Lisa Kessler | What Is It About a Shifter?

Hi everyone,

I’m excited to be back on Fresh Fiction to chat about my new release, BLOOD MOON. This is the third book in the Moon Series, but it’s easy to jump in if you haven’t read the others first. I fell in LOVE with writing these loyal, protective, and occasionally hot-headed men. Gareth is our hero for BLOOD MOON, but you’ll also get to see the rest of the Pack: Adam, Aren, Gareth, Jason, Jared, Logan and Luke. Each man is different, but they all care about each other and they’ve got each other’s backs when they need it most. But the Pack isn’t all… We’ve also got some jaguar shifters in the Moon Series. Some of the jaguar shifters work for the nefarious Nero Organization, but two jaguar females are now members of the Pack, blurring the lines between the two supernatural races.

I have so much fun writing this series, and Blood Moon was no exception. Gareth
is a Harley riding wolf with emotional wounds that have left him a lone wolf,
but Nadya is about to change all of that…

While these wolves might not always agree, they honor their Pack and fight to
keep them safe. The extra strength, and heightened senses don’t hurt either…

So what about you? What is it about a Shifter that keeps you coming back for more?

One commenter will receive an eBook copy of MOONLIGHT!

About BLOOD MOON

One bite can change you. And one kiss can change your destiny...

Nadya Dalca has been handed a death sentence. She's been bitten by the last
living genetically enhanced werewolf―part of the Nero Organization's
disastrous
Moonlight project. With the poisonous blood now coursing through her system and
pushing her to the limits, it is only a matter of time before Nadya's fate is
sealed...

Gareth Takoda told himself he couldn't get involved. Caught up in a maelstrom of
grief and bitterness, he has been isolating himself from his Pack. But when he
is charged with watching over Nadya's first transformation―or bear witness
should it go horribly wrong―Gareth is torn further by unwanted desire and the
need to protect what is his.

One kiss changes everything. One shattering, all-consuming kiss. And with it, Nadya and Gareth face either salvation...or death.

Excerpt from BLOOD MOON

“Are you on your way out? I can come back later.” The breeze tugged at her dark
hair and she tried to tame it behind her ear. “I shouldn’t have stopped by
without calling or something. Sorry about that.” She glanced at her shoes. “I’ll
just go.”

I groaned. No doubt this gorgeous empath sensed my annoyance the second the door
opened. Running my gloved hand down my face, I wrestled with what came next. Her
personal questions were the last thing I needed right now. I should’ve waited
for her to turn around and walk herself back home.

But it was after ten at night. I couldn’t let her go alone. It didn’t matter
that she was a werewolf now and probably very capable of protecting herself.
Bottom line, sending her home alone late at night went against every lesson my
father instilled in me as a boy.

I cleared my throat. “Is everything okay?”

She stopped and met my gaze. I’m no psychic, but I didn’t need to be to
recognize the sadness and pain on her face. What happened? This was the girl who
knew death had her number and smiled anyway. My gut twisted.

“I’m fine.” She shrugged, breaking eye contact. “Just couldn’t sleep and I
didn’t want to worry everyone.”

Almost forgot I was her go-to, don’t-give-a-shit wolf. I took a slow breath and
rolled my shoulders back. “I’m about to go for a ride. Want to come?”

Oh shit. What was happening here? I couldn’t reel the words back in now that I’d witnessed the smile on her face. That damned dimple in her cheek sent my better judgment out the window.

“I’d love to! I haven’t been on a motorcycle since I was a little girl riding
behind my dad.” She came closer and stared at my Harley. “There’s nowhere to sit.”

“Can you ride on your own?”

Was I seriously going to let her anywhere near Gabe’s bike?

“I’ve never done it before, but I probably could.”

Probably could after some lessons. Shit.

I got off my bike and went back inside. Standing in front of Gabe’s Road King, I
was grateful my leather gloves were already on, hiding the way my hands
trembled. This shouldn’t bother me. My brother was gone. Immortalizing his bike
like a museum artifact wouldn’t bring him back.

In fact, Gabe would probably be pissed that his bike hadn’t roared in almost a year.

I turned toward Nadya. “Some ground rules for tonight.”

Wariness shadowed her eyes. “All right.”

“No questions about my family. I’m riding to mellow out, not drudge up memories.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I waited for her answer. Maybe I wouldn’t have
to touch Gabe’s bike after all.

“Deal.” She nodded.

“Fine.” I went into my shop and came back with a modular helmet. I hated the
damned things, but it would cover her entire head, face, and chin. Safety first.
I also brought her a pair of leather gloves and a leather jacket. “Put these on.
It’ll be cold at the lake tonight.”

“We’re going up to Tahoe?” She pulled the jacket on and started on the gloves.

“No. Pyramid Lake.”

Tugging on her second glove, she reached for the helmet. “I’ve never heard of
it. Is it far?”

“Not really.” Holy shit, she looked amazing in leather. Damn. I ground my teeth together to rein in the unwelcome surge of lust. Remembering she was dying turned out to be the cold shower I needed. “It’s on the Paiute Reservation about forty-five minutes away.”

I tipped the Road King up, knocking the kickstand back while I gauged the
weight. I’d only ridden Gabe’s bike once, after I fixed the suspension and
replaced the shocks. Never thought I’d be rolling it out again.

Never thought I’d be taking anyone to Pyramid Lake, either.

Nadya followed me out of the garage, putting on her helmet. I lowered the door
and got on the black Road King. Sitting on the bike, I stared at the key in the
ignition. Gabe’s key.

“Ready?”

Her voice broke my fixation on the keys. I was ready for plenty, but a ride to the lake with Nadya on my brother’s bike wasn’t high on that list. Probably should’ve thought about that before I invited her along.

“Yeah, climb on.” I offered my gloved hand to steady her while she swung her leg
over the back. She slid into place, and even through the damned leather jacket I
could feel her soft curves against my back. “All set?”

“Yep.” Her voice was clear and closer to my ear than I expected.

I grabbed my black no-nonsense half helmet and snapped it on. She slid her
gloved hands around my waist, and my pulse throbbed below my belt. My body had
missed the memo that this wasn’t a date.

Death had his eye on this girl, and I’d already had more than my share of loss.

I turned the key and fired up the engine. The Road King roared to life as if it
hadn’t been sitting dormant for months. I glanced up toward the stars, toward my
brother. The world lost a bright light when he was murdered.

And still no justice. No one in the Pack even mentioned Gabe anymore, let alone
hunted his killer.

Not that I asked them to. What if killing Gabe’s murderer didn’t make the pain
go away? For now, the thought of justice gave me a flicker of hope. I wasn’t
willing to give that up. Moving to Colorado would be a new start. No more ghosts
around every curve.

“Hang on.” I put the bike in gear and we roared into the darkness.