Review: The Wolf's Torment (+$25 Amazon GC Giveaway!)

Title: The Wolf's Torment

Author: Stephanie Burkhart

Series: Moldavian Moon #1

Pages: N/A

Date Published: April 30th, 2011

Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing

Format: eBook

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Mystery

Source: Goddess Fish Blog Tour 

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Synopsis:
It's 1865 in Moldavia, a country nestled against the shores of the Black Sea, and Crown Prince Mihai Sigmaringen returns after receiving an education in England. His best friend, Viktor Bacau joins him. Mihai is intent on modernizing his nation, but he's also a witch, and it's time he embraces his heritage. The tasks in front of him are many including getting married. Lady Theresa von Kracken arrives in Constanta as Mihai's intended. Mihai has vowed not to fall in love again, but Theresa manages to break the battlements around his heart. In an unfortunate twist of fate, Viktor is bitten by a werewolf. Viktor's transformation threatens everyone around him including his wife's safety and Mihai's happiness with Theresa. Viktor's bite is the wolf's torment.

~My Thoughts~

First off, I thought the cover was intriguing. A mysterious castle, the shadowy specter of a guy-who could potentially be hawt underneath that cloak thing- and all the intrigue you expect from a serial Victorian novel. *Shivers in excitement!* 

Written in a third person, The Wolf's Torment really brought to mind the classic gothic novel simply by adapting to the grim style and feel of reading over someone's shoulders as they pour out their heart and soul. There was an interesting dynamic at play here as well. Mihai and Theresa's romance is a center player, but not really the whole point of the piece. Mihai has a best friend who suffers a werewolf bite, Viktor. The romance and the paranormal are very much separate even though Mihai was a witch. Overall it was a really creative way to interact the different magical types in a way I haven't seen before. 

The dialogue felt a bit clunky to me, so I had a bit of a hard time relating to the characters when I felt that they weren't saying what I wanted to hear, or what they did say rang oddly to my ears. I did enjoy the thoughts of each character more than their interactive dialogue though, so that's something :) 

The pacing of this book is very fast. Blink and you might miss an injury here, a kiss there, even a death. It was a bit disconcerting at times, because I kept wondering if I missed something, but then would look back and find that I hadn't, the plot had just advanced at such an exhilarating pace that my mind hadn't quite kept up! 

Try an Excerpt!~

Mihai led Theresa out to the dance floor. They performed a waltz and he discovered

Theresa had a natural grace, following his lead impeccably.

He flashed her a smile. Theresa was a perfect fit in his arms, and the suddenness of that

realization drove two conflicting emotions through him -- awkwardness because he wasn't expecting to enjoy her company and delight because he did. His father had chosen his bride well.

An aggressive tap on the shoulder stopped him mid-waltz.

"Shouldn't you introduce me?" asked Viktor.

Mihai fought against a frown. He would have liked to have had the dance with Theresa

alone. Instead, he thought to mind his manners for now.

"Theresa, this is my best friend, Viktor Bacau."

She politely nodded.

"Do you mind finishing the dance with me?" asked Viktor. Theresa looked at Mihai. Reluctantly, he gave her a slight nod. "I'd be honored to," she said.

Mihai left her side and walked off the dance floor. Sonia was there as well, her gaze fixed on Viktor. Was she experiencing the same thing he was? Reluctance? A God-awful feeling watching him with someone else? Was that the stirrings of jealousy?

He leaned over. "Why are you frowning?" "Why are you?"

"I'm not."

"You are."

Why was his sister so stubborn? "I suppose I'd rather be dancing with Theresa."

"Viktor's just being polite."

"I suspect you'd rather be dancing with him."

Sonia pursed her lips and gently rocked back and forth on her feet. She always did that

when Mihai had struck a nerve.

"You and Viktor have spent a lot of time together recently," Mihai continued.

Sonia stopped rocking, surprise in her eyes. "Well, I enjoy his company."

"And I suspect he enjoys yours."

~Meet Stephanie!~ 

Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD.  She was born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire.  She served 11 years in the US Army and currently calls Castaic, California her home. Stephanie was married in Denmark in 1991 and has two young sons. She adores chocolate and is addicted to coffee.  She writes paranormal, contemporary, and steampunk romance and has two children's books published with 4RV Publishing. You can find her on the Web At: Her Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Youtube, and Pinterest pages!

Stephanie Burkhart will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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