Monday, September 26, 2011

As requested... More Brody!!

A few people have asked me for more Brody. I knew I loved him a lot but never realized how much you guys all did, too. Sooo.... Without further ado, here's a little bit of Mr. Callaghan to appease the masses. 


~*~



The moon shone down above the meadow where Dad and I stood. Tiny silver filaments of light filtered through the canopy of trees overhead and gave the night a surreal feeling. Fitting, if you considered what we were out there to do.
Mom had taken the older girls deeper into the woods to complete their shift and left me with Dad to go through mine. The first one for me and, as Dad had warned, probably the most painful one I'll ever have to endure.
"Come on, son. You can do it."
I grunted, scenting the air - searching for something, anything to delay the inevitable. The wind carried the scents of spring - rotted vegetation, rain and something else. Something acrid. The smell of fear.
"Brody, get on with it," Dad urged. "Waiting around and psyching yourself out isn't going to make it any easier. If you don't shift voluntarily, the moon will force it on you in a couple of days and then it will be even worse. Now, come on."
"I know," I muttered and kicked at a dead leaf. "I'm scared, Dad."
He sighed and I looked up. I knew that sound. It was his 'I'm trying to be patient but it's getting old' sigh. I gave him my own frustrated exhalation and shrugged out of the thick woolen sweater mom had insisted I wear.
"That's my boy," Dad encouraged.
I gave him my best twelve year old glare and kicked off my runners as I stepped onto the blanket he'd provided. There really was no avoiding it. Dad was right. If I didn't shift now, the change would happen by force. I'd seen it happen to another kid a few months before and there was no way I was going through that kind of pain. Not if I could avoid it.
A lone howl rose in the late night air as I dropped my t-shirt at my feet and stepped out of my jeans. Mom, signaling her change as complete. My sisters wouldn't be far behind.
Hurrying to finish taking my boxers and socks off, I knelt on the blanket and dropped to hands and knees as dad had instructed before we left the house. I recalled his instructions and slowed my breathing to calm my heart rate.
With my eyes closed, I turned my focus inward, searching for the dormant wolf energy that would bring on the change. Dad had said I'd know when I found the right thing. It would feel like a long lost part of myself had finally come home.
I don't know how long it took but when I found the wolf, the elation I felt was quickly overshadowed by the most incredible pain I'd ever experienced. The wolf's energy exploded through me, shattering and reforming bones, rearranging my body to fit the form it wanted me to take. My human mouth screamed, cried and begged for the pain to stop until it couldn't anymore. Whimpers and howls, animal sounds foreign to my vocal chords, replaced my pleas for mercy. I knew there wouldn't be any relief until I was fully shifted, but it didn't stop me from asking for it.
Fire raced down my spine, arching my back until my muzzle pointed skyward. I howled, long and mournfully, as my skin rippled and fur flowed from the tip of my nose to the end of my tail.
I didn't know it then but dad would tell me later it had looked like a storm cloud broke over my skin as my fur grew in. I'd have to take his word for it.
Finally, just when I didn't think I could take any more pain, it stopped and I was left to collapse on the blanket in an exhausted heap.  The wolf, I could tell, was pleased with himself but I couldn't care less. I wanted a nap like I'd never wanted anything else in my life.
Something nudged my right hand, correction - paw, and I cracked open an eyelid to glare at who or whatever was interrupting my attempt at sleep. A pair of golden eyes framed by light gray fur stared back. Dad, great. He nudged me again and, with a frustrated chuff, I gave him what he wanted. I stood... And promptly crashed right back down to the blanket.
Dad yipped, his wolfy version of an order to 'haul ass solider and get back up'. I barked at him but did as instructed. Unsteadily, I got up on all four of my new legs and waited for the next nose dive. When it looked like I might remain upright I tried a few tentative steps, relying on the wolf to show me the way. Walking on all fours was foreign to me but the animal part of my psyche knew what it was doing and I let it take over.
The wolf shouldered me aside just as my older sisters, Moira and Maeve, bounded into the clearing and bowled me over with their exuberance. We rolled into a bush together, yipping and snarling as they tried to pin me down. My wolf was having none of that.
We were destined to be the pack alpha one day. We would bow to no one.

Copyright 2011 Danielle Gavan

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Obsession with Books: REVIEW / GIVEAWAY Virtual Book Tour - Ardeur by Danielle Gavan

I'm a busy girl today stop by Obsession with book to see another great review of Ardeur and enter in the giveaway for your chance to win a digital copy of one of my books.


Also on the schedule today, I'm guest blogging over at Another Look Book Reviews and talking about my guilty pleasure: sleeping in. Stop in and tell us a bit about yours.

Tomorrow, I'll be over at Delaney Diamond's talking a bit about myself and some of the cover artwork I've done.

Friday, September 16, 2011

More Reviews for Ardeur!

I'm over on Lucy Felthouse's blog today with a guest post and review.

Stop by and have a look. There's a deleted scene I'm sure everyone will enjoy.

Also on the roster today, I'm over at Romancing the Darkside with a review and Giveaway. Check it out, and leave a comment for a chance to win.

This weekend, I'll be over on Zenes Escape with a review. Pop in and see.

It's a busy weekend and I hope you'll take a minute to share it with me.


Danielle

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Deleted Scene from Ardeur

For those of you who missed it, I guest posted on Words of Wisdom... from the Scarf Princess today. Anyone who leaves a comment is entered to win their choice of Ardeur, Cursed, Tarnished Tiaras or UnWrapped. There's a review, as well. 


You can click the link above to read the deleted scene (and an excerpt) from Ardeur, Abbey of Angels... or you can keep reading because... Here it is! Hope you enjoy. 


Danielle







Stretched out on their blanket, sun shining down through the canopy of leaves above them, Brody watched Ardeur. The smooth column of her throat worked as she swallowed the last of her bottled water. His body reacted instantly and he cursed himself for being a lecherous bastard. Relax, he thought. Down boy. Dating and stuff first.
Ardy shifted to lie down beside him and snuggled into his right side. She smiled up at him, “So, question for you.”
He grinned and asked, “Are we revisiting our twenty questions session from the other day?”
“Yes,” she laughed softly. “I want to know everything about you. We’ve missed a lot of time together, Brody.”
“I know. Okay. Go ahead,” he prompted. “Ask.”
She rested her right arm over his belly and squeezed gently. “What’s your favorite movie?”
Brody thought about it for a minute. He wanted to say American Werewolf in London but decided to go one better. “Van Helsing,” he replied instead. Before she could respond, he asked, “Yours?”
He tried to resist laughing out loud and knew he’d failed miserably when she poked his side and called bullshit. She tapped one slim, manicured fingertip on her chin as she thought.
“Oddly enough, Ghost.”
Holding in a groan, he glanced down at her. Well, duh, he thought. Of course.
“Okay. What’s your favorite color?” he asked while tracing her features with his mind.
With a grin, she pointed at her shirt. Low cut and revealing way more than he wanted anyone else but him to see of her, the vermillion material clung to every curve. His wolf growled appreciatively and Brody couldn’t agree more with it.
“Silly question, baby. Red, obviously.” She brought his left hand to her lips and nipped at his knuckles. “You? Oh, and what’s your favorite food?”
His favorite color? He didn’t really have one. As for favorite food—did she count? Brody shook away the thought. That way laid danger and things she wasn’t ready for yet.
“It’s a couple of colors, I guess. I like brown, black, blue and white.” Looking down at her again, he smiled devilishly. “As for food, now that’s a hard one,” he replied while acting like he had to think about it. “Hmm, I’d have to say tangerines.”
Purring gently in her ear, Brody smirked as the citrusy scent of her lust drifted to him. He watched her, enjoying the glazed look and obvious desire shinning in Ardy’s eyes.
“Damn,” she sighed. “Um, favorite thing of yours?”
Once again, his thoughts veered to her body and he chided himself. “Right now?” he asked and she nodded. “You. Your personality, your body… everything about you.” Sliding a hand up her thigh, he asked about her favorite season and thanked the gods for the sudden inspiration.
“Season?” She tucked her face into his neck and inhaled before replying, “Fall. The colors are pretty, and it smells like you do. Rich, earthy and home. You?”
Brody wrapped his right arm around her and held Ardeur against him. Gods, she fit him perfectly.
“Well, Goldie. You’re all summer, and it’s a tie now with winter.” He chuckled when she huffed and continued, “You see. When I was a pup and it would snow…” Brody grinned, remembering how fun it was to roll around in the snow and chase after the flakes as they fell from the sky. “Just, it was great.” Placing a kiss on her forehead, he asked, “Favorite place?”
She brought a hand up to caress his cheek and he stared back into her eyes, noting the light gray flecks in the dark, periwinkle blue. Her thumb brushed across his cheekbone and it took everything he had not to lean up and kiss her.
“Right here, wrapped up in you,” she replied. “The tub would come a distant second.” He blinked in surprise and she smiled. “It’s a great place to think. What’s yours?”
It used to be the pack, he thought, but it didn’t feel like home anymore. Here, with her in his arms. This was where he belonged.
“Right here,” he murmured against her lips. “With you.”
Ardy opened for him and he took possession of her mouth. She kissed him back with equal passion and he growled with approval. Rolling, he settled her beneath him on the blanket.
“Goldie,” he groaned with their lips a whisper apart. He slid his hands up her thighs, kissing his way down her neck as her fingers gripped his shoulders.
Brody didn’t realize how far things had progressed until Ardeur slid her hands beneath his shirt and tugged it up to bare his stomach. He pulled back, the glow from his eyes bathing her face in soft, golden hues. Sitting back on his heels between her denim clad thighs, Brody shook himself and scrubbed a hand over his face.
“Baby? What’s wrong?” Ardeur asked. “Why’d you stop?”
Embarrassed, he gave her a reassuring smile. “Sorry. I let myself get carried away. We agreed to go slow and—yeah. I can’t promise that I’ll be able to stop if we get down to skin on skin.”
She bit her lip and he groaned internally. Gods, that simple little gesture stirred his lust up again and it took every ounce of his willpower not to damn the consequences of kissing her once more.
“Okay,” she said, and smiled. “Favorite thing to do by yourself?”
Brody laughed, settled onto the blanket beside her and pulled Ardeur back against his side. More at peace with himself than he’d felt in ages, he brushed his lips over Ardy’s hair and answered her question. The greedy bastard in his pants wasn’t happy with the change in activity but, oh well—he’d deal with the discomfort until she was ready. Silently, he prayed it was soon. 

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Come visit

I've over at Coffee Beans and Love Scenes today talking about perseverance and why it's important to me. Stop by, say hello!

There have been some updates made to my Facebook page. Stop in and check them out. If you haven't already 'liked' my page, do it. There's a bonus feature for those who do under the Abbey of Angels tab on the left sidebar. *grin*

Danielle