It’s time for Snippet Sunday. I just got my first “Fauci Ouchie” yesterday and I’m so relieved to start this process. As someone who wouldn’t even be here if her mother hadn’t gotten lucky and survived Polio, I’m a big supporter of vaccines. Please get vaccinated to protect yourselves and your families.
But today I’m showcasing an older book (came out in 2017) and 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’s POV and her Ifrit lover, a fire Djinn, as well as a wildland firefighter, has just offered her a token of his affection. But there’s more to come.
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“I love you, Raihana.”
He said the words with such passion, her throat closed and tears started in her eyes. But she couldn’t find the voice to say them back, even if her heart swelled with pleasure and homecoming. Her heart rejoiced, but her mind remained cautious. It’s too soon to profess love. Isn’t it?
“I gotta go, unfortunately.”
“What? Why?” Her stomach clenched with the thought that he’d seen her unease.
“We got an early morning patrol to make sure everything is completely out.” He kissed her lips, slipping his tongue into her mouth in a brief caress before pulling back. “But I wanted to give you the necklace. I will call you tomorrow after work.”
“Oh, all right.” She rose with him and helped take in the cups to the kitchen before walking him to the door.
“Thank you for the necklace. Maybe if you’re not too tired tomorrow night, I can show you my appreciation.” She dipped her head and glanced at him out of the corner of one eye.
He hissed. “Damn, woman, you’re so tempting right now.” He kissed her long and hard, sending pleasure shooting to her toes. “But I have to go. Tomorrow, though, I might take you up on your offer.”
“It won’t expire.” She grinned. “Text me when you get back to the motel tonight.”
“I will.”
She waited for his taillights to show as he drove over the ridge above her cabin before she closed the door. She smiled as her hand rested on her chest over the fire opal. He loves me. Delight and excitement bubbled up inside her until her father’s voice clobbered her joy. He’s an Ifrit. She frowned and tried to push the unease away, but it lingered like a bruise on a mango, small, but growing over time.
~~~~~~~
Uh oh, will she listen to her heart or her fears? 😉 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.