The Untamed Mackenzie (Mackenzies Series)

Rating: B+ ... Heat: Warm

Lloyd Fellows is the bastard son of the deceased Mackenzie Duke, a former pain in the Mackenzie's side, and now a reluctant member of the Mackenzie clan. Though he wasn't given the best beginnings, he's made a name for himself--Lloyd has a stellar reputation as a policeman. Which is why he's not surprised his vacation is put on hold because he's been specifically requested to a crime scene. What he doesn't expect is for the suspect to be Louisa Scranton.

Louisa is sister to Isabella, sister-in-law to Mac Mackenzie, daughter of a deceased and disgraced Earl, and the sometime recipient of scorching kisses from Lloyd. They can't seem to keep their hands and mouths to themselves at family gatherings. When Lloyd shows up to investigate a tea party gone bad, Louisa is relieved. Until Lloyd makes it clear he's there for business only and Louisa needs to keep her distance from him.

Considering Lloyd and Louisa's past, distance isn't easy. These two, though from different classes, are drawn together like moth to flame. No one fires Louisa up like Lloyd can with just a glance. And Lloyd has never wanted anything, not even his father's recognition, like he wants Louisa. When an investigation is put between them, making them policeman and suspected murderess, the illicitness only ratchets up the sexual tension. These two smolder, let me tell you.

The Mackenzie's sure know how to bring the drama. Trouble seems to follow them around everywhere they go. Even though Lloyd isn't a Mackenzie by name, he definitely is by blood. And his drama happens to be deadly--putting the woman he loves in danger. I loved the suspense and the mystery, trying to figure out whodunit. Following Lloyd while he tries to solve a murder and fight his feelings (namely lust and want and desire) was enthralling. Louisa has her own battles too, fighting her feelings for Lloyd and dealing with the ton's gossip. Louisa very quickly figures out who her true friends are.

The Untamed Mackenzie is a secret romance full of mystery and mayhem. The clash of classes--gently bred young lady lusting after a commoner--is a favorite forbidden romance of mine in historicals. Though short, I loved getting to know both Lloyd and Louisa. I've had my eye on the fiery policeman since he tried to take down Ian and Hart in The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie. He's a closed-off and buttoned-up kind of hero, so it was fun to see Louisa slowly and passionately unravel him. An unraveled Lloyd Fellows is not to be missed!

I have been looking forward to reading Fellows and Louisa's story for a while now, and I am happy to say that it delivered 100%. It doesn't quite have the depth of tortured hero misery that we've seen in the previous books and there is far less flashback... a side effect of having a novella instead of a full length book.

The story takes place a few months after the events of the Christmas novella. Isabella's sister Louisa is looking for a husband. The scandal of her father's investment scheme still hangs over the family and she is starting to approach spinster status. She is at a party when she finally gets a proposal from a local bishop. There are only two problems. First, he tries to blackmail her into saying yes. Second, he drops dead of poisoning moments after she serves him tea. Just like that, Louisa is the prime suspect in his murder.

When Fellows comes to investigate, he has no idea that the accused killer is the beautiful young woman he shared a couple of kisses with at his half-brothers' home. He knows in his heart that Louisa is innocent, but someone has done a bang-up job framing her. He goes so far as to lie and manipulate evidence to keep her from arrest. But even that won't keep her safe until he finds the real killer.

I was a little worried at first because Louisa seemed fixated on making a "good match." But that falls away quickly. The dynamic between her and Fellows is so, so great. The sexual tension between them -the longing they feel for one another- is tangible. The characters are well drawn, despite the shorter word count. I feel like I really knew these two before we ever got started. I believed in their connection to each other and I loved watching them finally give into their yearning.

Some other positives... Daniel is featured heavily and I'm really enjoying the evolution of his character. And the murder mystery is actually one of the best external conflict plots in the series. I figured out the "who" about halfway through, but the "why" was a surprise that unfolded over the course of the investigation. It was basically all just awesome.

I loved it. I only wish there had been more. I could have loved it even more as a full length novel.

Rating: B++

The Untamed Mackenzie is a short story by Jennifer Ashley. I was excited to read this story because I was looking forward to reading about Inspector Lloyd Fellows. As the bas son of the Duke I was hoping for his own story I must say that I was disappointed in its length. I felt that the book was to short and rushed.

Finally knowing the members of the Mackenzie family Inspector Lloyd Fellows is slowly starting to join the family gatherings. He is widely known around London as a competency and intelligent police officer. His newest case involves Isabella’s sister Louisa Scranton. Having an attraction to Louisa he determines to find her innocent. Louisa Scranton is accused of Murder at a tea party…she turns to Inspector Lloyd Fellows. Louisa is attracted to Lloyd and hopes that he will assist her in proving her innocence. Because Louisa is such a high profile suspect and Lloyd’s family is involved his supervisor gives him a time frame to solve the case or he will be removed. Lloyd and Louisa are now racing against time to solve the mystery. What follows is typical for the Mackenzie family as many families members get involved, especially Daniel and things get a little rowdy at times.

Again I must say that I really wanted a full length novel for Lloyd. I really thought he should have had one. There was so much more to him than what we saw in this short story. Louisa was an ok character she was a sweet girl but there was nothing striking about her. I did enjoy that Daniel was more in this book, he will definitely be a character to read about. All in all not a bad book but nothing like the Jennifer Ashley Mackenzie books I have come to love. If you need a filler in between your next book this is it.

Jennifer Ashley takes us back Victorian England and to the irresistible Mackenzie family in her novella, The Untamed Mackenzie. Detective Inspector Lloyd Fellows has gone from foe (in The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie) to family, as we've learned through the course of the series. We've been teased with glimpses of attraction between Fellows and Lady Isabella Mackenzie's younger sister, Louisa Scranton, for some time and now...finally...we get their story.

Ashley does an incredible job of packing a full story (complete with investigation and burgeoning romance) into a shorter novella without making it feel rushed. The world building of the series is so well written that it feels as if you were transported back in time. While most of the series has been set in high society (no matter how down to earth the Mackenzie's may be, they are a part of the aristocracy), it was a pleasure to see London and events through the eyes Lloyd Fellows, the Mackenzie's illegitimate brother and Scotland Yard detective.

It's always a pleasure catching up with the ever expanding Mackenzie family and we get a chance to catch up with the entire family. Ashley doesn't believe in having shrinking violet female main characters and Lady Louisa is no exception. Suspected of murder and continuously cut by her peers, she's determined to clear her name (often with the assistance of the incorrigible Daniel Mackenzie) and rise above her families scandalous past to make a good match. Meanwhile, Fellows must do everything in his power to protect Louisa from the hangman's noose and fight his growing attraction.

If you haven't met the Mackenzies yet, you're missing out, so hurry! Get the series now!

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 heck 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!

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MY THOUGHTS:
THE UNTAMED MACKENZIE by Jennifer Ashley is an exciting Historical Romance. #5.5 of the "Highland Pleasures" series, but can be read as a stand alone. Fast paced and filled with mystery, murder, mayhem, passion and suspense. This is Lady Louisa Scranton and Detective Inspector Lloyd Fellows,who just happens to be a Scottish Mackenzie laird's by-blow and an inspector for Scotland Yard. When Louisa is accused of murder, Lloyd is determined to clear her name, although, she does fire his blood as well. Louisa is intrigue by Lloyd as well as intrigues her. Passion ignites and the rest they say is history.....
For a fast paced romp through the English parish. A man of little standing meets a woman accused of murder,sparks ignite and they are in for a fight of their lives to save Lousia and find a killer. A great read! Received for an honest review from the publisher and Net Galley.
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More

This is about a half brother of the MacKenzie brothers. He feels like he and his mum missed out on the good life that his brothers experienced. He's learning that his father the duke was a nasty person. But one good thing about being in their inner circle is, he has met someone and even though he feels she is above him, he can't stop thinking about her. This is a entertaining story like all have been in this series. Enjoy I did. This is a re-read.

Louisa out of necessity, is trying to find a husband. But she finds herself accused of murder. Fellows is ordered on the case. He is half brother to the Mackenzies. His attraction to Louisa makes him believe in her innocence. How to solve this case and remain in one piece? Read on.

I like Ashley 's writing better than I liked this story. Took me a little time to finish this book, but I devoured "The seduction of Elliot McBride" . There is mystery, the longing for romance surrounding Louisa after she witnesses a murder at a garden party. Everyone involved has something to hide... or was being blackmailed by the victim. Louisa's hero is Lloyd Fellows , Mackenzies' illegitimate brother and master investigator. Is she involved or is he blinded by his love for her or is it just lust? Louisa has always followed the rules, but might have to break a few to get closer to Lloyd.
Although this wasn't my kind of story, I did not dislike enough to stop reading this author's books. In fact, I'm certain I'll read more books from this series.

We first met Lloyd Fellows in The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie as he tirelessly tries to to put Ian and Hart Mackenzie away for murder. We learn later that Lloyd is the half brother of the Mackenzie men. So it's only natural that Mr. Fellows gets his own love story. Keeping it in the family Lloyd Fellows is enamored with Isabella Mackenzie's (Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage) younger sister Lady Louisa Scranton. They have chanced meetings and shared kiss or two in the previous Mackenzie books.

Lady Louisa Scranton is trying to put her life back together after her deceased father has disgraced her family name. She is trying working to find an acceptable husband but cannot get one of the Mackenzie men off her mind. Louisa is at a elite garden party when she is asked to join Bishop Hargate in the tea tent. Alone she goes in prepares a cup a tea as he is announcing his attentions. As she begins to respond he falls to the ground and dies. She is alone with a dead man she rushes out to get assistance and that's when tongues being to wag...

Detective Inspector Lloyd Fellows is about to go on holiday to visit his half brother Cam Mackenzie when he told to go on special assignment to assist in a murder. When he arrives he is left speechless when the woman he cannot get out of his mind is the one being accused of murder.

This novella was a fast paced intriguing story. From the beginning you are brought in wanting to know who killed Bishop Hargate and will Lloyd and Louisa come together and recognize their feelings for one another? There are twist and turns through the story and there are of a couple of "I didn't see that coming" moments. Of course, you cannot have Mackenzie story without having a few if not all Mackenzie's making an appearance. I will say Daniel Mackenzie definitely stole some scenes. He is on his way to being a charmer and I am looking forward to reading his story out in October!

Overall this was great read. It was nice to see Lloyd and Louisa find their happy ending with all the twist and turns. This could be a standalone read but to really understand the dynamic of the Mackenzie's I recommend going back and starting from the beginning with The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie.

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This was very well done and I found myself wrapped up in the mystery of the murder and all but the ending was rather drab. It seemed like Jennifer Ashley shied away from truly making her heroine progress from an innocent into a lover. Other than that it was an exciting read and I will most likely reread; so well done!

Jennifer Ashley's Mackenzie series has been one of my favorites for a long time, so I preordered this novella and was excited when it showed up on my Kindle, but I found it really, really disappointing.

My first objection is the fact that it's a novella. Police Inspector Lloyd Fellows has been a constant presence throughout the whole series. He is the half-brother of Hart, Cameron, Ian, and Mac, all of whom got their own full-length novels. The fact that he only rates a novella is insulting, as if he's less than the others because of his bastardy.

Second, throughout the series Fellows has been a dedicated officer of the law, a man of honor and integrity. Now, here he is falsifying evidence, lying to his colleagues and superiors, lying to his supposed beloved. It's very out of character for the man we've come to know over the course of the previous books, and this kind of behavior cheapens him. The story offers an excuse for him to behave this way, but frankly it wasn't enough: the Fellows I thought I knew would have found another way, or been way, way more tortured about playing fast and loose with the truth the way he does here.

Louisa, the heroine, didn't really seem fully formed as a character. She was trapped in a bad situation, but there wasn't much else to her: I didn't really understand her history or motivations, and I didn't feel like I knew her well enough to accept that she'd throw away her dreams of a proper marriage within her own social strata to be with Fellows just because she's got a case of hornypants. I don't mind romances across class or social strata, but in order for me to believe it and buy into the happy ever after, I have to believe that the characters have contemplated the consequences of bucking convention and decided that their love is worth all cost. I'm not convinced Louisa did that, and so I don't trust the HEA ending.

This was very well done and I found myself wrapped up in the mystery of the murder and all but the ending was rather drab. It seemed like Jennifer Ashley shied away from truly making her heroine progress from an innocent into a lover. Other than that it was an exciting read and I will most likely reread; so well done!

I like murder and mystery in historical stories....this book gives me both along with romance. I've read all the Mackenzie books and liked them very much...... I was waiting for Lloyd story and I loved it very much.