However Braden has betrothed Cassidy to his feckless younger brother Quentin, and has denied himself the possibility of love after a disastrous marriage to a Russian werewolf. What follows is a power struggle as Bradon fights against his attraction to the niave and sweet Cassidy, falling in love couldn't have come at a more difficult time, for Braden's life and his leadership of the clan are endangered by the bitter hatred of an evil werewolf.

Braden is a man of deep commitments and a tortured past that threatens any hope of a happy future for the two lovers, much like Cathy and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, the reader is led to believe that these star crossed lovers may never get together. Braden is at first a fairly unpleasant character even to his family especially his sister Rowena who is furious at her brother for promising her in a werewolf marriage when she would prefer to play human. You will soon warm to Braden as he is softened by Cassidy's influence and realises that the only Cause woth fighting for is love.

This is an excellent book for werewolf fans that enjoy sensuality and beauty rather than snapping muzzles and gore. This is where Susan Krinard's Wolf sagas begin, there are two more historical books that directly relate to this novel concerning Braden's brother Quentin and Rowena as well as a handful of werewolf novels relating to the Fosters direct descendents all of which are just as compelling. I myself never having been a fan of historical romances was deeply surprised that I enjoyed this novel so much and I think most people will fel the same.

Cassidy's father and brother had left home, never to return while she was an extremely young child. Cassidy knew she was "loup-garou". But her mother had died before teaching Cassidy how to Change. All Cassidy wanted was to find her lost kin in London, learn how to do what she knew was within her, and never again be alone. With the help from one of her mother's friends, she made it to London. She fell in love with the dominant male, Braden. However, Braden had plans to marry Cassidy to his brother Quentin. Then there was Rowena, Quentin's twin. She was to marry an American she had never met, while being in love with another. To make matters harder, the Convocation was soon to be held. As loup-garou clans assembled from foreign countries, their wolf part begins to show.

***This is the first of a trilogy. Each book stands alone as a story and it is pretty obvious who the next two books will star - and I can hardly wait! I urge everyone to find this book! It could not have been better! Danger, challenges, romance, plots, twists, and paranormal all rolled into this masterpiece of work. Susan Krinard's writing is so powerful that there is no way I will ever forget her name! I cannot recommend this one highly enough!***