The Romance Reviews

Monday 25 May 2009

Werewolf Sanctuary (Book 1 of the Wolf Maiden Chronicles) by Eva Gordon

Werewolf Sanctuary, an action packed romance between an alpha male lycan, and his wolf maiden. The first in a series titled, The Wolf Maiden Chronicles, each depicts historical romances between alpha Males and their human wolf maidens.

Since ancient times, the Lupercal Council has kept their people’s werewolf identity a well-guarded secret. Referring to their kind as lycans, they shift into a bear-sized wolf, bearing unique markings reminiscent of Maori or Celtic tattoos. The pack shifts during the full moon and are under the control of their alpha male leader. The alpha
male and alpha female are not bound by the full moon and can shift at will. Lycans can only breed with their kind. The exception are the alpha males, which can only mate with human women known as wolf maidens, who bear the five-toed paw print or mark of the wolf on their left hip.

The story begins with Lupercal society in peril due to an unknown disease infecting their young offspring. The children who do survive the pestilence, shift too early into wolf cubs, lose their distinct markings, and end up becoming normal wolves, unaware of their human consciousness. Normally immune to most known diseases, the Lupercal has few of their own doctors and must seek the help of a human outsider to find the cure.

Wyatt Weylin, alpha male of the Montana pack, and leader of a team of mercenary lycans, flies to a World Wolf Conference in San Francisco, where he hopes to convince leading authority on wolf diseases, veterinarian Dr. Madeline Styles to come to his wolf sanctuary and find a cure. The minute he sees her he feels drawn to her striking good looks. The sensory chemistry is instant. He tries to suppress the feeling, knowing that he is forbidden to fall for a human. Wyatt discovers that the vegetarian animal doctor has the mark of the wolf and he claims her as his life mate. Madeline slowly learns about Wyatt’s true nature and the fact that she has been claimed, and like all lycans, wolf maidens are microchipped to prevent escape. She is told that she
has three moons to decide if Wyatt is the right alpha for her, and if not, she must choose another. However, she can never leave their society. Angered and confused she first balks at the idea until she witnesses the entire pact shift, and learns that her own grandmother was a wolf maiden who lost the alpha mate and love of her life. Feeling the strong connection with Wyatt, she decides to pursue the cure to the
lycan cub disease. To complicate matters Bisclavaret, Wyatt’s enemy and bad alpha lycan from the Bayou, is determined to make Madeline his wolf maiden, one way or another.

Reviews for Werewolf Sanctuary:

Werewolf Sanctuary by Eva Gordon
Paranormal Romance- May 6th, 2009
4 stars

I typically tend to be more passionate about reading vampire novels when it comes to the supernatural fiction collection. But I could not help but become intrigued with this shifter book! It had all the elements that grab your attention. I found it an exhilarating page turner from the beginning to end.

Werewolf Sanctuary begins with a burst of action that kept me hooked! The author keeps the reader engrossed by explaining the main character’s (Wyatt Weylyn) origin which was highly fascinating. At Wyatt’s wolf sanctuary, the wolf cubs have been succumbing to various ailments including death. Wyatt is on a mission to hopefully cure and resolve this issue.

Maddie is a doctor in the biology of wolves and has a specialty in their diseases as well. She was a wonderful character. I felt deeply connected to her since she went through what many single women go through before they find their soul mates. I particularly was attracted to Maddie’s down to earth personality and courage handling sudden new changes to her life in ways she never expected to happen.

How do their lives intertwine? You MUST read it to find out. This is a guaranteed enjoyable read! There is a generous amount of romance, action, intrigue and paranormal that will keep you energized and wanting more!


Reviewed by Monica from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club


Werewolf Sanctuary is an amazing tale,intriguing and oh so believable - from the first paragraph to the last, this story is an entertaining journey into the the lycan world...the characters have such defined and believable personalities - the surroundings are so beautifully shared - Werewolf Sanctuary has more than enough to give readers a page turner, satisfying experience. I look forward to more of the Wolf Maiden Chronicles...

Kathy Dement, beta reader




Wolf Support Opportunity!


To celebrate the release of the first novel in Eva Gordon’s Wolf Maiden Chronicle Series, Eva Gordon and Vanilla Heart Publishing donated $1 per copy sold during launch party week to Howling Acres Wolf Sanctuary, where Charlie and Sherrie LaBat have maintained a wolf sanctuary since 1991, committed to wolves in need of a permanent, safe haven. She plans to donate a portion for the release of each wolf maiden novel.


