Sunday Snippet: In Sunny Paradise

Man, January felt like it flew by but also seemed like it lasted a full decade. It's so weird how that happens. It could also be because I've been fighting a yucky cold and I'm not enjoying that at all.

Ohio has been in the longest cold spell I can remember. Highs only in the teens and lows in the single digits or below zero. Usually, we'll get that for a day or three. But this has been going on for over a week. At least I haven't had to go out much and deal with the brutal temperatures.

Had a fairly busy work week. Finished up the romantasy copy edit and did a little more on the manuscript that needed TLC. I'm digging into the memoir and getting it ready for a copy edit by another editor. I struggled through endnote hell with my regular author's project. Weirdly, I've had significantly more projects with footnotes or endnotes lately. It's not a trend I enjoy, but it's a new challenge, which I do like.

Had an okay viewing week. I made it through a full round of shows, which included starting a new season of one of my regulars. If possible, I might try to add a random backburner show this week.

Started season twenty-five of Midsommer Murders, and the opening episode didn't disappoint. Someone mentioned on BlueSky that this season is filled with humorous moments and that makes me so happy. Looking forward to more.

Caught another episode of Foyle's War with the opening of season six. A full year passed with Christopher no longer working as a policeman. Of course, he got sucked back in and the team is back together.

Watched the first of a two-part Silent Witness and, whew, what an episode. I have a fairly good idea of where this one is going and it's not pretty. Nikki is going to have her hands full when she's back at the Lyell.

Enjoyed another episode of Poirot. I love how many pursuits Hastings has. Hunting, golf, driving, and of course, working with Poirot. And Miss Lemon is a true gem.

Elementary ended it's fourth season with an interesting twist. I kind of enjoyed the whole Moreland Holmes arc. I'm looking forward to what season five brings to the table.

Watched another Batman Beyond and it's one I remembered. Bruce's dip in the Lazarus pool made a great episode, especially with being able to fight off a group of thugs with Terry. Such a fun episode.

Caught another episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks and enjoyed it. Very fun to see Klingon and Vulcan lower deck crews. And the end scene with the Borg lower deck was kind of funny.

And that's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from In Sunny Paradise, a sexy short following the adventures of Jersey and Shaw.

Here's the miniblurb:

Jersey and Shaw survived hell to be together and celebrated their love with a quiet ceremony, a rowdy reception, and a moonlit wedding night. Now they're on their honeymoon at a secluded beach in sunny paradise.

And a snippety peek…

Shaw didn't mind when Jersey roused him from sleep … especially when she was naked. Now was no exception. Her mouth was hot against his and her tongue, with wicked precision, woke up his body, mind, and senses. She never failed. Jersey always made him hungry for more.

He lifted his hips and shoved his shorts down. Grinned when Jersey took over, dragging them down to his knees so he could kick them off. "You been up long?" He had no idea what time it was, but it wasn't morning.

She shook her head. "About an hour."

He quickly shrugged out of his shirt and made room for her on the lounge. Then, cupping her face, he kissed her thoroughly. "I'm glad you woke me up." Shifting a little, he settled them back against the cushions.

Jersey grabbed his arm and tucked it around her side. "'Cause I'm naked or because it's afternoon?" She shot him a sly look.

He didn't have to answer … she knew he loved the naked part. Hell, they both did. One of the best things about this place was the privacy they had. They couldn't lie outside in the middle of the day like this at home.

His breath rasped out when Jersey smoothed her hand over his thigh and palmed his semi-erect penis. "You're insatiable." She had been since they'd arrived in Mexico. "Not that I'm complaining." And he wasn't, but after their exertions last night … it surprised him he was even capable of getting hard.

Jersey pressed a kiss against his chest then brushed her lips over his shoulder. "I'm pretty sure I've figured out why." She turned toward him and straddled his lap, settling down on his thighs. "Remember how everyone asked when we'd start a family … and what our answer was?"

Shaw's mouth went dry and he was afraid to breathe. "That we'd cross that bridge when got there? Yeah … I remember." He nodded, waiting for her to continue.

Jersey raised her gaze to his. "We're … uh … there."

He couldn't name all the emotions he saw in her eyes, but he felt every one of them. "So … you're—I mean—we're…" Why couldn't he get his tongue to form the words? "Are you—" The look on his face had to be priceless, but Jersey didn't keep him hanging.

She laughed and nodded. "I am … we are." Ready or not they were going to have a kid.

His face lit up and his breath whooshed out. "Holy shit, Jersey." He hauled her to him, trying not to crush her in his excitement. An image of her, stomach rounded with their child, flashed through his mind and his body responded. "Fuck me."

Her husky laughter filled his ears. "I think that can be arranged." She moved forward, pressing herself against his erection, wet and ready for him.

