Enchanting the Beast

Relics of Merlin #3

by Kathryne Kennedy

Grimspell Castle. With its dark, imposing stone walls, it certainly looked haunted. As a ghost-hunter, Lady Philomena was accustomed to restless spirits. But she found the dark, imposing nature of the castle's owner far more haunting than any specter. London Society might not approve of shape-shifters such as Sir Nicodemus Wulfson, but firmly-on-the-shelf Philomena rather enjoyed the young baronet's sudden interest in sniffing around her skirts. She'd even consider giving in to him altogether if not for a murderer on the loose—a beast that might just be Nico himself.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Paranormal, Magic

291 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

About the author

As a college grad, business owner, and writer, Kathryne has published nearly a dozen short stories in the SFF/Romance genre, receiving Honorable Mention twice in the 'Writers of the Future' contest. Being a self-proclaimed "Air Force brat," Kathryne has traveled a great deal, and over the years has lived in Guam, Okinawa, and several states in the U.S

She currently resides in Arizona with her husband, two sons, and the rest of her family (including two chihuahuas named Precious and Baggins (think Lord of the Rings) who she's rather fond of).

Reviews

[Monty Cupcake ☠ Queen of Bloodshed ☠ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dragged at times and I felt the villain was clear halfway through the book. Cute story and I liked that the heroine was 40 and the hero was 27.

[daemyra, the realm's delight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very charming world-building, particularly with the Enchanted Forest sequence and the kiss underwater 🥺 but the romance had no conflict. A good one for readers who are concerned about safety, but this one began to lose my interest about 50% in. I did skim it to the end to find out the villain. The most heartwarming part of the story is Tup.

I love the heroine and hero’s budding romance. Their happy times are so needed to give a reason to why they fit besides physical attraction. She is 40 but it really is age is just a number for the heroine, who is open-minded, curious, and seems like a good time. Meanwhile the hero is 27, he’s not an old soul but he’s also not interested in lad/bro things, so his character makes sense. Also chalk this to up to Victorian seance setting, and heroine is a medium but hero is a skeptic.

[Farrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series. It's such a perfect mix of Victorian finery and rugged paranormal and every book in it that I've read, I totally adored. And, this one is certainly no exception. Enchanting the Beast was a fantastic historical/paranormal romance! I just loved this book. From the romance, to the paranormal elements, it was all brilliant.

Philomena was a lovely heroine. She was very clever and strong enough to handle all the chaos that the ghosts and shifters could throw at her. She was also kind and truly likable. I thought she was great.

Nico was a sweetie. He was very loyal and protective of his loved ones. And, he was delightfully charming and utterly adorable. I just loved him. He was amazing.

The romance was lovely. Philomena and Nico were perfect together, though one of them was reluctant to see that. They were both clever and strong willed and they met their match in each other. And, the attraction between them was sizzling from the moment they met. These two definitely had a hard time keeping their hands off each other...

The plot was fast paced and I was hooked the entire way through. I never suspected who the culprit behind all the problems was. Especially the full extent of what was going on with this person. It took me by surprise, for sure. I really enjoyed the story and the ending was lovely. I haven't heard about another book in this series, yet, but I really hope there will be another, because this series is brilliant.

Enchanting the Beast was a fantastic historical/paranormal romance. I LOVED this book. It was just perfect. Romance lovers, this book is a must read.

*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Quotes:
"You don't tame my beast, Phil. I tame it for you." -Nico

[Marta Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enchanting the Beast is the third book in Ms Kennedy's Relics of Merlin series and is easily read as a standalone . It's a mixture of historical romance and magical fantasy and it's also a little bit like reading fairy tales but for grown ups! Lovers of the Arthurian legend will find this an intriguing twist on the norm as Merlin has created thirteen relics that each possess magical powers and they have been hidden until a time when they might be needed. Each relic has been entrusted to a family that will protect it but if they should ever fall into the wrong hands then chaos could be unleashed upon the world because the power within each relic is immense beyond belief.
Sir Nicodemus Wulfson has a serious problem, his castle and brother Roydon are being haunted by belligerent ghosts! Now Nico himself might not really believe in ghosts but he's not prepared to stand by and watch his brother suffer so he travels to London to find a ghost hunter . Lady Philomena Radcliff has the ability to both see and talk to ghosts. Phil is an independent sort and not easily fazed by anything so happily accepts Nicos offer but Grimspell castle has many secrets. Nico is a werewolf and the villagers believe he is a dangerous one but will Phil be in any danger from him? His blatant pursuit of her is not appropriate and yet he's a very tempting beast indeed. Phil's about to discover things within the castle walls that put them all in danger and murder is dogging their footsteps.
Set in an alternative almost regency era in England this book seemed to incorporate so many ideas that it took me a little while to actually just enjoy this story. Its a crazy mixture of magical legends , shape shifters , ghosts and even a "couger"!. There is so much to digest in this wide storyline that at times it seemed a little too implausible to me. I do love escaping into fantasy and a world of imagination but the world building here felt too much. Whilst the author is clearly a gifted storyteller I needed to believe in the situation the characters found themselves in and it just took me a little while to immerse myself fully. I loved the romance between the two lead characters and it made a pleasant change from so many paranormal romances available. The ghostly goings on added tension to the story but I felt the Baskerville type plot appeared far too late in the storyline. Supporting characters , in particular Sarah and Tup are an amazing touch and help bring humour to the proceedings but I was left feeling a little dissatisfied as there was very little about the Relic actually in the storyline.
If you fancy an alternative type of historical romance that's almost certainly inspired by Beauty and the Beast with an alpha male hero and an exceptional heroine then this could well tick all your boxes. It's truly magical storytelling and very well written. For this reader perhaps just too many elements which felt distracting and I've never before read a book with so many types of shifters and magical creature! This is a paranormal romance though so anything goes and Ms Kennedy certainly has a very vivid imagination. I'd happily read more from her as it was fun , fast paced and full of unexpected twists and turns.

[Lover of Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sir Nicodemus Wulfson has come to Lady Phil for her help in aiding his brother. Phil is a 'ghost hunter' and apparently can see ghosts, not that Nico believes it. Even though Nico is a shifter and changes his form into a wolf, he doesn't believe in other magical elements such as seeing ghosts. His brother is being haunted by multiple ghosts, and his health is getting worse. Philomena, is constantly aware of ghosts, but when Nico comes to her for her help she can't resist visiting a haunted castle. Phil is overwhelmed with a mystery, numerous ghosts tormenting Nico's brother, a black wolf that is on a killing spree, and a seduction from a sexy wolf shifter that she doesn't know if she can resist. Phil is 13 years older than Nico, and considers herself out of his league. He is young and virile and she considers herself older and not young enough for him despite his pursuit of her. Nico and Phil go on a journey together, a journey that could fire up their feelings for each other or could pull them apart.

Enchanting the Beast is the third in the Relics series. Enchanting The Beast was originally published in 2009, but has been republished this April. I was glad to get a chance to read this title. I have been wanting to try this author out, and for quite some time. So I really enjoyed this story. It was very different and the world that Kennedy creates is unique. In this story, we see that magic is well known among the people, and many have magical talents and abilities, and is set in the 'Regency era', which adds a certain twist to the story. I think the only issue I had with this book was that the heroine was much older than the hero. You normally don't see that in historical romances. So for some reason I had a struggle with that concept, don't know why, but I couldn't fully reconcile myself to it. Other than that I found it to be a charming and interesting read. It had a different tone to it than from any other story or book I have read. So I really enjoyed the unique setting and the way the plot turns out.

I really loved the idea of magic being well known, and that it is normal for many people. This couple was so good together, despite their age difference, I found their story to be stimulating and playful at times. You are completely drawn into their story from the beginning. We see how they have a connection from the moment they meet, and it was a ride seeing these two form a bond to each other. Even though it wasn't a 5 star read, I do consider it a very satisfying and well worth the read. ONE WILDLY FUN ADVENTURE!!!

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can an older woman openly fall in love with a much younger man under the scrutiny of historical London? In a heart-warming romance between an alpha shifter and a spinster who can talk to ghosts, the scenes are set for mystery, danger and intrigue as Nico seeks Philomena’s help to rid Grimspell Castle of the unhappy ghosts who are haunting his brother’s life. Is Philomena a charlatan or can she really talk to ghosts? How will she feel about Nico being a shapeshifter? What are the ghosts trying to tell them? As these two bring out the best in one another, Nico’s biggest battle is to convince Philomena that age doesn’t matter, love does. Will the ghost haunting problem be solved? Will the wolf get his mate?

Enchanting the Beast by Kathryne Kennedy enchants the reader with wonderful writing, two completely enchanting characters who are meant to be together and a cast of magical characters that fill the pages with light-hearted humor! With Ms. Kennedy’s beautifully detailed scenes and descriptions I fell into a historical world filled with magic and love that was meant to be, the question is, will Philomena follow her heart or bow to the wagging tongues of the Ton?


I received this ARC edition from Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Relics of Merlin - Book 3
Publication Date: April 1, 2014 (First published, April 2009)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN: 9781402269882
Genre: Fantasy Romance - Adults
Number of Pages: 306
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

[Literary Lusts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enchanting the Beast is about Lady Philomena and her romance with Sir Nicodemus Wulfson. Lady Philomena or 'Phil' as she's usually called, is propositioned by Sir Nicodemus to his home at Grimspell castle. He and the majority of the castle are shifters, but his older brother is suddenly plagued by nightmares of ghosts and it is slowly wearing him down. Nicodemus promised his brother to return with someone who can help and comes back with Lady Philomena. Phil has the gift or ability to see and sometimes talk to spirits. She originally only accepts Nicodemus' proposal for the money but their relationship turns into much more.

I would probably say this is my favorite of the three books in the series that I've read. I would give it a higher rating but even though I loved the first two thirds of this book the last part felt kind of disjointed and tacked on. I also kind of wished that this book had more of the magic and illusions that the first two had, but this was still a fun book to read anyways.

[Krita · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very diff take on a romance.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was enchanted by the idea of a blend of historical and paranormal romance so I eagerly pounced on this one when it came to my attention. I knew it was the third book in a series and gave it a try even though I haven't read the first two books. It worked out really well because the tie to the others seemed to be just the shared backdrop and not a story thread or characters. This turned out to be a great read and met up to expectation nicely- and then some. Along with the historical, paranormal and romance, I also got some mystery too.

The background of the series is the assumption that the world is full of magic from the elements of the earth and its creatures to its people. This is set against the Victorian Era. It's made clear in the Prologue of the book so the reader knows the general idea when the current story opens.

The story begins when Lady Philomena, the Ghosthunter, is conducting a seance. She is interrupted by an attractive shape shifting baronet who scopes out her skills and then makes her an offer to take his family situation on as her next commission. Sir Nicodemus Wulfson doesn't believe she really sees ghosts, but he believes her charlatan act is good enough to fool his ailing brother who does. Nico's brother, Royden, claims to be plagued in his sleep by angry ghosts who haunt the family home, Grimspell Castle.

Nico just wants his brother at peace so he can continue to search for the werewolf who murdered his late fiancee. Nico was acquitted of the crime, but the villagers are still restless that the murderer goes free as either him or one of his wolf pack. Okay, so he also wants the beautiful lady to come to his home because of the strong visceral attraction he feels for her and the way just being in her presence calms his wolf nature.

Phil is not wealthy even if she is a member of the upper class. She depends on her magical gift to earn her a living. It is both a gift and a curse in that its uniqueness has driven away many friends and lovers leaving many with the impression that she's crazy or a liar. She knows Sir Nicodemus doesn't believe her, but it doesn't take long once she arrives at his awe-inspiring home to convince him. Along with her ghost friend, Tup and her loyal companion Sarah, she is there to discover what has the castle ghosts so riled up that they would haunt Nico's brother, Royden. She has trouble focusing on her task between her strong mutual attraction with the much younger Nico and the pointed spite of Royden's young wife along with the obvious adoration she sees in one of his younger pack members to make Phil very aware that Nico's too young for her and needs to find a suitable bride of his own.

All things come to a head from the paranormal, the mystery and the romantic story lines in a way that brought an exciting conclusion and a delightful epilogue.

As I mentioned, the blended genres created an exciting plot that had my attention from cover to cover. I loved my intro to the author's well crafted worldbuilding, engaging characters, and the intrigue that led to both a ghostly treasure hunt and a murder mystery to solve along with a passionate May-December romance.

The details of the magical world like Nico's Enchanted Forest and all the creatures and Were types living around there was as fascinating as the story itself. Those adorable stick people just made me smile. And I loved that Sarah was a snake shifter- so unique!

The characters were great. Phil and Nico were a good pair. She has the hang-ups of being a much older woman and her fear of being accepted for who she is after all her past rejections. In fact, she's downright stubborn about it, but Nico takes it as a challenge to change her mind. Nico might be young and handsome, but he too worries that he isn't worthy because of his beast though he doesn't let it stop him from pursuing his lovely tempting prey. Together though they are not only strongly attracted, but they build each other up and bring out the best in each other. I loved the playfulness and protectiveness of Nico's wolf for Phil and her strong desire to believe in him even though many clues and the local consensus point to Nico's guilt. I cracked up when Nico thought she was more experienced than she was and he appreciated how she made him soar with pleasure, but it was all due to the fact that her house was a former brothel and one of the ghosts gives her quite a show at various times so her knowledge is mostly vicarious.

I had such a good time reading this story that I am definitely going back for the other two books and then forging ahead. Again, I loved the blend of genres and felt this is one of the best reads I've had highlighting historical, suspense and paranormal romance. I most definitely recommend it to others who love that type of blending too.

My thanks to Sourcebooks and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Paranormal Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

One night, the heroine is offered a position at a castle to rid the home of the ghosts plaguing the inhabitants. The hero may not believe in such nonsense as ghosts but something is seriously disturbing his brother and the man cannot last much longer so the hero swallows his skepticism and seeks help. From what he's seen the heroine is the most convincing medium in London...and the most captivating. Something about her attracts the wolf inside him and suddenly the idea of ghost hunting is more bearable if he's able to spend time in her company. The heroine has always lived a lonely life. Sure she has friends and ghosts for company but she's 40 years old. She's never known, or will ever know the touch of a man. At her age the hope for marriage is far gone and her ability to communicate with spirits makes the men stay away. But not the hero. Somehow this younger man with the shadow if a wolf has taken upon himself to attempt to seduce her. Sure he's gorgeous and kind and his primal growls and dominance make her heart race but there's no reason for him to feel anything towards her. Maybe if anything there is lust but the heroine can't risk her tender heart becoming too involved with a man who is forbidden. Too bad the hero refuses to take no for an answer. He is relentless. And he's too damn charming for his own good. How can a woman who's never felt beautiful, who's never been loved by a man, possibly deny herself the chance of at least pretending at happiness. She succumbs to her own desires and sleeps with him under the fairy moon in the enchanted forest by the lake. But this doesn't elevate the heroine's self doubts. In fact, it only increases her belief that the hero deserves a younger woman, someone to give him sons. She tries desperately to focus on the ghosts and the mystery of the tunnels below the keep. The hero can't understand why the woman he loves can't see how much he feels for her but he refuses to give up. Even though he's not in complete control of his wolf and does experience periods of furious anger somehow the heroine tames the beast and brings him down again. And with the deaths of the young women in the woods, the heroine is one of the few to believe in his innocence. And when things come to a head, the hero will do everything to save the love of his life and prove to her that they can truly be happy together.

Another marvelous book in a stellar series. Yet again this author has brought to life an enchanting world of shifters, magic and love and once again I was enraptured with the tale. I appreciated the idea of an older woman as the lead and the hero as a younger man because it added a layer of humanity. It made for the heroine's self doubts to be believable and the hero's devotion all the more lovely. There's always this notion in romance novels that an older gentleman can marry a younger girl but the opposite is still taboo in a lot of ways. The heroine was so strong and level headed because she was older. She wasn't given to flights of dramatics and come depended on in every situation yet still able to play when the mood strikes. The hero was great. He was just tortured enough for my liking and his habit of shifting to a wolf and howling whenever in pain or anger was just *sigh*. Maybe the plot was predictable. Maybe there actually wasn't that much of a plot to begin with. Who cares. I liked it and I'd read it again and again.

[P · Rating 4 out of 5]

เลดี้ฟิโลมินา สาววัยสี่สิบ เป็นนักล่าผีเพราะหล่อนมีความสามารถในการมองเห็นวิญญาณได้ เซอร์นิโคดิมัสเลยจ้องหล่อนเพื่อไปไล่วิญญาณที่คุกคามพี่ชายที่คฤหาสน์ของเขา ที่นั่นทำให้ฟิโลมินาได้รู้จักบารอนเนตหนุ่มวัยยี่สิบเจ็ดคนนี้มากยิ่งขึ้น รวมถึงความลับของเขาที่ว่าคู่หมั้นของเขาถูกสัตว์ป่าทำร้ายจนเสียชีวิตไป นั่นทำให้ชาวบ้านต่างโทษว่าเป็นความผิดของนิโคดิมัส

วิญญาณที่คฤหาสน์ทุกตัวทิ้งปริศนาไว้ให้ฟิโลมินาไปยังชั้นใต้ดินของคฤหาสน์ ที่นั่นมีอุโมงค์ที่แม้แต่นิโคดิมัสก็ยังหวาดหวั่นที่จะเข้าไป ทั้งสองหนุ่มสาวเกิดแรงปราถนาในตัวของเขากันและกันแม้ว่าจะมีช่องว่างระหว่างอายุขวางทั้งคู่ไว้อยู่ก็ตาม แต่นิโคดิมัสหลงใหลในตัวฟิโลมินาเสียแล้ว

ฟิโลมินาไม่เชื่อว่านิโคดิมัสจะมาหลงรักคนอย่างหล่อน เขาเหมาะกับหญิงสาวที่อายุน้อยกว่า แต่ความสัมพันธ์ก็เลยเถิดไปจนเมื่อนิโคดิมัสพาฟิโลมินาเข้าไปท่องเที่ยวในป่าเวทมนตร์และทั้งคู่ก็มีอะไรกัน หลังจากนั้นนิโคดิมัสจึงขอหล่อนแต่งงาน แต่ฟิโลมินาปฏิเสธ

เกิดเหตุฆาตกรรมขึ้นอีกครั้ง คราวนี้เหยื่อเป็นหญิงสาวในรุ่นราวคราวเดียวกับเบียทริซ คู่หมั้นของนิโคดิมัสที่เสียชีวิตไปหลังจากมีปากเสียงกันเนื่องจากหญิงสาวไม่ซื่อสัตย์ต่อนิโคดิมัสจนชายหนุ่มขอถอนหมั้น นิโคดิมัสกลายมาเป็นผู้ต้องสงสัยอีกครั้ง

ฟิโลมินายังมีปัญหาระหว่างช่วงอายุของเธอกับนิโคดิมัส นั่นทำให้ดูเหมือนว่านิโคดิมัสจะเหมาะกับเจน หมาป่าในฝูงของเขามากกว่าฟิโลมินามากมายนัก แต่เมื่อเจนเชิญหล่อนไปรับประทานอาหารค่ำที่บ้าน ฟิโลมินาก็ถูกโจมตีโดยมหาป่าขนสีเทาที่เป็นฆาตกรฆ่าเบียทริซ นิโคดิมัสมาช่วยเอาไว้ได้ทันและตอนนั้นเขาจึงตระหนักได้ว่าหมาป่าตัวสีดำนั้นอาจจะเป็นเจนจริงๆก็ได้ เขาโกรธมาก และแจ้งข้อหาเจนว่าหล่อนเป็นฆาตกร

ย้อนกลับไปทีคฤหาสน์ บรรดาภูติผีนำทางฟิโลมิน่าไปที่อุโมงค์ใต้ดิน ทำให้หล่อนหาหินอาคมโบราณจนพบและที่นั่นทำให้ฟิโลมิน่าได้ล่วงรู้ความลับของบาร์เกสต์ สุนัขปีศาจตัวสีดำที่สิงสู่ร่างพี่สะใภ้ของเซอร์นิโคดิมัส วิธีเดียวที่จะกำจัดมันได้คือต้องใช้หินอาคมโบราณ แต่ในเมื่อปีศาจกำลังจะเปลี่ยนเป้าหมายโดยใช้ร่างนิโคดิมัสเป็นที่สิงสู้แทนที่พี่สะใภ้ ฟิโลมินาจึงต้องใช้ความรักและศรัทธาทั้งหมดเหนี่ยวรั้งความเป็นมนุษย์ในตัวของนิโคดิมัสเอาไว้ให้ได้

เล่มนี้เนื้อเรื่องหลักสนุก กระชับ ซับซ้อนดี ทำให้คนอ่านเดาตัวฆาตกรผิดตั้งแต่ตอนต้นและไม่น่าเชื่อว่าจะสามารถโยงเรื่องการฆาตกรรมเข้ากับหินอาคมโบราณได้ ส่วนความสัมพันธ์ของตัวละครก็น่าสนใจด้วยช่วงอายุที่ห่างกันของพระนาง ทำให้นางเอกมีอุปสรรคในการเชื่อมความสัมพันธ์กับพระเอกมาตั้งแต่ต้น แต่สุดท้ายทั้งคู่ก็เอาชนะจุดนั้นไปได้

หนังสือชุดนี้ยิ่งอ่านยิ่งสนุกเหมือนเนื้อเรื่องจะเข้มข้นขึ้นเรื่อยๆตามจำนวนเล่มที่ออก เสียดายที่ฉบับแปลไทยบอกว่าเล่มนี้เป็นเล่มสุดท้ายแล้ว แต่เมืองนอกเพิ่งออกเล่มต่อจากเล่มนี้มาเมื่อปีที่แล้วเองชื่อ Everlasting Enchantment

[Kathie (katmom) · Rating 5 out of 5]

AVAILABLE TODAY! 4/1/2014

This is the third book in the Relics of Merlin Series. I was quite surprised when I was 69% of the way through before the Relics were mentioned. I was surprised because I was so drawn into the story, that I had forgotten about the relics!

As with the others in the series, this one can stand on its own. But you are really going to want to read the others.

