' αγαπάει πολύ, ο τρόπος με τον οποίο τα προσεγγίσει είναι μοναδικός, τόσο ως προς την παραστατικότητα των περιγραφών της, όσο και ως προς τη μυστηριακή δυναμική των αφηγήσεών της. Μια δυναμική που μοιράζονται και οι ήρωές της, που ό,τι κι αν συμβαίνει στη ζωή τους, κι ακόμα κι αν πέσουν κάτω, βρίσκουν τη δύναμη, το θάρρος και το κουράγιο να ξανασηκωθούν, να σταθούν στα πόδια τους και να παλέψουν με όλη τη γενναιότητα που μπορεί να χαρακτηρίζει κάποιον που έχει ψυχή βαθιά.
Και μέσα σε όλα αυτά, τις περιπέτειες, τους αγώνες, τις μάχες, τις ίντριγκες και τις προδοσίες, βρίσκει πρόσφορο έδαφος για ν' ανθίσει και ο έρωτας, με τη χημεία ανάμεσα στον Άλεκ και στη Σίλια να είναι εξαιρετική και να αναπτύσσεται όλο και περισσότερο όσο η ιστορία εξελισσόταν. Το πιο σημαντικό, όμως, είναι πως μέσα απ' την αλληλεπίδρασή τους, εξελίχθηκαν και οι δύο ως άνθρωποι, ως προσωπικότητες, βρήκαν τον εαυτό τους, συνειδητοποίησαν τα θέλω τους κι ανακάλυψαν που πραγματικά θέλουν ν' ανήκουν. Μια ιστορία γεμάτη εντάσεις, εκπλήξεις κι ανατροπές, που παρά την έμμεση αφήγησή της δεν χάνει τον ρεαλισμό και τη ζωντάνια της, με έντονη δράση και δυνατά συναισθήματα που δε γίνεται να μην σε κερδίσει από την πρώτη μέχρι και την τελευταία της σελίδα.
November 15, 2017
When I read a Jennifer Ashley historical I can feel the air, smell the streets and river, see the furnishings and touch the clothes. I find myself transported into the story. She knows London as well as those who live there. Awesome, just awesome.
Ian MacKenzie has been researching the family history and tells the tale of Malcolm's brother, Alec the artist, who leaves the safety of exile in Paris to locate his brother Will who has been missing far too long. You see this family was supposedly all killed in the war but William, Alec and Malcolm as well as their Dad, the 9th Scottish Duke of Kilmorgan have escaped to Paris. Will has returned to do his spy thing and is AWOL. Alec goes to London disguised as Mr. Flinn an Irish art instructor, to try to find and bring Will home. Lady Flora, the Dowager Marchioness of Ellesmere is sympathetic to the MacKenzies and has set Alec up in her London home. to teach. Enter Lady Celia, disgraced and off the marriage mart, daughter of the Duke of Crenshaw. It has been decided that Celia will take portrait lessons from Mr. Flinn so she may be useful to her father's political career since she's no longer marriageable. You see she refused to marry the man her mother chose to "compromise" her, forcing her into an advantageous marriage. Lady Flora's plan is to pump Celia for information, in any way necessary, for the location of Will. Her father, the Duke was the most likely person to know where he was being held. Ah, the best laid plans often go awry. This is the tale of how those plans derailed and Alec ended up falling madly in love with Celia and Celia becoming a partner in locating Will. Awesomely crafted tale as only Jennifer can accomplish. I was enchanted from the first paragraph.
Thank you Jennifer for granting me this free ARC for my review. Perfection as always.
Ian MacKenzie has been researching the family history and tells the tale of Malcolm's brother, Alec the artist, who leaves the safety of exile in Paris to locate his brother Will who has been missing far too long. You see this family was supposedly all killed in the war but William, Alec and Malcolm as well as their Dad, the 9th Scottish Duke of Kilmorgan have escaped to Paris. Will has returned to do his spy thing and is AWOL. Alec goes to London disguised as Mr. Flinn an Irish art instructor, to try to find and bring Will home. Lady Flora, the Dowager Marchioness of Ellesmere is sympathetic to the MacKenzies and has set Alec up in her London home. to teach. Enter Lady Celia, disgraced and off the marriage mart, daughter of the Duke of Crenshaw. It has been decided that Celia will take portrait lessons from Mr. Flinn so she may be useful to her father's political career since she's no longer marriageable. You see she refused to marry the man her mother chose to "compromise" her, forcing her into an advantageous marriage. Lady Flora's plan is to pump Celia for information, in any way necessary, for the location of Will. Her father, the Duke was the most likely person to know where he was being held. Ah, the best laid plans often go awry. This is the tale of how those plans derailed and Alec ended up falling madly in love with Celia and Celia becoming a partner in locating Will. Awesomely crafted tale as only Jennifer can accomplish. I was enchanted from the first paragraph.
Thank you Jennifer for granting me this free ARC for my review. Perfection as always.
November 19, 2017
Alec and Celia
What do you do with your life once you've been officially killed in the Battle of Culloden in 1746? The Mackenzie brothers have a lot to tell us about that apparently. This time Alec Mackenzie, the sensitive artist speaks to us. Anyone who has read THE STOLEN MACKENZIE BRIDE knows that all is not what it seems.
Having survived that deadly battle with a large contingent of the family intact and relocated to Paris, Alec returns to England to seek out their clever, but reckless, brother Will and reunite him with the rest of the family. Alec goes on this mission with his adorable, wee motherless bairn, Jenny, in tow.
Lady Celia Fotheringhay, the beleaguered daughter of a henpecked duke is sent to take art lessons from the impoverished Irishman across the square - Mr. Ansel Finn (Alec). Attraction flourishes and flairs. Soon she finds herself embroiled in intrigue of the artistic sort.
Alec is both a triumphant and tragic character. Tragic, because he has truly lost so much in his life - his home, his heritage, brothers and friends that he loved fiercely. Triumphant, because despite all of that he did not lose his ability to love and enjoy life.
Celia is a delight. She is definitely not a woman of her times. She consciously risks the ostracism of Society to stand up for herself against her mother's cruel machinations. She knows her heart and she follows it unfailingly.
I loved this story. Jennifer Ashley did not fall back on misunderstandings to drive her tale forward. Her characters were direct and did something novel. They talked to each other. How refreshing.
I enjoyed the language, history and relationships set forth in this story and I look forward to Will's story whenever she produces it. I highly recommend this book to all Mackenzie fans. It is a worthy offering!
What do you do with your life once you've been officially killed in the Battle of Culloden in 1746? The Mackenzie brothers have a lot to tell us about that apparently. This time Alec Mackenzie, the sensitive artist speaks to us. Anyone who has read THE STOLEN MACKENZIE BRIDE knows that all is not what it seems.
Having survived that deadly battle with a large contingent of the family intact and relocated to Paris, Alec returns to England to seek out their clever, but reckless, brother Will and reunite him with the rest of the family. Alec goes on this mission with his adorable, wee motherless bairn, Jenny, in tow.
Lady Celia Fotheringhay, the beleaguered daughter of a henpecked duke is sent to take art lessons from the impoverished Irishman across the square - Mr. Ansel Finn (Alec). Attraction flourishes and flairs. Soon she finds herself embroiled in intrigue of the artistic sort.
Alec is both a triumphant and tragic character. Tragic, because he has truly lost so much in his life - his home, his heritage, brothers and friends that he loved fiercely. Triumphant, because despite all of that he did not lose his ability to love and enjoy life.
Celia is a delight. She is definitely not a woman of her times. She consciously risks the ostracism of Society to stand up for herself against her mother's cruel machinations. She knows her heart and she follows it unfailingly.
I loved this story. Jennifer Ashley did not fall back on misunderstandings to drive her tale forward. Her characters were direct and did something novel. They talked to each other. How refreshing.
I enjoyed the language, history and relationships set forth in this story and I look forward to Will's story whenever she produces it. I highly recommend this book to all Mackenzie fans. It is a worthy offering!
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