Sunday Snippet: Mixed Signals

We're entering the next to last month of the year… how did ten months already fly by? I got some scary news earlier in the week. My younger sibling had a major heart attack while at work and ended up having surgery to put stents in. He's actually doing terrific, considering it's one of the worst types of cardiac infarctions. I'm so very grateful I still have him around.

Needless to say, television viewing ended up being limited this week. The Last Ship killed off one my favorite characters and I’m still mourning that loss. Thankfully, The Flash had a pretty terrific episode and I love the introduction of meta-tech. Arrow is doing a great job of keeping me interested. I didn't know how I'd end up liking the whole prison angle, but I'm very satisfied with how it's playing out. Legends of Tomorrow remains excellent. I'm always surprised by how fast the hour flies by when I'm watching.

I caught another episode of The Sarah Conner Chronicles. I'm about halfway through the season and the end is being shaped. I truly forgot how much I loved this show. Also caught another episode of Birds of Prey. Stylistically, I love how this series plays out on the screen. Caught another episode of Lexx and completely forgot about Stan's trial. I actually enjoyed this one.

Doctor Who's episode with spiders ended up being pretty good. I'm never sure how I'll take to episodes with creepy-crawly things. Somewhat disappointed there won't be a Christmas special this year but having a New Year's show could be fun. We'll see.

Got another episode of Pensacola Wings of Gold in. Enjoyed seeing how that one played out. I'm almost finished with the first season and I'm not sure if I'll continue on because it seems like the second series has an almost entirely new cast. I'll watch a few episodes and see what happens.

Caught another Hallmark movie, Hannah's Law. Ended up being pretty decent. I watched mainly for Greyston Holt, a favorite actor of mine.

Rounded out the week with some classic television marathons. The Saint throughout the week and Burke's Law this weekend.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Mixed Signals, a novella that got a start with a what-if scenario involving friendly fire and an old relationship.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Avery and Trigg, both undercover cops, can't keep their relationship going. Their work makes it hard to stay connected. When mixed signals results in Avery shooting Trigg in a friendly fire incident, she wants to set the record straight and maybe test the waters to pick up where they left off.

And a snippety peek…

A knock sounded on the door and Trigg opened his eyes. The TV droned in the background, but the pain meds kept him drifting in and out of wakefulness. The wood slab pushed open and Dinah entered the room. His lips curved in a smile.

But only for a moment. Dinah wore resignation on her face and had reluctance in her step. She pulled her hand from her pocket and dangled the apartment keys from her fingers.

Trigg didn't need verbal confirmation. They were finished. Truth told, he didn't have it in him to fight for her right now.

He winced when he sat up straighter and dug his shoulders into the pillows behind his back. "You're cutting out?" Did he care?

He couldn't honestly say he did.

Dinah put the keys on the patient tray at his bedside. "I have to, Trigg. I can't handle this. You getting shot… just… it's my wake-up call." Her hands went back inside her pockets and her shoulders hunched forward.

Trigg made a stab at salvaging the relationship. "Dinah, I've been a cop for over a decade. This is the first time I've been injured on the job." Didn't mean it wouldn't happen again but a bus could him tomorrow, too.

Dinah shuddered. "You say that like it's no big deal. Once in a decade is still one time too many." She turned for the exit. "I'm sorry, Trigg. I can't do the be-strong thing and hope for the best." Pulling the door open, she lifted a hand. "Good-bye."

Heaving a sigh, he didn't stop her. And he didn't respond. She didn't need a farewell from him. Not when she'd made a decision without even discussing it with him.

Finding the remote, he switched off the television. Getting dumped in the hospital while recovering from a bullet wound had to be a new low. And he'd had some pretty serious downs.

Like getting shot by your ex.

This one is coming together in little pieces at a time. The sages have a good idea of what they want but their delivery is out of order. Go figure.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Calling Bull

It's amazing what a dusting of snow on the ground can do to boost holiday spirit. We got just a tiny bit last night and it looks so pretty today.

Gotta say the mid-season finales for my shows pretty much pulled out all the stops. The Flash left Barry hanging in a very precarious place. Not sure I'm totally down with where everything is going, but it's fun to watch. Lost a good character on Legends of Tomorrow in the form of two goodbyes. I do appreciate the revolving door aspect of the show and look forward to seeing how the others interact without their friends. The holiday trimmings of the shows provided a nice backdrop.

Arrow killed it. James is setting up quite the legion of doom in Star City. I'm very interested in seeing how that plays out when the season returns. If his little cohort who got him out in the first place tries to harm Felicity or Curtis, I'll be really pissed. Just saying.

Riverdale shook things up with breakups all over the place. Yikes. I have another interesting theory about Alice Cooper. Can't wait to see if I'm right. Oh, and this theory doesn't involve FP, at least not about their past.

I'm all caught up on Gotham. Gotta say it hurt to watch Alfred and Bruce tear each other apart. I get where Bruce is coming from, I do, but the whole being a brat is kind of pissing me off. That said, rock bottom isn't always an easy trip to take so I'll be patient. Sophia is proving to be a formidable force. I had a sneaking suspicion she was more of a puppet master than anyone originally thought. It's also fun to see the stories with Butch and Tabitha and Ed and Lee unfold. Seriously, Gotham upped it game and I'm loving it. Having Harvey walk away though… yeah, that one hurt, too.

Murdoch Mysteries continues to be excellent. I can't wait for the holiday episode. I think I'm looking forward to it more than Doctor Who this year. I really can't wait for the new doctor and new showrunner. Honestly, I'm so very disappointed in where Moffat took the show. It lost the heart I always loved. Yes, I'm sure I'm in the minority.

I've started watching my stash of holiday shows. I had to get a new laptop and I'm slowly but surely getting all the episodes transferred over. My Plex server is getting a lot of use this week. Also looking forward to The Trouble with Mistletoe when Passionflix premieres the movie!

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Calling Bull, a sexy short where my main characters are very good at calling each other out on their bullshit.

Here's the mini-blurb:

No one knows Ivy better than Ward. A fact she truly hates sometimes. But when he pushes her into a corner, she either comes out swinging or learns to forgive and forget.

And a snippety peek…

Are you trying to kill another partner?

Ward's words rang in Ivy's ears and she gave the punching bag a hard shove. Tears welled in her eyes and she dashed them away.

Damn Ward for making her get emotional in the first place. Stupid, idiot man. Would she never learn? Not like she didn't have two decades of experience dealing with Ward the Walking Wonder's utter perfection.

She should leave the unit. She clearly didn't have her head in the game right now. But having Ward illustrate, point by point, how far down she'd fallen made her want to stick around—if only to prove him wrong. But her recent track record gave him a lot of ammo.

Yeah, high speed chases that end up putting your rookie partner in the hospital have a way of doing that, Ivy. No shit.

Even her inner voice mocked her stupidity. "You've been listening to Ward too long."

"I know you're not talking about yourself. You never listen to me." Ward stepped into the room and closed the door.

God, she truly didn't need more from him today. Too raw, wounded, and close to the edge to have him stuff more recriminations in her face.

She made a strangled, choking sound. "You are such a pain in my ass."

Ward smirked. "Trust me when I say this, Ivy. The feeling is nothing but mutual." He moved further into the room.

And sucked out all the air. "Why are you here?" She met his gaze. "Did you forget something on your long list of Ivy's recent screw-ups?" No doubt he could rattle off a zillion more ways she could get someone else killed.

He lifted his chin. "Considering you should have it memorized, I wonder why I have to keep repeating the same things over and over."

She rolled her eyes. "No one asked you to be my keeper. So why don't you stop?" Because he couldn't help himself. Ever.

Ward advanced another step. "Because you're hanging on by a thread, Ivy." He got up close and personal. "You already crossed the line once. Doing it again is—"

If Ivy didn't care so much for Ward she wouldn't take his words to heart so much. Then again, something has to give soon and Ivy's going to fight it every step of the way.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Mixed Signals

Ahhh, The Last Ship makes me so very happy. And none of my favorites ended up dead in the last episode so there's that, too. I won't hold out too much hope for a death free episode tonight. Best to be prepared, right?

Killjoys came back with a bang. Gotta say I'm super happy to see it back on my screen. Here's hoping the whole season is as terrific as the premiere.

Dark Matter… eh, I was a little disappointed in the opener. That said, there are some interesting developments, especially given the ending. I'll reserve judgment before deciding if season two is a bust.

The finale for Wynonna Earp rocked. Fingers are still crossed for a second season. Some great seed were planted for future threads and I hope Syfy gives this show a chance.

Babylon 5 rewatch continues. I'm almost through the first season and so many little things I missed on the other viewings are popping up. I love when that happens.

Strike Back is also entertaining me with the same things happening. I catch small things I missed when I watched the first time.

That's it for TV this week. Hope everyone enjoys the fireworks shows if they like that kind of thing. Me? I'm happy watching them on what else… television. J

Tonight's post is from Mixed Signals, a novella where a friendly fire shooting has my couple revisiting their relationship.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Avery and Trigg, both undercover cops, can't keep their relationship going. Their work makes it hard to stay connected. When mixed signals results in Avery shooting Trigg in a friendly fire incident, she wants to set the record straight and maybe test the waters to pick up where they left off.

And a snippety peek…

Trigg closed his eyes and growled. "Probably not." His lids popped open and he met her gaze. "That's another reason you and me… a very bad idea." One his brain fought tooth and nail.

But his heart had armor-coated protection—especially against Avery. The one woman that had the power to raise him to the heights of ecstasy and send him to the depths of depravity, usually at the same time. Trigg didn't have the energy or the mental capacity to go a round with her right now.

He reached out, grasping her hand. "Look, I'm loaded down with pain meds and can't think straight at the moment." He squeezed her fingers. "Can we revisit this topic after I get sprung?" His thumb brushed over her palm.

Avery dragged her lower lip between her teeth, but nodded. "Sure. But I'd like to keep you company, if you don't mind. It's gotta be boring as hell in here." She slid her gaze to the side, almost shyly.

Trigg blinked, not quite certain the morphine drip hadn't caused a hallucination. Avery didn't do timid. Bold. Brash. Utterly daring. Yes. All of those. The change in temperament threw him and he kind of wanted to explore the new side she revealed.

Later. When he didn't feel like complete shit. But he could use the company.

He shifted his position and gave her a smile. "Having you stick around will definitely bust the boredom." A yawn escaped before he could prevent it. "But I gotta warn you. I drop off in the middle of conversations." He'd be happy when that didn't happen anymore.

Avery laughed. "Duly noted. I won't hold it against you." She dragged the chair close to his bed and settled onto the cushion.

Trigg leaned back and pressed the button to turn up the volume on the television. "I'm not fond of most of the crap that's on, but there's a terrific sci-fi show that starts in ten minutes." He glanced sideways. "You game?"

Avery gave him a slow grin. "As if you have to ask. And if it's the one I'm thinking of, I love it." She kicked her feet up on the lower edge of his mattress.

Trigg turned his attention back to the television. They'd always had a love for the same type of entertainment—action movies, science fiction fare, or creepy thrillers. The fact she continued to enjoy the same things comforted him.

And he could use the small measure of rightness the idea brought.

I love the whole idea of a couple who breaks up but can't let go because they're meant to be together.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin