A New Way of Seeing Things

“I don’t know if I said the right thing.”  Abebi toyed with her spoon.  Sandy sat across from her in the local coffee shop.  They sat near the front window.  Folks walked up and down the streets visiting the shops or looking at the Christmas displays each window showed. 

Sandy set her fork down and thoughtfully chewed.  She picked up her coffee, drank, and spoke.  “Jeanne out did herself with this gingerbread cheesecake.  I’m glad you suggested coming here.”  

Sandy laid her hands palms down on the table.  She leaned forward, continuing in a lower volume. “You had to answer Jackson.  Shit, the whole group was hanging on the two of you.  Why are you distressing?  You spoke from your heart, didn’t you?”

Sandy reached for her fork as Abebi responded.  “I wish it was that clear.”

Sandy drummed her fingers on the table.  “Did you tell them what they wanted to hear or what you thought Jackson wanted?”

Abebi swallowed the last of her decaffeinated coffee.  “If I stop to sort things out, probably a mixture of both with a stout splash of my own feelings added in too.”

Sandy’s nodded didn’t bode well.  Sandy talked when she felt strongly about the topic.  Abebi didn’t see this side often.  Why was she being quiet?

“I want to be sure Jackson gets to stay on if he wants even if we don’t work out.  I worry about him.”  Abebi toyed with her spoon, looking out the window in between glances at Sandy.

“Why worry about him?  He’s got to earn his merit just like the rest of us did.  Even you darlin’.”  Sandy forked another bite of cheesecake into her mouth.

Abebi wanted to squirm as two hot hunks passed the window.  Her next-door neighbor enjoyed a secondary relationship with them and spent a couple of afternoons a week basking in their touch and sexual play.  Pregnancy did nothing to still her want and desire for others.  Problem was she and Jackson hadn’t mated more than once in human form.  Their encounters were mostly as their wolfish counterparts.

“Yes, I earned my place in the pack.  Jackson is well on his way to gaining his too.  I wonder if all couples go through this.”  Abebi snagged the last bite off Sandy’s plate.

“Go through what?”  Sandy leaned back in her chair, eyeing the two hunks along with Abebi.

“Agreeing to others and then thinking did I do the right thing?”  Abebi shrugged as Sandy’s gaze met hers.  

Sandy’s megawatt smile dried out Abebi’s throat.  Further words were impossible.  She pointed to Sandy and waved.

“Oh yeah now my turn, eh?”  Sandy’s smile grew.  “Hon, no one said it was easy.  Lupa knows Mick and I butted heads amongst my baas and his howls over a few of our side relationships.”

Abebi smiled back as best she could.  She sipped the water their server was kind enough to bring after a few frantic waves.  Sandy went on.

“We finally came to this agreement.  We talk about interests from the moment we know about them.  You can share some, a lot, or none at all.  Depends on where you are as a couple we found works for us.”  Sandy picked up the bill the server had laid next to her.  “Does that make sense?”

Abebi nodded.  She rubbed her lips together before voicing her views.  “Jackson is busy working overtime to get money for his rental deposits.  He’s renting the condo next to mine.  Seems he needs time to adjust to city life more.”

“Can’t take the animal or country out of him, I’m sure.”  Sandy winked as she laid the tip on the table.

“Yes, and sharing is going to take some getting used to.  He’s not wanting either of us to walk in on the other in the midst of things.”  Abebi fanned herself sure she was flushed as thoughts of Jackson naked and randy with her flashed through her mind.  What would he think if she whispered her current fantasy in his ear?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi Gang!

Well we have Abebi's answer finally.  Now I am fanning myself wondering what fantasy she has in mind for Jackson.  Dang, my muse loves to leave me hanging and wondering what is next.  Not to mention the two hunks Sandy and Abebi are eyeing.  

Ah well, final edits for Hot for Torrey have come through and I'm hard at work finishing those up.  My muse decided to let me in on what Abebi decided.  Now we wait to see what her fantasy is.  Talk about another cliff hanger.  

Mean while enjoy the warm weather if you can.  The holidays are here and so with it the end of the year.  Remember to take time for you and your spice as well as your loves.  I'm sharing a good book or two with them.

Smiles,

Solara

Okay, I Tried...

...And failed. 

This weeks blog is still sitting on my computer waiting to be finished.  Cami and Leo are having their first meeting and it is going slow.  I admit it, they are keeping it close to the vest today.  I think it's nerves really.  Cami is worried about what Leo really wants and Leo doesn't want to come on to Dom-like and scare her away...yet, she needs to be given some limits right from the get go.  So you see, writer-interuptis has happened on my end...

I did however, have something I wanted to share/ask this week.  Are blogs dead?  I heard this said by a fellow author I admire and it got me thinking.  Are blogs falling by the wayside?  And if they are, what's replacing them?  I know my personal blog Serenashay.com is really slow of late, but that my be my own fault.  Little time and lots of Real Life issues are pulling me in a different direction.  Which, of course, may be at the heart of dying blogs.  A writers life is incredibly busy between writing obligations and Home responsibilities.  I love writing, but I'm a mom first so Darling Divas needs come before my blogging.

The other thing about blogging, is I find myself more and more adding things to my personal blog that I enjoy, which might not be directly related to writing, erotic or sex in any form.  Am I doing my writer self a disservice?  Even though I have an addiction to graphic of all types, sexy, old, unique, should I only be using ones somehow related to my writing?  I hope not as I would miss sharing my photo finds with anyone who wants to see them.  Plus, I suspect I really would stop blogging if I couldn't share my love of graphics.

Anyway,  I should get back to enticing Cami and Leo to share, but please tell me your thoughts on blogs dying...Is it true?  If so, what's taking their place?  And because I love a good graphic I added some below to let you know what other Talbot's Peak couples are up to this week, at least in my head anyway.  :D

     Nick and Ziva, taking part in an age of right of humans or everyday life of shifters...sex out of doors!

Nick, of course, pulling off the old wifebeater (what a horrible name) t-shirt and Ziva wearing as little as possible.  Good for you, girly.  Skyclad is always welcome in Talbot's Peak.

Don't you wonder who's in charge today?

Glenn and Bobbi Sue relaxing outside The TP Pet Shop waiting for the next batch of lost baby animals to rescue.

Slowly, but surely, Glenn is helping Bobbi Sue overcome her fears and she's encouraging the rest of the Doomed Love Club that love is out there if you are lucky enough to find it.

Erol and Greely, occasionally coming together in a blast of dragon beauty, until of course, Erol blows it by opening his mouth.  He's still learning what it takes to romance a woman from this century and will hopefully put it all together in time to fully win over his froggie love.

Seriously, how does Greely say no to THAT??

