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Historical Werewolf #1
Touch of the Wolf
His heart could be captured--but his passion could never be tamed....
From the acclaimed author of Prince of Shadows and Body and Soul comes the first novel in a powerful new trilogy, the story of a noble clan whose elegance belies a savage secret--and a man who will stop at nothing to preserve his family's dynasty forevermore--.
Braden Forster, Earl of Greyburn, has devoted his life to restoring the purity of his clan's werewolf blood. He spent years searching in vain for a distant American cousin, a woman whose pure wolf bloodline is a vital link in his family's heritage. Braden had thought Cassidy Holt was lost forever--until she appeared one rainy night on the steps of his London mansion...her raven hair in disarray, her skin scented with sunlight and sagebrush. As Braden whisks young Cassidy to his family's secluded country estate, both can sense their undeniable attraction. But Cassidy soon learns that they can never satisfy their mutual passion; Braden has already betrothed her to another. Her only hope of claiming the one man she'll always love is to unravel the dark and lustful secrets of his past--.
From the acclaimed author of Prince of Shadows and Body and Soul comes the first novel in a powerful new trilogy, the story of a noble clan whose elegance belies a savage secret--and a man who will stop at nothing to preserve his family's dynasty forevermore--.
Braden Forster, Earl of Greyburn, has devoted his life to restoring the purity of his clan's werewolf blood. He spent years searching in vain for a distant American cousin, a woman whose pure wolf bloodline is a vital link in his family's heritage. Braden had thought Cassidy Holt was lost forever--until she appeared one rainy night on the steps of his London mansion...her raven hair in disarray, her skin scented with sunlight and sagebrush. As Braden whisks young Cassidy to his family's secluded country estate, both can sense their undeniable attraction. But Cassidy soon learns that they can never satisfy their mutual passion; Braden has already betrothed her to another. Her only hope of claiming the one man she'll always love is to unravel the dark and lustful secrets of his past--.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 5, 1999
21 people are currently reading
1285 people want to read
About the author
Susan Krinard
76 books330 followersTrained as an artist with a BFA in Illustration from the California College of Arts and Crafts, Susan Krinard became a writer in 1992 when a friend read a short story she'd written and suggested she try writing a romance novel. A long-time fan of science fiction and fantasy, Susan began reading romance -- and realized what she wanted to do was combine the two genres. Prince of Wolves, her first romance novel and one of the earliest to feature a werewolf hero, was the result. Within a year Susan had sold the manuscript to Bantam as part of a three-book contract, and the novel went on to make several bestseller lists.
Since then, she's written and published over fourteen paranormal and fantasy novels, and written stories for a number of anthologies, both fantasy and romance. Both the anthology Out of This World (which included Susan's "Kinsman") and the novel Lord of the Beasts appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List.
Susan makes her home in New Mexico, the "Land of Enchantment", with her husband Serge, their dogs Freya, Nahla and Cagney, and their cat Jefferson. In addition to writing, Susan's interests include music of almost every kind, old movies, reading, nature, baking, and collecting unique handmade jewelry and decorative crafts.
Since then, she's written and published over fourteen paranormal and fantasy novels, and written stories for a number of anthologies, both fantasy and romance. Both the anthology Out of This World (which included Susan's "Kinsman") and the novel Lord of the Beasts appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List.
Susan makes her home in New Mexico, the "Land of Enchantment", with her husband Serge, their dogs Freya, Nahla and Cagney, and their cat Jefferson. In addition to writing, Susan's interests include music of almost every kind, old movies, reading, nature, baking, and collecting unique handmade jewelry and decorative crafts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 1, 2020
2.5 Stars
The problem with the story strangely enough isn't the quality of the writing. The descriptive qualities are actually very good, but unfortunately I HATED both the main characters. And really there were only a few of the secondary characters that I liked even a little This was a slog for me because I just couldn't get behind the actions of these characters. Cassidy had a little more appeal than Braden but it's really not be much. Her nature is often at odds and doesn't seem to fit within itself. Either she's the brazen independent who can cross the desert of barely settled America on her own and have no fear running through London on her own, or she's the naive innocent who has no awareness of what reality should be and is willing to do anything to be liked. And Braden, well Braden made me want to punch him throughout the entire story. Really there was nothing redeemable about him and gave no one any reason to forgive him his high handed, narrow minded, bigoted antics. If it had eased at all during the story, if Cassidy had seem to affect him at all as things went along I would have tolerated the story better. But really it's only the last 5-10% of the book where the reversal happens and so it doesn't even feel natural or that it will hold.
