Sunday Snippet: How to Win a Fair Fight

Well, 2026 is off to a wonky start. It's like it looked at 2025 and decided to say, "Hold my beer." Not sure that's a good thing.

Weather stayed very cold, which I'm totally okay with. We got a bunch of snow on New Year's Eve and I'm happy to have stayed in and enjoyed ringing in the new year at home. It ended up being a super-busy week with a lot going on but at least I didn't have the crazy back and forth temperatures to deal with. My sinuses really hate that.

Another slower work week, but progress on the three projects I'm working on at the moment. The unexpected stuff kind of messed up my groove, but I got back on track. I'm hoping this week is a little smoother.

Didn't quite make it all the way through my round of shows, but I did get the remaining holiday special in. I also have some new seasons of shows I'm excited about.

I started with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, and I'm almost finished with my rewatch. I think I have two more episodes left. Then I'll probably watch the fan-funded movie, which is quite excellent.

Finished up the episode of Foyle's War and enjoyed it. I'd forgotten Andrew and Sam split up in this one and I kind of mourn their breakup.

Caught the holiday special of Death in Paradise. Such a good one! Having Selwyn in England added a really nice layer to the whole mystery and tied the episode of Beyond Paradise in nicely.

Started a new two-part Silent Witness and it's a very twisty and turny case. Looking forward to the second part to wrap things up. I also really enjoy the newest addition to the Lyell.

I began season four of Poirot and enjoyed the first episode. Interesting mystery and a lot of fun with Hastings really wanting to talk about his shooting of the alligator-like creature and no one being interested until the very end.

That's all I got in this week on my television shows.

Tonight's post is from How to Win a Fair Fight, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the miniblurb:

Karla and Unger are polar opposites but share a tense attraction. When a weekend discussion with their group of friends focuses on what's considered a fair fight, Karla and Unger have differing opinions, which leads to a wager about the rules and the difference between love and war.

And a snippety peek…

Unger waited until Karla and the other girls went up to the house to refill the cooler and hit the bathroom before nudging Tom. "What's the deal with your sister?" Did she always start in attack mode?

Tom's lips quirked. "The answer depends on why you're asking." He kicked back and arched an eyebrow.

Unger sighed. "Does she seriously believe the whole fair fight thing or is she just pushing my buttons?" Maybe it didn't matter, but he kinda wanted to stay on her good side.

Tom shot Mark a knowing look. "And another one falls." He shook his head.

Mark smirked. "You might wanna clue him in before you accuse him of being hot for your sister." He grabbed a long branch and poked at the fire.

Unger sputtered. "Wait. What?" His gaze slid toward the trail leading to the house. "How does asking if she's serious about the whole fight thing equate to being hot for Karla?" He snorted. "Never mind. You guys are the ones hulk smashing right now." He laughed.

Mark chuckled. "Busted. But to answer your question since Tom won't … she's definitely testing your boundaries. Etiquette demands he stay neutral." He sobered. "I don't have that problem because I'm only related to Janie." He tsked. "You should've been here for the bizarre dance Tom and Janie did before they got together." His eyes rolled.

A terrible thought hit Unger. "You interested in Karla?" His attraction for Tom's sister didn't have to go anywhere … he didn't know if he even wanted it to.

Tom barked out a laugh. "Mark's homed in on Mellie. He just hasn't made that known yet."

Mark shrugged. "She just dumped the freeloader she'd been going out with for a year. I'm not trying to be rebound guy."

Unger winced. "Yeah, been there. Talk about an unfair fight. That's definitely one." He fist-bumped Mark.

Tom spread his hands out. "Look, here's the deal with Karla. She wouldn't waste time pulling you into a ridiculous debate if she didn't accept you as one of us." He looked toward Mark who nodded. "She'd shrug and roll her eyes if she thought we were wrong to try and break up the fight at Hatter's."

Mark chimed in. "I'll bet she's already figuring out what to post to social media about the bar kicking out paying customers who were trying to keep the peace when the management had better things to do."

Tom laughed and dragged his phone out. "My guess is that's part of the reason she went up to the house." He scrolled on the device. "Yep. Right here. She already blasted them." He turned the screen toward Unger.

Unger read her captioned post. "Regardless of what you consider a fair fight, anyone who tries to keep the peace should be celebrated instead of kicked out. Do better Hatter's." His lips curved in a smile. "Guess it really didn't matter if it was a girl fight or a guy fight."

Tom and Mark groaned and shook their heads. Unger didn't care. He had a better understanding of Karla and what mattered to her.

He'd file the information away to examine later.

Not quite sure where this one is going yet but I love the dynamic with this group of friends.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: How to Win a Fair Fight

Whew. What a long week. I've got three work projects going and some movement on my possible new venture. And crazy weather that keeps hopping back and forth from super cold to very mild. I'm not a fan.

Had a somewhat decent week of television. I'm not back to my normal schedule because my work projects need solid focus. But … I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things.

I finished up the Midsomer Murders I started last week and really enjoyed the episode. I have a lot of love for Barnaby and Winters.

I caught an episode of Peak Practice. I'm in season nine and what I consider the home stretch since there are three seasons left after this one. Not a bad episode but I do miss some of the recurring characters from earlier seasons.

Continued my Battlestar Galactica rewatch with my friend. Season one starts with what I consider to be one of the absolute best hours of scripted television ever. "33" is in my top ten episodes of Battlestar and probably in my top ten episodes of television. Edge of your seat viewing for the entire episode. Terrific stuff.

Watched an episode of Classic Who and finished out the arc. I have ten episodes left to finish out the full run of classic episodes. I think I'll be starting a Death in Paradise run after I conclude with Classic Who.

Started the first of the final two episodes in season twenty of Silent Witness. I'm looking forward to finishing it up and seeing where things go.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from How to Win a Fair Fight, a novella that brings polar opposites into the same orbit and lets them have some fun.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Karla and Unger are polar opposites but share a tense attraction. When a weekend discussion with their group of friends focuses on what's considered a fair fight, Karla and Unger have differing opinions, which leads to a wager about the rules and the difference between love and war.

And a snippety peek…

Karla Martin tilted her head sideways. "Hold up. Was this a girl fight or a guy fight?" How did they get on this subject again?

Right. Her brother Tom and the new guy Unger Tango got kicked out of Hatter's bar for trying to break up a physical altercation.

Unger blinked at her question. "What difference does it make?"

The group of six—siblings Karla and Tom, Tom's significant other Janie, her cousin Mark, Karla and Tom's cousin Mellie and the new guy, Unger, Mark's coworker—sat around the fire pit on the Martin family property.

Karla arched her brows. "Well, the rules are different depending on the participants."

Unger frowned. "That's stupid. A fight is a fight."

Tom let out a low whistle. "My friend, you're about to get schooled."

Karla stuck her tongue out in Tom's direction then turned to Unger. "You see, that's little sister for fuck you and perfectly acceptable during a sibling squabble, which shouldn't be confused with the greater familial fracas that usually includes cousins like Janie and Mark and, of course, our Mellie." She narrowed her eyes a little. "You're kind of the odd man out here, since you're not related to anyone." Although the way Unger hit it off with Tom and Mark, he'd have the sibling vibe very soon.

Unger grunted. "Fine, but a fight is still a fight." He folded his arms over his chest.

Mellie shook her head. "Maybe for you men, like no hitting below the belt and all that." She kicked her feet out. "But women have a whole different vibe..."

Janie gave a nod. "Yeah, like is pulling hair acceptable? How about using fingernails?" She propped her feet up on one of the coolers. "Mani-pedis can get expensive so it's something to think about."

Unger blinked and huffed out a breath. "You're not serious."

Karla leaned forward. "Why wouldn't we be? Women tend to travel in groups. Is the fight all inclusive or one on one?" She added that to push his buttons.

Unger tsked. "You're telling me, you have a list of rules that are decided on prior to making physical contact?"

Karla rolled a shoulder while Mellie and Janie bit back grins.

Unger cocked his head. "Okay then, where does biting fall on your list of rules? Is that allowed?"

Karla pursed her lips, giving her answer some thought. "What kind of fight?"

Unger clicked his teeth with his tongue. "What do you mean?"

Karla arched her brows. "Is it a fair fight or a kick a bitch to the curb fight?" Janie and Mellie nearly fell off their chairs laughing.

Unger rolled his eyes. "Consider it's a fair fight."

Karla waved a hand. "Then no teeth."

Unger grunted again. "Glad I'm not a woman."

Karla zeroed in to get the last word. "So are we…"

Mark closed his eyes and groaned.

Tom lightly punched Unger on the shoulder. "Told you."

Karla settled back in her chair and basked in the glow of victory, which would be short-lived, no doubt…

I have zero clue exactly where this story is going but it's a fun ride so far. Karla and Unger are going to push each other's buttons and I love writing them.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin