Enchanting the Beast

I really enjoyed this book. I bought it for the cover. It interested me so much, that I wanted to find out all about the characters inside. This book is about Philomena and Nico, who are are on a hunt to help his brother who is having nightmares about seeing ghosts in the castle. Philomena is a ghost finding woman. Nico is a shape shifter. Of course, there is love at first sight. Problem is Philomena is 40 and Nico is 27 years old. The whole village is made up of shape shifters of all kinds. stick men, faeries, were wolves,rabbits etc. What an interesting concept. I read the book in one night. I am going to have to read it again to catch all the different types of shape shifters I missed the first go around. Magical books are a fun read for me. I loved the characters and the world they live in. Pick up a cold glass of tea, or a glass of wine and enjoy this fun book.

This beautifully written Victorian fantasy, set in a society where nobility is determined by magical abilities, will enchant any reader. There be not only werewolves, but weresnakes, flying horses, ducks and even penguins, and Kathryne Kennedy charms you into believing in them all. Lady Philomena is smart and likeable, well adjusted to high society. She gives séances for a fee, helping the London upper crust to deal with the loss of their loved ones, solving crises and sometimes even past crimes. Nicodemus Wulfson, a werewolf and a baronet from the countryside, does not believe in ghosts or evil spirits. In order to help his brother plagued by ghostly nightmares, however, he'll try anything, including hiring a phony ghost hunter if it appeases him. But Grimspell Castle harbors deadly secrets, and past unsolved crimes hang like a dark cloud over the ancient stone walls. Each step Philomena takes closer to the truth might jeopardize her life, and brings her deeper into the shadow of a dangerous wolf, who might well be Nico himself. In order to save her, can Nicodemus set aside the terrors of his childhood? And how can he possibly resist his dangerous and uncanny attraction to Philomena? I enjoyed every minute of Enchanting the Beast. The human depth of all the characters makes them so believable, you want to meet them in real life. The endearing voice and flawless style make you forget reality, so you can dive without reservation into a fictional world where magic rules, dangers abound, and love and sizzling passion can conquer all, even the darkest of beasts. The perfect feel-good read for a wonderful, unforgettable escape into a magic world you'll want to visit again and again. Reviewed by Vijaya Schartz Award-winning Sci-Fi, Lethal Girls, Romance with a Kick Author, book reviewer, editor, columnist, speaker on good writing

Lady Philomena makes a living in London Society by holding séances and giving closure to the living left behind. Sir Nicodemus Wulfson is looking for someone who sees ghosts, or at least, someone who can fake it well enough. Nico's brother is being tormented by spirits that haunt his dreams, and Nico thinks Phil might be the answer to getting rid of them. Even though Nico thinks she is a fraud, he can't help but be attracted to her strength and beauty. Since he is a werewolf, he especially appreciates her comfort around shapeshifters, which is hard to find in society. Phil arrives at Grimspell castle ready to help. She can tell there is something wrong, but can't quite put her finger on what. There are lots of mysteries to be solved, and if she can just ignore her growing attraction to Nico, she might be able solve them. Enchanting the Beast is the third book in the Relics of Merlin series. And based on this book, I would say this series has some of the best world building I have seen in awhile. Linking noble titles to various types of magic is simple, but effective, and gives a lot of room for a variety of stories. This was a really fun read. All the best elements of a paranormal and a historical in one book. The romance and the mystery are equally interesting, without detracting from each other. Nico is a beast on the outside and a romantic on the inside. Phil is funny and caring, and a perfect foil for Nico. And the descriptions of the various shapeshifters are clever and hysterical (look out for the duck and the penguin). Definitely a series I would keep an eye on! Niki Lee Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

In 1861 London, Lady Philomena Radcliffe hosts a séance when Baronet Nicodemus Wulfson barges in. Although he is skeptical about her ghost whispering skills, he will try anything to save his brother, dying from an unknown ailment. He demands she help him by her interrogating the ghosts who reside in his family castle. Phil realizes Nico is a shapeshifter and agrees to accompany him back to Grimspell. Almost as soon as she enters accompanied by her otherworld contact Tup she meets a spirit in battle armor whom she follows as he walks down to the dungeon. There she finds a locked door and a crypt; once she opens the door she heeds the voices whispering her as she walks a tunnel underneath the castle. She also sees the ghosts of a courtesan and her customers. As she gets closer to naming the person responsible for the condition of Nico's sibling, she falls in love with her host; not heeding Tup's warnings that a mortal wanting to hide his or her identity wants her dead. The third Relics of Merlin alternate history saga (see DOUBLE ENCHANTMENT and ENCHANTING THE LADY) is a fabulous romantic whodunit fantasy. The electrifying story line stars an intriguing descendent of the Camelot wizard and a brooding werewolf who with the foreboding castle brings a gothic feel to the tale. Fast-paced from the moment Nico crashes Philo's séance and never slows until the final goodbye, fans will enjoy this fun Victorian. Harriet Klausner

Ghost hunter Lady Philomena Radcliff relieves suffering. When Sir Nicodemus Wulfson approaches her to come to Grimspell Castle to hunt down the angry ghosts that torment his brother Royden, she can hardly refuse, even though her spiritual sensitivity warns her that Nico is no ordinary man. His god-like body takes her breath away but underneath she catches a glimpse of the darkness in his soul. Man and wolf, this were-creature has brooding secrets. As the two of them are drawn together, external forces pull them apart. Royden's ghosts step up the ante, forcing Lady Philomena to descend into the darkest places of the once medieval castle. Can she uncover the powerful force that lurks in the shadows? Outside of the castle, a murdering wolf is on the prowl. Has the wolf within Nico lost control? Is he responsible for the destruction and murder that follows in his wake? Can Nico prove his innocence and protect those around him or will his past endanger all those he loves, including Philomena? In ENCHANTING THE BEAST, the third book of The Relics of Merlin series, Kathryne Kennedy takes readers into a darker corner of magical Victorian England for a light yet moving fairy tale guaranteed to bring lots of smiles at the sheer beauty of the author's magical imagination. London society is governed by an aristocracy based on magical ability, a society that frowns upon the lowly shape-shifters. Grimspell Castle with its rumors of murder and were-creature inhabitants is not the kind of place for a society lady. Lady Philomena herself never really fit into society. Older and unmarried, Lady Philomena seems destined for spinsterhood, especially when none of the men in her past understood her ability to talk to ghosts. Sir Nico is not like any man she has ever met before. Lady Philomena is a woman driven by compassion for others. She treats both shapeshifters and her servants with a kindness unseen in polite society. Will the darker forces that surround Grimspell castle prey upon her innocence and goodness or will heart transform those around her, even bringing solace to the raging beast inside Sir Nico, a beast torn asunder by grief? ENCHANTING THE BEAST is quite simply magical! Kathryne Kennedy brings together wonderful characters in a fairy tale setting in which romance, magic, and adventure are center stage. Kathryne Kennedy weaves together all the elements of a reader's favorite fairy tales with unique and unforgettable originality. Lady Philomena and Sir Nico are perfectly matched not only romantically, but together, each unleashes the goodness and magic within the other. Lady Philomena's entourage of the ghost guide Tup and her were-servant Sarah endear the heart with smiles and deep-felt emotion from beginning to end. Adventurous subplots lead the reader down fascinating journeys full of delightful twists as Lady Philomena and Sir Nico explore both the inner castle below and the inner spirit that lurks within. ENCHANTING THE