Touch of the Wolf (Historical Werewolf Series, Book 1)

Daughter of a werewolf mother and human father, Cassidy Holt is orphaned by age seven and raised by her human aunt and uncle, who despise her wolf blood. At 22, determined to find her mother's family, Cassidy travels to London where she meets her distant cousin, Braden Forster, the powerful and charismatic Earl of Greyburn. Cassidy's wolf instincts are strong and she is drawn to the handsome earl, as he is to her. But Braden has devoted his life to preserving his clan's dynasty of werewolf blood, and due to a closely guarded secret, he believes that he cannot claim Cassidy as his mate. Instead, he betroths her to his younger brother, Quentin. As Cassidy struggles to come to grips with her werewolf heritage, she and Braden are drawn together by mutual passion. But Braden is a man of deep commitments and a tortured past that threatens any hope of a happy future for the two lovers. And falling in love couldn't have come at a more difficult time, for Braden's life and his leadership of the clan are endangered by the bitter hatred of an evil werewolf.

Krinard's world of werewolves, with their blend of human emotion and animal instinct, is every bit as believable as the novel's descriptions of London and the English countryside. The rigidly structured human society in which Braden and Cassidy live provides a stark contrast to the wildness of their wolf heritage, while Braden's darkness of soul is balanced by Cassidy's innocence and faith. Add a strong plot to this story of shape-shifting werewolves and heroic characters and the result is a terrific paranormal romance. --Lois Faye Dyer