Wicked: The Pack of St. James

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...

Angelica Harrow feels fortunate to have escaped from her odious stepbrother Victor Broadnax. In London she obtains work as a "coat check" girl at a ball. Russian werewolf Semyon Taruskin, renowned for his way with the ladies, is attracted to her. However, before he can do anything about his regard, she vanishes. Semyon knows something is not quite right even with Angelica's vanishing act. He begins a search for her, but had not expected a fight to the death with a more powerful supernatural being over who claims Angelica. His advantage is love enhances his prowess, but he failed as the evil St. Sin forces him to act wickedly at a sex club in front of a malevolent crowd. The latest Pack of St. James paranormal Regency romantic suspense (see WILD and WANTON) is an action-packed thriller that is even darker than the previous entries as the underbelly of London's seediest is exposed. The story line is fast-paced but owned by the cast as, the werewolf, the lady in trouble and the vile villains make Noelle Mack's portrayal of early nineteenth century London vivid but gloomy. Harriet Klausner