Reviews

The Many Sins of Lord Cameron, by Jennifer Ashley

bookgoonie's review against another edition

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5.0

Ainsley & Cameron's Happily Ever After has been my favorite of the series. So playful. So inevitable or destined. Narration perfectly paired the written words with fire & feeling.

curleqt's review against another edition

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DNF. Just kind of dragged one once the initial plot was laid out.

izzy_happyfornow's review against another edition

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3.0

Full video discussion here
I really enjoyed this one. It was a great entry into the series even though it's book 3. I'm left feeling like I know enough to just read on from book 3.

witandsin's review against another edition

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4.0

Six years ago, Cameron Mackenzie discovered Ainsley Douglas searching his room. Back then, she claimed to be looking for a liaison with Cameron, but she had an attack of conscience and returned to her husband instead.

Now Ainsley is a widow and her path has crossed Cameron’s once more, and like the last time, she’s in his rooms. This time, Ainsley’s on a mission to recover letters that could be used to blackmail the queen. Only Cameron isn’t about to let Ainsley get away as easily as she did before. Six years haven’t dimmed his desire for her, nor hers for him. As they search for the queen’s stolen letters, Cameron tempts Ainsley with promises of passion. But Cameron never expects his lust for Ainsley to turn into something more; something that could reopen the wounds of his past and threaten the promise of a future for himself and Ainsley.

If you’re looking for a likeable heroine, a tortured hero, sensual romance, memorable secondary characters, and a dash of royal intrigue – and let’s face it, who isn’t? – then The Many Sins of Lord Cameron is for you. Jennifer Ashley delivers an engaging story in this fast-paced third installment to her wildly addictive Highland Pleasures series.

Cameron is considered to be the black sheep of his family, and in the Mackenzie family, that’s saying something. But Cameron’s dangerous façade masks a tortured past. To say that he lived through hell when he was married to his now-deceased wife would be putting it mildly. His first wife was insane, conniving, and abusive, and Cameron lived through her torture in order to protect his son. My heart broke both for Cameron and his son, Daniel, who is a bright young man that runs a bit wild but is definitely loved by the entire Mackenzie clan. Cameron deserves happiness and Ainsley is just the woman to give it to him. Her past isn’t without heartache and her present is marked by her duty to Queen Victoria. At the beginning of The Many Sins of Lord Cameron, Ainsley is a shadow of herself in many ways, and it was a joy to watch her become a vibrant heroine. She and Cameron were a fantastic match and together they brought The Many Sins of Lord Cameron to vivid life.

While The Many Sins of Lord Cameron is the third Highland Pleasures book, it can be read as a standalone. However, I defy readers who haven’t read the first two books – The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie and Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage – to read The Many Sins of Lord Cameron and not want to rush back and read Ian and Mac Mackenzie’s books. The entire Mackenzie family wrapped itself around my heart in The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie and they have yet to let go. As a fan of the series, it was a joy to see how the first two couples have progressed over the years. What’s more, with the groundwork she lays in The Many Sins of Lord Cameron, Ms. Ashley has me on the edge of my seat to see what happens to the eldest Mackenzie brother, Hart. Even Daniel, who is only sixteen, is already developing into hero material.

The Many Sins of Lord Cameron is an excellent book that I read in one sitting. The only problem I had was that I finished it and wanted to dive right into the next Highland Pleasures book, which sadly won’t be out until 2012. I look forward to revisiting Cameron and Ainsley’s romance many times over as I wait for Hart Mackenzie’s book, The Duke’s Perfect Wife.

Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.

reclusivereader's review against another edition

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3.0

"I know I'm unworldly, Lord Cameron, but I'm not certain that what they're doing is quite possible."
"I buy it for the beauty of it, not for instructions."
"Well, that's a mercy, or you'd never have had a son."

For a book with the title THE MANY SINS OF LORD CAMERON I'm feeling a little disappointed. Misled by advertising. Where were all these supposed sins? Regardless, though, I did like the third installment in this series which focused on a third Mackenzie brother. Like the rest of these books, and likely those to come, there's a tragic tale to Cameron's background; there's more to the man who is known for his love of horses and women.. and in that order. However the part I loved most about this book was that the events in the background didn't get wildly outrageous like they did in the previous books (maybe because of Cameron's backstory) and because it was both funny and heartwarming.

"I want her, and I'd do right by her, if I can only make Pierson see sense."
"Goodness, you sound almost like a man proposing marriage."
"[..] I suppose landing a horse is similar, but horses aren't near as much bother as wives."

I truly loved Cameron but what made him extra wonderful was his relationship with his sixteen year old son Daniel. I loved how their interactions played out and how some of Daniel's actions were revealed by the end. Not to mention how dedicated he was to his father's happiness. It was so so sweet. As far as Ainsley goes, I liked her too. But though I enjoyed her calming, yet enlivening, affect on Cameron, there were times I didn't always feel the emotional connection between them. But I quite liked her backstory even if I was a little meh about her present-day responsibilities as Queen Victoria's lady in waiting (or whatever).

"Do be careful, Ainsley. They entice you, these Mackenzies, first with their wickedness and then with all that is heartbreaking."

There was a brief interlude in this book that has basically set up book four for Hart & Eleanor, to say nothing of that epilogue, and I'm pretty excited to get to the next brother before we deviate into another family. But I enjoyed this romance for it's rather sedate simplicity. There were no big epic angsty plots, no major turmoil to overcome. Cameron had his demons but, as befitting the serenity that Ainsley gave him, the turnaround to let go of his past was.. gentle and almost without fanfare. Natural.

"It sounds so lonely."
"I'm rarely alone."
"I know. That makes it worse."

THE MANY SINS OF LORD CAMERON was without the dramatic fireworks of the first two books but I still enjoyed it, maybe because of that fact, though I would've liked a bit more heat between the couple.. or at least been made to feel it, instead of just being shown or told. Still a worthwhile read though!

3.75 "I'm used to women seeking me as refuge from their dull husbands" stars

booked_with_vi's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5

I loved Cameron’s journey and him trying to heal through his trauma

I didn’t care much for ainsley or their romance.

Loved Daniel!

rosiepons's review

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medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

leahkarge's review against another edition

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5.0

I've decided it's bloody cruel of Jennifer Ashley to create a whole family of adorable, lovable, wild Scottish men.


What I Liked:
1. Cameron. He's actually been my favorite Mackenzie brother since the first book, and I've loved him more with each installment of the series. He's strong, passionate, honest, loyal. He has a horrible past (as do all Mackenzies) that he tries to pretend doesn't haunt him. And it does, until he becomes involved with Ainsley. Even then, he's still followed by the Ghost of Wives Past, but Ainsley forces him to talk about it and Cam is finally able to move on and let it go. He's wildly talented with horses. And I love that he's the Mackenzie that has retained his Scottish accent the most. Suffice it to say, I want to marry Lord Cameron Mackenzie.

2. Ainsley. She is definitely my favorite female of this series. I wondered about her when she showed up in the last book, wondered how I was going to like her. (She is with my Cam after all!) But I absolutely adore her! She's funny, strong, intelligent, and knows how to handle Cam. Plus, I just found her more interesting than Beth and Isabella. And she never pissed me off!

3. Hart and Eleanor. I cannot see how it turns out with these two! Especially after that declaration Hart made at the end about taking a wife. Then we'll hopefully find out what made her jilt him in the first place all those years ago!

4. Cam and Angelo. I wouldn't say that they have a bromance, but they are definitely besties. These two are so cute!

5. The Plot. I found this one even more interesting than the last two! Who'da thought!


What I Didn't Like:
1. Cam's Dead Wife. This bitch is the only thing I did not like about this book. And, really, it had nothing to do with the book. Just the fact that Jennifer Ashley created the perfect villain in her, evoking no sympathy, especially after I learned the full extent of what she did to my Cameron. Bitch deserved to die. Ding dong, the witch is dead.


What Inspired Mixed Feelings:
1. Daniel. The boy was equal parts frustrating as hell and utterly adorable. Sometimes I wanted to hit him, sometimes I wanted to hug him. Damn boy!


This book was fantastic. Like I said, I loved it even more than the previous two. I cannot wait for The Duke's Perfect Wife to come out. The excerpt in the back keeps taunting me and calling my name. I must be strong and not read it! Because doing so would just torture me more and make me want the rest of the book right now. So, here I go, settling in for the long wait with only my other books to comfort me...*sigh*

jessenreadsromance's review against another edition

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5.0

Continuing with the MacKenzie brood, Cameron finds Ainsley Douglas snooping in his room for the second time! She needs to find the letters that she's being blackmailed with and there's a good chance that the person who is doing the blackmail hid them in Cameron's rooms.

Cameron is not amused since the first time he caught her, she stole an emerald necklace for one of his past lovers. When he discovers the truth of the matter, he softens but that doesn't erase his deep mistrust of women due to his traumatic first marriage.

Unlike the other books in the series, the mystery isn't as cloak-and-dagger and I was grateful. Their romance is enough and didn't need any manufactured intrigue. I really loved Ainsley and Cameron together. Their connection deepens beautifully over the course of the book. Daniel, Cameron's hellion son, is phenomenal and I can't wait to read his book!

isacore's review against another edition

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0