Episode 3
Too Dangerous to Love - Kristie Wolf
This podcast episode features an engaging dialogue with Christy Wolf, the esteemed author of "Too Dangerous to Love," the inaugural installment in the Project Viper series. The narrative revolves around a team of special forces amputees who have been transformed into super soldiers through the integration of advanced bionic prosthetics. The protagonist, equipped with a bionic arm that emits lethal lasers, grapples with the notion of being too dangerous to love, particularly as he develops feelings for the timid scientist who aids in his transformation. Wolf elucidates the unique blend of action and romance that characterizes her work, ensuring that her stories provide not only thrilling escapades but also emotional resolutions. Through this episode, listeners are invited to delve into the complexities of love intertwined with the harrowing realities of modern warfare and technological advancements. Christy Wolf's novel, Too Dangerous to Love, embarks on an exploration of the intersection between advanced technology and human emotion. Set against a backdrop of military intrigue and personal struggle, the narrative introduces a team of special forces amputees, who, through innovative bionic enhancements, have been transformed into formidable assets on the battlefield. The protagonist, a soldier equipped with a state-of-the-art bionic arm, grapples with the duality of his existence as a weapon and a man capable of love. His journey intertwines with that of a shy scientist who plays a pivotal role in his transformation. In their unfolding relationship, themes of vulnerability, identity, and the moral complexities of weaponization are meticulously examined. The book's premise not only captivates through its romantic elements but also raises pressing questions about the ethics of technology in warfare and the humanity of those who wield it. As the dialogue between Rich Bennett and Christy Wolf reveals, the unique premise of the story is not merely a backdrop for romance but serves as a catalyst for profound character development. Wolf articulates her desire to subvert traditional narratives within action genres, where typically, the hero’s journey culminates in a solitary victory. Here, love becomes a redemptive force, illustrating that even the most powerful individuals can find solace in connection. The excerpts shared in the podcast provide a tantalizing glimpse into the dynamics between the soldier and the scientist, allowing listeners to appreciate the nuanced interplay of attraction and the conflicts stemming from their respective roles. Ultimately, the narrative's engagement with themes of resilience and emotional healing resonates with readers, offering hope and the promise of reconciliation amidst chaos. Moreover, Wolf's background as an author informs her portrayal of characters who are not only defined by their physical attributes but also by their emotional landscapes. The podcast discussion delves into her motivations for writing this particular story, rooted in a desire to celebrate the lives of veterans and to provide them with narratives that affirm their humanity and complexity. The visual elements of the book, such as striking cover art featuring a veteran with a bionic arm, further enhance the thematic concerns of the novel, bridging the gap between visual representation and narrative depth. Thus, Too Dangerous to Love emerges as a multifaceted tale that invites readers to reflect on the implications of modern warfare while simultaneously indulging in a compelling romance that promises satisfaction and resolution at its conclusion.
Takeaways:
- The podcast episode highlights the importance of community-focused financial institutions like Freedom Federal Credit Union.
- Christy Wolf's book 'Too Dangerous to Love' features a unique blend of romance and action with a special forces theme.
- The protagonist's struggles with identity and love are central to the narrative of 'Too Dangerous to Love'.
- The author aims to provide readers with a blend of hope and emotional satisfaction through her storytelling.
- The podcast emphasizes the significance of romance in action narratives, appealing to diverse audiences.
- Listeners are encouraged to engage with the author's work through purchasing books and leaving reviews.
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Freedom Federal Credit Union
Links referenced in this episode:
Transcript
This episode is brought to you by Freedom Federal Credit Union. They're local member owned and focused on doing what's best for our community.
-:Welco welcome to the Author Pitch, the short form podcast where writers from around the world deliver a powerful pitch for their book and read a standout excerpt in their own voice. I'm Rich Bennett. This is the Author Pitch and your next great read starts here.
Welcome to the Author Pitch where writers from around the world deliver a powerful pitch for their book and read a short excerpt in their own voice. I'm your host, Rich Bennett and today's guest is Christy Wolf, author of Too Dangerous to Love.
Some of you may know Christy from my other podcast, conversations with Rich Bennett, because she was always teasing me and giving me a hard time about the Chili Peppers. But that's, that's another thing. So how you doing, Christy?
Kristie Wolf:I'm great. How are you?
Rich Bennett:I'm doing good. All right, let's start your pitch.
Give listeners a tight, high impact overview what the book is, who it's for, why it matters, and what makes it unique.
Kristie Wolf:Great. Thank you. Too Dangerous to Love is the first book in the Project Viper series.
It's about a team of special forces amputees and the military has given them bionic weaponized prosthetics and turned them into super soldiers.
So in Too Dangerous to Love, my hero has a bionic arm that shoots deadly lasers and he thinks that he is too dangerous to love because he's a human weapon and he falls for the shy scientists that help create him. So in Too Dangerous to Love, we have an opposite attract romance. It is alpha hero and it is a bodyguard and protector romance as well.
Rich Bennett:I those of you listen, I'm laughing because Chrissy's been on on the other show before talking about these books and the covers are amazing. I can't believe I just said that.
But the funny thing is at the book fairs, Christie's got the big posters and how many you probably don't even know, do people actually still come up and stand next to them to get a picture taken with the things?
Kristie Wolf:Yes, people do come up. Yes. So Too Dangerous to Love has. It's about veteran amputees and the COVID model actually is an amputee.
He lost his leg in Afghanistan, he was in the army and he's A. He is. So he's a real life hero. And I have about a five foot poster of him and he.
He's shirtless with his dog tags on, and he has a sexy black bionic arm. And do you know what's funny? Rich and my mom noticed this. More men stop and look at that poster than women do.
Rich Bennett:Really?
Kristie Wolf:Yes. And every place I go, I get comments from Maine saying, hey, I didn't give you permission to use my photo.
Rich Bennett:Oh, God. All right, let's. Let's go ahead and get into the excerpt. What did you excerpt?
Kristie Wolf:Did you. Oh, wait, I forgot to tell you what's unique about this book?
Rich Bennett:Oh, yes. You did?
Kristie Wolf:Yes. That's one of my favorite parts. And so I like Marvel movies. I like action and superhero movies. So does my husband, so does my children.
So we watch them all the time. But my issue with most action movies, especially Marvel, is the hero does not get the girl at the end.
A lot of these movies have some sort of romantic element going on, and sometimes they're heartbroken at the end. They don't get together. And so I have remedied that.
So my books read like action movies, but they are first and foremost a romance with a satisfying, always happily ever.
Rich Bennett:After that is unique.
Kristie Wolf:It makes me happy. It feels. It fills a void in my life.
Rich Bennett:Oh, God, this. This is going to be scary, but I know it's going to be good. Okay, so let's hear the excerpt you brought for us today.
Kristie Wolf:Okay, so this is. I mentioned that this is an opposite attract romance. She is a shy, sheltered genius who is. Is awkward around men.
And he is a dark, broody soldier who has just lost his arm and now is a human weapon. And so he's really not in the best mood, let's just say so. This is the scene where she sees him in person for the first time. So here we go.
Oh, my Lord. A shirtless man. No, God was more like it.
Perched on the edge of an examination table, Lieutenant Commander Christopher Daviani, Viper's first recruit and the seal. With a smoldering gaze that burned through her laptop, her own gaze locked onto his shiny black prosthesis. No super arm.
But wasn't that wasn't super the understatement of the century? The sight of this limb seamlessly attached to the flesh and bone of any person would have been sensational on him. It was breathtaking.
The shiny metal covered in a hexagonal. Hexagonal shaped pattern originated in his shoulder, where synthetic and living materials mesh like reunited lovers.
She stepped farther into the room. Awe overrode her trepidation and propelled her forward. She reached out to touch the bulky black bicep that matched the size of his real one.
He bent his elbow as her finger met his steel, his movement as smooth as if the muscles that had been cleaved off along with his arm had initiated the flexion. A squeak popped from her throat. His full lips turned up in a smirk. Don't worry. It's not as deadly as it looks. She stared at this surreal man.
The prototypes of the steel arms she'd seen and the photos detailing his journey from the battlefield to Viper hadn't prepared her for the real thing. Her breath hitched under his intense scrutiny.
She lowered her eyes and stopped breathing altogether as she caught sight of the Project Viper logo tattooed in shades of black and gray on his chest.
The fanged snake inked within a triangle that represented the past, present, and future hugged another tattoo of the same hexagonal pattern inlaid in his steel arm.
The artwork covered the scarring on his shoulder where science and medicine converged, making the bionic enhancement appear as natural as if he'd been born with it, while his bionic arm gave him an otherworldly aura like a science fiction hero from a distant planet. The solid muscle underneath his ink skin tapered to sculpted abs, making him all man. He hopped off the exam table and leaned against it.
The dark tribal tattoo on his flesh and blood bicep rippled with movement as he gripped the padded edge on the other side of his body.
Sleek black fingers engineered in perfect anatomical form performed the same movement as she stared, waiting for the table to break under the pressure of his steel. He studied her for a moment, too long for her comfor. I'm Lieutenant Commander Chris Daviani.
She slowly reached for his extended hand, stifling a gasp when flesh metal. Dr. Scarlett Kerrigan. It's a pleasure to meet you. The hard mask he wore slipped for a fraction of a second but returned just as quickly.
She dropped her gaze to his mechanical fingers intertwined with her pale skin. The warmth of his steel radiated up her sleeve and spiraled into her belly.
A simple handshake with her new colleague shouldn't have sparked such a visceral reaction. Kissing her ex fiance, James, had never created such pleasure.
She peered at the white cabinets above a counter on the side of the room and dipped her head so he couldn't see the heat on her face. Maybe she'd imagined a strange response to his touch. When she looked back, he would be just a man.
Turning her head she met his eyes and realized she'd been hopelessly mistaken. Something wrong? He squeezed her fingers before he crossed his arms over the Viper emblazoned underneath a slight smattering of dark hair.
Responses fired in her brain, but the words bounced against her skull in an incoherent scramble. Why did Commander Davioni hold the power to momentarily steal rational thought?
Hooking his thumbs into the front pockets of his black cargo pants, he relaxed against the exam table. I sure hope Nothing is wrong, Dr. Kerrigan, because we're counting on you to get us back in action. And there it was.
Proof he was just a man like every other one in her life who needed her brain to reach their goal.
Granted, his motivations weren't greedy like others who wanted to profit from her genius, and he sought survival, honor, and the ability to serve his country. Yet she was his means to an end. She squared her shoulders and clasped her hands in front of her. You will be back in action very soon.
He rubbed his short dark beard, which matched the color of his cropped hair. Silvery gray flecks rimmed his deep sapphire eyes. Tell me, how do you plan on doing that? I know you've been fully briefed on my role here at Viper.
I was. But I want to hear it from you since my life is in your hands.
She pulled in a full breath and latched onto the top like she not only understood, but dominated. Tomorrow, a neurotransmitter will be implanted into your cerebellum that will network with your brain stem and cerebrum.
Tipping up her chin, she met his gaze. He held out a steel and studied it like he was following along with what she explained.
My software will communicate between the transmitter and the central processor engineered into your arm. Once I network the two, we'll be begin testing your weaponry.
While we're testing, my team and I will be reevaluating the cyber security cybersecurity protocols to network. That activates your weapony is protected from hackers. And you're sure? Sure your code is secure?
Her defenses roll to the challenge in his voice and the sharpness in his gaze. It's virtually unhackable. Virtually. His eyebrows rose to his hairline. Her hackles rose, too.
When it comes to cybersace cyberspace, no system is 100% secure. But mine is nearly impenetrable. Bold statement. Sweat pooled in her cleavage. She tugged the lapels of her suit jacket. This conversation.
Conversation was too intense. He was too intense. Yes, it is a bold statement. But it's the Truth. He raised his hand to his face and examined it more closely.
I'm told your technology will let me shoot deadly lasers from my arm with just my thoughts. No need for bullets like regular guys. Scarlett noted skepticism laced with excitement in his voice. Correct.
She rubbed her hands together, displeased to find her palm sweaty despite having confidence in her work. My technology also enables you to feel sensations with your prosthesis. She stuck her head. I mean steel.
He extended his black index finger and lightly touched the back of her hand. Like the softness of a person's skin. Yes. She bit the inside of her cheek as his metal digit glided over her knuckles.
You'll be able to sense if someone's flesh is cold or hot. Energy buzzed through the room, making it seem smaller than it had been moments ago. In her 27 years, no man had ever looked beyond her brain.
Except Commander Davieni. He seemed to be looking everywhere. It's the technology he's enthralled with. Not me. Never me.
She reminded herself of that fact as she pasted the other side of the small room and back again. When she opened her mouth, jittery words tumbled out. Yes. You'll be able to feel hot and cold among other sensations.
You'll also to be able be able to envision the exact point you want a laser to hit.
My technology will shoot that laser for one of the 286 points in your arm and calculate the proper trajectory so it finds your target within 99.9% accuracy. You'll be so leading edge. Every comic book hero will be jealous of your powerful, special body. He gripped her arm.
Do you always ramble and pace when you're nervous? She stopped moving and peeked up. Amusement replaced the fascination in his eyes.
She see Moments ago, indignation simmered in her veins during the four intense interviews she'd survived to get this job. Not once had she succumbed to her nervous babbling habit or pace the room.
She'd even kept it together when Admiral Edgar, whose imposing stature, cocky swagger, and gray mustache made him look like the leader of an Old west gang, had vetted her. Why did she allow Commander Davioni to turn her into a nonsensical mess? I'm not nervous and I'm not rambling. She couldn't argue the pacing part.
Leaning closer, he inhaled as if collecting the patience to deal with her quirks. Yes, you are. On both counts. He released her and straightened from his perch on the examination table. She stiffened and stretched to her full height.
At 5 8, she usually met most Men eye to eye or damn near to it, but not so much with Commander Dabiani. I hope it's first day jitters, Dr. Kerrigan.
When the shit starts to get real and cyber enemies come gunning for us, my team and I need to know you, know, what you're doing when it comes to the tech. Scarlett sucked in a breath. The technology community hailed her as royalty. Scientific circles called her a female Einstein.
She might not be comfortable with the silly titles or comparisons, but nobody questioned her work, especially a cocky SEAL who seemed to take pleasure in making her uneasy. She stepped toward him. I assure. I can assure you, Commander Daviani, I know what I'm doing. Good. His gaze locked on hers and held tight.
We're counting on your big brain to get us back in the field where we belong and to bring us home alive. She girded herself against the gravity of his words. I take my responsibilities very seriously. I promise you'll be safe with me.
Every muscle in her body tensed while she waited for him to decide if he could trust her. She believed her bravado pact words with all her heart, but he was a man, not a computer simulation or a machine.
When it came to his future, she couldn't make absolute assurances yet she wouldn't rescind her promise. She would keep him safe, not only to protect her reputation, but to protect his life.
He held his arms out to the sides, the viper logo on his chest stretched along with his steel. A slow smile spread across his chiseled face as his sharp gray stayed locked with hers. Then I look forward to working with you, ma'. Am. And that's it.
Rich Bennett:I'm hooked, Sarah. You know, the funny thing is because, well, we've talked about this before. Yeah. Reading romance is like. I don't know about that.
As a veteran, it's like, damn, I need to read this. I need to find out more because this just. This is amazing. Why that particular excerpt?
Kristie Wolf:Because it. I think it hits all of the points of the book that I want to convey. You know, it's first and foremost a romance, right?
So we clearly get the attraction there. We get why they. At least from her point of view, right? Why they. They can't be together. She.
She has been raised to believe through the way she's been treated her whole life, that men only value her for her brain. Nobody. Every. She's a means to everybody's end, right? And she is his means to an end.
She is in charge of making sure that no terrorists hack their tech, attack their bodies, right? Hack Their technology.
And so she, you know, his life is in her hands, and he's counting on her, and so she is his means to her end, and that is all that she sees. He, you know, he thinks he's a human weapon, that. That's in the title. And so those are the reasons why they can't be together. And then it also.
It also makes the stakes, right? Like, you know, we're talking about, what if this program gets hacked? Well, what do you think's gonna happen now that I brought that up?
Rich Bennett:Exactly. Actually. What sparked this book for you?
Kristie Wolf: I was back in:And I was getting serious about this writing thing, right? I'm like, I'm gonna. I'm gonna do something with. With these books that I've written.
And so I saw a coffee table type book of photos, like this big book that you might, like, display on your coffee table, right? And it was by a photographer named Michael Stokes, and it was photos of wounded warriors.
And maybe you wouldn't put it on your coffee table because they were men and women. They were all pretty much naked. And these photos were smoking hot. And there were.
The guy on the COVID had, you know, this naked photo of him strategically placed so you didn't see things you shouldn't, and his prosthetic leg. And I said, oh, I want to write. You know, I said to myself, I'm going to write about a veteran amputee, right?
I want to give these guys their happily ever after. And so I thought I would write another contemporary, and maybe it would. He'd fall in love with his physical therapist or his doctor or something.
And then I went to my first writing conference, and I heard an editor saying that she would love to see a book about a DNA and like, a DNA enhanced soldier and like, super smart scientific heroine. And I was like, oh, okay, that's what I'm going to do with my veteran. And so that is how Project Viper was born.
And then the cool part is in: as on that book that I saw in:So I bought his photo right away, and I found a cover designer, and I'm like, this is my photo. This is my book. You need to give him a bionic arm. Wow.
Rich Bennett:How many books in the series so far?
Kristie Wolf:I have three published.
Rich Bennett:Okay.
Kristie Wolf:There's a prequel that will come out in July for my newsletters that will be free for my newsletter subscribers. And then I'll publish that in paper book in August. And the plan is to have the last book in the series out for Christmas.
Rich Bennett:Okay.
Kristie Wolf:By like November.
Rich Bennett:So what do you hope readers feel after read, you know, after they finish reading the book?
Kristie Wolf:Hopeful, happy, emotionally satisfied. You know, we read, we watch tv, we watch movies, we listen to stories because we are looking for answers. We're looking for solutions.
We're looking for hope. Right. You know, think about it. You have a bad day at work, what do you do? You go home and you sit and you watch tv. Right.
And it relaxes you, takes your. Your mind off of your problems for a little while, and you are invested in someone else's problem.
Everything that we consume that way, whether you're watching Curious George, any figure out how to find his banana, or you're watching a murder mystery, there is a problem to solve. We read for conflict.
And seeing a resolution to that conflict and how other people are handling it, even if it's fictional, gives us hope that we can solve our own problems, too, and that things will get however we want them to go. And that's just not me saying that. There's been a lot of research done on that.
Rich Bennett:All right, so what's the next big thing for Christy Wolfe as an author?
Kristie Wolf:Let's see, the next big thing is. Well, I have a book coming out in August. I'm going to finish up this series, and then I want to do some fun stuff with the series. I want to.
I'm going to get audiobooks done. So I'm starting that process. Yeah, so I actually sent a couple emails to narrators that were suggested to me. It's daunting.
I'm an indie author, and so I'm doing this myself.
g to do that this year. So in: Rich Bennett:And the good thing is you can always take your time with that because these are books. They're not going anywhere.
Kristie Wolf:Yes, exactly.
Rich Bennett:So. But something important. Where can people purchase your book and follow you?
Kristie Wolf:Oh, okay. So I'm on Amazon. I am on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. If you're an E reader.
If you sign up for my newsletter@christywolfe.com that's K R I S T I E W O L F just like the animal.com. And you sign up for my newsletter, you'll get a free download to the book that I just talked about, too Dangerous to Let Fall.
And then you'll also get the free prequel that comes out in July. I also have a shop on my website and so you can purchase all my books there. And I just figured out how to make a discount code.
I'm pretty proud of myself. Yes. So if you use the code free ship F R E E S H I P, I can send you a signed copy.
Rich Bennett:Nice.
Kristie Wolf:And I'll cover shipping in the US only. Right.
Rich Bennett:You know what? I'm glad you said that, Christy, because I think that's something that more authors need to do.
For some reason, readers love those autographed copies.
Kristie Wolf:They do? Yeah.
Rich Bennett:Because who knows, I may be talking to the next Nora Roberts. Right?
Kristie Wolf:You are. You totally are. That's the plan.
Rich Bennett:Christy, I want to thank you so much. Those of you listening. You know what I'm going to tell you after you purchase the book. Book.
Make sure you leave a full review, whether it be on Amazon, Goodreads, wherever you can leave reviews and purchase a copy for other people. Thanks for listening to the author pitch. I'm Rich Bennett, and until next time, keep turning pages and discovering new voices.