Braden's obsession with "the Cause" was really just annoying not in any way something you could understand. His way or all else was just obnoxious. I felt for his siblings. Rowena especially as she is given no choice and no freedom really to be who she wants. I sort of want to see her story, but I don' know how quickly if ever I'll get around to reading the next in the series to find out about her adventures.
The problem with the story strangely enough isn't the quality of the writing. The descriptive qualities are actually very good, but unfortunately I HATED both the main characters. And really there were only a few of the secondary characters that I liked even a little This was a slog for me because I just couldn't get behind the actions of these characters. Cassidy had a little more appeal than Braden but it's really not be much. Her nature is often at odds and doesn't seem to fit within itself. Either she's the brazen independent who can cross the desert of barely settled America on her own and have no fear running through London on her own, or she's the naive innocent who has no awareness of what reality should be and is willing to do anything to be liked. And Braden, well Braden made me want to punch him throughout the entire story. Really there was nothing redeemable about him and gave no one any reason to forgive him his high handed, narrow minded, bigoted antics. If it had eased at all during the story, if Cassidy had seem to affect him at all as things went along I would have tolerated the story better. But really it's only the last 5-10% of the book where the reversal happens and so it doesn't even feel natural or that it will hold.
Braden's obsession with "the Cause" was really just annoying not in any way something you could understand. His way or all else was just obnoxious. I felt for his siblings. Rowena especially as she is given no choice and no freedom really to be who she wants. I sort of want to see her story, but I don' know how quickly if ever I'll get around to reading the next in the series to find out about her adventures.
March 4, 2010
I'll start by saying I wanted to like this book. I wanted to delve into a new series involving werewolfs and historical fiction and fancy dress. I wanted to like a new author.
Instead I spent the first half of this book cringing at all the ways in which skewed views of female identity and sexuality could be even more skewed by yet another female author delving into fantasy. How many times will authors pull out the tired trope of girl-enamored and use it to sell a novel?
But what really got me was this author's use of blindness and disability as a super-hero flag. Yet another inaccurate representation of blindness in print *and* the use of it as a selling point to character building in a book? Really? REALLY?
It's one thing to have a blind character who also happens to be paranormally awesome. It's another thing to have a blind character who now needs pity from the heroine because his little heart is made of stone.
Gag.
I expect more from my fantasy.
Yuck.
Also I want my ovaries back.
Instead I spent the first half of this book cringing at all the ways in which skewed views of female identity and sexuality could be even more skewed by yet another female author delving into fantasy. How many times will authors pull out the tired trope of girl-enamored and use it to sell a novel?
But what really got me was this author's use of blindness and disability as a super-hero flag. Yet another inaccurate representation of blindness in print *and* the use of it as a selling point to character building in a book? Really? REALLY?
It's one thing to have a blind character who also happens to be paranormally awesome. It's another thing to have a blind character who now needs pity from the heroine because his little heart is made of stone.
Gag.
I expect more from my fantasy.
Yuck.
Also I want my ovaries back.
November 5, 2010
Susan Krinard has a beautiful writing style. Her books are meaty and always contain complicated characters who really draw you in. Touch of the Wolf, the beginning of her new historical werewolf trilogy, is no exception. For me, this book weighed in a little too heavily on the angst side but still comes recommended to those of you who prefer a dark, brooding and outwardly cold hero (until the heroine breaks down his barriers, of course). It's rich with description and is a book that you can easily lose yourself in.
October 7, 2010
Cassidy Holt thinks she has finally found where she belongs when she returns to England. After years of living with human relatives who both shunned her and was afraid of her she feels she has finally found somewhere to call home, especially when she meets, Braden Forster, Earl of Greyburn. Braden is fanatical in carrying on his Grandfather's Cause to get purify the loup garou blood that has thinned over the generations of marriages to humans, pushing their kind to near extinction. As leader of all the loup garou it is his duty to oversee mating and arrange marriages, but after his first disasterous marriage is determined never to mate again. But something changes when he finds Cassidy Holt and he can feel the walls he has built round himself disssolving under her bright gaze.
As you can tell by my star rating I didn't like this book very much. It had nothing to do with the writing itself. Infact the writing was good, it flowed well and the dialogue was well written, in-keeping with the times and yet not so overly done that it make it impossible to decipher. The characters were also well drawn up, they each had distinct personalities and seemed real.
But, what I did not like, were the characters themselves, as well written as they were, I just couldn't stand them! Braden was cold and aloof and as far as I can see had no redeeming characteristics. He did nothing at all to warm myself to him throughout the entire book. He saw everyone around him as a pawn in his Cause, and if they were not useful they were cast aside or ignored, to the point where he cared only that his own brother and sister were married and had children whether they wanted to or not. Now I like the ruthless and tortured hero most the time, but generally they have something about them, some charisma that pulls you to them but for me Braden didn't have that. Until the last 10 or so pages he was a heartless bastard who showed Cassidy nothing of himself but lust.
As for Cassidy, well, she really bugged me as well. At first I didn't mind her naievte and innocense, but after a while, her bllinding inaility to look facts in the face annoyed me. Braden treated her like rubbish, more or less told her she was no use to him unless she could Change, does she tell him to shove it and they can accept her as she is? No, she just promises to try harder so she can please him. She seemed to wander around in a haze of blind faith and was disgustingly optomistic. Braden showed her no affection and no regard and yet she trailed after him like a lost puppy, in the end I just lost all respect for her. But I guess it worked for her in the end, she brought her man to heel, although why she would want him at that point is beyone me. To me, I don't think it was possible to fall in love with the character and I think she just fell in love with the thought of belonging and transferred it on to Braden, it is the only possible explanation, there quite simply was nothing worth falling in love with.
Okay this review has turned into a bit of a rant, which I didn't mean to do, but whilst reading this book I just got so annoyed and frustrated I had to get it out! This is the first book in the series and although I am mildly curious about Bradens brother and sister I am not sure I will read on.
As you can tell by my star rating I didn't like this book very much. It had nothing to do with the writing itself. Infact the writing was good, it flowed well and the dialogue was well written, in-keeping with the times and yet not so overly done that it make it impossible to decipher. The characters were also well drawn up, they each had distinct personalities and seemed real.
But, what I did not like, were the characters themselves, as well written as they were, I just couldn't stand them! Braden was cold and aloof and as far as I can see had no redeeming characteristics. He did nothing at all to warm myself to him throughout the entire book. He saw everyone around him as a pawn in his Cause, and if they were not useful they were cast aside or ignored, to the point where he cared only that his own brother and sister were married and had children whether they wanted to or not. Now I like the ruthless and tortured hero most the time, but generally they have something about them, some charisma that pulls you to them but for me Braden didn't have that. Until the last 10 or so pages he was a heartless bastard who showed Cassidy nothing of himself but lust.
As for Cassidy, well, she really bugged me as well. At first I didn't mind her naievte and innocense, but after a while, her bllinding inaility to look facts in the face annoyed me. Braden treated her like rubbish, more or less told her she was no use to him unless she could Change, does she tell him to shove it and they can accept her as she is? No, she just promises to try harder so she can please him. She seemed to wander around in a haze of blind faith and was disgustingly optomistic. Braden showed her no affection and no regard and yet she trailed after him like a lost puppy, in the end I just lost all respect for her. But I guess it worked for her in the end, she brought her man to heel, although why she would want him at that point is beyone me. To me, I don't think it was possible to fall in love with the character and I think she just fell in love with the thought of belonging and transferred it on to Braden, it is the only possible explanation, there quite simply was nothing worth falling in love with.
Okay this review has turned into a bit of a rant, which I didn't mean to do, but whilst reading this book I just got so annoyed and frustrated I had to get it out! This is the first book in the series and although I am mildly curious about Bradens brother and sister I am not sure I will read on.
June 9, 2010
Touch the Wolf was a really interesting historical novel with a werewolf twist. The characters were intriguing and well developed and the plot was fascinating, tinted with random surprises, and there was always a nail-biting ‘will they, won’t they’ moment. Braden Forster is a mixture of Rochester and Heathcliff with the usual werewolf elements, but Cassidy Holt is something else altogether. She is an orphan who was abandoned by her father and brother at an early age and soon after lost her mother too. Cassidy was then taken in by her father’s brother’s family who treated her with nothing but fear and disdain because she is loup-garou. After memorising a letter her mother wrote in her childhood about having kin in England that would help her through her transition she heads off in search for them to find out more about what it means to be loup-garou.
The novel begins with a prologue of when the Earl of Greyburn Braden Forster was a mere child. We are instantly introduced to the “Cause” – a form of arranged marriages to restore the purity of their loup-garou bloodline, something that the Earl lives his whole life by. By writing in the joint perspectives of Braden Forster and his distant cousin Cassidy Holt, we are provided with the perfect insight into two different views on the Cause and what being a werewolf in Victorian society is like. Braden Forster is adamant to uphold his grandfather’s wishes and when he stumbles across his long lost cousin, yes stumbles, he instantaneously assumes a position for her amongst his Cause. Braden decides that Cassidy, a beautiful, abrasive American will suit his reckless yet thoughtful brother Quentin. However, things don’t go according to plan once Braden begins developing his own feelings for his brothers chosen wife. A subplot within the novel is that of Quentin and Braden’s sister Lady Rowena and her own interpretations of what being a werewolf entails. It is an interesting to see the opinions of a whole array of characters, each with their own distinct views on the Cause.
The action within the novel arise when secrets from Braden’s past come to haunt him in the present in the form of the villainous Russian werewolf hell-bent on wreaking revenge on Braden and his family. I felt, however, that the action was too late coming. Susan Krinard spends so much time building the tension between Braden and Cassidy and maybe not enough time reflecting the tension between Braden and his enemies. The end was inevitable but I also expected more from Braden, still, the loose ends are tied up by the end. Although, as a paranormal romance, there aren’t many werewolf-y elements except Cassidy’s own transformation, for she has yet to have her first change. The novel upholds the loup-garou theme as a way of understanding the characters and the reasons why they do the things they do, more romance then paranormal but still something worth reading.
The novel begins with a prologue of when the Earl of Greyburn Braden Forster was a mere child. We are instantly introduced to the “Cause” – a form of arranged marriages to restore the purity of their loup-garou bloodline, something that the Earl lives his whole life by. By writing in the joint perspectives of Braden Forster and his distant cousin Cassidy Holt, we are provided with the perfect insight into two different views on the Cause and what being a werewolf in Victorian society is like. Braden Forster is adamant to uphold his grandfather’s wishes and when he stumbles across his long lost cousin, yes stumbles, he instantaneously assumes a position for her amongst his Cause. Braden decides that Cassidy, a beautiful, abrasive American will suit his reckless yet thoughtful brother Quentin. However, things don’t go according to plan once Braden begins developing his own feelings for his brothers chosen wife. A subplot within the novel is that of Quentin and Braden’s sister Lady Rowena and her own interpretations of what being a werewolf entails. It is an interesting to see the opinions of a whole array of characters, each with their own distinct views on the Cause.
The action within the novel arise when secrets from Braden’s past come to haunt him in the present in the form of the villainous Russian werewolf hell-bent on wreaking revenge on Braden and his family. I felt, however, that the action was too late coming. Susan Krinard spends so much time building the tension between Braden and Cassidy and maybe not enough time reflecting the tension between Braden and his enemies. The end was inevitable but I also expected more from Braden, still, the loose ends are tied up by the end. Although, as a paranormal romance, there aren’t many werewolf-y elements except Cassidy’s own transformation, for she has yet to have her first change. The novel upholds the loup-garou theme as a way of understanding the characters and the reasons why they do the things they do, more romance then paranormal but still something worth reading.
November 14, 2011
Alright. I had a reaaaaaallllly hard time getting through the first few chapters, because 1) I was very confused and 2) it seemed to drag on and on, even though it was quick paced. The reason why I was confused was because I skipped the prologue (which I always do), but then I realized I actually have to read it this time and I did and it cleared EVERYTHING up. Thank goodness. Perhaps I would've been more into the first few chapters if I had read the prologue first. I guess there is a good message for all of us prologue-skippers....
Anyways, once I got past the prologue and the first few chapters, I was sitting pretty. I could hardly put the book down! The characters and the plot were intriguing and interesting. I wanted to know what was going to happen next and what the character's futures were. Each character felt real and had real human/werewolfy flaws. I may not have liked every character, but by the end of the novel I understood why they were the way they were. I also loved the fact that the author had Braden (the main dude) be blind. I'm not saying that being blind is a good thing, but I do get really tired of perfect characters and having a blind hero is a risky step to take and I applaud Susan Krinard!
The Cause caused a lot of pain and hurt to all the characters, especially Braden. The Cause was Braden's whole life and he was addicted to being the leader of this movement to preserve the werewolf bloodlines. I loved how Susan Krinard created this "Cause" and intertwined it into the story. It created a lot of hurdles for our two lovebirds and even for the other characters. The Cause, in my mind, was a double-edged sword, because it was saving the werewolf bloodlines, but it was also forcing people into marriages and tearing the Forster family apart.
Besides for the beginning, there was one more thing I didn't like: Throughout the book I felt....confused and baffled. I can't really say why, because I don't want to spoil the book, but there were many rumors flying around about Braden and his late wife...I know that Susan Krinard wanted the reader to feel unsure of the truth and whether or not Braden was a bad guy or good guy. However, the truth flipped flopped so much that by the end I wasn't even sure if the "final" truth WOULD be the FINAL truth. It's really hard to explain, but I tried.
All-in-all, I really liked this book. It was a fun read and it featured my favorite paranormal being: the werewolf. I guess you can call me a werewolf gal. It is the first of the series and I do plan to read the others sometime in the future. I recommend this to those who love a good Historical Romance and Paranormal mix. Out of five stars, I grant this one 4 stars. In all reality it would be 3.6, but I don't give decimals so I rounded.
Anyways, once I got past the prologue and the first few chapters, I was sitting pretty. I could hardly put the book down! The characters and the plot were intriguing and interesting. I wanted to know what was going to happen next and what the character's futures were. Each character felt real and had real human/werewolfy flaws. I may not have liked every character, but by the end of the novel I understood why they were the way they were. I also loved the fact that the author had Braden (the main dude) be blind. I'm not saying that being blind is a good thing, but I do get really tired of perfect characters and having a blind hero is a risky step to take and I applaud Susan Krinard!
The Cause caused a lot of pain and hurt to all the characters, especially Braden. The Cause was Braden's whole life and he was addicted to being the leader of this movement to preserve the werewolf bloodlines. I loved how Susan Krinard created this "Cause" and intertwined it into the story. It created a lot of hurdles for our two lovebirds and even for the other characters. The Cause, in my mind, was a double-edged sword, because it was saving the werewolf bloodlines, but it was also forcing people into marriages and tearing the Forster family apart.
Besides for the beginning, there was one more thing I didn't like: Throughout the book I felt....confused and baffled. I can't really say why, because I don't want to spoil the book, but there were many rumors flying around about Braden and his late wife...I know that Susan Krinard wanted the reader to feel unsure of the truth and whether or not Braden was a bad guy or good guy. However, the truth flipped flopped so much that by the end I wasn't even sure if the "final" truth WOULD be the FINAL truth. It's really hard to explain, but I tried.
All-in-all, I really liked this book. It was a fun read and it featured my favorite paranormal being: the werewolf. I guess you can call me a werewolf gal. It is the first of the series and I do plan to read the others sometime in the future. I recommend this to those who love a good Historical Romance and Paranormal mix. Out of five stars, I grant this one 4 stars. In all reality it would be 3.6, but I don't give decimals so I rounded.
September 22, 2010
I enjoyed this one, though Braden is not a very attractive hero from my point of view, staying stubbornly (and stupidly) wrong-headed, and even cruel, until the very end. But I was fascinated by the story and Cassidy convinces me that she sees something in him to love, and of course he is redeemed at the end.
February 15, 2015
Finished this one last night, and loved it, even though I could have taken the hero and shaken him till his teeth rattled, several times throughout the story!! Understood why he did the things he did, but made me no less provoked with him! Looking forward to reading the rest of the series and would recommend this book to anyone who is into Paranormal Romance featuring werewolves.
January 30, 2013
Loved it!!!
Full review coming soon!!!
Full review coming soon!!!
March 16, 2014
Interesante, aunque en algunos momentos la prosa se hace un poco pesada...
July 2, 2017
A decent read but terrible typos
I enjoyed this shifter romance but reading it was punctuated by frequent winces over the dreadful amount of spelling and grammatical errors. Words were not just misspelled but were replaced with other words, as if the computer did it automatically and no-one ever read back to edit it. The are almost no apostrophes, especially possessive apostrophes, which are taught as part of the curriculum to eight year olds. Such a shame that a professional writer has been let down by sloppy editing.
I enjoyed this shifter romance but reading it was punctuated by frequent winces over the dreadful amount of spelling and grammatical errors. Words were not just misspelled but were replaced with other words, as if the computer did it automatically and no-one ever read back to edit it. The are almost no apostrophes, especially possessive apostrophes, which are taught as part of the curriculum to eight year olds. Such a shame that a professional writer has been let down by sloppy editing.
July 25, 2019
Mientras avanzaba me iba formando historias sobre lo que pasaría a continuación, pero todo estuvo tan alejado de mi imaginación. Pasaron cosas que no me esperaba, algunas fueron predecibles otras no, pero en general la historia me gustó mucho, fresca y fácil de leer. Una vez que le agarré sabor no pude parar hasta terminarlo. Es un libro que leería nuevamente y lo recomiendo. Y la verdad sí entendí el por qué de su nombre....
January 29, 2022
Didn’t care for the characters. Cassidy’s “innocence” was over the top and Braden’s obsession with “the Cause” spurred him to alienate everyone close to him. Great hero. Maybe it was because I didn’t care much for their love story, but man, this one dragged on forever and would have benefited from the removal of about 100 pages or so.
January 1, 2024
I can't possibly give this unbiased rating since it's a book I absolutely adored when I read it back in the 1990s, but, friends, it does not hold up. Sometimes going back to your nostalgia reads is like cuddling under a warm comforter, and sometimes it's like questionable depictions of disability and moderately horrifying obsessions with blood purity.
July 10, 2017
I read this book in high school, and purely based on the writing itself I would have rated it lower but I have told so many people about it that it gets 5 stars. It is memorable and I am so glad that I read it. I also found certain elements hilarious, though I could see finding them cringeworthy.
May 3, 2020
The last 10% of this novel redeems it for me; otherwise, it was the story of a jerk pursuing a barely of-age or of-maturity woman. The second novel has much more interesting characters - one of the stars was purely for their minor appearances in this first book of the series.
July 5, 2022
DNF @ 19%
This has been on my TBR for over a year, and I really wanted to like it - but at 19% I could not stand the MC or his demeanour, and the FMC is young and naive which is not something that interests me in my heroines.
This has been on my TBR for over a year, and I really wanted to like it - but at 19% I could not stand the MC or his demeanour, and the FMC is young and naive which is not something that interests me in my heroines.
February 19, 2019
Me gustó mucho el libro. Lo leí rapidísimo porque al final ya me había atrapado, quería descubrir toda la verdad.
December 27, 2022
3.5....the only Cause....is Love!!!
barf. so cheesy. plus his obsession with the Cause is fanatical. overall a funny cross over of hist romance and pnr.
barf. so cheesy. plus his obsession with the Cause is fanatical. overall a funny cross over of hist romance and pnr.
June 20, 2023
Read this series after I had my first baby. Got me through some seriously long nights and early mornings.
Super entertaining and totally enjoyed the series:)
December 11, 2020
Braden Forster, Earl of Grayburn, was brought up with one mission in life - to restore the purity of werewolf blood. That meant no more marrying humans, arranged marriages for the sole purposes of restoring the bloodlines, and other single-minded pursuits. Braden's own arranged marriage ended in disaster. He will lead the charge but he will never marry again. Into his staid, ordered life tumbles a completely unexpected person in the form of his American cousin, Cassidy Holt. Everyone assumed she was dead. Not only isn't she dead but she wants to be the ideal werewolf just like Braden. Only one small problem. She has no idea how to change into a werewolf. She can feel the wolf under her skin but she doesn't know how to let it out. Braden finds Cassidy's joy infectious so he immediately decides she would be a good mate for his brother. Cassidy decides to show Braden that she is really meant for him. This is a meaty story with rich characters and a slowly, sometimes too slowly, developing plot. But it was worth it to watch Braden realize the truth about himself, his first marriage, his son, and Cassidy.
February 19, 2017
Cassidy, the heroine, is (a) extremely stupid and (b) named Cassidy. Braden, the hero, is (a) named Braden and (b) a huge jackass. This is one of those old school romances where the heroine transforms the hero and the world around them by virtue of her simple good nature. Krinard is a good writer so the book was absorbing, but pretty much every element of the story was a cliche, and she never really overcame them. Additionally
August 14, 2025
Since the death of her Mother, Cassidy has always longed for a place to belong. Living among her human family- people who obviously hated her for what she was- she knew she would never find that place. So she saved up and embarked on a ship to England, seeking her werewolf brethren. And she finds them. The strong, hansom and intimidating Earl immediately takes her in when he realizes whom she is and she feels for the first time, she might have found her home.
Braden has devoted his life to the Cause, the continuation of the werewolf race. He’s done this at the cost of the love of his family and the loss of his eye sight. However, here before him is a fragile, innocent girl who is the key to his legacy. Immediately he designs the plan to have her married off to his brother and despite his feelings towards her, he refuses to stray from his goal. He does not tell her what a vital rule she is to play to the Cause, but she is eager to please and has obviously grown attached to him. He tries to mold her into what he needs her to be and despite his own growing affections towards the girl, he is steadfast.
However, as time proceeds and it becomes clear that he can no longer deny his feelings, he risks losing her if he stays as cold and ruthless as he is. Cassidy may be innocent and trusting but she is also pure of conscious and lets no man or woman sway her from doing what is right.
I struggled with this book and it’s conflicting messages. First off, the hero and heroine are cousins. I totally get that this was common practice in the time where the novel takes place, but still it’s off putting as it’s never addressed. Second off, the heroine’s kind hearted manner is constantly taken advantage off and how the hero treated her throughout the book was deplorable. Regardless of his affections towards her and his inevitable change of heart towards the end, I still could not find it in my heart to forgive him. I very much wished that at the end, Cassidy would realize her own worth and leave Braden for good. I hated to see her kindness and her purity wasted on a man who cares for nothing but his own ambitions. And just because he turned against them in order to keep her for himself, I always felt he didn’t deserve her. That being said, it was a well written book and I enjoy it.
Braden has devoted his life to the Cause, the continuation of the werewolf race. He’s done this at the cost of the love of his family and the loss of his eye sight. However, here before him is a fragile, innocent girl who is the key to his legacy. Immediately he designs the plan to have her married off to his brother and despite his feelings towards her, he refuses to stray from his goal. He does not tell her what a vital rule she is to play to the Cause, but she is eager to please and has obviously grown attached to him. He tries to mold her into what he needs her to be and despite his own growing affections towards the girl, he is steadfast.
However, as time proceeds and it becomes clear that he can no longer deny his feelings, he risks losing her if he stays as cold and ruthless as he is. Cassidy may be innocent and trusting but she is also pure of conscious and lets no man or woman sway her from doing what is right.
I struggled with this book and it’s conflicting messages. First off, the hero and heroine are cousins. I totally get that this was common practice in the time where the novel takes place, but still it’s off putting as it’s never addressed. Second off, the heroine’s kind hearted manner is constantly taken advantage off and how the hero treated her throughout the book was deplorable. Regardless of his affections towards her and his inevitable change of heart towards the end, I still could not find it in my heart to forgive him. I very much wished that at the end, Cassidy would realize her own worth and leave Braden for good. I hated to see her kindness and her purity wasted on a man who cares for nothing but his own ambitions. And just because he turned against them in order to keep her for himself, I always felt he didn’t deserve her. That being said, it was a well written book and I enjoy it.
March 22, 2011
I was first drawn to the idea of a historical romance novel with werewolves. I had never read one and was excited to read Touch of the Wolf. It begins with glimpses of both Cassidy and Braden's childhoods. Cassidy is a young child, and living on her own after her mother passes away, until her uncle comes to get her and take her to his home in New Mexico. Braden is his grandfather's protege and helps his younger brother Quentin avoid harsh punishment for playing a trick on a guest. Both situations show the true core of each characters, Cassidy is tough and Braden is altruistic. Many years later Braden has turned into an intimidating man who only thinks of the Cause. Cassidy is an innocent sweet tempered girl who is excited to be among family where she feels she "belongs". The story started quickly and Cassidy meets Braden immediately after arriving in London. After they arrive at Greyburn, Braden's estate, the story slows down considerably. I wished there had been more dialogue, it would've made the story more enjoyable to read. The romance between the two characters started quickly but reached a plateau in the middle of the story. Braden's characters was interesting to read, he has been blind for 3 years and I couldn't wait to hear about what had happened during the accident. The ending was really sweet and left me with a good impression of the book even after the tedious chunk in the middle.
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September 12, 2010Interesting plot idea with the Werewolf supremacy theory! I really enjoyed the 19th Century setting and the pretense of the "country lord". However, the characters weren't even the slightest bit realistic - they were quit flat and one-dimensional. And honestly, when a guy thinks he's impotent, one sentence from a pretty bird isn't going to convince him that he isn't. I personally prefer Lord Maccon's reaction in Changeless, because that's how you would react if a truth you've come to grips with is turned on its head.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2011
Read this on my Kindle and there were a TON of typos, mostly along the lines of missing apostrophies and transposed letters (i,e, "l" for "t" and "r" for "n"). Just a warning to anyone getting that version.
That said, the story was wonderful. This book made me a fan of Krinard's. I'm getting ready to read the first in another of her series, The Forest Lord. Looking forward to it:) From TOTW I can see that Krinard has a great imagination, a beautiful way of smithing her words, and a knack for delving deep into character.
That said, the story was wonderful. This book made me a fan of Krinard's. I'm getting ready to read the first in another of her series, The Forest Lord. Looking forward to it:) From TOTW I can see that Krinard has a great imagination, a beautiful way of smithing her words, and a knack for delving deep into character.
June 3, 2011
hmm kinda longer and more detailed than i expected but not terrible. i guess that doesnt mean good but thats all i can say. it was a good story, lots going on with him being blind and her loving him and then even when they were married he was not good to her it was only b/c of her undying love blah blah blah that he got over his past and was able to be happy with her and their unborn child blahh. in the epilogue, his siblings still dont forgive him, sad. anyway yeah, not bad. but...not good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2012
I loved a lot of the characters in this book. But some parts were just annoying. Braden was uptight and annoying. Cassidy was naive and deluded. While reading this book I don't know why but it felt like Rowena was in love with Braden's dead wife. I mean she was always talking about her. She even had a huge portrait of her. I mean seriously it was kind of creepy. Overall not bad but I read much better.
May 10, 2014
I really dislike stories where the "love interest" is a complete and total a>>hole until he falls in lust with the main character and then he realizes the errors of his ways and changes his personality to suit her. Bleh! I have so many (divorced) friends who said before their wedding, "I just know I can change him".
*rolls eyes*
Doesn't work that way. And while I realize that paranormal romances are not intended to be realistic, this is just something that bugs the heck out of me.
*rolls eyes*
Doesn't work that way. And while I realize that paranormal romances are not intended to be realistic, this is just something that bugs the heck out of me.
April 24, 2015
a great start to a new series. Braden is the Earl of Greyburn and he needs to find another pure wolf bloodline to carry on his line. But Cassidy whi he thought last forever has returned but he can't be with her as he is meant to wd another. Can Braden let her go or will he fight for her even though it could destroy his line.
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