Twenty years ago, shape shifters of all kinds banded together and announced themselves to the world, only to be shunted to areas no human wanted (“Shiftertowns”). They are forced to wear Collars that control their hunting and fighting instincts (referred to by Shifters as “Taking the Collar”).
Liam Morrissey is currently liaison between the Shifters of Austin, TX, and the humans of the city. Kim Fraser, attorney, finds herself in the unique position of having to defend a Shifter on a murder charge.
She ventures to Shiftertown to seek out Liam’s help, and there stumbles across too many secrets the Shifters want kept secret. The un-mated Liam is forced to protect Kim against the wrath of his clan leader and his own father, and to his surprise he discovers a powerful attraction to the sassy, sexy lady.
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I’m so thrilled this week to launch the first book in a new shape shifter series. Pride Mates started with a germ of an idea I got while driving to the airport to attend the Emerald City conference in Seattle in October of 2008.
What happened was, I saw a couple of good-looking construction workers working on the side of the road (hey, if you’re going to be inspired, what a way to go). I started imagining them as brothers, as a close family that lived together and worked together. All males, several generations of them, but no women. Why? I wondered. What happened in this family?
Now, the final story doesn’t involve construction workers at all, LOL! I needed to write a paranormal romance, and I decided they would be a family of shape shifters. Three generations: father, two sons, and one nephew, lonely bachelors but very close.
By now I was at the airport (having driven there safely despite the cute construction workers) and continued with my brainstorming. I thought about this family of shifters on the plane, throughout the weekend and beyond.
The “what ifs” started flying. What if ordinary human beings knew about these shape shifters? How would people react? I mean *really*? Here are strong (and of course gorgeous) men who can change into dangerous animals. Would they be accepted? Or feared? Used? Hunted?
So now I was seeing my family of Shifters living with other families of Shifters—shunted into places no one else wanted, restricted by laws, and kept “safe” by wearing collars that suppress their violence. There would be all kinds of Shifters thrown together: big cats, wolves, bears. They no longer live in the wild and have to figure out how to get along in this new environment.
Why would the Shifters allow this to happen? If they were so powerful and dangerous? What would happen to a human woman who suddenly finds herself having to interact with these “animals” that the world fears?
Therein lies a tale! Romance, intrigue, humor, drama started whirling through my head. I dove into my new world of Shifters and started writing.
What emerged was Pride Mates, the story of Liam Morrissey, a big cat Shifter with a sexy Irish accent, and Kim, the defense attorney who needs his help. Liam lives with his brother Sean, his father Dylan (who’s having a fling with the werewolf woman next door), and Connor, Liam’s late brother’s only son. Kim enters their world without knowing what she’s getting herself into.
Building this world was fascinating. I came up with a “Human’s Guide to Shifters” that gives some details about the world here: http://www.jennifersromances.com/NewSite/shifters/SU_details.html
Click around over there for an introductory message from Liam as well as the first chapter of Pride Mates. Which came out Tuesday January 26!
The question of the day for readers is: What kind of shifters do you like best? The big cats? Werewolves? Dragons? (I write about dragons as Allyson James—they’re a different kind of challenge!)
Comment and enter to win a free copy of any book from my backlist you want. I have a list of all of them here: http://www.jennifersromances.com/NewSite/seriesorder.html
Thanks so much, and I hope you enjoy Pride Mates!
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Thank you for visiting with us, Ms Ashley!
Honorary Mention of Book Sluts 'R' Us Blogger Awards by 
RR@H Novel Thoughts & Book Talk 
Hi, Jennifer! Great post, and as for what type of shifters I like best, definitely werewolves, they’re just a classic, but I also like big cats – jaguars, lions – hello, Curran! Rwaaar. 😉
Hi it sounds like a great book, I look forward to reading it. I have to say I like werewolves too… so hum drum I know but wolves look so beautiful and scary at the same time. The fact they mate for life and pack is so important to them appeals to me. Thanks for the preview and great giveaway!
I like big cats the most. Then werewolves. I think I haven’t tried any other shifters (don’ remember for sure), but will in the future.
Great post!! Loved the background history on Pride Mates. I love the big cats the most…especially jaguars. Then it would have to be the wolf.
Wow, your book sounds great. A definite must read. I’m partial to the big cats too.
I like big cats (of course!) and werewolves. Pride Mates sounds interesting. Thanks so much for visiting. I wanted to let you know that “The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie” was one of my favorites of 2009. Can’t wait for Mac’s story!
I did not that you wrote these kinds of books too 🙂 Have had my eye on you after Lord Ian, which I still so want.
I am a werewolf kind of girl, they seem to rough and grrrr-ish 😉
OH wow, big cats, werewolves, dragons, tigers… which ever life brings me, lol!!! Thanks for being here and allowing us a glimpse of your world!
Please drop my name in the hat!
Thanks!
Hi Jennifer, great background info on the new series and what a unique way to come up with the infrastructure from a glimpse of cute construction workers. Your mind has some cool twists and turns going on for that to then evolve into what sounds like a super fantastical reading experience.
The shifters am most fascinated with will always be the Big Cats first and foremost, I have 2 house cats and sometimes when they are in a “mood” the one cat thinks he is a “Mountain Lion” and the other cat thinks she is a “Bengal Tiger” at least that is the way it seems when they rip and tear around the house in play mode!!!
Gotta say though will take the Werewolves and Dragons too because wolves are beautiful fierce creatures and Dragons are my favorite fantasy shifter, especially the ones who become sexy alpha male humans!!!
jackie b central texas
Big cats and dragons are my favorites, but werewolves can be very sexy too…
Congrats on the release, this new series sounds very interesting, books for my wish list, thanks!
Great post! As far as shifters go I would want to be some kind of large cat, because they are so quite and can really move around without being noticed!
great post. I really like werwolves best. But any shifters would be good if it had a great storyline.
Pride Mates sounds fantastic.
I really like the sound of this book/series! I am definitely adding this to my list… fav shifters, I love the variety… each has their own standouts! But I think it is more about their personalities as characters…
This sounds SO good!! I have to admit that I haven’t read the Allyson James titles, but I’ve heard some great chatter about them, and have them on my TBB list. I’ve read many of your historicals, and loved them ~~ The Mad, Bad Duke was great!! I’ve got Pride Mates on my Wish List ~~ Congrats on the new series!!
I am starting to grow a love for dragon shifters!!! Of course I love all though
Thanks everyone for being here! I admit I’m torn about what Shifters I like best–so I put both wolves and big cats in Pride Mates.
I also admit to watching my own cats for cat behavior and putting some of it in my books (e.g. nuzzling, rubbing against each other for greeting–even if it’s two males…mmm)
Oh, and Curran. Yeah. Yum.
My fave shifters are werewolves, but I like other types as well.
My current favorite is dragons, but so many of them have such cool characteristics–I think just about all of them are fantastic to read!
This book sounds awesome!! I LOVE big cat shifters. There is just something about them that makes me all tingly..lol!!
I’m so glad to see Prides Mates is finally here!!! I love the big cat shifters, but my favorite is dragons!! There’s treasure hoarding, flying, fire breathing, terrorizing the populace, and sacrificial offerings – not to mention they are beautiful – what’s not to love…
Hi Jennifer!
oh, wow, what a great idea for a book – I can’t think of an similar story… your book is now on top of my wishlist!!!
as for changelings I like werecats most of all 🙂
congrats on the release!
hugs, Ina
Pride Mates sounds interesting.
My first choice is werewolves and then big cats.
Looking forward to your latest series as I enjoy reading about shape shifters with dragons being my favorites!
Most shifter books I’ve read involve big cats. They are definitely my favorite.
yay furriness 🙂
Furry is good. 🙂
My fave shifters:
1. Dragons–great protectors and can fly
2. Bears–cuddly, warm, playful, good foragers
3. Big cats–sleek, strong, good hunters
4. Wolves–loyal, good hunters, family oriented
5. and I absolutely love books that combine different kinds of shifters into the same world.
Pride Mates(and Stormwalker) have been on my wish list for a while now. Can’t wait.
Jennifer, I have already read PrideMates and LOVED IT!!! It is such a terrific story. I am hungering for more. I am sad that the readers will have to wait til 2011…I let my co worker read your story and now she is hooked as well 😉 I love shifter books..and Liam really was my type of hero..fabulous book!!!
Thanks April! And thanks for roping in your co-worker. Hee hee.
Because I’m changing publishers, scheduling my books is a little crazy right now, but everything should be ironed out soon. I hope. My writing schedule is nuts! 🙂
I like shifters of all kinds. So far my favorites are wolves and big cats.
Hi, Jennifer! Thanks for posting!
I’ve not read about many different kinds of shifters, but I think werewolves are always a classic 🙂
Pride Mates sounds like a great read!
Thanks you all for the great comments so far! I can’t see any shifter winning here–they’re all loved.
I’m just now writing a scene with four dragon guys who have turned into humans and are standing around all naked. Sigh… I love my job. 🙂
(It’s for an Allyson James novel I’m finishing up).
Since All the Shifter books that i read so far were bigCats and Werewolves, guess i still prefer this type of shifter.
Haven’t read any Dragon shifter before. humm…would to start one 🙂
Hi Jennifer! I have to be honest, I love all shifters! They all sound sexy to me. I really loved the Immortal series, I hope that there may be some more in the future. Congrats on your new release!
Hi Jennifer, I love the cats and the wolves.
My hubby was a carpenter when I married and I thought he looked wonderful in his nail bags….Hehehe.
Your new novel sounds yummy!!!
🙂
Hi, Jennifer,
Your new book sounds great, and it’s on my “wish list.” 🙂
I love all kinds of shifters! I’ve always been a fan of werewolves, but I also love big cats, wolves, dragons, and even some of the funnier were critters I’ve come across.
I love books with shifters! Congrats on your release!
Great post. Sounds like its going to be a great series. I am looking forward to reading it. While of course I love all shifters my favorites really are the big cats. I just absolutely love them.
I’ve never read anything with shapeshifters so I’m not sure what I would like better but I think I’d like the big cats best.
Hi Jennifer. I love shifter stories. Pride Mates sounds great.
Hard to choose just one. I love them all. The cats, wolves, dragons,etc. So exciting to read!
Thanks for all the great comments, ladies (and any gents). I’m very excited about this series, and glad to be getting some good feedback on it already. You warm my heart.
🙂
Very neat post!! Actually I just picked Pride Mates up this morning when I was out and I can’t wait to read it!! It sounds like a wonderful book!!
I pretty much like them all as well……cats, dragons, wolves….
I’m currently reading a dragon series, so my answer is dragons! Ask me in a couple of weeks and I’ll likely say werewolves!
I am partial to the cat family, leopards and such. I’m relatively new to the paranormal sub-genre…I know, been living under a rock.
(P.S. I loved Lord Ian!! Can’t wait for Isabella’s book.)
I like dragons the best. Thanks!
Well I actually like them all, but if I had to pick I would say the big cats. I’m very interested in your new series, I can’t wait to start reading it.
Werewolves definatly
OH this sounds good! I have only read a couple of shifter books – wolves. Big cats sounds good too, very sexy.
But really I think it all depends on the twist the author gives the characters. I mean a frog does not sound very sexy or anything but I would Kiss one if it were to turn into a Prince!