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Wild Wulfs of London #2
The Untamed One
Running from angry villagers and the man who ravaged her, the witch Lucinda flees into the forest to have her child. But Lord Jackson Wulf hunts her down, believing her death will break the family curse that transforms him into a monster. Instead of killing the witch, Jackson is moved by her beauty and desperate plight. And Lucinda seizes the chance to find safety for herself and her babe when a bargain is struck between this outcast woman and this doomed man--and sealed by their marriage in name only…
In return for his protection, Lucinda has promised that her magick can free Jackson from his torment. But this pretty witch soon finds herself in danger of being seduced by Jackson's charms and pursued by the man who would see both her and her child dead. Can she trust a Wulf with her safety and the safety of her child? Can she trust her heart to Jackson? To surrender to a Wulf is a terrible risk, for love will either unleash the beast within the man...or finally set him free.
In return for his protection, Lucinda has promised that her magick can free Jackson from his torment. But this pretty witch soon finds herself in danger of being seduced by Jackson's charms and pursued by the man who would see both her and her child dead. Can she trust a Wulf with her safety and the safety of her child? Can she trust her heart to Jackson? To surrender to a Wulf is a terrible risk, for love will either unleash the beast within the man...or finally set him free.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2006
19 people are currently reading
611 people want to read
About the author
Ronda Thompson
27 books134 followersRonda Thompson lived in the great state of Texas. Ronda had been an avid fan of romance for years and was published in several different genres. Paranormal romance is one of her favorite genres to write because anything can happen and usually does!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
May 4, 2016
The Untamed One
3.5 Stars
Jackson Wulf is determined to break the curse that afflicts his bloodline and believes that he must kill a witch in order to do so. Lucinda is a witch on the run after being targeted by the local Lord who is determined to murder her unborn child. Jackson and Lucinda cross paths in the woods and set in motion a chain of events that will either lead to their mutual destruction or untold happiness. Which will it be?
The basic premise of this series is wonderful and Thompson’s writing style is very immersive. Unfortunately, this installment suffers from the irritating silly misunderstanding and lack of communication tropes that annoy me no end.
Jackson is a charming rogue well on his way to becoming a drunkard and a womanizer. Lucinda brings out his honor and self respect as well as his sense of responsibility, and his scenes with baby Sebastian are some of the sweetest in the book.
Lucinda is strong, self-reliant and resourceful, but holds herself back from loving Jackson out of fear. This inevitably leads to several irritating scenes in which she fails to tell him the truth of her past with the villain and ultimately puts both herself, her son and Jackson in danger.
Unfortunately, despite their chemistry and growing emotional attachment, neither Jackson nor Lucinda are honest with one another which leads to a another series of annoying scenes in which they wallow in their internal angst rather than speaking about their issues openly.
In sum, this one is worth reading more for the suspense plot, which has some intense, tension filled scenes and an exciting resolution, than for the disappointing romance.
3.5 Stars
Jackson Wulf is determined to break the curse that afflicts his bloodline and believes that he must kill a witch in order to do so. Lucinda is a witch on the run after being targeted by the local Lord who is determined to murder her unborn child. Jackson and Lucinda cross paths in the woods and set in motion a chain of events that will either lead to their mutual destruction or untold happiness. Which will it be?
The basic premise of this series is wonderful and Thompson’s writing style is very immersive. Unfortunately, this installment suffers from the irritating silly misunderstanding and lack of communication tropes that annoy me no end.
Jackson is a charming rogue well on his way to becoming a drunkard and a womanizer. Lucinda brings out his honor and self respect as well as his sense of responsibility, and his scenes with baby Sebastian are some of the sweetest in the book.
Lucinda is strong, self-reliant and resourceful, but holds herself back from loving Jackson out of fear. This inevitably leads to several irritating scenes in which she fails to tell him the truth of her past with the villain and ultimately puts both herself, her son and Jackson in danger.
Unfortunately, despite their chemistry and growing emotional attachment, neither Jackson nor Lucinda are honest with one another which leads to a another series of annoying scenes in which they wallow in their internal angst rather than speaking about their issues openly.
In sum, this one is worth reading more for the suspense plot, which has some intense, tension filled scenes and an exciting resolution, than for the disappointing romance.
July 18, 2020
Il Lupo vs La Strega: sortilegi sulla pelle!
Secondo episodio con la maledizione della famiglia Wulf che vede protagonista Jackson il minore dei fratelli che nel libro precedente ci aveva lasciato con la sfida contro il tempo di voler essere il salvatore dei suoi fratelli e partito alla ricerca di una strega da uccidere per spezzare la maledizione!
Ma cosa succede se il lupo finisce con l'innamorarsi della strega?? Sembra impossibile ma vero, soprattutto contando che Jack ha dato già il suo cuore a Lady Anna che lo considera solo un carissimo fratello e lui, il più abile donnaiolo e alcolizzato tra gli uomini e i suoi fratelli vuole riscattare almeno questi ultimi prima che vengano colpiti dalla maledizione da cui lui è soggiogato.
La storia di Jack, ignaro degli svolgimenti avvenuti in Armond che lo avrebbero certamente avvantaggiato ma lo avrebbero privato del suo cambiamento, è molto più avvincente dal primo racconto (senza voler togliere nulla alla storia tra Armond e Rosalind) ma c'è qualcosa tra Lucinda e Jackson che mi ha notevolmente coinvolto e conquistato.
Già dal loro primo assurdo incontro sembra tutto impossibile da credersi, ci si trovi spiazzati ed increduli soprattutto dinanzi alla grande forza di volontà di Lucinda che non vuole perdere la consapevolezza delle proprie azioni nonostante la sofferenza che porta in se. Certo non manca l'oscuro cattivo/malvagio di turno, pezzo grosso della nobiltà Inglese ma la storia sembra molto verosimile e acquista quel pizzico di rudezza proprio della magia pagana attraverso la figura della strega bianca quale Lucinda è!!
Jackson poi è una notevole scoperta, non che non lo avessi già pensato nel raccolto precedente nella sua piccola apparizione ma l'intera vicenda lo porta a crescere e a dargli un senso nella vita, una famiglia ed un futuro che avevo pianto nel vedersi portare via al momento della scomparsa dei genitori e che Lucy riesce a donargli senza volerlo.
Importante ora è scoprire cosa aspetta Gabiel il terzo fratello scomparso nell'intero libro e che si presumeva in ricerca di Jackson ora bello che libero...e anche le note su Starling il 4° fratello allontanatosi anni prima e che invece vive con moglie e presto diverrà padre...il terzo ed ultimo libro sarà il culmine a questo punto.
Secondo episodio con la maledizione della famiglia Wulf che vede protagonista Jackson il minore dei fratelli che nel libro precedente ci aveva lasciato con la sfida contro il tempo di voler essere il salvatore dei suoi fratelli e partito alla ricerca di una strega da uccidere per spezzare la maledizione!
Ma cosa succede se il lupo finisce con l'innamorarsi della strega?? Sembra impossibile ma vero, soprattutto contando che Jack ha dato già il suo cuore a Lady Anna che lo considera solo un carissimo fratello e lui, il più abile donnaiolo e alcolizzato tra gli uomini e i suoi fratelli vuole riscattare almeno questi ultimi prima che vengano colpiti dalla maledizione da cui lui è soggiogato.
La storia di Jack, ignaro degli svolgimenti avvenuti in Armond che lo avrebbero certamente avvantaggiato ma lo avrebbero privato del suo cambiamento, è molto più avvincente dal primo racconto (senza voler togliere nulla alla storia tra Armond e Rosalind) ma c'è qualcosa tra Lucinda e Jackson che mi ha notevolmente coinvolto e conquistato.
