Yeesh. October has
been a month. Honestly, not quite as fraught as September, but the nasty cold
definitely didn't help things. That said, I'm feeling so much better and I'm grateful
for that.
Still need to do
the brakes on my car and it should be sometime soon. I can already hear the grinding
sound, which means I need to get the parts ordered ASAP. My middle kid also
needs a new tire very soon. He'll be using our inflator this week because he
starts a new job on Wednesday.
The weather continued
to be rather cool and chilly. It warmed up in the afternoon, but the early mornings
were frosty and frigid. Had to break out the window scraper already.
Work projects went
smoother this week. I finished up a copy edit and started a new one. I also
completed the evaluation I needed to finish up. Still waiting on word about the
possible new project. Also need to schedule a call about another new project in
the wings. Very excited to see where everything goes.
Had a seriously
limited viewing week. Trying to catch up on the work projects took a lot of my
focus. I only made it through three of my regularly watched shows. I did do
more Death in Paradise binge watching so there's that.
Stared with Marple
and enjoyed the mystery. I'm warming up to the new actress and loved the
interactions with everyone on the screen. The mystery was kind of over the top
and I appreciated the way the cast played off each other.
Also finished up Britain's
Most Scenic Counties and truly enjoyed the stops in Cheshire. Not sure what
I'll go with next, but it will definitely be something cultural.
Completed season
two of Return to Paradise and, wow, what a finale. I can honestly say
every single character knocked it out of the park. Anna Samson is remarkable as
Mackenzie, and I very much loved the progress she's made with Colin. Loved the
final moments with Glenn. So much to enjoy with episode and this show. I'm so excited
for season three.
I started an
episode of Poirot but didn't make it through the whole thing. I'll try
to finish up this week. We'll see if I end up getting more than three full episodes
watched.
That's it for the
life update this week. Tonight's post is from Old Habits Die Hard, a
novella that reunites a couple that never quite got together.
Here's the
miniblurb:
Merrick Casey works security for a US Embassy and runs
into an old flame, Neo Upton, when he arrives with his diplomat dad. They don't
have much time to revisit their troubled past because the event they're at is
ambushed. Caught away from her team, Merrick has to rely on Neo for backup, and
she quickly discovers old habits die hard.
And a snippet preview…
Neo blinked when the
realization his dad and the ambassador had a personal relationship. "Madam
Ambass—"
She jerked her head to
one side. "Geez, Neo. Enough with the title. Call me Lanai." Her
shoulders slumped. "This is not the way I … we … wanted to tell you about
our … our …" She broke off, running a hand through her hair.
Merrick finished the
sentence. "Your not so professional relationship?" She barely kept a
straight face.
Lanai snapped her
attention to Merrick. "Yes. Our change in status." She glanced toward
Neo. "Your dad and I wanted to wait until we got this summit out of the
way." Her fingers curled into her palms.
Neo lifted his chin.
"Mom's been gone a long time. What you and my dad have is none of my
business." He shot a look toward Merrick, who took point so he could talk
to Lanai. "But I'm happy. For both of you."
Lanai gave him a brief
smile.
With that out of the
way, he got down to business. "Did the general brief you on his
plan?" Given their relationship, Nate might not have told her, especially
if he'd be in danger.
Lanai straightened her
shoulders. "He mentioned getting a read on the situation then clearing a
path for evacuation." She smoothed the front of her blouse.
Merrick snorted.
"Evac's not gonna be an option. The embassy is surrounded." She met
Neo's gaze. "And too many on the inside can't be trusted." Her eyes
focused on the door again.
Lanai frowned.
"So, full-blown mutiny, very limited options, and I'm assuming no way to
communicate." She sighed. "I had a feeling things went too smoothly
when I arrived. Almost zero friction from current staff." She got to her
feet and crossed the room.
Neo weighed their
options. "Yeah, they're jamming signals. And without comms, we can't get
word to the general." He dragged a hand through his hair.
Merrick angled her head
toward him. "This is bigger than evacuation at this point. Too many dead
bodies out there." She paused, holding Neo's gaze. "This is about
controlling the embassy with hostages for a bigger gain." She slid her
gaze to Lanai. "Who's making the power grab?"
The ambassador's mouth
thinned. "Fucking Tom Zeman. And he's got help with the insurgent faction
trying to overthrow the government." Grabbing her suit jacket, she
shrugged it on.
Neo marveled at the
change in her disposition. She went from shell-shocked when they found her to
quietly determined. She's gearing up for battle. After buttoning the coat,
Lanai finger-combed her hair and twisted it up then secured it with a hair
clip.
She retrieved a notepad
and pen and placed them on the table beside his weapon. "We need a plan. I'm
not going to sit still and let Zeman have his way." She glanced to
Merrick. "I'll need your expertise because I haven't been here long enough
to know the players on the board. Will you help?"
Merrick's brows arched
and she narrowed her gaze. Neo could picture the flurry of activity in her
brain. She didn't trust Ambassador James, for reasons that made sense to
Merrick, but their options dwindled by the moment.
But Merrick did trust
him … he hoped. When she directed her focus to him, he gave a quick nod. His
shoulders relaxed when she holstered her sidearm and joined them at the table.
Lanai tapped the
notepad. "Let's get started…"
Not sure how this
one is going to come together yet. I like what the characters are doing so far…
That's it for this
week. Happy reading!
Skylin
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