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Historical Werewolf #4
To Catch A Wolf
When crippled Denver socialite Athena Munroe sees werewolf Morgan Holt in a traveling circus, she will have to fight tooth and nail to keep her passion for him at bay-or discover her own extraordinary destiny...
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 2, 2003
3 people are currently reading
487 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 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 12, 2017
This is the fourth book in the Historical Wolf series by Susan Krinard. However, you can read this as solo book, because it has nothing to do with past books. I personally haven't read #2 and #3 yet, so worry not.
Well, I'm going to divide and conquer this review:
The Good
-I simply love that Susan Krinard likes to use handicapped heroes and heroines I especially loved this one, because Athena was bound to a chair.
-I loved all the side stories, they didn't overwhelm the main story, but it added to it.
-I loved how there wasn't really a "bad guy" in this one. Everyone has done good things and bad things. Neill, Athena's brother, may have been a jerk in a lot of instances, but it didn't make him a baddie.
-The whole circus thing was pretty cool. I've never read a book where the majority of the cast was from the circus.
The Bad and the Ugly
-Mmmmm, I hate to say this, but it was rather boring. Yes, there was a lot of drama going on, but it was just.....gah.
-The ending was SO unrealistic and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at it. Yes, it was suppose to be the big reveal and everything was suppose to come together and shock the reader, buuuuutttt.....mmm.
-Athena annoyed me. Yes, she was stuck in a chair but her self-pity really grated my nerves.
-Morgan....mmmm......that is all.
my face when Morgan opened his mouth
The Conclusion
All in all, this book was okay. It fed my werewolf need, so I'm content. It wasn't as good as the first book, but it was entertaining. I defiantly want to read the other books in this series. Susan Krinard is a good author and I enjoy how well she blends fantasy and historical together. I would recommend this to those that love werewolfs, historical romances, and circus people. Out of five stars I stamp this novel with 3 stars. It is more like 2.5 but I don't give decimals so I round.
Favorite Character(s): Caitilin, Ulysses, Athena (at the end), and Harry.
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Athena (at the beginning), Morgan, Neill, Cecily (stupid girl), and Tamar
Well, I'm going to divide and conquer this review:
The Good
-I simply love that Susan Krinard likes to use handicapped heroes and heroines I especially loved this one, because Athena was bound to a chair.
-I loved all the side stories, they didn't overwhelm the main story, but it added to it.
-I loved how there wasn't really a "bad guy" in this one. Everyone has done good things and bad things. Neill, Athena's brother, may have been a jerk in a lot of instances, but it didn't make him a baddie.
-The whole circus thing was pretty cool. I've never read a book where the majority of the cast was from the circus.
The Bad and the Ugly
-Mmmmm, I hate to say this, but it was rather boring. Yes, there was a lot of drama going on, but it was just.....gah.
-The ending was SO unrealistic and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at it. Yes, it was suppose to be the big reveal and everything was suppose to come together and shock the reader, buuuuutttt.....mmm.
-Athena annoyed me. Yes, she was stuck in a chair but her self-pity really grated my nerves.
-Morgan....mmmm......that is all.
my face when Morgan opened his mouth
The Conclusion
All in all, this book was okay. It fed my werewolf need, so I'm content. It wasn't as good as the first book, but it was entertaining. I defiantly want to read the other books in this series. Susan Krinard is a good author and I enjoy how well she blends fantasy and historical together. I would recommend this to those that love werewolfs, historical romances, and circus people. Out of five stars I stamp this novel with 3 stars. It is more like 2.5 but I don't give decimals so I round.
Favorite Character(s): Caitilin, Ulysses, Athena (at the end), and Harry.
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Athena (at the beginning), Morgan, Neill, Cecily (stupid girl), and Tamar
January 10, 2021
Ablism aside, this book is full of sloppy writing. It's formulaic, and despite having werewolves, disabled people and a circus, it's not very original. The characters with the most dimension were minor characters. And it uses the antiquated, ablist trope that disabled people cannot become fully formed characters that have a life until they become non-disabled. Athena was apparently not capable of love or being loved or having an adventure until she became magically non-disabled, which is not at all a reflection of reality. BTW, is there some script romance writers use to describe sex scenes? It's always the same language, same descriptions, same attempt at being poetic but failing. Some romance novels are worth the time, this one is not one of those.
