Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Olivia Stanton, a rational and dedicated wildlife biologist, has always trusted science over superstition. So, when Langford Publishing proposes an article titled The Sexual Appetites of Werewolves, she’s unimpressed—until she learns it comes with a weeklong stay at the renowned MacMadadh Wolf Preserve in the Scottish Highlands. A longtime dream of hers, the preserve could hold the key to her career.
Wolves are Olivia’s passion, leaving little room for distractions—especially romantic ones. But meeting Laird Tiernan, the handsome owner of the preserve with an equally intense devotion to wolves, sparks an instant, undeniable attraction that neither can deny. Though determined to ignore it, discussing the intimate myths surrounding werewolves only fuels the chemistry simmering between them.
As a light snowfall transforms into an unexpected snowstorm, Olivia finds herself secluded in Tiernan’s castle. There, he reveals a family secret that shakes her to her core. He claims to be a werewolf—and that all the wolves on his preserve are too. She is caught between disbelief and the unsettling possibility that he may be telling the truth. Either way, her stay at the preserve has become far more complicated than she ever anticipated.
With every passing day, Olivia’s growing bond with Tiernan challenges her sense of logic, opening her to a world she never thought possible. Torn between reason and desire, she faces a choice she never thought she’d have to make… stay rational or take a leap of faith and risk her heart to a werewolf.
Author’s note: to find out about Laird Tiernan’s life as a werewolf in 13th century Scotland read Cree & Dawn And The Wolf.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
CHAPTER 1
“Werewolves? You did say werewolves, didn’t you?”
Olivia studied the woman on the computer screen of her virtual morning meeting, Vera Langford, attractive even with the large eyeglasses that hugged the top of her slim nose, and her pinned up dark hair that fell unruly around her face. The oversized burnt orange sweater she wore consumed her slim body and the way she sat with such ease in her chair spoke of confidence. After a messy divorce and being let go as a top editor at a major New York City publishing house, a position she had held for many years, Vera had started over. She dropped her husband’s surname, Duluth, and took back her maiden name, Langford, and a project the publishing house let go with her. Now, she was the owner and top executive editor of an extremely successful boutique publishing company, Langford Publishing, of what only could be described as… unearthly books.
“Yes, you heard me correctly… I did say werewolves,” Vera confirmed. “And who better to write the section on The Sexual Appetite of Werewolves for the book Sexual Appetites of Unearthly Creatures: Fiction, Fantasy, or Facts than a wolf expert.”
Olivia certainly was that. She had degrees in wildlife and forestry conservation, fish and wildlife management and a doctorate in wildlife biology with the majority of her work being done with wolves. She had an impressive resume having done volunteer work since high school at various zoos and with conservation projects. She continued that work all through college, having little time for anything else. Not that she ever complained. It was what she wanted to do. She loved animals and nature, and wildlife conservation gave her that opportunity. But Vera probably knew all that.
“I am a wolf expert, not a werewolf expert,” Olivia corrected, and while she understood the wolves mating process, she certainly was not an expert on their sexual appetites. However, she didn’t say that. She stopped herself from saying more, recalling how there was always someone in the group tour at the wolf sanctuaries she had worked at through the years who asked jokingly about werewolves. Wisely, or to preserve her sanity, she had done extensive research on werewolves and had provided expert responses.
She always ended her talk just as she did now with Vera. “I don’t believe in werewolves.”
“Wait,” Vera urged before Olivia could end the meeting. “Besides the advance for writing the section on Sexual Appetites of Werewolves, you also receive a one-week research trip to Scotland to the MacMadadh Wolf Preserve where you will be the guest of Laird Tiernan of Clan MacMadadh.”
Olivia was speechless, not about staying at a castle but about being able to visit the MacMadadh Wolf Preserve. It was a two-hundred-acre forested wolf preserve that Clan MacMadadh had established with a special permit from the government many years ago. Laird Tiernan’s wolf expertise had been sought concerning the nine wolves from Norway that were recently released into the ancient Caledonian pine forest of Rothiemurchus in the Cairngorms National Park.
Olivia only half listened, knowing there was no way she could turn down this offer. It was really the opportunity of a lifetime. Lord Tiernan was extremely selective of who he allowed to work on the preserve. This could give her a foothold in possibly acquiring a position there. He was believed to be the foremost authority on wolves, and while he had published articles and books on wolves, he seldom traveled for appearances and gave few interviews, preferring the comfort of his home to travel. There was only one problem. She didn’t believe in werewolves.
It was as if Vera read her mind.
“I’m not looking for proof that werewolves exist. Let your imagination take flight along with your knowledge of wolves and give me what you think the sexual appetite of werewolves might be.” She chuckled. “Of course, if you should meet a werewolf then go for it. So, do we have a deal?”
The mighty train wheels grinding to a stop, brought Olivia out of her reverie to get a better view of the lovely Scottish countryside. She couldn’t believe that it was barely two weeks since she had accepted Vera’s offer and hurriedly got her things in order so she would be ready to fly to Scotland. A few more train stops, and she would reach her destination, the small village of Dumford. A car would be waiting to take her to MacMadadh Castle. She was nervous. She would be there a week and within those seven days she hoped to convince Lord Tiernan that she was worth hiring and that she would take any position that might be available.
An elderly woman with a pleasant smile joined her in the car compartment, sitting across from her.
“I am so glad to be on my way home. The city has its appeal, but I’ll take the Scottish countryside over it every time.” The woman chuckled. “I’m Annie MacDougal.”