HERE BE NEWS for August 26, 2019

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Monday, August 19 - 
"HERE BE NEWS" - All the latest from the gang at Here Be Magic, including a new release.

Wednesday, August 21 -
“NEW IN WEREWOLVES AND GASLIGHT MYSTERIES!” - Another gripping novel by award-winning author Shawna Reppert. Read an excerpt of MOON OVER LONDON and find out more.

Thursday, August 22 -
“TROPES - Yay, Nay, or So-So?” – What do you think are today’s popular romance tropes? Author Linda Mooney asks which ones YOU like, and which ones you'd like to see less of. 

Saturday, August 24 -
This week's Bring It Back(list) feature is “THE GRIM SERIES”, a fae and fantasy romance by Dani Harper. HURRY - the Kindle versions are just 99 cents this month! Scroll below for all the details.

MOON OVER LONDON
Book 2 of Werewolves and Gaslight
by Shawna Reppert

Werewolves are disappearing from the gaslit streets of London. Are they being  murdered? Kidnapped?

Few beyond the ’wolves’ own families notice they’re missing, and fewer still care. With the aid of a clandestine toff werewolf and a lady alchemist with attitude, Inspector Royston Jones is determined to protect all those who dwell in his city. But his superiors are indifferent, the werewolf community suspicious, and he has too few leads and too many suspects—including his estranged uncle. Only one thing is certain; unless he can solve the mystery, more ’wolves will be taken every time the full moon rises.


Another gripping novel by the award-winning author of A Hunt by Moonlight!

Buy link:  https://www.amazon.com/moon-over-london-werewolves-gaslight-ebook/dp/b07v27bgks

THE GRIM SERIES
by Dani Harper

1. Storm Warrior
2. Storm Bound
3. Storm Warned
4. Storm Crossed

The fae are cunning, powerful and often cruel.

The most beautiful among them are often the most deadly. Hidden far beneath the mortal world, the timeless faery realm plays by its own rules—and those rules can change on a whim. Now and again, the unpredictable residents of that mystical land cross the supernatural threshold…

In this enchanting romance series from Dani Harper, the ancient fae come face-to-face with modern-day humans and discover something far more potent than their strongest magic: love.

KINDLE EBOOK SALE:

Storm Warrior, Storm Bound, 

Storm Warned, and Storm Crossed

by Dani Harper

Just 99¢ each, but HURRY!

Sale ends soon!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074BRZ9NK

PS - WHAT’S A GRIM? 

And what inspired Dani Harper to write The Grim Series?

Find out on Here Be Magic:

http://herebemagic.blogspot.com/2019/08/bring-it-backlist-feature-grim-series.html

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Bring It Back(list): CHANGELING DREAM by Dani Harper + a Giveaway

CHANGELING DREAM

In times of stress Jillian Descharme has always found calm in her dream of a great white wolf with haunting blue eyes. But she is startled when the visions return and this time seem so real. Late at night he comes to her, speaks to her, touches her. It’s almost as if he’s alive…

“An absolutely fantastic read.”

~ Joyfully Reviewed

Thirty years ago, James Macleod lost his wife and unborn child to a killer bent on destroying the Changelings. Though he longed for death, his animal instinct fought for survival and James has been a wolf ever since. Yet now a woman has reawakened the man in him, taming wild instincts but arousing still wilder needs.  With his ancient enemy hunting the legendary white wolf, James must fight for new life, new hope, new love.

"Harper’s changelings are among the best in the genre."

 ~ RT Book Reviews

With his ancient enemy hunting the legendary white wolf, James must fight for new life, new hope, new love.

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THE CHANGELING SERIES centers around the Macleod family, four brothers and two sisters. Long-lived and able to become wolves at will, their kind call themselves Changelings. Centuries ago, they were forced to flee the wolf exterminations in Scotland and start a new life in the wilderness of northern Canada.

Today, that wilderness has been largely settled, and an entire community has sprung up around the Changelings. The Macleods and their pack live as humans most of the time, hiding in plain sight. They have jobs and pay bills and go to school and mow the grass and do all the things that humans do. But don’t make the mistake of thinking they’re tame…. There are sacred places in the hills, and wolves rule the forests at night.

