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Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Guest Post with Author C. Fern Cook of the Wild Series & Giveaway

Wild EvolutionBook 2 of the Wild Series, Wild JusticeWild Legacy: Book III of the Wild Series (Volume 3)


Hi Everyone,

It's my great pleasure to welcome author C. Fern Cook to Wicked Readings today. Fern is the author of the Wild series. I first discovered Ms. Cook's books on Goodreads, I won the first two books in the series from their first reads giveaway. There are three books in the series Wild Evolution, Wild Justice, and the recently released Wild Legacy. The series follows Dan Tucker, A Colorado rancher turned into a werewolf by contamination, and how he deals with it. This is the first of a two part guest blog with Ms. Cook, and the second part will coincide with my review of the series. Today Fern is going to share some Werewolf/Skin walker folklore with us, she has also agreed to give one lucky commenter a copy of the series.

So without further ado... C. Fern Cook

When I first developed the story for the first novel in the Wild series, Wild Evolution, I wanted a rancher that shared his land with all creatures including the dreaded wolf pack. I wanted the rancher to interact with the wolf pack. Naturally, this fell into the werewolf genre.


In researching werewolf lore for the novel "Wild Evolution”, I came across some interesting tidbits of information:

* Lycanthrope is derived from the Greek language meaning wolf and man.

* It seems that there is werewolf folklore in all cultures.

* Only in the American movie culture does the werewolf curse cause an involuntarily transform to the werewolf state because of a full moon.

* The Norseman believed that a man would possess the characteristics of the animal if they wore the hide of that animal, such as a bear or a wolf.

* In American Indian culture, it is called the skin walker. The belief is similar to the Norseman; if you wore the skin of the animal, you would possess their attributes. In many Native American tribes, it is considered taboo to don the pelt of a wolf.

To spot a werewolf, look for these characteristics:

* born on December 24th

* has red hair

* the index and middle finger are the same length

* and has a craving of raw meat


I had an uncle that possessed many of these characteristics but I personally don't believe he was a werewolf.

The most unusual tidbit of information about werewolf myths from around the world came from Argentina. They believed that the seventh son would become a werewolf. Many parents killed the seventh son or gave them up for adoption.

In order to stop the practice they finally made it a law in the 1920's that the seventh son would become the president's godson at baptism and receive a gold medal. This law is still enforced today.

This just scratches the surface of werewolf folklore from around the world, but many of the myths have similar characteristics, I found that to be very interesting. I also found it very interesting that almost every culture has legends or myths about the werewolf.

I picked the skin walker folklore because of the Native American connection. My grandfather came from the Blackfeet tribe but would have nothing to do with the reservation or the U.S. government's Indian government programs. He said they were disgraceful. In his time they were.

I had an uncle who was from the Kickapoo tribe; between him and my grandfather we spent a lot time out in nature. I have had an attraction to the Native American folklore because of my grandfather and uncle; so, the Native American skin walker legend is the one I choose to go with.

In Wild Legacy, I have chosen to continue on with this and expand the story to include the skin walker legend from the Norseman region. The continuation of the series will expand on this aspect of the legend, reaching back to the old country folklore in the next book.

I want to thank Ms. Cook for sharing her Werewolf/Skin walker folklore with us today.


            ~About C. Fern Cook~

 Fern Cook started out as a freelance writer in the late 90's doing articles for the how-to and inspirational markets. Today she writes about her passions: small town life, the great outdoors, and all the animals that inhabit this planet with us. When it comes to genres, Fern does not stick with one. If a genre existed for animal stories, that would be her genre.


All the characters in Fern Cook's stories are at the crossroads of life. It's their chance to grow or run and hide. It's their chance to prove themselves or a time blend into the background with everyone else.

Many of the places described in Wild Evolution are set in Grand County, Colorado, where Fern worked as a patrol deputy. Aside from being a patrol deputy, Fern also processed many crime scenes as a crime-scene tech.

Fern’s second, and third book in the Wild series is finally published. In the line up for future novels is an adventure story about finding the Garden of Eden, and an unusual tale about the afterlife.

Giveaway Details:

Leave a comment for Fern with your email address included.
Giveaway ends Tuesday October 12th, 2010 at 11:59 pm Est.
Open to US residents only

Brief descriptions of the series:


 Wild EvolutionWhen Dan defends his livestock against a wild dog attack, he is put in a 'kill or be killed' battle. When he takes the head of a wild dog in to be tested for rabies he discovers he has the head of a human male instead of a wild dog. Now he is forced to cover up a self-defense killing because no one would believe he killed a wild dog when he has a human head.


A werewolf by contamination, Dan's life spins out of control. All his senses are heightened including his passion for the wild. His passion for the wild compels him to try to stop a new housing development that threatens the local wildlife from loss of habitat, but things don't go according to plans and now he has a second body to dispose of.

While under investigation for murder, Angela gives Dan her unflinching trust. Because of an abusive father, Dan has never been able to trust anyone, but now he has someone he wants to start a family with, someone to build a future with.


 Wild Justice: Book 2 of the Wild Series (Volume 2)After surviving a mutant canine attack, Dan discovers the animal he killed is not a wild dog, but a man. To protect himself even though it was a self-defense killing, he covers up the murder.


A werewolf by contamination, Dan finds his attitudes and appetites changing. His love of nature and the wild increases as he runs at night with a wolf pack in the nearby national forest. As a man, he becomes more bold and amorous, winning the heart of Angela Connor, a waitress at the local café.

Meanwhile his best friend, Grand County Sheriff’s Deputy Tony Ramirez, becomes increasingly suspicious, especially after Dan has several public run-ins with his cantankerous old neighbor, and the man later turns up missing. When the remains of two bodies are discovered some time later in a remote cave, Tony ceases to be Dan’s friend and goes to great lengths to prove him a murderer.

With his quiet life as bachelor rancher transformed into a constant battle of wits to keep his deep, dark secret safe, Dan finds himself at odds with everyone, including his girlfriend and his former best friend – and most of all, himself.

Narrowly escaping Tony’s murder investigation, Dan goes about eliminating threats to his future. Now all he wants is to pursue his dream of running a dude ranch with his soon-to-be wife, Angela. But as the wedding gets closer, he wonders how he’ll keep his nocturnal life a secret. He soon discovers that’s the least of his worries…

 Wild Legacy: Book III of the Wild Series (Volume 3)In book III, Dan Tucker's passion for the wildlife runs through the veins of his offspring, but 'his curse' also courses through the veins of his child. Only he knows why his child is different from all the other children.


Like every parent, Dan is challenged with teaching his child how to fit into this world. In Dan's case the dilemma is taken up a notch.

But like every new soul that arrives on this planet, they must make their own way, no one else can do it for them.





To find out more about C. Fern Cook, and her Wild Series visit her website HERE
You can find C. Fern Cook on Goodreads HERE














14 comments:

  1. I have read the entire series, and I can tell you that it is full of surprises. I especially like that the author has used the Native American skinwalker legend to explain the lycanthrope condition. The books are emotionally charged and suspenseful. The first book deals with Dan Tucker's problems trying to come to terms with what has happened to him - and to escape discovery when a former friend and Sheriff's deputy tries to bring him up on murder charges. The second book continues Dan's trials and tribulations, and also introduces his love interest, Angela, in more detail as they plan their wedding. The third book skips ahead to Dan and Angela's children, following their daughter Lizzy's exploits at college. The story as it develops through three books continues to be engaging, with surprise endings in every volume. The author has retooled the series to include young adult readers, mainly by removing any sexual references that would not be appropriate for younger readers. Still, the story is quite involving for adults as well. It's a great saga, different from any other werewolf tale I've read.

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  2. As an animal lover, I really liked that Fern tackled issues about animal cruelty and animal rights in all three books. This theme is addressed differently in each book in relation to the situation the main character is in at the time. It brings to the forefront the plight of animals at the hands of humans, who are supposed to be caretakers, not abusers. While Fern does touch frequently on this issue, it does not overshadow the story, but enhances it, especially in respect to the main character in each volume dealing with the ability to change to a wolf - and how to use the power responsibly. I love this series and can't wait to see book number four!

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  3. Thanks for stopping by Willa & Gwynn, I really appreciated the issues that Fern tackles in the series as well. I also enjoyed that she used the Native American Skin Walker legend too. It was a different and refreshing take on werewolves. I am looking forward to the continuation of this series as well. :)

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  4. I know the author loves animals as I do and am glad she has incorporated this into her writings without bashing the reader over the head with her views.

    I've enjoyed all of Ms. Cook's books in the 'Wild' series! She has the gift of creating characters that seem so real I can imagine them actually living on their ranch in beautiful Colorado going through their daily lives. I've just a tidbit left of bk #3 in the 'Wild' series and wondering how it will end!

    I'd like to see Ms. Cook write a prequel about Dan's Native American ancestors & heritage of skin walkers in the family, their lives & experiences maybe from the mid 1800's leading up to Dan or Dan's father. Maybe using his daughter as an incentive for Dan (or Grandma?) to explain his family history since Lizzy also carries the family 'curse' passed from her dad. The author touched briefly on this in her second book and I was hoping 'Grandma' (I think it was) would have gone into more detail while talking to Dan when he was laid up from his accident. This may also be another reason the author's books are so appealing to me...she doesn't spill the beans too soon in any of her books leaving the reader guessing what will happen next.

    Question about folklore:
    Do you know why some Native American tribes considered it taboo to wear a wolf skin? I should think that would be an honorable thing...but what do I know.

    Can't wait to read book #4 in the series, Ms. Cook!!!

    --Cecilia Huddleston

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  5. I tried to make the series fresh and original. I think the back-story of animal rights issues make it meaningful instead of just fluff.
    I have to admit if I had the powers to be a skin walker like the characters in the book I would probably cause a lot of trouble.
    But I know it is fiction.

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  6. Ms. Cook,

    I believe you have succeeded in all your endeavors to create a unique, very readable storyline for all your fans. Thanks so much!

    If I were you this Halloween month, I wouldn't let your Blackfeet & Kickapoo ancestors know you think the skin walker story is fiction....:>
    Just kidding...I think...8P

    --Cecilia Huddleston

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  7. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read the entire series. Sounds very good and interesting. Tore923@aol.com

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  8. This series sounds really great. All the commentors here seem to really enjoy your work. Count me in the giveaway.

    juliecookies(at)gmail.com

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  9. I've never heard of this series before....now I really want to read it after this interview.

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

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  10. I really enjoyed this interview. I love learning about folklore in different cultures, it gives insight to what people were thinking. I would really like to read this series.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

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  11. I read Wild Evolution and thoroughly enjoyed. It was such a fresh take on the werewolf talk. I look forward in reading more books in the series.

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

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  12. I have not seen these books before but seeing some of the comments and what I've read I'm very interested in them. I too am in love with the different folklore that you see in different cultures. Please enter me for this I would love to read the books


    giveawaymommy at yahoo.com

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  13. I never realized that probably all cultures must have legends of this.
    But yes Lycanthrope is from Lykos and Anthropos in Greek, meaning "wolf" and "hu-man".
    Hee, I may be biased because I am Greek but I think I like Lycanthrope better than werewolf! *g*

    Wow, I didn't know that in Argentina they believed that! To think that people would murder their own child because of this superstition! wow!

    I really like the premise of the book!

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