It’s December, month of magic. Winter Solstice, Yuletide, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and more – does any other month have so many holidays? This year, I have an extra reason to celebrate:  It’s the month in which the third book of my new paranormal series comes out. Changeling Dawn will be released on December 27^th and I couldn’t be more excited! I feel it’s my best one yet and RT (Romantic Times) Book Reviews concurs with 4 1/2 stars:

Book Three - releases December 27 and available for pre-order now!

“This third entry in the Macleod werewolf family saga is the best one yet. Harper skillfully builds characters and situations that evoke empathy for the good citizens of both the human and shapeshifter species. The drama of the tracking and kidnapping of a young changeling child makes for page-turning suspense, while the main characters’ PTSD from childhood trauma and the Afghan war give them a great motive for their intense determination to rescue the little one.

Archeologist Kenzie Macleod likes working alone, and trusts no humans — the result of a traumatic chase several centuries ago when she was a young shapeshifter. However, Kenzie must trust Josh Talarkoteen to help her rescue the terrified changeling cub who shows up at her isolated dig site in Alaska and is later kidnapped.

Wildlife expert Josh is a member of the Tahltan tribe who, according to legend, can see the aura of wolfshifters. Josh has his own issues with flashbacks from his time in Afghanistan, and the memory of a young girl who was killed. Will they be able to surmount their obstacles and find the child?”

Here’s a sneak peek at the opening segment of the story:

Run.

Shadow and moonlight merged beneath her bare feet, the dappled forest floor blurring as the little girl ran fast, then faster. Her long plaid skirts were hiked around her waist, and bushes and twigs dragged at the woolen fabric like bony hands. They were close behind her now. The nervous whining of dogs, the hiss and flicker of torches, the stench of tobacco and ale and human sweat. The excited voices, rough with anger and a little fear.

Run.

Her heart threatened to explode from her chest, her lungs were in flames, but she had to run. She had to get away.

Run.

She stumbled yet kept her balance. She ran, knowing now that she couldn’t outdistance the hunters. She was very young – still, there was one thing left, one thing that could help her.

It spoke to her now, whispered from deep inside her. Call me, it said. Call me now.

She did.

Within her, something stirred to life and the hair on her scalp prickled, her skin felt hot and tight. A small stream was in her path and she leapt into the air with the last of her strength—

And landed as a young wolf. Faster now, streamlined, she was nature’s perfect running machine and it was only a matter of minutes before the hunters were left hopelessly behind. Her four paws took her off the narrow game trails and into the deep brush where even the dogs couldn’t follow her – if they dared.

Run, run, run. She raced easily, faster and faster. Her fear transformed into exhilaration and she ran with an unbridled joy … until the ground disappeared beneath her feet and she tumbled headfirst into darkness.

Kenzie Macleod awoke with the scream stuck in her throat. She swallowed it back as awareness dawned, released the fear on a long shaky exhale.

What the hell was that?

Heart racing and skin slick with sweat; she freed her naked body from the tangled sheets and padded to the kitchen. She pulled a water bottle from the fridge and drank it down with hardly a pause, wiping her mouth on her arm. Better. Her heart rate had returned to normal by the time she stepped in the shower. Her thoughts had slowed down too as she ran her fingers through her dark hair and reached for a towel.

Fully awake now, stray riverlets of water licking over her skin, she stepped out on the porch of the guest cabin. Still clad in only the towel, she wasn’t a bit cold, despite the breeze – Changeling body temperature ran much higher than human. Kenzie breathed in the scents, took in the sounds and sights of her brothers’ farm. The sky was lightening, silver gray above the tall poplars. Roosters crowed, livestock stirred. Birds sang to the dawn and a flurry of ducks took off from the pond. She liked it here. She always liked it here. The abundance of life that seemed to be in the very air made her feel alive too, and she let it soothe her.

By the time she yanked on her old jeans and a battered plaid flannel shirt, she felt almost normal. Calm, as she plugged in the coffee pot. But the nightmare was still very much on her mind, because it wasn’t a dream…

It was a memory.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Both the season and the book release call for celebration, so I’m offering a double giveaway — TWO readers will win! Leave a comment telling me about a favorite December tradition and you’ll be entered to win a Dani Harper book bag and a signed copy of Changeling Dawn! (Names will be drawn at random on December 21st and announced in the comments on this blog)

Hope your December brings you many moments of joy!