Excerpt: Consumed
| It was her love of the flame that blanketed her in the darkness now. Just a little nap. She didn’t have a concussion. That much was obvious. She was just going to rest a bit. Then hike out for a damned physical exam and hopefully get back in time to put this bitch to bed. Eyes closed, in the shadow of a fire storm, downwind of the music of Pulaski and perfume of gasoline, she remembered hearing the crack of the tree; the snap of the burnt branches hitting the ground; the way everything went black around her. The darkness; the inky blackness of unconsciousness hadn’t been frightening. She’d felt safe. Her life was fire. She always walked in the light of its glow. Her soul and purpose leapt like fuel-fed flames when she embraced her inner fire-bug. It was when she allowed the mistress of destruction to caress her, that she knew that fire was more than just an elemental universal force. That’s whose arms had been around her. The mistress, herself. Lady Fire. She was alive, and it wanted Ben. It wanted to get to Ben through her. Hadyn shook her head “no.” No to fire’s plan. No to fire’s desires. No. She wasn’t sure her refusal would be enough. Fire can be started. Stoked. Spread, suffocated and doused. But it can rarely be controlled. Fire is uncontrollable in nature. A juggernaut. An unstoppable force. And in Hadyn, fire found flesh. Flesh to meet Ben’s challenge. Flesh to tame a nemeses. “No, Fire,” Hadyn said again as her dream turned against her. She could feel Fire’s plan for her. She was the perfect vessel. She understood fire. She could get to Ben. She couldn’t will her legs to move. Her dream kept her still and trapped—and about to be raped and infiltrated by a woman even stronger than herself. Fire. Bitch Fire. Lady Fire. The goddess of the flame. |
I often find stock photos to represent my characters. I thought I’d share Ben and Hadyn with you. Oddly, Hadyn is on the cover of another in the series! Oh, and in case you haven’t watched the video yet, I’m including my representation of Lady Fire, too. “Ben,” or the dude looking up at the fire, is the photo that started it all for me. I had no intention of writing for the Hearts Afire series–until I saw “his” photo in the National Geographic. I became, literally, consumed, by thoughts of wildland fires.
Side note: Consumed is terribly close to my heart. If this author’s opinion counts, I believe it is the best novella I’ve ever written. To research this puppy, I contacted my high school sweetheart, whom I have not seen in over 30 years. I knew he was a firefighter in Bellevue, WA. I had no idea he was a Battalion Chief, nor that he’d be so willing to help me. How did he help? He put me in touch with a friend of his. A friend who lives, eats, breathes and probably (pity the man’s wife, folks) screws, wildland fires. His name is Pat. He is a true warrior poet and described to me, in incredible detail, his experience with “the monster.” Fire. Fire in the wild.
Pat gave me enough info for a series of books–thereby, I’m writing a second firefighter tale right now. And maybe a third! I am engrossed in new knowledge and lingo and the mix of it in my brain pan with all my naughty little erotic romance thoughts is making me feel enthusiastic, to say the least.
There’s a story behind the story in Consumed. A tale of friends, reacquainted, one man’s obsession, an outlet to share that obsession, and a crazy-ass e-author who ate up every word. Consumed. Looking forward to it yet?
I can’t wait to read it!