Soul of the Wolf

Although I had not read the first of The Novel of Ravenwood, this book was perfectly easy to read. We meet Lady Jocelyn, a headstrong woman with a mind of her own. And we meet mysterious Wulfstan, son of evil Lord Nihtscua, a Saxxon sorcerer.

Jocelyn really doesn’t want to marry, let alone share the bed with a man, especially not a Saxxon. And yet, she does not have a choice, since she is ordered to marry Wulfstan, who is now Lord Nihtscua since his evil father and brother died.

But luckily for Lady Jocelyn, her betrothed doesn’t have time for the marital bed, because he promised his mother to solve the riddle which would save the Nihtscua from the curse. But when Wulfstan touches his wife, he sees the reason why Jocelyn does not want to have something to do with Saxxons. And he realizes he likes to have her near. But he still doesn’t want to be inimate with his wife. He continues to hide himself in the tower of his castle. And Jocelyn will try a lot of tactics to draw him out.

So you can’t help but chuckle at her antics of seducing her husband. But when ghosts start appearing, the question is whether they will be able to join forces and hearts to solve the riddle and keep the castle and their future save…

A wonderful read. Four out of five stars for Judith Sterling.

Although witty verve characterized the narrative in Judith Sterling's Flight of the Raven, the first book in the Novels of Ravenwood series, the tone of Soul of the Wolf more closely mimicked this book's cover - dark and somber. Wulfstan is the Saxon lord required to take on a Norman bride. He is a well-recognized sorcerer who has no time for marriage and fears bedding his bride will inhibit his powers. The lovely Lady Jocelyn tolerates his moods and busies herself about the manor, until the day she suddenly decides to seduce him in order to get what she wants most - children.

This book was troubled by a muddied premise and shifting motives by the lead characters. There is mystery attached to the background of each, but when secrets are revealed it is with a whimper instead of a whump. Wulfstan and Jocelyn needed to spend more time together on the page, developing the background pieces to a credible love story. When the declarations were made, I just didn't believe them, and Wulfstan seemed to trust more in his ghostly mother than the flesh and blood wife in front of him. However, there are these redeeming moments of honest conversation that resonate. For instance, Jocelyn's opinion on religious tolerance was eloquent, and the blunt approach of Wulfstan is refreshing.

"She stared into his eyes. 'Restraint. 'Tis a quality you seem to have mastered.'....He moved to stand behind the chair. 'Yet I spared you neither opinion nor truth last night.'"

If you enjoy sorcery mixed with a historical setting, you might enjoy this book. 

Book source: ARC from NetGalley.

This novel was a wonderful read and a good followup to the first book in the series. You do not need to read the first book, but it helps you understand some of the things in the next novel. There is romance, action, adventure, and magic.
Lady Jocelyn de Bret is a Norman with a secret and does not like any Saxon. She is ordered to marry Wulfstan, a Saxon sorcerer and does so grudgingly. Wulftstan can read a person's memories from their perspective from touching them, but he does not have control over the ability. He has other magical talents as well that he learned from his mother. Wulfstan has now become Lord Nihtscua after the death of his brother, who was an evil man like their father. He practices magic and tries to solve the riddle his promised his mother he would solve. He spends much of his time with this and does not want a wife, but when he sees Jocelyn, he desires her but knows he will not have her. He needs to keeps his focus on the riddle, but Jocelyn makes it very difficult for him.
At first Jocelyn is fine with not consummating the marriage, but as she ingrains herself more with her new home and the people, she cannot help but want more. As she learns more about Wulfstan, she begins to understand him and wants to help him. Her attraction to him begins to grow but he will not take her to bed. She tries to seduce him and is partially successful. However, Wulfstan is too focused on his promise to his mother that he does not see all that goes on around him. He becomes angry with Jocelyn and hurts her, but she still wants to help him because she loves him. However, there are those that seek revenge on Wulfstan and he needs to interpret the warnings he has been given. Will he be able to stop the threats in time? Will Wulfstan be able to accept Jocelyn's help and realize she is want he needs?

I missed the first novel in this series but this is one that you can easily pick up and not feel completely lost. Wulfstan is a sorcerer that is ordered to wed but believes that his magic will weaken if he consummates his marriage. Jocelyn is resolved to her marriage and does everything in her power to seduce her husband. This is a fun, seductive, read with magic, and mystery.

Lady Jocelyn de Bret was on her way to her future husband who was called a Saxon sorcerer. She was going to her destiny and despair. Her chief escort was Sir Robert le Danjon and she wondered why he couldn’t be her future husband. Joycelyn had changed her opinion on Saxons and now she didn’t like them at all after her mother had called Jocelyn to her after she had celebrated her nineteenth birthday. Wulfstan was Jocelyn’s intended and he didn’t want to marry her or anyone and planned on never visiting her bed. The king had ordered this marriage and both he and Jocelyn would do their duty as the king wished. Then Wulfstan decides to go to Woden Circle instead of being there to greet his future bride when she first arrives. Tomorrow Jocelyn and Wulfstan were to wed. Jocelyn decided she wanted to go for a walk after all her days of travel even though it was to rain. So Meg pointed Jocelyn came upon Wulfstan and he was the handsomest man she had ever seen. Wulfstan thought Jocelyn was gorgeous to his dismay. Then he informed Jocelyn after the wedding feast they would be leaving immediately for for Nihtscua. It was about twenty miles away. Wulfstan was not at all what Jocelyn expected. Emma came to Jocelyn while she was in her room and Jocelyn asked her how long she had known Wulfstan and Emma said all her life then Jocelyn asked what kind of man he was and Emma said : quiet, studious, dedicated to the old ways. Emma also told Jocelyn that her marriage was a beginning not an end. Robert told Wulfstan to be patient with Rocelyn as she seemed wary of Saxons. William had got a ring for Wulfstan to give Jocelyn he said he and Emma owed Wulfstan so much and always repays his debts. Wulfstan had a vision when they were at the altar going through the wedding ceremony. At the feast Jocelyn asked of his visions and he told her they were private and she said so are my memories, Did he raid them deliberately. Wulfstan Wulfstan said the sight comes as it wills. Alice was Jocelyn’s handmaiden and had come with her and also went to Jocelyn’s new home with her. Wulfstan told Jocelyn he would tell her that night of his vision now she waited for him in their room. Jocelyn had found out upon arrival that Wulfstan had a nine year old sister named Freya who hadn’t spoken since she was .four. Wulfstan came to the bedroom and told of his vision  and the Saxon who had raped her mother and was Jocelyn’s true father not than man who was her mother’s husband and had raised her as his own child. Wulfstan said he only seen what hurt others. Then he told Jocelyn they need not consummate the marriage. That he would stay celibate. He had important work to do. Wulfstan told her she can love having the bedroom to herself as he would late into the night and when he sleeps there is a pallet in his workroom. When Jocelyn awoke Freya was there with a cat. Jocelyn then pet the cat and then Alice came in Alice told her everyone knew Wulfstan did not sleep with her- the laundress had told  that he could communicate with animals  and his moods control the weather. Jocelyn then decided to change things at the keep. Jocelyn decorated, she clean and did so to change the cold draub  castle into what it could be cleaned and with tapestries hanging. Also Jocelyn talked to her staff as well as  added more staff. But Jocelyn found she did want her husbands attention.that she had finally let go of her hatred for all Saxons. .Joselyn was determined to sleep with her husband and she wanted children. If only she could get Wulfstan to sleep with her. Then Sir robert decided to try to help Jocelyn with the task and he did at least share a bed with her and she knew he desired her.
I loved this story of a man’s burden and magic . The plot was great and I did really enjoy this story. The writing was great as was the pace of this story. I love how the relationship grows between Jocelyn and Wulfstan finally into a love neither of them believed they would ever have. I loved that Edith wanted to help Jocelyn also and Freya loved her. I also loved how Jocelyn changed things in the castle. And was determined to be happy and her husband be happy as well and with her. I could almost picture the land and the Wolf’s head, and the castle as the author described everything so well. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this story and I highly recommend

"Soul of the Wolf" is a very entertaining, fast-faced medieval romance - once again, my favorite time period! 

Lady Jocelyn does not want to marry a Saxon, especially the one she is betrothed to.  She has no desire to marry Wulfstan, a man who is rumored to be a sorcerer, in fact she despises Saxons.  She has a secret that she doesn't want known, especially known to the man she is being forced to marry.

Wulfstan doesn't want to marry Jocelyn either.  He wants to work on solving an old family riddle and enhancing his sorcery powers.  He has many powers, not all described in the book, but the one Jocelyn is most afraid of is his ability to read her thoughts or memories.  Wulfstan refuses to get close to his bride, will not bed her, and keeps her at arms-length.

Jocelyn and Wulfstan are very sweet together, neither wants the other (until they come face-to-face).  They are both surprisingly attracted to the other and both actually agree to be friends.  Jocelyn is happy, at first, about the no marriage bed rule of Wulfstan's, but begins to change her mind the more she gets to know him.

There are some pretty passionate scenes and it is refreshing to read a book where the characters don't jump into bed together.  It seemed quite a bit of the book alluded to Jocelyn having some sort of magical powers, like Wulfstan, but it wasn't very clear.  I would have liked to learn more about Wulfstan and his ability to converse with animals and his other powers.

Very good book, highly recommended!  Will look forward to more by Ms. Sterling in the future.