Ilona's Wolf released

Ilona's Wolf,part of the Howling At The Moon... Again AmberPax, was released over the weekend while I was at the RWA Conference in San Francisco. This is my first werewolf story and the first with a Medieval-style fantasy setting. World building can be a challenge, but it can also be a lot of fun. In this story, I created a kingdom called Velosia in which magic is openly practiced, the old Roman gods and goddesses are still worshipped and werewolves fight to conceal their existence.

My muse didn't lead me in the expected route where the werewolves cycles are tied to the phases of the moon and he's a victim of his biology. In Velosia, werewolves are born with the ability to shapeshift at will. Except for my hero Rolf who starts the story trapped in wolf form. The beginning is a twist on the old fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood, only in this version, Red is saved from the woodsman by the wolf.

While picking herbs in the woods, Princess Ilona is rescued from a woodsman by a wolf. When the creature licks her wounds, it is suddenly transformed into a man. A very handsome, very naked man who makes passionate love to her in a glade.

Cursed by an evil wizard, Rolf was trapped in wolf form until he tasted the blood of a royal. Now he must escort the princess on a hazardous journey back to the castle to stop an ill-fated wedding.

Passion flares between them, but both know there is no future for Ilona and her werewolf. Or is there? In a world where magic and passion combine, anything may be possible.

Here's an excerpt from Ilona's Wolf:

... she heard the creature approaching. It bounded out of the woods and stood, snarling. Then it lifted its head and let out a blood-curdling howl. The woodsman took one look at the fierce creature and ran off down the path. The wolf chased after him, then wheeled and trotted back toward her.

She sat frozen, her back to the tree. Oh, gods, don't let it see me. She tried to cast an invisibility spell, but fear weakened her. The wolf looked at her, golden eyes gleaming, mouth open, showing off large, sharp teeth. She closed her eyes and gripped her throat with both hands. Quaking with terror, she listened as the animal padded toward her. She felt its hot breath on her cheek, then a huge tongue licked her mouth, her cheek, her forehead.

Opening her eyes a slit, she stared into the face of the wolf. Sad, golden eyes stared at her, and her fears receded. Perhaps he'd been tamed. She reached out with what was left of her powers, but sensed no immediate danger. "Good wolf," she stammered.

She held out one shaking fist, and the wolf sniffed it before licking her knuckles. It moved closer, sniffing her clothing. To her surprise, the animal hunkered down beside her and laid its head on her leg. She touched it, stroking the soft fur.

Relief flooded through her. Saved by a wolf, of all creatures. "Thank the gods you showed up when you did. I'd no wish to be ravished by the likes of him."

The wolf lifted its head and seemed to smile up at her, mouth open, tongue lolling.

She smiled at the canine as she continued to pet it. "I don't mind you rescuing me, but 'tis not exactly what a girl dreams of. Where's my knight on a white steed? That's who is supposed to do the rescuing."

When the wolf lowered his head, sniffing between her legs, she laughed and pushed it away. "Don't be rude."

The creature responded by sitting up and resting its head on her breast. She put both arms around it and hugged it close, dropping a kiss on its head. "Don't get me wrong, Sir Wolf, but I still wish you were a knight. A strong, handsome knight like my Werner. I miss him so much, you know. Dagmar says another knight will come for me, a handsome knight to protect me and make sweet, passionate love to me."

Looking around for her basket, she summoned it to her side. The wolf jumped up, staring at the basket. Her vision seemed to blur as the wolf's face slowly became humanlike, then shifted back. She must have hit her head harder than she'd thought if she was seeing things. She closed her eyes and shook her head, but the aching had receded.

When she peeked again, the wolf was gone, but a naked man crouched in front of her. A very handsome, well-built man with shaggy brown hair and golden brown eyes.

"Who are you?" she gasped.

~~~~~~~

For more information and a steamier excerpt, go to Amber Heat.

Lyndi