Another short story…
This is one I thought would be cute to write. So picture this:
Harper Donovan, the clumsy redhead with curves that could cause a traffic jam, moves to the rugged wilds of Alaska for a new job, completely unaware that she’s stepping into a town where men outnumber women ten to one. She’s always been the awkward one, the “ugly sister” in her family—so she’s definitely not prepared for the attention she’s suddenly getting. Especially from Jake Lawson, the gruff, ridiculously handsome local who’s all flannel, muscles, and trouble. When sparks fly and Harper’s accidental charm starts turning heads, she has to figure out if she’s ready to handle the heat… or if Alaska is about to melt her heart. Read the short story about it below. I’m thinking this could be a good book, I’ll probably finishing writing this next year. I’d love to know your thoughts on this.
Alaskan Heat
Moving to Alaska wasn’t exactly what I’d planned when I was job hunting, but when I saw the listing for an administrative position at a small local business, I figured, why not? I hadn’t really paid much attention to the fact that the ad said it was women only until I got here.
It wasn’t until I was standing at the front of the tiny local bar, the only one in town, that I realized something was off.
“Are you lost, sweetheart?” The deep voice cuts through the chatter as I sit down at the bar. The man speaking is rugged in a way only Alaska can breed—dark hair, scruffy beard, and a flannel that hugs a very wide chest. His ice-blue eyes bore into mine, and I feel a flush crawl up my neck.
“Uh, no, I just moved here. Starting a new job tomorrow.” I force a smile, not sure why he’s staring at me like I’m a steak and he’s starving.
He leans on the bar, those muscular forearms flexing as he narrows his gaze. “You’re the new girl they were talking about?”
“Girl?” I laugh awkwardly. “I’m a woman, thank you very much.”
“Oh, you’re definitely all woman,” he rumbles, eyes traveling slowly over me like he’s appraising every inch. “But you might not know what you’ve walked into.”
I blink. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He chuckles, a low, throaty sound that sends an unexpected shiver down my spine. “Well… we’ve got a bit of a shortage in this town.” He leans closer, his voice dropping to a growl. “Of women. Men outnumber you ten to one, honey. Which means you’re gonna have a lot of attention. Whether you like it or not.”
My heart stutters in my chest. Attention? Me?
That’s new.
I’ve always been the awkward, shy girl. In my family, I’m the “ugly sister,” the one who’s too clumsy, too short, and too…everything, according to them. Sure, I have long red hair and curves, but I’ve never been the kind of woman guys fall over themselves for. I’ve gotten used to blending into the background, which is where I’ve always liked to be.
But here… something’s different. The way this guy is looking at me makes me feel exposed, like maybe I’m not as invisible as I thought.
“I doubt that,” I mutter, suddenly self-conscious.
He raises an eyebrow. “Trust me. Around here, you’re practically a queen. Hell, with that hair, those eyes…” His gaze sweeps down to my curves, lingering a little too long. “You put Jessica Rabbit to shame.”
I snort, trying to shake off the weird heat climbing through me. “Okay, now you’re just messing with me.”
He smirks. “Stick around. You’ll see.”
There’s a moment of silence, the hum of conversation and clink of glasses fading into the background as our eyes lock. He’s too close now, and I can feel the warmth of his body, smell the faint scent of pine and wood smoke on his skin. It’s intoxicating, a little dizzying.
“So, what’s your name, city girl?”
“Harper, Harper Donovan,” I manage, trying not to look at his lips. Big mistake.
“Harper,” he repeats, slow, like he’s savoring it. “Nice to meet you. I’m Jake Lawson.”
Before I can stop myself, I blurt, “Do all the guys here look like you?”
He grins, leaning even closer until his lips brush the shell of my ear. “No, sweetheart. I’m one of a kind.” His breath is hot on my skin, sending a jolt of heat straight through me.
My pulse races. I don’t know if it’s the isolation of the town or the fact that I haven’t been touched by a man in way too long, but there’s something magnetic about him. I’m drawn in, even though I barely know him.
“You should probably stay away from me,” he says, his voice rough and full of promises I’m not sure I’m ready for. “Unless you want trouble.”
My heart skips a beat, but instead of retreating, I lift my chin. “Maybe I like trouble.”
His eyes darken, and before I know it, his hand is on the back of my neck, pulling me closer. “You have no idea what you’re asking for.”
#RomanceReaders #RomanceNovel #BookAddict #BookNerd #BookCommunity #BookNerd #Bookish #workinprogress #romancebooks #Romantic
Hey everyone! So glad you're enjoying 'Alaskan Heat' so far! As I mentioned, this is just a draft, and I'm really keen to hear your thoughts. When I started thinking about this story, the idea of throwing a 'fish out of water' character into a super specific, wild setting like Alaska immediately sparked my imagination. You know, like how those serene, deep blue lakes perfectly reflect the majestic, rugged mountains there? That contrast between a seemingly calm surface and the untamed wilderness beneath really resonated with me for Harper's journey. For anyone else out there who loves to write a story or dreams of becoming an author, let me share a bit about my process and what I find helpful. First, finding your core concept is key. For 'Alaskan Heat,' it was the 'men outnumber women 10:1 in Alaska' trope, but I wanted to give my heroine, Harper, a unique internal struggle – feeling like the 'ugly sister.' This gives her room for growth when she suddenly becomes the center of attention. Thinking about your character's past and their biggest insecurities can really bring them to life on the page. Then there's the setting! Alaska isn't just a backdrop; it's practically a character itself. The *pine forests*, the vastness, the isolation – it all contributes to the atmosphere and the heightened sense of drama. When I imagine Jake, I can almost smell the wood smoke and feel the chill of the air, even if it's 'Alaskan Heat' we're talking about! Using vivid descriptions, much like visualizing a natural, wild beauty scene, helps immerse the reader. Don't be afraid to pull inspiration from real places or even pictures you see. Another tip for writing is to start with a strong hook. For Harper, it was walking into that bar and immediately being confronted by Jake and the reality of her new town. It sets the tone and introduces the central conflict right away. What makes your character uncomfortable? What challenges can you throw at them quickly? I'm still fleshing out where Harper and Jake's story goes. Will she embrace the trouble Jake promises? Will she finally see herself as the 'queen' he claims she is? This is where your feedback comes in! What kind of romantic tropes do you love to read or write about? Do you prefer slow-burn or instant sparks? What kind of challenges do you think Harper should face next? Writing a story is an incredible journey, and it's even better when you can share it with a community. So, if you're working on your own story, don't be shy! Share your ideas, your struggles, and your triumphs. Let's inspire each other to keep those creative juices flowing. I'm excited to see where 'Alaskan Heat' takes us!
