Shapeshifters with a Difference
Ashlyn Chase
I was asked what makes my shapeshifters different from others in the paranormal genre. Well, for one thing, mine are lovable, charming and humorous. I don’t write dark paranormals. I write light.I also like to make my shifters as unique as we humans are. I may borrow bits from collective mythology, but I want each character to stand out—to be an individual. I let them be flawed, put them through hell, and then watch them rise to their challenges.
My werewolf Konrad is “too nice.” He was kicked out of his pack when a competing Alpha showed up and won the challenge by cheating. Konrad was hurt that his pack would believe the new Alpha’s lies and turn their backs on him, but he never stopped looking out for them, even though it was from afar. Konrad is protective of those he loves and he loves thoroughly.
Often in Vampire vs. Werewolf lore, the vampires are more cerebral and the shifters are more animalistic. Konrad is extremely intelligent and has a sensitive side. He was the dean of a private school for boys until he was replaced as Alpha and dean and run out of town.
His apartment is lined from floor to ceiling with books, and there’s a rolling ladder to reach the top shelves that he doesn’t need since he’s 6 feet, 5 inches tall.
He has an identical twin brother who’s a Boston police officer. They share a strong bond despite being very different as people. Later in the story, their shared DNA becomes integral to the story.
I like to tie everything in—or to paraphrase Alfred Hitchcock, “If there’s a gun on the wall in the first scene, it damn well better go off later.”
I also make sure all loose ends are tied up by the end of the story. I couldn’t solve the crime that Konrad was accused of, because it’s a real art museum heist that happened in the nineties. The Boston police haven’t solved it, so neither did I. I did, however, go through the whole courtroom trial and have Konrad plead innocent based upon solid evidence.
I won’t tell you the outcome, although this is a romance and it’s probably fairly obvious what needs to happen to arrive at a happy ending.
Title: Strange NeighborsDigital List Price: $6.99
Category: Romance
Print ISBN: 9781402236617
PDF ISBN: 9781402236648
EPUB ISBN: 9781402254277
Strange Neighbors is available as an ebook for 99 cents between 10/28 and 11/3 at Amazon, B&N, Sony and all major on-line outlets.
PDF ISBN: 9781402236648
EPUB ISBN: 9781402254277
Strange Neighbors is available as an ebook for 99 cents between 10/28 and 11/3 at Amazon, B&N, Sony and all major on-line outlets.
The first in a series of funny, light, and sexy paranormal romances.
Light paranormal romance in the vein of Linda Wisdom and Mary Janice Davidson, with a mixture of paranormals and humans and a very funny premise.
Paranormal romance is still at the top of the category, with light paranormal selling well.
Author is e-pub bestseller, is building her readership, and garnering rave reviews.
Enjoy book 1 in the Strange Neighbors series. It’s about shapeshifter and professional baseball pitcher Jason Falco and nurse Merry MacKenzie.
Enjoy book 2 in the Strange Neighbors series…The Werewolf Upstairs. It’s about Konrad and his attorney girlfriend, Roz Wells. I hope you eat up their unique love story.
Enjoy book 3 in the Strange Neighbors series…The Vampire Next Door. It’s about vampire Sylvestro Flores and his witch Morgaine Marlowe.
Excerpt from The Vampire Next Door:
Carrying his one cardboard box tucked under his arm, Sly unlocked and opened the door to his apartment. He took one step and halted. This was his apartment, right? He glanced back at the door and saw 1B proudly displayed in brass.
All he’d expected to find in his place was possibly Merry’s bedroom set, but a worn leather couch, an old trunk, and an antique-looking chair were grouped around his fireplace. A braided rug covered the floor beneath the welcoming scene. Artwork, candles, vases, books… every comfort of home graced the walls and bookshelves.
As he stood in his living room, confused, he heard snickers coming from the back of the apartment.
“Surprise!” his friends yelled as they jumped into view.
Merry, Morgaine, Gwyneth, Konrad, and Roz stood there grinning and laughing.
Just then, Nathan strolled in behind him, carrying an old bird perch. At least that’s what Sly thought it was. It looked like the tall metal T-bar that a parrot would sit on.
“Did I miss the big surprise?” Nathan asked.
Sly smiled. “Apparently.”
“Good. I hate those things. Here.” Nathan extended the item in his hand and set it on the floor next to him.
“It’s my old perch. You can use it for a coat rack—or something.” Then he looked over toward the rest of the group. “Is there cake?”
Merry held up a bottle of champagne. “No, only this. Sly doesn’t eat.”
Nathan sighed. “Well, I’ll be going then. Welcome to the neighborhood, Sly.” He extended his free hand and Sly shook it.
“Jesus, man. I’ll never get over how cold you are. Go drink a rat or something.”
Gwyneth folded her arms. “Nathan Nourie, y’all git back here. Not only was that uncalled for, but this here’s a party and we’re all celebratin’.”
“I know. That’s why I’m going.” He left and closed the door behind him.
Gwyneth rolled her eyes. “I do declare, I don’t know what’s wrong with that boy. You’d think we was making him stand in front of a firin’ squad.”
“That’s just the way he is, Gwyneth,” Morgaine said. “I don’t think we can change him.”
“I suppose not. Ain’t no point in beatin’ a dead horse… ’course, it can’t hurt none either.”
Sly grinned and wandered closer to his friends.
“I guess you gave me some of your old things?”
“Well,” Roz answered, “Merry told us that someone was too proud to let her furnish the place with new stuff, so everything here is used.”
“We figured y’all wouldn’t mind a few little cast-offs since it didn’t cost us nothin’.”
“Thank you.” He scanned the cozy-looking living room, and a lump formed in his throat. “I’m truly touched.”
He wandered over to the eclectic furniture grouping. His amplified sense of smell told him exactly who’d previously owned each piece.
The antique chair was from Roz. The couch was Merry’s. He ran his hand over the back of it. The beat-up old brown leather only made it softer and more comfortable.
The trunk was Morgaine’s, and a bookshelf held the scent of Konrad’s wolf hair.
“We put a few items in the kitchen too,” Gwyneth said.
He strolled past the dining area furnished with a tiny round table and two chairs, again with Merry’s scent, and stepped into the galley kitchen.
Gwyneth opened the cabinets and showed off a five-gallon bucket and a couple of large copper pots. “These will come in handy later on when we set up the—”
Morgaine cleared her throat and sent her a quick head shake. “There’s plenty of time for him to look around and see what’s here.”
Gwyneth looked over at Merry and must have realized she had almost spilled the beans about the still in front of the landlady.
“Of course. Silly me. What was I thinkin’?”
“And Sly,” Merry added as she set the champagne on the counter, “if you need anything else, please ask. Okay?”
“I can only think of one thing I really need, and that’s a way of darkening my bedroom during the day. Did you bring any blankets?”
“I didn’t have to,” Merry said. “Morgaine suggested room-darkening shades. It’s the only thing I bought, Sly. I promise.”
Sly looked over at Morgaine. She blushed slightly and dropped her gaze to the floor. Why was she embarrassed? She had thought of his needs and suggested the perfect way to meet them. He wanted to hug her, but not in front of an audience.
“I really can’t thank you enough—everyone.” Were those tears threatening to form in his eyes? No way was he going to let people see the big, scary vampire cry—especially gross, bloody tears.
Today, Ashlyn is giving away one paranormal title from her backlist - winner's choice. To enter the drawing, tell us the funniest werewolf situation you can think of - or comment on Ashlyn's post in some other way. This contest will end at midnight tonight and the winner will be announced tomorrow on this thread.
