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Wolfheart
Single dad David Holtz needs a new heart. And if he doesn't find one soon, his six-year-old daughter, Chloey, will end up in a foster home.
Turns out, the biotech company he used to work for, Gentax Corporation, has a brand new genetically engineered heart waiting for him at its secret research facility, somewhere in the jungle of southeast Mexico.
But there's a catch. The new heart was harvested from a wolf. And the stem cell infusion he must undergo to prevent rejection—well, that's from a wolf as well.
With time running out, Gentax’s brilliant and eccentric Chief Scientist, Doctor Knochenmus, makes David an offer he can't refuse: volunteer for the experimental heart transplant, and his daughter gets a six-figure trust fund.
And as an added bonus, David's personal nurse, Amiya, is the most beautiful woman he's ever laid his eyes on.
But there's another catch; his new Wolf Heart has a mind of its own, and doesn't like being trapped in the body of a human.
It yearns to break free, to hunt, to kill ... and it's very hungry.
Turns out, the biotech company he used to work for, Gentax Corporation, has a brand new genetically engineered heart waiting for him at its secret research facility, somewhere in the jungle of southeast Mexico.
But there's a catch. The new heart was harvested from a wolf. And the stem cell infusion he must undergo to prevent rejection—well, that's from a wolf as well.
With time running out, Gentax’s brilliant and eccentric Chief Scientist, Doctor Knochenmus, makes David an offer he can't refuse: volunteer for the experimental heart transplant, and his daughter gets a six-figure trust fund.
And as an added bonus, David's personal nurse, Amiya, is the most beautiful woman he's ever laid his eyes on.
But there's another catch; his new Wolf Heart has a mind of its own, and doesn't like being trapped in the body of a human.
It yearns to break free, to hunt, to kill ... and it's very hungry.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2018
25 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
About the author
Paul DiPersio
6 books37 followersPaul DiPersio is a Cardiac Nurse and a freelance writer with a degree in Political Science from Villanova University. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife, stepdaughter, twin sons, and the ghost of a cat named Monkey. Many of his stories take place in the mysterious fictional towns of Cutler Hollow and its seaside neighbor, Fairfield.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 5, 2018
The last infection almost destroyed his kidneys, almost killed him.’
Massachusetts author Paul DiPersio has now published three thrillers - MALENA'S KISS, WOLFHEART, and BLOOD MOON CARNIVAL. In addition to having earned his degree in Political Science from Villanova University, he is now a Cardiac Nurse and has added fictional writing to his resume!
Paul's skill at writing mystery thrillers is enhanced not only by his imagination and his proximity to the fictional towns in Massachusetts where he places his stories, but also by his intricate understanding of medicine and all the paraphernalia and situations to which he has become accustomed. But either an author can create a terrifying plot or simply 'create' a scenario that suggests fear is that point at which Paul DiPersio steps to the front of the line.
With opening words Paul sets the mood of this strikingly successful novel - “So I won’t have to take anti-rejection drugs?” David Holtz asked. The Doctor scrolled through his iPad, the crown of his smoothly shaved head pale and shiny under the bright fluorescent lights. He cleared his throat and spoke with a slight German accent. “The genetically modified donor heart, along with the stem cell transplant, eliminates the need for traditional anti-rejection medication.” A glazed look came over David’s face. He blinked a few times to moisten his dry, irritated eyes. It’d been a long flight, a long day … a long year. “We make the heart more human,” the Doctor continued, looking up from his iPad, his own eyes huge and distorted behind a pair of thick black-rimmed glasses. “We add human genes to the donor heart to make it more human, and then we give you some of the donor’s stem cells to—” “Make me more like the wolf. You’re going to inject me with wolf stem cells.” “Lupine heart. Lupine stem cells.” “Why not a pig heart? I’ve read—” “Mr. Holtz, David, I assure you, lupine is a safe, and, in my belief, superior transplant. All the donors are conceived, born, and raised right here in this lab. They’re monitored closely. Tested exhaustively. We already share close to eighty-five percent of our genetic information with the Canis lupus species. By the time these hearts are fully modified and mature, they’re as good as human—actually, with the genetically enhanced myocardium, I dare say better than human.” “Why not a monkey heart? Don’t we share like ninety-nine percent of our DNA with chimps?” “Chimps and humans are genetically too similar, which would pose a grave risk, long term, for cross-species disease transmission. Our goal at Gentax is to save lives, not create another AIDS virus.” “And you’re sure a wolf heart is big enough to do the job? I know dog hearts are much smaller than human hearts.” “The subspecies of Canis lupus we use can grow as large as one hundred and fifty pounds in the wild. In the lab, we’ve been able to breed their hearts a full fifteen percent larger. These hearts are powerful and resilient, better than your own heart when it was in its prime.”
Paul’s plot is well summarized – A heart-stopping thriller from the author of Blood Moon Carnival and Malena's Kiss. Single dad David Holtz needs a new heart. And if he doesn't find one soon, his six-year-old daughter, Chloey, will end up in a foster home. Turns out, the biotech company he used to work for, Gentax Corporation, has a brand new genetically engineered heart waiting for him at its secret research facility, somewhere in the jungle of southeast Mexico. But there's a catch. The new heart was harvested from a wolf. And the stem cell infusion he must undergo to prevent rejection--well, that's from a wolf as well. With time running out, Gentax's brilliant and eccentric Chief Scientist, Doctor Knochenmus, makes David an offer he can't refuse: volunteer for the experimental heart transplant, and his daughter gets a six-figure trust fund. And as an added bonus, David's personal nurse, Amiya, is the most beautiful woman he's ever laid his eyes on. But there's another catch; his new Wolf Heart has a mind of its own, and doesn't like being trapped in the body of a human. It yearns to break free, to hunt, to kill ... and it's very hungry.’
This, fellow lovers of thrillers, is a very well written book - the sign that this author is moving rapidly to the front of the line of American mystery books. Keep the light on…
Massachusetts author Paul DiPersio has now published three thrillers - MALENA'S KISS, WOLFHEART, and BLOOD MOON CARNIVAL. In addition to having earned his degree in Political Science from Villanova University, he is now a Cardiac Nurse and has added fictional writing to his resume!
Paul's skill at writing mystery thrillers is enhanced not only by his imagination and his proximity to the fictional towns in Massachusetts where he places his stories, but also by his intricate understanding of medicine and all the paraphernalia and situations to which he has become accustomed. But either an author can create a terrifying plot or simply 'create' a scenario that suggests fear is that point at which Paul DiPersio steps to the front of the line.
With opening words Paul sets the mood of this strikingly successful novel - “So I won’t have to take anti-rejection drugs?” David Holtz asked. The Doctor scrolled through his iPad, the crown of his smoothly shaved head pale and shiny under the bright fluorescent lights. He cleared his throat and spoke with a slight German accent. “The genetically modified donor heart, along with the stem cell transplant, eliminates the need for traditional anti-rejection medication.” A glazed look came over David’s face. He blinked a few times to moisten his dry, irritated eyes. It’d been a long flight, a long day … a long year. “We make the heart more human,” the Doctor continued, looking up from his iPad, his own eyes huge and distorted behind a pair of thick black-rimmed glasses. “We add human genes to the donor heart to make it more human, and then we give you some of the donor’s stem cells to—” “Make me more like the wolf. You’re going to inject me with wolf stem cells.” “Lupine heart. Lupine stem cells.” “Why not a pig heart? I’ve read—” “Mr. Holtz, David, I assure you, lupine is a safe, and, in my belief, superior transplant. All the donors are conceived, born, and raised right here in this lab. They’re monitored closely. Tested exhaustively. We already share close to eighty-five percent of our genetic information with the Canis lupus species. By the time these hearts are fully modified and mature, they’re as good as human—actually, with the genetically enhanced myocardium, I dare say better than human.” “Why not a monkey heart? Don’t we share like ninety-nine percent of our DNA with chimps?” “Chimps and humans are genetically too similar, which would pose a grave risk, long term, for cross-species disease transmission. Our goal at Gentax is to save lives, not create another AIDS virus.” “And you’re sure a wolf heart is big enough to do the job? I know dog hearts are much smaller than human hearts.” “The subspecies of Canis lupus we use can grow as large as one hundred and fifty pounds in the wild. In the lab, we’ve been able to breed their hearts a full fifteen percent larger. These hearts are powerful and resilient, better than your own heart when it was in its prime.”
Paul’s plot is well summarized – A heart-stopping thriller from the author of Blood Moon Carnival and Malena's Kiss. Single dad David Holtz needs a new heart. And if he doesn't find one soon, his six-year-old daughter, Chloey, will end up in a foster home. Turns out, the biotech company he used to work for, Gentax Corporation, has a brand new genetically engineered heart waiting for him at its secret research facility, somewhere in the jungle of southeast Mexico. But there's a catch. The new heart was harvested from a wolf. And the stem cell infusion he must undergo to prevent rejection--well, that's from a wolf as well. With time running out, Gentax's brilliant and eccentric Chief Scientist, Doctor Knochenmus, makes David an offer he can't refuse: volunteer for the experimental heart transplant, and his daughter gets a six-figure trust fund. And as an added bonus, David's personal nurse, Amiya, is the most beautiful woman he's ever laid his eyes on. But there's another catch; his new Wolf Heart has a mind of its own, and doesn't like being trapped in the body of a human. It yearns to break free, to hunt, to kill ... and it's very hungry.’
This, fellow lovers of thrillers, is a very well written book - the sign that this author is moving rapidly to the front of the line of American mystery books. Keep the light on…
January 28, 2020
Interestingly Good
I was intrigued by the cover and I’m glad I was because from page to page you fall for this character (David) and his life. David goes in for an experimental heart transplant because his has failed him and all he wants to do is get back to his little girl Chloey. Strange dreams, sex, death all plague this man as he fights to see his daughter for what could possibly be his last time. It’s a fight to keep his sanity, humanity, and life to see his daughter again. Such a scary adventure loved every second of this book!
I was intrigued by the cover and I’m glad I was because from page to page you fall for this character (David) and his life. David goes in for an experimental heart transplant because his has failed him and all he wants to do is get back to his little girl Chloey. Strange dreams, sex, death all plague this man as he fights to see his daughter for what could possibly be his last time. It’s a fight to keep his sanity, humanity, and life to see his daughter again. Such a scary adventure loved every second of this book!
January 19, 2018
Paul DiPersio at first offers a family novel that takes an interesting turn into a sci-fi book. The description of the book already gives a detailed insight of what you can expect. DiPersion uses his technical knowledge as a cardiac nurse to guide us through the process of a heart transplant. Needing a heart and in despair at the thought of leaving his child alone in the world, David (our main character) accepts to be a laboratory test rat to a powerful and shady organization. The heart they give him is from a wolf and, quite soon, David starts to notice changes in his organism and his senses are being controlled by the heart.
It’s interesting and the storyline is quite solid. David is a great character, and we accompany his fears, his despair, his love for his daughter and his lust towards his nurse. There’s a constant battle ever since he has the heart transplant and we see his multiple layers. It’s a book about a matter of wills if you want. Quite entertaining.
It’s interesting and the storyline is quite solid. David is a great character, and we accompany his fears, his despair, his love for his daughter and his lust towards his nurse. There’s a constant battle ever since he has the heart transplant and we see his multiple layers. It’s a book about a matter of wills if you want. Quite entertaining.
January 19, 2018
“Wolfheart” is Paul DiPersio’s novel that mixes heartfelt family commitment with some eccentric and science fiction styled novel. David is trying to give the best opportunities that he can to his child, but his body is failing and he needs to replace what is broken in order to maintain the quality of life that he thinks Chloey deserves. He finds some sketchy people (think Logan and the lab that placed the adamantium claws in him) who are willing to put in a wolf heart that is supposed to rectify the situation that David can’t seem to find another way out of because the offer to set his daughter up for life is too great to resist. He soon finds out that the heart has its downside, as the wolf tries to rise above the human nature of David. It is a very interesting plot, werewolf without the magic aspect, so I enjoyed the unique spin that DiPersio took with the novel.
January 27, 2018
You have to know what to expect from certain books and you won't be disappointed at all. Like this one, for example. This is a story about a desperate man who agrees to have his heart transplanted with a wolf heart and from there it all goes exactly as you can expect – he slowly starts to change in some sort of a man-wolf.
Like I said, this book doesn't try to be something that is not, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, it is fast, entertaining and cool page-turner that reads really easily and is a lot of fun. There are some slightly scary elements, but nothing too in the realm of horror. It is surprisingly well written and I connected with the main character in his struggles, and that is not something you see often when your main character is basically a freak. I like the book for what it is, and if you are looking for some light fun, this can be for you.
Like I said, this book doesn't try to be something that is not, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, it is fast, entertaining and cool page-turner that reads really easily and is a lot of fun. There are some slightly scary elements, but nothing too in the realm of horror. It is surprisingly well written and I connected with the main character in his struggles, and that is not something you see often when your main character is basically a freak. I like the book for what it is, and if you are looking for some light fun, this can be for you.
May 9, 2018
Science mixes human and wolf to create...
This is a great story about a man who is dying and needs a new heart. A remarkable doctor has developed a new transplant method which will cure him and allow him to be there for his daughter. As he makes the choice he discovers this transplant is from a wolf. Imagine a wolf heart with all of the urges and hunting abilities blended with the reasoning and cunning ability of man. The mix can make a very good hunter. Will he learn to control the urges or will he turn into the most prolific killer in America? The emotions and desires run high in the fast paced thriller. I enjoyed the read and recommend this one to everyone who enjoys a great story. Characters are well developed and fun to follow along this journey. Check it out and tell me your thoughts.
This is a great story about a man who is dying and needs a new heart. A remarkable doctor has developed a new transplant method which will cure him and allow him to be there for his daughter. As he makes the choice he discovers this transplant is from a wolf. Imagine a wolf heart with all of the urges and hunting abilities blended with the reasoning and cunning ability of man. The mix can make a very good hunter. Will he learn to control the urges or will he turn into the most prolific killer in America? The emotions and desires run high in the fast paced thriller. I enjoyed the read and recommend this one to everyone who enjoys a great story. Characters are well developed and fun to follow along this journey. Check it out and tell me your thoughts.
May 13, 2018
Paul DiPersio entices us with what the possibilities could be if a wolf was genetically engineered as a heart donor. Wolfheart starts with David Holtz realizing the only chance he has to watching his daughter grow up is to be a test subject for a new heart transplant procedure. Unsure if he would have agreed if he knew all the complications that could arise with a heart from a wolf. With mixed emotions, David wonders if he will ever get his hunger under control. He struggles between being a monster and living on the edge.
I could not wait to read this book after reading words from the author. Paul DiPersio draws on the reader’s pity for the widower who is adamant about providing for his daughter. Wolfheart has a bitter sweet ending which makes me guess if there will be a sequel or the author leaves it to our imagination.
I could not wait to read this book after reading words from the author. Paul DiPersio draws on the reader’s pity for the widower who is adamant about providing for his daughter. Wolfheart has a bitter sweet ending which makes me guess if there will be a sequel or the author leaves it to our imagination.
September 4, 2018
WolfHeart by Paul DiPersio is a different spin on the medical drama. When David the main character, needs a new heart, he receives an odd proposal, take the experimental heart of a wolf, and get a trust fund for his daughter or bite the bullet. He takes the heart, makes a deal with devil, and from there the books gets off to a great start. Sounds like a great deal, but the heart of a wolf is not what you might expect, and certainly proves in this story to be wild and unpredictable. Once he gets the new heart, there is a constant struggle to overcome the wolf aspect of his new nature. This is a highly unique book, and the author uses his medical background to its full advantage when describing medical details. Original, thoughtful, and a little scary and steamy, this book is not to be missed. Highly recommend.
January 30, 2020
Wow! Wolfheart by Paul DiPersio is an exciting read! I was hooked from the first page. David goes in for an experimental heart transplant because his is killing him. Of course there is a catch, the heart is a modified wolf’s heart. If he takes the experimental heart, he gets a trust fund for his daughter. He takes it because in the end his daughter will be taken care of. However, upon receiving the heart, it becomes quickly apparent that he has the heart of the wolf, there is a constant struggle to overcome the wolf aspect of his new nature. You’ll flip through the pages quickly trying to find out what happens to David. Original, thoughtful, and a little scary this book will leave you thinking over the choices he faced and the ethics involved. Loved every page!
October 28, 2020
**I won this novella for my Amazon Kindle from a giveaway on GoodReads and was asked for an honest review**
This is my first read by this author. Ummm.....I'm not really sure how I want to review this novella. Totally not what I was expecting at all. It's a very different and unique concept of organ transplant patients and what measures people will take to be there for their loved ones. With that being said, it takes a turn and gets really interesting and dark from there. I'm not sure if there is going to be a continuation novella or not because the ending just kind of left you hanging and really didn't click with me at all. Overall, it was an interesting and quick read. Happy Reading!
This is my first read by this author. Ummm.....I'm not really sure how I want to review this novella. Totally not what I was expecting at all. It's a very different and unique concept of organ transplant patients and what measures people will take to be there for their loved ones. With that being said, it takes a turn and gets really interesting and dark from there. I'm not sure if there is going to be a continuation novella or not because the ending just kind of left you hanging and really didn't click with me at all. Overall, it was an interesting and quick read. Happy Reading!
May 13, 2018
The title of the book says it all. David’s heart is failing and he is offered to get a hybrid heart – fusion of human and wolf part of the experiment, in return, to provide handsome money to his daughter in case of his demise. He had no choice but this wolf heart has its own mind and likes to hunt. An innovative science experiment changes the life of a normal man. The book warns the impacts of scientific innovation that used technology like stem cells, good or bad is left an open question for us to think.
November 24, 2020
This book was nothing like I expected it to be. Initially it seemed to be a medical thriller but as the story evolved it turned into the desperate struggle of a man wanting to see his child one last time before the inevitable happened. I really got attached to David and, although the ending was not a shock, it still hit hard. A really entertaining and different story. And, although this was fiction, there is also the message that we should not try to manipulate nature without considering unexpected consequences.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
February 4, 2018
Very unique and awesome read!!
This book is very relatable from the point of view of a patient and their loved ones at the beginning. The story has many twists and turns keeping the pages turning. The medical and science fiction side of it is very convincing and so intriguing. The tragedy of the story leaves you with many mixed feelings throughout.
This book is very relatable from the point of view of a patient and their loved ones at the beginning. The story has many twists and turns keeping the pages turning. The medical and science fiction side of it is very convincing and so intriguing. The tragedy of the story leaves you with many mixed feelings throughout.
September 19, 2019
Good read
I really liked the story and had a hard time putting it down. I rated it a 3 star because of the sex scenes. I totally thought they were unnecessary and out of place, not needed in the story
I really liked the story and had a hard time putting it down. I rated it a 3 star because of the sex scenes. I totally thought they were unnecessary and out of place, not needed in the story
November 15, 2020
Good but bittersweet
This story was definitely a new take on how you can contract lycanthropy. I was a mix of sad and happy about the ending.
I won this book thru a goodreads.com giveaway
This story was definitely a new take on how you can contract lycanthropy. I was a mix of sad and happy about the ending.
I won this book thru a goodreads.com giveaway
January 27, 2020
Not what I was expecting. Kinda dark,
December 9, 2020
It wasn't exactly what I thought it was going to be but it was still a good story.
February 3, 2023
I just finished this book. I won this book from Goodreads. I liked reading it. It was interesting and different and it even hinted that there could be another book.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews