Tuesday, July 20, 2010

The Griffon, or is that Gryphon Shapeshifter?


As I pen this late-night post, I’m feeling particularly claw-swiping aggravated. For a number of good reasons. One of those reasons ~ I had planned on continuing the prequel scene, for this blog, between Katta and Zio, my heroine and hero in TANGERINE CARNAL DREAMS.

But, no... oh, no, obviously the universe had other plans for me. Yeah, I got lots of authorly stuff done, but as it turned out there was no time left and no real brain power left for Katta and Zio... so their sexual tension is simmering on high... okay, more likely, it’s about to go nova... at least, unlike in real life, I don’t worry about them still being in the mood when I do finally get back to their scene.

So what to do, what do... there was a lot of tantalizing info about Griffins on the Just Another Paranormal Monday chat loop ~ groups.yahoo.com/group/ParanormalMonday ~ If you’ve never checked out this *fantasy, future and paranormal* and go-bump-in-the-night group for authors and readers, I’d recommend it highly if yer partial to these kinds of stories. About any kind of story, and any level of romance heat is encouraged as long as your book is in the paranormal genre.

Anyway... back to Griffins... sure, wouldn’t they make great shapeshifters? You could create your own hybrid Griffon or Gryphon. Or you could go with the Lion Griffon, the Eagle Griffin... the Lion-Eagle Gryphon. There are Griffin Serpents, Gryphon Dragons and one of my personal faves, the Hippogriff... a horse and griffin hybrid. Though, from what I learned some Griffins like dining on horses. *Shudder*

Yeah, some of you will think of Harry Potter. I didn’t see or read that particular story/movie with the Hippogriff, so I’ll think of them in terms of their ancient Greek origins.

Now, I have written Gryphon characters in a few of my WIPs... I mean what a pet! What a winged ride through the skies... and the gorgeous guy pictured above, I mean, what’s not to love?

Hmmm...

Zhoraxis settled his multi-colored wings against his back before landing on the non-skid rectangular pedestal on top of his mountain-realm castle. His back paws touched down first. His front talons followed slapping against the sun-baked sandstone until he gripped the edge and fully halted himself.

He rolled one eye catching sight of his current nemesis, the Princess Elspetha. She tapped her foot impatiently, rippling the forest green skirt of her gown. Looking like a petulant fairy, the diminutive dark-haired beauty tightened her crossed arms and glared as if he’d intentionally kept her waiting.

Had he known about her presence, Zhoraxis would have continued soaring the friendly skies, found a comfortable tree limb and bedded down for the night. Something had definitely crawled between her pearl-skin thighs and bitten the princess’s too-tiny butt. Perhaps, her latest lover had failed to bite her properly and left her wanting and wanton.

“I have a mission for you,” she all but snarled as she strode toward him. Her marching gait displayed not one ounce of royal decorum.

Zhoraxis stepped from the pedestal and initiated his transformation into human form. With leisurely perfection, he reduced his wings and folded them behind his shoulder blades. Beginning with his hindquarters, he replaced his tail and his beast shape, then changed his hide and feathers into skin.

According to his preference, Zhoraxis retained one taloned hand. Languidly moving to retrieve his heavy robe, he ignored the bad-mannered princess. He took his sweet time and adjusted the densely woven linen to his liking, then belted long robe.

“How may I serve you, princess?”

“My birth jewels have been stolen. You must...”

Interrupting, Zhoraxis neutrally stated, “I have no way to find your birth jewels, as you must know.”

“I will ride upon your back and guide you.”

Annoyed to his wing tips at the princess’s childish spoiled tone, Zhoraxis resisted the urge to toss her into the moat below, and let his alligators deal with her. A bit of sport at her expense would serve their bored mood and entertain him. Regarding her steadily, he un-clamped his jaw enough to speak. “That is not allowed.” Arching a brow, he continued, “Shall I inform your mother and father about this...”

“No, please, please.” The princess fell to her knees.
~~~

Story worthy, or not? You be the judge.
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The Kougar’s news and mews ~

I received the final approval doc for BRANDED BY THE TEXANS and the scheduled release date is August 2... yay! Yippee! Yahoo! So, hopefully everything will proceed smoothly... knock on wood!!!
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I am also blogging Tuesday, the 20th at Lindsay Townsend’s THE PINK BLOG ~ here’s the beginning ~

Short Story ~ The Tiger’s Masquerade

So, how do you write a short story for the fantasy, future and paranormal erotic romance market? There are a lot of opportunities to pen one for an anthology. Because from what I can tell, Halloween anthologies seem to be particularly popular, whether e-book or print.
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~ HAPPY SUMMER SHAPESHIFTING ~

Savanna Kougar

~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~

Author of ~

All Shades of Blue Paradise
Red Lioness Tamed
When a Good Angel Falls ~ In Print
Tangerine Carnal Dreams
Murder by Hair Spray in Gardenia, New Atlantis ~ In Print
Black Cat Beauty
Her Insatiable Dark Heroes ~ In Print
Stallion of Ash and Flame ~ In Print
Branded by the Texans ~ Coming in August 2010 from Siren-BookStrand
The Tiger’s Masquerade ~ Coming from MojoCastle Press
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4 comments:

Pat C. said...

You've done it again, created another fascinating character. I love that Zhoraxis keeps one hand as a talon in his human form. It's kind of piratical. Is he a prince in his native land? He'd have to be. I mean, look at that picture! Is that royalty or what?

Who'd play him in the movie version? Please don't say Johnny Depp. I'm sorry now I brought up the whole pirate thing.

This whole flash business -- "Boisterous Beginnings: Savanna starts a series of books she never finishes" - is getting out of hand. How many volumes have you got in the works now? Finish one, already!

Serena Shay said...

Mmm, definitely a story, Savanna! Just think of the writing fun you can have with a griffon and is Elspetha a fae princess? :)

Savanna Kougar said...

Pat, I gotta luv ya! I'm afraid Mr. Gryphon came about as an impromptu inspiration and the only one my exhausted brain would go with...

However, I'd love to finish his story.

Right now, I want to finish Kandy Apple for Halloween... Kandace, my witch, and her two hellhounds, Zol and Zin... 40,000 words, appr., so far.

Savanna Kougar said...

Serena, Lady Shay, a Griffon would be just incredibly fun!

Elspetha, actually has more elf in her... a fact her parents don't care to reveal, to just anyone.