Sunday Snippet: Hazardous Curves Ahead

Happy holidays to those who celebrate. We had a lovely day, even if the temperatures were in the mid-teens. It's way better than the minus ten degrees we had earlier in the week.

I had some catching up to do with a work project and didn't get much watched, but I did catch a couple more episodes of Batman: The Animated Series. I guess I'll be watching all next month also because it's going to be removed from HBOMax.

I got to catch a couple of good episodes, featuring The Joker and Harley. Bane made his first appearance and the Clock King showed up again. Harvey and Two Face along with the Riddler both had episodes. And the episode with Baby Doll ended up being better than I remembered.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Hazardous Curves Ahead, a novella featuring one of my favorite tropes—meeting the wrong brother first.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Sometimes love is a slippery slope and when Imma and Sef almost crash into each other on a hazardous curve, they end up going through physical therapy together. After several weeks of flirty banter, Imma thinks a relationship with Sef might be nice … until her boyfriend shows up.

And a snippety peek…

In the ED, Imma rubbed at her temples. "Geez, my head is screaming." Her knee throbbed and ached also.

The nurse patted her on the arm. "I'm gonna take a quick x-ray of your knee, but I think it's just sprained."

Imma let the caregiver do her thing, focusing on the cubicle next door. They guy who'd knocked on her window had been wheeled in there a few moments ago. His shoulder hung at a weird angle, probably dislocated.

A little kick of guilt crept up her spine because she had so much interest in the guy. But she'd caught a good look at him when they'd loaded her in the ambulance. They'd made him ride in a different one. He had the most incredible eyes and they'd been filled with worry when they looked through her window.

The nurse bustled out. "Gonna have the doc review the image. I'll be back."

Imma leaned against the pillow, closing her eyes. She could still visualize the guy next door. On the tall side but not towering. Chiseled features with the gorgeous eyes. Ones that kind of sucked a person right inside and made them curious about the potential there.

She gut-checked her reaction and shook her head. "No way, Imma. You're just seeing what you want because you're not sure about Griff." And she had a bump on the head.

Thirty minutes later, she had a brace on her knee, crutches, and a prescription for pain meds.

The doctor walked out of the cubicle with her. "Follow up with your PCP within forty-eight hours if you can. You need to have a concussion test."

She gave a nod and clutched the handles. "Will do. Thank you." She limped forward, heading toward the exit.

She rounded the corner to the triage area and bumped into the guy from the accident, who'd just pocketed his phone.

He grasped her elbow, keeping her upright. "Sorry."

She murmured the same word simultaneously then followed up. "About the accident, too." The insurance companies could hammer out the details.

His shoulder looked better but he had two fingers wrapped. "Hazardous curve. There're a lot of accidents there." His gaze drifted to the big sliding doors. "Can I walk you out?"

Her lips curved and she gave a nod. "Sure. I'd like that." No better time to exchange information. "I've got my insurance information on my phone. I can give it to you outside." Gripping the handles of her crutches again, she started for the doors.

She wouldn't mind getting his number also…

This story is a lot of fun. Imma plays things straight even if it doesn't seem like she's going to.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Harvest Haven (Organic Nature short)

Think I'm finally over the hump with the ear infection and tooth issues. Feeling much more clear-headed and able to function. Low-grade discomfort is such a distraction.

Had an okay week watching more Batman: The Animated Series. I finished up season one and got started on season two, which is much, much shorter than the first one.

Enjoyed the opening of season two with "House and Garden." Ivy can be very intriguing and watching her playing normal family ended up being fun.

Also enjoyed Ra's Agul's return. I like the fact he isn't part of the usual rogue's gallery and doesn't haunt Gotham like the rest of the villains do.

I'm hoping to finish out the year with the rest of season two and three, then maybe dive into some of my favorite Justice League episodes with Batman.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Harvest Haven, an Organic Nature short.

Here's the mini-blurb:

The harvest season is a busy time for Eppie, but with their future set, she and Vin celebrate their life surrounded by family and friends. The couple takes the long weekend to recharge and bask in their brand of love.

And a snippety peek…

Eppie sighed. "It's perfect."

Hannah, Emily and Dani exchanged glances while Dani fussed with the skirt and crinoline  of Eppie's gown.

Eppie stared in the mirror while Hannah zipped up her dress. The design—lifted from a vintage Gunne Sax bridesmaid dress their mother wore—suited the setting and Eppie's personality. Dani did the sketch, scaling down some of the lacy elements, and Emily stitched the frock from the softest fabric Eppie had ever worn.

Hannah put her hands on Eppie's shoulders. "My brother is one lucky man." Her fingers squeezed gently. "I'm so glad he found you."

Emily snorted. "And lost the here-today, gone-tomorrow she-devil." She referred to Vin's ex, Shari.

Dani's lips twitched. "If we wanted to be really mean, we could introduce Shari to Jordan, Eppie's ex-bastard of a boyfriend."

Eppie laughed. "I don't think either one will be around this area anytime soon." Thank whatever ruled the universe.

Dani stepped back. "You're right, Ep. It's perfect." Reaching out, she adjusted the draping of the skirt.

Maj poked her head into the room. "Room for one more?" Her eyes went wide. "Eppie, you're gorgeous."

Eppie swiveled and gave her friend a wide smile. "Maj! I'm so glad you're here." She motioned Maj into the room.

Maj entered, flinging her arms wide. "I wouldn't miss this. I've never been to a not-wedding before and I wanna take notes … to hopefully use at a later date." She waggled her eyebrows.

Eppie clasped her hand. "Does that mean you brought him? You're ready to go public?" Maj had terrific guy but scheduling conflicts and her job frequently kept them apart.

Maj grinned. "I did and we are." She gave Eppie a quick hug. "I'll share more later; he's waiting downstairs." Easing back, she met Eppie's gaze. "I'm so happy for you." With a quick wave to everyone else, she turned and headed out of the room.

Dani arched her brows. "There's a story there, right?"

Eppie smiled. "There is. I'll bet Maj will be happy to spill after the ceremony." She took one last look in the mirror before picking up her bouquet. "Everyone ready?"

The three women gave affirmative nods and preceded Eppie out of the studio.

Eppie trailed them down the stairs to wait in the sitting room for Vin to arrive.

This is the next to last book in the series featuring Eppie and Vin. I've loved dropping in on a monthly basis to see them grow.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin 

Sunday Snippet: Hang Ten

Had a rough week with an ear infection and a cracked tooth. The antibiotic is definitely helping but functioning with a fuzzy brain from discomfort is not fun.

I did get a lot of Batman: The Animated Series episodes in. I started with season one number forty-eight and ended with sixty-four. I'm not all the way through "Paging the Crime Doctor" yet but should finish it up today.

Again, there were a few forgotten but so good episodes. "The Mechanic" and "The Man Who Killed Batman" are two that were excellent. Interestingly, Sid the Squid is mentioned later but it's not the same character from "The Man Who Killed Batman."

Two of my favorite two-parters were in this bunch, "Robin's Reckoning" and "Shadow of the Bat." I loved both. The first because it dives into Dick's backstory and shows how much Bruce and Batman care for Dick / Robin. The second because it introduces Batgirl. Another two-part arc with Ra's and Talia, "The Demon's Quest," is also pretty solid.

I also forgot about the second concluding (I think) episode "Day of the Samurai" that wrapped up Bruce's history with his instructor and rival.

"Zatanna" is another one I always enjoy. I love seeing the journey Bruce took to become Batman. I also enjoyed "Read My Lips" that introduced the ventriloquist. One I forgot about is "Fire From Olympus," which feels a little out of place in the Batman realm but I kind of like it because of that.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Hang Ten, a novella with surf, sand, and a sexy couple.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Farren and Penn—professional surfers—have very different styles when competing. Farren goes for broke, taking chances with moves that others won't try. Penn is all about the physics of his craft, sometimes holding back because he can't predict everything. Two different methods, opposite ends of the spectrum, but an interesting mix when they're off their boards and out of the water.

And a snippety peek…

Farren made her way to the string of cabins local contestants used for the competition. "Might as well see the damage I did." She tucked her board against the rough-hewn wood then went around to the front of the three-room building.

Her lips twitched when she spotted Penn sleeping in the hammock next door. Her heart practically sighed at the sight. The man made relaxing look incredibly sexy.

She'd been with Joe when Penn rode his wave, but she did get to see him accept top honors as overall champion after placing first in his heat. She hadn't congratulated him yet because she'd been waylaid by a blogger covering the competition. They got an awesome shot of her wipeout and several of Penn's winning ride.

She smirked. "He'll be smug at the fire later tonight." Rightfully so, but… still.

She spared a brief thought about waking him, but decided not to. He had the right idea … a nap sounded good. After all, she'd been injured and her chin ached.

She quietly entered the cabin and rinsed off in the shower, keeping the water cool to keep her face from stinging under the spray. After getting settled on the bed with her shoulders propped up, she set her phone alarm for two hours. Closing her eyes, she let her thoughts wander to the gathering at the fire pit the surfers would attend later.

She shifted lower to get more comfortable. "I'll have to figure out a way to take Penn down a peg so his ego doesn't get too puffed up." Considering she'd wiped out, she had to find her fun somewhere.

Then again … maybe she wouldn't have to do anything. Penn would get one look at her board-burned face and keep the bragging to a minimum. And … he might make her epic fail up to her later … after the fire died down and they returned to the cabins.

Her mouth curved upward. "If I play my cards right…"

I love having fun with building anticipation. Farren and Penn are competitive and very friendly rivals, which makes them a joy to write.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

 

Sunday Snippet: Green-Eyed Monster

December is off to a roaring start. We got some interesting and good family news and I think I'm very close to being finished with my holiday shopping. I might have one or two last-minute things to figure out but that's it.

As noted in my last post, I continued with my Batman: The Animated Series rewatch and started with episode thirty-one and ended with episode forty-seven. I had forgotten a couple of those episodes, in particular, "His Silicone Soul" and "Off Balance," which introduced Talia and Ra's Al Ghul.

There were also several of my favorite episodes in this bunch. "Beware the Gray Ghost," "Christmas with the Joker," "Almost Got 'Im," and "Harley and Ivy." Christmas with the Joker is one of my all-time faves and I usually watch it on a yearly basis.

I'm enjoying the rewatch so much, I'm probably going to continue through the end of the year. I have a lot of love for this show.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Green-Eyed Monster, a novella where a couple might get a second chance at a future … if they can get through a current situation.

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 sneaky peek…

At the familiar voice, Dani's eyes slid closed. "What the hell?" Of all the terrible timing.

She motioned the kitchen employees toward the back exit. Her team would get them out safely. Then send in reinforcements.

She cursed Neal's interference. Everything had been going according to mission parameters. They had ears in the place, the planned strategy unfolding like clockwork. Sasha showing up at exactly the right time.

Until she asked about the new girl, meaning Dani. They'd planned for the question. Coached the cashier how to respond. New hire. Started tonight. That would've been the cue for Ward to move in. Instead, three shots were fired and Neal's calm tone threw the whole operation into a tailspin.

And caught Dani off guard … because he shouldn't be here.

She shook her head. "Dammit. What the fuck is going on?" Neal could blow their whole sting.

Dani looked out, braving a quick glance to tag everyone's location. Relaying the general location information to her team, she assessed the current situation. Five armed hostiles, eight potential hostages. Dani had the element of surprise on her side and could probably take Sasha before she could get another round off.

Neal faced the gunwoman. "Look, at least let the women exit. There're only two." He tilted his head toward the door.

Dani bit back a growl. She couldn't have that. And, as a former undercover agent, he should know better.

Ward already had backup moving in. If the door opened, Sasha would see their movements. Shit. Dani needed to get a handle on things.

Sasha shook her head. "No one leaves." She unholstered a second weapon. "In fact, everyone in the back better get out here now." She laid a volley of gunfire through the open serving area.

Dani kicked off her espadrilles and withdrew her weapons. "Fuck. It figures." She had to go in now.

Flaming hot and with potential moving targets.

What could go wrong?

This story is coming together in a way I didn't expect and I love it when that happens.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin