Rules for a Proper Governess

Book Review of Rules For a Proper Governess (Mackenzie & McBrides Series)

Title: Rules For A Proper Governess

Series: Mackenzie & McBrides Series

Author: Jennifer Ashley

Date Published: October 7th 2014

Date Read:   First read 5/11/2015  Reread 9/4/2016

The Blurb:

To Kiss A Thief... 

Scottish barrister Sinclair McBride can face the most sinister criminals in London - but the widower’s two unruly children are a different matter. Little Caitlin and Andrew go through a governess a week, sending the ladies fleeing in tears.

Roberta “Bertie” Frasier enters Sinclair’s life by stealing his watch - and then stealing a kiss. Intrigued by the handsome highlander, Bertie winds up saving his children from a dangerous situation and returns them to their father. Impressed with how they listen to her, Sinclair asks the lively beauty to be their governess, never guessing that the unconventional lady will teach him a lesson or two in love.

My Review

4 Stealing Basher McBride's heart Stars

First read 5/11/2015
Reread 9/4/2016

*Spoilers*

I have been very vocal about my total crazy fan-girl love for this series. It has to rate up on my top 5 series of all time. But I have to be honest and say that Sinclair is tied with Hart for my least liked hero of the series. He just didn't have the charm and awesomeness the other absolutely amazing heroes have. That is not to say he was a bad hero or that I didn't like him because I did. Just not as much as the others. Now our heroine Bertie, I loved her to pieces. She was a born on the trashy side of London, cockney, pickpocket with a sassy mouth. What I really loved about Bertie is that even though she was poor and had a hard life she was still sweet, upbeat and seen the beauty of life. This book kinda reminded me of the TV show The Nanny with Fran Drescher. 

Sinclair was a shell of a man since his wife Daisy died 7 years ago. The kids are out of control and running Governesses off left and right. Sinclair and the kids are drowning in pain, loss and living a half life at best. Bertie shows up and breathes new life into them. I love how Berite and the kids interact with each others. She doesn't cure them over night, trust comes slowly, but there was an instant connection. I also loved the fact that Sinclair really did love his first wife and yet I didn't feel like Bertie was second best or was ever being measured up to Daisy. In a lot of widow love stories either the new love feels second place or the widow says how they never really loved the deceased spouse. I love that Sinclair loved them both. Truly and passionately. Daisy never felt like she was a ghost in their love story she was the past. Someone he loved, lost, hurt for and then Bertie brought him back to life. Gave him joy and happiness again. I think it helped that Sinclair never felt guilt or sorrow at moving on with Bertie. He meets her and she is all that is on his mind. 

There are a few villains in this book. They seem to have enemies coming out of the woodwork. Daisy's brother and wife blaming Sinclair for Daisy's death and trying to take the kids away, Bertie's ex beau Jeffery, her drunk abusive father, and the mysterious bad guy sending blackmail letters there was never a dull moment. Throw in a little bit of Cam, Ian ,and Fellows and you had a pretty awesome read. Although it would have been more awesome if there was more Ian just sayin'! The ending was sweet. I really liked their Hea. I did feel that the thing with Daisy's brother resolved it self too easy. I would have liked to see his hateful self get some comeuppance for being a prick. A great addition to the series!

Scandal And The Duchess

Book Review of Scandal and the Duchess (Mackenzie & McBrides Series)

Title: Scandal and the Duchess

Series: Mackenzie & McBrides Series

Author: Jennifer Ashley

Date Published: September 16th 2014

Date Read:    First read 5/10/2015  Reread 8/31/2016

The Blurb:

Scandal follows Rose Barclay, young widow of the Duke of Southdown, wherever she goes. It's never her fault--honor bright--but newspapers love to write about the young woman from Scotland, and the much older duke she married, who died on their honeymoon. The duke left her with a large widow's portion, now contested by his son, who kicks Rose out of the estate's dower house and uses it to kennel his dogs.

Rose does *not* need to be found with a large, handsome Scot passed out at her feet, fueling gossips and giving her stepson more ammunition. The Scot is Steven McBride - a decorated soldier who is notorious for heavy gambling and womanizing during his leave time. Steven is happy to open his eyes and find the beautiful woman standing over him, and happy to help spirit her away. He comes up with a ruse to foil the journalists, but Rose will have to go along with his very scandalous proposal.

My Review

4 My Scottish Rose Stars

First read 5/10/2015

Reread 8/31/2016

What a cute little novella. I liked the story and the main couple. Steven McBride, the hero of the book is Ainsley's brother and a Soldier. I liked Steven he was charming and sweet, but he didn't really stand out when put in a series full of yummy lickable Mackenzie men! Rose the heroine of the book, is the widow of the much older Duke of Southdown that died on their honeymoon. I also liked Rose but again she didn't really stand out next to awesome leading ladies like Beth, and Isabella. The book was still really enjoyable and romantic. I just think it's going to be hard for Jennifer Ashley to come close to the greatest that is Ian Mackenzie! I know I am a crazy Ian Mackenzie fangirl but that is one high bar to be measured against.

The Wicked Deeds Of Daniel Mackenzie

Book Review of The  Wicked Deeds Of Daniel Mackenzie                             (Mackenzie & McBrides)

Title: The Wicked Deeds Of Daniel Mackenzie

Series: Mackenzie & McBrides/ Highland Pleasures

Author: Jennifer Ashley

Date Published:  October 1st 2013

Date Read:   May 10, 2015

The Blurb:

Second Sight And Seduction…

Daniel Mackenzie lives up to the reputation of the scandalous Mackenzie family—he has wealth, looks, and talent, and women love him. When he meets Violet Bastien—one of the most famous spiritual mediums in England—he immediately knows two things: that Miss Bastien is a fraud, and that he’s wildly attracted to her.

Violet knows she can’t really contact the other side, but she’s excellent at reading people. She discerns quickly that Daniel is intelligent and dangerous to her reputation, but she also finds him generous, handsome, and outrageously wicked. But spectres from Violet’s past threaten to destroy her, and she flees England, adopting yet another identity.

Daniel is determined to find the elusive Violet and pursue the passion he feels for her. And though Violet knows that her scandalous past will keep her from proper marriage, her attraction to Daniel is irresistible. It’s not until Daniel is the only one she can turn to that he proves he believes in something more than cold facts. He believes in love.

My Review

“I am pleased to hear it, Mr. Mackenzie. However, if you have come tonight to mock me and my work, I will have to ask you to depart. Or at least wait in the hall.” “Why?” His eyes held an impish twinkle. “Does my mockery disturb th’ spirits?”

The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie is the 6th book in the MacKenzies & McBrides series. It is a very good read. I enjoyed it, but something was missing from it , I don't know what, but it just wasn't as good as the first 3 books in this series! I know no book will ever stand up to Ian's , because Ian's book is one of those books that stays with you forever, so it is not fair to compare any others to Ian's , but Mac and Cams books are kick ass 5 stars too and this one just didn't hold up compared to their either. Daniel's book was a good solid 4 stars though. 

“You are arrogant,” she said. “That’s true, but is that the best you can do? I’ve been called far worse than that.” “All right, then you are an insufferable, full-of-yourself, aristocratic prig.”

What this book is about

Daniel Mackenzie is all grown up now. 25 years old and he is living his life, sowing wild oats, inventing new things, and living the good life. One night he meets medium Violet Bastien, and knows two things for sure. She is full of crap and he wants her more than he has ever wanted anyone. Violet had lived her whole life fighting for everything she has. Sacrificing her life and happiness to take care of her mother and herself. She has been hurt very badly at a very young age and she knows she can't trust anyone but herself. She lets no one in, tells no one her secrets, and shows no one the real her. Daniel wants her to let him in. In her life, in her bed and in her heart. He wants to earn her trust. Can Violet let her walls down and find happiness, and if so will Violet's secrets prove to be too much for Daniel?

“You mean you sacrificed yourself for her, just as you sacrificed yourself for Jacobi, just as you sacrificed any chance at a normal marriage because he convinced you to. You sacrifice, and you run, and Violet, you have got to stop.”


Daniel:

Danny was cocky as ever, funny, laid back, and he was like a mixture of all the Mackenzie brothers. Maybe that is why Danny didn't stand out for me , cuzz he was like a mini copy of all the brothers in one. Don't get me wrong he was sweet, charming, and super supportive and understand of Vi and all she was going through. He was a great hero, but a month from now I won't remember him from the sea of 100s of other heroes I have read about. 


“Lass, I’m hungry for you too. Believe me, I am. But I’m not going to fall on ye and devour you. Much as I’d like to. I want to get to know you.” His grip softened, and he drew one finger across her cheek. “I want to know all of you, Vi, my sweet South London Sassenach.”


