The Untamed Mackenzie

Highland Pleasures Series, Book 5.5

By: Jennifer Ashley

Narrated by: Angela Dawe

Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

To redeem her family's disgraced name, Lady Louisa Scranton has decided to acquire a proper husband. He needs to be a man of fortune and highly respectable in order to restore both her family's lost wealth and reputation. She enters the Marriage Mart with all flags flying, determined to find the right bachelor.

But Louisa's hopes are dashed when the Bishop of Hargate drops dead at her feet - and she is shockingly accused of murder! Soon, Louisa's so-called friends begin shunning her, because the company of a suspected killer is never desirable in polite society.

The problem comes to the ears of Detective Inspector Lloyd Fellows, by blow of the decadent Scottish Mackenzie family and an inspector for Scotland Yard. He has shared two passionate kisses with Lady Louisa-and vows to clear her name. For not only does he know she's innocent, he recognizes he's falling for the lovely lady.

Fellows is Louisa's only hope of restoring her family's honor - and it is he alone who intrigues Louisa in a way that may be even more scandalous than murder...

©2013 Jennifer Ashley (P)2013 Tantor

Loved this book!

This story had a little bit of everything- steamy romance, angst and yearning, intrigue, comic relief, etc. The characters were well developed and most were likeable which made it easy to invest in their outcome. Both main characters were passionate in their beliefs yet vulnerable which is my definition of strength in human beings regardless of their gender. Daniel was hysterically funny, discerning and endearing providing well timed comic relief.

I would also like to mention that the narrator did a good job. It was easy to tell who was speaking because she differentiated the voices so well. Furthermore, she narrated with the proper amount of emotion according to the situation, just like Goldilocks, not too much or too little but just right. I look forward to listening to more of this narrator's and writer's work in the future.

Half-Brother Lloyd gets his book

I adore this series. Lloud Fellowes is the half-brother of the Mackenzie brothers. As a Scotland Yard detective, unacknowledged bastard having grown up in poverty, he's a hardened man. However, even before this book begins, he's falling for Lady Louisa Scranton. As he works to solve the murder of which she's been accused they both fall deeper for one another.

The marration is wonderful. I can't imagine anyone doing more justice to The Highland Pleasure series than Angela Dawes.

Very enjoyable & intriguing!

If you have been following this series, it's great to finally get into the mind and heart of the unclaimed MacKenzie brother. What once was a dislikable man becomes a hero in this story. Great listen!

The Untamed Mackenzie.

You can always expect awesome stories from Jennifer Ashley and this one is no exception. The whole series of Highland Pleasures is wonderful and unputdownable. It took me a little while to get used to Angela Dawe's narration, but after listening to The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, I loved her reading styly. Five bright stars all round.

The half brother untold story

If you could sum up The Untamed Mackenzie in three words, what would they be?

Those fascinating MacKenzies!

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed learning about Lloyd's life. Though he did not have the privileges of the other MacKenzies, he learned how to make his own way in life. What I did not like, the story was a novella. I felt, Lloyd deserved a full length novel. Just my humble opinion, hopefully, we will see more of Lloyd in the future as a spin-off, solving mystery cases. Maybe he and his wife solving mysteries, living between two different societies, a team with the MacKenzie clan constantly interfering. Would like to see the modest lifestyle of Lloyd and Louisa.

Which scene was your favorite?

Don't have a favorite seen, but I did like when Lloyd met his father and he realized that moment would forever change his view of his father and I liked the scene where Lloyd had to meet with his supervisor in order to remain on the case. It showed a different side of life for Lloyd instead of balls and musicales. I liked seeing him as a working man, his power in a different arena unlike his brothers. I liked how he fit in around his fellow officers and co-workers. Wish there was a Newgate prison scene, so I could get a better understanding of prison life. Another scene I wish Ms. Ashley would have added was more backstory about Lloyd's mother. She is the only female living that knows about the father at a young age.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No. I just enjoy Jennifer's historical books mainly because her Heroes are flawed as well as the women. I enjoy the Victorian era (more political and industrial reform occurring) which is different from the Regency era (party people). I like that she writes her stories during the Victorian era because it provides more opportunities for romantic mysteries and romantic suspense, where those villianous masterminds lurk in the background. I would be moved if more readers would email the author expressing more stories, suggest an idea or a place of travel for the Mackenzies. Just my humble opinion.

Another Mackenzie is captured by love

Another Mackenzie is captured by love with all the adventure wildness the family is known for. This book has been on my TBR stack for a while. I can't think of why I put off reading it (and other books in the series) for such a long time especially since I read the books in other series that JA' writes quickly after they are published. But in spite of my waiting so long to get back to the series I felt like I was visiting old friends while reading this story. It was a great pleasure to visit with the Mackenzie family once again. I finished the entire book in one setting with only breaks for meals.

Enjoyed the series

Was good. Enjoyed the series for the second time around. Will download the 7th soon. I like the way Ms Ashley's characters developed and intertwined within the family. It was akin to "knowing" the family as a friend.

The MacKenzie who wasn't is the best!

What did you love best about The Untamed Mackenzie?

The fact that Inspector Fellows is so willing to put everything on the line for Lady Louisa. The fact that he's so much like Hart MacKenzie, it's scary!! But he's so lovable and just a teddy bear in the end.

What other book might you compare The Untamed Mackenzie to and why?

I would compare this to Hart's book. The similarities of the two men are crazy. The stories are hugely different and that's awesome too. Never a repetitive moment in this series. But the fact that Lloyd is just to impervious to love and being loved, the same way that Hart felt. But they both are so worthy....

Which character – as performed by Angela Dawe – was your favorite?

Daniel MacKenzie!! Without a doubt!! He's absolutely hysterical in all of the books and in this book, as Louisa's friend, he's still the best!! He makes everything in the world right. But honestly, I think Lloyd Fellows is my favorite character of all yet. He's so hard, but so hot!!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES

Any additional comments?

Again, read or listen to this series!!! It really is one of the best ones I've ever read and my personal message to Jennifer Ashely? WRITE MORE!! Ainsly still has a brother who needs a woman!! And Angela Dawe should read all of my favorite books to me!! Love her!

Novella Just As Good As Novels

Any additional comments?

Finished this one with the same warm fuzzy feeling that I have after all the Highland Pleasures books. Don't skip this novella! It may be shorter, but is as satisfying as any full-length novel. Great, great story!

Great fit for a known and clearly defined genre

It's really unfortunate that one of the top reviews that popped up was a person who mentioned sexual misconduct/rape/assault. This is a great book in a clearly defined genre that involves no non-consensual sex. I'm deeply sympathetic to someone's past experience that would make them view a consensual sexual act as assault. However, as the species of romance book is well defined, I would suggest that they seek out other types of novels without subjecting themselves to something they find disturbing. No one would want to force them to read this book. Ashley is a wonderful author and I think this is a fun addition to the MacKenzie clan series. I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you are looking for a book with a good story line and some spice, you will enjoy it, too. If you have religious constrictions or personal, painful history surrounding the sexual act, stay away.