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The Hellions of Havisham #3

The Viscount and the Vixen

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Love begets madness. Viscount Locksley watched it happen to his father after his cherished wife’s death. But when his sire arranges to marry flame-haired fortune hunter Portia Gadstone, Locke is compelled to take drastic measures to stop the stunning beauty from taking advantage of the marquess. A marriage of mutual pleasure could be convenient, indeed . . . as long as inconvenient feelings don’t interfere.

Desperation forced Portia to agree to marry a madman. The arrangement will offer the protection she needs. Or so she believes until the marquess’s distractingly handsome son peruses the fine print . . .and takes his father’s place!

Now the sedate—and, more importantly, secure—union Portia planned has been tossed in favor of one simmering with wicked temptation and potential heartbreak. Because as she begins to fall for her devilishly seductive husband, her dark secrets surface and threaten to ruin them both—unless Locke is willing to risk all and open his heart to love.

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 29, 2016

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3273 people want to read

About the author

Lorraine Heath

90 books4,373 followers
Also writes Young Adult under Rachel Hawthorne, Jade Parker, and with her son as J.A. London.

Lorraine Heath has always had a soft spot for emotional love stories. No doubt because growing up, watching movies with her mom, she was taught that the best movies "won't half make you cry."​​​​​​​

She is the daughter of a British beauty (her mom won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero, (the Joker on the original Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan, and she enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.

When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She began her career writing training manuals and computer code for the IRS, but something was always missing. When she read a romance novel, she became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since.

Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA®. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including ​​​​​​​USA TODAY and the New York Times.

The author of more than 60 novels, she writes historical and contemporary romance for adults and historical romance for teen readers.

Under the names Rachel Hawthorne and Jade Parker, she writes popular contemporary, historical, and paranormal r​​omance for teens readers. She also writes young adult novels with her son under the name J. A. London.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 623 reviews
Profile Image for UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish.
1,097 reviews1,757 followers
August 5, 2016
The Viscount and the Vixen is wonderful! More than a romance, it's a beautiful love story, and I can't seem to put into words how deeply it touched me. I was certain I wouldn't like her, but Portia is so much more than she appears. Even though I was shocked and appalled as her story unfolds, I often felt like my heart was being torn apart and was brought to tears for the things she endured and the choices she had to make. And Locke... what a devoted son he is! And attractive, hard working, sensual and sexy and... well, you can see, I wasn't lying when I said I'm having trouble finding the words to express what a moving tale this is.

I'm thrilled to read that the man who made this series possible, the Marquess of Marsden, and the love of his life, Linnie, will have their story told in a novella called Making Merry with the Marquess. It's due out in early 2017!!

An ARC was provided by Avon Books. In appreciation I'm giving them an honest review, though I will try to do a better job of it closer to the November 29, 2016 release day.

Blurb:

Love begets madness. Viscount Locksley watched it happen to his father after his cherished wife’s death. But when his sire arranges to marry flame-haired fortune hunter Portia Gadstone, Locke is compelled to take drastic measures to stop the stunning beauty from taking advantage of the marquess. A marriage of mutual pleasure could be convenient, indeed... as long as inconvenient feelings don’t interfere.

Desperation forced Portia to agree to marry a madman. The arrangement will offer the protection she needs. Or so she believes until the marquess’s distractingly handsome son peruses the fine print... and takes his father’s place!

Now the sedate—and, more importantly, secure—union Portia planned has been tossed in favor of one simmering with wicked temptation and potential heartbreak. Because as she begins to fall for her devilishly seductive husband, her dark secrets surface and threaten to ruin them both—unless Locke is willing to risk all and open his heart to love.
Profile Image for WhiskeyintheJar.
1,516 reviews692 followers
May 23, 2018
I thought I could do this one because I enjoy Heath's writing but my personal dislike issues got in the way. Not a fan of secret trying to pass off as hero's baby angst, insta-lust, or first chapter starting off like this:

Leaning forward, he dug his elbows into his thighs. “I’m simply striving to determine why a woman as young and lovely as yourself would be willing to lie on her back so a man as shriveled as my father can slide on top of her.”
“Locke!” his father bellowed. “You’ve gone too far. Get the hell out.”
“It’s quite all right, my lord,” she said calmly, never taking her challenging gaze from Locke’s, not flinching, not blushing, not so much as arching a thinly shaped eyebrow at him. “I don’t see that your father’s preferred position for coupling is really any of your concern. Perhaps he will take me standing while coming in at me from behind. Or on my knees. Or upside down. But I assure you, he will not be shriveled.”
Then she slowly lowered those damned whiskey eyes to his lap, and he cursed his cock’s betrayal. With startling detail, images of him with her in all those positions had flown through his mind. He’d grown so hard and aching that he couldn’t have gotten up and walked out if he wanted.


In a contemporary, would love this heroine's response, in historical, just not what I am personally looking for.
Profile Image for Warda.
1,305 reviews23.1k followers
August 5, 2023
“Love is more important. Which I think you came to realize.”

He’d come to realize it was the only thing.


5 stars because this book got me in my feelings. These two fell in love so hard and so good. 🥹

Not only was the romance gorgeous (but messy), this had one of the best father/son relationships I’ve read. It was so emotional and compelling to read about.

I love the way Lorraine Heath writes her characters. They’re complex and human and she puts her characters through these dire situations which allows for such great character exploration and growth.

