The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

Mackenzies Series, Book 1

By: Jennifer Ashley

Narrated by: Angela Dawe

A woman is drawn to a dangerously intriguing man in this unique historical romance from New York Times best-selling author Jennifer Ashley.

It was whispered all through London Society that Ian Mackenzie was mad, that he’d spent his youth in an asylum, and was not to be trusted - especially with a lady. For the reputation of any woman caught in his presence was instantly ruined.

Yet Beth found herself inexorably drawn to the Scottish lord, whose hint of a brogue wrapped around her like silk and whose touch could draw her into a world of ecstasy. Despite his decadence and his intimidating intelligence, she could see that he needed help. Her help. Because suddenly the only thing that made sense to her was...The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie.

©2009 Jennifer Ashley (P)2020 Jennifer Ashley

Interesting story.

Love Ian but for me Beth was just ok. She was good for Ian but I can’t explain why I didn’t love her. And in my opinion it was more of a mystery story vs a romance story. Anyway I liked it and all of the supporting characters. On to the next book.

Brilliant!!! 😍😍😍

This is one of the best romance stories EVER!!! Between the amazing author and the amazing narrator, they absolutely brought these characters to life! So much that it was almost like watching a movie! I'm half in love with Ian myself at this point!😂🥰 All the characters were great, and there was a twisted plot that I didn't even figure out "who done it" lol🥰 The FMC, Beth, had the cutest quirky, snarky sense of humor, she had me in stitches, and the fact that Ian didn't get the jokes only made it funnier😂The way the author brought you inside Ian's head was just brilliant! And the way the narrator gave everyone a different voice, even the 4 Scottish Brothers, was mind blowing! You could tell who was talking even with multiple people involved in the conversation, I am just amazed she could do all the voices so perfectly and in the flow of reading the story! And the way she did Ian's speech pattern was also brilliant! His autism causing such a difference in his thought and speech patterns, you could actually HEAR the difference the way she voices it! I don't know how to explain it, but it was like how Dustin Hoffman made you BELIVE he was autistic in Rainman, not just with the dialog, but the WAY he spoke- wow!!! And the love story between Ian and Beth was one of the top 5 sweetest ones I've EVER read, I will NEVER forget them! I read some of the reviews that said he was autistic and wondered how that was going to affect the story, but it MADE the story! He's very highly functioning and I thought it was brave and brilliant of the author to create his character this way! This book was a real treat! I can't wait to get my hands and ears on something else by her, hopefully with the same narrator! Oh, and the narrator has a lovely singing voice, too😍 Kudos to these 2 ladies for bringing this story to life, I'm soooo glad I found it!😍💜

Unexpected gem

I have to say, this is probably the most unique and enjoyable historical romance I may have ever read.

I grew up with a house full of Barbara Cartland novels and some occasional bodice rippers to pilfer and read. I burned out on historicals many years ago and since have focused more on scifi and paranormal romance. However, I found myself intrigued by this story because someone said the hero is autistic. I wasn’t sure what to expect going in.

Turned out to be a winner! The main couple was completely adorable with his straightforward honesty, awkward mannerisms, and inability to comprehend her jokes, along with her tendency to joke and make witty remarks while taking his strange behavior in stride. I think his autism was portrayed well, and I enjoyed the progress of their strange relationship.

There was also an interesting murder mystery. I am not 100 percent satisfied with how that part of the story played. I can’t decide if my problem is that I found certain events a little too unbelievable or if I just felt like she took too many unnecessary, foolish risks. Whatever the case, the end action wasn’t as satisfying as I would have liked, but the characters and their relationship was more than enough to make up for it.

Overall a charming book and worth a read or listen for anyone looking for something different.

WONDERFUL

I loved this book
it has been awhile since a story hit me hard and this one got me at once and didn't let go. the humor, the mystery, the love! I highly recommend!

Beautiful and sad and uplifting love

To understand how people were treated when they had special situations within their selves, whether it was autism or ADD or a hearing loss or a physical difficulty or just different personalities traits that society at the time did not accept.

This story reminds us how far we have come in accepting those who are unique. And yet how far we still need to go. It’s a beautiful love story

One has to truly read it. Listen to it and imagine sadly how strong someone would have to be in order to rise above how society treated them at this time. And to see the love that a woman could give a man. Acceptance, beautiful acceptance, a story worth reading.

daring to make it very real

this is one of the most beautiful and real romances I've ever read. Ian was not mad, I am sure. I'm equally as certain that without cooling out his disorder, Ashley acquainted us with an autistic individual in all of his glory. Ian possessed the passion and heart of a troubled, loving soul I think sometimes people forget that if one is extremely brilliant, extremely gifted, extremely strange and anything else that is extreme, one may also be tortured in spirit, mind, and body. I have memories of a very real loving and virile soulmate. Something about the character Ashley created in Ian made me almost fantasized about how wonderful loving him or someone like him might be. he reminded me of how very real and intense my soulmate was, often leaving me with questions about what made him into the man that he was. He never revealed his secrets to me. This is a very intriguing story that might have been simply clever had it not been for the complex, intriguing, and exciting man of Ian, coupled with his Beth who seemed to know him as well as she came to love him from the very beginning. She was not afraid of him or of exposing and offering herself to him. These MacKenzie are a collective force with which to reckon. I loved this story.

One of the best stories I’ve read

Many reviews have mentioned Lord Ian’s neurodivergent genius. Ashley handles this so deftly. And Beth neither pities nor infantilizes Ian. She loves and wants him. There’s a decent little mystery that she plunges headlong into - but it doesn’t ruin the story. Nor does Ashley bog us down with unnecessary angst. The rest of the brothers’ stories are eagerly awaited!

loved it

Kinda perfect. Only complaint I have is of the very far fetched heros showing up at the last moment in a place no one in world would ever think to look. There could have been better clues, like a witness that saw or heard or a trail of blood or Daniel following far behind....something more believable is all I'm saying. but other than that I loved it.

Love this book and the rest of the series!

At first I was a little unsure if I would like this book. It seemed interesting but did I think that it was going to be one of my favorites no not really. But boy was I wrong. Great writing and you just fall in love with the characters (for me so much so I made sure to read all books in the series) it has a mystery aspect that keeps it from just being another romance novel and the fact that Lord Ian Mackenzie and his family are not the every day make leads/characters in romance book doesn’t hurt either. Angela did a great job narrating she really helped keep you in the book. I say get the book you will love it!

Take time to enjoy and fall in love.

Sometimes the story feels like it is dragging out but the there is the reward of finding the hidden truths. So many intriguing secrets and the deep love of the main characters, making this a great story. I can not wait to start the next book in the series!