Once a Wolf (Historical Werewolf Series, Book 2) [Mass Market Paperback]

Susan Krinard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 5, 2000

His love was wild...  his soul untamed...  his touch forbidden....

From acclaimed author Susan Krinard comes the second novel in a magnificent trilogy of a powerful clan whose sensual legacy is cloaked in secrecy-and a beautiful woman kidnapped by an outlaw whose forbidden embrace could reveal her true identity.... Once a Wolf

In the unspoiled expanses of the American West, Tomás Alejandro Randall was called El Lobo, the desperado and sworn enemy of powerful financier Cole MacLean.  Few humans knew his true identity: heir to a wolf bloodline that made him as much an exotic beast as a devastatingly attractive man.  It was Tomás's plan to lure Cole MacLean's elegant fiancée, Lady Rowena Forster, from her New York mansion to the wild frontier.  There he planned to seduce the golden-haired beauty as revenge for the destruction of his family at MacLean's hands. But once she was in his possession, El Lobo found himself unable to resist the call of his own untamed passion-a passion that would claim the beauty for his own.  As for Lady Rowena, she desperately hid her own wolf heritage behind an icy, controlled exterior. Yet the famous "Lady Ice" found her inhibitions melting and her true nature emerging in the presence of this handsome desperado.  Both knew the danger of their pairing, but their wild hearts would risk everything-even death-for a chance at everlasting love.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The second entry in Krinard's most recent historical/werewolf romance trilogy, this novel features a Victorian lady who is compelled to recognize the animal powers that lie beneath her New York high-society manners. Lady Rowena Forster has not changed into her wolf form for years; in fact, she's hoping her upcoming marriage to powerful and wealthy Cole MacLean will keep her "honest." Then, Rowena is kidnapped by another werewolf, Tomas Alejandro Randall, who is seeking revenge against MacLean, and she is forced to look beneath her veneer of civility. What is the right way to deal with one's werewolf nature? Tomas simply accepts that he is a werewolf, and Cole uses his power to manipulate one and all. While Rowena begins to fall for Tomas's gentler side, Cole's minions are busy tracking them throughout the West. Krinard tells her tale powerfully, with strong secondary characters, including Cole's younger brother and a young girl Rowena and Tomas save from a mob of angry villagers. While the story feels a few chapters too long, this paranormal tale will appeal to lovers of both horror and straight historical romance. Rowena's transformation from the Lady of Ice to a Lady of Fire and her union with Tomas makes for fascinating, and erotic, reading. (July)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"The reading world would be a happier place if more  paranormal romance writers wrote as well as Krinard."
--Contra Costa Sunday Times

"Susan Krinard was born to write romance."
--Amanda Quick

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (July 5, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553580213
• ISBN-13: 978-0553580211
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #276,250 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great paranormal romance, July 5, 2000

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once a Wolf (Historical Werewolf Series, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Unable to heed her brother Braden's orders to marry a fellow werewolf for the good of the Cause (see TOUCH OF THE WOLF), Lady Rowena Forster fled England for America. By 1878, Rowena is tutoring young ladies in New York City and engaged to wealthy financier Cole MacLean. However, Cole's enemy Tomas "El Lobo" Randall has other plans for Rowena. While Cole is away on business, Tomas persuades Rowena to head West to save the life of her twin brother Quentin.

However, now that the outlaw El Lobo has hidden Cole's fiancee in the middle of New Mexico Territory, he finds himself mesmerized by her. Instead of an aloof society lady, she, like him, is a werewolf allowing her animalistic nature to surge through her heart. As Tomas and Rowena fall in love, Cole follows them because no one steals a possession of his, especially his family's long time enemy.

ONCE A WOLF, the second tale in Susan Krinard's historical werewolf romantic trilogy, is a wonderful supernatural story. The story line takes loup garou elements and successfully plants them inside a western romance. The lead couple is a warm blooded duo while the support cast provides insight into the era as well as enhancing the paranormal elements. Fans of werewolf romances or western romances will fully enjoy Ms. Krinard's blending of the two sub-genres into an exciting novel.

Harriet Klausner

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful love story!, July 13, 2000

By 

Karen K. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once a Wolf (Historical Werewolf Series, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Susan Krinard has outdone herself with Once a Wolf, the sequel to Touch of the Wolf! While I was prepared to enjoy the story of Lady Rowena Forster, who was introduced in Touch of the Wolf, I was instantly enthralled in this story that has proven to be a vivid, explosive western romance.

Lady Rowena has been kidnapped by Tomas Alejandro Randall, known in the West as the outlaw El Lobo, in revenge for the murder of his parents by Cole MacLean, Lady Rowena's fiance. But Lady Rowena only knows Cole as a wealthy financier who has, like herself, distained his werewolf blood.

Thus begins a journey filled with danger and dangerous passions, and the uncovering of many deceits and lies. Rowena and Tomas must find their way through this intricate maze and try to understand the powerful feelings each feels for the other. This is a marvelous love story that will not disappoint the reader on any level. Ms. Krinard is a very talented writer and you will be left with a yearning for the next tale and the hope that there will be many more!

Karen King

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ONCE A WOLF IS THE PARANORMAL ROMANCE OF THE YEAR, July 21, 2000

By 

Desmond Chan (Bishan North Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once a Wolf (Historical Werewolf Series, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Susan Krinard's ONCE A WOLF revives the flagging lethargy that drowns the plot in many paranormal romances and is definitely one that enchants with its sweeping romance in the Wild Western frontier.

After Touch of the Wolf, it has been a long time that this sequel has arrived - and it does not disappoint. It tells of the identity crisis that Rowena Forster has with her animal instincts and under the deceitful Cole MacLean, she decides to abandon her roots and conform herself to the civilized society in England. Tomas Randall, who is also of the wolf descendent, are seeking vengeance on Cole who robbed him of his family. He kidnaps Rowena by tricking her on a visit to her brother, Quentin. Tomas is inexorably attracted to this Lady of Ice who hides her passion and desires behind her nonchalant facade.

The romance thrills with a surreal realm of the paranormal and breathes lush sensuality. But most importantly, the plot has tight pacing and wages emotional roller-coasters with readers. It speaks volume of the internal struggle in Rowena to follow her own heart and how Cole who despises his wolf heritage is ultimately the villain - the wolf in sheep's clothing. There is visual splendour - the wild west terrain is vividly portrayed against the blossoming passion. Towards the end, the poignancy envelops the reader and is sure to evoke tears from many readers.

Ms. Krinard has never been better since TOUCH OF THE WOLF - but perhaps her villains can get stereotypical easily. Cole sounds virulent enough but falls flat in the story with his unilateral emotions - hatred. The side characters like Weylin can be made more memorable. But these flaws cannot mar the undeniably passionate Once a wolf. It is no wonder romance readers are staying all night long to wolf down the story in one go.