~Whew~




~~~

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!


Serena

Busy busy busy

Busy, busy, busy this week. This isn't very long, but it is rather amusing, I think. The below pic has nothing to do with the flash, by the way. Just random man-candy to make your Wednesday a little bit sweeter!

**********

Lex looked up at the kittens sitting atop the double doors leading to his Great-Uncle Anubus’s den. They didn’t seem to be the brightest of individuals. They stared back at him, flat out refusing to let him pass without an appointment. He didn’t have time to make an appointment for this! He sighed in vexation. If only he had brought those wolf pups, Loki and Thor. He knew they would get those pompous flea bags occupied so he could just pop in and say his piece to his Mother’s uncle and pop back out before anything untoward could happen. Wait. That was a pretty good idea, actually.

“Oh, puppies! Here silly little wolf puppies!” he called back through the ported in the coffee shop.

“How are you calling a puppy?” Thor demanded as he slid through the portal, looked every hair the wolf pup.

“Smelly dogs! Run for your lives!”

“Get the kitties, puppies, and Uncle Lex will have a special treat for you when we get home!” He head a deep, heartfelt sigh coming from the open door. He dragged his eyes away from the spectacle of half-grown wolf pups chasing Anubis’s divine guards down the hall to see the God of Death himself standing there, glaring at him

“Greetings, Oh Mighty One,” Lex said bowing deeply.

“I placed guards at the door of my private sanctum for a reason, Lexor,” Anubis growled. Lex bowed deeply again.

“I understand this, my lord, but I have need to speak with you privately.”

“Then you should have made an appointment.”

“That would have alerted certain… parties… that I met with you. I needed anonymity.”

“Very well, Lexor. Call off those hounds of yours and come inside.”

“Loki! Thor! That’s enough now. Come here.”

“But Uncle Lex, we didn’t catch them yet! You said we had to catch them to get our treat!” Loki whined.

“Loki and Thor?” Anubus asked, raising one eyebrow in disbelief. “Surely not the real Norse gods.”

“Not that I am aware of, my lord,” Lex replied with an amused grin. “Though they do an admirable job of mimicking their namesakes.”

Anubis looked at Lex hard for a moment, as if trying to figure out what was going on. Mission accomplished, Lex thought, being careful not to let his thoughts show on his face. Now that I have both his attention and his curiosity, I know I will get a long enough audience to speak my piece, even if it was only so the death god could get a good, long look at Mooney and Marissa’s pups to decide for himself if they were reincarnated gods.



Finishing... and Promo for Santa Baby, Several Stars Away

First Tuesday in December howls and yowls, shapeshifter lovers.

With Christmas around the corner, I figured it was time to promo my holiday short story.

Plus, I need the time to finish the final paragraphs of my 'soon to be released' shapeshifter erotic romance, HER MIDNIGHT STARDUST COWBOYS.

It's a painstaking process pulling Sherilyn, Zance, and Dontoya's erotic love story together with just the right emotion, tenor, and impact.

But, I'm so close to writing 'the end'. Of course, that means editing, and revisions. However, I'm hoping with the amount of editing I've already done, it will go fairly quickly.

Hey, a writer can hope, can't she? Do Christmas wishes come true? I'm about to find out... lol.

This will be my first SHAPESHIFTER SEDUCTIONS NOVEL, and since one of the themes is New Year's Eve, I sure would like to git 'er done in time.
~~~~~~

~ A Short Shapeshifter Erotic Romance for Christmas ~

Consumed by curiosity, Kaily gives herself to a mystery man for Christmas.

Will Dylan be able to resist her waiting naked, but gift-wrapped beneath his tree?

To win the woman he desires above all else, Dylan turns the Twelve Days of Christmas into the twelve passions, all in one night.


Chapter One:

Santa Baby, Waitin' Just for You

Rarely reckless, Kaily flung off the negligee she'd first thought to wear. It landed in a red ephemeral heap beside the tastefully trimmed Christmas tree.

So what if she'd just broken into his house...well, she hadn't exactly broken in...more like she spied on him until she found out where he hid the extra key...lodged in a crack of the frame above the door of the Victorian mansion he'd resurrected from certain crumbling death, and now obviously treasured.

There was only one thing Kaily could see amiss in the traditional holiday atmosphere he'd created with the help of the town's local historical club--a garish red ribbon. The long sash had a simple bow attached to one end, and practically shone despite the low lighting. 

Kaily stared at the unexpected invitation.

Certainly, the river of red ribbon didn't belong on the floor as a decoration, and she couldn't see anywhere else it belonged...except wrapped around her.

Since she was giving herself to him as a gift for Christmas...well, why not?

Wildly inspired, Kaily plucked up what looked to be about three yards of ribbon. After strategically emphasizing her full breasts, she arranged it around her naked body. Naked that is, except for her gold ankle bracelet, her 'I want to seduce you earrings'...and a whimsical pair of faux-fur trimmed santa boots.

Heck, Kaily reasoned, if he was gay he might just chuckle a ho-ho-ho, and turn it all into big ole joke...and she'd turn her bare tail, and escape as quick as possible. If he wasn't gay, but didn't want to take what she was offering, Kaily hoped he would have a holly jolly laugh at her expense as he politely showed her to the door.

