The Saga of the Family Mackenzie

My current release, THE DUKE’S PERFECT WIFE, is the fourth book in the Mackenzies series, which features (thus far), four brothers who are very close (so close they drive each other crazy). DUKE’s is Hart’s story (the oldest brother)

I’m thrilled that the book hit the USA Today and New York Times list its first week out. I keep saying that the arrogant Hart would think this appropriate. No one has laughed so far, but that’s OK; Hart and I enjoy the joke.

I’m often asked about my inspiration for this series:

The family Mackenzie just walked into my head. I remember sitting on the sofa staring out at my backyard, and seeing these guys in kilts tearing up Victorian London. The Mackenzies are bad, bad boys, decadent, in every scandal sheet--and they don't care.

I always pictured four: Hart, the leader; Cameron, the dangerous; Mac, the charmer; and Ian, the “mad” man.

I couldn’t get these brothers out of my head. They stayed with me, waking and sleeping. I reasoned that if I couldn't stop thinking about them, maybe readers wouldn’t' be able to either.

Coming up with the heroines was much harder. Isabella was always there--the woman who loved the Mackenzies but marriage to Mac nearly drove her insane. Eleanor was always there too--things didn't work out for her and Hart at first, but she's always loved him, and she is the only person to whom Hart has ever been able to open up.

Beth and Ainsley, on the other hand . . . It took me forever to find them! I wrote four different heroines for Ian, before he told me that Beth was the right one; and two for Cameron, before I settled on Ainsley (Cameron made me figure that one out by myself—he just snarls).

I’m also asked about what disorder Ian Mackenzie (the youngest brother from THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE). Ian has Asperger’s Syndrome, which is considered high-functioning autism.

I always knew, as soon as the Mackenzies took over my life, that Ian was "mad," or at least different from his brothers. I realized after watching him a while that he had Asperger's. I then did a lot of research on Asperger's, talking to people with it, or who had children with it, and reading many books, blogs, and articles about it.

I incorporated much that I learned about AS into Ian's characteristics. I wanted to explore how those in the Victorian world would react to Ian, when AS and autism weren't yet recognized. Ian turned into a wonderful character that many people love.

In Ian’s story, Hart, the oldest brother, clashes with Ian and his heroine, mostly because Hart worries about Ian. Hart appointed himself long ago as the person who keeps Ian safe.

In THE DUKE’S PERFECT WIFE, Hart comes to terms with his relationship with Ian—everything that he’s done for Ian, and everything Ian has done for him. The book is as much about Hart and Ian as Hart and Eleanor.

Hart had picked out Eleanor to be his perfect bride when he was young and ambitious—she had the right connections, the right social background, and so forth. He wooed and won her. Eleanor fell in love with the young and wild Hart, but he never admitted to himself his feelings for her. She broke it off with him, and he, young, arrogant, and angry, pretended to the world that he didn’t care (later marrying another young woman with the right connections and social background).

Now, years later, Hart again needs the perfect wife to stand at his side while he rules the country. He decides to draw Eleanor, still unwed, back into his life.

Eleanor, however, isn’t (and never was), a biddable, obedient young woman. Hart has his hands full with her, her absent-minded father, his own brothers and children, and danger to himself and his family.

Much is revealed in this book about Hart and why he’s done what he’s done over the years. It’s as much a family saga as a romance between Eleanor and Hart.

I’m also asked—What’s coming up next? Is this the end of the Mackenzies?

I reply: NO! There will be more.

The next book in the series is THE SEDUCTION OF ELLIOT MCBRIDE. Elliot is the brother of Ainsley from The Many Sins of Lord Cameron. Elliot has had a rough time of it--he was a wild young man who went to Afghanistan and India, and found a way to make money at being a wild adventurer. He was captured and imprisoned for a long time, and he's back in Scotland trying to recover.

Elliot discovers on his return that the girl he had a crush on as a boy is now getting married. He arrives at the church in time to see her left at the altar, and she, distraught, asks him for a big favor . . .

I call Elliot "The Untamed McBride". He is definitely a sexy, tortured hero. He battles the PTSD-like problems at the same time he tries to figure out how to be a proper Scottish laird. Juliana, his heroine, is never sure from day to day what's going to happen!

But Elliot's very hot and loves running around in his kilt (only).

Daniel Mackenzie, the son of Cameron, will have his story told in THE WICKED DEEDS OF DANIEL MACKENZIE. Motherless Daniel was raised alone by his father Cameron and three Mackenzie uncles, so he’s as decadent as they are. I fast forward ten years so he’ll be about twenty-eight in his book, and find the woman of his dreams.

There you have it! The Mackenzie saga. I hope everyone enjoys it. My website has a special section for the Mackenzies, including excerpts, character bios, and family trees. (See http://www.jennifersromances.com and click “Mackenzies” from the right-hand menu.)

Do you enjoy reading historical romances?  If so, what do you love most about them?  One commenter will win a signed hardback copy (Rhapsody edition) of The Duke's Perfect Wife!  

Jennifer


***Jennifer's winner is Maureen! Maureen, please email me at totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing info.  Thank you!***