Narrated by Angela Dawe

I wanted to shout “Score” and “Yesss!” and “You got it right!” as I started listening to The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, a favorite of mine and many other romance fans in print. I was guardedly enthusiastic when I discovered Tantor was releasing it in audio. What a hit it could be if only…if only…the narrator understood the complexities of the hero Ian, one of the most unusual heroes I’ve read in years. And, I’m excited to announce that Angela Dawe scores big time. Her interpretation of Ian was all my mind conjured up when I read this tale in print (twice).

Ian Mackenzie is the youngest brother of the Duke of Kilmorgan and leads a privileged yet challenging life. Ian has Asperger’s Syndrome – a high functioning autism. After suffering years in an asylum, he now lives independently and is a well-loved member of his family with a brilliant mind, a photographic memory, and a bluntness characteristic of his autism.

Ian, in his unique way of knowing what he wants and addressing it clearly, meets Beth and decides then and there that he wants to marry her. And the asking doesn’t take long. Beth is a widow engaged to a most undesirable man and Ian not only wants her for his wife but he also wants to protect her from the likes of her fiancé.

Beth is a gracious and immensely likable heroine. Hero Ian is totally sigh-worthy. Maybe we romance readers adore his directness? His inability to lie? His love for Beth even though he matter-of-factly believes he’s not capable of such a feeling? Or maybe we are just a bit influenced by all the very sexy scenes contained within The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie.

Angela Dawe, in her own words (when we talked with her in our 3/19/12 Speaking of Audiobooks column), chose to perform Ian with “a softness about him, despite his description as being hard in every way physically.” That softness is barely noticeable and it certainly doesn’t come across as a weakness. Her characterization of Ian is spot on and doesn’t vary from Ashley’s writing.

Ms. Dawe also scores in her depiction of Beth as she convinces us without words that Beth is a strong yet sensitive woman. Ian and Beth’s voices are clearly distinguished one from another as well as the four Mackenzie brothers. I knew who was speaking just by hearing once each was introduced.

Since releasing The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, the first in the Highland Pleasure series, Tantor has also released the fourth in the series, The Duke’s Perfect Wife. We are hoping we will see books two and three in audio as well. Once again I feel like shouting and this time, “Good job Tantor!”

Breakdown of Grade – Narration A Book Content A