| The dream had long since faded, but James Macleod couldn’t seem to wake up. Instead, he drifted slowly towards full consciousness like a diver rising in measured stages from some dark ocean depths. The wolf was there too, with him and part of him at the same time. Despite the strange duality, James knew he wasn’t dreaming anymore. And he found himself able to ponder the meaning of the dream. Memory. It wasn’t a dream, it was a memory. And if it was a memory, that meant he had killed Jillian’s attackers. Even though he had never taken human life before, even though it was forbidden to do so by Changeling law, he had no regrets. Not only was he certain the men would have preyed on others if left alive, the protection of another Changeling or a pack member was a higher law. Protection of a mate superseded all. A mate. Why did that cross his mind? The wolf stirred within. Mate. Mine. Ours. Not that again. Look, hanging around with Jillian is going to put her in danger! Protect her. Mate. Ours. Stop saying that. We need to leave her alone, do you hear me? Alone, danger. Together, safe. Mate. Ours. Goddamn it, since when do you know how to talk? I can’t believe I’m arguing with— James woke at last, but the wolf was gone. At least his awareness of the wolf was gone; he could no longer be certain that the damn wolf ever really left. Exasperated, he rolled over and opened his eyes—and froze as he realized two things simultaneously. One, he was in the hayloft at the animal clinic again. And two, he was human. He sat straight up, ran his hands over his face, his fingers through his hair. Human. No mistake. He must have Changed in his goddamn sleep, because he certainly hadn’t done it on purpose. Had the dream brought it on somehow, or had the wolf called the Change? And just how the hell had he managed to get all the way back to the North Star Animal Hospital? James struggled to his feet, feeling disoriented and strange, needing to get to the window and determine time of day—of whatever the hell day it was—by the angle of the sun. He leaned a hand on the window frame to steady himself, gulped in the fresh dew-moistened air and took stock of his impossible situation. His brother, Connor, didn’t seem to think that wolf and human personas could separate, but for James, the evidence was indisputable. There was no longer any doubt that his wolf side had recognized Jillian, sensed her, and come to her aid in the past. And no doubt that now the wolf was trying to maneuver James into complying with its current plan for survival, a plan that centered around Jillian. Mate. Mine, the wolf had said. James was dead set against the idea, yet there appeared to be limits to his choices. He could control his human side. The wolf, however, had become a wild card and was becoming bolder in its determination to take the lead. If James had no control over his wolfen side, could not order it to stay away from her, then Jillian was already in danger. A mate. Even if he had dared to want such a thing, he didn't deserve it. Not after what had happened to Evelyn. Weary in body, heart, and soul, James sank onto a bale and dropped his head into his hands. The crushing weight of guilt on his shoulders was as familiar as the endless litany that echoed through his mind. Should have known there was danger, should have been more alert, should never have left Evelyn alone. Should have been strong enough to walk away from her in the first place, should never have gotten involved with her. His fault, all his fault, accusing him every time his human awareness surfaced within the wolf. Small wonder that he had lived as a wolf, hunted and howled as a wolf, lived and breathed and existed solely as a wolf for over three decades. He wished he was in lupine form now. Being a wolf was easy. Too easy? It was certainly tempting to submerge himself beneath the wolf persona right now and not have to feel anything, think anything. Shit. Wasn’t that exactly how he got into this impossible situation? He’d buried the man deep inside the animal, so deep that now the animal was determined to take over not only his life but Jillian’s too. He couldn’t allow that. Nor could he allow Jillian to be harmed in any way. He had brought danger to Evelyn and their unborn child, danger and death. And he would bring the same to Jillian if he didn’t find a way to stop the wolf within. But the only way he could think of was to remain human, and that he could not bear. James pounded a fist into one of the heavy bales, knocked it flying off the top of the stack. Pounded another until it burst. And another. His heart was going to explode, he was going to explode. He beat upon the heavy hard-packed bales, dozens upon dozens of them with all his Changeling strength, until his hands were bloody and not a single bale was left unbroken. He fell to his knees in the midst of the straw and howled, a long ululating howl from his very soul. Howled again. And again. But he did not Change. He dared not. He couldn’t trust the wolf, couldn’t make it stay away from Jillian, therefore, he would not be a wolf. He would damn well walk out of this town—and her life—on two legs, if he could believe for one moment that the wolf would let things be, would give up on its quest to be near Jillian. But James knew now that wasn’t going to happen. The first time he fell asleep, the wolf was likely to take over and make its way right back here. Jesus Murphy. Looked like he was not only stuck with being human, but stuck with staying here. “Fine,” he said aloud, baring his teeth in defiance at whatever Fates insisted on screwing up his life. “If that’s what has to happen, then fine.” He felt anything but fine about it. Frustrated, pissed off, apprehensive and even—if he admitted it—pretty much scared spitless at the prospect of resuming a human life. But he wouldn’t shy away from this decision. He would protect Jillian from the wolf and from anyone or anything else too. At all costs. This excerpt was from Heart of the Winter Wolf © copyright 2007 Dani Harper Print or ebook, DIRECT PURCHASE LINK: http://www.newconceptspublishing. com/heartofthewinterwolf.htm |
| Unedited Excerpts from Heart of the Winter Wolf © copyright 2007 Dani Harper |
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The moon was higher now. The pale light filtered down through the trees and laid a dappled carpet of silver on
the stony path. There was no wind, no breeze. Jillian held her breath, listening, watching, but all was still. Her
heart was pounding hard enough to hurt with both excitement and fear. Normally she would love to get a
glimpse of a wolf in the wild, but the idea was a lot less attractive when she was alone in the dark! There were
few recorded incidents of wolves attacking humans and none of wolves killing humans – okay, maybe there
was that one in northern Saskatchewan a couple years ago – but all the data in the world wasn’t very
reassuring when she was sitting here bleeding. Geez, I wish I hadn’t thought of that! It was just a little blood,
but she struggled to get the image of a wounded fish in a shark tank out of her head.
A movement at the edge of the path beyond seized her attention. A pale shape emerged from the shadows,
seemed to coalesce in the moonlight and grow larger until it was a vivid white creature of impossible size.
Jillian’s heart stuck in her throat as the great wolf slowly turned its massive head and stared directly at her.
Oh Jesus. She had studied wolves more than any other wildlife, but only from books and captive specimens.
Wolves don’t attack humans. Wolves don’t attack humans. She gritted her teeth and sat perfectly still as the
wolf began to slowly move in her direction. Guess we’re going to test that theory out here and now. The
creature approached within ten feet, then abruptly sat on its haunches and stared at her.
It was enormous. She swallowed hard, realizing if the wolf attacked there would be nothing she could do.
Nothing. She wouldn’t even manage a scream before it was on her. Not one bit of her martial arts training
would help, especially when she was sitting on the ground. Nevertheless she scanned the ground with her
peripheral vision for anything she might use as a weapon. Her fingers inched towards a rock, closed around it
as the wolf rose, took a slow step towards her, into a pool of moonlight. Instantly its snowy fur gleamed and
its eyes were, its eyes were—
Blue.
This excerpt was from
Heart of the Winter Wolf
© copyright 2007 Dani Harper
Print or ebook, DIRECT PURCHASE LINK
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/heartofthewinterwolf.htm
the stony path. There was no wind, no breeze. Jillian held her breath, listening, watching, but all was still. Her
heart was pounding hard enough to hurt with both excitement and fear. Normally she would love to get a
glimpse of a wolf in the wild, but the idea was a lot less attractive when she was alone in the dark! There were
few recorded incidents of wolves attacking humans and none of wolves killing humans – okay, maybe there
was that one in northern Saskatchewan a couple years ago – but all the data in the world wasn’t very
reassuring when she was sitting here bleeding. Geez, I wish I hadn’t thought of that! It was just a little blood,
but she struggled to get the image of a wounded fish in a shark tank out of her head.
A movement at the edge of the path beyond seized her attention. A pale shape emerged from the shadows,
seemed to coalesce in the moonlight and grow larger until it was a vivid white creature of impossible size.
Jillian’s heart stuck in her throat as the great wolf slowly turned its massive head and stared directly at her.
Oh Jesus. She had studied wolves more than any other wildlife, but only from books and captive specimens.
Wolves don’t attack humans. Wolves don’t attack humans. She gritted her teeth and sat perfectly still as the
wolf began to slowly move in her direction. Guess we’re going to test that theory out here and now. The
creature approached within ten feet, then abruptly sat on its haunches and stared at her.
It was enormous. She swallowed hard, realizing if the wolf attacked there would be nothing she could do.
Nothing. She wouldn’t even manage a scream before it was on her. Not one bit of her martial arts training
would help, especially when she was sitting on the ground. Nevertheless she scanned the ground with her
peripheral vision for anything she might use as a weapon. Her fingers inched towards a rock, closed around it
as the wolf rose, took a slow step towards her, into a pool of moonlight. Instantly its snowy fur gleamed and
its eyes were, its eyes were—
Blue.