It was all too true, her curiosity raged out of control--even causing her sleepless nights. The object of her desire had sauntered into Kaily's small town last December. He'd paid cash on the spot for the dilapidated but proud old Victorian mansion, according to Becky Starks the one realtor.

With a vengeance, and despite the winter weather, Sexy Strange Man--as she'd thought of him then--had set about restoring the mansion. He'd also made certain to gain the good will of everyone in town...well, almost everyone.

Nessie Jones, the town's librarian, didn't like Dylan. Of course, Nessie didn't like anyone anyway, for whatever reason she could find. The love of her life was books and a mystery man she claimed to be married to--that no one ever saw.

Behind Dylan's back, Nessie always curled her lip and wrinkled her nose, as if his deodorant had failed in its job...which might be case, since he always smelled smoky and impossibly virile to Kaily.

Even though she did try to avoid him, because of her obsession with knowing more about him--why make herself look like a prize-trussed fool in front of everyone by groping him with questions--still, they were always running into each other, and Kaily always became turned-on, and positively inebriated by his scent.

Okay yes, Kaily admitted, now she did look good and trussed up, the way the length of red ribbon wound around her body. At least, by what she could see. There was a slice of her reflection in the tall narrow mirror near the fireplace mantle.

With the bow dangling from one hand, Kaily wondered if she should position it over her well-furred pussy--not completely covered by the ribbon. Or maybe, the large showy bow should nestle between the swells of her breasts...or be placed like a centerpiece above her ample-enough cleavage.

''Ooooh...Santa baby, waitin' just for you," she crooned like the song, then pursed her lips in an attempt to look sexy.
~~~~~~

Blurb:

Kaily has been consumed by curiosity ever since Dylan suddenly appears in her small town. Surreptitiously, she watches the mystery man restore a rundown Victorian mansion, all while his charm and sincerity gain him the good will of most everyone. This is especially true when he volunteers to become the annual Santa Claus for the children at the town's park.

The problem for Kaily: No one really knows anything about Dylan's past or where he came from. With her attraction to him growing day by day, she becomes a driven woman. On a desperate whim, she gives herself to him as a Christmas present. Will Dylan be able to resist her waiting naked, but gift-wrapped beneath his tree? ~~~~~~

Now Available ~ SMASHWORDS | AMAZON | AllRomanceEbooks

~~~~~~

Have the merriest of shapeshifting holidays!

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~

Happy Ending

Merry prided herself on her ability to deal with her own weaknesses. When she’d taken over running the dude ranch she’d turned her office desk toward the wall so she wouldn’t be tempted to stare out the window at the woods and mountains and their many alluring trails. Lately, though, she’d turned it back, to give her a view of the yard. Dash crossed that yard often, both in human form and as a horse. Some weaknesses Merry was happy enough to indulge in.

She was gazing out the window when Dash appeared, a big chestnut stallion with longer legs and a broader chest than a regular horse. A gray stallion, its lathered neck bent with weariness, plodded behind him.

Merry shot out of the office into the yard, and hustled both horses into the barn before any hands could interfere. The gray was no shifter; she’d learned to tell the difference, and spotted him right off. She guided him into a box stall and brought him a bucket of water. He slurped gratefully.

“Okay.” She whirled on Dash. “Who is he, where’s he from, and how’d you get a hold of him?”

The chestnut glanced around, then shifted. He tucked a horse blanket around his middle to fend off any comments from the hands. “A friend of mine called me up and asked me to take him on. Or maybe he’s a relative. Horse-shifter bloodlines tend to get a might tangled.”

Merry ran her expert hands over the horse’s body and legs. She noted every nervous ripple of hide her gentle touch evoked. Nor did she miss the old scars, or the more-recent bare patches on his flanks. Her eyes got stormy. “Somebody’s been mighty mean to this animal.”

“Not just somebody,” Dash said in the same ominous tone. “Your human nose ain’t up to it, but I can smell his last rider on him. You remember that Ravi Khan from down in Talbot’s Peak?”

“The one tried to wreck the haunted trail ride? This is his horse?” She laid her hand protectively on the stallion’s neck. The stallion nosed her hair. “No, he’s not. Not any more. I wouldn’t even hand over a scrub pony to that stripe-assed bastard.”

“Not asking you to. We got a big spread here, with the mountains next door. A horse could hide hisself out here for months. Years, even. And look, no brand. Can’t say for sure this is Ravi’s horse. He could belong to anybody.”

Silently Merry completed her examination. The horse stood docile and patient beneath her hands. Whether that was his temperament or due to Dash’s presence, Merry didn’t know and didn’t care. He wasn’t going back to the tigers. That was already a given. “He seems pretty sound,” she said. “Good breeding. Khan knows his horseflesh, I’ll give him that.”

“He should. He probably eats enough of it. Gray might make it as a saddle horse. Or a top-flight stud. The herd’s been needing one of those.”

“That isn’t up to me,” Merry said with a grin. “Let’s see what Ripley thinks about him.”

She gave the horse a rubdown and some grain. After he’d rested up they bridled him for a trip to the upper pasture. Merry mounted Dash bareback and let him set the pace, with the gray following along on a lead rope.

They found the saddle herd with little trouble. The gray’s ears pricked and he thrust his nose into the air. His whinny sparked a response, two parts curiosity, one suspicion.

Every head in the herd was turned toward the spot where Merry, Dash, and their guest emerged from the trees. Ripley, the band’s boss mare, tossed her raven mane. The stallion called a greeting. Merry slid off Dash’s back and tugged the bridle off the horse. Dash shifted and gave him a slap on the rump. “Go get her, cousin.”

The gray took off like a shot for the herd. Ripley stopped him with a warning neigh. They circled briefly and sniffed at each other before Ripley turned her back on him and nudged her band downslope. The stallion followed. They repeated their dance for the better part of an hour. By the fifth go-round the stallion was permitted to graze at the edge of the herd, though Ripley kept a wary eye on him.

Dash nodded, satisfied. “Bet you a carrot he’ll be running that band by nightfall.”

“Don’t be too sure. Looks to me like he’s already figured out who’s in charge, and he’s good with it.” Merry thought it over. “We should call him Hicks.”

“Not Bishop? He struck me as more of a Bishop.”

“Take another look. That’s no gelding.”

“Hicks it is.” Arm in arm, they watched the herd get to know its new addition. “I doubt Khan’ll make it up this far,” Dash said. “If he does, Ripley’ll handle him. I wouldn’t wish her on my worst enemy.”

“I would.”

“That’s because you’re a bloodthirsty ape. How about we camp under those trees for a spell and put that energy to good use?”

“Then you’ll be too tired for the ride back.”

“As usual, you underestimate a shifter’s stamina.” Dash lifted her easily into his arms and carried her toward a massive fir with heavy, drooping branches. “You didn’t bring a blanket, did you?”

“Got my jacket.”

“Good enough.” He ducked them under the tree.

A Glmpse of My New Book

Hi Gang,

Sorry for the late post.  While my muse had a tantilizing idea on Abebi's response, I worked over time this week.  Two ten hour days back to back along with a two hour commute home most nights has done me in.  While I'm regrouping, please take a look at the cover for my upcoming release in January right after New Year's Day.  I'll post an excerpt soon!  I'm awaiting final edits and revisions from Siren-Bookstrand, my publisher.  Until then, keep warm, healthy, safe, and full of holiday gladness.  Whatever your religious beliefs, chosen affiliations, and wishes (keep them well for those that don't wish us harm or foulness upon us), enjoy the time and season.  We're here to take care of each other and live together as best we can.  Remember to share a good book or two with your spice and loves.  I spent the day with one of mine and he helped me buy a new desk top computer while helping another of the spice family replace her laptop.  Isn't love grand?


Smiles,
Solara