Customer Reviews

Wild

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It definately had it's moments although I found it annoying that it seemed over stuffed with exposition. I appreciate a good story along with romantic, erotic scenes but I found this story slow moving with out any flow and very little of the right information including getting to know these brothers and what exactly their gifts are. I felt the book could have been helped with another editing pass and perhaps more sex!

Kyril is the eldest of three brothers of the Taruskin clan, Russians who have now settled into the life of gentlemen in Regency London. His attention has been caught by Vivienne Sheridan, a woman whose relationship with a duke has just ended and who is now living on her own. Kyril knows that there are a group of Russians who have travelled to London to kill him and his Pack and yet his attention is still taken by Vivienne, despite knowing that she may be used to lure him to his death. Can Vivienne come to understand Kyril's story and can she love him despite the danger that surrounds him?

In some ways this was a reasonable story but it also had some quite deep flaws for this reader. The story of Kyril and Vivienne had partly taken place before the opening scenes of this book so it felt as if the reader were dropped into the middle of their interactions without any clear idea of how their feelings for each other had developed. In fact character development seemed overall to be lacking in the story. There were the sex scenes one would imagine in a Brava novel but it didn't seem as if the characters had really connected on any level other than the physical. It wasn't clear what it was about Vivienne that had so arrested Kyril and caused him to change his previous rakish ways.

The story focused more in the second half on the threat to the Pack but it seemed to meander around the plot with various events taking place without full explanation and often feeling rather pointless. The 'baddie' didn't actually have much of a part to play, the hero's cousin was featured quite heavily but with many unexplained events going on and overall I found that I couldn't feel really engaged with the story or any of the characters. The wolf aspect to this book was pretty minor and another paranormal aspect fairly early on in the book was never explained. Instead the story was more of a part-romance part-thriller book of varying levels of success and, for this reader, not well enough put together to encourage me to read further books by this author.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book[...] © Helen Hancox 2008

London, 1815

Kyril, leader of the Pack of St. James, is torn between duty and his desire for Vivienne Sheridan. She's the most intriguing woman he's ever met however there's a dangerous situation brewing and seducing her to his bed will have to wait. Volkodav, otherwise known as the Wolf Killer, has recently arrived in England and is on the prowl. Protecting the pack must take priority. Kyril fears that his interest in Vivienne will leave her vulnerable.

Vivienne can't deny her attraction to Kyril but she has no intention of simply caving in and becoming another notch on his belt. On the surface she appears to be a sophisticated young woman but she has secrets of her own that she's desperately trying to put behind her. Because she's unaware of the fact that Kyril is a werewolf she has no idea that she could become a pawn in a very dangerous game.

Kyril has every intention of making Vivienne his mate but first he'll have to tell her about his shapeshifter abilities and his duties to the pack. While Vivienne tries to understand why Kyril seems to be distracted she's visited by a monk who seems to know Kyril - at least he seems to brighten each time he hears Kyril's name but his speech is garbled and the few words she does understand she recognizes as being Russian. She believes that he's harmless but she'll soon learn that everything is not what it seems. She'll have to trust her instincts and pray everything works out. Can Kyril be the man of her dreams? As she succumbs to her desire for him, she finds herself unwittingly becoming involved in a mystery which she has no prior knowledge of - but apparently she's the key to finding the answer.

WILD is the first book in Noelle Mack's THE PACK OF ST. JAMES series. This book encompasses all the passion, mystery, and magical wonder that make this type of book such a delightful read. From the first page I was captivated by the characters and their individual plights. Even the menacing characters had me morbidly fascinated so that I felt the need to understand them better. I've never read a Noelle Mack book before but I'll definitely be looking into her backlist (already see one title that I'll be picking up this weekend).

WILD is exactly the sort of book you can sink your `reading teeth' into and devour each and every page and still be ready for more. Fortunately there is more to come - WANTON will contain Kyril's brother Marco's story and it's due to be released in late July 2008.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

This was my first book by this author, and it was amazing! The characters were very well drawn, and you really felt their emotions. There was just enough mystery involved to keep it interesting, and the plot was great!

"Wild" is the first of three sexy historical and paranormal erotic novels about three handsome and passionate Russian brothers, Kyril, Marko, and Semyon. The three brothers, who are an integral trio of the Pack of St. James, not only have the ability to lure all eyes and turn all heads of the ladies in the Ton just by being handsome and mysterious, but they can also use their old legendary supernatural powers to make them even more sensual and powerful than any normal man. How can any woman with an ounce of passion resist them?

Kyril is the focus of this first book, which also introduces the reader to those in the Pack of St. James and the Pack's powers, Kyril's brothers, and the evil that exists out to destroy them all. A priceless and powerful treasure of the Pack has been stolen from their Russian homeland and thought to be in England. Kyril, who commands the pack, is also the leader in this intricate and intense search. In the midst of the search Kyril discovers that his heart is in as much or even more peril than the treasure. While working on the whereabouts of the treasure, he comes into contact with the alluring and beautiful Vivienne Sheridan. He recognizes her as his mate - terrible timing for him - because he feels his intense feelings of passion and desire could bring even more peril than the loss of the priceless treasure -- disaster and possibly even death to those he holds lifelong allegiance to. Vivienne is mesmerized by Kyril and the intense passion between them and finds she will give him anything he wants, physically, emotionally and materially. From start to finish the intensity is extreme and the passion is "wild!" Will Kyril be able to find the treasure and true love at the same time?

Noelle Mack, already known for her delicious and juicy stories, has developed a trilogy that is intense, sensual, mysterious and destined to be a tremendously popular series that erotic and paranormal fans will not only be able to put down, but count the days until the next release. If you have enjoyed Ms. Mack's other novels, this one will impress you even more.

I wanted to like this book. Vivienne was actually rather practical for a heroine which struck me as likable. A historical heroine who actually rejects blackmail, with the reasoning that anyone who believes it isn't someone she wants to be with? Amazing.

However, I totally didn't 'get' the romance between her and Kyril. They spent more time apart than together. The whole plot was rather disjointed and I had to spend more time than I prefer thinking, " ... what?" I didn't care if they ever got together. The climax was just bizarre and didn't fit with the mundane flavor of the rest of the book.

Kyril Taruskin is everything a woman would want and more. He is handsome, well spoken, and sinfully sexy. Underneath his polished exterior beats the heart of an alpha male and pack leader. Sworn to protect the English Crown, he and his fellow pack members have traveled from their homeland searching for a treasure that was stolen. It is here in England that Kyril meets Vivienne Sheridan, and despite his overwhelming desire for this beautiful woman, Kyril knows that in claiming her he marks her for the same deadly assassins that are stalking him and his family's every move.

Vivienne Sheridan knows that there is more to Kyril than meets the eye. Not a virgin by any means, she still is hesitant to take their relationship a step further. That is until she thinks he might be in danger and then all bets are off. When she inadvertently puts Kyril and his family at risk, Vivienne knows that she has made a mistake but she can't help being scared. Hiding, she doesn't count on a certain man coming to claim what his inner wolf demands.

Wild by Noelle Mack is a different look a wolf shape shifter; especially since this is a historical novel set in the early nineteenth century. Then there is the fact that the pack in which Kyril leads is a Russian one. All of these surprises lead to a very delightful and truly entertaining novel. I couldn't get enough of Kyril's manliness or his kinsmen's playfulness. I loved their interactions with each other and most especially I sat spellbound and watched Kyril and Vivienne's love story unfold.

Wild by Noelle Mack is book one of a new series called The Pack of St. James. The second installment, Wanton, is due in stores at the end of July and I have already pre-ordered my copy!

Talia

reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

In 1815 although he is part Russian wolf, Kyril Taruskin is also one of the three leaders of the Pack of St. James sworn to protect the English crown. However, Kyril becomes concerned when the actions of Vivienne Sheridan may jeopardize his Pack from a werewolf hunter. He vows to find the hiding female and learn her secrets.

At the same time Kyril fears for his clan, the adversary has begun stalking his prey. Meanwhile Kyril finds Vivien hidden in a mansion. He tries to learn her secrets, but finds he wants to reveal his own to this siren who he knows from a previous encounter is his soulmate, but first they must deal with treacherous evil men as everyone converges on the Serpent's Egg allegedly possessed by Vivienne.

The first Pack of St. James paranormal Regency romantic suspense is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller starring likable lead characters and a strong support cast including the bad guys. The freshness comes from the vivid description of early nineteenth century London's underbelly where drugs, prostitution and black market contraband are the norm. Noelle Mack provides a wild vivid tale of love, war, and perhaps too much blood with her delightful opening Pack diamond.

Harriet Klausner