"superb Victorian romance"

Lord of the Beasts Susan Krinard HQN, Oct 2006, $5.99 ISBN: 0373771398

In 1847 England, Donal Fleming can easily talk with the animals, but struggles to communicate in any way with humans. Donal understands what animals say and has used his talent by becoming a veterinarian to ease their aches, pains, and somewhat concerns. This need to ease the burden of the beasts places Donal in consistent trouble especially with those mortals who mistreat animals.

Cousins Theodora and Cordelia Hardcastle tour the new Zoological gardens in Regent's Park along with other Zoological Society fellows. While most visitors including Theodora are in awe, Cordelia is concerned as she has seen the animals in their natural habitat. When Cordelia calms down a rogue elephant at the same time that Donal also soothes the maligned beast, they meet for the first time. The attraction is obvious, but it their mutual love and respect for the animal kingdom that brings them together. Now Donal must choose between human love and his destiny as the LORD OF THE BEASTS.

The sequel to THE FOREST LORD, LORD OF THE BEASTS is a superb Victorian romance with some fantasy elements that delightfully enhance the prime story line of two animal lovers falling in love. Donal and Cordelia are wonderful protagonists but ironically as their love grows it brings out the beast in him forcing the hero to choose between his "powers" and his desires. Susan Krinard provides an enchanting historical with a touch of the whimsical to the delight of readers.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted January 6, 2007

Summary

Inherited from an otherworldly father, enchanted blood flows through Donal Fleming's veins. Yet though his empathic ability for all creatures gives purpose to his calling as a veterinarian, life among his mother's mortal kind has left him wary, and he secretly hungers for the freedom to live unrestrained by civilized society. Until Cordelia...

Cordelia Hardcastle has always played by society's rules, confined in a gilded cage of propriety and convention. Until Donal Fleming introduces her to a passion she's never dreamed of, and a world she's never imagined.

But Donal's attraction to the remarkable Cordelia has unleashed his most primal instincts. The time has come for him to challenge his destiny and face the consequences of his impossible choice—between human love and the powers that, to him, are life itself...