It’s time for Snippet Sunday. It’s already February and I can’t believe we’ve survived the first month of 2021. Despite the rough start, it seemed to go a little easier than almost all of 2020.
But today I’m showcasing an older book (came out in 2017) as I’m working on the sequel that should be out in June. It’s part of an unusual anthology that I can’t spill on just yet, but my tale will be a sequel to WILDFIRE’S HEART, Book 1 in the Elemental Hearts series. We’re in Saif al Nar’s POV and he’s an Ifrit, a fire Djinn, as well as a wildland firefighter. He’s just come in from a fire and has already dealt with white racism because of his heritage. He’s continuing his conversation with Raihana from last week.
~~~~~~
She wrinkled her nose and he fought the urge to kiss it. What’s wrong with me?
“Ramen is plastic masquerading as food. No one should eat that.” Raihana selected some heavy cream, garlic, carrots, and butter to add to her basket. “Same with taking crap from the local assholes here.”
Saif snorted. “You heard that?”
“Hard not to. Only a megaphone would’ve made him louder.” She shot him a sympathetic look. “I was ready to kick the shit outta them, but I think you handled it better.”
“To be honest I’m too damn tired to take him on today. Maybe once I’ve eaten, showered, and had a long nap.” He yawned wide enough to make his jaw crack. “Sorry.”
“That’s all right. How long were you fighting the fire?”
He shrugged as he added some frozen chicken thighs and cold cuts to his basket. “This was a short one, only ten days. We managed to catch it early enough, but the weather helped. Without the rains we’d have been at it longer.”
“I’m glad you did. As I said, you saved my field area.”
“Just doing my job, ma’am.” He winked and she grinned.
“How about I treat you to dinner for the effort? It’s the least I can do.”
Did the Goddess hear my prayer? He clenched his jaw to keep it from dropping. “That would be very kind. It really is part of my job, but I won’t turn down food for anything.”
She laughed. “I hope you like scallops and crab, because that’s what’s on the menu tonight.”
“I just happen to find those tasty.” He matched her smile. “And I’m not completely useless. I can help prepare dinner. All firefighters know how to cook. Otherwise, we’d starve.”
She gave him a once-over appraisal. “You don’t look remotely starving.”
~~~~~~~
Oh ho, she flirts back. 😉 There are several great authors on the Weekend Writer Warriors list, the Snippet Sunday Facebook group, and the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. A few of my favorites are, P.T. Wyant, Karen Michelle Nutt, Veronica Scott, Jessica Subject, Kathy Griffith Karysa Faire, and Iris Blobel.
Here’s the blurb for WILDFIRE’S HEART:
Available everywhere now!
When you wish upon a wildfire…
Hot Shot Saif al Nar is a natural when it comes to fighting fires. As an Ifrit—a fire djinn—there’s no one better. But he doesn’t anticipate the local residents being suspicious and afraid of his ethnicity when his crew comes into town from the fire line for some R&R. Add some unexpected backup in the form of a lovely djinn and Saif is ready to set the town on fire.
A djinn might get burned…
Raihana Nejem retired from being a genie in a lamp centuries ago and now works for the U.S. Forest Service. Fires are devastating her field area, but the sexy firefighter djinn might just be more dangerous. Her people believe Ifrits to be evil demons and Raihana can’t be sure Saif isn’t responsible for the arson fires cropping up in town.
Or they could set the night on fire…
Is Saif behind the arson or is something darker and more dangerous going on? With hearts and lives on the line, Raihana must decide if she can stand the heat that comes with loving a man like Saif.
Good – he’s in luck – a home-cooked meal and maybe more?
He’s not counting on the “more” but he’s definitely hoping. Thanks for commenting, Aurora.
Never turn down a meal that you don’t have to cook.
Ain’t that the truth, P.T.! Thanks for commenting.
Ramen is plastic masquerading as food.
Truer words were never spoken.
There was one year where I pretty much subsisted on ramen. It was horrible.