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Showing posts with label Regency. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Regency. Show all posts
Monday, April 23, 2012
Guest Post & Giveaway with Lydia Dare
Today I have the honor of bringing to you paranormal romance author Lydia Dare. Lydia is the writing team of Tammy Falkner and Jodie Pearson. Both Tammy and Jodie are active members of the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers and live near Raleigh, North Carolina. Their current release, The Wolf Who Loved Me features paranormal creatures in a Regency England setting. (My review HERE) Together they are working on the next book in their paranormal historical series titled, Wolfishly Yours, set to release in November 2012. For more information, please visit http://www.lydiadare.com/.
Keep reading for a chance to win a copy of The Wolf Who Loved Me.
Please help me welcome Tammy and Jodie toThat’s What I’m Talking About.
Webster’s dictionary defines “paranormal” as “not scientifically explainable.” Paranormal romance takes it a step further and is defined by Wikipedia as “A type of speculative fiction; paranormal romance focuses on romance and includes elements beyond the range of scientific explanation, blending together themes from the genres of traditional fantasy, science fiction, or horror.”
We happen to like things that are not scientifically explainable. We like to write about men who are led by the waxing and waning of the moon. And ladies who have supernatural powers like the Coig witches. We like blending traits of animals with the traits of men. And giving women powers above those of physical strength and intellectual strength, which are often found in a typical novel heroine.
But even more than the melding of man with beast, or woman with magic, is the building of a world readers can believe in. It’s fun to set up your own parameters for your world, and then make it believable enough that a character can survive in it. Do your paranormal characters live forever? Do they walk in the sun? Do they shift into wolf form at will, or only the night of the full moon? Do your ladies kick ass with lightning bolts and extra-human strength? Do they read minds or heal wounds? How are they affected by falling in love? Do they share the same traits that human heroes and heroines have?
World building is the best part of writing paranormal romance – building a world people can believe in and characters that can support that world and thrive in it. Hopefully, readers can unfold the pieces of the world like turning pages in a book as they learn about your characters, their abilities, and how best these characters can survive in the world you’ve created.
We also like taking some of the power of a typical hero or heroine and removing it by ruling them with forces that cannot be explained. Then leading those characters to fall in love.
Aside from that, the part we enjoy the most is that we get paid to build these worlds and make supernatural being s fall in love, despite their reservations or backgrounds.
Do you get paid to do something you love like we do?
Jodie and Tammy, once again thank you so much for taking the time to tell my readers a little bit about yourselves and your writing.
You can find Jodie and Tammy as Lydia Dare on line at
GIVEAWAY: I have two (2) copies (two winners) of The Wolf Who Loved Me to giveaway here at That’s What I’m Talking About. Thank you to Sourcebooks for sponsoring the giveaway of Lydia Dare’s latest book. To enter, please leave a comment answering Jodie and Tammy’s question. If your email is not part of your profile, please leave it as well. Winners restricted to US and Canada mailing addresses. Contest open from April 23 until April 25, 2012 at 9:00 PM EDT. Two (2) winners will be selected from the comment entries using random.org.
THE WOLF WHO LOVED ME BY Lydia Dare
(Sourcebooks, April 2012)
Regency England Has Gone to the Wolves!
Lady Madeline Hayburn Has Money Problems...
Specifically, she has so much of it that she's dogged by fortune hunters, including her bewilderingly attractive, penniless neighbor, with his wild nature and uncouth manners...
Weston Hadley Has An Identity Crisis...
Specifically, he's just turned into a wolf while Madeline was watching. Now it's up to the regal lady to tame the wild beast... if she can...
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Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Review: The Wolf Who Loved Me
The Wolf Who Loved Me
Author: Lydia Dare
Release Date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Hadley Brothers #1
(Westfield Brothers/Regency #8)
ISBN: #978-1402263460
Genre: Regency Romance, Paranormal
Format(s): Paperback (384 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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A new sexy Regency paranormal trilogy by bestselling author Lydia Dare features hunky werewolves who need to learn how to behave in polite society. Can this pack of 'gentlemen' be trained in the ways of the ton, or is it too late to teach an old Lycan new tricks?
