COME THE NIGHT

Author: Susan Krinard ISBN: 9780373773152 10/2008 Paranormal Publisher: HQN

The Great War has ended. And Gillian Maitland is to marry a werewolf of her lather's choosing—ensuring the purity of their noble bloodline. Still, she can't forget Ross Kavanaugh, the American whose forbidden touch unleashed a passion she'd never known. And when Ross returns unexpectedly to England, he's no longer the man she remembers, but a hard-boiled ex-cop who harbors a dark secret. The discovery that they have a son makes Ross even rnore determined to prove his worth to Gillian, despite being merely a quarter werewolf. Then a mysterious spate of murders casts him under a pall of suspicion, and torn between duty and desire, Gillian knows she must drive Ross away. Even as their hunger for each other grows by the hour...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

COME THE NIGHT by Susan Krinard is a story of the obligations families put on each other—even families that are not entirely human. Apparently werewolves, too, have a social hierarchy of sorts and Gillian's father is bent on imposing his will on her choice of husbands. While Gillian wants to keep her father happy, as any daughter would, she feels a definite pull toward a man she's met, one who's already staked a claim on her heart. But will family take precedence over heart? It's a tough call for anyone, but especially someone who believes she needs to keep a pure bloodline.

This, at first, seems like an interpersonal showdown between Gillian's heart and her father's wishes, but there is a twist, and it's a good one. While I can't say much without giving away the secret, I will admit that this is one story that reeled me in inch by inch, until I was completely bent on seeing where it went. At face value the premise appears simple, but not everyone in this story is aboveboard. Hidden agendas, lies and past mistakes all play a part in Gillian and Ross's future. I was mesmerized.

With an edge-of-your seat writing style and a flair for nurturing the misgivings lurking in every soul, Susan Krinard takes werewolves to a whole new level. COME THE NIGHT is a compelling read, filled with characters who stayed on my mind long after I'd turned the final page. Well done!

Kay James