Story Elements: Wilderness Girl

Wilderness Girl began with a line I distinctly heard spoken in my head. No, I don't normally hear voices; it's never happened before, and hasn't since. But it was enough to launch this story.

First, a little backstory on the voice. I love to garden (though this year my gardens are a miserable failure, but that's another story altogether). Unfortunately, we live in an area where snakes are prevalent. Not just one type of snake, but several, including poisonous copperheads. When I was little, I loved to collect all sorts of slimy reptiles and bring them home, including snakes. Now, of course, I prefer to avoid snakes altogether. One of the perks of age is reason, I suppose. :) But one rather long black snake would regularly slither through our yard on his way to doing snake business wherever.

I actually didn't mind this snake, and it apparently didn't mind us either. It even let my kids and dog check it out. I checked it out from a distance. :) But other snakes weren't so easy to identify, and while working in the garden, I'd often see them up close more often than I cared to. (Yes, there's a point to this story.)

Weeding one day, I had a close encounter, and (here it is...) heard the voice. What did it say? Very clearly, I heard: **ck me till I'm blind.

It seemed a reasonable exclamation from a girl out in the wild when confronted with such a snake. Someone whose wilderness skills ranked somewhere between zero and point five on a scale of 20. So Dana was born: web developer, she's artistic in a virtual way, and practically lives online. She even met her boyfriend online. So when she meets Hank, he's more than a breath of fresh air. He opens her eyes to the joys of manual labor. :)

As I mentioned yesterday, guys on motorcycles really intrigue me. Not necessarily bad boys, they usually think a little more independently than guys, say, who drive compact cars. Whenever I see a couple on a bike, they always look so in synch with one another, physically as well as emotionally. They look happy.

Camping's one of those activities where couples need to be in synch with one another, and depend on one another. Not only to look after their partner's welfare, but their emotional well being too. I'm sure it's a great test of relationship strength as well.

Like most of the characters in my stories, Hank and Dana emerged from the deep shadowy recesses of my brain fully formed. I had to get to know them a little, but as usual, too, it was like getting reacquainted with old friends.

I hope you'll come to know and love Hank and Dana as much as I did.

One final note, about the trailer. The incredible music was composed by Michael Eli, who generously allowed me to use it. I erroneously attributed it to the band Soul Custody in the credits. but it's Michael's sole composition. It's so beautiful, I let it run a little longer than the video.



You can view the entire Story Elements series (so far) by entering the key words Story Elements in the search box to the right.

Here's another Wilderness Girl excerpt different than the usual:
The guy at Wilderness Outfitters had been right. This seemed an excellent spot. The slope offered a perfect view of the stream at the bottom of the hill. But where was he now that she needed him? Probably having a good laugh, imagining her here by herself. The only other vehicle in the parking lot was a motorcycle–obviously not another camper. Perhaps he’d never intended to show up at all. Maybe he’d gone back to the coffee shop that night and made plans with the Frappacino Girl.
Should she head back to the car? She’d have to gather everything up again, trek back through the woods…. No. Going back meant giving in to failure. Next, she’d be sitting home on weekends, feeling like a complete loser. She’d never been that girl, and she wasn’t about to start now.
The instructions. Though they read like something translated from Japanese to Greek to English, maybe the illustrations would be of some use. She bent to retrieve them. When she reached for the pole, it moved.
Oh good God. A snake. Four feet long, maybe five–hard to tell, after panic set in. Looking at her with its beady black eyes, flicking its awful tongue.
Why, of all things, did it have to be a snake? She’d rather have wrestled a grizzly. Happy to leave the city-dwelling man-snakes like Sean behind, she hadn’t thought about the possibility of facing the real thing.
She should have known better than to take off into the mountains alone. Her cell phone had zero reception on this hill. If the thing bit her, she’d die out in the wilderness.
“Oh, **ck me till I’m blind.”
Behind her, a twig snapped and leaves rustled. She didn’t dare look. With her luck, the bear had arrived to take on her challenge.
A husky voice asked, “If I get rid of that snake, will you ask me again?”
She turned her head ever so slowly.
It was him! Wilderness Guy. He looked even better than the night they’d met. His sparkling gaze danced across her in appreciation. The way he looked at her made her want to peel off her clothes layer by layer, to see the pleasure in his face grow.
She struggled to regain her composure. “You’re here! Can you please help me before I’m eaten alive?”
He rested his hands on his hips. “I told you I would be.”
Relief gushed over her, her earlier disappointment forgotten.
He shifted his feet. “But you didn’t answer my question.”
Disappointment returned. He’d seemed so nice at Wilderness Outfitters, but here he was, acting like they were at a singles bar or something.
When he arched a brow, his teasing flared her temper. She’d had enough of self-absorbed guys who thought they could get whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. He obviously knew he registered a twenty on a scale of one to ten. After putting up with Sean’s games, she wasn’t about to let this guy call the plays. “You….”
His hand shot out. “Don’t move.”
Oh damn. The snake–she’d forgotten for a blessed second.
It coiled upon itself and raised its head. Its tongue darted out.
“Oh no….” She fought her buckling knees.
“Stay calm.” His low voice fanned embers of the fire she’d felt that night in the store.
He slunk toward her like a warrior stalking an enemy. Graceful as tai chi, his serpentine movements mesmerized her. No wonder the reptile watched him as though he were a snake charmer.
He moved nearer and her muscles tightened, imagining him melding into her embrace. When his arm grazed hers, she gasped. His touch felt electric, magnetic, just as it had the night they’d met.
He winked.
Already in a slow boil, heat bubbled from within her to her surface. She seethed, “Are you going to get rid of it, or play with it?”
He arched a brow. “I love to play. Don’t you?”
She opened her mouth to argue. Before she could form the words, he lunged downward. One hand below the serpent’s head, the other in the middle, he lifted it into the air.
Man and reptile twisted in a tangled dance down the hill. Her heart raced. The scene played like a primal ritual. He proved such a hot and skilled warrior.
She followed, unsure what to do. What if it bit him? Old movies came to mind of cowboys cutting the skin of a snake bit partner, sucking the venom out. Ugh! Never again would she go camping. Her gear would be on eBay as soon as she made it home.
With halting steps, he made it to the creek, wrestling the snake at arm’s length. In one final twist, he bent at the water’s edge. It shot from his hands and disappeared into the stream.
She tried to steady her breathing, to fathom what she’d seen. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah.” Wiping a forearm across his brow, his dark eyes searched hers.
“I’m shaking all over.” The snake aside, his six-pack abs and leg muscles resembling a personal trainer’s could account for the bulk of her trembling.
He watched her. Studied her.
Her jaw hung open like a gaping moron; she realized too late, and snapped it closed.
He bit his lip and burst out laughing.
“What?” Why was he laughing? Maybe he’d realized what he’d done, and hysteria had set in. She wanted to wrap her arms around him, to comfort him, to bring him back to the moment, but he convulsed with giggles and chortles. He slowed down several times before exploding all over again. Holding his stomach, he wiped at his eyes, but when his gaze met hers again, he chuckled.
“I’m sorry.” He held his hand to his stomach, watching her concern turn to confusion.
He dipped his hands in the crystal water and splashed his face. “Oh man, I needed a good laugh.” Tendrils of damp sandy brown hair curled around his neck.
“I don’t follow. Was that supposed to be funny?” The scent of a setup began to fill the air.
He bit back a smile. “Garter snakes are harmless.”
Her cheeks burned. “Garter snakes. Like that one.” So he wasn’t being careless by teasing her while the snake cozied closer.
One last chuckle bubbled to the surface. “Yup.”

Casting Call: Wilderness Girl

My novella, Wilderness Girl, was definitely an excursion into the wild side for me. My first erotic romance, it takes a very lighthearted approach nonetheless.

It's garnered some wonderful reviews too. Dark Diva Reviews gave it 5 Divas, saying "Wilderness Girl is an adorable contemporary romance with a really cute beginning that will make you laugh out loud! There are multiple funny moments as Hank teaches Dana how to be a wilderness girl. This storyline was a nice change of pace... and it was quite enjoyable."

You Gotta Read Reviews rated it You Gotta Read, saying, "I loved this story for one main reason-it's why I love romances. The story was so fun."

It was definitely fun to write!

Hank, the hero, is tall, blonde and artistic, with an easy smile. He also rides a Harley. There's just something about a guy on a motorcycle that gets me every time. Brad has that same laid-back vibe. Equally at home building a fire on a hilltop or running power tools in his workshop, Hank's the kind of guy who intrigues me because he's always up to something new. He thinks before he speaks rather than blurting out the first thing that comes to mind. Though he might take a little time to trust his instincts, he's a guy who knows what he likes when he sees it.

So when he meets Dana in the Wilderness Outfitters store, sparks fly. A web developer, Dana's outdoor experience to date consisted of walks to and from her car. She's not thrilled about camping, but can't resist the offer to try it. Initially, she'd hoped it would bring her closer to her boyfriend, but after he dumps her, she resolves to go it alone. And hopefully run into Hank in the wilderness. Winona Ryder starred alongside Brad in my head. She loves to take on the roles of quirky, interesting characters, so it seemed a good fit.

You can view the entire Casting Call series (so far) by entering the key words Casting Call in the search box to the right. Watch for Story Elements about Wilderness Girl tomorrow.

Here's a little different excerpt than the usual:
Exhaling a long breath, he shook his head. “Dana. You’re dangerous.” He bit his lip and looked at her. Gently, he tugged her T-shirt into place.
She ran a hand over his arm to his cheek. “Not really. Only if you want me to be.”
His face went blank. “We should get back.”
“Why? What’s wrong?” Scrambling to her feet, pebbles shot off the edge and tumbled below.
“Nothing. It’ll be dark soon.” When she was safely away from the edge, he walked back the way they’d come. He moved at a brisker pace, pushing branches aside, waiting for her to pass.
What had she done? Had she said something wrong? He was practically running away from her.
Nearing the trail, she scraped past a bush. “Ow.” She hissed through her teeth, looking at her thigh. A thin red line of blood appeared along a scratch.
His lips formed a thin line. “That’s why you shouldn’t have worn those damn shorts.”
“What is your problem with my shorts?” She held the edge above the scrape so the blood stain wouldn’t seep in.
He pointed up and down. “Because your legs are….”
“My legs are what?” You like my legs, she wanted to taunt. She stifled a grin. So she was having an effect on him. Maybe as powerful as the one he was having on her.
A groan burst from him and he walked ahead. “Let’s just go, all right?”
Wordlessly, she followed him to the stream. He bent without looking at her.
She climbed on his back. “Careful–the blood will get on your arm.”
He hoisted her up. “You probably didn’t even bring a Band-Aid, did you?”
She held his shoulders, less tightly than last time. “No. I hadn’t planned on traipsing through the woods.” Yikes, she sounded like a scolding mother.
He stepped into the water too quickly and slipped on a rock.
He was rushing to get back–why? “Whoa. Slow down.” She clutched tighter.
“What?” He still sounded upset, and still plunged ahead too quickly.
“I don’t want to drown.”
He mumbled something under his breath.
“You know, I’m not out to hurt you.”
“What are you talking about?” He walked faster. Too fast. His shoes slid across the rocks.
“All of a sudden, you act as if I’m poison to you. I’m just trying to understand why. I’m every bit as vulnerable as you.” She clung closer as he jostled her with his fast stride.
“That’s what I said.” His leg went crooked beneath him and he lost his balance. He gripped her thigh tightly struggling to correct it, but released his hold when they fell to one side and toppled into the stream.
Her head went underwater. The stones in the stream bed grazed her knee. At least she wouldn’t drown—it wasn’t deep here. She pushed herself up to a wobbly stand, the current surging around her legs.
Throwing back his wet head, he rose from the water and lurched toward her. “Are you all right?”
“Fine.” Her arms flailing for balance against the stream, she forced her legs ahead.
“Here, I can carry you.” He reached for her hand.
“No.” She moved away from his grasp and her sandal slipped on a slimy rock. Was he playing with her? He had to know how sexy he was, how women reacted–too easily–to his animal magnetism.
The water whooshed when he slogged past her. “Just get on.”
“I told you I can take care of myself.” Pushing her legs toward the bank, she slipped as the water grew shallow and the rocks greener.
“Careful.” His hand steadied her waist.
She sprinted up the bank. “No worries.” Her sarcastic tone couldn’t be helped. Mr. Take It Slow had no real worries. With his looks, he could have any girl he set his sights on.
He stopped, nearing her tent, one foot planted ahead on the hill.
She whirled to face him, her wet hair slapping her cheek. “You can go on. I said I’ll be fine. I’m going to get my book, dry off in the sun, make a little dinner…. Maybe I’ll even change my damn shorts.” Under her breath, she muttered, “Would that make you happy?”
His gaze ran from her soggy sneakers up her stream-soaked legs to her clingy wet T-shirt. “You should clean out that cut. You don’t want it getting infected.”
She said nothing. Whoever said better when wet should have seen Hank in wet clothes, chest still heaving, hair dripping down his cheek. She wanted to lick him dry. She folded her arms so he wouldn’t see her hardening nipples.
He stepped closer. “I have a first aid kit. I’ll go get it.”
“Don’t trouble yourself.”
“It’s no trouble. I’ll be right back.” Without waiting for a response, he jogged off and disappeared into the trees.
“I’ve heard that before. Adios, compadre.” If he was anything like the other guys she knew, he wouldn’t return. Something knotted inside her. He wasn’t, though–he seemed nothing like anyone she’d ever known. Still, if she intended to stay the night out here, she’d have to fend for herself. To do that, she’d need to get the fire going again.
Turning, she pushed her hair away from her face. She should probably comb this mop before it dried. No–sticks first. She bent to pick up scattered twigs and dumped them into the circle of rocks.
She set her hands on her hips. “Okay. Now what?”
“Here, I’ll help you get it started.”
Startled, she gasped and glanced in the direction of his voice. He’d come back.
He extended his hand, a tube of ointment in his palm. And a Band-Aid.
Yes, he was good at starting fires. Too good.

5 Divas for Wilderness Girl!

What a great weekend! A new release and a great new review!

Dark Diva Reviews rated Wilderness Girl 5 Delightful Divas!

Shelly, the reviewer, said, in part: Wilderness Girl is an adorable contemporary romance with a really cute beginning that will make you laugh out loud!

There are multiple funny moments as Hank teaches Dana how to be a wilderness girl. I only wish I had this much fun when I went camping (lol)!
This storyline was a nice change of pace from what I've been reading lately and it was quite enjoyable. Hank and Dana had quite a bit of fun, which made it fun for me. This is my first book by Cate Masters, but it won't be my last. I look forward to reading more from her and I'm thinking you'll feel the same way too!

Thanks so much Shelly! I'm so glad you enjoyed reading Wilderness Girl as much as I enjoyed writing it. Hope you get to find your own Hank and go camping soon. :)



Here's the excerpt:
Dana scanned the stacks of camping gear piled on the shelves. People must be crazy to pay full price for this junk. But planning this trip had been the first time Sean had paid attention to her like he used to. He’d been so distracted these last two months. Working late, even going missing a couple of nights, leaving her waiting for calls that never came. When she asked later, explanations stumbled out in a short, stammered rush that left many of her questions unanswered. If going camping helped him focus on their relationship, well, she’d do whatever was needed.
A deep voice behind her reached inside her thoughts. “Can I help you with anything?”
She grinned. Sean must have circled back around. He liked it from behind, and lately doggy-style was their only position. She backed the cart up until she felt his heat–it seemed more intense than usual. Maybe tonight he would relax a little. He’d been so tense lately.
“Um, yeah, I might need a little help.” She reached behind and ran her hand up his thigh. Maybe she’d give him a taste of what, in particular, she had in mind. He kept pestering her to be more sexually adventurous. She slid her fingers to his crotch. Clicking each tooth of the zipper open, his sharp intake of breath made her smile.
The sight of Sean walking between aisles, looking in the opposite direction, made her freeze.
“Oh my God.” Her breath strangled in her throat and she whirled around.
Six feet of tanned muscle, wrapped in a faded black T-shirt and jean shorts loose on his hips. Eyes like wildfire burning in a sun-kissed face. Grinning like a fox.
“Well, don’t stop there. You have my full attention.”