Prince of Shadows (Val Cache)

This is my first novel by Susan Krinard and it will not be my last. I really enjoyed this "were romance." Alexandra Warrington first met "Shadow" her best friend and wolf when she was a young girl. Now years later, she is physically and mentally scarred and returning to her grandparent's home to conduct research on "wolves." At her grandparent's home, Alex finds a hurt wolf and takes him home with her. The next morning Alex discovers her wolf gone, and a man in her bed with no memory of who he is. At first, Alex panics but she soon discovers that this man is in actuality her wolf. Alexandra decides to help him discover what happened to him to make him lose his memory. Also, during this time Alex finds herself growing attracted to him. Still, she has to be careful because a murder has also occurred that has all the markings of a "large wolf." This is a very good story. I connected with the heroine and really enjoyed her. I would recommend.

Really high-quality wriing has a rhythm and tempo all of its own. In this superb book the author gives us two fascinating characters, and a startling introduction to the world of wolves. Alex is determined and brave, Keiran sexy and noble. I loved every word of it. The descriptions of nature and the wolves were incredible. Am looking forward to reading more by this author. Sorcha MacMurrough

Playing in the woods together and enjoying long summer days, Alexandra Warrington and Kieran Holt knew each other as children. Alex knew her playmate better as Shadow, the black wolf who dared to play with a ten-year-old girl. Unfortunately, a poacher kills Kieran's parents, leaving the young boy alone when Alex must leave the woods of her grandparent's home to return to her parents. Alex returns to the Minnesota woods as wolf researcher years later. Likewise, Kieran cannot ignore the call of his past and returns to the woods remembering the young girl's promise of help. A werewolf, Kieran has wandered the lands for five years alone. Alex wakes one morning to find a complete stranger in her bed, despite the long dormant sensual and erotic pleasure, she refuses to let a man into her heart or her bed. The death of her mother years ago, the tragic accident that left her face permanently scarred, her father's rejection and the breakup with her fiancé have insured that Alex never intends to let anyone close to her but her beloved wolves. When a mysterious murder from five years previous ties to another death shortly after her arrival, Alex finds herself committed to helping Kieran at all costs. Tinges of mysticism, and liberal doses of the paranormal make PRINCE OF SHADOWS an unusual and fascinating read. As the characters develop, I couldn't help being drawn into the tale and empathizing with the challenges each character must face. With an intensity and passion seldom matched, PRINCE OF SHADOWS.

I have to say I LOVED this book. Kieran Holt and Alex were a good match. Krinard's writing has a level of detail and characterization that is uncommon in the romance industry and which I found vastly appealing.Strengths: Krinard made you really feel for Kieran and his troubled life. Alex's struggles to overcome self esteem and past trauma issues were moving. Even the villain's struggles were gripping. I enjoyed the level of detail revealed in Alex's work as a wolf researcher. The environmental themes were insightful and not preachy.I particularly liked the scenes when Alex was Shadow.Very cute.Problems: I really had no problems with this book. Since it is a romance the main focus was on the two main characters and their struggles, I couldn't help but find myself curious about the other sub plot characters and what was going on with them.. I would like to have seen Kieran explore more of his people's heritage, preferably in the company of his own kind, as he had barely begun the rode towards self acceptance and healing at the end of this book. Overall, an excellent read..

This was a beautiful and tender love story between a werewolf and a wolf researcher. Unlike other werewolf novels currently on the market, Prince of Shadows plays down the gorier and darker aspects of such supernatural creatures and surprises us with a very human hero who just happens to have certain special abilities. The love story and the supernatural subplot complemented eachother well. My only real dissatisfaction was with the cover; a beefcake depiction of Kieran posing with his shirt shrugged off, looking for all the world like a chippendale thug. I was embarrassed to be seen with it. Krinard lived up to my expectations created from her first werewolf novel, Prince of Wolves -- I wonder if she plans on making this a trilogy? I think her fans would love to explore the hidden village of Valle Cache a bit further.