Hi BJ. So glad you could stop by today. Grab yourself a warm drink and
snuggle down by the fire while we talk about your newest release with
Changeling Press: Santa's Helpers: Wolf Run.
The title of your Santa’s Helpers story is Wolf
Run. Tell us a little about this tale.
A storm has closed the roads leading to Ridgetop, preventing the
annual Christmas delivery of presents to the underprivileged children attending
Iverson School. Two werewolves become Santa’s Helpers, making a wolf run by
snowmobile to deliver the presents. Werewolf, Cade Winter has another reason to
endure the long, cold trip to Ridgetop on Christmas Eve. He’s smitten with an
Iverson employee, Stella Summers.
Sounds like a hot romance in the making. So what inspired you to write Wolf Run?
Each year I’m inspired by the Christmas theme chosen by Margaret
Reilly, owner/publisher of Changeling Press. You never know what idea Margaret
will toss out to her authors. When the call went out for Santa’s Helpers, I had
to write a story about a werewolf subbing for Santa.
Werewolves are irresistible, any time of year, aren't they? Tell us, which character in Wolf Run makes the
best Santa’s Helper and why?
Cade is my Christmas hero. He’s an officer/ranger for his wolf pack
and is part of the emergency rescue team. When he sees all the presents
intended for the children, Cade finds a way to make the delivery. He and his
friend, Oliver, load the presents onto rescue sleds and pull them by snowmobile
up the mountain and over the summit to Ridgetop.
*sigh* My kinds of heroes. Now, on the flip side, which character would find him/herself
highest on Santa’s Naughty List and why?
My heroine, Stella, is having a unique Christmas. Iverson School has
an annual tradition. The employees and students write down a Christmas wish to
Santa. The wishes are placed into red envelopes, then tossed into a bonfire. Stella
wished for the hunky ranger that helped her with a flat tire. Santa is giving
Stella a wish she’ll remember, a night with a werewolf.
Why can't it be that easy to have our Christmas wishes come true? *g* I know you’ve written several stories for
Changeling Press’s Christmas series over the years. What draws you to write for
this particular series?
Christmas is a special time of year and in each of my stories the
holiday takes a central role. I try to incorporate the spirit of the holiday into
my love stories. In Canine Call my
werewolf heroine and human hero put their special skills together and spend the
holiday searching for a small child lost in a forest. In Holiday Moon my human hero puts his military career in jeopardy to
go behind enemy lines on Christmas Eve to save the she-wolf he secretly loves.
I hope each book imparts the warmth and joy of the season.
Absolutely, BJ. And speaking of the specialness of this time of year, do you have a favorite Christmas story –
classic or otherwise, and why is it a favorite?
I read the Night Before Christmas each year. The poem is a sweet
reminder of the days when I believed in Santa Claus and felt the magic of
Christmas.
Yes, an eternal favorite. Finally, will you please share an excerpt of
Wolf Run?
I’d love to share a snippet. This short scene takes place after Cade
has delivered the presents and he and Stella are finally alone for the night.
Merry Christmas.
Cade tapped lightly on Stella’s door before
stepping inside.
The apartment was attractive with a
comfortable looking sofa, entertainment center and winter landscapes on the
walls. A Christmas tree with multi-colored lights and heavy with ornaments gave
the room a cheery holiday ambiance. The dining area and kitchen flowed
together.
She walked toward him, a vision in a red
sweater that showed off the roundness of her breasts and black pants that
emphasized her long legs.
“I’ll take your jacket.”
Cade stripped off his jacket and handed it to
Stella. He removed his boots and set them beside hers on the tiled entryway.
“Would you join me for a glass of wine?”
“I’d like that. Any chance I could shower
first?” His day had begun well before dawn and the last thing he wanted to do
was sit next to Stella in a sweat-stained t-shirt.
“Sure.”
Cade followed her to the bathroom in the
hallway. At each end of the short hallway was a bedroom.
“The towels on the rack are fresh. Soap and
shampoo in the shower.”
Cade noticed red candles placed in the
corners of the tub.
Stella gathered the candles and set them on
the vanity. “Sorry, the master bath only has a shower.”
The
image of Stella bathing in candlelight flashed in Cade’s mind. He set his bag
on the floor. “I really appreciate this.”
“If there’s anything else you need, just ask.”
Stella stood just inches . For a few heartbeats they stared at one
another. He shouldn’t be thinking about her naked or the possibility of sharing
her bed, but her scent stirred his senses. Not the light floral scent of her
perfume, but her natural, female scent that spoke to the wolf.
Unable to resist her, he leaned closer. “Thanks
for putting me up for the night.”
Stella lifted her chin, the action subtle,
but tempting. Their lips touched, feather light.
Fire licked through Cade’s middle, a
howling-moon kind of fire that surprised him.
~~~~~~~~~
You do have a way of leaving the reader wanting more, BJ. Thanks so much for stopping by, and here's a toast to a great Christmas season for all!
You can pick up your own copy of Wolf Run,
out now at Changeling Press.
Remember, your purchase of a Santa’s
Helpers story gets you entered for a chance to win free books for a year from Changeling Press!