Lady Madeline Hayburn Has Money Problems...
Specifically, she has so much of it that she's dogged by fortune hunters, including her bewilderingly attractive, penniless neighbor, with his wild nature and uncouth manners...
Weston Hadley Has An Identity Crisis...
Specifically, he's just turned into a wolf while Madeline was watching. Now it's up to the regal lady to tame the wild beast...if she can...
What I’m talking about:
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Welcome to Regency-period England, where ladies are excitable and men are werewolves. The Wolf Who Loved Me kicks off the third set of books in Lydia Dare’s enjoyable paranormal/historical setting. The current series, dubbed the Hadley Brothers Trilogy, follows the three (secret) brothers of Lord Dashiel Thorpe, who was the hero from The Taming of the Wolf. The Wolf Who Loved Me is a “fresh start” to the overall series and can be read as a stand alone. For those that follow the Westfield Brothers books - this book takes place about 3 years after the start of the last book, Never Been Bit (but four years prior to the epilogue in that book).
Wes Hadley is the youngest of the three Hadley brothers - but only by a few minutes, although his twin, Gray, likes to constantly remind Wes that he is the younger of the pair. The Hadley brothers are not part of the upper-crust crowd that their brother, Dash, lives in. They are misfits and a bit rebellious. Yet, they are forced to attend the social gatherings from time to time, even if they don’t always behave. It is at one of these gatherings that Lady Madeline Hayburn catches the eye of young Wes.
Fast forward three years (and the start of this book), Lady Madeline (aka Maddie), is being preened and shown to suitors in hopes to attract the “right sort of man” to wed. She is not happy and does not want to marry someone “proper” because that is what she’s supposed to do. When Wes gives her a much needed reprieve from her admirers, Maddie realizes that there may be more to Wes that meets the eye.
Late one night she follows Wes into the stables where she witnesses him transform into a wolf. When she tries to return home, Wes kidnaps Maddie and takes off to Scotland where they will elope -- the reasoning is that only mates are allowed to know the true nature of Lycans.
The Wolf Who Loved Me had some great moments and an enjoyable story line. This was the first book that I’ve read in the series (I’ve read book #4-8) where the couple actually married early on (and before sex!) and subsequently faced much conflict. I loved the drama surrounding Maddie witnessing Wes shift. They are both innocent in so many ways, it was amusing to see them both indecisive as to what course of action to take.
Maddie and Wes are very sweet together. Although he did kidnap her, Maddie had several chances to return home, but she chose to stay with Wes and follow through on the marriage. One of the best moments in the book is when Maddie was faced with her father pounding on her room at the inn’s door and her future husband standing a floor below, outside her window, hoping she’ll jump. My heart stopped for a few moments - I didn’t think she’d do it.
Along the way Maddie and Wes meet up with a fellow Lycan, Dovenby (“Dove”), and his mistress, Lucy Reed. I wasn’t sure at first why the interlopers were introduced and was extremely frustrated to find out that the “fun-loving” Lucy and Wes shared a past. So when newly married Maddie witnesses Lucy and Wes sharing a kiss, I was a bit annoyed. Of course it wasn’t as it appeared, but Maddie runs and wants to return home. She seeks solace with Dove, who plays along and agrees to take Lucy home. I am not a fan of these type storylines - where a simple misunderstanding throws a wrench into the flow of the story. It always seems contrived and unnecessary. I actually had to put the book down for a while because I was so annoyed.
However, to my enjoyment, the plot quickly changed with a twist that I didn’t really see coming until too late. It added new life to the story and kept me up into the night so I could finish reading!
Overall the story was entertaining. However, the paranormal aspects of this world were sorely lacking. It was used as a device to get the couple together, and that I liked. But other than describing the quick healing abilities and some of the other extra sensory properties, being a Lycan meant very little in the book. I would have liked to see more paranormal in the romance.
