Title: Meadows of Gold
Author: Christie L. Kraemer
Genre: Fantasy
Excerpt Heat Level: 1
Book Heat Level: 1
EXCERPT:
Eugene, Oregon in the 20th
century, amid a property feud between the local faeries and night elves. The
conniving faeries from Olde Ireland try to stir up more mischief. However, a
warrior gnome convinces the magic folk to control their own destiny.
EXCERPT
A gentle breeze sighed,
undulating the meadow grass lazily and whispering past the forlorn figure
slumped on the tree trunk, hands clasped tightly in his lap. Thomas, a forest
leprechaun, released a long melancholy breath between his cracked, dry lips. A
single plump tear meandered down his stubbled cheek.
The sun sent bright
shafts of light through the pine boughs and around the wooden pedestal upon
which the morose figure resided. Ignoring the dancing beams, the leprechaun
pulled a shuddered breath into his lungs and stared at a spot in front of the
stump where a crumpled daisy chain necklace lay withering in the warmth of the
afternoon. Another plump tear snaked down his unshaven face.
In the distance, a lone
figure scuffed up the lane, which crossed in front of the tree stump. Thomas
paid no heed to the approaching form, pulling a thin silver flask from inside
his rumpled vest. He blindly opened the lid, placed the opened top to his lips
and pulled a deep draught from the container. Refitting the cap to the top, he
slipped the silver spirit holder back into his vest. His next shuddered breath
was interrupted with a hiccup.
The figure on the road
drew closer. Thomas raised his head and squinted his eyes. Was she coming back?
He hiccupped and straightened up. Maybe she had been teasing him when she ran
away and now she realized how much he cared for her. His eyes brightened and a
smile began to touch his lips.
The figure came around
the bend and toward him. The last he'd seen her, she was wearing a diaphanous,
thin dress. Had she changed? The form nearing him was clad in leather breeches,
a braided leather tunic, and knee-high, soft leather boots. A sword blade
strapped to the figure's back flashed in the sunlight. Was Cary so angry she
meant to cut him in little pieces? His heart began to pound in his chest and
inside his mouth his tongue stuck to the roof.
The figure stopped two
lengths from him and raised a hand to shade its eyes from the brightness of the
day.
Thomas realized he was
shaking. This was it…his life was over. He hung his head.
"Thomas?"
The voice was familiar
but it didn't sound like Cary. If it wasn't her…
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