Sunday Snippet: Broken Arrow

Greetings!

Gah! What a week in television. Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D got interesting, Sons of Anarchy kicked several plots up a notch, Arrow continues to WOW me, Haven had a kick ass episode and Walking Dead still amazes and creeps me out all at the same time. J I already miss Strike Back, but hopefully a new season will be announced, if it hasn't been already.

Shifting gears, tonight's post is from Broken Arrow, a novella where Cailin has to figure out where she belongs and how to get there.

Here's the tagline:

Cailin Berg is a broken arrow, a mage suffering from a crippling experience who can no longer use their skills, and she wants to find a way back to her practice. Phelps Morlach can't give her any answers, but he will offer whatever assistance he can provide… especially since he holds some of the responsibility for Cailin's predicament.

And a preview snippet…

Farsi turned, picked up a bowl filled with sand, and placed it on the table. "You need a compass, my dear." The oracle drew a circle in the grains and added directional markers. "Someone to guide your aim so it stays true."

Cailin frowned. "Someone?" Could the spiritual guru make less sense?

Farsi nodded. "Yes. A person."

"Could you be less informative?" Cailin huffed out a frustrated breath. "I'm supposed to do what, exactly? Follow some guy, or hell, some girl around then?"

Farsi smiled, an indulgent curving of her lips, and the gesture pissed Cailin off.

Her hand slammed down. "Don't screw with me, old woman. I'm not in the mood." She slouched down in her chair and crossed her arms in front of her.

Farsi quirked an eyebrow. "I can see you're also not in the frame of mind to see what's in front of you or listen with your heart instead of your ears." She smoothed the sand into a flat surface. "The noise in your head is loud and it drowns everything else out. Sometimes what you need to hear is only but a whisper."

Cailin rolled her eyes. "Whatever that means. I don't have the time or patience for riddles. Either help me or shut up."

Farsi pursed her lips. "Hear my words, Cailin Berg. You have one constant in your life. Find it and you'll find the answers and peace you seek." She lifted the bowl and placed it on the shelf again.

Cailin is fun to write, her impatience often mirrors mine. LOL

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

New Release: A Magical Affair

My Halloween release for Silver Publishing's Magic and Mayhem special call is out today!! YAY!

Click to Buy

Available from Silver Publishing | $3.99

Sunday Snippet: Your Call

October 20, 2013

Hello!

So… one of the things I love about The Walking Dead is how much it blows my mind and creeps me out in equal measure. LOL Seriously, the show has so many little nuances that always suck me in, and yet it tops itself weekly by grossing me out to the point of wanting to heave. :D

Let's see, what else? Strike Back season finale did NOT disappoint. I have one or two teeny quibbles, but I had a huge grin on my face with the final scene, so yeah, direct score for season three (or, well, four, if you count the way I do and consider the first series with Armitage and Lincoln as number one). I honestly hope there's another season to watch and enjoy.

Arrow also ranks right up there on my obsession list. I want to talk and write meta posts about how much I love it. I haven't been so obsessed with a show since the reboot of Battlestar Galactica. Sons of Anarchy comes close, but I sort of avoid the fandom circles for the show.

Anyway, tonight's post is from Your Call, an opening book to an as yet unnamed series. The couple will hopefully feature in a few more books, but maybe not as the main draw. The sages are being rather stingy with the details at the moment. LOL

Here's the tagline:

After an epic battle with a spell weaver, Norje Blayheart and Barrick Nembly—adept mages—aren't sure they can stay together as a couple. Their love can be used against them and neither can risk being pawns in the looming war between the weavers and the mages.

And a preview snippet…

When Norje woke up, a sparkling glint in the moonlight caught her attention. She sat up and stretched, then tilted her head to the side. Reaching out, she ran her hand over the grass, her fingers snagging on a ring. An attached note fluttered in the breeze when Norje picked the silver circle up.

The River. At Dawn. It's your call. (PS The ring is optional) —Barrick

Norje closed her hand around the burnished circlet, the metal warm against her palm. Barrick wouldn't make demands or insist she wear it. But she would…

Wait, she would? Norje drew her knees up to her chin, the inky sky lightening with the first slivers of gray streaks on the horizon. She wanted something, some type of relationship with Barrick, but the handfasting they'd planned so long ago couldn't possibly work, could it?

