An
unwilling heroine.
And
a new pack of Changelings in a darker paranormal tale that brushes the edges
of horror.
.......................................................................................................................
 |
| FIRST BITE is 1st in the Dark Wolf Series Image: Bigstock.com |
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.
Too
bad Travis Williamson saw her jump. A lone Changeling with a dark past, he
feels compelled to use his powers to save her. The last thing he expects is to
feel a connection to the strong-willed woman. And when 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 is
determined that Neva will join her murderous wolf pack. Or die.
......................................................................................................................
AUTHOR'S NOTE --
This
was a really different style for me, and not a story I planned. But on a
lengthy stopover in the Sea-Tac airport, the characters started talking to me
and WOULD NOT SHUT UP.
I had my laptop open as usual, working on another book entirely,
but the characters of First Bite were among the most insistent I’ve ever met! The result
was that I left Seattle with the entire first chapter and a rough skeleton
of a story I’d never imagined writing.
As I continued work on this novel, the hero and heroine, and even the villain, continued to surprise me -- and I had to run to keep up with them at times!
.......................................................................................................................
Excerpt from FIRST BITE
 |
| Available on AMAZON in ebook, paperback, and audiobook |
“Come with me if you want to live.”
Neva stared at the enormous hand the stranger extended her. Her gaze followed the black leather–clad arm up to the massive shoulders, the strong jaw, and the thick lock of wavy blond hair hanging over his dark glasses. “You have so got to be kidding me,” she said.
He shrugged. “I always wanted to say that line. Except I’m not kidding.” With his other hand, the big stranger plunked a flower arrangement of purple irises and orange chrysanthemums on the bedside table. He yanked the tiny card off it and stuffed it into his jeans pocket, but not before she read, To our valued employee, Bob.
“You stole somebody’s flowers?”
“Camouflage.” He opened and closed the drawers and closet. “No clothes left, huh? Guess you’ll have to come as you are.”
“Why would I go anywhere with you? I know what you are.” She practically spat the words at him, even as she grabbed the remote from the bed and poised her thumb over the red button for the nurses’ station. “You’re one of them.”
“Yeah, well, I know what you are, too, sister.”
Of course he would know, but it still stung. She didn’t want to be like him or any of the rest of the damned creatures under Meredith’s thumb. “Look, I know who sent you. And I can give you twice what she offered you.”
He laughed at that. “Trust me, nobody could pay me enough to come here. It stinks.”
“What about your pack leader?”
“I have no pack. I’m just here to spring you.”
Something like hope stirred inside her and she pushed it down hard. Not only was this a werewolf she was dealing with, but he had screwed up her plans once already. She wouldn’t be fooled. “Meredith won’t like it,” she tested.
“Who?” He slid the sunglasses down his nose, revealing vivid blue eyes that studied her as intently as she was studying him. “Look, if you have a gripe with somebody, that’s your problem. I’m here to get you out of here. Period.”
From the set of his mouth, he looked like he was bracing himself for an argument. She was all set to give him one, too, then realized this was exactly the opportunity she needed. “Okay.”
“Look, we both know you can’t stay—what?”
“I said okay. I want to go. Go ahead, get me out of here. You messed up everything the other night and you’re responsible for me being in this place, so you owe me, mister. Let’s go.”
“Wait just a damn minute.” He pulled the sunglasses off completely then and pointed them at her. “I saved your frickin’ life, lady. If anybody owes anybody, it’s—”
“Just get me out of this hospital and we’re even.” She started struggling to her feet as he opened and closed his mouth, obviously at a loss for words. He recovered enough to offer his big hand again and this time she took it and used it to pull herself up, finding herself standing almost nose to nose with him. Or rather, nose to chest. Neva was tall herself, but this guy was huge. She eyed him warily. “No funny stuff. Get me out of here and we’re done.”
He hesitated, his brow furrowed. “Anyone in their right mind would be happy to get out of here, but you’re a little too keen. You thinking of trying to off yourself again?”
“That’s none of your business. Are you going to help me get out of here or not?”
The frown deepened but he didn’t argue further, just put his sunglasses back on. “Can you walk?”
“Not fast, but yeah.” Okay, technically she’d only shuffled around her room and limped partway to the nurses’ station once. She had no idea if she’d hold up any further than that, but she wasn’t going to say so. Instead, she pulled the ties of her bathrobe tighter and grabbed her cane.
He placed himself on her left, her arm and leg casts against him, and threw an arm around her, his big hand curled around her waist. “What’s your name?”
“Why’s it matter?”
“Well, if we’re stopped, it’ll look pretty suspicious if I don’t know my own cousin’s name.”
Cousin. Well, it was lot better than pretending to be his girlfriend—she wouldn’t have to feign affection. After all, if he was her own cousin, Alec, she would have punched him rather than hug him just out of childhood habit. “I’m Neva. So who the hell are you, anyway, the werewolf police? Why do you keep interfering in my life?”
He was silent for a long moment. “Travis. No. And goddess only knows.”
She swung around and thumped the center of his chest with a right hook, which was all she could reach from the awkward angle. It was a point in his favor that he didn’t let her fall—she’d overbalanced and would have done a fine face-plant if he wasn’t hanging on to her.
“What the hell was that for?” he demanded.
“Luck.”
“Must be extra good luck since you already stabbed me in the same frickin’ spot,” he muttered. “Lean on me,” was all the warning she got before he abruptly propelled the pair of them sideways through the door and down the hall.
Available in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook at
.......................................................................................................................
See all of Dani Harper's books
on her Amazon Author Page
on her Amazon Author Page
.......................................................................................................................
LEGEND. LORE. LOVE. MAGIC.
Bringing ancient faery legends into modern-day America...
Watch for STORM CROSSED, releasing January 9th!
Watch for STORM CROSSED, releasing January 9th!
Available now for pre-order in ebook, paperback, and audiobook.
.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................
I loved this book!!! I’m still hoping for a sequel or three!
ReplyDeleteI love this book and have been wanting a second since I finished First Bite the fist time
ReplyDelete