Holly‘s review of If He’s Sinful by Hannah Howell
Historical Paranormal Romance released by Zebra 01 Dec 2009
I’m really glad to see Howell moving away from her Murray series and into new territory. Though I am concerned that she’s planning to exchange one large, eccentric family for another.
I enjoyed this for the most part. I was annoyed that the characters seemed to act so slowly, for it’s obvious early on who the villain is. Even so, I understood their reasons – they couldn’t act without proof. It just seemed it took them a rather long time to realize they needed to get it.
Penelope was a typical Howell heroine – strong and feisty. I really enjoyed her. She knows her family is odd, and doesn’t blame Ashton for not believing in the things they can do. She did her best to care for her cousins and I really appreciated her strong sense of family and doing the right thing.
Ashton was somewhat of a stick-in-the-mud, but I think that worked within the context of the story. He was conservative and not willing to jump to conclusions or act without proof. I think he was just what Penelope needed. He believed in her, but also tempered her and her family’s need to rush into things without thought.
It really made me angry that her family dumped all their unwanted kids on Penelope. I know things weren’t quite as they seemed in the beginning (Spoiler: The family was sending money and such even though Penelope didn’t get it: END) but it was still frustrating that they went so long without bothering to check in on her, or see how their children were. I was glad to see that was addressed in the end, however.
Although there are many dark elements, the novel is lightened by Penelope’s brothers and cousins. I really want to read about the rest of Ashton’s friends, especially Brant. I hope as the series continues Howell comes back to them.
Grade: B
Secrecy and intrigue ignite dangerous passions in “New York Times” bestselling author Hannah Howell’s seductive new novel…
It is whispered throughout London that the members of the Wherlocke family are possessed of certain unexplainable gifts. But Lord Ashton Radmoor is skeptical – until he finds an innocent beauty lying drugged and helpless in the bedroom of a brothel. The mystery woman is Penelope Wherlocke, and her special gift of sight is leading her deep into a dangerous world of treachery and betrayal. Ashton knows he should forget her, yet he’s drawn deeper into the vortex of her life, determined to keep her safe. But Penelope is no ordinary woman, and she’s never met the man strong enough to contend with her unusual abilities. Until now…
Read an excerpt here.
