Human beings have wolf envy. We’ve had it for a long time too. Our ancestors admired wolves for the same reasons we do today – their beauty, their intelligence, their loyalty to their mates and their ability to work as a team. Wolves are strong, powerful, brave and tireless. They seem to embody freedom itself and when they sing, something in us responds with yearning.
- Everybody wants to be a WOLF!
And besides all that, there’s the cool factor. No other animal can traverse the jungles of pop culture so effortlessly. We decorate everything from checkbook covers to collector plates to toys with wolfen images, and name sports teams and rock bands after them. Put all those attributes together and it’s an irresistible package.
It’s no surprise at all that Vampires have had to shove over and make room at the top of the romantic protagonist heap for the Werewolf, Shapeshifter, Lycan, and, in the case of my new series, the Changeling.
Usually portrayed as angst-ridden human turned uncontrollable killer in horror movies, the paranormal romance novel has shown us a new and different Wolf-Man. He has all the qualities we admire about wild wolves. Tough. Smart. Handsome. Plus there’s that whole mating for life thing, which seems to be leaking out of the human gene pool. Today’s Werewolf is more powerful than ever, yet protective. Caring enough to carry Granny and all her groceries across the street. And in addition to the attributes he shares with wild wolves, there’s one that’s all his own.
He’s drop-dead sexy.
Why are we so attracted? In our modern lives we are often out of touch with nature, yet we instinctively miss it. Theory suggests we have a psychic memory of forest and trail, a collective awareness of hunter and hunted (and humans have been both). We have a primal response to the very wildness embodied in wolves – and the danger. And we respond to the same in the Werewolf hero of paranormal romance.
We’d like to be a little less tame ourselves…
Sincerely,
Dani Harper
Now it’s YOUR turn – Do you have a favorite animal? If you had to become an animal, which one would you choose? GIVEAWAY – One commenter will be drawn at random to receive a signed copy of CHANGELING DREAM, the second book in Dani’s new shapeshifter series from Brava. Draw will take place August 18, 2011 at high noon Eastern time and will be announced in the comments area of this blog.
Definitely a wolf!
Hi Mary
I think a wolf would be my first choice too. Although being an eagle (so I could fly) or a dolphin (because I love swimming) might be really cool.
If I could change into any animal I would have to say the White Tiger. I have loved them ever since I was a child.
Oooooooooo… good suggestion Emily! Tigers, especially white ones, are so beautiful.
Woof! What a cute dancing wolf! Wait do wolves even woof? Werewolves and shapeshifters are still new to me but I am definitely seeing their appeal. Being furry does have its perks they would make great snugglers and since they have animal insticts they would be very territorital and thus great protectors. So basically the best of both worlds, they are great to hug but can also bring out the animal when need be.
My favourite animal are bears! Furry, big but deep inside are tender-hearts! The bears in my world that is.
Actually wolves do bark when they want to. And I’m so glad that my stories are helping to convert you to the pleasures of werewolves, LOL.
Bears? I’d have to close my eyes and imagine the cuddly, teddy type. I live in southeast Alaska and we have lots of grizzlies walking around making nuisances of themselves, including one that ate my birdfeeder. Bad bear! Bad, bad bear!
Id have to go with a cat!! lions, tigers, lynx, etc.. any of them!! i love cats of all sorts
(and the draw is on my birthday! fingers crossed)
Oh, a lynx would be unique! Saw a real one in northern Canada, was surprised at how large they can be.
Oh a Tiger for sure but shot there are so many good ones, my brother has a wild life reservation so there are so many animals I LOVE!! But TIger for sure!!!:)
Hi Bella – thanks for coming over! How cool that your brother has a wildlife preserve. What kind of animals does he have?
If I could change into an animal it would be a panther. They are graceful, independent, and fierce fighters. They are also beautiful to look at.
Panthers are such beautiful animals. There’s quite a debate going on as to whether they exist outside of the jungle. Lots of sightings of them in both England and America! http://waypastnormal.blogspot.com/2010/06/north-american-black-panther-myth-or.html
I would have to say bear. I have loved bears for a long time. My husband calls me his Grizzly Bear because i’m cute and cuddly looking, but when I become mad I growl and act like a bear, lol! This is the main reason i love bears…cute and cuddly from afar, but they could take your head off if given a chance!
I could love bears from a distance, LOL!
Dani’s books are the bomb!!! Whoever wins is going to be one lucky reader. rock on Dani.
xoxox
Hi Katie! Thanks for dropping by.
I think I would like to be a lioness, after all the Regina gets to rule the pride and does not have to put up with the males pushing her around
Then again the wolf males might just have a little more hubba-hubba than the pussy cats 
I never claimed to not be fickle. Thank you for the fun post. I would love to read this incredible book and I thank you for the giveaway opportunity.
