Too Wicked to Wed

by Cheryl Holt

No other writer delivers romance as sensual and compelling as Cheryl Holt, the Queen of Erotic Romance. Now, in her most seductive novel to date, she presents an unforgettable story of mismatched lovers--and a breathtaking passion that defies every rule…

CAN THE ROGUE WHO WON HER VIRTUE…Helen Mansfield's reckless brother has done the unthinkable, gambling away his sister's chastity to save his family's estate. When Helen visits the lodgings of the gentleman who has won her, hoping to make him see reason, she interrupts a carnal scene as outrageous as it is erotic. Luke Westmoreland, the illegitimate son of a duke, is clearly a rogue…and he's also the most wildly attractive man she has ever met. He offers Helen a new bargain that will give her one more year in her home. But their daily meetings quickly become sizzling lessons in wanton desire…

TEACH HER THE MEANING OF DESIRE?Once branded a smuggler and thief, Luke Westmoreland is now hailed a hero, thanks to an act of bravery at sea. Although he has taken full advantage of the women his fame has enticed, none of the strumpets lining up to share his bed has intrigued Luke as much as beautiful, spirited Helen. Their trysts are abandoned, sensual adventures that deepen into a love neither dares to admit--until another man's twisted obsession places Helen in danger…

"A luscious erotic romance…steamy love scenes…hot sessions of temptation…settle in for a delectable night of reading pleasure."
--Romantic Times BOOKclub Magazine (starred review) on Too Hot to Handle

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Erotic Romance, Historical Fiction, Fiction

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 29, 2006

About the author

CHERYL HOLT is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon “Top 100” bestselling author who has published seventy novels.

She’s also a lawyer and mom, and at age forty, with two babies at home, she started a new career as a commercial fiction writer. She’d hoped to be a suspense novelist, but couldn’t sell any of her manuscripts, so she ended up taking a detour into romance where she was stunned to discover that she has a knack for writing some of the world’s greatest love stories.

Her books have been released to wide acclaim, and she has won or been nominated for many national awards. She is considered to be one of the masters of the romance genre. For many years, she was hailed as “The Queen of Erotic Romance”, and she’s also revered as “The International Queen of Villains.” She is particularly proud to have been named “Best Storyteller of the Year” by the trade magazine Romantic Times BOOK Reviews.

She lives and writes in Hollywood, California, and she loves to hear from fans. Visit her website at www.cherylholt.com.

Reviews

[Di · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is important to state how terrible this book was-- in writing and in plot. The gist is that the male character is a pirate. Yes, a pirate. And not one of the charmingly ludicrous variety as Johnny Depp or the sexy-smart version in Cary Elwes, but a caricaturized loon.

This pirate apparently holds orgies in his living but falls hard for the virginal heroine-- all while they scream at each other and then suddenly jump into bed. The likelihood of a 25-year-old spinster in Regency times suddenly tossing that long-held virginity out the window for a crazy pirate is rather silly. Plus, seriously, someone who was chaste that long has got to be a little fugly, but nooooo... in this book, she's pretty. And smart. And loyal. And brave.

Not to mention that the tension in the book comes from a psycho-stalker man who rants and raves about committing violence and debauchery on the body of our fair heroine-- you can see how ridiculous this plot is?

And the writing! The hero (a pirate, remember) says, "Damn straight" in response to something the heroine says. WTF!?!

I am a romance novel aficionado, but I don't pretend they're anything but candy to the mind. Light, sweet, sour, and sexy (which, I guess, is where the analogy ends), romances are meant to be feel-good enterprises. I don't hold romances to the high standards of literature or fiction... but I do expect a modicum of narrative ability and credibility.

I will NEVER read anything by this author again. What a waste of a book swap credit. (Swaptree.com, bookmooch.com, paperbackswap.com if you're interested)

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book.....OK - Although I liked the characters - I felt the story was rushed - or aspects not explored enough.
I didn't like the fact that this prim and proper Virginal Heroine within seconds of meeting the Hero ( whilst he's engaged in an orgy no less ) is suddenly thinking that the years shes spent sheltered from the outside world and as a spinster mean nothing to her and suddenly she wants him - there's not even the oh will I wont I aspect - oh what shall i do about my virtue - Its mentioned briefly then the next thing you know she's snogging the face off of him, she throws a couple of - oh no I cant's in- but it was all too quick for me.
After what seems like two sentences with the Hero - she actually states - hes my friend... again tooooo sooooon!Especially given the reason why she is there and what he's actually saying to her.
The baddies in this book are very bad, as I say the characters themselves are well written- but sadly the story is rushed so we don't get to see the characters properly I don't think.
There were a few points when I thought oh wow - here we go ... only for the action or drama to be rushed through, leaving me a wee bit miffed.

I would say give the book a read - the characters are good ones and the basis for the plot is very good - just poorly exercuted at times.

[Tetty Marlinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

#185 - 2024
Genre: Historical Romance

[Sarb · Rating 1 out of 5]

Completely unbelievable rubbish.

The heroine (tstl) finds out she and her home has been gambled away by her brother to a "pirate" so storms over to his house and interrupts him mid-orgy. Then, bizarrely, after seeing him grope and kiss a few scantily clad women (simultaneously I might add) she has a little "how dare he, ooh but he's soo hot and hmm, I am a frustrated virgin..and wait!..now I feel like he's my friend" moment (?!). She then decides she can't go through with the role of virgin sacrifice, runs away, but then apologise's to her younger dick brother for losing the family home? Backbone to admire there!

Heroine has to be one of the stupidest people alive as she doesn't know what the hero's penis is when he whips it out and apparently has no idea where it goes either. Really? Really?? There's sheltered and then there's downright stupid. Yet, she takes to having vigorous sex like a seasoned pro. One can only assume the hero has a magic wang.

Brother is the worst caricature of evil villain I've read in a long time. Apparently coerced by an older man into being homosexual (I have no words), he also wants to rape his sister as he wanted to be her first (ahh), and is an evil, EVIL man with literally no redeeming qualities. As one-dimensional as they come unfortunately.

I read it to the bitter end because I paid for it godammit but I would not recommend this book to anybody.

Some examples of the ludicrous plot points in this book:

Hero is the illegitimate offspring of a duke (aren't they all?)
He has survived, alone, on the streets of London when barely a toddler
He has successfully escaped a penal colony (One can only assume Australia is a short hop and a skip away) and also been pardoned for his crimes!?
He has become a successful, feared pirate..ahoy there
Has "heroically" saved British sailors from certain death where no other man would dare to go..
Is attracted to the heroine of the book who has managed to have no suitors before him, yet is so beautiful
Has rescued a girl from a harem (puh-lease) and is "protecting" her. This involves telling her to have sex with the man she's lusting over even though said man thinks she's also a man. Still following me?

*sigh*

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just cant help it Cheryl Holt is one of my guilty pleasures! Her books have the most outlandish scenes! But one thing is for sure if your looking for a good read that will have you shocked and laughing at the same time Cheryl Holt is the author for you.

[Jo Reads Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable erotic romance
4 stars

Helen Mansfield's idiotic brother has done the unthinkable and gambled away her virginity in order to save the family estate. When Helen goes to find the man who has won her and beg for mercy, what she finds is Luke Westmoreland, illegitimate son of a duke and a lusty, wildly attractive pirate.

Luke is an infamous smuggler and thief but thanks to an act of bravery on the high seas he is now hailed by society as a hero. Despite his elevated status, he is still a low-born pirate and is intrigued by the pure and delightful Helen. As the pair spend more time together, Luke realises that their encounters are more adventurous and abandoned than all his previous high seas adventures and perhaps he has finally found the best treasure. But there is someone that is determined to own Helen and they'll stop at nothing to have her.

This book features the common character of the Duke of Roswell as seen in Cheryl Holt's previous books, My Only Love and My True Love, yet despite this connection there is no common storyline and this book is a stand alone novel.

Cheryl Holt brings another erotic romp as an uncouth pirate meets his match in the virginal yet feisty Helen. Helen was a likeable and believable character but it was Luke as the arrogant alpha male that really stole the show. The way he is so arrogant yet manages to be brought down by love is great to read. There is also a nice secondary romance between two people who are adept at keeping secrets!

My reasons for only giving the book 4 stars was that the villain was so disgustingly vile that, at times, it was quite creepy. I suppose it shows that it was well written but it freaked me out a little!

Overall, the book was interesting, erotic and involved enough to keep you reading from beginning to end. If you're looking for a sexy historical novel then you should enjoy this one. 4 stars.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheryl’s older books are outrageous and an absolute pleasure to read. You never know what you are getting and I am totally there for it. It seems that the newer books are always politically correct. What you have to understand is that this is fiction. Not reality. Not that I condone everything but keep your mind open and enjoy the story even if it is outrageous. Pirates, unabashed sexy moments pepper this story (really three stories in one). Absolutely loved it.

[Risfor Rogue · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was my first time to read Cheryl Holt and I was disappointed. I had high expectations but the story seemed rushed. There were not much moments dedicated to make me like the main characters. Even the secondary characters needed to be given enough time to develop but it wasn't so.

[Colleen (NerdyWoman) Kayter · Rating 4 out of 5]

My ratings for this trilogy of 'related' stories by Cheryl Holt seem to be all over the map. As for the relationship between Too Hot to Handle and the other two (Too Tempting to Touch and Too Wicked to Wed), I'm at a loss. There are no secondary characters in common, no connection other than the time period of the 3 books (1813, 1812, and 1814, respectively).

I did enjoy this book. The villains were much more villainous than Too Tempting to Touch, but the pacing seemed to lag in places. The hero, William Lucas "Luke" Westmoreland seemed to have led two lives. In Too Tempting, he was the faithful friend and first mate to James Drake. There was no mention of Drake in Too Wicked and Westmoreland's back story indicated that he'd been the boss for years. Of course, he may have just been part of the charade in Too Tempting but in that story it seemed he had nothing better to do than help Drake run a con.

The premise was interesting. Although it's difficult to imagine how siblings could grow up in the same household and have one become a responsible, moral adult and the other so completely without a moral fiber in his being. He gambles away the family home; he gambles his sister's virtue to try to regain the property; he plots the incestuous rape of that sister when he determines that she betrayed him... Nice guy, huh?

Worth reading? Yeah, it is.

If you love regencies, take whatever I say with a grain of salt. I'm much more inclined to pick up an American West historical and even more likely to grab a contemporary (suspense, paranormal, erotic, or Texas rancher...).

[Shaebay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fake gay? Incest? Boring story? Must be a Cheryl Holt book. I was kind of excited for the boy!love that seemed to be developing in the beginning of the story, but one guy turned out to be just crazy all around with no preference and the other couple that I thought would have boy!love turned out to be a woman posing as a man. Boooring. Although, I do admit this one is a lot better than her other books. I think Cheryl Holt needs to do some more research, too. Her characters don't talk at all like the time they live in, and so some parts of the story seem weird and disjointed. And while there were less line repeats than the previous books, it only took 35 pages before the first repeat showed up.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up at the library sale for .50 what a great little surprise. I thought all the characters were interesting and some really hot love going on. The bad guy was pretty bad! The brother was just an idiot and I wanted to box his ears!

My one and only thing is I think Ms. Holt could do better with the wording it just seemed to modern to me and not how one would speak in that era. So at times it pulled me out of the story and had me reminding myself that this was indeed HR.

Pretty steamy and touches on m/m but nothing graphic.

[Michelle Connolly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well... apparently Cheryl Holt just isn't for me. I couldn't even finish this book. I was sick of the characters and the plot before I even got to the middle.
I guess if you're just into hot steamy scenes this is the author for you, but if you're looking for a little more depth then stay away from Cheryl Holt!
There's a book I've been meaning to read from Cheryl Holt (Nicholas) for quite some time. I think I'll give that one a try before completely giving up on her, but it doesn't look promising.

[Kindaangelic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sooo much better then the last one I read by Ms Holt. Interesting and didnt get the sensation I was re-reading one of her prior books this time..lol Liked Pat's character and was even interested in the villian..

[Christine Strowbridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars and that's mostly for the fantastically evil psychopath Adrian. Wow - he was fun. The main romance and secondary romance were cute...but gooooo adriaaaaan!!!!!! too bad he died at the end. sigh.

[Mitzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

[The_Book_Queen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[Ryan Snyder]

haha. i read this like 2 years ago. it made me laugh. it was very sexy, too. but i like that it made me laugh.

[RamenGrrl · Rating 2 out of 5]

not a whole lot of plot or character development. think I'm done with this author.

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book very steamy

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book and I enjoyed it, however there were moment when the dialog was very cheesy.

[Aswathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent novel that will keep you on your toes with a great plot like thriller...