Is It He/She Who Screams the Loudest, Who Wins the Race?

Good Friday morning, friends,

I'm a happy camper this week as I've finally finished the rough draft of my second story, The Submission! 

Yay!!

It still requires much editing, but for me, that's always been the easier of the two tasks.  Rough drafts seem to kick me in the butt.  I always seem to have middle of the story change ups and my muse is a secret, or not so secret, perfectionist which works great for editing, but not so for rough drafts.  ;)

So what now?

Well, editing for sure, but I've set that aside momentarily to give both myself and my characters a chance to breathe.  What's the saying?  Time away makes the heart grow fonder, right.  hehe

I also have several of ideas I'm toying around with.  Dragons, witches, shapeshifters and plain old folks in a contemporary that could use some editing.  Right now I'm thinking it is research mode time and then we'll see how it goes.  :)

How do all of you writers out there decide what to work on next?  Flip of a coin?  Which character screams the loudest?

I've added another bit from my Gypsy Wolf below.  Meet Edmund.

Have a great weekend!

~~~~~

Edmund trailed behind the little princess and her posse of giggling girlfriends down the darkened paths surrounding the worn out circus. This was a security nightmare. A risk he was not thrilled about taking, but what Princess Gillia wanted, Princess Gillia usually got through any means necessary. She was the only daughter of their pack leader, spoiled from the time of her birth and a royal pain in his ass.


This little stop had been her idea. “It’ll be fun, Eddy,” she’d scolded, using the hated nickname she’d given him years ago. “Relax a little, would ya. I want to know about my future.”

“This is not a good idea, Princess, there is danger here.” The air held a scent. It was familiar, yet not. It raised his hackles to be anywhere in the area, but again Gillia had played the bitch card.

“I’ll tell daddy you’re being mean!” As threats go, it should have meant nothing, however, the pack leader gave his child everything she desired, including Edmund’s head on a platter if so requested. So here they were, about to allow some old gypsy woman to delve into their hearts and minds, to swim in their secrets. Oh hell, he hoped this woman was a fake, because if she sensed their wolves, he’d have to kill her.

Here kitty, kitty!

Hi and welcome to your Wednesday fix of Shapeshifter Seductions! Today, I will be reviewing “Howling Moon” by C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp. This book is the fourth in the “Tales of the Sazi” series. It is commercially available and can sometimes be found in-store of the bigger chain stores in the romance section.

Catherine Turner should have died the day an insane jaguar ate her parents. Instead, she finds herself craving meat and turning into the image from her worst nightmares. The only think keeping her from loosing what’s left of her sanity is her best friend Holly and Holly’s extremely sexy uncle. Life is not easy for Cat as she learns the ropes of being a were-jaguar, but the wolf pack she’s to learn from is making things much harder than they need to be.

Raphael Sanchez is Second in one of the largest Sazi wolf packs, the Boulder Pack. He was asked by Catherine’s godfather to help her make her first change and to train her in the ways of the Sazi. Why would a wolf want to train a new-turn jaguar, you ask? Because her godfather just happens to be Chief Justice and Rafael has spent his whole life trying to catch the Sazi serial killer that turned her. Oh, and there’s that pesky little double mating he shares with Cat.

The pack doesn’t like Cat- she doesn’t fit in and doesn’t make any attempt to. Cat can’t stand most of the pack because of the way they treat non-pack family members. Add to that, Cat is double mated to their Second, a wolf they don’t necessarily value but aren’t willing to let a cat shifter have. The pack alpha’s youngest son is one-way mated to her, as well, but she want’s nothing to do with him. He and his mother make sure no one calms down enough around Cat to get past their natural species dislikes.

And if all that wasn’t enough, the jaguar who attacker her and ate her parents in front of her is still after her. Or is he really using her to get at her mate?

I did not go too much into detail of the plot for this book. There’s so much going on, the review would end up being three pages long and I’d still only scratch the surface of all the plots and sub-plots and twists and turns. This is a very good read, but not a quick one. It starts with the hero and heroine meeting and falling in love right off the bat. The bulk of this story is them trying to overcome impossible odds so they can be together.

The thing I love most about this story is that it’s set in Boulder, Colorado. I’ve lived in Northern Metro Denver on and off for most of my adult life, so I actually know these places the authors are talking about. As a native, I can say first hand that these ladies got the details exactly right. They don’t name the diner Rafe and Cat have breakfast at, but I know from the description that it’s Gunther Tootie’s.

For you non-Denverites, this book is still a good read. It dovetails nicely with book two. In fact, at one point, we get to hear Jack’s conversation with Lucas about how to save Bobbie using baking soda from Jack’s perspective. This book finishes setting the stage for the main story arch, which will begin properly with the next installment.

And to wrap things up, I am going to share a link to a free shape shifter novella I found on amazon.com, “The Wild's Call” by Jeri Smith-Ready. It’s set in the distant future and is a story about two childhood friends trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic Earth. It’s short, sweet, and worth every penny! (pun was intended) Here’s the link:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Wilds-Call-ebook/dp/B001VLXML6/ref=pd_sim_kinc_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

