Castle of the Wolf by Sandra Schwab
Historical romance published 1 May 07 by Dorchester Love Spell
This gothic novel is set in post-Napoleonic Europe, mostly in Germany (the Black Forest) and partly in northern England. It’s about a spinsterly young woman, Celia, who is left penniless by a father she loved and cared for. Her hopes of a happy, if lonely, future are dashed by her older brother’s choice in wife – a venal, self-important woman who won’t tolerate another female in the house for long. So, Celia sets off to claim her inheritance of a castle in the Black Forest near Baden-Baden… and her intended groom.
Here’s the book blurb:
After the death of her father, Cissy Fussell finds out that she has inherited a castle in the Black Forest – but on one condition: she has to marry the son of her father’s old friend.
Ever since he returned home from the war, physically and emotionally wounded, Fenris von Wolfenbach has lived in the castle of his family, retired from the world like the beast in the fairy tale. Thus he is far from happy when one day a young Englishwoman turns up on his doorstep and claims his home as hers. Fenris is prepared to use any means fair or foul to get rid of his unwelcome visitor again. But will he manage to put Cissy to flight with rats on the loose? Or will she unravel the secrets of the Castle of Wolfenbach and eventually tame her beast?
Schwab, a German national living in Frankfurt, does a very nice job weaving this tale. The pace of this novel is very sedate, but my attention didn’t wander too much – I cared too much about what happened to the main characters. Nevertheless, the book’s pace is very deliberate and oddly dignified, which isn’t a bad thing.  The atmosphere was suitably gothic and the romance was very convincing – no sudden “soul mate” BS that we often read these days. I did want to shake the heroine a few times to get her to just shut the f up, quit whining, and get on with it already, but I think that has more to do with my 21st century frustration of her 19th century sensibilities.
This was a very nice gothic romance. It had some drama, some subtle fantastical elements (as all gothics should), some crazy relatives, a smidge of sex, and, of course, a satisfying romance. The ending seemed a bit abrupt, but if that’s all I have to complain about, I consider it a win. Gothic romance fans will enjoy this light reading.Â
Grade: B-
Thanks for reading and reviewing Castle of the Wolf, Gwen! I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the novel!
… I think that has more to do with my 21st century frustration of her 19th century sensibilities
Hehe. That one made me chuckle. 🙂 I deliberately tried to make Cissy 19th century-ish, especially in her attitude towards sex. Which resulted in interesting discussions with my editor. He, “Oh, I thought they already had sex in the forest. Why don’t they?” — Me, “Uhm …” (Thinks, Because I don’t want to get rid of my lovely love scene in the castle!!!) “… because of the cold, the pine needles and the ants. Let’s not forget about the ants!”
Sandra – my pleasure. Gothics aren’t really my thing, but I can see how this one will be liked by fans. It managed to keep my attention, which is a tough thing to do. I can be damned difficult to convince to suspend my disbelief for any length of time. I was happy to say that your book was a pleasant read.