Dani Harper is Running With The Wolves! (And she’s got a fun giveaway, too!) Back to Blog
Update: So many great responses–thank you!!! The winner of CHANGELING MOON, CHANGELING DREAM and that cute plush wolf is…Keisha Talley. Congrats, Keisha!
Okay, this giveaway is just fun. (Thank you, Dani!) Our next guest is Dani Harper, author of some great paranormal romances with Kensington Brava. Ah…I do love paranormals. 🙂 She’s sharing a cool post about wolves, and one commenter will win two of Dani’s books (one is a hot-off-the-presses release!) AND a plush wolf that is in need of a home. See–told you it was a fun giveaway. Welcome, Dani! And congrats on your release!
RUNNING WITH THE WOLVES … Dani Harper
Happy Release Day, Cynthia, and thanks for allowing me to share it with you! Today, the second book in my shapeshifter series is released from Kensington-Brava, CHANGELING DREAM.
In my world, Changelings walk among us, and can change from human to wolf at will. But they were inspired by a real event.
I owned a small farm in northern Canada and one morning I was stunned to see a pack of wolves – about 7 or 8 – run across my yard. No mistake about what these big dark creatures were – I’d seen hundreds of coyotes before and these clearly dwarfed them. The wolves ran with ease and grace, seeming to float along rather than touch the ground. Teeth gleamed white from grinning black lips, their tails were great plumed banners and they ran with purpose.
And then they were gone. They vanished like smoke into the timber that flanked my property. I have never felt such a wild yearning in my life. A wish that they would come back? A wish that I might go with them? I didn’t know. I still don’t.
Ever since, however, I’ve run with the wolves on paper. And the result is my new series, beginning with Changeling Moon which was released May 31st. Book Two, Changeling Dream, is out TODAY, June 28th! Book Three, Changeling Dawn, will be released in January. I’m working on Book Four right now. www.daniharper.com
TODAY’S GIVEAWAY
One lucky commenter is going to get a wolf in their mailbox! Really, I have a cute plush wolf that needs a home, and he’s bringing along a copy of CHANGELING MOON (Book 1) and my newly released CHANGELING DREAM (Book 2). To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment and tell me..would you like to be a changeling? Would you like to run with wolves?
EXCERPT FROM CHANGELING DREAM (Kensington-Brava, ISBN 978-0758265166)
The full moon called and the Pack answered. The lights of the town of Dunvegan were left behind as seven creatures ran silently, effortlessly, mile after mile. Nothing could cover distance as efficiently as a wolf’s perfect form. Charcoal and tawny, gray and silver, gold and black, the wolves were a diverse group, yet they moved as one with the smooth grace of long practice. Eventually a white wolf joined them, easing into the band without a ripple.
The Pack loped along the game trails at the very tops of the coulees, high above the Peace River valley. The wolves’ path seemed almost suspended between sky and water, moon above and moon reflected below. Joy, fierce and bright, was all around.
Stars wheeled overhead, revealing the constellations of the early morning as the Pack leader turned towards Elk Point. There, she slowed at last and picked her way along the rocky promontory until the trees parted to reveal a sweeping view. Tongues lolling, sides heaving, the wolves flopped down on the stone plateau just as a sudden wind gusted up from the valley. Dry leaves swirled into a lazy vortex around the group. The air crackled, flashed here and there with tiny sparks, as static electricity began to collect. The power built until the ground thrummed with it, until the very rocks vibrated.
Sudden silence burst as loud as a thunderclap. Human laughter and human words flowed in quickly to fill the vacuum. The breeze died away, the leaves fell to earth. Where eight wolves had been, there was now only one. A lone white wolf and seven human beings.
Connor Macleod automatically reached out a hand and ruffled the thick soft fur. His older brother was not just the only one in the family with such a snowy pelt, but the only Changeling that Connor had ever seen with that coloration – not an albino but a true white. Their father had often called James a winter wolf, but there was always a touch of sadness in his voice when he did so. Connor had pressed him for an explanation once. It’s a verra long journey until spring for a winter wolf, lad. A verra long journey. Connor had been too young to attach any meaning to his father’s words. Now he saw that they had been all too prophetic.
