A man with secrets of his own, Howl Raven uses his feral talents and tracking skills to make a living, doing his best to lay low and hide the curse that haunts him every month. So far, so good…until an uncontrollable shift outside the full moon leaves him the victim of a werewolf hunter.
When Ana finds him wounded in the woods near her cabin during a storm, she has no choice but to rely on her magic and out her secret to Howl. Racing against time, a werewolf hunter, and nature itself, Ana may be the only one who can banish the wolf from Howl’s blood, but at what cost?
Author's Note: This book is a previously released prequel which has been extensively revised to include bonus content and a preview of Tempting Taylor. While it does have a fast HEA for Howl and Ana, the arcing storyline of Sam Murphy’s murder is left unresolved to be continued in the remaining books.
“So I already know work brings you to Shady Creek. How is that going? Any leads?” She added ice to their glasses, took out a pitcher of sweet tea from the fridge, and filled them while Howl set their Styrofoam plates on the table.
“Nothing I can really discuss yet.”
“Ah, I see. The county cops are investigating, but it’s a slow process. Cade is supposed to keep his nose out of things, but I expected him to find a loophole around that. Sam Murphy was a good man. Tough, but attentive to his sons. I hope whatever you find won’t destroy their image of him. Their mama died when the boys were six and Sam raised them alone. Well he did have Bren’s help.”
“That’s rough.”
“Yes, for all of them. I’m sure it was hard, but Sam never let it show. The Murphy boys were wild growing up, but I’d say they’ve settled down some now. Well, most of them anyway. Jace is still rough around the edges.”
The sound he made was perilously close to a growl. “Both men seem very protective of you.”
She couldn't resist rattling his cage a little. “You might say that.”
“Cade actually warned me off.”
“Well, we all grew up together. Jace and I dated during our senior year. I was co-head cheerleader. He was quarterback on the varsity football team. You know how the story goes.”
He nodded. “So what happened? No dreams of settling down at that age?”
“I knew Jace planned to either enlist or pursue a career in law enforcement. I didn’t want to be a military or cop’s wife. The thought of wondering where he was, when he would come home, would he be safe or dead when he did return. I just couldn’t handle it. I wanted to focus on my degree. So senior year ended and before we destroyed each other, we chose to be friends instead of lovers.”
“Seems like a wise choice.”
“We thought so. Still hurt as breakups do. He was my first love, but he’s not destined to be my last.”
“That’s an odd way of putting it.”
“I guess it is. Anyway, so Jace took off in search of danger, ended up CIA, before landing here again. Drew started his journey toward the FBI. And Cade, well everybody thought he would follow Taylor when she left for California, but he stayed and eventually joined the police force.”
“Who’s Taylor?” Howl closed his plate and sipped his tea. “Girlfriend?”
“Seriously? You’re telling me you have spent more than five minutes with Cade Murphy and he's never talked about her? No calls or texts from her interrupting your meetings?”
“No, but then the chief doesn’t seem like the type to interrupt work with a call from a girlfriend. Enlighten me.”
“Taylor’s parents were killed in a car accident when she was about eight years old. She had no other family, just her Aunt Bren, so she moved here to live with her.”
“Bren would be the housekeeper at the Triple Star?”
“Correct and she has lived in the guest house for as long as I can remember, so naturally Taylor was always around too. Cade took her under his wing. Thick as thieves. Neither distance nor fame has been able to shake their bond. It’s sweet, really.”
“Fame?”
“She’s an actress. You know…Taylor Ross? Surely you’ve heard of her? Gorgeous, blonde, sexy action flick queen?”
“Wait that Taylor Ross? Cade has a thing going with a movie star?”
She glared at him. “No. He does not have a thing going with Taylor. She’s his best friend, not a girlfriend. I talked to her a couple of hours ago. Her horse foaled this morning. She probably loves that horse almost as much as she loves Cade.”
“I thought you said they didn’t have a thing.” Howl looked skeptical.
“They don’t.”
“If you say so.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Only that I disagree. I don’t think men and women can be friends. Not with that level of devotion and history. Someone is bound to cross the line.”
“Men and women can have strong emotions for each other and still just be friends, Howl.”
He frowned. “Not in my experience. I’ve seen it happen too many times. Half my cases are following ‘friends’ that took their relationship too far.”
“That’s a little sad.”
“Pays the bills.”
“I suppose it does. Still sad. Jace and I are friends. I have a lot of male friends actually. I never think of them that way.”
“Doesn’t mean they don’t see you on that level. You and Jace were lovers.” Howl growled.
“We were barely more than eighteen.”
“Doesn’t make any difference. I’d bet he still thinks about you like that.”
“Well he is a definite flirt, but I doubt he thinks of me that way. Don’t you think you and I could be friends? Chat on the phone, watch a movie. Go places together without wanting more. Couldn’t we?”
“No. I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“Because every time I looked at you…never mind. This just proves my point.”
“I want to know, Howl.” Her voice turned husky, even to her own ears. She slid her hand across the glossy tabletop and linked her fingers in his. Uh oh. Warmth radiated through her fingertips, through her body. The magic in her blood swirled in reaction.
“I’d imagine what you’d taste like every second we were together. How would you feel underneath me, wrapped around me? What would it be like to sink into your warmth? Your scent would drug me. I would crave you like breath and there would be no hiding those feelings under the guise of friendship.” Howl pushed away from the table and pulled her out of the chair and against him. His hands were rough, warm, and she ached to have them slide over her skin.
“I would crave your touch, your kiss.”
Out of breath, she said, “Point taken.”
“Make no mistake. I don’t want to be your friend, Ana, or at least not only a friend. I want more. And I think you want that too. It’s clear we have some kind of chemistry here.”
“I can’t argue with that, but we barely know each other.” Her words were tinged with hesitation, but her body pressed into his. She linked her hands around his neck.
“Who the hell cares?”
“Nosy busybodies with too much time on their hands?”
He laughed. “Then let’s give them something to gossip about.”
“There are some things you should know about me.”
“Same here.” His mouth dipped close to hers. “But when it comes to this, they don’t mean a damn thing. There is a certain kind of freedom in giving in to what even if it might be bad for you.”
“And are you bad for me?”
“Or very good.”
“Let’s find out.”
“Nothing I can really discuss yet.”
“Ah, I see. The county cops are investigating, but it’s a slow process. Cade is supposed to keep his nose out of things, but I expected him to find a loophole around that. Sam Murphy was a good man. Tough, but attentive to his sons. I hope whatever you find won’t destroy their image of him. Their mama died when the boys were six and Sam raised them alone. Well he did have Bren’s help.”
“That’s rough.”
“Yes, for all of them. I’m sure it was hard, but Sam never let it show. The Murphy boys were wild growing up, but I’d say they’ve settled down some now. Well, most of them anyway. Jace is still rough around the edges.”
The sound he made was perilously close to a growl. “Both men seem very protective of you.”
She couldn't resist rattling his cage a little. “You might say that.”
“Cade actually warned me off.”
“Well, we all grew up together. Jace and I dated during our senior year. I was co-head cheerleader. He was quarterback on the varsity football team. You know how the story goes.”
He nodded. “So what happened? No dreams of settling down at that age?”
“I knew Jace planned to either enlist or pursue a career in law enforcement. I didn’t want to be a military or cop’s wife. The thought of wondering where he was, when he would come home, would he be safe or dead when he did return. I just couldn’t handle it. I wanted to focus on my degree. So senior year ended and before we destroyed each other, we chose to be friends instead of lovers.”
“Seems like a wise choice.”
“We thought so. Still hurt as breakups do. He was my first love, but he’s not destined to be my last.”
“That’s an odd way of putting it.”
“I guess it is. Anyway, so Jace took off in search of danger, ended up CIA, before landing here again. Drew started his journey toward the FBI. And Cade, well everybody thought he would follow Taylor when she left for California, but he stayed and eventually joined the police force.”
“Who’s Taylor?” Howl closed his plate and sipped his tea. “Girlfriend?”
“Seriously? You’re telling me you have spent more than five minutes with Cade Murphy and he's never talked about her? No calls or texts from her interrupting your meetings?”
“No, but then the chief doesn’t seem like the type to interrupt work with a call from a girlfriend. Enlighten me.”
“Taylor’s parents were killed in a car accident when she was about eight years old. She had no other family, just her Aunt Bren, so she moved here to live with her.”
“Bren would be the housekeeper at the Triple Star?”
“Correct and she has lived in the guest house for as long as I can remember, so naturally Taylor was always around too. Cade took her under his wing. Thick as thieves. Neither distance nor fame has been able to shake their bond. It’s sweet, really.”
“Fame?”
“She’s an actress. You know…Taylor Ross? Surely you’ve heard of her? Gorgeous, blonde, sexy action flick queen?”
“Wait that Taylor Ross? Cade has a thing going with a movie star?”
She glared at him. “No. He does not have a thing going with Taylor. She’s his best friend, not a girlfriend. I talked to her a couple of hours ago. Her horse foaled this morning. She probably loves that horse almost as much as she loves Cade.”
“I thought you said they didn’t have a thing.” Howl looked skeptical.
“They don’t.”
“If you say so.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Only that I disagree. I don’t think men and women can be friends. Not with that level of devotion and history. Someone is bound to cross the line.”
“Men and women can have strong emotions for each other and still just be friends, Howl.”
He frowned. “Not in my experience. I’ve seen it happen too many times. Half my cases are following ‘friends’ that took their relationship too far.”
“That’s a little sad.”
“Pays the bills.”
“I suppose it does. Still sad. Jace and I are friends. I have a lot of male friends actually. I never think of them that way.”
“Doesn’t mean they don’t see you on that level. You and Jace were lovers.” Howl growled.
“We were barely more than eighteen.”
“Doesn’t make any difference. I’d bet he still thinks about you like that.”
“Well he is a definite flirt, but I doubt he thinks of me that way. Don’t you think you and I could be friends? Chat on the phone, watch a movie. Go places together without wanting more. Couldn’t we?”
“No. I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“Because every time I looked at you…never mind. This just proves my point.”
“I want to know, Howl.” Her voice turned husky, even to her own ears. She slid her hand across the glossy tabletop and linked her fingers in his. Uh oh. Warmth radiated through her fingertips, through her body. The magic in her blood swirled in reaction.
“I’d imagine what you’d taste like every second we were together. How would you feel underneath me, wrapped around me? What would it be like to sink into your warmth? Your scent would drug me. I would crave you like breath and there would be no hiding those feelings under the guise of friendship.” Howl pushed away from the table and pulled her out of the chair and against him. His hands were rough, warm, and she ached to have them slide over her skin.
“I would crave your touch, your kiss.”
Out of breath, she said, “Point taken.”
“Make no mistake. I don’t want to be your friend, Ana, or at least not only a friend. I want more. And I think you want that too. It’s clear we have some kind of chemistry here.”
“I can’t argue with that, but we barely know each other.” Her words were tinged with hesitation, but her body pressed into his. She linked her hands around his neck.
“Who the hell cares?”
“Nosy busybodies with too much time on their hands?”
He laughed. “Then let’s give them something to gossip about.”
“There are some things you should know about me.”
“Same here.” His mouth dipped close to hers. “But when it comes to this, they don’t mean a damn thing. There is a certain kind of freedom in giving in to what even if it might be bad for you.”
“And are you bad for me?”
“Or very good.”
“Let’s find out.”
Now widowed, she spends her free time writing and tending her ‘army’ of feral cats and rescued strays. Her furry minions, Jace, Styxx, Beerus, and Asheron, are always willing to keep her company while she works. She insists love is the truest magic and with it, every day is an adventure.
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I like the cover
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteAwesome cover! Makes me want to bust out the ol' leathers! xD
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DeleteNice cover, but at first glance I thought it was for a MC club book, not a PN shifter book
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DeleteLooks like a good addition to my autumn reading list.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I hope you enjoy the ride in the story.
Deleteinteresting
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteCool cover!
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DeleteI love the cover! The colors are beautiful!
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DeleteI love the cover. The color is magnificent.
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Thank you!
DeleteI love the cover!!
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DeleteThank you for hosting me! And thank you everyone for all the cover feedback.
ReplyDeletesounds so good.
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ReplyDeleteI love the cover it would make a great poster and the book sounds great going to add it to my wish list.
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