A Spinster Press Book

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Tessa and Sasha, best friends since birth, are on the brink of a major life transition: high school graduation. Sasha has her future mapped out—she plans to become a teacher and has found a way to fund her education by enrolling in a mysterious drug trial. Tessa, on the other hand, is uncertain about her path but knows one thing for sure—she wants nothing to do with HOWL, the secretive organization her father works for, which often keeps him away from home for long stretches. In his absence, Tessa has shouldered more responsibilities at home, fostering a growing resentment.

Their lives take an unexpected and terrifying turn when a grotesque beast crashes the Wolfen teens' full-moon celebration. Sasha's involvement in the drug trial begins to yield unexpected and troubling side effects, and Tessa becomes determined to uncover the origin of the monstrous intruder. As the mystery deepens, Tessa's burdens grow heavier, leading to a tragic turn of events that forces her to reconsider everything she thought she knew.

With the balance of their world at stake, Tessa faces a critical decision. Is joining HOWL the only way to protect her loved ones and find the answers she desperately seeks, or will she find another path to confront the darkness that threatens them all?

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. She will continue to write stories for young adults in the Urban Fantasy genre and adult fiction murder mysteries.

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.

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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.