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Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Shapeshifter Romance ~ Luck of the Irish Blog Hop


Hi Romance Novel Lovers, the Luck of the Irish blog hop is March 17-19. There is a fabulous lineup of authors, plus a Kindle, and lots of prizes, at the end of the rainbow. At SHAPESHIFTER SEDUCTIONS we are featuring the Greenie Meanie edition of the G&B Gazette.


From my current blog at SHAPESHIFTER SEDUCTIONS here’s a flash scene starring Z’Pasha. This is her character bio.

Z’Pasha, granddaughter of the Egyptian goddess, Bastet, lives for the day when she can sink her poisonous claws and fangs into the Tiger Yakuza. Two of their Ninja assassins shredded her human friend’s body so brutally, the murder wasn’t reported in the news. Having tracked the elusive assassins across the globe, Pasha believes she is about to corner and castrate the fiendish tigers in the backwoods of Montana. She just needs a bit of super dog assistance. And she knows how to get it. After all, seduction is second nature, and her feline kind knows every shapeshifter male’s weakness.

~~~~~~

Z’Pasha, Cat Goddess Shapeshifter

Z’Pasha raised her arms toward the heavens, an invitation to the magickal forces crackling like erratic electricity around her. In reverence for her night forest surroundings, she slowly spun around, listening to the varied voices of the animals.

She listened to the murmurings and songs of the trees, of every plant within the radius of her energy body. Z’Pasha rejoiced, and the sounds transformed into a kaleidoscope of waving color inside her.

Despite her reason for arriving at the Interspecies Pleasure Club, to avenge the death of her friend, Z’Pasha had developed a fondness for this region on the mother planet, Gaia.

Everything whispered of a time in the ancient past, when the land had been loved and tended to with a devotion that had inspired harmony. Centering herself, Z’Pasha gazed at the stars, jeweled beings who balanced the galactic flow of energies.

She widened her arms in an embrace of the night sky, sending her vibes of love to all of the good-force celestial beings. Their answering rays filled her with knowledge, and expanded her spiritual awareness.

Right now, that was invaluable. Since meeting White Fang, she’d been thrown off balance by the unbound and sensual explosiveness of their passion.

With her ability to focus challenged at times, Z’Pasha relied on her centuries of discipline in the magickal arts. Arms outstretched, she whirled, creating a sphere that was in the world, but not of the world.

Lonely for her longtime companion, Z’Pasha had decided to reunite with her. Currently, Ghelyssia lived in a neighboring realm, safe from the Tiger Yakuza.

Z’Pasha had not wanted her harmed because of the revenge she planned to claw and fang exact. Soon.

Even now, she had the foul tiger shifters targeted, and in her cat-stalking sights. However, her approach remained silent, and patient.

A trap sprung too quickly was a trap not set.

With the large sphere formed, Z’Pasha halted, and closed her eyes. She communed with the One, asking if All was according to divine order. After receiving her answer, a feeling of calm assurance, Z’Pasha turned until she faced the gateway’s shimmer outline.

Practiced in the ancient sorcery rites of Egypt, she intoned a melodic series of sounds. In response, the sealed gateway between the two realms gradually opened.

When the dimensional fabric temporarily dissolved, there was a flash of white, and the sound of dainty hooves. As Ghelyssia galloped through the gateway, stars streamed from her pearlescent horn.

Once the unicorn abruptly stopped in her tracks, Ghelyssia’s pale platinum coat took on the darkness of night and the greens of the forest. She shook her head, and her long mane silkily rippled.

Swishing her tail with elegant attitude, Ghelyssia whirled and walked to Z’Pasha. Finally, you have seen the light, foolish feline woman. You cannot be without me.

“Ghelyssia, my adored one, no, I cannot.”
~~~~~~

HAPPY SHAPESHIFTING ST. PAT’S DAY...

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
~~~~~~

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Read an E-Book Week and Chance to Win an Ebook Reader! And LADY OF THE STARS Nomination at TRR


Since I'm an ebook author, I'm all for Read an E-Book Week.

Not only can you buy my ebooks (hint, hint), but you also have a chance to win an ereader.

http://www.ebookweek.com/ is giving away a Barnes & Noble Nook and 3 Kobo eReaders.

To enter, go to http://www.ebookweek.com/. On the right side, click on the "Win an eReader, Enter here" and answer the questions:

To win a Kobo: Kobo uses ePub format, which allows for downloading content from various sources, including your library. Who developed ePub format, and in what year?

Hint: Look in Wikipedia

To win a Nook: Although other display technologies may come and go, the E Ink corporation deserves credit for WHAT?

Hint: look for the answer here: http://www.ebookweek.com/ebook_week_eink.html

Make sure to follow the directions in order for a chance to win. Entries must be emailed from March 6, 2010 through March 12. Good luck to all.

And I just found out that TRR reviewers at The Romance Reviews (“TRR”) have nominated my Lady of the Stars for Best in Historical Fantasy/Paranormal for 2010.

If you're so inclined, please vote for my book here: http://www.theromancereviews.com/bookvote.php (scroll down)

Thank you all,
Linda
Linda Banche
Welcome to My World of Historical Hilarity!
http://www.lindabanche.com

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Futuristic Erotic Romance ~ An Author Discovery


AUTHOR DISCOVERY ~ Murder by Hair Spray in Gardenia, New Atlantis

~~~ An Author Discovery by Serena Shay ~~~

What happens when two strong-willed characters collide? A whole lotta alpha goodness!

Kalypso Sun Wing and Zryphus Vasquoz are sure to delight readers with their sassy interactions with one another and their "my way or the highway" attitudes.

Kalypso Sun Wing likes to think she's as hard-headed a leader as they come, what with her command position during the conflicts and her general dislike of Federal, but really she is a mushy-gushy marshmallow on the inside. She protects her friends, her society and the ones she loves.

Zryphus, whew, what can I say about Zryphus? He's smart and a male in all the wonderful ways men can be male. He comes on strong and stays that way, proving to Kalypso that he's here to stay and that she can trust her heart with him.

I love the way Ms. Kougar has taken a real historical event and injected it into a fabulously fictional future. The mixing of the two era's offers, to this readers way of thinking, an innocence to a fast paced, post war society.

Don't miss Murder by Hair Spray in Gardenia, New Atlantis - New Atlantis Trilogy, Book 1. You'll want to be ready for the next installment on the newly re-risen continent!

Serena Shay

Author of the top selling, THE CHALLENGE ~ serenashay.com ~ shapeshifterseductions.blogspot.com ~


~~~~~~

Murder by Hair Spray in Gardenia, New Atlantis

by Savanna Kougar

Blurb:

In 2051, Atlantis is no longer a legend. The risen antediluvian land has been colonized by rebels who battled for freedom against the Global Elite.

New Atlantis Sheriff, Kalypso Sun Wing, has survived the sterile fifties' suburbs, the revolutionary turbulence of the sixties and the disco guru seventies. After the suicide of the man she loved, Kalypso barely survived the designer eighties or the fast-forward nineties. Watching Atlantis rise from the ocean she realized her destiny.

Zerculeon, Zryphus Vasquoz, chose an enforcement career with Earth's Federal Union. He is fascinated with primitive worlds and wants to make his own way outside the family heritage. Once he gets an eyeful of the beautiful Sheriff, as they investigate the Hair Spray serial murder, Zryphus knows he's found his one woman, despite her cold disinterest.

When the Hair Spray Killer stalks Kalypso, Zryphus won't let her out of his sight, or his bed. They realize those controlling the Killer's leash will use every evil to win world dominion.
~~~~~~

Available at ~ bookstrand.com/murder-by-hair-spray-in-gardenia-new-atlantis ~ bookstrand.com/savanna-kougar ~
~~~~~~

Monday, February 21, 2011

Writer's First Aid -- A Medicine Chest of Hope

I came across a new blog for me. Writer's First Aid Kristi Holl is an author of several books and I've found many of her posts to be fabulous. Especially the ones on:

The Dynamics of Change
Stage 1: Making Up Your Mind
Stage 2: Committing to Change
Stage 3: Taking Action
Stage 4: Maintaining Long-Term Success

Some things do happen for a reason. And often when you need it though you might not recognize it right away. I've been having a serious lack of concentration and daily distractions that have been more interesting then sitting here writing. For a writer that signals a problem. I've come up all sorts of reasons and so forth and most of them are true. However, there is a real human reason for it. I need to make changes and get back on track. So, I've taken the first step and that's to see how other's handle distractions and try to glean from their experience and wisdom.

This morning, I had intended to get up and write, nothing else. I'm distracted with wedding stuff. Gathering information and looking at dresses, places to have rehersal dinners. Saturday night, my second son officially proposed to his girlfriend - he'd already indicated to us a few months ago that he wanted to marry her this year. Last night, my third son informed me that he and his fiancee decided to get married this July instead of July next year to be sure her grandfather will be able to do their ceremony. His wife passed a few months ago and he's now having to sell their home due to being able to do the upkeep himself.

Too many distractions. So, I did a search for distractions for writers and First Aid was the first one that came up. I enjoyed reading these posts. I love how she lays out the process of setting your mind before you attempt to make the changes. It makes sense. You wouldn't set out on a long run without stretching your muscles and mapping out your trek. And frankly as writer's I think we do just that. We do things out of order and it catches up with us. Writers first sit down and write before knowing how it's supposed to be done and they we spend so much time back peddling and playing catch-up.


Kristi has so many good posts to read, they in themselves can be a distraction. So, maybe, I'll make it a goal to read of them every day. They are so uplifting.

Check out her blog when you feel a moment of 'distraction'. I don't think there's topic she doesn't cover.

Bekki
http://bekkilynn.net/



Monday, February 14, 2011

My Love Is Both a Hunger and a Giving - Happy Valentine's Day

My love is both a hunger and a giving,
A need to have and also to bestow,
A lavish lust for flesh and yet a yearning
For beauty as austere as polished stone.
I want more than my life your happiness,
And yet my happiness depends on you.
Like a child I linger in your shadow
While like a parent I take you in my arms.

I want to be the sun to fill your sky
While like a rose I open to your smile.
I want to be the air you breathe, your music,
While like the sand I wait upon your sea.

So like and unlike, my love is doubly bonded,
The joys of giving and receiving joined.
This day of love it is my gift to you,
A heart you can consume yet keep forever.


Saturday, February 12, 2011

Charles d'Orleans, The Romantic Duke


By: Stephanie Burkhart

One of the earliest Valentine's ever wrote for which we still have a record of was by the Duke of Orléans, Charles Valois. His story is one that touches my heart and his poetry is very moving.

Charles was born in Paris in November 1394 and became the Duke when his father, Louis, was murdered on the orders of John, Duke of Burgundy, a rival nobleman.

Charles is best remembered as a poet, writing over 500 poems. Most of these were written when he was a prisoner of war.

Charles was 14 when his father passed and he became the Duke. He was young and impressionable, and fell under his father-in-law's influence, the Count of Armagnac.

Charles's first wife was Isabella of Valois (a daughter of French King Charles VI) He loved her dearly, but she died in childbirth. In 1410, he married Bonnie d'Armagnac, Count d'Armagnac's daughter.

In 1415, Charles was taken a prisoner of war in the Battle of Agincourt. He was 21. Henry V of England took him to the Tower of London were Charles composed most of his poetry. Charles was in captivity for over 24 years (he was in the line for the French throne and England didn't want to give him up.) With nothing better to do, Charles wrote.

Most of his poetry was for his wife, Bonnie, but she died before he was released. He was let out in 1440 at the age of 46 and married a third time. His son from his third marriage, became Louis XII. His poems are mostly French Rondeaus, a two line rhythm and are usually about love and the spring time.

Charles's Valentine in the original French:

Je suis desja d'amour tanné,
Ma tres doulce Valentinée

Rondeau VI, lines 1-2.

Here's another of Charles' poem in English:

(To his Mistress, to succor his heart that is beleaguered by jealousy)

Strengthen, my Love, this castle of my heart,
And with some store of pleasure give me aid,
For Jealousy, with all them of his part,
Strong siege about the weary tower has laid.

Nay, if to break his bands thou art afraid,
Too weak to make his cruel force depart,
Strengthen at least this castle of my heart,
And with some store of pleasure give me aid.

Nay, let not Jealousy, for all his art
Be master, and the tower in ruin laid,
That still, ah Love! Thy gracious rule obeyed.

Advance, and give me succor of they part;
Strengthen, my Love, this castle of my heart.


Enjoy your Valentine's Day weekend!

Friday, February 11, 2011

Pledging My Love - A Special Pre-Valentine

Tonight my husband surprised me. And with Valentine's Day a few days away, I thought I'd share it.

We were sitting around with Jesse and Kara sharing videos. I had found some of people we once listened to, but haven't thought about in a while. So, after a while, my husband played a song by Conway Twitty, then went on to play the same song by three other people. I was still on Conway - I never knew he sang this song. Well, with this music being before the kid's time, they went to play video games with Jeff. Once they left the room, my husband told me he recalls Elvis singing this song in a movie and told me what he was wearing. He couldn't recall which movie. I did a quick search and found a video of the song. Only Elvis wasn't singing the song, nor was it a movie. It was television series where this guy played elvis and lip-sinked to Ronnie McDowell singing the song. That was what he remembered. Elvis did sing the song, but not until 1977 and only on an album, from what we could find out. So, then he looks at me and tells me that the first time he heard this song, he dedicated it to me.

On Youtube we found a video with Conway singing the song which makes it even more speical for me. Conway is my all time favorite country singer and I miss him terribly. And in this video I learned there is an album I don't have which contains this song. We thought I owned every thing he ever did. So, I pulled the lyrics up from my favorite lyrice site - House of Lyrics.

PLEDGING MY LOVE

Forever my darling
My love will be true
Always and forever
I'll love only you.

Just promise me darling
May this fire in my soul, dear
Your love in return

Forever burn.
My heart's at your command, dear
To keep, love and to hold
Making you happy's is my desire dear

Keeping you is my goal.
For the rest of my days
I'll never part from you
I'll Forever love you
Or your loving ways.

--- Instrumental ---

Yeah, Making you happy's is my desire dear
To keep, love and to hold.)

(My heart's at your command, dear
Keeping you is my goal.
I'll Forever love you
For the rest of my days
I�ll never part from you

Or your loving ways.
Always and forever
--- Instrumental ---
I'll love only you...

(Words & music by Robey - Washington)







I'm so mushy and sentimental. And so very lucky to have a man who thinks so much of me.

Bekki
http://bekkilynn.net/