Sunday, August 16, 2020

#SneakPeakSunday - The Earring Thief in Crow Magic

Today we are featuring a Sneak Peek from Crow Magic, 
a contemporary romance with a Native American Crow Shifter Hero. 

The scene featured is the day of Lucy's blind date Madame Eve of 1 Night Stand arranged. She's rather nervous but relaxes while visiting with a crow on her porch. The large bird entertains her with typical crow behavior when she shares a slice of toast with the bird. Little does she know, she will meet up with crow again, but in his human form.




Putting her head into her hands, she croaked, “Can you believe it? I’m so stupid. Here I am talking to a bird like he’s a person when I should be getting ready for my date. Maybe I should pack my bags and leave.”

The delicate beat of wings whispered in her ears and the rocker moved from the weight of him as he landed. She sat up and wiped a tear from her cheek. He began tugging at her earring.

“Really? Again with the earring?” She tried to lean out of reach. “I suppose it’s true that crows like to steal shiny objects and always act the clown. Is it because you seek the bright and shiny aspects of life?”

With unrelenting focus, he elongated his neck.

“Or are you getting tired of my reading?” She shooed him away.

With a sharp backward pull, he yanked the silver loop out of her ear and took to the sky.

Jumping from her seat with a yelp, she raced off the porch. “Damn you!” She shook her fist at him. “Give that back to me!”

The silver hoop glistened in the tight hold of his beak. He taunted her. Keeping her eyes on him, she walked away from the cottage. As he flew close, he emitted a throaty grumble before flying toward a path leading into the woods. The mission of retrieving the earring became a game of follow the leader

She sought to have the jewelry returned, but the words from Madame Eve’s note haunted her. May you learn from the spirit of the Crow. Something told her to follow the thief. She ran along the well-traveled dirt trail and he glided, beckoning her to follow.

The canopy of trees shadowed  the corridor, the cool air fragrant with pine, cedar and sweet fern. Woodland flowers dotted the route. She ducked under a low pine branch, giddiness swelling within her. Taking pleasure in the sudden happiness, she followed the path until the forest opened to a field and a lake.

A little winded, she slowed her pace, becoming conscious of the beauty surrounding her. She stood in the same meadow depicted in the painting above her bed. Flying to a large oak tree in the center of the meadow, he slowed then perched.

Mountains climbed from the edges of the lake reaching for the cloudless sky. Envisioning she was the first human to witness such beauty, she listened to the whispering pines, lapping waves, and songs of the living earth. No boats graced the water, no calling children played, only pure nature. Clean air filled her lungs with every purifying breath. Dropping her robe to take in the rays of sunlight, she journeyed to the beach. Enchanted, she extended her arms and waded into the water in expectation of a baptism by nature.

She imagined the spirits of the natural world calling out to her and instructing to let go of the  loneliness. A simple task of emotional spring cleaning so room could be made for the physical intimacy she craved. Standing with the water surrounding her legs, an eerie power seeped into her pores. Tingling pulses in rhythm with the waves traveled through her cells.

Looking at her own reflection in the water, she watched a grin find its way from her heart to her lips. A shadow circled above, still carrying her earring. In a bold move, she flexed her fingers in invitation for him to land on her arm. Tucking his head, he arched his wings and flapped in short, quick strokes, accepting her unspoken summons. He landed on her wrist and dug his feet into her skin. A drop of blood beaded under a claw. Shifting his weight, he gazed into her eyes. Held in the ebony pools, her soul reached out to his. A longing to soar on the waves of the wind made her arms ache. Her vision grew hazy. The image of an ancient warrior with copper skin, strong brow and chiseled features, flashed in her mind then disappeared.

He dipped his head and broke the gaze then flexed his toes, apparently uneasy about the wound on her wrist. Lucy blinked.

“It doesn’t hurt.” She gave him a small smile.

After a gentle game of tug-o-war and an unsuccessful attempt to retrieve her earring from his beak, she tapped her fingers on his back to distract his attention in hopes that he’d drop it.

But content with his position on her arm, he held the earring tight. With her arm extended slightly, she left the water and sat on the warm sand of the beach. She tucked one foot under her while keeping one knee raised to rest her arm and support his weight.

Gazing upon him with wonder as he sat at ease, she slid her palm leisurely over his back and stroked his lustrous feathers. The heat of the animal greeted her skin and a low, throaty sound drifted to her ears.

“You are so beautiful; I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything or anyone so perfect.” 

Desire sparked in her womb and surged through her veins. The sudden liberation made way for the stronger yearning  to fly and soar on the winds of passion. In the daydream, strong hands touched her, drawing out her feminine cravings. Erotic visions of lying under a dark warrior flamed her desire to life. She imagined charcoal eyes and a masculine face framed by wild strands of black hair.

Inner strength rose and unlocked the door of reservations and opened it for the pleasure of human contact. She welcomed the strange power that greeted her. The crow  gave a low purr then shuddered and flew to the oak tree with the silver earring still in his grasp.

“You’re not going to give my earring back, are you?” She shook her fist. Pacing under the tree, she called out to him several times “Please, give it back. Crow!”

So very unusual from any animal, or human for that matter, that she’d ever known. Perhaps magic does exist. Something fascinating had transpired between her and the creature, yet she didn’t understand it all.

Without a glance at her, he focused on the mountains before him. With a deep sigh, she paused again to absorb the beauty of the panoramic view and thought of Madame Eve’s words. May you discover the magical power of the mountains and their crystal clear waters.

Majestic mountains jutted into the heavens from the green robe of earth and trees. She breathed in the enchanted air.

“Maybe it’s time to quit holding on to all things of the past.” For some reason the world seemed brighter. “If you truly are a spirit, then I guess I just have to accept defeat. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. However, if you change your mind, I’ll be in the cottage until tomorrow and you can bring it back to me.”

Without a sound, he crouched then leapt into the air, taking flight over the lake and out of sight. The loss of the earring didn’t affect her as deeply as she’d thought it would. Her adventure with her feathered friend materialized into a lesson of self-growth. Her new, fragile, emotional state developed into a fresh beginning with the confidence to prepare for her date.




BLURB FOR CROW MAGIC ~

Lucy Richards is tired of being timid around men and turns to Madame Eve to give her a man for a night that will help her overcome her fears to feel like a real woman. Eve arranges a night tucked away in the Castillo Poconos Resort with a handsome Shawnee shaman who will teach her to use her womanly power and take her to unimaginable heights.

Seth Crowe, a shape shifter and Keeper of the Spiritual Law, considers himself to be a carrier of souls from darkness to light and enjoys using his body to accomplish his magic. When his brother refers him to 1 Night Stand he certainly didn’t expect to find a fiery angel sleeping in a sensuous body and experience the true balance of nature. 

No comments: