by Kate Hewitt, author of The Lone Wolfe (book 8 of The Notorious Wolfes series, February 2012)
I have loved being part of several continuities, and it has always been very exciting to open the document that details the background or ‘bible’ of each continuity, and discover just who I am going to be writing about. When I read about Jacob Wolfe, the hero of The Lone Wolfe, I took a deep breath and thought: Yikes! Here was a challenge.
Jacob Wolfe is the oldest brother and his story is the last in the series. As readers will have discovered through reading the entire series, when he was just eighteen Jacob came upon his father whipping his younger sister Annabelle and punched him. His father died from that one blow, and six anguished months later Jacob left his family. When The Lone Wolfe opens, it is almost twenty years later and Jacob is finally returning home.
Writing about Jacob was a challenge because he has so much guilt from his past, and so many secrets. Now I happen to really enjoy writing a tortured hero, but Jacob’s scarred history definitely tested me! He’d experienced and endured so much and it had affected him in terrible ways. I had to ask myself just how Jacob had handled his past and what kind of heroine could help him to finally let go of it. Mollie Parker, the daughter of the gardener of Wolfe Manor, at first seemed an unlikely choice. She’s feisty and a bit spiky and she’s been holding onto a simmering resentment against Jacob for leaving everyone in the lurch so long ago. Yet as I wrote the story I realised Mollie was exactly what Jacob needed–not some gentle nurturer who would nurse him back to emotional health, but a strong woman who would challenge him and refuse to back down when things got tough.
Do you like reading about tortured heroes, or characters with difficult pasts? I hope you enjoy Jacob and Mollie’s story, and the conclusion to the Bad Blood Collection. It was a wonderful series to be a part of, and I’ve certainly enjoyed reading all the other fantastic contributions.
Note from Amy: The Lone Wolfe is the final book in the Notorious Wolfes continuity series. If you missed any of the books, you can still find them online and in ebook format. For more about each book, click here, or read other blog posts by the rest of the Wolfes series authors.
I’m really looking forward to reading Jacob’s story!
Ooh, no Kate – the more tortured the better! I love secrets and guilt so…bring it on!
I’d forgotten I’d preordered this book after so many friend in the UK raved about it. It’ was a nice surprise on my Kindle app last week! Now I really can’t wait to dig in to it.
I’m not sure why my comment hasn’t shown up, but just to say I hope you enjoy the book, Julia and Amy, and secrets and guilt says it all, Sharon. I quite agree with you
Hi Kate,
I just love a tortured hero. Dark and complex, brooding and enigmatic. I’m getting all shivery thinking about your book! This has been a fabulous continuity. I’ve loved every story.
Thanks Melanie. I’ve loved this continuity too; it has been such a pleasure being a part of it.
I love tortured heroes and I especially love this book Kate. It was so good to see Jacob finally getting the happy ending he deserved. You did an amazing job and it was just brilliant working with you and the others. xx
A question, do M&B editors choose each of you to write each story? If so, they were spot on. I waited for Annabelle’s and Jacobs story because of all the siblings they seemed the most tortured.
Thanks, Sarah. I loved your tortured rake, too! Yes, Marilyn, the editors fit the author to the story and try to pick a plot or characters that play to your strengths as a writer, so it is always interesting to see what they pick!