I’m running towards reading her backlist right away.
Profile Image for Caz.
3,262 reviews1,165 followers
November 28, 2016
4.5 stars.

Lorraine Heath is one of those writers whose work really resonates with me. I don’t know what it is exactly, but the emotional content of her books draws me to her time and time again, and I will often finish one of her novels feeling completely wrung out and unable to pick up another book for at least twenty-four hours. Such was the case with The Viscount and the Vixen, the final full-length novel in her Hellions of Havisham Hall series.

The Marquess of Marsden is a recluse, labelled mad by most because he is believed to have gone insane following the death of his beloved wife in childbed. Havisham Hall has been allowed to fall into disrepair over the years, and even though his son, Viscount Locksley has lived there exclusively for the past couple of years, he has made no improvements because his father dislikes change and he – Locke – doesn’t want to agitate him.

So when he arrives at the breakfast table one morning to find his father freshly shaved, smartly dressed and reading the paper, it’s a bit of a shock. Marsden usually takes his meals in his room and doesn’t bother much about his appearance, but when he tells Locke that his (Marsden’s) bride will be arriving later, Locke thinks his father is delusional and must be referring to his mother. But Marsden is perfectly lucid and explains that as Locke has so far neglected to find a wife and set up his nursery, it behoves him to marry a woman young enough to provide the necessary “spare” in order to secure the succession. And in order to do that, Marsden placed an advertisement in a newspaper which was answered by a Mrs. Portia Gadstone, with whom he has been corresponding ever since. Locke is flabbergasted, but also concerned for his father and worried that he has been taken in by a fortune hunter. When Mrs. Gadstone appears, he is knocked sideways even further; she’s luscious and he’s suddenly drowning in lust the like of which he can’t remember ever experiencing before. But even so – he’s sure she’s a gold digger and is determined to protect his father at all costs. And it quickly appears there is only one way to do that, which is to marry Portia himself.

Portia has been driven to the drastic step of marrying a man widely reputed to be insane because she’s in a desperate situation. She can’t deny that the prospect of marrying a wealthy man is an attractive one, but just as important as the marquess’ wealth is the fact that his title offers her the protection she seeks, and she is determined to be a good wife to him.

But her first sight of Marsden’s gorgeous, green-eyed son throws her for a loop, even though he makes it perfectly clear that he distrusts her and wants to stop her marrying his father. When Locke proposes she marry him instead, Portia is almost turned from her purpose, realising that her life with him will in no way fulfil her desire for quiet, rather dull existence she had envisaged having with his father. But that doesn’t alter the fact that she has imperative reasons for marrying and living in a remote location – and the deal is made.

The sexual tension between Locke and Portia is off the charts right from the start, and theirs is – to begin with - a relationship based purely on mutual lust, which suits both of them. Locke saw what his mother’s death did to his father and as a result, has no wish to experience love; and Portia doesn’t want to fall in love with a man upon whom she is practicing a serious deception. But as the story progresses, the lines between lust and affection become blurred and Portia starts to worm her way under the skin of father and son, both of whom are taken with her intelligence, wit and kindness. And for Locke, the fact that his wife is a woman whose capacity for passion matches is own is an unlooked for bonus.

Lorraine Heath has penned a lovely, tender romance that progresses at the same time as Locke and Portia are setting fire to the sheets (often!), and I particularly enjoyed the way that Portia’s gradual progress in restoring Havisham Hall, opening up long-closed rooms and making them habitable and welcoming again, mirrors her gradual unlocking of her new husband’s heart and her discovery that he is a man capable – and deserving – of a great deal of love and affection. There is never any doubt that Locke and Portia are falling in love; their actions often speak louder than their words as these two people who didn’t want love come to realise that it’s found them, regardless.

Portia’s backstory and her reasons for answering Marsden’s advertisement are drip fed throughout the book, and it’s a testament to the author’s skill that even though Portia has deliberately set out to deceive, the reader feels sympathy for her. At a time when women had no rights to anything, even their own bodies, she has had to make difficult choices and ended up living a life very different from the one she had envisaged. She owns her own mistakes, but when faced with an impossible choice, made the only decision she could live with, one which now looks set to ruin her life and happiness with the man she never intended to love.

Locke seems to be rather a stereotypical romance hero at first glance – tall, dark, handsome, cynical and a demi-god in bed – but there’s more to him than that. Underneath the veneer of charm and wicked sensuality, he’s a compassionate man with a strong sense of duty who is quite obviously fooling himself into believing he doesn’t want love when he is so clearly ready to embrace it. His relationship with Marsden is easily one of the best things about the book; the affection in which father and son hold each other leaps off the page and possesses just the right degree of exasperated tenderness. And Marsden is far more subtly drawn here than he has been in the other books; he’s unbalanced, but clearly not insane and appears to be subject to fits of melancholy rather than mentally unhinged.

When Locke discovers his wife’s dishonesty, there are, of course, some unpleasant things said, and later, Portia does perhaps forgive Locke a tad too quickly. But on balance, Locke’s willingness to listen to Portia’s story – something many men of the time would probably not have done – says much for him and about the strength of their relationship. It works in context, although I can understand that some may feel he wasn’t sufficiently remorseful and should have grovelled more.

