Taming Of the Wolf [Mass Market Paperback]

I knew the sparks were going to fly fast and furious when I found out who Dash actually bit and married. I expected a tumultuous courtship and it was even more fun that I'd hoped.

Dashiel Thorpe is more than a man but views himself as a monster. If a reader met him in the previous book, The Wolf Next Door, then he'll be expected to be a bad guy; a rounder and a villain of the first water. If a reader has not met him before, then this book will depict him as he really is - a misunderstood, unloved and tormented man who only wants to belong but is angry and afraid of the world all at the same time. He's angry because he's different and he's afraid because he doesn't really want to hurt anyone but is sure it can't be helped. Despite all he's done and all that he's been through, Dash really is like a Baby Ruth candy bar: Outside he's all rough and bumpy but inside there's a whole lot of sweetness that makes a reader just sigh in satisfaction. He is worth having a happy ever after, but he's going to have to work at it. He's a bit rusty and makes a lot of mistakes but that is what made me like him so much. He has this vulnerability about him that he tries to mask with the noble bearing that is inherently his, despite the nasty way his father treated him. There is a lot of pain in Dash's life and as the story progresses a reader understands the scope of what he's burdened with and it makes his loving Caitrin all the more special and powerful.

Caitrin is an absolute doll. I always liked her character in the previous books because she is opinionated, feisty and doesn't take guff from anyone. On the other hand, if she's wrong, she'll admit it. She's a strong personality with a stern inner core yet despite that resolve, she is also very tenderhearted, loyal and brave. She's brave because going into crowded places hurts her, yet she does what she has to. She's loyal to her sisters and friends and has their back. And her tenderheartedness comes into play not only with Dash but with someone else making the happily ever after sort of bittersweet. She's a special lady whose fortitude is tested time and time again. The only person who can sway her and make her act a little silly and wanton is Dash and that made for some very fun and interesting interludes. I was so glad to see Cait getting her own man because she was a very influential character in the other books and I felt I'd gotten to know her enough that it was inevitable she'd have a chance at her own happiness.

What I didn't expect was to see Alec again. Oh, that broke my heart. I liked him previously in the series and I liked him more now. I'm thrilled that he is a character I'll see again. This book pretty much guaranteed that, and I couldn't be happier. But it's also foreshadowed that it won't be easy. Something else is going to happen, a new element is introduced with a very light and teasing touch - but I caught it and am very intrigued. I wonder if other readers are getting the same idea I am.

As I said, secondary characters play important roles in this book plus I got to see Elspeth again, who is a very dear friend of Caitrin's. I really enjoy when authors do that in a series, it's like visiting family again and catching up on the news. It's one of the reasons why this series stays on my keeper shelf; this book is no different.

I'd have to say the conflict is mostly internal between Dash coming to grips with what he really is and his place in life and Cait's realization that for all her teasing of Elspeth's choice of mate, she herself has gone to the dogs - and couldn't be happier.

The Taming of the Wolf continues the tradition of what has become my favorite series to read because of its entertaining and vibrant characters, exceptional writing and dialogue and romances that really touch my heart and make me smile. The ending of this story was not what I expected because instead of wrapping up the Westfield storyline, it's brought forth a new and exciting direction for readers to look forward to and I can't wait. Caitrin's meddling ended up opening a brand new chapter and I'm thrilled! Ms. Dare has done it again; provided a wonderful and fun reading experience that I can't wait to share with my friends and tell them to read this series too. I can't think of a higher recommendation than that.

Originally posted at The Long and Short of It Romance Reviews

First my usual reassurance. Yes this is actually book 4 but fear not! You can read this as a standalone with any problems, the facts that are important are there, and of course it's a good way to get surprised too. But if the OCD hits you bad, then go and read book 1 and work up to this one. Or just jump in and have fun.

Plot:

Lord Dashiel is staying at the house of the Westfield brothers. He fears himself for what the beast could do and without thinking he bites Caitrin McLeod, a Scottish witch who flees from me. Now he must follow as he has claimed her as his mate, and there can never be anyone else.

My thoughts:

I liked the book from the start, but it took me a while to really enjoy it. Let me explain. Dashiel has claimed her and he knows he will never look at anyone else, but is he in love? That thought bothered me as he chased her and tried to get into her heart and bed. He needed to prove himself a bit more before I started enjoying the book, and then I did not stop reading before I hit the end.

