A novella like Wolfhearted is a great choice for summer book club selections. People are busy and a short book fills the bill.

Runa, alone, survives the massacre. But a traitorous mage has captured her king’s essence—his vital energy, linked to a long line of wolf-shifter rulers. Unless Runa can recover that power by dawn, the mage will command not only her, but also her kindred. Yet Runa is the weakest of the pack. Her quest will fail unless she finds help, and the dark winter woods is deserted but for a small dog and a young soldier. Prince Paolo is eager for adventure and stirred to action by Runa’s ordeal. As they learn to respect each other’s unique skills, attraction blossoms. But the mage is a trusted figure from Paolo’s past. And he’s filled his lair with marvelous steam-powered machinery and ambitious plans for the prince’s future. Paolo can’t help but have second thoughts about Runa’s story and must choose between his promise to Runa and the life he’d hardly dared to envision.  Can Runa recover the king’s essence and protect her kindred?  The answers lie in the wolf’s very heart.

Suggested Book Club Discussion Questions

1. How did the title describe the story? Can you think of a better title?
2. What was your favorite part of the story? Was there a scene that simply didn’t work for you?
3. Did you believe the connection between Runa and Paolo? If so, at what point do you feel they “clicked?”
4. Runa is intent on helping the captured king and nobles of her people, although she has been treated poorly throughout her life. Is her reaction reasonable? What leads people to act in this way?
5. Was Paolo’s decision to help Runa believable? Did you agree with Runa’s final decision?
6. Was Andries’ plan telegraphed to the reader? Did you find any twists in the story?
7. Runa and Paolo are from very different societies. Who must make the bigger adjustment for a future together? Do you see problems ahead?
8. How did the setting impact the story? Would you want to read more books in this world?
9. What surprised you most about the book?
10. Did reading this book impact your mood? If so, how?

Snack ideas

You can’t go wrong with Paolo’s favorites from the story, blood oranges and grilled chicken skewers  with flatbread. For a sweet treat, pepper-cardamon cookies (pepperkakers) and dark chocolate are also great with red wine.

Pepperkakers

In honor of Wolfhearted’s vaguely Nordic hero, Runa, I’m sharing a Scandinavian-themed cookie. This cookie uses black pepper and cardamon, which are delicious together, especially in a mildly sweet treat like this.

• 1 1/8 cups of butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 ½ teaspoon ground cardamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Stir in the cream.
• Add the baking soda and a little water (no more than 2 Tablespoons) to the butter mixture.
• Sift the spices, baking powder, and flour into the butter mixture.
• Blend until a nice dough is formed.
• Roll dough into logs about 2 ½ inches in diameter. 
• Wrap tightly and chill for several hours.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Cut chilled dough into thin slices.
• Bake on a lightly greased cookie sheet or parchment paper for 6 to 8 minutes.
• Cool on a wire rack, then serve with a nice red wine. Merlot is my favorite.