Alpha Male Diner: Changeling by Dani Harper

On the menu today: Lone Wolf steeped in Secret Sauce.

TRAVIS WILLIAMSON (quick to tell you he’s no damn werewolf, he prefers the term Changeling)

*Sharon and Katie contemplate what goes into the secret sauce and start giggling uncontrollably because they still act like they are in middle school*

Travis Williamson (Changeling)

recipe by Dani Harper

First Bite (Book One of the Dark Wolf Series)

INGREDIENTS:
-Vivid blue eyes – if you could see them behind the dark glasses
-A frown for all occasions
-Unruly blond hair in stark contrast to a black on black wardrobe
-Massive shoulders, ideal for hanging a leather jacket on 
-Predilection for Triumph motorcycles
-Lupine persona - a great golden wolf with a mind of its own

Stir the above together until the following becomes clear:
Antisocial, yet with a strong code of right and wrong
Gruff, impatient, yet kind and will stand up for the underdog

Marinate for decades with a secret that keeps him on the move and away from others of his kind.

NOTE: Dish is self-heating. Add one stubborn dark-haired woman named Geneva and STAND BACK!

TASTE TEST

(a never before released excerpt

He found her lying on her side, gasping for breath in a tangle of elderberry, its bluish leaves gleaming under the bright night sky.

I really hate you.

It was loud and clear in his brain. Your first words. How sweet.

Get out of my head. You’re not invited.

This is how Changelings communicate as wolves. Get used to it. He picked his way through the bushes to get closer to her – although he was prepared to dodge if she decided to bite him again. Are you okay?

My head hurts. No thanks to you.

Yeah, well my ass hurts. No thanks to you. Actually it didn’t hurt a bit really – shifting forms healed all but the most serious wounds. But he made a mental note not to turn his back on her again. Come on, let’s head down to the lake now. You could probably use a drink.

Only if you have something a lot stronger than water down there. Tell me how to change back.

He stopped when he realized she wasn’t following him. What’s the problem?

I said I want to change back. I want to be human. Tell me how.

Other than sapping most of her energy, there was no real reason she couldn’t do it. Except Travis suspected she’d never Change again. Not voluntarily, and that was a problem. The wolf could be controlled but not denied, and if she suppressed it long enough, eventually it would burst through on its own – and not necessarily at a convenient time. With a mental picture of Neva suddenly shifting to wolf form in the middle of a shopping mall, he made up a bullshit story out of some partial truths.

“You need to move around a bit first, flex and stretch those muscles after what they’ve just been through. If you don’t, it could have a negative effect on your human body.”

She studied his face with skepticism and he was suddenly glad for all the poker games he’d played over the decades. “Your body’s got to have some time to recover too before you go shifting back to human. Not only did you just make your first Change, your injuries have healed up. That takes energy.”

How long do I have to stay like this?

A few hours – three or four at the very least. Later, you won’t need so much time.

The moonlight dappled the forest floor as Travis loped easily through the brush. He could hear Neva behind him, struggling as she tried to run on four feet. Everyone had trouble with that at first – mostly because everyone approached it like a bipedal human. Relax and let your wolf take over.

I’m not letting the damn wolf take over anything.

The determination in her words was underpinned by fear. Travis slowed and waited for her to catch up. He stepped off the trail, allowing her to go ahead.

She showed her teeth at him as she passed. Don’t you even think about sniffing my butt!

Well there goes all my fun for the evening.

Still hungry? Another excerpt is available for sampling on Dani’s website, http://www.daniharper.com/THE_DARK_WOLF_SERIES.htm

About the Author:
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Dani Harper is a former newspaper editor whose passion for all things supernatural led her to a second career writing paranormal fiction. A longtime resident of the Canadian north and southeastern Alaska, she recently ventured south with her husband, Ron, to rural Washington to be closer to their grown children and to live the country life (Goats and chickens and pugs, oh my!).

At present, Dani writes three paranormal series (Changeling, Grim, and Dark Wolf). Her first novel, Changeling Moon, was a 2012 Rita Award Finalist in the Paranormal category.

Sheep Interview: PNR Author Dani Harper

Last time we interviewed Dani we told her we would be coming to her house! She doesn't know we are coming. 

*Katie and Sharon high five, giggling like little girls while Baaart holds the wrapped box of moonpies*

KNOCK, KNOCK!

Katie and Sharon: Surprise! 

*shoves present into Dani’s hands*

Dani: “Holy sheepdip – what a great surprise!” *kisses Baaart with a loud smack, hugs Katie and Sharon*

Toby the Pug: “Snort, snort!” (Translation: One of those moonpies is mine, right?)

