MacKenzie's Mountain

Wolf MacKenzie's story of falling for a 'mousy school' teacher is probably more realistic than many of us would like to believe. Having just finished a course of History of the 60's I understand more and more how small towns and America have grown up. This book gives a reader a very good idea of the prejudices and small-mindedness that haunts small towns. It also shows that love can overcome and heal many of the wounds that are caused by these frailties of the human race. Wolf is a warrior and his life has carried many battle scars that soften and allow a 'mousy schoolteacher' to worm her way under his skin and into his heart. The saga of the Mackenzie family is a wonderful story of love and those special men and women who find their way into the other's heart.

Chance MacKenzie's story will be released in August, 2000 as a Silhouette Intimate Moment entitled "A Game of Chance". Also, MIRA Books will reissue Joe's story "MacKenzie's Mission" in July, 2000. Let's hope Linda is back to stay at Silhouette.

I came to the MacKenzie Family saga backwards - I purchased the combined stories of Zane and Maris in MACKENZIE'S PLEASURE and MACKENZIE'S MAGIC, liked what I read, looked at the list of her prior books, and started hunting for them. I found a well-thumbed copy of MACKENZIE'S MISSION in the paperback section of my local library, but I could not locate MACKENZIE'S MOUNTAIN until its reissue this month, despite looking for at least a year...I snapped it up!Wolf Mackenzie is the premier male lead character - a powerful, mysterious, sensual, and flawed Viet Nam veteran (yes, he's very domineering - all in character, I suppose). Mary Potter is a wonderful foil - unattractive except to Wolf, cerebral, unaffectedly honest to a fault, and, fortunately, willing to tolerate Wolf's less endearing qualities. Their relationship unfolds with Ms. Howard's trademark sizzle-factor, but not too unbelievably fast (as is unfortunately the case in many other books of this genre). I'm hooked on this family's adventures, and now that I've read the foundation story of Wolf and Mary, I plan on rereading the later ones for a fresh perspective.I did get confused on the time line for all three stories. I couldn't figure out how there was time to let two decades elapse betwen this story and MACKENZIE'S PLEASURE, so that Joe would be well into his middle age by then. Joe was born during the Viet Nam war, and by my calculations, he couldn't have been as old as he was portrayed, so some kind of reference date for MACKENZIE'S MOUNTAIN would have helped. Oh, well, it's fiction anyway.

In my opinion, this is the best series romance ever written. It has everything - innocence, compassion, caring, concern, sacrifice of self, support, and most of all, an incredible love between Wolf and Mary. I only wish that all of Ms. Howard's (and other writers as well) had this kind of strong relationship, respect for each other and emotion. If you have never read this book, beg or borrow it from someone and keep an eye out for a reprint or used copy for yourself. This is one to keep and read again and again, esp. when your world looks gray; this one will lift your spirits and give you hope again. A rousing 5 stars, (which I never give) to Ms. Howard for this fabulous story!