TO CATCH A WOLF
Susan Krinard
Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 0-425-19208-3
September 2003
Paranormal Romance
Free from prison, shapeshifter Morgan Holt decided to live the rest of his life in the wild, staying as far away from humans as he could possibly get. In wolf form, hunted by man, Morgan is seriously injured. A travelling circus gives him refuge, and Morgan feels indebted to the performers. Signing on as the "Wolf-Man" until the circus can get back on its feet, Morgan continues to keep those around him at bay. The circus members are a family, and they consider Morgan to be one of their own, even with his anti-social ways. Just as Morgan decides that his debt is paid in full, tragedy befalls the circus outside of Denver, Colorado. Fate steps in to lend the circus a hand, and offer Morgan the mate he never knew he could have.
Athena Munroe knew what it was like to run free as a wolf, to feel the werewolf blood course through her veins. Ruthlessly shoving those memories away after being crippled at a young age, Athena did her best to forget the past and move on to the future. Devoting herself to charity work, Athena agrees that the circus would offer an excellent opportunity for fundraising. Unexpected is the attraction that she feels for one of the performers, Morgan. Fascinated despite his surly attitude, Athena goes back to the circus in hopes of seeing him one more time. And what she sees enthralls her even more; for to save her from a runaway horse, Morgan shifts and Athena realizes that she has found a kindred.
TO CATCH A WOLF showcased some very engrossing lead characters and several intriguing secondary characters. All of which kept my interest when the plot seemed to slow and get bogged down by superfluous passages that don't further the story along. The "villainous" characters were a bit overblown, and every time they appeared, I just wished them gone. They weren't interesting to me, you know that they were only added to create conflict. They don't evolve. That, however, cannot be said for Morgan or Athena, our two lead characters. Especially Athena. She grows into a very confident person, one who takes risks and chances, one who can accept the uncertainty that real life offers. Morgan, an excellent character, drew me in with his moodiness and his commanding presence, all fascinating aspects to his personality.
TO CATCH A WOLF kept me up most of the night, and while I was a bit disappointed in the ending, the overall excitement I felt when reading this novel is still with me, days later.
