It’s time for Snippet Sunday. I can’t believe it’s almost the end of February. And Muirlette #2’s birthday is on Monday. I’m so excited to celebrate with them and enjoy their new, older smiles.
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 Raihana Nejem’s POV and Saif has arrived for their dinner date.
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“Please come in. The meal is almost done.”
He stepped across the threshold and her wards sent a tingle across her skin. That’s odd. It wasn’t a warning so much as a recognition, and she wondered again at his heritage.
“I brought bread and some candied fruit chews. Not Turkish Delight, but not bad on short notice.” He held out his gifts and a smile curled her lips.
“Thank you. You can leave them on the counter.” She returned to the kitchen to check on the food. “Can I get you something to drink? Water? Beer?”
“Water would be great.”
He smiled, a slash of white in his dark beard, and she involuntarily shivered. He rested his body against the kitchen counter while she stirred the cream sauce and she forced herself to pay attention to her actions rather than the hot firefighter in her house.
You’ve got it bad, Rai.
“How long have you been a wildlife biologist?” His question made her turn around.
“Oh, only the last ten years or so. It took me a while to decide what I wanted to do and then get the training to do it.” She handed him a glass of water. “To be honest, I think I had more wishes to try than most people who believe in genies.”
Saif raised his eyebrows. “Oh? What kinds of wishes did you have?”
She shrugged, chagrin making her drop her gaze to the food. “You might find them strange or funny.”
“No, no. I’m interested. What did you try?”
“I first wanted to be a sculpture artist like those who carved things out of wood or stone. I wanted to create something permanent that I could share with others and enjoy myself for years to come.”
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Even Genies have wishes. 😉 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.
The story of her wishes might take a while. It’s good he is interested.
I can’t wait to hear the rest of her wishes/tries. (I’d like to learn sculpting, too.)
I love the idea that even genies have wishes! Really enjoyed the snippet – I like this couple.
Interesting that genies have wishes. I’m curious to know her other wishes. I like her first one.