Once a Wolf

The second entry in Krinard's most recent historical/werewolf romance trilogy, this novel features a Victorian lady who is compelled to recognize the animal powers that lie beneath her New York high-society manners. Lady Rowena Forster has not changed into her wolf form for years; in fact, she's hoping her upcoming marriage to powerful and wealthy Cole MacLean will keep her ""honest."" Then, Rowena is kidnapped by another werewolf, Tomas Alejandro Randall, who is seeking revenge against MacLean, and she is forced to look beneath her veneer of civility. What is the right way to deal with one's werewolf nature? Tomas simply accepts that he is a werewolf, and Cole uses his power to manipulate one and all. While Rowena begins to fall for Tomas's gentler side, Cole's minions are busy tracking them throughout the West. Krinard tells her tale powerfully, with strong secondary characters, including Cole's younger brother and a young girl Rowena and Tomas save from a mob of angry villagers. While the story feels a few chapters too long, this paranormal tale will appeal to lovers of both horror and straight historical romance. Rowena's transformation from the Lady of Ice to a Lady of Fire and her union with Tomas makes for fascinating, and erotic, reading. (July)