About Change in Attitude
by Kiernan Kelly
94 pages / 27800 words
ISBN: 978-1-61040-148-7
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html, lit, Adobe and Sony optimized pdf, prc, epub
Dae, the veterinarian shapeshifter from "Change of Heart," and his
mate/assistant, Sean, have settled nicely into their new life in South
Florida at the Hunter Moon Veterinary Clinic. That is, until Dae gets a
letter from his estranged brother, who implores him to return to the Wyoming
Pack of his birth and help save them from a sociopathic alpha.
Things haven't been going well for the Pack of Dae's birth. His parents and
one of his brothers are dead, his sister has been attacked, and worst of
all, the Pack alpha, Alastair, seems intent on destroying the rest of Dae's
family one member at a time.
Forced to confront his past, Dae finds that sometimes the most painful,
powerful changes have nothing to do with the skin we're in, and everything
to do with the heart.
Review
Jane Davitt, author of Hourglass, writes: I came to this story without knowing the background of the couple, Dae the werewolf, and his human lover Sean, but it didn't matter. Within a few pages, I was caught up and eagerly waiting to see where the story took me.
'Change in Attitude' is the perfect title because it applies to more than
one of the protagonists, sometimes in a subtle way, sometimes more
obviously. Kelly explores both the normal strains any relationship has and
the wider implications for that relationship against the background of Dae's
unusual family.
The story really kicks up a gear when the exiled Dae and Sean arrive in
Wyoming to deal with a family crisis and the action is relentless and
gripping. I loved Sean's determination to stand by Dae, no matter what the
risk, and how much he contributed to the resolution. Dae's homecoming was
bittersweet to say the least, but it still felt like he'd come home by the
end, in the only way that counts.
Touching, exciting, fast-paced, this novella is an entertaining read with
engaging lead characters and some memorable secondary characters.
Sample
After a few moments wrapped tightly in Dae’s arms, his
face buried in the crook of Dae’s neck, Sean seemed to relax. His body
melted against Dae’s, his arms encircling Dae’s waist. “Yeah, you’ve been a
bitch, and yes, you should have told me,” Sean said, his voice muffled
against Dae’s skin. “And yes, I know you love me. I just hate it when you
close yourself off from me, Dae. You don’t have to be the big, bad wolf all
the time. I’m a big boy, and I can help shoulder the burden, okay? Now, what
exactly did your brother say, anyway? I didn't read the letter, and can’t
imagine what he’d tell you that would make you want to go back.”
“Someone knows about the Pack, Sean. There have been attacks on the
compound. Jaeger said that it started with a few ugly, anonymous letters,
and some signs tacked up on lampposts in town. They were stupid, ignorant
rants about ‘that hippie commune,’ -- which is what the humans think we are
-- accusing us of practicing black magic. The Pack elders told everyone to
ignore them. They hoped that even if the authors tried to expose them, no
one would believe it and the attackers would lose interest and stop. It
didn't end, though. It escalated. There were attacks on the livestock;
somebody butchered several dozen head of sheep and left the remains for the
Pack to find. But then…"
“But then, what?”
“They didn’t stop at the sheep. The bastards attacked a person next. It
happened on Pack territory, but outside of the main compound. She was out on
the range, inspecting the fences on the western border of the ranch when
three men jumped her. They…well, suffice it to say that it was all the
elders could do to keep the younger males from shifting and ripping every
human in town apart in revenge.”
“Oh, man… Did you know her, Dae?”
“Yeah, I did. I do. She’s my sister, Sean. My baby sister, Cherise.”
“Oh, shit, Dae. I’m so sorry,” Sean gasped. His pretty blue eyes were round
with horror.
“That’s why I have to go, Sean. Cherise never did a damn thing to hurt me.
Jesus, she was only four the last time I saw her. She was such a sweet
little kid,” Dae said, his voice cracking. He cleared his throat, taking a
moment to get a tighter grip on his emotions before speaking again. “Jaeger
said she hasn’t spoken since the attack, not a word, not a single sound. She
won’t shift, won’t eat… “
“I’m going with you,” Sean whispered, his breath warm against Dae’s throat.
Dae tightened his arms around Sean, burying his nose in Sean’s soft hair,
taking comfort in Sean's familiar scent.
“I appreciate the offer, but that’s not a good idea, hon.”
“I wasn’t asking permission, Dae.” Sean’s eyes were wet, but sparked with
determination as they turned up to meet Dae’s. “I belong at your side,
especially at a time like this. Didn’t I just tell you I didn’t need to be
protected, that I’m strong enough to help you? Are you embarrassed of me? Is
that it? Are you ashamed for your family to meet your human mate, Dae?”
“No!” Dae pulled away from Sean, holding him firmly by his shoulders. He
stared into Sean’s eyes, flinching at the pain he’d inadvertently put there
yet again. “Listen to me, Sean. If anyone has a right to be embarrassed,
it’s you. I’m the freak in this relationship, not you. Remember? Me? The
overgrown, living Chia Pet?”
Dae felt a wave of relief wash through him at Sean’s slight smile. That
smile told Dae that he’d been forgiven, or at least, was well on his way.
“You’re not a freak. You’re just…different,” Sean said. His hand cupped
Dae’s cheek, thumb stroking gently over Dae’s lips. “I happen to like
different.”