Author Interview: Laura Daleo

Urban fantasy meets military conspiracy in The Wolf Experiment, a fast-paced novel that combines suspense, science fiction, and a fresh take on werewolf mythology. Blending hidden organisations, dangerous secrets, and compelling characters, the story follows Ethan and Mia as they navigate a world where trust is fragile, and survival is never guaranteed. Today, I'm delighted to welcome Laura Daleo to discuss the inspiration behind The Wolf Experiment, the challenges of creating its supernatural world, and the themes that lie at the heart of the story.

But first, let me intoduce you to The Wolf Experiment

Publication Date: 23rd January 2026
Publisher: Author Laura Daleo
Page Length: 216 Pages
Genre: Genetic Engineering Science Fiction

In Doford Peaks, a small mountain town, 19-year-old Ethan lives with his grandma. His life is quite normal, at least as normal as it can be for someone with asthma. A winter morning walk turns dramatic when he and his grandma discover an 18-year-old girl, Mia, who is unconscious and injured. As Mia recovers, bits of her past emerge, attracting agents Gibson and Cooper of the Bureau of Supernatural Investigation (BSI). A complex web of secrets associated with the Defense Forces of Genesis (DFOG) intertwines their fates. As the truth emerges, Ethan and Mia must face the horrifying reality of The Wolf Experiment. As the agents' investigation intensifies, Ethan and Mia are thrust into a dangerous world that reaches far outside the quiet borders of Doford Peaks. Each new discovery brings them closer to DFOG's chilling operations, putting their safety at risk as they become entangled in a high-stakes mission with consequences that could affect many lives. With danger around every corner and the threat of The Wolf Experiment looming, Ethan and Mia must use all their courage and determination to survive forces determined to keep DFOG's secrets buried.

The Wolf Experiment blends urban fantasy, suspense, and science fiction. What first inspired the idea behind the novel, and how did the story begin to take shape?

I write about supernatural creatures, but I hadn't yet explored the concept of werewolves. That is what led me to investigate this topic. I wanted to write a storyline that gave a fresh twist to the traditional werewolf lore, and that’s how the story started.

Ethan is an ordinary young man whose life is transformed by a chance encounter on a winter morning. What interested you most about placing an everyday character at the centre of such an extraordinary situation?

I’m always drawn to taking realistic, flawed characters and putting them in situations that involve a human / supernatural connection.

Mia arrives carrying secrets that gradually unravel throughout the story. Without giving too much away, what challenges did you face in developing her character and revealing her past piece by piece?

Honestly, I didn’t really struggle with Mia’s character or revealing her past. As I write, I let my characters build their own stories—I just listen to what they say and follow where they lead. Sometimes their secrets just come out naturally along the way.

The novel explores the dark intersection of military science and forced transformation. What drew you to these themes, and what questions did you hope to explore through them?

What drew me in was the idea of putting a new spin on werewolves and combining that with military themes. I did a lot of research on military groups to make sure those parts felt real, and I had a clear outcome in mind from the start.

The Bureau of Supernatural Investigation and the Defense Forces of Genesis introduce readers to a world of hidden organisations and dangerous secrets. How much world-building was involved in creating these groups and their histories?

I put a lot of effort into researching the FBI, police, Special Ops, and military missionaries to build a complex and believable world for these organizations. Developing their histories and structures took time, but getting the details right was important to me to make the story feel authentic.

Although the story contains supernatural and speculative elements, it is also a thriller. How did you balance suspense, action, and character development throughout the novel?

I learned a lot about balancing suspense, action, and character growth from writing courses early on, and that’s really helped me shape my stories. I try to pay attention to the flow as I write, making sure each part gets the right amount of focus so the story feels natural.

Your previous books have explored vampires, the Angel of Death, and other supernatural themes. What made werewolves—or the concept behind The Wolf Experiment—the next story you wanted to tell?

I’ve written about a lot of different supernatural things, but werewolves just felt like the next step for me. There’s a lot to play with—power, change, and what it means to lose control. I wanted to see what new story I could tell with them that I hadn’t seen before.

Anne Rice played an important role in inspiring your writing career. Are there any authors, books, or influences that shaped The Wolf Experiment in particular?

Anne Rice inspired me when I was writing the first book in my vampire series, Immortal Kiss, but not for my other books. For The Wolf Experiment, I wanted to challenge myself and create something original, so the story and concept came entirely from my own ideas rather than outside influences.

At its heart, the novel seems to be about identity, survival, and confronting difficult truths. Which themes resonated most strongly with you while writing Ethan and Mia's story?

For me, the themes that stood out most while writing Ethan and Mia’s story were trust, belief in others, compassion, and the importance of family. Those ideas kept coming up as their characters grew and faced challenges together.

For readers picking up The Wolf Experiment for the first time, what do you hope they take away from this blend of supernatural mystery, suspense, and adventure?

I hope readers enjoy the adventure and the storytelling. If something about the suspense, the twists, or the characters stays with them, I’m truly grateful. That’s all I could ask for as a writer.

My thanks to Laura Daleo for taking the time to answer my questions. It has been a real pleasure learning more about the inspiration behind The Wolf Experiment and the ideas that shaped the story. I wish Laura every success with the novel, and I hope readers enjoy following Ethan and Mia on their thrilling and unforgettable journey.

Pick up your copy of The Wolf Experiment

HERE

Laura Daleo

Where ancient myths collide with a modern edge.

A creative writing class in junior high sparked Laura Daleo’s desire to tell stories, but her true inspiration came from the legendary Anne Rice. Following in the footsteps of Interview With The Vampire, Laura fueled her ambition to craft her own dark legends, beginning with the publication of Immortal Kiss.

Today, Laura is the author of nine published works that blend the supernatural with high-stakes suspense. Her portfolio ranges from deep-rooted vampire lore to the chilling sci-fi thriller The Doll and the supernatural reimagining of the Angel of Death in My Name Is Death. Her latest release, The Wolf Experiment (2026), marks a gripping evolution into urban fantasy thriller territory, exploring the dark intersection of military science and forced transformation.

Beyond the keyboard, Laura is an artist and a dog enthusiast living in Tucson, Arizona, with her two dogs, Rose and Cooper.

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