Off just a bit and frustrating reader

I really liked The Madness of Ian MacKenzie a lot. The rest of the series has gone down a bit each book. I have read some, I've listened to some. I was really looking forward to Daniel's book and I liked the set up. But somehow it missed the potential. Daniel has always been able to get what he's wanted in the past books off his charm. In this book he sort of runs over everyone and no one gets angry cause of his charm. As far as the Violet, I really dislike stories that feature her particular form of damage.

Now for the biggest problem. What is going on with Angela Dawe? Her limited voices and odd cadence haven't bothered me AS bad in other books. I didn't notice it at all in Madness of Ian. In this book, especially the first file, you can count to 2 between every sentence, sometime 3. It's like she's being presented ONE sentence at a time on a dragging monitor. The pause is frustrating and very distracting. She has a habit of framing each sentence strongly anyway, but the gap between was far too long.

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20 people found this helpful

SAINT OR SINNER...... WE ALL LOVE DANIEL

If you're a fan of the MacKenzie Clan, as I am, then you too would have watched Daniel go through his difficult childhood but thankfully, in this book, we see he's all grown up into a sexy, wealthy, handsome, caring, smart, creative, quirky Scotsman with a 'devil may care' attitude to life and everyone loves him..... especially the women (and me me me!!)

But as soon as he sets eyes on Violet (a poor con artist) he's attracted then, when he sees her inventions, he's fascinated but, as Violet slowly opens up to him about her tragic terrible past and still manages to be strong, then he's not only attracted and fascinated but obsessed too. He will follow her to the ends of the earth to have her but he must tread carefully as this slow seduction will take a lot of patience and self control but he hopes it will all be worth it in the end.

Set during the 1890's Industrial Revolution Daniel and Violet are like minded Inventors as well as being drawn to each other and, as the feelings deepen, Violet sees a glimmer of hope for the future and a chance of the security she never had. There's secrets, revenge, villains, twists, surprises, suspense, passion, tenderness, humor, sex and a sensual romance but in the end it takes all of the MacKenzie Clan to ensure a HEA ending.

Worth a credit? It's a very well written, emotional, riveting series to get into and once you do you eagerly await the next entertaining instalment - so that folks is a YES. This could be a stand alone listen but why deprive yourselves of an awesome series - start at book 1 and savour each and every story.

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uncomfortable and disappointing

I really wish they would mention sexual abuse themes and graphic rape attempts in the description.

Violet needs a shrink not a man and Daniel (who I was so looking forward to!) needs a nanny. Both characters are very inconsistent in maturity level and behavior. The plot is occasionally ludicrous which goes poorly with the extreme griity of the rape and poverty theme. I don't know if the writer was rushed or just flubbed this one but I wouldn't have guessed it was the same writer.

I like Angela Dawe's style but I think she lacks the range needed for a muilti book saga especially including characters who constantly change accents.

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I love the MacKenzies but it wasnt what I expected

I love the MacKenzies for they're power and sexuality. this book let me down in both aspects.

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OK….How can you not love a MacKenzie?

I love the MacKenzie men. They are scrumptious. Their only weakness is that when they fall for their women…. they fall hard. I guess it is true that people are drawn to others by beauty first and then kept there by that person’s innate qualities. What a great story of forgiveness, love, sacrifice, and passion all rolled up in one book. If there were no misunderstandings, mistrust and suspicions, all these romance novels would be short-lived and not quite as entertaining. This book has its share of that as well as limb tingling passion. All together worth the credit.

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Loved Violet

Read/Listened for Fun (Paperback/Audible)
Overall Rating: 4.25
Story Rating: 4.25
Character Rating: 4.25

Read It File It (short review): The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley has one of my favorite romance troupes: Man falls in love with woman because she creates things (mathematical or engineering)that impress him. This is especially true in Historicals where women were mostly trained to not show their smarts. I fell in love with Daniel awhile ago and loved seeing the "nosey" Mackenzie women. I do believe that Violet will fit right in :)

A few more thoughts but they are spoiler in nature:

[There is a troupe in this one that might not work for everyone but if you are a fan of the Mackenzie series then you know that at least one person in every couple is damaged. In this case, it is Violet. You may not like that she is a con-artist but she very much has her reasons. They are valid and I had no problem with her profession. However, it is something to note if you have a problem with dishonesty in a character. (hide spoiler)]

Audio Thoughts:

Narrated by: Angela Dawe /Length: 13 hrs and 52 mins


I am an Angela Dawe fangirl (I think y'all know that by now)! She totally nailed Violet and Daniel. Even though I read most of this book (I was out and about without my audiobooks), I made sure to listen to a couple of hours! I wish I could have spent the whole time with the audiobook!

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Daniel Grows Up

Any additional comments?

Daniel Mackenzie grows up...if you are familiar with this series we have watched Daniel grow up into an amazing young man...he has learned valuable lessons from his uncles & "his aunties"...Angela Dawe has narrated all of these books & brings them to life in a way that makes you fell like you are in the same room with them...a great story & even better story teller!

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One of my favorites!!

If you've read the books in this series, then you have been there as Daniel Mackenzie grew from an impetuous teen to an honorable man. This is a great story, fulfilling Daniels' own claim that he would marry someone just like his aunt Bertie.
Though I have to admit that nearly every story ends the same (someone gets shot/stabbed, fever, etc. ) that doesn't take away from the overall romance.
Daniel is a deep character, one that has been around from the beginning in many different capacities. Pairing him with a woman worthy enough was a difficult task. I think Ashley did a good job with Violet, making her as deep and layered as Daniel.
As always Angela Dawe is perfection in narration.
This is one of my faves.

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Could not finish

The story was not bad, but the narrator was so bad I just could not take any more. She has no acting skills. She reminds me of the female version of Robin Leach, host of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Imagine that voice trying to deliver a romantic encounter in any way sexy...not good

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I love how Daniel finds love

The Mackenize family is so fascinating. I love that Daniel has found love and a woman who Ioves him and understands the pain he suffered as a child. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

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