Guest Post: Kerry Adrienne (Taming the Lion) ~ Excerpt

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Favorite Scene 

Thanks for having me guest! I appreciate it.

Taming the Lion was a book that went through a lot as I wrote it. My mom passed away, at 66, and that threw me for a loop. I actually stopped writing Taming the Lion and wrote Saving his Wolf to take a break and try to re-orient myself.

Even though I complain about first chapters, one of my favorite scenes to write was the very first one. I love how the first chapter of a new book has to set up everything that’s to come in the book, without being too heavy-handed. It’s not easy and I usually re-write the first chapter and tweak it multiple times before I can even move on to the second chapter. Even so, I end up going back to the first chapter time and again to drop in a hint, add a detail, or make sure I’m not telegraphing the ending.

In a romance, the hero and heroine often meet in the first chapter and that first meeting sets up everything. It’s so important. Taming the Lion is a true enemies-to-lovers book so the first meeting had an extra layer of emotion. Alicia is a bear shifter and healer and she comes across a lion wounded in battle. She’s faced with the choice of whether to kill him (which the bears expect), or heal him (which fulfills her healer oath). Suddenly, it’s not a theoretical moral decision. She has a dying lion in front of her and her actions directly impact whether he lives or dies. Add to that, he’s all tough and “I can handle myself” and she’s a little afraid he might kill her—though he can barely mouth off at her.

There were other fun scenes in Taming the Lion, especially after I got back on track. Any scene with Shoshannah, the ancestral spirit, is a lot of fun to write. She’s got Deep Creek in her hands and she’s evolved in the series to an integral part of the war. The final book, Claiming his Lioness, will have Shoshannah really step out of her role. I’m looking forward to that!

Thanks again for having me and letting me discuss a little about my writing process. I’m super happy this book is out in the world now. It was a long time coming. I hope readers enjoy it! 

Kerry Adrienne

 

 

Title: Taming the Lion

Author: Kerry Adrienne

Series: Shifter Wars

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date: August 14, 2017

Publisher: Carina Press

For Marco, heir to the lions’ throne, seizing control of the Cave of Whispers from the bear clan is more than just a quest—it’s fulfilling the legacy of his breed. But the latest crusade has left Marco gravely wounded in enemy territory and in the hands of Alicia, healer for the bears. An irresistibly sensuous adversary, Alicia presents a serious problem. She carries the scent of a mate.

Drawn to this dominant master of his den, Alicia knows her allegiance has been compromised. His brooding sexuality is testing her defenses, but falling in love with Marco means falling in league with a rival shifter. And turning her back on the bears in a time of war is a lethal move.

Two breeds united by destiny could inspire a peaceful new future for their opposing clans—or ignite the fiercest battle yet and destroy all of Deep Creek forever.

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An excerpt from TAMING THE LION

Copyright © Kerry Adrienne 2017

“Go away.” His voice barely a whisper on the thick summer air. “I’ll kill you.”

Alicia gripped the scalpel. She could slide it across his neck in a flash, and it’d be over. No one would have to know. A mercy killing, of sorts. Though she’d be lying to herself to categorize it as such.

Her grandmother’s words echoed. Alicia was a healer, not a killer.

From the looks of the lion’s shirt, already dark, yet now wet with blood, he might not recover even with her best efforts to save him. The scent of gunpowder and burnt flesh peppered the blood-laden air. The lions had left him to die under a bush in bear territory, shot in the shoulder.

She shook her head and settled to the ground on her knees. “I’m not going anywhere.” The strength of her voice hid her fear, though he might sense it anyway. His scent was that of a strong and confident shifter, even in his current state.

He looked at her.

She blinked, trying to calm the adrenaline rush that shot through her. His eyes, mesmerizing and wide, lured her in, and she couldn’t turn away. Deep green or maybe brown or even both, they were a color she’d never seen and his gaze was magnetic. Her mouth went dry.

He was her sworn enemy. Sexy, but injured.

She glanced to the sky, but didn’t see Grandmother Hawk. Typical. Recently, she’d started leaving Alicia to figure out the moral decisions on her own, trusting that she would make the right one.

Part of the training.

“Shit.” The scalpel had warmed in her hands, and the sun glinted off the blade in a flash of silvery-white. What would her grandmother do? No doubt, she’d help the lion. Maybe she wouldn’t tell the bears, who she was loyal to, but she’d never let a lion die if she could heal him. She’d never intentionally let anyone die on her watch.

“War is for the weak minded,” she’d always said. Alicia was beginning to think she was right. Why couldn’t shifters all get along?

Because the damn lions wanted the bears’ territory. If they’d stayed in their own area, none of the bloodshed would’ve happened. Even though Alicia had heard the stories of the lions and bears and wolves sharing the cave, the actuality felt as foreign as items in an ancient history book. As remote as a fairy tale.

Fantasy.

“Go.” He turned away, but she could still see the strain on his face as he winced.

His black hair, falling to his shoulders, was damp and matted. How early in the battle had he been wounded? He was bound to be dehydrated.

“I’m here to help. Like it or not.” She slid the scalpel into its sheath and back into the pocket of her pack. Her earlier assessment was correct. The lion was no threat at the moment. He could barely move. The rise and fall of his chest showed his respirations were high and labored. Blood loss was nearing the severe level.

He needed help before his body went into shock.

She looked back toward the trail to make sure she was alone. If Griff or Derek found out about him, the lion wouldn’t need help anymore and her time as medic would be over.

She’d worry about that another day. She had a lion to save. 

 

USA Today bestselling author Kerry Adrienne is repped by Marisa Corvisiero at Corvisiero Literary Agency. Kerry writes in many sub-genres of romance including paranormal, science fiction, erotic, m/m, time travel, and many more.

She loves history, science, music, and art and is the mom to three daughters, many cats, and various other small animals. She loves live music and traveling most anywhere. In addition to being an author, she’s a college instructor, artist, costumer, editor, and bad guitar player.

Connect with Kerry at: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon 

 

 

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I'm an outdoor sun loving reader living near San Fransisco. I’m a mother, wife, animal & book lover. I'm the owner, reviewer & mind behind Angel’s Guilty Pleasures. My favorite animals are horses & dogs. As for reading I love all things paranormal & urban fantasy & my favorite shifters are dragons.

10 comments on “Guest Post: Kerry Adrienne (Taming the Lion) ~ Excerpt

  1. That sounds like a fun start of the book! I do think that first chapters and the first meeting between the couple in a romance can really set the tone for the rets of the book.
    Lola recently posted…Review: Crazy Crab by Mark C. EvansMy Profile

    • I agree with you. Thank you for check out this GP and the book Taming the Lion.

  2. I need to catch up on this series! I read book 1 and enjoyed it, but then somehow missed book 2 and now book 3 is out!
    Samantha recently posted…Show me the Way by AL Jackson: Cover RevealMy Profile

    • I haven’t read her yet, but I’ve put all the books in this series on my TBR. I’ve also featured the books on the blog. I find the interesting and I’m curious to give her a try one of these days. Glad to see you enjoyed book 1. So many books, so little time ^_^.

  3. Oh wow, that really sounds good.
    Mary Kirkland recently posted…Review: Maple Holistics HoneyMy Profile

    • It does. Thank’s for checking out todays guest post with Kerry Adriene and her new release Taming the Lion.

  4. Great excerpt!! Shared on my socials!!!

    • Thank’s for checking out Taming the Lion and sharing.

  5. I’m new to her books but have just bought the first one in this series. I was very intrigued by the excerpt. Thanks for the chance as well.

    • That’s wonderful that seeing this post intrigued you enough to go out and get book one. I hope you enjoy. ^_^