The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

Ian Mackenzie is known throughout the ton as being a madman. There are rumors that he spent most of his life in an asylum, and everyone is in agreement that he is rather odd. Beth Ackerley, is a widow who has recently come into fortune. From the moment Ian sets his sights on her he decides that he must save her from her engagement and marry her himself. Beth has decided that she will never remarry and instead wants to live her life as a widow traveling and taking up hobbies - no drama. Little does she know that Ian has different plans for her.

Considering that I hadn’t read a good historical in quite some time, I read two in one week. This was fantastic and not your average story. Firstly, Ian Mackenzie seems to be suffering from Asperger's Syndrome. He has difficulty looking at someone in the eye, can’t seem to focus while in crowds, he’s a bit on the obsessive compulsive side, can go long periods of time without speaking, etc. Yet through all this Beth loves him - that love actually brought tears to my eyes. Secondly, the story has plenty of action, steamy romance and wonderful characters. I actually read this in a couple of hours - yes, it was that good.

This is the first book in the Highland Pleasures series. Ian has three brothers and a half-brother and from what it seems they will all get their own books. So although this is my first Jennifer Ashley book, it definitely will not be the last.