Sandy M’s review of The Viscount and the Vixen (Hellions of Havisham, Book 3) by Lorraine Heath
Historical Romance published by Avon 29 Nov 16

Once again Lorraine Heath has completely wrung every emotion out of me while reading this latest release in her Hellions of Havisham series. I know every time I read one of her books it’s going to be an emotional roller coaster. She always gives readers what seem to be impossible situations for her characters, leading you to believe there’s no way they can ever have a happily ever after, and then after pulling every heartstring, causing a few tears, sending you soaring with laughter and then descending into the deepest despair, love does finally win the day.

After a lifetime of seeing his father never venturing past his mother’s grave on their estate, never worrying about his appearance, Locke is past surprised when, at the breakfast table one morning, the Marquess of Marsden is shaved and dressed for the day. The fabled madman has a new intent in life – he needs a spare. Knowing his son won’t marry to continue the bloodline with an heir of his own, he’s taken the matter into his own hands by advertising for a wife who will give him that spare.

Locke tamps down his attraction to the woman who has answered the ad. Reading the contract she’s entered into with his father, Locke proposes he instead marry Portia, a supposed widow and probable gold digger as far he’s concerned. Portia needs the security of the marquess’ title and wealth to keep her secrets and herself safe. She nearly bolts, however, when the viscount worms himself into his father’s business. Married to a man who is insane isn’t the perfect ideal, but she would be able to deal with it. Deal with the handsome and sensual viscount, though, on a daily basis and in the bedroom? It’s probably a good thing lust is rampant on both sides, which is just fine with these two.

Having seen his father’s continuous bereavement after the death of his wife, Locke has vowed to never fall in love, thus keeping the same fate out his life. Security is first and foremost on Portia’s mind when she escapes her former circumstances. Having no recourse as a woman, she makes the most difficult decisions, no matter the outcome. Though she’s intentionally deceiving one and all from the outset, as you learn her backstory and reasons for running, your sympathy is engaged with every nugget revealed throughout the story. It’s the talent of Lorraine Heath that makes this possible. Instead of a hard-hearted, unlikable heroine, Portia is a woman who does what she has to in a time when women have no voice, a woman who does whatever is necessary to survive, a woman who is strong and intelligent. I love the scenes where she begins to open and air the rooms long closed in the men’s home, some rooms Locke has never seen. As this happens, it’s Locke himself who is changed and made new again along with memories and stories of his mother and the time she spent in those rooms. Seems he has the capacity to love after all.

I also love the scenes between Locke and Marsden. Father and son have a tender and loyal relationship, despite what everyone thinks about the older man. Locke’s unconditional love, shown in various ways when despair takes over and the marquess wants only to be with his wife again. Marsden isn’t as mentally fractured as anyone who’s met him before thinks; he’s simply lost his heart and has difficulty dealing with that on a regular basis.

Things do fall apart once secrets are revealed. I’m usually unhappy with characters who profess love and then leave in a fit of pique, but Locke is so disillusioned when he discovers the full extent of Portia’s deceit. Especially because their love has been acknowledged by this time. Again, Portia does what she must when her world once again falters, but Locke does what I want more and more from my romance characters – he talks to his wife, despite how angry and upset he is. Yes, there could have been more groveling, but the circumstances and fallout are so heart wrenching, just as I’ve come to expect from Lorraine Heath, that more wouldn’t be as emotional or touching as the forgiveness and love we get here in the end.

This book has everything I want from Ms. Heath. Everything I want in romance. Actually, it has even more with the father and son relationship we get with Marsden and Locke. Every book in this series has done that for me, and I look forward to seeing what my favorite author is going to give readers next.

Grade: A+

Summary:

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.

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series: