Product Description

Mackenzie Blue has a crush!

Customer Reviews (6)

Mackenzie Blue rocks for tweens!
Zee is back and still crushing on her friend and classmate, Landon. But her music class is putting on a musical remix of Romeo and Juliet and that might just be her ticket to finally dating Landon. If she's cast as Juliet and him as Romeo, they'll have to kiss. Surely it will happen (Zee's a star, right?) and Landon + Zee = 2 LUV. And is she not the only one in the class who has a crush, and why is Kathi so nice? But when Ally gets a boyfriend and starts spending less time online with Zee, when Zee needs her most, will Mackenzie figure it all out?

The 2nd volume in the Mackenzie Blue series was more enjoyable for me, with plots of stardom and crushes, etc. The way Zee had to take stock in her friendship troubles and love drama, I thought it held great teaching moments for tweens. I wasn't fond of all of the characters once again, but the new ones that were added brought some more diversity and promise for the series. I admire the creativity too, of the class, for their approach towards Romeo and Juliet, remixing it to fit their own lives. I wish that I had a musical class that wrote their own musical when I was Zee's age!

To put it like Zee: The Secret Crush rocks with more friendship lessons and real characters.

Yea!More Mackenzie Blue!
If you hated to leave the world of Mackenzie Blue, you'll want to read this book.If you want to know more about what can happen in 7th grade, you'll want to read this book.

The second book in the series The Secret Crush includes science projects, homework, parties, and best yet a Rock and Roll Musical that is more important to Zee than anything. Well, except her relationship with her BFF (why can't Ally be here to help her out?) and the confusion about one certain boy, complicated by two new kids joining the music class, and a note from a secret admirer.

Like the first book, The Secret Crush is funny.So are the drawings in the diary entries.Yet, there's serious stuff here, too, like getting in trouble with parents.

There's another sequel just out! Mackenzie Blue: Friends Forever?

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A nice addition the the Mackenzie Blues series....book two finds Zee trying to find a balance between her new friends, school, and 'THE BEANS', while still keeping true to herself and her long distance friend Ally.All the excitement has her trusting some she should not and ignoring some she should.In the end, she winds up in quite a predicament...but who will come to her rescue saving her day and the musical performance of her young school career?

Though the book is titled "THE SECRET CRUSH", it seemed as though that story took a back seat to Zee's more pressing musical dreams.It's not a bad thing since the story would run the risk of lagging dramatically had it focused only on the crush, it just left this reader wondering if there wasn't perhaps another more fitting title to be had.All in all, a fun read recommended for fans of MG fiction.....

The Secret Crush
This book was really cute and fun to read. I haven't read a book about a musical or school play for a long time, so it was great to read about the process of putting a musical together. I was worried that the characters would still be kind of cliched, as they were in Mackenzie Blue, but I was glad to see that all the characters were explored more in-depth. The mini-illustrations in the book were fun to see and really added to the story. Overall, The Secret Crush is a wonderful book for upper elementary school kids, and older readers will find themselves smiling as well!

Got my niece to get interested in books and reading!!
So my niece is one of those girls who would read for school but didn't really enjoy it...and would even proudly tell you that she was not interested in books at all.The copies of The Secret Garden and Anne of Green Gables I gave her sit (still) on her bookshelf, untouched.So I saw this in the bookstore over the holidays, and I picked it up just for the hell of it.Well, before January was over, she was finished with the book and excitedly telling me what McKenzie is up to, all about her friends and daily dilemmas....and when I told her there were more volumes to come...she was kind of psyched.So even though maybe this type of stuff isn't what I would choose for her, I am very grateful that it has helped her to discover the joys of reading.And I have to admit....I might take a look at this one after she is done with it.I kinda wanna know WHO has the crush on McKenzie?!! ... Read more

Product Description
New to London society and rather...awkward...Lady Grace Belmont would just as soon hide behind the palm trees as dance with a man she doesn't know. But Baron Dawson is on the hunt for a wife. Grace's generous curves and remarkable height do not intimidate him. In fact, it would be more accurate to describe his reaction to the charming newcomer as lust. Before Grace can so much as gather her thoughts, she finds herself in his arms, committing one shocking impropriety after another. The Baron's devilish attractiveness - to say nothing of his splendid muscles - is simply impossible to resist. Her beloved aunt and chaperone advises patience, but Grace is not about to listen. The handsome baron is whispering such delightful things in her ear... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

It Was Okay
This was my first Sally MacKenzie novel, although I know of other titles in this line.I wanted a humorous read and this appeared to have some humor in it.Turns out, it wasn't as funny as I'd hoped, but it had a few amusing moments.There are dual romances in the book, and I think I was more interested in the secondary romance of Alex and Kate.

The way things work out was a bit obvious and standard romance fare, but it's an enjoyable book.I'd consider reading other novels by MacKenzie, but I can't say I'd expect a lot.

Description is misleading...
After getting into the book it was not a bad read. I found the description of the book misleading. The book seems to really center on the romance between Lady Kate Oxley and Mr Alex Winton, even though it describes a relationship between Baron Dawson and Lady Grace. The book had some rather humorous moments and once again pulled characters from Sally's other books into it. Both couples are intertwined in the story as Lady Kate is the aunt of Lady Grace...both appear to have their lives planned out by Lord Standen, the father of Grace and brother of Kate.

Not one of her best books but NOT one that I would say to skip either.

A little superficial, but not bad
Basic Plot: Grace and the Baron see each other across a crowded dance floor and he decides he wants to marry her, but her father was once jilted by the Baron's mother and he hates the family and even influenced her aunt Kate to marry a much older man to keep her from marrying the Baron's Uncle Alex. Alex has always loved Kate and they sleep together and she gets pregnant and they have their love story. It's pretty straight-forward. Grace's father tries to force her to marry the man he chooses for her and drags her away from the Baron and she has to decide if she loves the Baron enough to disappoint her father.

I'm not sure I get why some of the other's were less than fond of this. Yes, the love stories are a bit superficial. For example, both the older and younger sets of lovers had only met a few times before deciding to love each other. In fact, for the Baron and Grace, he experienced love/lust at first sight. I didn't reallyind it since none of the characters were particularly strident, amoral, or annoying. No, there isn't much drama involved in this story and that's one of my favorite things about the story. I also liked that the heroine is tall and statuesque instead of being either tall and slim, short and slim, or short and curvy. I can't think of any other similarly built romance heroines. I think Coulter had one years ago. I kinda liked that the Baron (his name is escaping me) liked her large breast since so many romances are about making women with smaller breasts feel better. 2 of my sisters have pretty huge chests and I bet they would definitely identify more with Grace than the typical skinny or hourglass heroines.

So in the end, this book is sort of middle of the road since it does nothing badly and also nothing well. It's proficient, but since it isn't offensive and didn't make me want to throw it across the room, I gave it 4 stars.

Confusing
What i find confusing is that she already talked about Grace and Dawson in the previous novel 'The Naked Gentleman'. I hate it when an author does that. Why didn't she just write about Grace and Dawson first, then write about John Parker-Roth and Margaret 'Meg' Peterson? I like the first two books but every one after that has just left me bored and i just couldn't wait until the story ended. I hope this is the last in the naked series so that she can come up with some better stories. This series is not terrible, but it is lacking and i hope she does some better books in the near future. I have not given up on Sally yet, but only time will tell.

A Boring Read not worth the time
I've read three chapters and am at the point where having wasted my money, I refuse to waste any more of my time.There is far too much backstory and not enough action and by the time I'd read about that ... Read more

Product Description
He Couldn't Refuse

John Parker-Roth cannot believe that marriage is necessary for his happiness. He would far rather pursue his interest in horticulture, but if one day he should find a female who shared his passion for flowers--a level-headed, calm sort of female--he might reconsider. Certainly the lovely young woman who has just tumbled into his lap will not do, as she possesses neither of those admirable qualities. Yet Miss Margaret Peterson does have many things in her favor. To begin with, she is a true English rose, blushing a delectable pink. And she is not entirely clothed. Her full mouth begs to be kissed. If only she would not wriggle so...oh, dear. He cannot ignore the sudden vision of her in his bed, but he must.

What? Is Meg actually asking him to kiss her? Well, well, well. John Parker-Roth is a gentleman, first and foremost. And he cannot turn down a lady's request... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Boooorrrrrring
This book was booooorrrrrring.After reading The Naked Marquis, I was looking forward to this one.'Marquis' was so funny and had so much better heat in it...I was so looking forward to the story of Emma's sister Meg but found myself very sadly wanting.

Delectable soft porn
When I was young, my grandparents used to refer disparagingly to certain types of romance novels as "bodice rippers";to my regret, I was never allowed to read them.I think they would have immediately placed the "Naked" series in this category (although regency dresses believed in direct advertising and didn't have much bodice to rip...).Of course, we now have 21st century updates, with throbbing organs at appropriate moments and a variety of other explicit details, but the ancestry still shows.Having said that, this series is enormously entertaining, provided that one reads the books quickly and for fun (ideally at one sitting), and just savors the plots and complications, rather than looking for high literature.

In my opinion, the Naked Gentleman is the best of the lot, perhaps because the hero and heroine are not at the highest levels of the British nobility, which is where the author periodically gets somewhat lost;for example, her nobles seem to get involved in uncharacteristic manual activities from time to time, and there seems to be a real dearth of servants, neither likely in the stately homes of the period.Another slight problem for English readers, but probably not so noticeable on this side of the Atlantic, is the use of Americanisms.For example, in England a visitor to one's house does not "stay over", and one fishes with a "rod", not a "pole".So, read them for pure enjoyment(or impure, depending on one's viewpoint), not as history lessons.

The Naked Gentleman- A Joyfully Recommended Title
Miss Margaret Peterson (Meg) is interested in only one thing--plants. That one-track interest leads Meg into more trouble than she is prepared for. She can handle the men who think she wants more than to discuss the plants in the gardens. Of course she can. That's why her sister Emma decides too late to take over chaperone duties.

John Parker-Roth has the most amazing and extensive gardens in England. And absolutely no desire to get married. It's too bad his mother doesn't feel the same and drags him off to town to look for a bride. His mother is delighted when Parks is caught in a compromising situation...twice...with Miss Peterson.Knowing his duty, Parks proposes to Meg only to have her refuse his offer. He's surprised at how that disappoints him.

It seems that everyone they know wants the two of them to marry. While Meg is trying to decide if she will go to South America to search for unusual plant specimens, Parks is still trying to convince himself that he is NOT attracted to Meg. Good luck with that.

Funny. Funny. Funny. I love The Naked Gentleman! This is the fourth in the series and is just as funny and entertaining as the others. Meg and Parks are just too much fun to read. I think I'll read it again.

Willow
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

The Naked Gentleman
This series of books was immensly entertaining.The characters were interesting and the plot was not too serious.These books made great lunch time reading.

The Naked Gentleman
I was really looking forward to this book, I had read the previous three and enjoyed them.Little did I know that Meg was no longer the strong, matter of fact, tomboyish character I had enjoyed, instead we get a silly, immature female who is kissing any single male with a good greenhouse in the garden.

And apparently every couple in Regency England during the season is having a quickly in the gardens of London's ton.No, I don't want to know the biggest gossip likes to do it in the bushes when over heated.Or Parker's mother likes to paint her husband in all his natural glory.

There were so many side characters, and to me there must be a problem with the story if the secondary characters are getting more story line then the two main characters.

I think I would of enjoyed this book more if the female character was not introduced from previous books.There were some very funny parts in the book, but over all I wouldn't recommend this book if you read any of the previous Sally MacKenzie books. ... Read more

Product Description
An invitation too hot to pass up... Angela Clarke finds herself bound for the holidays, literally. Not by one,but two gorgeous men -- a powerful executive and one sexy cowboy.

Customer Reviews (20)

How could it just end like that....?
Just as the book seemed like it was getting started? I usually love her books and don't usually comment on the books I've read but I just had to say how dissappointed I was that the book just ended... I honestly felt like I was in the middle of the book and I lost the last few chapters.

Merry Christmas!
One thing that I always love about Mackenzie's books is the strong sense of place. I don't know if it's because I used to live in Arizona or what, but I loved the description of Scottsdale during the Holidays in this book.
Ryan was, of course, a very sexy hero. And he fell hard for Angela. The addition of his good friend to the, uh, Christmas festivities was VERY nice.

Too smutty for me!
Well written but the content was a little too much. I mean, come on who does this stuff!? And the ending was pretty lame...Glad it was free!!

Embarrassed to Admit I Read This
It was free, or I never would have even considered this book, just by the title and the little I knew about it.I should have gone with my gut - if I wouldn't pay money for it, then why waste my time reading it?!?There was barely a plot and it amazed me how "into it" she was. I mean, this guy was her new boss.MAYBE I can let some of this slide and go along with that she was madly in love/lust with this guy and so she was up for anything with him.But his friend, Wade??? Give me a break! Just the description of the guy made me want to gag, much less the things she did with him.

This is truly a case of "you get what you pay for" and in my case I paid nothing.For those of you who do actually spend money on this trash - know that it takes less than an hour to read it, so even if you do end up enjoying the book, think about how much you are willing to spend for an hours worth of "entertainment".

Waste of time.
One of the worst Kindle freebies I've had the misfortune of reading.I'm okay with a thin plot if the rest of the details make up for it, but this one certainly doesn't.Boring and poorly constructed.I will avoid reading anything else by this author.
... Read more

Product Description
The Game By Mackenzie McKade

In the year 2106, erotic reality game shows are all the rage. Add two estranged celebrities on an exclusive BDSM pleasure planet and their explosive reunion rivals Armageddon…

Desperate for money, Chastity Ambrose enters a sexually explicit game show known for its unsavory exploits, only to discover that her opponent is the very man she left at the altar two years ago. A man who still fires her blood and does the most deliciously wicked things to her body and mind.

While Chastity struggles with long-held secrets and her body's desires, Seth can think of only one thing…

Revenge couldn't be sweeter for Seth Allen, as the game show has been rigged to suit him. He wants Chastity to suffer as he has these past two years. Just seeing her again arouses his anger, as well as his passion. But vengeance is bittersweet.

Both Chastity and Seth struggle to survive with their hearts intact during this high stakes battle of dominance and submission.

Let the games begin! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

What a game!

I thought The Game was a very cool idea, and talk about sexy! Chastity and Seth have incredible chemistry. And I loved that the show's host was named Monty - he was such a weasel. There was a great mix of kinky and traditional in the love scenes, and of course plenty of them! It makes me happy to know I can always count on Mac's books having lots of erotic love scenes.
The whole idea of a pleasure planet just really works for me. The Game is a sexy story with plenty of raw emotion and great characters.

The Game and how they played it.
This is an excellent bdsm novel. I liked the way the story was different from all the others out there. It really hit the spot, to say the leasst! If you like bdsm and want to find a good read, I'd say this is a great bet. Another good bet is Sweet Seduction.

love this book--one of my favorite
i love this book--great flow--great conflict--the d/s relationship is amazing and the perfect mixture of lust/anger/innocence/humility--the future enviroments are very believable--these characters are very likeable and you feel for both of them--chastity walked out on their wedding 2 years earlier without an explanation to the groom--
they meet again and she is pretty much stuck doing whatever he wants and he is defenitely out for revenge. for chastity failure isn't an option--he wants her to fail--this book should have been longer--

Chastity and Seth
Two years ago Chastity left Seth at the alter and now she is in desperate need of money to help her mother. With the opportunity to win one hundred million dollars Chastity cannot turn down a game show for adults, but what she doesn't realize is that Seth is in on the game as well. Seth has been furious for 2 years, wanting nothing more than to humiliate Chastity as she did him by leaving him at the alter, so when his buddy (the gameshow host) contacts him he is more than willing to go head to head with Chastity. When the game is revealed and Chastity realizes she must be submissive to Seth and she tries to bow out, but in order to get out of the game she would have to pay a huge fine that she does not have...and so the game begins. Will Seth get his revenge against Chastity? Or will the love they once shared draw them back together?

***As a BDSM novel you need to expect some m/m/m/f interaction along with sexual domination situations. As a huge fan of Mackenzie Mckade I was deeply disappointed in this book. I have come to expect more from this author than just sexual escapades and that is all I felt this book was. As a huge erotic romance fan this book fell below par in the romance department. I do not recommend this book and I certainly hope her next one is better.

story line BORING
The sex is hot the book is not.When writing on part fantasy part real life - - use a better story line, going to the moon and faraway galaxy's was ridiculous and made the story boring.I want to know when I fantasize that it could have happened even if only in my mind! ... Read more

Product Description
Book description to come. ... Read more

Product Description
" The Mackenzie men arelegendary. Strong, independent, passionate and single-minded, they take whatthey want no matter the rules! Catch up on these classic novels by belovedauthor Linda Howard, collected together for one low price! Bundle includesMackenzie's Mountain, Mackenzie's Mission, Mackenzie's Pleasure, and AGame of Chance.

In Mackenzie's Mountain, Wolf Mackenzie is a loner with a waywith horses and a deep distrust of outsiders -- until one woman dares to ventureonto Mackenzie's Mountain. Schoolteacher Mary Elizabeth Potter is determinedto keep Wolf's teenage son from abandoning his dreams --and finds herselfrescuing Wolf along the way.

In Mackenzie's Mission, Night Wing -- the revolutionary test planewith a top-secret weapons system -- was Colonel JoeMackenzie'snumber-one priority. And weapons expert Caroline Evans was his number-onedistraction. True, the stubborn blonde was giving him the cold shoulder, but Joehadn't become the best of the best by giving up. Then he discovered someone onthe inside was sabotaging Night Wing, and with her late hours and specializedexpertise, Caroline seemed the obvious choice. Now Joe had to choose betweenallegiance to his country and love for his prime suspect....

Customer Reviews (4)

Love those Mackenzie's!
These stories are actually pretty standard romance stories. You know from the beginning who will end up with who and both parties have "never met anyone that made them feel that way".Having said that, I love these stories!I've read other romance novels and had no desire to read them again, but I bought these so I could read them all over again.I had gotten them from the library years ago and when I saw them for my Kindle, I had to have them.There's just something about the Mackenzie's that makes these hard to put down.I breezed through the books again and loved them as much the second time around. I would recommend these to anyone that likes romance novels.Yes, there are cliches and sometimes things happen in the stories that make me question how any woman would put up with that behavior but overall they're very entertaining reading.

Mackenzies bundle: Mackenzies mountain
The stories were so full of action and romance I didn't want it to end. Especially Joe's story who was sooo hot.

Don't Do It!!!
I got this audio version from the library.I do a lot of traveling and I love Linda Howard so how could I go wrong.

I listened to the tapes even though I read that they were the abridged version (I only listen to and buy unabridged editions)and I regretted it imensely.

The editing was awful.So awful that bad books were even worse (All That Glitters and Independant Wife).Loving Evangeline I thought was an okay book, but because the editor cut out so much of the story, this too becomes an awful book.Loving Evangeline is one book that I think readers should take the time to read.

If you have to get the audio version then go through your library and obtain a copy.Whatever you do, do not buy it first!!!

Linda Howard ALWAYS gets 5 stars from me!!
Since there is no description of this audio book, I thought I would add one.
This is a Collector's Edition of *3* Linda Howard romances (abridged). All That Glitters, Loving Evangeline, and An Independent Wife.
I took a chance and ordered this not really knowing what I would be getting, and I am so glad I did. ... Read more

Product Description
Victoria Carswell, the heroine of Virginia Henley's "Smuggler's Lair" will not be bound by society's dictates. She'll even risk skinny - dipping in view of an abandoned castle. At least, Victoria thinks it's abandoned, until a dashing smuggler lures her into an adventure that defies every rule. In "The Naked Laird" by Sally MacKenzie, the viscount's house party promises to be one of the season's highlights, and Lord and Lady Kilgorn are delighted to attend. If only the long estranged couple had realised they were both invited - and assigned the same bedchamber. Victoria Dahl's "Lessons in Pleasure" introduces Sara Hood, who is newly married to her beloved James, and should be blissfully happy...yet close proximity to a man fills her with anxiety. But James plans to awaken Sarah to pleasure in order to forge a true union of body and soul. In Kristi Astor's "Swept Away", vivacious Christobel Smyth is a gentleman's daughter, while brooding, proud John Leyden comes from a family of northern mill owners. The two could not be more different, yet as passion flares at a country party, Christobel finds he may be her match in every way. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

eh
The stories are mediocre and the plots are laughably simple. The style of the stories/language don't even fit the time period of the stories. This compendium of short stories is one of those guilty pleasure reads that is pure puff. That said, it was kind of enjoyable (and a really quick read) as long as you suspend your thinking self pretty much altogether.

Touching Stories
The previous post gave a very good summary so I won't repeat here.I would recommend this anthology.Many of these stories made me cry, they hit on real themes and emotions I have not read in a romance story in a long while.The second story "The Naked Laird" especially hit close to my heart.It's about a married couple who became estranged after suffering the loss of a baby (miscarriage) and the rekindling of their love after forgiveness.Very touching, I cried very much.The first story"Smuggler's Lair" also hit me hard, so much love that can even conquer death...

Read this anthology with a box of tissues.

Desirable and Sensual Historical Anthology!
Just in time for Valentine's Day, the search for an excellent historical romance read for the occasion has been released with novellas written by four talented authors in the Victorian, Georgian, Edwardian and Regency eras.

Virginia Henley's "Smuggler's Lair" is a Georgian/Victorian Time-Travel tale where the beautiful violet eyed Victoria Caswell meets the dark handsome new resident of Bodiam Castle, Sir Peregrine Palmer Fuller. Victoria is confused over her emotional draw to the Castle, while Sir Peregrine struggles with trying to understand his love at first site for the lovely Victoria. It is when the Caswell family is invited to dinner at the castle that Victoria suddenly disappears for a month, only to be drawn back in time, meeting one of Sir Peregrine's ancestors, the infamous smuggler Lord Falcon Hawkhurst. Victoria and Falcon fall deeply and sensuously in love. When Falcon is mortally wounded in a smuggler raid and dies, Victoria feels her life is over, only to return to the present and realize that Sir Peregrine is actually her lost Falcon. Will Sir Peregrine come to realize he is the reincarnated Falcon in time to be reunited with his true mate, Victoria?

Fans of Sally MacKenzie's "Naked Series" will love this new Regency short story "The Naked Lair." The decade long estranged Lord and Lady Kilgorn are accidentally placed in the same bedroom during a house party. Eleanor (Nell) and Ian married young and were madly in love, only to become estranged after a misunderstanding after the early loss of their first child. Even though ten years is a long time, can they reach across the decade and find their love again? Or better yet, can they come to realize, with a little help from some friends, that they have never stopped loving each other? This sad story will grip your heart, but also delight the reader, as only Sally MacKenzie with her talent can do. It is a great prequel to her next in the "Naked Series," "The Naked Baron."

In the straight-laced Victorian era is a wife supposed to enjoy and desire the full sensual pleasures of the marriage bed? Victoria Dahl entertainingly addresses the strong desire and passion of a newly wedded young couple in "Lessons in Pleasure." This delightful story shows the struggles of Sarah and James Hood as they discover their passionate natures during a time of sexual confusion and repression in the Victorian era. Sarah reads and worries too much that she may be a nymphomaniac and James wonders about his feelings and the possibility that his passionate acts are being forced too soon on his young wife. Will Sarah and James discover that intense desire and passion is not something to be denied, but rejoiced over when true love is the basis of this sensuality?

Kristi Astor contributes another highly entertaining Victorian era romance in "Swept Away." This story emphasizes the class differences during the Victorian era where the aristocracy is being invaded by the industrialist class. The handsome mill owner Mr. James Leydon has been attracted for years to the beautiful and highly born Christobel, sister of his cousin's wife. When Edith and Jasper conduct their yearly house party and Edith decides to play matchmaker, creating particular marriage matches of her own choosing, she is shocked and surprised when it is not the handsome Sir Edmond that the vivacious Christobel is drawn to, but rather the brooding and handsome Mr. Leydon. When a house party event of hide and seek turns into attraction, desire and passion for Christobel and James will they and their friends and family overlook the class difference to recognize that a true love match is worth more than status ever could be? This is another delightful addition to an anthology that will keep the reader glued to the pages and wishing for more.

"Lords of Desire" is a highly entertaining combination of romances and a keeper for those who just love to collect romance anthologies.
... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Not worth it...
One of the most infuriating books I have ever read!How it qualifies as a romance is beyond me because there is nothing romantic about this book.

Dr. Kate Hartley still loves her ex-husband.One drunken night together leaves her pregnant and desperate.Mack thinks Kate married him for his money seven years ago, and thinks this pregnancy is a ruse to gain more money from him. But he will use it to his advantage, to gain an inheritance that stipulates that he be married with an heir.

There is plenty emotion from the beginning, mostly anger and hatred.Mack heaps out plenty of digs at his ex-wife and Kate just takes his emotional abuse without defending herself.

To say I had problems with this book is putting it mildly. Mack is not a likeable character. He is emotionally abusive, allows others to degrade Kate, and his relationship with Kate's sister Francesca is questionable.There are glimpses of humanity in him but they are few and far between.At first I was sympathetic with Kate, but after awhile I was fed up with her taking everyone's abuse. For someone with a PhD in English, she sure doesn't communicate well.

However. what gave me the most trouble was the ending.After Francesca's manipulations and lies are revealed Mack suddenly tries to fix his relationship with Kate in what basically turns out to be the worst apology known to man. At one point he even asks if she is going to "fight for him". Fight for him? It should be the other way around!But just like his abuse, Kate takes it.It all seems rushed and the 190 pages of anger leading up to it just isn't worth it.

An emotional roller coaster ride
Dr, Kate Hartley is desperate. Flat broke and pregnant, she has no choice but to seek out her ex husband. But she accept his terms?

Mack has been fooled by her once. He can't decide which is greater, his need for revenge or his desire to satisfy his grandfather's demands.

Ms. Rees writes compelling characters that really get my emotions going. I think at one point in the story I hated everyone except Kate, but I still wanted to throttle her. Even though I had feelings of anger and frustration, the ending was well worth the read. It takes a lot of skill to arouse emotions in your reader, and Ms. Rees has that skill. In Spades.

Definitely Skip This Book
This is one of the most irritating books I have read in a while.
The heroine keeps taking abuse and lets her relationship slide to a halt over a misunderstanding that could have been easily solved but on which the whole plot of the book depends. Most women who have a PhD in English
are able to verbally communicate which Kate, the main character, was unable to. I felt like yelling at her the entire time. No woman that I know of would take this kind of abuse without clarifying the situation immediately.

Buying MacKenzie's Baby
Kate Hartley had deeply loved her ex-husband Mack and if truth be told, loves him still.Which is why a little too much alcohol leads to a night of passion that has consequences.

Mack threw Kate out after coming to believe that she was nothing but a gold digger who married him for his money.He's determined to have his child, even if it means marrying Kate again.

Buying Mackenzie's Baby is a deeply emotional story.I was caught from the first page and was unable to stop reading.Kate broke my heart as she struggled with the love she has for Mack and the confusion as to why he looked at her with such contempt.That being said, I had a hard time with Mack's character, from his infidelity, which he apologized for, but I could never truly get over it, to his constant defense of and somewhat ambiguous relationship with Kate's sister which I felt at times was an added humiliation for Kate that was hard to forgive.And when Mack finally discovers the truth, the ending feels rushed.I could never really come to terms with Mack's sudden decision to fix his relationship with Kate or Kate's easy capitulation after being treated so badly.While I had trouble enjoying Buying Mackenzie's Baby, Kim Rees is an author with genuine talent.She easily grabs the reader with her ability to make you feel the emotions flow from the pages and I'm sure the future will see her star on the rise.

Melissa
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed ... Read more

Product Description

Meet Mackenzie Blue, aka Zee

Customer Reviews (25)

Bright, fun, girly!
Mackenzie Blue (aka "Zee") is about to start her first day at middle school, sans her best friend, Ally, who's in Paris with her journalist parents. But despite this, Mackenzie's determined to make this one of her best years ever. The chance to be a contestant on Teen Sing, an American Idol-like contest and a new friend could be just the ticket..until Zee's diary goes missing! Could her friends be the culprit?

I really love Mackenzie's character. She felt so down to earth, and most importantly, had a great sense of self. Now that isn't an issue explicitly explored in teen and tween literature, but when I find such a character, I make a point to highlight it. There was a moment where she wonders if her red hair would make her stand out, but in the same paragraph, she notes to herself that it's part of what makes her "Zee."

Story wise, it's typical MG fodder. New friends, a missing diary. There's some good character development, but I was a little unsettled over how the culprit behind the missing diary received no retribution for the act. I was discussing this with Gina of Satisfaction for the Insatiable Readers one day, and she said that it was an interesting point, but also that the book might've reflected a true part of middle school. Zee's choice toward the crime does teach a great lesson to readers about friendship, responsibility and kindness. It's definitely the characters that will get readers hooked, such as Mr. P, the new music teacher who encourages freedom of expression and has his own music career outside the class (just wait until you see what it is!)

What I like about these series (having read the first three) is they're pretty realistic in terms of the middle-school drama. Even though I went to middle school a long, long time ago, the experience doesn't really change, it only evolves. Zee doesn't keep a blog, she still has a paper-and-pen diary. There's still the mean girl and the secret harbored (and often unrequited) crushes, the struggle to fit in yet remain an individual, the new-friend changing old friendship theme. It's a great guidebook for any young girl entering the foreign territory of middle school.

7th grade is no laughing matter!
Unless you're getting to read about it! Yesterday, I got caught laughing out loud in a waiting room as I finished reading Mackenzie Blue by Tina Wells. I laughed so often that others commented that I must be reading a good book.

Mackenzie's got the common fear of starting 7th grade, plus her BFF has moved away. Jasper--recently moved from England--is her friend, but she's supposed to be helping him. Of course, there's a mean girl . . . or is she? A crush interest. A new teacher whom Zee likes, but someone's trying to get fired. Mix in embarrassing events (I'm not just talking parents), a lost diary, a rock band, a Teen Sing competition, and life is pretty much hopping at Brookdale Academy.

And then there's sequels!Starting with: Mackenzie Blue: The Secret Crush

Fun start to a cute new series!
I was instantly attracted to MacKenzie Blue because the format includes illustrations (they are so sleek and cute!), journal entries, instant messages etc. I think these sort of things really help reluctant readers when taking on a book, but they are also fun for us that enjoy graphic novel elements and the like!

MacKenzie or as she calls herself Zee is a sweet and spunky little girl! Even though her best friend now lives in Paris she's already made herself some new friends and takes on the new school year at the Upper School (her first year).

MacKenzie's problems are pretty typical, new school, new friends, mean girls and a mystery (i love mysteries!) but it's a fun story that's sure to be the start of a cute new series!

A fun story with a message for all ages...
Zee is a great character with all the worries attached to your typical 7th grader and then some.Between her best friend moving away last year, and the Teen Sing competition, she doesn't need anything new popping up.Oh wait, someone stole her diary!GASP!

Yes, yes I did finish this book in a blurring whirl of speed, but honestly...it was good!A middle-grade fiction novel by design there is hardly a person that can't take something away from this book.Whether it's the over all message of being true to yourself and showing the world the colors that make up you, or the definitely "green" push seen in both the school design and class projects, there's something for everyone.

Great series for girls 8-12
This series by Tina Wells is great for girls that are not sure what to expect in the seventh grade.

I loved this series because Mackenzie Blue, aka "Zee" is smart and funny. Zee is nervous about seventh grade at Brookdale Academy because her BFF Ally has moved to Paris, France. She soon develops new friendships and has to decide how to handle many different situations. In the first book she has to handle someone stealing her diary and writing things from it in on the board at school.

The second book Secret Crush deals with her classmates learning how to work together as a team to produce a school musical and Zee gets the lead opposite her "crush" Landon.

The third book Friends Forever? her classmates go on a camping trip where they have no cell phone coverage, no IMing and roughing it is not in their vocabulary.

This series is great for girls who are afraid of being different and not making friends. I love Zee and how she learns to think for herself, sure she makes mistakes, but she also make amends and admits when she's wrong.

The author also puts a "glossary" of IM terms for those who may not know what BFF is. ... Read more

Product Description
"The Penguin Trollope" series contains all of Trollope's novels and collected short stories, as well as his "Autobiography". In this novel, Trollope is determined to avoid "love interest" altogether, and takes as his heroine "a very unattractive old maid". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Miss Mackenzie
Clean and presentable. But this impression does not come with a glossary of Trollopian terminology, nor with an editor's Introduction. For the student of the Trollope oeuvre, therefore, it is not entirely satisfying.

A classic Victorian novel
Miss Margaret Mackenzie is a lonely young woman when she receives an inheritance after the death of her brother Walter which amounts to £ 800 a year, quite a substantial allowance in the 1860s. Subsequently Margaret moves from London to Littlebath where she takes care of her niece Susanna. Being fair and wealthy, she becomes the object of desire of three gentlemen in particular: her cousin John Ball, Mr Maguire the clergyman and Mr Rubb, junior partner in the company of her brother Tom. Margaret's destiny changes abruptly when her lawyer tells her that actually Walter's money is not hers since it was given to her before Jonathan Ball's death and that it belongs to John Ball.
Mr Trollope casts a critical glance at all the intricacies of the Victorian era: money, social position, marriage and business. Nevertheless, the novel is a suspenseful family saga and the plot is so cleverly constructed that it surpasses many a story written in the 21st century.

an overlooked small gem
This is an overlooked small gem of a novel. Margaret Mackenzie is a spinster in her mid-thirties who receives a large inheritance when her brother dies and must then deal with what comes with the inheritance, including several suitors, who may or may not simply be after her money. Trollope depicts Miss Mackenzie with his usual unsparing honesty, and although in his autobiography he called her "a very unattractive old maid", her modesty, charity, and dignity endear her to the reader and make the rather everyday plot engrossing.

Good for today, so-so for Trollope!
This book, when compared to what is written today, is excellent. Trollope is a master with words - as all readers of his works will agree. He has a tremendous command of the written word - unlike authors of today!! However,for Trollope compared to Trollope, the book is just so-so. Many of hisother novels are far superior. The book concerns the trials andtribulations of Miss MacKenzie after she inherits a fortune and then loosesit. We see how her friends, neighbors, and male paramours react to her asher status in life changes. It's, as all Trollope books, enjoyable, but notone of his better books.

Trollope's gentle satire wins through here.
Anthony Trollope spends so much time doing the things that well-meaning creative writing profesors now tell one never to do--his editorial voice peppers each novel, he avoids subtle foreshadowing in favor of telling youessentially what will happen next, and he consistently drives plot towardsa theme.Yet Trollope, a consummate Victorian, seems intrinsically modernwhereas many more "literarily correct" modern humorists growantique in a week or less.The secret, of course, is character, an eye andan ear for class distinctions, and a skewering wit combined with tremendousfellow-feeling for the foibles of his characters.Miss MacKenzie containsmuch of Trollope at his best--the title character is a beautifully observedgenteel poor spinster-to-be suddenly visited with the misfortune offortune. The author assiduously exposes flaw after flaw in Miss MacKenzieand her social milieu, and yet we like her better for the harsh light.Inthis world of tremendous unkindness, it is nice to remember that one can behonest without being brutal.Trollope, a writer of genial works of whimsy,brings the quiet honesty of literary fiction home safely here. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (8)

Surprise!Cowboy vampires?? Really??
boy was I surprised by the content of this "western" novel.I have not ever favored reading vampire stories...but this one sneaked up on me..and I thought "Ahhh, what the hell!"and read it anyway....What a great story I would have missed, if I had refused to read it.Loved it.Good vampires...what a concept. Great imagination she has.

Not bad
All-in-all about what you'd expect for this type of book. Not bad. Entertaining. It's basically watered-down Christine Feehan. Get the e-book if you like the plot summary but don't waste your money on the print version - it's not worth 10 dollars.

What a great paranormal read!
I had this book on my wish list forever but had never read anything from this author so I purchased it on a whim last week and I'm so glad I did.The story starts with the heroine, Fallon, who was turned by a sadistic Master vampire and made into his blood slave.Said vampire also killed her small daughter so after escaping and going on the run she vows to kill him and then join her daughter.Fallon runs into our hero, Adrian another Master vampire in a small town bar in his territory.For Adrian it was lust at first site, that soon turns to love.He knows she's running from something but she doesn't trust him enough to tell him her secrets.Adrian and Fallon are wonderful characters that are really fleshed out. You're eager for Adrian to learn what Fallons running from so that he can take care of the threat and her pain over losing her daughter is tangible.There are plenty of hot and steamy parts to the book too..but pretty tame compared to most of the Samhain published books I've read.I highly recommend this book.

Interesting Twist on a Vampire Story
Fallon's Revenge has a very interesting storyline.The heroine is reckless and desperate, but she has extremely compelling reasons for why she places herself in danger.You can sympathize with the pain she is in and understand the often poor choices she makes.I found the plot fast paced and the characters fun. Adrian is sexy and bossy like any good Alpha.He offers Fallon a completely different future than the bleak and hopeless end she is steadily moving towards when they first meet. All in all, Fallon's Revenge is an enjoyable read with good, decent characters to root for and the worst kind of villains to root against.

Fallon and Adrian
Fallon is out for revenge. The master vampire that turned her into a vampire (Chavez) brutally murdered her daughter and kept her a prisoner. Now that she has escaped her only goal is to find a way to destroy Chavez and then she will join her daughter in death. Fallon has been on the run, searching for another master vampire in hopes that they will help her to learn how to destroy Chavez. What she doesn't anticipate is running into Adrian, a master vampire that stirs her very soul and sets her body aflame. Adrian is the master vampire in his area, responsible for everyone (vampire and human). When he spots Fallon looking for nourishment without asking for his permission he goes in to intercede. As he watches her his body starts screaming out that she is his and before he knows it she is in his arms and he is informing her that the only nourishment she will get will come from him.
This is exactly what Fallon has been searching for (she is sure she can learn what she needs to destroy a master vampire from Adrian) so she does not resist when Adrian takes her back to his place for a night of unbelievable passion. What Fallon does not realize is that one night is not enough for Adrian...he wants forever and he always gets what he wants.
Can Fallon convince Adrian to instruct her on how to kill a master vampire? How will Adrian react when he realizes Fallon intends to walk into the sun once she has destroyed Chavez? Read this book and see how the story ends.

Kudos to Mackenzie Mckade. She has brought another fantastic tale to life. The pain Fallon feels when she thinks about her daughter is gutwrenching and heartwarming at the same time. Adrian is supreme alpha and will stop at no lengths to keep Fallon safe. They really steam up the pages on their journey of self discovery.
I recommend this book and I will be checking out more books from this author. ... Read more

Product Description
Myths of Babylonia and Assyria is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Donald Alexander Mackenzie is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of Donald Alexander Mackenzie then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Did not get the order
I am writing to notify that this item was charged on my credit card but was never delivered to my Kindle. I had to call the cc to have the charges removed, I was not able to fix the problem through your system, other than calling my cc company.

Myths of Babylonia and Assyria
Gives you an insight of peoples fears and beliefs in long forgotten times. And then you recognize your own ones again.

rare book
This book contains the history and commentaries necessary to understand the evolution of the Judaic/Christian religion. It also has keys to understanding metaphysics of the ancients that are relative to the modern world. In other words, it contains information that is hard to find - a rare book indeed - and, in general, a great book for historians.

Improperly formatted for Kindle
Don't bother
Manual line breaks have not been removed
Extremely irritating to try to read ... Read more

Product Description
This inspiring guide provides artists with the knowledge they need to paint watercolor landscapes. It features easy-to-follow exercises illustrated in an accessible format that invites readers to jump in and begin painting right away. Artists of all skill levels will learn from:

-30 step-by-step demonstrations

-Chapters that focus on basic landscape elements, such as land, water and sky

-Special mini demos for capturing important details, including trees, mountains, waves, clouds, sunsets and more.

Most importantly, this guide’s instruction teaches artists the foundations of strong composition and encourages them to pursue their own individual style to create landscapes that are compelling and unique. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (64)

Great Book
Really have enjoyed this book. Great book for beginners as well as more advanced artists. Coming from a leading veteran watercolor teacher, the lessons and instruction are very clear and concise. There are many more modern teachers with newer techniques these days, but the lessons learned from a master of the art are invaluable and timeless.

This book seems to cover it all very well
Still reading this book and trying the suggestions. Very well thought out with some great tips too! The look of the book on the outside is a visual treat as it seems to have a textured skin like this watercolor practice brush strokes package I use to have. Gordon MacKenzie's color theory section is one of the best for it's length and breadth of knowledge. The last two chapters Intuition & Planning, To Save Or Not To Save... Very well thought out and excellent.


Give this book a try, it really covers much better on watercolor painting than most.

Great book....
My student brought this book to my house.I was looking through it while she was painting and I loved it.I purchased it so that I could refer to it while painting trees and other landscapes.The book contains tons of exciting new techniques and some old techniques that I had forgotten about.

Surprisingly good!
Usually books that try to explain any kind of technique tend to lack on certain details that go beyond the technique itself. Like comments on related subjects like the materials or tools involved on that craft, or real situations where a simple tip would be much more useful than some kind of elaborate technique. This book is great, not only in explaining procedures, techniques and all the artistic part of watercolor painting, but also gives great tips on the quality of paints and their brands, brushes, papers, alternative tools, etc, and in a fun and simple way. Just a great purchase if you're planning to study watercolor painting.

Probably THE best book for watercolor techniques
I'm going to flat out say it. I love this book.
I bought Gordan's first essential watercolorist book and this landscape version has practically everything the first book had plus so much more. I don't think I'd be where I am now in watercolor if it weren't for all the tips, tricks, and sound advice. From the list of good versus bad watercolor paints, the great advice to move to 100% rag cotton paper, and countless demonstrations of crucial landscape elements like clouds, water, and land, Gordan has surpassed far and beyond all of my expectations. If you're just entering into watercolor, this book doesn't lie. It IS essential. If you're a veteran, you're still going to be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the work and the depth to which he executes it. A must have for any watercolor library. ... Read more

Product Description
Book 2 in the Return to Wonderland series.

Sorceress Kalina has accepted that love is not in her cards, but she can't refuse the allure--or the sexual dominance--of Prince Eral. The mystical werefin seems to be everywhere she turns and she desires him with a power she finds hard to deny. But she's a weretiger, a creature of the land. There can be no future for them. When Kalina's visions call her to Atlantis, she must face her terror of water to try to save a king and realize her own dreams--submitting to Eral and unlocking the magic long trapped within her heart.

Eral feels Kalina in his mind, on his skin, in his very blood. Even though she resists him and shuns his watery homeland, he remains determined to win the she-cat and claim her for his own.

But an evil sorcerer has other plans for them--deadly, painful plans. Eral and Kalina must join their hearts, minds, and formidable powers to save a kingdom and discover a love that even their differences can't divide.

Note: Return to Wonderland is set in the same universe as Cheyenne McCray's Wonderland series. Although you will meet many of the same characters, it is not essential to have read the previous books. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

shocking read
this is a totally different look on romance and sex. I had never read anything like these. I think they are fun and I enjoy them. I get a kick out of them. never in my wildest dreams would i have come up with this story line.

;0)
I really like Kalina's story long time coming since reading the series good book would recommend along with the other series.

KALINAS DISCOVERY


hot its good worth the money would love more from this author I have her other stories that deal with this story line would love more maybe about the sister or the werefin brother to the king. I HOPE THERES MORE. ... Read more

Product Description
As marriage proposals go, Charles Draysmith's suit is as romantic as the moors in December. Emma Peterson might be only a vicar's daughter, and he, the new Marquis of Knightsdale, and perhaps he would rather marry her than endure the marriage mart. But when he suggests how much he'll enjoy securing an heir, well, a lady can only endure so much. There's something about a woman throwing pottery at a man that piques his interest. Perhaps his proposal lacks grace, Charles thinks. But it does seem a perfect solution. He acquires a wife; his young charges have the mother they so desperately need, and Emma gains security and position. You see? Simple, practical, sensible, oh no, not the ceramic dog...He will have to confess the truth to calm her down. And the truth is, he's madly in love... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Naket Marquis
I am half way through and not much happening. The Marquis wants to get married to an old friend just so he will not have to face the marriage mart. Nothing about his caring about her. However, the two orphan kids he is responsible for are plotting something so we shall see. I liked the Naked Duke better, although a person has to be OK with a story there that deals with about any sexual disfunction you can think of.

Fun, Witty & Romanic.
The Naked Marquis is the second book in Sally Mackenzie's "Naked" series. And I have to say I enjoyed it. While it was not as outgoing and stomp on you as hard as The Naked Duke it was still very good. Mackenzie so far is showing her tune in taking older "on the shelf" ladies or picks maybe not as usual as heroines for her men. And I like it. Miss Emma Peterson is the daughter of the town Vicar, and Charles Draysmith Marquis of Kensdale is a second son who comes reluctantly into the title when his brother dies suddenly in an accident. Or was it?

Not only do we meet a new cast of loveable characters, we also meet again with our Duke of Alvord James and his wife who is now expecting their first child, and Robbie the Earl of Westbroke. It is positively wonderful to see them again and even more so to follow the Marquis as he tries to win his ladies hand.

While Emma followed Charles around when he was a kid (along with Robbie and James) she is determined not to do so now. It was so bad when she was a child that the other boys nicknamed her Shadow. The story is fun, and also there are some hidden twists and turns. While the villain is again obvious exactly what he is up to is not obvious until much later in the story.

Laughable and just a wonderful bit of fun I guarantee you will find yourself laughing out loud. When the Marquis first asks for Emma's hand in marriage she throws a ceramic dog at his head. It's nice to see a lady who fights with her feelings, and really wants nothing more than love. She doesn't want a title; she doesn't want to just be any mans broodmare. So come and follow the granddaughter of an Earl the daughter of a Vicar as she is chased by the handsome Naked Marquis I promise you will enjoy it.

Great Read
The Naked Marquis was a great read.I loved the storyline, as I've always been a sap for those storylines that involve old friends from childhood.

I've never been very good at reviewing things so I'll just say that I loved the characters in the book and their relationship.The back and forth between the characters held a lot of witt and passion and had a lot of that great built up sexaul frustration from the battle going on between them. And as with all of the other Sally MacKenzie books I've read it had great, funny supporting characters as well.The combination of all the personalities and humor truly made the storyline come to life and made it believable.It's a great read and everyone should check it out!

Naked Marquis
Very good Book.Was recommended by Amazon based on previous items purchased.The writings of Sally Mackenzie and Mary Balogh are very similar.

Good Book!
I absolutely adore these books! Silly, I know, but they're so cute and funny and romantic all rolled into one. ... Read more

Product Description
Creativity is crucial to business success. But too often, even the most innovative organization quickly becomes a "giant hairball"--a tangled, impenetrable mass of rules, traditions, and systems, all based on what worked in the past--that exercises an inexorable pull into mediocrity. Gordon McKenzie worked at Hallmark Cards for thirty years, many of which he spent inspiring his colleagues to slip the bonds of Corporate Normalcy and rise to orbit--to a mode of dreaming, daring and doing above and beyond the rubber-stamp confines of the administrative mind-set. In his deeply funny book, exuberantly illustrated in full color, he shares the story of his own professional evolution, together with lessons on awakening and fostering creative genius.

Originally self-published and already a business "cult classic", this personally empowering and entertaining look at the intersection between human creativity and the bottom line is now widely available to bookstores. It will be a must-read for any manager looking for new ways to invigorate employees, and any professional who wants to achieve his or her best, most self-expressive, most creative and fulfilling work. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (125)

...something to make you think.
everyone may not "get" this book. I used it as a text in a leadership workshop and most of the fixed minded accountant types in the room were lost.OK, maybe lost is a strong word.The sentiment of the book was lost on those who wanted a list of 10 things to do to enhance their leadership style.Written in "common speak" this book takes you on a journey to "outside the box".It challenges you to think differently and analyze those things that are spoon fed to us in the corporate world.Whether used as an example of good leadership or a catalyst to stimulate discussion this book shouts a strong message!

Dog Eared 17 Pages
This one's a keeper because:

#1
At last!Someone has given me language for how I had managed to survive 20 years in the corporate world and actually get something done and make a true difference in the lives of customers.As I was reading, I realized that I had organically figured out how to use the resources of the "hairball" (or what I would call "The Machine", "The Mothership" or "The Borg") without getting caught up, bogged down or worse, drowned in it.

The author is so on point about the delicate balance of Orbiting the Hairball: you want to be close enough to benefit from its gravitational spin, but not so far away that you fall completely out of orbit, because once you do that, you're kind of dead in the water - cut off from the resources of the Central Brain.Like the author, that's usually when I moved on - in my case to another company.In his case, to other departments or divisions within the same company.

It was great to commune with, and be affirmed by a kindred spirit.

#2
The book is chockfull of excellent inspirational anecodtes, thus, the "17 dog eared pages"

#3
The book has heart and is truly substantive.It's not a quick fix, though, like many business books of this variety(it's pocket sized, gift-book style.)It really speaks to values and the importance of self (and organizational) awareness and then acting on that awareness in a way that is consistent with the values of the employee and the organization.

The author is a recovered alcoholic who has been in therapy and so has engaged some measure of emotional house cleaning.

For me, one of the many reasons this book is so unique is that unlike many of the business books I've read, attempted to read or skimmed (because they lack any acknowledgment of, or reference to "emotional intelligence"), Orbiting the Giant Hairball does not divorce the process of psycho/emotional internal work from one's work in the external world.The two are deeply intertwined from my view and a lot of the toxicity in many companies is reflected in employees, managers and executives using their psychopathology as a weapon in the workplace vs. deconstructing and exorcising it in a counselor's office.

#4
The interior book design is original and visually arresting and unusual.The book's graphic treatment telegraphs, "something special is in these pages."And it doesn't disappoint.

#5
Chapter 13, "About Teasing" is a profound analysis of how "humor" is used as a form of aggression in the workplace.Someone once told me that "sarcasm is anger coming through a very tiny hole."And that's exactly what it feels like when it has been directed at me in the guise of "aw, you just don't have a sense of humor." This chapter is singularly worth the price of the book.In fact, it could stand alone as its own book, much like the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling.

orbiting the giant hairball
i have read this book..and sent one to a friend for her birthday. service from amazon was efficient and just wonderfull

corporate hairball
Great read for a creative person in the corporate world. Easy to read, excellent illustrations.

one of the only books i've ever read three times
several years ago, when i became the president of an organization, someone suggested i needed to read this book.it's one of very, very few books i've ever read three times (the current time was because i'd assigned it to a coaching cohort i lead, and had to re-read it to be prepared for the book discussion).it is such a brilliantly unique little book.the very form of the book models the point of the book (and how rare is that!?).mackenzie spent most of his adult life working at hallmark cards, where he moved through a variety of creative roles, ending in a strange "listening" role with a title he gave himself: creative paradox (seriously, that was his job title).at its core, the book is about creativity.but it's central theme is that all organizations (and believe me, you church workers will resonate with this) naturally become 'hairballs' of policy, procedure, expectations, rules, assumptions, and org charts.in order to maintain creativity while being part of a human organization, one must move into orbit.the orbit has a gravitational pull that keeps you connected to the organization.getting pulled into the hairball isn't good; but shooting off on your own trajectory -- breaking with gravity -- isn't good either.more inspirational than practical, the book will stir your imagination, and get you longing for those days when you live into the creative being you were made to be. ... Read more

Product Description
Mary Elizabeth Potter is a self-appointed spinster with no illusions about love. When she meets Wolf Mackenzie, a man with a chip on his shoulder the size of Wyoming, she sets out to convince the whole town he’s a man worth loving. But Wolf’s not sure he — or their small town — is ready for the taming of Wolf Mackenzie.

“You can’t read just one Linda Howard!” — New York Times Bestselling author Catherine Coulter ... Read more

Customer Reviews (64)

a WOLF needs a MATE~~AT Last onAUDIO CD~ HOT~ 5 STAR~ GREAT AUDIOBOOK~
PLOT: a "Wolf needs a mate"~ Wolf MacKenzie is an Indian and had been accused of rape. He is very reclusive on his Mountain~ the fun begins when the Local Southern Lady Like School MARM~ old maid~ Mary Elizabeth Potter in a winter storm LOL no less seeks out Wolfe and his son.Her goal is to get the son to finish high school. This is wonderful story. HOT and yet full of wonderful characters that start the excellent MacKenzie saga. 5 STARS all the way~

This audiobook is read by Christina Traister~ who does an excellent job~

the audio is very good 5 STARS and is complete and unabridged. very good voice and keeps you interested in the story even if you have read the book~

a great story, GREAT author and excellent audio CD~ keep those classic Linda Howard titles coming Brilliance Audio~ thank you~

MacKenzie's Mission is being released on CD in November so lets hope they release the whole MacKenzie series on audiobook in the coming months.

ehhh, okay if you like reading about nosy townspeople
This is my second book by Linda Howard, my first being All the Queen's Men- which I was not impressed with at all, and I just couldn't get into the story of this one either. The beginning of this book was very promising, Wolf Mackenzie is sure a hot alpha-male- but the story started getting boring by the middle. The hero doesn't pursue the heroine the way I would have liked, maybe I just like a really aggressive hero who pursues the heroine like crazy, Wolf pretty much just wants the heroine to get out of his hair even though he is attracted to her, while she stays and intrudes on his way of life- the heroine is pretty nosy and I hate that she fell in love with him way before he did with her, the issue of love was hardly talked about till the end, also I didn't feel the love the hero had for the heroine, he wanted to protect her, yes, but where was the insecure passionate feeling of love, just didn't see it.

The main problem with this book is that there is not enough romance or focus on the main couple, it basically centered around the prejudice of the town's people because Wolf and his son were part Indian, all the people in the town were so nosy and always accused the hero of being bad for no reason except for the way he looked. The writing didn't capture my complete attention, I felt like I was reading a diary of what was happening to the heroine everyday, I can't tell you how aggravating it is to be in a heroine's mind who is TSTL in many ways, other points of view were shown but not as much as the heroine's. I wish the book was more passionate, with the hero and heroine at least talking more about themselves and what they truly wanted in life, did the hero even ever ask the heroine why she came to town, no, because he just didn't seem to care, it would have been better with more drama, like she decided to leave him for his own good and then we could truly see the extent of his feeling for her of wanting her back and needing her in his life, the sex was hot but it seemed like the hero was only interested in that, I want a hero who is in love and you can see it through his actions and love making, couldn't find that here- it was too easy for him to get the heroine-he didn't have to work for it at all, she pretty much threw herself at him and didn't care if he would one day tire of her because she loved him, she never even bothered to ask him about where their relationship was going-wheres her self respect. I don't know why I didn't like this book when others clearly loved it, many have recommended it but I am pretty disappointed with it, I felt like Howard only skimmed the top of emotions in the book and never got the heart of the matter, not sure if I should read another Linda Howard book, I guess I am more of a Lisa Kleypas type of girl...

Great Romance
This book was my first Linda Howard.I loved the character Wolf- so sexy and capable- did not like Mackenzies' Mission nearly as much (about Wolf's son Joe, next book in series)

Just an all-around great romantic story!
MacKenzie's Mountain by Linda Howard is just an all-around great romantic story! It is not my favorite MacKenzie story, it but is still a great read! It tells the story of the proud Indian MacKenzie father, Wolf MacKenzie, and Mary Elizabeth Potter, the local school teacher. Mary is a naive virgin who knows little about men and sex. She feels though an instant attraction to the strong alpha male, Wolf. He helps her whe she gets stranded in the snow on his mountain. She was on her way to see Wolf's son, Joe, and try and get him to finish his education.

Wolf is an ex-con who was wrongly convicted in a rape case, but the townspeople still look down on him. Mary doesn't care what people think about Wolf because she knows that he is a good man who when he cares for someone, he cares deeply. Wolf makes her feel like a feminine seductive woman too.

There is also a storyline about a rapist in the small town who is trying to set Wolf up to take the fall. He attacks Mary, but she is saved by the town sheriff. After this attack, Wolf takes it upon himself to protect Mary and claims her as his woman. This is such a sweet book and even though Wolf is an alpha male, he is not overbearing and obnoxious. He is very tender when it comes to Mary and I like that aspect of this novel best. I'm tired of alpha males who are too rough, gruff, and who always want things hard and fast in the bedroom. 5 stars!

Nearly 20 years later, this story is still fantastic
Mary Elizabeth Potter was raised to be a lady. Her Aunt Ardith raised her to never raise her voice, to always wear a slip with a skirt, and to treat people the way that she wants to be treated. And at the age of 27, Mary is a spinster who is firmly on the shelf. But she's content with her life. She's just relocated from Savannah, Georgia, to teach high school in the small town of Ruth, Wyoming. Mary doesn't know much about small-town life, but pretty soon she discovers that one of the school's most promising students, Joe Mackenzie, has dropped out of school and Mary heads up Mackenzie's Mountain to convince the boy to come back. However, when she gets up there she meets Joe's father, Wolf Mackenzie--a half-breed Indian who Mary is instantly attracted to, and the feeling's mutual. When Mary begins to tutor Joe so that he can graduate, she and Wolf continue to run into each other, and they can only resist the attraction for so long...

Wolf Mackenzie knows that he's reviled by the citizens of Ruth, and he doesn't care. After being convicted of a crime he didn't commit, Wolf returned to Ruth a hard man, who refused to let himself be run out of town because of the people's mistakes. So when people look at him sideways in the general store, Wolf ignores it, when he hears people mutter slurs as he walks down the street, he keeps his head up. Because Wolf Mackenzie doesn't care what these people think of him. Well, except a certain schoolteacher.

Mackenzie's Mountain is the story of a sweet-tempered and innocent woman who falls for a man from the wrong side of the tracks. Wolf Mackenzie has done nothing wrong, he was cleared of his prior conviction, but that doesn't stop people from gossiping about him and treating him like a second-class citizen. The last thing he wants is for Mary to be treated badly because of her association with him, but he still finds her hard to resist. When girls in town are attacked, Wolf is the first person the townspeople suspect, and it's Mary who defends him and demands a fair trial. That Wolf is a strong, proud man who can take care of himself doesn't matter to her, because she cares about him. And that's what makes this book fantastic. Mary is a little TSTL, but this book was written in 1989, so I forgive her. It's her innocence, in fact, that make her lovable, and it's her strength of character and determination that make her admirable. Wolf is an added bonus, because he protects what's his, and won't let anyone treat Mary badly because of him. And his son Joe is an absolute delight. He almost steals the story. I'm not surprised that Mackenzie's Mountain made it into All About Romance's Top 100 Romances. This is a love story that stands the test of time, and nearly two decades later, it was still an excellent read. ... Read more

Product Description
Barrie needed a saviour. The terrorists holding her hostage surely wouldn''t tolerate her silence much longer. Instead they would silence her. Then out of the darkness he arrived. Rugged and dangerous, he led her straight into his sheltering arms.' ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Really Entertaining
This book was an absolute pleasure to read.I could not put it down.

One virgin is enough
Linda Howard loves to minimize her female characters into nothing more then sex objects. All of her female main characters are virgins. Quite frankly I am sick of reading about how super important that really is. All of her female characters make love for the first time like insatiable beasts ignoring their physical response to having been made love to for the first time. These characters are so fake and I am really getting sick of them. This novel really hit the bottom because her virgin girls theme I have just described to you, that has been a consistent theme in all of her other books in the Mackenzie line repeated the same ridiculous line. Why can't someone write about a beautiful woman who isn't a virgin and who really does enjoy sex for sex...without having to write an erotica?

I now understand why Linda Howard is rated so highly...
Having read SARAH'S CHILD, I was not too impressed.Having read DUNCAN'S BRIDE worked much better, but while it was a good read, it was not an outstanding read.Several review sites recommended MACKENZIE'S MOUNTAIN, but I never bothered to find a copy. In December 2005, I stumbled across this book (MACKENZIE'S PLEASURE), which is the story of Zane Mackenzie, the youngest son of Wolf Mackenzie and his wife Mary Elizabeth (hero and heroine of Mackenzie's Mountain).I have mixed feelings about SEAL-themed books - while I have loved Brockmann's series, I somehow prefer reading about firemen to reading about SEALS.Give this book a chance, if you share my hesitations.

Zane Mackenzie is called upon to execute a mission to rescue an ambassador's kidnapped daughter Barrie Lovejoy out of Libya.The first third of the book is about how the rescue takes place and with what consequences. In the second third, Zane and Barrie are separated by circumstances until they manage to find each other.Since there is a mystery and a bit of romantic suspense to the plot, I will not go further with the plot summary. It is probably sufficient to say that Barrie's kidnapping and rescue is somewhat more complicated than either Zane or Barrie realized.

The book begins with Wolf Mackenzie worrying about his children, from Joe down to his adopted son Chance and his youngest son Zane.Thus, Linda Howard provides the new reader with sufficient background to Zane, to understand what kind of family he comes from and what kind of person he is likely to be. The book then moves to a botched Naval exercise which leaves Zane short of two men. It is at this point that he is asked to rescue the Ambassador's daughter. Barrie Lovejoy is no spoiled socialite, although she has been protected by her father all her life (for understandable reasons).Her courage and endurance, as well as her unusual (but understandable) decisions, appeal to Zane.Barrie is poised, emotionally mature, and able to make decisions quickly.Zane has been dedicated to his job, but frustrated by the promotions that take him away from active duty. When Zane and Barrie end up spending an intense night and day together while hiding out, they form a bond even though they know virtually nothing about each other.

The book moves from the US to the Mediterranean back to the US. Despite these changes of locale (sketched in deftly for the most part), we remain focused tightly on the hero and heroine. MACKENZIE'S PLEASURE is one of the few stories where I genuinely liked the hero and heroine from the outset, and where I also felt that they were right for each other.That this contributed to my liking the book is not in question.Linda Howard's writing style also helped, as did her characterizations. Zane is an alpha male but not an overbearing alpha, but a protector and leader. The other SEALS came alive as did the heroine and her Ambassador father. What didn't work so well for me was the villain and his motivation (especially as explained to Barrie at the end).

Written by bookjunkiereviews 22 January 2006

KEEP IT - KEEP IT - KEEP IT --- WOW!
Zane Mackenzie is everything you want to see in a Navy SEAL -
Dang! but he is hot!
Finally we get a young woman that is worthy of the hero.

Barrie Lovejoy takes the only out to driving away the emotional and physical trauma she was subjected to in her kidnapping.

Zane Mackenzie, in the tradition of his father and brothers is man enough and sensitive enough to deal with Barrie.

When Zane is wounded in portecting Barrie, she becomes distaught at being forced to leave Zane behind without knowing if he would live.

I loved finding about Wolf and his family, especially Michael and Josh [why don't they have stories of their own?] Poor Joe, 5 sons and no daughter.It took Barrie and Zane to pull a fast one.

There is just something about these Mackenzie men that puts your hormones on red alert. We need more of these guys and more women like Barrie.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED -- definitely all are keepers - what a collection of men.

Love Those MacKenzies!
Another satisfying story about a MacKenzie brother.I enjoyed every word.And Barrie was a good match for Zane.Linda Howard is a master story teller.

I also like Beverly Barton but didn't care as much for Defending His Own as I have some of her other books.Secret baby stories bore me so that's probably the reason.Also, I don't much care for stories where something happens to a character as a teen and he/she holds it against the world forever.Good grief!We all grow and mature.Some of these people never do.Along with the secret baby, this is an over-used and unnecessary plot device.It creaks. ... Read more

Product Description
Start Setting Effective Limits — Now!
Do your children misbehave? Do they repeatedly ignore or refuse your requests for proper behavior? Are you constantly fluctuating between permissive and authoritarian parenting, with little or no success? Are you convinced there has to be a better way? There is. Setting Limits will help you establish the positive, respectful, and instructional groundwork your children need for proper ethical and behavioral development
In this revised and expanded edition of his popular book, Robert MacKenzie, Ed.D., demonstrates proven techniques and procedures that not only correct misbehavior but instill the cooperation and conduct you want and expect from your children. This book shows parents how to:
·Enforce clear, firm, and effective boundaries
·Put an end to conflicts and power struggles
·Establish rules that encourage cooperation
·Teach children important problem-solving skills
·Apply logical consequences of misbehavior
Children need limits to guide their development. With MacKenzie's expert guidance, you will learn how to build and enforce the instructive boundaries necessary for a happy and rewarding family life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Best book for challenging little ones
I had a challenging kid that got off the stroller and threw tantrums on the street. At home it was hard for me to sit him in the highchair, to dress him, etc. As a working mom I was exhausted! This book is actually a real guide with step by step of what to do, before you lose your temper and sanity, and it really works. This is a practical book, that teaches parents how to approach and talk to your kids effectively. For example, it tells you how to explain your kid about consequences before he does something, whether it is "positive" like putting his toys away; or "negative" like throwing tantrums, so he learns to make a choice and the impact of it. Before this one I read the "Discipline book" by Dr. Sears and it did not work for me --even though I think he wrote the best breastfeeding book.

If you want something practical with a nice approach where you and your kid will learn to interact with each other, BUY IT!! The best!!! I read it when he was one year old. Now, he is almost six and I still go back to the book to face new challenges...

Note: my husband did not read the book and the method still worked for me. My son did not behave the same with him, he was more challenging with me.

Parents-must-read book
Excellent book!!Lots of examples.
It really helps me to deal with my kid's misbehaviors.

great read
This book was great to read and really inspiring. As a former teacher that has worked with "Teaching with love and logic" this book seemed like a wonderful addition for raising children.

Read to the end before writing a review.
I don't understand why anyone would write a review before finishing the book.Especially when the introduction states "you'll probably be tempted to try out the methods as you go, but I encourage you to read the entire book before using them with your children..."The book is a terrific tool in understanding how we parents unknowingly contribute to the "dance" of misbehavior, and you will laugh a lot at seeing many of your own family conversations printed right there in black and white.I saw immediate progress with my two boys (once I followed the instructions and read the whole book), and we are still in week one.Highly recommended.

Haven't gotten to the "good parts" yet...
I bought this book for the same reasons everyone else has, I have a challenging child, plus the fact that it got such good reviews.I'm having a hard time getting through it, though.Just when I find an example that I can relate to, and can't wait to read the part where I learn what I should do next, the author abruptly stops BEFORE telling you how to react to the situation and moves on to a totally different case!!What's THAT all about???!!!What do I do??What did you tell your client to do???How did it work??I have so many questions that still have not been answered.It's extremely frustrating.Honestly, I don't want to pick up the book anymore.How far do you have to read to get the answers?If I find them, I'll write more.... ... Read more