The Seduction of Elliot McBride (Mackenzies/McBrides Series #5)

by Jennifer Ashley

Overview

PROPERLY IMPROPER…AND DARING TO LOVE…

Juliana St. John was raised to be very proper. After a long engagement, her wedding day dawns—only for Juliana to find herself jilted at the altar.

Fleeing the mocking crowd, she stumbles upon Elliot McBride, the tall, passionate Scot who was her first love. His teasing manner gives her an idea, and she asks Elliot to save her from an uncertain future—by marrying her…

After escaping brutal imprisonment, Elliot has returned to Scotland a vastly wealthy yet tormented man. Now Juliana has her hands full restoring his half-ruined manor in the Scottish Highlands and trying to repair the broken heart of the man some call irredeemably mad. Though beautiful and spirited, Juliana wonders if that will be enough to win a second chance at love.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780425251133
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	12/31/2012
Series:	Mackenzies Series , #5
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.60(w) x 4.20(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Jennifer Ashley, USA Today bestselling author and winner of a Romance Writers of America RITA Award, writes as Allyson James and Jennifer Ashley. She’s penned more than thirty-five novels and a dozen or so novellas in historical romance, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy. She now lives in the Southwest with her husband and cats, spends most of her time in the wonderful world of her stories, and also enjoys hiking, music, and building dollhouses and dollhouse miniatures.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Ashley writes the kinds of heroes I crave.” —New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt

Praise for the Mackenzies series

“I adore this novel: It’s heartrending, funny, honest, and true.” —New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James

“A sexy, passion-filled romance that will keep you reading until dawn.” —Julianne MacLean, USA Today bestselling author

"I love the Mackenzies—every one of them.” —New York Times bestselling author Sarah Maclean

Editorial Reviews

The fifth book in the MacKenzies series (after The Duke’s Perfect Wife) begins exploring the MacKenzies’ extended family by way of Ainsley MacKenzie’s brother, Elliot McBride. Elliot sought his fortunes in India, but his luck ran out when he was captured and tortured for a year before escaping and returning to his native Scotland with his motherless daughter and protective Indian servants. Happily, his own plan to seek comfort with his first and only love, Juliana St. John, bears fruit without too much effort on his part: she actually proposes to him after her intended groom jilts her to run off with a piano teacher. Elliot takes the scoundrel’s place at the altar and the newlyweds head to his newly purchased Highlands estate, where they try to settle into married life while dealing with Elliot’s painful memories and suspicion that he is being hunted by an old foe. As expected, Juliana helps to heal Elliot’s tortured soul in this enjoyable 1884 romance. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

Ashley writes the kinds of hero's I crave.” —New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt

Praise for the Mackenzies series

“I adore this novel: It’s heartrending, funny, honest, and true.” —New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James

“A sexy, passion-filled romance that will keep you reading until dawn.” —Julianne MacLean, USA Today bestselling author

"I love the Mackenzies—every one of them.” —New York Times bestselling author Sarah Maclean  

From the Publisher

Literally left standing at the altar when her fiancé elopes with his piano teacher, Juliana St. John comes across Elliot McBride, her teenage love now newly returned from India, and in a flash of brilliance, they agree to wed—immediately. But the real work begins as Juliana sets about restoring Elliot's recently acquired Highland manor, Elliot struggles with the aftermath of a harsh imprisonment, and together they try to forge a new relationship in the face of tremendous odds. VERDICT Passionate, funny, and heart-wrenching, this beautifully written romance features a cast of likable and unforgettable characters and is another excellent addition to Ashley's "Mackenzies" series. Ashley (Mate Claimed) lives in the Southwest.

Library Journal

When Juliana St. John is stranded at the altar, her first love, Elliot McBride, steps in to save the day; little does she know Elliot has high hopes that Juliana can save him. At 16, Juliana had dreamed that she'd share her life with Elliot McBride, the boy she'd never quite gotten over. After years in India, first as a young officer, then as a successful businessman, Elliot has amassed a fortune, but he's also endured brutal imprisonment at the hands of a dangerous tribe who believed he was a British spy. He's home in Scotland for good now, and when he shows up at her humiliating wedding, Juliana jokingly asks him to marry her instead, then is stunned when he accepts. Elliot has a plan, and Juliana's flippant proposal plays right into his hands. Once they're married, he spirits her away to the ramshackle country estate he's purchased from his uncle. There, surrounded by Juliana and a devoted family of servants from India, Elliot believes he can heal. But shadows from his past continue to haunt him, and when an old adversary comes calling, Juliana and Elliot must face new dangers while they fight to forge a life together based on trust, love and passion. Ashley's newest addition to her popular Victorian-set Highland Pleasures/Mackenzies series packs a potent emotional punch. Elliot's struggle to find peace of mind after shocking cruelty is hampered by episodes of "madness" that modern readers will recognize as post-traumatic stress disorder. Juliana's calm acceptance of and devotion to him as he creates his new normal is touching, and Elliot's past and present battle for wholeness using Juliana as his beacon adds an especially poignant facet to their journey. Ashley integrates high-stakes romance, scorching sensuality and moments of taut suspense into a powerful, compelling story that is both breathtaking and sweet.

Kirkus Reviews