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com
Hi Denise – Now there’s a BIG question: which one is sexier, the wolf or the lion? Tough choice!
I would want to be a cat–a domestic one. My husband and I have 3 of the most spoiled cats ever! They lounge around whenever and wherever they want to. They eat at their leisure or pester us when the bowl is empty. They get all of the attention/cuddling that they can stand. No responsibilities, worries, or stress.
What A Life!
Saph
saphsbookblog(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Sapphyria – I’d never thought of being a domestic animal, but you’re right – cats really have a good life!
Hey! Just stopping by to throw my support behind the shifter! I prefer the shifter (especially wolf) over the vamp (don’t tell Katie ). I like the idea of a man with an inner beast that wants to run free
and I agree that their link to nature calls to us.
(don’t enter me in the contest)
Hi Sharon – Thanks for sneaking over here to support shifters. I promise not to tell Katie!
Hi Dani!
My favorite animal just so happens to be the wolf:) If I had to become an animal I would definitely give being a wolf a try. Wolf-shifter stories are amongst my favorite when reading paranormal.
BTW – I LOVE all of your Changeling covers
They would make great posters 
yadkny@hotmail.com
Hi Yadira – I’m so glad you like the covers. I feel very lucky to have them. The credit goes to my editor and the design department at Kensington.
I love the wolves; just finished reading Changeling Moon last week, now I’m on Changeling Dream!
When is Changeling Dawn out?
dsadler53 at yahoo dot ca
Hi Diane – Thank you for reading my stories! Changeling Dawn (Book Three) comes out in January 2012. I’m very excited about it — I think it’s the best one yet!
A dolphin would be my choice as I love the water!
I’ve thought about a dolphin too. We get to see them from our fishing boat sometimes and they always look like they’re enjoying themselves.
Although their lives are so short I think a dog would be my choice. A house cat would be nice too… eat poop and sleep all day and get love from my owners… I could handle that. For an exotic I’d go with a tiger. I always thought they were beautiful animals.
~Terri
oklahomamommy0306@gmail.com
I know that my pugs have a pretty good life. I’m sure they sleep 23 out of 24 hours a day, just like cats.
I love both wolves and big cats. I have shirts covered in both. I like the sleek panther best. And I really enjoy your books. I’ve been reading since your first book. Thank you.
Hi Yvonne – thanks so much for reading my work! And panthers are pretty sexy creatures.
I’d love to say that the wolf is my favorite but, in all honesty, it has to be the bear. That’s the animal I think represents me best. Given my size and strength, my docile nature that can quickly turn savage when needed. Over-protective, familial and loving. I’m certain that the bear is a good representation.
I wonder if anyone has written a story about bear-shifters? I know there are legends about bear lovers.
FYI – yes – Jet Mykles has a story called “Spiritual Noelle” in which one of the characters is a bear shifter; Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunter series has a family of bear shifters as collateral characters in some of the books.
kk
Thanks for the info, Keaton!
Almost forgot – Mahon in Ilona Andrews’ Magic series is a bear shifter – and pack enforcer!!
kk
I love bengal cats and wolves so it’s hard to say which is my favorite. If I had to become an animal, either one would work for me!
TOPSAIL246(at)aol(dot)com
They’re both pretty cool, aren’t they? And if you’re a tiger, you get to live in a warm place.
Hi Dani,
I have to admit, my first love is the big cats (love a guy who purrrs!) but wolves do run a very close second. And you are right – there is something about that ‘mating for life’ that is appealing, not having to wonder if this is the guy for you but knowing at the cellular level that this one is for you.
Also have to let you know that you are the one who finally got me to sign up for goodreads – now it’s going to take me years to get all my books listed and reviews written. Maybe I can get the ones overdue at nightowl done at the same time.
Hi Keaton – Goodreads has been a fairly recent discovery for me. I’m enjoying it a lot! I especially appreciate that readers can message me there – I always answer too!
oh – almost forgot – those Changeling covers are AMAZING!
kk
Thanks! Kensington gets all the credit for them, I just feel lucky to have them.
Wolf (or dog). I just love the canines
Preference for wolf though due to the family care and loyalty within a wolf pack – it’s more me
Hi Ilona – I love the entire pack structure, the loyalty to family aspect too.
Hi Dani – This is tough to decide! I’m torn between all big cats, owls and dolphins – love the flying & swimming aspect as well – but I think I will choose dolphins. They are intelligent, compassionate (it seems)and playful.
On a side note: Even though I’ve always been a vamp lover, Alcide on True Blood and your Changeling characters ( I love the world/rules you’ve created) are bringing me over to the furry side!
