THE UNTAMED ONE

Author: Ronda Thompson ISBN: 0312935749 5/2006 PARANORMAL Publisher: ST. MARTIN'S PRESS
Time Period: England 1821 (London & Whit Church)

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.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I love the Wild Wulfs Of London books! THE UNTAMED ONE, the second in the series, is compelling and sexy. It's also smart and well written. Thompson once again creates some sumptuous heroes, as well as heroines, with fire and brains along with their winsome looks. Heck, she even gives them decent dialogue. Add in the paranormal plot consumed with breaking a werewolf curse, and you have a winner.

Unconventional and dramatic storylines are elements I love to find in a book. Putting new twists on old stories is even better. THE UNTAMED ONE boasts a heroine giving birth to another man's child, who was conceived in rape, as well as the hero coming to kill her for being a witch, all in the first chapter! That is pretty dramatic and definitely unconventional.

As a paranormal junkie, I find I can be a harsh critic with some of the books I review. I can only read about a vampire claiming his mate and becoming a good guy so many times before it becomes routine. Anyway, it takes quite a lot to give life to the same old stories without making them silly and dumb. Luckily for me, I have found a few authors that seem to get that, and impress me every time. Ronda Thompson is one such author.

Shannon Johnson