A brief description of this book’s main female character caught my attention. She was only 24, but considered herself “on the shelf,” was devoted to raising her dead sister’s adolescent son alone, and seem to have spunk. I had to know
more.Lily Rutledge soon found she needed help with her 12-year-old nephew and who better to turn to than the boy’s guardian even though he hadn’t shown any interest in the lad in six years. She was still mystified why her brother-in-law had chosen his cousin as guardian. He wouldn’t even answer her letters.
Little did Lily know that a simple, quick trip to see the Duke of Blackmoor at Westfield Hall would turn her life and the world as she knew it upside down.
Thus begins the tantalizing adventure of “A Certain Wolfish Charm” by debut romance author Lydia Dare.
Simon Westfield, the Duke of Blackmoor, has a scandalous reputation. He is rich, powerful, charming, and devilishly sexy. He keeps the gossip busy with his latest indulgence. He has no time for tedious things like correspondence.
Lily arrives on Simon’s doorstep demanding his help with young Oliver. The once sweet and gentle boy is fast becoming unruly, often given to burst of temper, and growing more rapidly than most youngsters his age. Simon quickly sends Lily away without considering what is troubling the boy. Once he fully realizes the boy’s predicament, he races after Lily to return her to his home and send for the boy.
Lily, glad Simon will finally show Oliver some attention, returns with him. Simon now wants to keep Oliver with him, but Lily will not abandoned her nephew and is determined to stay. Despite his outrageous behavior and scandalous lifestyle, she finds herself drawn to him.
Trying to keep his instincts under control, Simon is instantly pulled to Lily. Her strength and resolve stirs him and he vows to protect her from others and himself at all cost.
The attraction between the two is felt immediately. The push and pull between them only entices the reader in deeper. Add in Simon’s sinfully charming brother, Will, along with the handsome men next door and the pot begins to boil. To top it off, Lily is befriended by Prisca Hawthorne of Langley Downs who loves to stir up trouble for the Westfield men.
This isn’t a murder mystery, even though murder is threaten numerous times and you think on occasion it might happen. The book does have a mysterious element even though it’s billed as a historical romance set in Regency England. “A Certain Wolfish Charm” is oh, so much more.
While the attraction between Simon and Lily heats up, the reader is beguiled as a mystery unfolds surrounding the Westfield men, including Oliver. Lily finds a Lycan family tree and the pieces begin to fall in place.
You’ll be laughing out loud one minute, ready to choke one of the Westfield men the next, all the while loving the relationship that is growing between Simon and Lily. By the time the mystery is revealed, you’ll be a believer already fallen under the spell of “A Certain Wolfish Charm.”
Author Lydia Dare captures the feel of 1816 England while stimulating the readers romantic side and arousing curiosity about a mystery tied to the moon. “A Certain Wolfish Charm” is the first in a trilogy with “Tall, Dark and Wolfish” next and “The Wolf Next Door” to follow.
A Certain Wolfish Charm * Sourcebooks * @2010 * ISBN: 978-1-4022-36945 * Paperback * 384 pages
FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
Mason - Thanks for this thorough review! I don't usually go for romance novels, but I do love historical fiction, and if you add mystery to it, too, there I am. Thanks for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting combination of genres! Thanks for the tip, Mason!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
I like a book that mixes genres - and one that not only makes you laugh but keeps you on the edge of your seat. Thanks for the introduction to A Certain Wolfish Charm.
ReplyDeleteHelen
Straight From Hel
Masy, I keep noticing chiseled male bodies on the covers of most of these female romantic novels, and can't help but wonder, why do women always complain when male magazines always have naked ladies on their covers :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I must admit I found the tittle of this novel quite cheesy :)
Margot, one thing I enjoyed about this book was that it had so much more than just the romance. Some of the scenes between Lily and Simon reminded me of Grant/Hepburn actions.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, the various genres are blended nicely to make it a well-rounded read.
Helen, there are scenes in this book that you can't help but laugh at. Like I said above, they reminded me of the Grant/Hepburn actions that I love so.
Dez, the key word there is "naked." With the covers of the romantic novels, there are chiseled bodies but they leave somethings to the imagination whereas the magazines don't. As for the title, Simon does have charm as does Lily for that matter.
Appreciate the comprehensive review. I'm also a fan of crossover - mixed genre books.
ReplyDeleteno, "naked" isn't the key word (men's sexuality is naturally more raw than the female one, so that's why men need a bit more to see than women), the key point is that both men and women can be attracted, drawn or lured by using sexy images :)
ReplyDelete