October is here, the days are getting shorter, and the air has a distinct bite to it. The trees are losing their leaves as the wind whistles through their branches. Pumpkins are appearing on porch steps and children of all ages are getting excited about the upcoming holiday.
We’re getting closer to Halloween, the time of year where creatures of the night such as vampires, demons and ghosts, but most especially werewolves seem a little more real to us all. Why do I say most especially werewolves? It’s simple really. I’m celebrating the fact my very first werewolf book was released this month.
But seriously, what makes these shapeshifters so appealing to readers of all genres, especially romance readers? Personally, I think it’s the fact that they’re stripped down to the basics. They rely on their animal instincts when dealing with others—human or those of their own kind. They are strong and can be brutal when necessary, yet nurturing and caring to those they consider family. They live by their own set of rules and these differ from those which humans live under. They change, transforming themselves, sometimes at will and other times needing the light of the full moon to do so—depending on the writer penning the story.
Elemental best describes them. They are powerful creatures, in tune with the earth. We can all easily picture a lone wolf on a hillside howling at the moon. It makes us shiver in dread at the same time it makes us wish we could be closer to the wolf. The wolf calls to us on a primal level. We admire it even as we fear it.
I’ve always enjoyed reading werewolf books and, as a writer, I’d been wanting to try my hand at writing one for a while before I started Alexandra’s Legacy. I found myself wondering what would happen to a woman who lived a quiet life, a woman who’d always felt out of sync with the rest of the world, when she found out she wasn’t quite human. What if she discovered her entire past was a lie and that she was a half-breed werewolf? The possibilities were endless.
Of course, there had to be a sexy hero. That’s where Joshua Striker comes in. He’s the enforcer of the Wolf Creek pack and he’s traveled to Chicago to take Alexandra home to the pack and protect her from anyone who wants to harm her. Problem is, he’s not expecting the sudden attraction he feels toward her. For Joshua, duty is everything and he cannot let anything distract him from it—that includes Alexandra, and he finds her very distracting.
Here’s the blurb for this spicy werewolf tale:
Alexandra Riley’s day starts out like any other in her normal, predictable world. Then a tall, dark stranger bursts into her father’s garage and shatters the illusion. In one shocking moment, she discovers why she’s been feeling hot, restless—she’s the half-breed daughter of a legendary werewolf and is a much-sought-after prize.
Joshua Striker, enforcer in charge of protecting the alphas of the Wolf Creek pack, has come to take Alex home. Nothing more, nothing less. From the first moment he sees her, she becomes the one thing he can’t afford—a distraction from his duty. A weakness he doesn’t want—but can’t resist needing.
If only keeping her safe was as simple as fending off males on the hunt for a mate. Through city streets to the mountains of North Carolina, Alex and Joshua have to evade those who don’t want their pure bloodlines tainted with human DNA, as well as bounty hunters who think the only good werewolf is a dead one.
What Joshua and Alex can’t outrun is the passion that flares between them—or the choice Alex must eventually face. Whether to claim her inner wolf, or forfeit her chance to claim Joshua as her own.
Alexandra’s Legacy, the first book in the Legacy series, is now available from Samhain Publishing. I’ve created a world I won’t be leaving behind very soon. I have several more werewolf stories and maybe even a vampire tale or two left to tell in this series.
Happy Halloween!
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
Thank you for visiting Novel Thoughts, Ms Walters!
Leave a comment to enter the drawing for a download of Alexandra’s Legacy, and visit Ms Walters’ website to learn more about her work.
Yippee! I can’t wait to get to this one!
Hope you enjoy it, Anny. I had a lot of fun writing it!
Terrific post, NJ. Your book sounds great! I wish you many sales and rave reviews.
Best–Adele Dubois
I have heard so many good things about your Tapestry series, but sadly haven’t read any of your books yet. Your Legacy series looks soooo good. Werewolves and shifters are my fav type of paranormal read so I think Alexandra’s Legacy is a great choice to get acquainted with your writing. Thanks for featuring this book and bringing it to my attention!
I’ve heard alot of good things about this story and seeing that part of it is set in NC it’s a must read now!!!
I have a question:
How do you pick your settings?
hugs,
WendyK
Hey, Booklover. The Tapestries series is my most popular one to date. I love that readers enjoy it so much.
If you like werewolves and shifters, you might enjoy Alexandra’s Legacy. It’s my first werewolf book and I’m thrilled with it.
I’ve actually used NC in my Dalakis Passion series (Stefan’s Salvation), so I’d done some research on it. When I needed a place in the mountains for my werewolves, I knew straight where to go.
Settings are interesting. I use several fictional towns I’ve created–Jamesville, Summersville, Meadows. I prefer fictional towns to real ones. That way they can be whatever I need them to be. I do, however, sometimes use real places–Chicago in Alexandra’s Legacy. I wanted a real city and Chicago seemed to fit the bill. I did some research, talked to some folks who’d lived there. It worked out well.
Hi NJ,
Congrats on the new book coming out. Out of all your characters who has been your favorite to write?
I love werewolves and getting in on the first book of a series. What a lovely Friday perk! Congratulations on the new release.