I write fantasy and paranormal novels with a strong romantic element. Her debut fantasy, The Stone of the Tenth Realm, was published summer 2008 by a small UK Press, Libros International. A second fantasy, Gaia’s Keeper, soon to be published is forth coming. I have written the sequel to The Stone of the Tenth Realm, Alchemist of the Tenth Realm. Werewolf Sanctuary is Book 1 in her epic Wolf Maiden Chronicles, a paranormal romance series involving male alpha lycans and their human mates known as wolf maidens. Werewolf Sanctuary is a contemporary that will lead to all the other historical paranormal tales in the Wolf Maiden Chronicles. Book 2 in the series, Beast Warrior, takes place during the Viking era. Book 3 follows with White Wolf of Avalon. I love to create stories that combine her passion for mythology, romance and werewolf lore. I have a BS in Zoology and graduate studies in Biology. I have taught high school Biology, Environmental Science and Anatomy/Physiology. Her background in science and her passion for wildlife biology adds credibility to her writings. I also moonlights as a faculty member of the Grey School of Wizardry, an online school for kids and adults interested in magic and lore. A member of Romance Writers of America, I have also taught workshops on wolf lore and falconry for writer groups. I have volunteered at a wolf sanctuary and other wildlife rehab organizations.
.
Eva Gordon
Author of Paranormal and Fantasy Romance
http://www.ravenauthor.com
http://www.vanillaheartbooksandauthors.com/Eva_Gordon_WKIK.html
Buy 'Werewolf Sanctuary' at Amazon.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyudh6g4ls8
My Amazon store, The Wolf’s Den Bookstore

10 comments:

Lindsay Townsend said...

Brilliant blog post, Eva! I wish you much success with 'Werewolf Sanctuary' and I enjoyed your video.

I watched a programme about Yellowstone recently where the narrator explained how vital wolves are to the whole eco-system there. Fascinating. There is talk of re-introducing wolves into the Scottish highlands, too.

Bestiary Parlor: The Musings of a Zoologist Turned Author said...

Thank you. I would love to see wolves in Scotland. I think I wrote to the guy that was doing that about a year ago. I will try to find out more.

Elizabeth said...

Eva, I just wanted to say that the book looks fantastic! I got my copy the other day, and scared my husband to death when I started squealing. Anyway, keep up the good work, and make sure you keep me in mind when you need someone to review the next one! :) Best wishes!

Elizabeth Foster

Chelle Cordero said...

Having read both The Stone of the Tenth Realm and Werewolf Sanctuary, I can say without a doubt that I am an Eva Gordon fan.

Your writing is totally sensual and captivating and definite page turners from the very beginning.

I am looking so forward to reading the ccntinuing Wolf Maiden series and the Tenth Realm sequel.

Sarah Simas said...

Hi Lindsay and Eve!

Wonderful post! I loved the pic, Eve. As a Sherrilyn Kenyon fan, my radar is always tuned in for books about wolves. *sigh* They make such hunky heroes. I will definitely have to check out Werewolf Sanctuary!

Bestiary Parlor: The Musings of a Zoologist Turned Author said...

Thank you all. I am passionate about alpha male lycans. I plan many more in the Wolf Maiden Chronicles. Next one will be Beast Warrior, which takes place during the Viking Era. My next set in the chronicles is what I call werehistoricals. History through the eyes of the secret lycan society.

Savanna Kougar said...

What a cool series! I love your approach to the lycan society. Congrats on all your success. And I do hope wolves are introduced to Scotland, since they are not only vital to the eco-system, but vital to the human spirit.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful work, Eva! Your series is full of promise and I love the fact that you have such a great understanding of wolves and magic(k) ;-).

And the donation you're making for Howling Acres is a wonderful idea!

I look forward to your participation in my upcoming BlogTour--you're a great author to kick things off with! "See you" June 18! :-)
~Saoirse
Author of the "13 to Life" YA werewolf series, coming in 2010 from St. Martin's Press

Kaye Manro said...

What a fantastic story, Eva! And how wonderful that you are interested in saving wolves in real life! Good luck with this great sounding story. Good idea and an intriguing excerpt as well!

LK Hunsaker said...

How interesting that you worked in a wolf sanctuary. They are fascinating animals. I'm late here but best of luck with Werewolf Sanctuary!