The Dragon's Lair

“Oh luv,” the dragon crooned in his baritone voice.


“Shit.” She’d been as quiet as she could so as not to awaken the beast from its rest. She’d used her power to ride the wind to keep from hearing her approach, but she hadn’t counted on him raising his head and sniffing the air, searching for her with his enormous nostrils.

“No, nothing as vulgar as excrement. You are diamonds and feminine allure with a hint of brimstone, a hellishly divine scent if I do say so myself.”

The swishing sound grew closer to her, tucked in, hiding spot between two massive boulders. How large was he? Could he reach her? With her surprise attack gone, she needed another plan. One that would get her a scale, but keep her from being torched into a roasty, toasty, 5’7” marshmallow blob.

“I-I’ve come to make you a deal.” Perhaps she could trick him into giving her a part of himself.

“Have you now.”

His voice was so close she could feel the heat of his breath surround her. Funny, the sensation was not the pain she was expecting, but rather an arousal. A full body orgasm just waiting to happen.

“Y-yes.”

“Tell me; besides your body catering to my every whim and desire, what could a demon possibly have to offer me?”

Goofy pet toy or werewolf kid Christmas gift?

Hi and welcome to your Wednesday fix of Shapeshifter seductions! Rebecca here with an interesting question to pose. If you attached one of those new Puppy Twitter thing-a-ma-jiggers to a werewolf, would he roll his eyes or just eat you?

What Twitter thing-a-ma-jigger, you ask? Our good friends at Mattel have made an electronic dog tag that sends one of 500 automatic tweets depending on your dog’s activity level. They even released an extra 200 free new status updates to avoid repetition in the tweets your dog is “sending.” Now your dog can follow you everywhere when you are home and you can follow your dog everywhere when your not. The article says that you can re-tweet but not reply, at least not yet.

First off, why would you want to re-tweet the fact your dog just ate your favorite throw pillow? And replying to tell the pup “bad dog!” is not likely to work. And just imagine what your feed would look like if you have a Jack Russell. This would be a bad thing since it says tweets are based off your dog’s activity levels. “Car! Squirrel! Cat! Oh, get the cat! Oh, sh*t, Mom’s not going to be happy with me for breaking that. Maybe I can blame it of Fluffy- everyone knows cats are evil…”

As ridiculous as all of that sounds, the next thought I had was “What would a werewolf do if someone asked him or her to wear one." Remember those kid trackers? Little GPS units that could be attached to a kid’s backpack or clothing? Seems logical that were-parents would want puppy trackers for their own little ones. And just like human kids, shifter kids are going to want all the coolest gadgets. Unlike human kids, they don’t have pockets for iPhones when they go furry. Tada- Puppy Twitter tags! And just in time for the holidays, too.


Why a picture of a guy in a kilt, you may be asking. No reason. I just really have a thing for hot guys in kilts and didn't have a picture that even remotely goes with goofy pet accessories.


For today’s snippet, a little shape shifter fantasy:

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Sara looked around when he shifted her so she was half laying over his shoulder.

“What are you doing?” she asked, sounding like she hadn’t quite come down from the clouds yet.

“I’m going into the elevator,” Etienne responded simply. She wiggled around so she could look at him under both of their arms.

“I can see that,” she sighed. “Why are you carrying me into the elevator over your shoulder?”

“Because I am not nearly done with you, ma petite.” He slammed the grate shut, then pulled her so she slid down his chest, catching her just as her feet touched the floor. He spun her around then backed her into the door. Sara looked a little confused when he placed her hands on the mesh above her head and had her twine her fingers into it. Etienne smiled.

“Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be tied up against a wall and pleasured till you couldn’t stand? I don’t have anything to tie you up with, chere, so you’ll have to hang on to the mesh.” Etienne saw realization dawn in her lovely brown eyes. She glanced around the elevator car, licked her full sensuous lips, then smiled.

“Help, help,” she murmured softly. “I’m being ravished by a big bad wolf.”

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

With that, I will bid you adu and good day!

Rebecca
RebeccaLGillan.com

Ta-Da! Sexy Mr. Wolf in both of his shifts...

Yes, Shapeshifter lovers, howling-wahoo! we have our new header designed by the incomparable Amanda Kelsey of Razzle Dazzle Designs ~ razzdazzdesign.com ~

And, yes, Sexy Mr. Wolf in both of his shifts... in all his alpha fierce glory... is definitely inspiring his own story.

Here’s the beginning of a short story... or, it might turn into a longer version now, since I didn’t get it done in time for a contest, and I have Mr. Wolf to gaze upon.

The current working title is: Her Wolf at the Door

“Gawd! I hate the city.”

Shendra frowned with disgust at the blood running from the wound on the side of her knee. Her latest pair of expensive pantyhose had been ruined. But WTF was new? She had not one freaking ounce of luck with stockings.

Ignoring the ache of her scraped skin, she wiggled out of her lightweight coat and tossed it over the arm of the chair she disliked the most. Her sister’s apartment was definitely not home sweet home. One more time Shendra had been arm-twisted into babysitting the thing while her younger sister, Caroline, traveled in Europe.

She made a face at the living room, then slipped off her black satin pumps. Before she could enjoy a moment of relief, she heard his knock on the door.

“Damn, what does that too-handsome bastard want now?” With her first stomping step, she paused, squeaked a loud ow, then gimped the short distance to the door. “Go away!”

“I can’t.” He paused. She knew he waited. “Shendra, open the door.” How was it he could make his deep-as-hell, drawling voice penetrate the door as if it was porous. “I promised your sister ”

“Yeah, yeah,” Shendra interrupted. After going through the ritual of unlocking the door she’d carefully locked mere minutes ago, she jerked it open.

He leaned on one arm above his head, in that careless, I’m-a-stud manner of his. The one she detested. His odd eyes, composed of silver and enigmatic shadows, scrutinized her face.

“Are you okay? I saw you take a fall on the bottom step.”

Shendra rolled her eyes and stood her ground, refusing to invite him in. “What? Were you on the balcony? Looks more like,” she ran her gaze up and down him briefly, “you were wining and dining one of your women. Yep, all dressed up and ready to seduction-kill the ladies. Lothario,” she added, then gave him a toothy exaggerated smile.

“I was on my way out.” He poured his voice over her like liquid smoke. “I stepped out to get a feel for the weather.”

Shendra mentally sighed. She knew from what Caroline had told her the Cowboy Lothario, as she thought of him, kept close track of any storm moving into the city, and a lightning storm already forked and flashed on the far horizon.

“I’m fine. Leave.” She started to shut the door. “Have a nice night ”

His hand shot above her, and shoved. Shendra rocked backward instinctively gripping the doorknob.

“I want to make certain you’re fine. Looked like a nasty fall.” Exploiting his advantage, he brushed past her.

Shendra grimaced. Why the f-hell did he have to smell better than any man she’d known? It couldn’t just be the woodsy spice fragrance of his cologne. Fighting the one thing about him that turned her hormones on high heat, she ordered, “Get out. Go on your date.”

Striding inward as if he owned the place, he pivoted and faced her. With one casual motion, he planted a hand on his hip, causing his dark evening jacket to part and reveal his white dress shirt.

“Not until I get good look at your injury, Shendra.”

For a split second, she gawked. “What happened to your fancy cowboy boots? And where’s that city slicker Stetson you’re always wearing?”

He gazed at her quizzically, as if she’d temporarily lost her mind. A lock of his wavy hair fell on his too-tanned forehead. At least, he’d earned it the old-fashioned way and not in a tanning booth.

Okay, yeah, hell...so she liked the dark mahogany color of his hair. Streaked with silver on both sides, it made him look dangerous, instead of distinguished. And, not that she was overly impressed with his movie-star broad shoulders, however, she’d caught herself watching the sexy way his hair brushed them.

“Next time you fall, I’ll grab my Stetson and-- ”

“Shut up!” Frustrated, and feeling wild with anger, Shendra moved enough to slam the door closed. A mistake.

“Ow, ow, dammit.” She grabbed her leg and hobbled a step. “Now look-- ”

Her words stopped. He stood before her quicker than...well, quicksilver. Kneeling down before she could blink her surprise, he inspected her wound.

“We need to get you cleaned up.”

“Really? Yeah, what else is new?” Gawd, he was unnerving. And it’s not like she could make a fast escape, given pain now shot down her shin. “Look,” she paused, gritting her teeth against the aching throb. “I can handle it.”

He rose up slowly, as if reluctant to leave her leg. “Shendra, you were running. Did someone or something spook you?”

She shuddered inside. The image of a wolf, monstrous and savage, took over her mind’s eye. She’d sworn the beast suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Shrieking, she’d taken off like a rocket.
~~~~~~

The Kougar’s news and mews ~

Here is K.A. M'Lady’s clever intro of all the short stories included in the anthology.

On the Darkest Knight of a Pixies Holiday, you'll feel an A-mazing Grace, but beware of Love, Lies and Zombie Cries, for Samhain's Visitor and His Girl will arrive at the Tiger's Masquerade, followed by the Man in the Long Black Coat.

It's Just Another ParaNormal Halloween at the Castle... Mojocastle.

By K.A. M'Lady
~ kamlady.net ~
~~~
I’m promo-blogging about the JUST ANOTHER PARANORMAL HALLOWEEN anthology and my short story, THE TIGER’S MASQUERADE as The Romance Studio Blue blog... today!
~~~
Also, my Author interview for the JUST ANOTHER PARANORMAL HALLOWEEN anthology will be featured at SAPPHIRE PHELAN’S PASSION CORNER ~ http://is.gd/fKMm1 ~ sapphirephelanspassioncorner.blogspot.com ~ on TUESDAY, the 5th.
~~~~~~

~ HAPPY AUTUMN SHAPESHIFTING ~

Savanna Kougar

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

Wet 'n' Wild

by Pat Cunningham

Watching last week’s weather reports and seeing a lot of Lancaster County streets turning into rivers, it occurred to me not everyone would consider this a bad thing. To wit:
***
“C’mon in, babe! The water’s great!”

“Not in the front yard it isn’t,” Kelly said, but her retort broke on a giggle. She couldn’t help herself. Royer looked so funny sliding around on his belly across the sodden lawn. He could turn almost anything into a game, including a day-long, dreary storm. He had a knack for finding the fun in even the worst situations. His eternal optimism kept her spirits high. It was one of the reasons she’d married him.

Royer bounded up the steps and scooped her into his arms. The hot musk wafting off his rain-slicked, naked body enveloped her. The other reason she’d married him pressed like a hot prod against her thigh.

She giggled again. “At least put on a bathing suit. The neighbors – ”

“Screw ‘em.” His sinewy body wriggled against hers in lewd promise. “Y’know,” he purred in her ear, “screwing doesn’t sound like a bad idea.”

The notion fired her own sense of mischief. “In the rain? Right out here in the yard?”

“Tempting,” he said. “But … “ He eyed the yard turned wading pool with undisguised longing, torn between his two greatest loves. “Tell you what. Give me five more minutes out here. Then I’ll come in and … ” He kissed her warmly. His whiskers tickled her nose. “Tell you all about it.”

She ground her hips against him. “Make it quick.”

Royer chuckled, then dove off the steps, shedding his human form as easily as he had his clothes. His sleek brown body flashed across the soggy grass like a rocket.

Kelly shook her head affectionately. “Otters.” She ducked inside to find a towel.
***
I'm really liking the new banner. Whose idea was that?

The Drought Came and Went!

We got close to 7 inches of rain in a matter of days. While we've not experienced flooding, there are areas that are super saturated. My commute to work was slow and slick. A lot of folks drove slowly while others did their normal speed limit plus. I'm glad we've got a few days to dry out and gain composure before the next set of storms rolls through. I feel for the farmers in Western NC who now have ponds where they were praying for water to help their crops. Patience is a virtue. May we all have more of it as we move into winter.

I did not make the final cut for the All Romance EEbook contest. I'm posting an excerpt from Love's Elixir here. I'm taking the story and expanding it into a novella. Hope you are dry and reading a good book this weekend. Maybe a roaring fire, a glass of wine, and good food will enhance your reading pleasure.

Have a great weekend!

SOLARA

“Yes,” Tiffany moaned, her tongue meeting his. Her nipples tightened as she pressed tighter to John. His firm sure touch and soft caresses fired her in ways she’d never realized. Working her hands up his back, she bunched his shirt as her hands moved.

She wanted him, desired to feel his possession of her that she’d yearned so long for. How would he react if she spoke out? Voiced her deepest craving? She’d never know if she didn’t ask. Love meant risking. A chance she had to take.

“Touch me, John. I want to feel your hands on me.” She rested her forehead against his.

John hesitated. She could feel his agitated breathing as his chest rose and fell. He didn’t move away nor speak.

“I-I’m sor—“ Her words stopped. John’s hand covered her mouth.

“Sssh. Listen to me before you answer.” John cupped her chin, ensuring her eyes met his. Tiffany nodded.

“No sorry needed. Are you sure? I am.” His sigh caressed her cheeks.

Tiffany licked her lips, rubbing them together. “Yes, I want you.”

John inhaled and smiled. “Good ‘cuz I want you.”

Tiffany grasped his hand and moved sideways. “Follow me,” she murmured huskily. She led him down the short hall to her bedroom. Pale colored sheets and pillows adorned the bed.

John moved into the room stopping beside her. He worked his shirt over his head, tossing it on the floor. “Come here, you’re too dressed.”

He pulled Tiffany to him, wrapping his arms around her. “Shall I undress you or you do it for me?”

His quick wink and grin added to the volcanic flames engulfing her.

Top 20 Novels of the 20th Century

Since it's Banned Book Week, I thought I would post the top twenty books on the ALA, American Library Associations list of the top 100 novels of the 20th century.  It's an interesting list and if you follow the link above, it also offers the reasoning's behind why a book has been banned or challenged.

Of this list of twenty books, all of the bolded ones have somewhere along the line been banned or challenged.  One, two, three...SEVENTEEN! 

That's right, seventeen of the top twenty best books in the 20th century have been banned or challenged.

When I look at this list and think back to when I read many of these books, I wonder at the reasoning's behind the ban/challenge.  Many of the complaints stem from the use of "inappropriate language."  See, so many of these books were written about how life is/was/or will be.  How can we say the language is "inappropriate" if that was how it was at the time?  Plus, how can you teach someone that the words, or the meaning behind the words, are wrong if they never hear or see them being used?

I'm a great believer in life's lessons and learn as you go, because what better way to know for me what's wrong and what's right, but really, if you take all of the "naughty" words away and make them taboo, our youth will not know the why of not using them.  Hiding in the dark and telling your child to never, never utter these words, EVER!!!  Doesn't work.  I guarantee that they will step outside and say the word, just because you told them not to.

Besides, I want my child to know and choose not to use those words, because she knows how derogatory and degrading they are and I want her to know how to treat everyone as an equal.  So if there is a book out there that gives a realistic shot of what life was like for someone not like her, then I want her to take a literary walk in those shoes and not bury her head in the sand.

~Serena climbs down from her soap box with a wink and a ((hug)) for her readers.~

Read a book today and take a walk in someone else's shoes!

Top 20 Novels of the 20th Century

1. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
2. The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
3. The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck
4. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
5. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
6. Ulysses, by James Joyce
7. Beloved, by Toni Morrison
8. The Lord of the Flies, by William Golding
9. 1984, by George Orwell
10. The Sound and the Fury, by William Faulkner
11. Lolita, by Vladmir Nabokov
12. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
13. Charlotte's Web, by E.B. White
14. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, by James Joyce
15. Catch-22, by Joseph Heller
16. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
17. Animal Farm, by George Orwell
18. The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway
19. As I Lay Dying, by William Faulkner
20. A Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway