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Wednesday, January 17, 2018

What creature is your favorite? #ParanormalRomance #Shifters #Dragons @KathyKulig

Shifters eye

By Kathy Kulig (Guest Blogger)

Shapeshifters: the heroes who haunt us, hunt us, and hunger passionately for us

Do you love shifter romance? I do! Romance shapeshifter stories are hugely popular now and have been for quite some time. What is so compelling about these metamorphosing heroes? Is it their tendency to be alpha leaders of their pack? Are we attracted to the lone-wolf, brooding type of guy? Or maybe we love following these tortured heroes as their heroines try to save them. What other reasons do you think draw us into these books?

I think some of the most popular shifters now are: dragons, wolves, bears, leopards, jaguars, and lions. But I’ve also seen foxes, dolphins, coyotes, various birds of prey and mythical beings like gargoyles and mermaids/mermen. Years ago, I even read one book with a shifter pack of sea otters. It was a well written story too.

I’ve been a fan of these books for a long time and have written a number myself. Through my research, I’ve discovered the amazing folklore and mythology surrounding the shapeshifting world. Many countries have their own shapeshifting myth, some are hundreds of years old. I’ve utilized them for inspiration in my books.

What causes or initiates the transformation of a shifter from human to creature form? Here are a few ways:
  • Magic spells
  • Curses
  • Genetics
  • Alien races
  • The magic power from an object or talisman
  • Divine intervention of a god, faery being, etc.
  • Race of beings

Theriantropy is the transformation of a human into animal form. There are legends where humans can transform into objects or plants. Don’t think this could make for a sexy romance, but I could be wrong.

The Navajo Skinwalker legend is a type of shapeshifter. Legend says they are a medicine man or a witch who changes form into another animal like a fox, coyote, owl, etc.

Many countries have their own creature feature and mythology

Here are a few examples:

Argentina – has a fox-like werewolf and were jaguar forms.

Canada – have bear shifters

China – are known for their Chinese werewolves, and a female fox spirit who is very dangerous.

Greece – A vrykolaka is similar to a were wolf or vampire.

Ireland and Scotland – They have the myth of the selkies or seals that can become human. They are supposed to watch over fisherman.

Norway and Sweden- have the eigi einhamir (not of one skin). I used this myth in a shapeshifter series of mine yet to be re-published. These shifters don animal skins, like a wolf skin, and can change at will.

My favorite Shifter Movie: Lady Hawk. The heroine was a hawk by day and the hero a wolf by night. A curse kept them in this predicament. Very romantic.

I love writing shifter stories. There’s mystery, angst, drama, and conflict—all work well in a steamy paranormal romance.



DRAGON WITCH – Takes place on another planet. The dragon shifter is part of an alien species who shifts twice a year with an intense drive to mate. Their ‘arrangement’ works well for Jaida, a biologist in the colony, until her ex-lover and fleet pilot returns. He wants Jaida badly, but he has a secret, they both do, that could tear them apart and harm the small colony.






THE SHIFTER’S SPELL – has a stag shifter. A Rory has been trapped for over 400 years by a Celtic curse for violating sacred ground. A ritual to honor the Sidhe may free him. But he has one chance every 80 years to perform this ritual, and he must convince Carolyn to help him. But there are secrets and risks. If he tells her, he could lose her forever and risk his chance for freedom. Release date TBA, early 2018.

I have a three-book series that take place in Arizona and have a variety of shifters. Very dangerous and sexy shifters from another world and dimension. One woman is caught in the middle of a war between shifter worlds. The titles and release dates are yet to be determined.

I’m also working on a shifter book for Kindle Worlds: The Paranormal Dating Agency. I plan to have that book completed and released later this year.

So who are your favorite shapeshifters? Who are the strangest shifters you’ve heard or read about? Any shifters you don’t like?

Books in the Dark Realms series: Dark Worlds of Supernatural Heroes, Who Haunt Us, Hunt Us and Hunger for Us

DRAGON WITCH, BOOK 1 – Out now.

EDGE OF PASSION, BOOK 2 – Out now.

TATTOO WITCH, BOOK 3 – Out now.

THE SHIFTER’S SPELL, BOOK 4 – Coming soon!

More books to come…

*All books in the Dark Realms series are individual and stand-alone stories.*

About the Dark Realms series 

A collection of sensual romance novellas and short novels with supernatural heroes and fantasy elements. Shifters, space and time travel, witches, and perhaps a vampire or ghost in the future. They can be set on Earth, on another world or with in another dimension. With out of this world heroes who haunt us, hunt us and hunger passionately for us. Each book is a complete and individual story. No cliffhangers!

About Kathy
 
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kathy Kulig is known for her sexy contemporary and paranormal romances that are passionate, intense and riveting. These emotionally-charged stories are full of heart and always have a happy ending. She began her writing career in journalism, publishing articles in magazines and newspapers. Kathy has been featured or quoted in the Chicago Tribune, Writer's Digest, Romantic Times Magazine, USA Today HEA, Bustle Magazine, Florida Weekly, and appeared on several radio shows. She has spoken at national and local conferences, writer's groups and libraries.

When she's not writing, she loves to work out, travel, read a ton of books, watch movies and have dinners out with her darling husband. She lives in Pennsylvania in a 100-year-old Victorian house with a garage built out of reject tombstones.

You may read more about Kathy, her books, contest and upcoming projects by visiting her 

Website http://www.kathykulig.com and subscribing to her 
 
Mailing list. http://www.smarturl.it/KathysHotNews

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2 comments:

Kathy Kulig said...

Thanks so much for having me as a guest, Lisabet. :)

Lisabet Sarai said...

Hi, Kathy,

Sorry I wasn't here to welcome you earlier. Wednesday I didn't even get a chance to log in, I had so much real world stuff to deal with.

Your books sound very varied.

I have one or two shifter stories. In one, the hero shifts between a man and the Mayan feathered serpent god Quetzcoatl!

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