Reading For Fun: I Kissed A Dog Guest Post, Review and Giveaway

She kissed a Dog but found a Wolf.

Welcome Carol Van Atta!

I don’t know about you all, but I love my dog, Stryder. He’s a funny, furry, all white, American Eskimo with a tail that curls like a big cinnamon roll and ears that are always alert and eager for my next word. He gives me his undivided time and attention and will fetch for me, if I ask. He has good manners and knows exactly when to shake someone’s hand. He’s all about kisses and joyfully provides those puppylicious pecks whenever I’m down, and he even comes to bed on command.

They say a dog is man’s best friend? I say my dog is mine!

As much as I like to be the boss, and appreciate the loyalty and love Stryder so willingly provides, if I had to compare him to a man, I’d say he was a tad too tame for my tastes. Granted, I want to hang on to some of those positive traits I mentioned above, but I prefer a man who is not afraid to snap the leash and lead. One who doesn’t lick me like a poodle, but who devours me like a wolf.

That’s the type of man/werewolf Chloe Carpenter finds in my latest book, I Kissed a Dog, book one in Werewolves of the West series.

Chloe is a bit like me. Slightly sarcastic, a bit flighty and indecisive (okay, a lot indecisive) and more than a little impulsive at times, but when the bad guys threaten her loved ones, she’s more than willing to use her supernatural powers to defeat the darkness. She has grown up with a deep aversion to the canine species as a whole, and considering one critter almost ended her short existence at fifteen, she isn’t a big fan of their playful ways. After spending months in a coma, she awakens with a whole new set of skills. The most impressive (initially) is her ability to communicate with animals, dogs inclu

Zane Marshall, purebred werewolf enforcer, should-be pack Alpha, Veterinarian and Entrepreneur, enters Chloe’s world when she’s twenty-four, and working at a seaside wildlife park. Zane is exactly the spark she needs to light up her life. And boy does he set it on fire!

Wickedly handsome, highly protective, cunning, fierce, loyal, forceful, playful, intense, and willing to die for her, Chloe finds a “dog” worth howling about. Actually, he’s the one howling, and he’s no dog. He’s a wolf to be reckoned with. When she discovers he’s a purebred werewolf, her world is never the same.

He will do anything, and I mean anything (can’t share a spoiler) to protect Chloe. Some readers have been a bit disturbed by that “anything.” I thought we should ask Zane himself why he did what he did, and what he finds so appealing about Chloe Carpenter. Join me?

Above: Zane Marshall in human form.

Zane, your motives weren’t exactly pure when you first met Chloe. When did you know it was going to be more than “business” as usual with her?

When she opened her mouth to insult me, I knew. Most women, and please, don’t take this the wrong way, it is what it is. Most women throw themselves at me. I’m not against aggressive women who know what they want, but the fact that Chloe wasn’t one of those women was enticing. My wolf was intrigued as well. He smelled something different and downright delectable in her essence. As a purebred, my emotions tend to be more intense, though I’m very capable of concealing them beneath my hard exterior. She made me feel something I’d never felt before.

About those motives … did you feel guilty at all about what you were doing initially?

No, I did not feel guilty at first. Pack protection is my duty and my life. One human, as attractive as she might be, would not deter me from my mission. I believed I could maintain my professional position and still develop a relationship with Chloe. Protecting her was just as important, even in the beginning, as she was critical to our cause. My desire to protect her rapidly became personal, and then I began to feel unsettled by my dishonesty. I am not a liar, but there were a number of situations that honesty had to be delayed due to the life or death nature of the mission.

Speaking of lies and secrets, the big night, and you know the one I’m referring to, required you to make decisions that might seem to some criminal. Explain yourself.

I don’t owe anyone an explanation except Chloe. What I did I’d do again if it ensured her safekeeping. I was willing to look like a monster if it kept her alive and well. I would have died, and still would in order to protect her. This may sound harsh, but disapproval from you or anyone else is meaningless in the big scheme of things. The one I hated to hurt was the one I was determined to protect. I encourage people to finish the story before passing judgment on what they think happened between me and Chloe.

What makes a woman attractive to you, Zane?

Let’s be real, initially, men are all drawn to something physical, whether it’s a woman’s eyes, hair, lips, breasts, legs … you get the picture. But there are plenty of sexy and attractive women in the world. For most guys, Rhonda would be more than enough woman to keep up with. In my case, I found her to be cheap, tacky, and fake. Chloe was real. Her beauty was natural. The fact that she is exotically multiracial really appealed to me. She is so unique and fresh. Sexy and feisty. I found her many contrasts impossible to resist. Yes, I know, she’s a spitfire, kept secrets (don’t we all), and had a hell of a hard time making up her mind about me, but that made our developing relationship that much more exciting. I wanted to be the man who tamed that little hellcat. My big bad wolf refused to be denied. I’m off topic here … she does that to me. (soft, sexy chuckle). Attraction for me involves the total package. Is she someone I can enjoy being with in every way? Someday we all lose our sexiness to some degree. Will I still want to spend time with a specific female once all the physical lures have been exhausted, for whatever reason? That’s the main question. Unfortunately, though, as a purebred, I can love everything about a woman, if the fates don’t match us as mates, there is no hope for a permanent relationship.

Thanks Zane!

Anytime. (wink) He strides away making my toes curl. Yummy! He can shed fur at my place anytime. Too bad he’s been snagged.

Choe is one lucky girl. If you want to learn more about Zane Marshall and all his sexiness, secrets, and why he fell so hard for Chloe, you’ll have to read their story in I Kissed a Dog and in the upcoming She Kissed a Vampire.

Until next time …

Review

I was initially drawn to this book for it's catchy title. I am so glad I got my hands on this little beauty. I was completely mesmerized with the story and a certain sexy alpha male. Carol Van Atta has a major hit on her hands with I Kissed A Dog!

Chloe Carpenter is not your average woman. She has the ability to communicate with animals. I love this about her. She uses her skills to help injured or traumatized animals at the Plum Beach Wildlife Park. Chloe is funny and a bit sarcastic, which I find to be great qualities in a leading lady. She also makes me laugh at her lack of gracefulness at the most inopportune times, sometimes leading to life threatening situations. Thank goodness for her gorgeous savior Zane.

Zane Marshall is the new veterinarian at the wildlife park. He's sexy, confident and completely gets under Chloe's skin. He is also a werewolf that is working undercover to find out who is murdering young men in the area. I instantly swooned over Zane. He is purely masculine with a sensual animal magnitism that drives me wild. I couldn't get enough of him!

"Why did Zane have to be drop dead gorgeous wearing Levis that hugged his muscular legs? I'm a leg girl. Powerul legs and a tight bum were a major turn on. His presence gave me heartburn. It looked like I'd have to invest in some strong antacids." This quote says it all.

I am completely captivated by the story of Chloe and Zane. In this book I get bits of all my favorite supernatural creatures. Werewolves, Vampires, Mutants and hints at more possibilities in the series. I have to warn you, once you start reading you won't want to put it down. I felt like screaming because I didn't want the book to end. I need more!! I can't wait for book 2. I Kissed A Dog is a book I highly recommend.