“I had a mixed upbringing,” Daniel said. “My father didn’t pay as much attention to me as I wanted, but he did teach me good things. How to ride horses, how to take care of them, how not to suffer fools. My uncles had a big part in raising me too. From Uncle Mac, I learned how to appreciate a beautiful woman and how to make her the center of my world. Uncle Ian taught me about aiming for what I want and letting nothing—no person, no thought, no fear—stop me. He also taught me how to outthink opponents without letting on that they’re being outthought.” Daniel smiled a little. Ian had never come straight out and said any of this; Daniel had learned it from years of observing the man. “From Uncle Hart, I learned about ruthlessness. Hart also taught me about cultivating people to have on my side. Money isn’t enough. You need friends, people who believe in you. Loyal ones, so when you need them, they’re right behind you.”


“You are stronger than you think.” Daniel cupped his hands around her elbows. “And don’t worry, sweet. I’ll be right beside you to make sure you don’t fall.”

Violet:

I like Vi a lot. I thought she had a lot of courage, and strength to face her past. I like that she was into inventing things too like Daniel. Vi is a adventurous lil daredevil. The fact that she is a medium was a two edged sword for me. At times I found it funny, but then at times I would picture the south park episode where they make fun of John Edwards( a Tv medium) and I would have a hard time taken her character seriously.

“If I see him, I don’t know what I’ll do. I’ve tried to understand, tried to reason why he would do what he did to me, but I find no reason. I loved and admired Jacobi—I’d have done anything for him—and in return he destroyed my life. He’s still destroying it.”

“I do not belong to you. I never did. I was afraid to come here tonight, because I was afraid I’d panic when I saw you. I was even afraid I might forgive you, because you’d tell me your remorse, and I’d feel horrible if I didn’t relent. I didn’t want either of those things to happen, so I didn’t want to see you. But he made me come.” Violet didn’t look at Daniel, didn’t point at him. “Because Daniel knew I needed to see you. I needed to see that you’re a pathetic, weak, friendless soul. That you’re base enough to lock a sixteen-year-old girl into a room with a man and walk away, knowing that man was going to rape her. Oh, you don’t like the word?”


“Well, I am here to become unbound to you,” Violet snapped. “Then I will rush to bind myself in truth to Daniel, because he is a hundred times the man you are. A thousand. He knows me better than anyone else in the world, and I’m not afraid to trust him with that knowledge. He is generous, greathearted, understanding, kind—everything you are not. And I love him for it.”

“I’m never going to be free of this, am I?” “The panicking? You are. Because you’re with me now, and I’m going to keep you absolutely safe.”

Vi and Danny's relationship was slow building and very tender. They are very cute together. Vi's mom annoyed me to no end, and I thought Hart was kinda a jerk again. Of course Hart is kinda a jerk in most the books, and I still love him. I would have loved to see more of fellows and see if he and Louisa have had any children yet. Overall a great read. I am on to the next book. Below I leave my favorite moment from this book:

“Do you have a message for Mr. Mackenzie?” The planchette said Yes. Mademoiselle Violette was very good, but Daniel was good too. “What message?” he asked. Ellingham joined them on the planchette again, and it started to move. Around and around it went on the board, back and forth, sliding toward a letter only to slide away before it could stop. Daniel felt Violette’s subtle but steady pull, and he subtly but steadily pulled back. Mademoiselle kept her countenance absolutely still. If the spirit’s indecision vexed her, she made no sign. The planchette at last halted at the letter F. Ellingham said excitedly, “Someone should write this down.” A gentleman obligingly drew a small notebook and pencil from his coat pocket and wrote F. The planchette moved again. It stopped at U, paused for a time, then slid innocently to the letter C. After another pause, it began a rapid journey toward the letter K. Mademoiselle jerked her hand back, and the planchette stopped dead. The room filled with snickers and chortles. “Well,” Violette said, turning to fully face Daniel. “The spirit seems in a mischievous mood tonight.”

The Untamed Mackenzie

                 Book Review of The  Untamed Mackenzie                                       (Mackenzie & McBrides)

Title: The Untamed Mackenzie

Series: Mackenzie & McBrides/ Highland Pleasures

Author: Jennifer Ashley

Date Published:  September 10th 2013 

Date Read:   May 09, 2015

The Blurb:

A WOMAN OF BREEDING MEETS A MAN OF NO STANDING…

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…

My Review

     4.5 Highland warriors have gone soft Stars

OMG Lloyd is just as yummy as the other MacKenzie brothers plus he is a cop. Anyone who knows me knows I have a thing for uniforms so double yummy! The Untamed MacKenzie was a total hit for me the only reason I gave it 4.5 stars instead of 5 is I needed more. More Lloyd and Louisa. More of their romance. I wish Lloyd would have got his own full novel although I will say this was a bigger novella. Daniel Mackenzie is in this book a lot and I loved the hell outta him. Danny shines in all the books he is in , but he really stood out in this one and I can't wait for his book! Louisa and Lloyd had tons of chemistry. The murder mystery kept me intrigued and the story flowed well. I love the brothers bonding. A great addition to the series!


Below I leave a few of my favorites quotes from this book:

“Then why do I think about kissing you every time I see you? I should be at my sister’s ball, hoping one of the gentlemen I dance with will propose to me and solve my troubles. Instead, I ran off with you the moment you beckoned. Whenever I see you, I know I don’t want duty and properness—I want the wicked things my brothers-in-law whisper to my sisters-in-law when they think I don’t hear them. I want to do those things with you, not with the young men I was raised to expect to marry. Please, explain to me how I can be so innocent with those desires in my head.”


“Listen to yourself. Poor martyred Louisa. I predict that Fellows will solve this murder and then sweep you off your feet.” Daniel shrugged. “Well, the sweeping-you-off-your-feet part might take a little nudge. But he wants to do it. It’s a beautiful thing to watch the way he looks at you. Fellows glared at Gil tonight as though he wanted to find a claymore, learn how to use it, and finish him off. Or just pull out a pistol and shoot him.”



“That and a word with Uncle Hart to hurry Hargate’s chances of getting into the House of Lords. Only room for so many bishops’ bums on the seats there. Someone has to die before another can come in the front door. Hargate wanted to be moved to the top of the list. I told him he was optimistic about Hart opening a way for him. Hart’s harder to blackmail than anyone I know. Trust me. I’ve tried. My ears still hurt from the drubbing he gave me.” Daniel rubbed the side of his head. “Of course, I was only ten at the time and not practiced.”


I am on to the next one :)

The Seduction Of Elliot McBride

      Book Review of The Seduction of Elliot McBride                                        (Mackenzie & McBrides)

Title: The Seduction of Elliot McBride

Series: Mackenzie & McBrides/ Highland Pleasures

Author: Jennifer Ashley

Date Published:  December 31st 2012

Date Read:   May 08, 2015

The Blurb:

Juliana St. John was raised to be very proper. After a long engagement, her wedding day dawns—only for Juliana to find herself jilted at the altar.

Fleeing the mocking crowd, she stumbles upon Elliot McBride, the tall, passionate Scot who was her first love. His teasing manner gives her an idea, and she asks Elliot to save her from an uncertain future—by marrying her…

After escaping brutal imprisonment, Elliot has returned to Scotland a vastly wealthy yet tormented man. Now Juliana has her hands full restoring his half-ruined manor in the Scottish Highlands and trying to repair the broken heart of the man some call irredeemably mad. Though beautiful and spirited, Juliana wonders if that will be enough to win a second chance at love. 

My Review

                   4 sexual healing Stars

“But you’re wicked, lass. You sat on a man’s lap, in a chapel, and told him to marry you.”

The Seduction Of Elliot McBride is the 5 novel in the MacKenzies & McBrides series. And though I will acknowledge this one was not as good as the first 3 books, it was still damn good! Elliot is no Ian, Mac, or Cam, but he was still a yummy Scottish treat.

What this book is about

Juliana St. John has been in love with Elliot McBride since they were young. After kissing her at her coming out ball, Elliot goes off to war. While away he is captured, Imprisoned, and tortured for ten months. When he is found and comes home he never says a word to her, no visits nothing. So giving up hope that they will ever be together Juliana agrees to marry another man. On her wedding day she is jilted. The man she was suppose to marry eloped the night before. Upset over the humiliation she knows she will suffer, she is hiding in the church, throws herself down onto the pew and lands on the lap of her childhood love Elliot. She half jokingly says they should get married. Elliot is all over that and that day they are married! Juliana feels she is so lucky to have married the man she always had feelings for instead of a man she was settling for, but things are not all grant. Elliot is not the same charming light hearted young man that stole her heart, imprisonment has changed him. Everyone is saying she married a mad man. Will Juliana and Elliot have a happy marriage or is the man she married as crazy as everyone says?

“So you came to my wedding to snatch me from the altar?” “I’m a Highland barbarian. We steal our wives, didn’t ye know?”

Elliot:

Eliiot was so messed up. Elliot suffers from PTSD, but back then they just thought him mad. He really has a hard time flash backs, black out moments and sometimes he can't tell what is dream and what is real. What I really like about him was that he never gives up. He is fighting for his life, health, happiness, and marriage. Although most of his fighting is in the form of Sexual healing, because everyone knows that good sex heals all!

“I had to live,” he said. “I was determined to live, whatever the cost.” He released her hands and brushed back a tendril of her hair. “To see you again.” Juliana looked up at him, lips parted. “It’s what drove me to live, lass, every minute of the day or night. To see you again. To hear your voice. To touch you…” Elliot drew his finger down her cheek. “They wondered at my resilience. They called me a demon or the walking dead, because I wouldn’t lie down and die. But I couldn’t. Not until I saw you again.”


“Because what would you have seen if I’d come crawling to you when I came home from India? A broken man, one afraid of the dark and equally afraid of the light. I was nothing.” 

Juliana:

I like Juliana just fine but she didn't really stand out for me. She is very organized, and writes a list for everything. She is suportive of Elliot and she believes in him. I do like that she pushes him to talk to her about the things he suffered, instead of sweeping it under the rug. 


“Even so, you could have said something. When you were captured, when we thought you dead…They were the most awful months of my life. Nothing can compare. I cried all day in relief when I got Ainsley’s telegram that you’d been found and were all right. And then you never wrote, never called on me, never spoke to me, never sent a message.”


“I’m here.” Juliana looked up into Elliot’s anguished eyes, his brows drawn down as though all the fury in the world coursed through him. “I’m here, Elliot. I’ve always been here for you. And I always will be.”

“I’m not who I was,” he finished. “Sometimes I thank God for that. I lost most of myself in those caves as a prisoner. I’m not sure who it was who came out.” “You’re Elliot,” Juliana said. “My Elliot.”

Overall this book was a good read. The sex was hott, and they really lusted for each other. Especially Elliot he was like an animal wanting the sexual healing all the time. The reason this book is a 4 star instead of 5 is there is more sex than character development. McGregor really stood out to me. I enjoy his "I am a old man & I am set in my ways" self. A very entertaining and enjoyable read. 
Below I leave my favorite moment from the book:


“When I was told what happened in the marriage bed, my stepmother mentioned none of this.”Elliot lifted the weight of her breast, caressing the tightness of her nipple. “None of what?” His head was on her pillow, the covers long ago kicked off. “None of what we’ve done today. I was told to lie quietly on my back and let you adjust me as necessary, and then you would come in on top of me.” She smiled at her questions—What will I do in the time between that and when he spills his seed? The whole discussion seemed long ago and innocent now. “You would derive pleasure in the act, but I probably wouldn’t. I was to hold and comfort you when you released, because at that moment, a man was, for the only time in his life, weaker than a woman.” Elliot laughed, a deep-voiced, masculine laugh. “Was this in a book?”

The Duke's Perfect Wife

Book Review of The Duke's Perfect Wife                     (Mackenzie & McBrides)

Title: The Duke's Perfect Wife

Series: Mackenzie & McBrides/ Highland Pleasures

Author: Jennifer Ashley

Date Published: April 3rd 2012

Date Read:   May 06, 2015

The Blurb:

Lady Eleanor Ramsay is the only one who knows the truth about Hart Mackenzie. Once his fiancee, she is the sole woman to whom he could ever pour out his heart. 

Hart has it all--a dukedom, wealth, power, influence, whatever he desires. Every woman wants him--his seductive skills are legendary. But Hart has sacrificed much to keep his brothers safe, first from their brutal father, and then from the world. He's also suffered loss--his wife, his infant son, and the woman he loved with all his heart though he realized it too late. 

Now, Eleanor has reappeared on Hart's doorstep, with scandalous nude photographs of Hart taken long ago. Intrigued by the challenge in her blue eyes--and aroused by her charming, no-nonsense determination--Hart wonders if his young love has come to ruin him . . . or save him.

My Review

3.5 stars


I am not going to do a review on this book. I am just going to 

say that it was a good book, but no where near as good as the 

others. Hart annoyed me a lot in this book. I still liked him 

but the things he did drove me batty. I wasn't really feeling 

this couple. Ian is in this book a lot and that made it better. 

The thing that I didn't like about this book was the couple is 

apart for 8 years. They broke up for what I feel is a stupid 

reason and I don't like all the wasted time. Even after they 

get back together they are apart a lot and I don't like that! 

Still a good read and I am on to the next book.