Mackenzie's Mountain [Mass Market Paperback]

 

 

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I had a ton of problems with this book and I'm finding it really difficult to review because as much as this story confused me, annoyed me and downright offended me, in the end as much as I wanted to I just didn't hate it. I did however breathe a sigh of relief when I finished.

Written in 1989 Mackenzie's Mountain is a contemporary romance however it reads and for the first 100 pages I thought it was a historical, taking place around 1890-1910. It takes place in small town Wyoming and has a Little House On the Prairie feel to it along with lots of prejudice and small minded gossip. The heroine is a schoolteacher who has just moved to teach in their 1 room school house. She is plain in appearance with her hair in a bun, horn rimmed glasses, a shapeless dress, sensible shoes and zero life experience having been raised by her old fashioned Aunt (presumably in a cave). Mary in fact has never even worn a pair of jeans and has definitely never been kissed. She is however clichéd with thoughts like this one;

"Only shameless hussies would wear a skirt without a proper petticoat underneath"

Yes she also speaks like she's from the 1900's and her character seemed stranger to me still when I realized it was meant to be 1989 (don't know many people that wore petticoats in 1989)

Anyways Mary is concerned that one of her better students has quit school and goes to his home to find out why where she meets Wolf Mackenzie and this is when I started to get offended and I`m using the authors words here Not Mine. Wolf is an Indian and an angry Indian because he spent time in jail for a crime he didn't commit and everyone in town hates and distrusts him. To make matters worse (in the authors mind) Wolf is also a half breed and Howard drills this into the readers head every couple of pages in case we forget our hero's heritage. Now honestly... its 1989, do people really use words like half-breed? Could the average person tell the difference? Have I just been living in happy land my entire life? This is uncomfortable.

Wolf feels his son doesn't need schooling because he's an Indian (cringe) Now after all the racist remarks which I somewhat forgave because I thought it was a historical this is when Joe, the heroes son suddenly declares that he wants to join the Air Force academy and fly jets. What?! Damn this really is a contemporary.

Mary then decides to tutor Joe and feels that even though (cringe) he's a half breed he still has a pretty good chance of getting into the Air Force. Remember its 1989 in this backwards little town. For some weird reason Wolf is attracted to the mousy Mary and the meat of this story revolves around their growing relationship, him giving her savage looks and bedding her and the hunt for the man responsible for attacking women in town which Wolf is initially blamed for.

Now I could go on and on about all my issues with this silly/strange/offensive story but because its also such a reader favourite (I'm assuming with historical romance fans) I will also say that Wolf is a fantastic, sexy alpha hero and as annoying and clichéd as Mary is they still manage to share some steamy love scenes together. I also really liked Joe the wanna-be pilot son and it's my understanding that his story is up next in Mackenzie's Mission.

As this was my first Linda Howard book I don't know if writing historical characters in modern times is a trait of hers and as offensive as some of her writing was I did still enjoy her love scenes and easy flowing writing style. Howard just needs to pick one time genre and stick with it and maybe take some PC classes.

I do NOT like to knock a Howard because she is one of my FAVORITE authors, but this heroine was way over the top in the 'stupid department.' I realize this was written in the 1980's when the heroine was expected to be shy and reserved and virginial, yet strong and independent, but she came out as stupid (wince...I am so sorry Ms Howard) and very, very unbelievably ignorant of men and the world in general. She gave off this 'kill 'em all' attitude that just was nausiating to me.
A 29 year old spinster extrordinaire with a knack for letting the readers and the hero listen to her moronic and irritating dribble about her uptight and weird Aunt Ardith's rules of conduct got to be too much for me and I just lost any respect for her or why the hero Wolf would even like her.
A few of the secondary characters called her 'goody-goody' and I have to agree. She was a little too perfect and old fashioned for her age. Wolf deserved much better. The naivety was so bad that I was shaking my head and laughed outright when Wolf whispered a 'dirty' word in her ear about the sex act he'd like to perform on her and she had the gall to act confused and ask him what it meant and to show her. Whatever. Anyway, this is the 1980s, not the 1880s. Come on, get real.
This is the first in the Mackenzie series, which includes MacKenzie's Mission, MacKenzie's Pleasure, MacKenzie's Magic and A Game of Chance.

