Ice Age Shifters by Carol Van Natta.

Today it’s my pleasure to feature Carol Van Natta, author of Ice Age Shifters. Enjoy as we roll back the clock to 1993 and learn more about this fascinating series.

What Did You See in 1993?

By Carol Van Natta

Where were you in 1993, and what did you do for entertainment?

Shifter Mate Magic, the first book in my Ice Age Shifters paranormal romance series, is set in 1993. I had fun walking down memory lane when I was researching the time period to get the right details.

Music to Drive By

The hero of Shifter Mate Magic is Trevor. In addition to being a prehistoric bear shifter, he is an independent truck driver. He listened to a lot of music on the road, including new hits “Soul to Squeeze” by Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Are You Gonna Go My Way?” by Lenny Kravitz, and “I Would Do Anything for Love” by Meat Loaf.

The heroine of the story, Jackie, grew up in Texas, where they play a lot of country music. She’s human, but knows the secret the hidden magical world. She heard Reba McEntire & Vince Gill’s “The Heart Won't Lie,” Mariah Carey’s "Dreamlover," and John Michael Montgomery’s “I Love The Way You Love Me.”

It was a banner year for lyrics, such as Sheryl Crow’s “Leaving Las Vegas” and Sting’s “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You.” The catchy outlier, “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm” by Crash Test Dummies, proved that authors aren’t the only artists who have trouble coming up with titles. ;-) Everyone was still listening to Whitney Houston’s mega-platinum 1992 cover of a Dolly Parton song, “I Will Always Love You.”

Me? When I wasn’t listening to musical theatre soundtracks and international folk, I was listening to Jane Siberry and k.d. lang’s heartfelt “Calling All Angels.” Heavens, but those two women can sing!

Movies to Live By

Trevor’s job meant he didn’t see many movies—motels didn’t offer in-room VCRs with tapes, and the sleeper section of his truck didn’t have a TV.

Jackie, on the other hand, is a big movie buff. New films out in 1993 were Schindler’s List, which won many well-deserved accolades, including 7 Academy Awards.The other big hit was Jurassic Park, which took home no Academy Awards but sure did take a T-Rex-sized bite out of the box office.

I loved the campy fun of Army of Darkness, starring the comedically gifted Bruce Campbell, and Addams Family Values because of Raul Julia and all the fantastic quotable quotes. (Popular girl Amanda, volunteering for a water lifesaving demonstration: “I'll be the victim!” Wednesday Addams: “All your life.”) 

The World at Your Fingertips...Sort Of

The internet and the World Wide Web were just around the corner. In the meantime, you could sign up for bulletin board services such as Genie and AOL and connect over a phone line via modem. Home PCs were barely affordable (and their specs are laughably bad when compared to even today’s smartphones). User files were stored on easily hidden floppy disks. A plot point in Shifter Mate Magic turns on the fact that heroine Jackie knows this (hint, hint).

WiFi wasn’t even on the horizon, except in the fertile minds of science fiction authors. Trevor is justifiably pleased with his brand new cellular phone that puts him ahead of the competition. It is also the weight and size of a brick and needs the power of his truck to make it work.

Here’s a little excerpt from Shifter Mate Magic in which Trevor uses his phone. His aunt calls with a warning and advice to get him and the woman he rescued—then had to let go—to safety.

EXCERPT:

The ringing of his cellular phone nearly made him leap out of his seat. He reduced his speed and pulled into the right lane, then answered the call using the hands-free speakers he and an electrician friend had rigged.

“Trevor, what are you doing?”

“Aunt Straya? Are you okay?” She disliked phones in general, and only used them for emergencies.

“That’s what I called to ask you.” Cellular phones were a modern miracle, but they made everyone sound like they were in the bottom of a well. “Auris came pounding on my door, wailing about signs and portents. I thought she’d been sampling the fairy moondew again, but she’s sober as a judge.” No one knew what Auris was running from, and she was more than a bit of a drama queen, but his aunt didn’t discriminate against the lost and unwanted who found their way into her woods.

“What did she say?” asked Trevor.

“That you and your mate need to find sanctuary before the full moon, or your blood will paint the canyons. What’s this about a mate, and why do I have to hear it from Auris?” To his aunt, the news about a mate would be much more important than the threat on his life.

He suppressed a frustrated noise. “It’s complicated.” He told her about the disastrous first meeting and what little he knew.

“You always did pick the hardest path up the mountain.” Trevor rolled his eyes. He preferred peace and quiet, but the fates seemed to have other plans for him. “Best you get yourself and your woman to Kotoyeesinay as soon as you can. Ask for sanctuary the moment you cross the glade’s border. The elves will hear you.”

“I will.”

“Bring her here, afterward. I want to meet the woman who has your measure.”

Trevor gave an audible growl. “I will not. You’ll show her your photo album, and she’ll laugh at me the rest of my life.”

“You need laughter. Drive safe.” As usual, when his aunt was done talking, she simply hung up.

-----------------

Carol Van Natta is a USA TODAY bestselling science fiction and fantasy author. Works include the award-winning Central Galactic Concordance space opera series and the Ice Age Shifters paranormal romance series. She shares her Fort Collins, CO home with a sometime mad scientist and various equally eccentric cats. If she ever gets to explore the stars or find a magical sanctuary town, she’s taking them all with her. Find her on the web at Author.CarolVanNatta.com or Facebook.com/CarolVanNattaAuthor. Sign up for her author newsletter to find out about new releases and more at bit.ly/CVN-news.

Shifter Mate Magic (Ice Age Shifters #1): Lonely bear shifter Trevor meets his mate. Jackie is running for her life and doesn’t have time for romance. Can she trust the sexy bear shifter to get them both to a magical sanctuary town in time? 

https://books2read.com/u/4787E8    

Shift of Destiny (Ice Age Shifters #2): Moira doesn’t believe in magic, despite being chased by a crazy billionaire for her supposed “gifts.” Chance, prehistoric lion shifter, believes in Moira, his true mate. He’s determined to protect her and help her find the magic in her blood. But even a top predator can’t guess the lengths to which a desperate billionaire will go to get what he wants. https://books2read.com/u/31xYVv

Heart of a Dire Wolf (Ice Age Shifters #3): Skyla, dire wolf shifter, and Nic, sexy tiger shifter, recognize their true mate in each other. Problem is, they’re prisoners of an underground auction. To stay together, they must escape captivity, avoid ruthless hunters, and solve the mystery of a hidden sanctuary town before greedy wizards take everything—including them. https://books2read.com/u/mqZwv8

Dire Wolf Wanted (Ice Age Shifters #4): The magical world stands on the brink of war, unless two extraordinary shifters can bridge the gulf between them. Dire wolf shifter Rayne Chekal works to take down an illegal auction house that trafficks in shifters. Arvik Inuktan, secret mythic shifter, infiltrated the auction staff with the same mission. The attraction is instant... and impossible. War is coming. When Rayne and Arvik meet on the battlefield, can they overcome their differences and work together to stop the evil, or will this war engulf the magical world? https://books2read.com/u/boZknR 

Sizzling Passion. Fated Mates. Viking's Conquest. #mustread

Waving hello! Hope you’re having a wonderful summer so far. As always, I’m writing like crazy with lots of releases coming up. Today, I’m thrilled to announce Rokar and Tess’s story has finally arrived. Their tale really touched me, and early readers have loved it, so I hope you will too. They’re such a great couple. Well worth spending time with. 

About the Book

An alpha Viking dragon shifter and his destined mate face their demons in a scorching romance about second chances.

Tormented by her past, Tess hits the open road, and never looks back until she’s forced through time to medieval Scandinavia. Caught in an unraveling prophecy, the only way she can defeat the enemy is to take a mate. But first, she must work through heart-wrenching memories. What she doesn't expect is navigating her rocky history alongside a man as broken as her. A Viking who offers not just solace but sparks untouchable desire.

Though determined to end his rival without becoming mated, Viking Rokar Sigdir begins thinking differently when Tess joins him on his quest and awakens feelings he thought long dormant. Yet with passion and a chance to start anew comes dark flashbacks of losing his kin and the unimaginable pain it caused. A misery he fears repeating.

Will Rokar and Tess be able to let their pasts go so they can end their nemesis and share a future? Or are some things just too hard to overcome? Find out as they journey through time and turbulent memories on a fast-paced, otherworldly adventure that becomes not just a conquest of their enemy but of their grief-stricken souls.

Universal Amazon Purchase Link- getbook.at/VikingsConquest

Excerpt

“How did you and Helga meet, anyway?” Tess began walking again. “Or did you grow up together?”

He seemed relieved to speak of lighter things as he joined her. “I met Helga when visiting an allied tribe.” The corner of his mouth inched up. “She was dancing the first time I saw her.”

How ironic. “Do you like dancing then?”

“I did after I met her.” His crooked grin grew a little. “I was very clumsy, but she didn’t seem to mind.”

“Clumsy?” She chuckled. “But you’re a dragon! We’re the epitome of grace.”

“In dragon form,” he agreed. “But I was not so graceful in human form.”

She arched her brows and eyed him. “So you dance well now?”

“I dance…less poorly.”

She chuckled again, detecting a bit of humor lurking beneath all his baggage. “So you saw Helga dancing. Then what?”

“I waited until she was done dancing then approached her.” His gaze went to the trees swaying in the wind. “She continually tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, but the wind kept blowing it across her face as she smiled at me for the first time.” He absently rubbed his fingers together as though he remembered what her hair felt like. “Eventually, I tucked it back for her.”

“Funny the things we remember,” Tess murmured, rubbing her fingers together as well. “I recall the feel of Axle’s leather jacket, the scent of cigar smoke clinging to it. That was my first thought when we finally started chatting. He smoked cigars, and I smoked cigarettes back then…bad combo…mostly cuz I hate the smell of cigars.” She shook her head and spoke without thinking. “I should’ve known then we were a match made in Hell.”

“I don’t smoke anything,” he divulged, wonderfully frank. “But I enjoy drinking.”

“Me too,” she echoed then relented. “Though I might’ve leaned on it a little too heavily lately.” She shrugged a shoulder, not about to apologize. “Or not. Who knows.”

“We all cope with things how we will.” He sounded unapologetic. “I have barely spoken to my kin over the past two years and as you know, shut them out entirely telepathically…until recently.”

“Right,” she said. “Because of me?”

“So it seems,” he conceded. “Yours was the first voice I’ve heard in my head in a long time. Once that happened, it seemed natural to allow my kin back in.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear that,” she said. “And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry I busted into your mind without permission.” She met his eyes, guilty though she had no choice. “I had no control over it.”

“You mean your dragon took over?”

“I assume so,” she replied. “Considering we’re supposedly fated mates, right?”

He nodded and looked at her with hesitation, clearly wondering if he should say what he was thinking. 

“What is it, Rokar?” she asked. When he started to shake his head, she urged him on. “You’re the one who said we needed to start somewhere so don’t hold back.”

He hesitated another moment before he relented. “I did not mind.”

“Didn’t mind what?” she prompted when he didn’t go on.

Struggling, he finally said, “You…”

She almost grinned. Was he being bashful? “Me?”

“Yes, you,” he stated bluntly.

She couldn’t help another chuckle as she tried to draw him out. “Me, what, Rokar?”

“You.” He sighed and looked at her like she should know what he was talking about. “I was glad you entered my mind without permission.”

He went to say more but snapped his mouth shut, evidently finished sharing. At least in this regard.

“I’m glad too,” she revealed and meant it. “I like the feel of you within my mind.”

The minute she said it she regretted it mostly because it sounded like she was undermining Helga and she hadn’t meant to do that.

“You do?”

His question caught her off guard. “Of course.”

Had Helga rattled his confidence that badly? While typically she’d find that unattractive in a man, preferring a tough-as-nails sort, she knew deep down Rokar was plenty tough. He was just wounded and vulnerable in a way she understood. So she stopped and told him something a woman should have told him long before her. She gave it to him straight.

In fact, her dragon gave it to him even straighter.

“You sound amazing in a woman’s mind, Rokar,” she said. “Your inner voice is wanna-spread-my-thighs-for-you sexy, and your essence is wrap-around-the soul warm fuzzies, all ‘the feels,’ protective. Not to mention—”

That’s all she got out before he proved he did, in fact, possess a good deal of confidence.

He yanked her close and kissed her hard.   

                

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Kindle Countdown- Viking's Valor #pnr #mustread

WHOA! A Viking love triangle! Crazy about time travel? Dragons? Scorching romance? Viking’s Valor (Viking Ancestors: Rise of the Dragon, Book 2) is only .99 cents for a few days!

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About the Book

Cursed by her dragon ancestor, Sage is at the root of a burgeoning prophecy that threatens her sisters. The only way to protect them is to leave Winter Harbor, Maine, and travel back in time to tenth century Scandinavia. Back to Håkon and Leif, the men she left behind. Two warriors pitted against each other to win her over so they might strengthen their position in an ongoing war. Yet when she arrives, she's captured by someone else entirely.

Set to annihilate his nemesis before he wreaks havoc and claims Sage as his own, Viking Håkon Sigdir pursues Leif. Until Sage is taken by Magnus of the Årud tribe. It then becomes a race to see who can save her first from the enemy's rogue ally. A race that turns into a battle of wills as their rivalry for Sage intensifies.

Sparks fly as an age-old vendetta ignites a love triangle that threatens not just the fate of Håkon's people but his very heart. Will Sage ultimately choose him or Leif? Will she see past the dark enchantment affiliated with her ancestor's prophecy and realize who is destined for her? Better yet, will she see clearly the evil imposter? Because if she falls for Leif's mock heroism rather than Håkon's genuine valor, the war will be lost.

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Teaser...

Håkon’s eyes slid to Sage as everyone gathered their possessions and began disembarking. It was one thing to try to keep her from touching his tattoo, but how would he ever dare lie with her now that he knew how easily Leif could take over his body. The very idea made his inner dragon rear up in territorial rage.

Clearly sensing his thoughts, Sage’s hand slipped into his, and she didn’t let go when he tried to pull away. “No.” Her eyes met his. “No pulling away from me, Håkon. Not when I want to touch you. Not when I want to offer you and your dragon comfort.”

Though she was trying to tell him she had not let Leif get to her, he knew better.

“You think you know better,” she murmured, still following his thoughts. “But you don’t.” She shook her head. “What happened back there was my body’s response to your body. My dragon’s response to you. Not to Leif. There’s a difference, and you need to separate it. Because if you don’t, you’re feeding right into what he’s trying to do. Drive a wedge between us so that I’m more susceptible to him.”

“But you are,” he said as they traveled into a tunnel at the back of Magnus’ cave. “He was hand-picked to attract you, Sage. Hand-picked to appeal to your dragon.”

“I guess.” She frowned and shook her head. “But I can tell you this much. Whatever his appeal may be, it’s not nearly as strong as yours.” Her voice grew softer. “He’s not constantly on my mind. I’m not interested in getting to know him better…” Her eyes met his. “Much better.”

“Because you are not with him all the time like you are me,” he said, determined to make sure she continued to be reasonable even as his inner dragon roared with triumph at her words.

“You’re supposed to be trying to win me over,” she reminded. “Not pushing me away.”

“I am trying to win you over,” he said softly. “The right way.”

“I get that.” A grateful glint lit her eyes. “And I appreciate it.” She stopped and faced him, allowing enough room for others to pass as she stepped closer and narrowed her eyes on his. “But maybe it’s time for you to stop being such a nice guy and fight fire with fire.”

“You want me to act like Leif,” he murmured, troubled. “You would prefer that?”

“I didn’t say act like Leif. You’re not a heartless barbarian.” She rested her hand on his chest. “But you are a strong Viking dragon who has never let another male shake your confidence. Especially not a rival male.”

“He has shaken my confidence with good reason,” he managed, ignoring Davyn’s wink and grin as he passed, leaving them alone in the light of Håkon’s torch. “He can get to you through me.”

“So far, here and there,” she said softly, shifting even closer. “But maybe because in some strange way I’ve let him by keeping you at a distance. Maybe he’s found a loophole in our whole dating process.”

“Dating?” Despite himself, he couldn’t help a small grin. “Is that what you would call all the havoc we have experienced since meeting?”

“I don’t know that it’s been all havoc.” She met his grin as she stepped so close she had to tilt her head to keep their eyes together. Her voice was a little breathless and flirtatious as the mint in her luminous eyes danced in the firelight. “But it’s definitely been exciting.”

Somewhere way in the back of his mind, he knew he should stop this, but neither his human or dragon half listened as she stood on her tip-toes and pulled his mouth down to hers. The moment their lips touched, his dragon roared in approval, and he yanked her close. He wasn’t gentle like he’d been up to this point, but aggressive with the inherent need to claim her.

To make her his.

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Kindle Countdown-Viking King's Vendetta #pnr #mustread

Love Vikings? Time travel? Sizzling romance? Smokin’ hot dragon shifters? *pun intended* ;-) Viking King’s Vendetta (Viking Ancestors: Rise of the Dragon, Book 1), is only .99 CENTS for a few days!

Grab your copy→viewbook.at/VikingKingsVendetta

About the Book

Taking a few months to reflect on what she truly wants from life, Emily returns to her family home in Winter Harbor, Maine. Yet she should have known her ties with ancient Scandinavia and those with dragon blood would catch up with her. Moreover, that her connection with the man she loves would be impossible to ignore. Something soon proved when he pulls her back in time to tenth century Norway.

Determined to help his people defeat a dark prophecy, Viking Sven Sigdir returns to his homeland to find two regions minus their beloved kings. Leaderless, both clans look to Sven to rule. Though willing to rise up, he must first uncover the root of the prophecy. That means reuniting with the woman who holds his heart and setting forth on a perilous journey.

Sven and Emily navigate not only their feelings for one another but the burgeoning prophecy that might take it all away. Will they be able to conquer their new adversary before it’s too late? Or is this just the beginning of something that will change life as they know it? Find out in Viking King's Vendetta, an action-packed time travel romance full of adventure, epic battles, sizzling passion, unexpected twists and powerful Viking dragon-shifters.

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Excerpt

“I need to go to Sven.” She worked to remain strong and level, rather than let emotions get the better of her. “How is he?”

“As to be expected,” Samantha replied.

She knew full well what ‘as to be expected’ meant when it came to Sven. He was somewhere alone whittling wood deep in thought, not sharing a darn thing with anyone. So imagine her surprise when they arrived, and she heard him roaring orders.

“Loki’s hell,” she muttered before she sprinted through the village in his direction. She ran past cottages with their long sloping roofs and a medieval society that had long been her own. Though many murmured hello, there was no missing the somber feel of the place.

Determined to at least stop Sven’s ranting, she rushed in the front door of the main lodge and stopped short. Though she had intended to race into his arms and hug him like she had always done, she did nothing of the sort.

No, she just stared at him.

Dressed in black pants, heavy boots, and a black leather jerkin, he raked a hand through his ebony hair as he paced. Though he had always been extraordinarily handsome, he was more so now. Was he always so tall and broad? Did he always carry himself with such confidence? His features had always been striking, but even they seemed to have changed. Matured somehow into a face that made her breath catch and her heart skip a beat. 

His turbulent cobalt blue eyes turned her way. “Emily.”

That was it. That was all he said in a voice deeper than she recalled. But it was all she needed to snap out of her reverie and fly into his arms despite the annoying and very sudden shyness she felt. He didn’t say anything just wrapped her up in his arms like he had always done. Yet, not surprisingly, even that felt different. More encompassing.

That’s when she realized she was home.

It wasn’t the village or even the people but him. She pressed her cheek against his chest and inhaled deeply. She had missed his scent. Spruce, and woodland. Him. Sven. Her best friend.

“You are here,” he finally murmured, clearly relieved as he cupped her cheeks then brushed his lips across her forehead, just like he had always done. His eyes met hers. “I was worried about you.”

“Me too…I was worried…” She pressed her lips together, rallying her strength when she wanted to sob in relief. Now wasn’t the time for that. Like Samantha said, he needed her to be strong. That’s how they worked. If she was faltering, he was strong for her and vice versa. That was their thing.

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