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Loving Lord Ash (2014)

by Sally MacKenzie(Favorite Author)

3.58 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

1420123238 (ISBN13: 9781420123234)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Zebra

series

Duchess of Love

review 1: A delightfully witty tale of misunderstandings, miscommunication and romance! Taken from my review at RomanceJunkies.com:Eight years ago, after finding the girl he loves, Jess, in a compromising position with another man, Lord Ash saved her by marrying her. Unable to get the memory of her with another man out of his head, he left her at his country estate. Since then he has heard rumors that she is seeing other men. Over the years, he has remained faithful to his wife and is, in fact, still a virgin. Now, as the heir to a dukedom, and considering that he is getting older, he needs an heir and a spare. So he returns to the country estate, hoping he and Jess can put the past behind them and reconcile. But when he arrives to find her in the arms of a naked man, it is the last... more straw. Declaring that he is going to start divorce proceedings, Ash heads to the local inn for the night.Lady Jess Ashton still loves her husband, but after their eight year separation, she no longer holds out any hope for a happy future with him. Both of the times that Ash walked in on her and another man, has been more innocent than it appeared. During their time apart she has been concentrating on her painting and has even turned the nursery into a studio. Unfortunately, just before her husband entered the studio, she had tripped, fallen and was being helped to her feet by her nude model, Roger, who is in love with her butler, Dennis. All the men in her household share the same sexual proclivities. Jess has been faithful to her husband and since they never consummated their marriage, she is still a virgin also. After her husband marches out, Roger, who has just been fired, offers a solution to Jess’ predicament. He will enter into a sham marriage with her if Ash divorces her, but he has one condition. Jess must stay with Ash for six months and try to save her marriage.Cornering Ash at the local inn, Jess manages to talk him into trying again as they each sign an agreement, vowing to be faithful to each other. Arriving in London, they discover his parents in residence as they celebrate his brother’s marriage. Since Jess doesn’t have an aristocratic background, having been the daughter of one of the duke’s servants, she feels out of place around the duke and duchess. But not for long as the duchess, aka the Duchess of Love, tries to help them save their marriage. Jess wants nothing more than Ash’s love and his child, but first they need to communicate and learn to trust each other. Otherwise, they stand no chance at a happy marriage together. Can she win Ash’s trust and love, or is she doomed to heartache?LOVING LORD ASH, the third book in USA Today bestselling author Sally MacKenzie’s DUCHESS OF LOVE series, is a clever, passionate tale of miscommunication. This delightful historical romance is sure to become a favorite for many readers. Ash and Jess are in love with each other, but still suffer through eight years apart by listening to gossip and rumors. Although they are both still virgins, they both believe the tales of their partner’s promiscuity. The fact that the timing is not always the best whenever Ash comes upon Jess adds to the confusion. I could not help rooting for them as I read their story. Additionally, I enjoyed the way Ms. McKenzie handled the concept of gay men in this book, especially considering the bias against them in that era.Filled with deceit, miscommunication, misunderstandings, scandal, humor, passion, romance and love, this story is truly entertaining. Those who like this story may also enjoy the first two books in this series, BEDDING LORD NED and SURPRISING LORD JACK. Whether you have previously read any of Ms. MacKenzie’s works or not, be sure to give LOVING LORD ASH a try. I am sure you will be glad you did!Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
review 2: 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. less

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