Romance Book Review: Wicked

Author: Noelle Mack
Series Connection: The Pack Of St. James
ISBN-13: 978-0758222800
Genre: Historical/ Paranormal/ Werewolf

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This is the third in the series the Pack of St. James. In Wicked we meet Semyon the youngest of the three brothers that run the St. James pack in London. Semyon is a bit of a rake. He isn't ready to settle down, more interested in playing the field then courting a woman from the ton. The book starts as Semyon is attending a party when he decides to slip away from the festivities to find a drink. He follows one of the servants and makes his way to the coat room where he sees a beautiful woman behind a curtain of the ladies coat room and instantly becomes intrigued by her.

When he visits her again later that evening she is fast a sleep and decides to call on her again early the next morning only to find out from one of the servants that the woman has disappeared. Semyon uses his werewolf instincts to rescue the woman, but that is just the beginning.

Angelica Harrow has had a terrible past. Seeking to run away from her troubles she finally escapes after her parents die from fever. She makes her way to London where she takes on the position of a Lady's Maid. It isn't the best of situations and already Angelica is planning on leaving but before she can make her escape, her stepbrother finds her with a plan to sell her innocence to the highest bidder.

What follows is a fast-paced tale of the dark and seedy side of London. Once again Noelle has penned a intriguing story adding the paranormal shifter elements to the historical features of London. This story is not for the faint of heart, as they say, but it is well put together. I love the both Semyon and Angelica and the supporting characters made up of sleezy villains and the members of the St. James pack. Definitely worth the read for werewolf fans.

Description:
Kyril. Marko. Semyon. Brothers like no other, sharing an ancient blood bond and descent from Russian wolves. Sworn to lead the Pack of St. James and defend the English crown, their seductive charm is legendary among the women of London. In Wicked, Noelle Mack presents Semyon's story...

The Demon's Disciple
Masterful. Seductive. And very much in demand. Semyon Taruskin does not deny his reputation as a lover. But one woman alone has enchanted him: the seemingly innocent and bewitching Angelica Harrow. He would risk his own life to protect hers, for Angelica lives in fear of one who betrayed her, a notorious rake who has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Was the man murdered? Or transformed into a different--and far more malevolent--entity?

For her love, Semyon will reveal his supernatural powers in a lethal battle for dominance of London's private hells. The last man standing shall claim Angelica--and Semyon's passion for Angelica is proof that the wildest blood runs hottest...

Wanton will leave readers anything but...

Wanton
Author: Noelle Mack
Series Connection: Pack of St. James
ISBN: 978-0-7582-2276-3
Genre: Historical/Paranormal/Shifter

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Description:
In the year 1816, the Pack of St. James meets in secret in their London lair. An unknown assailant has begun to prey upon the women who consort with the men of the Pack - two have already died in mysterious ways and a poisoned communication threatens still more. With Kyril Taruskin and his love Vivienne away in the far north, attending to the clan's business in the Russian port of Archangel, his brother Marko begins to investigate - and finds the trail leads to a scandalous beauty known only as Severin.One of the victims was Severin's half-sister, but that alone is not enough to explain her intimate knowledge of the strange case. Well aware how a clever woman can hide more than she reveals, Marko employs all his powers of sensual persuasion, barely able to resist the allure of her amber eyes and softly seductive voice. He has never been outwitted by a woman. But Severin is different from all the rest - very different - and loving her is a dangerous game indeed...

My View:
Not really one to usually like historicals because I find some authors get so in-depth in the time period that they lose something in the romance of the story, I have to say I really like this series. I started reading the first book Wild because it was a werewolf series, which I really enjoy. I was hooked after reading the first one. This second book Wanton didn't disappoint. The first scene starts off hot and sexy and the book just sizzles from there. The author does set the scene in the time period of the early 1800s and follows through with a mystery that can transcend over time.

From the first moment the readers meet Marko and Severin from across a ballroom they can feel the electricity between the two. The characters fall instantly for one another, but there is a rocky road ahead for the couple. Marko has a murder to solve and he doesn't want to mix Severin up in his problems. Of course he fails to explain that to her, and she gets a little miffed at him. The story is fast paced and well written and readers will enjoy watching the couple make their way back to each other.

I've had this book sitting on my shelf for months with the intention of reading it right away, unfortunately things happen and life gets in the way. I'm glad I finally dusted the cover off and sat down for the read. The next book in the series, Wicked, which was scheduled to be out this month, publishing date has been moved to the end of August. I'm sure it will be worth the wait.