The ending of the book was tidy and neat. I have to say I usually don't like the long build up towards the end, with a one or two page climatic finale, but it worked here. I loved how Mattie took charge of her future and ran towards what she loved.
Overall, The Wolf Who Loved Me is an enjoyable and quick read. Although I was a little annoyed over the mess and misunderstandings with Lucy, I ended up enjoying her character. I look forward to find more about Lucy (and Gray) in an upcoming story.
My Rating:
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Liked it - recommend (B+)
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Review: Bride By Mistake
Bride By Mistake
Author: Anne Gracie
Release Date: Jan. 3, 2012
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
The Devil Riders #5
ISBN: #978-0425245798
Genre: Regency, Historical Romance
Format(s): Paperback (320 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Eight years ago, Lieutenant Luke Ripton made a hasty wartime marriage-in-name-only to protect a young girl from a forced union and left her protected in a remote mountain convent. Now, Luke is Lord Ripton, but he has been unable to obtain an annulment. Which leaves him no choice but to collect a wife he doesn’t want.
For nearly a decade, Isabella has waited like a princess locked in a tower, dreaming of her handsome, dark-eyed prince. Her dreams are shattered when Luke reveals himself not as a prince, but an autocratic soldier, expecting her unquestioning obedience, which is something Isabella’s fiercely independent nature will not tolerate.
And while Luke and Isabella’s fiery personalities clash at every turn, they remain bound to their vows, ever expecting that the passionate fury they share could become passion of a different kind…
What Nima’s talking about:
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When I saw the title of Anne Gracie’s Bride By Mistake, I have to admit that my first thought was of Deeanne Gist’s 2005 novel, A Bride Most Begrudging. Gist’s book is very loosely based on Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew.” Bride By Mistake does deal with issues of respect, obedience, and submissiveness, but bears no other resemblance to the earlier novel.
The Devil Riders series follows four of five best friends, Gabe, Harry, Rafe, Michael, and Luke, labeled in school as, “Wellington’s Angels or his Devil Riders, depending on who you talk to.” Bride by Mistake is the fifth installment and follows the last hold-out, the most haunted by his experience during England’s war with France. This is Luke’s story of recovery, redemption, and true love. The action in Luke’s story takes place almost exclusively in Spain with virtually no interaction between him and his friends back in England so it stands alone very nicely if you haven’t read the previous books.
Gracie’s novel splits the narration, vocal and internal, between Lieutenant, newly titled Lord, Luke Ripton and Spanish heiress Isabella Mercedes Sanchez y Vaillant Ripton. Luke begins the book as a haunted bad boy, suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, with the secret heart of a gentleman--always duty-bound to do the right thing and protect the innocent. You just want to spank him, send him to bed…and then join him. Isabella has a fiery Spanish temper, but is duty-bound to her own priorities as well. Sparks fly between them when the pair’s priorities are in completely different directions and on opposing time-tables. They must consciously choose to split up, or come together and make it work.
I sat down “just to start” the Regency period historical romance and was over 100 pages in before I came out of my “book trance.” The movie played completely effortlessly in my head in full color with casting, costuming, and sets. (U.S. soccer player Carlos Bocanegra would do exceptionally well as Lord Ripton and wouldn’t you just love to see him in formalwear?) The action is quick paced and moves you quickly along, including the love scenes which are not crudely explicit or drawn out. Instead the story opts to focus on building the emotional intimacy between Luke and Bella. Likewise, the focus on relationships in the book pushes out most of what another author might have expanded into intense action scenes. Instead, Bride By Accident reads, very happily, like an Andrew Davies screenplay. There are tense moments, but very little bloodshed.
Luke’s change of complete disinterest in Bella to lusty attraction happened, perhaps, a little too quickly for me. Then again, lust tends to strike much quicker than love and respect. Those come with time and observation which the couple has in spades when Bella takes off after her father’s jewels and Luke’s sense of honor compels him to follow.
