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