Romancing the Werewolf: A Supernatural Society Novella (Volume 2)
3 journalers for this copy...
I enjoyed the first "supernatural society" book, Romancing the Inventor, which riffed on elements from one of the "Parasol Protectorate" books. When I found out that this book existed I ordered it at once, as it deals with the aftermath of the events of Timeless, specifically with the fates of Professor Lyall and Biffy, my favorite couple from the franchise so far...
While the story might be more enjoyable to those who've followed the series, this book does feature a prologue that sets the scene, covering the events of the climactic battle in Timeless and how Biffy and Lyall came together for mutual comfort at the end of it. And then there's a 20-year timeshift, during which the two have been apart: Lyall off to serve as Beta for another pack by way of atoning for his (understandable and necessary) manipulation of a previous Alpha, and Biffy staying in London to apprentice as future Alpha of Lord Maccon's pack. We get caught up as to the practical details of managing werewolves - Biffy's opted to buy a new house for them in Greenwich, moving away from the house next door to ancient vampire (and Biffy's former master/lover) Lord Akeldama, and hopefully giving the pack more room to run. Biffy's distracted and still new to being Alpha - he's only been in charge for a few months at this point, and would much rather fret about interior decor than cope with the rough-and-tumble werewolves. And Lyall is very, very glad to come home - except that he arrives after the move and before hearing about the new location, so there's some awkwardness there.
The romance is mainly delayed by one of those sensible-but-frustrating situations: both men fear that the other only came so near because of pain and need, and each wants to be sure they aren't pressuring the other. Biffy's the Alpha and wouldn't want Lyall to think he had to succumb (especially as Lyall had awful experiences with a previous, abusive Alpha), and Lyall doesn't want Biffy to be distracted from his new role. But each of them keeps looking for a sign from the other, while working hard not to give away their own true feelings, and the reader's basically yelling "Use your words, you idiots!" [Not to worry - they do eventually figure it out, after some lovely scenes of seductive tying-of-the-other's-neckcloth!]
That said, the book does have a plot of its own, centering on relations with the locals in their new home. No sooner has the wolf-pack moved in that someone abandons a baby on their doorstep, leading to wildly hilarious scenes of these powerful and potentially dangerous beings in a complete dither over how to make the tot stop crying. (Lyall arrives only just in time!) Then, just when they're settled in with a cheerful wet-nurse (who may have sparks of connection with Major Channing, something that amused me very much), yet another foundling is left at the door...
I guessed the reason behind the kids-on-the-doorstep situation fairly quickly, and was delighted to be right - and vastly amused at the reaction of the werewolves when they figured it out. There's a great confrontation between Biffy and a potential rival (who doesn't have a chance, poor fool), and it seems as if the new Alpha and his pack will settle down happily.
There's a bonus story at the end, "The Curious Case of the Werewolf That Wasn't", set some 55 years before the main story - and dealing with the father of "Parasol Protectorate" heroine Alessandra (who married Lord Maccon, the previous Alpha of the London werewolf pack). Her father had a very different view of the supernatural than his daughter, and in this story he's in full secret-agent/assassin mode as a representative of the Templars. He's out to find and destroy werewolves, y'see... Without knowing his connection to all the werewolves and vampires we came to know and love, he would seem an able if cold agent, deftly managing to achieve his goals in a very colorful manner.
While the story might be more enjoyable to those who've followed the series, this book does feature a prologue that sets the scene, covering the events of the climactic battle in Timeless and how Biffy and Lyall came together for mutual comfort at the end of it. And then there's a 20-year timeshift, during which the two have been apart: Lyall off to serve as Beta for another pack by way of atoning for his (understandable and necessary) manipulation of a previous Alpha, and Biffy staying in London to apprentice as future Alpha of Lord Maccon's pack. We get caught up as to the practical details of managing werewolves - Biffy's opted to buy a new house for them in Greenwich, moving away from the house next door to ancient vampire (and Biffy's former master/lover) Lord Akeldama, and hopefully giving the pack more room to run. Biffy's distracted and still new to being Alpha - he's only been in charge for a few months at this point, and would much rather fret about interior decor than cope with the rough-and-tumble werewolves. And Lyall is very, very glad to come home - except that he arrives after the move and before hearing about the new location, so there's some awkwardness there.
