Saturday, March 15, 2014

Spring Fling with Kensington - Sally MacKenzie's LOVING LORD ASH



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The sun is shining in Maryland ... perhaps Spring is around the corner!   Kensington recently sent me a package of books to ring in the good weather.   Let's kick off Spring Fling with an author is always blooming with joy, Sally MacKenzie.  She is celebrating the release of LOVING LORD ASH, Book 3 in The Duchess of Love series ...

Kit, the Marquis of Ashton, is in a sticky wicket. He married young and for love—how naïve. He discovered his mistake the very day of his wedding, but he is saddled now with a wife he’s reluctant to trust. And however much evidence he gathers against faithless Jess, he can’t seem to prove her guilt to the final judge—his foolish heart.

Jess knows she’s bobbled her marriage, however innocently. A fairytale wedding makes no difference if she hasn’t got the marquis charmed to show for it. Well, she’s had enough of accidental encounters with naked gentlemen and near misses explaining things to her husband. It’s time to buck up and go win her man back—even if she has to fight very dirty indeed.

Kit (the dog) joins the fun in LOVING LORD ASH

Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city. – George Burns

The Marquis of Ashton is grateful for his large, loving, caring, close knit family.   Unfortunately, he lives with them since he abandoned his bride eight years ago in his manor house.   Granted, he loved Jess since childhood - she saw past the "marquis" facade and appreciated him for his true self.  But she was unfaithful.  Yet he wants, no, needs to sire an heir so he sets out to reconcile with her.  Unfortunately, he finds Jess, once again, in the arms of another man.

Jess could use George Burns' charm to convince her estranged husband that the naked man in her art studio is not a lover but a model.  And one of several men who live in her manor home.   The village thinks they are all her lovers but they are not.   Jess has given them a sanctuary ... a sanctuary that Kit threatens when he barks out the words "divorce".   Jess convinces Kit to give their marriage - and children - one last try as a divorce is expensive ... and would be scandalous for his mother, known as the Duchess of Love.   

Sally MacKenzie follows George Burns' example in delivering good spirited humor in this Regency Romance.   Perhaps George Burns and Gracie Allen were the role models for the Duke and Duchess of Greycliffe, life long partners who parented the rambunctious boys in The Duchess of Love series - BEDDING LORD NED, SURPRISING LORD JACK, and LOVING LORD ASH.   MacKenzie creates a comfortable atmosphere for readers to join the fun in LOVING LORD ASH as Kit and Jess give their marriage a second chance.   They come from different classes and they have different personalities - Kit is reserved while Jess is vivacious.  Yet they belong together, no matter what the ton may say or how the villains will interfere.    

MacKenzie's books create laugh-out-loud moments - the characters' hijinks in LOVING LORD ASH is simply amusing. I found myself humming Fleetwood Mac's YOU MAKE LOVING FUN:

Sweet wonderful you,
You make me happy with the things you do,
Oh, can it be so,
This feeling follows me wherever I go.


No matter what Kit thinks he sees, or what others may gossip, he still loves Jess.   Kit enjoyed the hijinks (a departure from marquis behavior) as he finally claimed his wife.   MacKenzie delivers that final "aw" moment in LOVING LORD ASH.  

Recommended read for fans of Regency romance, off-the-wall characters, and large families who tend to interfere.

I received an ARC from Kensington for an honest review.  I am giving away my ARC to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Do you ever find yourself humming ... and what do you hum?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 22, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 23.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about Sally and her books, check out her website at sallymackenzie.net.

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25 comments:

  1. I hum all the time....usually when I'm listening to the oldies on the radio.

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  2. I often find myself humming or singing, even when I'm not listening to music. Usually, it's something from a musical, but it can be most anything, even songs I hate, if I've heard one recently!

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  3. usually I have a radio or something playing in the background for noise but I admit when there isn't I do find myself humming to myself some. usually it's something like the alphabet song or twinkle twinkle or else christmas music (we wish you a merry christmas, joy to world or such) -- doesn't matter the time of year.

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  4. I do hum sometimes, but not very often. "Loving Lord Ash", sounds like a lovely read.

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  5. I do find myself humming sometimes.

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  6. I hum all the time! Frequently, my tune selection is from the Beatles catalogue, Christmas carols, Christian rock songs and old-time standards. For some reason, "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" and "You Are My Sunshine" are the ones I hum most of the time!

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  7. I've never been a hummer. But I do love Sally's books! So glad this one is finally here. We own them all!!

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  8. Generally I don't hum but I do get a song struck.in my mind sometimes and I hum

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  9. I don't hum. I'm more likely to break out into song. LOL I love this series and would love to win "Ash."

    Marcy Shuler

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  10. Yes, I do hum. But I more often I sing....and usually they are silly songs that I have made up to sing to my dog.

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  11. Not often but I do hum or sing along when I hear a favorite song. I always have my radio tuned into my oldies station. Thanks for this chance to win Kim.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  12. I do hum. Mostly when I'm happy. It's never a known song, just humming.

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  13. I hum all the time...usually something from the radio or TV....mostly commercials haha

    Thanks for the chance to win! I love Sally MacKenzie's books. I've been waiting for Ash's book for ages, it seems :)

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  14. I hum as well as sing. Usually as I'm listening to my mp3 player while driving.

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  15. I hum all sorts of randomness - most of the time it's just whatever floats in my head. A lot of times, it's my favorite earworms. Like today I couldn't stop humming Rich Girl by Hall and Oates lol

    I would love to win Kit & Jess' book! I love this series!!

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  16. I do hum, usually some random song that I recently heard and can't get out of my head.

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  17. LOL... Whistle While You work!! It helps me keep the momentum going. ;o)

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  18. I don't think I do hum. I'm more likely to sing a song in my head. I might sing out loud but softly so no one can hear my off key voice!

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  19. I hum sometimes, especially around the Christmas holiday. Loving Lord Ash sounds fascinating. Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  20. Yes, I hum, usually whatever earworm has recently been passed to me.... or I may break out singing it! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  21. Yep, I hum. I hum when I don't feel comfortable to sing. I tend to hum the last song I heard on my phone. When I get out of the car. Which tends to be pop songs.

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  22. Sometimes I do hum when I'm happy. I don't have a particfular hum that I do though.

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