He spoke to his older brother in his mind. All of them had that ability; it was part and parcel of being Changeling. Good to see you, bro. Have you eaten tonight?
Old moose, lame. Easy hunting. Full now.
James’ words were always clear in Connor’s mind, but they were few and labored, as if it were a strain to use human words at all. As if running as a wolf for thirty years made it difficult to even remember the language. Seven words in a row nearly counted as a speech.
It might have given Connor a tiny glimmer of hope, but he hadn’t allowed himself that luxury in many years. His hand fell away from the thick white pelt as he automatically blocked the rest of his thoughts from his brother. What possible good could it do to tell James how much he missed him, ached to talk with him, to joke and laugh with him, hell, even to fight with him? How the whole family grieved for James, as if he was dead. And he was dead to them. Even as a wolf he very seldom ran with the Pack or came near any of them except Connor on occasion. James had forsaken his human self entirely, and it was unclear if he was bound to the Macleods by remembered human ties or merely a wolf instinct to be part of a Pack.
But not one of us blames him for it. Good Christ, how could we? We weren’t there. We were too far away, all of us too damn far away. He shook his head. By the time they’d arrived at James’s farm, the house was a heap of blackened beams and cold ashes. Too damn late to do anything but bury poor Evelyn. It had nearly been too late for James as well. The Pack had tracked him through deep wilderness for two days, unable to catch up with him until he finally collapsed from his horrific wounds. Over thirty years had passed and still Connor shivered at that memory. He had barely recognized the blackened and battered creature that once was the white wolf. Changeling or not, it was a flat-out miracle James had lived.
But the miracle was incomplete. The wolf came back to them, but not the man. Connor glanced over at his brother. The massive white creature was stretched out on the ground beside him as if relaxed, but the vivid blue eyes flicked from person to person. Alert. Ready, Connor knew, to disappear. Everyone else knew too. Connor noticed that each member of the Pack, family and friend alike, would glance over at James and then turn away quickly, not knowing what to do or say. Fearing to break some unknown spell, fearing that the white wolf would leave them even sooner than he usually did.
Find Changeling Dream on Amazon now at http://www.amazon.com/Changeling-Dream-Dani-Harper/dp/0758265166/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309210126&sr=8-1
EXCERPT FROM CHANGELING MOON (Kensington-Brava, ISBN 978-0758265142)
The Dunvegan Herald Weekly was silent except for clocks ticking and the dripping of the staff room faucet. She liked having the place to herself. How on earth had she ever gotten anything done in the middle of a big busy newsroom? It was so much easier to work when it was quiet. Easier, until she played her phone messages and found one from Connor. It was nothing much, just a simple request that she call him, but his deep melodious voice did strange things to her insides. God, he even sounded hot. Did he do that on purpose?
It ruined her concentration for writing. She’d barely get a sentence down before she began thinking of Connor. His eyes for instance, and how they were almost silver at times. With such a color they should have seemed cold, even icy, and yet they were anything but. There was warmth and ready humor in them. Until–
Zoey contemplated the glimpse she’d gotten of another side of Connor Macleod. The one who’d stood in her kitchen ready to do whatever was necessary. His eyes had been different then, darker. The warmth was gone, replaced with a decided coolness. Yet there was no chill directed towards her. Of that she was certain. It was more like the coolness of metal armor, the determined chill of a sword, as he readied for battle. As he stood to protect her, even from herself.
She shivered at the sheer sexiness of it, of him. Ran her hands through her hair and rubbed them lightly over her face, feeling the heat that had flared in her cheeks. Heat. In his truck, she had awakened to the sensation of Connor stroking her cheek. In her kitchen, he’d placed that big hand over hers. She could still feel the unusual heat that had radiated from his skin on both occasions. Not the parched heat of a fever but more like the banked coals of a campfire, something that beckoned her to relax, to stretch out and simply bask in the pleasure of it.
Sitting behind her desk as she had sat at her bistro table, her hand resting palm down on the smooth surface, she smiled. The table had been so tiny, she could have reached out and touched Connor easily. Could have indulged the urge she’d felt to brush the glossy dark hair from his face, indulged that wish to slide her palm over the stubble on his jaw. She imagined stirring her mocha slowly, lazily, and skimming the chocolate froth onto the spoon. Licking it off with quick little flicks of her tongue while he watched her with silvery eyes….
Find Changeling Moon on Amazon now at http://www.amazon.com/Changeling-Moon-Dani-Harper/dp/075826514X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
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Dani Harper is a newspaper editor turned paranormal author. There isn’t anything she likes better than exploring the supernatural — unless it’s writing romantic suspense. Of course, all of her stories have at least one foot in the netherworld…
To find out more, please visit Dani’s website at www.daniharper.com Or stop by her Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/DaniHarperFanPage and say hello! She always has time to chat with a reader.
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Hi Cynthia! Thanks so much for inviting me to the party! I decided to wear the tiara instead of the lampshade (wanted to get invited BACK! LOL)
Hi to everyone reading this — I have a stuffed wolf that needs a home. He’s not big but he’s CUTE, and he’s bringing copies of my two new releases with him.
Tell me – would you like to be a Changeling? Why or why not?
I would totally make a change and run with the wolves. Would that mean my hair would turn silky soft too? And great nails?! Bonus change. Maybe then I could open that peanut butter jar lid on my own. Changeling sounds like a great read! I cannot wait to check it out.
Hi Teri – Never thought about the nails. What a nice bonus to being a Changeling!
Ohhhhh Yes I would love to be a changeling..How much fun would it to be to run with the wolves?? SO much freedom and power in a wolf…I will be adding you to my to be read pile!! Love the sound of your books!!
I think wolves have become synonymous with freedom. It’s one of the many reasons we admire them. Glad to be part of your TBR pile (PS – How big is your TBR pile? I think I’d be buried if mine ever fell over!)
Yes I would love the freedom of running wild
PS Dani, love the cover 🙂
Hi Keisha – I’m glad you like the cover! I love the colors in it – I think they’re very dramatic!
it would be awesome to be a changeling and to run with the wovles. can you imagine the freedom and the fun you could have?! id be out in the woods everyday!
Hi Shadow – I remember as a kid how hard it was to come inside when my mom called me. I think it would be even harder to stop being a wolf!
Sign me up…. I will tag in and run with wolves any day.
I saw your book thongs today — very beautiful! I like the unique photo cases on them.
Wolves actually play tag, just like dogs.
I have always been fascinated with wolves….so beautiful, so mystical, so perfect. I would love to run among them!
Even people who don’t like wolves or fear them are fascinated by them. They are truly beautiful creatures.
I would absolutely LOVE to be a changeling and run wild in the woods! Oh that’d be so much fun =)
Hi Casey – me too! I think it would be absolutely joyful.
I would love to be a changeling and run with wolves. I adore wolves and it would be fun to experience running in the wild, since I have never done that.
Hi Amy – I think it would be wonderful to run in the forest without being afraid of anything.
I’d definitely love to be a changeling. A wolf or werewolf is the best “darker” image creature to me. They can exist at all times of day, without vampiric restrictions, and they are sexy in fur or without.
Good luck on your new release.
Thanks for the fun contest.
Hi Sherri – Good point. Werewolves, or Changelings as they like to be called in my stories, don’t have any restrictions as to day or night. (Take THAT, Edward!)
Definately would love to run wild with the wolves!
I wonder what the theme music would be….
Would definitely love to be a changeling. Love to be able to run with wolves, they are a favorite of mine.The way they can move so silently through the wilds, magnificant creatures.
They’re incredibly quiet when they want to be.
I would love to be a changeling. I love wolves and would like to be able to turn into one.
I think that’s the ultimate for those of us who like wolves.
I would enjoy being a changeling. Wolf shifters are my favorite paranormal creatures. I like that they are pack/family oriented and loyal. Being physically powerful would be a plus too.
I absolutely love the “mate for life” imperative. Real wolves are the same as Changelings in that respect.
I would love being a changeling! Talk about fun! Being able to change whenever you wanted to, running with the wolves, how awesome. Thanks for the contest and I would love to read one of the Changeling books.
Hi Barb – I totally LOVE holding contests! It’s one of my favorite things. Good luck to you!
Would love to run wild with the wolves. Great interview n giveaway. Thanks so much
Dpbussie@yahoo.com
Hi Debbie – you’re very welcome! And I’d love to run wild with the wolves too.
Who wouldn’t want to be a changeling??? I would love to run with the wolves! We could play tag!
Wolves play tags just like big dogs. They bite at the back legs of the one being chased. My pugs do the same thing!
I’m not much for running, but hanging out with the wolves? Sure!
You might like running if you were a wolf. They’re designed for it — wolves can cover over 60 miles in a day! (I wish!)
Hell yes I would 😀 I have 4 dogs of all sizes and just about as many cats, running with wolves would be second nature lol
Hanging out with 4-footed friends would be natural, LOL!
I would LOVE these books, will definitely add to my wish list. It would be so amazing to be a changeling and run with the wolves!
Hi Patty – thanks for being interested in my stories. Good luck!
Shifters in general are my favorite paranormal creatures, so I’d love to be a changeling. Loved the excerpts and really looking forward to reading the books.
Thank you, really glad you liked the excerpts. I have a hard time deciding which ones to post.
i would love to be a changeling…considering when i rped on twitter my character was a wolf guess that says how much i would love to. there is something bout them that calls to me.
awesome cover for the second book. happy release day huns
Hi Lindsey! Thanks for the good wishes, and glad you like the cover. The colors are really dramatic, aren’t they? I understand about the wolves – they call to many of us.
Actually I’m going against the common thinking 😉 I don’t think I would want to be a changeling and it’s purely because I think a hint of the ability would be felt by regular animals. Wouldn’t want my horse’s or dogs to be scared by me. It’s the only reason though.
That was a factor that I took into consideration. My main character in the first book is a veterinarian AND a changeling. It’s mentioned that most animals don’t react to the scent or aura of a changeling. So you could be one and not worry about your four-footed friends!
Absolutely! Wolves will always be my favorite changelings (though I do hold dear a few panthers, LOL).
Oooooo, those panthers are pretty sexy. The big cats are very appealing.
I would love to be a changeling be able to run have all that freedom! I love to read about Wolves one of my favorites!
I like wolf stories too. Patricia Briggs writes some great ones, she’s a favorite of mine.
Actually I think I would like that. I seem to have a way with doggies. My neighbor had this gorgeous siberian husky that was part wolf. She was my buddy, coming to visit me often. Now their new dog well I’m his buddy too.
That’s pretty neat. I think the next best thing to being able to become a wolf would be to have one as a friend.
I would love to run with the wolves!! I’m actually going to visit some wolves this summer.
Taylor Z
Lovemusicgirlx94@aol.com
Hi Taylor – wow, that sounds wonderful! It’s amazing to get to see them close up.
lol, you had me at Wolf in my mailbox 🙂 I’ve had my eye on these books for a little while now, I would love for them to appear in my mailbox, though I would most likely need to hide the wolf since my daughter thinks my stuff is her stuff. I would love to be a changeling and let out my inner beast. Who wouldn’t want to run with a pack and be wild, it sounds like it would be a freeing experience
I think we all have an inner beast that would like to get out once in a while.
Hey, Dani! I’m super excited about the Changeling books–love those covers! Happy release day to you!:)
Hi Cynthia – Happy Release Day to YOU too! I’ve got your latest in my TBR pile! Nice to hang out with another wolf afficionado!
I think it would be cool to be a changeling. Running with Wolves would be very freeing.
I think it would be freeing if you were a higher-rankiing pack member. Apparently there are Omega wolves as well as Alphas – and they get the short end of the stick!
Happy Release Day to you Dani! Would love to have that freedom to run with wolves, so yes I would love to be a Changling.
Thanks Michele! It was a looooong countdown to get here.
These books have been on my TBR list for a while now, so I’m really excited about this contest.
I would so be up for running with a wolf pack. The wind in my face, the scents in the air, hunting and playing with my pack mates. Sounds like it would be a trip! And I live in the perfect place to do just that. Plenty of deer and other wildlife to keep everyone in the pack happy. Oh what an exciting life it would be. =^-^=
Hi Cameron – Sounds like the place where you live inspires you!
Who wouldn’t love to be a changeling and run with the wolves? Lol I’d love to run wild and free in the cool night air!
I like the “cool night air” part of that.
OOO…I would love to win the wolf for my daughter and the books for me. I definitely would love to run with the wolves. They are so majestic and beautiful.
Hi Michelle – Good luck – maybe you’ll get the chance to share!
These Changeling books sound so good. I would love to be a changeling -sounds fun and running with the wolves means I’d have pack of friends. I’d go for with, plus I’d get to adopt a plush little wolf. So cute!
Hi Na – Most wolves live in a pack so they have built-in company! I think that would be so cool.
You’re danged right I’d love to be a changeling and I’d run with the wolves! Though, I’d want to be one of those who somehow manages to shift back with my clothes intact — I’m not so much into public nudity LOL
That’s a handy feature that all of my Changelings have – their clothes come with them when they shift back to human form!
OOOOHHH! I would so love to run with the wolves and be a changeling. Can you imagine the fun?
I DO imagine the fun, LOL – and I write about it!
yeah, I want to run with wolves, deep in the mountains. The trees, chilly air. I would want to find a river and romp!
Wolves aren’t afraid of water – in fact, they often cool off in a river in the summer. Here in Alaska, some wolves have learned to fish.
There would be pros and cons to being a shifter…getting to run with wolves would absolutely be one of the pros!
The books sound fantastic! Thanks for the chance!
Hi Maria – True, there are downsides to being a Changeling as well as the wonderful pros. But I think the pros outweigh the cons.
I would love to run with the wolves. They are so free and powerful. I just think it would be a lot of fun to chase and be chased, to wrestle in a field, or splash in a stream. It sounds amazing.
I love the energy that they have. They’re nature’s perfect running machines and can run all day long.
After reading the excerpts I would have to give a resounding, yes I would!
But what would your cats say?
I would love to be a changeling. Wolves are very powerful animals and so beautiful but they have a sexy scary grace about them.
Well said – a sexy scary grace. I like that.
I would love to be a changling! Free to be wild and maybe find a hot alpha male.
Woo Hoo! Let’s hear it for the hot alpha males!
I’d love to be a black panther changeling – sexy but dangerous and of course utterly gorgeous.
Oh those big cats are so sexy! And beautiful. It would be a tough choice, wolf or panther….
After reading what i reas about your books i cannot wait to read more. I want to read them while camping this summer.
I think camping would really put you in the mood for changeling tales!
Oh, most definitely I would love to be a changeling, just not a really scary one. Lol
Most of my changelings aren’t scary — unless they want to be!
Heck yes! I love wolves, and I’d so be into changing into one. As far as books- weres of any type of my favorite. I can’t believe I missed yours along the way. I feel deprived now!
Hi Brenda – My books just came out recently from Brava, with Changeling Moon on May 31 and Changeling Dream TODAY. So you’re not behind at all!
Who wouldn’t love to change into something different? Plus I love the fact that most animals mate for life!
That’s my favorite – the mating for life aspect.
I would love to be a changeling and run with wolves. It would be nice to be able to change and be stronger. I, also, like the mating for life part.
Hi Marlene – I’d like the strength too.
Yes and yes to both your questions; wolves are my favorite shifters!
Wolves are my favs too – although those black panthers mentioned earlier are pretty cool.