The future of Albion lies in the hands of a secretive werewolf pack and a young witch whose special talents could prove a great boon in their quest to safeguard a magically-generated fuel source. Rumors cling to Lord Derek Valmont like a fog, but he's a secretive man for good reason. He's not only a werewolf, but an operative for the Office of Clandestine Affairs.

Serena has untapped mystical potential, a legacy from her late grandmother. A chance encounter with a wolf proves to be more than she's initially expecting—and she's drawn into a world of intrigue, espionage and secrets that her genteel birth could never prepare her for. Yet the temptation of Valmont is a lure she cannot resist.

I enjoyed the alternate historical setting that Ms. Violet has created, it's rich with potential and while familiar, it also evokes a delightful steampunk atmosphere. Control holds the appeal of a liberated young woman teasing danger and in search of adventure, a life beyond what her aristocratic heritage would otherwise hold. I'm not entirely amenable with the manner in which the hero conducts himself and attempts to assert his dominance over the heroine, though this element of the story is not likely to discomfit those who like their encounters particularly spicy and intense.