As you can see, I'm doing a bit of a theme this month. Vampires last week, shapeshifters today. I could do a whole month on the various kinds of shifters, but no matter how much they might protest, I'll line them all up here together.
The ruggedly handsome were-creature driven by instinct. There's something incredibly alluring about a mix of man and animal. Alpha males are hard to resist even if they can be possessive and territorial. There are mysterious and magical shifters who aren't driven by their animals, but by a need to protect that sassy girl who has gotten herself in way over her head. Oh, don't forget the shifters who can change into other people. Becoming someone else can lead into a mess that even the best soap opera couldn't top.
Not so surprisingly, werewolves top the list of the most popular shifters. In fact, they're more in demand than vampires these days. Most cultures have werewolf myths and there are various ways a person can become one. The most common one in paranormal romance is the bite. Not quite as sensual as a vampire's bite, but it says something about the mindset of the audience. A werewolf can be born from one or two werewolf parents. A person can use a wolf's skin and transform into one or drink water from the animal's paw print. A curse or a Satanic pact. There are myths that say sleeping under the full moon can make a person shift.
What is your favorite shapeshifter? Do you like the traditional western myth or do you prefer something out of the ordinary?
