Today’s piece of flair comes via the totally awesome Juliana Stone! She’s created a beautiful bracelet we’ll give away to one of the commenters to this post!

Her book, His Darkest Hunger, will be out in March of next year from Avon and I am DYING to read it!

Blurb for:His Darkest Hunger

They say good things come to those that wait and for shapeshifter Jaxon Castille, the waiting is finally over. He is from a powerful clan of Jaguar shifters- deadly predators whose second nature is to hunt, stalk and kill. It has been three long years since he last laid eyes on Libby Jamieson, his former lover and the woman who betrayed his unit. That betrayal resulted in the murder of fellow shifter and family member, Diego.

Libby disappeared and the hunt began. He has been patient, fueled by a burning desire for revenge, and now, finally, his patience is about to be rewarded. Information has mysteriously landed in his lap, giving him Libby’s whereabouts.

The hunt is almost over.

But revenge is an extreme emotion, and not every situation is so cut and dry. This, Jaxon is about to learn the hard way. For the Libby that he hunts is nothing like he had expected. She is but a hollow shell of her former self. She has been abused, tortured and has no memory of her former life or lover.

When an attempt is made on both of their lives, the stakes are upped considerably. Jaxon and Libby become the hunted. With the help of their former comrades, Declan, Ana, and Cracker, they once more work as a team, to not only unlock the mysteries of her broken mind, but to save their very lives.

His Darkest Hunger, available March 30, 2010 from Avon/Harpercollins

Excerpt from HIS DARKEST HUNGER by JULIANA STONE
Releasing March 20, 2010

Something burst inside of Libby then. She felt the crack, as if a well of emotion that had been bottled deep inside of her had been shaken, and exploded into a storm.

She was pissed off.

Actually, Libby was more then pissed off. She was fucking furious.

Enough!

She wasn’t going to cower any longer.

With a mighty heave, she yelled loudly as she freed the large piece of wood, but the momentum knocked her off her feet and she landed on her back.

Hard.

Her head smacked the soft ground behind her and the breath was knocked from her body.

Libby laid there, chest heaving, willing her body to get up and fight.

But then things changed in a way she’d never expected.

Feet came into view. Not feet exactly, but large paws.

Slowly she lifted her head, and pushed her body up until she was kneeling in the muck, brandishing a piece of driftwood and inches away from the most magnificent animal she’d ever seen.

Time stilled for a few seconds. She was aware of her lungs inhaling air deep into them, as her heart began to pump blood furiously through her body, screaming at her to defend herself.

Warm air blew from the creature’s nose and caressed her face. She shivered at the sensation and found herself mesmerized by the dark intelligent eyes that peered at her from the exotic face of the powerful black cat.

Libby gulped thickly as a low keening growl vibrated deep from its chest.

The animal moved away and began to pace back and forth, its movements agitated but not aggressive. She found herself relaxing slightly and when the animal stopped so close that she could touch it, her hands began to move towards it on their own accord.

Trembling fingers hesitated, then softly began to skim over the thick fur that surrounded its head. The pelt was deep black, but as the sun caressed it, outlines of its rosettes were plainly visible. In fact they shimmered under her touch.

The cat was beautiful, and as she studied the animal her fear left her completely. She had no clue as to what it was. A panther maybe? Weren’t they black?

“What are you?” She whispered and fought the urge to wrap her arms around the beast. That would be crazy, wouldn’t it?

The magical moment was broken as the animal jumped back, barking roughly from its chest. It began to pace once more and Libby was starting to feel nervous. Waves of anxiety began to pummel her and she looked to the wimpy piece of driftwood she’d managed to dislodge.

There was no way in hell that was going to save her if kitty cat decided she looked like a tasty treat.

The animal howled and fear once more crept up her spine. Libby’s mouth went dry and she shivered as fog began to encircle the cat. Long tendrils crept up and over the powerful muscles of its hind legs, until the entire body was shrouded in mist.

She fell back as the animal began to move and shift, fear clogging her mouth, blocking her scream. Her eyes widened in horror as the dark shape began to mutate. Grunts and popping noises reverberated through the small clearing. Libby began to back away, trying to ignore the terror that clawed at her insides.

As long as the animal wasn’t hungry she should be all right. Now was not the time to panic. She needed to keep a cool head.

But that was going to be freaking hard.

Her mouth fell open and she shook her head in denial as a man walked from the mist towards her; slowly, with predatory grace.

A powerfully tall and naked man.

Intricate tattoos glistened underneath the sun as a fine sheen of mist clung to his skin. They shimmered as he walked towards her.

It was Jaxon and his eyes were alive with a fever that hit her hard in the gut.

As Libby’s eyes slowly wandered over the magnificent specimen they widened even more. His straining erection pointed towards her like a weapon and she licked her lips.

Jaxon was hungry all right. And it wasn’t for food.

Whew, okay so today’s question is: what is it that makes shifters so sexy?

A winner will be chosen tomorrow afternoon from the comments! Good luck.