Mating Games: A Dangerous Dance of Desire and Destiny

by Brooke Hartman

The forest breathed around Arianna, its chilly tendrils
wrapping around her like an embrace, equally suffocating and
invigorating. The air was alive with the sharp scent of pine and
damp earth, igniting her senses and pulling her deeper into the
wilderness that had been her sanctuary for as long as she could
remember. She stood at the edge of a clearing, the vast expanse of
trees before her standing sentinel, their towering trunks creating a
natural fortress that held her secrets and dreams.
Waves of cold air poured through the underbrush, rustling the
fallen leaves and sending a shiver down her spine. It was early, the
dawn just breaking, painting the horizon in shades of muted
lavender and gold. Here, in the heart of the forest where the world
is untouched, Arianna felt a fleeting sense of freedom—the type
that danced alongside the first light of day, coaxing her spirit to rise
just as the sun did.

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2025

About the author

Brooke Hartman is an Alaskan mom and award-winning author of books for children. When she isn’t writing, you can find her flying, fishing, and having fun with her family, enjoying all the magic life has to offer.

Follow her writing adventures at BrookeAHartman.com, or on Instagram and Facebook @BrookesBooksAK.