Sunday Snippet: Winning Hand

Big cold snap with a little bit of snow this week in weather. I'm getting much better about making sure I have layers on even if it's just a quick trip outside with the doggos. I also haven't had a major cold yet this season and I hope I didn't just jinx that fact.

Semibusy work week with finishing a proofread and working on two copy edits. I'm hoping to have some projects to work on over the holiday break. I'm not great at having a week or two off then trying to gear back up into work mode.

Fairly decent week of viewing. I'm trying to decide what new show to add to my usual slate of viewing fare. I'm leaning toward Beyond Paradise, but I'm not completely sure yet.

Caught another episode of Mr. and Mrs. Murder. I hadn't seen much if any of this episode and I enjoyed it. I think I have a handful of episodes left before it'll be time to switch to another show.

Watched another episode of London Kills and tensions are running high. The case ended up being very interesting and Viv and Rob are pushing the line by investigating David. Looking forward to more of this one.

Enjoyed another episode of Death in Paradise. Part one of a two-part arc and the lead-in to the show's one hundredth episode. Loved seeing Camille at the end and can't wait to watch the next episode. I've seen almost all of it and loved it.

Finished up season two of Elementary. I still think Mycroft is an ass even if I get why he did things the way he did. I'm a little on the fence about where Sherlock and Joan left things. I'll be interested to see where they pick up with season three.

Started the two-part series finale of The Batman. I don't remember if I actually watched this before or not but it was a good episode. I think I might move on to Batman Beyond after this.

Also watched another episode Classic Rugrats. I hadn't seen either of the vignettes and enjoyed both.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Winning Hand, a sexy short that sees a couple go from friends to lovers.

Here's the miniblurb:

A night of poker takes a sexy turn when Hahn Canedy ups the ante and wagers a night of hot sex as his tithe. Tawni Capps can't resist calling the bet—either way she'll have the winning hand.

And a snippety peek…

Tawni tilted her head to one side when Brett and Ellie scooted away from the table. "You're not quitting now, are you?" She'd just lost most of her Skittles to Hahn.

Robin and Dav cut out after about five hands. Both headed to their separate rooms to turn in. Robin had a report to review and Dav … probably had a new love interest. He didn't get into specifics but mentioned talking to someone new.

Ellie yawned. "I'm beat. And I refuse to open another bag of candy so Hahn can win more from me." She stretched and grabbed her cup. "I'm going to refill my water and head to bed." She leaned down and gave Tawni a quick hug.

Brett lifted his chin. "Same. Only not the water part." He slapped Hahn on the back. "Enjoy your bounty, my man." He nodded toward the pile of colorful blobs on the table. "Tawni, I'll wager you won't have any Skittles left by the time you're done." He smirked and blew a kiss in her direction.

Tawni rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I've got a bag stashed if lose it all." She propped her feet up on a newly vacated chair. "'Night, peeps." She shifted her attention to Hahn, a little thrilled to find him studying her with narrowed eyes.

Maybe he'd taken her hint from earlier…

Which she somewhat doubted because they'd kept each other in the friendzone for … well … ever. She had some reservations about crossing the imaginary line separating them, but she also wondered if Hahn might be what she actually wanted but feared getting. She'd never know if she didn't push against their boundaries.

She arched her brows. "Looks like it's you and me. Your deal." Tapping the deck in the middle of the table, she followed by pushing it toward him.

He handily shuffled the cards and dealt two hands.

She picked hers up and quickly discarded a few. "Two, please." When Hahn gave her the requested number, she adjusted the positions and carefully kept her features blank.

Hahn would have a hard time beating this one.

He rearranged his cards then glanced upward. "What's your wager?"

Tawni leaned back in her chair. "I don't know. Depends on if you're taking any cards or not." Maybe she could test the waters with a different kind of wager.

Hahn rolled a shoulder. "I'm good." He set his cards facedown on the table.

Tawni straightened again, swinging her feet off the chair and leaning forward. "You're not taking any cards?" Hmm … he must have a great hand also. "In that case, I guess I'm all-in." She moved the rest of her Skittles to the center of the table.

Hahn's lips kicked up in a smile. "Well, now I'm not sure what to do." His eyes narrowed on her again.

A bolt of something wickedly sexy burst through her. "Need a little help deciding?" She made her tone suggestive and playful.

Hahn blinked and shook his head. "If you're all-in, what do you have left to lose if I raise?"

A great question … one she couldn't wait to solve.

Tawni will definitely get her chance to issue a challenge to Hahn and she'll be very happy with the outcome.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Wind It Up

Ohio is back to being contrary with its weather. Super cold days in the teens followed by a warmup of midfifties. My sinuses hate this kind of back and forth.

Had a fairly busy work week with a new project landing in my inbox. It's one of my favorite authors to edit and proofread for. Also spent a lot of time pulling my tax stuff together. I realized last week I hadn't filed for 2023 yet. Better late than never.

Not a bad week of viewing. I didn't make a full round of my usual slate of shows, but I got most of the way through. Again, my sleep schedule is playing havoc with my brain.

Watched another episode of Mr and Mrs Murder and thoroughly enjoyed it. A lot of familiar faces in this one, which is always fun.

Caught another episode of London Kills and I'm kind of excited about Rob and Vivienne teaming up to investigate David. Of course, there's more to the story and I can't wait to find out what's really going on.

Enjoyed another episode of Death in Paradise. I'd seen most of this one but it's nice to follow the whole story from beginning to end instead of catching bits and pieces all the time.

Finished up season twenty-seven of Silent Witness. Gotta say, I really enjoyed the finale. Jack proposing to Nikki made my heart happy. And I'm interested to see what happens with Jack's place. Maybe Kara and Velvy will stay there.

Watched another episode of Elementary and enjoyed it. Still not a Mycroft fan even if he had extenuating reasons for being an ass. I am kind of glad Sherlock isn't going to throw his brother under the bus. At least I don't think he is. The next episode should reveal what will happen.

