Wolfsbane: Tales of a Traveler

I was excited to read the second book since I loved the first book so much. Sadly it wasn't as good as the first. Vadim is barely in this one and when he is the romantic moments were very awkward. They seemed random and not well thought out. Martha annoyed me this time around. She seemed unreasonably angry with everyone possible and was constantly in an irritable state. Her actions were stupid and thoughtless a lot of the time. With all the things going on around her she just didn't make much sense to me. I actually cheered when the Evil Earl ruffs her up a bit. YES she annoyed me that much. In a nutshell the whole book is simply a detailed account of Martha's experience in the Evil Earl's castle. I did enjoy getting to know Ansylm better and why he turned out the way he did. That was the only good thing about the book really. In the end we are still lead into another cliffhanger. I don't think I will be following the rest of the series it feels too drawn out and the characters aren't likable enough for me to keep going. It's like I would be paying too much for little satisfaction in the end.

Wolfsbane: Tales of a Traveler (Time Travel #2)By: NJ Layouni5/5 starsThis book picks up with Vadim’s POV and when he goes to Darumvale looking for Martha, the villagers are shocked because they all believed him to be dead. He learns of what happened in when Martha showed up and had words with the evil earl & Vadim’s foster brother Anselm, the earl striking her in the face & Anselm stepping in between them & taking Martha back to the castle of Edgeway with him.We also get Martha’s POV from her time spent as a prisoner/forced guest of the castle and how she had to deal with the evil earl, Anselm wanting her, and with the reality of her new everyday life while trying to lie and act convincingly enough about her husband Vadim being dead. She knows that Vadim will come for her, but she doesn’t know when, except that it will most likely be when Rodmar, the rightful heir to the throne, and his army are on their way to war at the castle, to take back the throne & restore the loyal nobles. But as time progresses and she has to continue on with the charade at the castle, including an impending forced marriage by decree of the evil earl, her belief & love for Vadim wanes. Vadim doesn’t like waiting around, but he knows that it’s what is best all around, not only for the good of the cause, but because there is really only one shot to save her & that is during the battle, when everyone else is occupied.But even the best laid plans don’t always work out...sometimes the plan is wrong & sometimes it’s because the people don’t follow it exactly, & you just want to smack them!! So there has to be some improvising which leads to more dangerous and perilous situations. You can definitely see Martha’s 21st century life coming into play, even if it is to her own detriment. The battle was very well written and was mainly all from Martha’s POV, so I wish that some of it was from Vadim’s, but it was well done. The author does a good job describing the weaponry of that era & the sounds, the feeling of the castle when it was hit by one of the trebuchets.I was shocked, I actually got to the point that I liked Anselm and not in that he was a twisted dark knight type of way, but in that he actually showed his humanity. There were several other characters that I came to love, Fergus & Effie, Agatha & Edric, and some that I wasn’t totally sure about yet.This doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, but there is a possibility of what happens next. I really hope that the author does write another book in this series, I want to see where Vadim & Martha go from here & the other characters too!!

I don’t know how this book got any negative reviews. The first book in this series, admittedly, was hard for me tat first. But about 40% in however I realized this was going to be a delightful journey. The author has a brilliant way of bringing characters to life. Even side characters seem to secure a place in my heart. There is a sense of realism throughout this series that makes the story that much more enjoyable. The hero doesn’t jump to the heroines rescue every time she needs saving.. she had to survive on her own with just her wits and courage. At times I would find myself slightly annoyed at her for certain emotions but again the realism.. this wasn’t an insta love situation. H&H has to work through things, just like a real relationship. They had to find middle ground and overcome hardships. Though I expected him to save her day 2 of her kidnapping, it didn’t happen for a long time. She was angry about that and it was such a real human emotion. The action of the last 80 or so pages had me biting all my nails off. Fantastically done! I will be getting the third book in this series. As well as anything else this author writes.

I'm enjoying this series, action, romance, it's a brutal time and the author puts you in the midst of it. Book two, Wolfsbane takes us through the revolt and the crowning of the new king. As the pretender and the evil earl's reign of terror ends, Martha finds Vadim is the new Earl of Edgeway and she is a Countess. Not at all what the outspoken Martha wants. She has an opportunity to make a difference, a big difference. She has many friends on the losing side. Her feelings for Anselm have changed dramatically and she doesn't want him dead, although he was the evil earls man and even his father disowned him. Oh yes, Martha is pregnant, more than a few believe the baby to be Anselms. Life has gotten very complicated for our traveler.

I skipped this second book thinking the third would be better- I was wrong. Although most of this story was about Martha and her relationship with Anselm, it developed Martha’s character more and deepened her relationship with the inhabitants of the castle keep.I enjoyed the storyline better than the review I saw. It’s not as good as the first book, but worth the purchase.

Finally a worthy read (start with book one about Lord Hemlock) to occupy time and mind while awaiting the next installment from Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. I've voraciously read as many highland and time travel romances as I can to be only mildly entertained by many a tale until this author. NJ has a gift for weaving an adventure filled tale that does not try to copy Outlander, but manages to keep you turning the pages just as rapidly and caring about the characters and their romances in equal measure. I hope that this series will continue on as Gabaldon has done. The imagery, dialogue and story are just as compelling and worthy.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was compelled to buy this as the ending of the first book ends on a cliffhanger. Really I felt the stories were both half stories in a way and should have been contained within the same book. Where as i really enjoyed the first story, this one was lacking for me. I felt it dragged somewhat and was repetitive. I did enjoy the characters although they didn't seem as well rounded as in the first story and the main character seemed a little too perfect almost. There was still some humour within this story that I enjoyed. It was a little darker in parts than the first story as well. I was confused with the last few chapters. It was almost like the climax of the story happened 2 thirds through rather than just before the end and you were almost waiting for something else to happen and nothing substantial really materialized. I agree with the other review i saw that it would have been nice to have an epilogue to really conclude the story. I know there is a third book, but I don't have much interest in that character so I don't see me reading that one. All in all I felt the series was interesting and in the most part enjoyable, this second book for me was definitely the weak link.

The fast paced action held within this time-travel romance holds you there. At times Martha's character became slightly unbelievable and annoying. But this could be overlooked as the writer had so much going on at these times that you could over look this.This series of books has (so far) has become one of my favourite top 10 of books. Will be read over and over again!Definitely would recommend these books.I would like to read more books like these.

Just as great as the first one! This book kept me reading well into the night, with it's gripping storyline. Martha has attitude in this book and she is a handful of a 'guest'. We also get to know a bit more of Vadim's Robin hood tendencies and some of his true ambitions. I loved the way in which Martha always 'puts her foot in it' but seems have a knack of talking herself out this situations as well.Not as big a cliff hanger at the end of this book but I still want more, I need to know how life will change for all the characters due to the agreements made in this book, and to know if certain man's heart will continue to beat and if Martha's heart will be broken when he breaths his last!

Even better than Hemlock book 1. Exciting, riveting and thoroughly enjoyable. Characters were varied and in the most part likeable, there are always villains though

I devoured this book because the cliff hanger was too much for me to bear. This story takes us on a roller coaster of a ride with the feisty and hilarious martha as the driver. This story continues of her adventures and takes us with her to experience her fears and victories. Her thoughts had me laughing to my kindle in public places and rejoicing upon her rescue (it is romance after all, where, the hero arrives to save his damsel in distress). But doesn't she half get herself in a pickle. If there's a third book coming, then , I will be the first in the queue to buy it. Beautifully written.

I loved this book! A great love story with lots of action and characters we met in the first book of the series. Just one criticism, as with the first book, and as the author lives in Lancashire and the heroine is British and there's constant reference to Martha's life In the Lake District, why is the spelling, and (ahem!) certain 'words', in American English? It all jars a little and stops me getting totally immersed in the story, hence only 4 stars!

Book 2 is just as good as book one which is often a rare thing. It is fast moving, enemy become reluctant friend. The main evil lord does not changed. His right hand man has fallen hook line and sinker for the lady in the middle of warring men. It has a shock on almost every couple of pages, I just could not put it down, a good ending but also very sad. Loved this book.

Another brilliant book by N J Layoun. It was difficult to put the book down once I had started. I bought the first in the series because I like stories that include time travel. Martha only travels once - into the medieval past, but that does not detract from the books enjoyment. The medieval time is really brought to life, and the story is full of romance and excitement.

Just couldn't get enough of this book, I really didn't want it to end but couldn't put it down, so it didn't last nearly long enough. Absolutely enthralled with this from the first book 'Hemlock' and eagerly waiting the follow up. Fabulous book, Fabulous author, who I now have the privilege of calling 'friend.' Waiting in anticipation for the continuation of Martha and Vadim's adventure. More bleary eyed mornings from reading long into the wee hours, but it will be worth it.

I read both books really enjoyed the the characters they were fun and though placed in medieval times showed we still need patience and understanding to learn to live together.There was war, love, and living as a community all in these books, It was good to read a good story with a lot of characters that you could form opinions on and also know you would like to read their story as well please keep Martha and Vadmir in the stories they can only grow would love to read more in this series

I downloaded book 1 for free and paid for the 2nd. I thoroughly enjoyed the books and would love to read a book 3 if there is one soon? The main character Martha is funny, outspoken and straight talking also half Irish so there is plenty of swearing! Think Marian Keyes heroine in medieval times. I like time travel romances this is one of the funnier ones and worth a read.

so talented at book world building ,the melting swoon love the caring between all the characters, nail biting plots twist and turns and imagination of actually walking,smelling tasting the enviroment they are so special and will remain in my heart truly beautiful reads x

Really good story and kept my interest which I like from a good read. I like a historical romance and time travel is always fascinating as I'm a lover of the Outlander series too.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. Good descriptive prose & amazing detials that only enhance the story.I had to start the next book as soon as I could !Like the first novel I heartily recommend you read this book !

Well it was a bit better than the first book. It reads like an adult fairy tale. But almost enjoyable.