What's the buzz on CASTLE OF THE WOLF? Find out! I listed reviews in print publications and review websites first, and put
all the blogger reviews into a section of their own, further down the page. At the moment
I'm still waiting for Mrs. Giggles's verdict - wish me luck! :)
"In CASTLE OF THE WOLF, Sandra Schwab's nuanced characters, detailed setting
and writing seasoned with a soupcon of tart wit blend together to create
a magical, fairy-tale, Regency historical romance."
John Charles
Chicago Tribune
9 June 2007
~*~
"This story is a hugely enjoyable historical romance with a paranormal touch
set in the Black Forest in Germany in the early 1800s.
Woven through with references to fairy tales and with evocative writing
about the surroundings of Castle of Wolfenbach,
this is different from the usual historical romance of gowns, balls and peerages. . . .
CASTLE OF THE WOLF was an excellent read from start to finish."
Helen Hancox
Curled Up with a Good Book
5-star review
~*~
"Von Anfang an sehr präsent ist . . . eine ansteckende Heiterkeit,
die einen ausgleichenden Gegenpol zur Verschlossenheit
des gequälten Helden bildet. Entstanden ist ein wonniger und
zugleich ergreifender Historical mit märchenhaften Anklängen
in einem zauberhaften Ambiente."
Tina Dick
LoveLetter
~*~
"CASTLE OF THE WOLF is an enchanting story with the feel
of a fairy tale that is both enthralling and sensual,
and will have readers waiting for more from this new author.
Each character comes to life on the pages,
from the hero and heroine to the secondary characters.
This reviewer would recommend this book to anyone
with a love for historical romance."
Tangela Williams
The Romance Readers Connection
~*~
"This reader was truly enchanted!"
Karen Michelle Nutt
ParaNormalRomance.org
~*~
"CASTLE OF THE WOLF is at heart a tale of Beauty and the Beast
and Sandra brings her own interpretation to the story and makes it her own.
For lovers of fairytales and anything that is out of the ordinary, this book is a must read.
Do not pass up on this genuinely delightful novel."
Dorie Hensley
The Mystic Castle
~*~
"Another thoroughly enjoyable tale from Ms. Schwab. . . .
Excellent characterization and dialogue dominate this well-done historical romance."
Morgan Chilson
Fresh Fiction
~*~
"Ms. Schwab has written a second novel that I find to be better than the first novel.
She writes with such delightful descriptions
that you are immediately transported into the scene.
While this story is billed as a dark romance,
I found the darkness came from within the characters and their own struggles.
I thought it was an accurate look at what we would consider deep depression today.
I was fascinated by the depth of understanding Ms. Schwab has
regarding the bleakness of many people."
Robyn Roberts
Once Upon a Romance
~*~
"Sandra Schwab's Castle of the Wolf is a beautiful love story with a gothic feel
that comes to life with twisting plots and an extraordinary assortment of characters.
Fenris is a true tortured hero who makes even the reader want nothing whatsoever
to do with him. Cissy's determination and subsequent love are the turning points
for all involved and seeing Fen through her eyes is what breaks
through his nasty façade for us. Interspersed throughout the book is poetry
from John Keats and Robert Burns, among others,
that gives you a closer look into Cissy's heart
and gives some playfulness at times to Fen and Cissy's relationship.
Ms. Schwab's writing has a flow that pulls you into her stories so subtly
that you forget you're just reading a book instead of actually
interacting with her characters.
I finally have visited the Black Forest of Germany."
Sandra Marlow
Historical Romance Club
5-star review
~*~
"Ms. Schwab is a talented writer who knows very well how to create an atmosphere and evoke a mood."
Sandy Coleman
All About Romance
~*~
"I love Ms. Schwab's way of telling a story.
She's not shy about being creative and thereby developing storylines,
characters, and conflict that will hold the reader captive.
Her second effort has well been worth the wait.
Fenris and Celia are such wonderfully dynamic characters
and when added to the totally fresh setting the reader is in for a treat.
You never know what to expect when you read Ms. Schwab...
except for the fact that you will be well entertained.
This is one author I highly recommend."
Kristi Ahlers
5-star review
"Reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, CASTLE OF THE WOLF will appeal to those who enjoy gothic romances."
Amy Mendenhall
Parkersburg News
~*~
"CASTLE OF THE WOLF by Sandra Schwab is a riveting magical romance.
I thought Celia was a brave and caring heroine and a perfect companion for Fenris.
I loved how Fenris tried to come across as a grumpy old recluse,
but all the little caring gestures he did to make Celia's life better really touched my heart.
I liked the gothic overtones of the story and the little glimpses of magic in the castle.
This is an excellent love story and I recommend you pick this great book up."
Romance Junkies
~*~
"With its paranormal/gothic twist, Schwab's second tantalizing romance
is ideal for a dark night or a rainy afternoon.
She creates the atmosphere of a grown-up fairy tale,
complete with a determined heroine, a dark, beastly hero,
wicked in-laws and the magic of the stones that surround the castle."
Kathe Robin
Romantic Times Book Reviews
~*~
"CASTLE OF THE WOLF is a fun gothic romance
with a delightful supernatural spin to freshen up the story line.
Celia is an obstinate heroine refusing to give up on her beloved beast
even when his tortured soul makes her wonder if he is also performing evil deeds.
Harriet Klausner
Alternative Worlds
~*~
". . . enchanting and full of surprises . . ."
Lainey
Coffee Time Romance
~*~
". . . a rich, dark and sometimes bitter fairy tale,
complete with . . . evocative descriptions of nineteenth-century Europe
and antique architecture . . .
The characters here, even tertiary ones, are memorable and unique to themselves . . .
The narrative language is expressive and full-bodied, and if you want a real treat,
you'll go listen to Schwab reading her own words
in her soft and lilting, charmingly accented voice.
You can find the podcast link on her Web site. Her voice is hypnotic and beautiful . . ."
Camille Alexa
Green Man Review
(This was actually a bad review,
but even though Camille didn't really like the book,
she still had lovely things to say about it, didn't she?)
~*~
"Castle of the Wolf is a well-written novel with interesting plot twists,
and interspersed with excerpts from some of the best in 19th century romantic poetry—
a passion Schwab clearly shares with her feisty heroine."
My Romance Story
~*~
"Castle of The Wolf was an enjoyable read from beginning to end.
The setting being in Germany made for a nice,
refreshing change from the typical English surroundings.
Ms. Schwab does a wonderful job with descriptive details throughout
the whole story. Celia comes across as a very strongwilled woman
who gets very creative in her attempts to bring brightness
into her husband's dark world. Fenris is a dynamic character
and the touch of paranormal surrounding him makes him even more intriguing.
Celia will not back down from her husband's dark side
and both help the other put the past behind each other.
This story is a treat and highly recommended
to those wanting an entertaining, captivating read."
TJ
The Romance Studio
4 1/2 hearts review
~*~
"CASTLE OF WOLF is a well written book
that will be enjoyed by lovers of gothic historicals"
Anthonette Dotson
Romance Reviews Today
"CASTLE OF THE WOLF is a wonderful new-skool Gothic romance . . . .
Schwab's storytelling also has tight turns that drop the reader
like a rollercoaster from merry heights of whimsical happiness for Cissy
into plunges of holy shit terror and uncertain fear -
which makes it bloody hard to put the damn book down.
The mix of nefarious characters, mystery, intrigue,
and deep, churning sexual attraction don't help either
when you might be trying to get something else done. . . .
Schwab's use of multiple legends and fairy tales to parallel
the protagonists' story is particularily brilliant,
and this is a book that I will certainly revisit again,
as the innocence of the heroine and the dark brooding woundedness
of the hero are enticing and inviting.
Well played, Ms. Schwab, well played."
Sarah
Smart Bitches
~*~
"I had a lovely time reading COTW, and not just because of the yummy setting.
Cissy is great. She's such a sensible, determined woman,
ready to go after what (and who) she wants. . . .
As it should be in a good gothic, the setting is almost another character in the story.
Schwab really makes the Black Forest come alive with her vivid, colourful descriptions,
and I loved that it isn't a gratuitous "exotic" setting, but really plays a role in the story.
And the atmosphere! That was excellently done.
Rosario
Rosario's Reading Journal
~*~
"The fairy tale quality of the story along with the gothic overtones
makes this an attractive and unconventional historical read."
Jane
Dear Author
~*~
"This is a lovely spin on the classic “Beauty and the Beast” kind of tale.
Lovers of myths and fairy tales will find many references here
that add an extra dimension to the story. . . .
The story has a wonderfully gothic feel with a touch of the paranormal.
I’m hoping to see many more books from this very talented author.
Deborah
CA Reviews
~*~
"This was a very nice gothic romance. It had some drama,
some subtle fantastical elements (as all gothics should),
some crazy relatives, a smidge of sex, and, of course, a satisfying romance."
Gwen
The Good, the Bad, the Unread
~*~
"I think this author has a very interesting voice
that would contribute well to the romance genre.
The atmosphere of the story was well done and played a significant role in the story.
The fairy-tale aspect of the story was charming. . . .
You can feel this otherworldly presence that seemed to have enveloped and permeated
the castle and it’s inhabitants, thereby, providing for it’s dark tone."
Keishon
Avid Bookreader
~*~
"I liked the hero and heroine, her brother's pathetic,
her SIL's a bitch, his parents are sweet, the servants are loyal,
the heroine has an interesting rat killing friend, and his brother's the villain.
The gargoyles add a cool twist to the story.
The setting is interesting--Germany's Black Forest.
What's not to like?"
Tara Marie
Romance Reading Mum
~*~
"I loved her first book, The Lily Brand, and her second book lived up to the first.
I pretty much devoured this one once I got into it. It rates a solid A from me.
I’d like to mention that I am absolutely amazed that English is not Ms. Schwab’s
native tongue. I didn’t notice any grammatical or typographical errors.
She may have one heck of a copy editor, but you have to think
that a large part of the quality is due to the author herself."
Phyl
Phyl's Quilts & Books
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