The romance is mainly delayed by one of those sensible-but-frustrating situations: both men fear that the other only came so near because of pain and need, and each wants to be sure they aren't pressuring the other. Biffy's the Alpha and wouldn't want Lyall to think he had to succumb (especially as Lyall had awful experiences with a previous, abusive Alpha), and Lyall doesn't want Biffy to be distracted from his new role. But each of them keeps looking for a sign from the other, while working hard not to give away their own true feelings, and the reader's basically yelling "Use your words, you idiots!" [Not to worry - they do eventually figure it out, after some lovely scenes of seductive tying-of-the-other's-neckcloth!]
That said, the book does have a plot of its own, centering on relations with the locals in their new home. No sooner has the wolf-pack moved in that someone abandons a baby on their doorstep, leading to wildly hilarious scenes of these powerful and potentially dangerous beings in a complete dither over how to make the tot stop crying. (Lyall arrives only just in time!) Then, just when they're settled in with a cheerful wet-nurse (who may have sparks of connection with Major Channing, something that amused me very much), yet another foundling is left at the door...
I guessed the reason behind the kids-on-the-doorstep situation fairly quickly, and was delighted to be right - and vastly amused at the reaction of the werewolves when they figured it out. There's a great confrontation between Biffy and a potential rival (who doesn't have a chance, poor fool), and it seems as if the new Alpha and his pack will settle down happily.
There's a bonus story at the end, "The Curious Case of the Werewolf That Wasn't", set some 55 years before the main story - and dealing with the father of "Parasol Protectorate" heroine Alessandra (who married Lord Maccon, the previous Alpha of the London werewolf pack). Her father had a very different view of the supernatural than his daughter, and in this story he's in full secret-agent/assassin mode as a representative of the Templars. He's out to find and destroy werewolves, y'see... Without knowing his connection to all the werewolves and vampires we came to know and love, he would seem an able if cold agent, deftly managing to achieve his goals in a very colorful manner.
Journal Entry 2 by 
GoryDetails
at LFL [OBCZ] - New Searles Rd, #46 in Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Sunday, October 4, 2020
GoryDetails at LFL [OBCZ] - New Searles Rd, #46 in Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Sunday, October 4, 2020
Released 3 yrs ago (10/4/2020 UTC) at LFL [OBCZ] - New Searles Rd, #46 in Nashua, New Hampshire USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Guidelines for safely visiting and stocking Little Free Libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic, from the LFL site here.I left this book in my Little Free Library; hope someone enjoys it!
[See other recent releases in NH here.]
*** Released for the 2020 Spooktacular October challenge. ***
*** Released for the 2020 October LGBTQ challenge. ***
*** Released for the 2020 You're Such an Animal challenge. ***
I'm reclaiming this from my Little Free Library, as it's been there for several months with no takers; will pass it along elsewhere.
I'm adding this book to the Otherworldly bookbox, which will be on its way to its next stop shortly. Hope it travels safely, and that people enjoy the selection!
*** Released for the 2021 Valentine challenge. ***
*** Released for the 2021 Valentine challenge. ***
Taken from the Otherworldly {Shrinking} Bookbox Round V!
I'm such a sucker for Carriger's books. I recently took out books 3 and 4 of another series from a bookbox and now I'm taking another book from one of her series that is not the first book. -sigh- Why do I do this to myself! lol But they are so much fun!
👽 ✩ ☠️ ✩ 🧟 ✩ ☠️ ✩ 🧟 ✩ ☠️ ✩ 🧟 ✩ ☠️ ✩ 🧟 ✩ ☠️ ✩ 👽
A cute story of love! And you can read this one without having read book #1. They don’t have anything to do with one another that would keep you from enjoying it. They are more like stand alone with characters you already know. ♥️♥️♥️
Journal Entry 7 by 
Spatial
at Book Box, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Monday, September 12, 2022
Spatial at Book Box, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Monday, September 12, 2022
Released 1 yr ago (9/12/2022 UTC) at Book Box, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
One of the starting books for the Victorian Era+ Bookbox Ray!
✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩
I'm thrilled there was still a Gail Carriger in the box! Thank you for sharing.
