"Shifty Behavior"

Traveling the world is one way to gain insight about the little things we may be taking for granted within our culture. A good Shape shifters story is another.

At their best Shape shifters take us to a world where our own desires and values are magnified and reflected back to us. The males of the Shape shifter world are invariably fiercely masculine, protective and loyal to their mates. Commitment issues are never an issue for these rogue creatures once their true mate comes along, all doubt evaporates and it’s commitment unto death. Many authors have even written mortality causes into the deal-he literally will die of heartache without his mate.

That ought to keep him on a short leash. lol.

Of course this is a reflection of women’s deepest desire to have some iron clad guarantees in love. We can’t always have them in real life but a fictional romp can help us fill in the blanks or at least fill out a wish list.

But why the current trend toward ever-stranger pairings of lovers? Some of these wolf, dragon, and leopard paramours would have left our grandmothers gob smacked and bewildered. Is the guy next door that much of a let down? Apparently he is… Women are the vanguards of cultural shifts. Our minds and our hearts are open to change and our taste in fiction reflects that.

Some Anthropologist speculate early humans learned how to organize as a social group by imitating the success of their rival neighbors-the wolves. So does it follow that in a chaotic world where our every ideal and all of our social structures are under major reconstruction that Shape Shifters, especially wolves, should emerge as desirable partners? Wolf men, Leopard men and Tigermen -any warm-blooded predator will do just as long as he brings out the best within the human contract.

Are there any Bear shifters out there or is that too close to everyday reality? Would anyone even notice if some big, hairy guys “shifted” into Bears? Bear-men might sit on the couch unnoticed for hours…

Women are the real Shape Shifters. Look at what we’ve all been through. Look at the challenges we’ve faced. None of us are living in the same world we were born into. Our world shifted under our feet and we came out the other side as changed creatures who deserve some respect, loyalty and a social contract that favors us.

I think the core reason why this genre is so popular is because Shape Shifters of any ilk provide a steamy outlet for our newly revved up animal souls.

If you like Shaper-Shifters, what’s your favorite type of Shifter and why?

XXOO Katalina Leon.