Thanks for the congrats, Ann marie. That’s a tough question. I love all of them for one reason or another. One of my favorites was Shamus O’Rourke. He’s stubborn, loyal and an amazing guy. His book almost didn’t happen, but I’m glad it did.
Thanks, Amy Kathryn. I love werewolves too, which is why I had to finally write a book about them.
Hi, NJ!! Congrats on Alexandra’s Legacy… I have it, and am set on reading it this weekend. Fatin hooked me on your Jamesville series (LOVED it, and wound up buying the whole damn series in one weekend, lol)….and I had NO idea you did paranormal, too, until I saw it on her sidebar…and couldn’t wait to read it.
Awesome post, and LOVE me some shifters, so just let me say in anticipation I want MORE, lol.
Wow! Fatin is a book pusher. *g* And we love her for it. I”m so glad you loved the Jamesville series, Melissa.
I do tons of paranormal with my other publisher–Ellora’s Cave, but this is my first one for Samhain. And there will definitely be more books in the Legacy series. I have more werewolf books and maybe even a vampire one planned for this series.
This is one book I have to read! Lovin the blurb… gotta have more! Can I howl at that cover!?! Wow! 😀
LOL I howled at the cover when I saw it, Colleen. I love it!
Glad you enjoyed the blurb. 🙂
I love Nj’s books and this one sounds like no exception.
I’ve enjoyed all the books I’ve read by you – I don’t think there’s a bad one in the batch. I’m looking foward to starting the Legacy series.
Count me in for the drawing since this sounds like a great series!
To NJ, what kind of research did you do before you started writing this book and coming up with the outline to this series?
I love werewolf stories and yours sounds great!
Hi N.J.!
Thank you so much for your fantastic post – I would like to read a book with a werewolf immediatly… and I will do it right now *gg* unfortunately I will have to wait for your book (it sounds great!) but will pick up one of Kelley Armstrongs 😉
contrags on the release *hug*
wish you all the best!
Ina
That doesn’t sound like a bad legacy to me. I would totally embrace my inner werewolf and if you get Mr. Sexy Cover to run with too. Woo-hoo! lol
Deidre
Don’t enter me, I just came by to say congrats to NJ and that this is an AWESOME book!
Hope you all have a great weekend!
~bella
Hi N.J.! The book looks and sounds fantastic! I have read several of your other books and thoroughly enjoyed them. Thanks for stopping by today and have a great Halloween!
Hi, NJ, loved the Jamesville books, so I’m going to have to try your wolves now, being a huge paranormal fan.
Have a great weekend, everyone.
Thanks so much, PamK!
That’s very kind of you to say, Lisa. I hope you enjoy the first book in the Legacy series. 🙂
Hi, Joder. Outline…I’m not much of a plotter. *g* I knew the characters and their basic story. Once I knew that, I started writing. Most of the scenes unfolded as I wrote. Most of the research for this book was setting. It’s always fun to learn about new places or new things.
Thanks, Estella.
Thanks for the congrats, Ina. Enjoy your Kelly Armstrong book!
LOL There is that, Deidre. It’s not a bad thing…except for the folks who want to kill her. Of course, she does have the hunky werewolf protector, so it’s not all bad.
Thank you so much, Bella. You have a wonderful weekend too!
Hey, Barb. Thanks so much for the congrats and I’m glad you’ve enjoyed some of my books. I hope you have a wonderful Halloween as well. I love this time of year.
PamP, I’m so glad you enjoyed the Jamesville series. I hope you enjoy the first book in the Legacy series too. You have a great weekend too.
Wow! A great book to win 🙂 from a new for me Author.
Congrats on the new release, NJ! I’ve already read it, and it was fabulous!
Obviously, no need to enter me – just swinging by to congratulate you and say hi 🙂
NJ~~YES, Fatin is a major pusher, lol.
And I just found out recently you wrote for EC, too. LOL, now I have me some back list to catch up on.
It’s funny ’cause I was a vamp fan for years before finally recognizing the lusty appeal of werewolves. I can’t believe how long it took to discover what great characters they make. ALEXANDRA’S LEGACY went onto my Samhain wishlist immediately after being listed. Definitely a read I don’t want to miss.
Congratulations on your first wolfish release Ms. Walters! 🙂
I am becoming quite the paranormal fan. I have to say I didn’t get it at first, but now it seems I cannot get enough! This one sounds great!
Thanks
Glad you think so, Mariska. 🙂
Thanks so much, Lori. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!!
That’s why we love her, Melissa. Yes, I started with EC and have almost three dozen books out with them. Plenty of different genres to choose from.
Thank you so much for the congrats, Catie. I’m happy my book made it on to your wishlist. Like you, I was primarily a vampire fan for years, but I’ve come to love werewolves in the past few years too.
Glad you think it sounds great, Amy. It’s always good to try a new genre. I’ve gotten hooked on several that way. I started out only reading historical romance. Now I read in pretty much every genre. So many great books, so little time. 🙂
Thank you to Fatin for having me here, and to everyone who stopped by to comment.
I had a blast!
I have heard good things about your work and this books looks right up my alley.
Thanks, Kris. 🙂
Please do not post email addresses in the comments-read this. Thank you.
Love a great story about my fav hairy men!
LOL Hairy guys aren’t so bad, becky jean. 🙂