Già dal loro primo assurdo incontro sembra tutto impossibile da credersi, ci si trovi spiazzati ed increduli soprattutto dinanzi alla grande forza di volontà di Lucinda che non vuole perdere la consapevolezza delle proprie azioni nonostante la sofferenza che porta in se. Certo non manca l'oscuro cattivo/malvagio di turno, pezzo grosso della nobiltà Inglese ma la storia sembra molto verosimile e acquista quel pizzico di rudezza proprio della magia pagana attraverso la figura della strega bianca quale Lucinda è!!
Jackson poi è una notevole scoperta, non che non lo avessi già pensato nel raccolto precedente nella sua piccola apparizione ma l'intera vicenda lo porta a crescere e a dargli un senso nella vita, una famiglia ed un futuro che avevo pianto nel vedersi portare via al momento della scomparsa dei genitori e che Lucy riesce a donargli senza volerlo.
Importante ora è scoprire cosa aspetta Gabiel il terzo fratello scomparso nell'intero libro e che si presumeva in ricerca di Jackson ora bello che libero...e anche le note su Starling il 4° fratello allontanatosi anni prima e che invece vive con moglie e presto diverrà padre...il terzo ed ultimo libro sarà il culmine a questo punto.
July 29, 2025
The hero is the reckless one of Wulf brothers. He is free with his women and his drink and up until this moment he never really had much of purpose besides spending his money on whores or a bottle. Now, with his one brother married, the curse is truly pressing down upon them. The hero vows to see an end to it. But even his noble intentions couldn't stop him from making eyes at the tavern daughter and worse of the worse being seen during the 'change'
Now he's shot and running wounded through the woods with an angry mob after him. In his search for the witch he believes he needs to kill to break the curse he stumbles upon a run down shack with the heroine inside. She is a witch, and he's convinced she's the one who's death will save him and his brother. Problem is, he just can't seem to kill her. Not with her withering in pain from childbirth and not knowing that the death of his mother will mean the death of the tiny human the hero helped bring into the world. He may hate the heroine but he falls in love with her son the second he holds him in his arms. The change, however, drives them apart. The hero orders her to flee else he kill her before seeing the vow to protect her son realized.
Now 3 months later. The heroine one grew up with nothing, who has been an outcast and hated all her life, lives in a luxurious London home with money and food to spare-all because she lied and pretended to be the hero's widow and her son to be the hero's heir. She thought she was safe...until the man she thought was killed by the mob returns. Cursed as he is to take the shape of a wolf by moonlight, he's gotten it into her head to see her killed. And she must find a way to save herself and her new born son. She tells the hero she'll work to break the curse if she can remain and that her son will always have a home, even if it's not with her. See, her baby is the product of rape and the father needs the baby dead else his bastard be at risk of taking the throne. The hero agrees to the terms and thus begins their long and very rocky relationship. The hero makes instant and drastic changes to her habits. He doesn't frequent whores any more, he doesn't drink-though his hands shake from the withdraw- and he becomes a far better man. All because of the heroine and her son-a baby he loves like his own. He marries the heroine to prevent gossip and backlash but in truth deep down, he knows the true reason was his growing feelings for her. Despite her prickly nature and standoffish manner when it comes to displaying any emotion let alone caring. Maybe it's because she's the one woman who doesn't want him. Maybe it's her beauty. Or maybe it's because he's finally sober enough to see a real woman and want her. But regardless, he craves his wife.
The heroine in turn struggles with her feelings for a man who started out as her enemy, then turned into her accomplice before turning into something far more unsettling. It's the grin he casts her way when he wishes to tease her. It's the love and adoration in his eyes when he holds her son. It's the fact that without him, she had no idea how she could have survived. No, she's grown to love this man despite his flaws, and despite his curse. But nothing is that easy. Not to two people so used to doubting themselves and other people. But to save themselves, to save her son and the hero from his curse they will need to learn to trust each other. To open themselves emotionally and rely on one another.
I adored this hero. He's a man to be greatly admired for how much he changes from the start to the finish. From a drunkard to a husband and father. He changes for the good of the baby. Despite his rocky relationship with his new wife, his love for her son was never in doubt and every scene with him and Sebastian was sweet and made my heart melt. I loved how he could be naked and tease sexually but when it came to the heroine he was full of self doubt and not knowing what to do with a woman he wanted to love him in return. Sure he made mistakes but he was always a good man trying to do what's right. The heroine was badly hurt and damaged emotionally from years or harsh treatment because of her gifts and reliving the attack that left her pregnant. But she was do anything and everything for her child-even leave him to be raised by a man sure to love him and give him a good life. She resisted the hero's advances like a bull and though it was frustrating, it was real and honest. There was a reason she was standoffish and cold at times. But I enjoyed their slow and developed romance, the friendship and trust that grew along with the desire. Over all I liked this story, maybe a little slow but nice characters.
Now he's shot and running wounded through the woods with an angry mob after him. In his search for the witch he believes he needs to kill to break the curse he stumbles upon a run down shack with the heroine inside. She is a witch, and he's convinced she's the one who's death will save him and his brother. Problem is, he just can't seem to kill her. Not with her withering in pain from childbirth and not knowing that the death of his mother will mean the death of the tiny human the hero helped bring into the world. He may hate the heroine but he falls in love with her son the second he holds him in his arms. The change, however, drives them apart. The hero orders her to flee else he kill her before seeing the vow to protect her son realized.
Now 3 months later. The heroine one grew up with nothing, who has been an outcast and hated all her life, lives in a luxurious London home with money and food to spare-all because she lied and pretended to be the hero's widow and her son to be the hero's heir. She thought she was safe...until the man she thought was killed by the mob returns. Cursed as he is to take the shape of a wolf by moonlight, he's gotten it into her head to see her killed. And she must find a way to save herself and her new born son. She tells the hero she'll work to break the curse if she can remain and that her son will always have a home, even if it's not with her. See, her baby is the product of rape and the father needs the baby dead else his bastard be at risk of taking the throne. The hero agrees to the terms and thus begins their long and very rocky relationship. The hero makes instant and drastic changes to her habits. He doesn't frequent whores any more, he doesn't drink-though his hands shake from the withdraw- and he becomes a far better man. All because of the heroine and her son-a baby he loves like his own. He marries the heroine to prevent gossip and backlash but in truth deep down, he knows the true reason was his growing feelings for her. Despite her prickly nature and standoffish manner when it comes to displaying any emotion let alone caring. Maybe it's because she's the one woman who doesn't want him. Maybe it's her beauty. Or maybe it's because he's finally sober enough to see a real woman and want her. But regardless, he craves his wife.
The heroine in turn struggles with her feelings for a man who started out as her enemy, then turned into her accomplice before turning into something far more unsettling. It's the grin he casts her way when he wishes to tease her. It's the love and adoration in his eyes when he holds her son. It's the fact that without him, she had no idea how she could have survived. No, she's grown to love this man despite his flaws, and despite his curse. But nothing is that easy. Not to two people so used to doubting themselves and other people. But to save themselves, to save her son and the hero from his curse they will need to learn to trust each other. To open themselves emotionally and rely on one another.
I adored this hero. He's a man to be greatly admired for how much he changes from the start to the finish. From a drunkard to a husband and father. He changes for the good of the baby. Despite his rocky relationship with his new wife, his love for her son was never in doubt and every scene with him and Sebastian was sweet and made my heart melt. I loved how he could be naked and tease sexually but when it came to the heroine he was full of self doubt and not knowing what to do with a woman he wanted to love him in return. Sure he made mistakes but he was always a good man trying to do what's right. The heroine was badly hurt and damaged emotionally from years or harsh treatment because of her gifts and reliving the attack that left her pregnant. But she was do anything and everything for her child-even leave him to be raised by a man sure to love him and give him a good life. She resisted the hero's advances like a bull and though it was frustrating, it was real and honest. There was a reason she was standoffish and cold at times. But I enjoyed their slow and developed romance, the friendship and trust that grew along with the desire. Over all I liked this story, maybe a little slow but nice characters.
January 12, 2011
Let me start out by saying this book was my favorite installment in the Wild Wulfs of London series. This story features Jackson Wulf. He has a weakness for women and booze... he's the playboy of the family. Like his brothers, he carries a curse and it has already been activated. He fell in love months ago with a woman who did not return his feelings. And even though the love was one sided, it was enough to propel him into his first change into a wolf. Now that change takes him every full moon.
The family curse originated generations ago and was cast by a witch. Jackson hopes by killing a witch now, he can get rid of the curse for himself and his brothers. He tracks one down, but as he finds her, she is in the middle of giving birth. She is alone in an old cottage and instead of killing her, he helps her deliver the baby. Shortly after, he changes into a wolf and angry villagers burn down the cottage. The witch, Lucinda, gets away with the infant, but thinks Jackson is killed. So she goes to his family home, announcing she is his widow and the baby, his child.
Obviously, Jackson survives and returns to his home to find the witch he had planned to kill. They strike a bargain. She'll work to help him reverse the curse, if he promises to adopt the baby and raise it as his own. She is too poor and the child's father (who raped her) is looking for the baby to kill.
Of course, Jackson and Lucinda are fated to fall in love. And honestly, it's the best love story of all the brothers. Perhaps, I liked it so much because Lucinda is a great heroine... and a mother willing to do anything to protect her child... even sacrificing her own happiness. Jackson is the bad boy, finally driven to become a better man by his love for a woman and a child. It also doesn't hurt that there is great sexual tension between Jackson and Lucinda. And when they finally give in to their passions, it is hot, hot, hot.
4 1/2 stars.
The family curse originated generations ago and was cast by a witch. Jackson hopes by killing a witch now, he can get rid of the curse for himself and his brothers. He tracks one down, but as he finds her, she is in the middle of giving birth. She is alone in an old cottage and instead of killing her, he helps her deliver the baby. Shortly after, he changes into a wolf and angry villagers burn down the cottage. The witch, Lucinda, gets away with the infant, but thinks Jackson is killed. So she goes to his family home, announcing she is his widow and the baby, his child.
Obviously, Jackson survives and returns to his home to find the witch he had planned to kill. They strike a bargain. She'll work to help him reverse the curse, if he promises to adopt the baby and raise it as his own. She is too poor and the child's father (who raped her) is looking for the baby to kill.
Of course, Jackson and Lucinda are fated to fall in love. And honestly, it's the best love story of all the brothers. Perhaps, I liked it so much because Lucinda is a great heroine... and a mother willing to do anything to protect her child... even sacrificing her own happiness. Jackson is the bad boy, finally driven to become a better man by his love for a woman and a child. It also doesn't hurt that there is great sexual tension between Jackson and Lucinda. And when they finally give in to their passions, it is hot, hot, hot.
4 1/2 stars.
May 25, 2010
Good follow up from book one, The Dark One. This is the same historical paranormal so if you like either one you should enjoy this one. This book starts out really good. As we learned in the first book Jackson is a woman’s man and drinks heavy. He left to find and kill a witch, in hopes of getting rid of the family curse. In this book Jackson is being chased by the angry villagers and finds himself in a witch’s cabin. She is all alone and giving birth to a baby. Jackson agrees to help her as long as he gets to kill her after ward and he keeps the baby. Things go wrong and he ends up letting her and the baby go.
Lucinda, finds Jackson family home. She is thinks he didn’t make it out of his predicament, so she tells his family a lie, that she has given birth to Jackson’s kid and she is now his wife. She is now sitting pretty until one night she wakes up to someone getting into her bed. Well its not her bed it was Jackson’s before she took over. So you can guess who is getting into the bed. Now how does she make it out of the predicament she has created and does Jackson still want to kill her.
This is a good easy read. My biggest problem with this book is Lucinda. She is another one that is over the top with thinking Jackson doest want her. Jackson shows all the signs that he wants more than just romance, but she never looks past her nose. This kind of gets old after the middle of the book and then as you get to the end its really old.
Lucinda, finds Jackson family home. She is thinks he didn’t make it out of his predicament, so she tells his family a lie, that she has given birth to Jackson’s kid and she is now his wife. She is now sitting pretty until one night she wakes up to someone getting into her bed. Well its not her bed it was Jackson’s before she took over. So you can guess who is getting into the bed. Now how does she make it out of the predicament she has created and does Jackson still want to kill her.
This is a good easy read. My biggest problem with this book is Lucinda. She is another one that is over the top with thinking Jackson doest want her. Jackson shows all the signs that he wants more than just romance, but she never looks past her nose. This kind of gets old after the middle of the book and then as you get to the end its really old.
December 5, 2011
You meet Jackson very briefly in the first book (The Dark One) and while he's intriguing to a certain degree it was really the other brother Gabriel that I wanted to read about but first things first in a series.
Jackson's tale is interesting because he's already believed himself in love and therefore the curse of the wolf is already upon him. It only gets more intense with Lucinda who happens to be a witch.
It is definitely a interesting story though I preferred the Armond story. Still the touches I did like were the baby (Lucinda's) and how Jackson accepted him like his own. There is nothing like a man who is good with kids.
One thing I didn't like was the continual back and forth between Lucinda and Jackson. I mean there is always the misunderstand between hero and heroine but this one seemed to go too far. I did however like the end because it wasn't exactly like the first book. Carbon copy it is not.
Jackson's tale is interesting because he's already believed himself in love and therefore the curse of the wolf is already upon him. It only gets more intense with Lucinda who happens to be a witch.
It is definitely a interesting story though I preferred the Armond story. Still the touches I did like were the baby (Lucinda's) and how Jackson accepted him like his own. There is nothing like a man who is good with kids.
One thing I didn't like was the continual back and forth between Lucinda and Jackson. I mean there is always the misunderstand between hero and heroine but this one seemed to go too far. I did however like the end because it wasn't exactly like the first book. Carbon copy it is not.
September 14, 2009
This is one of the worst books I have ever read. It starts with a giant squick, then jumps straight into senselessness without a pause.
For example, the difference between the eighteenth and the nineteenth centuries can hardly be considered 'centuries past.' Secondly, who is attracted to a woman in labour? Ugh. And thirdly, if some woman in rags shows up at a society doorstep clutching a newborn and claiming to be the absent landowner's wife nobody has ever heard of ... does the butler tuck her into his master's bed, or does he have the footmen chuck her out? Gaaaah.
I couldn't be bothered to read past that point. I could swallow werewolves. I could swallow witches. But I just can't swallow such a ridiculous premise.
For example, the difference between the eighteenth and the nineteenth centuries can hardly be considered 'centuries past.' Secondly, who is attracted to a woman in labour? Ugh. And thirdly, if some woman in rags shows up at a society doorstep clutching a newborn and claiming to be the absent landowner's wife nobody has ever heard of ... does the butler tuck her into his master's bed, or does he have the footmen chuck her out? Gaaaah.
I couldn't be bothered to read past that point. I could swallow werewolves. I could swallow witches. But I just can't swallow such a ridiculous premise.
November 5, 2013
the book had no logic from start 2 finish ! jackson was enchanted wid lucinda at 1st sight, yes while she was in labour, perspiring n he had to put his hand in her vagina ! what terrible nonsense !! also he wanted 2 remove the curse. is it a curse 2 become a wolf when in danger !? 2 possess such big strength dat u can defeat 6 men !? n then ders lord cantley wanting 2 kill his own son !? becoz he was a bastard ? his cousin the king wud not 4give him 4 dat bastard, wud erase his whole line of descendants !? really !! i dunno how i manage 2 finish the book when it was bunched wid so many illogical events
December 12, 2011
This book was so good I bought the rest... I got in a box of books I bought on eBay.... I'm very impressed with her writing... my friends can attest to the fact that I'm not a fan of Historical Romance novel... but she caught my interest and kept it...I just finished the 2nd in the set and started the 3rd...The Cursed OneThe Dark One
August 11, 2021
Ho appena terminato il secondo libro della saga Wild Wulfs of London e sono davvero soddisfatta.
Questa volta siamo di fronte ad un altro dei fratelli Wulf alla ricerca del modo per cancellare la maledizione che grava sulla propria famiglia. La vicenda si svolge poco tempo dopo il matrimonio di Rosalind e Armond (i protagonisti di BACIO OSCURO) che stranamente non sono riusciti ad avvisare gli altri fratelli di aver trovato già la soluzione (naturalmente l'autrice ha dato una spiegazione plausibile all'accaduto). Jackson, come molti altri personaggi, è apparso nel libro precedente dichiarando l'intento di trovare una strega ed ucciderla questo perché crede che sia la soluzione al problema che affligge la sua famiglia.
Il "cattivo" di questa vicenda è palese al lettore sin dalle prime pagine.
Jack, come Armond, è un uomo che si sente molto solo ma in più si sente anche inutile rispetto ai suoi fratelli che sono allevatori di cavalli e per questo si considera la pecora nera della famiglia.
Anche in questo caso arriva il matrimonio tra i due protagonisti ma solo per convenienza. All'inizio non sembra molto importante che le sue trasformazioni possano nuocere a chi gli sta vicino invece, quasi alla fine del romanzo lo diventa.
Lucinda è di umili origini, educata come una strega bianca (non può fare incantesimi per far del male) e per il capriccio di un signore potente la sua vita e quella del bambino sono in pericolo ed ecco perché stringe un patto con quell'uomo/lupo: in cambio della soluzione alla sua maledizione dovrà occuparsi del suo bambino.
Altra differenza con il romanzo precedente è che Jack riesce a trasformarsi in lupo quando deve proteggere qualcuno in difficoltà e quando si trasforma sembra avere il controllo su chi salvare e chi uccidere. Anche qui l'autrice decide di concentrarsi più sul rapporto tra i due protagonisti e su come trovare una soluzione al problema che li affligge.
Finalmente comincia a delinearsi (senza alcuna certezza dimostrabile) anche l'origine della maledizione e ciò accade attraverso la poesia che Lucinda cerca di decifrare.
Anche in questo caso ci sono alcuni personaggi secondari apparsi nel libro precedente come la duchessa amica della famiglia Wulf che aiuta anche questa volta i protagonisti ad inserirsi in società, Amelia che vuole diventare amica anche di Lucinda e invitarla al matrimonio ed infine il maggiordomo capace di tutto. Interessante la new entry Lady Anne, di cui Jack era innamorato, e che fa una breve apparizione.
Il livello di sensualità seppur alto non è di alcun disturbo per il lettore.
Ho apprezzato molto la trama avventurosa, pochi elementi cruenti e uno stile narrativo scorrevole che non mi fa vedere l'ora di leggere il prossimo.
Questa volta siamo di fronte ad un altro dei fratelli Wulf alla ricerca del modo per cancellare la maledizione che grava sulla propria famiglia. La vicenda si svolge poco tempo dopo il matrimonio di Rosalind e Armond (i protagonisti di BACIO OSCURO) che stranamente non sono riusciti ad avvisare gli altri fratelli di aver trovato già la soluzione (naturalmente l'autrice ha dato una spiegazione plausibile all'accaduto). Jackson, come molti altri personaggi, è apparso nel libro precedente dichiarando l'intento di trovare una strega ed ucciderla questo perché crede che sia la soluzione al problema che affligge la sua famiglia.
Il "cattivo" di questa vicenda è palese al lettore sin dalle prime pagine.
Jack, come Armond, è un uomo che si sente molto solo ma in più si sente anche inutile rispetto ai suoi fratelli che sono allevatori di cavalli e per questo si considera la pecora nera della famiglia.
Anche in questo caso arriva il matrimonio tra i due protagonisti ma solo per convenienza. All'inizio non sembra molto importante che le sue trasformazioni possano nuocere a chi gli sta vicino invece, quasi alla fine del romanzo lo diventa.
Lucinda è di umili origini, educata come una strega bianca (non può fare incantesimi per far del male) e per il capriccio di un signore potente la sua vita e quella del bambino sono in pericolo ed ecco perché stringe un patto con quell'uomo/lupo: in cambio della soluzione alla sua maledizione dovrà occuparsi del suo bambino.
Altra differenza con il romanzo precedente è che Jack riesce a trasformarsi in lupo quando deve proteggere qualcuno in difficoltà e quando si trasforma sembra avere il controllo su chi salvare e chi uccidere. Anche qui l'autrice decide di concentrarsi più sul rapporto tra i due protagonisti e su come trovare una soluzione al problema che li affligge.
Finalmente comincia a delinearsi (senza alcuna certezza dimostrabile) anche l'origine della maledizione e ciò accade attraverso la poesia che Lucinda cerca di decifrare.
Anche in questo caso ci sono alcuni personaggi secondari apparsi nel libro precedente come la duchessa amica della famiglia Wulf che aiuta anche questa volta i protagonisti ad inserirsi in società, Amelia che vuole diventare amica anche di Lucinda e invitarla al matrimonio ed infine il maggiordomo capace di tutto. Interessante la new entry Lady Anne, di cui Jack era innamorato, e che fa una breve apparizione.
Il livello di sensualità seppur alto non è di alcun disturbo per il lettore.
Ho apprezzato molto la trama avventurosa, pochi elementi cruenti e uno stile narrativo scorrevole che non mi fa vedere l'ora di leggere il prossimo.
August 30, 2012
Reviewed for THC Reviews
"3.5 stars" After thoroughly enjoying the first two stories in the Wild Wulfs of London series, especially The Dark One, I found The Untamed One to be something of a let-down. It just didn't capture my imagination and emotions in the same way that the other two did. I felt that the characters were somewhat underdeveloped and their motivations were sometimes questionable. The plot itself was rather weak, and some of the situations in which the characters find themselves seemed a little forced, like they were there just for the sake of propelling the plot along. At right around 300 pages, The Untamed One is on the short side for a single-title romance, and I thought a few more pages could have really helped to tell a meatier story.
Jackson was a reasonably likable hero, but there were times, especially early in the story, when I had trouble understanding him. He has a history of drinking too much and being a notorious womanizer. Normally, when a romance hero is like that, he has some emotional turmoil in his past which drives him to this place. Of course, there was the curse, but it wasn't really discussed in any detail. The reader isn't exactly made privy to his thought processes, so that we can understand what it was like for him to live with that imprecation or what precisely might be bothering him otherwise. Jackson also begins the story by haring off to kill a witch in hopes of breaking the family curse which didn't end up making a great deal of sense to me. If Lucinda were a descendant of the witch who cursed the Wulf males, that at least might seem like a decent reason for him wanting to kill her, but just killing some random witch to break the curse is kind of grasping as straws, in my opinion. Granted he didn't go through with it. He ultimately had mercy on Lucinda and helped her to deliver her baby instead, but one has to wonder if the villagers hadn't been upon him and he wasn't about to transition into the wolf if he would have let her go so easily. When Lucinda turns up in London at the family's townhouse, I thought Jackson acquiesced a little too quickly. Him offering to buy her new clothes and more importantly, agreeing to marry her almost instantaneously, even if it was in name only, just lacked credibility for me. However, Jackson did treat Lucinda and her baby with kindness and was thoroughly protective of them both, which is why I can say that I mostly liked him in spite of him having questionable motives at times.
Lucinda did a few debatable things of her own. When she thought Jackson was dead, she tried to pass herself off as his wife. I honestly can't blame her for not wanting to attempt raising a baby on the streets, and admittedly, if she hadn't done what she did, the baby might have died. Still, it seemed a little underhanded to me. Once again, if the reader had been made privy to her thoughts, I probably would have sympathized more with her actions. The other main issue I had with Lucinda was that to me, she didn't really behave like a woman who had been raped. Granted she was knocked out with a sleeping potion when it happened and doesn't consciously remember the incident, but oftentimes the body will remember things that the mind does not. I felt that her sexual attraction for Jackson developed a little too quickly and her actions lacked the caution of someone who has been through a traumatic experience. Lucinda does reject Jackson's advances at first, but because there is little internal rumination on her part, I could only speculate that it was due to the rape. Without fully knowing her thoughts on the matter, it just as easily could have been for some other reason. Much like with Jackson though, she was a caring person who tried to help him with the curse, and was a good mother to her son which made her a likable character even if she was somewhat underdeveloped.