July 2, 2024
I wish the wolves ate everyone, I couldn't get past chapter two it was so boring (also the female mc is in a wheelchair, which obviously means she can't have a love interest and is totally useless until she magically becomes non-disabled(that's what I heard, this book was so boring I don't even care to fact check it))
August 27, 2022
Athena has been devoted to charitable work since her crippling accident. Her brother Niall has allowed her access to her fortune for this work. Morgan has joined the circus after the troupe rescued him. Can a two mentally scarred werewolves learn to Change in so many ways?
August 15, 2017
dragged on a bit at the end.
September 23, 2018
Lots of sadness.
November 12, 2020
me habría gustado leer más sobre Caitlin y Liam... el libro me encantó
May 18, 2021
Enjoyed getting to know Athena and Morgan. Loved meeting Harry, Ulysses, and Kate. A very non typical romance story, with lots of twists and turns.
June 23, 2023
Great series
Really enjoyed it
Really enjoyed it
August 14, 2025
A loner to the core and phsyically uncomfortable while in the presence of others, we meet our hero Morgan
when he's been shot and lies dying in the wilderness. He is saved by a traveling circus band, much to his dismay.
The idea of recieving help from these people fills him with dread because he knows it comes with strings
and a debt, another debt which he doesn't want. Soon he finds himself guilted and chained into paying of said debt
by performing in the circus as a Wolf-Man.
The heroine, Athena Munroe, also feels emprisoned but in a different mannor. She's lost her freedom not
because of debt but because of her handicap and her guilt over being a burden to her brother. She spends
her days doing everything in her power to be usefull and hold back the idea that anyone should find any
weakness in her.
When trajety strikes the cirus, their two worlds meet. The loner who wants nothing at all to do human contact
and the steadfast women looking to find anything that makes her feel whole, meet. The attraction between them
is immediate and intense. More so than phsyical but instead like two sides of the same coin. In just one interaction,
the hero shows this stranger more of himself then he has in years. And the heroine shows more of her secret
struggle against her ivory cage. Together, the sparks between them immediately becomes the focus of the people in their lives.
Morgan's suitor, Athena's brother. Both are less then pleased by what they see. Yet the growing bond between them tethers
even more when an accident occures and Morgan's is forced to reveal his Change in order to save the heroine's life.
Instead of horror, the heroine instead confides that she too had experienced the Changed. Before her accident
that is. The sympathy and sentiment Morgan feels towards this couragous yet tormented soul is only deepend by
the realization that she had experience the freedom of running as a wolf before it was taken from her. And he
sees his mirror in the body of a weathly and well to do debutaunt.
However it doesn't come as a surprise to either of them that the first instinct is that whatever may lie between them
can never come to anything. Yet, what they can do and unwittingly, is start to break down each others respective walls.
Slowly the heroine becomes more intouch with the wolf inside she thought long smothered by blanket of responsibility
and regret. And the hero becomes more open to feeling something, anything, for the people around him. Respect, loyality
and a sense of home.
Everything stands between them and while the odds seem utterly imsurmountable, somehow, love will find a way. And it's through
understanding and actually listening to their hearts and each other. Athena can finally see that all the things that caged her,
her brother, her regret and her urge to impress can all be brought down. I admired her will and her level headed rationality
because it was almost expected for a heroine of a romance novel to surrender everything for love. And she didn't do that.
She realized that she couldn't trade one cage for another and while her love for the hero was real and passionate,
the love for herself needed to come first. She was a fantastic heroine because of that. And Morgan was always the surly
loner, nothing can change that. But what he could do was loosen up the hatred for himself and see that he doesn't
need to torture himself for life because of past mistakes.
when he's been shot and lies dying in the wilderness. He is saved by a traveling circus band, much to his dismay.
The idea of recieving help from these people fills him with dread because he knows it comes with strings
and a debt, another debt which he doesn't want. Soon he finds himself guilted and chained into paying of said debt
by performing in the circus as a Wolf-Man.
The heroine, Athena Munroe, also feels emprisoned but in a different mannor. She's lost her freedom not
because of debt but because of her handicap and her guilt over being a burden to her brother. She spends
her days doing everything in her power to be usefull and hold back the idea that anyone should find any
weakness in her.
When trajety strikes the cirus, their two worlds meet. The loner who wants nothing at all to do human contact
and the steadfast women looking to find anything that makes her feel whole, meet. The attraction between them
is immediate and intense. More so than phsyical but instead like two sides of the same coin. In just one interaction,
the hero shows this stranger more of himself then he has in years. And the heroine shows more of her secret
struggle against her ivory cage. Together, the sparks between them immediately becomes the focus of the people in their lives.
Morgan's suitor, Athena's brother. Both are less then pleased by what they see. Yet the growing bond between them tethers
even more when an accident occures and Morgan's is forced to reveal his Change in order to save the heroine's life.
Instead of horror, the heroine instead confides that she too had experienced the Changed. Before her accident
that is. The sympathy and sentiment Morgan feels towards this couragous yet tormented soul is only deepend by
the realization that she had experience the freedom of running as a wolf before it was taken from her. And he
sees his mirror in the body of a weathly and well to do debutaunt.
However it doesn't come as a surprise to either of them that the first instinct is that whatever may lie between them
can never come to anything. Yet, what they can do and unwittingly, is start to break down each others respective walls.
Slowly the heroine becomes more intouch with the wolf inside she thought long smothered by blanket of responsibility
and regret. And the hero becomes more open to feeling something, anything, for the people around him. Respect, loyality
and a sense of home.
Everything stands between them and while the odds seem utterly imsurmountable, somehow, love will find a way. And it's through
understanding and actually listening to their hearts and each other. Athena can finally see that all the things that caged her,
her brother, her regret and her urge to impress can all be brought down. I admired her will and her level headed rationality
because it was almost expected for a heroine of a romance novel to surrender everything for love. And she didn't do that.
She realized that she couldn't trade one cage for another and while her love for the hero was real and passionate,
the love for herself needed to come first. She was a fantastic heroine because of that. And Morgan was always the surly
loner, nothing can change that. But what he could do was loosen up the hatred for himself and see that he doesn't
need to torture himself for life because of past mistakes.
December 28, 2021
To Catch A Wolf is my first read by the author Susan Krinard. There is no way to sugarcoat my review. To Catch A Wolf sucked the very life out of me. It is long, drawn-out, and B-O-R-I-N-G! The worst part is that I knew it had the potential to be, which is why I stay away from paranormal historical reads! What. Was. I. Thinking?
A circus, a wolfman, and a stiff upper lip high society social class in 1880 Denver, Colorado-what could go wrong? Anything and everything when prejudice is involved and when one dislikes or disapproves of what one doesn't understand.
Niall Munroe (who thinks way too much of himself) and his sister Athena is at the height of society where the conniving frienemy Miss Cecily Hockensmith wants to be, as well as Mrs. Munroe. The circus rolls into town with its cast of characters, including Tamar the Snake Woman (she's a sneaky one fitting for Miss Hockensmith) and the angry wolfman himself, Morgan Holt, who is instantly attracted to Athena. Of course, Athena is attracted to Morgan but doesn't realize why. After her accident, she has let some of her senses wane. Morgan stands to change all that.
Uppity Niall finds himself attracted to or in lust with the Elvin Caitlyn to his and Miss Hockensmith's utter horror and makes Caitlyn a "pretty woman" proposal only Richard Gere could make without being slapped. It all sounds exciting, but the way this story is written, it falls flat.
To Catch A Wolf could have been a five-star read if it had any action, suspense, or passion, which it sorely lacks-at least until the last four chapters. The rest of the story is fodder leading up to just a touch of excitement, although with a completely ridiculous ending.
On my Were Scale of Hotness, 3 stars.
A circus, a wolfman, and a stiff upper lip high society social class in 1880 Denver, Colorado-what could go wrong? Anything and everything when prejudice is involved and when one dislikes or disapproves of what one doesn't understand.
Niall Munroe (who thinks way too much of himself) and his sister Athena is at the height of society where the conniving frienemy Miss Cecily Hockensmith wants to be, as well as Mrs. Munroe. The circus rolls into town with its cast of characters, including Tamar the Snake Woman (she's a sneaky one fitting for Miss Hockensmith) and the angry wolfman himself, Morgan Holt, who is instantly attracted to Athena. Of course, Athena is attracted to Morgan but doesn't realize why. After her accident, she has let some of her senses wane. Morgan stands to change all that.
Uppity Niall finds himself attracted to or in lust with the Elvin Caitlyn to his and Miss Hockensmith's utter horror and makes Caitlyn a "pretty woman" proposal only Richard Gere could make without being slapped. It all sounds exciting, but the way this story is written, it falls flat.
