A fugitive Highlander.A proper English lady.Alec Mackenzie knows that Lady Celia is key to finding his missing brother. The trouble is, Alec is supposed to be dead, and he needs the world to keep believing he is.The artful ways of Alec Mackenzie.Alec will do anything to find his brother, including pretend to be a penniless drawing master to London aristocrats. The one man who might know where his … The one man who might know where his brother is being held is a powerful duke, and that duke has daughter who needs art lessons …
Lady Celia is intrigued by the Scotsman, so obviously a warrior, who pretends he is not. She is also intrigued by his instruction on painting the human form, something no young lady should take an interest in. But Celia, ruined by The Disaster and already beyond hope, dares to let the Highlander teach her all he knows …
Note: Alec Mackenzie is the brother of Malcolm from The Stolen Mackenzie Bride. He is an ancestor of the Mackenzie family whose story begins with The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie.
more
I was completely swept away by this book! The characters felt real, the history rich, and the details lush. Can’t wait to read more of Jennifer Ashley’s historicals!
I purchased this simply because it was discounted and I had read several of the author’s other books. I was not disappointed but can say it kept me entertained for a couple of days. As I had not read previous books in the series I was a bit lost at times.
Romantic, easy read.
Loved Alec ! Couldn’t put the book down once I started reading it. Looking forward to reading more of this series,I need to go back and start at the beginning with book one.
Every family has that sleeper member. Not that they sleep, but they seem unassuming, not as wild and outgoing as the others, not in the background, but the first person in the family that springs to mind. Alec is that person in this MacKenzie generation. His twin Angus was the one everyone remembered, his brothers Malcolm and Will the daring and cunning ones. Alec was all those things as well, he just wasn’t blatant about it, happy to create art and take care of his loved ones. He has a quiet strength, and a soft heart, especially for his daughter Jenny. He feels that same pull when he meets Lady Celia, she speaks to his soul, and his heart is lost before he knows it. She compliments him perfectly, same quiet strength, same curious mind, same big heart, and same unyielding strength.
Alec can’t set out to use Celia the way he had thought he could, or as he is encouraged, but together they figure out more than he ever could alone. And they find that they need each other all the more, that together their wits are stronger, their strength is unbeatable. Alec and Celia find a perfection together that brings them a peace they never thought possible, and a love that swells their hearts!
“Excellent story!”
I have read everything written by Jennifer Ashley and I can honestly say that I have never once been disappointed. She is just one of those authors that you can count to enthrall you in her stories with love, intrigue, espionage, mystery, passion, loyalty, honor, integrity, and most of all, the importance of family. There is so much detail that goes into her stories, you can not help but thoroughly fall in love with all of her characters. I wish she was able to write fast as I believe I could read a book A Week.
The narrator, Angela Dawe did a wonderful job in her narration of the book. Her voice brought forth the conviction, emotion, passion and enthusiasm written so that you felt them. They weren’t just words said. Her voice captured your attention and kept you within the storyline. Happy Reading!
I really enjoyed this story. Now I have to go get the other stories that are associated with this one. I want to know the story of Alec’s brother, Malcolm. Alec is looking for his brother, Will. He thinks that Celia’s father knows where he is. He just needs to get close to her to get the answers he needs. But, when he gets close to Celia, he finds out that things aren’t what they seem. Celia is so much more. Celia’s mother is always trying to arrange a proper match for her. Celia doesn’t like the men her mother picks and refuses. When she meets Alec, she knows she will only marry for love. Will Alec be the one? He comes with a little girl and a very big and loud family.
If this were a painting I would call it a masterpiece! Because that use a rly what it was…. Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog
This is Jennifer Ashley’s ninth book as the story’s hero is the handsome, charming and swoon worthy Alec Mackenzie! He is the brother of Book #8 Malcolm, from “The Stolen Mackenzie Bride.” Also ancestor of long time MacKenzie favorite Ian. How this unforgettable,
phenomenal, Mackenzie series started with – “The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie”. It is pure brilliance in my opinion, one of my favorite reads of 2017!
1746, London.
In the aftermath of The Battle of Culloden Alec MacKenzie’s brother Will is missing after sadly losing a few of his other brothers to misfortune . The family has exiled to France during this turbulent time. Another reason why they can’t understand why Will would be in dangerous London. Not after the bloodbath the Bonnie Prince Charlie/ Tearlach led them in. Alec refuses to lose another brother! Rumors are flying that a certain English Duke of Crenshaw might have the information he seeks! As it’s rumored Will might be imprisoned or possibly executed. This English Duke also has a beautiful daughter who is also a talented landscape artist. Her selfish duchess mother feels her daughter Celia is a disgrace and embarrassment to the family. Refusing a promising marriage to a man three times her age, but a big financial and titled opportunity. In punishment she has been pretty much living in seclusion as her mother’s prisoner. Her mother wants her to paint faces for advancement opportunities. Especially since she is ruined for another marriage opportunity!
