Lately, there are a lot of shapeshifter romances being published and written, especially among erotic romance publishers/authors. I love shapeshifers. I love writing them and I love reading them. For kicks, since I’m currently wrapping up a shapeshifter romance (working title: Mark of the Beast), I thought I’d list the top ten reasons why I find them so appealing.
10. It’s a fun and unique challenge to make a somewhat over-done plot device different from what’s been done already.
9. I find shapeshifters like bears, wolves and large felines really sexy. A muscular, alpha man who morphs into a wolf or puma…or dragon? Yum!
8. There are so many possibilities when your characters can change into any animal you can imagine. As a writer, there’s nothing more exciting than exploring a new and exciting direction in your writing.
7. It’s pure fantasy, an escape. And if there’s one thing I look for when I read, it’s escape from my very nice but very ordinary life.
6. Shapeshifters are sexy!
5. Many of my favorite authors write shapeshifter romances. And many of these authors are prolific. I will never reach the bottom of my TBR stack.
4. I was a natural sciences major in college and I find it’s fascinating to explore the scientific aspects of how a shapeshifter might be created.
3. The psychology of how a character might deal with discovering the man/woman they love is part wolf/bear/whatever adds a new and interesting conflict to the story.
2. Especially in the case of heroes, there is often a balance between the more dangerous qualities they’ve acquired from their animal sides (sensuality and instinct) and the more appealing aspects from their humanity, like courage, loyalty and devotion. I love reading about complex characters that are both loveable and dangerous.
1. And did I mention they’re sexy?
Do you love shapeshifters? Why or why not? What are your favorite shapeshifter books? I’ll draw a name from those responding to receive a download of one of my books, winner’s choice.
UPDATE! Congratulations to Paula (post #28)! You’ve won a free download of one of my books. Please email me at tawnytaylor@sbcglobal.net for your prize!
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My favorite shapeshifter books are Karen Whiddon’s One Eye Open and One Eye Closed about shapeshifters who can turn into wolves. I definitely love shapeshifters!
I like to read about shapeshifters because I love the idea that one could turn into some kind of animal. I’ve never been a great fan of werewolf stories or Red Riding Hood, but I like Karen Whiddon’s shapeshifter books because in them the ability to turn into an animal is seen as a good thing and not as some kind of curse.
by Minna
on May 31st, 2006 at 7:47 am
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Oh! Sounds great. I haven’t read Karen Whiddon’s books. I’ll have to add her to my TBB list. Thanks for sharing, Minna!
by Tawny Taylor
on May 31st, 2006 at 9:39 am
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My favorite are Sherrilyn Kenyons were-hunter books. I like the human/animal conflict within themselves and others. Don’t put me in the draw Tawny, I don’t have the equipment to do ebooks.
by Dena
on May 31st, 2006 at 10:37 am
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I love shapeshifters for most of the same reasons you mentioned. I’m a big fantasy fan (Terry Brooks, Ursula LeGuin, Anne McCaffery) so when you add romance in the element I’m hooked.
I get to read some of Loribelle Hunt’s work (I won her book) so I LOVE the werewolf stuff.
Can’t wait for “Mark of the Beast” to come out.
Great blog topic, Tawny.
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Thanks for posting your thoughts, Dena. Won’t put you in the drawing. I hate to admit I haven’t read Kenyon’s books yet, despite the fact that everyone I talk to at the bookstore RAVES about them. Too many books. Too little time!
And thanks for your post, Jennifer! Hunt’s book sounds fabulous! I hope you enjoy it! I can’t wait to get my copy. Another book for the TBR pile 
by Tawny Taylor
on May 31st, 2006 at 10:54 am
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I enjoy shapeshifter books. I am a fan of paranormal and fantasy books. I can recommend Master of the Moon by Angela Knight. I also enjoyed Shield of the Sky by Susan Krinard. Your ebook Dragons and Dungeons was also very good. I know what you mean about so many books and so little time Tawny. I have the same problem. I am hoping I can do some catch up on my vacation time.
by Cherie Japp
on May 31st, 2006 at 11:01 am
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Thanks for the kind compliment on my book. Angela Knight’s a FANTASTIC author. LOVE her. Haven’t read Krinard’s book yet. Another author I’ve enjoyed–who’s recently gone NY–is Christine Warren. Loved her “Fix” series. Her most recent book, Wolf at the Door, was St. Martin’s Press, but her earlier shapeshifters were published by Ellora’s. Funny and sexy! Great reads!
by Tawny Taylor
on May 31st, 2006 at 11:07 am
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Sherrilyn Kenyon got me into werewolves (the way they can smell your fear and desire is so sexy) and I’ve since fallen in love with other shapeshifters. I especially love their primal appetite, protectiveness and possessiveness where their lifelong mate is concerned.
by Jenny
on May 31st, 2006 at 11:13 am
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I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE shapeshifters. I’m a particular fan of wolves myself, however I don’t have anything against other shifters! The growling of the wolves just gets me… *shudder* lol.
I love Lora Leigh’s shifters. Man, her Breeds are so hot. Jaci Burton’s are great too. But there are SO many I could name! lol
by KatieW
on May 31st, 2006 at 11:17 am
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I am a fan of all kinds of romance, shapeshifters are right up there with the werewolf & vampires. I love paranormal & fantasy books. I also love medieval & historical, just as long as there is a good romance involved. Doesn’t hurt if there is a little or lots of sex in the book the more the better. But the main thing is to have a good romance story.
by Tammy G.
on May 31st, 2006 at 11:46 am
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I love shapeshifter books. My favorites change with my mood, but most of my recent favorite reads have been shifters!
by Karen
on May 31st, 2006 at 12:02 pm
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#6 is definately right…Shapeshifters are sexy!
by Ali
on May 31st, 2006 at 12:16 pm
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I love shapeshifters. I agree with #7. My favorites are Wolf Tales by Kate Douglas, Lorie O’Clare’ Lunewolf Series and Cariboo Lunewulf Series, and Judy Mays Heat series.
by Amy S.
on May 31st, 2006 at 12:22 pm
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I agree totally about SK’s were-hunters. Love that whole “hunter” series…..
Yummy!!!!
Charlaine Harris’ shifters are rather interesting, also. I used to really enjoy the Anita Blake series..until the last few. And MJ Davidson…love her wolves!!!
Cherie- I just took 4 days off work and actually got to read five whole books!!! It was heaven….. 
by angie
on May 31st, 2006 at 12:28 pm
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Oooh, I love Lora’s breeds, too, KatieW. But they’re not really shifters, are they?
by Ali
on May 31st, 2006 at 12:29 pm
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I love shapeshifters. They are so hot! The heroine really can have a tiger in her bed. I mean, rowr.
Favorite shifter book: MaryJanice Davidson’s “Derik’s Bane.”
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I love shapeshifters because, you’re right, it’s nice to read about an alpha male, all muscular and yummy, morphing into a wolf or other animal. Plus, these animals seem to have a protective instinct that I just love *g*. A couple of my favorite shapeshifter books are from Arianna Hart, Silver Fire and Sable Flame.
by Ali
on May 31st, 2006 at 12:55 pm
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Ali - true, very true, not really shifters lol. 
Wasn’t really thinking…
by KatieW
on May 31st, 2006 at 1:04 pm
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Yes, Lora’s breeds don’t really qualify as shifters, but they do have that sexy combination–dangerous animal instincts and loveable human qualities.
I loved MaryJanice’s wolves too! Hot shifters combined with snappy laugh-out-loud dialogue is an all-time favorite combo. I’ll never get tired of reading stories like that.
by Tawny Taylor
on May 31st, 2006 at 2:00 pm
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I really enjoy shapeshifter books, especially Angela Knight and Sherrilyn Kenyon.
Also enjoy books by Nina Bangs.
by Estella Kissell
on May 31st, 2006 at 3:51 pm
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I love shifters. I’ve only read a few werewolf books but lately I’ve been on a dragon kick, buying books about dragon shifters.
by Maria
on May 31st, 2006 at 4:27 pm
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Hi Tawny,
I really love shape-shifter romances. No matter if they are werewolves, big cats or dragons etc. I love them all.
by Danny
on May 31st, 2006 at 6:44 pm
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Shapeshifter heroes are appealing for all of the reasons that you gave in your post. I was first drawn to them reading the early Laurell K Hamilton books.
by little lamb lost
on May 31st, 2006 at 7:58 pm
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I am addicted to shapeshifter novels. I started out reading werewolf horror, but when I discovered werewolf and shapeshifter romance…oh, mama! 
There’s no going back, I tell you. My favorite shapeshifter series is by Celeste Anwar. Her cajun werewolves are hot!
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Ooh, Cajun werewolves…brings to mind accents, and I just love a man with an accent
by Ali
on May 31st, 2006 at 8:20 pm
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You know I have to agree with Tammy G. on this one, as long as it has some hot moments then any thing else is just a bonus.
by Bobbie M.
on May 31st, 2006 at 10:36 pm
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OMG, look at all these terrific posts!
I’m thinking whoever wins the drawing is going to want a copy of one of my shapeshifters I’ll give it a couple more hours and then draw a name. Good luck to everyone! I see I have some books to add to my TBB list…Cajun werewolves. That sounds YUMMY!
by Tawny Taylor
on June 1st, 2006 at 7:52 am
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OMG, yes… I love shapeshifters. I’m a big fan of paranormal/fantasy romance, and there’s something really attractive about shapeshifters.
Maybe because they pack an extra wallop of potential because of their predator side. Or maybe because that side makes the line between heroes and villains a little more vague. Maybe it’s both. Shapeshifters are hot: very much alive, very much full of energy.
by Paula
on June 1st, 2006 at 9:02 am
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I have never read a shapeshifter so I really can’t put my two cents in there. I love the paranormals with werewolves and vampires. I think shapeshifters would be really cool so i will be on the lookout for one of those listed here. Thanks for all the suggestions.
by Billie Langston
on June 1st, 2006 at 11:26 am
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Congratulations, Paula! You are the winner of the drawing for a free download of one of my books. Please email me at tawnytaylor@sbcglobal.net for your prize!
by Tawny Taylor
on June 1st, 2006 at 3:10 pm
