The Dark One (The Wild Wulfs of London) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Ronda Thompson (Author)
Key Phrases: soft rap, Lord Wulf, Armond Wulf, Lady Rosalind (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Lady Rosalind has one simple request of Armond Wulf, Marquess of Wulfglen and the eldest of infamous brothers: seduce her and leave her in ruin and free of her stepbrother's schemes. Shunned by society, whispered about behind fans, Armond is the perfect disreputable choice, except that he is too honorable to destroy a lady's reputation. In fact, fate forces him to make her an honorable woman. But with one problem solved, another rears its head: talk of madness, a curse, and a monster. Thompson kicks off her Wild Wulfs of London series with an addictive, angst-filled plot that harkens a bit to the melodrama of the gothic. Readers who prefer their preternatural heroes to have fur rather than fangs will savor the tortured soul that is Armond. He may be mad, but he's definitely bad and dangerously sexy. And from the brief glimpse given of his brothers, it runs in the family. Readers, beware of Wulfs: you'll fall for them at first sight. Nina Davis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Gripping, intriguing, and sexy. Engaging characters and edge of the seat action---this book has it all."--Christine Feehan

"The Dark One grabbed me and wouldn't let me go. Sensual and engaging, Thompson redefines the werewolf story even as her characters redefine for themselves the meaning of love."--Susan Squires

"This story hooked me from page on and never let me go. I can't wait for the next one!"--Amanda Ashley

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; 1st edition (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312935730
• ISBN-13: 978-0312935733
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #280,306 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 1 in The Wild Wulfs of London Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular Paranormal, November 2, 2005

By	M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Rosalind Rutherford was desperate. With her life spinning out of control and her sadistic and hateful stepbrother now orchestrating her every move she would have to court scandal as a means to escape the plans he had for her. The scandal she would need was to chose, and attempt to seduce the notorious Armond Wulf, Marquess of Wulfglen, and Earl of Bumont into ruining her!

Armond Wulf and his three brothers were cursed and all had vowed never to marry, rather than unleashing the beast each held within them. From the moment he saw her, Armond's senses were aroused and the self-control he held firmly in check was warring with his body by the sheer presence of the young woman who had boldly approached him. To him she was 'pure sin' packaged deceitfully in the guise of innocence and he was totally ensnared. Her proposal was nothing short of shocking and after one very sensual waltz he was ready to teach her a lesson in not daring to trifle with the dangerous Wild Wulf's she knew nothing about. After giving her a very sensual taste of what passion was all about, Armond stopped himself from letting the beast within him ruin her and returned a very disappointed yet awakened Rosalind to her home.

As events and unsolved murders all began hinting at Armond as the villain responsible, Rosalind, who knew him to be innocent, stepped forward to save him and in the process Armond was compelled to marry her. Rosalind while half in love with the enigmatic man accepted his proposal even though he declared that though they might share a bed - she would never have his love nor his child. It soon became apparent that the self-control Armond prided himself with was fast deteriorating and the desire and feelings for his wife were winning the battle as the beast within showed signs of breaking free, unless Rosalind could decipher the clues to break the curse.

-- This was an absolutely spectacular read and the series `The Wild Wulfs of London' are sure to catapult this authors new paranormal series right up there with the likes of Kenyon and Feehan! Armond was a totally divine and dreamy kind of hero. The author did a fabulous job of depicting a very vivid description of how his body began metamorphosing into the werewolf that sent shivers up my spine. The parallel plot depicting Rosalind's heinous and evil stepbrother added greatly to the dangerous edge-of -the-seat suspense the story took on and kept me turning the pages throughout the night. This well-written tale complete with fascinating characters, an utterly romantic love story, and divine sensuality captivated me from the very beginning to the heart-stopping ending. I highly encourage lovers of paranormal romance to grab a copy of this new series and hang on for it's sure to become a classic!
[...]

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightfully Different Werewolf Tale, December 28, 2005

By	K. Montgomery "http://lurvalamode.wordpress.com" (Columbus, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Fluff, you might say? Maybe so, but if this is what some readers consider fluff, then I am pleased to say that I enjoy "fluff" books very much. "The Dark One" is my intro into Rhonda Thompson's version of the werewolf world and I couldn't have come away more pleased with the results. I didn't fully read the back cover when I bought the book, so I was unaware I was getting a werewolf tale. When I did read the back cover I moaned and groaned to myself, thinking it would be another "typical" werewolf book, with the deep hidden wolf society and the big bad usual werewolf types, blah, blah, blah. Much to my relief, what I read turned out to be very refreshing and enjoyable.

Armond Wulf is the oldest of four brothers, all tainted with the rumors of madness that supposedly run through their family. Unbenownst to society, thank goodness, their secret is much more forbidden and dark than mere insanity. An ancestor of long ago was cursed by a woman he had thought to have loved, a powerful witch, that curse him and all males of his family that followed with the full moon affliction of the wolf. Determined never to give into the curse, the brothers have vowed never to marry, never to love, certainly never to have children and possibly pass the curse onto any sons. Rosalind Rutherford is a woman in dire straits. Terrified of living under her stepbrother's roof and what plans he may have for her future, she is determined to escape by the only means she knows how - by making sure her reputation is ruined beyond repair. She sees Armond as her ticket to freedom and propositions him at a ball. Thoroughly intrigued by the young woman, Armond wants to help her, but alas is too honorable a man. Once he has met the delectable beauty though, he cannot stop seeing her, knowing somehow that all is not right in her stepbrother's household. What ensues is a whirlwind situation that lands him with a woman he knows not what to do with. Should he love her and forsake all he knows to be true about the family curse? Of should he turn tail and run, turning his back on the one person who may be the answer to all his problems?

This was a very quick read due to the fact that the story had me completely in it's grip. The suspense leading up to Armond's transformation was so consuming it was next to impossible for me to put the book down till I had finished it. Armond longed to avoid dark side of his cursed nature and to be with his wife, but he always held back from her, never wanting to succumb to any feelings for her less it cause him to turn. Rosalind, while confused for most of the book as to why her husband acted so strangly determined to keep their relationship distant, nevertheless was just as determined to have him love her. Her gutsy bravery was a blessing in disguise for the poor tortured Armond.

I just loved this intro book into the Wild Wulfs of London series! We're introduced to two of the other brothers, Gabriel and Jackson, both of whom promise to be enigmatic heros in their own right. If I had to hazzard a guess my prediction would be for seeing Gabriel's story next. Expertly developed main characters, a wonderful cast of colorful supporting characters and powerful emotions make "The Dark One" a good solid five star read. Abolutely superb romantic "fluff".

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding start to what's sure to be an awesome series, November 7, 2005

By	Barb H (OH) - See all my reviews

This long awaited series is everything and more than I expected. Ms. Thompson has outdone herself in creating a touching story that anyone would love, whether you love paranormals or historicals. It's a perfect blend of both. The characters are wonderful, the hero, Armound, is to die for and a dream, the heroine, Rosalind, strong and loyal. Take it from one reader who's a hard sell. You cannot go wrong with THE DARK ONE. It's packed with emotion, intrigue and mystery. You'll also get a peek at the other two brothers, Jackson and Gabriel, who both snatch a piece of your heart and make you groan when you think how long you have to wait between books, which really isn't long but sure will feel like it. If you buy any book this fall or try any new authors to you, this is the book to buy. You won't be sorry.