If He's Wicked by Hannah Howell is a 2009 Zebra publication.

This is the first in the popular Wherlocke series by Hannah Howell, the author of many prolific Scottish and paranormal historical romance novels.

This is one of those series I have been wanting to get into for a long time, but never got around to it. I finally picked up this first book and am so glad I made time for it. This is an excellent beginning and I truly enjoyed the mystery suspense elements.

Julian is a man who is very opposed to ever entering into matrimony again, and how could blame him with a wife like Beatrice? But, with the beautiful Chloe Wherlocke nursing him back to health, and with her having been like a mother to the son he did not know he had, Julian finds himself feeling very drawn to her.

Chloe, has special 'gifts' and is very adamant about marrying for love, because in her family, those who did not were seemingly cursed. But, when she and Julian are found in a compromising position, the isn't give much of a choice. She will have to settle for fondness, for being close to the child she loves as her won, and great passion, but... no love. Will Julian and Chloe fall victim to the curse? Will Julian survive the attempts on his life?

This was an enjoyable historical romance, with suspense, and a light paranormal tone, infused with humor and a well rounded cast of secondary characters.

I can't wait to dive into the second book of the series!
4 stars ( )

While writing the review for If He's Wild, the 3rd book in this series, I couldn't remember much about this book. At first I didn't even think I'd read it, but then I recalled vague details about it and waffled back and forth about whether or not I had.

I decided to do a quick skim-through to see if I could jog my memory and ended up doing a full cover-to-cover re-read. I think I started this novel once, but set it aside because I wasn't in the mood. So I'm going to say it was originally a dnf.

I liked it, though not as much as the second 2 novels. Chloe and Julian are both good characters, but both they and the plot were very reminiscent of many of her previous novels (especially the later Murray series entries).

Chloe's family is well written and leaves the reader wanting to know more about them and their special gifts. ( )

I'm on the fence between 3 and 4 stars. It was good and keep me pretty interested to get it read in a few days, but it wasn't a 'couldn't put it down' or 'didn't want to put it down' book. And it certainly isn't a book that makes you think deep thoughts. No this will probably be mostly forgotten after the year is through.

There were many sentences in the book that I had to slow down on to understand because of lack of commas in a long sentence with multiple ideas. I suspect if I read more of her books, I would get used to it but for now, it had me slowing down and every once in a while re-reading. It is the way the sentences are worded.

At points, there was just too much talk about what the other person felt or was thinking. It would drone on and I would be zoning out thinking, 'OK, I get it!'.

So the story was pretty good even though the conclusion the uncle just goes totally nuts and attacks, which after carefully plotting everything else seemed a little uncharacteristic seemed too easy. The romance was good though a little too talked out.

So over all between a 3 and a 4. This is a historical romance with a little psychic powers thrown in. ( )

Loved it ...I like the mystery that is woven into the romance ( )

"If He's Wicked" is yet another example of why Hannah Howell's books seem to end up on my keeper shelf. She always seems to manage to take plotlines I may have read before, yet she adds a twist or turn that feels new and doesn't bore me. As best I can tell, this book is the start of a new series (!!) about a family of people with 'special' abilities. I can't wait for more!

Chloe Wherlocke is one of 'those' Wherlockes. Her ancestors have been feared, burned at the stake, and nowadays whispered about amongst the ton. She 'knows things' and woe betide those who don't listen. When she rushes to her disgraced sister's side, she assumes at first it's just to help her sister deal with the death of her husband and birth of her child. But soon Chloe realizes the reason for her presence is much more sinister than that. She's there to save, not her sister nor her sister's unborn child; but rather the rightful heir to a Earldom.

Julian Kenwood is the Earl of Colinsmoor. He has wealth, good looks, and a title to boot. But he's also suffered through his marriage to a vain, grasping, and faithless woman. He could have withstood it all if his child had lived. But the death of his only child has thrown him into a downward spiral via alcohol and whores. But someone has been watching out for him, and after the fourth attempt on his life, it's time for them to step in and show him everything he has to live for.

This story is so much better than I can describe without giving too much away. Writing about it makes the plot seem unreal, but while I read it I was 100% IN the story and it was totally believeable. There's not 'magic'...exactly. Instead, the gifts this special lineage has are those of 'the sight', 'the knowing', and 'reading'...more passive than what I consider straight magic. Anyway, the characters fascinated me and I want more stories about this family in Howell's new world.

She's one of my 'never-miss' authors because she pulls me into the era, the characters, and the plot she writes. When I finish the story, I need a few minutes to return to THIS reality. She's that good. The plot, the character development, the growth in the romantic relationship, the feelings/understanding of and between characters, both primary and secondary, all weave themselves together seamlessly. I despise her 'bad guys' and want to be friends with her 'good guys'. I also want to steal her heroes, just for a bit, and not always because of their looks. Hannah Howell writes about what makes each individual special; and she makes me remember that people today are all special in their own way too. "If He's Wicked" is already on my keeper shelf, and the next, "If He's Sinful" coming out in Nov 2009, is already on my to-buy list. ( )