Much of the sexual tension between Jackson and Lucinda came off as more lusty than romantic to me which was quite surprising, considering that I found the first two stories of the series to be very romantic. It did improve somewhat as the story went along, but I think two of the main reasons for this were the need for more introspection and character development. I also caught the author doing the dreaded telling rather than showing several times. Additionally, I think more gestures and body language would have helped a lot in conveying the characters' feelings for one another.
There weren't a lot of secondary characters in The Untamed One, and I really missed the presence of the other Wulf brothers. I realize now that it would have been impossible for Sterling or Armond to be a part of the story, because having already broken their own curses, they would have told Jackson how to go about it, leaving him with no purpose. Still, having few supporting players made the narrative and dialog a little bland. It was nice to see the traveling circus troupe from A Wulf's Curse (from Midnight Pleasures) again, but they played a very small role. While the villain in the The Dark One was a constant, menacing presence, here he was pretty one-dimensional. For the most part he is a vague, distant threat who only shows up in a couple of scenes. Obviously, he wouldn't hesitate to do Lucinda and her baby harm, but his reasons seemed a little extreme to me. He was fairly far down the line of succession to the throne and had two legitimate heirs already, so I couldn't quite imagine why he would feel the need to murder an illegitimate offspring. Even royalty in those days often had bastard children, and as far as I know, due to their illegitimacy, they generally had no rights in the line of succession anyway.
Overall, The Untamed One may have had a lot of weak points, but it was still a reasonably entertaining read with a likable, if not always relatable, hero and heroine. It is one that fans of the Wild Wulfs of London probably would not want to miss. Even with a slight misstep here, I am still looking forward to continuing the series. This book does give the reader another glimpse of Amelia Sinclair, the heroine of the last book of the series, The Cursed One. I've liked her all along, as well as her hero, Gabriel Wulf, so hopefully, their story will be a little stronger than this one and finish the series off with a bang.
"3.5 stars" After thoroughly enjoying the first two stories in the Wild Wulfs of London series, especially The Dark One, I found The Untamed One to be something of a let-down. It just didn't capture my imagination and emotions in the same way that the other two did. I felt that the characters were somewhat underdeveloped and their motivations were sometimes questionable. The plot itself was rather weak, and some of the situations in which the characters find themselves seemed a little forced, like they were there just for the sake of propelling the plot along. At right around 300 pages, The Untamed One is on the short side for a single-title romance, and I thought a few more pages could have really helped to tell a meatier story.
Jackson was a reasonably likable hero, but there were times, especially early in the story, when I had trouble understanding him. He has a history of drinking too much and being a notorious womanizer. Normally, when a romance hero is like that, he has some emotional turmoil in his past which drives him to this place. Of course, there was the curse, but it wasn't really discussed in any detail. The reader isn't exactly made privy to his thought processes, so that we can understand what it was like for him to live with that imprecation or what precisely might be bothering him otherwise. Jackson also begins the story by haring off to kill a witch in hopes of breaking the family curse which didn't end up making a great deal of sense to me. If Lucinda were a descendant of the witch who cursed the Wulf males, that at least might seem like a decent reason for him wanting to kill her, but just killing some random witch to break the curse is kind of grasping as straws, in my opinion. Granted he didn't go through with it. He ultimately had mercy on Lucinda and helped her to deliver her baby instead, but one has to wonder if the villagers hadn't been upon him and he wasn't about to transition into the wolf if he would have let her go so easily. When Lucinda turns up in London at the family's townhouse, I thought Jackson acquiesced a little too quickly. Him offering to buy her new clothes and more importantly, agreeing to marry her almost instantaneously, even if it was in name only, just lacked credibility for me. However, Jackson did treat Lucinda and her baby with kindness and was thoroughly protective of them both, which is why I can say that I mostly liked him in spite of him having questionable motives at times.
Lucinda did a few debatable things of her own. When she thought Jackson was dead, she tried to pass herself off as his wife. I honestly can't blame her for not wanting to attempt raising a baby on the streets, and admittedly, if she hadn't done what she did, the baby might have died. Still, it seemed a little underhanded to me. Once again, if the reader had been made privy to her thoughts, I probably would have sympathized more with her actions. The other main issue I had with Lucinda was that to me, she didn't really behave like a woman who had been raped. Granted she was knocked out with a sleeping potion when it happened and doesn't consciously remember the incident, but oftentimes the body will remember things that the mind does not. I felt that her sexual attraction for Jackson developed a little too quickly and her actions lacked the caution of someone who has been through a traumatic experience. Lucinda does reject Jackson's advances at first, but because there is little internal rumination on her part, I could only speculate that it was due to the rape. Without fully knowing her thoughts on the matter, it just as easily could have been for some other reason. Much like with Jackson though, she was a caring person who tried to help him with the curse, and was a good mother to her son which made her a likable character even if she was somewhat underdeveloped.
Much of the sexual tension between Jackson and Lucinda came off as more lusty than romantic to me which was quite surprising, considering that I found the first two stories of the series to be very romantic. It did improve somewhat as the story went along, but I think two of the main reasons for this were the need for more introspection and character development. I also caught the author doing the dreaded telling rather than showing several times. Additionally, I think more gestures and body language would have helped a lot in conveying the characters' feelings for one another.
There weren't a lot of secondary characters in The Untamed One, and I really missed the presence of the other Wulf brothers. I realize now that it would have been impossible for Sterling or Armond to be a part of the story, because having already broken their own curses, they would have told Jackson how to go about it, leaving him with no purpose. Still, having few supporting players made the narrative and dialog a little bland. It was nice to see the traveling circus troupe from A Wulf's Curse (from Midnight Pleasures) again, but they played a very small role. While the villain in the The Dark One was a constant, menacing presence, here he was pretty one-dimensional. For the most part he is a vague, distant threat who only shows up in a couple of scenes. Obviously, he wouldn't hesitate to do Lucinda and her baby harm, but his reasons seemed a little extreme to me. He was fairly far down the line of succession to the throne and had two legitimate heirs already, so I couldn't quite imagine why he would feel the need to murder an illegitimate offspring. Even royalty in those days often had bastard children, and as far as I know, due to their illegitimacy, they generally had no rights in the line of succession anyway.
Overall, The Untamed One may have had a lot of weak points, but it was still a reasonably entertaining read with a likable, if not always relatable, hero and heroine. It is one that fans of the Wild Wulfs of London probably would not want to miss. Even with a slight misstep here, I am still looking forward to continuing the series. This book does give the reader another glimpse of Amelia Sinclair, the heroine of the last book of the series, The Cursed One. I've liked her all along, as well as her hero, Gabriel Wulf, so hopefully, their story will be a little stronger than this one and finish the series off with a bang.
November 14, 2022
Une sorcière bannit les hommes de la famille Wulf : ils sont condamnés à se transformer en loup les soirs de pleine lune. Un siècle plus tard, en 1821, Lord Jackson Wulf décide de tuer une sorcière pour essayer de conjurer le sort. Mais la sorcière qu'il parvient à trouver est une jeune femme en train d'accoucher...