He wanted to bury himself inside her until they both came apart, but his hands went to her hips, stopping them. "Wait." At her confused expression, he gently touched his forehead to hers. "I love you." He looked down and slid his thumbs forward to make circular motions over the place he thought their child rested. He raised his gaze and his voice went thick with emotion. "I love both of you."

This series doesn't have an official name yet, but it's so much fun writing it.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: In Sunny Paradise (Last Best Chance to Get Things Right)

February has been the oddest month. Between weird weather and random catastrophes, it's been a doozy. I'm kind of happy to be welcoming March in this week.

Finished up a work project and made really great progress on one of the others. I'm blessed with authors who turn revisions around in record time. It's very helpful and keeps their work fresh in my mind.

I also made some progress on my new venture. Only a tiny amount, but it makes me happy to chip away at my to-do list. Brings me a wee bit closer to be able to launch.

Didn't get a lot of television watched, but I did finish up Strangest Things. I have so much fun listening to the experts discuss the weird and wonderful artifacts.

I also continued my Battlestar Galactica rewatch. This week's episode was one of my favorites, "Bastille Day." Some truly excellent parallels about picking a side and being true to a set of core beliefs.

I also started season two of The Mandalorian. I hoped to finish up Ms. Marvel before starting another Star Wars show, but I want to be up to date for season three.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from In Sunny Paradise, the follow-up to In a Moonlit Meadow.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Jersey and Shaw survived hell to be together and celebrated their love with a quiet ceremony, a rowdy reception, and a moonlit wedding night. Now they're on their honeymoon at a secluded beach in sunny paradise.

And a snippety peek…

With thoughts of the future stretched out before them, they drifted into a contented sleep.

And the universe is pleased.

Jersey Saint's lips turned up in a smile when she thought about the magical wedding night she'd spent under the stars with her brand-new husband, Shaw Barnaby.

Married a month and she still caught herself grinning at the memory. New ones they created on their honeymoon were slowly being added.

She bit back a giggle. "And if my hunch proves correct in a few minutes … we'll never forget this trip."

Something about this place and being alone—away from everyone and everything—had a magical quality. After more than a decade of being on-call, dropping into hot zones, and jumping into harm's way, not taking orders from anyone seemed strange, but also pretty damned awesome. They'd taken advantage of the opportunity to rest and heal from their ordeal by doing what they wanted … no schedule, no plan, no interruptions. Jersey savored the occasion … the lush surroundings invited them to be even more adventurous than usual.

She leaned back in her chair. "Last night for example."

She and Shaw spent it on a secluded stretch of beach, a short trek from the bungalow loaned to them from a friend of a friend. A soft blanket, an ocean breeze, the two of them talking and laughing and loving the night away.

She sighed with happiness. "There's something about the sound of waves during sex that adds an element of specialness." And, of course, Shaw always made things interesting.

Jersey had crawled into bed when they strolled back to the house in the wee hours of the morning. Shaw decided to walk along the beach and watch the sunrise … one of his favorite things to do now that they no longer lived in constant danger. Or had to worry about finding an egress point to make an escape.

Waking up alone at midday, she went to the bathroom and grabbed a quick shower. Padded out to the kitchen to see what Shaw had gotten up to. Found him conked out, under the shade of several trees and surrounded by lush foliage, on the chaise in the garden, his sleeveless shirt open and fluttering in the breeze.

The sight made her happy. "He can sleep a while longer." She had a little time to kill.

She gathered up her art supplies—something she could enjoy now—then sat at the table and worked up a colorful sketch. The green trees and bold hues of the flowers contrasted with the yellow of Shaw's shirt and his denim cargoes.

Using her finger to blur the edges of the finished picture, Jersey glanced at the clock then dropped her gaze to the table. A slow grin spread across her face. Her hunch had been correct. She dropped the pastels in their container and rose to head outside … shedding her clothes along the way.

One of the perks of this place was being able to do exactly that.

Jersey sat on the edge of the oversized lounge chair and watched Shaw sleep a moment longer. Then she trailed her fingers lightly down his chest. He stirred but didn't wake up. Her hand drifted further and stopped when it reached the waistband of his shorts. Using her fingers to work the button fly loose, satisfaction surged through her when Shaw's body responded to her touch. She opened the shorts and tugged them down a little to give him some breathing room.

Finally, she pushed his shirt open further and ghosted kisses from his torso up to his chest and over his shoulder until her lips landed on his smiling ones.

Good … he's awake.

This is a fun couple to write. Jersey and Shaw won't take their happiness for granted, which is a trope I love to experiment with.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: In a Moonlit Meadow (Last Best Chance to Get Things Right)

Had a weird week. The weather is still doing the yucky back and forth stuff, which makes me unhappy. My sinuses go insane when the temperature rises and falls and won't make up its mind.

Still super busy with work projects. I think I'm slowing down productivity-wise and that's disappointing, but I also tend to not work on three projects at the same time.

Not a bad week for television but I didn't get a lot watched. I did finish up the Silent Witness episode I started last week. Nikki ends up in trouble on a frequent basis and I like that she's always willing to put herself out there to solve a mystery.

I started a new season of Strangest Things and should have it finished up later this week. I kind of love digging into weird things from history and watching the group of commenters explain what they think things are.

I also caught another episode of Battlestar Galactica. "Water" is a terrific episode that lays the groundwork for a lot of what follows in the rest of the season. Frankly, the first season of Battlestar is as close to perfect as anything I've seen. There's not a wasted episode in the batch of thirteen. There are stronger episodes, obviously, but every installment has important information and terrific character moments. I'm so excited to watch another episode this week!

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from In a Moonlit Meadow, book one of the Last Best Chance to Get Things Right trilogy.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Jersey Saint and Shaw Barnaby, private security agents undercover as journalists, survive a terrible ordeal—being held captive by a hostile regime—and realize they're meant to be together. It only took a full decade of getting everything wrong to finally get things right. They don't waste time after they're rescued—they commit to spending their future together in a moonlit meadow.

And a snippety peek…

They both promised forever.

And the universe is pleased.

Not to mention the throng of people waiting for them after their quiet handfasting. Everyone who’d made their rescue happen and those who'd been along for the decade-long ride to this moment. Shaw Barnaby liked to think those that hadn’t survived and had given their lives were still present anyway.

He’d learned a lot about faith from the woman he married.

Surrounded by a group of well-wishers Jersey looked radiant … relaxed … happy.

Beautiful.

Her attire for their ceremony had been casual. They each wanted something comfortable, especially after being held captive for three months in formal wear under the worst circumstances.

She had one of his button-down shirts knotted around her waist, a hint of tanned skin peeked out every time she gestured while speaking. The only thing different from earlier? The leather sandals she’d slid her feet into when they arrived for the festivities at his dad's house.

Watching her from across the room, he decided he missed the bare feet she sported while saying their vows. Shaw wondered how much longer before they could escape so he could see those feet again.

A hand clasped his shoulder and Shaw turned to see his father step up beside him. “She’s something else, isn’t she?” Jersey’s laughter rang out, loud and long, making Shep chuckle at the timing of his words.

Shaw spared his dad a quick glance. “She is, Dad. She’s everything.” It felt good to say it … to be able to voice the feeling he’d held in his heart for so long.

The elder Barnaby smiled. “You’re happy. It’s about time, son.”

Shaw's eyes settled back on his wife. “Thanks, Dad. We are … and it really is.” Ten years of screwing everything up finally resolved.

Also about time he and Jersey took their leave. Especially when she jammed her hands in her pockets, dragging the low-slung jeans down a little further, exposing more skin.

Shaw had to swallow before he could remember to breathe. The hot look she leveled at him didn’t help.

It appeared Jersey might be more than ready to ditch the crowd, too. If it didn’t happen soon … Shaw wouldn't be able to walk comfortably.

His once clueless dad unexpectedly offered the save.

Clearing his throat, he leaned toward Shaw, his gruff voice going soft so only his son could hear. “Go. Grab Jersey and take off. I’ll run interference … you cut out early.” He didn’t wait for Shaw’s response, moving off to mingle with the crowd so Shaw could make his escape.

Looking at Jersey from across the room, Shaw gave an almost imperceptible jerk of his head. Jersey stopped mid-sentence and ducked out of the conversation. She met up with him at a side door, a broad grin on her face.

Stepping up close, her hand snaked out to draw him into a kiss. Her tongue slipped past his lips packing it with some heat. Shaw lost his ability to think. He backed Jersey up against the door, dragging his lips down her throat, his teeth scraping along the sensitive skin. Her hands were on his ass, tucked into the back pockets of his jeans, pulling him forward until he could feel his hardened length pressed up against her.

Geez, he loved her.

His mouth moved back to hers, snagging her lips for a quick kiss before drifting along her jaw.

He wanted her.

Catching her earlobe between his teeth, he bit down gently to feel the shudder rip through her as his hands skimmed up her sides.

He needed her.

Deeply. Desperately. Immediately.

He lifted his head, squinting in the dim light while he worked to undo the buttons of the shirt she wore. So focused on the task, he barely registered the question Jersey asked him even while she untucked his shirt.

"We gonna do this here?"

Here? What's wrong with here?

Here. At the celebration for their marriage.

Shit.

He rested his forehead against hers, gratified her breathing sounded as heavy as his. He snagged her lips for another kiss while he let go of her shirt giving her room to button it up. He stepped back to grab her hand lacing their fingers together.

He matched her sheepish grin with one of his own. “Uh … no. Not here.” Then laughed at how close they’d come to putting on a show for everyone.

Could he help it if being married to Jersey only made him want her more?

Pushing the door open, he led her out into the balmy night air and headed for their truck.

The idea for this series is a collaborative effort with my brain twin. Here's hoping we can get the trilogy in great shape to release together.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin