Love Bytes gives a warm welcome to author M.D. Grimm who is joining us today to talk about newest release “Song of Howls”.
Good day lovely readers! I’m M.D. Grimm, and I want to thank you for joining me to promote my newest release, Song of Howls (Sisters of Song 2). This is the second and final book in a duology about two sisters, their adventures, growth, and romances with magical beings. This story is about Alaiya, the younger sister, and her unexpected romance with Talla, a she-wolf alpha. This is my first FF romance, and I really enjoyed writing a very woman-centered story. I’ve spoken before about my concern that there aren’t enough positive depictions of relationships between women, whether that be friendship, romance, mentorship, or all of the above. Due to that, it was a treat that the real movers-and-shakers in this story are three women.
I didn’t have a set story in mind for Alaiya until I finished writing Song of Flames. While Venya’s story came to me fully formed, I had to work a bit harder on Alaiya. Her journey is different from her sister’s, with a new set of challenges and conflicts. Where Venya was neglected and degraded by their parents, Alaiya was given all the attention, but it was far from positive. She was trained to be a “profitable” investment so they could marry her to a wealthy husband and reap the rewards. This wasn’t exactly the “golden child and scapegoat” dynamic but similar enough to be child abuse on both sides.
Once Alaiya is free of her parents, she can finally decide who she will become. Her personality was smothered for most of her life, and now is her chance to define herself. While Song of Flames focused on accepting oneself and building self-esteem, Song of Howls is about defining one’s life and finding family. (I really love the “found family” trope!)
And wolves. Lots of wolves. Talla was introduced in Song of Flames, and I immediately knew she was meant for Alaiya. Talla has the steady, self-assured presence that Alaiya needs as an anchor. She also offers support, encouragement, and unconditional love, something Alaiya has only received from her sister.
One of my favorite elements in these stories is the shifters. I did a little something different with their biology. Instead of being born human and then shifting into animals, they are animals (wolves and dragons) that shift into human forms. For Talla, it is a natural process, while for the dragons, Ray and Abyss, it is a spell passed down through genetic memory. Since I already have a shifter series (“The Shifter Chronicles”), I wanted to change things up a bit. We meet other shifting creatures in Song of Howls as the sisters create a sanctuary and haven for such people who want to settle in safety. Depicting shifters this way gives them a more primal feel, allowing their animal mannerisms to continue into their human forms. I think it drives home that these aren’t humans, but they are equally (sometimes more) intelligent and deserve respect and consideration.
This story might be a bit lighter on the action than the first, but I think the heart of it still beats true. We also get several much-needed conclusions. They finally confront their parents, a catharsis that Alaiya desperately needed, and we get to find out what other gifts Venya’s dragon’s spirit has in store for her. Also, due to the time jump in Song of Flames, we fill in the blanks and round out the story to a satisfying conclusion.
So if you want two fantasy stories involving two strong, fierce, vulnerable, loving, and nurturing Black women who define their own world, please check out Song of Flames and Song of Howls!
If you want more shifter action, please check out my on-going series “The Shifter Chronicles” (contemporary shifters, linked stories but with a different couple each book), as well as On Wings of Passion and On Wings of Thunder (for more dragon and angel spice!).
If fantasy is your jam, please consider “The Stones of Power” on-going series, about an angsty, anti-hero mage and his supportive, long-suffering mate. I also have A Priest, a Plague, and a Prophecy, a single title about Elias, an ace temple priest, and Gurrkk, the fierce, cinnamon-role orc who adores him. My trilogy “A Warrior’s Redemption” also packs a punch with action, danger, love, friendship, and a feisty horse that keeps everyone in line (seriously, Brutus is a gem!).
As for current and future projects, I’m still working on the next “The Stones of Power” book, Opal: Master and Puppet, and I’m almost finished with a single title MMF fantasy story. Later this year I hope to write On Wings of Shadow, and a short story collection from the “A Warrior’s Redemption” universe (yes, there will be a story from Brutus’s POV).
Until next time. May dragons guard your dreams,
M.D. Grimm
M.D. Grimm has a new FF fantasy romance out, Sisters of Song book 2: Song of Howls. And there’s a giveaway!
As Alaiya reclaims her life, she never intended to capture the heart of a she-wolf.
Alaiya was trained by her parents to be the perfect wife. Due to her beauty, they knew they could entice a wealthy man to wed her and raise their status. She was a trophy, a prize, brought out to entertain like an obedient dog. Their efforts were rewarded when Lord Salazem claimed her to become his next wife, intent on adding her to his harem. But when two mighty dragons and her sister save her, Alaiya is given a new chance at life.
Determined to stand on her own and discover who she truly is, Alaiya has little interest in relationships. Even when she meets the silver-haired Talla, Alaiya pushes down her desire, unwilling to be caged again.
Talla is the alpha of her large wolf pack in the Firestar Mountains and knows Alaiya is her mate. She is entranced by Alaiya’s strength, courage, and loyalty, and is determined to prove herself as a worthy mate. But first she must overcome Alaiya’s barriers, which might prove to be her greatest challenge.
As Alaiya and her sister adjust to their new lives, they must secure their home from those who would take it from them. Including their parents. As Alaiya struggles to stand on her own, she learns that true strength lies in letting others stand beside her.
ABOUT THE SERIES
Venya and Alaiya are sisters born to greedy and selfish parents. One is neglected and the other exploited. Despite this–or because of it–they cling to each other, best friends as well as family. They find freedom in the mountain range beyond their city of birth… as well as unexpected chances at love with extraordinary beings.
Forging a new future is never easy, but with their unbreakable bond, and lovers and allies at their side, the impossible just might be attainable.
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M.D. is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card with this tour:
For a moment, Alaiya forgot her own troubles and lived in the moment. She’d seen many such beautiful places in the Firestar Mountains but this one beat them all.
Wolves watched them descend, and Alaiya tried not to cower under their piercing stares. The valley was filled with adults, adolescents, and pups. No one approached them, and she had a feeling something significant was happening. Though she couldn’t determine what it was.
The mask she’d learned to wear as a child, that of societal pleasantries, slipped on as they stepped off the trail. Alaiya slid off Talla’s back and inclined her head to those nearby.
“Good evening. I am Alaiya. Thank you for watching over my sister, and for welcoming us into your home. We are in your debt.”
A few of the pups ran up as several adults approached. Tails were tucked, heads were down. Talla stayed beside her, watching them but also glancing at her. If Alaiya allowed herself to indulge in fantasy, she would have sworn she saw pride in Talla’s bright gaze.
Of course she stroked the puppies and offered the adults her hands to sniff. Feeling welcomed and trying not to be overwhelmed, Alaiya resisted reliving the recent dangers again. This was an extraordinary moment that shouldn’t be tarnished by the past. If spending her entire life under the thumb of her parents had taught her anything, it was to savor the good and beautiful for as long as possible.
When Alaiya’s stomach grumbled, Talla nudged the others away and jerked her head, wanting her to follow. Clearly, she was the alpha. Or one of the alphas. Didn’t wolf packs usually have a male and a female leader?
Alaiya tried to decipher if any of the others gave off the alpha vibe but she didn’t sense anything. Talla took her to a pile of fruit that appeared to have been recently picked and washed. There were apples, oranges, and grapes. When she hesitated, Talla nudged her forward lightly. She took a grape, and Talla’s mouth dropped open in a lupine grin.
Alaiya couldn’t resist smiling a little. “Thank you.”
Talla huffed and trotted off. Alaiya sat next to the fruit and munched. She curled into herself, feeling a bit chilled. Her clothes had seen better days, they were dirty and torn. She mourned the state of them. They were ones she’d found in the palace, and she liked the style. She was grateful for the variety of clothing for ladies in the palace, and since she was handy with needle and thread, it was a simple thing to make modifications as needed to fit her, and her sister’s, shapes better. Her parents had insisted she be adept at all manner of womanly tasks and pursuits, including how to sew her own clothing. She’d needed to be a prize catch after all.
She scowled at the memories.
The adult wolves left her alone, though a few pups crept closer, curious. She coaxed them nearer and ended up with four pups draped over her lap and cuddled at her sides. Their fluffy, warm bodies and playful squeaks calmed her. But despite her best efforts, recent events wouldn’t let her settle.
“What disturbs you?”
She jerked and looked up. Talla stood there, naked, hair like silver silk draped over her. Alaiya quickly turned away and cleared her throat. She flushed hot when Talla sat beside her. Though she didn’t touch her or draw closer, Alaiya felt her gaze like a touch. It itched. It burned.
“I… I’ve been through a lot.”
“I gathered that from what Venya said. Do you wish to speak about it?”
“No.”
Talla nodded and when one of the pups nuzzled her hand, she plucked him up and rubbed her face against his. Alaiya softened at the adoration.
“Is he yours?”
Talla smiled. “No. All my pups are grown with pups of their own. I have no desire for more.”
Alaiya frowned. “How old…? Never mind.”
Rude. Very rude question. All those weeks away from society had made her social skills rusty. She used to be far better at small talk and charming all she met.
Talla chuckled. The sound danced pleasantly along Alaiya’s skin. Damn.
“We age differently than humans. Though I can still have children, I have chosen to stop. Let the younger, stronger of my pack produce the next generations. This way, I get to enjoy the pups with little burden.”
So saying, she rubbed the pup’s tummy, and he wiggled with delight.
Alaiya grinned.
“Make sure to drink the water from the falls. It will cleanse you and heal you of any injuries or discomforts.”
“How?”
“This place was blessed by the gods long ago. A hint of their divinity remains.”
Their gazes met and held. Alaiya was struck with the directness of Talla’s stare. She exuded calm and confidence, a steadfastness that encouraged trust and dependency.
And that was a problem. Alaiya needed to stand on her own. She’d obeyed her parents for most of her life. Then she’d depended on Venya to rescue her. But now she had the freedom to be whoever she wanted to be. And she had no clue who that was. So she needed to find out and having a liaison with anyone—even this sexy she-wolf—was not part of the plan.
“That’s amazing. I wouldn’t have believed that a month ago. But after meeting the dragons and… This is a good place to live.”
“Yes. These mountains are sacred and must be protected.”
Alaiya sighed. “And our presence brings danger. If my parents hadn’t sold me to that no good—”
“‘Sold’?” Talla’s voice turned low and menacing.
M.D. Grimm has wanted to write stories since second grade (kind of young to make life decisions, but whatever) and nothing has changed since then (well, plenty of things actually, but not that!). Thankfully, she has indulgent parents who let her dream, but also made sure she understood she’d need a steady job to pay the bills (they never let her forget it!).
After graduating from the University of Oregon and majoring in English, (let’s be honest: useless degree, what else was she going to do with it?) she started on her writing career and couldn’t be happier. Working by day and writing by night (or any spare time she can carve out), she enjoys embarking on romantic quests and daring adventures (living vicariously, you could say) and creating characters that always triumph against the villain, (or else what’s the point?) finding their soul mate in the process.
Author Website: https://www.mdgrimmwrites.com
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