The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie (2009) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 5 stars

“THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE is one of the most heartbreaking and beautiful love stories that I ever had the honor of reading. I tore through the pages rather quickly and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it non-stop. I think we have a winner here with Ms. Jennifer Ashley's Highland Pleasures Series.

Ian was in a way a little slow and weird at times, but I loved him to death. He is part genius and part insane. I felt like he had this shyness to him a little, because there were times were he wouldn't say much. Part of this is because he was in a asylum for madman when he was younger. But you find out more and more about him in the story. He is considered a crazy, but to me he was a tortured hero waiting to be saved by our heroine. From the first moment he and Beth meet it is a match made in heaven.

“You’re wrong,” she whispered. “I love you, Ian.” He pressed his clenched fists to his breastbone. “There’s nothing in here to love. Nothing. I am insane. My father knew it. Hart knows it. You can’t nurse me back to health. I have my father’s rages, and you can never be sure what I’ll do—“ He broke off, his headache beating at him. He rubbed his temple furiously, angry at the pain."

Beth saw something is Ian that others didn't and as she got to know him better she fell in love with him, but honestly who wouldn't fall in love with him. He is so lovable. Ian finds it impossible for him to love, he doesn't know how to, or what it means. I find that sad. Ian didn't just want Beth, he needed her as much as she wanted and needed him. And like Ian said, Beth saved him.

“Why is she so stubborn? And disobedient?” Cameron barked a laugh. “Because Mackenzies always choose headstrong women. You didn’t really expect her to obey you, did you? No matter what the marriage vows say?”

Beth was a very strong heroine and I admired her a lot. She stood up to others because she believed in Ian, even more so than Ian's own brothers. I also loved that Beth was very patient with Ian and never pushed him away. I think that alone really made me respect Beth and I was glad she was able to save our very sexy and misunderstood Lord Ian Mackenzie.

“Stay with me.”
“We’re married,” she whispered. “Of course I’ll stay.”
“You could decide to leave me.”
“I won’t.” “Promise me.”
“I have promised. I do promise.”

Ian and Beth's love story was the one of the best I have ever read. I think part of it is that I just love a tortured hero who needs saving from the one that becomes his one true love. I would say that Ian was incredibly lonely being declared mad and although he has his four brothers he needed someone else to cure his heart. I thought each scene between Ian and Beth was beautifully written as well as the love scenes.

THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE was the first historical romance I have ever read and in the beginning I was a tad bit nervous because I didn't know how I would take to it. But this book left a wonderful impression on me. I liked it far more than I thought I would and I am excited to get onto more books in the Highland Pleasures Series. ”

• Rated 4 stars

“Wonderful and heart-wrenching romance.
Ian suffers from Asperger's and Ashley manages to portray the nuances of the disorder both accurately and sympathetically. Beth is an intelligent, independent, patient and sensitive heroine who is Ian's perfect match.
The other Mackenzie brothers are all compelling in their own right and if their books are anything like this one then I'm in for a treat.
The only problem with the book is that the murder mystery could have been better developed. It seems to be more of an after thought than a cohesive plot device. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“Wonderful story line awsome characters. A must read for sure. This story was just the right one to start off this series. Enjoyed all the Mackenzie men can't wait to read the next one.”

• Rated 0 stars

“nexted to read”

• Rated 5 stars

“As a psychology major I have read about autism in a theoretical manner and was able to observe kids who has them. But this give let me in on what's happening inside the mind of a person who has autism. It gives me a better view and helped me understand them better. I absolutely love it!”

• Rated 4 stars

“I took a chance on this, as it is by Jennifer Ashley, and was glad I did. The characters are real in an imperfect way and the development of their relationship was fascinating. Ian, who appears to be a high-functioning autistic man in a time when autism was not understood, is just a bit darker, a bit more isolated, a bit less approachable and hotter than hell! This is a straight historical romance, with murder intrigue thrown in, give it a try.”

• Rated 5 stars

“The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley
Historical Romance – Aug. 2nd, 2011 (Reprint)
5 stars

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie is a reprint from 2009. But I was glad to have a chance to read this wonderful and intense romance. The third book in the series, The Many Sins of Lord Cameron, (Ian’s brother) is coming out at the same time.

Ian was never completely ‘normal.’ His brain functions differently and he is awkward. When he witnesses something he shouldn't, he is sent to an asylum by his overbearing and volatile father the Duke. After years of inhumane torture to ‘cure’ him, he is finally rescued by his brother, the current Duke. But Ian has no social skills and his eccentricities have the rest of the ton whispering that he is mad. When Lord Ian learns a slimy lord is going to marry an unsuspecting and wealthy widow, he feels compelled to warn her. In doing so. he finds himself entranced by her beauty and kind disposition.

Beth's first love died but with her sudden inheritance, she realizes she can live anyway she chooses. But she also realizes how lonely she is and thinks her fiancée is the perfect gentleman. When she is warned by Lord Ian of her fiancée strange sexual practices and financial debts, she is at first shocked and unbelieving. But there is something about the intensity and his uniqueness that attracts her. He is the first man since her husband who really fires her sensuality. When she discovers that her fiancée really is nefarious, she knows she cannot marry him. But to cry off the wedding at this late date would cause a scandal and ruin her reputation. Lord Ian proposes to prevent her reputation from being tarnished but tells her he is incapable of love. Is Beth willing to take a chance on a man people call mad?

I loved Ian's intensity. He is mildly autistic and very talented. But because autism was not understood in Regency times he was abused as a child to make him 'normal'. I found it amazing that his character is able to persevere and even adapt through all his hardships. It definitely made me sympathetic and yearn for him to find someone who could accept and love him. Ian's brothers are also very interesting as the author deftly introduces them and makes you want to read each of their books. But of all the brothers, I felt Ian was the most worthy. I was so happy that he and Beth found a safe haven in each other. Beth is an unusual heroine. She is very mature and has already had a happy and healthy marriage. She is a warm and compassionate woman who sees the real Ian and comes to love him. I am so glad Ian was lucky to find a woman who could understand him and care for him. She defends him when he accepts how others treat him, even from his brothers. Earlier in the book, Ian mentions to Beth he has no friends, only his brothers. This made me very sad for him, but I felt with Beth he had finally found his best friend and supporter. I found this book very emotional. Ian was a bit of an underdog and reading him succeed and find love made me cherish this moving story.

Surprisingly emotional, with a unique and intense hero that readers will love.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club”

• Rated 5 stars

“Great story. Unique hero and heroine. 4.5*”

• Rated 5 stars

“The 1st in a series featuring the Mackenzie brothers. Ian is socially inept and prone to violent outbursts. He was committed to an asylum for several years before his brother, Hart, got him out. His symptoms and behavior indicate Asperger's syndrome. Of course back in Victorian England- he was seen as crazy as a loon. This is a sweet love story featuring two flawed people who learn to accept one another. There's also a murder mystery and a look into the lives of the other brothers who will be featured in books to come. I look forward to reading them all.”

• Rated 5 stars

“One of my favorites and very good at dealing with Aspergers”