It’s time for Snippet Sunday and it’s the New Year. It’s time for reflection, celebration, and renewal. I had two anthologies come out in 2021 but I’m focusing on the one where the proceeds go to Planned Parenthood and NARAL in an effort to help keep women’s medical decisions between them and their doctors. There are 36 stories in this anthology by authors like Jackie Lau, Megan Frampton, Cecilia London, Elizabeth Cole, Zoe York, Alison Packard, and of course, me.
My story is SEDUCING THE DRAGON, a historical paranormal romance that asks the question, what if you were selected to be the next virgin sacrifice? What would you do? The book is my response.
In this snippet, Isabelle is talking to her friends about the problem of finding a man to take her virginity. Hamish is the first to speak.
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“Wheesht. Not all the men in the village are so bad, Marie.”
“Then why is Belle still unmarried, Hamish?” Marie countered implacably. “They say she is Fae or the ‘Yowling Cat of Lochmore Cott’. What kind of a fool would say such a thing about a woman? And they all say such things. They are nothing more than pots of manure to be so stupid.”
Hamish’s brows lowered, but a smile curled his lips. “Are you calling them shit pots, my dear?”
“Oui.”
Isabelle blushed, but Hamish laughed out loud. “You know I can’t resist you when you’re angry, ma petit. And you’re right, you are. They’re damn blind to ignore you, Isabelle.”
“That’s very kind, Hamish, but ’tis still what they believe.”
“Och, damn fools.”
“Oui, and Belle’s father is speaking with the elders about the Sacrifice,” Marie pointed out.
“What?” Hamish’s eyes opened wide with surprise.
“Aye, it’s true.” Isabelle sipped her tea to calm her anger. “They’re trying to convince me father to use me for the Sacrifice, mostly so I don’t bother their women.”
“That’s daft.”
Isabelle shrugged helplessly.
“You listen to me, Isabelle Andersen.” Hamish pointed a beefy finger at her. “You’re not hurting anyone, and don’t you believe them. Your father will not hand you to the Council of Elders. You just go see to findin’ yourself a husband, and they’ll say no more about it.”
Isabelle nodded to Hamish’s vehemence, but she knew in her heart of hearts her father had probably already made his decision. She’d always been a thorn in his side and a weight on his purse strings. No, she’d made her own decision to save herself from the Sacrifice. Taking Marie’s advice seemed a better plan than taking Hamish’s. But she smiled at the baker, and he went back to his bread-making, grumbling.
~~~~~~~
She’s between a rock and a hard place. 😉 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, Karysa Faire, and Iris Blobel.
Here’s the blurb for SEDUCING THE DRAGON in the OUR CHOICE: ROMANCE FOR ROE Anthology:
Unless Isabelle finds a man to take her innocence, she may be the next virgin sacrifice.
For Isabelle Andersen, being a virgin in a dragon-plagued Scottish village is a dangerous position. Potentially the next dragon sacrifice, Isabelle’s only way out is to lose her innocence, and fast. All she needs is one handsome stranger she can coax into bed, but Lochmore Cott doesn’t get much in the way of visitors.
Jonarrion Swiftwind has sworn off virgins. The last time he took one to his bed, his family paid the price for his lust at the hands of her demon-possessed father. Since that night, he’s made it his mission to destroy demons and keep his bed virgin-free. Nothing distracts him from killing the demon-in-dragon’s-clothing until lovely Isabelle offers him a mug of tea. And her virginity.
It takes just one night of passion for Jon to realize he doesn’t want to let the independent beauty go. Isabelle may have accepted her choices, but will she accept Jon when she discovers the only real dragon in her village… is him?
Previously published as ‘Not a Dragon’s Standard Virgin’ through Siren Publishing.
Enjoyed the snippet. She’s in quite the situation! But I like her determination and how she refuses to just sit passively by and let events overtake her. Great excerpt!
Interesting predicament she’s in.