She steals his carriage chasing after her brother-in-law who has stolen her son, he has a history of his family stealing his carriage and isn't happy to have it stolen by a stranger who may or may not realize his son is inside. It's funny and entertaining, this family of gifted people is fun to read about.
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When her son is kidnapped by his uncle, the heroine doesn't hesitate to charge after them and in the process steals a gentleman's carriage. But she doesn't bargain in finding out that she's also stolen the gentleman's son who was hiding in th back. The hero has a certain set of skills that allow him to track anyone anywhere and he quickly finds his thief. But when he hears about her situation he knows he can't leave her to hunt down the dangerous man alone and agrees to help her. Their relationship didn't start out as anything other than travel companions. Though the hero is attracted to her, he knows what he is and that's a rake. He only knows how to bed experienced lovers who won't become attached by the time he leaves them. The heroine is a widow but she's far from experienced. The sexual meetings with his husband had been cold and distant. But as time goes on, they become closer. Steadily he starts to touch her, then kiss her and soon she gains the courage to seduce him. By seduce him-in her innocent way-she lets him into her room in just her nightgown. I really loved this whole story. It started out slowly and I felt that boredom coming on but it really picked up. The hero is respectful despite his rouge reputation and a very good father despite the fact that he has three children out of wedlock. The one son who travels with them is one of the best characters in the book. He's not your average 8 year old boy because he's spent his early years on the streets and it makes him just as important to their mission as the adults. The heroine is strong and will stop at nothing to get her child back. But she's smart enough to listen to the hero as it's clear he has the capability to help her and doesn't do what I hate most about some heroines in that she doesn't insist that she's as capable as the hero. Sometimes it takes greater strength to stand back and let someone else do what needs to be done than rushing in guns blazing and mucking everything up. The romance between the two was sweet and realistic. The heroine catches feelings for the hero after sex but she doesn't pressure him into anything he doesn't want to do instead she allows him time to adjust to his new feelings. The hero knows very well that the heroine is different than any woman he's ever known and that she will never be a one night stand for him but he's honest in the fact that he's scared of commitment. In humanized them both and make for an excellent read. ( )

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: A fast-paced historical romance that ultimately made me feel like something was missing, as I couldn’t completely invest myself in the romance.

Opening Sentence: The groan echoed through the small house, every note of it filled with pain and helpless fury.

The Review:

In the two years since her husband died, Catryn’s brother-in-law has been giving her nothing but problems in his quest to become heir to his brother’s estate. First, he proposed to Catryn. After her refusal, he decided to try and legally get himself named heir. Now that that too has failed, he has resorted to kidnapping her son. After her horse comes up lame whilst trying to chase down her brother- in-law’s carriage, Catryn finds herself stealing a nobleman’s carriage, not knowing that his 8-year-old son is currently inside.

Sir Orion Wherlocke is none too pleased when he catches up to Catryn and his son, yet he can’t help but feel sympathy for Catryn’s plight. Thus, at the encouragement of his son, Orion agrees to help Catryn track down her brother-in-law and retrieve her son. Being in such close quarters makes it hard for them to deny the attraction that is sparking between them, but neither Catryn nor Orion are interested in starting a romance. Will they continue to be able to deny their attraction to each other, or will they give in to the feelings they can’t help but have?

I’ll be up front and say that I have not read the first five books in this series; however, it did not affect my understanding of this book in the least. The history of the Wherlockes and Vaughns was explained very well, and Catryn and Orion’s story really didn’t seem to need more backstory than was given. So, I would say that this book could easily stand alone if anyone was interested in reading it prior to the others.

That being said, there just seemed to be something missing as I read the book, and it frustrates me that I can’t put my finger on what it was. The book moved quickly. The kids were adorable (although they at times seemed a lot wiser/older than their years). As a mother myself, I empathized with Catryn’s plight and was eager to see a quick resolution. But for some reason, I just did not find myself invested in the romance between Orion and Catryn, and as that is the main focus of the book, that is a big problem.

Another big issue I had involves something we learn towards the end of the book. I don’t want to delve into spoiler territory, so suffice to say a secret is revealed. If the events of this story were happening to me, discovering this secret would result in a much bigger reaction than that of Orion and Catryn. It seemed as if everyone gave a mental shrug and said “What can you do?” and went about their normal lives. I just would have liked it if the secret had been revealed earlier and we got to see more of how the characters adjust to the knowledge.

All in all, while the pace of the book was fast, I felt very apathetic towards everything that was happening and just could not connect to the romance at all. Suffice to say, I probably won’t be checking out the previous 5 installments of this series.

Notable Scene:

His face was so close and so very handsome. She could see concern for her in his beautiful blue eyes. His mouth was almost as pretty, the bottom lip a little fuller than the top. Catryn could not recall the last time she had been kissed by a man, and she suddenly craved a kiss.

Orion knew it was a mistake as he lowered his mouth to hers, but the way she had looked at him had been a temptation he could not resist. There had been a glint of want and curiosity in her sea-green eyes, and his body strongly encouraged him to respond. It took but one brush of his mouth over her full, soft lips to tell him that he could be risking a lot just to steal that little taste, but he ignored the warning.

Catryn curled her arms around his shoulders as he kissed her.

When he nipped at her bottom lip, she opened her mouth so that he could deepen the kiss. Her body trembled from the strength of the desire that flooded her. He tasted so good, his body pressed against her was a delight, and he even smelled wonderful. She wanted to sit there in his arms and keep on kissing him until the sun rose.

That thought was enough to make a warning bell sound in her mind and she gently pulled free of his hold. “I believe I need to write a message and send it to my father, for we must try to learn if there is Wherlocke blood in my family,” she said as she stood up and brushed down her skirts with shaking hands, knowing it was a ridiculously abrupt change of subject but desperate to get away from the man.

“Have him send an answer to Radmoor, the Earl of Radmoor’s country home, as we will stop there soon.”

“Good night, Sir Orion.”

“Sleep well, Cat,” he said, and smiled at the way her shoulders stiffened as she hurried away.

It had been an abrupt ending to a sweet moment, but he was not surprised. She had not shied away from his kiss but had not shown any great experience, either. It was yet more proof that he should stay far away from her, but he knew he would not be able to. Already he wanted to hunt her down and kiss her again. Licking his lips, he deemed hers the sweetest mouth he had ever tasted.

“There is trouble for you there, fool,” he muttered to himself as he headed back inside, but a part of him refused to heed any advice, actually anticipated running right after that trouble until it was caught.

FTC Advisory: Kensington/Zebra provided me with a copy of If He’s Daring. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ( )

A captivating romantic intrigue!

This is a lively, different and satisfying read, with a touch of the supernatural.
Definitely not your normal Stuart period historical romance.
Fate kindly takes a hand when Lady Catryn Gryffin de Warrene, displaying the termagite tendencies only a mother fearing for her child's safety employs, takes unusual steps to pursue her son's kidnapper
Sir Orion Wherlocke was kind enough to leave his carriage ready for the purpose of pursuit. Though to be fair, he was inside his mansion at the time contemplating another sort of pursuit, of the charming widow variety.
Unfortunately Catryn did not know that Orion's son Giles was inside the carriage when she hijacked it.
So a long list of people all pursing each other begins this rather startling adventure.
There is something otherworldly about Catryn and her son Alwyn. Catryn has strong premonitions. Alwyn sees dead spirits.
Howell's well placed humour blends gratifying characters and a rollicking, adventurous storyline. Her sly sense of the comic adds immensely to the various situations our heroes find themselves in.
Catryn is strong, determined and ready to brave all for her son.
Orion is capable, slightly detached and ruthless when necessary, especially where his family is involved.
Two such strong forces are bound to ignite strong passions when they meet, like colliding stars they are incandescent.
As the story progresses deeper darker mysteries are unravelled, involving sibling rivalries and a renegade Wherlocke cousin.
Catryn discovers answers to many questions she has occasionally puzzled about.
The Wherlocke children are delightfully entertaining with their quaint mix of squabbling and the serious discussions.
I enjoyed Howell's writing immensely and have put her on my 'must read more of' watch list.

A NetGalley ARC ( )

I've always loved Hannah Howell's work and her Wherlocke family saga is no exception.

Catrin, the heroine is one of my favourites. She is strong and feisty not afraid to do anything to save and protect her child. Even going so far as to "borrow" a strangers carriage when her horse becomes lame in a chase after her late husband's brother when he kidnaps her son.
Orion Wherlocke is not to happy to find his carriage has been stolen, and also his that his son is still in side. He is intrigued when he meets Catrin, with her beauty and also her son, as he may have Wherlocke "gifts".
The chase is on, but that is Orion's "gift", he can find any thing or any one.

The romance is wonderful and the mystery and intrigue in the plot will keep the reader asking questions right to the end and past Wherlocke characters give help to make this a very interesting and exciting read indeed. ( )