Phil speaks to ghosts. There are several kinds of ghosts, and she can see them all. Only some will speak back to her. She's had several beaus but each has gone on his way because they just couldn't deal with her gift. She does find herself distracted by the ghosts' antics on more than one occasion. Fanny, the brothel worker, enjoys shocking her...!

Nicodemus doesn't believe her gift is real, but he needs a mystic to convince his brother that the ghosts at their castle have moved on. Slowly he comes to believe that she really does see spirits. I do like a hero that can learn.

Philomena is incredibly pleased to be working this case. Castle Grimspell is everything a castle should be. Full of history...and ghosts. The ghosts are riled up and it was enjoyable to follow along as Phil figures out what is causing the anger. I had a couple choices as to just who the "bad guy" was and some of the twists surprised me. Well done, Ms. Kennedy!

Supporting characters Sarah, the snake shifter, and Tup, the ghost boy, were wonderful additions to this story.

I did love Nico's single-minded hunt for Phil's heart. She was worried as she's a "few" years older than he is. He had an uphill battle to win her. But he never backs down. Yes, I like that.

I took half a rating off for some small things.

There are thirteen relics, and I look forwarded to finding more of them via Ms. Kennedy's words.

Four and a Half Bookmark rating (Rounded to Five for Goodreads)

*Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca, for giving me the opportunity to read Enchanting the Beast

If my review intrigues you, please click "Like" and add it to your own book shelves.

[A.R. Von · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enchanting the Beast is a very magical, unpredictable, fun and mysterious story that kept me turning its pages to the very end!

Philomena can see spirits and ghosts of various types. She's a rare one among a world of shifters, witches and other fantastical and magical beings. She's never married and always working, so she's never had a true relationship with a male, never has ever really thought about it. But when Nico walks into one of her seances and awakens...things within her body. She becomes a bit frightened. She's a 40 years old single woman for a reason and his presence is NOT helping matters...

I enjoyed the world the author created along with its characters and all. I look forward to much more from her. She makes historical...fun!

[DemetraP · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The heroine is 40 and hero is 27. He pursues her and she is hesitant because he's so much younger than her.

I liked the details of the world, hero is a werewolf (so automatically a baronet) in London and he is trying to help his brother who claims he is being haunted by ghosts.

Heroine can talk to ghosts so she goes to hero's ancestral home to help his brother. They try to solve a murder mystery and why the ghosts are haunting his brother.

In between all that, they fall in love and have hot moments.

[lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

first and foremost: i LOVE the genre crossover in this book! historical x paranormal x romance genres work SO well together but are a combination that i feel like i don't usually see. i definitely wish more authors would consider it!

i also liked the characters here, for the most part! the ML was somewhat sweet (and i did like it when he started to court the FL, although it was a relatively short scene), and the FL was capable and independent.

i did have some qualms with this book, though, that unfortunately made this a 4-star read.

for one, the baby at the end felt like it was foisted on the FL—did she WANT to be a mother? i don't know! it seemed to me like the ML just decided that she did (because she babied the ghost boy that she was close to) and the FL just... went along with it. i hate babies in books in general, but this one in particular annoyed me.

the ML wanting to get the FL pregnant so she would stay with him was one thing (guilty pleasure trope...), but her ACCEPTING it was another.

also, for the millionth time, this was a case of the main characters lusting after each other immediately and then somehow claiming to love each other down the line without me seeing any real romantic scenes.

in this books defense, the romantic chemistry was there, albeit faint—most books that i've read recently have no romantic chemistry at all, so i'll take what i can get. but i would've liked to see more sweet, romantic gestures (especially on the ML's part), as well as an FL who wasn't so wishy-washy. her protests against the ML felt very contrived, as if even she didn't believe them, and so it was somewhat boring.

if the FL is going to resist the ML's love, she may as well do it wholeheartedly and make the story worth reading, lol.

still, a good read for people who like HRs with a paranormal twist!

[Dark Faerie Tales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Enchanting the Beast is an interesting and highly enjoyable combination of fantasy, mystery and paranormal romance. Despite being the third book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone thanks to Kennedy’s exceptional worldbuilding.

Opening Sentence: Lady Philomena Radcliff closed her eyes and called to the spirit of the late Lord Stanhope.

The Review:

Lady Philomena Radcliff’s ability to both see and speak with the dead does little for her social life, but it pays the bills. Hired to perform séances at lavish parties hosted by the most elite magical families in London, Phil isn’t above using parlor tricks to make her clients happy and keep the invitations – and money – rolling in. After all, though her gift is very real, it’s not like communicating with the dearly departed is an exact science. Not every ghost responds to Phil’s requests, while others respond more…enthusiastically…than she likes. Luckily, she has a spirit-guide named Tup and a shape-shifting orphan named Sarah to help her when things get dangerous. Too bad neither Tup nor Sarah can protect her from an instant attraction to Sir Nicodemus Wulfson, the much younger baronet of Grimspell Castle – and her new client.

As a shape-shifter, Nico is immune to the nobility’s magic and can see through the illusion created by any spell. His first encounter with the older, but still lively and beautiful, ghost-hunter leaves him skeptical of both her abilities and the existence of ghosts, but Nico is desperate. His ailing brother, Royden, is convinced that something has angered the ghosts of Grimspell Castle. Nico hopes Phil’s presence will be enough to put Royden’s fears to rest and help him recover his health.

The ghosts aren’t the only things haunting Grimspell though. Turns out that something murdered Nico’s former fiancée, something that eyewitnesses describe as a giant black wolf. The fact that Nico’s wolf-form is brown doesn’t stop the townspeople from coming for his blood when another local girl turns up dead though. Declaring his innocence and leading the hunt to bring the real killer to justice, Nico also sets out to prove to Phil that his deepening feelings aren’t fleeting. When a chance encounter convinces Phil that the murders are tied to the haunting at Grimspell Castle, she races to find the proof she needs to save Nico and his family from a fate worse than death.

The magical world Kennedy created for Enchanting the Beast is unlike anything I’ve read before. Basically, Merlin is the trunk of the magical family tree that became English nobility. The hierarchy and titles corresponds with the magical Merlin gift an offspring inherits: Kings and Queens are those who’ve inherited the most of Merlin’s magical capabilities and can perform comprehensive magical feats whereas Dukes have only inherited the ability to change matter and so on.

At the bottom of the magical barrel are the baronets, shape-shifters that are both man and animal. While they are considered Merlin’s greatest enchantment, baronets are immune to all other forms of magic – making them both feared and despised by the majority of their magical cousins. That is, until it was discovered that the baronets were the only ones capable of finding the thirteen magical relics Merlin hid before pulling a disappearing act. The fact that the relics held power beyond anything that anyone had inherited made them the Holy Grail for noblemen (and women) looking to up their position in the world and baronets suddenly found themselves in a position of power. Which is how Nico, a baronet, is also the lord of a large estate bestowed on his family by Prince Albert as payment for their magic-sniffing services.

That said, this story would’ve received a high rating even if the magical elements weren’t so unique thanks to the seriously smokin’ romance and Sherlock Holmes-esque mystery. Nico is literally the ultimate alpha male and his pursuit of Phil is nothing less than swoon-worthy. Phil’s “live and let live” attitude made her a very likeable character and I certainly became invested in her happiness – something that wasn’t a given because of the mystery surrounding the haunting at Grimspell Castle. Honestly, I had some inkling of who was behind both the murders and why the castle ghosts were up in arms, but the connection between the two actually surprised me.

Overall, this story really impressed me and I don’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone who enjoys a paranormal mystery with some heat.

Notable Scene:

“Sir Nicodemus.” Her voice was low, so husky with promise that he didn’t dare breathe. “I would like to forget, for just a moment, that I am forty and you are seven and twenty. I would like to be kissed in the moonlight, with straw in my hair and hayfairies dancing over fields of waving grass. Do you think you could retract your promise to be a gentleman?”

Nico let out a breath.

“Just for this moment, of course,” she added.

Of course. Nico put his hand under her chin and stroked the firm line of her jaw with his thumb. He gently turned her face toward him, the wolf retreating so that he felt an unusual warmth flow through him as he lowered his mouth to hers. Her lips tasted sweet; she smelled of crushed hay and roses. Nico stroked his lips over hers, her mouth trembling beneath his. Something twisted inside his chest and he kept his touch light, his mouth relaxed and undemanding. He couldn’t remember ever bestowing such a tender kiss upon someone. He had never wanted to.

FTC Advisory: Sourcebooks Casablanca provided me with a copy of Enchanting the Beast. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

2/10

Annnnd it’s over. This was a wild one. So much going on. Very magic, very confusing. Kinda weird relationship…. The age thing was not fresh and fun. I’ve seen people be like “she’s 40 and he’s 20 something, slay queen” but like… if the genders were reversed it’d be weird. It’s weird in both ways. Not fun. Also the ending reveal stuff felt rushed, but that’s ok, idk how many people are reading this for the story 🙄

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how Phil communicates with sacarsm. Sir Nico certainly didn't feel like he was too young and naive to know about love. Phil's uncertainty of a younger man loving her was real. I do find the pace of this book a tad slow, yet, it made me want to find out if Phil will eventually be confident of Nico's love and passion for her.

[Karen Darling · Rating 2 out of 5]

Every once in a while I enjoy a little paranormal in my romance novels, but this was a bit too much. Just about everyone in this story had some kind of “gift” or “magic”. This book did keep my interest, because I wanted to find out what happened at the end. I probably won’t read anymore books by this author.

[Mary Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

To clarify, I did really like this book. It was different than I expected and I liked the story. I didn’t rate it higher because some parts felt a little rushed and not as developed. It may be because this was technically number 3 in the series. Although, I believe each book can stand alone. I will read more from this world.

[Astralnature · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the heavy book I just read and the emotional roller coaster that is this year, I need a quick little light hearted smutty romance book and this fulfilled that perfectly.

Yes, it is very obviously a strange-but-somehow-works mashup of a few topics into one book, but it is a wonderfully fun read that isn't trying to be the height of literature and it is all the better for it.

[Becool · Rating 1 out of 5]

it wasnt bad.
it wasnt awful.
it was slow.
the actual mystery was enertaining.
the romance was not.

[Dottie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A magical tale of ghosts, shape-shifters, a Scottish castle and tender love! Actually rated 4.5! Taken from my review at RomanceJunkies.com:

As the magic passed down to famous magician Merlin’s children, they became rulers, with some possessing more magic than others. Their titles reflected their gifts. The more elevated the title, the more magic they held. But out of all mankind, the baronets, who were the shape-shifters, were immune to his magic. Merlin also created thirteen magical relics from the gems of the earth. These were the focus of some of his greatest spells and after his death, his children tried to find these elusive items. As it was discovered that the baronets could sniff out the power of a relic, they became the secret spies for many rulers.

Ghost hunter Lady Philomena ‘Phil’ Radcliff was orphaned at a young age. So she used her magical abilities to support herself, allowing her theatrical talent to convince her audience. Her main concern was to alleviate the suffering of those who had endured tragedy. During her latest séance, her group was joined by Sir Nicodemus and Phil was overcome by her attraction to him, despite the fact that she felt she was too old for such foolishness. Her only regret at never marrying was not having any children, but then she had been followed home by a young ghost, Tup, whom only she could see.
What Sir Nicodemus Wulfson, Baronet of Grimspell Castle, witnesses at the séance convinces him that he has found the right medium. His brother claims that Grimspell Castle is being haunted by ghosts and they are disturbing his sleep. Nico does not believe in spirits and he is willing to spend a fortune for Phil to travel there and convince his brother that there is no such thing. Distracted, Philomena accepts the offer.

Phil is thrilled by the castle and its owner has her feelings things she has never felt before. However, she is forty and he is in his twenties. Because of the age difference, she tries to maintain her distance. But there are secret happenings at the castle and the resident ghosts are just the tip of the iceberg. It will take the two of them working together to overcome the threat to the castle. Will she be able to find out what has them haunting the sleep and health of Nico’s brother? Will working together bring Phil and Nico closer together, or tear them apart?

A magical tale, ENCHANTING THE BEAST, the third book in author Kathryne Kennedy’s THE RELICS OF MERLIN series is a witty, imaginative paranormal romance. The story will keep you guessing as to the identity of the villain and the suspense, well-drawn characters and fast-paced plot will keep you turning the pages. I enjoyed the interaction between Nico and Phil, and they seem so well suited to each other that the age difference is irrelevant.

Ghosts, shape-shifters, magic, subterfuge, a Scottish castle, séances, humor, hauntings, passion, a May-December romance and tender love abound in this delightful tale that will captivate you from the very first page. I enjoyed this story immensely as well as the other stories in this amazing series. Although this book can be read as a standalone, be sure to also check out the previous two installments, including ENCHANTING THE LADY and DOUBLE ENCHANTMENT. If you are a fan of paranormal romance, this novel is a must read!

Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com

[Sandy M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I’ve probably said this before in my previous two reviews of Ms. Kennedy’s books, but if you haven’t started reading her Merlin’s Relics series, you’re missing out on some great reads and a whole lot of fun. She gives us great characters, shapeshifters, intriguing stories, and a magical Regency England you’ve not seen before. I’ll give you odds if you try one, you’ll immediately want more.

Lady Philomena is a ghost hunter. She likes to give reassurance to the living by communicating with their departed loved ones, and normally things usually go along as they should, but her latest seance is just short of a disaster. That doesn’t deter Sir Nicodemus, though. He is desperate to help his brother, so he lures the lovely Phil to Grimspell Castle where supposed spirits are slowly draining his sibling with their mysterious anger.

Phil is taken with the handsome baronet, who is immune to magic and is a shapeshifter. So she travels to his home to figure out why the resident ghosts are up in arms. She knows Nico is not a believer, but she’s determined to find an answer for his family. While there, however, she hears gossip that Nico killed his wife, and then murders suddenly begin anew now that he’s home. The village is wary of Nico and his pack, especially since a large black wolf has been seen in the area.

She tries to reconcile this information with the man who loves his family, takes care of his villagers despite their ire, and who knows who to seduce a woman, even one much older than himself. Nico has his work cut out for him in tearing down the walls Philomena has built around herself against nonbelievers and a past that has left it’s mark on her. He’s also shedding his disbelief of her abilities and talents when it comes to the spirit world the more he sees her in action.

Amid all the mystery and magic, the romance between these two characters is delightful. Nico is taken with Phil from the start, all the while she tries to discourage him because of their age difference, but he’s a man who knows his own mind. He ruthlessly seduces her until she can hardly see straight. I really liked that the mystery involved Nico and his wolves, the shapeshifting scenes are really terrific, and we’re given a few twists and turns along the way before a surprising resolution. Each story is very different from the last, and this time the older woman/younger man concept worked wonderfully well.

Once again Ms. Kennedy weaves her magic and pulls the reader in from the first page and doesn’t end until the very last word. You should pick up any of her Merlin’s Relics books and prepare to be thoroughly enchanted.

Be sure to check our interview of Ms. Kennedy in our Duck Chat feature here at the Pond to learn more about her and her writing.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com

[Carolynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book continues the Relics of Merlin series and, as far as I am concerned, is even better (plotwise) than the first two.

Lady Philomena is slightly past marriage age (in her 40's) and resigned to spending her life using her talents at connecting with ghosts and helping them to find peace and move on, and help their families, too. Then she meets Sir Nicodemus Wulfson, who is looking for a "medium" who can convince his ailing brother that the ghosts in their castle are at peace now, and he can get on with his life. Sir Nicodemus doesn't believe in ghosts, but he'll do just about anything to help his brother relax his fears enough to get some sleep and start healing. Nico is also still hunting for the one who killed his fiance two years ago, and trying to run the home farm, as well. Now, he is taking over his brother's duties until he is able to return to them, and he obviously has a very full plate. Oh, and the villagers tend to believe that he could have killed his fiance, since he is a werewolf. A very volatile mix, for sure.

And in steps Lady Philomena, who is more than a little miffed when she learns Sir Nicodemus believes she is somewhat of a charlatan, faking her calling up of spirits to get money out of the rich set she moves in. She decides to do the best job she can, then get home to London as quickly as possible. But once she is in the brothers' castle, she begins to find clues pointing to an age-old secret in the castle, and all sorts of strange things begin to happen....

Ah, now I've told more than I've let slip in many a review! I'm not a really big fan of romances, but there are a few authors that I do read, and Kathryne Kennedy is one of them. She makes her romances interesting because her tales are not just about romance--there's usually a mystery, maybe ghosts, or some other paranormal activity going on to make it a really interesting story, and the plotline is multilayered and the characters are three-dimensional. I am really sad to know that the next book, "Everlasting Enchantment," is the last one she has in the series. Or at least, it is the last one our so far. Hope, hope. (There were supposed to be 13 relics, after all.) Well, I really recommend this book to anyone who likes romances, particularly historical ones. There is werewolf activity in the book, but this is more of a cozy than otherwise, so it's not very dark. I found it to be a marvelously entertaining story, and I'm looking forward to the next one. Thank you, Ms. Kennedy!

[Tory Michaels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been sort of waffly on the Merlin series. I really liked the concept, but didn't necessarily connect with the books. Until now. This book I absolutely LOVED! Magic, historical, and ghosts. What's not to love?

Philomena - a titled character thanks to her gift for contacting the dead, she's older (40ish I believe), who's pretty much written off ever having a love of her own. She's not innocent though, thanks to living in a house which used to be a brothel and the ghosts thoroughly enjoy showing her some of their former acts. I found it amusing when she used some of that knowledge once she and Nicodemus got intimate.

Nico - I really really REALLY liked Nico. Being a shifter, he's not affected by magic but that doesn't mean he's blind to Philo's gift. He's initially skeptical, but contacts her to hopefully help his brother out - he expects it simply to be a psychological fix and it turns out he comes to believe in Phil's gifts because he sees physical evidence that the ghosts really are there (one of the ghosts kisses her and he sees the indentation on her cheek at the kiss, among other things).

The best part of this book for me was the bigger mystery as they tracked down the relic of Merlin that was involved. The ghosts we meet because of the relic were appropriately spooky, and in places scary. I didn't see coming who the villain really was and I always appreciate that. Although, maybe I'm just slipping because I keep getting surprised, and I used to think I was good at figuring these things out.

The final climactic battle scene was fantastic and eerie and just...awesome.

Add in the romance, an older woman/younger man dynamic which isn't done that much, and it was pretty close to a perfect read for me. I definitely enjoyed my time in this world, and am eager for the next trip to England with Ms. Kennedy.
Thank you so much Sourcebooks and Ms. Kennedy!

Book provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story opens with Philomena who is a 40 year old spinster and a ghost hunter conducting a séance for a recent widow. During the séance Nico, who happens to be a werewolf, sits in on the séance to see if she can help her brother. The catch is Nico does not believe in ghosts but he has a brother Royland who believes he is being tormented by ghosts. Nico convinces Philomena to come with his to the country and help put a stop to this mystery. Thus our love story begins.

I have to say I enjoyed the older heroine and the younger man. I thought it was a bit much that she was still a virgin though and she learned all she knows about sex from a ghost. Nico was also an interesting character he is a werewolf but yet he did not believe in ghosts in a world full of magic and an enchanted forest, go figure. I also thought it was interesting that his animal side also represents his dark side. I also had a little issue with the romance angle initially it was all lust then at some point it is like no my mate

I also thought the mystery was interesting and while predictable there were lots of little things that kept the story line interesting. Unlike the other book I read in this series the relic seems to take a backseat in this story line so you could read this as part of a series or as a stand alone.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Relics of Merlin series. Kathryne Kennedy comes up with wonderful stories that stand on their own. In each story she mixes the same paranormal elements but comes up with something that is unique to each book. Enchanting the Beast fits right into the series.

Lady Philomena (Phil) comes to Grimspell at the invitation of Sir Nicodemus Wulfson (Nico). There is a problem at Grimspell. All of the ghosts are upset and causing problems. Phil agrees to find the solution.

There is another problem. Nico is a wolf shape sifter. He may be younger than Phil but he is very attracted to her. His wolf has always been very near the surface and in addition to the attraction she calms his wolf like no one else ever has. Phil is also attracted to Nico but feels that there is just too much difference in their ages for anything to work.

So the plot is find a way to lay to rest the ghosts and get Nico and Phil together. Those two elements make for a very entertaining story. I admit I did suspect the person to blame for all the trouble but it did not affect my enjoyment of the story. Nico an Phil are both such great characters and they did a good job of carrying the story.

There is some world building that is done in previous books. It is dropped into Enchanting the Beast but for the most enjoyment do read the other books in the series.

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review**

Review:3.5 stars

General: While I found this book to be an entertaining read overall, it was not one I would consider reading more of in the future. The book itself was well written I just felt there were too many flaws within the plot to read on other books. The world is well built and very original however and my issues were purely due to plot holes, as I saw them. I truly did love the world itself, it was a beautiful blend of Arthurian mythology (which I love) and paranormal.

The characters were decently mapped out. I felt some of their responses were generic and not true to who they were. It felt a little off that a part were creature, in a society where supernatural roam, had issues with the idea of other supernaturals. It was also rather rushed in the end for me. Kind of like a little bow to tie it up, still worked just not as fulfilling as I was hoping. The age difference was well played and felt authentic however. In the beginning I questioned it but by the end it was well fleshed out and connection between Nicodemus and Philomena was believable.

[Ryn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was given one star only because I couldn't rate it any lower.

Lady Philomena is a ghost hunter who decides to help Baronet Nicodemus save his brother. The supernatural twist is that Nico is a werewolf, and regency London contains many such weres.

When I found this book, I had to stop myself from collapsing into a heap on the library floor and reading it right then and there. I am a massive, massive sucker for Beauty and Beast-type stories, so I couldn't wait to get started on this one.

Only, I could not possibly read more than about 1/3 before becoming utterly bored and turning back to my huge to-read pile of books. Phil and Nico were predictable, and I didn't really like the large age gap between them. I liked the idea of the different weres, and how they had a hard time finding employment (racism anywhere really gets to me), and I loved Tup, Phil's spirit guide, but overall the book was pretty boring, and I just wasn't interested enough to see what was causing Nico's brother's illness. These were two genres that, in my mind really didn't mix well.