Friday, August 24, 2012

Book Review: Dervyshire Park by Nicole Conway

Dervyshire Park

Author: Nicole Conway
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Fresh Ink Group (July 20, 2012)
Amazon Link


Note: I received a review copy of this book free from Fresh Ink Group. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ 


My thoughts:

Dervyshire Park has a promising start, read the half of the story in just a few hours. It tells the story of Randolf Fuerst, a lycanthrope considered an outcast to his pack. Lycans are ruled by women and his mother is the alpha of all the lycans everywhere. Since women rule the pack, naturally, females are preferred over males and that is why Randolf was made an outcast.The author was able to incorporate Greek mythology when it comes to the history of the lycans that made the book a bit more interesting to read. I loved how it differs with other lycan/werewolf books I've read in the past. Imagine, a woman alpha? 

Initially, the story is narrated by Randolf and then it would shift into third person POV from time to time. It was moving along just fine until I realized after reaching more than half of the story, I'm beginning to lose interest in reading further. The sudden shifts in POV disrupt my connection to the story and characters. Another problem was hating Charlotte, Randolf's love interest. I hate her attitude and her views in life. Nothing in her is interesting for me since she doesn't go to school, she doesn't work, and she has no friends except for Kim and Sam, her friend and suitor.  All characters are likeable, even the bad guys except Charlotte. I can't even feel the "magic" when she is either with Randolf or Sam. 

All in all, it would have been a great werewolf book if not for the flaws mentioned above. 

About the book:

"We are the silent guardians, those born of the need to protect humankind, acting as their unseen shield against a dark world to which they are blind."

21-year-old Charlotte wants a way out of small-town Colorado, not a life trapped on the family ranch feigning affection for the awkward man who pesters her for a commitment she can never give. Then the enigmatic Dr. Randolf Fuerst arrives to reclaim Dervyshire Park, the old mansion looking down upon Charlotte's world from the wild foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Working to perfect the antivenin that neutralizes the bite of even the fiercest lycanthrope, the dark-haired stranger sees something in Charlotte, and knows his life might well be transformed by her simple touch. Pursuing desire and passion is never easy, though, and Charlotte will find her dreams dashed by the dark forces and savage creatures that descend upon Westcliffe and the people she loves.

How can a young lady, a mere human, stand to lose what she had nearly given up hope of ever finding? Is there a place safe enough for two forbidden lovers to discover their destiny? Might the truth lurk up that country lane, past the overgrown hedges, behind the imposing doors of a mysterious mansion called Dervyshire Park?


About the author:


A native of Alabama and graduate of Auburn University, Nicole Conway is currently living with her husband in Texas.  An avid reader of fantasy and romance novels, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, entertaining, and combing through coookbooks for new recipies. Though she has written numerous romantic novels and short stories, Dervyshire Park is her first work to be published.


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