ALEC MACKENZIE'S ART OF SEDUCTION is book nine in Jennifer Ashley's Mackenzies historical romance series. I'm a huge Jennifer Ashley fan and have been waiting for this book for what seems like forever -- but it is everything I'd hoped it would be. There is some intelligence gathering in this story, but I wouldn't necessarily call it a "spy book." Alec Mackenzie is on a mission to find and rescue his brother Will. This mission has many risks, since he is in enemy territory and with a baby daughter in tow. Lady Celia Fotheringhay is initially unaware of all the intrigue around her, but Alec soon finds that she is anything but a vapid young miss. Their unconventional courtship and love story is a delightful mix of romance and danger.

Devilishly handsome, and all-around nice guy, Alec Mackenzie (under the alias Mr. Finn, Irishman) is installed as art tutor to Celia. The plan is for Alec to pump Celia for information as to his brother's whereabouts. Thankfully for Celia, and readers, Alec isn't cold- blooded enough to ruthlessly use Celia for his own ends without caring about her. The initial attraction between this hero and unlikely heroine surprises them both. Alec has a natural charm and makes a natural hero -- strong, sensitive, and seriously hot. The deeper Alec and Celia get into the mystery of where Will is, and what happened to him, the more questions they have. One of the biggest questions surrounds Celia's family and their level of involvement, if any, in Will's plight. One of the things I love about this story is how Celia and Alec work together in the reconnaissance and rescue mission. Once Celia is made aware of certain realities, she demands to be an active participant, and Alec respects her enough to comply with her wishes and is never condescending.

ALEC MACKENZIE'S ART OF SEDUCTION is an exhilarating adventure full of devious plots and forbidden passion. Each story in this Mackenzies series matches the personality of the Mackenzie involved. Even though women in the 1700s had very limited freedom, Jennifer Ashley once again provides a diverse and wonderfully complex group of female characters for readers to enjoy and root for. Jennifer Ashley does a great job of balancing the romance with the action. I look eagerly await Will's story next.