Sunday Snippet: Rhythm and Motion

Well, March definitely enters the year with a roar. We've had the crazy weather that hops back and forth between warm and cold along with snow showers, thunderstorms, and thirty-degree temperature changes in twenty-four hours. Weirdly, it's somehow fitting that March is my birth month. Volatile and a wee bit mercurial.

My focus is still all over the place, but I have multiple work projects, which helps when I need a change of scenery. It drives me batty when I read the same paragraph over and over because I keep getting distracted by everything. Being able to hop from one manuscript to another helps in a weird way.

Had a decent week of viewing. Still not quite getting a full slate in, but I'm happy with the shows I'm keeping up with. I'm having issues with one of the streamers on a device, but I got the show watched despite the tech glitches.

Started out with the finale of Agatha Raisin. I have a bonus behind-the-scenes episode to watch then it's on to a new show. I'll miss this one. I've had so much fun watching the characters interact and solve mysteries.

Caught another Silent Witness episode. So sorry about Jack's dad. And the whole deal with his mom is beyond sad. Very nice to see Nikki be there for him. I'm wondering about Simone at the moment and Sam is playing a very cagey game.

Enjoyed another Death in Paradise. I'd seen most of this one and enjoyed it the first time. I love Martha to bits and can't wait to finish Humphrey's run to start Beyond Paradise in the near future.

Watched another episode of Elementary. Interesting episode and I'm almost sorry the FBI lady will live to show up again in the future.

Caught an episode of The Batman. I had vague memories of watching this the first time but not everything. I'm still not sure how I feel about Batgirl. I think I end up liking her better once Robin enters the show.

Enjoyed another episode of Classic Rugrats. I didn't remember either of the vignettes, which I'm kind of happy about. The later seasons were kind of hit or miss for us when the kiddos were young.

Finished the second season of The Secret Life of Amy Benson and I'm really hoping we get a third. I'm invested in the characters and want to see what happens next.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Rhythm and Motion, a novella that brings a highly competitive couple together from opposing teams.

Here's the miniblurb:

Rosie Austin and Carlos Baker are on opposing teams in the annual state-wide fire academy competition. In the week leading up to the big event, they fight an attraction that could get them into trouble with their team captains. By the end of the three-day contest, both are questioning if what they feel is real or whether they're caught up in the forbidden fruit angle.

And a snippety peek…

Carlos entered the training room and stopped short. The quick punch-jab-shuffle rhythm coming from across the room drew his attention. He loved a good bout. He finished stowing his gear and made his way over. A sparring session would be fun to watch. Whoever had the ring—they weren’t holding back.

Approaching the squared off area, his breath hitched … his pulse leapt … hell, his heart skipped a beat when he discovered who wore the gloves today.

Rosie.

With her old man, Chief Ramsey Austin—who held his own—not that Carlos expected less from the elder Austin. He’d spent hours listening to the battalion chief talk about impromptu matches between the three shifts at station fifty-one. Rosie's dad had chops.

But Rosie?

She fought by the numbers. Technically. Mechanically. No heart. No heat. Hence the reason her old man usually won.

Except now?

Form and function met passionate intensity.

The bunch and flex of muscle under her skin with each jab—

—the measured shuffle of her feet keeping time with a rhythmic cadence—

—accented by the rapid-fire thud of leather hitting skin when her gloves found their mark—

—all mixed up with the staccato breath sounds with each connection made or absorbed.

She's poetry in motion.

He watched Rosie move through the sparring match with her father. She's finally found a way to let go.

Nothing wasted. Rosie gave her all. Every movement fluid, she fought with controlled precision tempered by instinctive reaction. Slowly and methodically, she chipped away at Ramsey's defenses, making surprise moves that caught her father off guard. Intuitively, she blocked and made shots she’d never been able to pull off before.

Rosie finally sparred the way she should in the ring, the way she ran into burning buildings when it didn't matter, when she hopped on an engine for the sheer joy of the work. Here, only days before the competition, she held nothing back. Using pure instinct. Going full out in the squared off ring until her old man, winded and worn, stopped the bout.

Magnificent.

Not that he’d ever tell her that. Once had been enough.

But damn. She'd been a pleasure to watch.

Carlos melted back into the shadows and left the training room unnoticed.

Or so he thought…

This is a remix of another manuscript with the genders reversed and I'm having so much fun changing things up.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin 

Sunday Snippet: Rescue Me

Wow, another rough week on the home front. My middle kiddo is really struggling right now and I hate not being able to help him even though he's an adult. He's really tired of landing in the emergency department but we might be getting closer to figuring out what's going on with him. A few specialist appointments in September might help even more.

Didn't get as much television viewed but had a decent amount nonetheless. Started out with The Brokenwood Mysteries and thoroughly enjoyed the episode. I really like seeing previous characters in their recurring roles.

Finished up Silent Witness's second episode and don't remember watching it during my first viewing. Glad I got to see it.

Watched an arc of Classic Who and should be finished up with the season eighteen soon. I think it might be the last one for Four.

Got another episode of UFO Witness viewed and rather enjoyed this one. Still feels staged but I liked the deep dive into whether there's a secret underground base of operations for aliens.

Caught two episodes of The Muppet Show with Raquel Welch and James Coco as the guest stars. About halfway through season three and looking forward to more.

Finished out McCartney 3, 2, 1 and would love to see more. So many great moments and songs in this brief look into Paul McCartney's journey as a musician.

Watched another episode of Peak Practice and ended up liking it a lot. Will can be such a prat sometimes but I like that about his character.

Enjoyed another lesson on Master Class. LeVar Burton focused on reading to children and interacting with them about the source material. Very interesting!

Started Inside the Episodes: The Witcher and loved going back to revisit the first episode. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Caught another episode of New Rugrats and loved it. I really enjoy the updated version of this show.

Finishing out the week with Chicago Med and it's a heatwave episode. I'm totally feeling that this week. It got hot again.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Rescue Me, a novella that has the characters surviving a crazy-busy day and looking forward to a sexy anniversary celebration.

Here's the mini-blurb:

After twenty-four hours of nonstop runs in two busy station houses, Skylar Darns and Hayes Parrison, two extremely good paramedics, are ready to throw in the towel and have someone rescue them. The one saving grace? They spend the day planning their anniversary celebration—one they may be too exhausted to attend.

And a snippety peek…

Hayes wrapped up the fifth call of the day. "Going for a record, I think."

On the way out to the rig, he bumped into Kevin Wayne, one of the ED doctors.

Dr. Wayne lifted his chin. "Heard you guys have been busy today."

Hayes rolled his eyes. "You heard right. It's been nonstop since we logged on shift." He pushed the cot over to the ambulance.

Kevin followed. "It's been quiet lately. We're probably overdue for a full-on fright night." He propped a shoulder against the metal surface of the vehicle.

Hayes shrugged. "Fright night without a full moon? Not sure I want to see what that looks like." The running joke about calls increasing on the monthly lunar event often proved accurate.

Wayne laughed and held up his hands. "Yeah, same. Hence the reason I'm preparing for the worst." He pushed away from the rig and shook his head. "I'm headed in … I'm sure I'll see you in the near future."

Hayes chuckled and finished loading the cot. He liked Kevin and appreciated the friendly exchange. "Took some time to get there." Mainly because Wayne happened to be Skylar's ex—fly in the ointment of an almost perfect beginning.

Two years ago, Hayes got a two by four to the gut when he brought a patient in and bumped into Skylar. She flashed a bright smile and waved. She'd been on his mind since their steamy kiss a week prior.

He handed off the patient and strolled back out into the corridor headed for the nurses' station. He stopped short when Kevin came up behind Skylar and wrapped his arms around her waist, his lips nuzzling her neck. Her eyes widened and a second later her gaze met Hayes's.

Guilt reflected back in his direction. She's seeing someone. It figures. Angry and disappointed, he turned and left the hospital, climbing in the back of the rig to check supplies.

Grabbing the inventory board, he slapped it against his leg. "Another woman too good to be true." With terse movements and less than gentle handling of the equipment, he ran down the checklist.

The image of Skylar and Doctor Wayne popped up in his mind again. He squeezed the IV bags between his fists. Why did she even meet me last week?

A throat cleared behind him. "Uh, just guessing here, but I assume it's my neck you're feeling between your fingers right now?"

He swung his gaze sideways. "More like my own. For being stupid enough to think I had a shot with you." He tossed the bags back into their designated spot.

Skylar stepped up into the back. "I realize I'm entering at my own risk here, but we should talk." She dropped down onto the bench seat.

Hayes snorted. "You're fine. All the sharps objects are safely stored." He pulled the seat down on the captian's chair and perched on the edge. "The worst I could do would be to restrain you with a five-point harness."

Skylar's eyes widened. "Kinky. I'll file that one away for later."

Hayes shook his head. "Don't bother. Call me old-fashioned but I'm not one to share." He huffed out a breath. "I'm selfish that way."

Skylar leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "To be frank, I'm not much into sharing either. And I'm not a fan of two-timing men. Doctor Wayne has been gone and only returned today. As in literally just got back when you saw us." She met his gaze. "I'm meeting him later to let him know I'm interested in someone else—that would be you—even if you'd rather not speak to me again." She glanced away. "That kiss we shared rocked my world in a way Kevin's never has."

So she didn't lead me on. He wanted to kiss her but respected the fact she needed to be free from entanglements first. Instead, he slid down to his knees in front of her.

He cupped her face with one hand. "I think I'll be talking to you a lot in the near future." He waggled his eyebrows. "What are you doing tomorrow?"

She laughed. "Hopefully making out with you." She put her palm over his for a moment then eased off the bench. "I'll call you."

And she had … the next day after she'd explained things to Dr. Wayne. Kevin took the news well but stayed cool toward Hayes for several weeks. Not that Hayes blamed the guy. Hard to be friendly to the new man in Skylar's life.

But … Kevin bounced back with a sweet-natured radiologist and they were still together.

Closing the doors to the ambulance, Hayes logged back on for calls. Dispatch immediately responded with an emergency at the car dealership three blocks over. Hayes whistled for his partner and slid behind the wheel of the rig.

"Off to call number six."

This one has been so much fun to write. Skylar and Hayes are a great couple and I love writing an established romance with interesting conflicts.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin