Sunday Snippet: Green-Eyed Monster

December is off to a roaring start. We got some interesting and good family news and I think I'm very close to being finished with my holiday shopping. I might have one or two last-minute things to figure out but that's it.

As noted in my last post, I continued with my Batman: The Animated Series rewatch and started with episode thirty-one and ended with episode forty-seven. I had forgotten a couple of those episodes, in particular, "His Silicone Soul" and "Off Balance," which introduced Talia and Ra's Al Ghul.

There were also several of my favorite episodes in this bunch. "Beware the Gray Ghost," "Christmas with the Joker," "Almost Got 'Im," and "Harley and Ivy." Christmas with the Joker is one of my all-time faves and I usually watch it on a yearly basis.

I'm enjoying the rewatch so much, I'm probably going to continue through the end of the year. I have a lot of love for this show.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Green-Eyed Monster, a novella where a couple might get a second chance at a future … if they can get through a current situation.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Dani works undercover sting operations and inadvertently shoots the girlfriend of Neal, one her coworkers. When the green-eyed monster of jealousy rears its head, Dani isn't sure how to help Neal through the trauma, but she'll move whatever stands in the way to make sure he's happy.

And a sneaky peek…

At the familiar voice, Dani's eyes slid closed. "What the hell?" Of all the terrible timing.

She motioned the kitchen employees toward the back exit. Her team would get them out safely. Then send in reinforcements.

She cursed Neal's interference. Everything had been going according to mission parameters. They had ears in the place, the planned strategy unfolding like clockwork. Sasha showing up at exactly the right time.

Until she asked about the new girl, meaning Dani. They'd planned for the question. Coached the cashier how to respond. New hire. Started tonight. That would've been the cue for Ward to move in. Instead, three shots were fired and Neal's calm tone threw the whole operation into a tailspin.

And caught Dani off guard … because he shouldn't be here.

She shook her head. "Dammit. What the fuck is going on?" Neal could blow their whole sting.

Dani looked out, braving a quick glance to tag everyone's location. Relaying the general location information to her team, she assessed the current situation. Five armed hostiles, eight potential hostages. Dani had the element of surprise on her side and could probably take Sasha before she could get another round off.

Neal faced the gunwoman. "Look, at least let the women exit. There're only two." He tilted his head toward the door.

Dani bit back a growl. She couldn't have that. And, as a former undercover agent, he should know better.

Ward already had backup moving in. If the door opened, Sasha would see their movements. Shit. Dani needed to get a handle on things.

Sasha shook her head. "No one leaves." She unholstered a second weapon. "In fact, everyone in the back better get out here now." She laid a volley of gunfire through the open serving area.

Dani kicked off her espadrilles and withdrew her weapons. "Fuck. It figures." She had to go in now.

Flaming hot and with potential moving targets.

What could go wrong?

This story is coming together in a way I didn't expect and I love it when that happens.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Fits and Starts

Well… I'm coming off a bittersweet week. I got to spend my birthday with almost my entire family, which is terrific, but the reason not so much. We buried my beloved Gram on Wednesday and, being in Ohio, the weather ran the gamut from rain to snow to a sleet / hail mixture. Finally, the sun came out toward the end of the day.

Television had a good week. Legends had a great episode even if I can't quite decide if I actually like Damian's campy antics or if I really hate them. It's pretty much a toss-up.

Tuesday's shows are on my list to catch up on. The draining day left me with little to no brain power to watch television. The same goes for Riverdale on Wednesday.

I did catch Arrow and, as always, I enjoyed the episode. I rather like how they keep changing up the versions of Laurel. And having Roy back is always kick ass. I've missed him. I'm also interested in seeing how things play out with Dinah and Oliver. In all honesty, I'm a little on the fence about the Dinah character. Her thirst for vengeance isn't one I bought into, but I'll finish watching to see what happens.

I need to catch up on Gotham also. Totally forgot it returned at the beginning of the month.

Watched a little more of season five of Chicago Fire and still love the show. Looking forward to another DVD this week to see what else happens.

Started Jessica Jones this weekend and season two feels like it's going to be a wild ride. Can't wait to see what else the show has in store for me.

I'll be playing catch up on Murdoch Mysteries again, but I did see episode fifteen and thoroughly enjoyed.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Fits and Starts, a novella that got a writing community prompt start with the words "get out".

Here's the mini-blurb:

After escaping from a madman's clutches, Pru Stark can't quite find her footing again. She pushes her man, Dane Callaway, away and refuses to see the little girl she saved. Dane can give her space, but he won't stay on the sidelines, not when Pru needs him the most, even if she can't quite admit it.

And a snippety peek…

Dane slammed his hand on the desk. "It's been two weeks. Why the hell aren't we combing the district for her?" He glared at the phone, waiting on a response.

A room of twelve board members collectively cleared their throats.

Only one had the balls to verbally reply. "Given Stark's penchant for going off book, pulling resources to search for her isn't warranted. Not yet." Blaine Kudrow… it figured.

Pru's blunt style often annoyed others. And, of course, Blaine topped the list. Dammit.

Dane heaved a sigh. "Then when? The longer we wait the more damage control we could get into." Seriously… someone had to put a stop to the escalating break-ins, before word got out.

Nagy Harnish jumped into the conversation. "Look, Callaway, give it two more weeks. Unless the thefts escalate further." A general consensus sounded in the background.

Dane tamped a flash of anger down. "I'm going to commit everyone not on an active operation to trolling for intel. I trust no one's gonna have a problem approving the overtime." Considering he signed the paychecks, the board could kiss his ass if they did.

Kudrow snorted. "Like you'd care or let that stop you. By all means, use your people however you see fit. You certainly take advantage of having your lover as one of primary agents." The room hissed their disapproval of her blatant insult. "Fine, fine. I'll shut up now. If your people don't turn anything up within two weeks, we'll revisit allocating personnel from the other divisions."

Dane tersely thanked the group and cut the call before he threatened to blast the lot of them. His relationship with Pru rarely interfered with ongoing missions. Hell, he'd waited a full week before bringing his concerns to the board so he wouldn't be accused of playing favorites.

Sitting down at his desk, he drummed his fingers on the smooth surface. "Something isn't right. My gut's screaming Pru's in danger."

This one end up being moved to my science fiction romance pseudonym but I love how the story is coming together.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Down in Mexico (South of the Border, Book One)

September 29, 2013

Hello!

All right, people, I have dire thinky thoughts about two of my favorite shows, Strike Back and Sons of Anarchy, which I won't share here, but suffice to say, it's not looking good for a few characters. EEK!

Thank goodness, Arrow returns in two weeks and I can get my superhero fix again soon. Whew.

Tonight's post is from an already released manuscript, Down in Mexico, and features two of my very favorite characters in the South of the Border series—Kiernan and Lars.

Here's the tagline:

Kiernan Darby spends five long years playing dead, living life in limbo, but it lets Lars Rademacher do his job and eliminate members of a lethal crime syndicate. Lars tracks Kiernan down in Mexico and their reunion is sweet… until Lars reveals a pesky detail he forgot to mention.

And a snippety peek…

Five long, damn years and it all rushed back, the way she felt about him. Kiernan shoved his shirt off his shoulders then yanked her tank top over her head. Started on his shorts while he peeled hers down. Their eyes met and he hauled her to him, mouth crushing hers in a bruising kiss. He lifted her, walked the ten steps across the patio to back her up against the weathered wood exterior of the house, never once breaking the kiss.

Less than three feet from the open door, they didn't even make it inside the home. Kiernan wrapped her legs around his waist and welcomed his smooth thrust of entry. Lips, teeth, hands, everywhere at once, kicked up the heat. She didn't last long. Pent up need and desire had her breaking after a few strokes, breathing hard against his shoulder, shattering in his arms, gasping his name.

Lars followed right behind, cupping her ass, pumping his hips two more times before coming hard, her name a burst of harsh air against her ear.

When he caught his breath, he murmured. "I love you, Kier."

Words she so badly wanted to hear. Kiernan went from the mind-bending, exquisite high of sex to gut-wrenching sobs. For all the lost time, the loneliness, the fear and the limbo-like existence she'd been living. She lost it, completely, but Lars didn't let go.

Instead he carried her into the house, figured out the way to her room, settled them on the bed and held her. His arms a safe haven, Kiernan let it all pour out. His hands smoothed over her hair, stroking gently, lulling her into relaxation.

She had no idea how long they sat there, Lars whispering words that further soothed her tired soul. The sun, no longer high in the sky, cast shadows in the room when she finally exhausted her supply of tears.

She sniffled and kissed his chest. "I love you too, by the way." She looked up and gave him a lopsided grin. "Not that you'd know from the waterworks display."

His arms tightened around her, his answering smile sad, but very sexy. "You earned every one of those tears." He dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose. "But it's really over, Kier. We finally have a chance."

Kiernan nodded, jerkily, almost afraid to believe it. After all, she still had trouble believing the events that led to her playing dead. But everything would prove true.

She'd been such an idiot. Young and desperate, she took on a job without asking questions. Snuggling against Lars, she finally went back to where it began.

Ahhh. Reunions are so much fun to write. :D :D

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That's it for this week. Happy Reading!

Skylin