The Blue Amaryllis by Sonia De Leon
Release Date: August 2014
Upon
the death of her mother, 26 year old Leia York is left bereft and grief
stricken. An old college professor extends her an invitation to join
him in one of the most beautiful, yet most dangerous, places on earth –
the Amazon rainforest. She embarks on an impulsive journey, hoping to
forget the sadness of her life in Chicago.
After being nearly killed by a man who belongs to a dangerous group
of Indians that hate outsiders, she stumbles into the Matis village. A
handsome native man sees to her injuries, and they soon form a
friendship.
Leia is among those chosen to go on a quest that is vital to the
survival of the natives. Along the way, Leia finds a strength within
herself that she never knew she possessed. The six week quest is fraught
with danger, adventure, and unexpectedly: love. A love which is
strictly forbidden. Will Leia respect an indigenous law that prevents
her from pursuing the only love she has ever known?
The Blue Amaryllis is a unique story that blends romance and
adventure, while exploring the very real ecological issues threatening
the Amazon rainforest and tribes within. It is a story of a proud people
whose unique way of life faces extinction, and the passionate love that
develops between one of their own and an outsider.
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Leia spun around, clambered up the high, muddy riverbank, and stared
at what lay ahead. The jungle walls rose like a living parapet in front
of her; a verdant tsunami of vines and darkness. She ignored the chill
that crept up her spine, and began sprinting into the jungle.
The thick canopy shielded most of the sunlight and reduced the thick,
clammy air to a pleasant coolness. The run allowed her to stretch her
legs after being cramped from the past few days of travel, and she soon
reached the river. She turned left and followed it.
The jungle began to dim and darken at an alarming rate, so she pushed
herself to run faster. Trees and vines whipped past, some snapping
against her skin. Many times, she splashed directly into the river to
skirt areas of the shore that were too overgrown to run through.
After about three more miles of hard running, Leia began to slow and
her breathing became uneven. She needed hydration, but the camel pack
she had filled back home in Chicago had been empty since lunchtime and
she refused to stop. How could she know whether this water was safe?
A movement in her periphery caught her attention as something black streaked through the trees across the small river. Please don’t let there be animals looking for a meal,
she prayed silently as she ran a list of possible creatures through her
mind. Finally, Leia reached a place where the grass and leaves looked
matted down. She slowed her pace to a jog and turned to follow the path.
Across the river, foliage erupted as a black shape burst through.
Leia turned to look, her eyes wide and startled. A menacingly large man,
his entire body blackened, stared at her from across the narrow river.
His top lip curled up, exposing his teeth as he advanced on the river.
The black coal smeared over his face made the whiteness of his eyes and
teeth almost glow against the darkness of the jungle.
Slowly, Leia began to back away, keeping her eyes trained on the man,
and with a leap and a splash, he bounded into the river, coming
straight at her. A scream ripped from her throat as Leia spun and began
sprinting as fast as her burnt out body could manage. She couldn’t hear
him, but somehow she knew he was close behind. A searing panic rushed
through every nerve in her body as adrenaline pumped her forward.
A quarter mile ahead lay a large grassy dirt clearing, scattered with
raised huts on stilted legs. Leia didn’t notice the ground drop, and
lost her footing, slamming her forehead into a low hanging branch. She
lurched upward, pushed herself off the ground, and stumbled into the
village.
In the center, a group of native people sat on logs eating a meal.
Leia ran into their midst. There was drawn out silence as they stared at
her, wide-eyed. She wheezed for breath, hunched over, while her hands
gripped her shaking knees.
“Please! Help!” she choked out between heaving gasps. “I have to see James McDonald, where is he?”
A man with a tall, broad-shouldered frame unfolded from where he had
been crouched on the ground and walked toward her. His lean, muscled
body moved in a smooth, prowling manner that brought to mind wolves and
panthers. To describe him as handsome would be a grave injustice. This
man was beautiful. Her eyes widened when she saw that he was mostly
naked, with just a thin cord wrapped around his bare hips. Leia tried to
prevent her eyes from drifting lower, but they dropped to his feet and
then ran up the length of his body.
He was magnificently built; a splendid creation. Multiple strands of
long, dark-brown beads crossed diagonally over a powerfully sculpted
chest, meeting in an X in the middle. Hanging from his neck was another
strand of white, triangular-shaped beads, which contrasted against his
bronzed skin. The same white beads wrapped in a single strand around
each of his biceps. He was very tall, and his features were
breathtaking. Dark eyes and high cheekbones gave way to a straight,
defined nose. A strong, angular jaw framed his wide, full lips. It was
as if God himself had gathered the dust and molded the impossible
creature before her with his own hands.
It really was unfair that she had to encounter the most attractive
man she had ever seen, while at her most unattractive. She didn’t
require a mirror to know what she looked like after a long run and knew
her stubborn flyaways resembled a lion’s mane framing her bright red
face.
Leia’s mouth hung open as she stared at him. A strange feeling
overcame her, and it seemed as if the entire universe shifted, then
locked into place with a loud, resounding echo of finality.
No, wait, it was her head spinning. Her eyes began to blur, a roaring
sound filled her ears, and she crumpled to the ground, falling into a
velvet-enmeshed blackness.
~ Sonia De Leon ~
I
live in the suburbs of Chicago with my husband and three daughters.
When I’m not busy being “Wife and Mother of the Year”, you can find me
working on my procrastination habit, while diligently avoiding any and
all forms housework. During that time, I make a mess of the house by
baking, helping my kids do artwork, or by going out with some friends to
find the best food Chicago has to offer! The following day is spent,
sadly, cleaning.
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