The Pure Magical Fun of It

Ever just want to write something for the pure magical fun of it? And also, for the creative challenge?
To me that’s freedom, as I used to feel when I galloped on my horse with the wind.
No, not because you have to write it, or are expected to write it...but only because you’re feeling that compelling urge to pen. And so it’s been the past several days.
It began with a blog at ShapeShifter Romance by Teresa D’Amario, author of
SheWolf & Tigress by the Tail ~ Ten ways to know your lover is a shape shifter!
Well, the lightbulb went on in my brain, and I thought: how fun would it be to create that kind of tongue-in-cheek list for my upcoming novella, Black Cat Beauty? Okay, that naughty black cat girl inspired a much too risque top ten to post here. I’ll have to tame it down.
Then, I thought about how fiercely fond of disco dancing Volcano is, my hero in When a Good Angel Falls. In fact, all his cherubic kind adore Saturday Night Fever beneath the disco ball on Earth and at the Cloud Nine Club. Thus was born my Monday blog.
Okay, since I had a blog scheduled for today, I just couldn’t leave out my galactic world in Tangerine Carnal Dreams. Hmmm...how do you know when that sexy man who looks all too human is also a shapeshifter? Or, in this instance an equine shifter. Well, keep on reading to find out.

****
So, you’re relaxing, hanging out at the local bar and dance club near the Heroux spaceport, before you head out on the next passenger transport, and return to your home world. Your assignment has been a rough one, but the intel you’ve gathered will stop one of the galactic crime syndicates from corrupting your government.
Leaning on one hip against the bar, an immense sleek structure that gradually curves along the shape of the dome structure itself, you sip on a red scorpion ale...bitter, potent, yet spiced deliciously...while watching the local inhabitants gregariously interact and dance with an eclectic mixture of other races. Given this is a sea water planet-moon, the humanoids are evolved from squid and dolphin genes. Their indigo shades of skin are covered with pearlescent hues of every color.
You’ve seen similar scenes, at least, a hundred times before. Yet it never loses its appeal or its fascination to your eye. Besides, there’s always something to learn that could save your hide in the cosmic badlands, or wherever you’re on assignment.
It’s no surprise when a handsome, looking-for-a-ride man saunters toward you, the wicked gleam in his eyes shooting toward you like a pulse weapon. From the looks of him he could be from your home world, except for his taller height, and his thick long mane of hair. And well, if your gaze lowers...there’s that obvious size difference.
However, is he an equine shapeshifter? Notorious for chasing a woman through the gates of any hell to possess her...like the powerful stallion he is...

Here it is, the help you need: The top ten reasons he might be a stallion shapeshifter.

10. As he approaches, his gait subtly alters to a studly prance, as if you’re a filly he’s scented.

9. He flashes his gaze over you, then slowly turns the corners of his mouth up in a bold you-want-me flirtation. And strangely, he seems to arch his neck in a demonstration of prowess.

8. When you glare a fierce warning that you’re not in the least interested, he grins with confident charm, leans against the bar and arrogantly props himself up on one elbow, just out of reach of your kick, as if you had hooves.

7. After ordering an oat molasses brew, he tosses his mane of hair magnificently, then flares his nostril in your direction.

6. When you pointedly ignore him, yet keep a watch from the corner of your eye because he could be an assassin on your trail, or a slaver after you for the sex market, he idly quaffs his brew, and keeps his own protective watch. Not to mention his entire posture is a warning to every male ~ stay away, or risk a savage kick to the groin.

5. Irritation firing through your veins, you hiss a loud sigh, and partially face him, then scowl like a reptoid demoness. He takes that as an invitation to join you, his demeanor utterly virile as he moves beside you.

4. When you demand he leave in galactic vernacular, he merely leans closer and it suddenly feels like he’s snuffling your face. Gently.

3. As you reach for your side weapon, disguised as a tiny payment clip, he nuzzles along your neck, and involuntarily your fingers let go. Then while blushing wildly, you try to contain your silly heaving breaths.

2. In an effort to save yourself from his seduction you begin to shove away from the bar, but he nips your shoulder sending frissons of pleasure to your core.

1. When you protest in your own language, murmuring, No ... he nuzzles the rim of your ear passionately, and whispers, Want to take me for a ride?

While this is not an actual scene in my novella, Tangerine Carnal Dreams, it was certainly inspired by my stallion shapeshifting hero, and my kickassitude heroine.

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~ http://savannakougar.com ~
Tangerine Carnal Dreams...a fire-shooting fierce woman...a shapeshifting prince of a stallion...and the tangerine aphrodisiac winds on a world far away...Available from Aspen Mountain Press ~ http://aspenmountainpress.com ~

The Magic of 8-08-2008 ~ No, It's Not the Olympics

~ 8 ~

The magic of 8-08-2008? No, it’s not the Olympics. At least, not for me. My apologies to whomever is enamored. However, the Chinese and I now share this auspicious opening date ~ this triple 8 day, with also adds up to an 8 day in numerology. Now, if 8...as the money number...translates into sales, I could really believe this was a fantastic date, since my novel, Tangerine Carnal Dreams, was released on this very day.
My date with the very important 8, how did I miss it? Don’t ask and I won’t tell. I’m blaming it partly on pure exhaustion. Partly on my inexperience. I’ve learned a lot so far on the business side of being an author, but with miles and miles to go. And one thing I’ve learned is that publishers operate differently.
So there it is, a major goof on my part. Okay, I admit it, every now and again, my goofball tendencies demonstrate themselves in a manner which leaves me wishing for that hole down to China. And boy, did this happen when I was attempting to promo When a Good Angel Falls on the chat loops a week ago last Monday. I made so many ridiculous mistakes it caused my head to spin. And it was already spinning for other reasons. Gee, I shoulda hired myself out for the next Exorcist movie.
Mel, you are not alone as a Noob. Perhaps, there’s a world somewhere out there which adores us Noobs. Far, far away, another planet-world. Or another dimension, perhaps even a parallel universe. Where Noobs are cherished and treasured, and provided with every wonderful comfort. Where Noobs are always thought to be impossibly and irresistibly adorable. And this land of ultra sexy men and women, is always on the lookout for more Noobs to add to their population. Yes, their mission, roaming the galaxy or entering every dimensional portal for more Noob immigrants.
Hey! Look down here, you Noob lovers. Take me...please! Raising hand here...

Still, the whole truth is, I am proud of my quatre 8 day release. It was a long journey from the time I submitted to the time of publication. Huge thanks to my editor, PJ Wilde, and to Aspen Mountain Press.
And I so love Jinger Heaston. She’s now done three fabulous covers for me. And here’s hoping for many more.

...a fire-shooting fierce woman...a shapeshifting prince of a stallion...and the tangerine aphrodisiac winds on a world far away...
Tangerine Carnal Dreams

Author: Savanna Kougar
Artist: Jinger Heaston

ISBN: 978-1-60168-127-0
Genre: Erotic Fantasy Paranormal
Publisher: Aspen Mountain Press
Publication Date: 08/08/2008
Sexual Content: Erotic

Synopsis:

Corporal Kattalonia is a galactic enforcer-agent for her home world. Her father has just been accused of treason. She chases after the villain in an old rickety craft. Recovering her father’s stolen data cube will exonerate him, and halt the sale of top level secrets. The trouble, the villain’s trail leads to Yemisque, a world of tangerine carnal dreams. Great place to hide out. Great place for the erotic adventures of your choice.
Prince Ziocese, Bad Boy Extraordinaire has discovered his one woman. She shoots fire from her palm and is not an equine shifter, a mate his royal parents won’t accept. Renegade from his world, he still honors his sacred tradition, chasing her half-way across the galaxy. He will do anything to help her, to protect her. Whether she lets him or not. Trouble is he can’t catch her to prove himself. Or, to possess her with extreme pleasure.

Read an excerpt of Tangerine Carnal Dreams
http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/new-releases/tangerine-carnal-dreams/prod_165.html

Hopefully, in your tangerine dreams...

