Who's up for a reading challenge?

Hi and welcome to your Wednesday fix of Shapeshifter Seductions! Rebecca here with nothing about shape shifters, only a rant. As you may or may not know, this is National Banned Books Week. This yearly event is near and dear to me because just about every freaking book I enjoyed as a child is on the list. I absolutely loved Alvin Schwartz’s Scary Stories series! (Yeah, I was into odd stuff as a kid, too. Sue me.)

Looking at the list, though, I noticed a definite trend: The books on the banned list were either books that encourage young kids to think outside the box or accept that life is still good even when it isn’t so pretty. What possible reason could people have for trying to force kids to only read empty-headed books? They banned Captain Underpants and Junie B. Jones, for crying out loud!

The next thing I noticed, of course, was that every book on it was either geared for teens or one that was commonly taught in high school literature classes. Sooo… Are we deliberately trying to cripple the younger generations then? Make ‘em cross-eyed, drooling drones? Which, of course brought to mind the 80s teen movie, “Footloose”, with the incredibly sexy Kevin Bacon. The preacher who banned books, dances and most everything that encouraged free thought because his son was killed doing stupid kid things? It didn’t work out so well in the movie. Add to that, Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Fin” has been on that list for over a hundred years with no discernable effect, I think the book haters need to realize they lost this war…

Third and final thing I noticed? Every major paranormal kid’s series was on that list. One of my favorite YA romances, “Blood and Chocolate”, is also on it. Why, oh why do we need to use children as a rope in a tug-of-war about rights that are clearly defined in the Constitution? If you don’t like it, don’t read it. If you don’t read it, you don’t get to rant about it. You can forbid your own kids from reading about Harry Potter, but you have no right to tell me that my kids shouldn’t be reading it.

Ok, so here’s my take on it. You know how there’s a list of 100 books everyone should read? Guess what? A lot of those books are on the list of 100 banned books. So I am going to treat the banned book list as a list of 100 books I should read. It’s cheating, I know. I’ve already read about half of them. It’s all fair, though. Some of the entries are for whole series’ so it’ll even out, more or less, anyway. I did notice that the Golden Compass and it’s sister books were on there, so I’m reserving my copy at the library today. How about you? Any of the books on the list look good to read?

Until next week!

Rebecca
RebeccaLGillan.com

I Love the Cover Art Goddess!

Shapeshifter lovers, here it is, a sneak peek at the cover art for the Just Another Paranormal Halloween anthology~ featuring my short story, THE TIGER’S MASQUERADE.

Thank you! Stephanie Kelsey, cover artist for Mojo Castle. Showering you with ‘good fairy’ kisses.

Yes...yes...yes! I love the Cover Art Goddess! She has been so very good to me. And, I live in hope, she will continue.

And, talk about getting in the Halloween-spooky-gothic mood.
~~~

I did it. I got my short story written, Weightless Inside His Wings, and will submit it to Jane of Dear Author, who is editing the Berkley anthology. Yeah, yeah... *no hope* here of being accepted. It was the challenge that hooked me in. However, Weightless will find a good home. And, of course, I am very fond of my heroine and hero, and their story.

Here’s a Blurb-Summary:

Striker of the Kalluv Windworld is a warrioress for her people. An adept at protecting herself from every known method of mind control, her missions take her across the galaxy to search out and stop those who enslave other races. Her last memory is hunkering down during a sandstorm. Now she finds herself floating inside an anti-grav sphere.

Dhray Zorr of the Vjemic Realm is a warrior on his planet-world. His kind, a hawk-panther shapeshifter, has been genetically designed to battle for freedom, then to hold it against would-be tyrants. However, there are few suitable mates on his world, and the population is declining rapidly. Now, he must face one more duty. He is called upon to take an alien woman as his mate.
~~~~~~

Next up, I *might* write another short story for the All Romance ebooks contest. That is, if I can figure out the heroine and hero’s names.

Then, I’ve been chomping at the writerly bit to get back to Kandy Apple and her Hellhounds. What a majickal Samhain time to finish their story since it takes place around and on Halloween.

Here’s an excerpt from Chapter Four ~

Now, though, she had a whole new problem, other than keeping herself safe from the roaming security teams. The Alien Tuxedo Twins had been able to see her, despite her invisibility shield.

True, they didn’t seem overly eager to make her aware they knew about her witchy ability. Still, who the hell were they? What were they?

And, did she need to be afraid of them? To that end, Kandace sauntered ever closer.

“Might as well face the bad guys, if they are, and get it over with.” She whispered the words against the rim of her glass. Taking a sip, Kandace decided against an exploratory thought-form.

If they could see past her magic, they could probably stop her psi search of their minds, and would know she was onto their paranormal abilities.

Kandace strolled before some artist’s attempt to fuse Picasso’s style with the voluptuous fantasy art of Boris Vallejo. Blinking several times, she stared at the horror of high strangeness.

The twin wearing the evening suit sidled next to her as if he examined the painting.

“Definitely not my cup of artistic tea,” she commented. “What do you think?”

“I think I’d rather get to know a spooky little girl like you.”

Kandace jumped inside, startled by his bold come on. “Spooky. Isn’t that a song lyric?”

From the corner of her eye, she watched the other twin join them. Uh oh, she’d just become the filling for a man sandwich. At least, they appeared to be men, given those high-rise bulges they both sported.

For her?

Certainly, they smelled like real men. Despite the expensive cologne that clung subtly to both of them, their virility slammed into her nostrils and reminded her a bit of her Uncle’s Rottweiler dogs.
~~~~~~

The Kougar’s news and mews ~

So, with the Halloween season breathing down my neck like a turned-on vampire, I am going to be ‘treating’ BLACK CAT BEAUTY to a promo fest, along with the ‘above’ anthology. Me, and a whole lot of romance readers enjoy all the spooktacular celebrations taking place at blogs and chat loops.

Sable Kiki, my heroine in Black Cat Beauty, is being interviewed at Got Romance Reviews ~ gotromancereviews.blogspot.com ~ I don’t have a date yet. But, my Sable had a r-e-a-l good time maow-chatting.
~~~
Okay, here’s a promo I saw for a shapeshifter book that struck my amusement bone. [This is in no way a put-down of the book or the author. The author, if she wishes, is more than welcome to guest blog with us, and share more about her book.]

PROMO: Returning home, will Maggie have more than her wounds licked

Can Quinn and Lucas convince Maggie she’s meant to be their mate?

Maggie’s Mates by Bronwyn Green

Blurb:

Having recently ended a bad relationship, Maggie Ryan returns to her hometown in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to discover things aren’t quite the way she remembers. Her childhood friends, Quinn and Lucas Makwa, are all grown up and keeping secrets. The shape-shifters want Maggie for their mate, but she’s not sure she wants to trust another man—let alone two that can shift into black bears at will.

Available at Resplendence Publishing ~ resplendencepublishing.com ~
~~~~~~

So, what’s new and the news in your shapeshifter world?
~~~~~~

~ HAPPY AUTUMN SHAPESHIFTING ~

Savanna Kougar

~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~

Signs Your Neighbors Might be Shapeshifters

By Pat Cunningham

You hear barking, growling and howls, but never see a dog.
They hold three to four cookouts a week, even in the dead of winter.
The father always smells like meat, though he says he’s an accountant.
The mother talks about taking her children to the vet.
The children chase cars.
The family only ever drives Mustangs, Cougars or Jags.
There always seem to be rabbit, squirrel or bird bones and feathers in the yard.
Pets disappear from the neighborhood.
The mother follows her children around with a pooper scooper.
They refer to their extended family or circle of friends as a “pack.”
Your dog has puppies that talk.

****

PS: I just came across a bit of trivia: apparently bats have the highest incidence of homosexuality among all mammals. Looks like my M/M vampire story was right on the money.

Fall is here.....and it's 98 degrees outside!!

Ever have one of those epiphany moments where you wonder if you've left your brain somewhere along the path and you don't remember where?

I think Mother Nature aka Gaea might have had one this week. Today record temperatures hit my region. Almost 100 in places. The last 3 days have been 90 plus. Thank God and Goddess our air conditioning is still turned on. Then a few days prior it was 45 when I left for work. Fall is the time of change, but dang can we tone down the extremes some please?

So now you understand the reference to the nut house above. Add to this, we are learning to speak military at my job. Before you think, I've lost it, let me explain. I work for a credit union whose field of membership is largely comprised of all four divisions of the military. We're learning how to tell what someone's rank is and be able to greet them by this at least once during our service call contact with them. With all the LOL OMG WTG going on in the world of texting, try decrypting military abbreviations without a cheat sheet!? I've two sets and this according to management is simple basic stuff. And we're learning how to spell in military alphabet and tell time in it too. Gee, I already speak 3 languages. What's one more, eh?

Other news this week:

Red Hot will be available in print on demand within the next 2-4 weeks on Amazon along with Barnes and Noble. I've seen the cover print out and it is NICE!

I entered the first chapter of an Urban Fantasy I'm working on at Boons and Mills New Voice contest to get some reader feedback. If you are interested check out Shape Shifter Blues.

My recent piece of flash fiction entitled Halloween Were Style is being groomed for All Romance eebooks contest. A nice little love story is playing out and almost ready to post.

Well that's all from the front here. Enjoy the start of fall before it gets too chilly or too dang hot.

Smiles,
Solara

Crazy Story Snippet

See, here’s my problem, I have this story with dragons, merfolk and humans all wrapped up in a jumble of a world that I’ve been building in my head for quite a while. Sounds like a great thing, right? Well, it is, and it isn’t. For some reason this story is highly resistant to plotting. Every time I sit down to plot it out, I draw a total blank. The dragons fly away and the merfolks swim deep into the lake. The humans, of course, mill around, as they are want to do.


I have the basic idea of what the characters are trying to tell me in my head, but when it comes time to actually putting some order to the mess well, putt—putt, plllllttttt story inturuptous.

Pantser it? Yeah, I’ve considered that, but this story is already kind of a mess in my head, I can only imagine what would end up on the page without a little direction. ;)

Just this morning I had a blip of a scene jump into my head for this story, check it out…

(No kidding, this is exactly what came to me…all dialogue)


“Dang Billy, why the hell did you drag me out in this crap-assed weather?”



“It’s only a little rain, dude, besides you have to see this.”


“It’s a deluge.”


“It’s a dribble, Buck, now shut up and look.”


“It’s a fucking downpour, numb-nuts, nothing worth seeing in a—is that a…”


“You see it?”


“Um, yeah, I think…effing A, man, is that a…”


“Mermaid.”


“Nice rack!”

Now, as I read it, it really is useless…two human buddies gawking at the topless mermaid. How does that fit into the story? I tried to dismiss it and move on with other things, but no such luck. It sat there; clogging up the old noodle until I finally just typed it out and shoved it in the Dragon file…maybe someday, more will come to me to add to it.

So, does anyone else have crazy story snippets that won’t leave them be? Also, how do you whip a story into plotting mode if it’s resisting?

Holy Were-Seagulls! It's Fall already!

Hi and welcome to your Wednesday fix of Shapeshifter Seductions! Happy Fall Equinox to all of you Wiccans, and a happy first day of fall to those who are not. Rebecca here with an eclectic blend of really odd stuff. This week I have for you a manly-man who says he’ll read a romance picked on a dare, a possible Other mob hit, and a peek into the lives of werewolf frat boys. I am also happy to announce that “Equal Partners,” book two of my “Wild Lords” series is now scheduled for a January release! I’ll keep you posted on what the actual release date will be once I know it.

So first off, we have the Epic Black Car Guy- I have no idea who he is- saying he will, and I quote, “clean his pistol, pour a tall glass of bourbon, and read whatever book we consider to be the Greatest Romance Novel Ever Born!” So, of course, I had to chime in with “Gone With the Wind,” because you can’t get much more epic than that. I also submitted “Acheron” by Sherrilyn Kenyon, because it was at least written in this century, has pretty much everything but the kitchen sink in the plot, and- most importantly- it has shapeshifters. Pop on over and read the comments. They are funny as heck!

Next we have the possible Other mob hit. I say this because an airplane was spotted circling a wooded area, a person was seen falling from the sky without a parachute, but no body was found! The witnesses were all employees of a vet clinic. Despite claiming to have found no body, the police are still investigating and are not willing to comment on that investigation. This all took place in Egg Harbor, PA. Yeah, this could be just a string of unrelated factiods, but here’s how it reads to me:

Someone got cocky and made fast with the mob boss‘s daughter. So the mob tries to off they guy and dispose of the body it the harbor. But he’s not human, see? And since they didn’t cut off his head, he’s not really dead, just stunned. So he wakes up mid air and jumps to safety. No body was found because even if the fall had killed him, the remains wouldn’t have been that of a human. (It might have; two traumatic injuries back-to-back can tax even a shifter.) I’m sure they would have noticed a dead tiger or wolf, but would they have necessarily noticed a dead were-squirrel? And since this all happened in Egg Harbor, I’m thinking the mobsters tried to off a were-seagull. The witnesses knew full well what they were seeing and tried to report it, like good Samaritans, but who’s going to believe the mob tried to off a man who changing into a bird, right? Or maybe someone tried to off Spenser Pratt. That guy just won’t go away, either.

Anyways…. Here’s nice look into the lives of seven freshman werewolves just trying to get a post-class cup of coffee before hitting the library to study. Seems someone has other plans for two of them, though:

************************************************************************

“What are we doing tonight? Slack off or start in on the work?” Torr asked idly as they walked out of their last class for the day. No one answered- Laz felt like his brain was trying to ooze out of his left ear. Humanities at 7:00 am, Algebra at 9:30, and a four hour biology lab at 12:30 was more than he had been ready for. Man, his sister hadn’t been kidding when she said costing through high school didn’t mean costing through college level classes!

“We’d better get a crack at the home work,” Laz advised. “I have a feeling if we don’t stay on top of it, we could get too far behind to ever catch up.”

“I’m hungry but I think I’m too tired to eat,” Alex commented, sounding bemused. “I don’t think that’s ever happened to me before. Why did we choose this heavy of a course load again?”

