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Creature Feature: Cat Shifters

May 24, 2008 on 8:11 am | In Paranormal Tales, Creatures & Legends | 1 Comment

Cat shapeshifters offer a unique and interesting opportunity for fantasy writers. First, there are so many kinds of big cats to play with and many of them share common traits.

In the genus Panthera, for example, are the lion, tiger, leopard and jaguar. These are the only big cats able to roar and are sometimes distinguished as the “great cats” to differentiate them from other big cats like the cheetah, snow leopard, clouded leopard, and cougar. Another little distinction is that the babies of the great cats are called cubs, while the babies of the other big cats are called kittens. (More on all of this minutiae can be found in the Wiki entry.)

The creature I find most interesting is the cougar. Bigger than the jaguar, but not considered a “great cat,” it goes by many names and roams most of the Americas. Also called Puma or Mountain Lion, these cats are huge and very efficient predators. They learn and adapt to their environment and the kinds of prey they find there. I saw a show on Animal Planet the other day on bighorn sheep in the Canadian wilderness. It turns out that scientists were able to discover that one particular cougar in the area had learned how to efficiently hunt the bighorn lambs and for the last two years of the cougar’s life, it ate almost nothing but mutton and put a big dent in the local bighorn population. But another cougar wasn’t as smart. It fell to its death off the rocky slopes while chasing a bighorn lamb and both were found dead at the bottom, killed by the fall. So it takes a sure-footed cougar to even attempt to hunt those kings of the mountain in their rocky, dangerous domain.

In my own writing, I’ve created a few different big cat shapeshifters. Many of you have already read about Matt Redstone, a character from my novel, Sweeter Than Wine. He’s a werecougar and has the cunning, speed and agility of the cat, even in human form. He’s also really sexy, just like the cat. In my little world, he’s the youngest of a group of cougar-shifter brothers and I plan to feature each of them in upcoming works. I’m also working on an urban fantasy world, inhabited by leopard and tiger shifters, as well as Others. More on that, when news becomes available.

For now, I continue my research into the ways these big cats are related and the fantasy of how to make them purrrrrrrrr.

Writing Challenges

May 18, 2008 on 7:00 am | In Writing, Contemporary | 6 Comments

I finished my 70,000 words for the 70 Days of Sweat Challenge. Yay! Now I’m working on the Cata University Challenge - I believe it was a novella in a month.

Well, I’m off to a good start. I’m actually working on a sequel to “Perfect” in the same “Gone Country” vein. This one is about a woman going to the wilds of South Dakota to meet the grandfather she never knew. Of course, there’s a really sexy cowboy on the old man’s ranch for her to get mixed up with.

More news as it becomes available…

Creature Feature: Royal Black Dragons

May 17, 2008 on 7:01 am | In Dragon Knights, Creatures & Legends | No Comments

I was recently asked what makes the dragons I write about different from others and thought I’d answer the question here, in a “Creature Feature.” Hope that’s okay with you all.

In the Dragon Knights series, there are many varieties and hues of dragon, but the only black dragons in existence are the Royal Blacks. They are the shapeshifters - beings of noble blood, born and sworn to protect both humanity and dragonkind.

They rule with an understanding born of the fact they are both human and dragon. The founder of their line, Draneth the Wise, intended it just that way, so the dragons and humans could live in harmony and work together to protect their land and people against the forces of evil.

In my Dragon Knights series, the time has come when this partnership will be tested utterly. The last of the wizards have returned to continue their war against each other, using humans and other creatures like the venemous skiths as pawns in their deadly game. King Roland, Prince Nico, and their brothers will lead both the dragons and people of their land into battle… and beyond.

I hope that answers at least some of the questions about the Royal Blacks. I’ll post more in another feature about wild northern Ice Dragons and the precious and rare Snow Dragons, so stay tuned…

FireDrake - the Dedication

May 16, 2008 on 7:00 am | In Dragon Knights | 2 Comments

Some of you might notice I mentioned someone specific in the dedication of FireDrake. I was a little cryptic in the dedication, so for those of you who are intrigued, here’s (as Paul Harvey would say) the rest of the story…

Sometime last year I was tossing around ideas for the title of this book. I’d come up with a list of possibilities and mentioned a few on my Yahoo chat group. I liked “FireDrake,” but wasn’t sure exactly how it applied to the story I’d written so far. The book was about a third finished at that point and to be brutally honest, I wasn’t sure where it would go from there. I’d taken a little break from writing it to finish up some other projects and I wasn’t exactly stuck, but I wasn’t too eager to start work on it again because I wanted to let some ideas percolate in my mind.

Finding a title can be painstaking work. Or it can be easy. There is no middle ground. As I said, I liked FireDrake, but wasn’t completely sure. So when I mentioned it on my Yahoo chat group, I was paying close attention to the responses. They were mostly favorable for this title and I was pleased, but Jennifer said something in passing that really ignited my creative fires and gave the book that little extra something that made me eager to get back to writing it. After that, it flowed nicely to its final culmination in what I hope you’ll agree is a great addition to my Dragon Knights series.

So what did Jennifer say? I don’t remember her exact words, but it was something like “that title would really work if Drake could do something wtih fire.” Up ’til that point, Drake didn’t have much overt magical ability. That little comment started the seed growing that eventually became not just one but many firedrakes in the Dragon Knights world.

All thanks to Jennifer, though she probably had no idea what her words would ignite.

Thank you, Jennifer! And thanks to Drake - the fictional character that almost wrote himself. I hope you enjoy him as much as I did!

New Release! It’s “Perfect”!

May 15, 2008 on 6:22 am | In New Releases, Contemporary | 2 Comments

Gone Country: Perfect officially releases TODAY from Tease Publishing. Tease sells primarily through AllRomanceeBooks.com and other online ebook sellers like Fictionwise, etc. Tease is a very new publisher but I think they’re destined for great things! My thanks to Stella Price for an excellent cover and all kinds of support behind the scenes and the rest of the folks at Tease. Here’s to many more “Gone Country” stories in the future!

Buy Perfect now from ARe for only $1.99

FireDrake Flies Today!

May 13, 2008 on 7:00 am | In Dragon Knights, New Releases, Excerpts | No Comments

Finally, FireDrake releases today from Samhain Publishing! I say “finally” because it feels like I’ve been waiting a long time to get Drake’s story out there. It’s the start of a new chapter in the Dragon Knights saga with a lot more magic and action/adventure. I hope you like it as much as I do!

Here’s an excerpt - the entire Prologue - to whet your appetite and if you click the “more info” link it’ll take you to the Samhain website where you can either purchase the book or read the rest of Chapter One. Enjoy!

Click Here for More Info

Click Here to Buy Now

Prologue

Prince Nico, Spymaster of Draconia, and now King-Consort of the Jinn Brotherhood walked the battlements. The high towers of the Draconian royal castle were his home, and among his most favored places. His keen eyes searched the wide expanse, built so high in the clouds, until he found the creature he’d come to see.

She was a juvenile dragon, only about twenty-five winters old, in an absolutely stunning gold, pink and soft orange color. That’s what happened, Nico thought as he approached her, when a red and a golden dragon mated and were very, very lucky.

Jenet was one of the prettiest dragons Nico had ever seen, though she was often melancholy and refused to train with the knights and other dragons, since she had no knight. Nor would she choose a knight. She’d made her choice, she would reply when asked, and until the stubborn man died of old age without her, she would choose no other.

So Jenet served as a sort of royal babysitter, watching the younger princes when they flew as black dragons—something only a precious few males of the royal line, who could trace their lineage back to Draneth the Wise, could do. At the moment, Jenet was watching Nico’s younger brother Wil and the younger set of twins making lazy loops in the sky. They were playing tag, but the activity also served to heighten their fledgling flying skills.

Nico walked over and sat next to Jenet, his human legs dangling over the sides of the high parapet. He had no fear of falling, for if he did, he would simply transform into the dragon that shared his soul and soar away on tar-colored wings.

“How goes it today?” Nico had known Lady Jenet all his life, so there was little need for formality between them.

“Passing fair, my liege.”

“Please, Jen, just use my name. I’m sick to death of all this formality. It’s even worse now that my new wife has been crowned Queen of the Jinn. Thank heaven it’s mostly a ceremonial title.” Nico spoke mind to mind with the dragon, as only a few people could do.

A dragonish chuckle, complete with a smoky, cinnamon-scented cloud, answered him as Jenet moved her large golden head to study him. Her jewel-like eyes blinked once, fixing her gaze on him.

“You never coveted your brother’s throne, did you? Perhaps that’s the reason the Mother of All saw fit to grant you one of your own, King Nico.”

Nico groaned and clutched one hand to his chest in mock agony. “You wound me, mistress, to remind me of my woes.”

Jenet laughed outright at that, filling the air with smoky dragonish laughter. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company this morn? As you can see, your little brothers are playing on the air currents above and all is secure.”

“I came to see you, actually. I have some news I thought you’d like to hear.”

The fire opal eyes blinked once as she regarded him. “And what is your news, Prince Tease?”

Nico chuckled, relishing the moment. His news could change her life and would definitely brighten her mood, if he knew Jenet at all. He drew out the moment as long as he could, heightening the anticipation, but in the end there was just no way to say it but straight out.

“Drake’s coming home.”

“Drake!” Jenet jumped to her feet faster than Nico would have credited. She was a nimble little thing for all that she was as large as any healthy juvenile dragon. She crouched on all fours, her wings outstretched and trembling in a show of excited eagerness. Her large head crowded him as he stood. “Is it true?”

Nico smiled at her soft, almost frightened tone. “It’s true. I had a special messenger from the Jinn arrive just this morning. Drake sent him ahead to make sure my brother Roland would stay put. Drake’s coming to personally deliver a message from the Doge of Helios.”

“Drake! Coming home!” Jenet rose up to stand on her hind legs and trumpeted her delight to the sky. Her magnificent pearl-like wings flapped happily, stirring up a joyful breeze as Nico watched, gratified and amused. It had been too long since Jenet had been this happy. It was good to see her so alive again.

And it was all because of Drake.

Drake had taken the eager light from her eyes when he’d left home fifteen years ago and she’d pined for him ever since. Now he was coming home, but for how long? Would he spurn her again? Or would he finally accept what was so obvious to everyone else who knew them?

Only time would tell.

Excerpt: Perfect

May 9, 2008 on 7:42 am | In Excerpts, Contemporary | 2 Comments

And now an excerpt from Perfect, my first contemporary novella with Tease Publishing…

“So, what do you think?” she asked when Rich reached for a second pastry.

“Fantastic, Cassandra, as always.” He bit off a large chunk and smiled.

“Come on, you know by now, I need specifics.” She rolled her eyes as they all grinned.

Cody stepped closer and took another pastry, though he didn’t eat it right away. Instead, he held her gaze as he licked his lips, and her blood seemed to catch fire.

“I like the mixture of fruit. Apple and pear, right? With maybe a hint of citrus? Was it lemon?” His smile sent strange signals to the muscles in her womb, though his words were innocuous.

“Lime, actually.” Was that her voice? She sounded hoarse all of a sudden. Cassandra cleared her throat, trying to project calm as the men looked at her strangely.

Rich took the platter from her hands. “Come on, boys. We still have work to do.”

The hands followed the platter back into the barn, right behind Rich. She barely noticed their departure as Cody stayed behind, watching her. He took a slow, sensuous bite out of the pastry in his hand, holding her gaze all the while. Cassandra’s mouth went dry. He even chewed and swallowed sexily. The man was far too potent and altogether hot.

“The pastry is perfect, Miz Cassandra, as usual. Light, flaky and sweet. Tastes good with the filling, but there’s something missing, I think.” Her brows drew together at those words, bringing her attention back to her work. “Here, try it.” He held out the pastry to her, holding it as if he expected her to eat from his hand. She hesitated and he grinned. “I promise, I don’t have any communicable diseases. And besides, this is the only one left. You need to taste it to see what I mean.”

Raising one brow skeptically, she leaned in and took a small bite of his pastry, jarred by the intimacy of the act. She’d never been this close to Cody, though she’d dreamed of being close to him many a night in her lonely bed.

Flavor exploded on her tongue. She tasted the pastry, the sugar, the tart apple and pear with the hint of lime. It was good. But Cody was right. Something was missing.

“Darn it, you’re right.” She looked up at him. “What do you think it is?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Strawberry? Just a touch, maybe. You’re the chef.”

“Strawberry.” A grin spread over her face. “I’m going to try that. Thanks, Cody.”

He nodded as the silence stretched. Tension rose between them as he seemed to study her in detail.

“You have powdered sugar on your face,” he said. She licked her lips, brought up short when Cody moved even closer. “No, let me.” He bent, shocking her into immobility as his tongue brushed over her cheek near the corner of her lips. When she didn’t move, he grew bolder, running his tongue over the seam of her lips with heart-stopping slowness until she yielded, opening her mouth to him.

ORDER NOW FROM ARe

Perfect - Now Up for Pre-Order!

May 6, 2008 on 7:34 am | In New Releases, Contemporary | No Comments

My first contemporary novella from Tease Publishing is now available for pre-order at AllRomanceeBooks.com. I intend it to be the beginning of a new series of contemporary stories based on the concept of a person (either hero or heroine) who’s given up city life and “Gone Country.” (The way I often wish I could do myself.)

Here’s a little bit about the story… (Also stay tuned for an excerpt later this week.)

A city girl meets a country boy. She’s “gone country” and he’s just the man to teach her to ride…

A city girl, successful business woman and former bakery owner, Cassandra, has sold out and moved West to her own slice of heaven — a working ranch, complete with cowboys. She doesn’t know much about ranch life, but she’s a willing student, especially when the new ranch hand catches her eye.

Cody compliments her cooking and charms his way into her life, but he’s keeping secrets, and she doesn’t know if she can trust her instincts where he’s concerned. She’s going to have to make a decision, but should she take the risk?

PRE-ORDER NOW for only $1.99 from ARe!

The Craft - Blundering Through the Final Few Pages

May 5, 2008 on 7:00 am | In Resonance Mates, The Craft | 5 Comments

I’m working on the final chapter of Jaci’s Experiment - the third book in my Resonance Mates series (Hara’s Legacy, Davin’s Quest). Late last week, I spent about six to seven hours writing somewhere over 5,000 words only to decide later that night that the direction I’d taken the scene in at the last minute just would not work.

See, I’d planned to (how to say this without giving too much away?) have the main characters arrive somewhere and settle into the place. At the very last moment, I decided to have people there to meet them and it took the scene in a different direction entirely. When I got to the next scene, I realized what I’d impulsively done had messed up some important aspects of what I’d planned to do next and what would come in subsequent books in the series. I had a plan and I really should have stuck to it. *sigh*

Live and learn. I should have known better than to veer off course at the last moment without thinking it through completely, but most often when I get these creative wild hares, they turn out okay. This time, not so okay. However, I do have a backup plan. With a little tweaking, I just may be able to use the majority of those 5,000 words in the next book. We’ll see when I get to writing it, but I’ll keep it in mind to try once I get to that point.