Sunday Snippet: Healthy Appetite

Welcome 2023! Here's hoping everyone has a great year filled with everything good and terrific!

The final week of the year ended up being crazy busy. The weather started out pretty frigid but by the final day, we had temperatures in the fifties. I'm taking extra precautions because rapid changes in the weather wreak havoc on my sinuses.

I got a few more episodes of Batman: The Animated Series viewed. "Harley's Holiday" is one of my favorites. There's a lot of good stuff in that episode.

"Make 'Em Laugh" is also a fun episode. Very interesting to see the Joker as a regular Joe … until he's not anymore.

Batgirl returned and became pals with Catwoman, which ended up being a lot of fun to watch. I do have some questions on how Selena knew to post her message on the campus message board. Just saying.

"Lock-Up" is one I'd forgotten about, but I enjoyed it. I loved the ending where he pretty much gets exactly what he wanted in a weird, twisted way.

I also got to watch "Deep Freeze" and enjoyed having Victor back for a bit. Also nice to see another familiar face, which if memory serves, we might see again.

I'll be continuing the rewatch and hopefully get through the rest of season two and all of three before they're removed from the streaming service. I'm very annoyed over losing great shows for someone else's bottom line. Grrr.

That's pretty much it for the life update. Tonight's post is from Healthy Appetite, a novella where the characters are extremely different but find common ground during a vacation.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Thad Nightingale meets Kailey Dent during a weeklong getaway and finds her approach to life refreshing. Not only does she eat with gusto, she has a thirst for adventure that leaves Thad hungry for more.

And a snippety peek…

Kailey grinned when Thad closed the takeout box and set it aside before tucking into the noodles again. He closed his eyes and nodded, giving her a moment to ogle him unchecked. The man's face should be on a billboard somewhere.

She swirled more food onto her fork. "Definitely going to have to sing the praises of this place to anyone and everyone. It's excellent." Her social media post wouldn't have a picture of the food, but her descriptions should suffice.

Thad asked her about Talon and whether she had money on the outcome.

She shook her head. "Never on anything I'm currently associated with and coaching my brother keeps me in that category. My friendly wagers are only with people on the mountain."

They talked a little more about Talon's chances at a win and Thad's interest in the area. He had a good outlook and loved the laidback vibe of the location. Kailey added a plus to the pro column.

Halfway through the bowl of pasta and enjoying the moment of sharing her meal with Thad, Kailey spotted Talon entering with his friends. Ugh. Why did he have to come when I haven't quite made up my mind about Thad yet? If he saw them eating from the same bowl, he'd make assumptions—which she asked him to do, but, damn.

Maybe if she killed some time in the restroom, he and his buddies would get a spot in the back somewhere and never be the wiser?

Putting her fork down, she blew out a breath. "Whew." She scooted her chair out. "I'll be right back. I'm gonna hit the ladies'." She rose and glanced around until she figured out which direction she needed to go.

Thad lifted his chin and scooped up more noodles. Thankfully, his back faced the main bar where Talon currently stood surrounded by his group. She'd take five minutes to take care of business and hopefully her brother would be none the wiser.

She could always look him up on the way out…

I love this story. Kailey counts on Talon to have her back but she also wants to test the waters with Thad.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: X Marks the Spot

Another busy week with multiple projects on all the burners. I've been doing oracle card readings every morning and, based on what I'm seeing, things won't be slowing down anytime soon. I'm totally okay with that.

We had a few lovely days of spring before winter came roaring back. Two days in the mid-thirties with rain and flurries. Bleh. Then again, when I'm still wearing shorts and flip-flops in October, I'll try to remember being cold in March.

Not a bad week of television viewing. I'm kind of off-schedule, but that happens sometimes. I have a couple of movies and musical specials I want to watch and that might swing things back to my usual show cycle.

I started the week with Star Trek: Discovery and, ugh, I got very emotional. I've got one final episode, I think, of season two and then I might dive into the Ready Room to get some insider details.

Caught two episodes of Chicago Med and I kind of like the tension building between everyone. Sad to see Will and Nat's wedding not happen and I really disliked the FBI agent overseeing him. Not sure how I feel about the whole Rhodes dynamic. But, knowing what I know about what happens later, it'll prove interesting to see how it all unfolds.

Watched two episodes of Snoopy in Space: The Search for Life. I'm still enjoying the science stuff mixed in with the antics of Snoopy and Woodstock. I'm always kind of in my happy place after I watch the short features.

I liked the Cuffs episode this week. There's a good mix of humor and drama in this show and I enjoy the partner dynamics. The detective stories are a blend of weird and gritty and I like those angles also.

Enjoyed two episodes of Silent Witness. Finished up the second episode of a two-parter and it didn't go in the direction I thought it would. I love when that happens. Started a new two-parter and it's kind of intense, which I like. The detective is a bit of a hard ass and that kind of annoys me, but it's good drama.

I'm almost finished with Classic Who season twenty-three. As expected, the Master made an appearance. I'm a little wobbly on the whole Doctor's darker side thing, but it's an interesting concept and gets a little work-in during the New Who series episodes.

Caught two more episodes of Aliens in Alaska and I like getting a bit of an education about the remote central interior of the state and the smaller towns. The UFO and alien stuff is just gravy.

Watched two more episodes of Muppets Now. This version of the show is growing on me and I like the repeat appearances by a couple of the guest stars along with one or two new ones that pop in. Of course, I love the Muppet Labs field testing, probably my favorite skit of the new version.

Harrow is really amping up the tension. I'm still so angry they killed off one of my favorite characters but I like how it makes Harrow do some soul-searching. I have no clue what the hell Maxine is doing but I hope there's a good reason for it. The one character that annoys me still annoys me so no change there.

Enjoyed another episode of Peak Practice. We're moving into the trauma of the week style and I'm kind of okay with that. There's enough carry through from previous episodes it still feels like the same show. I'm almost finished with season seven and I'm still liking the show.

Finished up MasterClass with Es Devlin. I thoroughly enjoyed her lessons and actually have some good information to apply to my work. Should be starting a new class this week and I'm planning on going with another science series.

Caught two episodes of Young Wallander and, wow, this show hits hard sometimes. I kind of guessed about who really had a hand in the killings and I'm glad that played out the way I thought it would. I won't rule out another twist though. I'm kind of expecting one.

I started season three of Classic Rugrats and watched several episodes. A couple are probably in my top five for this season—at least until I watch more.

Finished up Queens of Mystery with the final Behind the Scenes bonus. I'm actually glad I did watch because I wondered if they'd recast the lead character and they had. I might need to revisit so I have the details straight but the recast is fairly seamless.

Also watched another episode of Blue Heelers and really enjoyed it. Nice to get some additional backstory about Nick. I'm also such a fan of Chrissy and Adam's relationship. I hope that lasts for a while.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from X Marks the Spot, a novella that takes a couple to a tropical destination to explore their wildest fantasies.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Nydia Vreeland takes her boyfriend, Declan Morris, on an adult adventure vacation where sexy fun and games ensue. X Marks the Spot Private Island Resort caters to couples who want to push the boundaries of their sexual experience. The way Nydia figures things, there's no way she can lose.

And a snippety peek…

After getting settled by grabbing a shower and changing for dinner with Grant and Heidi, Declan walked arm in arm with Nydia along the brick walkway to the house.

He nudged Nydia with his shoulder. "You knew I'd be attracted to Heidi, didn't you?" Nydia always nailed his taste to a tee.

She gave him a quick grin. "Yep. Added bonus that she's with Grant." Her eyebrows shot up then back down.

He chuffed out a laugh. "I can always trust you to get it right." One of their fantasies involved swapping partners with another couple.

Heidi met them at the door and directed them through a butler's pantry that doubled as a beverage station. Grant manned the bar, mixing frothy drinks with pineapple and spiced rum. Their meal consisted of an array of pork, fish, grilled vegetables, and fresh fruits. The conversation and chemistry between everyone couldn't be beat, considering they'd all met that very day.

Declan leaned back on the couch when they moved to the living room and soaked up the atmosphere. Nydia perched by his side on the arm of the sofa and draped an arm over his shoulders. Grant and Heidi reclined on the loveseat facing them.

Declan nodded. "Thank you for the incredible meal. This has been a wonderful evening." Truly relaxed for the first time in ages, he appreciated the no-pressure approach their hosts had taken.

Heidi cracked a smile. "It has been lovely." She leaned forward a little. "It's also a little rare for us to hit it off with a couple so completely. You two are amazing."

Grant lifted his chin. "It's refreshing to entertain without a need to put on the brakes, so to speak. You're not in a rush to get into physical interactions and aren't spending every moment asking about how soon we can hit the bedroom." His lips curved. "We enjoy getting to know our guests and like taking the time to do so in a casual setting."

Nydia tilted her head to one side. "Do most people not want to savor the anticipation? Are they really in a big rush?" Her fingers brushed along Declan's collar with absent motions.

Heidi laughed. "Usually, yes. That's why it's been such a great night with you. You're not diving into the deep end without a care. You'll enjoy your stay so much more if you take the time to really shed inhibitions and welcome a new mindset." She glanced toward Grant. "We don't have the opportunity to work together often and we're looking forward to this … probably as much as you are."

Grant wrapped an arm around Heidi. "She's right. That's why we wanted to get to know you better. Have either of you had experience with more than one partner?"

Declan shook his head. "No, but we've talked about it and I'm eager to experience one of our fantasies." He laced his fingers with Nydia's. "I'll let Nydia answer for herself.

This story started out as a challenge to take a couple out of their comfort zone and it's been a lot of fun to write.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin 

Sunday Snippet: Going Native

October 18, 2020

Wow, how can half the month be over already? Time either seems to fly by at the rate of insanity yet it often feels like it an entire decade exists within a twenty-four hour period. It's trippy.

Had a bunch of projects land in my inbox this week so television ended up being on the short end. I finished up a Blue Heelers episode and have another one ready to go.

Also made it through two-thirds of Silent Witness's fifth season. Two interesting cases. Looking forward to finishing up the last two episodes.

I watched a lot of the morning mysteries on Ovation again. I enjoy having those shows on in the background, especially when I’m shredding a ton of old paper files.

Looking forward to hopefully finishing up Picard and catching up on Riverdale and Roswell, New Mexico. As I mentioned, this is probably my last season of Riverdale. I literally can't stomach Hiram and I’m pretty sure he won't be going anywhere when the new season premieres.

That's the short list for television this week. Tonight's post is from Going Native, a novella where the characters do some personal exploration and decide what they really want.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Workaholic Adam Beaubier is supposed to be vacationing with his girlfriend. But after a harsh breakup, he's traveling alone pondering his epic failure at relationships. When he meets Zerrin Kord, a helicopter tour pilot, he thinks going native might be just the thing he needs and Zerri will make an excellent guide.

And a snippety peek…

Adam Beaubier sat in the airport waiting on a connection before a chartered flight to Hawaii. "How did I get here?"

Right. Nasty breakup with Gina Norwich, former girlfriend. How could he forget?

"To think I planned this vacation to keep Gina happy."

A last-ditch effort to make their relationship work. She'd been on him for almost a year to take some time off—something more than a long weekend—and spend it with her. Except it wouldn't just be with Gina. It would Gina and however many social engagements she could cram into the week.

He sighed. "We were good for each other once." Before she got sucked into the social climbing, status-is-everything whirl-go-round.

Adam wanted to invest, stay closer to home, live modestly, and retire early—then enjoy the fruit on his labor. Gina wanted the newest things now, to be on the go, see and be seen by all the right people. And she spent money like it materialized at the snap of a finger. He tried to talk to her about saving and investing but she rolled her eyes and put off the conversation. She wanted this trip. Wanted him for a week with no work getting in the way of their fun.

Well, he'd booked the tickets as a surprise, but not soon enough. After a grueling month of clearing his caseload, he came home to find her in the shower with Mark Denby, a former colleague.

"How could I be so stupid?"

And what did Gina do when he made his discovery? She mocked him, saying she'd found someone who actually wanted to spend time and money, in the form of a trip to Spain, on her. They were leaving the following day.

He snorted. "So ... here I sit, ready to go on a vacation I didn't want. Alone." The announcement for his connecting flight came and he gathered up his carry-on and slipped his phone out of his pocket. The attendant scanned his device and he headed for the plane. "Next stop, west coast. Then Hawaii … here I come." 

I love how this scene came together. I've had more than a couple of openers and this one finally clicked.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

 

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: X Marks the Spot

Hello 2020! I'm quite thrilled to have a clean new year to take out for a spin. We have a new puppy named Maggie Mae and she's a sweetie. Her big sister Annabelle needed a companion and so far they're settling in together very well. I'd totally forgotten how much energy puppies have. Yeesh.

Had a limited week of television viewing but got a few shows watched. I caught a full arc of Classic Who and also watched quite a bit of the Doctor Who marathon on BBC America. Sadly, I missed almost all of the episodes from last season.

Started a new episode of Blue Heelers. I had a long hiatus mainly because I've been catching up on laundry and had so much to fold I couldn't do it in my laundry room.

Watched two more episodes of Gargoyles. Also had another great conversation with my oldest about watching this show when he was a little one.

Caught the prom night episode of Riverdale and, again, enjoyed the hell out of it. This show is so incredibly batshit I can't not have fun while watching.

Also watched an episode of Murdoch Mysteries. I'm so on the fence about where they're going with William and Julia. To date, this show has never let me down so I'm hoping that won't be the case here.

Finally, I started an episode of Frankie Drake Mysteries. This is another show that rarely lets me down and I'm having a good time watching this episode.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from X Marks the Spot, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Nydia Vreeland takes her boyfriend, Declan Morris, on an adult adventure vacation where sexy fun and games ensue. X Marks the Spot Private Island Resort caters to couples who want to push the boundaries of their sexual experience. The way Nydia figures things, there's no way she can lose.

And a snippety peek…

Nydia accepted the hand Declan offered her and stepped onto the dock. "Wow, this is gorgeous." The tropical foliage dazzled in its native environment.

Declan wrapped an arm around her waist. "It is, yes. And so are you." His lips nuzzled her throat. "Did you say we're being met by the couple who owns the resort?" His hand slid down her back to cup her ass.

A thrill shot through her at the mention of Grant and Heidi. "I did, yes. And here they are…" She smiled a greeting when they approached. "Geez, they're even more stunning in person." Her heartbeat kicked up a notch.

Grant extended a hand to Declan. "Hello, I'm Grant. Welcome to our island." His gaze shifted to Nydia. "You've got one hell of a woman here, Declan."

Declan clasped Grant's palm. "Indeed I do. I can say the same for you." He nodded toward Heidi. "It's nice to meet both of you."

Nydia shook hands with Heidi. "This is such a beautiful locale. We're so excited to be here." She fell into step beside the other woman.

Heidi looped Nydia's arm around hers. "We're thrilled to have you. Grant and I don't often get to be part of the same package." She leaned in closer. "We're more than a little excited too." She stopped in front of small bungalow. "This is yours." Stepping back, she allowed the porter to enter with the luggage. "Grant and I right behind you." She pointed to a two-story cottage barely visible through the thick greenery separating the homes.

Nydia raised an eyebrow. "You're not residing in the main lodge?" Why she assumed they would be, she couldn't say.

Heidi laughed. "Only when necessary. The house is kind of our sanctuary. Gives us a place that's just ours." She motioned for Nydia to precede her into the bungalow.

The guys followed and the space should have been crowded, but the airy, minimalist décor kept it from feeling that way. The living area opened out from the small foyer space with the kitchen and dining area within view. The entire right exterior wall had arched doorways open to the patio with billowy curtains stirring in the ocean breeze.

Grant walked through the living room and nodded toward the wide hallway. "Bedroom and bath is along this side and a spa area with a bonus room are on the opposite side. There's also a den with a fireplace tucked in behind the bedroom." He moved down the corridor and opened another door. "This leads out to a paved pathway that will take you to our house." He closed the door and rejoined them. "We'd like to entertain you with dinner and drinks around seven if you're not too worn out from the trip down here."

Nydia slid her gaze toward Declan and arched an eyebrow.

He grinned. "We'd love to join you. Thank you." He slid an arm around Nydia.

Grant and Heidi made their exit and Declan turned to face Nydia.

He cupped her face in his hands. "You are the most amazing woman." His mouth slanted over hers and Nydia patted herself on the back with a mental high five.

I'm excited about this story. The idea is pushing me to explore concepts I don't normally delve into and I'm having fun with the challenge.

That's it for this week. Happy reading.

Skylin