The Viscount and the Vixen contains just about everything I want from an historical romance – complex, intriguing characters, scorching sexual tension, and a strong storyline that is firmly rooted in the era in which the story is set. Ms. Heath once again delivers those things along with finely observed familial relationships and a sexy, well-developed love story. I’ve enjoyed each of the books in this series and am looking forward to whatever the author comes up with next.
Profile Image for Grecia Robles.
1,691 reviews464 followers
February 8, 2019
NO M E G U S T Ó ! ! !
NADA
NADITA
NOTHING

No sé si era un No eres tú soy yo pero esta historia no era para mí.

No me gustó la historia para nada y la protagonista no ayudó a eso, desde el primer momento en que apareció para mí ya era insoportable.

El desarrollo del romance fue nulo.
La actitud de los protas de ella ya amé una vez no quiero volver amar.
Él nunca amaré a nadie.
Asssh que flojerita.

Todavía en ese punto de la historia estaba por darle 2,5 o 3 máximo pero se revelaron los secretos de ella y el engaño y para mí eso es BIG FAT NOT.
Ni el epílogo pudo salvarlo.

Hasta pereza me da hacer una reseña.
Así que BAAAAIS.
Profile Image for Heather K (dentist in my spare time).
4,095 reviews6,637 followers
March 28, 2019
*4.25 stars*

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed The Viscount and the Vixen by Lorraine Heath as this was my first Lorraine Heath, and, as usual, I barely read the blurb before buying it. But I really, really liked it, and I could barely put it down in the last 100 pages.

Whenever I go to a book convention, I try to read as many of the attending authors as possible. Book Lovers Con is fast approaching, and Lorraine Heath was my first author to check off my to-read list. I am truly thrilled that I bought The Viscount and the Vixen in paperback because it was a delight to read.

I'm happy I read this book without reading any spoilers because each moment of the book was new and surprising for me. I loved the chemistry, the sexual tension, and the way the romance went from an enemies-to-lovers-ish vibe to something intensely romantic. It was a beautiful progression, and I felt like it happened naturally.

I also liked all of the secondary characters, especially Locke's father, who's love for his deceased wife brought me to tears at times.

The story drew me in more and more the further I got in the story, and I didn't want to put it down by the end. Now I have to read all the other books in the series (already purchased, also in paperback). Very excited to discover Lorraine Heath's backlist now.


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Profile Image for Alba Turunen.
832 reviews267 followers
February 16, 2019
4 Estrellitas. Estaba deseando leer este libro desde que descubrí los dos primeros, que en su momento me encantaron. Por lo mismo crecían mis ansias por conocer la historia de Locke, y aunque me ha gustado un pelín menos que los anteriores, lo he disfrutado un montón.

Mi problema últimamente con los libros es que apenas tengo tiempo para leer y me duran una vida, así que cuando puedo ponerme lo considero un regalo. Por eso y a pesar de los nueve días que llevo con “El vizconde y la cazafortunas” haya hecho que el libro me gustara más todavía.

¿Qué puedo deciros? Que al igual que en otros libros Lorraine Heath ha vuelto a arriesgar trayendo una protagonista un tanto atípica y con un oscuro y secreto pasado que sería mejor que no conocieran Locke y su padre, el marqués de Marsden. Lo que ocurre en ésta novela es lo siguiente, el marqués loco de Marsden desea volver a casarse para procurar un heredero de recambio, ya que su hijo no parece dispuesto a casarse, así que pone un anuncio en el periódico en que busca una esposa ¿Quién querría casarse con el marqués loco?

Portia Gadstone está en un buen lío y necesita protección y seguridad, si para ello debe casarse con un hombre que le triplica la edad y no hará muchas preguntas mejor, pero no puede ser un hombre cualquiera, debe ser alguien con título. Así es como responde al anuncio del marqués de Marsden y llega a Havisham Hall dispuesta a cumplir con su papel de procurarle un heredero, pero todo se complica cuando se pone en medio su hijo, el vizconde Locksley, que no está dispuesto a que su padre cometa semejante locura casándose con una cazafortunas.

El marqués de Marsden es muy claro, firmó un convenio con Portia que debe cumplirse, y si Portia no se casa con uno, lo hará con otro. Así es como Locke se sacrifica por su padre, y Portia se ve obligada a casarse con ése atractivo y huraño hombre que le ha dejado bien claro que no se fía un pelo de ella, y que ni mucho menos se enamorará de ella ni acabará loco por amor como su padre, él solo quiere a su esposa para disfrutar de ella en la cama.

De modo que tenemos un libro de matrimonio de conveniencia, uno de mis temas favoritos en novela romántica, pues siempre me ha fascinado como dos desconocidos, o no tan desconocidos, se ven obligados a casarse y deben aprender a amarse. En el caso de Locke y Portia saben lo que hay y no esperan amor, él quiere la pasión que puede proporcionarle su hermosa esposa y ella quiere la seguridad y protección que su título y apellido puede darle, so pena de descubrir sus horrorosos secretos.

Aunque como se verá más adelante y a pesar de sus infructuosos esfuerzos, nuestros protagonistas acabarán perdidamente enamorados antes de lo que pensaban, pues no hay nada mejor que compartir el espacio y la pasión para conocerse y caer en las redes, sobre todo si el marqués de Marsden está detrás de todo para que su hijo pueda perpetuar su linaje.

