I wish it was possible to give a book negative stars. I'm not sure I've ever read anything that was doing okay, not great, but passable until the last 100 pages when it just got so gross and offensive.
Not my favourite audio-book, but it did have some redeeming qualities. Things moved way too fast, and the prejudism was never justified by the townspeople - just accepted. While I understood why the one family had a grudge against the Mackenzie's there was nothing to even begin to explain the attitude of everyone else. Without going into details, too much happened too quickly with no apparent reason for most of it. THe story itself was good, but lead-up and background was sorely lacking, which made it difficult for me to truly enjoy this story.
Wow, was this book DATED! Geeeesh. I was inexperienced when I was young, but I wasn't that bad, or old. It was pretty comical. Despite the dateness of the book, the characters were likeable enough, the story kept my interest.
I can't believe I actually finished this book. It was totally full of anachronisms and a bunch of racial stuff that just really got under my skin, but for some reason it was like a train wreck and I just could not stop reading it. I think I had to know if it would get any worse, or if some miracle would happen and it would just become awesome. Sadly it was just awesomely terrible.
Is this book from 1989 problematic? Absolutely. Is it still enjoyable? Mostly.
Although I was wary of an uptight, thirty-year-old virgin, "old maid" teacher, I ended up really liking Mary and relating to her experience (or lack thereof) concerning men. It can be incredibly difficult to understand or even experience attraction when you have never been the focus of romantic and/or sexual energy. On top of that, Mary's schoolteacher persona and love of her work defined much of her personality, and I loved her relationship with the MMC's son (shocking, I know). Wolf and his son Joe were also pretty great. I do think Howard was trying to make some commentary surrounding racism and prejudice against Native Americans with Wolf's backstory, but that was unfortunately overshadowed by some harmful classic romance tropes and language/characterization of the MMC.
Overall, I found the story fast-paced and enjoyable. One issue I did have was the "villain" of the story being a neurodivergent/developmentally disabled individual, but Howard was able to paint his character with a bit of empathy still. In fact, one of my other complaints was how Wolf was expected to forgive the townsfolk for falsely accusing him of rape and ostracizing him and his son for literal decades . . . I realize people are multidimensional and can change, but this was a very 90's take concerning race 😂
Mackenzie's Mountain is the first book in the Mackenzie family series and the first Linda Howard book that I have read. I know this author is a prolific one and for some reason I have yet to read her until now. This book has been on my TBR for a long while now, and it was until Avon did a updated cover that it put it back on my focused list. This year I put it on my list for my Romanceopoly Reading Challenge and I finally got to it and I have to wonder why it took so long to get my hands on this beautiful romance? Because this book was breathtaking in all its epic ways and now I realize why so many readers have loved this book so much and it definitely topped my reads for the year because it TOOK MY BREATH AWAY in so many unique elements and I can't wait to delve into the rest of the family.
Mackenzie's Mountain is a story that features a new teacher that has moved to a small remote town in Wyoming. When she learns that one of her students Joe Mackenzie has quite school, she is determined to get him to return and on her way to Mackenzie Mountain (his home) her car dies in the snow and she gets rescued by a mountain of a man, half Scot and half Native American, Wolf Mackenzie. When he learns of the identity of this small pale woman, he is intrigued and after a sensual interlude, there is a chemistry between these two. But their love is forbidden in some ways. The town will make things very difficult, Wolf has a past of being in prison, and he doesn't want her tainted. But Mary isn't a wilting flower, she is strong and passionate in her right and will stand up for what is right.....that all are treated fairly. But when a serial rapist has Mary in his sights, it will take the duo mountain men to find the culprit and secure safety among the town and their future...
Mackenzie's Mountain is a story I had no clue what I was getting into to be honest. I really had zero comprehension of what I was going into, until I was in it and I couldn't put this book down. I was hooked....line and sinker into this one and its been a while since I have stayed up late to read a book. As I was reading this book I was overcome with all the emotion that is portrayed, and I am so impressed with the levels of intensity this author was able to convey within this story. From the first chapter, there is a strong level of sensuality and strength and you just know this author will take you on one wild ride and I was down for it. I was intrigued by the hero especially. He has so many depths to his character. He has the blood of two rich ancestries and it really is shown so strongly within him. He has been wrongly accused for a crime he didn't commit, and raised a son all on his own and forged his own path despite the people against him. I respected his strength to rise above his circumstances and the prejudices and find such a equal match in Mary. Mary is a fun heroine and I thought that she suited Wolf so well in many regards. I admired how she stands up to the town in her support of him, she supports him 100% and has no fear. She is willing to do what is necessary for her man. And that is one of my favorite things to see in a heroine.
Obsessions were funny things; unhealthy ones could ruin lives, but some obsessions lifted people to higher planes of life, made them shine with a brighter light, burn with a hotter fire, and if those obsessions weren't fed, then the person withered, a life blighted by starvation of the soul.
I found the story and the plot to be edgy and keep your heart beating as fast as it can as the plot builds with the danger elements that is set within the story. I really enjoyed seeing the story build to its climax and the villain...not really someone I would have fully predicted to be honest. I thought that the suspense side of the story seemed to really balance the story here and I couldn't seem to get enough of seeing the elements come together for this book. I am highly impressed with what this author was able to create within this story and I can't wait to delve further into the series ....most especially Joe's book. I have a feeling it will be a good one here.
He'd never thought he would any woman, least of all an Anglo, but that was before this slight, delicate creature had bulldozed her way into his life and completely changed it. He could no more live with her now than he could live without air.
Overall I found Mackenzie Mountain to be a highly satisfying read that stuns the sense, increases your love for wild male heroes, offers a diverse cast and a unique take on confronting it and fighting for what is right and for love winning in the end!
Yet another great recommendation from a friend. She told me to read this for the alpha hero and the suspenseful romance, and she was right. I loved how the heroine, Mary, was so protective of the hero Wolf and his son. Mary always spoke her mind, and was no weakling. I did think she was a bit ridiculously old-fashioned and sheltered, though. Wolf was a great hero. He was very protective, worked wonders with horses, and would do whatever he could to ensure the happiness of those that he loved. I really disliked that he kept being referred to as a half-breed, however. That was a big gripe I had with the book. Also, the townspeople were a bit ridiculous in their distrust and dislike of Wolf and his son Joe, because they were part Native American. Then, there was the fact that the writing often made it feel like this was a historical romance. I did guess who the villain was after a while, too. Still, with all that said, I found this book to be a gripping read, and I finished it in almost one sitting. I loved the connection between Wolf and Mary, and I thought Joe was a wonderful character. I loved that not everything was black and white where some of the townspeople were concerned, too. I think that if you can deal with the things I listed above, you should definitely give this one a read.
I wish I had read this about 10-20yrs ago, I think then I would have loved it as much as others do. There are a couple older books (hello, purple prose!) that are very close to my heart that others read for the first time in this day and age and they don't find it as great as me. I think this may be the case with this book and me, I liked it but cringed at some parts. One person's sentimentalism is another person's expiration date. Our main couple, Mary and Wolf, had an incredibly sweet relationship and I definitely see what all the fuss was about with them. I would recommend this book solely on the emotions between the two. The writing is good because, Linda Howard obviously, and I will certainly be checking out Wolf's son Joe's book, I have a feeling he is going to be one hell of a leading man.
