Shifty Shifters & Sexy Shifters/What Appeals?

When we are children we imagine we are Peter pan, Fairies and princesses. I wanted to be Atreyu from The NeverEnding Story - who wouldn’t have wanted a pet dragon that could talk and rather enjoyed getting a good scratch behind the ear?

Why is it that we love to imagine such things, what really appeals?

It is evidenced that man has imagined that he has the power to transform since the dawn of time. Many tribes depicted half man, half best creatures in art on the walls of cave paintings. In ancient Rome Romulus and Remus are told to have been suckled by a wolf. Gods were given creature like attributes from Medusa to Poseidon. There are Satyrs of the underworld, centaurs and angels. From the Egyptians, Aboriginal dreamtime stories to the Indians, Irish and the Eskimos. All civilizations around the world have depicted tales of men being cursed as animals or possessing the magic to turn their spirits into beasts.

There is something mesmerizing about imagining oneself as a powerful creature about giving up control to the instinct and habits of the being we become, to forget consciousness, remorse and compassion. To surrender to the lizard part of our brain so long ago deeply buried. Animals have a confidence we find admirable.

As adults we can take the fantasy further - What if the human with the ability transform begins to remember what they do, begins to realize the creature dwelling within and to regret the unconscious actions of the beast. What happens if the afflicted attempt to control it? In struggling to maintain two lives, every day a torturous battle rages on within. – A metaphor for life?

What if they have the ability to pass on their affliction with a bite? What if the moon conspires against them? What if hunters came for them? What if they had done things they regret? And what if they fall in love with a human...

-As for my dream shifter? What if he is insanely handsome, haunted and gentle with the ability to rip you apart in a heartbeat and literally devour your flesh, yet the human side of him longs to caress it. What if he picks you out of the sea of a thousand seemingly similar and even better looking girls, what if he desires and adores you only, rejecting their blatant advances. What if despite himself he can’t stay away and would do anything to be with you and even die to protect you against all odds, despite his past. It brings him physical pain to see you with another man in fact he cannot bare it – yet he cares for you so much he knows its best you stay away from him. What if he fights for you?

 In the middle of the night, injured, he comes to your bedroom window in need of your help. With trembling hands you tend his wounds as they heal before you. What if he meets your lingering gaze, he grabs your arms forcefully yet tenderly and suddenly despite the forbidden act of him loving you, he does so. Passionately and gently with such commitment and heat, that your heart beats as his hot muscular arms hold you to him in a needy desperate embrace.... 

My shifter fantasy is simply an ideal of what our unconscious brain requires, on a chemical level a concept that at its core contains all the appealing genetic attributes the lizard brain desires, to produce and protect offspring. We want our men gentle, yet strong and very masculine – think Brad Pit in Legends of the Fall. If he’s loyal he is less likely to spread his seed and produce other offspring with other women which will compete with our genetics and he if he has the superhuman power to destroy threats and protect us, all the better.

It has been shown upon reading such things copious dopamine is released. Evolution requires we desire these attributes and rewards us for finding it. Admittedly I speak largely for women. As for why and what men like in the shifter genre, well, that is fodder for another post.   

    

 

I am exclusively Amazon, enrolled in KDP select which means Amazon Prime Members can borrow my book for FREE! Otherwise, they are only $2.99 for an ebook. Wolf Sirens Forbidden Discover The Legend.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GG06AS

   


Post: Do you believe in Luck?

There is a famous saying: “Luck is hard work meets opportunity.”

I remember watching an interview with Will Smith and he answered a question with a spiel about how when he was young, his father would often tell him that very saying. He then went on to talk of the day his block buster film Independence Day was released in the U.S, his father called him up and said “Son you know what I always said to you.” And Will answered “Yes there’s no such thing as luck, I know dad.” To which his father replied “Son, forget that, you are one lucky son of a bitch!” Independence Day went on to break all box office opening day records. It was, I guess, a marketing stroke of genius.

My mother always said “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” However she is one of the hardest working people that I know. She runs her own successful small business which she started with nothing but a dream and few hundred dollars, there were those that thought she was nuts. She’s had many setbacks and some failures. She has seen hard times in the industry, survived bad partnerships and times when she couldn’t afford to employ staff, recently she had a robbery. Every day she is there and she is happy to be there, because she loves what she does – sure she can’t afford a nice car, but she learns everyday– at times with more resistance than at others. As a master she remains a student. Amazingly she relies on friends and volunteers and they come because my mother has that way about her, a love of her industry that is infectious and she is generous to a fault. So it isn’t luck that has kept her afloat for nearly ten years - its love and hard work. At times I thought, give up and go on welfare, but she doesn’t do it for money, she does it for a life. At heart she never wanted to be rich. She learns and meets more people every day she is there, who in one way or another enrich her life. It is her journey and her vision of wealth. And it’s better than sitting at home or working in a dead end job. There is method in her madness.

She has taught me so much, about business, about life and about success, just by observing her all these years. And that is worth its weight in gold, that’s an education you can’t buy – that I am lucky to have. She has lead by example and she has always been there to help, me and anyone else who needs it.

Success is defined by you and it can be doing well at something that you love. If so you are lucky to find what that is for you, run with it. Work hard at it.

People who are successful aren’t afraid of failure; I would estimate they fail far more. They just don’t dwell on it. They don’t self sabotage. I have learnt to ignore the haters, don’t let the bad energy of anyone else renew through you. Take the high road.

Achievement is made through timing, hard work and good marketing but on a basic level it’s you taking risks, creating your own opportunities. The longest journey starts with the smallest step, one out of your comfort zone. People see the achievement, but what they don’t see is the nine times you tried and were denied. We learn far more through our mistakes.

Inadvertently my mother taught me to have goals and to make a plan in order to find my fortune. If you chose a job you love you will never work a day in your life. I believe you find your own luck, but only if you look for it and accept it when it comes.

Most things are a matter of perspective. What others view as hard luck may be a learning curve and what others view as your good luck is actually the result of years of toil, endured so that when you met your opportunity, you were ready for it.

But then there are those who are just lucky, they had a different path. Be happy for them their luck might rub off on you!

- Tina Smith Author of Wolf Sirens

About this author

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I am an introvert, dog lover, Pisces, Herbalist, Remedial Massage therapist, Iridologist and student Naturopath. I work at Mega Health health food stores and Adelaide beads. My favourite colour is turquoise and I possibly couldn't live without water and lipbalm. I learnt to shoot for Wolf Sirens.
I enjoy yoga, soaping, alone time, reading and am obsessed with writing -I have surprized quite a few people with my secret hobby. No one in my family writes. I make a mean potato salad. I adore strong female protagonist's which is what stirred me to write Wolf Sirens. I drive like I'm in a rush always, I never clean my car and I will admit to a shamefull love of reality T.V. Gypsy weddings and 16 and pregnant are some guilty pleasures. My stories...moreI am an introvert, dog lover, Pisces, Herbalist, Remedial Massage therapist, Iridologist and student Naturopath. I work at Mega Health health food stores and Adelaide beads. My favourite colour is turquoise and I possibly couldn't live without water and lipbalm. I learnt to shoot for Wolf Sirens.
I enjoy yoga, soaping, alone time, reading and am obsessed with writing -I have surprized quite a few people with my secret hobby. No one in my family writes. I make a mean potato salad. I adore strong female protagonist's which is what stirred me to write Wolf Sirens. I drive like I'm in a rush always, I never clean my car and I will admit to a shamefull love of reality T.V. Gypsy weddings and 16 and pregnant are some guilty pleasures. My stories are a beautiful and tortured mix of reality meets fantasy. I was born in the green Bega Valley, New South Wales. I now reside in Adelaide South Australia with my daughter and our cocker cross, Billey.
Wolf Sirens Forbidden: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GG06AS
Sequel Wolf Sirens Fever: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Ebook: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolf-Sirens-F...
Ebook: http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Sirens-Fev...
Like me on facebook:http://www.facebook.com/wolf...
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/wolfsirens/
Featured on: http://noveldtales.blogspot.com.au/20...
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6449447.Tina_Smith

Intrigue, The Femme fatale, Goddesses, wolves, strong female protagonists, unrequited love and suspense - Sound interesting?
Chosen by the spirit of Artemis, what she is, and who she is are two different people and somewhere inside her the love and desire she feels, dooms her to make heart wrenching choices, which will either go against her kind or destroy the creatures she loves. In the unfolding fatal allure of hunter and prey.

