Sunday Snippet: Open Shelter

Another long week, but at least some great TV to ease the stress. Currently watching The Last Ship, which continues to keep me entertained. The new season of Doctor Who starts in a few weeks and my fingers are crossed. Really not sure I'm going to like Twelve.

Getting ready to start season two of La Femme Nikita, probably when I completely fell in love with the show. I'm also still loving Defiance and can't wait to see where the season ends.

New and pics from Comic Con made my week. The casts from Orphan Black, Sons of Anarchy, and Arrow were super awesome and shared tons of stuff. I so enjoy it when the actors love what they do and give lots to their fans.

Tonight's post is from Open Shelter, a novella where my main characters have a long history and finally have a chance to become more… if their past doesn't come back to haunt them.

Here's the tagline:

Jay Hestwick meets Weslee Noss at the open shelter his mom operates and sees through her sarcastic rogue front to the scared kid underneath and decides to be her new best friend. Fifteen years later, Jay runs the program and Weslee comes home, ready to assist, but she doesn't realize she's bringing a dangerous menace out of hiding now that she's back.

And a snippety peek…

Weslee paused inside the doors of the Shoreline Open Shelter, letting memories shuffle through her mind. The place still looked the same, but with numerous improvements—better windows, decent lighting, and light, airy colors on the walls filled with painted murals. No doubt Jay encouraged the artwork and he probably provided the supplies to shelter inhabitants. He put so much of his time and funds into the place.

Her gaze scanned the alterations made over the past fifteen years. He'd put in a full-size kitchen with institutional equipment. Accordion partitions could keep the sleeping area separate from the main hall, something she would have welcomed as a child.  She moved further into the area and caught sight of Jay, deep in discussion with a food supplier.

He managed to make jeans and a T-shirt look great with an athletic jacket that hugged his form but didn't constrict his movement. Five years hadn't altered his appearance much, his short, cropped hair still stuck out in different directions—no product necessary to achieve the look—and her fingers itched to muss the strands further.

Maybe later, after he settled with the vendors and got lunch out of the way.

He glanced up and caught her staring, but a huge smile spread across his face. He held up a hand to interrupt the supplier and made a beeline across the floor to scoop her up in his arms and twirl her around.

She laughed and hugged him. "Put me down, you moron. No one will believe I'm your new head of social programs if you don't."

He settled her on the floor. "Did you catch an earlier flight?" Grasping her hand he turned and headed toward the kitchen area. "Why didn't you call? I'd have met you at the airport."

She shook her head. Same Jay. Always going Mach II with his hair on fire. Some things really never changed.

He nodded in the direction of the vendor. "Ralph, give me five. Be right back."

Weslee bobbed her head, acknowledging the supplier with a quick smile.

Jay dragged her through the café doors and had her backed up against the wall before they even swung closed. His mouth crashed over hers and she melted into the kiss, thrilled with the welcome.

Jay eased away, cupping her face with his hands. "I'm glad you're home, Wes. I've missed you."

This one has some suspense which is very fun to write. J

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Selling Tickets

September 1, 2013

Hello!

Yeesh, first day of September. That means the holidays are just around the corner. I know, right? How is that possible? According to our local Dollar General, Halloween stuff has to be displayed before the kids even go back to school the third week of August. *shakes head* I fully expect to see Christmas stuff out within the next two weeks. *shudder*

Tonight's post isn't about the holidays—thank the universe. LOL Selling Tickets is about two friends who work together and know each other well. Sometimes that combination leads to a whole lot more. J

Here's the tagline:

Kurt Trevarthan owns a popular night club and trusts Winnie Clay, one of his oldest friends, to keep things running smoothly. He never dreams he'll have to rely on her when his old man shows up—after a decade away—on the anniversary of Kurt's mom's death, but Winnie comes through and keeps the Trevarthan men from killing each other.

And a snippety peek…

"Move along. Nothing to see here, people." Winnie elbowed her way through the crowd towards the back exit, making room for Kurt.

Kurt dragged his drunken father, watching the man carefully, trying to make sure he didn't throw any punches. He totally didn't need a police raid on top of his dad's antics. Winnie hit the release for the back exit and threw the door open, propping it with her shoulder. "Get out of the way. We're not selling tickets. Geez, you idiots."

She lifted a hand and rubbed at her temples, the thumping bass of the DJ's jam probably adding to her headache. Kurt got behind his dad and marched him outside, making a sharp left at the exit. Winnie slammed the door shut and secured the lock so no one could follow.

Ken mumbled. "What's goin' on?" He glanced around, shivering. "It's cold out here. Wanna go back inside."

He started to turn around but Kurt blocked his path.

"I don't think so, Dad." He nudged Ken to the left, directing him towards the steps leading to his office—and sanctuary.

Winnie clamped her hand on Kurt's shoulder. "Don't, Kurt. Let me get my car and I'll drive him home. Don't let him invade your space. Not tonight."

Kurt shot her a quick look. "No way, Win. You know what he's like when he gets this drunk. You'd be lucky to make it out of the parking lot."

Winnie sighed. "Then let me help you get him down the steps."

She moved forward and got a good grip on Ken's arm. Kurt didn't argue. His old man made a heavy burden.

And Winnie's presence might just keep Kurt from trying to murder the elder Trevarthan.

Kurt grunted when his dad lurched sideways. "Ten years, Win. It's been a damned decade since I've seen the guy." He glanced across the stairwell. "Why now? And how the hell did he find me?"

Winnie got a better hold on Ken, propping her shoulder under his armpit. "You're not that hard track, Kurt. Your name's been attached to everything from the legal documents to set this place up to the transfer of ownership of the building. Any moron with access to public records could find you."

Kurt growled. "Remind me to listen to you next time, okay?" He stopped at the bottom of the steps and keyed his security code into the panel on the wall.

The door snicked open and Kurt got behind his old man and gave him a shove through the opening. Ken stumbled and dropped to his knees. Winnie stepped inside and blocked Kurt's entry.

"Uh uh. You go back up and keep things hopping. I'll deal with your dad." She pressed her hand against his chest and pushed.

Kurt sighed. "I can't ask you to stay down here, Win."

She snorted. "You're not. I'm volunteering." She grabbed hold of the heavy steel door. "Your face is the one they'll need to see. Otherwise your opening night will be all about damage control instead of celebration."

Kurt shot a glance toward his dad. "Not much to celebrate when the old man shows up."

Winnie moved forward, partially closing the door behind her. "Forget your dad. Remember your mom and why you chose tonight as opening night."

Kurt smiled and nodded. "I named the place after her. To honor her life."

Winnie grinned. "So go honor it."

Kurt grasped her hand. "Thanks, Win. I'll be down right after closing."

Wait until Kurt finds out Winnie is the one who brought his dad to town. He's not going to be a happy fellow. J

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Going All Out

Hi!

Last night I watched the best season finale of a show that I've seen in a long, long, time. Orphan Black is a total mind-bending freaky fun fest. And it hit every right note with every episode. Spring of 2014 is sooooo far away. LOL

Tonight's post is from the short story, Going All Out and is centered on Lance and Xola and their first official date. They've been friends for a long time, but have buttloads of sexual tension and finally decide to find out how they'd mesh together.

Here's the tagline:

Lance and Xola work together and have a solid friendship, but there's always a little something more between them. Lance proposes a date, something other than a movie or grabbing a bite to eat at the same time. Xola accepts and the fun—and nervous tension—begins.

And the snippety peek…

Lance propped a shoulder against the jamb. "Why not, Xola? Have a date night. The real deal kind of thing."

Xola tilted her head to the side. "Why?" She straightened and stalked across the room. "I mean, I get it. We always seem to teeter on the edge of something but never quite cross the line."

Lance folded his arms across his chest. "Exactly. We can keep going with the status quo, or…take a shot at that something."

Xola hesitated, but only for a moment. "Okay. But we better not let a date ruin a perfectly good thing."

Lance grinned. "We won't. Tonight at seven. Be ready."

Xola frowned. "Shit. For what? What're we going to do on this date night thing?"

Lance pondered. He hadn't planned anything—mainly because he didn't know if she'd accept.

But he wanted to go all out and have a night they wouldn't forget. "Wear something special. Nothing formal or anything, but think dinner and dancing maybe."

Xola grumbled. "I can't dance for crap, Lance. But okay." She cracked a grin. "It'll be cool to see you in something other than your uniform or workout clothes."

Lance agreed. "Feeling's mutual. Not that your ass doesn’t look great in yoga pants."

Her laughter pealed through the room. "You definitely got bonus points for that. I'll be ready at seven." She gave him quick wave and exited the common area.

Lance didn't have to look in the mirror to see the stupid grin on his face. It slowly faded when he realized she'd agreed to an out and out date. Holy shit. He had no clue where to even begin with the planning.

A quick glance at the clock and his stomach dropped. Three p.m. He'd better head home and get busy.

This one is so much fun to write. Once they agree to a date, Lance and Xola pretty much freak themselves out over it. I can't wait for everyone to see how they end up spending the evening. J

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin