Shifters? Weres? What’s in a Name (#pnr #amreading #gayromance)

Cover by Bree Archer

Shifting Gears releases today from Dreamspinner Press. I tried to make this story different from your average wolf-shifter book and I hope I’ve succeeded. Today I’m exploring some aspects of shifters and werewolves and how I don’t see them as quite the same thing.

Gray Fowler, my alpha wolf-shifter is very particular. He is not a werewolf. “There’s too much mythology going on there,” he tells Kenton.

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I agree! To me, the word “werewolf” conjures up all sorts of dark (and hairy) images, most of which aren’t at all sexy. I think of the Wolf Man, who’s more Saturday matinee than movie star dream. Over the years, pop culture has given werewolves a pretty bad rap. They do some bad shit. Even the ones we love, like Oz in Buffy.

It’s been only more recently that wolf shifter characters have gotten a little sex appeal going. Though I’m not a fan of the Twilight franchise, I can still enjoy Taylor Lautner, even though his wolf is CGI. Teen Wolf is another departure from the more clichéd examples. When the wolves in human form can get our hearts and sympathy, we can forgive some of the things they do. Actually, I can forgive Alcide in True Blood just about anything. He only kills people who deserve it, but he still kills.

I’m not a fan of gore in my books or films, which is another reason I’ve shied away from many of the classic wolves. The transformation scenes get my skin crawling, though I think they are incredibly important to understand the experience from the shifter’s point of view, and sometimes that’s just yucky (think of the scene in Supernatural when the shapeshifter takes on Dean’s appearance. That scene still makes me need to wash my eyes out!)

What about other weres and shifters? Somehow the idea of a wereduck or wereotter sounds cute and cuddly, and they are. I definitely put them in a different category. These characters live in a different world than that of the wolf who is pursued in animal form, whether or not he’s actually done something reprehensible.

I haven’t even had a chance to touch on how to explain yourself to a non-shifter significant other? Or his parents? “Mom, this is my werewolf boyfriend. We promise not to visit during the full moon. Go on, give him a hug!”

So, there are a lot of fun aspects to explore with a shifter, wolf or not. I couldn’t possibly address even a fraction of them here or in Shifting Gears, but doing a little reading and research opens up so many possibilities.

What aspects of a shifter’s life interest you most? Who is your favorite wolf and why?

First release. First rating on GR…

Cover by Reese Dante

I’m officially a published author!

Shifting Gears released today from Silver Publishing and it’s already on the best sellers list. I’m very excited.

That’s the good news.

On the flip side of the coin, I also got my first rating on Goodreads,–posted before I even saw the book was available—a 2-star rating . I guess that makes me an official author. I didn’t expect that so quickly, but I know it’s part of the process. Hopefully, that’s just a minority opinion.

Here’s the blurb:
Kenton Palmer finds an injured dog on the road on a rainy night and takes him to the nearest vet clinic only to discover he’s actually a wolf. Despite that, he decides to nurse the injured animal following the necessary surgery. Even better, the handsome vet who treated the wolf offers his own brand of animal attraction and makes it clear he wants to be a big part of Kenton’s world.

Gray Fowler is a werewolf. He’s forced to remain in wolf form after Kenton rescues him and takes him home to heal, but that doesn’t prevent him from falling hard for Kenton. It starts out as jealousy but Gray soon discovers Kenton’s new love, Dr. Will Barclay, is caught up in something sinister. But he must wait until he’s healthy before he can shift and enter Kenton’s life as a man. How are Will’s shady activities linked to the men who ran Gray down, and can he expose the scheme before Kenton gets too involved with Will?
Order from Silver Publishing

Shifting Gears is Officially Coming Soon!

I’m so excited to share the news about my upcoming novella SHIFTING GEARS. It will be released February 2 by Silver Publishing.

I was so lucky to have the wonderful Reese Dante as my cover artist. Here’s the blurb and I’ll share an excerpt next time.

Kenton Palmer finds an injured dog on the road on a rainy night and takes him to the nearest vet clinic only to discover he’s actually a wolf. Despite that, he decides to  nurse the injured animal following the necessary surgery. Even better, the handsome vet who treated the wolf offers his own brand of animal attraction and makes it clear he wants to be a big part of Kenton’s world.

Gray Fowler is a werewolf. He’s forced to remain in wolf form after Kenton rescues him and takes him home to heal, but that doesn’t prevent him from falling hard for Kenton. It starts out as jealousy but Gray soon discovers Kenton’s new love, Dr. Will Barclay, is caught up in something sinister. But he must wait until he’s healthy before he can shift and enter Kenton’s life as a man. How are Will’s shady activities linked to the men who ran Gray down, and can he expose the scheme before Kenton gets too involved with Will?

It’s already available for pre-order on the Silver website. I hope you’ll consider buying it, or tell you friends who like shifter stories about it.

Thanks!

Shifting Gears by Petra Lynn is Coming Soon!

I’m so excited to share the news about my upcoming novella SHIFTING GEARS. It will be released February 2 by Silver Publishing.

I was so lucky to have the wonderful Reese Dante as my cover artist. Here’s the blurb and I’ll share an excerpt next time.

Kenton Palmer finds an injured dog on the road on a rainy night and takes him to the nearest vet clinic only to discover he’s actually a wolf. Despite that, he decides to  nurse the injured animal following the necessary surgery. Even better, the handsome vet who treated the wolf offers his own brand of animal attraction and makes it clear he wants to be a big part of Kenton’s world.

Gray Fowler is a werewolf. He’s forced to remain in wolf form after Kenton rescues him and takes him home to heal, but that doesn’t prevent him from falling hard for Kenton. It starts out as jealousy but Gray soon discovers Kenton’s new love, Dr. Will Barclay, is caught up in something sinister. But he must wait until he’s healthy before he can shift and enter Kenton’s life as a man. How are Will’s shady activities linked to the men who ran Gray down, and can he expose the scheme before Kenton gets too involved with Will?

It’s already available for pre-order on the Silver website. I hope you’ll consider buying it, or tell you friends who like shifter stories about it.

Thanks!