R.C. Alvarez here, the paranormal romance writing team of
Storm Navarro and Jolie de la Cruz!
Picking a location for the setting of our book was not a
difficult choice. We chose what we knew best: Texas.
Growing up here, weβve seen all sorts of people and
creatures. Big and small. Loud and quiet. A certain respect for others and nature is bred into
you.
Everybody knows Texas is sweet small towns and rich
southern culture, but itβs also wild landscapes and even wilder animals. From salamanders,
frogs, and toads to all the different kind of birds. You can hardly drive down a winding back
road without spotting a deer or two any time of the year. Cows and horses and sheep are cute
in their pastures, but donβt let the quaintness fool you. In the wide expanse of Texas
wilderness, there can be dangerous things too. Scorpions, wild hogs, large spiders, venomous
snakes, coyotes, bobcats, and mysterious mountain lions. There even used to be wolves that
roamed the arid lands of West Texas before they were nearly wiped out about 50 years ago.
Neither of us has ever seen a wolf in person or a mountain
lion for that matter. For the most part, the Texas cougar prefers to go unseen and unbothered
and are typically very good at remaining that way. So, if you ever do spot one, there must be a
pretty good reason for it to be out and about. Theyβre known to hurt humans when feeling
threatened or their hunting instincts are triggered by certain behaviors like running away or
staying too still (acting like easy prey). Loud noises, big motions, anything to make one seem
larger, helps to convince the cougar to retreat. And it never hurts to have a stick or rock to
send a clear message.
Now coyotes are hardly human killers. You are more likely to
be bitten by one if youβre saving one of your own animals from a coyote attack, or maybe if
theyβre rabid. The most we have personally ever interacted with coyotes is the song of their
little howls in the night.
However, itβs not even coyotes you should be wary of most
in the Lone Star State. The natural Texas predator most often recorded in fatal attacks is the
poisonous snake.
Fortunately, neither of us have ever been bitten.
But!...Recently, we went on a retreat with a good friend of ours out in the valleys of the Texas
hill country. We had a lovely view of the clear, fresh spring water of the Frio River and it was
nearly heaven on earth.
One morning, we were cleaning up after breakfast in the
kitchen of our cabin when our friend went out to check the box with all the electrical switches
and the next thing we know, sheβs screaming! Something about a snake. A very big snake.
We immediately think sheβs been bitten and rush outside to
grab her and go. But she was just fine. Just severely spooked. Because, believe it or not, she
had stepped right over the biggest male rattlesnake we had ever seen. He had about 12
segments in his rattle and his head was fatter than my two thumbs pressed together. He was
just all coiled there in the grass, soaking up the early rays of sunshine after a long chilly night
of sleep.
We backed away. Very far. And left him alone until we were
able to find someone who could help remove the big guy.
The kindest thing to do in these circumstances is to find
someone with more experience with the wildlife who can relocate the animal. You can prevent
snakes by purchasing a specific fence or just constantly maintaining your yard to make it less
appealing for them to hide in.
In our book, the most dangerous things the characters have
to deal with are demons, but animals are never an issue. Just a cuddly hedgehog and a
grouchy fallen angel. Interested in more Texas atmosphere? Check out our upcoming release,
Unchained Desire
, out May 27th!
Rapture Book 1
Chained to a demon queen for hundreds of years, fallen angel Ramiel has given up on his
brothers and sistersβand humanity. He has seven days away from hell to replenish his power
and thatβs all he cares aboutβright up until his meeting with the much too innocent Kyria. He
fell for that act before and it landed him in hell, he wonβt be making that mistake again.
To save her sick father, Kyria knows she must find Ramiel. Heβs dark, brooding and everything
Kyria should be scared of, but the haunted look in his eyes makes her think thereβs more to
him. The tattoos and chains donβt frighten her either, but the connection she has with him
does. When strange creatures attack her, Ramiel steps in to protect her.
Ramiel believes heβs reluctantly helping Kyria, but what neither of them knows is that she may
be the one to save them all...
Romance Paranormal [Entangled: Amara, On
Sale: May 27, 2019, e-Book, ISBN: 9781640638143 / ]
The Paranormal Romance writing team of Storm Navarro and Jolie de la Cruz spend their days
delving into myth and madness and coating it with romance. Texas born and raised, both
authors have a penchant for strong men and wild rides.
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