"Wolf Sirens lures you into a world of danger, excitement and divided loyalties. A terrific read!" – Beverley Eikli, author of A Little Deception  

Books take you on a journey to places you have never been and see things you have never seen.

 

Here's a little something I posted on facebook:Thank you to all my Fans! ;)

Merry Christmas to all those wonderful people who have given their time and effort into reading a previously unknown author.
I will be blog touring in a few weeks with Goddessfish tours and there will be many giveaways! As for now all I can do is offer my humble heartfelt gratitude. Thanks for appreciating all my hard work. Thank you for your help and recognition, from the bottom of my heart. Thanks for loving and hating Lila, crushing on Sky and laughing at Reid, scowling at Sam and feeling sad for Lily. - I hope one day to be a full time writer because of you, liking my work. Just so everyone knows dreams do come true, if you work hard at something you love. To quote J.K Rowling "Rock bottom was the foundation on which I have rebuilt my life." Don't be scared to do what it is you dream of. When I was all alone in my room typing a story I more than once thought I may be nuts but I wanted to do it and who knew that little old me could have achieved just this. Don't listen to the haters, especially if you have perfect strangers tell you they loved what you do. Validation from good people and belief in oneself can make the seemingly impossible a reality.

Quote:"I am careful with whom I spend my time. I surround myself only with those who encourage and uplift me."

Maybe I am going a little crazy right now, we are building to a full moon and I can feel the energy rising. My dog is being really active and I have that itch to blog. Also I saw Breaking Dawn part two on Monday and I will say despite a very strange review by the reviewer on Sunrise morning T.V show I was pleasantly surprised and thought they did a lovely job of wrapping it up. I loved seeing all the vampires in the last book come to life.

So what started this was a path of self discovery that I am on and have been for a long, long time. I love paranormal and imagination and creativity. And paranormal at its best, I think, is just a metaphor for life. Okay I may be one of those people who can take anything and twist it to suit their view, but here goes. Most of this is based on my collective eclectic mind and I have somehow managed to combine twilight and Bugs Bunny into an argument for self respect.
 
Has everyone seen Twilight? Bella is cherished by Edward and treated like a princess - right? (In fact its border line creepy) he sneaks into her room and is so strong and wise, he holds all the power and protects her, he doesn’t show emotion and he holds the potential for great violence. I would go so far as to say Bella is his perfect doll? And he, the ideal charming, strong, controlling man. Although Stephenie gives him a certain gentle domineering edge that drives women wild. But still, he is controlling and Bella weak and gentle.

I like many girls am a strong independent woman who was once a sensitive quiet child and a very good girl, just like my mother told me I was, my favourite colour was pink and I played babies. I was all things nice. - Cut to 20 years later and I raise a kid on my own, hold down a job, study for a diploma, run a business and write novels (and write blog entries). All of which I do well. Plus I look after myself inside and out as best I can.

So why is it that people close to me in my life speak to me like I am a piece of s@#t?
- When I was little I wanted to be a princess I guess - well actually apparently I told my best friend at the time that I wanted to be Bugs Bunny or a Barbie doll. I remember why too, everyone liked Bugs - he had charisma, yes Bugs was cool and I guess Barbie had that admiration and great life (mansion and convertible) and that security everyone wants (sex appeal and money?). Let's just say that for a strange kid there was method in my madness. That was lost along the way.

In society we are raised to want strong aggressive domineering men and we in turn are raised to be good gentle girls, to keep our legs together and never speak up (I am exaggerating slightly). We spend our time and money on frivolous things to keep us from taking over the world. (The Female Eunuch, the Beauty Myth). While boys are taught to be aggressive and violent males and of course this results in the classic double standards, if a girl acts like a “man” she is a “bitch” or a “whore” etc.
I watched an episode of Oprah once, where some self proclaimed "expert" said women had to chose between being respected or being cherished (Oprah swore she wanted both and refused to be talked out of it. I respect her). (I tend to remember things that both resonate and puzzle me).

And like I mentioned I was a very good girl (hard to believe I know. If I was bad mum, I blame it entirely on hormones). I guess subconsciously I wanted to be cherished the way I was supposed to and perhaps I was, but I definitely was not ever respected (I suppose it’s less becoming), this was pointed out to me long ago by someone, who has respect in her family.

And now that I am a woman of nearly thirty years - I see the light and I will stand up for my respect. You see my entire life I have been rather disrespected. This is not what I want.

 I know what is far more important to me, is to be loved and respected - and treated as such. Now that sounds all wonderful doesn't it? And so easy - and it is - except for those who have my entire life, cherished me and not respected me. I need to show them the way. Change is very hard.
This causes conflict as they adjust to the new situation. This isn’t about ego (yes I have read Eckhart Tolle). Nor is it a feminist issue. It’s about maturing and letting go of that which no longer serves us and becoming who we are, free of intimidation and fear and societal and parental preconceptions – basically really growing up. (Freud? Doctor Phil?).
Because if you don’t look after yourself no one else will (well, unless maybe you are really cherished?).

So in the final book in the twilight saga, Bella becomes a vampire (sorry if you didn’t know how is the rock you live under?). She becomes Edwards equal as a fellow immortal. In fact, she is stronger than him, as a “new born”. He no longer has to worry and fawn over her and they face a common enemy together. Stephenie got it right in the end. Bella became Barbie and bugs in one, right? And she was happier and felt better for it and Edward loves her just as much if not more because that’s who she was meant to be.
Don't get me wrong, it is nice to be cherished and if you want that fine, good for you. But wouldn’t it be nicer to be loved and respected? Because if the people around you treat you that way, they deserve your love and that is mutual respect.

"I feel like young girls are told that they have to be this kind of princess and be all delicate and fragile, and it’s bullshit. I identified much more with the idea of being a warrior, and being a fighter…I think women are scared of feeling powerful and strong and brave, and I think that’s something they’ve got to embrace." (Emma Watson)

 

"I'm a feminist, but I think that romance has been taken away a bit for my generation. I think what people connect with in novels is this idea of an overpowering, encompassing love - and it being more important and special than anything and everything else." (Emma Watson)

Artemis the Demi Goddess. Now she has R.E.S.P.E.C.T

Book feature: http://noveldtales.blogspot.com.au/20...

Fever Utube Videos:

Tina Smith Wolf Sirens The Next Big Thing Blog Hop Interview posted every Wednesday my date is the 21st November:

What is the title of your book? Wolf Sirens Forbidden and Wolf Sirens Fever (the sequel). Wolf Sirens is a paranormal shifter series about werewolves. Romance is a strong driver in my stories but I am not about walking on the beach holding hands - my plot is littered with red herrings and inner termoil as you follow Lila the main protagonist on her journey in the town of Shade, where fantasy meets reality.

Where did the idea come from for the book? Greek myth and twilight and my childhood faves Call of the Wild and White Fang, wanting to write about strong female characters who grow through a journey where they are the hero’s, but are still desirable.

What genre does your book fall under? Y/A Paranormal/Fantasy/Romance/Suspense.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? Anna Sophia Robb, Alex Pettyfer, David Henrie, Molly C Quin. Werewolves tend to be young and goodlooking.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? Girl meets wolves, Boy saves her, Girl is destined to kill boy in a senario that repeats through the ages due to a curse.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Self Published.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? 2 years.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? Twilight, Shiver (Wolves of Mercy Falls), Amanda Hocking stuff.

Who or What inspired you to write this book? My life, Wolves, Wuthering Heights.

What else about your book might pique the reader's interest? The goddess huntress is cursed to an eternity hunting the creatures she loves.
 Paranormal is really just a analogy for passion and life when written at it's best.

14th November 2012 Kevis Hendrickson: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/3275153-the-next-big-thing

Ch'Kara SilverWolf (www.sheerak.wordpress.com).


Heres a link to my feature on Author of The Vessel, Michaels Macarthy's blog:  http://trappedinjuxtaposition.wordpress.com/2012/11/15/promotion-wolf-sirens-fever-by-tina-smith/