August is starting
out with a weird vibe. The temperatures have been very mild and I'm wondering
how much we'll pay for that in the fall months or the winter. Thrilled for the
kiddos going back to school in a week or so because they might not roast during
the first few weeks like they normally do.
I'm still trying to
get some things that I've been putting off in the checked boxes. I did manage
to fix the leak in my bathtub, which was way overdue. Should help with my water
bill. I got the part needed to fix the washing machine and that's a project for
this week. I hope.
Work projects are
going somewhat smoothly. I did have the book that won't go away come back one
more time. The developmental edit I've got on the back burner is heating up
again. I'm also working on a coaching project that's part pull the manuscript
together and part help the author get it ready for a copy edit. Had a solid
week with copy edits and proofreads also.
Had another good
week for viewing. Nothing extra but made it through my usual slate of shows.
Also did another Death in Paradise binge of older seasons.
Started with
another episode of Marple. I kind of like the actress playing Jane.
She's kind of snappy and a little punchy (not physically) with her dialog and I
love it.
Also watched
another episode of Ireland Coast and Country. I'm really enjoying this
series. I now want to make vermouth. Just saying.
Caught an episode
of Death in Paradise and finished up season fifteen. I ended up kind of
liking the niece. Looking forward to the holiday episode if there is one this
year. And also kind of excited about the next season. I really love this show.
Enjoyed an episode
of Poirot. The mystery ended up being kind of twisty and I loved seeing
Poirot's author friend again. She's a hoot.
Elementary ended up being really good. The whole thing
with the woman who leads meetings and Sherlock kind of came from left field,
but I'll hold out to see what happens with that. I'll be disappointed if she
ends up being Moriarty. The whole take down of the gang is really interesting.
Can't wait to see what happens there.
Watched another
episode of Young Justice and pieces are falling in place. Nearing the
end of the first season and I'm interested in seeing what happens to the team.
Also caught another
episode of Star Trek Lower Decks and love how the season-arc mystery is
coming together. Also enjoyed the Cerritos team pulling off a ruse to get what
they needed. And the name drops from other shows always make me happy.
That wraps up the
life update this week. Tonight's post is from Make Me, a novella that
brings a couple together under fraught circumstance.
Here's the
miniblurb:
Adri Leonard and Moses Nichols train and manage recruits
for a private security firm. When Adri loses a team in the field, she refuses
to train a new group. Moses has to get her back on board because they need a
support team ASAP for a mission-critical operation and he's not above using
their long-standing personal connection to make it happen.
And snippety peek…
Her lips still tingled
from Moses's kiss. But … weirdly … the lip-lock jumpstarted her brain. She
didn't know how, but his mouth on hers gave her clarity when nothing else
would. She knew the importance of getting support teams in the field. Knew Victor
counted on her to get them up and running. He'd get some additional people up
to speed to help train, but right now, she had the responsibility. And while no
one blamed her for losing a full team, she didn't trust herself to not miss
anything.
She glanced up to meet
Moses's gaze. "We don't have to do this." She appreciated his
willingness to sift through the recruits, but she had a bigger favor to ask.
Moses frowned. "Adri,
we do. We can't start with anyone green. This class will put give four teams
the support they need, and we—"
She cut in. "No.
That's not what I mean. Bring them all back." She inhaled deeply then exhaled
slowly. "I'll get them up to speed." She met his gaze again.
"But … I need you with me." She paused, not quite sure how to drop
the big request in his lap.
Moses relaxed. "Of
course, I'm with you. All the way." He started to close the folders.
Adri shook her head.
"Not what I mean, Moses. I mean with me … as in sitting in on the classes
and training sessions." A huge time suck when he already had a full load
of work.
Moses blinked and
leaned back in his chair. "Okay. Talk to me. How will I be helping
you?" He dragged a notebook out from under the folders and snagged his
pen.
Adri's foot bounced on
the floor, nervous energy zinging through her. "I need you to be eyes and
ears and make sure I stay on track. I can't miss anything important." She
pushed away from the table and paced back and forth.
Moses leaned back
again. "You do realize you've been—"
She hand-waved him.
"Yeah, yeah. I've been training people for dangerous situations for a long
time." She paused and met his gaze. "But I seriously don't trust myself
right now … which could put more people in the line of fire." She sat back
down, her shoulders slumping forward.
Moses cocked his head.
"Okay. I'll do this. But you have to know that I trust you." He
tapped his notebook. "Vic trusts you. You're the only one who doesn't
trust yourself right now." His voice lowered. "But I'll help you. Any
way I can." His hand covered hers.
Adri pressed her lips
together. "It's a big ask. You're already overloaded with monitoring the
other teams that don't have support." She refused to let her eyes well up,
even if Moses had seen her cry more than once.
Moses's lips curved.
"I'll talk to Vic. Maybe he can send some help from the private venue
side. We've got guys with military training over there."
Adri huffed out a
breath. "Maybe I should transfer out to that side. Would be so much easier
to deal with." Very rarely did anyone get stuck in a potential hot zone.
Moses snorted. "Not
really … because the corporate side requires a lot of schmoozing and you hate playing
nice with irritating people." He squeezed her fingers.
Adri laughed, feeling
much lighter if Moses could make jokes. "Sometimes I think you might know
me a little too well." And he knew her even better after that steamy kiss.
Which she had no idea
what to do with … except hope there might be more.
I'm kind of excited
to see how this one comes together. Adri has some issues to get through, and
Moses is just the guy to help her.
That's it for this
week. Happy reading!
Skylin
