Wolves, leopards, and bears, oh, my.
Whatever you want to call them, shape-shifters are hot. Between Kenyon’s broody Were-Hunters, Singh’s predatory Changelings, and Brigg’s possessive werewolves, I thought I’d read all the shape-shifter scenarios. Silly me.
Enter Jennifer Ashley and her Shifters Unbound series.
Book one in the series, Pride Mates, isn’t the flashiest book on the shelf. The background is gray and black, the words plain white. The overall image is very subdued. Kind of like a shape-shifter hiding in the trees...you don’t really know it’s there until you see the teeth. And Pride Mates definitely has teeth. Ms. Ashley has created an interesting world where ‘Shifters’ are treated little better than captured and collared animals. The prejudice against them as a race is reminiscent of our own culture in the volatile 1960’s, and just as distasteful.
The heroine, Kim Fraser, is a young junior lawyer in a prestigious law firm. When she’s assigned to defend a shifter-male charged with murdering his human girlfriend, her investigation takes her deeper into the Shifter world than is safe for a mere human.
In her first venture into Shiftertown, Kim meets Liam Morrissey, a strong Fae-cat with a soft Irish lilt, and a protective streak as wide as they come. Liam is intrigued by Kim and her determination to get to the truth in a case everyone else sees as open and shut. Knowing she treads dangerous ground in her efforts to prove a Shifter innocent, he marks her with his scent to protect her from others of his kind. The move backfires, placing Kim in the greatest danger of her life, and making it impossible for Liam to do anything but claim her as his mate.
The attraction Kim feels for Liam seems to grow by leaps and bounds, but being with him, especially accepting him as her mate, could brand her as a ‘shifter-whore’, endangering her job and the career she has worked so hard for. Yet she longs to be part of a family again, and Liam’s close-knit family tempts Kim almost as much as Liam himself. She just isn’t sure if his desire for her stems from love, or his animal instincts.
Teeth and claws, hot kisses and hotter bodies, Pride Mates has it all and Ms. Ashley does a wonderful job of drawing you into the world of her Shifters. I invite you to take a walk on 'the other side of the tracks’ and hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. I look forward to Ms. Ashley’s next adventure in the world of Shifters Unbound.
Question of the week: What's your favorite shape-shifter book?
2/13/10
12/5/09
Why There’s No Cat In Christmas
I’m sorry, but cats and Christmas just don’t mix. I know this from personal experience.
Ever have a kitten climb your Christmas tree? At night? I spent an hour the next morning looking for him before he decided to meow. Found him perched at the back of the tree up near the top, naturally.
Or have a cat swipe a glass ornament and use it for his personal toy before hiding it under the couch across the room. (I found it in March.)
And God forbid I put bows on any of the packages. I thought this one bow with pretty curling ribbons kept falling off until I caught my current cat, Vinnie, red-handed, err, pawed, with his claws snagged in the ribbon. He looked up at me as if to say, "Oh, this one wasn't for me?"
And it’s not only indoor cats you have to worry about. My outdoor cat, Miles, is celebrating his first Christmas. Imagine his joy when my son and I were stringing the lights up outside. I’m surprised we got the chore finished before dark. Now all I have to worry about is finding the light string chewed in half. I can see Miles now, orange eyes innocently wide despite every hair on his body standing on end. (Shudder)
Oh, and before I go, let’s not forget the tinsel episode. Last year I decided to put silver tinsel on the tree and had to snatch it back off when Vinnie started slurping it up like strings of spaghetti. Off course, not all of it stayed down and I had a wonderful time cleaning up after him the next few days. It was funny, though, when I went to sift the litter box and found several glittery ‘treasures’. I even invited my sons to come take a look and share in the laughter. After all, isn’t sharing what Christmas is all about?
Merry Christmas to all. Yes, even the cats.
Ever have a kitten climb your Christmas tree? At night? I spent an hour the next morning looking for him before he decided to meow. Found him perched at the back of the tree up near the top, naturally.
Or have a cat swipe a glass ornament and use it for his personal toy before hiding it under the couch across the room. (I found it in March.)
And God forbid I put bows on any of the packages. I thought this one bow with pretty curling ribbons kept falling off until I caught my current cat, Vinnie, red-handed, err, pawed, with his claws snagged in the ribbon. He looked up at me as if to say, "Oh, this one wasn't for me?"
And it’s not only indoor cats you have to worry about. My outdoor cat, Miles, is celebrating his first Christmas. Imagine his joy when my son and I were stringing the lights up outside. I’m surprised we got the chore finished before dark. Now all I have to worry about is finding the light string chewed in half. I can see Miles now, orange eyes innocently wide despite every hair on his body standing on end. (Shudder)
Oh, and before I go, let’s not forget the tinsel episode. Last year I decided to put silver tinsel on the tree and had to snatch it back off when Vinnie started slurping it up like strings of spaghetti. Off course, not all of it stayed down and I had a wonderful time cleaning up after him the next few days. It was funny, though, when I went to sift the litter box and found several glittery ‘treasures’. I even invited my sons to come take a look and share in the laughter. After all, isn’t sharing what Christmas is all about?
Merry Christmas to all. Yes, even the cats.
11/26/09
Could I get a hug with that drumstick?
Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Four times a year I grant unto myself the freedom to indulge in potato salad, baked beans, squash casserole, dirty rice, ham, turkey, cake, pie… You get the picture. And yeah, I guess that should be over-indulge. Nor do I do this dirty deed alone. Oh, no. I drag my whole entire family to the table. Misery loves company, after all.
“Here, have a deviled egg. Take two, they’re small.”
“Want some Cool Whip with that pie?”
“Mmmmm, cornbread and collard greens, delicious.”
“Of course, I’d love another helping of dressing. Ladle on the gravy, baby!”
Gathering for a meal at the holidays is a ritual in our family. We meet, we eat, we talk, we laugh, and we renew the bonds that hold us together. Sometimes we even call a family gathering when there isn’t a holiday, just to shake things up a bit. You know, grill a few hotdogs and hamburgers, or fry up some fish and hush puppies. Not everything has to be about turkey and ham.
The best thing is that whatever the occasion, everyone always goes away full of more than just food. We stock up on hugs and smiles, encouraging words and humorous stories. Accomplishments are applauded. Failures are meticulously examined for silver linings and golden nuggets of wisdom. And dreams for the future are polished until they shine.
Yes, the fried turkey was juicy, the potato salad, perfect, and the pecan pie a slice of heaven, but though it may be the food that brings us together, it’s the heaping plate full of love that keeps us coming back for more.
“Here, have a deviled egg. Take two, they’re small.”
“Want some Cool Whip with that pie?”
“Mmmmm, cornbread and collard greens, delicious.”
“Of course, I’d love another helping of dressing. Ladle on the gravy, baby!”
Gathering for a meal at the holidays is a ritual in our family. We meet, we eat, we talk, we laugh, and we renew the bonds that hold us together. Sometimes we even call a family gathering when there isn’t a holiday, just to shake things up a bit. You know, grill a few hotdogs and hamburgers, or fry up some fish and hush puppies. Not everything has to be about turkey and ham.
The best thing is that whatever the occasion, everyone always goes away full of more than just food. We stock up on hugs and smiles, encouraging words and humorous stories. Accomplishments are applauded. Failures are meticulously examined for silver linings and golden nuggets of wisdom. And dreams for the future are polished until they shine.
Yes, the fried turkey was juicy, the potato salad, perfect, and the pecan pie a slice of heaven, but though it may be the food that brings us together, it’s the heaping plate full of love that keeps us coming back for more.
10/15/09
An Author is Born
I can't believe it. Here it is only a year after I completed the first draft of Bloodsworn and I receive an email from a wonderful editor at Wild Rose Press informing me that she has received approval to offer me a contract on the book!
YES! I'm going to be a published author! God is good!
Can't sit back and bask too long, though. Time for edits and revisions, and re-writes now. Not to mention marketing classes. The hard work is just beginning. My schedule is going to be very busy the next few months. In addition to getting Bloodsworn ready for publication, I'm also working on another project.
Sniper Shots is a romantic suspense that recently finaled in The Golden Pen contest. Contest results should be announced by December 1st and I'd like to have the book finished by then. Not sure if such a deadline is feasible but I'm going to give it a shot.
Oh, and I'm going to have to start blogging a lot more often than once a year. :-)
YES! I'm going to be a published author! God is good!
Can't sit back and bask too long, though. Time for edits and revisions, and re-writes now. Not to mention marketing classes. The hard work is just beginning. My schedule is going to be very busy the next few months. In addition to getting Bloodsworn ready for publication, I'm also working on another project.
Sniper Shots is a romantic suspense that recently finaled in The Golden Pen contest. Contest results should be announced by December 1st and I'd like to have the book finished by then. Not sure if such a deadline is feasible but I'm going to give it a shot.
Oh, and I'm going to have to start blogging a lot more often than once a year. :-)
11/29/08
Well, here it is November already. Remember that plot bunny I mentioned back in April? Well, I finished it in October! Yippee! I’ve titled it Bloodsworn. My mother was the first to read it and loved it…thank goodness, since I really wrote it for her. I kind of like it myself, even if it is 178,000 words. Yeah, I know, kind of long for a book, but it seems to read well. You can check out the first chapter under ‘Stories’ and see what you think.
Something else I’ve done a few months ago is join RWA (Romance Writers of America) and my local chapter TARA (Tampa Area Romance Authors). What a fantastic bunch of people. They made me feel very welcome the first day. And guess what? One of my very favorite authors is TARA president! C.L. Wilson! I had no idea she lived so close.
Anyway, they have workshops and guest speakers who give us struggling authors pointers in how to get our works published. Wonderful! Just what I need. Now, if I can just get some of the ladies who are already published to read and critique my book…
Oh well, even if that doesn’t happen, I’ve enjoyed writing the three books I’ve finished and look forward to my next project. What is it, you ask? Well, I thought I’d take a shot at writing a category story, something for Silhouette’s new Nocture Bites series. I’ve had a plot bunny on the back burner about a dragon dragged into our world by some enemies out to steal his magic. Changed into human form, he hooks up with a nurse who tries to help him. Sparks fly, fires smolder, and the two burst into some seriously seductive romantic flames. My only problem will be in keeping it short and sweet. (See Bloodsworn’s length above.)
Oh, and my oldest brother wants me to help him write this romance story he’s been working on. Can you believe it?!?! My brother!!! Ah, well, the man has always been full of surprises. And his story’s not half bad, actually. I’ll definitely have to squeeze it into my schedule.
Well, hope everyone out there had a great Thanksgiving. One of my other brothers who lives in north Florida is coming down for Christmas so I’m really looking forward to it.
Here’s wishing you a Merry Christmas too!
Something else I’ve done a few months ago is join RWA (Romance Writers of America) and my local chapter TARA (Tampa Area Romance Authors). What a fantastic bunch of people. They made me feel very welcome the first day. And guess what? One of my very favorite authors is TARA president! C.L. Wilson! I had no idea she lived so close.
Anyway, they have workshops and guest speakers who give us struggling authors pointers in how to get our works published. Wonderful! Just what I need. Now, if I can just get some of the ladies who are already published to read and critique my book…
Oh well, even if that doesn’t happen, I’ve enjoyed writing the three books I’ve finished and look forward to my next project. What is it, you ask? Well, I thought I’d take a shot at writing a category story, something for Silhouette’s new Nocture Bites series. I’ve had a plot bunny on the back burner about a dragon dragged into our world by some enemies out to steal his magic. Changed into human form, he hooks up with a nurse who tries to help him. Sparks fly, fires smolder, and the two burst into some seriously seductive romantic flames. My only problem will be in keeping it short and sweet. (See Bloodsworn’s length above.)
Oh, and my oldest brother wants me to help him write this romance story he’s been working on. Can you believe it?!?! My brother!!! Ah, well, the man has always been full of surprises. And his story’s not half bad, actually. I’ll definitely have to squeeze it into my schedule.
Well, hope everyone out there had a great Thanksgiving. One of my other brothers who lives in north Florida is coming down for Christmas so I’m really looking forward to it.
Here’s wishing you a Merry Christmas too!
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