Je ne connaissais pas du tout ce roman mais j'aimais bien cette collection chez j'ai lu donc j'ai acheté ce roman quand je l'ai vu dans un magasin d'occasion.Il s'agit d'un mélange entre romance paranormale et romance historique, puisque cela se passe en 1821. J'ai bien aimé les deux personnages, Lucinda est intelligente et courageuse, Jackson est touchant et protecteur. L'histoire de la malédiction et de la sorcellerie m'a beaucoup plu. L'intrigue est plutôt sympa, où la transformation en loup est liée à la sorcellerie. Je lis peu de romans historiques, mais j'ai bien aimé. Lucinda a un caractère assez moderne, je ne suis pas sûre que cela soit très représentatif de l'époque, mais cela ne me gène pas.
En bref, j'ai passé un bon moment, avec un roman qui sort de mes lectures habituelles.
Je ne connaissais pas du tout ce roman mais j'aimais bien cette collection chez j'ai lu donc j'ai acheté ce roman quand je l'ai vu dans un magasin d'occasion.Il s'agit d'un mélange entre romance paranormale et romance historique, puisque cela se passe en 1821. J'ai bien aimé les deux personnages, Lucinda est intelligente et courageuse, Jackson est touchant et protecteur. L'histoire de la malédiction et de la sorcellerie m'a beaucoup plu. L'intrigue est plutôt sympa, où la transformation en loup est liée à la sorcellerie. Je lis peu de romans historiques, mais j'ai bien aimé. Lucinda a un caractère assez moderne, je ne suis pas sûre que cela soit très représentatif de l'époque, mais cela ne me gène pas.
En bref, j'ai passé un bon moment, avec un roman qui sort de mes lectures habituelles.
October 3, 2020
The Untamed One
Love the story, 5 stars for it.
However, it receives three for the following:
1: a basic cover that isn’t the same as the paperback.
2: errors that need better proofing.
3: the nasty example of price gouging when it wouldn’t have cost them much at all since they used the manuscript from the paperback.
These things crucify a self-publishing author and publishing houses need to be held to the same accountability.
Dear reader, if these issues don’t bother you then buy the book as it is a good read.
Love the story, 5 stars for it.
However, it receives three for the following:
1: a basic cover that isn’t the same as the paperback.
2: errors that need better proofing.
3: the nasty example of price gouging when it wouldn’t have cost them much at all since they used the manuscript from the paperback.
These things crucify a self-publishing author and publishing houses need to be held to the same accountability.
Dear reader, if these issues don’t bother you then buy the book as it is a good read.
July 1, 2022
1.5/5 rounded up….
Yikes, this was not good. I liked Lucinda a lot as a heroine but the whole like Insta love type thing, the non communication, and how the curse was transferred at the end seemed such a last minute add…. I did not like it
Yikes, this was not good. I liked Lucinda a lot as a heroine but the whole like Insta love type thing, the non communication, and how the curse was transferred at the end seemed such a last minute add…. I did not like it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2019
This book was a bit ridiculous. A witch and a werewolf running from a mortal man.
September 10, 2019
Fave so far.
March 21, 2020
3.5 noce reading
May 21, 2024
So, full disclosure: I've been in a slump, reading etc. you name it. And I was going into this wondering if I'd even be able to be immersed in any sense. And yeah, I was going to go "4.5... because..." And I couldn't think of anything to sniff at.
I loved the push-pull, enemies to lovers bit, especially when combined with the fact that Jackson and Lucinda meet each other at their most vulnerable (Jackson's on the run from angry villagers who now know he's a werewolf, meanwhile Lucinda's in the throes of painful childbirth that nearly ends with her son's death before he can really take his first breath.... our hero literally has to reach inside her, untangle the cord from baby Sebastian's neck and coach Lucinda through said difficult birth... and this is all while knowing he's out to kill her). Long story short, these two must work together to end Jackson's wolf curse and in exchange, he'll raise her son as his own. I found this bargain to get sadder as the novel went on: each hoping to end the curse, but hating what happens when it does. Lucinda in particular would have to leave her son forever, never seeing him grow up, but that he's off to a better start without her (in her mind, anyway) broke my heart.
TW for sexual assault: Sebastian was conceived in a most heinous way. Lord Cantley, the king's cousin, calls upon Lucinda, a known witch to assist in his wife's difficult labor. She arrives with a special tonic for said wife's sleep and when Lucinda tells of his wife's status, he drugs Lucinda with a heavy dose of her own sleeping potion. He R words her in her drugged state, to the point where she's unware of anything that happened, save for pain upon awakening. I loved that once Jackson was made aware of this fact, he didn't shun Lucinda or Sebastian, or his feeling for both of them; if anything, it strengthened his resolve to provide them with a better life. And that scene before they lovingly do-the-do, and she goes "It's my first time", almost reassuring herself that she's not tainted, despite Sebastian's existence, the assault has no bearing on Jackson's performance. And Jackson reassures her "Yes, it is your first time. And my first time with you." Aww!
The sensuality is palpable even before we reach a hundred pages (during their first kiss, Jackson's tongue swipes gently across Lucinda's lips to soothe the marks she made while bearing/biting her lips down during childbirth... very much a werewolf cleaning his mate to me). There's even a strawberry scene that makes me turn red as a ripe one.... and when they're on their capture Cantley trip and Jackson finishes inside her... the details, again, red as a berries, people. Chemistry is there and stays there.
I liked the idea of Jackson being temporary outcast-his curse will be lifted-but Lucinda will always be a witch. Kindred for the time being is how she views herself. There's also the notion of both being liked/needed for selective purpose/events (Jackson's looks/money/sexual prowess and Lucinda's for her midwife/potion making skills), and that no one bothered to get to know them. But they want to know each other. I'm a sucker for that.
Also, I straight up cried at an exchange in here:
*Lucinda: "It is not a good time for you to be fleeing a man bent on killing my son, Jackson."
*Jackson: "Can't he be our son, Lucinda? He took my heart the moment I first held him and I heard his cry of life. I have vowed to you to watch over him, to feed him, to clothe him, and protect him. Doesn't that make me his father?"
*Lucinda: "Yes, to me, you are his father."
Says a lot of Jackson for wanting to raise/love a child you know it isn't yours.
There's an amazing bit near the end where Lucinda takes on the curse, literally going she-wolf on Cantley (killing him in the process), revealing her werewolf form... both a bloody satisfying end to this scum's life and a nice homage-light to The Company of Wolves (1984) where the Huntsman/werewolf and Rosaline turn into werewolves together and race off into the night. Also, could see it as her taking on all of his forms, shouldering this issue and loving him regardless.
I kind of wanted a bigger epilogue (seeing as it's a big deal that he finished inside her, how much he loves Sebastian, Lucinda could've had a pregnancy reveal herself instead of it being Rosalind). But I still loved their little family of three living out their domestic dreams on a large ranch, where they're free of all curses (werewolf or otherwise), and Jackson can finally be in the stables without spooking the horses.
I loved the push-pull, enemies to lovers bit, especially when combined with the fact that Jackson and Lucinda meet each other at their most vulnerable (Jackson's on the run from angry villagers who now know he's a werewolf, meanwhile Lucinda's in the throes of painful childbirth that nearly ends with her son's death before he can really take his first breath.... our hero literally has to reach inside her, untangle the cord from baby Sebastian's neck and coach Lucinda through said difficult birth... and this is all while knowing he's out to kill her). Long story short, these two must work together to end Jackson's wolf curse and in exchange, he'll raise her son as his own. I found this bargain to get sadder as the novel went on: each hoping to end the curse, but hating what happens when it does. Lucinda in particular would have to leave her son forever, never seeing him grow up, but that he's off to a better start without her (in her mind, anyway) broke my heart.
TW for sexual assault: Sebastian was conceived in a most heinous way. Lord Cantley, the king's cousin, calls upon Lucinda, a known witch to assist in his wife's difficult labor. She arrives with a special tonic for said wife's sleep and when Lucinda tells of his wife's status, he drugs Lucinda with a heavy dose of her own sleeping potion. He R words her in her drugged state, to the point where she's unware of anything that happened, save for pain upon awakening. I loved that once Jackson was made aware of this fact, he didn't shun Lucinda or Sebastian, or his feeling for both of them; if anything, it strengthened his resolve to provide them with a better life. And that scene before they lovingly do-the-do, and she goes "It's my first time", almost reassuring herself that she's not tainted, despite Sebastian's existence, the assault has no bearing on Jackson's performance. And Jackson reassures her "Yes, it is your first time. And my first time with you." Aww!
The sensuality is palpable even before we reach a hundred pages (during their first kiss, Jackson's tongue swipes gently across Lucinda's lips to soothe the marks she made while bearing/biting her lips down during childbirth... very much a werewolf cleaning his mate to me). There's even a strawberry scene that makes me turn red as a ripe one.... and when they're on their capture Cantley trip and Jackson finishes inside her... the details, again, red as a berries, people. Chemistry is there and stays there.
I liked the idea of Jackson being temporary outcast-his curse will be lifted-but Lucinda will always be a witch. Kindred for the time being is how she views herself. There's also the notion of both being liked/needed for selective purpose/events (Jackson's looks/money/sexual prowess and Lucinda's for her midwife/potion making skills), and that no one bothered to get to know them. But they want to know each other. I'm a sucker for that.
Also, I straight up cried at an exchange in here:
*Lucinda: "It is not a good time for you to be fleeing a man bent on killing my son, Jackson."
*Jackson: "Can't he be our son, Lucinda? He took my heart the moment I first held him and I heard his cry of life. I have vowed to you to watch over him, to feed him, to clothe him, and protect him. Doesn't that make me his father?"
*Lucinda: "Yes, to me, you are his father."
Says a lot of Jackson for wanting to raise/love a child you know it isn't yours.
There's an amazing bit near the end where Lucinda takes on the curse, literally going she-wolf on Cantley (killing him in the process), revealing her werewolf form... both a bloody satisfying end to this scum's life and a nice homage-light to The Company of Wolves (1984) where the Huntsman/werewolf and Rosaline turn into werewolves together and race off into the night. Also, could see it as her taking on all of his forms, shouldering this issue and loving him regardless.
I kind of wanted a bigger epilogue (seeing as it's a big deal that he finished inside her, how much he loves Sebastian, Lucinda could've had a pregnancy reveal herself instead of it being Rosalind). But I still loved their little family of three living out their domestic dreams on a large ranch, where they're free of all curses (werewolf or otherwise), and Jackson can finally be in the stables without spooking the horses.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2014
From Publishers Weekly
The second book in Thompson's Wild Wulfs of London trilogy follows the attempts of Lord Jackson Wulf to break the lycanthropic curse unleashed inside of him by love. In the belief that killing a witch will release his family from the werewolf hex, Jackson seeks out the sorceress Lucinda, finding a beautiful young woman rather than the hag he expects. After saving Lucinda from the throes of a painful breach birth, Jackson finds himself unable to kill her. Instead, she promises to cure him with her magic if he enters into a marriage of convenience, for the sake of protecting her son's identity. Lacking in both narrative and sexual tension, the book charts the couple's constant thrust and parry-though fewer thrusts than a story about a frustrated wolfman would suggest-in a struggle to discover each others' true motives. Though the series has both fans and promise, this faltering entry begs the question: if sexy paranormals can't get any satisfaction, how is a common reader supposed to?
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
"Gripping, intriguing, and sexy. Engaging characters and edge of the seat action--this book has it all." --Christine Feehan on The Dark One
"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 on The Dark One
"This story hooked me from page one and never let me go. I can't wait for the next one!" --Amanda Ashley on The Dark One
"This well-written tale, complete with fascinating characters, utterly romantic love story, and divine sensuality captivated me from the very beginning to the heart-stopping ending." --Paranormal Romance Writer on The Dark One
"Completely, utterly, absolutely engaging. I was swept away by the story of Armond Wulf and Rosalind Rutherford. The Dark One is one of the most wonderful tales I've gotten my hands on in a long time. I'm so thankful Ms. Thompson decided to make this a series. The Wild Wulfs of London will definitely be on my "must buy" list!" --Romance Divas on The Dark One
"Ronda Thompson delivers a fresh and everlasting Regency romance with a touch of magic and evil that will stand the test of time. Oh, and the smokin' hero helps!" --Romance Reader At Heart on The Dark One
"I love paranormals, and this one is one of the best!" --Romance Junkies on The Dark One
"Readers will believe in the existence of the werewolf…sub-genre fans will fully treasure the first Wild Wulfs of London thriller. 5 stars!" --Harriet Klausner on The Dark One
December 2, 2014
This is a perfect example of why ‘Men are from Mars and women are from Venus’. Both of them completely misunderstand the meaning of what the other one says and assume the other one is understanding them. That’s what causes the whole problem. Let the other person talk and tell each other the whole story.
This book should be required reading for couples in therapy.
That being said, I loved it. It’s a simple, romantic love story. The action and intrigue are not very original, but it works. It’s a ‘feel good’ story.
In spite of having been a womanizer and a drunk, Jackson really has a true gentleman’s soft heart. This is shown by how he cares for Lucinda and her baby from the very beginning, unable to do the wicked things he had intended, willing to fight to the end to save her. But he definitely messed up at the tavern.
Lucinda also has a very good heart, though she is too insecure. After all the talk about her having to care for herself all her life and withstand being an outcast, you’d think she’d have more backbone.
They sure have the most loyal, perfect friends and servants I’ve ever heard of. Though I love them, the Duchess of Bradbury is too cheerful and generous, while Hawkins is almost like an android. And the baby is too perfectly happy, very non-realistic
Quick Thoughts: 1)interesting how two of the brothers have solved the riddle, but due to the distance and lack of communication in the 1800’s, are unable to let the other two know.
2)I love the wolfie switcheroo at the end.
3)Can uniquely shaped birth marks be that precisely transferred from generation to generation? And then to have it change is definitely magical.
4)I like the way Sterling’s gypsies are brought in to help.
Fave scenes: Sebastian’s birth, Lucinda dancing in the moonlight, the whipping and Jackson’s wolf guarding Lucinda in the woods.
This book should be required reading for couples in therapy.
That being said, I loved it. It’s a simple, romantic love story. The action and intrigue are not very original, but it works. It’s a ‘feel good’ story.
In spite of having been a womanizer and a drunk, Jackson really has a true gentleman’s soft heart. This is shown by how he cares for Lucinda and her baby from the very beginning, unable to do the wicked things he had intended, willing to fight to the end to save her. But he definitely messed up at the tavern.
Lucinda also has a very good heart, though she is too insecure. After all the talk about her having to care for herself all her life and withstand being an outcast, you’d think she’d have more backbone.
They sure have the most loyal, perfect friends and servants I’ve ever heard of. Though I love them, the Duchess of Bradbury is too cheerful and generous, while Hawkins is almost like an android. And the baby is too perfectly happy, very non-realistic
Quick Thoughts: 1)interesting how two of the brothers have solved the riddle, but due to the distance and lack of communication in the 1800’s, are unable to let the other two know.
2)I love the wolfie switcheroo at the end.
3)Can uniquely shaped birth marks be that precisely transferred from generation to generation? And then to have it change is definitely magical.
4)I like the way Sterling’s gypsies are brought in to help.
Fave scenes: Sebastian’s birth, Lucinda dancing in the moonlight, the whipping and Jackson’s wolf guarding Lucinda in the woods.
January 24, 2016
Lord Jackson Wulf and Lucinda with no last name... 1700ish - England..
the Wulfs, cursed by a witch that the males turn wolf on full moons when they fall in love... Wulf, his special 'power' is attracting women and persuasion; the brothers are of the upper class, but looked down on... Jackson lightly fell in love, and is shifting - mostly with full moon, but once when angered... he sees his brother is falling in love, and thinks perhaps that the riddle about their curse indicates killing a witch (their enemy) ... ends up he needs to conquer his fear...
he finds Lucinda, while running from villagers who fear his wolf side... and she is giving birth in an abandoned cabin, and having trouble... he tells her he is there to kill her, aids her to give birth, shifts to wolf, asks her to contact his brother, and sends her away to safety when the villagers find him, the cabin burned, and she thinks he's dead....