And that's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Wind It Up, a novella that features a past and present dilemma for the main character.

Here's the miniblurb:

Garner Mason enlists in the military and leaves Rae Manilow behind—breaking her heart. Rae meets Sheriff Felix Reynolds and falls hard, settling down with him in his mountain cabin. When Garner rolls into town intent on making amends with Rae, she's trapped between two men she deeply loves and can't see a way out of her predicament.

And a snippety peek…

Felix sat at the bar in Maguire's Saloon, nursing a beer.

The door whooshed open and, didn't it figure, Rae's ex strolled in. Garner made a quick scan of the interior—something Felix recognized from his military training—then ambled up to the bar and ordered a draft. The bartender pulled a mug from the shelf, filled it, and set it in front of Garner. Felix observed, trying to decide whether to confront the other man or stay on the sidelines.

Confrontation won.

He swiveled around on the stool and cleared his throat.

Garner glanced toward Felix and recognition flared in Garner's gaze. His fingers tightened on the mug, but otherwise, his face remained neutral. Felix took that as a good sign.

He nodded toward a table in the corner. "Got a minute?" He didn't wait for a response, sliding off the stool and heading for the alcove.

Mason would follow or not. Instinct said the other man would face Felix. Rae's recollections of their time together hinted at a strong streak of honor in Garner. Sure enough, booted footsteps sounded on the polished floor behind Felix.

Felix settled atop one of the chairs. Garner took the opposite one and both set their mugs on the surface at the same time. Garner slouched down, angling his legs to one side and crossed his ankles.

Felix took a moment to assess the other man. Rae loved him. She always would. And Felix loved her. His conversation with Penelope replayed in his mind. Love is what we make of it. It can be narrow and clearly expressed or expansive and hard to define. She'd nailed the issue on the head.

Garner met Felix's gaze. "Your minute is half gone. Say your piece." He took a long swallow of his beer.

Felix didn't mince words. "What are your intentions? You planning to pull Rae back into a relationship?" He arched his brow. "Or just stopping in for a quick screw? If so, think again. A fast pit stop won't work here. She's a hell of a woman and deserves better." And she'd probably be pissed if she could hear him now.

Garner straightened up and crossed his ankle over his knee. "You mean with someone like you?" His lip curled but his tone lacked heat.

Felix grunted. "Like with whoever she wants. If that's you, I can step aside." He wouldn't like it or make it easy, but he'd get out of the way if he had to.

Garner snorted. "As if."

Felix leaned in. "Rae and I have a lot of discussions where your name pops up. I can live with that." He loved her pure heart. "But don't make promises you can't keep. If you're not going to stick around, don't stir shit up." Or leave her in tiny pieces.

Garner clenched his fist. "I can't stick around. But I love her, man. I always have. Coming back here … facing my past … I needed to do that. And I still love her. Always will." His shoulders slumped and he heaved a sigh.

Felix leaned back. "But you won't stay." Would he really wreck Rae again?

Garner gave a swift back and forth of his head. "I can't. I know it's not fair. But I'm special forces and damn good at my job. I made a promise to my CO to stay in. He's the closest thing I've had to an actual dad." He exhaled slowly. "I won't let him down. Not after he pulled me up straight and gave me a purpose."

Felix lifted his chin. "Yeah, I get it." He waited a moment. "So, how do you see this playing out? Because a quick romp for old time's sake will only hurt Rae."

Garner sighed. "Yeah. I know." He took a long sip of his bear. "I don't know, man. This was a terrible idea. Probably be better all around if I get the hell out of town and finish my leave somewhere else."

Felix shook his head. "Don't even think about it unless she asks you to. You don't get to decide what's best for her." Hell, I don't get to make that choice either. Even if that's what I'm doing right now.

Garner arched a brow. "If she decides I'm best for her? You willing to walk away?"

Felix gave a terse nod. "I love her enough to get out of the way." He shot Garner a look. "I also love her enough to stay."

Garner blew out a harsh breath. "Harsh. But point made." He scooted back. "Look, I've been as honest as I can. I've got thirty days leave. I'll be around that long. Rae can contact me if she wants." He got up to leave.

Felix stopped him. "I'm going home to her now and I'll be telling her we talked." Then brace for impact because she'd be unhappy.

Garner shrugged, a smirk playing across his mouth. "Can't stop you, and I've been gone a long time, but not long enough to forget she won't be happy about our discussion."

Felix snorted. "No, she won't be." And damned if he didn't like Garner a hell of a lot—even with that blast of honesty.

I love this story so much. It's so much fun writing a throuple.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Weathering the Storm

Welcome, December! I'm truly not sure what this month will bring. I'm at a weird place where I feel kind of stuck and a little buried under the weight of needing to get things done … but I have no idea where to start.

Work slowed down a little, which isn't a great thing. But it did give me some time to spend with my daughter when she came home for Thanksgiving break. I'm so grateful for that time. And December still looks to be booked with projects for the most part.

The temperature did drop but didn't quite dip into the teens. I'm really not ready for the arctic blast yet. But it does help get me in a mood for the holidays.

Had a semi-decent week of viewing. My sleep schedule is all over the place again and that doesn't always make for a good attention span.

Watched the season two premiere episode of London Kills. Nice to see Billie back in action. I'm interested in the ongoing arc from season one. This cast is stellar, and I love the changing dynamics between them.

Caught another episode of Death in Paradise. I'm starting to find some redeeming value in Neville. I liked the way he kind of helped Florance. Really not sure about Marlon.

Enjoyed part one of Silent Witness. Loving some inside looks at Jack and Nikki and the mystery is kind of amazing. I have no idea where things are going and that's always fun.

Watched another episode of Elementary. Mycroft is an ass and maybe that's a good thing. He definitely has some explaining to do. I do give him kudos for being able to manipulate Sherlock even if I hate that he could. And I'm going to be really pissed if Sherlock decides Joan is his weakness and starts acting like a bigger ass than Mycroft.

Caught an episode of The Batman and it's one I don't remember watching previously. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Having a team that is completely opposite of Batman and Robin was fun.

Enjoyed another episode of Classic Rugrats. I think it's the final one where the whole episode is one story. I kind of wish there were more of those.

And that's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Weathering the Storm, a novella where the characters are prepping to be snowed in.

Here's the miniblurb:

Gabby Carns and Tim Appleby live in a remote, mountainous region. When the weather report warns of massive snow fall, the couple prepares for the coming blizzard. But instead of being fearful, they're looking forward to the alone time—nothing brings out the steamy romance like a plunge in the temperature.

And a snippety peek…

Tim stacked the last of the chopped wood. "Better get a fire going." The gray sky looked hazy from the falling white stuff.

He stomped the flakes from his boots and slid them off just inside the door. Hanging his flannel on the hook, he headed over and lit the logs in the fireplace grate then in the woodburning stove. He found the PB and B sandwiches and wolfed them down before making sure the hurricane lanterns were filled and ready.

He puttered in his workspace. "I hope Gabby makes another hearty stew." Not much could beat strip checkers by the fire and Gabby's cooking.

She joked about lacking skill, but he didn't want a gourmet chef. She made simple recipes then elevated them with twists on tradition. Her grilled peanut butter and apple sandwiches had been a first for him. And they were actually pretty tasty.

"Not as good as peanut butter and banana, though."

He checked the clock. "Should have enough time to grab a shower and get the guideline secured for the generator before Gabby gets back." He'd help her unload and get everything put away.

He didn't take long and stood at the window, toweling his hair dry. The clouds were darker, and the snow fell harder. It still scrabbled across the ground, not quite sticking yet. But it would soon. The wind had picked up and the flurries danced in little whirlwinds.

Dragging on a pair of jeans, he threw a waffle-knit shirt over his shoulder and snagged a pair of thick socks from his drawer. He shrugged the shirt over his head and slid his feet into the socks then his boots. After retrieving a length of rope from his workspace, he knotted one end to the railing on the back porch. He'd lowered the tarps to act as a windbreak and to keep most of the snow off the porch. The generator sat close to the AC unit about fifteen feet away from the back door. Never a problem if they lost power when a thunderstorm blew through.

"Definitely not fun when we've got blizzard conditions." He pulled the rope taut and tied it off on the post between the house and the generator.

He huffed out a breath. The last time they'd been snowed in, they struggled to not get turned around in the whiteout conditions. Gabby suggested the guideline and didn't have to work to convince him. "We should think about adding a solar-powered generator next year." No need for gas cans.

While the weather held, he made his way to the shed and loaded up a canvas bag with rolled-up papers. "Love recycling the store ads we get in the mail." The skinny logs made great kindling.

He deposited them beside the stacked wood then went back to putter in his work area until Gabby got home.

Tim and Gabby are fun to write, especially with building anticipation for weathering a huge snowstorm.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: We Shouldn't

It's been a wild week. Between work and other commitments, I've been frazzled. My sleep schedule is all over the map and I'm not enjoying the fits and starts of trying to get rest. But … I'll adjust. Hopefully soon.

Our weather has been all over the place. We had a sixty-degree day followed by snow and thirty-four degrees. The day after Thanksgiving is supposed to be in the upper teens for the high. I'm side-eyeing Mother Nature right now.

Work projects are coming in and I think I'm booked through the end of the year. I'm pleased because December can be a sketchy month sometimes. I don't mind downtime, but I'm definitely not prepared to have limited income this year.

Had a terrible week of viewing. Too many distractions and said lack of sleep kept me from getting much watched.

I did catch an episode of Mr. and Mrs. Murder and kind of enjoyed it. Some familiar faces as guest stars this week. The mystery was a little lackluster but a good episode nonetheless.

I also caught some marathons of Midsomer Murders. I kind of love the streaming twenty-four hours of one show channels. It's fun to set a favorite and have a go-to comfort watch whenever I want.

I'm also looking at a few new shows but haven't decided which ones I want to pick up. I'm also hoping to get back to my rewatch of Battlestar Galactica. My viewing partner will help determine if that's going to happen. So much more fun to watch with someone else who loves the show as much as I do.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from We Shouldn't, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the miniblurb:

Sutton Perry and Lyle McCormack collide during an off-campus party, overindulge with too much partying, and end up back at Sutton's dorm. When they wake up the next day, Sutton swears off alcohol and the weird but promising start with Lyle ends pretty much before it begins … but a series of misadventures keeps them in orbit around each other and Lyle soon pulls out all the stops to win Sutton over.

And a snippety peek…

Sutton Perry let her roommate drag her up the steps to the Library Rave. "I can't believe I let you talk me into this." She didn't really do the rave scene.

But two years of college and zero parties made her feel like she missed out on something important.

Haley Jacobs turned and gave Sutton a smirk. "Trust me, Sutts, you're going to have a good time." She shimmied her hips and pranced into the building.

Sutton rolled her eyes. "You're calling me Sutts again? I'm not down with that nickname." Then again, Haley shortened everyone's name.

Or she came up with something cutesie if the name couldn't be chopped down.

Sutton entered the dark foyer of the old library. Neon-bright lights flickered and flashed, lighting the path to the main room. Thumping bass lines and electronic beats burst out in loud volume when Haley opened the double doors. She put her arms over her head and waved them back and forth, found the beat, and literally danced over to a table surrounded by a bunch of guys.

Sutton followed, her chin bobbing along to the beat of the music. She didn't sashay around the floor, mainly because it took her eyes a few moments to adjust to the strobe effect of the lights. Except they didn't really get used to the rapid pulse…

Evidenced by Sutton falling up against one of the guys at the high-top. Mortified, she opened her mouth to apologize, but the words died in her throat. The guy took her breath away. Dreamy dark eyes, tousled hair that could use a trim, and at least a day of scruff on his face.

