Sunday Snippet: Liar's Lament

With January coming to a close, the first month of the year is in the books. Oddly, I have a good feeling about 2021. I hope I'm right and the year is terrific for everyone.

Ended up with a full slate of work projects this week and I welcomed them with open arms. But they kept me pretty busy so I didn't get a lot of television watched.

I did finish up the second part of the racing episode of Silent Witness. Ended up being very twisty and turny.

I caught a full arc of Classic Who and I'm about halfway through the thirteenth series. I think I like the previous season better than this one so far.

Started a new Queens of Mystery episode and I'm still enjoying this series. I hope they end up doing another one. It's a lot of fun.

As always, I caught the usual mysteries on Ovation and some additional classic episodes of Perry Mason.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Liar's Lament, a novella that explores two characters who reunite after five years when one decides to face their demons.

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…

Sarah Barrison picked up the plates and carried them to the sink. "Why don't you bring that nice girl you've been dating next time?" She kept her tone casual.

But Rhett saw right through his mother. She did this at least once a month during their one-on-one dinners when his dad had rotary club. She liked to fuss, especially since he remained the lone unattached sibling.

He snorted. "Nice try, Mom. I told you Dani and I work better as friends." He'd tried but the long-term idea didn't last long.

The sexual spark hadn't really dimmed though. They had a nice friends-with-benefits thing going, which suited them just fine. Not that he'd share that information with his mom.

Sarah came back to the table. "You've said that about everyone since"—she lowered her voice—"she who won't be named." Her delivery bordered on dramatic.

Rhett rolled his eyes. "Only by you. And it was four years ago. I think the statute of limitations has been met." Or should have been anyway.

Sarah frowned. "Not if you can't move on." She sat back and crossed her arms over her chest.

Rhett sighed. "Mom, I'm fine. I'm not in big hurry to settle down. Why are you in such a rush?" He had siblings who had perfectly wonderful relationships.

Sarah gave a motherly sniff. "I want my boy happy." She slid him a teasing glance. "And more grandkids wouldn't hurt." Her eyebrows waggled.

Ah, he should have known. "You mean seven isn't enough?"

His two sisters had three rugrats apiece. And his brother and his partner Mark had one. Why did Rhett have to contribute?

Sarah gave a small shrug. "Of course, it is. And your brother is thinking about another one. It depends on whether Mark gets the promotion at the hardware store." She put her hand on his forearm. "You deserve what your dad and I have. What your siblings have found. That's all." Giving his arm a squeeze, she got up and went to the sink to rinse the dishes.

Rhett thought he had found the forever kind of love—with Harper. She'd checked off every one of the traits he wanted in the person he'd spend his life with. But he didn't check hers. Obviously.

His mom meant well, but until he found someone that made him feel what Harper had, Rhett wouldn't settle. And he wouldn't rush anything. Not even to please Sarah Barrison.

He pushed away from the table and helped load the dishwasher. "I'll let you know as some as I discover the right one, Mom." Closing the washer, he gave Sarah a one-armed hug. "And I'll make sure to bring her by when it happens." He reached for his jacket hanging on the peg rack beside the back door.

Sarah wiped her hands. "Until then, I need to stop bugging you, right?" Her eyebrow quirked upward with humor.

Rhett gave her quick grin. "Yeah, something like that." He lifted his hand then opened the door. "Love you, Mom."

She repeated the sentiment and let him take his leave. One outside, Rhett fished out his phone and called Dani for a hookup.

This one went is directions I didn't expect and I love when that happens.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Late Summer Engagement (an Organic Nature short)

Wow, January is almost over and it's been a month. I'm cautiously optimistic the year will get better and crossing my fingers to be on the safe side.

Had a semi-busy week with work and I'm still on my cleaning spree. I did get some television watched. Started with another arc of Classic Who and watched the four-part Pyramids of Mars. Will probably get another arc in this week.

Started the next two episodes of Silent Witness. Oddly enough, it featured a horse race and I just finished editing a book about a thoroughbred dynasty so I understood a lot of the jargon.

Also started a new episode of Blue Heelers. There's another new cast member and I'll reserve judgment on whether I like her or not.

As usual, I caught a bunch of the Ovation mysteries and some classic Perry Mason. I also caught a marathon of Hawaii Five-0. I might be somewhat over the loss of Chin and Kono and ready to watch the final seasons. We'll see.

That's pretty much it for television. Tonight's post is from Late Summer Engagement, an Organic Nature short set in the month of June.

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…

Eppie stared through her kitchen window at the arbor. "What are you telling me, Gram?" For a full week, she'd been drawn to the sanctuary, compelled to go out and sit with the quiet and solitude.

Maybe because she had more time now—she had good part-time help—and enough time had passed since her gram's death. Memories assailed Eppie, of sitting on the bench while her grandmother tended the garden. Or helping her prune the ivy that twisted and twined all around the pergola and arched entrance to the arbor.

Vin entered the kitchen and wrapped his arms around Eppie. "What's on your mind?" He rested his chin on her shoulder.

Eppie turned in his arms. "Wondering what Gram wants me to know." She appreciated Vin not making light of her belief in messages from afar. "Maybe she wants me to restore her favorite place." She shrugged. "But we're already planning to do that and I feel like there's more she's trying to say."

Vin stepped back and nodded toward the table. "Speaking of the restoration. I've got the plans if you want to take a look." He reached over and smoothed the pages down.

Eppie made her way over and settled on one of the chairs. "This looks terrific." She glanced upward. "How long do you think we'll need?" She'd estimate a couple of weekends if she got the overgrowth cleared during the week.

Vin pretty much confirmed her guess. "Probably one weekend to fix and repair the current structure then do some prep-work and another one to add the new elements." He pulled a chair around and sat next to her. "I left the archway with the benches intact, but think we should add a lattice-work supporting wall to each side." His finger traced the gentle curved lines of the suggested addition. "More benches, probably in stone, would anchor everything." He met her gaze. "That way it'll last another fifty years."

Eppie grinned. "My gram would've loved you." His design invited a person in and included the shady spot under the pergola as well as having the added stone seating for basking in the sun. "We could add a pedestal café-sized table with wrought iron chairs on either end also." She loved the way concept came together.

A lovely area to sit and relax surrounded by nature.

She tilted her head. "You know, my grandparents used to sit and talk through their issues out there. They'd sit across from each other at first then usually ended up on the same side once they'd resolved their situation."

Vin quirked a brow. "Is that why it was their favorite place?" He folded up the pages and tucked them into a folder.

Eppie gave a slow nod. "I think that played a big part, yes. It was a different time and the arbor represented neutral ground for them." She let out a small chuckle. "Whereas you and I tend to talk about whatever we need to in the moment, they were much more deliberate about how they approached strife and conflict." She didn't think her gram wanted Eppie to use the arbor for the same purpose … but her gram wanted Eppie to learn or know something.

Maybe she'd discover the answer during the restoration.

Vin got up and held out his hand. "Speaking of communicating in the moment …" He tugged her up when she grasped his fingers. "Care to interpret this?" His mouth closed over hers and his palms cupped her ass.

Eppie moaned and eased away. "You're in the mood for hot sex and I'm right there with you." She grabbed his hand and led him through the small hallway to the stairs.

Eppie and Vin are so much fun to write. I love following the progression of their relationship one month at a time.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: A Kiss Is Just a Kiss

Okay, I've been on a cleaning spree again, which means I had a somewhat slow week with television. I haven't been in the mood and my attention span is limited right now.

I did get a new episode of Blue Heelers started. It's an interesting one and I'm enjoying it.

I also finished up the final chapter of the second episode of Queens of Mystery. I really like this show.

Caught the second part of a Silent Witness episode and quite liked the mystery this time. I also enjoyed getting to see the transition from Sam to Leo as professor. I've never seen how they handled that.

Other than my usual slate of Classic Perry Mason and The Saint along with the Ovation shows, I haven't caught much else. Ovation has a new-to-me show called King and I've seen a few of the episodes. Not bad. I'll see if my opinion holds.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from A Kiss Is Just a Kiss, a novella that has a bit of a reunion that turns into romance.

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…

The approach to the airport brought back a lot of memories. Some good. Some bad. But … ten years away from his dad taught Wash a thing or twenty. He didn't have to live up to anyone's expectations or do things the way his dad did. But Sam drilled in the importance of home and Wash needed a healthy dose of belonging somewhere even if he feared shit going sideways.

He exited the plane not really paying attention. He did a cursory scan of people waiting on the other side of the security gates and promptly spied a hot blonde. Surrounded by business types, vacationers, and others waiting on family members, he briefly wondered what brought her to the arrivals location. He entered the queue for security, a little disappointed at not seeing the old man.

Continuing through the line, he set his bag on the conveyor and passed through the metal detector. Grabbing his rucksack, he started to fish his phone out to call a cab. Man, he'd hoped—

"Hey, sailor. Need a ride?" The female voice sounded familiar.

Wash turned to find the hot blonde smiling. Distracted, he assumed she wanted a military man for the weekend. He had no desire at the moment to get tangled up with anyone—gorgeous or not.

He paused and gave her a long look. "Do I know you?" She really did seem familiar.

The smile dimmed, the welcoming light going out of her gaze and uncertainty crossed her features. "Wash?" Again, the voice reminded him of someone.

But the side tilt of her head had memories slamming into him. "Damn. Betsy?" Holy hell. She'd grown up and looked nothing like the sweet sixteen-year-old he'd left behind with his dad.

Her grin returned and she nodded, stepping forward to greet him, her arms open for a hug. A little dazed by the scorchingly beautiful woman in front of him, Wash hauled her in close. Her chin tilted upward. Instinct kicked in and Wash lowered his head, his mouth colliding with hers. Mmm ... she tasted sweet, her soft lips responding to his embrace.

His body reacted—blood heating, heart pumping, and, of course, his dick swelling. Cool it, genius, this is Betsy. Betsy! Reality kicked in and he broke the kiss, thrusting her away from him.

She blinked, her mouth opening then closing when her fingers brushed over her lips. "Wow." Her tongue darted and she let out a little hum.

His face flamed. "Jesus, I'm sorry. That shouldn't have happened." What the hell?

A brief flash of hurt followed by anger lit her gaze before she schooled her features into a mask of calm. "No apology necessary." She gave him a slow once-over—one that almost looked like she found him lacking in some way—before she nodded. "Welcome home. It's good to see you, Wash." She jerked her head toward the exit for arriving flights. "I'm in short-term parking if you'd like a ride?" She made it a question.

The awkward moment averted for now, he hefted his rucksack further up onto his shoulder. "Lead the way." He followed her outside. "I'm glad you came." Oddly ... he found sentiment to be true.

And she'd obviously not landed back with her mom, which didn't really surprise him.

I love writing Wash and Betsy. Wash has a few issues he needs to work out and Betsy is going to help him whether he wants her to or not.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Killing Time

Well, it's definitely been an interesting beginning to the new year. At this point, I'm coasting through and taking happy moments when I can. Blogging is a happy moment for me.

Had a couple of work projects I needed to finish up and started a new one. I didn't have a lot of time for television but I did get a few things watched.

I watched a little more of Gabriel's Inferno and hope to finish it up sometime this week.

Also watched the next two installments of Queens of Mystery. I finished the second part of the first episode and started the first part of the second installment. I rather like this show.

Other than that, I watched most of an episode of Blue Heelers and caught my usual mysteries on Ovation. I'm a little bummed they've changed their line-up, but that always happens. I get used to and love having my shows on at a certain time and the network has to change things up. Ah, well.

Tonight's post is from Killing Time, a sexy short where the characters have a fun time on a stakeout.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Landry comes up with a great idea to kill time while on a stakeout with her hot co-worker. Her biggest challenge? Getting Thryn to participate in a lively game of truth or strip.

And a snippety peek…

As soon as Thryn entered the van, Landry grabbed the stack of always available food menus. "Okay, first things first." She fanned the takeout pamphlets. "Ice-breaker."

Thryn quirked a brow. "Do we need one?" He set his go-bag on the deck.

Landry chuckled. "Probably not but I think you can tell a lot about a person by their choice of restaurant." She waved a hand over the display.

Thryn considered her words for a moment. "Okay, I'll play." He perused the brochures. "Do you have any favorites?" He glanced up to catch her response.

She nodded. "I do, yes. Better question would be do I not have any." She generally loved food.

He laughed. "Good point. What don't you like?" He held out the pamphlets.

She pulled the Taco Hut and La Bamba Grill from the stack. "Love the food, but not when I'm closed inside a confined space for twelve hours." Thanks, Brad.

He grimaced. "Understood. Anything else?"

She shook her head. "Nope. I'm easy to please." At least with food ... everything else, well, her taste tended to be more discerning.

And, so far, Thryn ranked in the upper echelon of decent partners to be paired with.

Thumbing through the others, he snagged a flyer for a noodle shop. "The Emporium?" His eyebrow arched with the question.

She flashed a smile. "Best in town." He set it aside and withdrew another. "Magoo's Diner." He didn't make this one a question.

He didn't need to. Pretty much everyone loved the retro vibe and excellent food.

She moaned. "Oh, yeah. Absolutely." Nudging things along, she asked. "Coffee?" She had two she liked.

Thryn didn't even look through the menus. "Jumping Joe. Best java anywhere. And they have terrific soup if you need lunch on the go."

She completely agreed. "And their scones are to die for." Especially the seasonal ones.

Thryn nodded. "Can't disagree." He slapped one last menu on the counter. "The best for a sit-down dinner." His finger tapped the name of the restaurant.

Landry took a glance and grinned. "Oh, yeah. Salvo's is incredible." She gave a nod. "You and I ... are gonna get along just fine." Hell, he had Brad and Dane beat on food alone.

Thryn's lips curved. "Glad I passed the test." He gathered up the scattered menus and stuffed them back in the drawer.

She chuckled. "Not really a test thing, more a wish I'd thought of it before being paired with Mason and Hamilton." She sobered. "I'm not picky—for the most part—but experience, well, I tend to learn from previous ones." She stopped there, unwilling to throw fellow operatives under the bus.

Thryn kept his features schooled. "I've had the dubious distinction of working surveillance with both. Enough said." He turned to adjust the monitor and check the recording devices.

Had they just bonded over shared less than stellar work assignments? Maybe. Maybe not. But she'd claim kinship with anyone who could convey without words the craptastically not fun time of what working with Mason and Hamilton could be.

A flash went off on the monitor and the recording device kicked on. Landry snagged a keyboard and started typing while Thryn worked the camera to follow any action.

Time to get to work.

This is a fun little dive into the romance with a coworker trope. I love the vibe this couple has.

 

That's if for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Justice is Served

Welcome 2021! It's been raining like crazy the last few days, which is kind of soothing even if it's also a little dark and dreary.

I finished up a work project and had time to get somewhat organized for the new year. I have a few small things to get lined up but I'm ready to dive deep into 2021.

Had a very slow week in television. I caught a couple episodes of Blue Heelers and a couple episodes of Silent Witness. I also did a few year-end marathons and watched my usual classic TV and mystery shows.

And that's how I'm starting this year. Tonight's post is from Justice is Served, a novella that has my main character letting someone in to her world after she's been manipulated into committing crimes.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Derby Stack is a cold-blooded killer, but not by choice. She's convicted for her crime, but Nate Mobius's specialized legal firm takes an interest in her case. Nate gradually wins Derby over and together they uncover a sinister trail leading back to her childhood therapist.

And a snippety peek…

In the prison library, Derby's gaze scanned around the room several times. Multiple trips to the infirmary—the latest one for three full days—taught her to trust no one. She read another page not quite able to immerse herself into the story, but she'd become absorbed enough to jump when a loud voice called her name.

"Stack, you've got a visitor."

Derby blinked then sighed. "Not that overzealous advocate again." She marked her place in the book and rose, moving slowly toward the guard—her least favorite—Wilma Gruder.

Wilma smirked. "You got private accommodations today." She spoke loudly to draw the attention of the other inmates.

The beefy woman opened the door and led Derby through the cell block and out into the administrative hall. Derby ignored the eyes boring into her and willed her stomach to stop churning. Less than thrilled to be on display, Derby followed Wilma and managed not to bump into anything while keeping her head down. She never fared well with unwanted attention and resisted the urge to rub her side where her ribs still ached from a run-in with two fellow inmates. At least I didn't end up in the clinic again.

She waited by an interview room while Wilma unlocked the door. When it swung open, Derby expected to see the advocate, Laura Behr. Instead, a dressed-up suit sat at the table. Broad shoulders filled out the navy blue jacket and a dark-haired head bent over a legal pad and a thin case file. Who's this guy?

Wilma grabbed Derby's arm and roughly pushed her into the room. "Looks like you got a hot one, Stack." She eyed the man up and down. "You sure he's not here for a conjugal?" Her cackle of laughter filled the small space.

Derby's face flamed hot. Wilma's crudeness never failed to embarrass Derby. The hot one in question raised his head and quirked a winged eyebrow, his gaze hard and unyielding. Wilma coughed and backed out of the room, obeying the unvoiced order to vacate.

Derby stayed rooted to her spot, unwilling to venture closer. She didn't know this man, but didn't trust the polished exterior—not even when his gaze shifted in her direction and softened. He stood up and smiled, the transformation almost breathtaking. Derby didn't fall for the affable act. She held his gaze a moment then looked away, scanning the room from corner to corner, top to bottom, unwilling to yield an inch or let down her guard.

Bad things happen when I do.

I'm so happy with how this story is coming together. Derby doesn't trust anyone and Wilma is part of the reason why she doesn't.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin