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Wherlocke #4
If He's Dangerous
This paranormal Regency romance by the New York Times bestselling author “will have readers beaming from the first page to the last” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).England, 1790. When Lorelei Sundun first finds Sir Argus Wherlocke in her garden, she's never heard of the mysterious Wherlocke clan, or their otherworldly abilities. That changes the moment she watches Argus—the most tantalizing man she's ever seen—disappear before her very eyes. What she's witnessed should be impossible. But so should falling in love with a man she's only just met. Pursued by a madman intent on harnessing the Wherlockes' talents as weapons, Argus meant to seek help from his family, not to involve a duke's lovely daughter in the struggle. But now, the enchanting Lorelei is his only hope for salvation—and the greatest temptation he's ever faced.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2011
123 people are currently reading
1077 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Howell
116 books2,635 followersHannah Dustin Howell is a best-selling American author of over 40 historical romance novels. Many of her novels are set in medieval Scotland. She also writes under the names Sarah Dustin, Sandra Dustin, and Anna Jennet (see below).
She has also used the following pseudonyms:
Anna Jennet, Sarah Dustin and Sandra Dustin
She has also used the following pseudonyms:
Anna Jennet, Sarah Dustin and Sandra Dustin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
October 31, 2011
** WARNING: PROFANITY FOLLOWS **
As many of my "real life" acquaintances would attest to, I'm not often given to profanity and obscenities. Given that fact, I was a little taken aback by how often I heard myself saying "WHAT THE FUCK??" "YOU'VE GOT TO BE FUCKING KIDDING ME!!" and "THIS IS FUCKING RIDICULOUS." throughout this book.
This book was a lesson in "don't judge a book by its cover." The dude on the cover was hot; hence, when I saw this book at the library, I checked it out "blind" (i.e., without considering reviews or blurbs). *slaps her own hand* Bad, Audrey, bad! Oh, how I wish I had refrained.
Our plot : Sir Argus Wherlocke (the "H") is held captive by a man (the "villain") determined to steal the H's special gifts. The H appears (naked, of course) before Lady Lorelei Sundun (the "h") in her father's garden when the H sets his spirit "roaming" in a search for aid. Basically, h helps H and brings him back to her father's ducal estate to recover. There's a huge cast of familial characters, including the Duke's seventeen - that's right, seventeen - children, and many of H's relatives, who are also blessed with special "gifts." H and h fall in lust during his recovery and throughout the time H spends plotting how to rid himself of the villain. Shenanigans ensue with the villain, and the H finally wises up to the fact that he's in LURVE when the h is lying there, bleeding from a knife wound to the back.
Oh, where to start???
Heroine : Let me get it out of the way that the h, Lorelei, was...SOMETIMES...okay. She's obviously headstrong and willful and there are any number of examples: she traipses across the countryside to rescue our hero; she becomes his lover on a "gamble" that she can get him to love her back; she taunts the villain when he's holding her captive, even though it's probably not the smartest thing to do when there's threat of rape and murder, and I could go on and on. Some of these things seemed in keeping with her intended "headstrong and smart" character; others seemed TSTL.
Hero : Or should I say..."hero." *rolls eyes* I want a hero who is honorable, at the very least in his own way and with his own moral code of conduct. Argus was just plain dishonorable in my eyes. He waffles over his burning need to kiss the virginal duke's daughter...then he can't resist kissing her...then he flat out seduces her...WITHOUT intending to marry her, even though he knows he should. I just can't get behind that - he KNOWS he should do it, he KNOWS she wants it, he KNOWS it's expected of him, but he refuses to do so. Why? Because of what he believes to be the "Wherlocke and Vaughn marriage curse." *rolls eyes* Really now. REALLY. The H thinks he's doomed to a failed marriage, based on his family's marital history. He believes with an unerring certainty that he and Wife He Will Never Acquire would be doomed. DOOMED, I SAY.
Oh, but that doesn't stop him from getting busy with our lil not-so-virginal-any-longer h, the duke's daughter. While he's a guest on the duke's estate. On the duke's estate. As in...they have their trysts outdoors...under an apple tree...behind an oak tree...etc. He can't resist her, but he will not marry her - for her own good, of course. Wherlocke marriages are doomed to fail, not to mention that, as a mere knight, he's SO far beneath her in station. Oh no, he'll just take her virginity and enjoy the ride (pun intended).
And, boy, do they get busy. There are a few sexytimes scenes, but there are more that are just mentioned in passing as having occurred. And (ANOTHER PET PEEVE) the H and h never...NEVER...think about possible unplanned pregnancy. Really now. REALLY. He already has TWO illegitimate children. And he doesn't even think of the damning possibility that the duke's daughter could get knocked up?? PULL OUT, I say, PULL OUT! Jesus H. Christ and what the fuck, while I'm at it.
Oh, and he also doesn't tell her he has two sons. Nope. Isn't that something people usually talk about before becoming lovers? Nope, apparently not. Imagine the fireworks if the shoe had been on the other foot and SHE hadn't told him about her two wrong-side-o'-the-blanket kiddos. But no, instead...she's the one who finds out, not when he tells her, but when the two kids show up on her doorstep, looking for their pops. Classy. Real classy.
He holds onto his belief in their doomed marital fate for SO FARKING LONG that I wanted to hit him over the head (both heads). Yes, even after the h has professed her love for him, even after they've knocked boots who knows how many times, even after his own sister, cousin, random family members have told him he's an idiot for stringing her along, he STILL thinks he's not good enough for her and won't be able to make a successful marriage. *slaps forehead* Really now. REALLY. And the fact that it's "for her own good" is just fucking ridiculous.
Basically, nothing he could do would redeem him in my eyes.
That was further reinforced when, of course, the h's being in mortal danger finally (FINALLY) makes the H realize he loves her and needs her. Really now. REALLY?????? Holy shite. Sure, sometimes (rarely?) this works. In this case, er...NO.
** Edited to add : OH OH!! Aaaaaaand, it's not over there, folks. No, after the h recovers from her backstabbing (yup), on her first day up and about after a fortnight, she finds that the H has left the ducal estate on "pressing business." Yup, homeboy is nowhere to be seen now that she's mobile, even though he'd been by her side during her recovery. And this goes on...for a FARKING MONTH. Yup, she was left hanging, thinking he STILL felt like marriage would be all DOOM AND GLOOM. No word. No clue. No hope. Then he rides in on his white charger *insert eye roll* and says "guess what? I was off doing manly man things with my estate so that we'd have money and a future together. I know you don't care about shite like that because you totally love me already, but my pride cares, so that's why I left you for a farking month with absolutely no word!" Yes, people, this is how it ends. Really now. REALLY.**
Quote time : Totally fucking ridiculous supposed "introspection" by the H -
"He did not like to think about how long he had clung to the idea of a curse. It was embarrassing now that he sat and actually thought it out. Worse, he had left Lorelei to think that he saw what they shared as no more than an affair. (Um, that's what you did see it as, buddy.) That was something he would have to deeply apologize for. It was also embarrassing to think he had to see her on the ground bleeding before he understood what she meant to him. He had even just silently accepted her words of love when they had made love, as if somehow they were his due. Something else he would have to apologize deeply for, as it must have hurt her."
NO SHIT, SHERLOCK. HOLY SHITE. REALLY NOW. REALLY????
General commentary, especially about the "special gift" and magic-y stuff : We NEVER get an explanation beyond "she's good at finding things" for how the h is able to find the H based on the very limited and vague "wherever I'm being held smells of lavender and sweet pea" clue that he gave her when he appeared in the garden. He could've been anywhere in the countryside, yet we go from Chapter 1's H-stuck-in-an-imprisoned-state to Chapter 2's opening with the h and her cousins hiding in the bushes, absolutely positive that they have found the H's place of captivity. Really now. REALLY.
Also, Argus's "special gift" is the ability to plant ideas and actions into people's minds. Creeeepy. This just brought to mind the (forbidden) Imperius Curse. (Harry Potter, woop woop!) I can see how it could be useful for his work with the government (useful and...unfair?), and the author conveniently works it out so that our h isn't vulnerable to his "gift," but it still struck me as wrong...and reminded me way too much of the Imperius Curse. WAY too much.
Overall : It's hard to find something redeeming about a romance when the H makes you want to throw things and shout "THIS IS FUCKING RIDICULOUS" on almost every page. And, yeah...that's what I was doing.
As many of my "real life" acquaintances would attest to, I'm not often given to profanity and obscenities. Given that fact, I was a little taken aback by how often I heard myself saying "WHAT THE FUCK??" "YOU'VE GOT TO BE FUCKING KIDDING ME!!" and "THIS IS FUCKING RIDICULOUS." throughout this book.
This book was a lesson in "don't judge a book by its cover." The dude on the cover was hot; hence, when I saw this book at the library, I checked it out "blind" (i.e., without considering reviews or blurbs). *slaps her own hand* Bad, Audrey, bad! Oh, how I wish I had refrained.
Our plot : Sir Argus Wherlocke (the "H") is held captive by a man (the "villain") determined to steal the H's special gifts. The H appears (naked, of course) before Lady Lorelei Sundun (the "h") in her father's garden when the H sets his spirit "roaming" in a search for aid. Basically, h helps H and brings him back to her father's ducal estate to recover. There's a huge cast of familial characters, including the Duke's seventeen - that's right, seventeen - children, and many of H's relatives, who are also blessed with special "gifts." H and h fall in lust during his recovery and throughout the time H spends plotting how to rid himself of the villain. Shenanigans ensue with the villain, and the H finally wises up to the fact that he's in LURVE when the h is lying there, bleeding from a knife wound to the back.
Oh, where to start???
Heroine : Let me get it out of the way that the h, Lorelei, was...SOMETIMES...okay. She's obviously headstrong and willful and there are any number of examples: she traipses across the countryside to rescue our hero; she becomes his lover on a "gamble" that she can get him to love her back; she taunts the villain when he's holding her captive, even though it's probably not the smartest thing to do when there's threat of rape and murder, and I could go on and on. Some of these things seemed in keeping with her intended "headstrong and smart" character; others seemed TSTL.
Hero : Or should I say..."hero." *rolls eyes* I want a hero who is honorable, at the very least in his own way and with his own moral code of conduct. Argus was just plain dishonorable in my eyes. He waffles over his burning need to kiss the virginal duke's daughter...then he can't resist kissing her...then he flat out seduces her...WITHOUT intending to marry her, even though he knows he should. I just can't get behind that - he KNOWS he should do it, he KNOWS she wants it, he KNOWS it's expected of him, but he refuses to do so. Why? Because of what he believes to be the "Wherlocke and Vaughn marriage curse." *rolls eyes* Really now. REALLY. The H thinks he's doomed to a failed marriage, based on his family's marital history. He believes with an unerring certainty that he and Wife He Will Never Acquire would be doomed. DOOMED, I SAY.
Oh, but that doesn't stop him from getting busy with our lil not-so-virginal-any-longer h, the duke's daughter. While he's a guest on the duke's estate. On the duke's estate. As in...they have their trysts outdoors...under an apple tree...behind an oak tree...etc. He can't resist her, but he will not marry her - for her own good, of course. Wherlocke marriages are doomed to fail, not to mention that, as a mere knight, he's SO far beneath her in station. Oh no, he'll just take her virginity and enjoy the ride (pun intended).
And, boy, do they get busy. There are a few sexytimes scenes, but there are more that are just mentioned in passing as having occurred. And (ANOTHER PET PEEVE) the H and h never...NEVER...think about possible unplanned pregnancy. Really now. REALLY. He already has TWO illegitimate children. And he doesn't even think of the damning possibility that the duke's daughter could get knocked up?? PULL OUT, I say, PULL OUT! Jesus H. Christ and what the fuck, while I'm at it.
Oh, and he also doesn't tell her he has two sons. Nope. Isn't that something people usually talk about before becoming lovers? Nope, apparently not. Imagine the fireworks if the shoe had been on the other foot and SHE hadn't told him about her two wrong-side-o'-the-blanket kiddos. But no, instead...she's the one who finds out, not when he tells her, but when the two kids show up on her doorstep, looking for their pops. Classy. Real classy.
He holds onto his belief in their doomed marital fate for SO FARKING LONG that I wanted to hit him over the head (both heads). Yes, even after the h has professed her love for him, even after they've knocked boots who knows how many times, even after his own sister, cousin, random family members have told him he's an idiot for stringing her along, he STILL thinks he's not good enough for her and won't be able to make a successful marriage. *slaps forehead* Really now. REALLY. And the fact that it's "for her own good" is just fucking ridiculous.
Basically, nothing he could do would redeem him in my eyes.
That was further reinforced when, of course, the h's being in mortal danger finally (FINALLY) makes the H realize he loves her and needs her. Really now. REALLY?????? Holy shite. Sure, sometimes (rarely?) this works. In this case, er...NO.
** Edited to add : OH OH!! Aaaaaaand, it's not over there, folks. No, after the h recovers from her backstabbing (yup), on her first day up and about after a fortnight, she finds that the H has left the ducal estate on "pressing business." Yup, homeboy is nowhere to be seen now that she's mobile, even though he'd been by her side during her recovery. And this goes on...for a FARKING MONTH. Yup, she was left hanging, thinking he STILL felt like marriage would be all DOOM AND GLOOM. No word. No clue. No hope. Then he rides in on his white charger *insert eye roll* and says "guess what? I was off doing manly man things with my estate so that we'd have money and a future together. I know you don't care about shite like that because you totally love me already, but my pride cares, so that's why I left you for a farking month with absolutely no word!" Yes, people, this is how it ends. Really now. REALLY.**
Quote time : Totally fucking ridiculous supposed "introspection" by the H -
"He did not like to think about how long he had clung to the idea of a curse. It was embarrassing now that he sat and actually thought it out. Worse, he had left Lorelei to think that he saw what they shared as no more than an affair. (Um, that's what you did see it as, buddy.) That was something he would have to deeply apologize for. It was also embarrassing to think he had to see her on the ground bleeding before he understood what she meant to him. He had even just silently accepted her words of love when they had made love, as if somehow they were his due. Something else he would have to apologize deeply for, as it must have hurt her."
