Sunday Snippet: Hang Ten

My youngest kidlet is back from her trip to Disney and it's so nice to have her home. It's also terrific she had the opportunity to visit every theme park in Disney's repertoire. She had such a great time. On a proud parent note, she enjoyed Epcot the best and it makes my entire year because that was my favorite when I went to Disney many, many moons ago. I'm resisting the urge to plan a full-on Disney vacation… mainly because I don't have the time. But it would be so much fun!

Had something of an off week in television viewing. I'm battling a nasty cold / allergies / upper respiratory "ick" that's kicking my teeth in. But… I did get quite a bit watched.

I started a new-to-me Australian show called Canal Road and it's rather good. I'm two episodes in and I'm hooked. I also got to finish up Archangel and thoroughly enjoyed it.

In my classic rewatch, I caught Midsomer Murders and several episodes of Classic Who. I finished up the Dalek episodes and started the new arc. I'd forgotten what a shifty guy the first doctor can be. I also caught another episode of The Sarah Conner Chronicles.

Endeavor continues to make me happy. I also got another episode of Constantine in and I'm quite excited for the character to make the move to Legends of Tomorrow. I started a show I only got to watch sporadically when it originally aired, Pensacola Wings of Gold. I actually hope I can catch other late 90s early 00s shows. I missed so much back then.

On DVD, I finished up The Batman's third season and started the fourth. I also caught a few episodes of current seasons of Chicago Fire and Blindspot. Gotta say the whole Hurst arc is turning out to be kind of exciting.

Band of Brothers and Strike Back gave me my military show fix. I continue to be blown away by the casting in Band of Brothers. So many good choices.

I'm five episodes into Sense8 and I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to watch this show. That said, I can binge the entire thing and see the finale in one go so there's that bit of good news. Fearless's third episode kind of broke me a little. It's a dark, dark show.

Krypton's first season proved to be pretty awesome. I have no idea where they'll go for the second season, but the end was kind of chilling. Jana called the whole General Zod ruling over Krypton thing and I'm truly hoping Lyta is now regretting her choice. If she isn't that character is dead to me. Just saying.

And that's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Hang Ten, a novella with sun, sand, and surfing.

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…

Penn Cobblepot accepted top honors with a brief nod to the judges and jaunty salute to the fans gather around the awards area. He rode to a smooth finish on a wave not quite as spectacular as Farren's. She'd had the perfect swell.

And epically crashed.

He could've predicted the wipe out when she flowed too far into the cusp of the wave. Not that Farren would care. She surfed for the sheer love of the sport.

He stopped to get his paperwork signed for winning the top prize.

Backing away, he bumped into Avery Jones, the runner-up. "Damn, sorry about that." Tucking his board under his arm, he moved out of her way.

She sent him a bright smile. "No problem. You were magnificent out there today." A splash of pink colored her cheeks.

Penn's lips quirked. "Yeah, thanks. Caught a good one." He nodded toward the officials table. "Heard your run was spot on. Go on then. Better collect that prize money."

She beamed and ducked into the small covered alcove. Penn shook his head. Avery had talent and didn't cop an attitude. She'd do well on the local circuit. And hopefully stay away from the dickheads who preyed on rookie competitors.

 Strolling along the beach, he cut up the path that led to the cabins the contestants used. After stowing his board, he grabbed a quick shower then went out to the hammock strung between two sturdy trees. With the ocean breeze and shady limbs, the swinging bed looked more than inviting.

Maneuvering onto the canvas surface, he stretched out. "Catching a few zzzs sounds pretty damn good right now." He'd be awake in plenty of time for the campfire later that night.

 After all, he'd earned bragging rights.

I'm having a good time with this one. Penn and Farren are fun characters.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Surf's Up

November 23, 2014

Gotta take a moment and give it up to the entire cast of Sons of Anarchy. Charlie Hunnam and Jimmy Smits made me cry. Seriously. And if memory serves, there's no episode for Thanksgiving week, so I may have to watch the last one at least one more time.

Also, Arrow and The Flash are meeting up and crossing over. Cannot wait! Both shows are really bringing it and I couldn't be happier. Agents of SHIELD is also getting even better and Sleepy Hollow is holding on. I kind of miss the batshit freak of the week stuff and cross my fingers we'll see some more of that in the near future.

I'm kind of hoping to see some holiday themed episodes from some of my fave shows. If nothing pops up, at least I'll have Doctor Who and I can always watch holiday eps from shows gone by.

Enough TV, tonight's post is from, Surf's Up, a novella with sun, sand, and adventure. Oh… and a little romance.

Here's the tagline:

Marla Siff and Farley Osbourne protect a wealthy businessman as part of his entourage. People assume tech geek Farley is the muscle, but Marla is the combat trained protective detail. When a threat looms, they retreat to the private shores of their client's own island and Marla and Farley fight their attraction to keep their boss safe.

And a snippety peek…

Marla waited, impatient, for Farley to arrive. Wait. Maybe not. What if he'd opted for those tiny speedo-style trunks? She'd die. And fail to do her job. Because all Farley's prime flesh in a little piece of material would distract the hell out of her.

He knocked twice and entered the room… wearing khaki and teal board shorts. Marla breathed a sigh of relief. Farley shot her an odd look.

She chuckled. "Thank you." Grabbing her bag, shades, and towel, she headed toward the sliding doors.

Farley's eyes narrowed. "Why are you thanking me?" He flung his towel over his shoulder and followed her to the patio.

Marla grinned. "For not wearing some super-small trunks. I'd be hard pressed to keep my mind on work if I had to fight off the throng of women who'd flock to your side." Her eyes scanned the beach, checking for anything out of the ordinary.

Farley laughed. "Should I take that as a compliment?" He paused by her side, waiting for her to give the go ahead.

Marla shifted her gaze sideways. "Absolutely. And the board shorts make your butt look great, by the way."

Farley rolled his eyes. "And if said the tankini you're rocking made your ass look good, you'd slug me, right?"

Marla shrugged. "Today? Nah. You get a free pass." She stepped out onto the main path and turned toward their employer's bungalow.

Farley nodded. "In that case, I love the way your suit makes your—"

Marla jabbed a finger under his ribs. "Don't push it, Farley." But she ruined the threat when she couldn't quite keep her lips from turning up into a wide smile.

Another fun one. I hope to get back to it after I finish up a few more almost there manuscripts.

That's it for this week. Happy reading.

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Drag Out the List

Happy Almost Holidays!

The family and I are thisclose to being ready for the merry season. We always wait and decorate the tree a day or two before December 25 so the lights are strung, but nothing else until tomorrow. :D

I'm watching holiday episodes of my favorite TV shows. Warehouse 13, Eureka, Doctor Who, and last year's Arrow episode, Year's End. Up next is Leverage with the Ho, Ho, Ho Job. :D

Tonight's post is from Drag Out the List, a short story where my two main characters discuss a certain list one has and fun ensues. :D

Here's the tagline:

Velma and Kade have loads of sexual tension, but Velma keeps him at arm's length. Kade gets the why, but when she pushes him a little too far he turns the tables on her and she ends up in a compromising position—number seventeen on his list.

And a snippety peek…

Kade heaved a sigh. Velma hadn't let up for days. Prancing around the beach with her hot sky blue bikini top and cut off, white denim shorts? Took her sexy teasing one step too far.

Really, Kade? Dozens of females wearing tiny two pieces flitted back and forth on the sand. Kade roundly cursed his stupid inner voice for pointing out the flaw in his logic. None of the dozens of other women were Velma, the single person on the planet that could make his dick hard with a sultry glance. And she damned well understood her effect on him, too.

That part irritated Kade. After talking to Howie, he got the why of holding back and not getting involved. And Kade enjoyed the flirty banter, but just because he understood Velma's hesitation didn't mean she could use him for kicks without consequences.

He needed to find a moment alone with her and Kade finally caught her in a cabana room.

"Look, Velma, I enjoy the fun and games, but you're pushing it a little, don't you think?"

Velma lowered her gaze. "Maybe." She shrugged. "But like you said, you don't mind, right?"

He smirked. "No, not really. But…" He moved forward, invading her personal space. "There are going to be repercussions."

She snorted. "Like what?"

Kade flexed his fingers and started with her sides. Velmo lost it, laughing and twisting around trying to get away. He kept hold, and she finally grabbed at his hands and dragged him down with her to the sandy floor. He landed on top of her, but broke his fall by bracing his hands on either side of her body.

Velma dragged in several deep breaths, then lifted a brow. "Well, Kade… now that you have me right where you want me… what are you gonna do?"

Kade pondered a moment. "I think I might have to go for number seventeen on my list."

~:~

Velma's eyes widened. "You have a list?" The thought made her heart race, especially since he made it sound like he'd been thinking about her a lot.

Kade huffed out a harsh breath. "Damn right. Don't you?" He lowered down onto an elbow, settling onto his side, but keeping her in place.

Velma chuckled. "Not that I'd ever admit to having."

A big grin crossed his face. "Ah, but you see, you just did." He waggled his eyebrows.

Velma laughed. "Okay, you've got me there." She shoved her hand against his chest. "Now let me up." His close proximity made her want things she shouldn't have.

Kade did a quick back and forth with his head. "Nope. Not quite yet."

Her eyes narrowed. "Why not?"

A slow smile spread across his face. "Because I haven't done this yet."

Her breath caught when his head lowered, his warm mouth capturing hers in a firm kiss. His tongue slipped past her lips before she could even think about it. She moaned and cupped his face, bringing him closer, deepening the embrace. Good god, the man had a hot mouth.

And she wanted to find out exactly how much heat they could generate.

If all goes well, it'll be tons of heat. :D :D

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Bikini Beach

Happy St. Paddy's Day to all of Irish descent. And well…to those not, too. LOL

Been fighting an all-day headache, the kind that kind of just hangs there and acts annoying. Will keep the post brief because of that. L

Tonight's preview is from another manuscript I just got started, Bikini Beach. Again, the idea came from a prompt posted to one of my writing comms. Seriously love getting a spark from those.

Here's the tagline:

Talia Ashe loves her job, but she's ready to kill her partner, Hugh McVey because he's pushing hard to get a project done and they're down to the wire. She takes a mental health day, to keep from doing Hugh bodily harm, but he ruins it when he shows up on her patch of beach.

And here's the snippety peek…

6 am

breep-breep-breep-breep-breep

Talia Ashe threw her pillow to drown out the obnoxious sound of her alarm. Flinging an arm over her eyes, she decided she couldn't face getting up and going in to work. And considering she'd worked past midnight the night before, she shouldn't have to.

Four hours of sleep just didn't cut it and one day couldn't possibly hurt. The delay would piss her partner off, but Hugh could suck donkey balls. If she had to deal with his constant push-push-push to get the job done attitude another day she'd lose her mind.

Or run the risk of maiming him with sharp objects.

Not his fault their client died mid-project and his widow decided to take the reins and change everything. The woman had no clue about production schedules, order fulfillment, or what it took to change the packaging at the very last possible moment. Or what missing the launch date would do to her bottom line. But she didn't have a board of directors to worry about so she could do whatever she pleased.

Stifling a huge yawn, Talia grabbed her phone from the bedside stand and dialed Hugh's number. Expecting the call to go to voice mail, she got a surprise when he answered on the second ring.

"McVey." He sounded tired, but alert.

Shit. She'd have to scramble fast to sound ill.

"Hugh. Ughhh…" She hoped the feigned moan added the right touch. "I think the clam chowder from yesterday's lunch is trying to kill me. Can you manage on your own today?" She braced for the explosion.

"What!?" Hugh didn't disappoint. "Dammit, Talia. Why didn't you have the cobb salad like I did yesterday?"

She rolled her eyes. "Look, it could've been the Thai food we ordered in for dinner. Whatever the culprit, I'm two seconds away from heaving again, so unless you wanna watch me puke all day, I suggest you soldier on and I'll be back in on Thursday." She firmly tamped down the guilty kick in her stomach.

Hugh gave a terse response. "Fine. But your timing couldn't suck worse. Deadline is next week and we still have details to nail down." He heaved a sigh. "Do you need anything? I can stop after I meet with Barclay's widow."

The woman had a name, Minerva, but she and Hugh almost exclusively referred to the bane of their existence by her grieving status. Probably because the woman rarely started a sentence that didn't begin with 'As Paul's widow'…

"Talia, are you okay?"

The genuine concern in Hugh's voice had remorse creeping up again.

Talia quickly answered, "Yeah. Just needed a moment." She definitely didn't want him to stop by…she had no intention of being home. "I don't need anything, but thanks for the offer. See you Thursday."

She didn't wait for a response and pressed end. The unexpected gesture from Hugh threw her a little. They worked for a co-op and had been partnered up for this project based on their individual skills. She'd known him by reputation for a couple of years, but after working with him for a straight six months, he still surprised her sometimes.

The guy didn't have an 'off' button and she could usually deal with it, but the last two weeks had put a strain on her ability to play nice. And after listening to him snap and snarl about everything, most of it directed toward her, she wanted a twenty-four hour break. Hugh acted as the project head and she had more or less been following his lead—working nonstop—but not today.

Today, Bikini Beach called and Talia fully planned to enjoy the sun, sand, and surf, giving her brain a much needed vacation. She'd go back to work on Thursday, fully recharged and ready to face whatever new kind of hell the Widow Barclay could throw at them.

She grabbed her pillow and reset her alarm for 8 am. Settling back down, her eyes fluttered shut and she drifted back to sleep.

Hugh and Talia will find getting out of the office can be a great thing to get the creative juices flowing. But first…they have to clear the air a little. LOL

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin