Howling Good Hop – Why Write Shifters?

 

Welcome to the Howling Good Hop! Be sure to enter our Rafflecopter for a chance to win one of $200 in prizes (all the way at the bottom – so keep reading!).

This is the Lightbearer stop on the Howling Good Hop. Three books in the Lightbearer Series are currently available for your reading pleasure – and Book 1 – Into the Light – is on sale for 99 cents beginning Monday, May 11!

How would you like Book 2 – FREE? Read on, check out my theories and opinions on shifters, and then in the comments, let me know: What do you love to read in a shifter book? That’s it. Give me your opinion (who knows – it could show up in a future book!), and I’ll randomly select FIVE winners on Friday, May 15. Five people will receive a FREE copy of Dawning of Light, Book 2 in the Lightbearer Series. Sound good? Read on!

Oh yeah, and there’s a bunch more free stuff. It’s a blog hop, after all. That means there are all kinds of authors, featuring all kinds of shifter books, and giving away all kinds of stuff. The participating authors are listed at the bottom of this blog, or you can skip ahead here: http://www.thesnarkology.com/howling-good-hop-2015/ 

Now – let’s talk shifters. Here’s the question: why do I write shifters? If I decided to create an entirely new magical being (Lightbearers), why did I throw shifters into the mix? The answer is simple: shifters are one of my favorite genres to read. So not coincidentally, I also happen to enjoy writing about them. They are sexy, strong, powerful, hot, did I mention sexy? They can be obsessive and overprotective, but usually those potential character flaws tend to ultimately be good for whomever they are obsessing over or protecting (just ask Carley in Light Beyond the Darkness). In my reasonably extensive research, I have learned a few things about these seductive alpha beings.

I’ve learned they all have one thing in common. All shape shifters have the ability to change from human form into…something else. And that, as far as I have been able to determine, is the single aspect that defines every single shifter in every book I’ve ever read or written. Beyond that, well, every author interprets them a little differently. Which is the way it should be, right? We’re talking magic, and magic is defined by the imagination of the person writing it.

Some shifters can only change into the form of one animal. These are typically referred to as were-animals (werewolves, were-bearers, were- you get the picture). Others are able to shift into pretty much any animal, or, as I like to explain in my books, the form of any warm-blooded being. The shifters in the Lightbearer Series can even shift into birds, if they are so inclined. This comes in handy when one wants to escape rapidly and he’s on the second floor or at the top of a cliff (both situations occur in Into the Light).

Many shifters’ clothing cannot shift with them. The clothing is either shed before the shift or, if the shift must occur with little notice, the clothing is torn to shreds when the body changes and alters, and the shifter must figure out another means of covering his naughty bits when he returns to human form.

The shifters in my books can shift while wearing clothing, and when they return to human form, their clothing returns to their body exactly as it was before the shift. I admit, I made this decision out of convenience. I considering the no-clothing route because, let’s be honest, that makes more sense, from a non-magical standpoint. But I struggled with writing the whole, “Hold on, I have to strip and hide my clothing for later” aspect into the various scenes and plots and sub-plots of the series. So I decided that if magic can make a person change from human to animal, then magic can make that person’s clothes reappear when they return to human form.

Some shifters have the ability to speak to each other telepathically. Some are able to harness other forms of magic, too. Some have glowing eyes. In my Lightbearer Series, the shifters’ eyes glow when they are feeling strong emotions. Anger, frustration, sadness, passion. Even if the shifter is trying to act stoic and passive, the object of his desire, if she is smart enough, can figure out pretty easily that he feels something, if his eyes are glowing. It’s practically a declaration of love.

Or lust.

Some shifters eat only red meat. Actually, the desire to eat red meat might possibly qualify as the second thing all shifters have in common, now that I think about it. Or maybe not. A vegetarian shifter could make for an intriguing storyline.

Many shifters have obsessive, jealous personalities. Like a dog, protecting his bone. Or his house. Or his mate. My shifters have this trait. In fact, it plays heavily into the next couple of books in the series.

I’m sure I’ve missed a few common traits. What other traits do you notice in your favorite books about shifters or weres? Which traits are your favorite? (Remember – there’s a free read at stake!)

And if you’re a fan, but haven’t read the Lightbearer Series, I encourage you to give it a try. I believe you won’t be disappointed!

Lightbearers #1 –Into the Light 99 cents on Amazon or LSBooks or All Romance – May 11-15!

Lightbearers #2 – Dawning of Light on Amazon or LSBooks or All Romance

Lightbearer #3 – Light Beyond the Darkness on Amazon or LSBooks or All Romance 

 

Now, don’t forget to enter the rafflecopter ($200 worth of prize!), and check out the other blogs on this hop, for other cool shifter books AND prizes:

Follow the Howling Good Hop!

1.	Ellis Leigh	2.	Heather Long Author
3.	The Snarkology	4.	Anna Lowe Books Blog
5.	Brandy Walker Blog	6.	Lynne Stevie
7.	Lashell Collins	8.	Author Crystal Rister
9.	Michele Bardsley’s Blog	10.	Renee George’s Blah, Blah Blog
11.	Kristen Strassel	12.	Lissa Matthews Blog
13.	Elle Clouse	14.	Tabitha Conall
15.	Shauna Aura Knight	16.	Author K.C. Stewart
17.	Beth Caudill – Author Blog	18.	Lisa Carlisle
19.	Sarah Makela	20.	Tami’s Thoughts
21.	P.T. Macias	22.	Kate Kent
23.	Skye Jones Writes	24.	Romance Author Amber Ella Monroe
25.	Christy Gissendaner	26.	The Besitary Parlor
27.	Shawntelle Madison	28.	Cara Carnes
29.	Crystal Dawn Author	30.	Bethany Shaw Novels
31.	Andrea R. Cooper	32.	TF Walsh
33.	Lori King	34.	Michelle Fox
35.	Book Revue	36.	Sedona Venez
37.	evanleas bookshelf

 

ENTER RAFFLECOPTER CONTEST ($200 worth of prizes!!)

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