NIGHT OF THE WOLF

Author: Elaine Barbieri ISBN: 0843958529 10/2007 HISTORICAL/PARANORMAL Publisher: DORCHESTER
Time Period: Old West

Though her father had lost his life pursuing the dream of striking it rich in Arizona, Johanna is determined to succeed where he had failed. Instead, she comes close to losing her virtue on the trail west. Rescued by a dark-eyed, dangerous-looking stranger, she has no choice but to hire him to drive her wagon. Wade Mitchell, she discovers, is hiding something. But then, her mother had raised her on secrets, and now Johanna has one of her own: her powerful attraction to the rugged gunman. Wade can claim her body and soul if he will just give her his heart.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Elaine Barbieri's new and exciting mini series blends the rich setting of an Old West historical romance with the thrills and suspense of a paranormal.

In the first book, SIGN OF THE WOLF, the readers are introduced to Letty Wolf, a mother of three daughters and a person that has learned to fear the sound of a wolf howling. To Letty, the howling is a warning that danger is about to strike. We also learned the fate of Letty's oldest daughter, Meredith.

Second in this exciting mini-series is NIGHT OF THE WOLF, the story of Johanna, Letty's second daughter. As the wolf howls begin, Johanna has joined a wagon train on her way to Arizona. Along the way, Johanna is attacked and fears that she will be raped. She is saved by Wade Mitchell, a gunslinger who has been accused of murder and is on the run from a posse.

Johanna and Wade quickly find themselves in love, but with danger and the law on their trail, their future looks bleak. Strong characters, rich dialogue and a stirring plot make NIGHT OF THE WOLF an enchanting story that will captivate from the very beginning.

The wonderful characters make the story. Johanna is a lonely young woman who has bravely set out on an adventure to learn more about her father, after hearing he has died. Her youth and vulnerability quickly endeared her to me, but it is her bravery and good heart that really makes her a noteworthy character. She is able to see something in Wade that allows her to trust her heart in believing in him. I found myself hoping that they would find a way to be together.

At first, I did not know what to think of Wade. He is something of a mystery. His handsome looks and the fact that he saves Johanna, had me wanting to get to know him better. I anxiously awaited his story of why he was wanted by the law. With him I could only hope that he was innocent and that he would continue to protect Johanna from future evil.

NIGHT OF THE WOLF is a mesmerizing paranormal romance set in the Old West. It's strongly compelling characters make it easy for you to lose yourself in their story. It was a fast paced story that I found quickly engaged my emotions as the reader. The thrills and suspense built throughout the story and mixed with the exciting action to make it a book I will not forget.

I look forward to the next story in this fascinating series by Elaine Barbieri. All of the above reasons combine to make NIGHT OF THE WOLF a book I want to recommend to my friends.

Anita Hartsell