NO SHIT, SHERLOCK. HOLY SHITE. REALLY NOW. REALLY????
General commentary, especially about the "special gift" and magic-y stuff : We NEVER get an explanation beyond "she's good at finding things" for how the h is able to find the H based on the very limited and vague "wherever I'm being held smells of lavender and sweet pea" clue that he gave her when he appeared in the garden. He could've been anywhere in the countryside, yet we go from Chapter 1's H-stuck-in-an-imprisoned-state to Chapter 2's opening with the h and her cousins hiding in the bushes, absolutely positive that they have found the H's place of captivity. Really now. REALLY.
Also, Argus's "special gift" is the ability to plant ideas and actions into people's minds. Creeeepy. This just brought to mind the (forbidden) Imperius Curse. (Harry Potter, woop woop!) I can see how it could be useful for his work with the government (useful and...unfair?), and the author conveniently works it out so that our h isn't vulnerable to his "gift," but it still struck me as wrong...and reminded me way too much of the Imperius Curse. WAY too much.
Overall : It's hard to find something redeeming about a romance when the H makes you want to throw things and shout "THIS IS FUCKING RIDICULOUS" on almost every page. And, yeah...that's what I was doing.
April 11, 2011
received as an ARC from Kensington
3.5 flames
The beginning of this book sucked me right in! Lorelei Sundun is relaxing in her father's rose garden when all of a sudden, there is a naked man in the garden with her! He just appeared, poof! She figured too much sun could make a girl imagine anything, now couldn't it? But he was a real as could be. And along with being naked, he was in trouble.
Sir Argus Wherlocke had special abilities. His whole family did, actually, and someone had found out about those abilities. And that someone wanted to know how it was done. Two weeks of torture later, and they were no closer to figuring it out-so Argus used his newest ability, that of spirit walking. He didn't find his family, though, he found a beautiful red-haired miss who promised to help. But how could she?
I would say the first 75 pages or so are fantastic. After that it slows down a bit. Lorelei does, in fact rescue Sir Argus, but once he is rescued, the business of finding his family begins. So she hides him in the guest cottage on her father's lands. For like 2 weeks. And thinks no one will notice. And although the sparks are flying between Argus and Lorelei, I wanted it to progress a bit faster. We got a great look at Lorelei's daily life, and a great look at their personalities, but it felt more like a sweet romance, than the mysterious suspenseful read it started out as. It wasn't enough to have an intrigue plot off to the side-so much more could have been done with that. It would have been different if the beginning of the book hadn't started off so fast-paced and mysterious.
***mini-spoiler***
The only thing I didn't like, was that Argus and Lorelei talked many times about their "relationship" (Lorelei knew he was 'the one' but Argus felt Wherlock's couldn't marry) and I felt that Argus agreeing to a sexual relationship was not only out of character, but it made me really mad, as he had no plans on marrying her. That's the main reason this book wasn't a 4 for me.
But with that part aside, this is a very sweet romance, with a bit of the paranormal thrown in, and an intrigue plot thrown in as well. I enjoyed it, and I really liked the side characters, but I thought it was absolutely ridiculous that while Lorelei was being held hostage with a knife to her back, she and her father both magically spoke Gaelic all of a sudden so they had a "secret language" where she was able to share the villain's plan. Right.
I will definitely read the rest of this new trilogy, as I really liked the characters, but I will expect more of a sweet romance, than an exciting and intriguing suspense story.
http://www.demonloversbooksandmore.co...
3.5 flames
The beginning of this book sucked me right in! Lorelei Sundun is relaxing in her father's rose garden when all of a sudden, there is a naked man in the garden with her! He just appeared, poof! She figured too much sun could make a girl imagine anything, now couldn't it? But he was a real as could be. And along with being naked, he was in trouble.
Sir Argus Wherlocke had special abilities. His whole family did, actually, and someone had found out about those abilities. And that someone wanted to know how it was done. Two weeks of torture later, and they were no closer to figuring it out-so Argus used his newest ability, that of spirit walking. He didn't find his family, though, he found a beautiful red-haired miss who promised to help. But how could she?
I would say the first 75 pages or so are fantastic. After that it slows down a bit. Lorelei does, in fact rescue Sir Argus, but once he is rescued, the business of finding his family begins. So she hides him in the guest cottage on her father's lands. For like 2 weeks. And thinks no one will notice. And although the sparks are flying between Argus and Lorelei, I wanted it to progress a bit faster. We got a great look at Lorelei's daily life, and a great look at their personalities, but it felt more like a sweet romance, than the mysterious suspenseful read it started out as. It wasn't enough to have an intrigue plot off to the side-so much more could have been done with that. It would have been different if the beginning of the book hadn't started off so fast-paced and mysterious.
***mini-spoiler***
The only thing I didn't like, was that Argus and Lorelei talked many times about their "relationship" (Lorelei knew he was 'the one' but Argus felt Wherlock's couldn't marry) and I felt that Argus agreeing to a sexual relationship was not only out of character, but it made me really mad, as he had no plans on marrying her. That's the main reason this book wasn't a 4 for me.
But with that part aside, this is a very sweet romance, with a bit of the paranormal thrown in, and an intrigue plot thrown in as well. I enjoyed it, and I really liked the side characters, but I thought it was absolutely ridiculous that while Lorelei was being held hostage with a knife to her back, she and her father both magically spoke Gaelic all of a sudden so they had a "secret language" where she was able to share the villain's plan. Right.
I will definitely read the rest of this new trilogy, as I really liked the characters, but I will expect more of a sweet romance, than an exciting and intriguing suspense story.
http://www.demonloversbooksandmore.co...
January 20, 2021
Enjoyed this as much as first time round. It’s amazing what you find you’ve downloaded when the internet is down for a couple of days. Forgot I’d read this in 2016 from library and then bought in December 2020.
August 12, 2016
Achei bem fraco comparando com o restante da série...
February 24, 2020
Ik heb de Nederlands talige uitgave gelezen : Magische hartstocht - Candlelight Historische roman 985 .
Verhaallijn overgenomen van de achterkant boek : Engeland , 1790 . Lady Lorelei Sundun , dochter van een hertog , denkt dat ze een zonnesteek heeft als ze in de rozentuin een poedelnaakte man aantreft . En al helemaal als hij in het niets oplost , na haar om hulp te hebben gesmeekt .
De man in nood blijkt sir Argus Wherlocke te zijn , lid van de illustere clan van de Wherlockes en de Vaughns , die volgens de overlevering over bijzondere gaven beschikken . Hij blijkt ontvoerd te zijn door een man die het op die gaven heeft voorzien .
Lorelei weet Argus op te sporen en te bevrijden , en de families bundelen hun krachten om het levensgevaar af te wenden . Nog moeilijker te pareren is de onmiskenbare magie tussen Lorelei en Argus , waartegen geen toverkruid gewassen lijkt …
Het grappige en spannende begin trok mij meteen het verhaal in en liet mij niet meer los tot ik het boek uit had . Ik geef het geen vijf sterren omdat de romantiek niet mijn idee is van een romance - lust en seks = niet automatisch liefde .
Verhaallijn overgenomen van de achterkant boek : Engeland , 1790 . Lady Lorelei Sundun , dochter van een hertog , denkt dat ze een zonnesteek heeft als ze in de rozentuin een poedelnaakte man aantreft . En al helemaal als hij in het niets oplost , na haar om hulp te hebben gesmeekt .
De man in nood blijkt sir Argus Wherlocke te zijn , lid van de illustere clan van de Wherlockes en de Vaughns , die volgens de overlevering over bijzondere gaven beschikken . Hij blijkt ontvoerd te zijn door een man die het op die gaven heeft voorzien .
Lorelei weet Argus op te sporen en te bevrijden , en de families bundelen hun krachten om het levensgevaar af te wenden . Nog moeilijker te pareren is de onmiskenbare magie tussen Lorelei en Argus , waartegen geen toverkruid gewassen lijkt …
Het grappige en spannende begin trok mij meteen het verhaal in en liet mij niet meer los tot ik het boek uit had . Ik geef het geen vijf sterren omdat de romantiek niet mijn idee is van een romance - lust en seks = niet automatisch liefde .
June 21, 2015
Sir Argus Wherlocke has been kidnapped and tortured but manages to astrally project his image into Loreli Sundun's garden. Of course, he's naked which immediately catches her attention. He tells her he is being held captive and begs her to contact his family for rescue. Loreli does indeed send letters to various family members but fearing they will take to long in their rescue she decides to find him herself since she has the ability to find most things. Loreli is immediately captivated and intrigued by this man and his abilities and falls in love. Sir Argus takes a little longer.
This is their story and it's a good one because Hannah Howell knows how to create perfect heroines for her perfect heroes. Oh, not perfect as in infallible but perfect as in exactly the correct personality to mesh with each other. This is a thoroughly romantic story that I enjoyed immensely.
This is their story and it's a good one because Hannah Howell knows how to create perfect heroines for her perfect heroes. Oh, not perfect as in infallible but perfect as in exactly the correct personality to mesh with each other. This is a thoroughly romantic story that I enjoyed immensely.
April 9, 2021
Re-read. - I loved the Duke with all those children. Very cute and still good after all these years.
October 31, 2021
I ended up feeling supremely disappointed by this book. The premise was great and the villain seemed suitably threatening and dangerous. So in the beginning I was happily devouring every page, excited to find out what happened next. Unfortunately, the story just got worse and worse. Too much focus was put on the heroine’s father, taking away some badly needed time that should have been spent developing our happy couple’s supposedly desperate desire for each other. And there was just too much talking at times that should have been fast-paced action. Any time a situation came up where you as the reader could maybe start to worry about someone’s safety, the rest of the characters would engage in a rather prolonged discussion about how they were sure the person was fine. It makes it so that every scene is robbed of its stakes and suspense. The end result is a book that left me frustrated and disappointed that what could have been amazing was instead just mediocre.
All told, Argus failed on almost every front as being the hero. Lorelei’s father actually acted much more heroically the whole story. Argus was selfish, reckless, and just plain uninterested most of the time. Lorelei got close to being a Mary Sue in the story too. She was beautiful and resourceful and accepted all the supernatural stuff without issue. She was brave in the face of danger and she forgave Argus for the dozens of awful things he did throughout the story. Just not that satisfying of a read for what could have been a fantastic story. If the villains had actually been dangerous instead of bumbling idiots. If Argus had acted heroically and been honorable instead of a deadbeat cad. If we’d gotten time for their relationship to develop instead of spending so many pages with the 3 dozen secondary characters hogging the limelight. Sigh. A wasted opportunity.
All told, Argus failed on almost every front as being the hero. Lorelei’s father actually acted much more heroically the whole story. Argus was selfish, reckless, and just plain uninterested most of the time. Lorelei got close to being a Mary Sue in the story too. She was beautiful and resourceful and accepted all the supernatural stuff without issue. She was brave in the face of danger and she forgave Argus for the dozens of awful things he did throughout the story. Just not that satisfying of a read for what could have been a fantastic story. If the villains had actually been dangerous instead of bumbling idiots. If Argus had acted heroically and been honorable instead of a deadbeat cad. If we’d gotten time for their relationship to develop instead of spending so many pages with the 3 dozen secondary characters hogging the limelight. Sigh. A wasted opportunity.
March 13, 2021
“He was abominable… and the most alluring, tortured soul I’d ever met.” –Becca Fitzpatrick
Review: Rating: MA: mature-reader [->17]: erotic sex, graphic and descriptive violence, torture, trigger warnings for violence toward women and children, murder, treachery at the highest levels. Language: British cursing: Angst level: medium-high: Book 4/7 in the psychic Wherlocke, paranormal series: Source: purchased: I had previously read this series in paperback form and have been systematically gathering the ebooks for my personal library. Now that I have ALL the books, I look forward to rereading them. I am fascinated by this family. There are so many members within the two families and their ‘gifts’ are so unique and varied, it is never dull when they enter the scene. Each book features a Vaughn or a Wherlocke [sometimes both] and manages to have other family members visit and give aid or assistance when needed. They seem to know or sense when there is trouble and especially when someone is hurt. I found that fascinating. This review contains ***SPOILERS*** [3.5-stars round to 4-stars]
Villains: madmen thinking they could harness, steal, or somehow extract the otherworldly powers from the Wherlocke hostage that was chained and repeatedly beaten in the basement of an abandoned house. Somehow, this plot sort of fizzled out when our hostage was rescued. After that, the story was just the villains attempting to regain their hostage using any means available to them. No one was safe.
What I liked: Lady Lorelei Sundun: 7th child of the Duke of Sundunmoor: While sitting in her garden on a sunny day, a man suddenly appeared before her… naked. Thank goodness he was standing behind a rose bush with large… um… huge blooms to protect her innocence. Yeah, right! She threw him her shawl so he could wrap it around his hips. He told his name and that he was trying to reach his relations and had missed his mark [probably due to the stone circle within the garden]. She promised to send messengers to the three relations he mentioned and could only hope that they were home. He quickly disappeared with her shawl still wrapped around him. The clues he had mentioned gave Lorelei the general area where he might be held. She would enlist her cousins to help her scope out the area for a possible rescue.
The entire cast of characters at Sundunmoor was a hoot. I mean, seriously, I loved the Duke [Roland Sundun] and his butler, and sidekick, Max. Everyone in the village loved the Duke and he was worthy of their loyalty and esteem. Any scene with these guys was a joy to read. He was a gentle soul with a heart of gold, a house full of kids, and a stiff resolve to take care of the people within his area of responsibility.
What I didn’t like, and believe me, I hate to say it: Sir Argus Wherlocke: “Oh, he did look like a deity – the perfect balance of danger and charm, he was at the same time fascinating and inaccessible, distant because of his demonstrated flawlessness, and possessing such strength of character that he was dismaying and at the same time utterly attractive in an enticing and forbidden way.” –Simona Panova, Nightmarish Sacrifice
*** SPOILER*** What can I say? I loved this guy in the other books. However, in this story he was horrid. What a man-whore. Seriously? I know he had issues with marriage… heck, most in the family Wherlocke and their Vaughn relations did. However, what was the deal with his seduction of the duke’s daughter and in her own house. I mean, really? Was that even necessary… other than providing the opportunity for graphic sex? She was innocent and he knew that. Didn’t that even mean anything? Why? I did not like it one bit and her father the duke didn’t either. His Grace was ready to meet our guy on the field of honor and he was an excellent shot. Grrr!! At least the happy-ever-after was a good one.
Wherlocke Series: each book can standalone and usually contains references to and visits from characters in previous books. I love this family.
Book 1: If He’s Wicked [Cloe Wherlocke and Lord Julian Kenwood]
Book 2: If He’s Sinful [Penelope Wherlocke and Lord Ashton Radmoor]
Book 3: If He’s Wild [Lady Alethea Vaughn-Channing and Lord Hartley Greville]
Book 4: If He’s Dangerous [Sir Argus Wherlocke and Lady Lorelei Sundun]
Book 5: If He’s Tempted
Book 6: If He’s Daring
Book 7: If He’s Noble
Review: Rating: MA: mature-reader [->17]: erotic sex, graphic and descriptive violence, torture, trigger warnings for violence toward women and children, murder, treachery at the highest levels. Language: British cursing: Angst level: medium-high: Book 4/7 in the psychic Wherlocke, paranormal series: Source: purchased: I had previously read this series in paperback form and have been systematically gathering the ebooks for my personal library. Now that I have ALL the books, I look forward to rereading them. I am fascinated by this family. There are so many members within the two families and their ‘gifts’ are so unique and varied, it is never dull when they enter the scene. Each book features a Vaughn or a Wherlocke [sometimes both] and manages to have other family members visit and give aid or assistance when needed. They seem to know or sense when there is trouble and especially when someone is hurt. I found that fascinating. This review contains ***SPOILERS*** [3.5-stars round to 4-stars]
Villains: madmen thinking they could harness, steal, or somehow extract the otherworldly powers from the Wherlocke hostage that was chained and repeatedly beaten in the basement of an abandoned house. Somehow, this plot sort of fizzled out when our hostage was rescued. After that, the story was just the villains attempting to regain their hostage using any means available to them. No one was safe.
What I liked: Lady Lorelei Sundun: 7th child of the Duke of Sundunmoor: While sitting in her garden on a sunny day, a man suddenly appeared before her… naked. Thank goodness he was standing behind a rose bush with large… um… huge blooms to protect her innocence. Yeah, right! She threw him her shawl so he could wrap it around his hips. He told his name and that he was trying to reach his relations and had missed his mark [probably due to the stone circle within the garden]. She promised to send messengers to the three relations he mentioned and could only hope that they were home. He quickly disappeared with her shawl still wrapped around him. The clues he had mentioned gave Lorelei the general area where he might be held. She would enlist her cousins to help her scope out the area for a possible rescue.
The entire cast of characters at Sundunmoor was a hoot. I mean, seriously, I loved the Duke [Roland Sundun] and his butler, and sidekick, Max. Everyone in the village loved the Duke and he was worthy of their loyalty and esteem. Any scene with these guys was a joy to read. He was a gentle soul with a heart of gold, a house full of kids, and a stiff resolve to take care of the people within his area of responsibility.
What I didn’t like, and believe me, I hate to say it: Sir Argus Wherlocke: “Oh, he did look like a deity – the perfect balance of danger and charm, he was at the same time fascinating and inaccessible, distant because of his demonstrated flawlessness, and possessing such strength of character that he was dismaying and at the same time utterly attractive in an enticing and forbidden way.” –Simona Panova, Nightmarish Sacrifice
*** SPOILER*** What can I say? I loved this guy in the other books. However, in this story he was horrid. What a man-whore. Seriously? I know he had issues with marriage… heck, most in the family Wherlocke and their Vaughn relations did. However, what was the deal with his seduction of the duke’s daughter and in her own house. I mean, really? Was that even necessary… other than providing the opportunity for graphic sex? She was innocent and he knew that. Didn’t that even mean anything? Why? I did not like it one bit and her father the duke didn’t either. His Grace was ready to meet our guy on the field of honor and he was an excellent shot. Grrr!! At least the happy-ever-after was a good one.
Wherlocke Series: each book can standalone and usually contains references to and visits from characters in previous books. I love this family.
Book 1: If He’s Wicked [Cloe Wherlocke and Lord Julian Kenwood]
Book 2: If He’s Sinful [Penelope Wherlocke and Lord Ashton Radmoor]
Book 3: If He’s Wild [Lady Alethea Vaughn-Channing and Lord Hartley Greville]
Book 4: If He’s Dangerous [Sir Argus Wherlocke and Lady Lorelei Sundun]
Book 5: If He’s Tempted
Book 6: If He’s Daring
Book 7: If He’s Noble
July 7, 2017
I have enjoyed," If He's Wild & If He's Wicked," and while reviewing mentioned that I was never impressed by some of the others in this series. In fact, I checked out reviews to help guide me to buy any more in the Wherlocke series. I couldn't remember what it was that made me dislike the others because the idea of such a family is interesting to me, so I started with this one. Lorelei Sundun is a 23 year old duke's daughter who has never shown any true interest in a man. That is until Sir Argus appears naked in her rose garden. He appears in an astral travel type manner and I was pulled in. I liked the supernatural/mystical vibe I felt.
Argus has made his appearance in the other two books I mentioned so if you've read them you are acquainted but not necessary to follow this one. The better I got to know Argus the more I began to understand why I only read this once. I have high expectations of my H and while some authors got below my radar and made me fall in love with a shady H, it was not my experience with this one. He is being held captive by a mad man who is trying to gain his powers and it is our red haired spitfire who rescues him. She is quick to know her heart concerning him and almost immediately the two begin to share passion. Argus pushes away several times as he has no desire to marry. It is the Wherlock/ Vaungh curse that causes him concern. His family has several gifted children that have no mothers because they can't handle it when the child shows their powers.