Sólo hay una cosa que podría empañar la vida que están construyendo Locke y Portia, y es el secreto que ella guarda, y que podría destruir la vida que están construyendo juntos. En este caso Lorraine Heath arriesga con una originalidad que ralla la de las novelas anteriores, por eso mismo me ha gustado y he llegado a creerme su historia juntos.

Lo mejor de la novela han sido los personajes, en un principio Portia no me gustaba por sus motivos mercenarios, esto nunca suele gustarme en un protagonista, pero ha ido cambiando o madurando según pasaban los capítulos, y al final, cuando se descubre todo puedes entender el por qué hizo lo que hizo. En cuanto a Locke no decepciona, es un hombre muy de los de Lorraine Heath, un hombre oscuro que no desea amor, pero que en el fondo guarda tanta pasión y necesidad como la que tenía su padre. Pero sin duda, el mejor personaje de todo el libro ha sido el marqués de Marsden, en el fondo éste anciano ha sido el gran protagonista de la serie, el marqués que enloqueció por amor al perder a su esposa, y que no descansará hasta afianzar su linaje para poder reunirse con su esposa. Con él, creo que la autora ha sabido darle el destino que merecía y me ha gustado mucho.

Con todo esto, me gustaría saber si sería capaz de leerme el relato corto del marqués de Marsden y su esposa, pero conociendo el trágico final de ella, no sé si sería capaz de disfrutarlo. Recomiendo el libro si eres muy fan de Lorraine Heath y desde luego si has leído los anteriores libros de la serie. “El vizconde y la cazafortunas” no decepciona, aunque diría que no está a la altura de los primeros, pero es una buena lectura que entretiene bastante, y sólo por los capítulos donde aparece el marqués de Marsden, o los amigos de Locke, Ashe y Greyling con sus esposas, merece la pena.
Profile Image for Pepa.
1,041 reviews284 followers
February 15, 2019
Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2019/...
Merece la pena leerla hasta el final porque ese final y ese ¿qué estás dispuesto a hacer y perdonar por amor? es lo que salva una novela que abusa de la lujuria y las escenas de sexo y con unas conversaciones y actitudes que me han parecido bastante fuera de lugar. Después puedes ver porqué las muestra así la autora, pero es algo que los demás no saben y, aún así, hacen

Profile Image for Jessica .
2,589 reviews16k followers
November 27, 2021
The beginning of this book was so slow and I was not enjoying it at all. Portia answers an ad to marry the aging Viscount Locksley's father so that she can have money and be taken care of. Little does she know, the Viscount has been pushing his son to marry and have children so that there is an heir, and he ends up marrying Portia instead. Portia slowly takes her role as the woman of the house, and I had a hard time keeping with this book for the first half. Everything happened in their home and not a lot of other characters were part of the plot. Once it hit the second half, though, they went to London and so many secrets were revealed and there was finally the angst I love from Lorraine Heath. I really loved the conflict Locke and Portia had to confront and the complications their romance faced. I was hooked for the second half, though I will say that Locke's father was endearing for the entire book! I loved him and the epilogue touched my heart!
Profile Image for Mo.
1,404 reviews2 followers
September 20, 2021
3.5 stars ...

I suppose if I am comparing this book to the previous two in the series, I would have to say that the plot line was lacking (or maybe it was a bit too much i.e. too much to take in or believe) and I didn't think it was as good a read as the previous two books. Honestly, I don't think Locke would have been so trusting ... I know, I know... even the author says in the "endnotes" that it is Fiction (trying to justify the actions of some of the characters, methinks).


"We all require love my dear. The more we think we don't need it, the more we do."



It's an unwise man who lies to himself ...



It was nice to catch up with the other Hellions ...


A good story... maybe not my favourite of the series. I do love Lorraine Heath's writing and she has written a lot of books. I think I still have quite a few to catch up on so that is something to look forward to.



Profile Image for Christine Wallflower & Dark Romance Junkie .
495 reviews3,665 followers
February 5, 2017


The Viscount and the Vixen, is the third book I've read by Lorraine Heath and I've said it once and I'll say it again. Lorraine Heath is an automatic one click author for me, her books are bundles of angst filled romance and once you start reading one, you immediately become overcome with so many feels, that by the time you're done you're just a puddle of emotion. Speaking of puddles and emotions that exactly how I feel right now.

Portia and Locksley's story is one shrouded in mystery, on one hand you have Portia who is obviously hiding something and while it's somewhat obvious the details of her secret are what really got me as the reader. Then there's Locksley, once an adventurer but because of the unpredictability of his father's health and his finances, he has decided to stay closer to home and play a more active role in his families mine. When Portia arrives on Locksley's doorstep ready to marry his father, he is immediately weary of what his sees as a gold digging woman but something else that catches him unaware, is his strong attraction to her while she seems completely unaffected. Portia's plans are ruined when Locksley offers to marry her instead of his father, but refusing is out of the question. Her marriage to a lord guarantees the safety and security she so badly needs.

With her head nestled in the nook of his shoulder, she relished the beat of his heart, wondering if it were possible that he might unlock it just a little bit.

Ladies and gentleman, Heath has proved that just because it's an historical romance does not mean the heroine is a virgin, better yet even if she isn't a virgin does not mean that she has never had an orgasm. Yes the myth has been shattered. Please carry on!



Portia and Locksley's relationship literally blew up the pages, apart from the scorching hot sex scenes, the chemistry between them is what sold this couple for me. Yes there were times I felt that the forgiveness came too easily and would've preferred more grovelling but overall this story gripped me from the very start and I'm so happy that this isn't the end of the series.

"Every time I think I can love you no more than I do, you say or do something that proves me wrong-and I find myself loving a little more deeply."
Profile Image for Carol Cork *Young at Heart Oldie*.
430 reviews243 followers
February 9, 2017
It is wonderful books like this that have made Lorraine Heath one of my top favourite authors. Her beautifully written and deeply emotional love stories keep me coming back for more.

After his mother died giving birth to him, Viscount Locksley (Locke) watched his father, the Marquess of Marsden, slowly driven mad with grief over the loss of his beloved wife. Locke intends to marry eventually, but it will never be for love having seen first-hand the devastation such an emotion can cause. He chooses to bury himself in working alongside his men in the mines and managing the estates.

Concerned that Locke shows no signs of marrying soon and determined that his title and estates will not pass into the hands of his greedy cousin or his cousin’s son, the marquess plans to marry and acquire a “spare”. When he meets the prospective bride, Portia Gadstone, Locke is immediately suspicious of her motives and convinced she is nothing more than a social climbing, fortune hunter. He will do anything possible to protect his father from her clutches, even marrying her himself. In fact, she could prove the perfect wife for him.

Locke slid his gaze over to Portia Gadstone and, for the first time, clearly saw her for what she truly was. A mercenary, a title chaser, someone wanting to rise so badly above her station she would use any means necessary to accomplish her goal, including taking advantage of an aging gentleman. The sort of woman he could never grow to care for, could never love, could never give his heart to.
She was bloody perfect.


Locke is right about Portia in one respect – she will do anything to achieve her goal but not for the reasons he thinks. Penniless, homeless and with a secret she must hide at all costs, marriage to the marquess will provide the safety and security she so desperately needs. What she hasn’t bargained for is the Marquess of Marsden’s son thwarting her plans! She could have charmed the elderly marquess but the handsome, virile, arrogant Locke is a very different proposition.

Ms Heath builds the romance between Locke and Portia beautifully, showing the gradual changes in their relationship. The scene where they first meet is full of barbed, witty exchanges and I enjoyed watching Portia getting a rise out of Locke in every sense of the word! Neither is looking for love but they are not averse to enjoying a physical relationship, leading to some steamy sex scenes.

I enjoyed watching Locke reluctantly accepting that his initial opinions of Portia are wrong. He sees how soft hearted she is when his father is talking about his beloved wife; she has no desire for “constant compliments, numerous baubles, and his undivided attention” like every other woman he has known; she makes him laugh and he finds that he wants to spend time with her as much out of the bedroom as in it.

I like Portia’s boldness in standing up to Locke and expressing her own views. She sees how deeply he cares for his father, his estates and his men and it is heart-warming to see how she brings light, joy and music back to the once dreary Havisham Hall. She draws the marquess out of his reclusiveness and is the catalyst for Locke discovering so much about his mother he never knew.

It is obvious that Locke and Portia are falling in love –

Coming to know her husband filled her with a sense of satisfaction as well as a measure of dread, because she feared he had the power to shatter what remained of her fragile heart.

♥♥♥

“It didn’t help matters that it always caused this odd sense of swelling in his chest that made it difficult to breathe for a few seconds whenever she flashed a smile.

but I knew any future happiness would soon be tested when Portia’s secret is finally revealed. The scene where she tells him of her deception is so heart-breaking and, although I understood Locke’s initial reaction, I very much sympathised with Portia and the choices she was forced to make. I like how Ms Heath always brings an element of social commentary to her books; in this case, the lack of women’s rights in the late Victorian era which forces Portia to take such drastic action to protect all she loves. Despite Locke’s cruel words, once he learns Portia’s full story and accepts his true feelings for her, I love how he confronts her sanctimonious father and moves heaven and earth to find her.

I especially adored the marquess who is kind, gentle and perceptive, such as when he tells Locke –

“Your mother’s beauty was all inside. Portia has a good bit in there as well. Don’t forget to look there”.

I like how he cleverly tricks Locke into marrying Portia. Perhaps he’s not as mad as everyone believes.

Although tinged with a little sadness, the Epilogue left me with a warm glow and a desire to read the forthcoming WHEN THE MARQUESS FALLS , the love story of the Marquess of Marsden and his beloved wife, Linnie.

MY VERDICT: Another captivating and beautiful love story with characters that will touch your heart. Highly recommended!

The Hellions of Havisham series so far (click on the book covers for more details):

Falling Into Bed with a Duke (The Hellions of Havisham, #1) by Lorraine Heath The Earl Takes All (The Hellions of Havisham, #2) by Lorraine Heath The Viscount and the Vixen (Hellions of Havisham, #3) by Lorraine Heath When the Marquess Falls - March 14th 2017

**I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via Edelweiss in return for an honest review.**


This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals blog:

https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...
19 reviews2 followers
December 2, 2016
Too sad I can't get a refund

There's so much I did not like about this book. And I llik some books by this author so I pre-ordered the book. For that reason it can't be returned.
Warning spoilers ahead.....
Just a few things that I dislike:

They fall into lust at first sight. On a time where showing your hands was almost a sexual act, we have the h talking about sexual positions during one of the earlier conversations. Not credible unless she was a courtesan. Supposedly she was a widow. Also, A sexual encounter on a book can be great but in this case it went on down for pages and it's to the point you are bored with it.

The h marries after answering a paper add, because she's pregnant by a guy that deceive her. Up to that point it's all good. Where it goes very wrong is when after falling in love with him, she goes ahead with her plan. It's so sad how happy he is when he finds out she's pregnant. I find such a hateful act to allow the guy to believe the kid she carries is his. What make the whole thing totally wrong Is that is not until after he discovered the deceiving, that she tries to do the noble thing and offer to divorce the guy. Of course by then he loves her so much he's willing to take her kid and all. Too late to convince us of how a great person she is.

I read this kind of book knowing is entertainment and I do not expect to be historically correct or be totally credible. But you need some redeeming to make the story likable. Maybe the story makes no sense with a guy who leaves a castle untouched after his wife died giving birth, but at least give the reader a likable heroine! I have purchased books for .99 that make more sense than this one. I hardly ever leave a bad review, but when you pre-ordered a 7 dollars book you expect a bit more.


Profile Image for Mei.
1,897 reviews469 followers
December 6, 2016
What a wonderful conclusion for Hellions!!!

Portia is such a good match for Locke!!! He needed for somebody to shake him up! To pull him by his hair from a depression that had accompanied him all his life! And Portia was just perfect for that role!

I loved how she lied, but didn't lie completly! Every lie had some truth in it! Also, sometime she didn't lie at all, but said the truth in such way that Locke could interpret it however he wished... and often wrongly! LOL

I loved how she and the Marquess were in synchrony! It was almost uncanny! Love their conversation! And loved how Ms. Heath extracted bit by bit information about his loved wife! And also how that helped Locke understand better his father and his love of his wife and his suffering after loosing her.

Locke was a bit arrogant at the beginning, but his love for his father endeared him to me!

What starts a a bad case of lust, slowly becomes love! It was masterfully done: bit by bit!

I don't know if I want to read the Marquess' story... I already know how it ends: badly! And I don't want to cry buckets from the very beginning!!!!
Profile Image for ✨ Gramy ✨ .
1,382 reviews
September 5, 2019
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** Contains mature themes **

This is the third book in series entitled: 'A Hellions of Havisham' featuring Viscount Locksley and Portia Gadstone. This series contains such unique storylines that they cannot fail to impress unless of course the reader is entirely opposed to the sensual content.


Love begets madness. Viscount Locksley watched it happen to his father after his cherished wife’s death. But when his sire arranges to marry flame-haired fortune hunter Portia Gadstone, Locke is compelled to take drastic measures to stop the stunning beauty from taking advantage of the marquess. A marriage of mutual pleasure could be convenient, indeed . . . as long as inconvenient feelings don’t interfere.


Lorraine Heath is a very accomplish storyteller. The storyline in the first book of 'The Hellions of Havisham' provided a very entertaining read.

This story started out very oddly, but soon proves with patience, faith, and love - you really can conquer more than you can ever imagine. These compassionate individuals are living proof.

Desperation forced Portia to agree to marry a madman. The arrangement will offer the protection she needs. Or so she believes until the marquess’s distractingly handsome son peruses the fine print . . . and takes his father’s place!

Now the sedate—and, more importantly, secure—union Portia planned has been tossed in favor of one simmering with wicked temptation and potential heartbreak. Because as she begins to fall for her devilishly seductive husband, her dark secrets surface and threaten to ruin them both—unless Locke is willing to risk all and open his heart to love.


This is NOT a clean series. Although not clean and wholesome, the sexual scenes are not as descriptive as some other books out there. Those who actually prefer steamy to clean and sweet might not view it as flawed. So if you like a sex-free book this is not it. If you enjoy their inclusion in your reads, jump into this book. 

If you prefer clean and sweet reads, avoid this book. It is not fair to an author when readers provide bad reviews about steamy scenes if they know they are included in advance. I have been guilty of this offense myself. It takes a lot of time and effort for an author to research and write each book. And there are readers who prefer the material included in this one to a clean and wholesome read. However, I actually prefer the latter. However, due to this aspect, I recommend it with reservations.
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Profile Image for Jultri.
1,218 reviews5 followers
May 5, 2021
*spoiler alert* It pains me to give a book by Lorraine Heath such a low rating, but the self-serving deception by the heroine is unforgivable. I was not crash hot on the fact that she openly and shamelessly bragged about her sexual confidence and abilities to the hero and his father at their first meeting. I guessed her secret early on and hoped against hope that her eventual remorse and big soap story will redeem her later on. Instead of her background tale being a victim of emotional/physical abuse and innocence lost, her lover turned out not quite so mean and evil, and in fact loved her but just not enough, and she was just silly for hanging on for 2 years on the basis of empty promises. The lover never threatened her nor the baby. He merely suggested a solution to an "inconvenient" problem for him, a distasteful solution but not uncommon for men in his situation, and she could have just walked away and refused. There was never any suggestion of coercion between them. She was there free-willingly from the start and she could have left any time of her free will. None of this justified her devious and deliberate trickery. She never expressed any remorse throughout, only fear of discovery. Never once did she consider the devastating hurt it would cause the hero and his father. Even after his discovery of her secret, she remained defiant and defensive, slapping him for speaking nothing but the truth, when he called her a whore. Did she not sell herself first to his father, then to him, in exchange for security? This book was elevated above one star purely on the basis of Locke, a responsible and caring man, whose affectionate and respectful treatment of his father spoke volumes of his decency.
Profile Image for Bubu.
315 reviews410 followers
July 16, 2017
2.5 stars

I'm sorry in advance but I won't go into the plot because it's late and I'm feeling lazy and there are so many reviews that cover it anyway.

