Customer Reviews

A Wolf in Wolf's Clothing

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

 

 

Trevelyan (Sinclair) Mershan is a man on a mission. His mission...revenge. Along with his brothers, Trevelyan is dead set on bringing down the Montgomerie family by seducing then destroying the "meddling Montgomerie" sisters. He has his sights zeroed in on Raven Montgomerie, the beautiful, quiet, and most vulnerable of the sisters.

Raven Montgomerie prefers the quiet life of painting and socializing with gypsies in the English countryside. While she could live in luxury, she chose to live in the estate cottage rather than in the main house of Colford Hall. However she doesn't live alone. She shares the beautiful country cottage with an odd menagerie of pets; two cats named Chester and Pyewacket, a one-legged seagull named Atticus, and a lively miniature pony named Marvin. (I love these names!)

What Raven needs is a knight in shining armor. Little does this timid woman know, her knight will be riding into her life in a shining Lamborghini Murciélago. Then when Raven and Trevelyan first meet, sparks ignite a fire and the instant he touches her, their fates are sealed.

In this third installment of the Sisters of Colford Hall series, I found myself completely absorbed in the story of Raven and Trevelyan! I have read the other two in the series and even though I completely enjoyed them, I have to say A Wolf in Wolf's Clothing is by far my favorite! A magical love story that even includes a ghost named Annie. (Great name!)

Ms. MacGillivray has a talent for creating stories that clutch the hearts of her readers and in A Wolf in Wolf's Clothing, you won't be disappointed. She has woven a tale of passion, love, and desire that grips you from the first page to the very end.

~* 3.5 Stars *~
It was supposed to be a simple task, really. Doing his part in his eldest brother's plan to bring down the company of the man responsible for their father's suicide, Trevelyn Mershan goes undercover to get close to Raven Montgomerie and use her to get close to her brother Cian and the business the three Mershan brothers were preparing for a hostile takeover. But it bothered Trev on a deep level that he hadn't been able to get the beautiful Raven out of his mind since first seeing her months previously - in ways that had nothing to do with a life-long game of revenge.

When he finally speaks to her for the first time, finally gets a chance to have her in his arms, he quickly realizes that the woman is more than fair in face and form, she's beautiful in heart and mind. And he wants her. Torn between duty to his brothers and love for his woman, confused by mystical forces he doesn't understand and isn't sure he believes in, Trev feels his carefully planned life slipping out of control...and into dangerous waters that may strip everything he cares about from him. Including the woman he loves.

There is much to like about this contemporary paranormal romance, and I was surprised to find myself enjoying it as much as I did, though I'm not sure why I had such low expectations - maybe because I haven't read anything else in the series and I'm leery of picking up in the middle like I did. In fact, it was my first Deborah MacGillivray read at all, but it was comprehensive and thorough and easy to appreciate as a stand-alone book, even with the concept and subplot that was built around the three brothers, which I'm sure was initiated and further developed in the first and second books.

I liked Raven quite a lot; the unprepossessing lifestyle independent of her family's wealth was an appealing aspect of her character and her love of all things wounded, needy, or one-footed was charming. Trev was more than just a chest thumping alpha male, he was quick to accept his feelings, even when they were less than flattering or caused conflicts, and I liked how he was able to accept the possibility of the mystical and embrace the lack of logic in magical potential. They were a solid couple, though I do prefer my female leads with a little more fight, and wish Raven would have handled her ex-husband Alex a little differently. That's strictly a reading preference, though, not a complaint.

There were some stylistic aspects of the book of which I wasn't fond. The narrative tended towards a slightly florid formality that seemed ill suited for a contemporary romance and, along with the setting, made it hard for me to remember that it wasn't a historical romance, until mentions of modern times and technology jolted me back into contemporary parameters. It didn't make for the smoothest read at times. I also felt the fairy tale and wolf themes were overdone. The Big Bad Wolf/Little Red Riding Hood (et al) references got a little heavy handed and I felt a little bludgeoned with the wolf theme overkill by the end.

Then there was the characters' annoying - and frequent - habit they had of talking to themselves. Muttering under their breath I could understand, but speaking full sentences to themselves all the time? Who does that? It felt very unnatural and I didn't like that method of storytelling for informing readers of character thoughts and feelings, especially when the book is written with the options offered by a third person omniscient point of view. It ended up feeling very awkward, and as the book starts with Trev having all sorts of conversations with himself - sometimes as he was looking at himself in the rear view mirror of his car - the book started on a rough note for me.

It got better, though, and I ended up liking it, with just a few reservations that were more about my preferences and tastes than anything else. The plot wasn't particularly ground breaking, and I wonder if I missed some important setup in the paranormal theme of the romance...maybe even in the first two books?...because while I liked the paranormal aspects, the mythology of it didn't quite seem all there in reference to the auld souls. It just wasn't quite fully realized or developed enough within this book to really blend well with the romance for me.

Despite those issues, I'm pleased I read A Wolf in Wolf's Clothing, doubly so to find another new-to-me author who has several books I can take a look at. I certainly don't think this will be the only MacGillivray book I read, and while there was definitely a sense of conclusion to the trilogy of the three Mershan brothers with the three Montgomerie sisters, I was pleased to find out that the author is planning on continuing the series with other Montgomerie sisters. That's good news for fans.

~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.

Virginal at marriage, burned by a cheating husband, Raven Montgomerie has created her own cocoon of protection in a small, thatched cottage with her eccentric animals and her paintings...That is, until Trevelyn Mershan steps into her world.
An international playboy with looks even Adonis would envy, Trev is more than used to getting what he wants and that includes women. And now, he is set on revenge and Raven is his target.
But is he really the Big, Bad Wolf he claims to be? Will Ms. Riding Hood become his victim?
If you liked the nostalgia of the Golden Oldies songs from Deborah MacGillivray's second book, "Riding the Thunder", or if you believe that knights in shining armor still exist and fairy tales do come true, you will enjoy the special twists in "A Wolf in Wolf's Clothing" that bring the auld magic into today's world.

Set in England, close to London. Trevelyn "Trev" Sinclair Mershan and his brothers are on a mission of vengeance. The Mershan brothers never stopped blaming Sean Montgomerie for their father's suicide. It has taken decades of work and maneuvering, but the Mershans are finally set to extract some justice. Since Sean is deceased, the brothers are going after his grandchildren and the family business, Montgomerie Enterprises (M.E.). Quietly they have been buying up the company's stocks and soon the hostile takeover will begin. So that no one will connect him to the Mershan family name, Trev will be known as Trevelyn Sinclair. His duty is to get close to Raven Montgomerie, the timid sister, in order to keep an eye on her CEO brother, Cian, and the daily operations of the business.

Trev manages to get an invitation to the annual charity gala M.E. is hosting. Since Raven is the artistic sibling, she has set everything up. She even brings one of her most cherished possessions as a prop. It is a birthday present from one of her absent sisters, a fortuneteller booth. When someone drops in a coin, the life-like gypsy doll within consults her crystal ball, followed by a card popping out with their fortune upon it. The gala is going well until Raven spies her abusive ex-husband, Alec. Just before Alec could manage to publicly humiliate Raven, Trev steps in to rescue her and begins to work his charms on the shy lady. But Trev has underestimated the effect Raven would have on him.

Raven is one of seven sisters. Though most of the family in the area resides at Colford Hall, the family's massive manor, Raven prefers to live in a thatched cottage on the far side of the vast estate. Here, Raven can paint in solitude and hide away from the world while doting on her menagerie of pets. The two fat cats, midget pony, and one-legged sea gull are the only companions she desires. But after Trev manages to storm into her heart and her bed, Raven finds herself coming out of her shell.

***** FIVE STARS! This is the third installment of the "Sisters of Colford Hall T" saga. All three of the stories run in the same time frame. It does not matter in what order you read them, but if you wish to read them in order of publication: One is "The Invasion of Falgannon Isle (The Sisters of Colford Hall, Book 1)" and is the story of Desmond and BarbaraAnne. Two is "Riding the Thunder (The Sisters of Colford Hall, Book 2)" and is the story of Jago and Asha.

One thing I enjoy about this series thus far is the setting changes. The first book is on an isolated isle, the second is in Kentucky, USA, and this one is in a small fictional town near London, England. The author inserts humor into them as well. In this one, Trev is allergic to the two cats, the black mini pony keeps breaking into the cottage and loves to be chased by humans, and the one-legged sea gull thinks it is a cat but enjoys pecking on Trev's bare toes. I fell totally in love with these animals.

For those who enjoy some suspense, the ex-husband causes lots of danger and trouble due to his hatred of Raven and of Trev for defending her from his bullying. There is also some eerie magic. The booth's fortune teller looks very life-like. No one can figure out how the booth makes its special affects and the fortunes she pops out are always spot-on. She gives ominous warnings that are totally correct every single time. When I saw the gypsy doll for the last time, I actually felt a chill go down my spine. I have yet to succeed in getting THAT scene out of my head.

Needless-to-say, I believe this title is the author's absolute best story to date. It flows smoothly, all the characters are will developed and have their own personalities and problems, and the writing style is superb. I can hardly wait for the 2010 release of "To Bell a Vampire", Brishen's tale. Author Deborah MacGillivray gets better and better with each story she puts out. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Trevelyn Mershan and his brothers have a vendetta against the Montgomerie family that stems from their father's suicide many years ago. The men grew up extremely poor with a mother suffering from mental illness. Each brother has targeted one of Sean Montgomerie's granddaughters to concentrate on while they go about their plans for a hostile takeover of Montgomerie Enterprise. Trevelyn's association with Raven may have started out as an extension of the revenge plot dreamed up by his older brother, but he's falling in love with her.

Raven Montgomerie may have come from a wealthy background but her life is far from glamorous. She chooses to live in a thatched house on her family estate with a toy pony, a one-legged seagull and two fat cats. She loves her family but she prefers the privacy for her painting. At one time she had dreams of marriage and a family but her divorce and subsequent miscarriage put an end to that desire. The last thing she expects is for her belated birthday gift, a mechanical ofisa (Romani for fortunate teller booth), to be so eerily accurate in her predictions. "Beware of the wolf in sheep's clothing" is printed on the Lovers card, the first card she receives from the gypsy. Torn between ignoring the card and heeding it's warning, Raven opts to worry about it later but once she catches sight of a man who sends shivers down her spine and she simply knows that this is the wolf the gypsy foretold.

Trevelyn squeezes into Raven's life rather simply. First by saving her from Alec's, her ex-husband, nasty verbal attack at the gala to raise money for a children's orphanage, then he outbid Alec on a beautiful rocking horse that obviously held a great deal of importance to Raven. He liken himself to the big bad wolf in the fairy tale sent to gobble up Red and he and Raven even joke about the similarities between them and the fable. The attraction between them is undeniable and Raven caves in to her desire to invite Trevelyn to her bed. Trevelyn is quickly drawn into Raven's life and even her pets adore him so how can he possibly in good conscious continue with the plan to destroy her family? And if he doesn't follow through with it then how will his brothers react.

A WOLF IN WOLF'S CLOTHING is the third installment in Deborah Macgillivray's SISTERS OF COLFORD HALL series. Trevelyn and Raven's relationship is playful yet poignantly sweet while maintaining an emotional connection that I adored. The secondary characters, including Raven's pets, brought a smile to my face and kept me chuckling at their antics. Ms. Macgillivray incorporates all the elements that bring a story to life for readers - humor, a bit of the paranormal, a few tears, a beautiful romance and plenty of family dynamics. A WOLF IN WOLF'S CLOTHING is a wonderful addition to a series which has already captured my heart and earned a place on the keeper shelf.

The Invasion of Falgannon Isle (The Sisters of Colford Hall, Book 1)
Riding the Thunder (The Sisters of Colford Hall, Book 2)

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

Trevelyn Sinclair Mershan understands what it feels like to be schizoid. His goal set by his older brother years ago has been to destroy the Montgomerie family whom he holds culpable for the suicide of his father. However, he has a slight problem as his heart tells him to modify his goal and go after Raven Montgomerie.

She haunts him 24/7. He plans to stay the course by ruining Raven. However, obstinate as he is, the Auld Souls intercede as do an odd mechanical gypsy fortuneteller. Trev feels like a traitor as he is deeply in love with the enemy while invading her home Colford Hall.

The third Mershan brother contemporary romance (see INVASION OF FALGANNON ISLE and RIDING THE THUNDER) is an enjoyable tale that runs time-wise parallel to the stories of Trev's siblings; thus he feels remorse and guilt at the same time love because ironically unlike the readers he is unaware that his older brother, who has planned their revenge for years, has the same predicament. A WOLF IN WOLF'S CLOTHING is a terrific finish to an engaging trilogy; kudos to Deborah MacGillivray who stayed consistent throughout the saga yet also entertaining.

Harriet Klausner

This is the first book of Deborah MacGillivray's that I've read, and I'll be purchasing the other two in this series now.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The heroine was great. The hero to-die-for! The story never lost its momentum. Equal parts funny, sweet, adventurous, and sexy, with a little bit of magic thrown in. Lots of fun! Highly recommended!

I really like this author. The chemistry is good, the story engaging and the characters refreshingly wonderful. If you are looking for a quick read, this is for you.

A Wolf in Wolf's Clothing by Deborah MacGillivray

Trevelyn Sinclair Mershan blames the Montgomerie family for what happened to his family when he was a child. Now he is out for revenge, and is going straight to Raven Montgomerie. A wolf on the prowl, and little red riding hood in his sights, Trev always gets what he wants. Although this time will be different, he'll lose a piece of himself... to her.

Raven Montgomerie is a wealthy woman in name, but she lives in a thatched roof cabin on the Colford lands. She has hidden herself from the world because the man she married and now divorced ruined her self esteem, and the only way to protect herself is to stay hidden within her cottage, painting. When she is confronted by her ex Alec, at the auction, Trev pretends to be her date. Raven was bedazzled by the man and his eyes, and since she had hidden away for five years, it was time to throw caution to the wind and accept the wolf into her bed.

A gift from her sister, a Gypsy fortune teller, will change Raven and Trev's life forever. She may be a beautifully carved game of sorts, but there is more to her than meets the eye. Auld souls, searching for the happy ending that should have been, will try and make it full circle this time around. Trev Mershan will have to make some major changes in his very expensive life, and allow Raven into his heart. Or else history will repeat itself and Annie and Tashian will meet an undesirable fate.

Deborah MacGillivray's third book in the Sisters of Colford Hall series, A Wolf in Wolf's Clothing, is nothing short of spectacular! I loved her use of animal characters, the cats, the miniature pony, and especially her one legged pelican, Atticus. Every time I read one of Ms. MacGillivray's books I am filled with a sense of love, and complete connection with the hero and heroine. Once I read that very last page, I instantly want more and know that there are more books to come. My review can not do this book justice. I didn't even speak of the Gypsy family that visits Colford, the vampire hunter/Gypsy Brishen, and the complete change in both Raven and Trev. Those my dears, are something you must find out for yourself. 5 Hearts
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