3 months later, she is in his London home, to report that Jackson died - but his brother is honeymooning in country home - where the servants assumed she was jackson's wife,and she allows them - so she has a safe place for her baby...
And he shows up, alive... marries her with the agreement that she find a way to break the curse, and he'll raise her son... along the way, they of course, fall in love...
the Wulfs, cursed by a witch that the males turn wolf on full moons when they fall in love... Wulf, his special 'power' is attracting women and persuasion; the brothers are of the upper class, but looked down on... Jackson lightly fell in love, and is shifting - mostly with full moon, but once when angered... he sees his brother is falling in love, and thinks perhaps that the riddle about their curse indicates killing a witch (their enemy) ... ends up he needs to conquer his fear...
he finds Lucinda, while running from villagers who fear his wolf side... and she is giving birth in an abandoned cabin, and having trouble... he tells her he is there to kill her, aids her to give birth, shifts to wolf, asks her to contact his brother, and sends her away to safety when the villagers find him, the cabin burned, and she thinks he's dead....
3 months later, she is in his London home, to report that Jackson died - but his brother is honeymooning in country home - where the servants assumed she was jackson's wife,and she allows them - so she has a safe place for her baby...
And he shows up, alive... marries her with the agreement that she find a way to break the curse, and he'll raise her son... along the way, they of course, fall in love...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2013
Jackson Wulf is the most endearing of the Wulf brothers and his story is as engaging as the character in many ways. The love interest Lucinda less so, but it still works. What is ridiculous is the idea that the baby daddy of Lucinda's son is out to kill mother and son because the dad is the cousin of the king and this baby is a threat to the throne, despite the fact that said cousin and his legitimate offspring aren't near the top of the list of succession (or he'd be a duke or marquess rather than an earl). No illegitimate royal child has ever sat on the English throne, nor have any been a threat except for Charles II's illegitimate son Monmouth who led an unsuccessful uprising. No illegitimate offspring of an earl who has some royal blood raised an eyebrow. The series is enjoyable and exciting, and the villains chillingly evil, but Thompson then pushes for more extreme melodrama, and my ability to suspend disbelief collapses. The internal rules of a fictional world have to be consistent. If a writer is going to invoke a historical period as setting for even a fantastical tale, a writer still has to honor the norms and limits of the period (see the Temeraire series).
May 30, 2009
I seem to be turning into a seer of sorts. Because this book turned out just as I predicted. Rather uneventful and dull.
That's too bad because I was prepared to like it and hoping it would turn out better than its predecessor. Unfortunately it was the complete opposite. While the first (or second) book in this series at least had an engaging and intriguing start (though the second part of the book ruined it all), this one had nothing engaging at all.
The characters were rather boring, the interaction and misunderstandings between them quickly grew old and tiresome, and the author's constant attempts at poking at the human psyche in order to make the reader understand what makes these two tick fell quite short of the desired effect.
Even the villain made me yawn, whether because of his little "on-screen" time or the silly premise I'm not sure and I don't want to know.
So I ended up merely skimming the pages throughout, just wishing for it to end.
Boring.
That's too bad because I was prepared to like it and hoping it would turn out better than its predecessor. Unfortunately it was the complete opposite. While the first (or second) book in this series at least had an engaging and intriguing start (though the second part of the book ruined it all), this one had nothing engaging at all.
The characters were rather boring, the interaction and misunderstandings between them quickly grew old and tiresome, and the author's constant attempts at poking at the human psyche in order to make the reader understand what makes these two tick fell quite short of the desired effect.
Even the villain made me yawn, whether because of his little "on-screen" time or the silly premise I'm not sure and I don't want to know.
So I ended up merely skimming the pages throughout, just wishing for it to end.
Boring.
December 1, 2011
Can't believe Jackson's book would end up being my least favorite of the series but sadly, this was the case. Thompson let me down. I was so in love with Jackson from Armond's book that he basically eclipsed that couple in their own story, but when it came to his own story, she completely changed Jackson. The bad boy was gone in 5 seconds flat of meeting Lucinda. It was her who played hard to get the most and it just rang untrue. To boot, she basically removed his sense of humor completely and had him behaving like some martyr in training. It was such a disappointment. Jackson had the potential to be one of my favorite romantic heroes of all time, but alas, it was not meant to be.
October 17, 2014
Jackson Wulf ist verflucht, genauso wie seine Brüder. Sobald sie sich verlieben werden sie zu Wölfen und können sich nicht erinnern, wäre sie der Wolf sind. Lucinda ist eine Hexe die versteckt im Wald, ihr Kind bekommt. Als Jackson auftaucht, er denkt durch ihren Tod wird er den Fluch los. Doch leider kann er es nicht. Daraufhin schließen sie einen Pakt miteinander. Bloß ob sie es rechtzeitig schaffen, bevor Jackson wieder zum Wolf wird.
Eine Liebesgeschichte mal anders. Man hat das übliche Spiel, aber mit dem Fluch macht es doch noch etwas spannender und aufregender. Ein historische Geschichte die durch die „Werwolf“ Teil, spannend wird und leicht zu lesen.
Eine Liebesgeschichte mal anders. Man hat das übliche Spiel, aber mit dem Fluch macht es doch noch etwas spannender und aufregender. Ein historische Geschichte die durch die „Werwolf“ Teil, spannend wird und leicht zu lesen.
February 23, 2008
This is book #3 of the Wild Wulfs of London series and I enjoyed it. Each brother was cursed and for their own reasons decide to go their separate ways to find ways to break the curse. If they only communicated, they could have saved themselves a lot of grief, but then there wouldn't be a series, huh? This is Jackson's attempt to break the werewolf curse. I liked both characters and thought this was a neat read. Fun. Romantic. Paranormal/werewolfy stuff. Magic.
4 1/2 Stars from This Reader.
4 1/2 Stars from This Reader.
September 10, 2015
Another installment in the Wild Wulfs of London series. Jackson Wulf meets a young woman unexpectedly who is in the midst of giving birth. She is a witch that he has sought out, believing if he kills her, it will break the curse on his family. Instead he helps her and falls for her and her baby. Forced to marry, they try to come to terms with each other and seek the answer to break the curse. A good story, though their constant misunderstanding of each other's feelings drove me crazy! 4/5
http://ktleyed.blogspot.com/2011/08/u...
http://ktleyed.blogspot.com/2011/08/u...
October 3, 2009
This is a story of quite an unusual pair. I loved the love story in this book and the strange goings on in the lives of the Wulfs.
Lucinda, a good witch, is the object of Jackson's desire. But he wanted to kill her, not fall in love with her...
Jackson, the "pretty boy" ladies man, must show his true nature. He must protact all this is his and that he holds dear...
A good read, read on my sisters!
Lucinda, a good witch, is the object of Jackson's desire. But he wanted to kill her, not fall in love with her...
Jackson, the "pretty boy" ladies man, must show his true nature. He must protact all this is his and that he holds dear...
A good read, read on my sisters!
December 27, 2012
Well DONE Ronda! I thought the first book was a good read, well this one was even better! And you even brought in a witch to add the the fold. Awesome! For all you paranormal junkies out there, like me, this is a definate read, it was witty, and it was a close hit to home for moms as well. Come after my kid, NOT!!! This was a great book with yet another YUMMY Wulf. I definatley recommend reading the series in order. Good Job Ronda!
April 18, 2014
Again the book catches me at the beginning with circumstances I would not expect. The first book was a simple ball that turned into a request to ruin her. This book starts with a quest to find and kill a witch to end the curse. Was not expecting things to take the turn they did and apparently neither was Jackson. OMG! I loved reading Jackson's story. After setting out to break the curse for the whole family, he ends up with more family. Sterling mentioned!
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