Finally finished this.

And nope, nopdety, nope, nope, nope. Lorraine Heath's story telling isn't working for me.

I really do appreciate the different and difficult tropes she uses. At least, she comes up with aspects of 19th century moral codes that leaves her main characters in almost impossible situations. Her stories are far from being formulaic.

Nor do I judge Portia's actions.



I can't and I won't apply my 21st century sensibilities on situations that were completely different back then, especially as a woman.

That being said, the tropes she uses could/would have me bawling, if not for her story telling. As I was reading this, I constantly thought of Courtney Milan's The Heiress Effect. While completely different in terms of set-up and situation, the main problem - life as a woman in the 19th century, and the limited possibilities women had - was the same, or at least similar.

The Heiress Effect is one of the very, very few books where I cried my eyes out (and I really do cry very rarely when reading a book, as hard as it tries to pull at my heartstrings). The Viscount and the Vixen - considering the trope - could have had the same effect on me, alas it left me utterly cold and detached. It's readable, and I'm sure that many will love it, and already do. I, however, didn't/couldn't connect to Portia and Locke. Although, steamier than most of the books I've read so far by LH, the transition from sexual attraction to love felt forced and clinical. And I think it's her story telling. Or maybe how her characters interact. That could be another reason. I'm still not sure what it is.

My comparison to The Heiress Effect is based on the differences in story telling, and it may seem unfair that I'm doing it. But here's the thing: While one book creates a similar atmosphere of need for desperate measures, it's still able to go beyond the tragic circumstances and creates a growing intimacy between the main characters that had me laughing and crying at the same time. And all this with minimal physical contact for the bigger part of the story. The other, The Viscount and the Vixen, is pressing me into feeling sorry for the characters - or that's how I perceived it - while Portia and Locke get all hot and bothered with each other, and I kept wondering what else there was apart from the sexual attraction.

I love my books steamy, but it's not a main criteria at all. I want to understand why two people fall in love. I want to understand the reasons what makes one particular person so much more special to the other than anyone else.

Sadly, Lorraine Heath's books always leave me in the same dilemma. The writing is superb, but her stories don't touch me, considering the themes she's using.
Profile Image for Samantha.
522 reviews135 followers
April 13, 2023

1 star.


➕ What I liked :

Nothing really.




➖ What I disliked:

The super insta lust/attraction between the main characters was very over the top.

The relationship is mostly based on lust/sex.
(But the romantic build up and chemistry between the main characters was still very unconvincing and rushed.)

Many parts were ridiculously dramatic.

Many parts were cringeworthy.

Jumbled plot.

Unlikable main characters.

Annoying heroine.

Toxic relationship.

Emotionally immature.

Too much deceit and dishonesty.

Not a believable couple.

Predictable and boring.

Dragged/verbose.
Profile Image for Serena Miles.
1,453 reviews69 followers
June 17, 2025
3.25 estrellas
este es el libro más flojo de la saga, me han sobrado escenas spicy y me ha faltado argumento, tampoco he empatizado con los protas y creo que la autora podría haber sacado más partido a todo el tema secreto de Portia. Una pena porque esperaba mucho más de esta lectura.
Profile Image for Hannah B..
1,176 reviews2,145 followers
July 12, 2022
Am I weak or does everybody cry at these epilogues 😭 now I get to go do the walk of shame out to my parents looking like a fuckin scarecrow bc I just cried my brains out
Profile Image for Viri.
1,306 reviews460 followers
February 22, 2019
No es precisamente el mejor libro de la serie pero es uno con unos protagonistas muy bien trazados y uno de los mejores personajes que pude leer en los tres libros.

El marqués de robó mi Cora y ahora no sé si reír o llorar con ese final.

Me pareció muy sexoso. Eso si. Tenía un exceso de escenas de cama que no recuerdo en los libros anteriores.

Predecible, aburrido a veces pero entretenido y con chispazos divertidos.
Profile Image for Janine Ballard.
532 reviews79 followers
July 31, 2021
DNF.

Of all three of the full-length Hellions of Havisham novels, this one had the most absurd premise. Viscount Locksley’s supposedly lunatic father, the Marquess of Marsden, advertises for a wife. His three criteria are that she be strong, healthy and fertile, because he needs an heir, or rather, a spare. He hopes that his son (Locke), whom he has been badgering to give him that second heir for years, will be so aghast at his father’s decision to remarry that he’ll marry Portia Gadstone himself instead.

Locke is determined never to fall in love. After all, his father was driven mad by the loss of Locke’s mother; Marsden has let half their country house languish and claims to have seen his late wife’s ghost. But Portia Gadstone, his father’s chosen bride, is clearly an opportunistic social climber, a selfish, shallow woman. Locke is certain that he could never fall in love with such a creature so to spare his father he decides to marry her (so as to provide his father with another heir) almost on the spot. That he thinks she’s hot is a bonus.