Now we move to my dislike. He has two bastard sons Darius & Olwen. They are from two different mistresses he had his first year in London when he was young. I never felt a bond between father and sons and he left them to be cared for by a relative, Penelope Wherlocke from," If He's Sinful." It is important that I see this characteristic in my H. He hates his younger self, so foolish and cocky but says he took care not to become diseased. That did not match his actions as he ends up taking Lolly's innocence with no intention of marriage. This is acceptable in 2017 but not in 1790. This is all a woman had for worth and she does it believing he will love her eventually. I couldn't believe he was repeating the same mistake and there is no thought that she will get pregnant? The dislike grew as he did not seem like he cared much for her passed slaking his needs. ******SPOILER*********
Lolly gets pregnant with twins. How can I feel warm and fuzzy now knowing he has not proven himself a good father with his past actions. It had some good points and was interesting but that love and devotion I want to see from my H came too late in the game. Julianne and Hartley ( H's from the other 2 books I mentioned) won my heart because they showed me not only they were protective over Chloe and Althea (their better halves) and would never dishonor their reputations by taking what they wanted without any more thought then that. They showed me passion and accomplished that along with proving the kind of father they would make.
That's what made me love them and this a hard book for me to enjoy. Upon the birth of his twins,again, my happiness tainted because they were twin boys. Darius & Olwen were not mentioned to be present or have any attachment to the whole growing situation either. He made a mistake I can accept that but there is no mention of him trying to form a bond. Also interesting enough we do not see Argus holding one of his sons either we saw more enthusiasm from her father the duke.
What was HH thinking in not proving to the reader that he had changed? I have loved several of her books but cannot support this one fully. The romance and desire for a strong H was lacking with this one. It is below what I know she is capable of.
Argus has made his appearance in the other two books I mentioned so if you've read them you are acquainted but not necessary to follow this one. The better I got to know Argus the more I began to understand why I only read this once. I have high expectations of my H and while some authors got below my radar and made me fall in love with a shady H, it was not my experience with this one. He is being held captive by a mad man who is trying to gain his powers and it is our red haired spitfire who rescues him. She is quick to know her heart concerning him and almost immediately the two begin to share passion. Argus pushes away several times as he has no desire to marry. It is the Wherlock/ Vaungh curse that causes him concern. His family has several gifted children that have no mothers because they can't handle it when the child shows their powers.
Now we move to my dislike. He has two bastard sons Darius & Olwen. They are from two different mistresses he had his first year in London when he was young. I never felt a bond between father and sons and he left them to be cared for by a relative, Penelope Wherlocke from," If He's Sinful." It is important that I see this characteristic in my H. He hates his younger self, so foolish and cocky but says he took care not to become diseased. That did not match his actions as he ends up taking Lolly's innocence with no intention of marriage. This is acceptable in 2017 but not in 1790. This is all a woman had for worth and she does it believing he will love her eventually. I couldn't believe he was repeating the same mistake and there is no thought that she will get pregnant? The dislike grew as he did not seem like he cared much for her passed slaking his needs. ******SPOILER*********
Lolly gets pregnant with twins. How can I feel warm and fuzzy now knowing he has not proven himself a good father with his past actions. It had some good points and was interesting but that love and devotion I want to see from my H came too late in the game. Julianne and Hartley ( H's from the other 2 books I mentioned) won my heart because they showed me not only they were protective over Chloe and Althea (their better halves) and would never dishonor their reputations by taking what they wanted without any more thought then that. They showed me passion and accomplished that along with proving the kind of father they would make.
That's what made me love them and this a hard book for me to enjoy. Upon the birth of his twins,again, my happiness tainted because they were twin boys. Darius & Olwen were not mentioned to be present or have any attachment to the whole growing situation either. He made a mistake I can accept that but there is no mention of him trying to form a bond. Also interesting enough we do not see Argus holding one of his sons either we saw more enthusiasm from her father the duke.
What was HH thinking in not proving to the reader that he had changed? I have loved several of her books but cannot support this one fully. The romance and desire for a strong H was lacking with this one. It is below what I know she is capable of.
February 22, 2018
Plusieurs années après ma lecture des trois premiers tomes de la saga Wherlocke, je me lance dans le tome 4. J'ai un excellent souvenir du premier et du troisième tome de cette saga historico-magique et je n'ai pas été déçue par ce quatrième tome. Évidemment, l'histoire ne recèle d'aucune surprise, la restitution historique révèle quelques anachronismes, la romance est prévisible... Bref, on se lance dans ce tome comme on se lance dans les autres tomes de la sage : on sait que ça va bien finir et on veut passer un bon petit moment sans prise de tête. Une lecture parfaite pour mon état d'esprit actuel !
April 27, 2011
If He's Dangerous by Hannah Howell
Historical Romance –June 7th, 2011
4 stars
Fun, whimsical and vastly entertaining. This is a light Regency to relax with on a long summer's day.
In If He's Dangerous, the hero, Sir Argus Wherlocke has been imprisoned and tortured. Argus and his family have special paranormal abilities and someone wants them. They think by torturing Argus that he can give them his gifts. As a last resort, Argus hopes to astral project himself to one of his family members in a desperate bid for rescue. But things go awry as he projects himself naked in front of the daughter of a Duke nearby!
Lorelei is unconventional and at first doesn't believe her eyes. The man before her is gorgeous but she must be hallucinating. But she soon convinces herself that Argus is a real person and needs aid. She quickly sends pleas to his relative for help via the mail. But fearing Argus's relative may not arrive in time to save him, she actively enlists the aid of her cousins. Soon Argus is free but in danger. Lorelei must try to keep him safe and hidden. But the mutual attraction between them is hard to resist. As they try to thwart the attempts of the kidnappers and speed up his recovery, love blooms.
This was a light hearted romp. Both characters are delightfully fun and engaging. I loved the rambunctious household that Argus soon finds himself in. Lorelei has a huge family that includes aunts and cousins and several sisters and brothers. Reading about them and their mischief antics was hilarious. I really liked the conspiring butler and how Lorelei takes charge and protects Argus. But the best part of the book was the seemingly muddled but very sharp Duke, Lorelei's father. Although it appears that the author has given him a love interest at the end, I would love for him to have his own romance! He completely charmed me. He appears bookish and unaware of what is happening around him, he always seem to have the upper hand and never looses his cool. I only wished the paranormal powers had been explored a bit more but otherwise this was a vastly enjoyable read.
This is a wonderful, light romance with a warm and often hilarious family that makes you want to be a part of it.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Historical Romance –June 7th, 2011
4 stars
Fun, whimsical and vastly entertaining. This is a light Regency to relax with on a long summer's day.
In If He's Dangerous, the hero, Sir Argus Wherlocke has been imprisoned and tortured. Argus and his family have special paranormal abilities and someone wants them. They think by torturing Argus that he can give them his gifts. As a last resort, Argus hopes to astral project himself to one of his family members in a desperate bid for rescue. But things go awry as he projects himself naked in front of the daughter of a Duke nearby!