“Ego,” Rico grunted. Laz chuckled. The small wolf from Taos, New Mexico, didn’t say much other than the occasional one-word sentence, but he was usually dead-on.

“I do remember thinking that anything an ape could do, a wolf could do better,” he agreed. “When that ape egghead signed up for a tough course load, we all decided to sign up for one more class than him.”

“Ego,” Rico repeated, sounding disgusted.

“I need a coffee,” Laz said a few minutes later. The scent of roasting coffee beans wafting on the air smelled nice and Alex, though he said he was too tired to eat, probably should do so anyway. The massive wolf from Michigan wasn’t fat- he ate like that because he was 250 lbs of solid muscle and even a skinny wolf could out eat an ape. Super strength and super healing meant a super high metabolism.

“With all the home work that algebra teacher dumped on us, we’re going to need an IV infusion of caffeine, not a single cup,” Torr groused. He followed the smaller wolf willingly enough, though, and the others quickly fell in behind them.

“I guess I figure that since I got strait A’s in high school algebra, I’d do fine with the college level stuff,” Laz agreed. The wolves elbowed each other finding spaces at a long table lined with second-hand easy chairs and a saggy couch as Laz made his way up to the counter to place their order. He didn’t think it had dawned on the others that he had taken the lead in the group.

For two weeks, they’d all told him that as a lone wolf with no pack to back him, he was bottom of the totem pole. As he stood in line waiting for their order, he looked the others over. Everyone wanted to be the pack alpha. No one wanted the work. Or, Laz realized suddenly, they didn’t realize that there was a difference between being dominant and being aggressive. Laz wasn’t aggressive, for the most part. Fussing didn’t get anything done. Maybe he was more dominant than the others and they’d tried putting him in his place because they sensed that about him?

A loud crash interrupted his musings. Laz turned to look and found four very, very big- and full grown- wolves attacking his pack. He didn’t think, just acted.

Two of the wolves had the twins, Rex and Rory, in headlocks. The pups had gone limp from the neck hold, as all young wolves tended to do, and were being dragged out of the café. Laz tackled their feet, trying to break the grip so the pair could get away. They wolf holding Rory did drop his charge, but Rory, not being the brightest of the pack, just flopped to the floor. Laz’s vision hazed out of focus when a third wolf kicked his head, allowing the second wolf to pick Rory up again. Laz vaguely realized that the two who had the twins were getting away, but was too busy trying to get the two who’d remained behind off him.

“Guys! A little help here?” he shouted as he rolled blindly away from the next kick.

“I got this one!” he heard someone, probably Torr, shout, then heard a crunch. Torr dropped beside him, out cold. Evidently he hadn’t had that one. A loud roar sounded from Alex, the hulk of the group, then another crash. As glass tinkled over him, Laz heard a siren. Shit! The kidnapers were getting away with Rex and Rory. With the cops coming- and his head pounding too hard to see strait- they'd never be able to slip out and follow!

*************************************************************************************

That’s all for this week, kiddies! Have a safe and festive Autumn!

Rebecca
RebeccaLGillan.com

Rebellious Claws, then Releasing the Beast

Howls and yowls, Shapeshifter lovers. Tomorrow is the first day of Autumn. The sun leaves the sign of Virgo behind and brings it’s radiance to Libra, the sign of balance. The Full Moon happens on the 23rd and is in the fire sign of Aries.

Since Sol and Luna will be in opposition to each other, this may be the time for those ‘opposites attract’ romances. Purrs, it’s an ideal time to pen those types of scenes, or bring forth that next story idea where opposites attract.

Yes, I admit it, I was born to be a rebel. That theme is always present in my books.

Who we are at our core, what we resonate with, will always do its best to shine forth in our stories. As human beings we are not mass-produced by Creation. Our purpose, our path on the beloved Earth is unique, and becomes part of life’s exquisite tapestry.

So, of course, our shapeshifter heroines and heroes are individuals with their own tale or tail to spin and tell. They each have their own path to their mates.

In the past few days several issues in my authorly world have brought out my rebellious claws. My fiercely raking fangs and claws... grrrrrrrrr. No, I won’t go into detail. At this point in time, I haven’t investigated the situations enough to offer the whole truth.

Suffice it to roar, I don’t discriminate against any romance subgenre, or any heat level, because I don’t want to [it’s not my nature] and because it’s not my business what your reading preferences are.

This is also a matter of principle to me. I don’t want to be discriminated against, so I’m not going do it. Yet, it appears discrimination may be on the rise, or the herd mentality is alive and all too well. There are other dynamics that drive this type of prejudice, as well. Since that discussion would require a doctoral dissertation to explain fully, you are spared.

All of us should be able to enjoy the reads, the books we want. This is fundamental to freedom. This is our natural right as human beings.

At a primal level, this could be one more reason why so many of us enjoy our shapeshifter romances. The inner animal and the shifted beast demands freedom and lives true to her/his nature. If not, then often that is the crux of the story ~ living your truth and releasing the beast.

And, oh, baby, do I love releasing the beast, or beasts...

Here are a couple of *unedited* snippets from my short story WIP ~

Soon he told himself, he would handle her round-as-orb curves. God of Eros! How fiercely he wanted to taste her skin, a deep shade of golden amber. With his genetic heritage as both hawk and panther, he intended on pleasuring her with his tongue’s rough texture. Often.

Dhray Zorr growled long and low, his chest vibrating. His panther ruled him now. She brought out all his beasts. Hawk, panther and male. His wings quivered in anticipation of stroking her.
~~~

Feathers, several of them, brushed over the swell of her hip. Feathers?

She heard a low raw growl. As the sound vibrated through her, feathers slipped along her side. The whispering brush was so faithful to her curves that Striker succumbed to the pleasurable sensation for long seconds.

No, she reprimanded herself.

“Ibajah woman,” the man-beast rumbled in common galactic.

Striker failed to identify his accent. Disturbed he knew her race, but she didn’t know his, she nearly moaned when feathers brushed the side of her thigh. Sensually, he teased her waist with a finesse that enticed her toward surrender.

The tips of large feathers slowly pleasured her ribcage opposite the delicate slide of feathers over her belly.

Striker’s eyes popped open. Wings. He had wings. I’m weightless inside his wings.
~~~~~~

The Kougar’s news and mews ~

A New Review at ~

PARANORMAL ROMANTICS blog

A Sunday Review by Stacey Kennedy

Black Cat Beauty
by Savanna Kougar

Rating: 4 Stars

“A LINE THAT HAD ME DROOLING WITH WORD ENVY -- But wishes were for lay-around, canned tuna-eating cats. Not for her. No, never for her. Seeking the feel of him, her body swayed toward him, her desire coiling deep for him.”

THE BLURB:

A private Halloween party in a gothic mansion hidden in the Hollywood Hills. Add one party crasher, Sable Kiki, a naughty black cat with a sexy, wild, human side. Her covert assignment from her devious, always cunning father: Use her seductive wiles to find out the truth from Devon Zant, a movie star on the rise to super stardom.

Posing as the superhero actor, Devon Zant, D’Torr has arrived on Earth seeking revenge for the capture of his younger brother and to assist in stopping a powerful enemy. The leviathan warfleet of the Altirrux wants to rule all intergalactic trade routes to Earth, endangering the survival of D’Torr’s race and all the inhabitants of the rare blue jewel, Earth.
~~~

Full Review at ~ paranormalromantics.blogspot.com/?zx=bcdd30b68f759d7a ~
~~~

~ HAPPY ALMOST AUTUMN SHAPESHIFTING ~

Savanna Kougar

~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
~~~~~~

Filler

By Pat Cunningham

You can always tell when I’m stuck for a topic because things like this come out of my keyboard. It was this or the moon bunnies. Enjoy.

“I knew something like this would happen,” Lenora said. “This is why men should never be allowed to do magic.”

Gil stared behind him at his bushy tail, then up at the full moon. “You’ve got to be kidding me. A were-squirrel?”

“I told you to double-check the fur before you committed to the spell. Just because it’s gray doesn’t mean it came from a wolf.”

Gil flexed his tiny paws. “So help me, I’m going to kill that peddler.”

“How? Gnaw him to death?” She giggled. “You do look kind of cute like that.”

“We can reverse the spell, right? Or do I have to go through this every full moon now?”

“Well, the change came from magic instead of a bite, so we should be able to fix it. I’ll call the local coven and see what I can come up with. In the meantime, there’s this really nice oak tree out back. Or maybe you’d like to run along some power lines.”

“Oh, shut up and pass me the Planters.”

I'm still doing a last-minute polish on my vampire story. I'm hoping to have it out by Friday. I have no idea what I'll work on next. I kind of had an idea for an M/M/M, but I'm intimidated by the pronouns.

By the way, what's the difference between M/M/F and M/F/M? I saw it defined somewhere, but I forgot.

A lLittle Shameless Promotion

Red Hot my current release with Siren Bookstrand received another review this week. This one is from Coffee Time Romance and Reviews. I'm posting it below for your reading pleasure.

My work week has been screwy to say the least. We've updated our evaluation process and with that created new certificate programs. I'm on one of the tasks groups that over sees one of the certificate programs. Since a few people are Redskins fans (come on we're based out of Metro Washington DC area), burgundy played a large part in the color layouts. I've looked at certificates and color combinations until I'm liking black and white plain sketches over living color. Ah, well a good night's sleep and a different color pallet will help.

Driving home the other night, I noticed deer grazing on the Manassas Battlefield Park area I live near. I glanced at the car clock and realized it was growing dark at 6:45pm. Mornings are darker when I leave. A week ago, sun was up and blinding as I drove. Seasonal change is definitely upon us. Don't know if fall colors will be a vibrant this year. The lane I drive down to reach my office has a canopy of trees over parts of it. Some years the colors are gorgeous and so rich in hues. I love fall because for me it's as though everything is alive celebrating their existence with color and foliage or form. Hmm, maybe it's the last party before the long slumber of winter takes over.

What season is your favorite? Why?

Have a great weekend!
Solara

RED HOT
SOLARA GORDON
ISBN: 1606017985
June 2010
Siren Publishing
www.sirenpublishing.com
EBook
$4.99
182 Pages
Erotic Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3 Cups

Brent Stephens is the Fire Chief and lead emergency medical technician. He loves his job as a firefighter.

Bunny Kater owns Kater’s Café, a restaurant where the firemen frequent for hot meals and hot coffee. She came to Virginia to get away from the memories of her deceased husband.

Due to work that needs to be done on his place, Brent ends up staying at Bunny’s place. Suddenly what began as a friend offering him help became more as desire takes the place of friendship. But Bunny has issues with Brent being a firefighter, afraid he is going to end up being like her previous husband. Can Brent get her to see past her painful history with firemen and see him for the man he is?

Red Hot was a good book for the most part. Ms. Gordon uses realistic emotions, heartfelt moments, and real-life hurdles in this tale. The problem I had with this tale was that while the emotions for the most part were very real, there were times when there was so much crying going on I wanted to shout, “enough already”. I think the way many of the lesser characters came together to help Bunny and Brent figure out what they wanted out of their relationship was very good. If you like stories that seem to target those who love a lot of emotions, tough decisions, painful pasts, and steamy sex then you will like this novel.

Danielle
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

New Release ~ Denying His Wolfen Heritage by Missy Martine

Denying His Wolfen Heritage
A Wolfen Heritage 2
by Missy Martine

Blurb:

Michael spent his adulthood taking care of his baby sister, pretty much putting his own desires on hold. Then Maddie fell in love and married, freeing Michael to have a life of his own.

He doesn’t think things can get any better. He’s a single, successful architect with his own firm, living and playing in downtown Houston. What more could he want out of life?

Just when he believes everything is perfect, Maddie shatters his illusions by revealing their family’s furry secret. Now his sister is growling and running around on four legs while trying to convince him he has an inner wolf of his own. And if that’s not bad enough, he’s falling in love with a woman who occasionally has more hair on her legs than he does.

So, what’s Michael’s response to all the changes in his life? He denies everything!
~~~

TWO EXCERPTS:


STORY EXCERPT

The woman standing at the door looked familiar to Michael, but he couldn’t quite place where he’d seen her before. Intrigued, he watched as a flush ran up her neck and into her cheeks, giving her a rosy, pink color. He allowed his eyes to travel down her body and back up, amazed to see the points of her hardened nipples stabbing out from her thin shirt. Realizing she still hadn’t said anything, he smiled at her before speaking. “Can I help you?”

“Um, well, I brought you this pie to welcome you to the area.”

Michael looked down as she thrust the wrapped plate toward him. Reaching to take it from her, he allowed his fingers to brush over her own. He couldn’t help but notice her own hands were trembling when she pulled them away.

“Well, thank you very much. My name’s Michael Barrows. What’s your name, and how did you know I was here visiting?” Michael was amazed. He didn’t think her cheeks could get any redder, but they did.

“I’m Ariane Blue Hills, and I’m a friend of your sister.”

Michael smiled at her in pleasure. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Ariane. Won’t you come in for a moment?”

Michael stepped back and allowed her to cross in front of him into the cabin. She seemed nervous as she walked a few feet into the room and then turned to look at him. He’d closed the door once she was inside and then leaned against it, still holding onto the pie. “Of course, that’s where I remember you from. You were coming to take Maddie shopping after the fire at the cabin. I passed you coming up the drive as I was leaving.”

She looked shocked at his words. “Wow, that’s some good memory you have. I didn’t think you even looked at me that day.”

“Oh, I looked at you.” He grinned at her. “I looked very closely at you.” Michael crossed the room in front of her and sat the pie down on the kitchen table. He turned back to his guest, amused to see that her blushes seemed to be taking over her whole body. Her breathing had quickened, and her nipples were even more prominent, pushing through her top.

Maybe he could find more ways to relax on this trip than he thought. What harm could there be in having a little fling while he supervised the building of Maddie’s house? This little lady piqued his interest, with her long blond hair and green eyes the likes of which he’d never seen before. She was small and petite, but still curvy, just the way he liked his women. Plus, she was clearly attracted to him. Smiling wickedly at her, he stalked toward her slowly. She backed up a pace for every step he took until her back pressed up against the front door to the cabin. Michael kept moving forward until their bodies were almost touching.

“Thank you very much for the pie, Ariane. I’m sure it’ll be delicious. Perhaps you’d like to come back later and share it with me?”

Ariane turned her face away and stared down at the floor when she answered him. “Oh, I couldn’t do that, but I do hope you enjoy it.”

She fumbled with her hand behind her for the doorknob. “I guess I need to be going now. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I hope you’ll enjoy your stay here while you visit your sister.”

When Ariane failed to grasp the doorknob behind her, Michael stepped closer and put his arm around her, turning the knob himself. He smiled when he realized that she held her breath when he got close. “Well, Ariane, I hope to see a lot more of you while I’m here.”

She raised startled eyes to his gaze. “Umm, well, maybe. We’ll have to see what happens. I really have to go now.”

Looking embarrassed, Ariane ducked under his arm and scampered through the open door and down the porch steps. He chuckled quietly as she made her escape.

Smiling, Michael watched as she disappeared into the woods. Sighing, he couldn’t help thinking that maybe he should leave that alone. She seemed awfully young and naïve. He wouldn’t want to overwhelm her into doing something she might not otherwise do, and he certainly didn’t want to do anything that would embarrass Maddie and Remus. Besides, it’s not like he could offer her anything but a brief fling. She sure as hell wouldn’t fit into his life in Texas. He reached down to adjust the jeans that had become too tight. Still, there was something about her that made him want to go running after her and bring her back.

Regretfully, he put her out of his thoughts and headed for the Jeep to make the drive to Maddie’s house. Sure, he could have walked through the woods, but it would be dark by the time he headed back to the cabin and nothing could make him trek through the woods in the dark. Daniel Boone he was not.



ADULT EXCERPT

Michael stood and let his gaze slide over her body. As he watched, a blush crept over her. He walked over and traced the flush of her cheek with one finger. “You’re even more beautiful this way.” When she didn’t say anything, Michael leaned over and brushed his lips softly against hers. He smiled when he heard her little gasp and sucked on her bottom lip. One of his hands cupped the back of her head, threading his fingers into her long, blond
hair. Tilting her head slightly, he closed his lips over hers. He devoured her mouth, his tongue tracing her lips before licking them open. His heart rate tripled when he felt the first, tentative strokes of her tongue in his own mouth.

Abandoning her lips, he kissed his way down her neck, nibbling as he went along. Her body shuddered when he ran his lips along the sensitive skin of her shoulder. Raising his head, he gazed into her eyes. “I want you,” he whispered.

Ariane swallowed hard and put her hands on his shoulders. “I want you, too,” she whispered back. She seemed hesitant at first and then ran her hands over his hard, muscled chest. Michael couldn’t stop the small groan that escaped when her light touch skimmed over his sensitive nipples. The sound seemed to fascinate her because she returned her fingers to trace around the tiny nubs. Smiling, she ran her fingers down to his abdomen and then hesitated, a new flush blooming across her cheeks.

Michael grasped her hand and pressed it against the bulge in his jeans. He held his breath when her fingers gripped him through the denim and squeezed gently. His cock felt like it was going to explode as his body shook with the desire that ran through him. A brief thought that he shouldn’t be doing this ran through his mind, and then he firmly pushed it aside. Nothing could make him back away from her now.

Ariane gasped when Michael pulled her firmly against his body, pressing his erection into her soft skin. Her body trembled when he let his fingers glide over her breasts. Bending, he took one of her dark, pebbled nipples into his mouth, teasing it with his tongue, while his other hand lightly rubbed and tugged on her other side. When a small squeak escaped from her lips, Michael scooped her up into his arms and carried her over to the bed. After setting her on the firm mattress, Michael picked up his wallet, pulled out a foil packet, and placed it on the bedside table. He reached for the fastening of his jeans and began to pull the zipper down. He smiled at the look on Ariane’s face as she watched every move his hands made. Her eyes grew big as saucers when he pushed his jeans and underwear down his legs, allowing his cock to spring free. It stood long and thick from the juncture of his thighs.

Ariane swallowed hard and looked up into Michael’s eyes. “Michael, I don’t think, I mean I can’t, well, it’s not going to work.” Her voice sounded fearful.

Michael stepped close, took her hand, and placed it on his cock. “Shhh, love, it’ll be fine. I promise you I’ll never do anything to hurt you.” Slowly, he moved her hand up and down his shaft, biting his lip to keep back his groan. Her hand felt wonderful, like a piece of him that had been missing was now found.

“It feels like silk,” Ariane said.

At the sound of her voice, Michael looked down at her face. Her eyes were full of fascination, the fear gone from their depths. Gently he removed her hand and then pushed her toward the head of the bed, stretching his body out beside her. He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her gently, while his hand moved slowly up her thigh. Her body jumped when he reached the protective covering of the entrance to her sex. For a moment, he merely played with the soft curls, running his fingers through them and getting her accustomed to his touch. He felt elated when she spread her legs, allowing him greater access.

Watching her face carefully, he allowed his finger to slide into her velvety depths. She closed her eyes and pressed her head back into the pillow, her hands gripping his shoulders almost painfully. He knew from the look on her face he wasn’t hurting her. Exploring gently, he found her clit and began to massage it slowly. She immediately squeezed her thighs together, trapping his hand inside, while her eyes flew open. “Did I hurt you, Ariane?” Michael asked.

Her voice was breathless when she answered. “No, you didn’t hurt me. “I need to, um, I should probably, oh, God, I need to tell you something.” Her face was pure crimson.

Michael kept up the movement of his finger, knowing from her squirming that she was enjoying his efforts. “What is it? What do you need to tell me, love?” He stiffened when he realized what he’d just said. Oh, my God, I called her love! Where the hell did that come from? Did she realize what I said?

“Michael, I’ve, um, well, I’ve never done this before.” She looked at him with wide, frightened eyes. It was like she was afraid of his response to her admission.

For a moment Michael froze, even the movement of his invading finger stopped. On one hand he was horrified and didn’t think he had the right to take her virginity when he knew he couldn’t offer her anything more. But the part of his brain that he didn’t understand, the part that didn’t seem able to let her go, was elated. It thrilled him to think that he’d be the first and only person ever to enter her body.
~~~~~~

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Note: Apologies to Missy for the late posting. Storms interfered.

No news, just a snipit this week

Hi and welcome to your Wednesday fix of Shapeshifter Seductions. Rebecca here. I was going to make a great post about Jeff the shape shifting alligator getting arrested outside an elementary school but it’s late and the muse had me working feverishly on a new manuscript. So I’m just going to post a snipit this week. Working name of this manuscript is “Frat Pack Alpha.” Enjoy!

************************************************************************

“So you are our new humanities professor,” a condescending voice rang down the empty hall. Jack turned to look for the source. Tall, lithe and sultry, the woman behind him was enough to make him sit up and beg. His instincts, on the other hand, told him to watch his step. This fem was trouble with a capital T. Her demeanor indicated she was dominant as hell, even for a human.

“Yes, yes I am,” he said calmly, making sure to keep his eyes on her chin rather than her fantastic rack. “Jack Spenser. I’ll be teaching a series of courses on humans and their struggle to allow cohabitation with large predators.”

“Interesting choice of discipline for a wolf,” she murmured, eyeing him critically. Jack fought his unease at being recognized as a shifter. And at being eyed by a dominant female. It was the fem wolves who chose in mating so his wolf instincts were kicking in hard at the prospect of mating with this sexy woman.

“Not really,” he replied, trying to act unaffected. “They still conduct mass wolf hunts despite the timber wolf being a protected species. They kill bear sows with suckling cubs in the name of being “humane” every year. They kill cougars on the vague suspicion that an animal might have eaten someone’s pet. Changing how humans think about large predators is the only way to arrest that trend.”

“But the large predators do kill humans and livestock, Mr- What did you say your name was?” the woman tossed back.

“Dr. Spenser,” Jack replied, reminding himself not to rise to her baiting. If she knew he was a were-wolf then she was damn well trying to antagonize him deliberately- yet another aspect of the mating dance. He wasn’t fooled though. She had a set of rings on her left hand that could keep a den fed for a year. “I hold a doctorate in psychology,” he finished.

“The better to understand your prey?”

“The better to understand the interactions between my people and yours,” he corrected firmly. “The animosity goes both ways.”

“Hm.” The woman looked Jack over one more time, not quite as hostile as before. “I hadn’t realized the local pack alpha would support one of his wolves interacting so closely with apes,” she said, using the common were derogatory term for humans.

“I wouldn’t know,” Jack replied, shifting his weight. Having a discussion like this in an open hall wasn’t a good idea- too many ears could overhear. “I’ve been a lone wolf since my pack was killed off years ago. If you’ll excuse me Miss-”

“Carlisle, Mrs. Megan Carlisle. I’m the trophy wife of the Dean of Students,” she replied.

“If you’ll excuse me, Mrs. Carlisle, I need to get going. My first lecture starts in a few minutes,” he said quickly, turning away before she had a chance to reply.

Damn, he thought darkly. Her husband, the dean, did know what he was. That was unavoidable, since the dean was a were-jaguar. And his human wife had cornered him, a lone wolf new to the area, in a manner that any shifter would recognize as a come-on. She’d also made a point of letting him know she was married but not mated. That was a big difference in his world. Marriages were for power. Matings were for breeding.

**********************************************************************

Hope you enjoyed it! It’s a strait paranormal, no fantasy, no elves. Just a poor lone wolf who thought he’d been hired to teach a humanities class and finds himself chin-deep in intrigue, a sneaky boss, the boss’s promiscuous wife, a gaggle of young wolves away from home for the first time, and a rather intriguing townie who talks him into pretending to be a sub to her dom so they can infiltrate a suspicious bondage club…

Rebecca
RebeccaLGillan.com

My current release:
The Hawk’s Bride, book one of the Wild Lords
“Banished as a child, Lucan Hawk has grown to be a bitter warlord with a bad reputation. Now someone is killing the king's heirs and the king wants him named heir. But Luc can't forgive his uncle for allowing the banishment ten years ago. Then he's offered a boon he can't refuse--the right to marry the only woman he ever loved. Too bad the killer decides to target her next!”

Space Cadet Day and Halloween Blurbs

Yesterday, was a space cadet day. Not that I’m never spacey, but it’s rare that I’m THAT out of it and distracted. I forgot my mailbox key, distracted by a piece of mail that turned out to be worthless. Fortunately, the lady who owns/runs the business is a wonderful gal and had the key waiting for me. Yeah, at least, I knew the key was missing before the long trip home.

Another strange thing ~ I kept wanting to do things while driving that could cause an accident. Really stupid things like looking at a magazine that I don’t even care about. I didn’t end up doing anything stupid or dangerous. I got a grip, as they say. But, what the heck was in the air?

It could be the high levels of allergens. Maybe, my estrogen levels spiked to ridiculously high levels. Still... ???

Anyhoo... a lovely small hawk may have saved me from a possible ticket. I wasn’t going over the speed limit, but my speedometer is messed up. The hawk had landed in the middle of this back country road I use to go into town. He sat regally and had been pecking at some road kill. At first, I thought it was a large crow. So, I began wondering what does Crow Spirit want to say? I slowed, then stopped since the bird showed no inclination to move. Quick enough, I watched the hawk launch and beautifully circle a farm field. The sun backlit his/her wing feathers ~ an inspiring sight. Not that far down the road, a police car sat in wait for speeders.

Okay, this is sorta weird. As I left my place to do the shopping, I was thinking about rabbits and not seeing any lately. Though, there are great hiding places for them, given my ‘tame prairie’ yard could now be considered the wilderness. So, when I parked to go in and retrieve my key [that I forgot], a cottontail hopped by fast... no kidding! The poor thing was scared out of its mind given all the traffic and the warmish asphalt. However, it made it safely and there are large yards nearby and a bit of open land. Hopefully, bunny is okay. Across from this small shopping strip is a large, historical cemetery. I’m guessing that’s where bunny came from.

Rabbit Spirit’s message? Hop fast and take care, you’ll make it... but, what do you sense? Oh, I just remembered. My Chinese Astrological sign is Rabbit. Hmmmm....

Okay, something is DEFINITELY SCREWY. I’m not usually this chatty.

NEVER this distracted and chatty, anyway. BTW, ever face a leviathan John Deere farm machine that takes up most of the road and there’s no place to go, but the ditch? I don’t know what that farming monster is called. But it had gigundous front spikes and could easily have dispatched any car, van or hummer. Of course, I moved as close to the ditch as I could. Then, I waited for Mr. Farmer. There wasn’t much room to spare, and his humongous tires almost rolled over the ditch on the other side... but, hey, we passed each other. And, it’s all okay.

Omygosh, I almost forgot the poor trapped butterfly in my windshield wiper. Yep, traveling down the interstate... and all of a sudden, WHOOSH! I see the butterfly. The draft catches him and he’s caught. No way I can stop to find out if he’s still alive. So, I’m debating on what I can do and feeling really bad. There’s his little beautiful wings rippling rapidly from the force of the wind. My exit isn’t that far away, but it seems too far for him to survive.

Anyway, I decide I’ll stop as soon as I can, once I exit, and then I’ll extract him as carefully as I can. However, before I can get out, he’s freed himself. And, looking dazed, he flutters on top of the hood. I’m thinking he’s a gonner. But, he manages to fly away.

Gee, Butterfly Spirit’s message? Or, just an unlucky little cutie that got caught in the wind, then in the windshield wiper? ~sigh~

Now, that I’ve blog-chatted your ear off... *sorry* ... how was your day?
~~~~~~

THEY’RE HERE... the Blurbies... for the Mojo Castle Halloween Anthology.

At the castle it's never Just Another Paranormal Halloween...

Coming to Mojocastle Press - Halloween 2010

The Man in the Long Black Coat
by Susan Gabriel

“Behold, I come as a thief in the night and I tell you, ye worship ye know not what.”

Blurb:

Mariah Bishop, the preacher's daughter, lives in a town where religion and superstition are so deeply entwined there's no telling where one ends and the other begins. But her father, the good Eldon Bishop fears there is something more than religious rapture stirring in the young Mariah.

When the mysterious man in the long, black coat blows into town and holds an old-time revival on All Hallow's Eve, Mariah and the colorful characters which surround her are set on a course with consequences they couldn't possibly foresee.
~~~

A-Mazing Grace
by D. McEntire

Sometimes a wrong turn can be the right choice…

Blurb:

Halloween never meant anything special to Grace. That is until taking up an offer by her best friend for a night time trip through a local corn maze leaves her changing her tune—and her life. Coming face-to-face with a man sporting glowing red eyes and fangs, then rescued by a man who seemed just as unreal as the first makes for one hell-of-a wild night only she seems to remember.

Connell has hunted alongside his brothers for centuries, following a code to protect the secret of their race—vampires—by removing rogues vampires who refuse to blend in among society. That secret is threatened when wiping the memory of a feisty human female he saves from a rogue doesn’t take completely.

But, it isn’t her recollection of him that leads her deeper into his world. Arriving moments too late on the scene of her second attack by a rogue leaves him facing the choice of converting her or leaving her to die.
~~~

The Tiger's Masquerade
by Savanna Kougar

Stacy wasn't looking for a tiger-man to fill her tank, until Zyrru swept her off her feet at the Masquerade Ball, and claimed her passions.

Blurb:

Stacy wasn’t looking for a tiger-man to erotically and exotically fill her tank , then steal her heart. That is, until the Halloween ‘Call of the Wild Masquerade’ ball. But, what kind of tiger does she have by the tail?

Zyrru wasn’t looking for a human woman to un-tame his fiercest passions, and alter his royal life forever. After all, he’s only vacationing on Earth, and is almost engaged to The Princess. But, her rosefire scent is irresistible.
~~~

A Pixie Holiday
by Brigit Aine

Halloween brings all sorts of interesting things to Kira's life, and some of them are worth it.

Blurb:

On Halloween Kira is able to go out as herself, with no glamour on and allow others to see her true self, a pixie As she is trying to avoid the man her father sent years ago to try and marry her, she runs into a someone else, someone who makes her feel safe and protected. Although she isn't even aware that she needs protecting, yet.

Lance knows he needs to get Kira to like him, after all they are going to be married, but he has to keep her safe and get her to the conclave before any of that can happen. And it seems as if those who do not want to see an alliance between the Pixies and the Wolves would do whatever it takes to make sure his plans are foiled.
~~~

His Girl
by Sapphire Phelan

Erotic paranormal romance with vampires.

Blurb:

My Girl was more than just a song for Evan McPhail and Aimee Saunders; it was the music of their love and passion for each other. For nothing could tear them apart, not even death.
Then Aimee vanished.

She returns to Evan thirty years later, no longer human. To the tempo of their passion, they prove that doesn't matter.
~~~

Samhain's Visitor
by Kiki Howell

Samhain's visitors can be anything from dark and shadowy to sexy and full of surprizes.


Blurb:

When an uninvited visitor shows up during Sarah’s Samhain ritual, her Mute Supper is literally disrupted by cups and plates being tossed about. Soon, the shadow weighing on her and the voices with cryptic messages incite terror.

But, help comes in various forms. And, one is sexy and full of surprises.
~~~

Darkest Knight
by Ashley Blade

Blurb:

What would happen if you woke up one day a vampire?

Julie asked herself the same question many times, especially after reading one of her favorite paranormal stories.

Now what seemed like a fantasy world captured in descriptive words becomes her reality and she has to figure out if it was all it was cracked up to be.
~~~

Love, Lies & Zombie Cries
by K.A. M'Lady

When It Comes To The Heart, Something Always Bleeds

Blurb:

Jayda Oslynn knows what death feels like. She knows the solitude in the darkness’ silence. The lonely spaces between life’s last breath and the realm of the undead.

Like the women in her family before her, she’s had a life-long affinity with those that wander in the land between. Some call it black magick or necromancy, but to the Oslynn family it’s always been known as death dealing. And, whether a blessing or a curse, Jayda’s always been able to feel their feelings – their love and suffering, their happiness and sorrows. The truth, when shared through her eyes, always has a way of being felt and seen.

This Halloween, Jayda finds that when dealing with the dead, some memories are better left buried, for the real truth never stays buried and hearts, once broken seldom seem to mend.
~~~

~ HAPPY END OF SUMMER SHAPESHIFTING ~

Savanna Kougar

~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~

What to Name the Baby Shapeshifter

By Pat Cunningham

Dear Lorelei,

Only two months to go! The cub’s been kicking up a storm. Lucas wants to know if I’m carrying a horse instead of a wolf in there. He thinks it’s funny, but I’ve about had it. I’m going to ask around at the local coven and see if there are any transfer spells. Let him carry the next one, see how he likes it!

This close to delivery, and we still don’t have a name. I was hoping you could help me out. I want our cub to have the best shot at alphahood, and a good, strong name is important. And not Lucas, Jr., either. Or Elspeth II. What was Mom thinking? I think it was all those funny cigarettes she smoked back in the ‘70s. Bottom line, no Juniors. Our cub is going to stand on his or her own.

Lucas is no help. He wants to go with Neville because he had an uncle by that name. Neville? Are you kidding? Whoever heard of an alpha named Neville? That’s a gamma name if you’re lucky. I suggested Richard, but Lucas said he didn’t want our cub to be a Dick all his life. Whenever the cub gvies me a particularly powerful kick, Lucas says we ought to name it Trigger. I don’t find that funny in the least. I guess he figures he saw to the important part and the rest is up to me. Fine. If it’s a boy I’m naming him Ronald, after our next-door neighbor. Let’s see what Mr. Funny Wolf has to say about that!

It’d be easier if Horselegs here turns out to be a girl. Girls can survive any name you slap on them. We’re the living proof, huh, sis? I’d like something pretty but not too girly, like Charlotte or Jacqueline. A Charlie or Jackie will rise through the ranks faster without having to rely on hopes for an alpha male mate. Remember cousin Alouette? She runs her own pack now. Of course, they’re all she-wolves. She goes by Lou now, too. Maybe I’d better rethink this.

Ow! Our future placekicker just knocked one over the goalposts. Any ideas? I’m tapped out. And don’t you dare say Mr. or Mrs. Ed. I never liked that name anyway.

Your desperate sister,
Elspeth

Middle of September already?!

Wait, didn't the month just begin? Next Wednesday is the 15th, mid month is upon us. Soon change of seasons and more cold weather is around the corner. I don't know about you but I'd like a bit more warm to stay around after double blizzards last winter. Farmer's Almanac is predicting colder than usual winter. Colder than last winter!? I don't need another huge electric bill come February. It's been super hot this summer. Why does it have to be super cold this winter?

With fall comes Halloween, my favorite holiday. Yes, holiday. I'm neo-pagan so the change in seasons and Samhain marks the time when darkness takes over and light wanes. I love all the seasons in some fashion. I don't appreciate being overly cold or wet and for sure can take my turns at keeping cool in the air conditioning.

Seeing all the costumes and decorations out, my muse got to thinking and whispering in my ear.
Enjoy the flash fiction piece below.

Solara

____________________________________________________________________

Halloween Were Style:

Tiffany Dansen smiled as two more children approached her.

Ricardo, Monica Stansen’s youngest weretiger cub, smiled showing his small fangs. His Jonas Brothers partial facemask covered his two-tone stripes and cat like nose sprouting his first whiskers. A slogan t-shirt and jeans made up the rest of his costume. His feet couldn’t fit any shoes at this stage of his transformation. Thank goodness, the southwest wasn’t experiencing one of its deep cold spells yet.

Stephanie, Mayor Johnson’s adopted daughter, followed Ricardo. Her ballerina outfit barely fit her sleek panther body. In a few more months, she’d fill out with good food and proper care. Too bad her parents ended up as some poacher’s trophies. Silver and sparkles adorned her chin length hair, taking an ethereal glow each time light hit them. She smiled despite her two missing front teeth. Who’d thought pulling them would make any difference?

Tiffany waved to their mothers as the children reached her steps.

“Trick or treat, Mrs. Dansen,” Stephanie yelled up racing up the stairs, trying to beat Ricardo to the top.

“Give me some good treats and I’ll sing you a song,” Ricardo sang out in his off key young voice.

“Well let me see, what do I have for two of my favorite students?” Tiffany reached into the bowl of treats she held.

Most children asked for candy again and again. Not the children she taught. They asked to be accepted for themselves and treated like any other child. Except tonight her were students dressed and mimicked their human counter parts. No one told them they were different or had no right to their youthful glee. Tonight was for them.

“I think I have some purple flowering catnip ready to tuck into a ballerina’s hair.” Tiffany twirled her fingers in her bowl and whispered a few magic words before raising her hand.

“Oh, thank you Mrs. Dansen,” Stephanie squealed, grasping the small delicate flowers. “Momma, look what I got.”

“What about me?” Ricardo bounced up and down on the pads of his paws. “I can sing you a song.”

Tiffany smiled. “That would be great. What’s the name of this tune?”

“I wanna hold your hand.” Ricardo took her empty hand and began making up lyrics as he went along.

Tiffany twitched her nose as best she could, wishing for a bit of music to accompany Ricardo. A car drove by with the old Beatles tune blaring out the window. Ricardo sang the last few words correctly and dropped her hand.

“Now do I get a good treat?” His young exuberance and toothy grin gave her an idea.

“I think I have one more thing inside just for you Ricardo. Wait right here, ok?’

His eager response told her what she had in store would be the highlight of his evening.

She stepped inside snapping her fingers and murmuring the words needed to grant Ricardo’s desire. Holding her hand palm up, she watched as light swirled and glowed taking shape and form.

“All right Ricardo, here you go.” Tiffany turned and leaned toward his bag.

“Thank you Mrs. Dansen!” Ricardo wrapped his arms around her waist, squeezing hard. “Mommy you won’t guess what I got.”

Tiffany watched as each child showed their parent their treasured gift. Who’d thought a pair of plain tennis shoes bearing the words bite me on the toes would bring a huge smile and so much joy? Or a plain purple flower, considered a weed by many, the same thing?

Halloween, a night ripe with magic and charm, was for children. The child in everyone needed a bit of magic to open their eyes to joy the world beheld.

If Animals Could Speak, What Would They Say Too You?

My puppies, Ike on the left and Russet on the right

So, as I sat searching for a topic for today's blog my Darling ~home sick from school~ Diva turned on the TV and proceeded to watch one of her favorite morning cartoons, Martha Speaks.  General premise of the show:  Martha's a dog and she...ta da, speaks.  lol

It's actually quite a cute show and it got me thinking, what would animals say to me?


What would my mini doxies say?
"Hey, lady giant, stop writing about those dang cats and get us some chewies and stuffed toys!"

What about the cows we drove past on our vacation last month?
"Psst, lady, a mooment of your time, if you please.  How would you like these tasty green beans and broccoli?"

How about the beautiful horse's I couldn't get my DD to go near?
"Hayng on boys, here comes the ooh aah lady again."

Or the sneaky snake from the woods?
"Sssstop ssscreaming and jumping around you crazy woman, your ssscaring me!"

How about you out there, if animals could speak...what would they say to you?

Guest Author ~ Stacey Kennedy

A Shapeshifter howl of welcome to Urban Fantasy author, Stacey Kennedy!

Sexy Werewolves, love, and heart-pounding action! Sound like your type of read?

The Blue Bloods series is a spin off from The Magical Sword Series, which is where Rynn and Briggs are first introduced. An Everlasting Bite is the first novel in their story. It focuses away from the Otherworld and more into rural Utah.

Coming from Liquid Silver Books ~ October 2010

Blurb ~

A vicious werewolf attack in Plymouth, Minnesota leaves a young woman violated, bitten and now, transformed into a Werewolf. But Rynn Murphy doesn’t have to face this transformation alone—she has her mate by her side. And the charming Briggs is eager to ease her into this new life and mend her battered soul.

With only weeks to adjust to her new fur, Rynn begins to understand what it truly means to be mated to the Beta, secondhand man to Valor, Patriarch of Wolves. Their leadership over the Alphas brings them in contact with the Montana Alpha, Hendrix. He is in a desperate state to find his abducted daughter. Valor and Briggs agree to give aid in her rescue leaving Rynn to tag along.

But this mission is not without danger. And soon, they discover the ones who have taken this young wolf do not want her found and will stop at nothing to keep her hidden. Or so it may seem, as bodies begin to drop around them—the murderous attempts start to appear more as a hit than a smoke screen—leaving only one question, who is the intended target…
~~~~~~

Here’s an excerpt from Rynn's diary!

So, I’m a werewolf. Really, it’s not so bad. Briggs, my mate--yeah I’m still getting used to that word--is being really sweet. He’s so patient with me while I try and control this beast that now lives inside me.

It’s been a crazy past few days, so much has happened, but I won’t go into it now. My head is full enough without having to relive it all. Truthfully, I have this nagging feeling that things aren’t about to slow down any time soon. With Briggs being Beta to Valor--the Patriarch to the Alphas--danger seems to be all around us.

I should be scared. But I’m not--well, not really--Briggs would never let anything happen to me. He’s too protective for that. As all werewolves are with their mates, or so I’m learning. But still, I’m just not made out for all this violence. The human in me is just too used to the laws governed by the police force, not wolf packs. Oh well, I guess this is my life now and I better just suck up. Or...so I keep telling myself! Let's just leave it at, I'm coming around to the idea.



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NEW RELEASES:
The Willow - The Magical Sword Book One (Liquid Silver Books) July 19, 2010
The Wicked - The Magical Sword Book Two (Liquid Silver Books) August 23, 2010
A Deadly Whisper - The Watchers Book One (Cobblestone Press) July 30, 2010

Review:
PRAISE FOR THE WILLOW 4 1/2 STARS -Night Owl Romance – TOP PICK! “The Willow was an amazing read. I really loved it. Once I started the book I didn’t stop. The characters and action are awesome. There is always something going on and plenty of twists that are unexpected.” Tigger9
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4 STARS -RT Book Reviews “…Kennedy has created a world that readers will want to visit again and again!” Dawn Crowne
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