The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie (Mackenzies Series Book 6)

A nice addition to the Mackenzie series. Daniel has proven to be the an exciting blend of all his Mackenzie uncles. This novel leads readers through twists and turns and some exciting plot inventions, however, there are several weak points and this isn't the grand culmination of the series I hoped for.

As always this author delivers a great story. The only problem with it is that now we have to wait another year for the next one! I would recommend it as a standalone story. To get the most enjoyment read the whole series, for this family has a lot of interesting members.

Like father like son. Two characters after my heart. Daniel appears to have inherited all the sexy qualities of his father and uncles. The match up with Violet' s character is superb. The storyline consistent. Wish there were more McKenzie brothers.

I have loved the MacKenzie series, but this one is just not good. The author should have quit while she was ahead. There was too much that wasn't plausible - like the ending of the first encounter between Violet and Daniel and the MacKenzie men showing up in France. The endings for Jacobi and the red-haired man were over the top and too violent, and made me very disappointed in the characters involved.

To settle a gambling debt, one of Daniel Mackenzie's rotten opponents takes him to a tucked-away town house in the rough part of London. Here, Daniel is introduced to Violet Bastien - daughter to the city's most famous medium - and promised a reading of his very own. It is here that Daniel witnesses nothing magical or mystical, but downright intriguing and smart. Violet has the parlour rigged with contraptions and mechanisms to fool punters into buying all her trickery fortune telling and ghost-talk. Daniel isn't fooled for a second, but he's impressed. Even more so when he remains behind and asks to see Violet's various machines - amazed at the ingenuity of this woman.
And though she's not as beautiful as some of the courtesan's he's sampled, Violet intrigues and beguiles Daniel ... even as she's clobbering him over the head for stealing a kiss ... Even when she dumps his unconscious body outside a doctor's house, and escapes into the night with her mother and maid.

`The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie' is the sixth book in Jennifer Ashley's addictive `Highland Pleasures' series.

Daniel is my favourite Mackenzie after his uncle Ian and father Cam. For that reason, I went into this sixth book with weary expectations ... weary, because Once Upon a Time I would have declared eldest Mackenzie, Hart, my absolutely favourite of the Highland Pleasures brood. That was, until his book `The Duke's Perfect Wife' when I think Jennifer Ashley made an abysmal attempt at writing Hart's "dark delights" and turned him very sanitary and dull (despite his much-commented upon dastardly reputation of previous books). So, I love Daniel and have done ever since his lengthy appearance as secondary character in his dad's book `The Many Sins of Lord Cameron', in which he helped Cam to woo his lady love, Ainsley.

I admit, after reading the blurb for Daniel's book (an older woman AND a medium? Oh, boy) I was highly sceptical and kept forcing myself to go in with lowered expectation. But, to my surprise, a truly stellar heroine and new facets to Daniel's previously cheeky-Casanova persona make `The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie' one of Jennifer Ashley's best thus far.

Yes, Violet is somewhat older than Daniel and daughter to a medium. Now, while Violet swears up and down that her mum is the real-deal (and very fragile for all her spirit-talking) Violet has a more calculating, mathematical mind and does invent gadgets to help her convince punters of a gift she does not possess. Violet and her mum have actually lived a really rough life because her mother has insisted on travelling the continent, sharing her gifts. For this reason, Violet is more a parent to her mother and has been in charge of keeping them from the law and sleazy marks. Though Violet hasn't always been able to save herself, and she has the psychological scars to prove it.

I love, love, loved Violet. Previously Beth and Ainsley were my favourite Mackenzie wives, but Violet is now front-runner. She is older than Daniel, and she has had to be a parent to her own mother, but there's something very innocent and childlike about Violet too ... even despite having had to grow up fast. She doesn't really trust anybody and imagines the worst in any situation, so for that reason when she starts developing feelings for Daniel and daring to imagine becoming part of his family - there's a childlike wonder and hope to her that's instantly catching.

And, of course, she's wicked smart. Daniel loves to tinker with machinery and in this book he's actually building a racing car and imagining a motorbike (or the ye olde equivalent of them, at least!) and she's as captivated and fascinated by his blueprints as he is. This is, really, what attracts Daniel to her and everything else comes later - but her brain is the big pull for him throughout.

Now, Daniel surprised me in this book. He actually reminded me a lot of Ian, come to think of it. He's so fascinated with machinery and lives in his own head that he can get that very determined, focused drive that Ian displays (though not to the same extent). I know in previous books much has been made of Daniel taking after his father's footsteps in the lady-stakes (taking courtesans, and his first mistress at age fourteen or thereabouts) but in this book Ashley really hits home how much of a creative mind Daniel is and what a dreamer he can be. I liked seeing this side of him, though I do think I needed a bit more about his voracious love life to be reconciled.

If there was anything that frustrated me in the book, it's the same old argument I've had since book three - more Cam & Ainsley! I feel like in all subsequent books since theirs, every other Mackenzie has had more than enough secondary character page-time. Lord knows Mac and Isabella are always clamouring across the page with their brood, and I'm thrilled that Ian is always very much intricate to his brother's stories (he is in Daniel's too). But Cam and Ainsley feel like the forgotten Mackenzies, and I was hoping that in his own son's book Cam would make more of an appearance and us fans would have a chance to peek at the progress of his and Ainsley's marriage (now with two little ones, half-siblings for Daniel). But, alas, Daniel speaks to Violet of the feeling of distance and disappointment he feels from his dad (and lengthy conversations the impact his mother's insanity had on his life) but as for actual scenes with Cam, they are few and far between. Ainsley gets much more page-time with both Daniel and Violet, but Ashley keeps Cam stoically silent and gruff when all I wanted was some glimpses into his relationship with Daniel as it has now progressed into his son's adulthood.

Still, `The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie' far exceeded my expectations and Daniel proves why he's a favourite Mackenzie and his lady love is a formidable new lassie to bring into the family. This book almost makes up for Hart's lacklustre one ... almost.

Daniel Mackenzie is a wicked charmer in a loving family of wild kilted charmers. Violet is a chameleon, it would take a chameleon to charm a charmer. A wild card with a Mackenzie family surrounding the complete deck. Good book.

This book jumps forward several years to 1890 and Daniel Mackenzie is all grown up at 25. When the book opens, he is playing poker and winning. His opponent can't cover his bet and he insists that Daniel accompany him for repayment in kind.

They end up at the house of a medium, a lovely young woman named Violet. Daniel recognizes the tricks she is expertly playing and is intrigued by the machinery she employs. He stays behind and learns that she has built the machines herself. He is attracted to her, so naturally he kisses her. However, she panics and bashes his head in.|

Violet thinks she has killed him so she moved his body on a cart to where it will be found. Then she gathers her mother, their maid and a few necessities together and leave London. She's sorry for killing him, but she's used to moving around.

Well, of course Daniel isn't dead and of course he tracks her down (with Ian's help).

Part of the charm of this series has been that each of the heroes is damaged in some way. This is not true for Daniel except that his mother had mental health issues and tried to kill him as an infant. As a heroic lead, Daniel is practically perfect. He's enjoying life and why not? He's rich, handsome, intelligent; he still enjoys training horses with his father, but his new obsession is building motorcars. He's almost boring.

Violet is a bit more interesting, being of a lower class and forced to use her wits to earn a living at work that is shady, if not outright fraudulent. Also, she was raped as a teenager - this isn't a spoiler because it comes up very early in the book - and this is major plot point in the story.

My favorite things about the book are:

I enjoyed the bits where Daniel and Violet work on mechanical stuff together. I hate when books characterize someone as a scientist or writer or something but you never actually see them doing it. Daniel and Violet go ballooning and build a motorcar together and Violet learns to drive.

As always, I enjoyed the visit with the Mackenzies.

Otherwise, I found it a bit boring. Maybe I wasn't completely convinced by the romance bits - Daniel is still very young to be getting married at 25. And Violet talks about wanting to travel the world, but she's already preggers by the end of the book. Meh.

One can't describe perfection but I will try. The hero's are sexy and the heroines are strong. Just what you need in a historical romance. But the story lines from the first book to the last leave you wanting more. I recommend reading all of the books.

This is a great addition to the Mackenzie series and I totally enjoyed it. I liked the characters and the plot line. My only complaint is the writing, which for the most part is good. But those syntactical and grammatical errors that come from poor editing (or an unsophisticated writer - I am not sure which it is here) always get in the way of a good read, for me at least and lowers the rating.
I would suggest listening to any and all of the Mackenzie books on audio if you can. They are read by Angela Dawe and she does the most amazing Scots accent for the men. It will make you fall in love with them even more than reading the book. It is a shame that not all of the series is available as an audio book, but where they are and read by Angela Dawe it is a real treat to listen to. And the grammatical errors are not as noticable on audio, which is nice.

There were quite a few negative reviews in the past, when this first came out so I was reluctant for a long time, in buying it. Then as time past there seemed to be a lot more positives added. Since I was such a fan of three of her previous books, in this series, Ian's story, Cameron and Mac's, I really wanted to read more and was frustrated, that like many, this author fell prey to the ridiculous paranormal romances.
However, I was disappointed. It was nowhere near as good as the three previously mentioned. Another reviewer stated that there was nothing wicked about the hero and she was right on with that. There wasn't. He was just a nice, sweet guy. Maybe a little too nice? The heroine, I couldn't stand. I found her to be frustrating and boring and Daniel deserved so much better than her constant bad luck and sob story. I was really sick of the whole farce of her and her mother's act by a quarter of the way in. I felt no pity for them. They were con-artist and there was nothing pitiful about it. It was totally not believable that Daniels family would ever accept the heroine and her horrid mother, especially his father, Cameron. Maybe the annoying, nosy aunt Ainsely but she would never have been accepted into their world and that was not believable. Lastly, it was jut too wordy, and way, way too drawn out. Did we really need almost ten pages of talking before finally getting down to their first real love scene? Also, what love scenes? These two don't get down to anything serious until almost the end of the book. It is in no was as sensual as Ian or Mac's stories, so don't expect that. These two talked way too much! First he said Violet wasn't a beautiful woman, and then like ten pages later she was the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. Stupid. However, all this aside, it wasn't terrible. Daniel was just too cute to hate it. I read the entire book but unlike the three others, I would not read it again.

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 awesome 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.

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?

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.
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.

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.

Check out my blog to see my full reveiw on this book and many more http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsession.blogspot.com/

I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!
I love Daniel MacKenzie but then who doesn't. He's had such a presents through out this series that it's felt like forever for this book to come out. I'm so glad that it was worth the wait. Daniel is everything that I knew he'd be. Strong, sexy and oh so full of himself *sigh*. Violet was the perfect match for Daniel they are kindred spirits and of the same intellect. Both of them had a troubled childhood but where Daniel was raised by a family who loved him Violet was left to care for a mother with a special gift but with no thought except for herself. Leaving Violet to fend for herself and her mother at a very young age and to be taken advantage of for her own gift of reading people. Of which she is very good at except for the people closest to her. Violet has suffered greatly in the past because of those people and has many secrets. She has spent her life making sure they stay afloat and out of harms way even if she has to sacrifice herself. Even after all of this she is one of the strongest heroines I've read in a while. Once she meets Daniel she is hungry for the adventure he offers.

I recommend this series to everyone but I suggest you read them in order.

This is a fun entertaining read about the Mackenzie family and in particular Daniel. Daniel definitely loves people, especially the ladies. When he meets a certain young lady , the attraction is instant for both of them. But one of them is an open book and the other is hiding all manner of things. For them to have a relationship, they will have to figure out and settle several hazardous situations. Enjoy I did.

Daniel and Violet both have secrets in their past, causing pain in the present. But their attraction for each other gives them reason to continue their association. Daniel helps Violet overcome her fears and become whole.

Rating: B ... Heat: Hot

Violet Bastien is a confidence trickster--she pretends to tell fortunes, talk to ghosts. Really, she does what she has to to survive and take care of her mother. Violet grew up early and grew up fast. Her whole life has been spent taking care of everyone but herself. Because she's good at reading people, telling them what they want to hear, fortune telling seemed like a good fit. Until Violet meets Daniel Mackenzie during a group reading and finds she can't read him at all.

Because what you see is what you get with Daniel. Daniel is the eldest son of Cameron, a wild soul, and a passionate inventor. One look at Violet pretending to contact spirits and he's utterly captivated. Even more so when he realizes she's mechanically inclined like he is. Unlike all of the other ladies falling all over themselves to get to him, she's no simpering miss with only marriage on her mind.

Which is good, since getting tangled up with Daniel is one thrill after another. I loved the dynamic between the two. Both are brainy, mathematical types who'd rather build an engine than dance at balls. And Daniel, with his unending gentleness, is exactly what Violet's poor battered soul needed. Her life hasn't been an easy one but somehow Daniel knows how to soothe her. I loved how Daniel was passionate and deliriously sweet. He is full of that Mackenzie charm, that's for sure. And the Mackenzie hot-blooded sexuality. Oh, Daniel. He is a charmer.

The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie did feel like it ran a bit long towards the end. And I will admit some of the later parts having to do with motorcars and other inventions did make my eyes glaze over... But, overall, my love of Daniel Mackenzie kept me interested. I also loved that Violet is not at all a typical heroine. She knows who she is, what she is, and makes no apologies because surviving is what's important. Daniel and Violet together was heartwarming.

I truly love the MacKenzie brothers and their books, but reading up on Daniel has made me wish Jennifer Ashley scrapped this project altogether. Its not that Daniel didn't need his own story, but it could have been done better.

For starters, Daniel is so very young. Our Mackenzie heroes were in their 30's at least (minus Ian, who was almost 30, but he had different circumstances, so he doesn't count). Daniel is 25 and has lead a fairly priveledged life, being taken care of by his father and uncles. That's not to say he's spoiled, but he doesn't have as much life experience as they did at his age. I don't want to compare everyone together, because that isn't fair; I'm just pointing out that anyone who's used to the older age of Jennifer Ashley's characters will be disappointed.

Violet is only slightly older than Daniel, but has been around a few more blocks than he has. You notice the difference straight away in their conversations and dealings; it kind of puts you in the mind of Ian and Beth when they were getting together. Now that I've said that, Violet has got to be the most placid of the Mackenzie women. I don't want to call her weak, because she isn't, but to me, she seems to be very easily won over. I liked Violet well enough at the end of the book, but she went along with the program too well for me to believe she was a trickster. After meeting Daniel a second time, she doesn't shake him off like any other stranger, which I would think a worldly city girl like her would try in a heartbeat. After getting to know him a bit better, she readily takes up whatever he suggests to do. I'm not one for reading a couple fighting every step of the way, but this girl has been manipulated before, and she just seems to trusting for someone who knows better.

Which brings me to another point, Daniel lamenting that Violet doesn't trust him after maybe a ten day acquaintance. I chalk this up to him being young and relatively sheltered; he sees his father and uncles' wives, and thinks that's the type of relationship he should have immediately with this random girl. It might be nice in other romance stories, but I come to the Mackenzies for a bit more reality.

My last gripe of the book rests with Daniel and how he dealt with Violet's big reveal. Mild spoiler, but Violet was raped at 16, and doesn't know what it is to have a normal relationship with a man, sexual or otherwise. When she's revealing this to Daniel, he brings up his bad experience about his mother, and then his feelings about his father, and to me it just wasn't the time. I don't see how anyone can compare those two events on a similar scale, and I don't see how both events could produce the same feelings. I was annoyed that Violet couldn't have her moment right then, but this is remedied at the end when Violet gets her justice, so at least the ending is satisfactory there.

All in all, don't read if you're expecting the same kind of Mackenzie man, but read for the closure of seeing Daniel's happiness as well as updates on the other Mackenzies.

I loved this book,specially all the previous characters come back for brief cameos. Although this was a sad story I loved how Mrs Ashley wrote Daniel just made us fall in love with him! he has a little of everyone in this series. Great Read.

As usual Ashley is able to create an unusual scenario for her characters. I have to give her high marks for her creativity. However, that said, this is not one of the best in this series. The characters were flat and I never could develop an interest in them.

"Spoiler Alert..." Violet, the heroine is a rape victim. And I couldn't get past it. Because she couldn't get past it. Anytime there's an intimate moment developing between Violet and Daniel (which happens a lot in this book) she flashes back to her feelings dread, terror, and pain, and etc., remembering her assault. She consistently compares whatever he's doing against what happened to her during her rape. Every time. It's way too much internal dialogue anyway, so it's bad writing. But mixing feelings and thoughts of rape with what should be a hot attraction between the two characters is just plain wrong. An extreme mood killer.