Lorelei is unconventional and at first doesn't believe her eyes. The man before her is gorgeous but she must be hallucinating. But she soon convinces herself that Argus is a real person and needs aid. She quickly sends pleas to his relative for help via the mail. But fearing Argus's relative may not arrive in time to save him, she actively enlists the aid of her cousins. Soon Argus is free but in danger. Lorelei must try to keep him safe and hidden. But the mutual attraction between them is hard to resist. As they try to thwart the attempts of the kidnappers and speed up his recovery, love blooms.
This was a light hearted romp. Both characters are delightfully fun and engaging. I loved the rambunctious household that Argus soon finds himself in. Lorelei has a huge family that includes aunts and cousins and several sisters and brothers. Reading about them and their mischief antics was hilarious. I really liked the conspiring butler and how Lorelei takes charge and protects Argus. But the best part of the book was the seemingly muddled but very sharp Duke, Lorelei's father. Although it appears that the author has given him a love interest at the end, I would love for him to have his own romance! He completely charmed me. He appears bookish and unaware of what is happening around him, he always seem to have the upper hand and never looses his cool. I only wished the paranormal powers had been explored a bit more but otherwise this was a vastly enjoyable read.
This is a wonderful, light romance with a warm and often hilarious family that makes you want to be a part of it.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
May 29, 2011
If He’s Dangerous is the fourth book in the Wherlock Series. The Wherlock’s are a family with many gifts and secrets and pasts they don’t wish to relive.
Where do I start??? Do I love the book? No. Do I like it? Yes. Something was just off for me. I think I expected Argus Wherlocke’s story to be….well something more. In the prior books he was such a strong character. I did not feel his strength in this novel. Yes, there were circumstances that would take away some of that strength, but still it just didn’t do it for me. I had higher hopes for Argus and maybe that was my problem. I loved Argus in prior books and I wanted to really love him in his book.
The heroine was Lorelei Sundun, a daughter of a Duke. She was a lovely lady. Very strong and open minded, something Argus needs, but doesn’t recognize. He knows he wants her, but doesn’t believe he deserves her. Lorelei is from a wonderful family and has an amazing father. She is a well balanced woman, perfect for Argus.
I enjoyed the read, but it was slow. The characters were well written, but the storyline didn’t really grab me. I had no problem finishing it, but would it have kept me up all night? No. That for me is a given for a great book.
Even the villain in this book was lackluster. Argus deserved a stronger adversary. No real mystery in the book.
I’m not sure who or if there will be another book. Most indications from book sites is that the Wherlock Series was to be a trilogy. I do hope that Ms. Howell continues with this wonderful family. While “If He’s Dangerous” was not my favorite novel in the series I would still recommend reading it.
Where do I start??? Do I love the book? No. Do I like it? Yes. Something was just off for me. I think I expected Argus Wherlocke’s story to be….well something more. In the prior books he was such a strong character. I did not feel his strength in this novel. Yes, there were circumstances that would take away some of that strength, but still it just didn’t do it for me. I had higher hopes for Argus and maybe that was my problem. I loved Argus in prior books and I wanted to really love him in his book.
The heroine was Lorelei Sundun, a daughter of a Duke. She was a lovely lady. Very strong and open minded, something Argus needs, but doesn’t recognize. He knows he wants her, but doesn’t believe he deserves her. Lorelei is from a wonderful family and has an amazing father. She is a well balanced woman, perfect for Argus.
I enjoyed the read, but it was slow. The characters were well written, but the storyline didn’t really grab me. I had no problem finishing it, but would it have kept me up all night? No. That for me is a given for a great book.
Even the villain in this book was lackluster. Argus deserved a stronger adversary. No real mystery in the book.
I’m not sure who or if there will be another book. Most indications from book sites is that the Wherlock Series was to be a trilogy. I do hope that Ms. Howell continues with this wonderful family. While “If He’s Dangerous” was not my favorite novel in the series I would still recommend reading it.
June 12, 2011
It has been awhile since I've read the previous books in this series and I found I couldn't really remember what the story of those characters were. I think I would have enjoyed this more having remembered because the characters re-appear. They can be read as stand alones but I always like to read a series in order.
I enjoyed the characters in this book and I feel a little guilty giving only 3 stars (I actually considered only giving it 2), but I think the second half of the story just seemed to slow right down for me and I didn't feel any anticipation as to what was going to happen.
I am a fan of Hannah Howell's novels and have pretty much read them all. With her novels I find them very hit and miss, some 5 stars and some only 2 stars, but I always read anything she publishes because I'm a huge fan of how she writes about families and we get to re-visit with them throughout the series.
I enjoyed the characters in this book and I feel a little guilty giving only 3 stars (I actually considered only giving it 2), but I think the second half of the story just seemed to slow right down for me and I didn't feel any anticipation as to what was going to happen.
I am a fan of Hannah Howell's novels and have pretty much read them all. With her novels I find them very hit and miss, some 5 stars and some only 2 stars, but I always read anything she publishes because I'm a huge fan of how she writes about families and we get to re-visit with them throughout the series.
October 18, 2014
Sir Argus Wherlocke falls
The intimidating, scary, powerful Argus falls. At the beginning he has fallen into a trap. He is rescued by the daughter of the nearby Duke. As the story continues, he is dangerously falling in love. So he fights, both. As Wherlockes and Vaughns appear to aid him, he refuses to see the actual situation and keeps reviewing the families past marital failures.
Again this was an excellent tale in all ways. The characters, interchanges, plot, action are all well written and draw you into the book and keep you there until the end. Read the entire series. Your only complaint would be for more books. I want one for Iago Vaughn, he needs a HEA.
The intimidating, scary, powerful Argus falls. At the beginning he has fallen into a trap. He is rescued by the daughter of the nearby Duke. As the story continues, he is dangerously falling in love. So he fights, both. As Wherlockes and Vaughns appear to aid him, he refuses to see the actual situation and keeps reviewing the families past marital failures.
Again this was an excellent tale in all ways. The characters, interchanges, plot, action are all well written and draw you into the book and keep you there until the end. Read the entire series. Your only complaint would be for more books. I want one for Iago Vaughn, he needs a HEA.
August 1, 2011
Quickie Review for If He's Dangerous....
I finally got to read Hannah Howell's latest addition to the Wherlocke series, If He's Dangerous. What a great story! I am totally digging the paranormally-enhanced Wherlocke family. They are bad-ass, mysterious and oh so sexy. Schwing! I am now in love with the name Angus. It's hot! I thought this book was the perfect package....great romance, terrific characters, engaging storyline.
Grade: A
I finally got to read Hannah Howell's latest addition to the Wherlocke series, If He's Dangerous. What a great story! I am totally digging the paranormally-enhanced Wherlocke family. They are bad-ass, mysterious and oh so sexy. Schwing! I am now in love with the name Angus. It's hot! I thought this book was the perfect package....great romance, terrific characters, engaging storyline.
Grade: A
April 9, 2019
if you love historical romances...try ms.howell. she rocks. reread 11-7-16. still a wonderful story and much of it funny and the rest full of action and danger. Re-read yet again in August, 2017. Such a wonderful series. Re-read again in April, 2019. Such an enjoyable series.
November 4, 2014
These books would be so much better if they weren't all just slightly altered mirrors of the previous installments in the series. It's a shame because reading about these psychics is such a promising premise. Howell's writing just doesn't do her ideas justice.
September 3, 2023
Loved the Rose Garden!
June 16, 2020
I have to say that I was disappointed in this one. I was very much looking forward to Argus's story because his talent intrigued me and I could see that it would cause problems with trust and relationships. This story completely ignores all of that. His gift for all practical purposes of the story is non existent. It is only mentioned in the story as the plot macguffin. He doesn't even use it. Sure I expected that his girl would inevitably be immune or whatever, but that it would still need to be addressed and worked through. Nope, it doesn't work on her, she's fine with all powers, and it's never mentioned again that he has amazing powers until the very end where it felt more like a oops, yes the villains still have amazing power blocking devices, so again, a moot point.
With the darker villain themes of book 2 and 3 which describe in slightly more detail the villainy of the brothel, rape, kidnapping, and torture (not much, but more than just the words themselves), I thought the author would be willing to go deeper into the dark nuances of Argus's power. Nope. This treads safely in the shallow end of good vs. bad.
I was disappointed because I had different expectations, but the book was alright I guess.
With the darker villain themes of book 2 and 3 which describe in slightly more detail the villainy of the brothel, rape, kidnapping, and torture (not much, but more than just the words themselves), I thought the author would be willing to go deeper into the dark nuances of Argus's power. Nope. This treads safely in the shallow end of good vs. bad.
I was disappointed because I had different expectations, but the book was alright I guess.
November 2, 2020
Once again, very strong similarities to the other books.
We get Argus’s story and I really expected his talent to come into play. It really doesn’t get used at all but we do get a new talent/power he has been practicing, which does end up save his life after being kidnapped. This doesn’t come into play again though.
Heroine who has some sensible actions and thinking. Except when chasing the hero.
Lorelei does pretty much pursue Argus and though Argus does know better he doesn’t put a stop to them.
A pity and a waste that this author cannot stop copying the same plot lines through every book.
Rake as a hero, who of course reforms for the right woman, after debauching her and risking ruining her reputation.
Virginal heroine who throws all common sense to the winds and has sex with hero, ending up surprised when a pregnancy happens.
I said I was taking a break after book three but decided to get this one read so I am now up to book six.
Pity the author never wrote Modred and Leopold's stories.
We get Argus’s story and I really expected his talent to come into play. It really doesn’t get used at all but we do get a new talent/power he has been practicing, which does end up save his life after being kidnapped. This doesn’t come into play again though.
Heroine who has some sensible actions and thinking. Except when chasing the hero.
Lorelei does pretty much pursue Argus and though Argus does know better he doesn’t put a stop to them.
A pity and a waste that this author cannot stop copying the same plot lines through every book.
Rake as a hero, who of course reforms for the right woman, after debauching her and risking ruining her reputation.
Virginal heroine who throws all common sense to the winds and has sex with hero, ending up surprised when a pregnancy happens.
I said I was taking a break after book three but decided to get this one read so I am now up to book six.
Pity the author never wrote Modred and Leopold's stories.
October 8, 2019
This is the fourth of seven books in the Wherlocke series by Hannah Howell. Each story is about a kinsman in the Wherlocke and Vaughn families who seem to have an extra ability to help those around them. In older days they had been burned as witches. Lorelei Sundun is not of that clan but when she is confronted with a naked man in her garden who after a brief time disappears she is now out to find that man and rescue him. Sir Argus Wherlocke has been captured and chained, beaten and starved for several weeks. His one moment of getting help is not what he thought. He goes to someone not of his family. Now the race is on. She knows she must save him. And with her very large family and her father a Duke all hands are at the ready. But will she be able to keep him safe until his family gets there? And why him and what for are the questions in this story. Will she be able to accept him and his very different family?
November 20, 2024
Three and a half stars
Argus Lorelei I thoroughly enjoyed most of the Sunduns and Wherlockes. I found the varied gifts in the Wherlockes to be intriguing and thought how they were used was laudable. Unfortunately, what lessened my enjoyment of this story was the two leads. Lorelei was okay; she just had a marked lack of common sense. Argus, however, seemed devoid of honor AND common sense. His melodramatic moaning about "the family curse" was more suited to a swooning Gothic maiden, and his oft-repeated declarations of high-minded intentions (promptly followed by doing the exact opposite) looked both weak and hypocritical. Not exactly what I hope for in a historical romance hero...
Argus Lorelei I thoroughly enjoyed most of the Sunduns and Wherlockes. I found the varied gifts in the Wherlockes to be intriguing and thought how they were used was laudable. Unfortunately, what lessened my enjoyment of this story was the two leads. Lorelei was okay; she just had a marked lack of common sense. Argus, however, seemed devoid of honor AND common sense. His melodramatic moaning about "the family curse" was more suited to a swooning Gothic maiden, and his oft-repeated declarations of high-minded intentions (promptly followed by doing the exact opposite) looked both weak and hypocritical. Not exactly what I hope for in a historical romance hero...
August 13, 2022
Odd Duke
It seems the Duke has raised a large house full of forward thinking children. Thankfully that means they easily accept the special gifts of the Warlockes and Vaughns. Cute how the twins have to be kept so close. The Duke's treatment of his grandsons...and their nurse is adorable.
It seems the Duke has raised a large house full of forward thinking children. Thankfully that means they easily accept the special gifts of the Warlockes and Vaughns. Cute how the twins have to be kept so close. The Duke's treatment of his grandsons...and their nurse is adorable.
June 2, 2017
Another interesting read. Books are written with similar scenario. Knight kidnapped, he sends his spirit to get help. Spirit finds dukes daughter. She writes his family, then with help of cousins rescues him. The dance begins, sex, pregnancy, then a quick, but happy marriage.
October 28, 2019
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a good job. Another entertaining installment of the Wherlocke series by Hannah Howell. I enjoyed both H/h and was happy to see it was a male Wherlocke in this book.
October 9, 2020
Howell sets her historical romance in 1790 England.
When twenty-three year old Lorelei Sundun finds Sir Argus Wherlocke naked in her garden, she reacts with puzzlement, rather than shock.
This series is similar to:
Jayne Anne Krentz's Arcane Society.
When twenty-three year old Lorelei Sundun finds Sir Argus Wherlocke naked in her garden, she reacts with puzzlement, rather than shock.
This series is similar to:
Jayne Anne Krentz's Arcane Society.
September 22, 2025
It was okay, I expected more out of the Hero from the previous books, also it’s every FMC going to get shot or stab in order for the Hero to realize he’s in love? I feel 4 books in and that has been part of every book 😳🤷🏻♀️
September 7, 2017
Books are getting a little too similar but I really liked Lolley and her family.
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