Counting Down Until the Release… Back to Blog
Update: The Kindle winner is…Bernadette! Congrats!
I’m back with more giveaway fun as we countdown to the August 28th release of HOWL FOR IT!
Today’s prize? A Kindle. This lovely one described right here.
To win the prize, you’ll have to comment on this post. I’ll let this contest run until noon on Saturday (so everyone who wants to do so will have a chance to enter–and that’s noon Central time).
The story of Little Red Riding Hood was the inspiration for “Wed or Dead” (my contribution to the HOWL FOR IT anthology). I’ve always had a thing for the big, bad wolf. Poor guy. To me, he got a bum deal in that tale. So I wanted to change things up for him…and for Little Red. I figured she deserved a harder edge, so I decided she needed to be a hunter in my take on the story. And my big, bad wolf? Of course, he had to be a werewolf.
But what happens when a hunter falls for that big, bad wolf? Well, she’ll find herself either wed or dead.
Now tell me…what do you think about the Little Red Riding Hood story? Did you love hearing the tale as a kid? Did you imagine a different ending for any of the characters?
And, in case you’re curious…here’s an excerpt from “Wed or Dead” to get you in the werewolf mood:
***
Kayla glanced at the knife. Was she really supposed to just shove it into his heart? Then walk away while he bled out?
You know what he is. Don’t be fooled. Gage’s kind was so good at deceit. She had to remember that. He’d been born to lie. To deceive.
She’d met others like him before. So many over the years. More than most people realized.
Her own family had been attacked by someone like Gage. A man, hiding a beast inside. One dark night, he’d killed her mother and father. Left her brother in a pool of blood, struggling to breathe. Attacked her.
Monsters lived and breathed in this world. Most folks didn’t know that truth. They thought the world was all happy and shiny and full of birthday parties, play dates, and football games.
She knew better. Monsters are real. And her handsome husband, with his slow smile and strong hands…he was a monster.
Kayla took a step forward. One foot in front of the other. The mantra was the same one she’d used when she walked down the aisle. Only no minister waited for her this time.
The robe she wore rustled around her feet as she took another slow step. Another.
And she felt something wet on her cheek. Kayla stopped. What the hell? Her left hand lifted and swiped across her face. Was she crying? She never cried. She hadn’t, not since they’d put her parents in the ground.
“Come back to bed,” Gage said, his voice rumbling out and making her jump. He faced the window, not her as he added, “I miss you.”
He wouldn’t miss her for long.
Kayla took a deep breath and forced herself to keep walking. A few more steps, and her legs brushed against the edge of the bed. “Th-there’s something you should know about me…” His back was still to her. Why did he have to make such an easy target?
This should be better for you. You don’t have to look him in the eyes when you attack.
But stabbing a man in the back had never been her style.
Liar. The insidious whisper came from deep within. Her secret shame.
Her hand clenched around the knife’s handle. Gage was supposed to be dangerous. Lethal. The strongest paranormal bad-ass to claim Vegas in years.
Because he was a paranormal. The supernaturals were real and breathing…and many were hiding in the shadows of Sin City.
He was the perfect target right then. Tousled hair. Sated male. Defenseless. It would be so easy. Just lift the knife. Drive the blade into his flesh.
“Oh, I think I already know all the secrets you have, sweetheart,” he murmured, his voice a low and sexy rumble.
Kayla shook her head. Damn tears. “No, you don’t—”
In a flash, he rolled toward her. He leapt up and came at her with claws ripping from his fingers.
Not defenseless.
Claws…because Gage Riley wasn’t human.
Shifter.
His blue eyes shined at her with the light of the beast and he put those too-sharp and too-long claws of his right at her throat.
The move actually seemed only fair, considering that she had her knife pressed over his heart.
“Hello, hunter,” Gage whispered.
***
I’ll be back tomorrow with more giveaways!!
Tweet It
I am so looking forward to the release of this book! I like the big bad wolf idea myself..something about them bad boys!
I love fairy tales and Little Red Riding Hood is one of my favorites – I don’t recall ever trying to change the outcome – I’m not a creative type but sure do love reading others creativity. Can’t wait til Tuesday!
Wow! I really love the changes you’ve made. The original was never my favorite because it was so grim. Now I really can’t wait to read this.
Looking forward to reading your next book!!
I’ve always loved fairytales! Its interesting to look back at the story we heard as children and now as adults see it differently. Life experiences, our emotional attachments and knowledge we’ve gathered have added a depth to the fairtales that was not there when we may have first heard/read them.
I love all types of.Fairy Tales. Each and every fairy tale needs a “bad guy” or “villan”…ot is crucial to every story. A reader wants to feel emotions while reading,a hero and bad guy bring out various emotions of the reader and keep us enthralled in the book. Love to hate the bad guy and love to love the hero. It doesn’t hurt that a great fiction story helps to bring your mind into another world where you can temporarily get away from all the stresses of your life and everyday living.
Cant wait for the new book! I like the changes to the story too:)
I never cared for the tale of Little Red Riding Hood because I always thought she was so clueless. I mean come on, how could you not know it was a hairy wolf under grandma’s nightgown, lol?! I’m sure I will enjoy your adult version of the story much better!
AWESOME! Love the ending of the teaser…*Runs to add to goodreads *
Thanks for the giveaway! I love fairy tales, especially Red Riding Hood! I love a bad wolf 😉
tasnim-sheikh AT hotmail DOT com
I always thought the wolf couldn’t possibly be a real wolf when I was a child. I didnt know about werewolves at 6 so I can beforgiven. I think that is why the story of Red Riding Hood always equally bothered and intrigued me. Now your take just has me excited to read more.
As a kid, I loved the story of Little Red Riding Hood. As an adult I am busting to get my hands on this!!! It sounds amazing.
I definitely changed Red Riding Hood in my head. My sister and I talked about it when we were younger and we imagined the wolf kinda like the beast from Beauty and the Beast in our version. I can’t wait to read Howl For It.
danni0113@gmail.com
I loved fairy tales as a kid and Little Red Riding hood was one of my favorites. Although, at that time, I never consider changing the outcome.
Great excerpt! I love Little Red Riding Hood and am really happy to see the “revival” of fairy tales in movies and television shows. The book looks great. Love the cover.
How fun is that….Little Red Riding Hood needs to be changed to include a BIG BAD HOT WOLF! I always look forward to your new releases.
I cant wait for this book, and I love Little Red Riding Hood story. I always wanted a happy ending, now that I am older I want the wolf to be a shifter! lol
OMG, you’ve teamed up w one of my favorite author. Can’t wait until next Tuesday.
I agree with Patricia, you’ve teamed up w one of my favorite author. I have pre-ordered Howl for It on Amazon and can’t wait until next Tuesday!
Little Red Riding hood scared me as a kid. Of course, as mentioned in the MM blog yesterday, I am not a scary movie type person either. I can handle them in books usually because I can control when enough is enough and stop reading them. As long as there is romance involved, I follow through until the end, though. 🙂 Howl For It Sounds like a good anthology! Looking forward to reading it!
I loved the excerpt! I was never fond of Little Red Riding Hood….very scary and sad for a childhood fairytale. Your take is much better…I love the idea of the Red being a hunter – no so weak and terrified..
Thanks for the giveaway and Congrats on the new release
Not sure about Little Red Riding Hood story as a kid. It kind of scared me actually! It’s different now that I am older though.. I like the paranormal part quite a bit!
I love Little Red Riding Hood story. The original and the version assoicated with Howl For It. I have always thought of other versions of the story intriging. I think the paranormal version is better.
There is something about a werewolve story that gets me “howling”, they’re just my favorite characters all around. It’s hard to write creative personalities for them but Ms.Eden always does them justice..pant, pant lol 😉 Looking forward to the latest story!
I liked Little Red Riding Hood as a child but always felt bad for the grandma…
Thanks for sharing the excerpt,can’t wait to read all of it and I liked little red riding hood when I was a kid 🙂
I’m a big fan of your and Shelly’s books, so I’m really looking forward to reading Howl For It when it comes out! Thanks so much for the contest!
Oops!
I don’t remember much of my childhood but I always wanted the bad guy to win. Twisted? Maybe. I looove wolves though, always have!
I loved fairy tales.Little Red Riding Hood was one of my favorites.I never imagined a didn’t ending.
Thanks for sharing the excerpt and this great giveaway.Can’t wait to read the rest.
Love red riding hood, scary, but the heroine wins in the end!
Love this concept, what a great excerpt. This book is def. on my “to buy” list
I love Fairy Tales and have enjoyed the twists and turns I have seen authors make to them. 😀
I cannot wait for this book. I also love it when authors take a fairytale and put a twist in it. It makes the fairytales better.
I can’t wait to read this book! I love the excerpt!!! I’ve always been a huge fan of the Red Riding Hood story. 🙂
I’ve always loved wolves and felt the big bad wolf got a bad rep! They’re so majestic, and they hunt to survive. Can’t wait to read more about Gage!
To be honest, I cannot remember how the tale ends. I remember big eyes, bit nose, big ears, big mouth, but then my mind draws a blank.
I can’t wait for this book to come out.
I always loved the story of little red riding hood, I did sympathize with the wolf once I got older. When I was little , I was terrified, but now I just think they are awesome!! I loved the excerpt!!! Can’t wait for the book!!
I loved hearing tales like Little Red Riding Hood when I was young. Can’t say that I had imagined a different ending for the story other than maybe Grandma didn’t get eaten lol… but I was very glad that Red Riding Hood was okay in the end 😛
Thanks for sharing the excerpt! Looking forward to the release! 🙂
[…] Scent of Magic, the second novel in her Healer series due out December 12th.Cynthia Eden has posted a snippet from Wed or Dead, her contribution to the anthology Howl for It, which releasesShiloh Walker has […]
Yes, I did play out Little Red Riding Hood in my head as a child. The first thing I changed was she became a blond :). Grandma was also my grandma and not ill. Here’s the bad part, she kicked the wolf right in the rear and he left. We then sat and looked out onto the lake eating the goodies in the basket :).
Would love to win anything just toss it my way looking forward your new releases always.
Let the countdown begin 🙂
I remember The Little Red Riding Hood tale well. I like that it features the bid bad wolf and the naive heroine. It was a bit scary but also on the adventurous side. She was brave and smart.
When I read Red Riding Hood, I could see myself being her. I would go on an adventure through the woods where all the woodland creatures greeted me cheerfully. I would meet The Big Bad Wolf and think to myself that when I grow up I could tame his tortured soul. Then I would make it to Grandma’s house and find that she was trying to tame the Big Bad Wolf herself…Go Grandma…LOL
I am disturbed and I know it !!!!!
I loved little read riding hood, but what I gew up with wasn’t a happy ending. Poor Grandma 🙁 I never pictured myself in the story, but I always wanted Red to to kick some serious butt and save her grandma. I was really close with my grandma, so just the thought of the evil wolf eating her made me extremely mad. Wasn’t until the recent movie releas that I finally got over my hatred for the big bad bad wolf. Still not a fan, but love the new ending I have in my head
I love the Little Red story, something about a big, bad Hunter coming to the rescue just gets to me =)
Happy Release & Love the giveaway!
//Linda
So excited that release day is only a few days away. Thanks for the giveaways.
thanks for the giveaway. can’t wait to read the book. 🙂
I loved Little Red Riding Hood. I used to pretend that I was Red. I don’t remember being upset about the ending. I just love fairy tales.
I was scared and worried but your story only made me happy, made me laugh, made me dream!
Oh my gosh, loved that excerpt!!! I was not into fairy tales as a child, but I did love to play in the woods! These days it is so much easier to imagine that the heroine can fight back and win!
Very nice excerpt. I like Little Red Riding Hood and your twist on it.