W
Hi Wren! Owls are wonderful – always liked them. Did you see the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole? Beautiful, beautiful animation. I’m tempted by the waterworld that being a dolphin would offer.
I’ll have to tell Sharon we have another were fan!
First of all, luv your books!!! I would rather be a wolf! Interesting conversations! Luv it!
Thanks Shirley! So glad that you’re enjoying my stories.
Wolf all the way.
I think the wolves are winning!
Maybe I am not wild by nature, but I would become a kitty cat. What is more lovable?
The domestic cats are getting their votes – I think I overlooked just how cushy a life they have.
My favorite animal is cats. But if I could chance into an animal it would have to be a wolf or tiger. those would be the fun animals to change into. I read a couple of series that have weretigers in them. they are beautiful animals.
christinebails@yahoo.com
Cats are extremely beautiful. I’d want to be one that’s big enough not to be bothered by other animals.
Well, either a wolf or a panther, both are beautiful animals!! I can’t wait to read this one.
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
Hi Martha, thanks for stopping by! It’s hard to choose, isn’t it?
Hi Dani! I so love these dangerous sizzling wolf men! I think too that appeal that they are mated for life is so special but too that special ceremony or words or ways that mate them for life. Too, when the hero discovers their mate…sigh… Definitely wolfies for me! I do enjoy reading various shapeshifter too, but talking wolfies now brings back all the memories why I love reading them most!
cathiecaffey @ gmail.com
Great to see you here, Cathy! That’s the best moment for me too, when the weres realize who their mate is.
A DRAGON!! I know they are a myth, but how cool or hot even. It’s my fantasy, so I can choose where I will.
Oooooo – a dragon would be fantastic! I didn’t think of that one.
Hi Dani
Great post,a nd so true in many ways…*S*
I’ve been drawn tot he wolf since I was a little girl. Growing up in the northwest and especially wolf country gets up some peoples anger and hate against the animal, but I always just loved them and got involved in wolfdog rescues over the years. People that thought it was neat owning a dog that was part wolf, then finding out the hard way that the wolf part of the breed appears about age 2. They find they can’t hand the animal and end up at the bad end of a tow chain in a backyard, and many time abuse happens. It would just tear my heart up.
wolves are undeniably the most intelligent predator species, but he best in in the nurturing department when left alone in the wild. they earn a human definition of all things bad, and hopefully that will change with the new generations that come after us.
I’ve used “wolf” in part of my internet handle for over 12 years, and the love of the wolves will always be a part of me…*S*
Thanks for the great post, and I love cover and excerpts on your book….*S*
Darcy
Pommawolf @hotmail.com
Hi Darcy – thanks for making some very valuable points. Wolf-dogs are not for most people.
HI Dani! I would love to be either a Dragon or a Dolphin. Odd combo, but I love the ocean and I also love dragons. OF course a black panther may not be bad either ( HMMMMMMM, I’m so conflicted. ) Thank you for the contest. bpatrick64113@sbcglobal.net
I thought the wolf would be great but I’m thinking I’ll have to learn to change into ALL animals!
I love the wolf! Some kind of cat (not domestic) maybe would be nice to try but the wolf is what I always come back to. A dragon is also thought provoking.
I was just thinking about Katie MacAlister’s Aisling Grey, Guardian series where Drake is a dragon.
Your name has been drawn as the winner of the signed copy of Changeling Dream. Please email me at dani@daniharper.com with your mailing address so I can get that out to you.
my top 2 choices are wolf and if not a wolf a leopard those are the two that call to me most. the wolf just calls to me a bit more.
Hi Lindsey! I love to watch leopards on TV! So gorgeous, but not sure I’d want to be one. I think it’s interesting the way we’re all attracted to particular things.
My favourite is actually the horse. And if I had to become one, I would love to be Pegasus, a horse with wings! I’m born in the Year of the Horse under the Chinese astrology signs so maybe I’ve been influenced by that. But they are such beautiful creatures.
)
Tamsyn
tamsyn5@yahoo.com
Hi Tamsyn – I like the winged idea! I wonder if horses are your totem animal?
Not sure of that but I definitely love horses and once took lessons too. But living in the city, it is just way too much trouble to travel to the countryside for lessons every weekend.
Snowy owls are one of the most beautiful birds there are, I think. When I had my farm in northern Alberta, there were a couple of winters where there was a population explosion of mice — and all the snowy owls came down out of the Arctic. There was one on every telephone and power pole in the county! It was magical to see them all.
Oh wow I bet that was so beautiful. Unfortunately we don’t see many beautiful animals where I live in the UK.
But when I went to a zoo/something. I got to hold one. So magical ^_^
I love wolves. I’ve had an up-close-and-personal encounter with a white wolf and ever since I’ve believed that a wolf must be my spirit guide.
How wonderful to get close to a wolf! We all seem to be attracted to certain animals at certain times of our lives – perhaps it’s your totem animal. I’d love to see a white wolf close up – the hero of my second book, Changeling Dream, is a white wolf.
I just saw your post on the Brava sight. I will be looking for your books now. I love reading about shifters and enjoy ones about wolves, but I would have to choose a big cat. Whenever I see one in a zoo always feel so sorry they aren’t free, but also wnt to pet one so badly at the same time. I would want to be a jaguar, they are so strong for their size.
Hi Donna! I know that feeling, of just wanting to TOUCH one of these gorgeous creatures! I had a chance to see a jaguar up close in Mexico (but not touch it, LOL) quite by accident. It was in a cage in the back of a pickup truck in front of us!!! It belonged to the circus and was being driven around to promote the show. The jaguar was flopped on its back like a big lazy housecat, big paws dangling out of the bars. It looked very comfy and well fed — I really got the feeling that it was enjoying the ride!
I would either want to be a wolf or something from the cat family
Hi Dani-
When I was a little girl my father used to say that I had the spirit of the wolf but eyes of an eagle. He was Cherokee. So that’s a tough question for me to answer. Although I am always surrounded by animals, mostly wolf breeds and occasional get a visit from an eagle. I think I got the best of both worlds. Usually when something wrong or I am feeling down about something, they are always there to lift my spirits. Crazy, huh? But I like it, lol….
Take Care, Dani
Hey Dani – I like your dad’s description of you – what a great pair of animals to share attributes with.
Oh my, so many animals, not enough time!
I’m a height-challenged person so I would love to be a giraffe and be able to see forever! I’m frightened of water (almost drowned in a pool as a child) so being a dolphin & swimming in an effortless manner through the sea would be a joy! I was so shy and bashful as a student & in high school our mascot was a black panther. Being seen as sleek and graceful as the panther would have given my self-confidence a necessary
boost.
Pat Cochran
Hi Pat – Thanks for coming by! I’ll have to picture you as a giraffe when I see you on the internet from now on, LOL! I like the idea of being able to be more than one animal — something different for each situation.
[...] Got wolf envy? Dani Harper thinks you do. Find out why and you might win a free copy of her new changeling book to boot. (Dani’s contest runs through 8/18/11.) [...]
Hi Kristal – Thanks for the mention in your blog.
What a beautiful way to describe you, Dani! My dad called me “tete dur,” which means ‘hard head,’ and is the Cajun way to describe someone who’s stubborn–but in an endearing way.
Also liked what you said about the forest having a psychic memory for us. My maiden name in Old French means “the woods” or “forrest,” so I’m guessing our ancestors came from there. And, the ‘call of the wild’ does indeed call to me. Nothing like a sexy wolf-man.
Hi Julie! I like what you said about your last name. We just don’t know how closely connected we are to the earth.
And I agree – nothing like a sexy wolf-man!
Speaking of my maiden name, I was thrilled to read you had used it in Changeling Moon with the minor character, Holt.
Speaking of being thrilled, I was so excited to see BOTH Changeling Moon and Changeling Dream in a bookstore together. You know I think those covers are gorgeous, but they’re even better in print than on a computer screen. Yep, I snatched them up. So don’t enter me in the contest.
P.S. Not that you knew it was my maiden name, but it’s not one of the common Cajun names, since my ancestors migrated here before the Cajuns were expelled from Canada. But my Dad has gone to several reunions up there to meet the kinfolk.
That is SOOO cool that Holt is one of your family names! (He pops up in Book 4 as well.) Glad that you like the covers and THANK YOU for buying my books!
I think i would want to be a wolf:)
Thanks for dropping by, Loretta. Wolves are classic — as appealing as other animals are, I keep coming back to that one!
I would want to be a snow leopard, owl or wolf. Love all three so it would be hard to decide.
You’re the first one to mention a snow leopard — what a lovely idea!
Her name has been drawn as the winner of the signed copy of Changeling Dream. (Phyllis, if you’re reading this, email me at dani@daniharper.com)
THANK YOU to everyone who came by to read my blog and those left a comment. I truly enjoyed reading all of your ideas.
I’ll be blogging here again on September 1st. See you then!
By the way, if you didn’t win, there are MORE opportunities! Enter a comment over at my fav paranormal blog I SMELL SHEEP (really!) where I’m being interviewed today! That draw runs until Aug. 22.
http://ismellsheep.blogspot.com/2011/08/dani-harper-interview-giveaway.html