Next week, I will be reviewing “Moon’s Fury,” book five in the series, where we will meet Cara and Adam. We’ll also meet a rather interesting bald eagle, see more of Lucas, Tony, and Bobbie, and meet Nasil again, though you’ll have to be sharp to realize that’s who he is! Until next week,

Rebecca Gillan

RebeccaLGillan.com

Part Two ~ The Intergalactic Chase

Pic from Fantasy Art Design~ fantasyartdesign.com/free-wallpapers/imgs/new/49space-port-b.jpg ~

Rumbles of disbelief, shapeshifter lovers. Yep, the Tiger year of 2010 is over half done. Yowsa, I just shake my head. And, nope-yowls! The fireworks aren’t over. Not for the rest of this year as I sense it via my intuition. As Volcano stated in his forecast ~ “The following week will thunder and boom on the world stage, especially, and the world will be like a firecracker factory.”

So, now that I’ve completed the major edits on BRANDED BY THE TEXANS, a breather has set in of its own volition. My WIP, Kandy Apple for Halloween, is waiting ~ ready and able to be finished. Yet, I find myself tempted to write a 5,000 word story for submission to Dear Author ~ dearauthor.com/wordpress/2010/06/26/submission-guidelines-for-the-painpleasure-anthology ~

No, realistically, I ain’t got no chance of being accepted for several reasons I won’t state here. Still, a part of me wants to take on the challenge. And, it’s not as though I couldn’t find the story a good publishing home. In the meantime, I gave myself a little thrill... and hopefully, you... by continuing this *prequel scene* for TANGERINE CARNAL DREAMS.

The Intergalactic Chase ~ Corporal Kattalonia and Prince Zio

Part Two ~

“Goddess do behold,” Katta whispered, “this shop could be on Yemisque, tangerine carnal playground for the rich and famous. And, everyone else. But, especially for my sister.”

“May I be of assistance?” The galactic-speak of an Isyrik woman had Katta whipping around. The woman’s melodic voice was ‘anti-matter’ at odds with her appearance. A couple of heads taller, she was muscled to the max, yet, attired in a gown made out of soft fluid fabric.

Katta relaxed her stance. “You’re an expert. What would you recommend? I mean, this wouldn’t be for a lover. I want something for myself.”

“To enjoy your own beauty?” The Isyrik’s gaze sparkled with understanding, and Katta mentally sighed with relief.

“Yes. For my own pleasure.”

“May I show you to a private room?”

The thought was music to her ears, and Katta changed her expression to brightly hopeful. “Please. I have extra coin I’m dying to spend.”

“Ah, truly the universal language. This way.” The woman led her toward the surrounding ring of rooms. Most of the entries had been sealed indicating a large number of customers.

In short order, Katta waited inside an old-style, glamorous changing room, one that used mirrored surfaces instead of holo projection. With charming efficiency, her Isyrik attendant had presented a series of images. Katta chose her five favorites. Now, she sizzlie tingled with anticipation at the thought of trying on the lingerie pieces.

Stripping off her bodysuit, then removing her adhering weaponry, she moved into the cleansing tube only briefly. Since the sky horse had been notorious at gaining entry where he wasn’t allowed, Katta retrieved the weapon she called her stud inhibitor, once she’d slipped on the gauze covering.

Katta had already used the device twice on her stallion-man nemesis. While she didn’t relish punishing his balls with pain, or paralyzing his body, it had been worth it the first time. Staggered, more from being unable to move, than any actual pain, Zio’s pride had suffered huge as a red giant sun.

His cryogenic-like frozen expression had said it all. Katta giggled at the memory spontaneously. Giggling was a rare occurrence for her, except when her sis, Jessa, got hold of her funny bone and didn’t let go.

At the time, Katta had sauntered the entire length of the raucous frenetic danceclub. She’d used her psi-hindsight to watch the rutting-disabled sky horse as his gazed ‘chased’ after her. Like a high class harlot on Mryub, Katta had exaggerated the sway of her hips, unable to resist tormenting him. He deserved it, given the *caught in a comet’s tail* hell he put her through.

Grab-a-laugh, yeah, Zio had been one mortified and fiercely frustrated man-stallion. Katta figured that would end his intergalactic chase. Nope. And no blue-star hope of ridding herself of his pursuit. He’d recovered all too fast, galloping his fleet trader’s craft over and under a space field of plasma clouds with an expertise that surprised her.

As the Isyrik woman entered with the gleaming rack of lingerie, Katta placed the stud inhibitor within reach. Smiling, she presented a small pouch of coin. “Whatever the difference in purchase price is, we’ll settle once I’ve decided.”

With a gracious nod of her head, the woman departed. Excitement quivered her belly and Katta quickly shed the gauze covering. Outrageously purple, the ultra-thin leather barely contained her breasts, and made her nipples look like beckoning sluts. The matching swirly micro-skirt clung below her hips. At each turn, it rippled showing off her butt.

Katta grinned and strutted, happy with her super-sexual appearance. After removing the simple design, she placed it on the buy tray. Since flaming red was one of her favored colors, Katta reached for the garment that wrapped around her bare body like an animal’s stripes.

“Oh Goddess, yes!” she whispered, and felt herself moan in appreciation.

“Primitive and definitely to my liking, beautiful woman. Shall I watch you parade before the mirrors again? Before I claim you?”

Katta froze for a fraction of a second only. Spinning on the balls of her feet, she grabbed for the stud inhibitor.

TO BE CONTINUED... (still hoping!)
~~~~~~

The Kougar’s news and mews ~

Yep, as mentioned, the major edits for BRANDED BY THE TEXANS have been bridled and branded, and e-galloped back to Siren-BookStrand.
~~~~~~

~ HAPPY SUMMER SHAPESHIFTING ~

Savanna Kougar

~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~

Author of ~

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

Shifters Through History

By Pat Cunningham

With America’s birthday still fresh in mind, it got me thinking about the history of our secretive neighbors, the Shifter-Americans. With their elaborate clans, rituals and beliefs, they didn’t spring up overnight (except in writers’ minds, of course). They must have histories as long and rich as any ethnic group that journeyed here to the melting pot.

Some groups (deer, bears, coyotes, some of the wolf packs) are Native Americans. The rest would have come to the New World with the other European and Asian immigrants, and for the same reasons: opportunity, freedom, land of one’s one, and acres and acres of virgin woodland. They would be clannish and keep to themselves, like other ethnic populations. The cities would have their Shiftertowns, living just under the human radar. At the first chance they’d buy land and move to the country, away from human settlements.

(A note on African shifters: I’m sure individuals would have been captured in the slave trade, but not whole clans or tribes at once. I can’t imagine that happening. Picture if you will a slave ship captain about to make sail when suddenly half his “cargo” turns into leopards. Or lions. Or elephants. Who wants to write the shapeshifter version of “Roots”? Show of hands, please.)

Wary of humans, they would be the explorers of the frontier, pushing ever westward, away from civilization. They would be ranchers and cowboys. Humans won’t hunt you if you raise your own food. A ranch would provide perfect camouflage for a herd of werehorses as well. The solitary cougars and jaguars would be the fur trappers (eat the beaver, sell the skin), the Army scouts, the mountain men. Coyotes would flock to the gold fields, selling goods to the miners at inflated prices.

True to their animal heritage, they would love and respect their country. European wolves would have been loyalists during the Revolution (faithful to the “alpha”), but American wolves would have fought on the side of the rebels (defending their territory). I can picture horses fighting in the Civil War (bits, saddles, spurs and riders would put anybody off slavery). Refinements in Army physicals put an end to shapeshifter military service. The Viet Nam era saw a massive exodus of young shifter males to Canada. Not that they objected to the war; they just couldn’t risk a blood test. Deer would be conscientious objectors. I’m sure coyotes flocked to the hippie movement and protest marches, but if you ask them they’ll swear they were only in it for the music.

In short, the history of shapeshifters in America is the history of America itself. Somewhere out there The Great American Shapeshifter Historical Novel (or multi-book series) exists. If not, one of us better get on the stick. I want to see “North and South” with a werewolf regiment fighting at Gettysburg. Not “Gone with the Wind,” though. Scarlett was a vampire. But that’s a whole other blog.

Holiday Wishes

Out of our dreams are born...

. . .the ideas from which stories and tales take shape and arise to entertain us. No that is not some ancient witty saying. I came up with that one myself.

This week as I worked on another story that takes place over 5 days, setting up the format and chapter range for it, another idea birthed itself and took over demanding it be told.
Thus SHAPE SHIFTER BLUES was born.

The basic premise contains an award winning rhythm and blues band comprised of shape shifters. The lead singer, Jared Smythe (old English name pronunciation please) is tracking his business manager's baby sister who's been on the run for years. Maggie Barnsdell, the sister, wants nothing to do with her shape shifter heritage. She's made a life for herself outside of any shifter community. Jared's finally cornered her in the one place she'll not run from. Her own thriving business and the people she's come to call family. Problem is Jared's never seen more than a few pictures of Maggie as a teen and young adult. Maggie's not about to let one more vagabond singer get closer enough to take another piece of her heart.

Here is part of the lyrics Jared sings to Maggie, alluding to his feelings for her.

I can't shift
My heart races into overdrive
Every time you're near
Neutral won't do for what I feel
Why won't you tell me how you feel
Cone on girl,
Stop denying your attraction
And end my shape shifter blues
(c) Solara Gordon 2010

Enjoy! Have a safe and happy fourth!
SOLARA