Dashiel is a womanizing rake with a hidden side and he has a sad past. And no one ever taught him what a Lycan really is, so he has got issues and is afraid to harm Caitrin. I was on my guard when it came to him, but I must confess that it was fun to see him try anything to get near her. While Cait is not afraid to tell him what a brute, and hound he is. And that he should just go away, but at the same thing there was something there, building up, and those two needed each other. My fav part of the book were the chasing part, he is not a man to back down. Slowly I did what she did, I started falling for him, and as I did that I saw that he was changing too. Into a real man, and a real Lycan. I liked it. And what he needed was a woman that would speak her mind and not fall all over him.

Something else shows up in this book, I shall not say, but it bodes well for the next series from Lydia Dare. I wonder how that will be handled. I am rather intrigued.

The Lycans are an interesting bunch, and I do love and feel sad over the fact that they only love once. So beautiful and yet so tragic. Then there are the witches, and what is a book without real Scottish witches. They are a fun bunch, and I can't wait to see them fall in love too.

Recommendation and final thoughts:

I still like book 3 the best, the bantering was just so fun there. But this one comes as my second fav from Lydia Dare. It's fun, there is passion, and hearts that can't make up their minds. It will get a 3,5 from me, because I always reach that point where I do not want to put it down anymore. The book also feels very different from usual paranomals. It's lighter some way.

Lord Dashiel Thorpe was introduced in Lydia Dare's third `Westfield Brothers' book, `The Wolf Next Door'. In that book, Dashiel `Dash' Thorpe was a rogue Lycan trespassing on William Westfield's territory by trying to marry his mate, Prisca Hawthorne. In `Taming of the Wolf' Dash has lost the girl but decided to reclaim his life and humanity. He no longer wants to be a wild and dangerous Lycan - he wants to reform and learn how to control his `beast'. But on the night of this decision the beautiful and ethereal Caitrin McLeod stumbles into his life, and he can't help marking her as his mate.
Now Dash and Caitrin are irrecoverably entwined, destined as soul-mates. . . if only Dash can convince her to have him as a husband.

I went into this book a little sceptical. I wasn't a big fan of Caitrin since her appearance in `The Wolf Next Door' left me irritated. Caitrin is a witch who can see the future - and as such she tends to meddle in other people's affairs and have a fairly `high and mighty' attitude. I found her annoying and abrasive in `The Wolf Next Door'. . . but everything I disliked about Caitrin in that book is what annoys/charms Dash in `Taming', and I found myself reluctantly turned around.

Dash and Caitrin are a great pair - between them they're bossy, pretentious and mule headed. But they're also utterly charming and bring out the best in each other. Dash is starved for affection after a disastrous childhood spent knowing he was a cuckolded bastard and `beast'. Caitrin's life is dictated by her foresight, and she is worried when her visions don't encompass Dashiel. These two had a lot to overcome - but just being together is a soothing balm for both of them.

One small complaint I had about `The Wolf Next Door' was not enough sex. I know, I know - my head is in the gutter. But I was glad to read a noticeable smutting-up in this fourth book. And better yet, the storyline and characters call for it. Dash is a wicked rake when Caitrin meets him - he even has a little black book of conquests which Caitrin stumbles across. Dash is a highly-sexed individual, and in Caitrin he has found a woman who incites endless lust in him.

Lydia Dare has very cleverly introduced a new trajectory for the `Westfield Brothers' series in `Taming'. I think the Lycan boys are going to be put aside for the next two books in the series. . . since Caitrin's foresight has hinted at a Vampire focus. In `Taming' Caitrin has visions of dead men stalking her friends, and she meets a handsome man who conjures images of broadswords and cudgels. I got goosebumps when I read all of Lydia Dare's dropped-vampire-hints. . . I can't wait for these new supernaturals to be introduced to the coven witches! Yay!

Lydia Dare is actually two people - writing team Tammy Falkner and Jodie Pearson. I did not know this! And the `about the author' page at the back of `Taming' explains exactly how their process works - with each writing 1500-word instalments and editing the other's previous work. Writing-team's have always fascinated me - and Lydia Dare is particularly perplexing because I would have never guessed this was a combined effort! The writing is so seamless. . . and I really appreciated the insight into their duo-style. Incredible!

I really loved `Taming of the Wolf' and look forward to the next two books in Lydia Dare's list, `It Happened one Bite' (approx: March 1 2011) and `In the Heat of the Bite' (approx: July 1 2011). Bring on the vampires, I say!

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