Tour: Curse of the Wolf by Danica Winters (Guest Post/Giveaway)

Today I would like to welcome author Danica Winter's who is joining us on tour with her novel, Curse of the Wolf. 

Summer’s Battle

Summer is heavy upon us which, to the writer, means a constant battle between good (getting work done) and evil (the draw of the warm weather, ice cream, and plentiful activities).   Self-motivation is never harder than when you look out the window and are forced to watch other people blowing bubbles and lighting off their left over Fourth of July fireworks, all while you force yourself to plant your ever-growing bum deep in your favorite chair and work. 

Instead of focusing on the work, I am choosing to change my perception.  It is difficult to close the shades and concentrate on the story that I’m creating, but as I create and the more I write, the less I want to leave my character’s worlds.  It’s a bit like exercise, it’s challenging to get started, but once you do, you feel so exhilarated that you don’t want to slow down (unless it is running—which in my opinion, is evidence of Satan’s sense of humor). 

The battle of the summer would be even more difficult without the support of my readers.  It is great motivation to have a person ask, “What are you working on?” 

These questions get my mind whirring, thinking about plot points, and internal and external conflicts.  It makes me think of my characters motivations (Revenge anyone?).  A good day of writing makes me giddy and excited, like a child overflowing with secrets. 

Yet sometimes the battle swings in summer’s direction.  So if you see me sitting at Dairy Queen, with ice cream dripping down my chin, and my running shoes sitting unused on the bench beside me, please don’t hesitate to look upon me in dismay and ask:  “What are you working on?”

You would be a great help, because some days Summer wins.

Curse of the Wolf

By Danica Winters

For cursed, shape-shifting Veela, Gloriana, following her heart and giving her body to sexy, tortured werewolf Alexander means one thing-he will die and it will again be her fault.
Once only a man, Alexander finds himself scarred by the memories of his former life and the deceptions and lies that surround him. When a glimmer of light breaks the madness, he must let go of his misguided preconceptions and the hatred that consumes him.
On a mission for blood, they find unity in their desire for revenge, but are driven apart by their pasts. Traveling the darkest paths and fighting the very people they think they can trust, they draw closer to one another's hearts and further into danger.
Will the curse prove to be unstoppable... or is there hope in forbidden love?

Excerpt:

          CHAPTER ONE

In her human-like Veela form, Gloriana Canis was at a distinct disadvantage. Her feet pounded against the ground as she ran, she crashed through the underbrush, and tripped upon the branches that reached up to snatch her legs. With a muffled growl, she paused as she forced her body to shift into her more powerful wolfen shape.

Dashing after the intruders, she silently passed beneath the low lying branches and bounded over the roots. Her paws silently ab­sorbed the sounds as the ground blurred beneath her. She saw none of the pack that had invaded her territory, so she lifted her snout and sniffed.

The scent of the gray Werewolf was a mix of triumph, malice, and anger, but there were no traces of fear.

He’s a fool. The thieving Were should feel fear above anything else—because I soon will be upon him.

When she found the beast, she would tear at his soft flesh…the least vital parts first. Before she finished, he would undoubtedly cry for mercy, but no matter how hard he cried, or how desperately he pleaded, he would find none. The man had tried to steal Bal­dur’s Vitam Aeternam, the ring of eternal life, from her. The ring was the final memento of Baldur’s existence, of their fight for love against all odds and the curse that had taken his life. The Were who attempted to take it from her would have no easy death.

Deeper into the woods, the scent of the gray alpha Were less­ened and was replaced by the musky scent of the brown beta she had seen circling the alpha.

Her strides grew more rapid. She was close.

Weaving around a boulder, her body collapsed as the ground gave way. Her paws clawed at the soft earth, desperate to stop the fall, but the dirt crumbled beneath her touch. She yelped in fear as she clawed, but it was too late. Her body flipped into the earth’s open maw.

The stakes ripped into her soft flesh. Hot, searing pain invaded her body.

Howling, she tried to leap, struggle—anything to free her

body—but the motions only drove the stakes deeper, worsening her agony.

A fire burned deep in her flank and she caught the scent of blood on the stakes that now were wedged in her flesh. Hydra blood.

The venom pumped through her veins, she could taste the acrid poison in her mouth. Slowly her vision began to fade. She was forced to find refuge from the pain inside of her mind.

My dearest Goddess, Epione, do not let the curse of the loving Veela take me. I promise that if you let me live, I will find Baldur’s killer and make him pay. Please, please do not deliver my soul to the underworld. I must complete my task.

She could feel the sun rising in the distance. Would this morn­ing be her last?

A light illuminated the grave-like pit.

Expecting a torch-bearing lampade to lead her to the under­world, she was surprised when a tall man appeared with a flash­light in his hand. He stood at the edge of the pit, his other hand on his hip and a scowl on his face.

She growled, but as the rumble escaped her, it was replaced with a yelp.

The thief had returned to finish her.

He reached down to her and said something, but it sounded as if he was talking through water. When he spoke again, she heard him say, “Shifter, I’m Alex…” but the rest of his words were lost in the muffling pain circulating through her body.

She tried to pull away from his touch, but her paws felt like lead weights and she struggled to move.

The pain radiated from the stakes in her flesh. Unable to fight the poison any longer, her eyes closed. Her mind went black.

Amazon - Barnesand Noble - RavenousRomance - Bookstrand

(and will soon be available in over 10 other locations)

Author Bio:

Danica Winters is an Amazon best-selling romance author based in Montana. She is known for writing award-winning books that grip readers with their ability to drive emotion through suspense and often a touch of magic. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Montana Romance Writers, and Greater Seattle Romance Writers. She is a contributor to magazines, websites, and news organizations. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, the outdoors, and the bliss brought by the printed word.

Social Media Links: Website - Blog - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Goodreads - AmazonAuthor Page


~*GIVEAWAY*~
Danica is giving away one eBook of Curse of the Wolf to one reader today. To enter, just leave a comment or question for Danica and then fill out the Rafflecopter below. Additional entries are available but not required. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway