What was the first werewolf movie you ever saw or the first werewolf story you ever read?
The first werewolf movie I ever saw was The Wolfman which starred Lon Chaney Jr.
I was just a kid then and found it a bit terrifying, but so fascinating I couldn’t stop watching. The combination of music and special effects when Chaney Jr. underwent the change was riveting. I know compared to today’s special effects those produced in 1941 must seem very low tech, but at the time I found them amazing.
What’s your favorite thing about werewolves?
The whole transformation thing. Going from man to beast and back again
Do you think werewolves are frightening?
Werewolves are frightening only if they’re meant to be. It depends on how they’re depicted. I prefer my werewolves sexy rather than frightening.
If you could become a werewolf, would you?
If I could be the type of werewolf who shifts into an actual wolf and retains a sense of my human self as well as the ability to think and act like a real wolf, yes. Given the opportunity to become that type of werewolf, I’d definitely be tempted. If we’re talking like something out of The Howling then absolutely not.
What is your favorite werewolf book or short story?
I really like the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs and the Kitty series by Carrie Vaughn
Would you tell us about your latest werewolf story?
My latest book, Amended Soul, is a story about relationships. Jamie Hardin is struggling to repair his damaged relationship with his son, Rio. It’s not easy, as Jamie blames himself for not seeing the abuse Rio was suffering at the hands of his stepmother which caused Rio to run away from home at sixteen. After reconnecting with Rio, Jamie moves to be close to his son and in doing so, meets and unexpectedly becomes attracted to werewolf, Jed Matranga. Jamie has no problem with Jed being a werewolf, it’s Jed’s being a man that throws Jamie for a loop. Being around Jed is pushing all the right buttons, but Jamie’s always identified himself as straight. With his mind and body pulling in different directions, Jamie’s unsure what to do, but ultimately, he’ll learn that when it comes to love, it’s all about the heart.
Amended Soul Blurb:
Jamie Hardin has had his fair share of ups and downs. He’s been widowed once and divorced once with extreme prejudice. Due to the machinations of his ex-wife, Jamie’s son Rio ran away at sixteen. Now, two years later, Jamie has the chance to reconnect with Rio. To do so, he moves himself and his five-year-old adopted son to a new town, in a new state to start over. The welcome he receives from Rio is everything Jamie had wanted, what he wasn’t prepared for was Jed Matranga. From the moment they meet, a simple handshake is all it takes to light a fire Jamie has no idea how to handle.
Jed Matranga, single werewolf, has just met his mate. In addition to being gentle, caring and clever, Jamie’s emotionally wounded. He’s also not gay. For Jed it will be the challenge of a lifetime to prove to Jamie that trusting his own judgment is the right thing to do, and where relationships are concerned, it’s feelings and not gender that matters.
Amended Soul Excerpt, Warning/Contains Explict Content:
Crossing an open stretch of grass, Jamie headed toward a large oak tree he’d spotted earlier in the day. Chill settled against his toes, a product of dew-wet leather, though his skin remained dry. All around him was the sounds of crickets, frogs, and the occasional cry of some night bird in the distance. The fields bordering Mick and Rio’s property had been planted with corn, and Jamie was fascinated by the look of it. During the day, it resembled a living, seven-feet-tall green-and-brown fence—stalks of corn marching around the perimeter in precise, evenly spaced order. Now, enshrouded in darkness, those stalks resembled a rough, shadowy wall.
Reaching the tree, Jamie stopped and leaned against its sturdy trunk, drinking in the night’s ambiance. A slight breeze caused some of the drying corn leaves to dance and make suggestive rattles. The sound prompted thoughts of movies he’d seen in which cornfields had hosted everything from demon-worshipping children to aliens. A sudden shiver slid down Jamie’s spine, and apprehension stole the peace he had found.
Straightening his stance, he prepared to head back to the house. Before taking a single step, Jamie heard the sound of something making its way through the corn. “No way,” he whispered and froze.
A large canine shape stepped from between the concealing stalks, and at that moment, a bank of clouds obscured the sky.
Fear gripped Jamie. In the dark, he strained to see. A dog. It was a dog. Wasn’t it? Jangling nerves screamed at Jamie to run. He held his ground. To run was to be chased. Still, instinct tore at him. Run from danger. Run away. Run!
Jamie trembled with effort. Be still, intellect whispered. Silence reigned. Even the crickets had ceased to sing. Jamie’s breaths rang harsh. Enfolded in darkness, he waited, until the clouds unveiled the moon.
The silvery light revealed a wolf, large and wild. Its unwavering gaze rested on Jamie. In spite of his fear, Jamie was struck by a sense of wonder. The wolf was beautiful. In the moonlight, it became magical, unearthly, unreal. When the wolf moved, reality reasserted itself. Jamie drew a harsh breath. This was no vision.
The distance between them closed. Pausing, the wolf stared. Its muzzle lifted, its nose twitching. Forever passed in seconds until a wavering distortion in the space between them broke the spell of stillness. Blinking to clear his vision, Jamie stared into a darkening veil of nothingness. The wolf was engulfed. What emerged was a man. A naked man.
Jed.
“Jamie? I don’t believe it. What are you doing out here?”
Relief made Jamie light-headed. He sagged back against the welcome support of the oak tree. “Walk,” he said, finding his voice. “Couldn’t sleep. I was taking a walk.”
Jed approached and halted mere inches away. One of his hands landed on the trunk above Jamie’s shoulder, and the other cupped Jamie’s face. Shivers raced over Jamie’s skin as a surge of desire punched him swift and hard. Jed’s eyes glowed, lit from within by something free and untamed. In their gleam, Jamie could see the wolf, its presence mixed with that of the man. Rather than shrink from such an alien sight, he stared, fascinated.
“You all right? I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“I’m fine. My feet wouldn’t move, but my heart tried to make a break for it.”
Jed chuckled. His hand traveled from Jamie’s cheek, over his jaw, and down his throat before coming to rest flat over Jamie’s heart. “It is pounding pretty hard. Jamie, I…”
“What?”
“Earlier today. I pushed.” Jed withdrew his hand from Jamie’s chest. “Probably a little too much.”
The warmth where he had touched Jamie began to dissipate. Losing it felt wrong, like something Jamie would regret. “No.” Jamie grabbed Jed’s hand, guiding it back, holding it in place.
“No?”
Staring at Jed, Jamie struggled to sort his jumbled thoughts and emotions. “I feel something for you.” His admission brought the truth powerfully home. This attraction, no matter how strange and confusing he found it to be, was something he didn’t want to deny. “Damn. This is so…difficult. The truth is, I’ve never been drawn to another man. I’m not exactly sure what the hell I’m doing or even if I should be doing it.”
“I see. Then let me ask you a question. Do you think being attracted to me is wrong?”
“Wrong?” Jamie shook his head. “No. Just different.”
“Maybe it just seems difficult because of your uncertainty. Many people feel that way when facing the unfamiliar.”
Jamie said nothing but took a moment to consider. “To be honest, I’d have to agree.”
“I’m not trying to push you into anything.” Jed’s hand twisted in Jamie’s grasp, his fingers twining with Jamie’s. “But it’s been my experience, once I face the unfamiliar thing—whatever it is—the fear or uncertainty I harbored before doing so, was far worse than warranted.”
“Same here.”
“So, if you don’t think I’ve been too pushy, where do we go from here?”
Jamie’s gaze dropped to Jed’s lips. The upper one was slim and sharply defined, the bottom one, fuller, tempting. “A kiss?”
“I’d like that.”
Jamie watched the corners of Jed’s lips curve upward in a smile. Jamie closed his eyes. He touched his lips to Jed’s. The kiss, though tentative, incited a swirl of pleasurable sensation in the pit of Jamie’s stomach. Their lips slanted, meshed, parted. Their breaths mingled. Exhilaration heightened Jamie’s arousal. He wanted more. A deeper intimacy. With the second kiss, his tongue sought and found Jed’s. The kiss morphed from hesitant to demanding.
Excitement set Jamie’s heart to racing while heat and pressure built in his groin. His cock firmed. Any doubts he had were muted by desire. One hand still clung to Jed’s. His free hand settled against the skin of Jed’s waist. The naked flesh under his fingertips made Jamie hesitate but want pushed him to continue. He slid his hand behind and down, then clutched the upper curve of Jed’s ass. Pulling him close, Jamie ground himself against Jed. Jamie’s cock was fully erect, his need urgent. When Jed pulled back, Jamie voiced a wordless protest.
“Wait,” Jed said. “Your jeans are rough. Can I…” Jed’s free hand went to waistband of Jamie’s jeans.
Tilting his head down, Jamie fastened his gaze on Jed’s cock. It was engorged, thick and ready. As when he’d first touched Jed’s naked skin, Jamie hesitated, waiting for his own reaction. Instead of being repelled by the sight, he was struck by a pulse of pleasurable sensation rippling through him. His own cock felt every bit as hard as Jed’s appeared to be and gave no indication of flagging. Returning his gaze to Jed, he nodded. Gender be damned. Jamie wanted.
“I need both hands,” Jed said. His voice was husky, his breaths short, audible.
He wants this as much as I do. The thought made Jamie’s heart beat faster.
Buy The Book:
Loose Id: http://bit.ly/1M3Ssat
All Romance Ebooks: http://bit.ly/1SpxN0e
Amazon: http://amzn.to/21Oh2hB
About Kate:
Kate’s love of books started from the moment she read those fateful words: run, Spot, run! It took her awhile to discover she didn’t just have to read and imagine, but that she could also write stories and so here she is writing romance and loving it. Like chocolate – her ultimate favorite food, with pizza running a close second – writing became addictive. Whether it’s paranormal, contemporary or science fiction about werewolves, other worldly creatures or the average Joe, she can’t get enough.
As for the everyday details, Kate lives in a turn of the century house located in the midst of Indiana farm country, and is kept company by family, along with demanding dogs, contrary cats and a pair of occasionally sweet, and definitely noisy, lovebirds. When not writing, she reads, is an enthusiastic grower of iris, and a fanatic fan of Japanese manga and anime.
Author, Book Info and Buy Links:
http://www.katesteele.com/home.shtml
https://www.facebook.com/katesteeleauthor
This one looks great. I added to my list at ARe.