I also have to take some minor points off for a couple of unnecessary repetitions and a personal pet peeve, secret-keeping. I believe in foreshadowing. I believe in the right of characters to keep their own secrets. I have an issue with characters who tell us they have a secret and then hold it back solely for the sake of controlled story pacing. It’s a practice that feels forced to me, not a natural flow of the plot.
Overall, the book was an excellent read. There is a certain novel satisfaction in having a couple start the book already married. We know they’re supposed to be together, not just hope it. Bella makes the declaration, “Luke, however it happened, mistake or not, I made sacred vows to love you and honor you and I promise you I will never ever break them.” Awwww…. *contented sigh* With that security, watching their love build and grow is a delight, not a predictable or boring premise at all as it might have been in the hands of a less skilled author.
Nima’s Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Friday, September 16, 2011
Review: Never Been Bit
Never Been BitAuthor: Lydia Dare
Release Date: September 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Regency Vampyre #3
ISBN: #978-1402245138
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (384 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book: |
The glittering world of high society is the playground for the rich, titled, and reluctantly undead...
Alec MacQuarrie's after-life has become an endless search for pleasure in an effort to overcome his heartbreak and despair. Wandering through the seedy world of London's demimonde, he's changed into a dark and fearsome creature even he doesn't recognize until he stumbles into a magical lass he knew once upon a time and sees a glimpse of the life he could have had.
But the ton is no match for one incorrigible young lady...
After watching each of her coven sisters happily marry, Sorcha Ferguson is determined to capture a Lycan husband of her very own. When she encounters Alec, she decides to save her old friend from what he's become, all while searching for her own happily-ever-after.
Over his dead body is Alec going to allow this enchanting innocent to throw herself away on an unworthy werewolf, but that leaves him responsible for her, and he's the worst monster of them all...
What I’m talking about: |
Never Been Bit is the third installment of the Regency Vampyre Series, and the 7th book in Ms. Dare’s paranormal/historical adventures, which started with the Westfield Brother’s series. For those that have followed the series (or my reviews), Never Been Bit is the conclusion of the stories about the sisterhood of Scottish witches, collectively known as the Coig. Youngest witch, Sorcha, finally finds her HEA (happily ever after) with long-time friend, Alec MacQuarrie.
If you are new to the series, you certainly can read this one as a stand alone, but like with most series, you appreciate the characters more if you’ve read their history. And Alec MacQuarrie is one of those characters that has changed and developed over the course of several books.
I have been looking forward to reading Never Been Bit ever since the dramatic conclusion of It Happened One Bite (review HERE) when Alec was transformed into a vampyre. It was done to save his life; however Alec found little happiness in continuing forward without hope and love in his life. Alec spent years pining for Cait, only to have her marry another (The Taming of the Wolf, HERE), so now he feels he has no chance of ever becoming human again like others of his kind. (A vampyre that finds true love will become human.) His character transformed from a overly-concerned friend to a heart-broken playboy, bent on ruining his own existence, yet not wanting to completely die. I was actually a bit shocked at how low Alec had gone - using whores and earning a reputation among the women who enjoy spending “quality time” with vampyres.
Sorcha, on the other hand, is a sweet and innocent young thing. She has spirit and determination and causes those around her to smile and enjoy life a bit more. She has supported each of her friends as they found true love and she’s determined to find a love of her own. However, along the way, she makes it her mission to save Alec from himself. As the two spend time together, Sorcha realizes that Alec is a lot more special than just an old friend. Sorcha’s purity gives her a refreshing outlook in even the darkest of situations.
As someone who has read the series, I have to say I was a bit put off by how badly Alec had changed. The introduction of Delia, Browning and Tillie (associates from the “gentlemen’s club”) seemed almost contrived to create conflict for Alec and Sorcha. However, I was able to look past it, even when Delia was found in Alec’s bed.
I was also frustrated with Alec’s continued disbelief that he would never find love. The author did a good job of building his case, but maybe it’s just the hopeless romantic in me - I felt that once he realized he didn’t love Cait, that he would have hope for himself.
Overall, the story was entertaining and a fitting conclusion for the series. And I am hopeful for more stories based on the ending of Never Been Bit (which was adorable and I enjoyed it!) When I met her at AAD in Philadelphia, I asked Ms. Tammy Falkner (one half of the Lydia Dare writing team) about future books for Radbourne and his brothers, and she smiled. That made me smile. Ms. Dare’s mix of regency and paranormal is one I’m not ready to give up.
My Rating: |
Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
Friday, July 15, 2011
Review: In the Heat of the Bite
In The Heat of the BiteAuthor: Lydia Dare
Release Date: July 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebook
Regency Vampyre #2
ISBN: #978-1402245107
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (384 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book: |
Chivalry is far from undead...
Matthew Halkett, Earl of Blodswell, is one of the few men in the ton who can claim to be a knight in shining armor- because that's precisely what he was before being turned into a vampyre. When he spies a damsel in distress in the midst of a storm in Hyde Park, his natural instinct is to rush to her aid...
But not every woman needs to be rescued...
Weather-controlling witch Rhiannon Sinclair isn't caught in a storm-she's the cause of it. She's mortified to have been caught making trouble by the imposing earl, but she doesn't need any man-never has, and is sure she never will...
But when Rhiannon encounters Matthew again, her powers go awry and his supernatural abilities run amok. Between the two of them, the ton is thrown into an uproar. There's never been a more tempestuous scandal...
What I’m talking about: |
The second book of Lydia Dare’s Regency Vampyre Series picks up shortly after the conclusion of It Happened One Bite (review HERE) with Matthew Halkett, the Earl of Blodswell, discovering Coig Witch, Rhiannon Sinclair in the middle of a self-made rain storm. Blodswell, a 650-year-old vampyre, is a valiant knight with a history significant with the Coig, and was a featured prominently in the last Regency story as the maker of Lord Kettering. Rhi is one of the five “sister witches” of the Coig from Edinburgh, Scotland. She has ventured to London to visit her younger sister, who is living with their Aunt Greer.
Although this is the second book in the Regency Vampyre Series, it is the sixth story in Ms. Dare’s paranormal-regency themed world that started with the Westfield Brother’s series. All of the books are set in the same society and contain many of the same characters. With that said, I feel that the book can be read stand-alone if you don’t want to start at the beginning (I started with the fourth Westfield Brother’s book, The Taming of the Wolf.) I have to admit, I was a bit confused BECAUSE I had read the earlier books... There was a significant event that occurred to vampyre Lord Kettering at the end of It Happened One Bite, and I was confused why and/or how Blodswell didn’t know about it. Although it was explained later in the book, I found myself wondering why Blodswell acted the way the did when he started “showing symptoms” similar to those Kettering had in the previous book. (Sorry for the vagueness here, but I don’t want to have any spoilers.)
The story was another enjoyable regency piece. Rhi is another strong woman who surrounds herself with close friends and a strong support network. Although she is young, she doesn’t allow others to push her around. I love her interactions with mentor, Duchess of Hythe, who deserves her own backstory - she’s a feisty one! I also love how the Duchess doesn’t take crap from any of the Hadley Brothers (Lycan) or the “evil step-motherish” Aunt Greer.
I fell for Blodswell in the last book and couldn’t wait to read his story. While I had hoped for more backstory and his detailed history, I still felt it was a satisfying and enjoyable tale. Blodswell was a true gentleman, caring for Rhi’s welfare above his own. Good thing Rhi wouldn’t let him get away with that! And *phew* were they HOT together! I enjoyed their forbidden rendezvous quite a lot. Their romance was innocent, yet sizzling.
There are two outstanding side stories I need to mention. First, the Hadley Brothers (brothers to the hero from book 4). Together the three men/wolves are a riot, but eldest brother, the Viscount Radbourne, is a standout. He is playful and charming, but fiercely loyal and protective. I hope we will see more of him soon. The second is the beloved Alec MacQuarrie. For those that have read the earlier books, you will enjoy seeing what has become of dear Alec after the surprising events at the conclusion of the last story. If you are new to the series, the author does a superb job of bringing you up to speed on his history. Alec is the focus of the next book, Never Been Bit (September 2011), and I look forward to watching him finally discover his destiny.
One thing I will suggest for new readers is to jot down notes to keep track of the characters because there are a lot. And when you toss in the fact that some characters have both given names and titles, it can get confusing. All-in-all another fun, romantic tale from Lydia Dare. I enjoy the paranormal spin on a regency romance. For me, each story in this series gets a bit better and more enjoyable.
My Rating: |
Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Review & Giveaway: It Happened One Bite
It Happened One BiteRelease Date: March 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Regency Vampyre Trilogy #1
ISBN: #978-1402245077
Genre: Recency Paranormal Romance
Format(s): paperback (416 pgs), e-book
I received an ARC copy of this book from the PUBLISHER for the purposes of an honest review.
From the author’s website:
He's lost, trapped, doomed for all eternity...
Rich, titled, and undead, gentleman vampyre James Maitland, Lord Kettering, fears himself doomed to a cold and lonely existence-trapped for decades in an abandoned castle. Then, beautiful Scottish witch Blaire Lindsay arrives, and things begin to heat up considerably...
Unless he can persuade her to set him free...
Feisty Blaire Lindsay laughs off the local gossip surrounding her mother's ancestral home-stories of haunting cannot scare off this battle-born witch. But when she discovers the handsome prisoner in the bowels of the castle, Blaire has no idea that she has unleashed anything more than a man who sets her heart on fire...
What I’m talking about:
Although It Happened One Bite is the first book in this new series, it picks up the story line first started in Ms. Dare’s Westfield (Lycan) Brothers series. The story overlaps a bit with the 4th book of that series, The Taming of the Wolf (review HERE), and centers on five (unrelated) sister-witches of the Coig with a few other returning characters from the prior series. This book focuses on the warrior witch, Blaire. Last we saw, she and her brothers were off inspecting an inherited estate, when sister-witch and seer, Cait, predicts danger for Blaire.
In It Happened One Bite, Blair and her brothers begin the story by heading to the Highlands to Briarcraig Castle. Shortly after arriving at the abandoned estate, the trio of siblings discover a mysterious gentleman that has been locked away for an unknown amount of time. Blaire quickly surmises that the stranger, Lord Kettering, has been trapped a lot longer than a human could survive. She also realizes that her mother and fellow witches were responsible for his imprisonment. As both Blaire and Kettering attempt to uncover the truth, they find themselves falling for one another.
I have to say that I really enjoyed It Happened One Bite. The story had a bit of action, a lovely Regency romance and sexy gentlemen vampyres. Blaire is a powerful woman who holds her ground. She is strong-willed and sharp tongued. She doesn’t mince words and is an open book for the most part. I find her a refreshing change to some of the lead characters I’ve read lately.
James is a gentleman. He is caring and kind. Yet, when he has Blaire alone, he allows his inner-heat to show. He is upfront with his feelings and even when conflicted, lets Blaire know what is in his heart. I enjoyed their romance, especially the twist in the end (what happens when James discovers his true feelings).
The book also sported some wonderful side-charters. I adored James’ maker, mentor and closest confident, Matthew Halkett, the Earl of Blodswell. He is a valiant knight with a history significant within the Coig. We actually got a peek at Blodswell in The Taming of the Wolf. I sense a dramatic story behind this man and look forward to reading more of his history in the upcoming book, In the Heat of the Bite (July 2011). And readers of the earlier series will be happy to know Alec MacQuarrie is back - still heartbroken from losing the perceived love-of-his life, Cait. Alec’s life takes a significant turn while helping to defend his friend, Blaire.
Although this is a spin-off from the Westfield Brothers series, it could be read as a stand alone. However, having read the previous book, I was familiar with the characters and probably had a bit more emotional tie to them. It is a captivating tale, with engaging characters and plot. The climax was slightly disappointing, but in the end, did not diminish the story.
My Rating:
Really enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Be sure to come back tomorrow for my interview with the author, Lydia Dare.
GIVEAWAY: I have two (2) copies (two winners) of It Happened One Bite to giveaway here at That’s What I’m Talking About. Thank you to Sourcebooks (www.sourcebooks.com) for sponsoring the giveaway of Lydia Dare’s latest book. To enter, please leave a comment and your email at the end of today’s review or tomorrow’s interview with author Lydia Dare. Winners restricted to US and Canada mailing addresses, only. Contest open from March 16, 2011 until Monday March 21, 2011 at 9:00 PM EDT. Two (2) winners will be selected from the comment entries using random.org.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Review: The Taming of the Wolf
The Taming of the WolfAuthor: Lydia Dare
Release Date: November 2, 2010
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Westfield Brothers Series Book #4
ISBN: #978-1402244377
Genre: Regency Paranormal Romance
Format(s): paperback (384 pgs), e-book
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purposes of an honest review.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purposes of an honest review.
From GoodReads website:
Lord Dashiel Thorpe has fought his true nature his entire life, but whenever the moonlight proves too powerful, Dashiel is unable to control the werewolf within him. It is on one such moonlit night that Dashiel accidentally bites the beautiful Scottish witch, Caitrin McLeod. Though now bound to him irrevocably, Cait decides that she wants nothing to do with him. When she flees to her native Scotland, Dashiel has no choice but to follow her and convince her that it was nothing short of destiny that has bound them together body and soul..
What I’m talking about:
Dash is a Lycan - a werewolf - but he was raised to believe he was a monster. Not knowing the truth of his nature, he fought long and hard to repress the beast within, which includes sequestering himself at each month during the full moon. On one such night, Caitrin finds herself stumbling into Dash and the two are drawn to one another. They share a kiss and Dash bites (marks) her. After that, Caitrin quickly leaves. It isn’t until later that Dash finds out that he accidentally claimed Caitrin as his Lycan mate.
The two independently set off to Scotland, but Dash chases down Caitrin at every turn. They even share a carriage (and a room *gasp*) for part of the trip. He is aggressive, obstinate and a typical alpha male. But Caitlin fights back - she is no meek lady. She is equally as stubborn, and attempts to fight her attraction at each turn. As a witch, Cait can see the futures of everyone around her, except Dash, which infuriates her even more.
The Taming of the Wolf is a delightful historical, paranormal romance. The book was a quick read - although I sometimes stumbled on the Scottish accents. (After a while, I learned to just “translate” the words in my head rather than try to pronounce the brogue.) The romance between Dash and Cait is sweet and humorous at times. At first I felt that Dash too quickly went from swinging bachelor to wanting to marry Caitrin, but I enjoyed his emotional transformation from “what kind of mess did I get into?” to a sweet and enduring love for Cait. And yes, his alpha male tendencies did annoy me once and a while - treating Cait as a possession and never asking her, but telling her to do something. However, those traits melted away as his obsession turned to love.
One question that nagged me from the start to the end was why wasn’t Dash a wolf in the opening scene? It was a full moon. The Westfield brothers were out enjoying their Lycan nature... It bothered me that Dash was human and other than the bite he gave Cait, seemed in total control.
There are several side stories - a mysterious man at an Inn, Cait’s vision of sister witch Blaire in danger, sweet Alec’s heart-break and future love - which are pleasant additions to the story, but don’t have any real conclusion within this book. I can only imagine that this was set-up material for future books.
I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to future stories from Ms. Dare.
Note: Although this is the fourth book in the series, it is an independent story and can be enjoyed without having read any of the other books.
My Rating:
3.5 stars: Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
Labels:
3.5 stars,
Lydia Dare,
paranormal romance,
Regency,
shifters,
Westfield Brothers
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