Sandy M’s review of Enchanting the Beast (Relics of Merlin, Book 3) by Kathryne Kennedy
Historical Paranormal Romance released by Lovespell 28 Apr 09
I know I’ve probably said this before in my previous two reviews of Ms. Kennedy’s books, but if you haven’t started reading her Merlin’s Relics series, you’re missing out on some great reads and a whole lot of fun. She gives us great characters, shapeshifters, intriguing stories, and a magical Regency England you’ve not seen before. I’ll give you odds if you try one, you’ll immediately want more.
Lady Philomena is a ghost hunter. She likes to give reassurance to the living by communicating with their departed loved ones, and normally things usually go along as they should, but her latest seance is just short of a disaster. That doesn’t deter Sir Nicodemus, though. He is desperate to help his brother, so he lures the lovely Phil to Grimspell Castle where supposed spirits are slowly draining his sibling with their mysterious anger.
Phil is taken with the handsome baronet, who is immune to magic and is a shapeshifter. So she travels to his home to figure out why the resident ghosts are up in arms. She knows Nico is not a believer, but she’s determined to find an answer for his family. While there, however, she hears gossip that Nico killed his wife, and then murders suddenly begin anew now that he’s home. The village is wary of Nico and his pack, especially since a large black wolf has been seen in the area.
She tries to reconcile this information with the man who loves his family, takes care of his villagers despite their ire, and who knows who to seduce a woman, even one much older than himself. Nico has his work cut out for him in tearing down the walls Philomena has built around herself against nonbelievers and a past that has left it’s mark on her. He’s also shedding his disbelief of her abilities and talents when it comes to the spirit world the more he sees her in action.
Amid all the mystery and magic, the romance between these two characters is delightful. Nico is taken with Phil from the start, all the while she tries to discourage him because of their age difference, but he’s a man who knows his own mind. He ruthlessly seduces her until she can hardly see straight. I really liked that the mystery involved Nico and his wolves, the shapeshifting scenes are really terrific, and we’re given a few twists and turns along the way before a surprising resolution. Each story is very different from the last, and this time the older woman/younger man concept worked wonderfully well.
Once again Ms. Kennedy weaves her magic and pulls the reader in from the first page and doesn’t end until the very last word. You should pick up any of her Merlin’s Relics books and prepare to be thoroughly enchanted.
Be sure to check our interview of Ms. Kennedy in our Duck Chat feature here at the Pond to learn more about her and her writing.
Grade: A+
Read reviews and info about this series by following its tag.
Summary:
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Grimspell castle. With its dark, imposing stone walls, it certainly looked haunted. As a ghost-hunter, Lady Philomena was accustomed to restless spirits. But she found the dark, imposing nature of the castle’s owner far more haunting than any specter. London Society might not approve of shape-shifters such as Sir Nicodemus Wulfson, but firmly-on-the-shelf Philomena rather enjoyed the young baronet’s sudden interest in sniffing around her skirts. She’d even consider giving in to him altogether if not for a murderer on the loose-a beast that might just be Nico himself.
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Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
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