Sharon: Wow, it has been 2 years since we interviewed you. What have you been doing?

Dani: “I started writing two new paranormal romance series. And my hubby and I moved back to civilization. After ten years on an Alaskan island, I needed roads. And big box stores to get lost in. And most of all, access to dirt.”
Katie: “Dirt? I can give you dirt on anything you want! You only had to call!”

Dani: “Not that kind of dirt – I’m a farmer at heart and addicted to gardening, and our Alaskan island was mostly rock. I’ve had a blast this summer growing everything I can think of.” 

*presents Katie, Sharon and Baaart with a giant green zucchini each*

Katie: *regards the 2-foot-long squash dubiously* “I guess I can use it for a doorstop.”

*Sharon laughs uncontrollably because… then remembers this is a PG-13 website and shuts her mouth*

Sharon: *picks up TV remote and turns it on to see what Dani was watching* “Hey, it’s The Avengers!”

Dani: “Just studying the storyline and the directing.” 

*stealthily drops an afghan over a stack of magazine clippings of Chris Hemsworth and Robert Downey Jr *

“Joss Whedon rules, you know. As an author, I feel I can learn a lot from his work.”

Toby the Pug: “Snort, snort!” (Translation: Give me a moonpie or I’m SO going to tug that afghan off that pile of hunky heroes!)

 Dani: *drops a chocolate moonpie on the floor* “Oops! Um – no five-second rule in this house, sorry. Too much pug hair you know.”

Sharon: “Nice place you have here though – Katie! Katie, wait, we talked about this!”

Katie: *runs to Dani’s bedroom and looks under the bed* “You’re kidding, right?”
Dani: “How was I to know that six hills of spaghetti-squash was too much? I had to store them SOMEwhere. I ran out of room in the pantry.” 

Toby the Pug: “Snort, snort!” (Translation: I need another moonpie here.)

Sharon: So, tell us about your new book, First Bite?

Dani: It was just released and I think my readers will be pleased. It’s a whole new world of Changelings to love. And it’s a story that surprised me – I didn’t plan to write it, but you know how characters are. Sometimes they just show up and start talking. I was in the Seattle airport during a long layover, working on a whole different project, and suddenly there they were—
Katie: “Homeland Security?”

Dani: “Um – actually, no, not this time... The main characters of First Bite, Travis and Neva, just popped up in my brain. And they wouldn’t leave me alone. So I had to quit what I was doing and write what they were saying. I had the whole first chapter done before I got home.”

Sharon: *reads description of book* 
“Geneva “Neva” Ross doesn’t want to die. But now that she’s been turned into a werewolf against her will, she’ll do anything to protect her family and friends…even if that means taking her own life. Enter Travis Williamson, a shape-shifter with a dark past, who saves Neva’s life the night she throws herself from a ledge. Soon, the two Changelings—endlessly bickering to hide their intensifying attraction—go on the run, desperate to hide from the police. But someone truly evil hunts the pair. Someone willing to murder to satisfy her own cruel desires. Someone with minions dying to kill for her. She is Meredith de la Ronde, Neva’s sinister sire.”
Baaart: *Eyes go very wide.*
Dani: “That’s exactly right, Baaart, it’s an epic battle between good and evil. That’s why it’s going to take more than one book to finish the story. I’m working on Ties That Bind, Book 2, right now.”

Toby the Pug: “Snort, snort!” (Translation: Hey! Gimme another moonpie or I’m gonna have to take a hostage here.)

Katie: *goes through Dani’s DVD collection* “Hey, you’ve got some classic stuff here – all the Batmans, all the Ironmans, every X-Men movie there is, Thor, Hellboy – am I detecting a theme?”

Dani: “I grew up reading all the superhero comics I could find. I read Thor before he finally got a cooler costume. I still enjoy comics, and there are so many great new ones coming out all the time. I continue to follow Buffy the Vampire Slayer of course. And Hellboy totally rocks – both on paper and on the big screen. In fact, that leads me to my biggest squeeeeeeeee moment in a long time. My daughter worked security for a Comic Con in Canada recently and she got her photo taken with Ron Perlman – and he KISSED her! Talk about vicarious thrills! I’m still fanning myself.” 

Toby the Pug: “Snort, snort!” (Translation: Less talk about thrills, more talk about moonpies!)

Sharon: “So what would your superhero theme song/music be?”

Dani: “Oooo, tough choice. So many great songs --- I like “Unbroken” by the Black Veil Brides, but I think I like “I’m Alive” by Shinedown even more. Both are on the Avengers Assemble CD.” 

Sharon: “So, going back to shapeshifters, what type of grooming products do your Changelings use?” 

Dani: “In wolf form, they don’t use anything. As humans, they like most of the hair care products that we do but they tend to buy the unscented versions. Their senses are very acute even when –
Toby the Pug: *grabs Baaart and runs for the hills* “Snort, snort!” (Translation: “Gimme all your moonpies or you’ll never see your little woolly pal again!”

Sharon: “BAAAAAAAART!”

*Dani, Sharon and Katie give chase. Fortunately pugs aren’t very athletic and Toby’s 100-yard dash finishes at about 22 and a half feet. Whereupon he is apprehended, Baaart is saved, and moonpies are had by all. Even Toby, who isn’t really evil. Usually.*

Rapid Fire

Sharon: “Basket of fruit or basket of cookies?”
Dani: “Actually, I have a big basket of assorted squashes for each of you to take home. *Waves at hubby through the window. He’s closing the trunk of the visitors’ car with difficulty.* You don’t even have to lift a finger, they’re already loaded for you.”

Sharon: “Er, thanks. I think.” 

Katie: “George Washington or Abraham Lincoln?”
Dani: “Lincoln, of course. He’s worth five times as much as George.” 

Sharon: “Hawaii or Mexico?”
Dani: “Mexico, definitely. *sighs* There’s a little village called Barra de Navidad on the west coast near Manzanillo. I could see my hubby and I living there. Although where we are now is providing all the sunshine we could possibly want, and we love this little town, so maybe we’ll just stay here.”
 
Katie: “Back patio or front porch?”
Dani: “The front porch is cooler in the evening. And you can watch the stars much better from there.”

Sharon: “Sunflowers or roses?”
Dani: “I have both. I lean towards roses – my hubby is partial to them too, and we’ve decided to plant a new one every year. This year we chose a bright yellow climbing rose.”

Katie: “Toilet papering or egging?”
Dani: “Egging is much more satisfying. Only did it once, when I was fourteen – egged the high school principal’s house, and ran like crazy. (The statute of limitations has run out on that, right?)”

Sharon: “Thanks for letting us stay and visit! Got anything you want to let our readers know before you make us dinner and put in a movie for us?”
Dani: “I’m so glad you’re staying. I’ve got a zucchini casserole in the oven with spaghetti squash on the side, with zucchini bread and zucchini muffins for dessert. I was planning a Hellboy marathon (hmmm – is it still a marathon if they only made two movies?). Oh, and I probably should tell your readers where to find my website --- all my links are on there and where to find my books: www.daniharper.com

NOTE – No vegetables were harmed in the making of this interview.

About the Author:

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Dani Harper is a newspaper editor turned paranormal author. There isn’t anything she likes better than exploring the supernatural — unless it’s writing sizzling and suspenseful romance. Of course, all of her stories have at least one foot in the netherworld!

Dani is the author of the Changeling series. CHANGELING MOON was chosen as a 2012 RITA Award Finalist in the Paranormal Romance Category by Romance Writers of America.

TWO brand new paranormal romance series begin this year. The Grim Series kicks off on August 6, 2013 with STORM WARRIOR. The Dark Wolf series is slated to begin October 15 with FIRST BITE.  

First Bite by Dani Harper Release Day Book Blast + Giveaway

www.paranormalcravings.com

It is release day for Dani Harper's new book First Bite, and to celebrate she is having a book blast giveaway! Prizes are listed below. 

The First Bite book tour starts tomorrow, right here, at I Smell Sheep with a Dani Harper interview... sheep style!

First Bite (Dark Wolf #1)
by Dani Harper
Genre: paranormal romance
Expected Publication Date: Oct 15Geneva “Neva” Ross doesn’t want to die. But now that she’s been turned into a werewolf against her will, she’ll do anything to protect her family and friends…even if that means taking her own life.

After witnessing Neva’s leap from a high ledge, Travis Williamson—a Changeling with a dark past—uses his powers to save her life. He feels a connection to the strong-willed woman whose eyes flash that familiar Changeling green. While Neva is hospitalized, Travis risks everything to kidnap her, knowing the approaching full moon will put everyone in jeopardy.

Bickering constantly to hide their growing attraction, Travis and Neva run from the authorities…and from Neva’s sinister sire, Meredith de la Ronde. Meredith delights in creating new shape-shifters and compelling them to do her dark bidding; now Neva must join Meredith’s murderous wolf pack…or die.

Intensely suspenseful with deliciously sexy twists, this paranormal romance—the first in (the title of series)—intertwines sensual passion with an epic, thrilling battle between good and evil.

Buy links:

amazon-B&N-book depository-Indigo

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