"Definitely story were-wolf fans should not to miss"

While visiting New Orleans, Vella Frazier is led by her instinct, something she knows to pay close attention to, to an antique shop. What she discovers is drawing her there is a belt made of wolf's fur. Guy St. Simon literally runs into Vella as she leaves the shop. He wishes he had time to follow up on the meeting, not realizing that she has what he has come to the shop to recover--the wolf belt.

Once home in Michigan, Vella is surprised the next evening to find the man from New Orleans on her doorstep, wanting to retrieve the belt. However, just as she is about to return it to him, her daughter arrives, grabs the belt, and claims she has need of it. This surprises Vella, but what comes as even more of a shock is the discovery that her daughter is more than willing to spend the summer at the cabin she inherited from her grandfather with two strangers -- Guy and his nephew, Luis. Even the fact that she is to be included doesn't ease her mind, but after a call from her grandmother, encouraging her to "follow this man's lead" -- meaning Guy -- she agrees.

The discoveries that Vella makes at the lodge, about Kelly, and Luis are things she believed only fantasy. Complicating matters is the sexual attraction--and more-- she feels for Guy. Guy is certain he can help Luis and Kelly, who both suffer from the same strange malady, but things go tragically wrong. Now Guy must become something he had hoped never to become again. Will Vella be able to accept what he truly is--or will this knowledge be more than she can embrace. Through it all, Vella is also plagued by strange dreams. When the time comes, will she be able to accept her own special qualities?

This is a very good paranormal romance. The hero and heroine in this story are both older--early fifties. Though the protagonists shift into wolf-shape at the full moon, this is more a shape-shifter story than a purely were-wolf one. This is a well written story, but I admit at first I was not comfortable with the author's voice. It sometimes struck my as a bit stilted. As the story drew me in, though, I found this didn't bother me anymore. Definitely one for the were-wolf fans not to miss.

Reviewed by Flora Bell
Posted January 1, 2004

Also in trade paperback, ISBN: 1590888006 - June 1. 2003

Summary

Vella Frazier has no idea the gift of a wolf belt will change her life--but will it be for better or worse? When she meets Guy St. Simon, she's plunged into such strange and confusing circumstances and she can't decided what and who to believe. How can it be true that shapeshifters actually exist? Desperate to save her hafling daughter, Vella must learn to trust Guy, frightening though that is. The idea of loving him, though, is even more scary.