Savanna

Savanna Kougar
Run on the Wild Side of Romance
http://savannakougar.com

Tangerine Magical Cover Art

Short and tangerine sweet, everyone...the unveiling of my cover art for Tangerine Carnal Dreams, coming from Aspen Mountain Press. I placed the banner first, in case, the cover could be considered too risque. While there is no actual nudity on the cover, it is implied since the tangerine pleasure world of Yemisque is certainly clothing optional.
Just before I began this blog I heard Willie Nelson singing...a woman, and a stallion, and the wind...
There’s something so lyrical and so free...so incredibly magical about that song for me...the song itself, the musical styling and especially how Willie sings it. And in that moment, the song was also a gift. With a flash of ah-ha, the lightbulb flared in my under-the-weather brain ~ those lyrics, changed a bit ~ perfectly fit the story of Tangerine Carnal Dreams.
....a woman, a stallion and the tangerine wind...

The woman, a fire-fierce heroine determined to save her father.
The stallion, shapeshifter playboy who keeps his royal heritage hidden.
The tangerine wind, a constant sultry aphrodisiac wind on the beaches of Yemisque.
I must confess as an author, there was something so lyrical and fun, so free and fantastic, as I wrote and lived Katta and Zio’s sizzle love story and their adventure, in my imagination.
I still don’t have a release day, but my stallion shifter and fire-fierce heroine novel is due to hit the e-shelves soon ~ aspenmountainpress.com ~

What was the most recent song lyric that contributed to your story, or was an inspiration to you personally?

Tangerine Magic

Pardon for the late posting. Storms rolled through last night.

From the moment I heard the word ‘tangerine’ I felt enchanted. Why? I don’t have a clue, except that I simply luv the sound of the word itself. Of course, once I saw the brilliant red-orangey color, then smelled a tangerine...that sun-exotic tangy sweet fragrance...and, even better, tasted a tangerine, I was completely bewitched, and even more in love with everything tangerine.
Yep, Tangerine, a great name, a great packaging color, a great smell and a great taste. It’s healthy and it’s portable.
So, you may ask, where did the name originate from? Tangiers, of course. Because that’s where this variety of mandarin orange was shipped from at first, the ports of Tangier. The ‘-ine’ was added according to my secret intel...yeah, right (info via internet search)...as in the city of Florentine in Italy.
However, I say the Word Magicians waved their ever-powerful wands from behind the secret garden curtain, from whence the most wonderful and spectacular words originate...and voila, Tangerine was created for the enjoyment of All.
Now, the next fab four event in my love affair with the word ~ The Beatles ~ and the song written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. The instant I heard that song, I was again enchanted and totally transported via my imagination into a fantasy-like world, one which could only be experienced within the imagination...and, one of the keys, I believe, to why psychedelic music and the movement, itself, held its own sorcery. Like Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, it could be experienced within the dimension of the imagination and the mind. We fiction writers know about that intimately, the imagination, where our stories live and wait to be written.
The psychedelic age provided a new excitement, a starship of music and culture to explore the frontiers of the mind. Life had begun anew, or think a Jimi Hendrix poster vs the iconic magazine covers of Norman Rockwell.
Okay, I’ve sorta gotten off track...sorta. Picture yourself in a boat on a river, With tangerine trees and marmalade skies ~ the first two lines of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (actually inspired by John Lennon’s son, Julian, a childhood drawing he called by that name) ~ Not only did I fall in love with those lines, and the entire song, I was beautifully beguiled. And there it was again, firing up my imagination with flowing dreamy and magnificent images ~ that word, the color. Tangerine.
What if there was a tangerine world? The color, that is...yep, I invented that world in my novella, Tangerine Carnal Dreams. And had an awfully fun time building this world. And, yep, the edits are finalized. Whew!
And thus, we have arrived at promo time. For those who don’t enjoy erotic romance, or stallion shape shifting or a heroine who can and does shoot fire from her palm, please forego the following excerpt. While there is no nudity or actual sex, still...there are naughty words and I want you to be warned.

Happy Fireworks and Freedom day!

Tangerine Carnal Dreams ~ Savanna Kougar ~ coming from Aspen Mountain Press
Excerpt: From Chapter One ~
"Katta! Where are you? I’ve lost your blink on the netscope."
"I’m here, Jessa. Power-divert to tracking. I’ve got him, sis. I’ve got the son of a wormhole." Katta struck her relay panel forcing more power to her speed system. The old spacecraft jerked forward, into a new warp level-humming loudly, vibrating roughly.
"Come on, you bucket of silicon bolts. You know I luv ya."
"Katta, where are you?" Jessa’s voice bounced in and out, shrill with concern.
"Looks like our personal villain is on the fast trail to Yemisque."
"Yemisque! Katta, no. It’s not worth it."
"I don’t care. I’m going to get him."
"He can hide, do anything to you–almost anything." Jessa amended, having enjoyed Yemisque’s free wheeling sex pleasures often.
"I’ve gotta get it back. I’m not letting Dad go down the devil’s asshole. He’ll lose everything..."
"Katta, even you can’t–"
"I see it, Jessa. Tangerine as those gumdrops you gobble. Yep! His vapor fart swirls down to that planet lust-playground."
"Come back..." Her sister’s worried voice crackled faintly.
"Sorry, sis. Gotta cut you free."
Katta hit communications’ access with a swift hard slam of her fist. Then punched on the opening to Yemisque.
"Tangerine carnal dreams, here I come," she muttered fiercely, on fire with capturing her prey.
Automated landing instructions flowed, a sensual male crooning, translated into her birth language.
"Yeah, that’s what I’m coming for, a really hard-lunging time. Oh baby, give it to me, harder, oooooh harder," she mocked. Quickly, she set the rickety, but plucky craft on cruise.
Katta stretched, relieving the tight anticipation of her muscles. "I don’t suppose it’ll be a flush-out run to the nearest fornicating mecca. Get my quarry. Then get out. I wish. Upon a trillion zillion stars."
"Corporal Kattalonia Svelle of Windsworld, an interview once you land."
The Adonis male beamed a sensual smile from her antiquated screen. Her breath caught in her chest. Just for a moment. His clear blue lake eyes transfixed her, tripped her heart beat. Just for a moment.
"Sure, Master of Security. Could use your assistance. And you’re not half-bad to gaze longingly upon. How’s the wife?"
"In rambunctious heat. I’m in carnal paradise. Still playing the ice spinster, Corporal?"
"Too much chasing the bad galactic guy. No time for rambunctious lusting. See ya on the ground, handsome." Katta raised one brow. "No men hiding in the bushes, right? Ready to abscond with my unwilling body?"
Yemisque’s Master of Security merely fondled her with his smile, then blipped free of her screen.
Katta shook her head, then her entire body, freeing herself. His presence was all passion- encompassing. And a reminder she required a garment change to undercover gear.
"Trashy space babe coming up, or going down to..." Stretching, she slowly combed her fingers through her hair. "Oh, my goddess!" she whispered, an image of a male cock coming up, the idea of her going down on him. "I’m already ruined."

Tangerine kisses from the Kougar...

Pony Romance Reviews
~ The review corral for equine shifters, humans and all OtherWorlders
Tangerine Carnal Dreams reviewed by Pokey, the Prairie Kid
(Son of Pokey, Gumby’s equine pal)
This fast blast, carnal romping adventure is the perfect summer pasture read for every mare and stallion. Your tail will fly banner-high as you enjoy how Zio, hero and a stallion shifter, chases his one true love straight into his human arms, despite Corporal Kattalonia’s determination not to become his Mate. With her fiery temper and her fiery palm aimed at him, he’ll have to stampede over every obstacle on the lust playground planet of Yemisque to win her.
Pokey paws the ground and gives 5 whinnies.
Have a book you want reviewed? Toss it in the oat bucket. Or e-send to HappyTrails@stud.fun

Red Lioness Tamed ~ spicy sci fi available from Liquid Silver Books, Molten Silver ~ liquidsilverbooks.com ~ Untamed lioness lost in space
All Shades of Blue Paradise [World of the Blue Pearl Moon, Book I] ~ aristocratic fantasy available from Siren Publishing ~ sirenpublishing.com ~ Which seductive shade of blue are you?
Pleasures of Blue Lotus Oil [World of the Blue Pearl Moon, Book II] ~ aristocratic fantasy coming from Siren Publishing
Tangerine Carnal Dreams ~ stallion shifter adventure coming from Aspen Mountain Press
When a Good Angel Falls ~ 2012 angelic fantasy coming from Siren-BookStrand summer 2008
Murder by Hair Spray in Gardenia, New Atlantis ~ futuristic coming from Siren-BookStrand

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~ savannakougar.com