The Macleods seem to have the best of both worlds — yet there are still dangers lurking for their kind. And love, when it arrives, brings dangers and complications of its own. The two highest laws in the Changeling world are never harm a human and never turn a human against their will. The wolf within, however, has its own primal rules. If a Changeling’s life is in danger, the wolf will emerge to defend it. It will also rise to the surface, unbidden, to defend a mate at all costs. Because Changelings mate for life!

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DANI:  DANI:  I’ve been working on cleaning out my office since the beginning of the year and just before I called in the heavy equipment, I discovered a box of 12 Changeling Dream paperbacks! (Only I could lose an entire box of books…)

But wait! My disorganization could be your gain. Enter through the Rafflecopter below, and you could be one of a dozen readers to win a SIGNED paperback copy (plus a set of my bookcover postcards and a couple of bookmarks). Open to USA residents only.

You can see all my books at www.daniharper.com or go to my Amazon Author Page.

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Mysterious beasts — Fact or fiction?

Last night I had some spare time to kill – unusual for me — plus I was trying to think of something fun to post about here today. I turned on the TV and discovered a new show on the Travel Channel on demand called "Legend Hunter" that I am now somewhat obsessed with. What caught my attention was an episode in which the host, Pat Spain, traveled to Wisconsin to investigate the Beast of Bray Road.

My first book, "Cry Wolf" from Carina Press, was inspired by this legend. I've seen countless documentaries about it, read books, you name it. I've always been fascinated by this urban legend out of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, where residents in the 80s and 90s reported numerous werewolf sightings. Back when I was researching my story for "Cry Wolf," I even interviewed some folks who had sightings of the beast in a cornfield. Yes, modern-day werewolves in cornfields. How can you not love a hook like that?

Anyway, Pat Spain set out to determine what the Beast of Bray Road really is, according to science.

I should have turned the TV off right there. And I won't spoil it for you if you're interested in seeing for yourself what he deduced. I admit, he's probably right. But I don't like it.

By day, I'm a journalist, and I try to look for both sides of the story; I dig for the facts to back up claims. That half of me enjoyed the show, I admit.

The other half was gritting her teeth by the end and yelling, "Nooooo! That's a stupid explanation!" at my TV. You can ask my cat because she was not amused by my reaction.

Maybe it's the creative writer in me who prefers to leave the mystery unsolved. As much as I love Nessie and want to travel to Scotland to go looking for her, I honestly would rather not know if there's a lake monster in Loch Ness. It's so much more romantic to believe in the possibility that there's a dinosaur in that lake than to accept the scientific explanations of what Nessie could be.

Some people call me an idiot for that, but I just smile and glance over at my "I want to believe" poster — a throwback from my X-Files fan club membership that I can't bear to throw away. 

Is there an urban legend you heard growing up that you still believe in? Share it below. You know you want to...and I want to hear about it!

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Angela Campbell is the author of the psychic detectives series from Harper Impulse. Learn more about her books at www.AngelaCampbellOnline.com. 

Have a Howly Wolfenoot!

Hello, and happy Wolfenoot!

For those of you who don’t know what that —yet— I'm thrilled to introduce you to this brand new holiday invented by the seven year old son of author/editor Jax Goss.

According to the official website (https://wolfenoot.com/)  Wolfenoot is “when the Spirit of the Wolf brings and hides small gifts around the house for everyone. People who have, have had, or are kind to dogs get better gifts than anyone else. You eat roast meat (because wolves eat meat) and cake decorated like a full moon.”

Well, that sounds like all kinds of awesome to me. I'm just enchanted by the idea. I think that's because it's fun (and God knows we need that now!) it's animal related, and it doesn't come with any unpleasant baggage, like so many of the established holidays do. 

Although, people being what they are, I suppose it's only a matter of time. But I digress. 

Apparently, I'm not the only one who fell in love with this idea. Something like ten thousand people have expressed interest at the event site: 

 https://www.facebook.com/events/2133001853619644/

One of the things I really like about this holiday is that it’s become a force for good. All profits from any Wolfenoot-related art and/or merchandize are being donated to “canine based” charities.

And if you're interested in purchasing any of this wolfeloot yourself, you can find it here: 

https://wolfenoot.com/wolfeloot/ 

I was kind of surprised to realize that I don’t have any appropriately themed stories to give away or donate the proceeds from, and, yes, I think I’ll have to correct that oversight very soon. In the meantime, however, I’ll be making a donation to the North Valley Animal Disaster Group:  

https://www.nvadg.org/ 

NVADG has been dealing with animals who were injured or displaced as a result of the devastating Camp Fire here in northern California. 

As part of my own attempt to honor the Spirit of the Wolf, I’ve put together a list of books by some of our Here Be Magic authors that feature dogs or wolves. Admittedly, since we are all fantasy authors here, after all, most of the wolves are werewolves and most of the dogs are supernatural, but I can't see that it matters. Fictional wolves are still fictional, with or without the woo-woo factor. 

Enjoy and have a howly Wolfenoot!  

Doctor Wolf by Jenny Schwartz, book 4 in her Collegium series, is FREE this weekend! (Nov 22-24) 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D7ZET0Q 

“Some secrets are worth dying for - but Liz Jekyll is a doctor and a werewolf, she's not dying for anyone. So she needs another plan.”

You'll also  want to check out Her Robot Wolf, the first book in Jenny’s Shamans & Shifters Space Opera series.

https://www.amazon.com/Robot-Shamans-Shifters-Space-Opera-ebook/dp/B072M3Q555

The Changeling Series by Dani Harper is comprised of 3 books (Changeling Moon, Changeling Dream, Changeling Dawn).

“The two highest laws in the Changeling world are never harm a human and never turn a human against their will. But the wolf within has its own primal rules. If a Changeling’s life is in danger, the wolf will emerge to defend it. It will also rise to the surface, unbidden, to defend a mate at all costs. Because Changelings mate for life!”

https://www.amazon.com/Changeling-3-Book-Series/dp/B00WTJFSWU

And in Dani’s Grim series, humans (and occasionally fae) are transformed into the supernatural Black Dogs known as grims.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073VVB6V9/ref=series_rw_dp_sw

Motor City Wolf, by Cindy Spencer Pape, is part of the Urbana Arcana series.

“Less than a year ago, Fianna Meadows was a pampered noble in the Faerie court. Then she was exiled, turned mortal and forced to work for a living—in a werewolf bar in Detroit, no less! Still, Fianna has to admit her new life isn't so bad…particularly when it comes to Greg Novak, the bar's sexy owner.” 

https://www.amazon.com/Motor-City-Wolf-Urban-Arcana-ebook/dp/B005CRQ4TW

On the Scent, by Angela Campbell, is subtitled “a laugh out loud pet detective rom com” check out entire series here:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011M9EXDW/ref=series_rw_dp_sw

Right Wolf, Right Time is book number six in Marie Harte’s Cougar Falls shifter series.

“Warning, this title contains the following: A slow moving wolf and a shy virgin with an addiction to adult movies, date nights gone wrong, and bad guys with bite. But when the good girl goes bad, stand back and watch the fur fly.”

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HYYZD9W

Qitirin by Linda Mooney

“Scarred and traumatized, ex-Marine Sergeant Joshua Cobb can no longer function amid normal civilization. He's retreated to the mountains of Alaska to live in solitude, where he can battle his personal demons in peace. He has no idea that the injured wolf he rescues will become more than a companion. It will also save his life, and show him a love he only believed was possible in fairy tales. Because the wolf, Qitirin, is more human than anyone could imagine.”

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TCL40EA

Also from Linda Mooney, Peter and his Wolf: A Sensuously Erotic Retelling of the Classic Fairy Tale

“Do you remember hearing the musical story of  “Peter and the Wolf” by Prokofiev when you were in elementary school? About the boy who lived with his grandfather, and who captured a wolf by the tail? Did you ever wonder if the story was real? Did you ever wonder whatever happened to the wolf? More importantly, did you ever try to guess what happened to Peter after he captured the wolf? “ 

Download here for free: http://www.lindamooney.com/PaHW.htm

What WEREWOLVES have to do with Christmas...

Image: Bigstock.com

Of all the folklore surrounding this holiday season, the last one you'd expect involves werewolves. In fact, there are MANY old legends and beliefs connecting werewolves and Christmas!

A common belief in many countries on both sides of the Atlantic was that a person could become a werewolf if someone cursed them. And the person doing the hexing was often a priest or even a saint, punishing you for real or imagined sins!

Repeatedly failing to attend annual confession at Easter or Christmas was a trespass likely to result in a lupine curse...

In 14th century Normandy, the varouage was an excommunicated person who became a werewolf between Christmas and Candlemas or during Advent. During this time, the sinner was either redeemed – or doomed to belong to the devil and run as a wolf forever. (By the way, in Finland, if you were lucky enough to break the spell, you were still stuck with a wolf’s tail for the rest of your life!)

Curses abounded for anyone with the misfortune to be born on the wrong day. In Italy, it was bad luck to be born on the winter solstice, December 20-21, and a sure way to become a shapeshifter. In many other European countries, such as Poland, it was believed that children born on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day automatically became werewolves when they grew up. In Germany, a child was still in danger of becoming one if he or she was born during the 12 nights of Christmas, which run from December 25 until the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6.

Image: Bigstock.com

Whatever the country and the legend, it was generally agreed that the lupine curse was some sort of divine punishment for blasphemy, as the hapless baby was viewed as competing with the Christ child! Many kinds of rituals were vigorously performed for the first few days after Christmas to help the infant avoid his wolfish fate

In Romania, this legend went a step further. Children conceived on Christmas Eve were cursed to become werewolves because their parents were supposed to have abstained from sex at that time!

Winter solstice (which falls about December 21^st), was traditionally celebrated as the first day of the 12 days of Yule. The veil between worlds was thin during that time, and people stayed indoors at night because supernatural creatures were out and about – and that included werewolves!

In 1555, Swedish archbiship Olaus Magnus wrote “The History of the Northern Peoples”, in which he said that at the festival of Christmas, there was a strange conversion of men into wolves. “There is a gathering of a huge multitude of wolves which have been changed from men, and which during that night rage with such fierceness … that the inhabitants suffer more hurt from them, than they ever do from natural wolves, for these human wolves break down doors … and descend into cellars where they drink out whole tuns (sic) of beer or mead.” 

Magnus goes on to describe a high stone wall where the werewolves would afterwards gather, and eventually compete to leap over it.”

Image: Public Domain

The concept of werewolves waiting at the wall was illustrated by Maurice Sand in his 1858 lithograph of Les Lupins (shown above).

Physician Casper Peucer recorded a similar legend of mass lycanthropy in 1560 in Livonia (now Estonia and Latvia). “At Christmas a boy lame of leg goes round the countryside summoning the Devil’s followers, which are many, to a general conclave… The human form vanishes, and the whole multitude become wolves… They fall upon herds of cattle and flocks of sheep.” The entire transformation, he wrote, lasts twelve days: “…at the expiration of which the wolf skin vanishes, and the human form reappears.”

Image: Bigstock.com

On the flip side, there were some beliefs in the notion that the sheer holiness of the Christmas season would suppress a werewolf’s transformation, enabling him to walk freely among men without fear of his animal nature getting the better of him. After this blessed period of dormancy however, werewolves in January were all the more active and aggressive.

In some parts of Poland, it was believed that werewolves only transformed into their animal form twice a year: on Midsummer Day and on Christmas. In Slovenia, the Twelve Days of Christmas were also known as Wolf Days. The original story was that the Wolf-Shepherd, or Master of Wolves, was active during that time and could do the most damage then. Later, the story shifted so that St. Blaise (Saint of the Wild Beast) became the Wolf-Shepherd. It was his job to summon the wild wolves, and then to banish them for a time, thus preserving the herds of livestock from predation.

One final, rather odd, holiday superstition also comes from Slovenian folklore. Farmers would make a special effort not to leave manure lying in the fields over the Christmas season by plowing it into the soil. Apparently one of the easiest ways a werewolf could make his transformation was by rolling in manure!

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Book 1 of the Haunted Holiday Series by Dani Harper 

A Yuletide Paranormal Romance

Purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/HOLIDAY-SPIRIT-Haunted-Holiday-Book-ebook/dp/B013Z0F31M

5 stars ~ JUST LOVE MY BOOKS ~ “One of my top ten holiday romances ever.”

4.25 stars ~ NIGHT OWL REVIEWS ~ “An excellent combination of sizzle and emotion.”

5 stars ~ REDZ WORLD REVIEWS ~ "Action, adventure, and a whole lot of love inside.”

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