Celia recognizes Alec for what he truly is a Highland warrior as she is good at listening and studying people. She is mesmerized by his drool worthy good looks and charming personality. Yet she sees his tenderness with his daughter, his talent as an artist and his protectiveness. In addition she see’s a side of him that scares her if anyone crossed him he wouldn’t accept it lightly. She also feels horrible that he and his family’s home and livelihood was destroyed by her King and country! She also realizes she’s falling in love with a Jacobite highland warrior!
What will she do when she realizes she is just a pawn in a very dangerous game? Will Alec find his missing brother Will? Or God forbid Will is being held as a prisoner or worse! Does Alec get caught trying to locate his Jacobite brother?
Again, another beautiful written Jennifer Ashley masterpiece. It is filled with favorite MacKenzie characters, plus all the elements historical readers love! From a riveting, fast paced adventure, filled with betrayal, misfortune, and heartbreak. Plus the aftermath of war, destruction, treachery, murder, scandal, death, exile, passion and love. In addition, it weaves true history with a phenomenal, fictional, historical, romance that I could not put this book down!
Setting is absolutely dazzling and dialogue was magnificent. Plotting was so awe inspiring and paced perfectly! I was holding my breath with anticipation not knowing what could possibly happen next!
https://www.amazon.com/Alec-Mackenzies-Art-Seduction-Book-ebook/dp/B074WLPD54/ref=nodl_
When I read a Jennifer Ashley historical I can feel the air, smell the streets and river, see the furnishings and touch the clothes. I find myself transported into the story. She knows London as well as those who live there. Awesome, just awesome.
Ian MacKenzie has been researching the family history and tells the tale of Malcolm’s brother, Alec the artist, who leaves the safety of exile in Paris to locate his brother Will who has been missing far too long. You see this family was supposedly all killed in the war but William, Alec and Malcolm as well as their Dad, the 9th Scottish Duke of Kilmorgan have escaped to Paris. Will has returned to do his spy thing and is AWOL. Alec goes to London disguised as Mr. Flinn an Irish art instructor, to try to find and bring Will home. Lady Flora, the Dowager Marchioness of Ellesmere is sympathetic to the MacKenzies and has set Alec up in her London home. to teach. Enter Lady Celia, disgraced and off the marriage mart, daughter of the Duke of Crenshaw. It has been decided that Celia will take portrait lessons from Mr. Flinn so she may be useful to her father’s political career since she’s no longer marriageable. You see she refused to marry the man her mother chose to “compromise” her, forcing her into an advantageous marriage. Lady Flora’s plan is to pump Celia for information, in any way necessary, for the location of Will. Her father, the Duke was the most likely person to know where he was being held. Ah, the best laid plans often go awry. This is the tale of how those plans derailed and Alec ended up falling madly in love with Celia and Celia becoming a partner in locating Will. Awesomely crafted tale as only Jennifer can accomplish. I was enchanted from the first paragraph.
Thank you Jennifer for granting me this free ARC for my review. Perfection as always.
Lord Alec Mackenzie knows that Lady Celia is key to finding his missing brother. The trouble is, Alec is supposed to be dead, he was listed as dead along with his father & brothers after Culloden
Alec will do anything to find his brother Will, including pretend to be a penniless drawing master to London aristocrats. The one man who might know where his brother is being held is a powerful duke, and that duke has a daughter who needs art lessons …
Lady Celia is intrigued by the Scotsman, so obviously a warrior, who pretends he is not. She is also intrigued by his instruction on painting the human form, something no young lady should take an interest in. But Celia, ruined by The Disaster and already beyond hope, dares to let the Highlander teach her all he knows
The story begins in 1892 when Ian Mackenzie is searching through family papers & is asked by his wife Beth to tell her Alex’s story which he’s gleaned from the journals, diaries, letters & sketches.
This is the ninth book in the series & the first I’ve read, I didn’t feel lost at the start nor at any time throughout the book but the Mackenzie family intrigued me & I’ll now be buying the other books to read the series in order. The characters are well developed & have depth, Alex & Celia are very likeable & their attraction increases with each meeting. The author conveys the horrors of Culloden & the brutality of both sides of the conflict. The plot is very well paced & kept me turning the pages, as I was wanting Alec to find Will. I’m very much like Beth now waiting for the next story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read