He wrapped an arm around her and hauled her closer to the table. "Hey. Here. Hold on to the edge. The strobes are sick on this song." Snagging a shot glass and filling it with flavored vodka, he put the drink in front of her. "Name's Lyle. Nice to meet you." He lifted his chin toward Haley. "You're with Haley?" He poured a shot for himself.

Sutton gave a nod. "I'm Sutton. Yeah, I came with Haley." Did her roommate know everyone on campus?

Lyle clinked his glass to hers. "Not sure if I should congratulate you or offer my condolences. Haley's a force to reckon with." He tilted the glass and downed the alcohol.

Sutton laughed. "She's my roommate. Better go with congratulations." She picked the shot up and quickly drank it down.

Lyle flashed a grin. "Welcome to the Tuesday night shenanigans, Sutton. You're in for a fun time." He topped her glass up again.

Sutton lifted her shot. "Cheers!" She caught Haley's eye, and her roommate gave Sutton a wide smile and a thumbs-up.

Sutton's lips quirked and she chugged the vodka. The smooth burn traveled down her throat and warm heat spread outward, relaxing the tension from her shoulders. Squinting a little, she read the label of the bottle. Whipped cream. No wonder it tasted so good.

She might have found her new favorite drink along with a very hot new friend.

Exactly what she'd been looking for.

I have no idea where this one is going but I do have a rough outline. My main characters are kind of rolling their eyes right now so who knows if they'll stick to the planned itinerary.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Voices Carry

I'm still working on getting my side project ready to go. At this point, I have no idea how long it will last, but I'm going to go like gangbusters until I can't anymore.

Had a solid week of work. Finished up a copy edit and started a new one. Also worked on a developmental edit that's been simmering on the back burner. I have three projects lined up and I'm waiting on deposits to get rolling on those. Hopefully, December is going to be a steady month of work.

Had a very good week of viewing. I made it through my usual round of shows and started looking for a former fave to rewatch but it's not readily available. Might have to dig out my ripped DVDs and hunt around for one of my old players.

I caught two episodes of The Batman this week. No Justice League cameos in these two. Strictly Robin and Batgirl, which I enjoyed.

Also watched two episodes of Classic Rugrats. Both were single episodes instead of the standard two or three vignettes. Preschool and Halloween featured and were a lot of fun to watch.

Enjoyed another episode of Mr. and Mrs. Murder. I'd seen most of this one and liked it the first time around. Very fun to get some background on the detective.

Finished out the first season of London Kills with an episode-length behind the scenes look at the series. Lots of fun to see the actors talk about their characters and see how the showrunners also make the city of London a character.

Caught another episode of Death in Paradise. I liked the mystery in this one and enjoyed the crab cooking contest. Not completely sold on Marlon as the new police officer but I'll probably end up enjoying him.

Finished up the second half of Silent Witness and, boy, there were a lot of twists in this one. Really loved Jack declaring his love for Nikki at the end. So nice to see them have a happy moment.

Watched an episode of Elementary and rather enjoyed it. Of course, it ended on a cliffhanger, and I have no doubt Mycroft is involved in something nefarious. I truly hope involving Joan blows up in his face.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Voices Carry, a novella that puts a couple on the ropes almost before they even get started.

Here's the miniblurb:

Summer Blaine is a struggling artist who always listens to Detective Fitch Falconer's tales of triumphs and woes when he drops by the diner she works in to make ends meet. When she gets a chance to display her art, she invites Fitch to the gallery to see her true passion. Unfortunately, a ghost from her past tries to get in the way and it's up to Fitch to find out who wants her dead.

And a snippety peek…

Summer held Fitch's gaze. The answer to her question had a lot riding on it. She'd taken a lot of time to get to know him, especially after the instant attraction upon meeting the handsome detective.

She'd been down that road before and didn't like where the destination ended.

Her heartrate kicked up a notch.

Fitch didn't look away. "I'm not exactly sure what you are to me yet, but I'm not using you to change things up." He leaned forward, resting his arms on the counter also. "If anything, you've been a constant in a chaotic life. My life." His forefinger brushed over her hand.

Her heart settled in her chest. "I can pretty much say the same about you." She clasped his hand. "And that's not easy for me. To let someone be a constant in my life." Which he knew.

Fitch squeezed her fingers. "I get that. You're smart to be cautious." His lips curved. "And I'm grateful you've given me your trust." His gaze glanced around her small apartment. "I'm also really glad you invited me in."

Summer shrugged. "I didn't want to presume too much. But you're coming to the opening with me and, well, I hope we'll be able to see more of each other outside of your visits to the diner." She'd be lying if she didn't admit to some nervous tension, but after Barrick, who would blame her?

Definitely not Fitch. The fact he'd given her the space and time to build a connection meant a lot to her. And the introduction he made to Laura Graydon opened doors to a future she once only dreamed of.

Unlike the last time she interacted with her ex, the flutter in her stomach didn't indicate fear … it spoke of anticipation. Of being excited to spend time with someone. She wanted to discover what sharing her world with Fitch might bring.

His eyebrows arched. "I'd love to spend more time with you, and I don't care where or how." His phone pinged and he chuckled. "The timing could get tricky, though." He dug the device out of his pocket and checked his messages. "Whew. Just a reminder about a witness statement scheduled for tomorrow morning." He set his phone on the bar and leaned back down. "Where were we?"

Summer closed the small distance between them. "I think we were right about here…" She lifted her chin and met his mouth.

Fitch responded by cupping her face with both hands and brushing his thumbs along her jawline. His tongue swept past her lips, and she swallowed a moan because, holy hell, the man could kiss. Desire ignited along her nerve endings, and she relished the swift current of lust coursing through her veins.

Dragging him to her bedroom would be so easy right now.

Fitch eased away, resting his forehead against hers. "Whoa. Had a feeling if we ever kissed it would be like throwing a lit match on gasoline."

Summer made a hum of agreement. "Instant explosion. Yeah." She nodded toward the living room space. "Might be more comfortable on the couch." Her gaze met his. "If you can stay for a while." She started for the sofa but glanced back over her shoulder.

Fitch answered with a grin. "I'll stay as long as you let me…"

I'm excited to see how this story all comes together. Fitch and Summer are an interesting couple, but they're in for a bumpy ride.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Violating Space

It's been a wild week of big letdowns in my area of the universe. I'm not sure where things will land but I have decided to launch my side project sooner than expected. More details to follow in a separate blog post.

I started a new work project and picked up with one that's been on the back burner. I also tentatively scheduled three new projects for November. Here's hoping they all pan out.

Had a pretty good week of viewing. I got most of my current slate of shows watched. But … I also got distracted by *waves at everything going on right now*.

I caught an episode of The Batman and rather enjoyed the Green Lantern guest spot. Also enjoyed having one of Batman's rogues nose his way into the storyline.

Watched another episode of Classic Rugrats and it was the Rugrat's Kwanzaa. I'll have to find the other Rugrats holiday episodes and get ready to rewatch.

Enjoyed another episode of Mr. and Mrs. Murder. It featured a behind-the-scenes look at a theater show, which is fun for me because my daughter majored in theater for undergrad.

Caught the first season finale of London Kills and, wow, some twisty-twists and big turns happened. Looking forward to a behind-the-scenes special this week.

Watched the season ten opener of Death in Paradise. I'm still annoyed by DI Parker and sad to see Ruby no longer with the team. Thrilled to bits to have Florance back. Looking forward to seeing more.

Started a new two-part Silent Witness. Terrific guest stars in this episode. I'm very interested in seeing where this case goes.

Enjoyed most of an Elementary episode. I'll get it finished up today and start over with a new run of my current episodes.

That's pretty much it for this week's life update. Tonight's post is from Violating Space, a novella that puts romance in the workplace.

Here's the miniblurb:

Reese Claymore has it bad for Eric Matthews, but they work in the same department and can't really get together. Doesn't mean Reese can't express her interest—to the point of driving Eric a little insane over it. He decides to prove a point and invades her personal space, but his plan goes awry when he can't resist acting on his crazy impulse.

And a snippety peek…

What just happened? Surely not Eric's lips on hers. Or his tongue in her mouth. And a lip-lock so delicious she wanted to put it on a takeout menu and place a standing order.

Until reality set in.

She willed her brain to solidify from the pile of mush it turned into. Scrambling to gather the rest of the papers, she fought to get her breathing under control. Who knew he could kiss like that?

Actually, she'd had a damned good idea. Deep down, her gut said the man would be an amazing kisser.

Eric handed her a stack of pages. "Er, sorry. That got a little out of hand." He rose to his feet and offered a hand to Reese.

She let out a slow breath and clasped his fingers. "I know." Her gaze met his. "But I liked it." She started for the door but turned. "I know it's a bad idea … but meet me after work?" Her skin tingled from the contact with his palm.

He nodded. She grabbed a sticky note and scribbled her address. He took the colorful sheet and tucked it into his shirt pocket.

Reese left and didn't say another word. Didn't specify a time he should arrive or plan what they'd do. But seriously? How could she talk with her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth? She'd bet her next paycheck she wouldn't be able to focus on anything but the way Eric's eyes went dark and smoky when she asked to see him later. She wanted whatever his gaze promised.

She should probably question her sanity. Getting involved might be an emotional minefield. Yet … she savored the thrill and couldn't wait for the end of the workday to roll around.

Dropping the copied files off to a thankfully empty office, she headed for her desk to start counting the minutes until she could call it a day.

Lots of fun writing tension with these two. I can't wait to dive further in to their attraction.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

 

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Vin's Valentine (an Organic Nature short)

November is starting off with a wild trajectory. The election in the US is taking up a lot of air and space in my life and I'm okay with that. It does make it harder to focus on anything but the election, which isn't optimal for my work projects.

That said, I'm weirdly calm and very hopeful. Which is not to say I'm complacent because that would be stupid and reckless. There's going to be a lot of work to do regardless of who wins the presidency, senate, and house.

My tricky manuscript turned extremely challenging, but I finally got it finished up late last night. Now I can focus on a couple of projects that were simmering on the back burner and start two new ones that need attention.

Had an okay week of viewing. Trick or treat night took up some time and an unexpected accident involving my oldest and his fiancé needed my attention. Thankfully, both are okay and weren't injured in the crash.

I started the week with an episode of Elementary and I also ended the week with one. Both were enjoyable. I thoroughly enjoy the vibe when Sherlock tries to coordinate outfits for Joan. So far, it looks like she ditches those in favor of choosing her own.

Caught an episode of The Batman and enjoyed it. Nice to see Batgirl back in action. I'll be finished with this show at the end of this season and I'm not sure what I'll be replacing it with.

Also watched an episode of Classic Rugrats. The three vignettes were new to me again. I think I'm going to shift back to the new Rugrats once I'm through this season.

Enjoyed another episode of Mr. and Mrs. Murder. I'd seen most of this one before and really enjoyed the snappy and snarky dialog between the characters.

Caught another episode of London Kills and, whew, I got spoiled for what would happen and it still freaked me out. Really like this series.

Finished up season nine of Death in Paradise. Looking forward to season ten even with some of my misgivings with DI Parker. I love this show enough to give him time to grow on me.

Enjoyed the second half of Silent Witness. The show managed to surprise me, and I love it when that happens. One thing to note … I'm always curious about where Jack and Nikki live. Jack had such a cool house during the last season and now he seems to be in a townhouse of some sort. This is after he bought the fixer-upper that his dad and brother (for a while) shared with him. Weird stuff makes me curious.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Vin's Valentine, an Organic Nature short featuring the Valentine's holiday.

Here's the miniblurb:

After Eppie revealed her kinkier side to Vin, their trust and bond is deeper and better than ever. But there's someone else who knows how Eppie likes to play and he's hell-bent on worming his way back into her life.

And a snippety peek…

Vin didn't agree with Eppie's assessment of slinking away, but he totally got why Eppie felt the way she did. Maybe getting to the bottom of Nash's visit would restore her equilibrium. Or, if nothing else, she could get peace of mind.

He offered a tentative suggestion. "Maybe you could look into what your options are for getting your money back."

She shrugged. "Might be something to consider, but it's definitely not the reason he showed up." A small shudder went through her.

Vin wrapped an arm around her. "If you're not comfortable with this idea, say the word. I've got favors I can call in and you wouldn't need to be involved."

Eppie sighed. "No, there's a reason he turned up here. Maybe Miss Suction Lips doesn't do it for him anymore, or maybe she's got nothing else to offer. Whatever the reason, he's being too affable to not be up to something."

Vin cupped her chin and tilted her head back to meet his gaze. "All right, but any time you're not cool with anything, we pull the plug."

Eppie grinned. "Absolutely." She got her phone out and quickly sent off a text to Nash.

Then she leaned up and meshed her lips with Vin's. This time, Vin didn't hold back. He deepened the embrace and slid his tongue past her teeth. He popped her button loose and slid his hands inside her jeans, easing the fabric past her hips. Eppie kicked them off while she unzipped his pants. Stepping back, Vin shucked them along with his boxers. Eppie yanked her shirt over her head and removed her bra. Vin scooped her up and tumbled her onto the bed, easing back to slip her panties off. He shrugged out of his shirt and settled between Eppie's thighs.

She wrapped her fingers around his biceps. "Thank you … for earlier. I needed the wake-up call." Her hips rose and her wet center teased his erection.

Vin leaned down, brushing his lips over hers. "You're welcome. I love you, Eppie." His mouth covered hers, and he thrust forward, going deep.

This series is so much fun. I love writing Eppie and Vin and showing how they work through challenges.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Vicarious Living

The end of October is nigh and, man, it's been a month. Between work projects and personal life stuff, time flew by fast. Helped my oldest kidlet move some things from their old place to their new one and also took him for a job interview. Happy to say he got an offer and should start sometime soon. Also looking forward to trick or treat night and then gearing up for the holidays.

Happy to say the areas where I had my extractions are finally healed up enough that I can eat most types of food. I'm still careful with anything hard and crunchy but otherwise normal intake isn't a challenge anymore.

Stayed busy with work. Have a tricky manuscript that's kind of giving me fits with continuity and consistency concerns, which makes the edit slow way down. Sent off a couple of quotes for upcoming projects and look forward to getting started on those.

Had a decent week of viewing. I made it through a full round of my shows but kind of in backward order. Will probably have the same thing this week.

Started off with an episode of Elementary and thoroughly enjoyed it. Nice to see Lastrade get back on track. Interesting twisty case also.

Caught an episode of The Batman and enjoyed it. Always like seeing the Flash in action. I remembered most of this episode also.

Enjoyed an episode of Classic Rugrats and only remembered one of the vignettes. The other two were either new to me or memory holed.

Watched another episode of Mr. and Mrs. Murder. I do remember bits of this one and I’m glad I got to see the whole thing from start to finish.

Caught another episode of London Kills and I like how the new cases play into the overall case of the disappearance of David's wife. Looking forward to seeing how this season ends.

Enjoyed another episode of Death in Paradise. Loved the case because it's fun to see a bit of Ruby's past mixed in with the present. I enjoy her interactions with Commission Patterson. Gotta say, I'm not sure I enjoy Neville Parker. I appreciate the fact he's very different from the previous three DIs but … the constant afflictions are, well, annoying.

On a side note, I discovered there's a second spinoff of this show that's set in Australia. I'm looking forward to seeing it when it's available in the US.

Started a new two-part Silent Witness and it's terrific to see Jack's niece take a role in the Lylle. Looking forward to the second half of this episode.

Another side note … most of the cast from Battlestar Galactica is in Chicago for the twentieth anniversary of the show. I've been poking around all weekend to stay up to date on what's happening at the convention. My mind is completely blown that it's been twenty years since the premiere of the series. It's still probably my all-time favorite show.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Vicarious Living, a novella that brings a couple together at a group therapy meeting.

Here's the miniblurb:

Sometimes adversity can be overcome and living vicariously through fantasy proves to be a good thing. Lola Humes and Wright Wesslop discover a mutual way to cope when they meet at their group counseling sessions. They're not supposed to interact outside the anonymous therapy gatherings, but neither is very good at following the rules.

And a snippety peek…

Lola ducked into Danko's and paused a moment when she spotted Wright in a corner booth. "Our spot." Should she think of that space as theirs and should they even have one?

They'd had coffee after the last two AA meetings but arranged to meet today sans group session. She savored the flutter of tension filling her while she observed Wright unnoticed. He scrolled on his phone with his head bent forward.

Tilting her head to one side, she literally couldn't find one thing she didn't like about Wright. "I could totally fall for him." If she hadn't already.

He glanced up and a wry smile twisted his lips. She waved and made her way to the table. Taking a break from editing a tricky manuscript to join Wright might be the best decision she ever made.

Listen to me making excuses. She really just wanted to spend some more time with him.

He nodded toward the already steaming mug at her spot. "Ordered your usual but held off on a danish. Didn't know if you'd want one." Tucking his phone in his pocket, he gave her his full attention.

She slid into the seat. "I might order a full breakfast for dinner." She'd skipped lunch to work ahead on the memoir.

Wright grunted. "That's not a bad idea." He grabbed one of the menus. "Lunch was on the go between ambulance runs today."

She chuckled. "You're one up on me. Lunch didn't happen today." Her stomach growled right on cue.

Wright arched his brows. "Book still giving you trouble?" He set the menu aside and gave her his attention again.

Lola shrugged. "A little. My author shifts back and forth. Sometimes the writing is conversational, like he's telling a story and others where it's like he's recording memories in third person where he refers to himself by name. It's a little strange." She took a sip of the steaming coffee. "I'm sure we'll get it figured out, but we have a deadline to meet and that always stresses me out." Hence her reason for going to meetings again.

Wright cocked his head to one side. "And stress triggers the urge to fall off the wagon. Glad you decided to start coming to meetings. I mean—" He paused when the server came to take their orders.

Lola got the breakfast wrap with a side of fruit. Wright chose a ham, egg, and cheese bagel with toasted hash browns on the side. The server refilled his mug and left to put their orders in.

Wright picked up where he left off. "I was going to say it's probably wrong to be happy your author is stressing you out because I wouldn't have met you otherwise."

Lola laughed. "If anyone had told me I'd someone who sparked my interest at an AA meeting, I wouldn't have believed them." Of course, she hadn't been looking for anyone at the time.

Wright's lips curved. "Same." He leaned in closer. "But I think Belinda pegged you and me becoming friends from the beginning."

Lola smirked. "You're not wrong. Pretty sure she's got the matchmaking gene." And great taste in people.

I like Lola and Wright and helping them discover their way forward. This is a fun story to write.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: A Very Awkward Evening

Had a less than productive week after having two teeth extracted. It's strange because they really weren't difficult to remove—well, one of them ended up being a little harder than the other—but it still threw me off. I think because they were on opposite sides with one on top and the other on the bottom, which made eating a tad challenging.

I also took time away on Friday to meet my daughter so we could do early voting. Very happy to have that done! I voted to raise my taxes for the school and emergency services levies.

Work stayed busy with some cleanup on two drafts and two copy edits. I also checked changes on two proofreads. Those were kind of dropped in on the fly.

Didn't quite make a full round of my usual shows this week, but I did get through about half.

Watched another episode of Mr. and Mrs. Murder and it was one I'd seen at least part of. Thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Caught another London Kills and I'm liking this show. The overarching mystery of what happened to the DCI's wife folded into the two cases is interesting to me. I'm a little worried about the trainee DC. Things could go really sideways for her if she's not careful.

Enjoyed another Death in Paradise episode. I kind of feel like this is the season where Commissioner Patterson gets a lot more screen time. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. I enjoy him.

Finished the second half of Silent Witness and, whoo boy, what a ride this two-parter was. I'm going to be very interested in seeing if there's any fallout from everything that went down.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from A Very Awkward Evening, a sexy short about a birthday dinner interrupted by a rock-star mom.

Here's the miniblurb:

Vi Palona's rock star mom wants a sit-down meeting with Garwin Noth's academic parents, which Vi keeps putting off because her mother, Mina, has no edit button. When Mina crashes a birthday dinner, Vi figures her mom can't do much damage … but five minutes into the evening she learns how wrong she is.

And a snippety peek…

Vi took a deep breath and apologized. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have trashed you like that."

Mina shrugged. "You've never been shy about stating an opinion."

Vi shook her head. "That's not the point, Mom." Why could Mina never see sincerity when it more or less bit her on the ass?

Mina snorted. "You're right. The point is you don't need me and never have." She ran a finger along the spotless countertop. "You go to a lot of trouble to keep me from being part of your life." She stopped and faced Vi. "I've only now realized it's because you really don't like me." She turned and leaned against the cabinet.

Vi's eyes went wide. "That's not true. I love you, Mom. But sometimes…" How could she say Mina could be a bit much?

Mina picked up her train of thought. "You wish I wasn't quite so me?" Her lips curved in a sad smile.

Vi rolled a shoulder. "I've never asked you to be anything other than what you are." A rock star of high caliber.

Vi couldn't and wouldn't take anything away from what her mom had accomplished. But Vi also craved stability and touring the world didn't offer her a way to put down roots and create a home she'd always wanted.

Mina rolled her eyes. "No, you wouldn't dream of asking me to change. Instead, you cut me out of your life, never giving me a chance to be your mom."

Surprised by the accusation, Vi blinked. "What are you talking about?" Of course, Vi did want to avoid having Mina over for Gar's birthday, but she met her mom whenever she came to the city and often traveled to see her shows in neighboring states.

Except … not recently.

Mina flung her arm out, her silver bangles clinking together. "I'm talking about why I act the way I do with you sometimes. Loud, proud, and fully wowed." She pushed away from the cupboard and paced toward the sink. "You know, it hurts when your daughter is ashamed of you, especially when I finally figured it out." She paused and faced Vi.

Vi shook her head. "I'm not ashamed of you, Mom." Embarrassed by her, sure, but what kid isn't weirded out by their parents sometimes?

Mina arched her brows. "No? Really? Because you obviously lied about Garwin's folks. Which means you didn't want me to meet them." She looked away. "You didn't even give me a chance. You never do. Not since you were twelve." Her gaze met Vi's again. "You've pretty much been your own woman since then."

Is she right? Do I really not give her a chance? Maybe. The observation certainly gave Vi something to think about.

Mina took Vi's hands. "Vi, my girl, you have the right to ask me to tone down the banshee in me. And I would do that for you." She squeezed Vi's fingers.

Her mom acting normal? Vi seriously couldn't picture it. But she loved that Mina would try.

Vi smiled. "Thanks, Mom. I appreciate the offer."

Mina hugged Vi. "Forgiven?" She leaned back, keeping her arms around her daughter.

Vi nodded. "Of course." She eased away, liking the newfound thread of understanding. "Why did you really come tonight, Mom?" There had to be more than crashing Gar's party.

Mina stepped back and took a deep breath. "I have news and didn't want to wait to share it." She schooled her features.

Vi's heart dropped. Is something wrong with Mom? The thought kicked her heart rate up a notch.

A huge grin spread across Mina's face. "Tomorrow is last call for the Damn Banshees. We're done. Hanging up our axes. Retiring. Whatever you want to call it." She bounced on her toes.

Vi's mouth gaped open. "I'm sorry, what?" Mina leaving the spotlight behind didn't compute.

Mina nodded. "Yeah, and we're not fighting or pulling bitch cards or anything like that. I mean, we're all at good places—for the most part—and we've already talked about doing a reunion tour at some point if there's interest." Her face softened. "The girls and I all want to spend time with our families. I mean, hell, Gwen's got two grandos she never sees."

Vi shook her head. "I'm stunned. And I don't know what to say." She'd never known Mina as anything else but a rock star.

Mina sobered. "Say you'll have me in your life. I really want to spend time with you—as your mom—and try fun stuff like shopping and spa days and, I don't know … brunch. Things like that."

Vi huffed out a breath. "Mina Vesper going normie? I'm not sure that's possible." She laughed, trying to picture her mom doing brunch in a quiet restaurant.

Mina leaned in for another hug. "I promise I'll behave."

Vi choked on more laughter. "Don't make promises you can't keep, Mom." She pulled away with a grin on her face. "I'm going to love spending more time with you no matter what."

I'm in love with this mom and daughter relationship and writing the ins and outs of out that affects Vi's life is a lot of fun.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Veritas

A weird week of chilly weather and lots of cleaning projects. I'm at that place where the clutter is driving me bonkers, but I don't have enough hours in the day to really focus on a good cleanout. So … I'm tackling small areas to at least make a little progress.

Lots of work projects landing in my inbox. A few have been quick turnarounds, which I enjoy. I love having a project that I can finish up in a few hours. That type of work helps when I also have three difficult manuscripts that challenge my brain and one that requires a lot of focus.

Had a solid week of viewing. I'm still trying to finish up an episode of Peak Practice, but I made it through a full round of shows.

Started with Mr. and Mrs. Murder, an Australian mystery series. I've seen several episodes but not in order and I'm looking forward to watching this one from beginning to end. Thoroughly enjoyed the first episode, which I had not seen.

Also started a new-to-me British crime drama called London Kills. Loved the first episode and look forward to watching this series.

Caught another episode of Death in Paradise introducing the new DI. Enjoyed the interaction between the commissioner and his new lead detective. Interesting to have someone Patterson doesn't particularly like as part of the team.

Started a new two-part Silent Witness. I'm intrigued by the premise of this one. I thought the episode felt a little disjointed and I'm hoping the initial murder somehow ties into the other two. Kind of happy to be guessing on this one.

Watched a fun episode of Elementary with the return of Lestrade. I love the actor, so I love the character. Plus, he's much less annoying than Mycroft.

Enjoyed an episode of The Batman. Finally got a return of Batgirl. I'd forgotten Firefly powered up in a big way and almost blew up Gotham. Great episode.

Caught another new-to-me episode of Classic Rugrats. I'm not a great fan of the three-vignette format but I do have a lot of love for this series.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Veritas, a novella that reunites a couple after a bad breakup.

Here's the miniblurb:

Tillie Cruz has a moment of veritas when she shoots Faxon Jarvis in a friendly fire incident. The realization she wants a life with him may be too late because Faxon has a new relationship, and Tillie doesn't want to mess it up. But she may not have to—her bullet may have done the trick.

And a snippety peek…

Maisie pulled into Faxon's drive and shut the engine off. "Stay there. Let me get the door for you." She hopped out and dashed around the front of the car.

Faxon shook his head. "I could've opened it myself." Maisie didn't hear the muttered words, and he mustered a smile when she insisted on getting the small bag the hospital gave him along with his after-discharge instructions.

He had a full week of follow-up appointments with his primary care physician and a physical therapist. Pain meds were being delivered by the pharmacy and a grocery delivery would be on its way as soon as he had five minutes to order from the app on his phone.

Maisie unlocked his door and opened it wide, so he didn't jostle his injured side. She placed his bag on the coffee table and darted from the kitchen to the bathroom then back with some water and over-the-counter tablets, which she placed on the end table beside him.

He settled on the sofa, wincing when he jarred his wound. Agitated, Maisie paced back and forth, a ball of pent-up energy. She'd pause to glance out the window then go back to walking the length of his living room.

Faxon straightened up on the couch. "I'm getting dizzy. Why don't you sit?" He looked for the television remote thinking she might calm down if they watched something.

She settled on the edge of the chair. "I can't do this." Her fingers twisted in her lap. "I know you think it's nothing, but you got shot." She huffed out a breath. "By one of your own, no less." Her knee bounced up and down.

Faxon got completely serious. "I did, yes. But it's rare. Even by someone who's not on the other side." He could give her the statistics, but decided she didn't need or want numbers.

She wanted reassurance, and he really couldn't give her any.

Maisie shrugged. "Maybe it is, but we've only been together for a few months." She met his gaze. "I can't imagine how I'd deal if we stayed together and it happened again."

Faxon lifted his chin. "So that's it? We end it now?" He didn't mince words or make things harder for her.

She nodded. "Before I fall deeper, yes." Her eyes watered a little, but she didn't cry.

Faxon reached out and clasped her hand. "I'm sorry." He really couldn't say anything else.

Maisie squeezed his fingers. "Don't be. There's no fault here." Her lips twisted in a sad smile. "Not like I didn't know you were a cop from the beginning. I just didn't realize how hard it would be."

Faxon's head bobbed up and down. "I understand." He did … especially since he couldn't offer any guarantees.

She leaned in and kissed him. "Goodbye, Faxon." She got to her feet and quietly left.

Faxon took stock. He should probably be more upset. Getting dumped on the heels of getting shot should sting a lot more than it did. Yet he didn't blame Maisie for bailing and he couldn't find the ache of loss he should have.

Because of Tillie. She'd taken up a lot of space in his mind since her impromptu visit at the hospital. He couldn't shake the idea she'd wanted to say more or that she'd chosen her words carefully when he called and asked to see her.

Leaning his head against the cushions, he stared at the ceiling. "We need to talk, Tillie. Soon." He had a lot he wanted to say.

And he'd find a way to make her listen.

I like writing reunions when a conflict has to be resolved. Faxon hopes he'll be back on track with Tillie in the near future … if she doesn't end up running scared.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

 

Skylin