Mary Elizabeth Potter is a spinster in every way imaginable. The clothes and the 'sensible shoes' she wears. She has no idea if she will ever fall in love and doesn't look for it. Things change when she volunteers to go to the small town of Ruth, WY as a schoolteacher. She is a great teacher and puts her whole self into teaching children.
One child gets her attention, Wolf MacKenzie's son. She must convince his father he belongs back in school, not at home working. Getting stranded on his mountain wasn't her plan, but nevertheless, Wolf comes upon her and thinks she must be an idiot.
Mary proves that his son is made for more and tutors him. Wolf realizes he can love again, even if he is an ex-con half-breed. But the town doesn't approve and lets them know.
Can they get past the racism that simmers below the surface and be accepted?

Tracy Talley~@

MACKENZIE'S MOUNTAIN - Linda Howard

A small Wyoming town is about to learn a few lessons -- from a new schoolteacher with the courage to win the heart of a man who swore he had nothing to give...
Mary Elizabeth Potter is a self-appointed spinster with no illusions about love. But she IS a good teacher -- and she wants Wolf Mackenzie's son back in school. And after one heated confrontation with the boy's father, she knows father and son have changed her life forever.

Still paying for a crime he didn't commit, Wolf Mackenzie has a chip on his shoulder the size of Wyoming. But prim-and-proper Mary Elizabeth Potter doesn't see Wolf as the dangerous half-breed the town has branded him. Somehow she sees him as a good, decent, honest man. A man who could love...

Wolf's not sure he -- or the town of Ruth, Wyoming -- is ready for the taming of Wolf Mackenzie.

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5.0 out of 5 stars The Best....
One of my personal favorites, although there is alot of them, happens to be Mackenzie's Mountain.
With a southern teacher and a half breed Indian, what more could you... Read more

Published on Mar 18 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I have ever read...and I've read hundreds
Wolf MacKenzie. Mary Potter. Joe MacKenzie.

Wolf is part Native American and part Scot, and has grown up with the prejudices offered by all peoples. Read more

Published on Dec 28 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT
THIS WAS THE FIRST LINDA HOWARD BOOK I EVER READ. I BECAME AN INSTANT FAN, AND HAVE READ ALL BUT MARIS' BOOK.

Published on Nov 28 2003

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read....
God, I Love Linda Howard. She's always writing about these big Alpha men...my faves....in fiction anyways :o)...Wolf is no exception. Read more

Published on Oct 4 2003 by M. I.

5.0 out of 5 stars Gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling....
This was a good one.... very sweet (& hot!) romance, good story about a town that needed redemption. Just loved both the hero, Wolf, and his son, Joe.... Read more

Published on Sep 22 2003 by Jojo

5.0 out of 5 stars The story of Wolf and Mary....
MacKenzie's Mountain is a touching and sexy story of Mary and Wolf. Mary is an innocent Wyoming schoolteacher who meets Wolf MacKenzie while driving to his mountain home to try... Read more

Published on July 10 2003 by janethgrt

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!
This book was my first romance book to read. I got it from a friend and read it in one day I could not put it down. Read more

Published on May 2 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Much Man on the Mountain
I have read all of the Mackenzie books but I started with this on and it is my all time favorite. Wolf and Mary's story grabs you by the heartstrings and refuses to let go till... Read more

Published on April 26 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars The beginning of the Mackenzie legacy....
Mary Elizabeth Potter has dedicated her life to teaching young people. That is why she is so dismayed to learn that the smartest boy in Ruth, Wyoming has dropped out of school... Read more

Published on April 17 2003 by iheartjackbauer

5.0 out of 5 stars YUP! DEFINITELY GREAT CHARACTERS -
Wolf Mackenzie at 32 is definitely a man among men.
And what man isn't looking for a woman who believes in him? Read more

Published on Mar 26 2003 by M. Hartmann

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