The defeat of Hoyt didn't mean anything. A skirmish won, nothing more. A war brewed and the weavers would seek vengeance at the least, a full on battle royale at the most. Matrimony—something she'd wanted so much before Hoyt created the nightmare they'd just lived through—would only deepen her connection to Barrick. The risk of being used as a weapon against him made her heart hurt. Or vice versa. Could she stand up to Barrick being tortured or harmed because of her? Hadn't she already?

She earned the reward of being with him. They'd fought and won—even when they thought they were on opposing sides. That counted. They were stronger together than apart, but each had their own skills and abilities to see them through dark days and possible separations. Pink, feathery light from the sun broke through the clouds and Norje blew out a nervous breath.

Rising slowly, she let a smile ghost over her lips before she tucked the ring in her pocket and lifted her face to the sky. The sun's golden rays peeked up over the horizon. Perfect timing. She had just enough time to make it to the river's edge to meet Barrick before dawn fully broke to start the new day. 

Now I just need to write the actual epic battle part. LOL Ugh, it's all in my head, I swear. :D

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: X + Y

October 13, 2013

Hi!

So…. Walking Dead is back!! Arrow premiered!! The Tomorrow People is pretty awesome. Strike Back is one episode away from the finale and ripped my heart out Friday. And Sons of Anarchy is batshit crazy, which I totally love.

TV is good right now, people. So very good. Oddly, when I've got great stuff to engage my mind, I tend to write more prolifically. This is not a bad thing. LOL

Tonight's post is from a fun novella, X + Y, and features two warring clans who have special abilities. Wolf and Vail definitely have their work cut out if they want to be together… which neither is sure about, by the way. :D

Here's the tagline:

Vail Gault and Wolf Vermassey have a wicked, powerful attraction for each other. Too bad their clans are brutal rivals in the underground world of meta-human politics. Pitted against each other, they can never be more than opponents in a cage match who happen to have sex that makes their sparring matches look like cake walks.

And the preview snippet…

Wolf answered the loud, pounding knock.

Vail shoved her way into his house. "You don’t get to walk away. Not yet."

Wolf closed the door and turned, giving her a considering look. She had a wild and frenzied air to her charged words. Wolf fought the pull and willed his dick not to respond. The electric current, static-filled and burning hot, of her ability drew him like a magnet. But he had to step back—way back—or risk being found out.

He cocked his head. "I already have, Vail. I’m done." He strode to the bar and poured a healthy amount of vodka in a glass. "I've had the cred for a long time. I fought because I needed the outlet."

She made a low growling sound. "And what'll take the place of the adrenaline rush a cage match provides?"

He shrugged. "Nothing. But it's time. Has been for far too long."

Vail pushed for an answer. "So what? Are you getting pressure from family? Demands?"

He lifted a shoulder. Let her think what she wanted.

Vail sputtered. "Since when do you cave in to the whims of the crazy relatives?" She paced back and forth, frustration rolling off her in waves.

Wolf tossed back the contents of his tumbler. "I don't. But I've got good cause to move up."

She scoffed. "What the fuck would that be?"

Wolf opted for the truth. "I won't be used to settle familial scores." Once the other jackasses discovered his weakness for her, it would only be a matter of time before they all tried to take him down.

Or eliminate him entirely.

Vail stopped short and whipped her hear around. Her eyes narrowed and she held his gaze for several long moments.

She finally got it.

Her eyes slid closed. "By using me, right?" Her shoulders slumped and she dropped down onto the wingback chair by the fire.

Wolf nodded. "She gets it in one." He poured more vodka and  handed the glass to Vail.

She gulped the alcohol down in two swallows. "Fuck."

Wolf's head bobbed. "Exactly."

It's a good thing Vail is a quick thinker. She's got just the solution to their dilemma. And it blows Wolf's mind. :D

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: A Magical Affair

Greetings!

Whew! I'm relieved to say my favorite characters are still intact on Strike Back and Sons of Anarchy. And I got to see more of Stonebridge than I have in a while. :D

Arrow returns Wednesday and I'm dying to have it back on my TV. The behind the scene teases and brief clips are only serving to whet my appetite. Come on, Wednesday!!

Enough about television. It's time to share some good news!! The release date for A Magical Affair is October 26. Silver Publishing's special call for Magic and Mayhem is available for pre-order now.

Here's the tagline:

Welcome to Magic Meadows, the place where fantasies are fulfilled in vivid detail by an ancient wellspring of magic.

And another preview snippet…

Heath knocked on the heavy oak, arched door, then stepped back to wait. His eyes drank in the sight of sedate luxury. On the drive up, his breath caught in his throat at the sheer size of the place—a huge four-story center section, with three-story wings on each side. He'd bet his last dollar there'd be a courtyard or gardens with some kind of stables or guest house finishing off the square. Or maybe the gardens would open up to a rolling landscape with outbuildings tucked back into the dense forest behind the mansion.

His anticipation kicked up a notch when the handle clicked and the door swung inward, revealing a tall, thin man with inky, black hair.

"Welcome to Magic Meadows." He ushered Heath inside.

Romy stood at the bottom of a grand-looking staircase, and her best friend Stacie hovered on a step behind her.

Heath grinned. He had no idea Stacie had returned from her trip to Japan.

Romy moved forward and wrapped her arm around his waist. "Heath, this is Jarvin, the owner of all this." Her free arm swept outward.

Heath stuck his hand out. "Jarvin. Nice to meet you." He gazed in Romy's direction. "What's up your sleeve?"

She chuckled. "Funny you should ask that." She angled around, grasping his hips. "Jarvin and his partner, Vivica, are launching a new kind of retreat, here, at Magic Meadows." She held out a hand, and Stacie came forward. "They invited us to be their first clients. A trial run for them to work out the… uh… more interesting aspects of their specialty, before officially opening their doors."

Heat radiated off the women, and Heath had a solid idea of what Romy had in mind. His pants grew almost uncomfortably tight around his rapidly hardening length. His curiosity kicked into high gear, too. Romy hadn't revealed everything yet.

He turned his gaze toward Jarvin, sizing the man up. Absolutely not Romy's type, a little too thin and long-faced, but he wanted to get the guy's measure, maybe figure out what the 'more interesting aspects' could be.

Jarvin's lips curved in a knowing smile. "Heath, your lovely Romy has some very specific things planned for your stay here. The Meadows is a remarkable place, sitting atop an ancient wellspring of magic." He paused when Heath narrowed his eyes. "I don't blame you for being skeptical, but please displace your doubt." Jarvin turned and held out his hand. "Vivica, darling, let's show Heath what we can do."

A stunning blonde with an hourglass figure and a hot red dress came into view on the second floor. She smiled and started a slow walk from the end of the corridor leading toward the stairs. Before his eyes, she morphed from curvy to lean and leggy, wearing fuck-me heels and a sheer white negligee. Heath blinked, and when he looked again, her hair had changed to a shimmery black. Two steps later, she sported a short, cropped cut, dangly jewelry, and wore hiking boots with cutoff denim shorts and a halter in an ethnic print. When she reached the top of the stairs, Heath sucked in a breath. The walls and steps faded, replaced by a fire escape on the exterior of a brownstone building. She kicked the release and started a descent down the metal rungs. Halfway down, the scene changed again, the stone altered to an ornate, gilded interior with lush, carpeted steps, and Vivica now had an elaborate up-do in a shade of chestnut that complemented the emerald green sheath and matching shoes she wore. She reached the bottom and made her way toward Heath, grasping his hand in greeting.

Heath shot a sideways glance toward Jarvin. "Okay, very impressive. I won't even bother asking how, because frankly, I don't care. It's enough to know it's possible." He turned toward Romy and noticed the room had gone back to its original decor. "You never cease to amaze, Rom. One of the many reasons I love you."

She flashed a wide smile. "Thought you'd get on board." She nodded toward Stacie. "And, as expected, Stace is happy to participate." She hooked an arm around her friend's shoulders.

Heath observed Stacie, noting the differences between the women. Stacie had been Romy's roommate in college, and Romy confessed they sometimes literally shared a bed. He could care less. In fact, he got hard just thinking about Stacie's curves tangling with Romy's long and leggy frame.

He leaned forward and brushed his lips over hers. "Glad you're back… and here. Romy has great taste in friends."

Stacie gave him a flirty smile. "And in men. I can't wait to get started."

I'm so excited about the release! Please enjoy!

That's it for this week.

Click to Buy 

Cheers!

Skye