Thanks so much to Carmel for having me here today as part of Stomp vs. Romp! Team Stomp all the way 😉
The lupine shifters in my Moon Shifter series come from a background of violence and fighting. Before they revealed themselves to the human world and fully integrated into ‘civilized’ society, shifters, vampires and the fae all battled each other at one time or another in their very long history. Usually over land, but the reasons don’t really matter. The important thing is, they know what it takes to survive.
The majority of my main characters in the first four books of the series are lupine shifters and when they fight, it’s usually in wolf form. There are exceptions, especially with two of my characters who prefer to battle in human form. No matter the form, the way they fight isn’t choreographed or pretty. I like my battles gritty and bloody because it has a more realistic feel to it.
The fight scenes in the Bourne trilogy (well, they’re making a new one so I don’t know if it’s considered a trilogy anymore) are raw in a way that I love watching for inspiration. If you’ve seen the movies, maybe you’ll remember the scene between Bourne and Desh in the Bourne Ultimatum. Anything is a weapon and there’s no such thing as fighting fair. I love it when Desh tries to take Bourne out with a freaking candlestick and Bourne jabs him with a book in the throat. The scene is so fast and brutal and each of their moves is very economic, neither wanting to give an inch. There’s also no talking, which is something that annoys me in fight scenes. I can see some trash talk beforehand, but when you’re in the thick of it, no one is going to be chatting.
Though I’m not a martial arts expert or trained in any sort of fighting (I wish I was a badass ninja though), I’ve taken self-defense classes, I’ve read up on various fighting techniques (and hell yes, I watch movies) and I also turn to people like my husband and some of his coworkers/former military friends for advice. My husband was in the military and is now in law enforcement and his hand to hand combat skills are impressive. The first time he told me he wanted to ‘show me some moves’ and try to teach me some self-defense I thought he’d go easy on me. Um, not so much. So while I’m not a kick-ass fighter, I love writing fight scenes because of the emotions they evoke. Each one is a roller coaster for me. When someone is fighting for their life or fighting to protect someone they love, they’re pumped up on adrenaline and their reactions are absolutely primal. I think (or hope) that I inject that intensity into my fight scenes.
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Author Bio Katie fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it. However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After graduating summa cum laude with a degree in psychology and working too many jobs she hated, she finally figured things out. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. Her publishers include Carina Press, Harlequin Nocturne, Ellora’s Cave and NAL/Signet Eclipse (Penguin). Regardless of genre, she always includes a happy ending. When she’s not creating stories she loves spending time with her husband and family. |
Fear has a scent. So does desire…
Ana Cordona has been a strong leader for the lupine shifters who survived after all the males and most of the females in her pack were mysteriously poisoned. As tough as she is, with no Alpha male, the pack is vulnerable to the devious shifter Taggart, who wants to claim both their ranch and Ana as his own. When Connor Armstrong comes back into her life, promising protection, it’s almost enough to make Ana forget how he walked out on her before—and reluctantly accept his offer to mate.
The minute Connor sees Ana again, it reawakens a raw hunger. He must have her for his bondmate—his wolf cries out for it. But his human side knows he must proceed with caution because of their complicated past. If he is to truly have her body and soul, he must go beyond his burning desire and win back her heart. Whatever it takes, he is determined not to leave her side again.
But Taggart and his rival pack are not their only enemies. A human element in town is targeting shifters. Their plan not only threatens Ana and Connor’s future, but the lives of the entire pack…
To protect her, he will unleash the beast within…
As his pack’s second-in-command, lupine shifter Liam Armstrong gives orders and takes what he wants—until he meets red-headed, blue-eyed December McIntyre. Liam knows the human beauty is his intended mate the moment he sees her, but December is far too strong-willed to accept his protection.
December, whose brother is the town sheriff, has every reason to mistrust shifters after one killed her youngest sibling. But the forceful and handsome Liam has gotten under her skin in a way she hadn’t thought possible, and the desire she feels for him is almost too much to bear.
When a radical hate group targets all humans known to sympathize with paranormal beings, December is attacked in her bookstore. Reluctantly, she turns to the only one who can help her: Liam. And he is going to take her to places within herself she never knew existed.
Read Stephanie Chong’s ROMP post and then VOTE via the poll on my sidebar on who you think should win today’s showdown!
Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
LOVED the trailer! Looks like a fantastic book, Thanks Carmel
I have the 1st book but I’ve not read it yet.
GO TEAM ROMP!
I LOVED the first book and can’t wait to read this one!
TEAM ROMP!!! 🙂
Great post, go Team Stomp! Looking forward to Primal Possession as well!
oops I accidently entered without noticing the US only sign sorry.
Go team Stomp! Thanks for having me, Carmel 🙂
I loved the trailer too! I already have my pre-order in for this one. I am stuck between the teams, but I tend to lean more toward Team Romp. Can’t we have both? Especially with the paranormal men, they usually like to fight and the get physical with their women. 😉
Congrats on your upcoming release, Katie!
@Carin Always happy to spread the werewolf love. 🙂
@Jennifer TheBookNympho Well then, what are you waiting for!? :p
@June M. LOL by having Katie represent Team Stomp I’m actually GIVING votes away. *sigh* Ooh well, she still rocks!
@Laurie YEAH BABY!!
@Gurlonthemove No worries, it happens. I’ve done it too.
@Katie Reus My pleasure. Thanks for taking a crack at an action post. 🙂
@Tina B Of course you can have both! Except during the month of August for Stomp vs. Romp. 😉
The trailer is well done, great music for it.
The Bourne books do have great fight scenes, and I love the movies. It feels real, just down and dirty getting the job done. So if that feeling is brought into Primal Posession…whew! I can’t wait!