Sunday Snippet: Green-Eyed Monster

Well, we're almost to the end of another month and I'm trying to contemplate what the final two months of 2020 are going to be like. Frankly, I can't do it. LOL And we still have a full moon to get through in October.

Had a slower than normal week for television. I'm honestly not in the mood to watch much and have been catching marathons on regular cable for the most part. Hallmark started their holiday fare and one of the books I copy edited is featured as a new movie this year. Last year, another book I copy edited had a premiere. That's always so exciting!

I did catch an episode or two of Silent Witness, but other than that, I mainly watch Ovation. I'm crossing my fingers they don't have a major programming change anytime soon. That happens so frequently for me. I fall in love with the line-up and all of a sudden, some new honcho comes in and effs it all up. I'm looking at you HGTV, SyFy, and BBC America. Or, I lose access to a channel that usually has classic stuff I really enjoy. Sigh.

Tonight's post is from Green-Eyed Monster, a novella that explores the character dynamic after a breakup when both characters realize they what they lost.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Dani works undercover sting operations and inadvertently shoots the girlfriend of Neal, one her coworkers. When the green-eyed monster of jealousy rears its head, Dani isn't sure how to help Neal through the trauma, but she'll move whatever stands in the way to make sure he's happy.

And a snippety peek…

Dani got home and questioned her sanity. She paced her living room, walking back and forth, letting her thoughts roam free. What made her think Neal would fall back in with her? He'd basically said the work sucked and he couldn't deal. And while she did completely understand why he felt the way he did, she couldn't imagine not doing the job.

Then again, she also couldn't imagine life without Neal either. A knock sounded on her door and she answered. Neal stood outside. She opened the door wide and invited him in.

Dutifully—and reluctantly—asked about Kyra. "How's she doing?"

Neal's lips curved. "She's on the mend. Her sister drove in from their hometown. She'll he taken care of."

Dani led Neal to the couch. "So..." She had no clue what to say.

Neal sat and tugged her down beside him. "Why am I here, right?"

Dani shrugged. Her nonexistent communication skills should stay in the background. And she'd promised to listen.

Neal grabbed her hand. "Basically, I came because we work. You and me."

Dani let a kernel of hope take root and laced their fingers together.

Neal gave her a shy grin. "Oddly, Kyra helped me see my personal truth. My problems with what we do are insignificant compared to why we do it." He hauled Dani close. "It's my turn for a wake-up call. My difference of opinion with you amounts to nothing. Not really."

She shook her head. "Don't say that. Because it does matter. When you're trying to get someone to listen and they refuse, there's a problem." Dani laid her heart out. "And I get that now. My inability to trust became my inability to be present when I needed to be."

Neal pressed a kiss to her temple. "We need each other. I need you to challenge me sometimes, especially when I get maudlin."

Dani nodded. "And I need you to remind me there's more at stake than the job." She cocked her head. "When did you realize? I mean, what was your moment of truth?"

Neal's lips twisted. "When we went after the counterfeiters right before we split. When I got stuck in the crossfire, pinned down, trying to avoid getting hit, the whole scenario seemed too stupid for words. The gangs, gun runners, drug cartels, none of them are going anywhere." He shifted and maneuvered her around to sit on his lap. "I really started wondering then." Dani stayed silent, hoping he'd continue because she planned to listen until he had no more words to say.

I like writing this one. I've got the story mapped out and hope to have it polished and ready in the near future.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Going Native

October 18, 2020

Wow, how can half the month be over already? Time either seems to fly by at the rate of insanity yet it often feels like it an entire decade exists within a twenty-four hour period. It's trippy.

Had a bunch of projects land in my inbox this week so television ended up being on the short end. I finished up a Blue Heelers episode and have another one ready to go.

Also made it through two-thirds of Silent Witness's fifth season. Two interesting cases. Looking forward to finishing up the last two episodes.

I watched a lot of the morning mysteries on Ovation again. I enjoy having those shows on in the background, especially when I’m shredding a ton of old paper files.

Looking forward to hopefully finishing up Picard and catching up on Riverdale and Roswell, New Mexico. As I mentioned, this is probably my last season of Riverdale. I literally can't stomach Hiram and I’m pretty sure he won't be going anywhere when the new season premieres.

That's the short list for television this week. Tonight's post is from Going Native, a novella where the characters do some personal exploration and decide what they really want.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Workaholic Adam Beaubier is supposed to be vacationing with his girlfriend. But after a harsh breakup, he's traveling alone pondering his epic failure at relationships. When he meets Zerrin Kord, a helicopter tour pilot, he thinks going native might be just the thing he needs and Zerri will make an excellent guide.

And a snippety peek…

Adam Beaubier sat in the airport waiting on a connection before a chartered flight to Hawaii. "How did I get here?"

Right. Nasty breakup with Gina Norwich, former girlfriend. How could he forget?

"To think I planned this vacation to keep Gina happy."

A last-ditch effort to make their relationship work. She'd been on him for almost a year to take some time off—something more than a long weekend—and spend it with her. Except it wouldn't just be with Gina. It would Gina and however many social engagements she could cram into the week.

He sighed. "We were good for each other once." Before she got sucked into the social climbing, status-is-everything whirl-go-round.

Adam wanted to invest, stay closer to home, live modestly, and retire early—then enjoy the fruit on his labor. Gina wanted the newest things now, to be on the go, see and be seen by all the right people. And she spent money like it materialized at the snap of a finger. He tried to talk to her about saving and investing but she rolled her eyes and put off the conversation. She wanted this trip. Wanted him for a week with no work getting in the way of their fun.

Well, he'd booked the tickets as a surprise, but not soon enough. After a grueling month of clearing his caseload, he came home to find her in the shower with Mark Denby, a former colleague.

"How could I be so stupid?"

And what did Gina do when he made his discovery? She mocked him, saying she'd found someone who actually wanted to spend time and money, in the form of a trip to Spain, on her. They were leaving the following day.

He snorted. "So ... here I sit, ready to go on a vacation I didn't want. Alone." The announcement for his connecting flight came and he gathered up his carry-on and slipped his phone out of his pocket. The attendant scanned his device and he headed for the plane. "Next stop, west coast. Then Hawaii … here I come." 

I love how this scene came together. I've had more than a couple of openers and this one finally clicked.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

 

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Going Downhill

Well, it's been a wild and bumpy week. My husband ended up with the flu in the middle of a pandemic. Not a lot of fun for him. The rest of us are trying to take any and all precautions so we don't end up with it also. Bleh.

Finished up a work project and had a little downtime before my next one begins. I'm actually kind of thrilled to have a bit of a break. I normally work every day of the week and having a couple of days off is lovely.

A so-so week of television. I finished up season four of Silent Witness and started on season five.

I also caught another arc of Classic Who. I'm on the second season of Four's tenure. Finishing out the "Terror of the Zygons."

Other than that, I mainly caught some Mystery Alley marathons on Ovation. I needed some background noise while I did a ton of shredding.

Other than that, I'm hoping to finish up Picard this week and maybe get back to Riverdale and Roswell, New Mexico.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Going Downhill, a novella that features characters making their way back to each other after a breakup.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Zetta and Mace have a messy breakup and dive into relationships with other people. Five years later they bump into each other and both are worse for being apart.

And a snippety peek…

Zetta stared at Mace's retreating back. She should've said something, but she'd been too shocked to speak. No way did she think she'd run into him moments after she'd come home. Memories washed through her mind and only the hand on her shoulder dragged her back to the present.

“Well, that just happened.” The owner, Vera, arched a brow. “Are you okay? You look a little frayed around the edges.”

Zetta blinked. “If that’s your nice way of saying I look like I just got mowed down by the awkward truck, then yeah, I’m fine.”

Vera led Zetta to the small sofa. “Do you know Mace, then?” She fussed about with the items on the coffee table.

Zetta shook her head. “But I used to. It’s been five years, so not so much anymore.” He could've been a stranger except for the gobsmacked look in his eyes.

Vera tilted her head to one side. “You didn't stay in touch?”

Zetta snorted. “No. I pretty much burned that bridge when I married someone else and hightailed it out of town.” Tears welled up and she shook her head again. “I’m sorry. I have no cause to be upset or sad." Dragging in a calming breath, she exhaled slowly. “And he had every right to run in the opposite direction.” And would probably keep running every time he saw her.

Vera patted Zetta’s hand. “Honey, I think you've got quite the story to tell. Let's get you checked in and settled, then I'll make some tea.” She got up and went over to the check-in area.

Zetta followed, amazed at the kind welcome. And tea sounded lovely, along with maybe a little bit of sympathy. Vera made the process smooth and simple and helped Zetta carry her bags up the winding staircase.

Vera paused outside a charmingly appointed room. "This is where I've got you. If you give me fifteen minutes, I'll have a pot of tea brewed and you can unload your heart, my dear." She pointed down the hallway. "The bath is straight ahead. You're welcome to grab a shower if you'd like. I'm not going anywhere."

Zetta gave Vera a smile. "Thank you. I appreciate everything you're doing." She pushed away from the wall. "I'll be right down after I take that shower you offered."

Vera waved and headed back downstairs. Zetta sighed. That little piece of kindness meant the world to her right now.

Zetta doesn't know what she's in for, but Vera will be a solid friend—one Zetta will need in her corner.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Going All Out

Welcome to October, the month with two full moons. Make of that what you will. I had a terrific week. Made a ton of progress on the cleanout and organization. Got a new set of rune stones. Met my two best friends for an evening of fun and laughter. And made headway on a work project.

Not a bad week for television. I watched a lot of Silent Witness. Finished up the third season and started on the fourth. It's shorter than the previous seasons, so I should be ready to start the fifth early this coming week.

Started a new episode of Blue Heelers. Apparently Nick's past has come calling. Not very far into yet but it's an interesting episode.

Watched part of the first episode of Bomb Girls. I'm excited about diving into this series. I've heard some great things about it.

I also watched a bunch of videos about rune casting again. They're very soothing, especially when I'm shredding paper.

Tonight's post is from Going All Out, a novella that features a friends-to-lovers theme and the anticipation and anxiety that comes with making the transition.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Lance and Xola work together and have a solid friendship, but there's always a little something more between them. Lance proposes a date, something other than a movie or grabbing a bite to eat at the same time. Xola accepts and the fun—and nervous tension—begins.

And a snippety peek…

Lance made it through teaching his class before he let his conversation with Xola replay in his head.

Dude, what the hell were you thinking? I can't believe you went there.

Yeah, well, he had. Not like he lied about her being his type. She fit the bill … totally.

But she's a friend and that tends to not work out well. "At least it hasn't in the past." Experience taught him if things didn't work out, the friendship got trashed.

And friends, good ones, didn't always stick around. Then again, good relationships usually had a solid friendship at their base. Not that he'd had a lot of luck with the one-on-one thing lately. Maintaining something long-term didn't seem to be in his wheelhouse.

"Because you haven't met anyone worth the extra effort yet."

Could Xola be the one to tip the scale? "Wait, slow down. What sparked this sudden interest, dude."

He loved talking to her. She made conversation easy. But … she also chilled in silence without making the quiet awkward.

Like the infrequent times they had a slow night at the station and she'd sit outside on the apron and stargaze with one or two others and soak up the night sky.

He shook his head. "Yeah, stop that. You enjoyed having coffee with her. Don't make more of it than it is." Gathering his phone and keys, he headed out of the classroom.

After stopping to get his schedule for the next two weeks, he made his way to the gym. But a forty-minute workout didn't chase thoughts of Xola away. By the time he picked up some dinner and settled in to binge-watch one of his favorite shows, he'd given up on not thinking about her.

Taking a sip of his beer, he shrugged. "Imagination is going wild right now, might as well indulge." He chuckled. "I know who'll feature prominently in my dreams tonight."

Lance and Xola are fun to write. I also enjoy weaving in the slow revelation of wow, this person is extremely cool—why didn't I notice before type of stuff.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

 

Skylin