Sunday Snippet: Fistful of Sorry

October 25, 2015

WooHoo! Halloween is almost here! I love the fall holiday and even plan to decorate my all-year-round tree with some cool lights and creepy ribbon. I'm even planning to do a Thanksgiving themed tree if time doesn't get away from me. LOL

Television round up this week… not bad overall. I totally stayed away from discussing The Walking Dead, mainly because I didn't want to spoil anyone and I couldn't talk about the show without going into detail. I'll take a moment to say I LOVE how this season is kicking off and leave things there.

As always, I'm thrilled with how The Flash and Arrow are progressing. I thoroughly enjoy the alternate Flash and I like how Thea's time in the pit is being handled. Really interested to see how Sarah's resurrection plays out. (Hint… she'll be fine… eventually).

Agents of SHIELD continues to intrigue me. I have several theories floating around in my head about how things will play out, and I'm actually loving how many different storylines are being addressed. Keep it up!

Gotham and Sleepy Hollow are on my catch up list. Last week's schedule went off the rails so I'm watching both shows on demand.

Lost Girl and The Murdoch Mysteries are also staying excellent. And I started a new show called The Romeo Section that has me very interested. I'll keep everyone posted on how I fare with that one.

Finally, Doctor Who… eh. Seriously, I'm seeing so many people rave about the new season and I'm really not feeling it. The fandom theory that Ashildr will end up being Missy and the Doctor created the Master doesn't work for me. However, there is one way I could get behind the concept… Missy isn't a regeneration of the Master, but she decided to play the role. That might be an interesting twist.

Anyway, TV update for the week is over.

Tonight's post is from Fistful of Sorry, a novella where my heroine jumps in with both feet and it costs her than expects.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Orly Manx and Cal Luminity always approach situations from opposite angles, but usually end up on the same side. When Orly pushes a cadet too far during training, she apologizes to Cal for not following his advice. But Cal isn't interested in listening or quick to forgive, which drives a wedge between them. Clearly in the wrong, Orly can't take back her actions, so making amends is all she has left.

And a preview snippet…

Cal Luminity sat across from Barnabas Mikkleson, a premier mage on the board of magicks, and waited patiently for the man to speak his mind.

Barnabas sighed and leaned forward. "Cal, my boy, I appreciate you coming to meet with me." He pulled a file from thin air and opened it, turning it toward Cal. "My grandson, Benson, is one of your cadets." His gnarled finger pointed to the picture. "He's a good kid, but… well… he's not the quickest mage in the group." He settled back and folded his hands over this stomach.

Cal quickly scanned the information in the student file. "He just started last week?" A little soon to form impressions.

Barnabas nodded. "Yes. And I'm meeting you to ask a favor, which you're under no obligation to provide."

Cal quirked a brow. Translation—it would be to his benefit if he didn't cross Barnabas on this one.

Barnabas smirked, just a little. "Take some time with the kid. He's got some solid skill, he just needs some encouragement." He leaned forward a little, using a lower tone. "Got a lot of his mother in him and she didn't have a full grasp on reality. You know what I mean?"

Cal, and everyone else in the mage society, heard the stories about Mikkleson's daughter-in-law. A brilliant spell-caster but slightly off-balance with day-to-day routines. Margie finally ended up losing her mage privileges and could only cast spells when under supervision.

So, basically, Benson's brain had some wiring issues and would need a softer touch.

Cal closed the file. "I'll be happy to take him under my wing, Barnabas. And let the other instructors know—"

Mikkleson sat forward and smacked his palm on the desk. "No! This stays between you and me. Benson is shy and backwards enough as it is. If he discovers you're all treating him like a special case, he'll shrink even further into his shell." His stern features relaxed. "I want him to flourish, not flounder. All I ask is you maybe keep an eye on him and offer some extra time when you have it available." He settled back in his seat again.

Cal frowned. While he understood the premier mage's position, he didn't like having his hands tied. A quiet word with the other mage superiors would help smooth Benson's transition from plebe to cadet.

But he didn't want to piss off one of his grandfather's oldest friends, either.

Cal stood and gave Barnabas a nod. "I'll do as you request, Barnabas. We'll bring Benson along and get him up to speed."

Mikkleson tapped the file and sent it back to the mage academy then thrust his hand out. "I appreciate it, Cal. Thank you."

Cal grasped his palm. "Happy to help, Barnabas. Always." He turned to head for the double doors.

Cal's willingness to help creates a lot of friction and his headache is only beginning.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Belle of the Underground

October 18, 2015

I can't quite believe half of October is over. Yeesh, time flies in a big way. LOL

My usual television ramblings will get underway after a brief pause to let everyone know I'm still not feeling this season of Doctor Who. The reason behind the 'repeat' face, so far, is beyond lame. I'll have to watch the conclusion to see if I still feel the same way.

I finally watched the last two episodes *ever!* of Strike Back. I can safely say I'm thrilled with how Stonebridge and Scott's story ended. YAY!!! Now I'll have to start a rewatch of the entire series. LOL

Arrow and The Flash are keeping me glued to the screen. I love both shows so much. And Agents of SHIELD isn't doing too bad either. I like where things are going there.

Gotham and Sleepy Hollow are maintaining solid episodes. Looking forward to seeing where Gotham takes the Bruce in Training story. I'm also really excited to see how Gordon keeps all the plates spinning in his life. On a side note, I am a little sick of Barbara but I have a feeling her story might pay off in a big way. I'll keep watching.

Got caught up on Haven. I'm really going to miss this show when it's gone. I love the every quirky thing about it. The same goes with Lost Girl. I'm dying to see how Bo's story ends, but I'm savoring every moment I get to watch.

And that's the TV wrap up this week.

Tonight's post is from Belle of the Underground, the opening book to the First Breed series.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Raven Malone doesn't have an easy job, but she's a mix of freak and geek so both groups are willing to work with her. She meets her match when regular guy, Gio Roberts, starts poking around in her cover up of an unexplained murder. Sparks fly, especially when she lets him in on the underground community she's established. They forge a bond and work side by side, trying to keep everything together.

And a preview snippet…

Gio stared at Raven. "You can't mete out justice on your own terms." Was the woman insane?

Raven's mouth turned up. "Oh, you couldn't be more wrong." She walked slowly down the alley, toward the manhole cover. She glanced up at him and crooked her finger. "Come with me."

She lifted up the cover and pointed down the shaft. Gio made his way over and looked into the hole. "You want me to crawl around the sewer with you?"

Raven chuckled. "This doesn't go to the sewer system." She nodded toward the hole. "I promise."

Gio let out an exasperated breath. "Fine. But if you try to kill me, the cops'll find out about it."

Her laugh rang out and echoed in the dark alley. "I'm not going to kill you. But I will show you how and why I can dole out justice. Go on."

Gio lowered himself down underneath the streets. Raven followed and replaced the cover then met him on the paved surface.

"Follow me."

She hadn't lied. This was definitely not part of the sewer system. He followed her as she made about seven turns at different intersections leading him deeper into the bowels of the city. She finally came to a halt outside a reinforced door.

"We're here." Pulling out a set of keys, she unlocked the door and pushed it open.

The sight that met his eyes stunned him for a moment. A small community existed down here, one no one knew about. People and… creatures… for lack of a better definition, milled about in the brightly lit area.

"What the hell is this place?"

Raven stepped in and shrugged. "Home." She shut the door behind him and locked it up then strode down the center of the long corridor, rooms jutting off either side.

Gio followed along behind, mindful of the strange looks firing in his direction.

"Is it safe? This place?"

Raven glanced over her shoulder. "As long as you're with me it is."

This is such a fun story to write, with so many different directions to go. Can't wait to see how many new stories spin off the first one.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Feeding the Fury

Okay… getting right to the television part of my post.

The Flash and Arrow premiered!!! Both had excellent season openers. I kind of love where everything is headed and can't wait for this week's episodes. *EEP*

And I'm totally NOT freaking out over whose graveside Oliver and Barry were standing beside. Nope. I'm not. I know who I'd kind of like it to be, but I'll hold off and not speculate too much. LOL

Gotham and Sleepy Hollow had terrific episodes, too. I missed the opener for Sleepy Hollow and still need to watch, but the second ep has me intrigued already.

I also need to watch the double dose of Haven so I'm caught up on that one, too. I've started watching the final episodes of Lost Girl and Strike Back. Two shows I wish didn't have to end. *sniffles*

The conclusion to Doctor Who's two-parter didn't exactly cement the show as awesome for me, so we'll see how things continue. It's still good television so I'll still watch.

But… the best thing of the week? The Walking Dead premieres!!! So looking forward to tonight's episode!!

And that's it for TV. I thought I might do a rambly post about Arrow and The Flash, but you know, they would get a little too spoilery if I attempted to do so.

Tonight's post is from Feeding the Fury, a novella where my main characters stage a coup.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Larue and Wade displease the Fury and she orders them to battle each other in the pyre. But the two top mages decide they won't kill each other for her pleasure, instead they'll invoke the Rite of Phoenix and if they survive, the Fury will have to abdicate her throne.

And a preview snippet…

Helena Ogden strode through her domain in search of a very elusive man. One who wielded his power with finesse and fortitude and remained unmatched by the other male preceptors in the realm. Helena wanted a taste of his depths. She could feast for days on his alluring magick. The strongest mage in her province, the most incredible specimen of manhood, and soon to be her consort prime, if he followed her most recent directive.

She rounded a corner, her voluminous robes spreading out then swirling around her naked body. "He'd better have a damned good reason for ignoring my summons."

Wade Brogan had yet to report to her bed and she'd issued the order after dinner the previous evening. The fact she'd fallen asleep waiting for his arrival didn't rest well and strolling through her domain at the crack of dawn pissed her off. Her generosity toward the sexy preceptor had reached its limit. She wanted him—hard, hot, and ready—now.

A lower adept practiced levitation in a small chamber and Helena snapped her fingers to break his concentration. "Brogan? Where is he?" She squared her shoulders and thrust her breasts forward, the diaphanous fabric of her robes giving the young man a lovely view of her assets.

She hadn't risen to become the Fury without knowing how to manipulate her minions to do her bidding. Appealing to the baser instincts usually proved to be the easiest way to get what she wanted. The adept licked his lips, his eyes riveted to her taut nipples, straining against the sheer material. The scent of arousal filled her nostrils and she deeply inhaled, drawing energy from the young man. Her succubus ancestry came in handy and helped keep her in power.

Helena abruptly cut her connection with the mage and he blinked, shaking his head.

She repeated her question. "Brogan? Do you know where he is?"

The lower adept moved toward the door and stepped out into the corridor, pointing further down the hallway. "Two doors down. Private training room." He gave a small bow.

Helena gave him a smile. "Return to your practice." She didn't thank him—why would she?

She ruled absolutely and completely. Refusing her request would result in a round on the pyre, and with his limited ability, he wouldn't have lasted long.

Moving past several groups in various stages of training and exercise, Helena cast an appreciative eye over the physiques of the men and women, many of them nude. Her blood hummed and she decided a pyre event should be scheduled soon.

Pausing outside the designated door, she took a moment. "If Wade isn't in here, he'll be the top draw in a blood sport match." Twisting the knob, Helena entered the private alcove.

And sucked in a harsh breath.

The sight greeting her would make any woman weak in the knees. Naked and fully erect, Wade worked through a series of complicated moves and incantations, using an ancient form of meditative combat preparation. The muscles and sinews under his skin rippled and bulged with each controlled movement he made. His hard cock jutted outward, rigid and engorged, bobbing with the ebb and flow of his exercise.

Helena's mouth watered, her juices flowed, and she got very hot and bothered when she observed the sensual feast for her senses. Her nipples reacted, the tips tightening into harder nubs. The desire to have Wade's big, hard dick plunging into her three orifices sent a shudder from her head to her toes. A full-bodied response didn't happen to her very often and she resisted the urge to kneel before him, take his long shaft between her lips, and suck the hard cock to the back of her throat.

But Helena kneeled before no one—man or woman. As the Fury, her people bowed to her.

Except Wade. But he would soon.

If his life mattered to him.

Wade's life matters very much to him, but Helena will be sorely disappointed. She's not the match for him and never can be, regardless of her status as Fury.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Fancy Meeting You Here

Happy October!

So, after going off on a tangent last week about my 'blah' feeling for the new season of Doctor Who, I can't say my impression has changed, but I did enjoy this week's episode better. So there's that. *grin*

Gotham is kicking some big time butt so far. I like the rather darker edge it opened with and actually can't wait to see this week's episode. I missed the Sleepy Hollow premiere, so I need to catch up on that one ASAP.

And the best news! The Flash and Arrow are back this week!! And I truly hope nothing tries to get in the way of me and my TV those two night. LOL

So… probably a long ramble about television next week. But on to tonight's post.

Fancy Meeting You Here is a novella where my hero and heroine are like oil and water, they should mix.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Jonni Mars and Val Janison are enforcers for two opposing mage families and have a friendly rivalry. When Val, a member of the ruling house, shows up at Jonni's favorite underground dive, she's both infuriated and intrigued, and more than a little surprised to meet him under almost normal circumstances.

And a preview snippet…

Val Janison stood outside the stately study his grandfather held all important meetings in. When Wallace Janison summoned someone, the unwritten rule would inevitably lead them to the huge estate, through the main house, and down the hallway to the double teak doors, inlaid with cork and bamboo. Val ran a hand over the polished surface, remembering a time when he played in the traditionally furnished room filled with gleaming wood, burnished leather, and richly woven tapestries. He'd wanted to sit behind the huge mahogany desk and dispatch members of the Janis clan to do his bidding.

Just like his grandfather.

Now… he'd much rather be anywhere but standing outside, waiting on whatever command request the old man would make. The doors opened and Anton Benoit, his grandfather's manservant, gestured for Val to enter. When Val stepped into the room, Anton exited and quietly closed the doors.

Val strode to the desk and waited, keeping his stance relaxed. The chair Val used to sit in as a child faced away from him, the black leather still supple and smooth. He didn't address Wallace. The old man spoke when he wanted and not before.

After several long moments, the elder Janison swiveled around and placed his hands on the desk, folding one palm over the other. "Valero." He always used Val's full name when opening a conversation.

Because Val hated the reminder of his father, who had used the full pronunciation before his death ten years ago.

Val nodded. "Grandfather. You summoned me?" He'd skip any form of small talk and hope the old man got right to the point.

Wallace narrowed his eyes, just a touch. "I asked to see you, yes. I have a delicate matter I need handled and you're the only person I trust to see it through." His shoulders squared and he sat up straighter.

Val quirked an eyebrow. "Your use of a vague pronoun already makes me want to say no. Spit out the task, old man, or be ready to test the bonds on trust you like to bind me with." Val lamented the bitterness residing in his heart, but Wallace would consider either feeling weak.

A bony finger pointed in Val's direction. "The Vellas clan is trying to tip the scales toward the black and the ruling families have decided Philan has to go." Wallace glanced away. "I want you to take care of this concern." His grandfather met Val's gaze again. "It's the last thing I'll ever ask of you."

A huge concession, but Val didn't give two shits about a promise that wouldn't be kept.

He folded his arms across his chest. "By take care of the concern, you mean eliminate Philan, the head of the Vellas clan. You'll never be able to ask anything else of me, Grandfather, because the blowback from this will be the end of your line." He waited a beat. "Because if they don't retaliate and kill me, I'll be cutting myself loose and laying low for about the next three decades." Which might not be a bad thing.

Wallace gave a terse nod. "There's a way to do this so it's not traceable back to you. But I figured you'd sever ties regardless. You've made your feelings perfectly clear. The family connection means nothing to you."

Val fought the urge to roll his eyes. "You're wrong, Grandfather. The politics mean nothing, you'll always be family." Why couldn't Wallace wrap his head around a simple concept?

His grandfather stood up and motioned Val forward. "Here's how you can take Philan out without making a big ruckus." He pointed to the seat opposite the desk.

Val settled in and listened, the constant struggle to live up to the Janis clan standards and his big desire to be a normal guy kicking into high gear.

As usual.

Val's family drama takes a backseat when he runs into Jonni, but it'll kick into high gear again not long after. Fun times.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye