COVER REVEAL and... But I need a lady on my arm...

Howl and Yowl New Year's Eve greetings, shapeshifter lovers.

Once upon a time I wrote an entire flash-scene novel, or 200 hundred words each day, as an experimental free read. Sylva and Zeke's love story began on New Year's Eve 2008. Originally, this paranormal erotic romance was titled: Happy Courtship on Another Earth.

Since New Year's Eve was just around the corner, I decided to compile my flash-scene novel, about 160,000 words – give it a read-through, then Indie publish it in flash-scene form. I've changed the title to: His Claimed Bride, Happy New Year On Another Earth.

Thus! That's why this fabulous 'perfect for the story' cover art, designed by our own Serena Shay, is being featured today. Ain't it just too lovely?!

I haven't completed the read-through yet. However, most of the necessary formatting has been completed. So, I'm *hoping* to have HIS CLAIMED BRIDE available soon.

~~~

Announcements ~

BLOG HOP ~ Baby, It's Cold Outside on January 3-5th at SHAPESHIFTER SEDUCTIONS.

The ShapeShifter Seductions newsletter will be coming out soon, so sign up for some shapeshiftery fun, and author info.

AND... if you're in the mood for a New Year's Eve themed erotic romance menage, check out the blurb and excerpts for HER MIDNIGHT STARDUST COWBOYS... my first ShapeShifter Seductions novel... on the page above.  
~~~

Okay, here's the fifth installment starring Drey, the wolf rancher, and Korinne, who has escaped to the Montana wilds after her ex-husband stole most of her wealth.
~~~~~~

But I need a lady on my arm...

Korinne sizzled, her passionate hunger almost overwhelming her. What was it about Drey? Really, was she just that sexually needy? Or...

His outdoorsy manly smell seemed to be filling every inch of her. Saturating the air of the too-small cabin.

And now, the snowstorm had taken on a fierce life of its own, the winds beginning to howl. Hot chocolate, she needed a bracing cup to hold onto, to sip... to hold onto her composure.

But oh yes indeedy, she could imagine Drey as a stuntman now. He had that tough wrangler look, perfect for the old western movies. In the grip of an unexpected fantasy, Korinne started to feel his hard-muscled body against hers... or what she imagined he'd feel like... oh gawd...

Here she was confiding in him about her mostly lucid reindeer dream. Of course, that could be blamed on the intimacy of being thrown together in the cabin -- with nothing else to do.

"A show," she murmured, wanting to stretch, but halting herself. "Riding and roping. Certainly ranching skills," she inanely added, glancing at his rugged features. "Hot chocolate..." Korinne pushed herself to her feet. "I used to add a splash of brandy for Dad... or, would you prefer coffee?"

Korinne paused waiting for his response, her ingrained social skills not to be denied.  And since her wariness of him had faded somewhat... well...

"Hot chocolate will do just fine." Drey seemed to devour her with his gaze. Yet not in a lascivious creepy manner.

Korinne watched him reach for his sheepskin jacket, then dive his hand in the side pocket. He produced a silver flask, obviously of sterling quality.

"Damn good whisky," he rumbled in that deep timbre of his. "I carry for it medicinal purposes when I ride the range."

Deciding to accept him at his word, given there was no smell of alcohol on his breath, Korinne accepted the flask. Their gazes met, collided actually -- by the way her body started inside.

Something Korinne didn't understand flashed between them... a spark of light sizzling through her middle. Sexual awareness of each other, yes... but it went deeper. With no time to analyze the sensation, she moved in dream-like motion, turning toward her wood cookstove.

"Just a splash." Drey spoke in a soft growl. "Want to keep myself sharp, given the blizzard outside."

"Smart move," Korinne tossed over her shoulder. Really, what the stupid hell was she supposed to do with a stranded rancher stuntman, who likely knew how to seduce a woman like a rodeo pro? Rodeo pro, what a ridiculous analogy. Then again, she'd never been what were euphemistically called 'buckle bunnies'.

Good lord, someone help her, her thoughts had become muddled, on the edge of incoherent. Maybe, it was all the cowboy testosterone taking over the cabin's interior.

"I think I'll add a splash as well." Korinne placed her tea kettle on the already heated surface, then grabbed the always-filled cannister. She made up her own chocolate mixture so all she had to do was scoop it out into a mug, then pour on the hot water.

"You're not the type to take advantage of a woman, are you?" Oh no! The words spilled out of their own volition. Still, she did want to know, just in case the manly-man rancher was a danger to her -- not that he'd tell her if he did take advantage of a drunk woman.

The thick silence had Korinne turning her gaze toward Drey as she waited for the water to heat. He averted his gaze, tending to the fire, but not before she witnessed the banked flames in his eyes.

Okay, no question about it. Despite her unattractive, almost slovenly appearance, Drey found her desirable. Why?

Korinne owned not a clue. In her world she'd be rejected without a second glance. After all, a women knew how to dress seductively to gain the attentions of any man she wanted.

"Nope, Korinne," he answered without looking at her. "Drunk ain't attractive to me."

The undercurrent beneath his words could have been the raging Mississippi river.  Did she dare pursue that, or leave it alone?

On automatic, her thoughts spinning, Korinne poured out the close-to-boiling water, and stirred. She added some cold water, then opened the flask, and tipped in small amounts.

Best to leave it alone, she decided, picking up the two mugs.

"You plannin' on celebratin' this New Year's Eve?" Drey asked, as she approached.

A sharp intake of breath cut through her, and Korinne halted. "I'm not planning on getting drunk," her wayward tongue announced.

Drey's slow easy smile had her moving toward him again. "Ever hear of the Midnight Stardust Supperclub?" he asked, taking hold of the mug she handed to him.

Their eyes flashed into each other, their fingers brushed, and Korinne swore fireworks exploded inside her. So not a good sign, if she wanted to stay sane and unattached. 

"Supperclub?" she managed, then took a healthy sip of her hot chocolate before lowering herself to the rocker. "No. I'm afraid I don't know that much about all the establishments in town. Too busy."

"The Midnight Stardust isn't in Talbot's Peak proper. Dante, the owner, built a large underground complex in the forest..."

"The Pleasure Club," Korinne interrupted, her insides wild and silken at the same time. "I only know it by reputation. And what a reputation!"

"Yep. Dante puts on one helluva of a grand, elegant celebration at his supperclub on New Year's Eve. The works. Dancin', dinner, a swing band... laser light show. Folks are dressed to the nines." Drey paused, and took a long swallow of his hot chocolate.

His gaze steadied on her, unnerving to say the least. "Been hankerin' to go myself," he drawled. "But I need a lady on my arm."  

~~~~~~

 
Have a Magickal New Year...   

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance