Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage (Highland Pleasures Series #2)

terrific historical

In 1875 when she was eighteen, Lady Isabella Scranton and Lord Mackenzie eloped; his family delighted in their marriage while hers disowned her Three years later, Isabella walked out of her marriage to the shock of her spouse and the condemnation for her scandalous behavior by the Ton.

Her estranged husband is a talented painter and three years since she left him, Isabella discovered someone is forging Mac's work. She goes to see him, but he is more concerned over winning a wager that he can paint an erotic portrait. He wants his wife to pose as the subject; she prefers to catch the forger. As they work on the painting the felonies, they recall why they fell in love and married; however neither is prepared for the forger whose obsession turns to having Isabella live and on canvas.

Jennifer Ashley follows up on the magnificent Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie with a sibling's strong Victorian second chance at love romance and a solid supporting mystery. The lead couple is a wonderful pairing of a debauched rake knowing he is not good enough for the goodness of his wife and a not so innocent "debutant". Readers will relish this terrific historical wondering why did the wife who obviously loves her husband leave him.

Harriet Klausner

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage is the second of Ms. Ashley's Mackenzie brothers series.

Being an estranged wife of the ton is all too frequent, being an estranged wife of one of the rakish, disreputable Mackenzie brothers is pretty much expected. Of course what the ton doesn't know is that Isabella is still madly in love with Mac and madly is a good description of what their married life has been so far, a few great times followed by sadness, hurt and abandonment, but despite all that Mac needs her help and by God he's going to get it. Mac Mackenzie a rake by reputation and an artist and lord of the ton by trade really does love his wife that's why when she finally had enough of him 3 years ago he took a vow of celibacy, which wasn't too hard to keep since the only woman he wants is Isabella. Now someone is forging his name on their work and Isabella is bound and determined to help him whether he needs it or not and maybe that will be his opportunity to get her back.
Alright, I admit to not being a fan of "most" historical romance novels. I don't find young lovers exciting to a "woman of a certain age", but whenever Jennifer Ashley, a favorite author of mine in different genres, comes out with a historical I have to get it, why, let me tell you.
There is no better spinner of a tale then Ms. Ashley it shows in her unique humor, her flowing dialogue and her storyline. The plot is older than time, boy gets girl, looses girl, wants her back and plots to make that happen. But underneath that plot is the many subplots that she so wonderfully gives us, the love felt by both the hero and heroine, the heartache, the sadness, and the lives that they touch and touch them. It all comes out through her words and into the hearts and minds of her audience. Her characters are world class and larger than life and yet she makes them more human by giving them many faults then goes on to show her readers that dealing with those faults is what gives her characters, character. And oh the characters, they are amazing in their detail as she intimates us with them and even the ones with the smallest parts leave an impression on us, plus one of my favorite parts is that we get to reacquaint ourselves with the characters we've met in the previous novel. Her hero Mac and heroine Isabella are one of the most unforgettable couples you will ever cry for, hurt for and get angry at as they ineptly find their way back to each other. Her love scenes are very sensuous and blazing in their intensity, and her readers will feel the love, tenderness and longing in every coupling.
So if you've never met the Mackenzie brothers, have no fear this can easily be read as a stand-a-lone, but do yourself a favor and get The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie as soon as this one is finished. Then go to Ms Ashley's website http://www.jennifersromances.com/ and discover what an incredible talent she has in all her endeavors, you won't be sorry. Oh and Ms. Ashley great job on Mac and I can't wait until next August 2011 to read Cameron's tale.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

4 1/2 Stars for Lady Isabella and Mac's story - Book 2 in the Se

4 1/2 Stars for Lady Isabella and Mac's story - Book 2 in the Series.

I loved the first book in the series "The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie" and I was almost equally please with this second book in the series. "Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage" is a love story that takes a troubled marriage and gives it a "Happy Ever After"; as all good romances should do. We learned a bit about Isabella and Mac's marriage in the first book "The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie" and here in the second book we get the full picture.

Mac and Isabella had a whirlwind romance where they met and married on the night of her debut. Their marriage was one of delirious happiness or angry shouting matches. After three years of this and a personal tragedy they legally separate and stay apart from one and other. Now it's 3 1/2 years later - they are still drawn to each other but are not sure if they can make a go of it and neither knows how to repair the damage of their lives to make an attempt possible.

The interesting cast of characters and circumstances play out so that they get their second chance. It's just good to see a broken marriage pulled back together. It shows this can be done with healing, patience, understanding and the willingness to make it happen. I enjoyed the way the story played out and the interesting plot twists that were scattered throughout. I have a real fondness for the entire Mackenzie clan and I hope you give them a try too. After all who can resist a bunch of hunky, alpha Scots who go after their women with an unstoppable passion that takes your breath away? Not me, that's for sure - giggles.

Highly Recommend

I couldn't but the book down. A real page turner.

Heartrending

Two people who love each other even when love isn't enough to keep them together. Mac is my new favorite Scotsman - his love for Isabella was deeply felt and believable. A lovely story.

I was disappointed.

This is #2 in Jennifer Ashley's Highland Pleasures series. I made the mistake and brought all three currently available, and I'm sorry I wasted my money. The writing was contrived and unnatural, the characters shallow and undeveloped (in fact, I doubt I could tell you, after reading all three, which heroine belonged to which book), and the plots were uncomplicated and uninteresting, serving only to justify the sexual encounters. The male protagonists were bit more defined, but hardly to the point where they could carry the story.

Recommended

Jennifer Ashley creates characters you would like to invite into your circle of friends. I truly enjoyed this story and can't wait to read the next in the series.

fun read

I enjoyed this book in the series although not as much as I enjoyed the first and third book. Because we were introduced to Lady Isabella in book 1, my interpretation was that she was more scandalous in book 1 than was presented in book 2. So I had a harder time realigning her character to the story.

It did shed a lot of light on the dynamics of the family and I'm looking forward to reading book 4

Beautifully Delicious

Each book from this series get better....Makes you wish you could find a MacKenzie somewhere

Pass this one by:

I found the book tedious and it was a chore to finish. All the sick mind games they played about "he hurt me, doe I love him?, does he love me or will he leave me again?, should I leave her so she will not hurt anymore?" were tiresome. The only part I found worth reading was when they were chasing and apprehending the man who insists he is Max and who wants Isabella.

Good series.

Good fun. I like Mac and Isabella a lot. I wish I could give 3 1/2 stars. I look forward to reading the next in this series about Lord Cameron.

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