To Catch A Wolf could have been a five-star read if it had any action, suspense, or passion, which it sorely lacks-at least until the last four chapters. The rest of the story is fodder leading up to just a touch of excitement, although with a completely ridiculous ending.
On my Were Scale of Hotness, 3 stars.
February 9, 2011
Another disappointing fantasy/romance crossover. This one involved werwolves, a supernatural creature that I think has a lot of romantic potential (certainly more potentail than the more popular vampires), but something was missing from this account. It seemed that instead of the supernatural element adding to the romantic element, it tried to replace it -- the magic serving in lieu of real emotions or a real relationship. In fact, when the magic touched this story, it seemed to make everything easy and convenient.
None of that tipped this book down to 2 stars, though. A bigger problem, and the reason I don't feel I can recommend this book, was a total feeling of disconnection from the characters. Our heroine's brother, Neil, in particular, didn't make any sense, though we spent a lot of time in his viewpoint. His secondary romance really bothered me....I actively hated it. I found his actions contradictory, and I didn't understand the feelings between him and Kaitlin.
None of that tipped this book down to 2 stars, though. A bigger problem, and the reason I don't feel I can recommend this book, was a total feeling of disconnection from the characters. Our heroine's brother, Neil, in particular, didn't make any sense, though we spent a lot of time in his viewpoint. His secondary romance really bothered me....I actively hated it. I found his actions contradictory, and I didn't understand the feelings between him and Kaitlin.
March 28, 2015
Just finished this, and I would give it 4½ stars if I could. Why not 5 stars? Simply because I found our heroine a bit over the top in her mild and understanding ways....not all the time, but there were times when I wanted to slap her upside the head and tell her not to be so wimpish! Aside from that, I loved the story, and I do realize that at the time this book takes place, Athena was not the only woman who could be wishy-washy at times, so aside from taking a half star away, I am still totally in love with this series, and am anxious to start the next book. If you love Paranormal/Werewolf romance with a definite emphasis on story content, please check out this series, it's excellent!
February 14, 2012
People who like far fetched tales of romance where you have the loner who is strong and needs no one but has an inkling of conscience and befriends those less fortunate and the high society girl who is lonely because no one gets her will love this. Oh, not to mention the fact that everyone is taking advantage of the high society girl and the loner needs to save her. I like strong heroines. This was too damsel in distress and using her handicap as an out for me.
April 24, 2015
Another great read. Athena was crippled when she was still young so she is not able to run free. He r wolf needs to be but she is not able. Morgan is a powerful wolf but he has turned himself away from humans. He wants her to accept who she is but he can't be the one to help. Can they find each other or will their pain keep them apart.
Read
October 10, 2011This one reminded me of Wild at Heart by P. Gaffney. It was well written but just not to my taste. Sweet werewolf historical w/ disabled heroine (who is cured). I liked the traveling circus setting & characters though. We need more circus romances! Freaks in love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2012
I have enjoyed all the books in this series. This one centered around a circus & that added to the diverse characters. Looking forward to starting the 5th & final book of the historical werewolf series.
January 31, 2012
Really captures the imagination if you are into the whole romance and supernatural thing. I really enjoyed this book because of the twists and turns that the romances would take and also other things that Krinard involved. All in all, it is a very good read.
August 1, 2014
Loving the werewolf romance, Ms. Hockensmith and Tamar are 2 woman I do not like in this tale. You'll have to read and see it all in action for yourself. A wonderful page turner of the 1880 setting of Denver Colorado.
Read
September 12, 2010Good plot, fantastic intrigue, multifaceted characters... Just a bit too much drama at the end.
February 26, 2013
Eh. A book I can give away without feeling any remorse. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't much of anything.
June 19, 2014
loved this book. never put it down. a great story and a great romance
Read
January 6, 2021"i would change myself if i did what you ask. the woman you want now would cease to exist, and you would grow to despise what you admire in me. and i would grow to despise you."
January 25, 2016
2.5 Stars
March 8, 2021
In the Audible Plus Catalog
August 20, 2022
Started out quite well. I liked the male character, although I found the female character less interesting. I felt the book lost the plot in the middle and turned a bit crazy.
November 9, 2007
read 09.18.07
May 7, 2011
I enjoyed this book, has a feel good ending....
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews