Join us in welcoming author AF Henley back to The Novel Approach today, on the Wolf, WY blog tour. Enjoy Henley’s guest post and the tiny teaser from the book, then be sure to click on the Rafflecopter widget below for the chance to win some great prizes (details to follow).
Good luck!
If I told you that I wasn’t terrified about this release, I’d be lying. The Wolf series is the first time in my life that I’ve committed to writing a series for publication and (just between you and me) it’s hard. Like, really hard. There’s the setting in place the foreshadowing for upcoming events, the remembering to include bits and pieces of previous novels in the next ones… the recalling of your own character’s names. It’s okay, though. I’ve made a list. I’m even doing character summaries these days. Considering I’ve always been an ‘I’ll-see-where-the-story-takes-me’ kind of writer, setting up a story that keeps on keeping on for three or four novels down the road is new territory for me. Especially when there still has to be a conclusive story within each of the novels themselves. (It’s two, two, two mints in one! for those of us old enough to catch that reference.)
The fun part, however, comes in creating a world that continues – in not having to leave the characters behind when one writes ‘The End.’ There’s a whole lot of pride that can be garnered from creating your own world. These guys and this community really do feel like my own children. (God complex much?)
I can’t wait to share them with you and that’s exactly what I’m hoping to do with this blog tour. Using ‘tiny teasers’ directly from the novel, I’d like to take you on a journey through their environment and introduce you to the place and the people that live between Wolf, WY’s beautiful cover… and what better place to start than with Wolf, WY itself? So here’s a little sample of Wolf, WY as seen through the eyes of Randy Connor (Wolf, WY’s MC) during a moment of introspection:
Don’t forget to read through to the end for details on the giveaway!
Tiny Teaser: Introducing – Wolf, WY
Randy leaned against the pillar on his front porch, his eyelids at half-mast, and his entire body at peace. There was something so very relaxing about watching snow clouds in a night sky. During quiet stretches, black and purple masses hung so low in the atmosphere that they created the illusion of a horizon of mountain peaks. Then, as though rousing themselves, the clouds would shift and roll across the sky, coming together to fold themselves around the moon. With a change so sudden that it was startling, the surroundings would fall into the icy grip of darkness. The imprisoned moon would then respond, piercing through the stronghold, dauntless in the battle for superiority. Brilliantly backlit by moonbeams, the clouds would tremble, huddle, and sidestep. En garde the clouds and moon advanced and parried, trading control.
In Wolf, however, Randy found that he could only remain transfixed in early December’s night for so long. Nature had her ways of reminding him that he was a warm blooded animal without benefit of fur or down. The cold air forced breath into steam engine plumes, turning every inhale and exhale into high-pressured cannons of smoke. With each breath he drew, his lungs became more chilled, until it felt as though frost was forming on his body from the inside out. At the same time, the air was crisp, clear, and energizing, like a shot of pure, natural ephedrine.
It wasn’t only the cold that kept Randy close to the house, though. The howling carried a deeper chill than winter air ever could. From a distance, the sound was, if not beautiful, at least melancholy. Up close, however, the sound could make the bravest man skittish, and Randy would be the first to admit that he didn’t rank high on the he-who-is-the-bravest list.
Randy pulled his hands into his sleeves, and scanned the property with a lazy, unfocused gaze. Everything seemed so bare—the Big-Toothed Maple, the Black Ash, and the American Dwarf Birch—all skeletal and leafless…
Wolf, WY Excerpt
© AF Henley, 2015
Blurb: Wolf, WY
There’s nothing like a fresh start, and for Randy, still nursing wounds left by a cheating ex and harboring a deep mistrust for all things corporate, Wolf, Wyoming seems like the perfect place to start over. Secluded, quiet, and self-sufficient, Wolf is bound to not only inspire, but to bring Randy the peace he needs. The view’s not bad, either.
Vaughn O’Connell and his family are Randy’s only neighbors for miles, and while Randy knows it’s somewhat unlikely that a man with three kids is gay, it doesn’t hurt to look. When a misunderstanding brings Randy face to face with both Vaughn and his eighteen year old son, Lyle, Randy’s not sure what to feel about either of them.
But things are not what they appear in Wolf, and the closer Randy gets, the stranger the O’Connell family seems…
Word Count: 70,000
Genre: Gay, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Notes: Wolf, WY contains some explicit content
Book 1 in the Wolf series
Purchasing Link: Less Than Three Press
The Giveaway
On behalf of the tour, please join the giveaway by taking part in the Rafflecopter below. The prize consists of a ‘Wind & Fire’ paw print charm bangle (a portion of the sales from this “Charms For Charity Bangle” goes directly to Guiding Eyes For The Blind), a $20 Gift Certificate to the Less Than Three Press book market (free books!), and a signed, print copy of Wolf, WY. For all the tiny-whiny terms and conditions, please check out the t’s and c’s posted on the Rafflecopter.
** Please note that this giveaway is being offered tour-wide and there will be one winner awarded for the entire event.
ENTER RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY HERE:
My thanks to Novel Approach Reviews for having me today… I could never do these blog tours without sites like this and my gratitude goes beyond the mere, “thank you” that I have to offer. And a huge thanks to you, my friends, for reading and joining me. Best of luck with the giveaway and I hope you enjoyed the post!
Until next time,
AF Henley <3
About the Author: Henley was born with a full-blown passion for run-on sentences, a zealous indulgence in all words descriptive, and the endearing tendency to overuse punctuation. Since the early years Henley has been an enthusiastic writer, from the first few I-love-my-dog stories to the current leap into erotica. A self-professed Google genius, Henley lives for the hours spent digging through the Internet for ‘research purposes’ which, more often than not, lead seven thousand miles away from first intentions but bring Henley to new discoveries and ideas that, once seeded, tend to flourish.
Henley has been proudly publishing with Less Than Three Press since 2012, and has been writing like mad ever since—an indentured servant to the belief that romance and true love can mend the most broken soul. Even when presented in prose.
For more information please stop by for a visit at afhenley.com.
I’m starting to wonder if you talk like the way you write. There is something soothing about your words to the voice that reads it inside my head, like a soft terry cotton towel against bare skin. And I got four of these books to look forward to. Daunting, indeed, for I can relate. The bar of expectations… *draws line*… ^_~
Thank you! I’m honoured and thrilled you think so! (I accidentally replied to another message with your reply. At least I think I did. Whoops!) :D
When I first started writing a series I realized many of the exact same things you talked about here. I needed to keep summaries and descriptions of my characters and sometimes even write down important bits of plot that needed to end up in book one in order to carry over to books two and three. Weaving a series into one whole is a lot of fun, but it’s also a lot more work than writing a single book. I’m looking forward to reading Wolf, Wy even more now.
Thank you! I’m honoured and thrilled you think so! :D
It really was (still is) quite daunting but authors like you manage to make it seem so seamless! Thank you very much for stopping in and commenting. :D
Congratulations on your up coming release! I adore series books but I know it must take a lot of work for the author to keep details of each character etc. I’ve pre-ordered the book and I’m looking forward to reading it.
Thanks, Shirley! It’s always great to see you and I truly hope you enjoy Wolf. <3
The premise and excerpt sound very cool!
Thank you, Trix! I had a lot of fun writing this one so I’m very happy you think so! <3
Thanks for the post and contest! I enjoy series but always thought it must be difficult to do a good job with them. You have to keep be consistent with the past books yet also make the new ones fresh and interesting.
You’re very welcome, and thank you right back for taking part in the tour! I will definitely do my best to keep that in mind as I forge ahead with the series. *crosses fingers* :D
I can’t even keep names straight in a 10-minute history blurb. (Youtube, Extra History, it’s a lot of fun)
Notes and character sheets are indeed a good thing.
Also, don’t start bringing my age into this. Honestly, I do remember that commercial. Or at least a commercial with that jingle. Certs mints.
Anyway, very poetic prose. Loved it. Very much looking forward to how you handle this.
I may have already pre-orderd the book. But I’m going to be a jerk and enter the raffle anyway. :D
Hey, I think it’s great that you’re entering the giveaway! Besides, if you pre-ordered the ebook then this will be totally different. Good luck with it!
(Also, you totally called the commercial. Well done, young ‘un. XD)
I can sooo relate to Randy!
When I was a little boy, I was dragged along for a three week holiday to a small town in Bavaria. Me, a boy from a large city! Large by our standards that is. Where a lake is a lake is a lake. XD
We were so far from any civilisation and I was bored to death from day one. When we returned and leaving the train, I was ready to drop to my knees and kiss the floor of the platform at Central Station. XD
These three or four novels will be stunning, my friend. You have a very powerful story, amazing characters and a brilliant mind to pull this off. :D
I love the world that you created, my friend.
<3
Thank you very much! Though I have to say the novel is made that much better by your awesome artwork on the cover. <3
Congrats on the new book. It sounds really good and I’ve added it on to my wishlist. I do like series since with each book there’s a bit more complexity added to make the story richer.
Thank you! It’s funny, I honestly didn’t think it was going to be a series at first and looking back during editing I was surprised at what I put in there along the way to counter that belief. The novel always knows more than I do. XD
Good luck with the giveaway! Glad you’re coming along for the tour this time around again! <3
Congrats on the new release! I’ve been waiting for this! I’m getting ahead of myself, I know, but I cannot wait to have the whole series. :P
*laughs* Well, thank you! You know… I can’t wait to have the whole series either. XD
Best of luck with the giveaway and I hope you enjoy the rest of the teasers! <3
I do love series! I really like how each book takes the character a little further even if the book isn’t about them. Congratulations on the release and looking forward to reading it!
Thank you! I’ve always enjoyed reading series as well. King’s Dark Tower series is still one of my favourites. Now that was some fantastic weaving. :D
So glad you stopped in and commented. Good luck with the giveaway! <3
Congrats on your series. I’m really look forward to reading it!
Thank you! Best of luck with the giveaway. <3
Congratulations on the new book!
Thank you! I’m really looking forward to it getting out there! :D
Congrats on the new book. I love series book & look forward to reading this!
Thanks! I’d love to see what you think of it if/when you get a chance! <3
Congratulations on your new book. I enjoyed reading Bout it and am looking forward to reading more soon. Thank you for the giveaway!
You’re very welcome! Thank you for stopping in and commenting so kindly. <3
Congratulations on the new book and series.
Thanks, Denise! Glad to have you along with the tour. Good luck with the giveaway >3
The blurb intrigues,that’s for sure and I’m really liking the cover!
Thank you! I was (to repeat myself, but I can’t help it) completely thrilled when I saw this cover! I’m glad you feel the same way. :D
Good luck with the giveaway and thanks for commenting! <3
Congratulations and much success to you. Being I’m about to start on book 2 of a story to which I’ve already done book 1 I can only imagine how scared shitless I’ll be. This is a first for me.
The story sounds super good; I love wolves!
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