Sunday Snippet: Along the Shore (a South of the Border novella)

Wow, March is being its typical mercurial self. Warm up and then plunge back into the teens and single digits. The back-and-forth weather is normal but not fun.

Crazy-busy week with work projects. I'm thrilled to have my calendar filling up and excited to start some new manuscripts. Also getting more details sorted out for Tip Jar Shorts. I need to find a full day I can dedicate to getting everything where it needs to be.

Very limited viewing this week. My brain decided it needed quiet to focus on the reading I needed to finish up for one of my work projects. I probably needed the break.

I did get more of the One Lane Bridge episode watched. I might take a brief vacation from this one. There's a lot going on in this show and focus is going to be important so I don't miss anything.

Finished up season three of London Kills with the behind-the-scenes bonus episode. I always enjoy getting a deeper look at how everything comes together in a series.

Started another episode of Death in Paradise. I'm about halfway through and I like the tension in this one. Also enjoyed Neville and Commissioner Patterson being on the same page for once.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Along the Shore, a South of the Border novella.

Here's the miniblurb:

Vail Ericsson, a freelance security expert and skilled tracker, can find anyone for a price. But when he trails Ellery Quantrell to Mexico, he discovers she's not an escapee but a target, and his role changes from pursuer to protector, whether Ellery wants him as a shield or not.

And a snippety peek…

Ellery could take the heat. She could handle bugs and plants with stinging leaves. But she could not, would not, should not have to deal with the man currently hauling her through the sand with little care to the fact it stuck to her skin, burned the bottoms of her feet, and made her scalp itch. She didn't know which she hated more. The big oaf or the tiny, granulated pebbles that made her almost wish for the frigid tundra she'd finally escaped from two months ago.

I was so damned close to getting out—all the way out—from under Puchenko's thumb. Until big, bad, and bothersome showed up to become a huge pain in my ass. She didn't voice her running commentary because, frankly, Mr. Mercenary wouldn't give a damn how hard she'd worked to flee from her brother's fucked-up bargain that landed her in Ivan's clutches.

She could ask Vail to slow down but decided not to give him the satisfaction of a nice query. Instead, she opted to blast him for making the soles of her feet become a shredded mess. Oh, and a bleeding one, as well.

She planted herself in the sand, flinching against the sharp, stabbing pain. "Hey, call me stupid, but blood leaves a trail, right?" She pulled back hard on the hand trying to drag her forward. "Something traceable your friendly goon squad could use to follow us?" She lifted her leg and turned her ankle to show the oozing, red streaks and broken skin.

Vail dropped his gaze to her feet and winced. "Looks painful." He shrugged. "But too bad, we're not stopping. Maybe you should've kept your shoes on."

She smirked. "If I had, I wouldn't have been able to wing them at your head."

Vail snorted. "Not my fault they got dragged out to sea by a wave." His hand went to his nape. "I am surprised you didn't give me a concussion when you tried to knock me out with that fallen limb."

Ellery flushed hotly but stood her ground. "You have a really hard head." And the driftwood didn't make a good weapon.

Vail sneered. "So I've been told." He grabbed her hand again. "Quit bitching. We're almost there."

He started forward and Ellery followed, each step a burning reminder of why she wouldn't get tangled up with anyone ever again.

Especially if they were hot to look at but had the personality of a big ape.

This couple is so much fun to write. They're very unhappy with their circumstances, which is a joy to explore.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin 

Sunday Snippet: Zinging Barbs

Welcome February! The shortest month seems like a great time to start new things. I've challenged myself to post every day on Bluesky and I picked drawing one oracle card from a random deck each day. So far, I'm two for two.

I'm also going to launch the side project I've previously talked about. Tip Jar Shorts is a fun way to get sexy romance short stories right to your inbox. The blog is up and running and still a work in progress. I'm so excited to see how things go! If you're interested, check it out!

I had a busy work week with a challenging copy edit but it's almost complete and I'm happy I got to work on this mystery series. A few more bits and pieces to check and it'll be on its way to the publisher.

Had a somewhat quiet viewing week. Between getting Tip Jar finished up and the copy edit, I needed a quiet background to get everything done.

Caught another Batman Beyond episode. I remembered this one and enjoyed during my first run through of the show.

Enjoyed an episode of Classic Rugrats. I'm in the final season and catching some episodes I haven't seen before.

Watched another episode of One Lane Bridge and I'm still enjoying the show. It's kind of a slow, moody narrative and I'm rather into that right now.

Caught another episode of London Kills and I'm kind of wondering what the hell is going to happen next. I'm also wondering what the superintendent thought would happen when he tried to run.

Enjoyed another episode of Death in Paradise. The vibe is very different with season eleven and I'm kind of okay with that. I like the new sergeant and I'm looking forward to seeing where things go with Florance doing an undercover stint. I like that the reason is tied back to a previous murder.

Loved the episode of Beyond Paradise that I caught this week. I'm interested in how Humphrey and Martha work through their issues and was so happy to see her rebuff Archie, even if he's portrayed by one of my favorite actors. I'm still on the fence with Martha's mom. I can't quite decide if I like her or not. We'll see how the rest of the season goes.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Zinging Barbs, a sexy short that reunites some of the characters from the South of the Border series.

Here's the miniblurb:

Relic finder Vaughn Dyson sticks much closer to home since Faulkner Roush saved her life, but when an artifact all but lands in her lap, she insists on taking it to the university for safe-keeping, which Faulkner can't argue about even if they'll be late for a party in their honor.

