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Historical Werewolf #2
Once a Wolf
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.
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.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 5, 2000
5 people are currently reading
526 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 21, 2009
This was a worthwhile read, but I was torn on the rating. Is it more of a 3-3.5 star book, or a 4 star book? It really is too good to be a 3 star book, although I found the narrative a bit withdrawn at times.
I think there could definitely be a little more dialogue, as this story is heavy on description. Yet at the same time, the story is beautifully-told, showing the wonder of the Southwest, barren at first look, but teaming with life and joy underneath. I was immersed in the simple world of the people of New Mexico, literally tasting their spicy delicious food, hearing the engaging music, and enjoying hearing them speak Spanish in my mind as I read.
The characters in this story are very complex. Each one fights an internal struggle against what she/he truly is, against the monster seemingly lurking inside.
Rowena is an English lady (transplated to New York Knickerbocker society when this story begins) who has determined that she will deny her inner wolf, at great cost to herself. She despises her wolf-nature, and has wrapped herself in an almost impenetrable layer of ice and formidable self-control. She has accepted the arranged marriage that she originally rebelled and fought against, to Cole MacLean, a Texan of great influence, with a sinister reputation that she has tried to ignore. He is the only man who she feels that she can marry. He knows of her wolf, because he has one, and he won the battle over the wolf. She feels she can be his wife, have his children, and never lose control.
However, Rowena is forced in the middle of an ages-long feud between the MacLean and Randall families (going all the way back to Scotland). Tomas Randall is the only survivor of the Randall family and he has become a bandit and outlaw who goes by the name of El Lobo. He tricks Rowena into coming West and essentially kidnaps her, to taunt his blood enemy, Cole MacLean into coming after her so he can get justice for the murder of his mother and father. Part of his vengeance is seducing the icy lady into his bed. Tomas is an appealing hero of depth, with a passionate, fun-loving nature, but also an intensity that makes him an intriguing hero. I never felt like he was the bad guy, although he has no problem seeing himself that way or allowing Rowena to believe he is a bad man.
Rowena finds that Tomas does bring to life the Lady of Fire (as Tomas calls her). She finds it harder and harder to suppress the inner wolf, as Tomas temps and seduces her, but also inspires her loyalty to his cause, and respect for how he takes care of the simple people who have been cheated and uprooted by her conscienceless fiance.
Other complex characters in this story are Weylin, Cole's brother who believes in justice as much as Cole believes that might makes right, Sim Kavanugh, who is Tomas right-hand man, and hates woman, particularly resenting Rowena for making Tomas soft, and the young, gifted Esperanza, who can see into the heart of a person and tell them what their inner desires are.
This book did weave a spell around me. I wanted to finish it, and I enjoyed reading it. However, it was a little wordy at times in its descriptions. However, I loved how she described the characters Changing. I am a big werewolf fiction fan, so I was transfixed by the elemental beauty of the Change as described in this book. I felt sympathy for the characters who denied this very essential part of their nature, but could easily see why Tomas loved and embraced his inner wolf.
Once a Wolf has some beautiful moments to offer me as a reader. It was also a very fine western. I felt a little disappointed at a very important flaw in Tomas' nature that comes to light towards the end, but as in life, no one is perfect and we don't always handle tragedy and adversity as well as we should. As for Rowena, I liked her from the beginning, and my admiration only grew over the course of ths story. It was a wonderful evolution in her character as she learned to embrace the wolf that was part of her essential strength.
Although Once a Wolf is the second in a series, you do not have to read it's predecessor, Touch of the Wolf, first as it really doesn't add anything essential to enjoying this story on its own. This book is a recommended read for those who enjoy werewolf romance and westerns, and a strong, but not annoying or overcompensating heroine. I will definitely read more of Ms. Krinard's books.
I think there could definitely be a little more dialogue, as this story is heavy on description. Yet at the same time, the story is beautifully-told, showing the wonder of the Southwest, barren at first look, but teaming with life and joy underneath. I was immersed in the simple world of the people of New Mexico, literally tasting their spicy delicious food, hearing the engaging music, and enjoying hearing them speak Spanish in my mind as I read.
The characters in this story are very complex. Each one fights an internal struggle against what she/he truly is, against the monster seemingly lurking inside.
Rowena is an English lady (transplated to New York Knickerbocker society when this story begins) who has determined that she will deny her inner wolf, at great cost to herself. She despises her wolf-nature, and has wrapped herself in an almost impenetrable layer of ice and formidable self-control. She has accepted the arranged marriage that she originally rebelled and fought against, to Cole MacLean, a Texan of great influence, with a sinister reputation that she has tried to ignore. He is the only man who she feels that she can marry. He knows of her wolf, because he has one, and he won the battle over the wolf. She feels she can be his wife, have his children, and never lose control.
However, Rowena is forced in the middle of an ages-long feud between the MacLean and Randall families (going all the way back to Scotland). Tomas Randall is the only survivor of the Randall family and he has become a bandit and outlaw who goes by the name of El Lobo. He tricks Rowena into coming West and essentially kidnaps her, to taunt his blood enemy, Cole MacLean into coming after her so he can get justice for the murder of his mother and father. Part of his vengeance is seducing the icy lady into his bed. Tomas is an appealing hero of depth, with a passionate, fun-loving nature, but also an intensity that makes him an intriguing hero. I never felt like he was the bad guy, although he has no problem seeing himself that way or allowing Rowena to believe he is a bad man.
Rowena finds that Tomas does bring to life the Lady of Fire (as Tomas calls her). She finds it harder and harder to suppress the inner wolf, as Tomas temps and seduces her, but also inspires her loyalty to his cause, and respect for how he takes care of the simple people who have been cheated and uprooted by her conscienceless fiance.
Other complex characters in this story are Weylin, Cole's brother who believes in justice as much as Cole believes that might makes right, Sim Kavanugh, who is Tomas right-hand man, and hates woman, particularly resenting Rowena for making Tomas soft, and the young, gifted Esperanza, who can see into the heart of a person and tell them what their inner desires are.
This book did weave a spell around me. I wanted to finish it, and I enjoyed reading it. However, it was a little wordy at times in its descriptions. However, I loved how she described the characters Changing. I am a big werewolf fiction fan, so I was transfixed by the elemental beauty of the Change as described in this book. I felt sympathy for the characters who denied this very essential part of their nature, but could easily see why Tomas loved and embraced his inner wolf.
Once a Wolf has some beautiful moments to offer me as a reader. It was also a very fine western. I felt a little disappointed at a very important flaw in Tomas' nature that comes to light towards the end, but as in life, no one is perfect and we don't always handle tragedy and adversity as well as we should. As for Rowena, I liked her from the beginning, and my admiration only grew over the course of ths story. It was a wonderful evolution in her character as she learned to embrace the wolf that was part of her essential strength.
Although Once a Wolf is the second in a series, you do not have to read it's predecessor, Touch of the Wolf, first as it really doesn't add anything essential to enjoying this story on its own. This book is a recommended read for those who enjoy werewolf romance and westerns, and a strong, but not annoying or overcompensating heroine. I will definitely read more of Ms. Krinard's books.
May 29, 2018
A historical romance with werewolves is perfect for something different. Lady Rowena Forster is a strong protagonist. This is definitely character driven. It's a great romance that sizzles with Rowena and Tomas even under the unusual circumstances.
Read
January 6, 2021a bit excessively wordy, and some of the speeches were just unrealistic. people wouldnt say that.
June 3, 2021
Kind of slow in places. Over all a good book.
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:)
February 18, 2017
I've read the first book and the fourth book (don't ask how I did that...I can't read apparently) and I've been meaning to read this for a while now. I was worried because I didn't really care for or understand Rowena in book one. However, I finally got myself to read it.
Rowena was better, but I still didn't understand her or really like. I did, however, pity her and feel bad for her. Even though she ran away to America to escape Cole, she still ended up getting engaged to him. Cole is a bad man and very manipulative. She got lucky El Lobo, Tomas, kidnapped her or she would've been stuck in a miserable life with an emotionally abusive man.
Buuuut Tomas is not precisely the best of men....he's a rogue, desperado, and has a dark family history. However, at least he's way better. However, it's not an easy romance since he did kidnap her and all. Sure there was some lust...but the love took FOREVER. Which I'm glad.
The beginning was really good and the ending had me on the edge of my seat. There was a huge LULL in the middle. I almost gave up, but I pushed through and it was totally worth it. I had no idea how everything was going to be okay and get fixed. It seemed impossible. I did guess the twist, but I had no idea how that was going to be revealed and how it was going to go down.
Some honesty? I actually liked Esperanza's and Weylin's point of views better. They are really interesting characters and I want to learn more and follow their stories. Sim was interesting too, but I hated him even at the end.
In the end, this was okay. Not as good as the first book. It was an interesting love story. I am curious to read the next one in the series since it is about the other brother. I'll give this 3 stars.
Rowena was better, but I still didn't understand her or really like. I did, however, pity her and feel bad for her. Even though she ran away to America to escape Cole, she still ended up getting engaged to him. Cole is a bad man and very manipulative. She got lucky El Lobo, Tomas, kidnapped her or she would've been stuck in a miserable life with an emotionally abusive man.
Buuuut Tomas is not precisely the best of men....he's a rogue, desperado, and has a dark family history. However, at least he's way better. However, it's not an easy romance since he did kidnap her and all. Sure there was some lust...but the love took FOREVER. Which I'm glad.
The beginning was really good and the ending had me on the edge of my seat. There was a huge LULL in the middle. I almost gave up, but I pushed through and it was totally worth it. I had no idea how everything was going to be okay and get fixed. It seemed impossible. I did guess the twist, but I had no idea how that was going to be revealed and how it was going to go down.
Some honesty? I actually liked Esperanza's and Weylin's point of views better. They are really interesting characters and I want to learn more and follow their stories. Sim was interesting too, but I hated him even at the end.
In the end, this was okay. Not as good as the first book. It was an interesting love story. I am curious to read the next one in the series since it is about the other brother. I'll give this 3 stars.
November 26, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. You never knew what was going to happen next. This is the first book in this series I've read, and I'll definitely want to read the others. I liked the characters and self-discovery/acknowledgement. There were moments I wanted to punch a character and others when I wanted to just smack one of them up-side the head. I was exasperated and emphasized with a lot of the things brought up and left wondering what's going to happen with all the others. Poor Sim, he's got a really rough deal. Yay and Good for you Esperanza. Took Rowena long enough to figure herself out though, talk about a thick skull, same with Tomas though, so they're good together. The ending was sweet and a little sad, but sets it up for the next book. Cole didn't to deserve what he got, he needed something meaner, but I guess we're supposed to be merciful. Poor Weylin though, tough luck but for the better I say. There's lots of growing and learning, and plenty of stubbornness. I would enjoy reading this book again, and it's great for a rainy-day, cuddle-up read with a little suspense thrown in. Enjoy
September 11, 2010
Being a second book a series is always a tough call but I don't think this book really disappointed. Hope was one of my favourite characters, adding some sort of much-needed zing to an otherwise average plot - considering it consisted of the main character being shuffled to and from a "secret" location. I found it easily predictable, and the few plot twists that were apparent seemed to be in the last chapter alone. Rowena was quite lively, as was Tomas, but the whole situation was so cliche that it was easy to ignore the improvements Krinard made in her character development. I still intend on finishing the rest of the series, mainly because Quentin, the third sibling of the Forster family, is quite loveable.
March 7, 2015
Ok, so now I am completely hooked on this series! I enjoyed the first book, but this one I totally loved! A very cool twist, the capabilities of a secondary character...made the story totally come together, and the ending tidbit just blew me away! I am starting the third book right away! Highly recommend this series to anyone who likes paranormal romance/werewolf love stories! Once again I feel the need to reiterate...I read for pleasure people, so don't feel the need to pick a book apart, and review in detail. If you want to know the story, read it for yourself! I would add that, even though I've only read the first two books, there is a connection, and I think the books should be read in order to get the most out of them.
January 19, 2010
#2 in the Forster sagas but not quite as good as #1 (TOUCH OF THE WOLF). Plot dragged at times but it did develop more of Rowena's character. The story's conclusion left loose ends and wasn't tight enough IMHO, but still an interesting read. Gave it 4 stars because the author did an excellent job describing the scenery the New Mexico territory during the time of the "old west".
March 16, 2014
Mucho más interesante que el primero, quizá porque transcurre en el salvaje oeste americano y el protagonista es un bandido y ladrón de ganado. La evolución de Rowena ha sido intensa, y Tomás... uno de esos protagonistas que te atrapan sin remedio, duro y tierno a la vez.
March 19, 2016
A good story. I enjoyed reading a story that takes place in the south west. It was different than the typical settings. This book was a little long....by the time I finished, I was ready to be done.
February 17, 2008
Tomas, El Lobo, abducts Lady Rowena for revenge on her fiance, and awakens her werewolf nature.
Pretty good book.
Pretty good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2010
Okay this is the 2nd book in this series I've tried and I can't do anymore. Done.
May 6, 2010
I read this several years ago and I remember enjoying it. I'm not sure I'd be as impressed with it now.
April 27, 2011
3.5 stars
May 6, 2011
Old west and shapeshifters...still...misses just a tad.
June 9, 2011
pretty good. I am not much in to romance novels, but I found this book enjoyable.
January 31, 2012
It was a great read. I liked the 1st book also, can't wait to read the 3rd.
January 5, 2016
This is my favorite Susan Krinard novel. I love the story and characters. Krinard's Historical Werewolf series are always a great read. I have reread this book and will continue to reread it.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews