Saints on Parade

Happy day after Halloween! Still bingeing on candy? Ticked off because the idea for the perfect costume hit right after you got in from trick or treating? Well, forget it. Halloween’s over. It’s All Saints Day now, and I’ve got a list of saints relevant to us as writers and shapeshifter lovers, and a couple of extras to boot. This information comes from the Catholic Online site. Because they have “Catholic” in their name, I’m willing to take their word for it.

First, a couple of oddballs. Bartholomew the Apostle is the patron of Florentine cheese merchants. I kid you not. Erasmus, aka Elmo, is the saint of ammunition, ordnance, and explosive workers, as well as the patron of abdominal pains. It’s kind of the same thing, now that I think about it. Dominic Savio is the patron of young boys. Yeah, I’ll just bet you are, you slimy perv. Martin de Porres is the patron saint of hairdressers, sweetie. I’m not sure why rabies needs a patron saint, but that would be Hubert. Cassian of Imola, patron of shorthand writers, was probably put out of work by the computer age and should look for some other tech to support.

Now for saints for our shapeshifters. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, heads the pack. After you marry your shifter, you can light a candle to Antony the Abbot, patron of domestic animals. Saint Gall watches over birds, and Saint Mark reps cattle breeders. That would take care of all those sexy cowboys, and the werebulls hiding out on their ranches. Martin of Tours is the patron of both geese and horses and, I would assume, winged horses. Joseph of Cupertino, patron of flying, might be sacred to dragons. We know they’re not fond of Saint George.

The Archangel Michael oversees death, while Andrew Avellino is responsible for sudden death, which all shifters need to watch out for. Joseph of Cupertino, the flight guy, is also the patron saint of happy death. I’m not sure what a happy death would be, unless you’re a vulture or a jackal. Then every death is happy because you get to eat. Saint Jude is the patron of desperate situations and lost causes, two things both shapeshifters and writers might be all too familiar with.

On the other side of the keyboard we have: Francis de Sales, patron of writers and journalists; John of God and Thomas Aquinas, sharing the load as the patron saints of booksellers; and John Bosco, patron of editors. The Archangel Gabriel is the patron saint of television. Wonder if he was responsible for “Jersey Shore”?

I’d like to propose my own saint for the list: Juan Valdez, patron saint of caffeine, without which a lot of us would never make deadline. Happy writing, y’all!

Halloween Host - Ashlyn Chase!

Happy Halloween fellow shapeshifter and paranormal fans!  I hope everyone is having a spooky and safe holiday and may your evening adventures include a run in with a real live shapely shifters of your own!! ;)

Now, do we have a treat for you!

The awesome Ashlyn Chase is here today to share with us witchly book recommendations and to give away a copy of her recent release, Strange Neighbors.  Sweet!

Let's give it up for Ashlyn with a shapeshifter welcome...Rawr!

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Book Recommendations from a Real, Live, Witch


By Ashlyn Chase

Yes, witches like to read too. In fact there’s such an abundance of reading material on the craft, I decided to write a short article about it.

My number-one most influential book would have to be Laurie Cabot’s “Power of the Witch.” It was the first book I read and it put me straight about the craft. There was something magical in that book. I was left with a beautiful feeling. A peace and calm about the craft came over me, and I knew I wanted to study this path and try walking it. That was seventeen years ago.

The second and third books that influenced me were both by Scott Cunningham. They were “A guide for the Solitary Practitioner” and “The Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. “ He offers loads of information, practical advice, and a reality check once in a while.

Another book which influenced me because it taught me the proper and safe way to bind a person, was “Spells and How they Work,” by Janet and Stewart Farrar. Forget the movie The Craft. There’s a way to help those people who are bugging you most and get them out of your hair at the same time. Every resource should tell you the most important aspect of the Witch’s Rede is: Harm none.

Each of these books contributed certain vital bits of information passed on from long ago, and yet by themselves they are like a puzzle with only some of the pieces. My formal training with a high priestess, practice for a year and a day, plus further study were all important building blocks.

I was told by my first High Priestess not to read. It would only confuse me, she said. I agree there is contradictory material out there, but that doesn’t mean I can’t sort through it and choose what makes sense to me from each source. If you’re interested in learning more, I’d not only recommend the above books, but I’d caution you away from learning everything on the Internet. Find a mentor who can guide you. Magick is real and it’s not something to “dabble in.”

But even serious witches need to have a bit of fun, and I get mine by writing light, sexy, paranormal romances. Check out my latest novel, Strange Neighbors, and my website. http://www.ashlynchase.com/

Summary:

When all-star pitcher and shapeshifter Jason Falco buys a small apartment building, he sees it not only as an investment but as a place to escape the demands of Major league baseball.

That is, until he meets his tenants—a sarcastic unemployed vigilante vampire; a wereraven with a morbid sense of humor; a super friendly salesman werewolf; and two witches with an owl familiar who work as phone sex actresses. Not to mention a ghost haunting the place and an all too human nurse he’d like to get to know better. But with all the hooting, howling and hollering going on, how’s an all American shapeshifter supposed to sweep a girl off her feet?

Publisher’s Weekly said “The good natured fun never stops.” Their review caught the eye of a Hollywood producer! And it has already been contracted for a Thai translation. Who knows how far it might go?

Now, let’s have a contest for a free copy! I’ll draw a winner at random from those who go to my website to send me an email via the Contact button.

And later, if you’re bummed out because you didn’t win, you can order a copy from Amazon, Barnes and Nobles or directly from my publisher here:

http://www.sourcebooks.com/products/romance/9781402236617-strange-neighbors.html Ask me for a signed bookplate. I’ll be happy to send you one (or three. This is the first book in a series.)

Or if you can’t afford $6.99, take this number to your library and ask them to order it.

ISBN# 9781402236617

Under the Darkness of Night

"Merilee, you know humans aren't safe to toy with." Crystal stomped her tiny frost covered feet along the branch, drawing her cloak tighter around her. "This lust you've got going is big trouble."

Merilee shook her head and pushed the few remaining leaves aside looking out across the open area near the housing complex adjacent to the woods edge. She'd caught his earlier movements as he fired up the hot tub. How delicious it would be sit in warm water and feel his nude body next to hers. Would his female mate share? Invite her to join them?

"Merilee, did you hear me?' Crystal flopped down on part of the branch closest to the tree, arranging her cloak around her. Blowing in her hands, she chafed them before tucking them deep within the folds of cloth around her.

"Crystal, how could I not hear you? Your high pitch fussing is enough to ice even Jack Frost's desire." Merilee drew her gaze toward the patch of light coming from the window nearest the door she'd last seen him enter.

"You're going to go through with it. Aren't you?" Crystal's whining and plaintiff huffiness weren't changing anything. Merilee knew what she wanted.

"Yes, I am." Merilee closed her eyes and let her mind replay her recent encounter with him.

He lay nude on a towel draped across a lawn chair. His legs sprawled open showing his balls and cock off very nicely. His tone arms and chest made her tingle. Very little hair adorned his chest. Not that she minded. His nipples peaked as a chilled breeze moved over them.

Next to him lay two open magazines. They bright colors and flashy pictures peaked her interest.
Did she leave the shadows of the shade and chance a few moments of sun to catch a view of what he looked at? She wished she could move about freely in the light, instead of being confined to the twilight and night.

As if Gaea and her consorts heard her plea, clouds covered the sun. Merilee dashed out from her cover and hovered above the paper. She gasped as she moved closer. Pictures of nude men and women engaged in various sexual activities greeted her.

No bigger than a gnat in her minute form, he swatted at her. She dove under the lawn chair, hovering and waiting. Several moments passed before other delicious sensual noises filled the air. She flew high above him and paused.

His hands stroked down and across his cock moving lower toward his balls. One hand fell away, leaving his hard on open to the breezes blowing around and over the yard. Merilee licked her lips wishing she could taste the tantalizing morsel pooling on the tip. He reached toward one magazine turning page after page as he stroked, working each drop of moisture on and around his beautiful hardness.

A female voice called out. She teased him about his blatant desire, showing off to all who dared to look. He bantered back challenging her to join him.

"Blake, letting your exhibitionist side loose?" Her dark hair fell to her shoulders. Dark brown eyes and strawberry hued lips completed her facial features. Her light tan indicated she spent time with him out doors.

"Teresa, come and join me." He patted the edge of the chair.

Merilee gasped as her hands found her pebble hard nipples. The two below her kissed and caressed until Teresa mounted Blake riding him to two hard orgasms before he pulled her to him. Their passion caught Merilee off guard as swirls of heat and vocal bliss rolled them, pouring out into the late afternoon air.

A loud crash and laughter broke through her thoughts. Fanning her face, Merilee turned toward the house. Two scantily clad humans dashed toward the steaming hot tub. She smiled at their whispered tones as they dropped their robes, splashing water over the sides as they slid into the warm water.

Crystal's soft snores told Merilee her supposed chaperone slept, oblivious to the couple a few feet away.

"Yes, Crystal. I've made up my mind." Merilee positioned herself, ready to join them when the moment presented the opportunity. Until then, she'd watch and wait. Pleasure didn't have to be hurried.

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Hope the above piece warmed your first fall cool day or evening. Read a good book with someone you love. Two or three someones you love. The more the merrier I always say.

SOLARA

Why Are There So Few Shapeshifter Halloween Costumes?

Good Friday Morning, my shapeshifter loving friends!

So, true story... 

Last night, as I sat with my Darling Diva at a PTA sponsored Book Bingo, dinner(cheap pizza and a cookie) and pick up your fundraiser(of which one of the few things I bought is missing)...can you tell what kind of week it's been, I got to looking around the room at all of the little cuties costumes.

There were ninjas and witches, Princesses and Power Rangers, sports and rockstars...there was even a kid dressed as the grumpy old dude in the movie UP.  Very cute.  What was missing though were the animals. 

Now as a kid, I would sometimes dress up as the famed black cat.  Ah, how I loved that costume.  In my own head, I was a shapeshifter, of course.  Sometimes cat and sometime a sneaky(as cats are, you know) vixen. 

But last night...No black cats!

Can you believe it!  What happened to the animal/shapeshifter costumes out there?  Do they not make them?  Do kids prefer the store bought rather than making their own?  Am I the only one who considered dressing up as an animal more like being a shapeshifter for Halloween(quite possible)

I did however see two animal costumes.  Well two and a half, really.  One was a sweet little white lamb and the other two...wait for it,  A Queen bee and her cutie baby bee!!  Oh she was so cute in her matching her mama costume!  It surely would have won the best costume contest, if they'd had one.

Alas, that was it for animal/shapeshifter costumes, but I still have Halloween night to check out the goods...how many will I see on Sunday night as Darling Diva and I pass out candy?  Trust me, I will be counting...and those with animal costumes might just get an extra piece of candy from me!  muahahaha

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Don't forget everyone...Ashlyn Chase is blogging here on Sun!  Come see what she has to share about Book Recommendations from a Real life witch!

And the winner is....

Hi and welcome to your Wednesday fix of Shapeshifter Seductions! Rebecca here with a nice mix of oddities to tickle your pre-Halloween fancy. We have the 2010 Ig Noble Awards and a hot Aussie in a kilt playing “99 Red Balloons“ with a set of flaming bagpipes!

There isn't much shapeshifter in this week's blog and I must apoligize for that. I had planned on attending the MileHiCon this past weekend and getting some really good stuff for your reading enjoyment from some of today's hottest urban fantasy and paranormal romance authors. Unfortunately, my 14-year-old decided to regress about ten years and needed to have a supervised grounding. As a last minute blog, this one isn't bad, though.

It’s that time of year where the scientific community pokes a little fun at itself. A little background on the Ig Nobel Awards: it is an actual- and usually coveted- award handed out to scientist for conducting silly experiments that have practical applications in the real world. The yearly awards are presented by actual Nobel winners. This is also a time for the scientific community to make fun of people who did not set out to prove or disprove anything (BP won for proving water and oil do mix in the right setting). The picture, by the way, was from the awards ceremony for a 2009 winner who designed a bra that could double as a pair of gas masks in an emergency. The gentlemen pictured are all Nobel Prize winners. So without further ado, I present a few of my very favorites from this year!


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BIOLOGY PRIZE: Libiao Zhang, Min Tan, Guangjian Zhu, Jianping Ye, Tiyu Hong, Shanyi Zhou, and Shuyi Zhang of China, and Gareth Jones of the University of Bristol, UK, for scientifically documenting fellatio in fruit bats.

This year, one of my favorite winners was the discovery that fruit bat ladies who give oral sex to their mates during intercourse got longer and more frequent nookie. I don’t even want to know why they thought to study this. I would be willing to bet, though, there are men everywhere who wish human ladies were flexible enough to give this a try. Maybe there is an adventurous were-wolf couple out there who’d be willing to give this a try?


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PEACE PRIZE: Richard Stephens, John Atkins, and Andrew Kingston of Keele University, UK, for confirming the widely held belief that swearing relieves pain.

Have you ever stubbed your toe and started swearing? If you are lucky enough to have toes and be mobile, you probably have. Apparently someone in the egg-head set decided to find out if swearing actually did make him feel better, probably after his wife cussed him out for cussing in front of the children. I’m guessing at the cause, but considering it won a peace prize, I think it’s a safe bet. The scary part is, it does. But only if you are not a habitual potty-mouth.


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CHEMISTRY PRIZE: Eric Adams of MIT, Scott Socolofsky of Texas A&M University, Stephen Masutani of the University of Hawaii, and BP [British Petroleum], for disproving the old belief that oil and water don't mix.

And people say that scientists are geeks with no sense of humor! This experiment was actually conducted ten years ago. The project was aptly called “Deep Spill JIP.” I’m sure everyone on the Gulf Coast agrees that deep water spills are, in fact, a big jip. Since BP wasn’t part of the original investigation, I’m guessing they were included for this summer’s continuation on the research.


And last but not least, my all-time favorite award:
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PHYSICS PRIZE: Lianne Parkin, Sheila Williams, and Patricia Priest of the University of Otago, New Zealand, for demonstrating that, on icy footpaths in wintertime, people slip and fall less often if they wear socks on the outside of their shoes.

All righty then. This is my all-time favorite because it never fails, the first snow of the season, I slip and fall on my ass. Last year, I managed to do it at a gas station and freaked out a Denver cop who thought I’d lost my mind when I started giggling. Thanks to this ground braking research, this year I can avoid tumbling into the snow and still make the cop think I’ve lost my mind.

The best part of this research, though, was the phraseology of it. They conducted the tests using “different colored socks on the outside of the footwear or unadulterated footwear.” Unadulterated? Really? Were they using stripper shoes? And the mental imagery of it. How exactly did they recruit test specimens for this? Or did they just wait at the bottom of a slippery hill and ambush people who fell? “Dude, you wouldn’t have slipped if you had been wearing your socks on the outside… Want to give it a go?”

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In honor of that novel experiment from Down Under, I present another novelty from Down Under: a fourth generation Australian of Scots descent who got back at his Da for making him learn the bagpipes… buy making the ‘pipes into a punk phenom. The entire clip is hilarious, by the way. Well worth sitting through all of it.



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That’s all for this week. Have a safe and fun Samain folks. I’m off to buy me a bright red gas mask bra. It costs about the same as any quality bra so why not?

Rebecca
RebeccaLGillan.com

"Never tell a vampire, 'bite me'."

Happy Halloweek, Shapeshifter Lovers... yes, I saw that phrase on another author’s chat loop post and grabbed it. That’s *one*, just one of the secrets to writing good fiction. Steal, steal, steal, as on of my college writing professors was fond of saying.

No, don’t plagiarize, of course! But, if you see a description or a phrase that calls your name, make it your own, and add your own twist. After all, the bard, Shakespeare supposedly practiced that religiously... whoever Shakespeare really was, or was not?

Okay, then, during these wild and crazy, wearing-a-costume days, the bad girl comes out in me. More than at any other time of the year. So, yes, I’m going to pilfer from our very own Pat Cunningham for my Halloween Flash by using her first tip “to get you through All Hallow’s Eve”.
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“What do you want, bat boy?”

“Damn, no. Not what I need.” Karoline scowled as the traffic light turned red.

She nearly uttered a quick spell to change it. But, instead hit the brakes hard. There’d been a rain shower earlier in the evening and her tires skidded a bit.

Once Karoline came to a full stop, she glared at the ticket camera. “I’m making it my business to fry your circuits. Tomorrow.” Gripping her steering wheel mercilessly, she muttered, “I should have been speeding, I would have made the effing --"

Smack! Crunch. The loud dull sound that meant another vehicle had struck her bumper charged through her an instant before her car rocked back and forth like a boat.

“What the freaking crap now?” With anger streaking down to her toes and blazing out the top of her head, Karoline threw open the door.

Blown by the strong gusting winds, wet autumn leaves struck her face, and glued themselves to her black velvet cape. Hiking her gown’s voluminous skirt, she launched outward. Her loose hair danced wildly, the strands slapping her cheeks. Heedless of any danger, Karoline marched toward the back of her car.

“Oh, wonderful, some prize idiot thinks he really is Batman.”

For a split second, Karoline hesitated taking in the futuristic, sleekly styled, black-as-midnight car. “At least, whoever, might be rich enough to pay for the damage. If not, I’ll add his ‘bat wings’ to my cauldron, and throw some gasoline on the flames.”

“Please, beautiful witch, not my bat wings.”

Startled that he’d heard her since he appeared to be coffin-sealed inside his bat car, Karoline was even more taken aback by the rich-as-dark-chocolate timbre of the man's voice.

Still, propelled by pure fire, she firmed her chin and approached as he rose upward. Good Goddess did he ever quit? Apparently not. He had to be well over six feet. Agile as a ballroom dancer, he stepped from behind the door’s long gleaming curve, and closed it with an elegant flick of his wrist.

Her head tilted backwards at a ridiculous angle just to see his face, and Karoline stopped in her tracks. Not that she could see his features since they were shadowed by the large cowl of his vampire costume. “What?” she snapped. "No bat wings springing up. Just a regular door.”

“I must apologize for our abrupt meeting. However, it seemed the only certain way to gain your attention.”

“Attention!” Karoline sputtered, burning at the stake of her own fury. “You run into my car to get my attention. Unbelievable.” Letting go of her skirts, she balled her fists. “One good aim,” she derisively muttered.

“Ah, yes, your athletic spunk is quite renowned within my circle.” He took a courtly step toward her. The unusual glitter of his pale eyes had her taking a mental step back. “I recall,” he suavely continued, “betting on you to win the cage match --"

“How did you...?” she interrupted. “No one knows about my fights.” Jerking in several breaths, Karoline assessed him. “Except my manager...because...”

“Yes, Jahrundi. Because he is your kind.”

Once she’d absorbed the shock, Karoline countered by narrowing her eyes. “What do you want, bat boy?”

She caught the hint of a smile before he lowered his head. He swept downward, and bowed in some sort of French, old-fashioned manner. At least, from the period epic movies she’d seen, that’s how it appeared.

Rising with more elegance than any man had a right to, he extended a card. When she didn’t take it, he deftly slipped it inside a vest pocket. “Ah, yes. One never knows the sorcery that could imbue a card of introduction. Is that not so, my beautiful Egyptian cat?”

A growl rumbled up from her belly, but with practiced ease, Karoline kept her cat from clawing its way out, and leaping for his oh-so debonair throat.

“I am Viscount Zavoyon Dicarlo, recently of Vhulferth Court.”

Ignoring his sinfully sexy voice, Karoline arched her brows high. “Not Count Dracula?”

“Would you like me to be Count Dracula on this All Hallow’s Eve?”

Her heart stopped and started, all while it felt like bats flapped their wings in the belfry of her loins. Damn! That was so not a good sign.

“I have a date. And I’m late. No thanks to you.” Noticing she stood on the balls of her feet, Karoline clicked down on the moderate heels of her witch shoes, as she called them. “I asked you a question. Viscount,” she enunciated snarkily.

“Indeed, may I address you as Karoline?”

He leaned forward ever so slightly, and Karoline suddenly had a full view of his face. She swallowed, hiding her gasp of appreciation. He certainly looked like some otherworldly immortal designed to excite a woman’s deepest passions.

“Oh, great, the tall, dark and mysterious Viscount, knows my name.” Shaking her head vigorously, Karoline sought to fling her hair back, now plastered to her face by a blast of wind.

“I must insist on escorting you out the arriving storm.” He offered his arm.

Gripping a swathe of her hair, Karoline stared at him as both of their capes billowed and whipped around them.

“Insist all you want. You know what. I’m leaving now.” She took several steps backward and prepared to dash to her car. Already drops of rain pelted her. Worse, he pelted her with those eyes that reminded her of perfectly cut peridot.

“I am in need of your assistance in removing a particularly vile curse from my sister.” His arm remained in position.

Karoline heaved in a breath, then shoved it out as fast. He didn’t lie. Not that she could tell, and she was good at knowing lies. Very good.

“Find another witch. I promised to help a friend tonight. I don’t break promises.”

Thinking she’d convinced him since he remained silent, Karoline pivoted toward her car door.

“Plesyntauz.”

The name of the warlock shapeshifter who had almost possessed her sister’s soul caused Karoline to spin around. With her heart tripping painfully, she gazed at him. Keeping his arm in position, he approached her with the arrogant assumption that he had won her over.

“There is no need to break your promise. I will act as your date. Then we will depart for Vhulfeth Court.”

“I told you, Viscount. I already have a date.”

“Shall I use my powers of persuasion to dismiss him?”

Karoline gaped for a moment. Then, the force of a bonfire filled her, and livid, she snarled, “Bite me.”

“Never tell a vampire, ‘bite me’.”

He hauled her against him, his mouth crushing hers with such bold passion, Karoline didn’t fight. And, even as his fang slid down the side of her neck in a long slow caress, she clung to him.

“A small taste only, beautiful witch,” he rasped.

Dazed, almost delirious with desire, Karoline felt the needle-sharp prick of his fangs as they sank into her tender flesh, where her neck met her shoulder. As quick, the point of his tongue laved her wound, sensual and warm.
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The Kougar’s news ~

I will be guest blogging at Fang-tastic Books ~ fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com ~ this coming Wednesday, the *27th* ~ The Veil Between the Worlds... disappearing?
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~ HAPPY HALLOWEEN SHAPESHIFTING ~

Savanna Kougar

~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~