Weekly feature where authors share about the hobbies, careers, or passions of their characters. I’m pleased to introduce today’s guest, Sadira Stone…
Photo credit: Image by Melk Hagelslag from Pixabay
Running on the Page
Once upon a time, I was a long-distance runner. The perfect sport for an introvert like me, running kept me fit, cleared my head, got me outside after long days in my classroom (I taught high school English, French, German, and theater), and kept me connected to the changing seasons. Living in Germany, I never lacked for forest trails and farm paths to run on, out in the great, glorious Wide Open.
Alas, time and gravity took their toll, and my knees no longer allow me to run much anymore. I still enjoy walking and other forms of exercise, but I miss that sensation of hard, steady effort, the rush of endorphins that hushed my busy, buzzy brain, the wind’s brush on my glowing skin.
They say, “Write what you know.” My experience as a runner provides rich sensory memories to draw on, and so running plays an important part in both the Book Nirvana books, contemporary romance set in Eugene, Oregon, known as “Track Town USA” because of this small city’s love and support of the sport. During my visits to Eugene, I’ve watched runners on the riverside trails that frame the Willamette, and I’ve walked Pre’s Trail, a wood-chip paved running path in Alton Baker Park, named for University of Oregon’s track superstar Steve Prefontaine.
Book Two of the series, Runaway Love Story, features a hero and heroine who are both runners. In fact, their first meeting takes place on a riverside running path, and their first steamy love scene take place while on a run. Here’s Laurel, the heroine, describing her love for running:
“I’ll be back in an hour or two.” She loped off toward the cool, soothing green of Alton Baker Park. She’d missed her runs along the Willamette River, the rhythm of her feet slapping on the pavement, her breath sliding in and out, steady as the tides. When she ran, worries about the future unhooked their claws.
Just breathe. Just run. Just be.
Blurb:
Fierce passion or long-cherished dreams…she can’t hang onto both.
Chasing a big-city art gallery job, Laurel detours to Eugene, Oregon to help her spitfire great aunt into assisted living. While on a run, she’s harassed by a group of teens until a tall, broad-shouldered hottie rescues her by pretending to be her boyfriend–with a kiss that makes her wish it were true. But she’s only passing through.
Their fierce chemistry burns up the sheets—and the couch, the shower, the woods…but falling in love could cost Laurel more than she’s willing to sacrifice. She can’t stay in Eugene, and he can’t leave. His only hope is to convince her those big-city lights have nothing on her inner sparkle.
Excerpt:
He stepped closer, close enough to feel the heat rolling off his body.
A flush painted his cheekbones and his long, straight nose. Exercise, sunburn, or something more interesting?
The air between them vibrated with tingly energy. She focused on the floor, because looking into his face felt too dangerous.
He moved still closer, his toes nearly touching hers. “We’re good now?”
Her gaze slid up from his long, muscular calves, covered with blond fuzz, to his powerful thighs, to the impressive bulge between them, then up his slim torso, his muscular chest, his broad shoulders, until her gaze rested on his face.
His lids lowered, his lips parted. As if magnetized, her fingertips skimmed up his arm.
Stop. She dropped her hand. “We’re good. I’m sorry, Doug. I saw something between you two, and I jumped to the wrong conclusion.”
His smile blossomed slowly. “I’m glad that’s all cleared up.”
Not all, but it’s a start. Another thought, a crazy one. I could just kiss him, right here, right now. Get it over with, see what happens next.
Once that seed was planted, it was as if a giant electromagnet switched on, tugging them together. Its power hummed in her bones. Invisible sparks crackled between them. She slid a few inches closer.
Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Runaway-Love-Story-Book-Nirvana-ebook/dp/B07QBHS1ZQ/
Ever since her first kiss, Sadira’s been spinning steamy tales in her head. After leaving her teaching career in Germany, she finally tried her hand at writing one. Now she’s a happy citizen of Romancelandia, penning contemporary romance and cozy mysteries from her home in Washington State. When not writing, which is seldom, she explores the Pacific Northwest with her charming husband, enjoys the local music scene, belly dances, plays guitar badly, and gobbles all the books. Visit Sadira at www.sadirastone.com.
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