This excerpt was from
Heart of the Winter Wolf
© copyright 2007 Dani Harper
Print or ebook, DIRECT PURCHASE LINK
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/heartofthewinterwolf.htm
| Excerpt One |
| Excerpt Two |
She looks like a bad-tempered faery. She smelled good, a little different through human nostrils, but the scent
was still distinct, still tantalizing. He knew the scent because the wolf knew her scent – but her face, however
appealing, told him nothing at all. Why can’t I remember her? Why do I know her name, her smell? She's
completely human but I could hear her thoughts in my mind as clearly as if she was a Changeling.
He thought of the strange vision he’d had on the trail, the momentary sight of a much younger Jillian, injured
and anticipating death. What had happened to her? She said the wolf saved her life but how? When? The
questions beat at his brain as hopelessly as the moths against the bedroom window. James glanced over at it,
noted the graying of the night sky along the eastern horizon. Almost sighed, although whether it was in relief
or resignation, he’d be hard-pressed to say. Time to go. I’m not accomplishing a goddamn thing here.
He fully intended to leave. Was going to get up and walk out the door. Instead his hand went to Jillian’s face,
brushed the wisps of hair away with a tenderness he didn’t know he was capable of. Her fair skin was soft,
so soft… and it hit him hard that he hadn’t felt a woman’s skin, hadn’t wanted to feel a woman’s skin, in fact,
hadn’t so much as thought of it for a long, long time. He brushed his fingertips lightly over her cheek, felt
something electric along his own skin. A connection pulsed between them…
"Who are you, Jillian?" he whispered. As if in response, she sighed and turned a little towards him. It
distracted him just long enough for a snake-quick hand to seize his wrist in a surprisingly strong grip.
James found himself staring into furious green eyes. Mentally, he flailed for the appropriate words, realized
there weren’t very damn many for a situation like this! Cursed himself for being a complete idiot even as he
tried to paste on what he hoped was a friendly expression – he’d had no time to practice. “Don’t be afraid. It’s
– it's not what you think.”
This excerpt was from
Heart of the Winter Wolf
© copyright 2007 Dani Harper
Print or ebook, DIRECT PURCHASE LINK: http://www.newconceptspublishing.
com/heartofthewinterwolf.htm
was still distinct, still tantalizing. He knew the scent because the wolf knew her scent – but her face, however
appealing, told him nothing at all. Why can’t I remember her? Why do I know her name, her smell? She's
completely human but I could hear her thoughts in my mind as clearly as if she was a Changeling.
He thought of the strange vision he’d had on the trail, the momentary sight of a much younger Jillian, injured
and anticipating death. What had happened to her? She said the wolf saved her life but how? When? The
questions beat at his brain as hopelessly as the moths against the bedroom window. James glanced over at it,
noted the graying of the night sky along the eastern horizon. Almost sighed, although whether it was in relief
or resignation, he’d be hard-pressed to say. Time to go. I’m not accomplishing a goddamn thing here.
He fully intended to leave. Was going to get up and walk out the door. Instead his hand went to Jillian’s face,
brushed the wisps of hair away with a tenderness he didn’t know he was capable of. Her fair skin was soft,
so soft… and it hit him hard that he hadn’t felt a woman’s skin, hadn’t wanted to feel a woman’s skin, in fact,
hadn’t so much as thought of it for a long, long time. He brushed his fingertips lightly over her cheek, felt
something electric along his own skin. A connection pulsed between them…
"Who are you, Jillian?" he whispered. As if in response, she sighed and turned a little towards him. It
distracted him just long enough for a snake-quick hand to seize his wrist in a surprisingly strong grip.
James found himself staring into furious green eyes. Mentally, he flailed for the appropriate words, realized
there weren’t very damn many for a situation like this! Cursed himself for being a complete idiot even as he
tried to paste on what he hoped was a friendly expression – he’d had no time to practice. “Don’t be afraid. It’s
– it's not what you think.”
This excerpt was from
Heart of the Winter Wolf
© copyright 2007 Dani Harper
Print or ebook, DIRECT PURCHASE LINK: http://www.newconceptspublishing.
com/heartofthewinterwolf.htm
| Excerpt Three |
| James brushed his lips over hers, barely making contact, but she could feel the heat of them. He brushed the corners of her mouth, then back over her lips, again and again. He touched nothing else, yet every inch of her skin seemed electrified, abuzz with sensation and want. Slowly, lazily, James nuzzled her face and took possession of her mouth, cradling her head in one of his large strong hands. Heat. Much more heat. Jillian had kissed a date once right after he’d taken a swallow of hot coffee. But this was far hotter on many levels, this was living heat. Not the parched dryness of a fever, but the radiant warmth of an inner fire. She melted into the kiss, felt her own lips became pliant, supple. She feasted on each hot breath, drawing it into her lungs as if from some sultry tropical night. His tongue explored softly, lapped at her lips and slid gently alongside hers ... and she had a sudden mental image of dolphins mating in a heated lagoon. Her own tongue dared to skim his lips and dart swiftly just inside. She inhaled sharply as he caught it in gentle teeth. Held it there until she let out her breath in a long slow exhale. She could have pulled away but instead permitted him to suckle her tongue softly, shivered as he drew it carefully into his hot, wet mouth. Then realized she could not pull away, not with that strong hand cradling her head, holding her in place! But the tiny quiver of fear only heightened the delicious sensations. James drew her tongue in and out of his mouth with painstaking slowness. Released it and lapped at her lips, occasionally pressing the point of his tongue at each corner of her mouth. She took his bottom lip in her teeth and tugged softly. Wanted, wanted something, wanted anything. Accepted his tongue eagerly when it plunged deep. Jillian had never imagined someone making love with only his mouth. Her hands were free but she could think of nothing but touching his face, cupping his powerful jaw beneath the close-cropped beard, and tracing his strong features as he kissed her long and deep and slow and hot. Again and again. And as he kissed her, James began to stroke her throat from chin to collarbone with a heated hand. Her body had relaxed, gone lithe and supple. She barely noticed her shirt parting, her bra disappearing. She did notice the warmth of his body as he lay close to her. His heat blazed into her skin right through his clothing. Her heart skidded and skipped as she realized she could feel his erection, hot and straining within his jeans. Her hip was pressed tightly against the thickness of it. Suddenly he broke off kissing her and cupped her breast, drew her nipple into the moist heat of his mouth. He suckled gently at first, letting the reaction of her body guide him. Then James paused for just a moment to breathe deeply, to inhale as if to pull her scent into his lungs, as a lion or a wolf might savor the subtleties of pheromones newly released. And to her chagrin, Jillian whimpered a little, missing him already. He bent his head to suckle once more, harder this time, faster. Dear God, she wanted this man. His fingers trailed over her flat belly. She was surprised at how exciting that felt, how intimate. Tummies had never seemed particularly erotic before. But even her elbows were likely to respond to James Macleod. She jumped a little as his fingers moved further down to barely brush the soft curling hair. She felt nearly wild with wanting him to go on, to reach further, touch her there. He lifted his head from her breast and sought her lips again, his tongue darting in and out, in and out, wet and hot. She could no longer think, could barely even breathe. Then without warning he ran his fingers up the insides of her thighs and stroked lightly across her most sensitive places. Jillian was certain her heart had stopped. James’s light touch electrified her, fanned tiny embers into a roaring conflagration. In a split second she had forgotten all, forgotten everything she had ever known except that she wanted James’s touch, needed, craved his hands, strong and gentle, hot and soothing, on every part of her body. James! Oh God, James! Don’t stop, please don’t stop. I’m— There was a ringing in her ears, then a ringing in the room. A doorbell. An alarm. No, a phone. A phone! The dream vanished like a soap bubble. Jillian’s eyes shot open and she lay there stunned. Awake. Wide, wide awake—and very unsatisfied. “Jeez goddamn Louise!” She kicked the blankets off in a fury and got to her feet, wanting to punch something. Cursed herself, cursed whoever was on the phone (which was still ringing and damned if she was going to answer it) and most of all, cursed James Macleod. It was bad enough that the man had occupied her waking thoughts far too often, when she didn't even like him. It was downright unfair for him to start taking over her dreams as well. She glared at the dreamcatcher on the wall and pointed an accusing finger at it. “You! Why did you let a dream like that in here?” This excerpt was from Heart of the Winter Wolf © copyright 2007 Dani Harper Print or ebook, DIRECT PURCHASE LINK: http://www.newconceptspublishing. com/heartofthewinterwolf.htm |
| Excerpt Four |
RATING: "Sensual"
Love scenes comparable
to most romance novels published today
Love scenes comparable
to most romance novels published today
Dani Harper writes paranormal romance you can really sink your teeth into...
| December, 2008 --- Rated 5 out of 5 by THE ROMANCE STUDIO "...I laughed and cried all the way through this emotional tale of justice and the power of the human soul to heal. ... A marvelous cast of secondary characters add interest and charm to the tale ... If you want to read a powerful and uplifting story about people who have overcome diversity, had to heal terrible emotional wounds, and still reach for a better more fulfilling life while facing an unknown enemy, then I can't think of a better story to recommend!" December 2008 |
| Buy it now in print or ebook at http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/heartofthewinterwolf.htm |