What neither Marsden nor Locke know is that Portia isn’t the widow she claims to be, but a pregnant unmarried woman with an enemy, and that she fears for the safety of her baby and is entering the marriage to protect the child. She could never fall in love with Locke either, she thinks, which is just as well since she already feels guilty enough for conning him and his father.

(I feel that although Portia is desperate to protect her unborn child, what she does is still horrible, since when she marries Locke she knows that all he and his kindly father want from her is an heir.)

Here’s a list of the ridiculousness in this book:

When Marsden advertises for a wife Portia, a commoner, is the only woman who replies to the ad. Come on! Only one commoner wants to marry a marquess? Mad or not, older or not, there would be more takers than that.

Mary Balogh has a couple of books that begin with the hero advertising for a wife but at least in those books the heroes want inappropriate wives. That’s not the case here. Marsden wants an heir. Would any aristocrat in 1882 really not care about the birth of his wife when her child will eventually inherit his title? It would be one thing if he was in love with a commoner and threw caution the wind to marry her but that’s not the case here.

There are many more absurd things. Marsden and Locke are so poor that they initially have only three servants (a cook, a housekeeper and a footman) and and Locke works in his mine alongside the miners. I honestly doubt they’d have been able to keep their estate and titles from reverting to the crown under those circumstances.

But wait, there’s more—Portia, now a viscountess, cleans and dusts alongside the servants. The servants accept her easily as their mistress despite no one knowing her birth. Half the house has not been seen to in years; it’s all dusty and abandoned. Marsden is a little bit off and supposedly wants it that way but why hasn’t Locke ever tried to restore it / keep it up / talk his father out of this home neglect?



Eventually, the hot sex got old despite the chemistry and the book got more and more outlandish the longer I read. I stopped at the 58% point.
Profile Image for kris.
1,052 reviews222 followers
June 28, 2017
Killian St. John, Viscount Locksley, aka Locke, knows that love = madness. So when his so-called mad father comes down to breakfast and announces his engagement to his pen pal Portia Gadstone, Locke does the completely sane thing and marries her in his sire's place. Obviously, Portia has secrets and Locke has miles to go before his boner is sated. Will their lust ever lift long enough for actual emotions to take root?

1. Honestly, the lusting was a bit much. And not in a good way. It was just so overwhelmingly thick, entendre NOT intended thank-you-very-much. And the over-reliance on Portia's sexy/sultry lady routine was extremely off-putting. First, because it was presented as a "not like those prudish virgin girls!!!" thing, which: stop. Stop pitting women against one another. Stop presenting females as a one-size-fits-all sack that is only overcome by your oh-so-special heroine. It's gross.

Second, because it's eventually revealed that Portia picked up many of those habits from an unhealthy and potentially emotionally abusive relationship. Reveling in the fact that your partner is using sex to distract and placate you is not great. How about taking a moment to examine the shitty societal constraints that ended up with a woman getting trapped in a situation where she had no agency and no escape?

2. Upside down? Really?

3. Locke was--whatever. Portia was slightly better. The father was a creep. If my father-in-law decided to make comments about his son's sexual performance, I would be O-U-T. That is not charming. That is not disarmingly upfront. That's weird and predatory and no thank you, I would not want to hear about how you had sex with your deceased wife in all sorts of ways and in all sorts of places.

4. This was fine. I think it needed a cooling off period before publication because it was definitely not well edited, and the looming lust / sex talk choked out the good emotional development. And this is me, lady-boner-advocator speaking. LADY BONERS FOR EVERYONE.

5. EDITED TO ADD: I'm half way through another Heath book at this very moment and it made me remember the misuse of the word 'dew' in this book. As in, Heath uses it to describe the heroine's excitement for the sex, and then uses it like half a paragraph later to describe the hero kissing the heroine's neck.

WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT.
Profile Image for Joanna Loves Reading.
632 reviews262 followers
June 6, 2018
This was not among my favorite Heath books. There were two more major things working against it.

1. Because one of the main characters is the hero’s elderly father, the narration was much more difficult to listen to than the previous stories. The voice used for him was raspy and scratchy and not easy on the ears.

2. The “big secret” the heroine has was apparent from the very beginning to me. Heath stories tend to have some amount of big reveal, a measure of alarm. Much of the time this works in the story’s favor, adding a sense of excitement or drama, but it felt wrong here to me. The understanding and acceptance of the hero of the secret felt too quick as a result.
Profile Image for Luana ☆.
718 reviews156 followers
July 25, 2025
Nuances of a spoiler ahead.

I am broken. I had a feeling from the beginning of how this book would end. And yes, it happened what I thought it would and it totally broke me. I cried so much. And the two last sentences had me laughing while I cried my eyes out. The end overshadowed the story to me. Made me forget much of it.

So, let me see... I liked this book very much. The plot twist surprised me. Maybe I just didn't want it to happen so I refused to even consider it. I would not be so understanding or forgiving, even in modern days. I thought it was beautiful that the hero could overcome it and that everything wrapped nicely, but I very much doubt it would happen with many.

Anyway, wonderful series.
Profile Image for Book Wonderland .
178 reviews64 followers
December 29, 2019
*4.5 stars
This book was a great ending for the series. The story was great and also surprising in the end, but I really enjoyed it. I loved Locksley and Portia just like the other couples (Ashe and Minerva and Edward and Julia).

Here's my ranking for all 3 books:
1) Falling Into Bed with a Duke
2) The Viscount and the Vixen
3) The Earl Takes All
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