World Bee Day and Bonus Chapter: Love All of Me

Dear friends,

To celebrate World Bee Day on the 20th of May, I wanted to share a bonus prologue (scroll to the end of this post) and a chapter from, Love All of Me, with you. This story was inspired by the tragic events of December 2019 when the volcano on Whakaari, commonly known as White Island, in New Zealand erupted. At the time of writing, the eruption took the lives of 16 people and injured 30, most were critically hurt with life-threatening burns.

I read about a young man (aged only nineteen) who not only was severely burned but awoke from his induced coma to learn that his entire family had died.

I wondered, what would it be like to be a survivor? What if you were wracked with survivor’s guilt? What if your scars weren’t just on the outside but buried deep within? What if you felt you had no right to live, let alone love again? What and who would it take to heal such traumatic scars?

And what would happen if a woman who hates Christmas agreed to be Red-Hot Santa’s helper and the spark they have is hotter than a Sicilian sunset?

Here’s a little more about the story:

After surviving a horrific accident Kate Miller is plagued by guilt. Hiding both her mental and physical scars, she shuns love and escapes into work—finding meaning and purpose in running her global manuka honey empire.

Beautiful and smart, when Gianni Romano demands she sell the business to him, her passions are inflamed. How dare he think he can buy the only thing that gives her a reason to live?

Gianni Romano has ventured to New Zealand by the one thing he’d love to escape: family The Romano fortune and name has followed him wherever he goes. But that only made the headstrong Italian more determined to strike out on his own. Now he’s on the cusp of achieving world acclaim.

Only one woman stands in his way—Kate Miller and her refusal to submit to his demands.

The spark they have flames hotter than a Sicilian sunset, but when emotions run deep and lives are on the line, will mixing business with pleasure be the bedrock for a lifelong love? Or will it all explode like an angry volcano?

Love All of Me is a true romance, brimming with the promise of a happily ever after.

If you love feel-good, sensual contemporary romances set in beautiful love-infused settings, then you’ll love Kate and Gianni’s story!

Listen to your free excerpt here

P.S.

You might be interested to know that Ron Howard and Leonardo DiCaprio have produced a feature documentary about the 2019 tragedy. Netflix’s documentary about the White Island/Whakaari eruption titled The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari. The Netflix documentary shows a number of survivors sharing their stories.

“I thought, ‘This is it. We’re going to die on our honeymoon’,” says one man.

Rescue workers also feature in the documentary, recounting their experiences of the tragic day. “I heard the call, ‘There’s people on the island and she’s erupting’,” says one man.

The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari was released on Netflix on 16 December 2022.

WORLD BEE DAY

“Bees, pollinators, and many other insects are declining in abundance. This day provides an opportunity for all of us – whether we work for governments, organizations or civil society or are concerned citizens – to promote actions that will protect and enhance pollinators and their habitats, improve their abundance and diversity, and support the sustainable development of beekeeping.” Source: https://www.fao.org/world-bee-day

Bee In Flower by Cassandra Gaisford

“Bees and other pollinators are essential for our existence, sustaining agriculture and biodiversity worldwide. With over 20,000 species of bees and various other wild pollinators, they face challenges from human activities, such as habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change.

In recognition of the pivotal role that youth can play in addressing challenges bees and other pollinators are facing, World Bee Day 2024 focuses on the theme “Bee engaged with Youth.” This theme highlights the importance of involving young people in beekeeping and pollinator conservation efforts, recognizing them as the future stewards of our environment.

This year’s campaign aims to raise awareness among youth and other stakeholders about the essential role of bees and other pollinators in agriculture, ecological balance, and biodiversity preservation. By engaging young people in beekeeping activities, educational initiatives, and advocacy efforts, we can inspire a new generation of environmental leaders and empower them to make a positive impact on the world.”

Source: https://www.fao.org/world-bee-day

I was inspired by the 2024 theme of World Bee Day, “Bee engaged with youth,” to create a bonus scene, a prologue, in which the heroine, Kate Millar, travels back in time and is a six-year-old being taught by her father the importance of bees to our survival. If you’ve read Love All of Me, you’ll know how vital bees became in helping Kate heal from the tragedy that took her father’s life years later.

BONUS PROLOGUE: LOVE ALL OF ME

Six-year-old Kate Millar skipped along the white pebbled path towards the buzzing beehives, her small hand gripping tightly onto her father’s calloused fingers. The warm rays of the morning sun filtered through the trees, casting shimmering gold fairy dust on the picturesque scene before them. The air was filled with the gentle hum of bees going about their important work.

“Look, Daddy!” Kate exclaimed, her eyes widening with wonder as she pointed towards a cluster of bees gathering nectar from a vibrant patch of pink and blue wildflowers nearby. “There are so many bees! They’re so busy!”

Her father smiled down at her, his eyes twinkling with pride and love. “Yes, sweetheart,” he replied, his voice filled with warmth. “Bees work tirelessly to pollinate plants, allowing them to grow and produce the fruits and vegetables that we rely on for food. They are incredibly important for our existence.”

Kate’s curiosity piqued, and she turned her attention back to the beehives in front of them. The smell of honey wafted through the air, enticing her senses. She watched as her father lifted the lid of one of the hives, revealing the intricate network of honeycomb inside.

“Daddy, why do bees make honey?”

Her father gently set the hive tool aside and knelt down to her level. “Bees make honey as their food source, Katie,” he explained. “They collect nectar from flowers and bring it back to the hive. Then, they use their special glands to turn the nectar into honey. It’s their way of storing food for the colony, especially during the colder months when there are fewer flowers blooming.”

Kate nodded, absorbing her father’s words. She reached out a tiny hand towards a jar of honey sitting on a nearby table. “Can I taste some honey, Daddy?”

Her father chuckled and handed her a small spoon. “Of course, sweetheart,” he replied. “Just a little bit though, honey is precious to the bees.”

Kate eagerly dipped the spoon into the jar, scooping up a small dollop of golden honey. She closed her eyes and savored the sweet, sticky goodness on her tongue. A smile spread across her face as she opened her eyes again.

“Mmm, it’s delicious!” Kate exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight. “Thank you for sharing, bees!”

Her father smiled and tousled her hair gently. “You’re welcome, Katie,” he said. “But remember, bees don’t just give us honey. They also play a vital role in pollinating plants. Without them, many of the fruits, vegetables, and flowers we enjoy would not exist.”

Kate’s eyes widened in understanding. She looked around at the vibrant garden surrounding them, the colorful petals swaying in the gentle breeze. “So, bees help plants grow and make everything beautiful?”

Her father nodded, his eyes filled with pride. “Exactly, sweetheart,” he affirmed. “Bees are nature’s little superheroes. They work tirelessly to ensure our environment is healthy and thriving. We need to protect and take care of them.”

Kate nodded solemnly, her young mind grasping the importance of the bees’ role in the world. She made a silent promise to herself to always appreciate and cherish these tiny creatures that held such great significance.

As they stood there, surrounded by the harmonious symphony of buzzing bees, Kate felt a deep connection to nature and a newfound respect for the intricate balance of life. She knew that she would carry this awareness with her, not just as a 6-year-old girl, but throughout her entire life.

She placed her hand in her father’s, and continued to explore the fascinating world of bees, their tiny wings carrying the weight of the world’s existence on their delicate bodies.

She slipped her hand free and tiptoed through the wildflower meadow, her small fingers gently brushing against the delicate petals. The vibrant colours danced in the breeze, creating a kaleidoscope of beauty. Her father, followed closely behind, his protective presence providing her with a sense of comfort and security.

“You’re like a bee, aren’t you Daddy? And I’m your flower. Without you I wouldn’t exist.”

Her father laughed, but Kate suddenly felt afraid. “Promise me you’ll never leave. Promise me you’ll always look after me and protect me.”

“I promise, sweetheart. No matter what, I will never leave. One day, far far away, when it is time to meet my maker in the sky, I will come back as a bee. Where ever the bees are you will find me.”