A Spinster Press Book

---

Tessa and Sasha, best friends since birth, are about to graduate from high school. Sasha has a plan to go to college to become a teacher and sees a way to pay for it by enrolling in a drug trial. Tessa, doesn’t know what she wants to do, but is very definite about what she doesn’t want to do – she doesn’t want to join HOWL, the organization her father works for and that keeps him away for long periods of time. While he is away, Tessa has taken on more responsibilities at home but resents having to do so.

When a grotesque beast charges into the Wolfen teens’ full-moon celebration, things change, and not for the better. Complications arise from Sasha’s participation in the drug trial and Tessa wants to know where the beast came from. The ensuing events lead Tessa’s responsibilities to take a tragic turn. Is joining HOWL the only way to find a solution?

Kristi has a passion for writing and comes from a family with a strong artistic background in music, art, and literature. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Wichita State University, with minors in Education and Minority Studies.

Her goal is to create picture books that focus on historical figures of color and inspirational stories about renowned women to empower and educate young readers.

In order to enhance her writing skills, she actively participates in professional organizations such as the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Children's Writers Coaching Club (CWCC), and the Kansas City Writers Meetup Group. Additionally, she is a current member of the Association of Children's Authors and Illustrators of Color (ACAIC) and has obtained certification from The Institute of Children's Literature.

*****************************************

Kristi Bernard is a seasoned writer with expertise in creating Standard Operating Procedures manuals. While her professional focus lies in technical writing, she also has a keen interest in fantasy novels. Through her blog, Kristi's Book Nook, she promotes literacy and diversity by showcasing both new and established authors, as well as providing insightful book reviews. With a background as a contributing editor for the National Writing for Children Center (NWCC) and a reviewer for The Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD), Kristi brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her work.

Outside of her writing, Kristi comes from a family with a strong artistic background in music, art, and literature. She enjoys hobbies such as painting, needlepoint, quilting, and clay work. Her debut book, Beast, is a young adult urban fantasy novel and the first installment in the HOWL series.