Sunday Snippet: Little Black Book

Wow, September flew by. Now that we're into fall the days always seem to go faster, probably because they're shorter and the activities tend to be jam-packed. I love the fall season so I hope I remember to take time to enjoy it.

As usual, the week got stuffed full of last-minute projects, but I did get some good viewing in. I caught The Last Ship on Monday because my brain needed time to recover from homecoming. LOL An excellent episode by the way.

I binge-watched classic Hawaii Five-0 most of the day on Sunday and it helped soothe my garbled mind. Caught another episode of Midsomer Murders and I'm almost through the season. I think I still have about seven more to watch.

Got in another episode of Babylon 5 along with The Sarah Conner Chronicles. To keep with the sci-fi theme, I also watched episodes of Birds of Prey and Lexx. Rounded the week out with Pensacola Wings of Gold and The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.

Caught an all-day marathon of The Garage Sale Mysteries, too.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Little Black Book, a sexy short that spins a trope on its side a little.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Kalyn Miles is footloose and fancy free and likes it that way. She does what and who she wishes. Her current object of desire is Sid Mortimer, but he'll have nothing to do with her—especially since she wants to add him to her little black book.

And a snippety peek…

Kalyn hesitated. Would he go for her suggestion? Only one way to find out.

She propped an arm on the bar. "We spend the rest of the day and night together. That should give us time to test the waters." Please agree.

Sid considered her idea for a moment. "Sounds good. But too easy." The corner of his mouth kicked up in a sexy smirk.

Damn. He'd read her like a book.

She sighed. "Okay, I'm open to extending the deal if we're compatible after a night together." What the hell am I doing?

Sid tossed a number. "Six months. That's how long I want with you." He held her gaze, almost daring her to run.

Kalyn's eyes went wide and her heart pounded. Her brain tried to wrap around half a year… Her stomach roiled a little.

She flicked her tongue out to wet her bottom lip. "Uh, you're pretty confident there, aren't you?" His self-assurance kind of turned her on.

Sid nodded. "I am." His tone left no room for doubt.

So tempting, but also terrifying, to accept his timeframe. "No offense, but I'm not." She cracked a smile. "Baby steps, Sid." She countered with an alternative. "How about three months?" Three months! Have I lost my mind?

Sid's mouth thinned but he held out a hand. "Deal."

Kalyn blinked. "Um, okay. That was easier than I thought." She expected more haggling from him.

She went to grasp Sid's hand but he held up a finger. "With the option to extend if we're both in agreement." His brow quirked.

Kalyn laughed and took his palm to shake on the deal.

Sid pulled her close, putting his mouth by her ear. "I realize we need to be discreet, but my name is the top of your list—exclusively—during our three months." He eased away, his gaze daring her to argue.

And there it is. But not a deal breaker. She'd play by the rules because she wanted him that much.

She gave him a wide grin. "Done."

I love the back and forth with this one. Sid's not a doormat and Kalyn appreciates the fact he won't cave. I have so much fun writing these two.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Liar's Lament

Well, it's homecoming weekend and our football team won the game last night, which is an amazing feat. They came from behind and pulled out the win. The weather took a cool turn and the group we hosted for the pre-festivities had a lovely evening to take pictures.

Had a super-busy week leading up the big group activity, but I did get some solid viewing in. I'm working through Luke Cage and I like the newest season but I'm a little disappointed in pushing the anger angle. I'm hoping it ends up being worth the character assassination. Looking forward to the second season of Iron Fist.

Caught the third episode of Driven, Passionflix's first limited series. I'm really enjoying this one. So far, everything they've released is pretty terrific. Can't wait for the holiday offering this year.

The Last Ship's second episode kicked some serious butt. I hang on the edge of my seat each week to see what happens next. The hour flies by too. Why can't time move that fast when I'm stuck waiting somewhere? LOL

Also got another episode of Peter Gunn's first season out of the way, along with several episodes of Classic Who. Watched the second episode of Penny Dreadful and, holy crap, there's some crazy stuff going on in this show. I love it.

Caught episode five of Wynonna Earp. This show improves with every new twist. Not sure how I feel about Mamma Earp, but I'm in for the ride. Also watched an episode of The Dresden Files. Someday I need to read the books this series was based on.

Caught the next to last episode of Canal Road. As I predicted in something like episode two or three, my money is on the lawyer for setting everything in motion and getting rid of Spencer's family. We'll see if I'm right with the final episode.

I watched the DVD of Hairspray and really liked it. This is a movie I didn't catch the first time around and I had fun watching.

The rest of the week, I filled in with the usual marathons of Murder, She Wrote and In the Heat of the Night. I'm pretty sure I've almost made my way through both series with only a few hit or miss episodes being left to watch.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Liar's Lament, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt of writing a story that involves a lie.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Harper Scrytch kicks Rhett Barrison to the curb and runs like hell to avoid a romantic entanglement. Four years later she arrives back in town to make amends only to discover Rhett has moved on… unless he hasn't.

And a snippety peek…

Harper walked the tree-lined street convinced she'd done the right thing. Lying is the right thing? Okay, maybe not that part. That part? Girl, the whole thing is a lie.

She didn't have a great opportunity waiting in the wings. In fact, her offers were nonexistent. But the need to run, break free, and see what the world looked like beat a staccato message in her brain. Go! Go, now! Go!

Harper let herself into the apartment she shared with another photography student. "Lily? You home?" No response.

A little relieved, Harper gathered her suitcase and overnight bag along with her laptop and camera case. The rest of her stuff had been packed up last night before she went to Rhett's. She left the keys on the kitchen counter. Lily would be moving out the following week.

Harper didn't mind leaving without fanfare. She and Lily pretty much shared photography in common and little else. Not that either tried all that hard to make inroads. Harper rarely let people in—with the exception of Rhett.

"And you didn't let him all the way in."

A childhood of revolving stepparents and lovers du jour between her mom and dad, not to mention being shuffled back and forth when shit went sideways colored her world view in dark, moody tones. "I don't want to end up like them." What chance did she have at real, honest-to-goodness true love?

Not much of one.

Harper loaded her car and slid behind the wheel. Her phone rang and Mommy Dearest appeared on the caller ID. Great.

She hit answer. "Mom, hey, can I call you back? I'm driving right now." Another lie… hopefully, her nose wouldn't start growing.

Abigail Spencer-Scrytch-Wilson-Monroe-Wilson—geez, Mom—Scarpetti snorted. "No, you're not."

God, how did she always know?

Harper started the engine. "Okay, but I'm getting ready to and I've got a long drive ahead of me." She put the car in gear. "So, again I ask, can I call you back?" Please-please-please?

Abigail sighed. "Fine. But don't forget this time. I've got news to share." Her voice all but bounced with glee.

Harper's stomach took a sick twist. "Please just tell me who the new stepdad is or when I'm getting a new one." She couldn't deal with wedding news… not after breaking up with Rhett.

Abigail tsked. "I'm not getting married. And you're clearly not in a positive state of mind right now." Her tone took on a concerned edge.

Duh. She'd just walked away from the possible love of her life. At the very least, her boyfriend. But she'd never share that kind of information with her mother.

She fibbed… again. "Sorry, Mom. Like I said. Long drive. I'm in combat mode right now." Her fingers swiped over her nose, just to check for growth.

Abigail relented. "Fine, fine. I'll let you go. Call me soon, though, okay?"

Harper eased off the brake and started backing out of her parking space. "Will do, Mom. Bye." She ended the call and nudged the guilt aside.

Pulling out of the parking lot, she eased into traffic, driving away from her now former apartment. She'd call her mom when she stopped for the night, wherever that ended up being. Then… she'd check in with her dad. And, finally, she'd figure out what the hell she should do with her life. One that wouldn't include Rhett Barrison.

Fighting back tears, she merged onto the interstate.

I'm pleased with how the planning went for this story. I love how everything comes together. Here's hoping I can get it finished up soon.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Laundry Night

Whew. What a week. Our high school's homecoming is next weekend and we're in a flurry to get the last-minute accessories for the big event. We usually host about six couples each year and we're getting the menu finalized and nailing down who's bringing what. Like I said. Whew.

Had a semi-productive viewing week for television. The season premiere of The Last Ship didn't disappoint. I loved how much exposition they packed into small moments. I'm so excited for the next episode, even though we lost two of my favorite characters.

I caught the second episode of Birds of Prey. Also caught episodes of Pensacola Wings of Gold and Lexx. I'd forgotten what happened during the most recently watched Lexx. Now I need to see the next episode to see what the fallout was. LOL

Caught a classic movie on DVD, Crazy Love. It's a Myrna Loy / William Powell comedy and it was excellent!

Watched another episode of Strike Back. I'm beginning to like how the team is coming together and it was great to have some references back to the previous incarnation of Section Twenty.

Finally, I watched the next to last episode of season six Chicago Fire. I'll be interested to see what happens in the finale.

That's pretty much it. Caught the usual marathons of Murder, She Wrote and In the Heat of the Night along with a mini-marathon of The Saint.

Tonight's post is from Laundry Night, a sexy short that started with a writing community prompt of word cues… choking, laundry room, mismatched socks. Honestly, I had an image pop almost immediately.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Dixie Stores has a thing for her hot neighbor Neece Bovary, but he's heard all the rumors about her series of bad—and sometimes loud—breakups. Determined to win him over, Dixie breaks a cardinal rule and folds his laundry, mismatching the socks to get his attention, but gains the wrong kind when the innocent prank goes awry.

And a snippety peek…

Neece Bovary pulled into the small apartment complex and parked in the small unloading area. "Home sweet home for the next twelve months at least." The landlady wouldn't do anything less than a full-year agreement.

He got out of his SUV and went around to the trailer he'd towed behind. The movers had already unloaded the big pieces and stored them in the two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment. Neece had smaller stuff along with his headboard, which his dad made when Neece won his first hockey contract. Whenever he relocated, the piece of nostalgia traveled with him.

He grabbed the bubble-wrapped and blanket covered item and slid it out of the trailer then turned to carry it around to the front entrance. He cut through breezeway between the center building and the one on the right where his second-floor unit waited for his official move in.

Head down, he almost slammed into a gorgeous brunette dressed in scrubs taking the same shortcut. "Crap. Sorry. Wasn't paying attention." He set the headboard down and helped steady the pretty woman.

She laughed. "No, not your fault. I was actually digging in my bag for my key." She held up the black fob for a newer model car.

He wiped his hand on his t-shirt. "Neece Bovary. I'm moving into building one, unit four." He thrust his palm forward.

The beautiful creature gave him a wide smile. "Dixie Stores. I'm right below you." She grasped his hand in a firm handshake.

He glanced at the apartment under his. The small porch out front had loads of greenery and a lattice enclosure shading the colorful red-painted door. Planter boxes graced both windows with a mix of postcard-perfect blossoms.

Neece let go of her hand and nodded toward the building. "Great to meet you. I hope the movers weren't too loud this morning." He'd been several hours behind them.

Dixie shook her head. "Not at all." She started toward the parking area again. "Nice to meet you, too. Welcome to the complex." Giving him a waggle-fingered wave and a bright smile, she ducked around the corner of the building.

Neece picked the headboard up again. "What a looker." He headed toward the steps leading to his apartment.

A low, throaty voice stopped his progress. "Well, hello, handsome. Are you our new tenant?" A vision in a silk robe crossed the small courtyard in front of the buildings.

Neece propped the headboard against the steps. "Yeah, hi." He put his hand out again. "Neece Bovary."

The lady, probably in her early fifties, gave him a catlike smile and grasped his palm. "Fawn Denton. I live in the middle building." She held onto him a little longer than necessary.

Neece extracted his fingers from her and nodded. "Nice to meet you. Two lovely women in my first five minutes. That's gotta be a record." He flashed a quick smile.

A hint of malice entered her gaze. "What a nice compliment. But I'd watch out for Miss Dixie. She comes across as all sugar and sweetness but, oh boy, when it's time to end a relationship, she becomes screeching and obnoxious." Fawn's lips curved in a smirk.

Neece hated gossip. Always made him comfortable. He'd been on the receiving end too many times during the hockey season.

He grabbed the headboard again. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks." He turned and started up the steps.

When he reached the landing, the older woman gave him a bored glance then walked back toward her apartment.

Neece shrugged and opened his door, easing the headboard into the apartment and propping it against the wall. Stepping back out onto his small balcony, he caught movement in the window of the unit next to Dixie's. Unwilling to meet anyone else at the moment, he trotted down the stairs and got back to unloading.

Neece only has part of the story from Fawn… but Dixie has an ally and he'll get the full truth in an unexpected way.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Late Summer Engagement (An Organic Nature Short)

Well, September is off to a bumpy start. Not in a bad way, more like a "here are some changes, let's see how you like them" kind of thing. So far… meh… I'm not a big fan. LOL

Got some solid television viewing in. I'm still not back to the usual schedule, but I'm getting there. Right in time for the new seasons to start.

Last week, I caught Chicago Fire and I'm almost at the end of season six. Also caught another episode of Luke Cage and a few episodes of Classic Who. I also watched the second episode of Driven from Passionflix.

Started Penny Dreadful and wow, not at all what I expected and better than I thought it would be. Looking forward to more of this show.

Caught another episode of Killjoys and, seriously, I love this show so much!! The banter is sheer perfection and the complicated relationships are awesome. I got another episode of The Dresden Files in and caught a couple of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. Followed that up with Canal Road. I have two episodes left of this one and I'm still not one hundred percent sure if I've called the killer of Spence's wife. Guess I'll find out soon.

Watched another series thirteen episode of Midsomer Murders and followed that with Babylon 5 and The Sarah Conner Chronicles. I also watched a marathon of Hallmark Channel's The Good Witch movies.

All in all, not a bad week for television. Tonight's post is from Late Summer Engagement, an Organic Nature Short.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Vin's ready to spend his life with Eppie, but he's not sure she wants to be the marrying kind. Instead of proposing, he suggests something a little different. As usual, Eppie surprises him with her response.

And a snippety peek…

Vin Derbish met Eppie Collins on the far end of the fenced-in section around the old farmhouse she called home. "Hey, Ep. Sorry I'm late." He gave her a one-armed hug and dropped a kiss on her mouth.

She gave him a smile. "You're not really. I've been out her for a while, chatting with my gram." Her hand brushed over the ivy-covered arbor. "This place holds so many memories."

Vin cast a contractor's gaze over the structure. "It's in some danger of being overtaken by the ivy." A good pruning would probably reveal some weak spots in the lattice-worked limbs that formed an archway with bench seating on either side.

The pergola also had some heavy vines wreaking havoc on the sturdiness. A couple of weekends and maybe a few evenings could restore the arbor to its former glory. He might even be able to add a few enhancements—a water feature and a few stone pieces, possibly—to really make it special.

Okay, even more special. Eppie already loved the space.

She wrapped an arm around him. "You're imagining possibilities, aren't you?" Her head lolled on his shoulder.

Vin chuckled. "Yeah, I am. But what do you want here, Ep? I'm assuming you asked me to meet you here because it's showing signs of age." But also loving care because the bench sections were ivy-free.

Eppie moved away from him and stood in the center of the arbor. "My gram and gramps built this the year they got married. It's been here over seventy years." She turned and met his gaze. "I'd like it to last another seventy." Her mouth curved in a suggestive grin.

Vin had a singular moment of clarity. I want to spend those seventy years with you. He did. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with Eppie Collins.

He only had one problem. Eppie never wanted to get married. Who says you have to be married to spend your life together?

Yeah… no one said they had to tie the knot. The beginnings of a plan took shape in his mind.

He rocked back on his heels, determined to make this arbor a dream spot for her. "Let's go to the shed and draw up some plans." He held out a hand.

Eppie gave him the widest smile. "I love that idea." She grasped his palm. "What were you thinking? I'd love to add a water feature."

Great minds think alike.

I love this couple so much. They're not full of angst but they have conflicts they work through and solve.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: A Kiss is Just a Kiss

Greetings, September! I decided to start at least thinking about what to do for holiday shopping this year. I'm fairly certain I've decided the direction I want to go in for the kids and the husband. Possibly even my parental unit. This never happens. I fully expect the world to stop spinning sometime in the near future. Just saying.

Had a super crazy and busy week, but still got some solid viewing in. Granted, I did end up doing the usual marathons of Murder, She Wrote and In the Heat of the Night. I also got a solid block of The Saint in. Also got two episodes of Classic Who watched.

I started Sunday with Midsomer Murders then followed with Babylon 5 and The Sarah Conner Chronicles.

Monday, I caught the Birds of Prey pilot episode. I loved this show so much when it premiered. Tuesday was Pensacola Wings of Gold. Wednesday, I watched another episode of Lexx and on Thursday, I watched Surprised by Love, a Hallmark original. Finally found one I thoroughly enjoyed.

On Friday, I started season five of Strike Back. I got interrupted during the first episode so I'll finish it over the weekend. I did finish Band of Brothers, which is one of my rewatch at any time shows.

Saturday has been a big block of The Saint again. Not sure what else I'll get into but I'm writing the blog post a little early so it's out of the way.

Still behind on Killjoys and Wynonna Earp, but I'll definitely make sure to watch every single episode in the near future.

That's it for this week. Tonight's post is from A Kiss is Just a Kiss, a novella that got a start with a scene prompt of writing one character teases the other with a kiss on Fourth of July weekend. The one being kissed makes an alpha!appearance.

Here's the mini-blurb:

A kiss is just a kiss… except when it’s not. Betsy Roarke shares a brief lip-lock with Wash Mulligan and can't stop thinking about it. He's got her all twisted up and turned sideways and she aims to make him feel the same.

And a snippety peek…

Dear Dad, I've decided to leave the navy.

Washburn Mulligan stared at the blank screen. "Nah. Like he'd care." Not like Butch supported Wash's decision to join in the first place.

Maybe ten years had mellowed the old man out.

Wash snorted. "Right. As if." But he needed to find something to put in the e-mail.

Keep it simple, man.

 Wash typed in a brief message saying he'd be coming home and listing his flight time. Not that he expected his dad to meet him at the airport, but Wash had enough time with his mom before she died to learn manners. He wouldn't be rude and just show up on his dad's doorstep.

It's your doorstep too, dude.

Wash hit send then kicked back to wait for his ride to the airport. He pushed an unsettled feeling aside. Mustering out of the service had been the right call. After losing his best friend on the last deployment, Wash didn't have the drive to stay in anymore. Didn't help he hadn't been there when Sam went down. I should've been able to save him.

But he hadn't been and he couldn't change the outcome.

"Wash. Your ride's here." Norm Chantley stuck his head into the room.

Wash got up and swung his rucksack over his shoulder. "Thanks." He stuck out his hand. "It's been an honor to serve with you."

Norm grasped Wash's palm. "Same, Wash. Won't be the same without you."

Wash's lips kicked up in a grin. "It's gonna be different, going back to civilian life." But hopefully good.

Norm gave Wash a slap on the back when he exited the room. "Keep in touch, man. We'll look forward to hearing about what you get into."

Considering Wash had no idea what his future held, he almost laughed. Instead, he promised to let Norm know when he got settled.

If he got settled. No guarantees there.

Getting into the waiting car, Wash slouched down and fished his phone from his pocket. Maybe he'd call his dad. No… they'd argued the last time they'd talked around the holidays. Wash grieved for Sam and Butch had been cranky about something work-related. But something in his dad's voice gave Wash pause. The old man sounded tired. Except when he talked about Betsy. The girl could do no wrong in his dad's eyes.

Wash delved into memories. She'd been in high school when he left, involved in music, drama, and lots of committees. He'd been doing his own thing working for his dad and tried not to pay much attention to her. So much easier said than done when a cute, outgoing female breezed into their home and put down roots.

And the poor kid tried to play peacemaker when he and Butch got into it. Didn't take more than a couple of major blowout arguments with his dad before Wash enlisted. He needed time to figure out what he wanted from life.

He snorted. "And I needed discipline. Something the old man wanted me to have but never took the time to teach." Getting away had opened Wash's eyes.

He might not know what he wanted to do with the rest of his life, but he had found himself. No longer the boy who lived in his dad's shadow, Wash had become the man he wanted to be. For better or worse.

Now he had to strategize how to fit back into Butch Mulligan's world.

Oddly, he welcomed the challenge.

I enjoy writing Wash. He's a little damaged on the inside but not mean and surly about it. Yet. Being back in his dad's orbit might change Wash's demeanor just a little. LOL

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin