A Mackenzie Clan Gathering

Highland Pleasures Series #7.5

By: Jennifer Ashley

Narrated by: Angela Dawe

Ian Mackenzie is awakened at Kilmorgan Castle one night to find robbers stealing the priceless art collection of his oldest brother, Hart. Since Ian and Beth are the only ones in residence at Kilmorgan at the moment, Ian decides that he must find the art and the culprits before the family shows up for Hart's birthday gathering. With Inspector Fellows and Beth, he investigates, though Ian is somewhat worried by Beth's late husband's brother, a retired missionary, who decides to visit. Does John Ackerley hold the "cure" to Ian's madness? And can Ian discover what has happened to Hart's treasures and who is targeting the Mackenzies before the enemy strikes again?

©2015 Jennifer Ashley (P)2015 Tantor

Love Ian and Beth

What made the experience of listening to A Mackenzie Clan Gathering the most enjoyable?

Geting to hear more about my favorite charaters Ian and Beth

Have you listened to any of Angela Dawe’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to the quite a few of the other Highland Pleasures books and enjoyed them all. She does an amazing job with all the accents and keeping them so I can tell the characters apart

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Love at it's best

Any additional comments?

I'm so glad I found this series as I fell in love with it from the first listen. I did actually find this series through an audio book I won
Would recommond this for sure but I would tell you to go back and read/listen to Beth and Ian's first book

Events that highlight the effects of revenge

Stolen art, sabotaged whiskey barrels, kidnapped heirs, there is indeed mischief afoot.
This episode concentrates on not a relationship between a man and woman, but on a series of events that occur and unless you are slightly mad, you may not have been able to figure out exactly who was behind it all, and why.
An engaging and intriguing story, which I, personally found entertaining.

I’m obsessed with Ian!

I needed this book. I’ve been wanting another Ian story since the first book in the series. Ian can’t lie, he’s highly intelligent, a wonderful father and sexy as hell. Not only that, but he clings to his love for Beth. Honestly, Ian is the perfect man. This book is a much desired breath of fresh Ian!

Love it, but should have a different title.

I loved this book especially since it had mainly Ian and Beth (two of my favourite characters). It was a fun and exciting story with some twists.

Disappointment but I love the characters

I rated this 4 stars overall because it's Ian and Beth!!! I'm not a fan of novellas but I love this family and, of course, I'll read every book about them.

However, this story just seemed off. I'm not sure what it was exactly but it didn't grab me like previous books have. It probably should be a 3-star book if not for the characters. I was a bit disappointed.

Intriguing Mystery and Lusty Romance!

II love the way Jennifer Ashley intertwines a solid mystery and passionate romance into plush settings. The MacKenzie men are bold, lusty, eccentric, and devoted to their family. (Did I mention lusty?) This story continues the saga of Lord Ian, the youngest brother who suffered greatly as a child at the hands of a cruel father. His inappropriate behavior in social settings would probably be diagnosed as autism today, but in 19th century Europe was viewed as "crazy". I love how his older brothers cared for and protected him, eventually saving his life as a lad. In "A MacKenzie Family Gathering", we get to know more about the evolution of the reclusive Ian, his devoted wife, Beth, and their three "wee ones". Most importantly, we watch Ian discover that his quirky and awkward behavior is nothing about which to be ashamed. In the final analysis, his brilliant oddities and fearless bravery unravel a lethal mystery and save the life of someone very dear.

Angela Dawe is an amazing narrator. She manages to distinguish each voice of the men, women, and children in this growing clan in a way that you know exactly who is speaking and what they are feeling.

Ian

Love the way Ian’s autism is worked into the story. Ms. Ashley captures the difficulties an autistic persons family encounters along with the confusion and exceptionalities of this disability. Ian is my favorite character.

omg

FINAL DECISION: A welcome update on the MacKenzie family for fans of the series, this novella features Ian as an investigator -- a role he always fulfilled in the family. I loved that the story focused on the relationship between Ian and Beth and their children.

THE STORY: Ian and Beth MacKenzie have been married for 10 years. Their visit to Kilmorgan Castle for his oldest brother Hart's birthday is interrupted by a burglary that Ian interrupts but not before a great portion of Hart's art collection is stolen. Ian is determined to discover who has invaded the family home. Ian is also struggling with the appearance of Beth's first husband's brother who comes to visit. Appearances by most of the family and the mystery of the art theft along with Ian's worry about his own limitations are the focus of this novella.

OPINION: Great for fans of the series, this novella gives updates about the MacKenzie family but focuses on the relationship between Ian and Beth and their children. I especially loved that the story shows Ian's pride in his children and how wonderful his relationship with his own children is.

The plot involves the theft of Hart's art collection and Ian's determination to track down the criminals involved. There is more to this story than a simple theft and the solution and journey to discover the criminal will be best appreciated by readers who have read the other books in the series.

The story also focuses on Ian's continuous dealing with his own "madness" and his wish to be normal. I loved how this storyline developed and I think this is what moves the story into great territory. Readers of the series will know that Ian is considered "mad" (he falls somewhere on the asperger/autism scale although because the story is historical it is not explicitly diagnosed). His madness is something that he has learned to deal with and even overcome for the sake of his wife and children, but the chance to be normal tempts him.

I think this story will be most satisfying for those who have already fallen in love with the MacKenzies. My only complaint is that I wish there had been a chance to see more of the others in the family -- or maybe we need an update novella for each couple!

WORTH MENTIONING: I know that Ian and Beth are many people's favorite characters in this series, but I prefer Hart and Eleanor and I was glad that they had appearances here -- though I wished to see more of them.

CONNECTED BOOKS: A MACKENZIE CLAN GATHERING is book 8.5 in the MacKenzie Family series. It should be read after at least THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE. It is really an update on the family (with a mystery that provides the plot) so it is better if the reader is familiar with the family.

Another delightful Mackenzie clan story

I fell in love with Ian and Beth’s story in the first book of this series. I was delighted to spend time with them again.

Generations of Revenge

Audible Escapse
Clever way author has of linking or pre selling future books. EG The Stolen Mackenzie Bride, a top fave of this series. Do not miss it. No this book does not have the humor of others in the series as this focuses on Ian Mackenzie a top fave of this series. This tale gives a lot of back story for the Mackenzie youths and how they dealt with their father the awful Duke. Author has a soft spot for our Ian, and continues to make any story with him as the focus, very adventurous and mysterious. Even though this is a short story, great writers are challenged to write even better as they say heaps with fewer words. I am going back to re listen to the first 4 books about the brothers. Do not miss Elliot McBrides story as it is heartbreaking well told.
Again, as a fan of Ms Dawe, over 100 of her reads in my Library, she is excellent with her interpretation of this author’s work. This book is very entertaining. I do use 1.25 x speed, give it a try.
Were my comments of help?