And a snippety peek…

Vaughn circled around trying to keep the three masked attackers in her sight. "Where's Faulk when I need him." Why the hell had she not considered a Saturday for being a bad day to drop off the artifact?

The university had very low on personnel on the weekends. Especially when a festival clogged the streets with traffic. Vaughn would bet the three goons had been in the van they passed.

The tallest assailant made a grab for the artifact. "C'mon, lady. Just give us the statue."

His two cohorts spread out, trying to flank her on either side.

Vaughn shook her head. "I don't think so. This is staying where it belongs." She gauged the distance to the vault room.

No way she could make it before being overcome.

But … Vaughn wouldn't give it up. Her best option would be to at least maneuver toward the entrance. Another goon made a lunge in her direction. She held the artifact above her head and danced around him, moving away from the vault. Dammit.

Twice more she dodged and weaved, keeping a firm grip on the figurine. The men were getting pissed off … but must be conscious of the statue's value because they were careful when they made their attempts to get it from her. That wouldn't last much longer.

After another attempt, she stopped in the middle of the room and raised the artifact above her head. "That's it. I'm done playing this stupid game." She made a downward motion, ready to smash the ancient piece into dust.

Faulk breezed into the room. "Vaughn. What's taking so long."

She huffed out a breath. "Had a surprise greeting." She tucked the valuable statue under her arm.

Faulk snorted. "It's only three. You've taken on more." He quickly fanned along the way in her direction, drawing the attention of the men.

Vaughn rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well, can't fight and protect the artifact at the same time." She eased her way toward the vault room.

Faulk made a hum of agreement. "I see your dilemma. Want some help?" He stopped and planted his feet, bracing for action.

Vaughn slid her gaze sideways. "Thought you'd never ask." She spun out of the way and dashed into the storage area.

Faulk went to work throwing a punch to the midsection of the tallest goon. He spun and kicked out, landing a solid blow to the knees of the smallest assailants. He went down and Vaughn focused on getting the item safely put away.

She quickly keyed in the combination to the vault and placed the artifact inside. Closing the vault, she flexed her fingers and loosened her muscles in her neck and shoulders. Then she went out to help Faulk kick some ass.

I'm striving to get this series written and ready for publishing. Working on a fun side story helps keep the creativity going.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Along the Shore (a South of the Border novella)

We had some rain that gave us mild temperatures, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I don't mind hot weather but there's something about being able to be outside with a nice breeze and sunshine that makes me happy.

Solid work week. Had a few small projects that I cleared off my desk and had a new one arrive in my inbox. My plates seem to be spinning nicely at the moment.

Good week of viewing. I did the same thing as last week and only tried for one round of my usual streaming services. I might be adding one more to the list after talking to my sibling. He made some good recommendations.

Watched another episode of The Snoopy Show. This one had a vignette on using the library and happiness being a good book. I feel that sentiment all the way to my toes.

Caught another episode of Signora Volpe. I love this show. I truly hope there will be another series because there's only one episode left.

Viewed the first of a two-part Silent Witness and ended up being very intrigued. Very much looking forward to the second part of this one.

Enjoyed the second part of a Classic Who arc. It's nice to see a familiar face from a previous incarnation. The third part will be the end of this season, I think. I'm not sure if there's another one after this. If not, I'll be starting a new show before I dive into New Who.

Watched another episode of Most Terrifying Places in America. I'm fascinated by the legend and lore revealed in the sequences. I'm not sure I'd be cool with trying to stay somewhere that's known for being haunted but I love hearing about the stories.

Caught another episode of The Mandalorian. Gotta say I'm thoroughly enjoying this show. The pacing is excellent and I'm excited to see what happens next.

Viewed another episode of Harrow and I truly dislike the new boss. I'm also not thrilled with Grace's ex being in town. If there's another season and things get really convoluted, I'm done. As much as I love the cases, I don't want the other drama.

Enjoyed another episode of Blue Heelers. I liked seeing how another country handles the wildfires that tend to rage at the worst possible time. Not really into the whole taking the hospital hostage thing, mainly because the two characters are a little too over the top for me. We'll see how the second part goes this week.

Started a new MasterClass with Roxane Gay. I'm very much looking forward to her lessons.

Watched another Babysitter's Club and thoroughly enjoyed the episode. It's nice to see more of the sibling relationships and the way the parents interact.

Viewed two more episodes of Classic Rugrats. One was a favorite and the other was one I thoroughly enjoy.

Caught another episode of Chicago Med and discovered something I didn't know about one of the Chicago Fire characters. Good information. Also can't wait for Nat to discover she's being completely gaslit by her new fiancé. Here's hoping the fallout from that doesn't do too much damage.

Started the PassionFlix movie Tangled and I'm having fun watching it. I didn't know if I'd like this one but I'm so glad I'm watching.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Along the Shore, a South of the Border novella featuring one character on the run and the other sent to find her.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Vail Ericsson, a freelance security expert and skilled tracker, can find anyone for a price. But when he trails Ellery Quantrell to Mexico, he discovers she's not an escapee but a target and his role changes from pursuer to protector, whether Ellery wants him as a shield or not.

And a snippety peek…

Kiernan Darby hooked the trailer up to the rig in front of it. "Okay. You're good to go." She double-checked the pin, making sure it held true when the truck eased slowly down the lane.

The brake lights flashed, the vehicle stopped and the owner of the thirty-five foot sail boat stuck his head out the window. "Hey, I've got a yacht that's seen better days. Think you could do your primo reno job on it?" He added a mile-wide grin, full of straight white teeth.

Kiernan's lips turned up at the flirtatious attempt. Norman Honeywell had serious good looks, but her heart belonged to someone else.

She shook her head. "Nah. I'm strictly a sailing kind of gal." She glanced toward Lars Rademacher, her business partner and rekindled flame, and winked.

Lars stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Norm got the hint and tossed off a casual wave. "Just thought I'd ask. Take care, now." He chugged down the sandy lane and pulled out onto the highway, disappearing from sight.

Kiernan leaned back into Lars. "Worried I'd be tempted?" At one time, yachts were her specialty. A very long time ago.

Lars hummed against her ear. "About the boat … or him?" His tongue flicked over her lobe, sending shivers along her skin.

Kiernan turned so his hands could slide down to cup her ass. "The boat, moron. He didn't stand a chance." She lifted her chin and gave Lars a quick, hard kiss.

She tried to step back, but Lars hauled her close, snagged her lips with his and plundered her mouth. Kier forgot about everything but the white-hot flame Lars ignited.

~:~

Lars had more concern about Romeo's interest in Kier than his question about the yacht. But it might not hurt to run a check on the guy. After using Kiernan as bait to lure a dangerous enemy out into the open, Lars wouldn't take any more chances than he had to.

They played it a bit safe. Yeah, the top man in EDGE had finally been eliminated, but Lars had spent enough time as a covert operative he'd need a calculator to tally up his enemy list. He could name a dozen off the top of his head.

Kier tore her mouth from his and nudged his forehead. "Less thinking, more kissing." Her teeth caught his lower lip and she nipped playfully, pulling him back to the task at hand.

Lars focused on her. The play of her skin under his fingertips, the way her eyes slid shut when he groaned against her ear and the splay of her hands when they smoothed down his back to cup his ass. He growled, wanting to have her right there on the patio, but they'd done that yesterday, on the chaise between the house and her shop, when she'd … a shudder tore through Lars. Kiernan's mouth created magic, no matter where she put her lips.

He swept his arm under her legs and lifted her, laughing when she kicked her flip flops off, not caring where they landed. Her mouth hit his, and the kiss went from zero to scorching in under a second. He started toward the house and made it halfway when his phone rang. Juggling Kier, he fished it out of his pocket. He didn't give the number out to more than a handful of people so when the number came up as unavailable he had a moment of concern. Setting Kier down, he let the call go to voicemail. He kept an arm around her waist then listened to the message when it showed ready. Very brief, the call had a return number and a code word—Apollo. He glanced toward Kier and frowned, following her into the house when she grabbed his hand and tugged him forward.

It had been longer than five years since the Greek gods had been used as security codes.

Someone from his old life, but out of the field, had just reached out.

Although Ellery and Vail are the main characters, Kiernan and Lars do feature in this story and I love their introduction to the tale.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Zipline and Sinker

I'm still working on keeping all the plates spinning in the air. Finished up a few work projects and started more. I'm definitely not complaining even if I wouldn't mind things slowing down a wee bit.

Had a light week for television. I've pretty much decided that getting through one round of my rotation is doing well at the moment. I have some home projects that need attention and that cuts into screen time.

Caught another episode of Peak Practice and enjoyed it. I like how the trauma with Alice is still prevalent. And the surgeon guy is an interesting addition to the cast.

Watched another MasterClass lesson with Neil deGrasse Tyson. I've noticed he has a number of fairly short lessons and I'm not sure why they're not a little longer. They do have some great information.

Started The Babysitters Club and liked the first episode. I've heard rave reviews about this show and I'm looking forward to getting into the storyline.

Enjoyed another episode of the Ready Room for Star Trek: Discovery. I like the interviews but the format could use a little work. I'm keeping in mind that these were more than likely filmed during the Covid shutdown.

Watched an episode of Chicago Med. Ended up being pretty tense and gnarly for the entire ED. I'm a little bummed there wasn't an end scene with Ethan and April.

Caught another episode of The Snoopy Show. I love this for quick breaks when my eyes need something different to focus on instead of words on a page.

Finished up the first season of Cuffs. Have to admit the finale ended up being terrific. I wouldn't mind seeing more of this group of characters.

Watched an episode of Silent Witness and honestly, I have no clue what's going on. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I hope some pieces fall into place in the conclusion.

Started a new arc of Classic Who. So far, it's kind of lame but I think this one will get better as it goes along. Here's hoping.

Began a new-to-me series with Most Terrifying Places in America. The first episode featured a haunted prison in Ohio. I actually had a friend who went for one of the weekend excursions not long after it opened for tours. I can't remember if they enjoyed it or not.

Finished up the first season of Hawkeye by watching the deleted scenes and gag reel. I truly enjoyed this show. If they have a second season, I'm in.

Last but not least, I started another episode of Harrow and I'm liking how things are coming together for this season. Not sure how much I'll like the whole long, lost son angle, but I'm interested for now.

That's it for the life update. Tonight's post is from Zipline and Sinker, a South of the Border novella that features a relic hunter and a security specialist that end up reuniting.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Vaughn Dyson is a relic hunter who goes out of her way to save old treasures and preserve their place in history. But when Faulkner Roush gets word she's trying to smuggle a priceless artifact out of South America, he has to track her down before a rival, out for profit, group gets to her.

And a snippety peek…

Vaughn moved away from the window in an abandoned mission. "Gonna need to refill my water supply." She'd rationed what she had, unwilling to chance heading for the river or the spring behind the building.

She wanted at least two full days before she made an attempt to get out. Halfway through the first day and no sign of the goons chasing her. Yet.

Heading back to her gear, she gave a nod. She'd chosen to stash her pack and supplies close to the altar. The hardwood would offer protection if needed and an old priest hole could offer an escape route if necessary.

She rummaged through her backpack to retrieve her next meal. Using the altar for cover and having an egress route were things Faulkner Roush taught her about. Her once upon a time man with a plan backup partner.

Shaking her head, she sighed. "Long time ago, Vaughn. He ghosted on you." She winced. "Okay, you had a big hand in the reason why."

Settling back against her bedroll, she closed her eyes. Faulk didn't truly cut ties until she gave him no other choice, by refusing to settle down for a happy future. Why did I push him away? Because he mattered, maybe a little more than her work and she wouldn't give relic hunting up.

Snorting, she grabbed the food packet and activated the internal warmer. "What else would I do?"

Her internal voice answered, "Gee, I don't know, Vaughn. Maybe teach antiquities and light a spark in a new generation. Duh."

Vaughn squashed the pesky intruder. "Teaching would mean staying in one place and I'm not built for that." She got itchy feet just thinking about being confined to a class room or lecture hall.

Inner Vaughn stuck her nose in again. "Teaching could also involve visiting lecture series, so yeah, that dog won't hunt, my friend."

Vaughn ripped open her last MRE. "Shut up, dammit. If I wanted an argument, I could track Faulk down. He's always up for a good disagreement." She barked out a laugh.

"Sorry, sweetness, the only thing I'm for right now is a solid eight then hauling your ass out of here."

Vaughn gasped and shot to her feet. The man himself stood just inside the door, looking hot, exhausted, but incredibly sexy. Damn him. She refused to acknowledge the face she hadn't heard him coming.

Both pissed and grateful to find Faulk's looming presence less than ten feet away, she lifted her chin. "Hello, Faulk. What brings you to my doorstep?" She resisted the urge to brush the dust from her clothes.

Faulk glanced around. "Not much of place you've got here." He jerked his head toward the entrance. "Not much of a doorstep either." Reaching into his pack, he withdrew a bottle of water, handing it over.

Vaughn accepted the gift. Would be stupid to do otherwise. She only had half a container left.

Untwisting the cap, she took a long drink before she shrugged. "Yeah, well, worth its weight in ancient relics right now." Not that she had any with her … she'd hidden the artifact outside the mission.

He huffed out a breath. "I'll bet." He handed her another bottle. He rolled a shoulder when she quirked an eyebrow. "Figured you'd ration water. I came prepared."

Why didn't that surprise her? "There's a spring behind the mission. We can refill." At least she wouldn't have to keep watch and try to fill up her canteens at the same time.

He grunted a response but said nothing. Instead, he dropped his gear next to hers and gave a nod toward the altar. His gaze also scoped out the priest hole. He made an impressed humming sound but didn't speak. Would it kill him to acknowledge her good planning? Less than thrilled with his quiet act, she also noticed he didn't answer her question about why he'd come. She'd lead up to that with a different question.

She sat back down and gathered her food. "So, how did you find me?"

I'm excited to get this one finished up. I love writing the South of the Border stories and this is one of my favorites.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Along the Shore

Gotta say, the whole limiting of physical distance and having my youngest's senior year pretty much cancelled is both easier and harder than I thought it would be. I have three people in the house who are pretty much deemed essential workers. One is in food production and the other two are grocery workers. If the reins get tighter on limiting movement, I'm pretty sure they won't get a break.

For me, as someone who's worked from home for the past decade or so, it's business as usual for the most part. I have more interruptions than usual but otherwise, my routine hasn't changed overmuch. There's something comforting in that.

Had a semi-decent week of watching television. I finished up the Heart Guy from last week and I'll give it a go. I have a feeling this one is going to have messy relationships and I always like train-wreck shows.

Also caught another arc of Classic Who. It's always fun to see the effects from the late sixties and early seventies. Doctor Who isn't any better or worse for shows of its time.

Watched another episode of Peak Practice and enjoyed it. I'm finally starting to get into the relationships and getting to know the villagers. I love the scenery in the show.

Caught the livestream of the Dropkick Murphys concert on St. Patrick's Day. Terrific show and highly entertaining. I hope to catch some of the Broadway shows that are available for streaming also.

Watched the rest of season one of Danger Man. I'll be starting season two in the upcoming week.

Started episode three of Strike Back. Nice to have a familiar face back in the fold. Also, Chetri is really growing on me. She's got quite a personality and interacting more as an equal with the rest of the team. I love that.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Along the Shore, a South of the Border novella.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Vail Ericsson, a freelance security expert and skilled tracker, can find anyone for a price. But when he trails Ellery Quantrell to Mexico, he discovers she's not an escapee but a target and his role changes from pursuer to protector, whether Ellery wants him as a shield or not.

And a snippety peek…

Vail kept Ellery close, dodging through the busiest streets he could find. Every couple of blocks a pop followed by a bullet striking near them started pissing Vail off. They had to have spotter somewhere. He needed to find a secure location and make a call. He had a contact close by, if scuttlebutt proved accurate. He and Ellery could take cover there and figure out what to do next.

Another shot narrowly missed his shoulder and Vail snarled. "Son of a bitch. That one was too close." He stuck his head around a corner and found the alley filled with delivery trucks.

Ellery snorted. "Not fun when you're a target, is it?" She stepped back, but another bullet landed several inches away.

Vail frowned. Either Puchenko hired incompetent idiots or they were missing on purpose. Even the shot that landed close to his shoulder wouldn't have killed him, only incapacitated him, leaving Ellery vulnerable.

He took a moment to assess the situation. Ellery had a biting tongue and bitchy attitude, but she'd either cooperate with him … or risk dying. Her options sucked worse than his and Vail didn't think she had a death wish, although stealing from Puchenko called her intelligence into question.

"Hello." Her fingers snapped in front of his face. "The gunfire stopped. Are you paying attention here?"

He growled. "Yes, dammit. We're going to make a run for the stone building across the alley and up two blocks. Do you see the one I mean?" He glanced down, meeting her bold stare.

She peered over his shoulder then nodded. "Yeah, I see it. And then what?" Her head swiveled and she checked behind them.

Vail didn't respond until they were in the alley. "Then I make a call to a friend of mine." God damn, he hoped he still had a friend.

Word had gone around his contact no longer did covert ops. But once an agent, always an agent. He'd still have calls forwarded to whatever number he happened to be using at the moment. And the guy owed Vail at least one ginormous favor for stitching up the deep and ugly wound he received in a wicked knife fight. Damn fool man.

A lot like Vail at the moment. He cursed his employers for wanting Ellery Quantrell found. He lamented the fact she'd taken money from Ivan Puchenko. Why the hell a woman who looked like her would cross Ivan had Vail stymied.

But the agency wanted her, and they'd get her … if Vail didn't kill her first. Or the team shooting bullets their way didn't take them out. A flash of guilt gnawed his gut. Ellery had walked away from Puchenko—no easy feat—and managed to stay hidden for two months. Okay, six weeks. He'd tracked her to Mexico and spent two weeks learning her habits and movements. But she'd pegged it earlier. Ivan's men showed up on the very day he finally made contact? Too much of a coincidence. Either they'd followed him or Ivan had someone at the agency feeding him information. Which sucked balls. Because Vail wouldn't reach out for backup and put their lives in even more danger. Instead he'd call in a favor and hope like hell it didn't bite him in the ass.

Vail found an unlocked door, pushed it open and shoved Ellery inside. She whirled around, shooting him a death glare.

He kicked the door shut, but not before she planted a hand on his chest. "If you drag, push, shove, or in any other way manhandle me, I swear you'll be heaving your guts up…" Her gaze dropped to his groin area. "Is that perfectly clear?"

Vail smirked. "Yes, ma'am. Crystal." He set about securing the exit, barring the heavy wood with some metal rebar then stacking several wooden crates in front to provide some cover.

Ellery folded her arms under her breasts. "A little overkill, isn't it?" She lifted a brow. "There wasn't any more gunfire once we crossed the alley."

Vail snarled. "They're regrouping and planning their next move." He dug his phone out of his pocket and scrolled through his list. "Time to make that call." He pushed send and hoped like hell the old code he planned to use would let his friend know Vail needed some serious ass-kicking help.

The call went to voice mail and Vail uttered one word. "Apollo."

God of the hunt but also a healer. The code lingo might be old, but the meaning should be clear.

Ellery heaved a sigh. "Now what?" She wandered around the small storage room.

Vail found an old folding chair and set it in front of her. "Now, we wait."

I'm having a ton of fun writing the dialog between Vail and Ellery. She's not thrilled Vail found her and at this point neither is he.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Zipline and Sinker (a South of the Border novella)

February 16, 2020

Ugh. What a rough week. I've been battling some wicked-bad insomnia lately and I hate walking around like a zombie and trying to catch some much needed rest whenever I can. Not a fun time.

I did have a wonderful revelation on Thursday, which was my youngest's eighteenth birthday. To date, the husband and I have successfully raised three offspring to adulthood. Now to get her through prom and graduation then off to college. LOL

Slow week for television, mainly due to the insomnia. I caught a full arc of Classic Who and had a thought… the Daleks have been around for a long, long time. Just saying.

Got back into Gargoyles and watched a couple of episodes. The second season is super long and it'll be a while before I get through all of the various stories.

Watched a few episodes of Danger Man. This is pretty much a rewatch of the series for me, but it's nice to have a thirty-minute show to sink into while I'm doing dishes or cooking dinner.

Caught an episode of Murdoch Mysteries and finally discovered what would happen with the neighbors. I'd forgotten about the hotel detective and his mad vendetta against Murdoch. All in all, a satisfying wrap-up to the storyline. Sadly, the widow might end up rearing her vengeful head at some point in the series. That should be interesting.

I watched another episode of Arrow and I can honestly say I'm impressed with Stephen's performance. He brings the emotional element to the screen every episode. That said, he mentioned in an interview that Emily's decision to not be involved in most of season eight made the show feel kind of wrong (absolutely paraphrasing here) because Felicity is the heart of the show and no Felicity means no heart. I totally get that. But… it's kind of cool to see the reunions Oliver is having with people from his past. Talia and Thea teaming up could be a show on its own, especially if Nyssa got involved at some point. Just saying. Also really interesting to see what's going on in the futurescape, especially with the twist at the end of the episode.

Getting ready to start an episode of Riverdale and watch the premiere episode of Strike Back's final season. I also plan to watch the Passionflix original, The Will sometime this week. Looking forward to some great screen time.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Zipline and Sinker, a South of the Border novella.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Vaughn Dyson is a relic hunter who goes out of her way to save old treasures and preserve their place in history. But when Faulkner Roush gets word she's trying to smuggle a priceless artifact out of South America, he has to track her down before a rival, out for profit, group gets to her.

And a snippety peek…

Faulkner Roush answered the phone after checking the screen. "Yo, Vail. How's the quiet life treating you?" His buddy had gone and found the woman of his dreams and finally settled down.

Something Faulk envied… even if he'd had his shot. Too bad the woman Faulk wanted didn't do the whole stay in one place thing.

Vail gave a short answer. "Good." Then he dropped a bomb. "Someone put a target on Vaughn's back and the payoff is in the six-digit range."

So, it finally happened. Vaughn Dyson, otherwise known as the woman who never stayed in one place, had pissed someone off enough for them to eliminate her. Faulk shouldn't give a damn. She'd pretty much told him to fuck off the last time he'd seen her.

But he did give a damn.

Putting Vail on speaker, Faulk headed for his bedroom. "Where is she?" He grabbed his go-bag and checked it over.

Vail sighed. "Intel's sketchy, but she's somewhere in…" He rattled off coordinates for an area. "I know. It's a lot of land mass to cover."

Faulk keyed in the digits and snorted. "Yeah, it is. Remote and hard to navigate." He knew the region well. "Who put the bounty on her?" He'd have to know who in order to know what to expect.

Vail didn't hesitate. "Bishop Cramer." He snarled the name, no doubt because he'd had a run in or two with the black market kingpin.

Faulk growled. "Fuck. It figures." Dammit, Vaughn.

Only Vaughn would get trapped in such a crappy place with a price on her head issued by the man who probably hated her more than most. If his goon squad got her, no one would ever find the body—

Vail broke into Faulk's musings. "Look, I can get free and meet you. I can also call Lars and Hayden, see if they can help—"

Faulk shook his head. "No need." While he'd welcome the assist—after all, Lars owed Faulk for saving his life after a nasty meet-up with a knife—he'd travel lighter and quieter alone.

Searching his memory, he scrolled a little further on the map, zooming in to get a better look and—bingo—he found what he needed.

Faulk tapped the screen. "I might need a place to regroup after I get her out. Is the offer to visit still open?"

Vail's confusion came through when he answered. "Uh, always. It sounds like you already know where you'll find her."

Faulk snorted. "Not the precise location… but I do know exactly where to look."

A little mission not far from an abandoned excavation site. Working with Vaughn gave him a slight advantage—he knew her thought processes—but Cramer's men wouldn't take long to track her down. Faulk had maybe twenty-four hours before she'd be in the red zone of their sites.

If she's not already.

Vail wished Faulk luck and ended the call.

Faulk hit the ground running, called in several favors, and planned to be parachuting back into Vaughn's life in just over six hours.

I love this little adventure romance series. Faulk will get to visit with at least one other couple from the other books and Vaughn will make some new friends.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Under the Influence (a South of the Border novella)

Boo! It's the month of Halloween and creeptastic treasures! I love October. That said, it's also the time I need to start thinking and doing my holiday shopping. I do not want a repeat of last year when I waited way too long to get stuff done.

Had a busy week driving all over the place with my daughter. We had a college visit on Monday. I picked her up from the district tournament for golf on Wednesday. And I picked her up from her band competition because she needs to be up and out early in the morning. I forgot how much windshield time driving gives me. LOL

Not a bad week for television. I haven't started any of the new seasons of my faves yet. But… I did finish up Peter Gunn. I have a few ideas of what to replace that slot with but haven't landed on a specific one yet.

I caught two episodes of Blue Heelers. I'm still at the beginning of season two but I love this show. It has a great cast.

I started season nineteen of Midsomer Murders. I can honestly say I took the death of Sykes really hard. Seriously. Which is actually kind of sad but, man, that was one cool dog. The new one, Paddy, is also fun, but I had years' worth of Sykes antics to enjoy. Anyway… I like the new DS guy but I miss Charlie. I'm watching an episode with Jones in it and it kind of makes me nostalgic.

I got to watch two more arcs of Classic Who. The Claws of Axios and Colony in Space. I'll be starting a new one this week.

I also plan to watch the new Passionflix movie that released this week. I'm looking forward to it.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Under the Influence, a South of the Border novella.

Here's the mini-blurb:

When her father dies, Lilith Jans inherits a piece of hotly sought after property in Mexico. She also unknowingly takes on an unpaid debt, which puts her life in danger. Hayden Knoxville makes her an offer she wants to refuse, but can't—sell to him and he'll deal with the men coming to collect payment.

And a snippety peek…

Kiernan loved how Lars always asked the right question. Never took him long to get up to speed. Working for a covert military unit didn't hurt… made him think fast on his feet.

Kiernan gave him the shortest version of the answer. "According to Maria, the no-good Lester killed Juanita when he crashed their car after leaving another bar he owned in California." She grabbed another cold one and twisted the top off. "Lilith wasn't with them when it happened and Lester never had a controlling interest in Juanita's business so her shares went to Lilith." After taking a nice, long swallow of the icy beverage, she finished up. "Now that Lester's dead, Lilith owns the bar outright."

Lars paused on his next drink, lowering the bottle. "So… what's the problem?"

Kiernan snorted. "Lester didn't own controlling interest in the California club either." She met Lars's gaze. "And he borrowed heavily against his stake." She stopped there, letting Lars fill in the blanks.

His lips twisted. "Which means he died owing money." He straightened, scooping Kiernan into a sitting position.

Kiernan nodded. "Ding. Ding. Ding." As usual, he got it in one.

Lars took another stab. "So… Maria is worried Lester's business partners will come after Lilith to collect." His eyes got dark with anger.

Kiernan dipped her chin, acknowledging his guess. "Yep. And they're not exactly the kind of guys who'll let the court systems in two countries figure everything out." They weren't the type to respect laws anyway.

Lars put his beer down and leaned in close to Kiernan. "Well, then. You'd better plan on getting Maria over for dinner so we can talk about how to keep Lilith safe."

Kiernan grinned. "I love you." She slid her hands up to his biceps.

Lars rolled his eyes. "Of course you do. What's not to love?"

She laughed and pushed him backward in the lounge then landed on top of him to snag his lips in a steamy kiss.

She loved everything about Lars.

I always enjoy going back to Kiernan and Lars from Down in Mexico. Working a few of their friends and colleagues into the mix lets me show the progression of Keir and Lars's relationship, which I love to do.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Along the Shore

Hello, October. We're getting into the fall season and that means the rest of the year is going to fly by! The beginning of October always marks the start of the holiday season for me. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas / Yule. I'm excited!

The Last Ship had a decent episode. I was so hoping Giorgio got blown up but, alas, not the case. Here's hoping he meets with a satisfying ending sometime in the near future. His whole family can go up in flames and I wouldn't shed a tear.

I haven't watched Teen Wolf's finale yet. I'm not quite ready for its end. But it's going to be terrific. I have no doubt.

Got a few more episodes of The Defenders in. I really didn't see Alexandria's end… if it's an actual ending. You just never know with the Hand.

Hawaii Five-0 said goodbye to Max in a great episode. I'm about halfway through the season and still enjoying.

Gotham's second episode ended up being excellent. I love how everything is coming together. Interesting to see Barbara back on the screen.

That's it for television this week. Looking forward to more of my favorite shows being back soon. Tonight's post is from Along the Shore, a South of the Border tale.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Vail Ericsson, a freelance security expert and skilled tracker, can find anyone for a price. But when he trails Ellery Quantrell to Mexico, he discovers she's not an escapee but a target and his role changes from pursuer to protector, whether Ellery wants him as a shield or not.

And a snippety peek…

Oh dear, if looks could kill, she'd be in serious danger right now. Okay, more danger. She hoped someone called the emergency services for the booth owner. Ellery liked the woman, Carmela, and had chatted with her almost every day since Ellery had arrived in Mexico.

She risked another glance at the man who'd come after her. He didn't have the countenance of Ivan's usual entourage of bodyguards and hired protection. Then again, he said he'd been tasked with tracking her down and returning her to Ivan.

No way in hell would she return. Not even for her brother.

The man kept his gaze moving, his body angling back and forth until he got a good look at all the upper levels and balconies. He might not be a standard Ivan goon, but Ellery didn't trust him. Not for a minute. The guy had military or mercenary training. With his build, though smaller than Puchenko's usual slabs of beefy, muscled brutes, he would no doubt hold his own. He had dark hair, a little shaggy on the top, so probably mercenary instead of military. His eyes, a rich, dark brown, had a piercing intensity. They didn't miss anything.

And currently, his gaze landed on her like a physical blow.

He quirked a brow and opened his mouth to speak, but frowned instead. His head snapped around just when a soft pop sounded. A bullet struck the stone slab less than two inches from Ellery. She squeaked but didn't scream. She'd grown too used to bullets flying to be completely freaked out.

But she didn't fight the guy when he dragged her from the seat and shoved her in front of him, marching her toward cover. He ducked into the first building they came to and pushed her against the interior wall while he did a quick assessment of their situation.

They were pinned down inside the small gift shop, unless they could exit out a back entrance. If the store had one. Some of the smaller boutiques received their deliveries at neighboring locations. A wash of anger hit Ellery. She'd been free and clear until one stupid man showed up, leading Puchenko's men right to her.

She tapped him on the shoulder. "Exactly how're you going to get us out of this one, Mr Big Shot?" Snarking at him wouldn't help their circumstances, but damn, the sarcasm gave her a needed boost.

The guy narrowed his gaze. "The name's Vail and I will figure this out." He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the shop owner. "You got a back entrance?"

The man held up his hands and shook his head. He didn't speak English. Ellery translated and asked again in Spanish. The owner smiled and nodded, pointing the way to the rear exit.

Vail tugged her behind him, his longer strides making it hard for her to keep up. Ellery followed for now. She'd find a way to lose him once they got back outside and she could make a break for it.

Attractive or not, Vail had brought the hounds of hell to her door and Ellery wouldn't soon forgive or forget.

I'm having so much fun writing Vail and Ellery and it's nice to revisit Lars and Kiernan, too.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Zipline and Sinker

So… The Last Ship has a beyond awesome two-hour season premiere. I'm so happy this show is back on my television! I love where the characters are and I've added Meylan to my "do not kill" list. The showrunners better be listening or they're paying my bar tab at the end of the season. Just saying.

I'm making headway on my catch-up viewing of Killjoys, Dark Matter, and Wynonna Earp. Totally love where all three shows are going. Killjoys just makes me happy with the twisty turns it takes when I'm least expecting them. I didn't know if I'd be on board with the whole Aneela shtick, but I really like the small revelations we get here and there. Dark Matter can be uber confusing sometimes, but I like the overall arc of where things end up. Wynonna Earp blows my mind. The cast interactions are amazing and I'm so happy another season will be on tap.

Catching up on Teen Wolf and, yeah, Gerard being back makes things very interesting. I love the element of fear being almost personified. Looking forward to where everything ends up.

In casting news, one of my favorite actresses signed on to be a villain on The Flash. Looking forward to seeing what Katee brings to the table as a baddie.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Zipline and Sinker, a novella in the South of the Border collective.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Vaughn Dyson is a relic hunter who goes out of her way to save old treasures and preserve their place in history. But when Faulkner Roush gets word she's trying to smuggle a priceless artifact out of South America, he has to track her down before a rival, out for profit, group gets to her.

And a snippety peek…

Vaughn Dyson tucked the carved jaguar into her satchel and whirled around, a bullet narrowly missing her. "Dammit. Should've known this was too easy." Retrievals always had a way of going south on her.

And when they were priceless artifacts that should be preserved for display by government sanctioned museums, all the nasty predators—the for-profit hunters and sleazy black market, private collectors—came crawling out of the woodwork. Or course, the hunters and collectors sent four-man teams after her. Especially when she didn't have backup.

Vaughn huffed out a harsh breath. "Your own damn fault you're going it solo these days." Ducking and rolling, she scrambled to the wall of the tomb and got to her feet.

She would not think about how nice it would be to have Faulk—

Another bullet whizzed past her ear.

Vaughn took off, darting between two large columns for cover. If she could make it to the entrance, she could trigger the failsafe and trap the goons inside, buying her a little time. She'd give anything—except the artifact she'd come for—to know which rival collector wanted her head this time. Either Bishop Cramer or Gardner Hart. She'd bet her nonexistent house on it being either one of those men.

She hustled, weaving in between the pillars, doing her best to avoid the ricochet of bullets. "Not much further." A few dozen meters… she could make a run for it.

Taking off, she crouched as low as possible and made a beeline for the arched doorway. Who cared if she threw caution to the wind and took the shortest route possible? The crazy strategy worked, her attackers weren't expecting her to make a straight shot for the exit. She skidded into a slide when gunfire started again and managed to get her feet headed in the right direction to kick out and activate the secret lever.

Her booted toe nudged the slot and a loud rumble echoed through the chamber she'd entered. She turned in time to see a heavy stone slab crash to the floor, effectively cutting her off from the black-clad assailants.

She collapsed, heaving a heavy sigh. "Thank you, whatever rules the universe." Rolling to her side, she didn't waste time catching her breath.

She got up again and rushed out into the bright sunshine. The stone slab wouldn't stand up for long under a heavy array of bullets. She needed to find a place to lay low and regroup long enough to figure out how to get back to the states.

Making her way down to the river, she carefully pulled her small kayak out from under the brush and got it into the water. An old mission stood about a mile downstream. She should be able to take shelter until she could come up with a plan to get home.

 If her rivals didn't have the place surrounded.

Vaughn is up a creek… but at least she has a paddle to navigate her course. Doesn't mean she won't need some help along the way.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Under the Influence (South of the Border)

Happy Easter to those who celebrate. I'm always down for baked ham, mashed potatoes, and noodles. Also, the weather couldn't be more beautiful today.

Thoroughly enjoyed Talking with Chris Hardwick last week. I truly enjoy his casual approach to interviewing. He's such a fan of everything and it shows.

Not much on television this week. I'm looking forward to the return of my lineup.

Riverdale had a great episode. Secrets and sins run deep in the small town and it's so cool to see the interesting ways both get exposed. It'll be fun to see how Archie's mom mixes it up with everyone.

Had a busy work week but had some time to look forward to some returning shows. It looks like Syfy on Fridays will be awesome this summer. Killjoys, Dark Matter, and Wynonna Earp all in one block? Doesn't get much better.

And that's it for television. Tonight's post is from Under the Influence, a South of the Border novella. I'm really hoping to dive back in to this world and finish up a couple of related books.

Here's the mini-blurb:

When her father dies, Lilith Jans inherits a piece of hotly sought after property in Mexico. She also unknowingly takes on an unpaid debt, which puts her life in danger. Hayden Knoxville makes her an offer she wants to refuse, but can't—sell to him and he'll deal with the men coming to collect payment.

And a sneaky peek…

Lars Rademacher blinked and shook his head. "Wait, Kier, back everything up a moment." He grabbed her hand and tugged her down beside him. "What does Maria need our help with?" He'd happily give the woman a kidney if necessary.

After all, she took Kiernan in when she had no one else. And she welcomed him with open arms—something he didn't take for granted.

Kier curled up on the lounge chair and got comfortable. "Her niece, Lilith, inherited her father's bar two towns over. Maria is beside herself. She's so happy Lilith is coming down, hopefully to stay, but…" She paused a moment, frowning.

Lars prodded for more. "But… what? Kier, what's going on?" Not like his Kier to keep things bottled up.

Not since they'd reunited and got their lives back.

Kier angled toward him, heaving a sigh. "Maria thinks a big problem will keep Lilith from sticking around." She snagged his beer and took a drink.

There's a story here. "Start at the beginning, Kier. How is Lilith related to Maria? Mom's side? Dad's side?" He retrieved the bottle and emptied the contents.

Kier reached into the cooler and grabbed another. "Her mom, Jauanita, is—was—Maria's sister." A smile twisted her lips. "According to Maria, they were different as night and day. Maria likes the slower pace of her cantina. You know, steady flow of customers, mostly locals who she's known her whole life. Jaunita preferred bigger crowds, a faster pace. She opened a beachside bar and gained quite a reputation for good food, great service, and primo events." She popped the top off the beer and handed it to Lars. "Juanita met Lilith's dad down here when he was on vacation. Two months later, he bought in to the bar and they got married."

Lars tilted the bottle and took a long swallow. "Okay, what happened to Juanita?"

It's so much fun to revisit Lars and Kiernan, the couple who started the South of the Border series.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin