Legends of the Wolf Series by Alice Borchardt

Regeane is a fatherless royal relation who happens to be a werewolf. Her guardian, Gundabald, and his venal son Hugo plan to recoup their fortunes by marrying Regeane to a wealthy bridegroom, even though she might inadvertently make him into a bedtime snack. Gundabald forces her into apparent compliance by threatening to reveal her secret to the Church, which would burn her at the stake... moreRegeane is a fatherless royal relation who happens to be a werewolf. Her guardian, Gundabald, and his venal son Hugo plan to recoup their fortunes by marrying Regeane to a wealthy bridegroom, even though she might inadvertently make him into a bedtime snack. Gundabald forces her into apparent compliance by threatening to reveal her secret to the Church, which would burn her at the stake. As the bridegroom, Maeniel, journeys to Rome to claim her, Regeane discovers allies in her quest to defeat Gundabald's machinations, including some very strong, funny, and levelheaded women. Unfortunately for Regeane, she also has more powerful enemies than Gundabald. Alice Borchardt brings 8th-century Rome vividly to life. Her language is earthy and sensuously descriptive: "The wolf visited Regeane's eyes and ears. The girl staggered slightly with the shock. The light in the square became intense. Smells an overwhelming experience: wet stone, damp air, musty clothing, perspirations shading from ancient sticky filth to fresh acrid adrenal alarm." Borchardt is Anne Rice's sister, but she writes a very different sort of tale. Ghosts, the dead, and supernatural forces are here, but so is laugh-out-loud humor and a happy ending. --Nona Vero less

The fearsome legions of Julius Caesar have crushed resistance to Roman rule. Watching the aftermath is Maeniel, a gray wolf and a shapeshifter. The sight of the beautiful Imona fills Maeniel with unfamiliar feelings and desires, triggering his transformation from wolf to man. When Imona vanishes, Maeniel follows her trail--unaware that a warrior woman is trying to kill him.

The Wolf King is set in the world of Charlemagne, a brutal and violent period of change in European history. Charlemagne has massed his army in Geneva, poised to add Italy to his growing list of conquests. Meanwhile, the mercenary forces of King Desiderus are perched on the other side of the Alps, ready to attack anyone moving through the mountain passes. In between live the shapeshifters, protected by their leader, Maenial, and his bride, Regeane... moreThe Wolf King is set in the world of Charlemagne, a brutal and violent period of change in European history. Charlemagne has massed his army in Geneva, poised to add Italy to his growing list of conquests. Meanwhile, the mercenary forces of King Desiderus are perched on the other side of the Alps, ready to attack anyone moving through the mountain passes. In between live the shapeshifters, protected by their leader, Maenial, and his bride, Regeane. In a very short time, the war destroys everything that Regeane and Maenial have struggled to accomplish, and soon they are cast into a well of calamity, as Maenial— pledged to Charlemagne as man, loyal to none but himself as wolf—is captured by Desiderus's men. Now Regeane must save him. But to do so, she enlists the aid of another— Saxon whose love for her poses dangers of its own. About the Author:Alice Borchardt shared a childhood of story-telling with her sister. Anne Rice, in New Orleans. A professional nurse, she has also nurtured a profound interest in little-known periods of history. less