Welcome, November!
Honestly, October had great points and not-so-great points. Having a sick pet
is not fun. Trying to figure out exactly what's going on isn't either. But she
appears to be doing better so that's a plus.
We had a
spectacular trick-or-treat night. The weather ended up being cooperative.
Chilly but not cold, slightly windy but not gusty, and no rain. The past few
years we've had flurries, frigid temperatures, rain, and the blowy, serious
wind that makes everyone miserable. Having almost perfect weather is a nice
change.
Had an okay work
week. I finished up a copy edit and started a new proofread. Finalized a developmental
edit with only formatting left to do before it moves over to a copy editor. I
have a bit of research to do for the other developmental edit I'm working on
and I should have that at least started today.
Not a bad week of
viewing. I made it all the way through my current slate of shows. I didn't hit
the backburner ones but, again, sick doggo equals a lot of time.
Started with Miss
Fisher's Murder Mysteries and I'm almost finished with the second season. I
really did enjoy the downfall of Jack's former father-in-law. I also loved how
disgusted Rosie ended up being with her dad. Christmas episode is up next and
it's one I love to pieces.
Caught another
episode of Foyle's War and finished out the second season. I'd forgotten
Andrew crashed his plane and he had a bit of a romance with Sam. Looking
forward to starting the third season.
Watched an episode of
Beyond Paradise and thoroughly enjoyed Humphrey and Martha interacting
with their new foster. Also quite enjoyed the Ester and Archie banter. I really
hope Kelby ends up getting a girl because he's the sweetest guy ever.
Enjoyed an episode
of Poirot. A lot of twisty-turns in this one and Poirot getting all bent
over Hastings using the bathroom as a darkroom was hilarious.
Elementary ended up being very interesting. I'm kind
of wary of Joan trying to get a mole inside Moreland's company. I think it's
for protection so Moreland's enemies can't hurt Sherlock and, by extension, Joan.
I'm very interested in whether Moreland is setting this up on purpose or if
he's just underestimating Joan. Should be fun to find out.
Caught an episode
of Batman Beyond and didn't really remember this one. Ended up liking it
a lot. Always good to see Bruce out of the manor.
Lower Decks was so much fun. Beckett is growing on me
and Boimler isn't annoying me as much either. And the theme song is still stuck
in my head. I think it might be my favorite out of all the Trek shows.
That's pretty much it
for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Harshing the Calm,
a novella about a second-chance romance.
Here's the
miniblurb:
Gentry and Rayce have a volatile past, one they walk away
from to start over. But old habits are hard to break and when their paths cross
again, they discover they can repeat their mistakes or change and grow into
something so much better.
And a snippety peek…
On their third shot, Gentry's
eyebrows rose upward. "Wait. You're telling me Catie's ex tracked her down
after his stint in the army and proposed?" She shook her head. "Just
like that? And they had zero contact while he was gone?" Her fingers
crumpled the napkin under the tumbler.
Almost pleasantly toasted, Rayce
shrugged. "Pretty much." He rolled his square coaster into a long
tube. "At least she let me down easy. And Dylan is a pretty great guy."
And perfect for Catie.
Gentry blinked. "Um … sounds
like you weren't too upset by the breakup. Not if you're hanging out with the
guy." She laughed. "That's actually kind of wild … in a good way."
Rayce shrugged. "We belong to
the same gym. He makes a good sparring partner in the boxing ring."
Gentry's lips quirked. "Better
than me?"
Rayce chuckled. "Honestly? Probably
not. I never have to settle wagers with Dylan in the bedroom after a
round." Shit … did he just stay that?
Gentry laughed out loud. "Good
to know. I'll bet he doesn't cheat to make wagers interesting either." She
straightened out the napkin, smoothed it flat again then looked up at him
through her eyelashes.
Rayce widened his eyes. "Did
you think I didn't know you worked the odds in your favor half the time?"
He loved the flirty banter they had going on.
Made him remember how much fun
Gentry could be … when they weren't arguing. Usually about work. Or their
schedules. Or how to make macaroni and cheese. Stupid stuff.
Gentry tilted her head to one side.
"Wasn't sure. Thought I should maybe clear up any doubt though." She smirked.
"Kind of like you letting me win if you liked my bet more than
yours."
Rayce answered with a grin.
Gentry inclined her chin.
"Thought so." She paused and dug her phone out of her pocket, typing
out a quick text.
A moment later, her phone pinged
with a response. She typed another message and got a speedy reply. She nodded
and turned her phone facedown.
One side of her mouth curved.
"It's official. Cal and I are through." She set the device aside and
poured another shot.
Rayce blinked. "Just like
that? And by text?" She moved fast.
Gentry shrugged. "Um, kind of?
I texted that we needed to talk, and he replied that we didn't. He already knew
moving would be a big ask." She drained her glass.
Rayce grunted. "You're
sure?"
Gentry's head bobbed. "Yeah. I
know myself. Long distance would never work. I mean, Cal's got a shot at the
big leagues, and I don't have an interest in being a baseball significant other."
She rolled a shoulder. "Besides, if he makes it big, it would blow my
undercover work."
Absolutely true. One random photo
on a fan's social media or an industry event could unravel a long-term
operation. He didn't blame her for not wanting to be in the spotlight.
Rayce lifted his chin. "So, you're
back to being footloose and fancy free?" He held his breath waiting for an
answer.
Gentry cocked her head to one side,
her eyes changing to a deeper color. "Unless you're into picking up again…"
Her voice trailed off on a note of uncertainty.
Rayce threw caution to the wind.
"Yeah, I just might be." Possibly a terrible call but he'd missed her
more than he'd freely admit.
A charged moment passed between
them.
Gentry grabbed her phone and held
his gaze. "I'm still just around the corner." She tucked the device
into her pocket.
Royce didn't hesitate. "Let's
go." He didn't care if leaving with her proved to be a huge mistake.
Gentry tossed some cash on the
table, then got up to leave. She gave a two-fingered salute to Bart and snorted
when he smirked. Once outside, she grabbed Rayce's hand and made a mad dash to
her apartment.
Racing up to the door, Gentry
paused. "Are you sure?"
He answered by crushing her mouth
with his. They stumbled inside, stripping each other on the way to her bedroom.
Rayce felt like he'd come home.
But … how long would it last?
Rayce might be
surprised by Gentry and her newfound sense of self. Gentry might be surprised
too!
That's it for this
week. Happy reading!
Skylin
