Two days ago we celebrated Earth Day. Well, “celebrated” might be a bit overly optimistic. The earth and the natural environment are facing more serious threats than ever before. However, I guess we can be hopeful that perhaps people are becoming more aware and concerned about these challenges.
In observation of Earth Day, for this month’s Charity Sunday I’m supporting the World Wildlife Fund.
I’ve chosen WWF, out of the many environmental and nature charities that exist, for several reasons. First of all, although they have “wildlife” in their name, WWF recognizes the critical importance of the environment and habitat. Indeed, the condition of our planet’s wild creatures is an indicator of how well – or poorly – we are doing in our stewardship of nature. WWF takes a broad perspective and supports programs focusing on climate change, sustainable food production, ocean and river conservation and environmental education. A second motivation is the fact that although WWF is a global organization, they work locally through many country-level affiliates. I believe this is important because environmental problems always have distinct cultural, political and economic contexts. There is never a one-size-fits-all solution; instead individual communities need to engage and address their specific issues.
Anyway, for today’s event I will donate $2 to WWF for each comment I receive.
Meanwhile, I have a highly relevant excerpt from my short paranormal romance Hot Spell: Elemental Passions Book 1. This book is currently on sale for only 99 cents as part of the release bash for Book 2 of the series.
Blurb
The flames of passion are more than metaphor.
Comfortable and at home in nature, Sylvie doesn't mind being alone in the wilderness. But she's not the only being haunting the glades and the trails. The stranger she encounters bathing in the stream near her camp obviously wants her, but refuses to act on his desire. Aidan is cursed with a power he fears will destroy her if they surrender to their passion. Can Sylvie refrain from tempting him?
Excerpt
The hills, normally a brilliant emerald at this time of year, had turned a premature yellow. Sylvie gazed off to the east, imagining soaring pines and gleaming white summits. A yearning seized her—an almost physical need to be in the woods again. She smiled and brushed her unruly hair out of her eyes. Camping would be just the thing. It was barely Memorial Day. There wouldn’t be any crowds. There might even still be snow.
She bounded down the stairs to pack her gear, singing to herself. Being alone in the mountains didn’t bother her at all. In fact, it was just what she needed.
* * * *
The miles evaporated as Sylvie raced along the highway. Hot wind from the open window whipped her long hair back behind her. As the road climbed under her wheels, her spirits rose as well. She sang along with the oldies station as she drove—Satisfaction, Thunder Road, Born to Be Wild. The DJ’s playlist matched her mood. For the first time in weeks, she felt free, the burdens and worries of city life left behind her. Even the continuing heat failed to oppress her, spiked as it was with the scents of pine and wildflowers.
She reached the trailhead about five. Sunlight slanted between the towering trees like gold bars. She locked her car, then shouldered her pack and set out at a brisk pace for the campsite, about three miles up the path. She’d camped in these woods before, when she’d been in college. It seemed like a hundred years ago.
Alice and Jill had been appalled when she’d told them her plans. “Alone? In the middle of the wilderness?” Jill’s perfectly shaped eyebrows had knit in a frown. “What if something happens?”
“What could happen?” she’d laughed, guessing that neither of her friends had ever taken a hike or slept under the star—or would ever consider doing so.
“Wild animals! Bears. Mountain lions. Or you might fall, break a leg and be stranded. You could starve to death.”
“And what about murderers or rapists?” Alice had rapped her fingernails against her desk. Her turquoise enamel matched her outfit. “You never know who you’ll meet out there in the woods.”
“I’ll have my phone,” she’d reassured them, although she’d known there’d likely be no signal. “Animals are shy. They won’t bother me if I don’t bother them. And I took a self-defense course last year. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Anyway, you’ll know where I am. If I’m not back on Tuesday, send out the National Guard.”
She strode along the trail, swinging her arms and filling her lungs with the fragrant mountain air. Sweat pooled in her armpits and under her breasts. The weather was still unseasonably warm, but a fresh breeze played amongst the trees, hinting at the coolness to come wherever it touched her damp skin. As dusk shrouded the forest, her senses grew keener. An owl perched on an overhanging branch—she caught the yellow glint of its eyes. Some furred creature skittered through the underbrush and the mournful call of a loon reached her from the direction of Crystal Lake, miles away. A spicy hint of crushed fennel tickled her nose, triggering a pang of hunger. Sylvie smiled, remembering the chunks of salmon marinating in a Ziplock bag in her backpack. She’d brought a half bottle of wine, too, for her first dinner in the wild. Somehow, she’d felt like celebrating.
Full night had fallen by the time she reached the campsite, perched on a ridge above the steep banks of Sandman Creek. As she piled fallen branches inside the ring of blackened stones and kindled them into a merry blaze, she could hear the stream singing to itself…or maybe welcoming her back where she belonged.
Her meal was every bit as tasty and satisfying as she’d anticipated. Afterwards, she sat for what seemed like hours, her back against the rough bark of a huge spruce, tasting the residual sweetness of her wine, watching the fire burn down to a clutch of glowing embers. The cinders shone from within like some dragon’s precious cache—ruby, gold, an occasional flash of emerald. The play of light fascinated her.
Her muscles ached from the strenuous hike. Her hair was in knots and a sticky film of perspiration coated her skin. None of that mattered. Peace enfolded her, along with a profound sense of well-being. The breeze whispered to her. The creek babbled and laughed.
Water. A bath. Relaxed, lazy and sated though she was, the notion still held an irresistible appeal. Sylvie checked the remains of the fire to assure herself that there was no chance it would escape the rocks encircling it. Then she dug a towel out of her pack and headed down the forested slope to the creek.
The gurgle of water tumbling over stone grew louder as she approached. The very sound was refreshing. A few feet from the edge, she stripped off her clothes, draping them and her towel over a convenient boulder. She was about to step out of the woods when an unexpected movement caught her eye.
There was something splashing in the creek a bit downstream from where she stood—something…or someone. Sylvie shrank back into the shadow of the trees.
Directly opposite her, the stream rushed over river-polished rocks, flecked with white froth. To her right, though, it widened into a calm pool, black as the sky above. The unexpected noise came from there.
She peered into the night. All she could see at first was a round, furry mass that seemed to float upon the surface. Ripples stirred as a figure rose from the water. At the same time, the half moon climbed above the crest of the trees. Its pale rays revealed the form of a naked man.
Buy Links
Kinky Literature – https://www.kinkyliterature.com/book/1489-hot-spell-elemental-passions-book-1/
Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RBDV6CN
Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09RBDV6CN
Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1129862
Barnes and Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-spell-lisabet-sarai/1140939301?ean=2940165765773
Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hot-spell-elemental-passions-book-1
Add on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60242459-hot-spell
Please leave me a comment! Every one means a $2 donation to WWF. And I hope you’ll visit the other authors participating in this month’s Charity Sunday hop.
