To Catch a Wolf (Berkley Sensation) [Mass Market Paperback]

"To Catch a Wolf" is both the first Krinard book and first werewolf book I've ever read - and I quite enjoyed it. The writing was crisp and elegant, and the story itself had interesting characters and a creative setting. I also understand it is part of a series, of which I am sure to read.

Set in Colorado in the late 1800s, "To Catch" revolves around two love triangles. The first includes ex-convict Morgan Holt (a werewolf who wants nothing to do with humans), crippled socialite Athena (a repressed werewolf), and snake charmer Tamar (a voluptuous circus freak with reptile skin). The second love triangle includes ruthless businessman Niall (Athena's human half-brother), horse tamer Caitlin (a pixy of a circus performer), and social climber Cecily (scheming her way up through false friendship).

The heroes are Morgan and Athena, who struggle to accept their love for one another. Their challenges are more mental in nature: Morgan was imprisoned for a crime he cannot forget while Athena is not only crippled in body, but also in spirit, and doesn't even realize it. This is a story about how love heals all types of wounds.

I thoroughly enjoyed Morgan. Krinard's descriptions of him, as either man or wolf, were beautifully sad, savage, and majestic. As for the heroine - at first, I was annoyed with Athena and all her self-serving charities, but as her inner wolf began to show, I began to soften toward her. I couldn't wait for them to finally come together.

Although I really enjoyed this book, there were a couple things that bothered me. For one, while Krinard writes elegantly and rather creatively, she also tended to overwrite, resulting in some scenes and dialogue that dragged a bit. She also "overwrote" a couple characters, too, especially Niall, who started off as a great anti-hero, but ended up a crazy jerk (though I think we're supposed to like him; after all, Caitlin did). Another major problem I had was with Morgan's secret. When it was finally revealed, I did not think his crime was worth all the guilt and unhappiness heaped upon him.

However, I was pleased to see that these werewolves were not the ugly, murderous monsters you see in the movies. Most of the time, as werewolves, Morgan and Athena wander around in wolf form, doing wolf things, like running with the pack, mating for life, etc. Very romantic.

In 1875 werewolf Morgan Holt is released from prison after spending several years behind bars in a mercy killing of his ailing father whom he hated for deserting the family. For the next five years he roamed among wolf packs refusing human contact. However, hunters shoot him and he turns into a human found by members of French's Fantastic family Circus who help him heal.

Feeling gratitude though he prefers to leave, Morgan agrees to remain until the circus turns a profit. He performs as the Wolfman. After a fire devastates the circus, Niall Munroe offers needed funding if the circus performs in Denver for an orphanage his wheelchair bound sister Athena sponsors. Athena and Morgan fall in love as he shows her the hidden wolf inside her, but her sibling has other plans that exclude Morgan.

TO CATCH A WOLF is an enjoyable werewolf historical romance that contains a strong main plot centering on the love and demons of the two protagonists. The key to the tale is that the audience will accept as easily as the circus troupe that werewolves are real. To a degree a romance between Niall and Caitlin a circus performer adds depth, but the brother comes across too nasty to accept in that role at least in this title. Still fans will howl for a sequel because Caitlin deserves her story told and readers will want to know about another performer's homecoming and whether this lead couple has a werepup.

Harriet Klausner

I love werewolf novels. This was a very good story. I enjoyed the various characters. Athena was crippled at an early age. Her family is very powerful. She lives with her brother and her life has been very sheltered as a society hostess. Morgan Holt is a werewolf who was convicted for the killing of his father. Once he left prison he deserted mankind and traveled with the wolves. One day he is badly hurt and changes into a man and collapses in front of a circus. The circus people, meeting another "outcast", take Morgan in. Morgan decides to stay with the circus because he owes it to them, and they need his help to earn enough money to support them through the winter. Athena's brother just happens to meet the circus, and then Athena meets Morgan. This story is pretty much about Morgan and Athena's growing relationship and how she will have to learn how to let her fear go, and Morgan will have to learn how to love and trust again. Very good story.