On February 16th, 2018, Rhys Ford and Dreamspinner Press publish Once Upon A Wolf, the first in her series of shifter romances, Wayward Wolves. And here today at The Novel Approach, we have its exclusive Cover Reveal.
There’s also the chance for one lucky reader to win a $20US gift card at Dreamspinner Press, so be sure to check out the Rafflecopter widget for entry details!
On February 16th, 2018, Rhys Ford and Dreamspinner Press publish Once Upon a Wolf, the first in her series of shifter romances at Dreamspinner Press. And here today at The Novel Approach, we have its exclusive Cover Reveal.
There are as few things as controversial in an urban fantasy setting than a werewolf.
Other supernatural creatures have rules that are pretty much engraved in stone or have no rules at all, making it easier to create your own, but werewolves have a special oddness to them. Actually, most shifters do. They require a suspension of not only disbelief but physics. After all, you are asking the reader to not only believe a full-grown man can turn into a wolf but also retain a sense of humanity in that form.
Or, at least that’s the basics.
We can examine the physics and the energy required for such transformation as well as the debris of the discarded form, but that’s a lot of science go into just to talk about a single book. I actually have talked about it and have driven most of my friends insane with the bits and bobs of what to do with fur, bones and fang.
Every author does play around with their shifters. Within the confines of the werewolf rules — established tenets from folklore and horror films viewed by generations of Winchesters and geeks — is usually enough room for a writer to make the shifter their own. Some people default to magic, which theoretically is a thing, but since I tend to view magic as a science construct, writing a werewolf that way wasn’t for me.
Actually, writing the werewolf hadn’t been on my to-do list until the day Elizabeth North from Dreamspinner Press asked me about writing something that I’ve never written before.
I immediately thought of the werewolf.
I’d had a glimmer of an idea floating around in the back of my head — which actually is the storage for a lot of places both dark and dreary — and I hadn’t imagined it being a thing to write about because there was so much on my plate.
Until that moment when I suddenly had space for a novella.
More specifically, a werewolf novella.
So, Once Upon A Wolf was born.
The physics were problematic but not insurmountable and, more importantly, the romance turned out to be sweet. I know, some of you are saying; Maybe sweet for you, Rhys. The tale (no pun intended) I had in my head was a bit grisly and slightly dark, but as I began to write the story, it sweetened. A loving relationship bloomed between Gibson and Zach, and when it was all said and done, I was really happy with the romantic tone of the story.
And then I conned Derrick McLean to narrate it. #notsorry #hopeyoulikefurDerrick
So, I would like to introduce you to the first in a series of books about werewolves, the men they fall in love with, and the heartbreaks and joys they experience along the way… Once Upon A Wolf
But don’t worry, like always, I will give you a forever love and a happily ever after.
About the Book
Once Upon A Wolf by Rhys Ford
Coming February 16, 2018 from Dreamspinner Press
Once Upon A Time, There Was A Wolf….
Gibson Keller’s days are fairly routine: wake up early, get some work done, drink lots of coffee, and take care of Ellis, his older brother stuck in wolf form after coming home from the war. It’s a simple life made up of long runs on two legs—or four—and quiet evenings…. Until Ellis chases a handsome man off a cliff and into the frozen waters beside their cabin, changing Gibson’s life forever.
For Zach Thomas, buying an old B&B is a new start. Leaving behind his city life, he longs to find peace and quiet, and hiking the trails behind his property seems safe enough—right up to the moment an enormous black wolf chases him into a lake, nearly drowning him. Discovering werewolves are real astounds him, but not as much as the man who rescues him from the icy water then walks into Zach’s heart as if he owns it.
Loving a werewolf—loving Gibson with all his secrets—has its challenges but Zach believes their love is worth fighting for, especially since his heart knows the big bad wolf is really a prince in disguise.
Watch for Pre-order links coming soon at Dreamspinner Press
About the Author
Rhys Ford is an award-winning author with several long-running LGBT+ mystery, thriller, paranormal, and urban fantasy series and was a 2016 LAMBDA finalist with her novel, Murder and Mayhem and a 2017 Gold and Silver Medal winner in the Florida Authors and Publishers President’s Book Awards for her novels Ink and Shadows and Hanging the Stars. She is published by Dreamspinner Press and DSP Publications.
She’s also quite skeptical about bios without a dash of something personal. Rhys shares the house with two cats, Yoshi, a grumpy tuxedo and Tam, a diabetic black shorthair, as well as a ginger cairn terrorist named Gus. She is also responsible for the care and feeding of a 1979 Pontiac Firebird and enjoys murdering make-believe people.
Rhys can be found at the following locations: Blog || Facebook || Twitter: @Rhys_Ford
The Giveaway
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Look at that cover!! You must be so chuffed, Rhys – it’s gorgeous, love it!
Nice cover. Interesting story blurb. 😀
Beautiful cover..
Love the cover! I can’t wait to read this book!
I’m in love with the cover! One of the best from 2018 for sure.
I love the cover and the blurb. Can’t wait to read it!
Rhys Ford does werewolves…..oh, yes.
I love these types of cover with silhouettes and artistic impressions instead of semi dressed men. It should appear on at least one best cover contest. Cant wait for the book.
It’s a great cover and I can’t wait to read your wolf world.
Looking forward to it! You write great alternate-reality fantasy, so I have great faith in your werewolf/paranormal storytelling. Beautiful cover!
Hi Rhys:-) Congrats on your new (sneaky) book and a BEAUTIFUL cover!
Hi Rhys I love the cover and the book sounds fab!
Wonderful cover! I can’t wait to read it!
Can’t wait, Rhys! And that’s an amazing cover!!!
Looks and sounds amazing! I can’t wait!
Gorgeous cover, and I’m so excited that you’ve added shifters to your repertoire!
Rhys – check
Werewolves – check
New urban fantasy series – check
Amazing cover – check
Yep – that’s all the boxes!
Sound interesting (& may be even sweet 😊). Like the cover– it’s kinda cool
Hi! Rhys!! Love the cover and can’t wait for the book!
Dreams do come true. Amazing cover 😙😙😙😙
Looks great, can’t wait to read it :)
Gee, who’d thought that Rhys does Werewolves? Gorgeous cover and so pumped you wrote a shifter story and better yet, it’s the start of a new series! Glad you were able to convince Derrick McLean to narrate. Great start to a new year. Thanks, Rhys
I’m excited this is not mpreg! Woot! The cover looks great. I don’t use Twitter so I won’t win so I’m just gonna have to buy it. LOL.
Can’t wait to read it! The cover is so beautiful good job 😍
Beautiful cover. A great combination with Rhys, Derrick and Werewolves. Can’t wait.
I can’t wait to read shifters from your hand! Also, great cover!
This sounds so good! I’m looking forward to reading it!
Isn’t it February yet? ;)
That cover is gorgeous! And the blurb sounds fantastic. Of course, I love everything Rhys has written so far. Easy bet that this is going to be awesome too.
Hi Rhys!! That cover is gorgeous! 😍😍😍
Love the cover! Excited to read this. 😁
Love the cover :) Your books are always pleasure to read
I love shifter books and bet Rhys will have an awesome one.
And the rainbow wolf cover is beautiful.
The cover is AWESOME! Can’t wait for the book
Love the cover!!!!
I’m an RF addict, so of course I’ll be buying this one.
I love the colors on the cover! Also, I’m looking forward to shredding my emotions on your version of “sweet.”
Pretty cover! looking forward to the book.
The cover is great and the blurb sounds really interesting. Thanks for the giveaway.
I love the cover and I absolutely can’t wait to read it 💗
Love the cover!
Can’t wait to read your take on shifters! The cover is gorgeous. :)
Hi Rhys! Love your cover, and can’t wait to read the novella!!!
I love shifter books and I love Rhys Ford books so I am really looking forward to this series.
Beautiful cover!
I like the forest-y feel to the cover & definitely look forward to reading Rhys does shifter!
OH MY that cover is absolutely gorgeous!!
Oooh interesting cover, I’m excited to start reading this one.
Fantastic cover. The premise sounds intriguing. Adding this to my wishlist =)
Love the cover!!!
LOVE the cover and I’m soo excited to read a shifter story from Rhys!
is it the 16th of Feb yet?
Ermagahd it’s so awesome and I’m super picky about shifter stuff but this sounds sooooo my speed. Psyched!
Hi Rhys! I’m digging the cover and can’t wait to start this new series🙂
what a stunning cover! beautiful!
Oh… I like that cover!
Love, love, love the cover! Can not wait to read this!
Gorgeous cover! And I’m mosy intrigued by the blurb. If you weren’t already an autobuy, this one would have nudged you into that category.
The cover is beautiful! Can’t wait to read this new series. :)
I love the colors, and it’s a nicely understated font!
I did not see this coming! You’ve worked hard! Hit me with it!
Going to love it like every other books you’ve written.
The silhouette of Gibson on the wolf is gorgeous. This is such a beautifully artistic representation of the man in the wolf with the setting bursting through in color. I love shifter stories and am currently reading a series by Wolf Spector featuring dragons. So much fun!
I’m too private a person for Facebook and Trump has turned me off Twitter so I’ll hope everyone else blows your ratings sky high!
Looks awesome!! i love shifter stories!
I’m intrigued! This is a fun surprise! I’m looking forward to reading the novella.
Very intrigued. Definitely interested in seeing you delve into the supernatural, and I’m looking forward to reading the novella.
Love it. Can’t wait for the buy links.
Wow. Never thought I would see the day, and now I can’t wait!
can’t wait :)