Sunday Snippet: Passion's Gate

July kind of flew by in a series of weird weather and crazy work schedules. I'm oddly okay with that. The weather is what it is… and will probably keep acting like an angry toddler. My work calendar is bursting at the seams and I'm excited about my new projects.

But… my television viewing is sporadic, which isn't a bad thing. I'm just so used to doing rundowns each week I feel like my blog is naked if I don't have a full slate. LOL

I did get a few shows watched. I started with Midsomer Murders and got a holiday episode. There's a new detective sergeant or maybe it's detective constable, but either way, I'll miss Jones. I loved that character. Which isn't to say the new guy won't grow on me. He's not bad. Good mystery also.

Started a new episode of Blue Heelers and it's rather different and I like it. I'm not sure how long the first season is, but the series is something like fourteen seasons and it's nice to have variety in format.

Caught two more episodes of Peter Gunn and Classic Who. I'm kind of excited to watch a live-action episode with Two. So far, it's been six animated episodes.

Finished the final episode of Blade. I have to admit to still being disappointed with the outcome on my rewatch. Sometimes I can have a change of heart when I've got a few years of distance when viewing a show's run.

Frankie Drake Mysteries had a great episode. I'm starting to like Grayson a little more and it'll be fun to see if Frankie's mom sticks around.

Watched the fifth episode of Daredevil and, eh, this is something of a slow-moving season. I do like where things are going and it's great to see Karen kind of have to face what she did in a previous season. That said, I'm enough of a Fisk non-fan to really not want to watch a bunch of scenes with him. And the FBI agent annoys the crap out of me. I actually think he's too smart to be playing things so stupidly. So, yeah, I hope the rest of the season evens out.

Started Riverdale's Bizarrodale episode and hope to finish it later today. This season has been dark and twisty and I like it.

New episodes of Killjoys have started and I'll be hopelessly behind on those, but I can't wait to watch this final season.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Passion's Gate, a follow up featuring the characters from Kindred Spirits.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Kirby Selwig meets Passion Gates and she rocks his world. She's a force to be reckoned with and a little out of control. Kirby is tasked with tempering her wild spirit—something she has no interest in taming. Too bad she doesn't know Kirby never fails to get results.

And a preview snippet…

Passion Gates had zero fucks to give about being welcome at Atherton's University of Magick and Alchemy.

Her gaze swept over the faces of everyone in the council room, lingering on one man in particular, before swinging back to the specimen of golden awesomeness standing before her.

Too bad she'd never have a piece of him. Not if he marched lockstep to the tune of Atherton's board. Something she'd never do.

She planted her hands on her hips. "I don't have all night. Someone needs to tell me why I've been summoned to your exalted presences." As if she couldn't guess.

Elixir. With the special little twist she'd added.

The blond stud took control of the conversation. "Well, Passion, here's the deal. We're here to meet with the board to discuss illegal tampering with a favorite alcohol in three different bars." His eyebrow quirked. "Would you like to shed some light on the situation?" His gaze challenged her to deny his supposition.

Good thing she had no plan to do so. "Well… Kirby, was it? I can shed whatever you want on the situation down to the exact incantation used to add the strong sexual component to the brew." She paused and glanced toward the board. "Unless you think it might be too much for the old hard-asses to understand." Pinning the man in the center with her gaze, she smirked.

Dean Hargrove rose to his less than impressive height. "That's enough, Ms. Gates. We perfectly understand the how. You'll be returning in one week's time to present the reason why and we'll determine whether you'll be facing criminal charges to be transferred to the magistrate." His voice wobbled on the last part.

Good. He should have reservations. And he also shouldn't expect her to fall in line.

Passion snorted. "You're wrong. I'm not one of your students; you have no jurisdiction over someone not enrolled in your precious university." She turned and started for the door but glanced back. "And I'm just getting started. You'd do well to stay out of my way, Uncle Dean." The collective gasps and chorus of shocked responses filled her with a sad sense of victory.

When she dropped a bomb, she aimed for the biggest and best impact.

I love, love, love this story. I'm having so much fun with the first novella and Passion kind of walked in and parked her bold badass self in my brain and the sages started whispering. I won't be complaining about that at all.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Order of Aggression

July 21, 2019

Man… the heat has been horrible this week. I hope everyone has a cool spot and is dealing with the high temperatures safely. Ugh… it's miserable. Watching the Irish Open, I truly wanted to be there. I mean they were wearing sweaters and jackets. I could go for that right now. And, yeah, everyone needs to remind me when I'm griping about how cold it is in May next year to shut up and deal. LOL

Slow week for television viewing. I had a full slate of work and needed to focus so I didn't get as many shows watched.

I did catch another episode of Daredevil. I missed watching one last week. Not a bad episode but too much Fisk for my liking.

Krypton had a great episode. I'm in deep and want to know what happens next. I'm honestly not sure if I care whether Lyta is redeemed or not but I do want to see her reaction to the reprogramming.

Watched another episode of Painkiller Jane and the pieces started to fall into place. Only about three or four more episodes left of this show.

Last but not least, I caught another episode of Durham County. Man, Michelle Forbes can really play the barely hanging on by a thread character better than a lot of actors. She's scary good at those roles.

That's pretty much it for this week. Tonight's post is from Order of Aggression, a novella that started with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

When Ames Braddock is ordered to take out an enemy outpost with possible civilian casualties, he calls on Parker Hart to be his second, but Parker balks at the idea. Ames isn't thrilled with the mission, but he needs Parker and he's not above using aggression to bring her in line, which gets the job done, but also backfires when she demands satisfaction.

And a preview snippet…

Ames pored over the blueprints for the neighboring buildings on either side of Fifth Street Saloon. "I need Parker's input. She's got the insider knowledge." And hated to use it.

Too damned bad.

Delving deep into her childhood never sat well with Parker, but her experience planning interference for her parents when they ran the black mage meant she could pinpoint the potential places for the traps they'd face. Even with the decade plus she'd switched sides, Parker almost always called the opposition's movements. The fact her parents no longer held a role in the guild's makeup didn't mean the new leadership changed the playbook overmuch.

Parker breezed into the rec room. "You wanted to see me?" She glanced at the blueprints and shook her head. "No. Dammit, Ames. I don't want to go back to that dark place again. You know how much I hate frolicking in my old life." Her eyes closed and her face twisted in a grimace.

He got up and scooted around the table, grasping her shoulders. "You're right. I do." He guided her to a chair and gently nudged her down. "But you're worried about collateral damage—" A sharp look from her had him amending his statement. "We're worried about civilian losses. One way to minimize them is to make sure we don't trip any explosive traps or knock anything loose that's dangerous to humans." He settled back down in his seat. "If you can help me figure out a way through each building, we can keep the element of surprise and hopefully get any edgy normals out of the way before we take out this saloon." He waited until she met his gaze. "Please, Parker. I'm trying to make everyone happy here."

She heaved a sigh. "You know something? If I'd known the levels I'd have to sink to pay you back for saving me, I might have stuck with the guild." Her lips thinned and she held his gaze. "I wouldn't be alive right now, but sometimes I wonder if that would be a better fate than this." She pointed to the blueprints.

A metaphorical kick to the balls had the same impact as the real thing. Ames hated it when Parker fell back on gratitude for a decades-old deed then twisted the knife by claiming she'd have been better off if he'd left her to the guild after they killed her parents. His fifteen-year-old self had taken one look at the shivering, cowering girl and his purpose in life became clear—saving her by offering her life on the other side.

They'd pretty much been in each other's pockets since then.

Which meant each could push the other's buttons without blinking. And Parker punched the saltiest one she could when she invoked the whole "you saved me and now I have to do your bidding even though I hate it" thing. Just once, she could maybe do the right thing because it mattered, civilian losses or not.

Ames bit back a heated retort and focused on the positive. "Not having you around would make my life boring so I, for one, am glad I found you." Admitting how much he depended on her came easily, owning what not having her close meant not so much.

Parker snorted. "Yeah, yeah. Ply me with pretty words so I buckle under and get to work. I know how you operate." Her lips twitched into a grin. "And I fall for it every damn time." She shuffled the pages on the table. "Give me thirty minutes to review these then we'll go do some recon." She pulled the prints closer and bent her head to study them.

Ames propped his feet on a free chair and settled in to wait. He had a solid idea of how he wanted to run the operation… unless Parker found something that could literally blow up in their faces.

Good thing she's on our side now.

This story is coming along nicely. I love the dynamic between Ames and Parker and dredging up ancient history is one of my favorite things to do.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Order in the Court

Whew. What a week. The weather has been all over the map with storms moving through my state. In our small town, a tree fell on a house in the back end of town, where I happen to live, and we lost power for a few hours. Honestly, not bad all things considered.

A so-so week in television viewing. I got a few more episodes of Blue Heelers in and still really enjoy this Aussie drama.

Also caught Midsomer Murders and quite enjoyed the episode centered on a school's history.

Watched two episodes each of Peter Gunn and Classic Who. I've started the second doctor's arc with the animated Dalek episodes.

Caught another episode of In the Dark and enjoyed it. I'm actually quite thrilled with where the show is right now.

Watched an episode of Frankie Drake Mysteries and liked how the show played out.

Riverdale never fails to go in directions that blow my mind. Watching Archie implode is painful but also riveting. I'm also enjoying Betty's conversations with her dad. I'm still wondering when Alice will get her brain back.

The Lost Canary episode of Arrow proved very entertaining. I'm so, so, so going to miss this show when it's gone.

Caught another episode of Classic Roswell. The introduction of Tess still underwhelms me.

Caught a holiday-themed movie on Pluto TV and enjoyed it. It was hot and sticky outside and viewing a Christmas movie definitely cooled things down a little.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Order in the Court, a sexy short that started with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Mace Ormondson, a fae prince, presides over the daily court grievances and disputes. When a new advocate, Nessa Goff, is appointed it turns Mace's world upside down and sideways, because Nessa happens to be the bane of his existence and a huge pain in his ass.

And a preview snippet…

Nessa set the scene for her evening.

Wearing one of her stage costumes, she laid out dinner then waited for her guest to arrive. "We should have an interesting night." She lit candles and glanced at the clock.

The door opened with a magical twist of the lock. Right on time. He never failed to be punctual.

Nessa took her place between the table and the entry, a sure clue of how the night would proceed. Her dinner partner entered, stopping a moment to drink in the sight of her in the sheer, filmy confection she usually reserved for her show. Constructed of frothy gauze, the nearly translucent getup left nothing to the imagination.

He let out a low whistle of appreciated. "Damn. My appetite just increased." His gaze raked over her from head to toe.

Her nipples stood proudly on display, the silky fabric keeping them taut with arousal. The frilly, tiered ruffles of the outfit ended just short of her thighs, giving tantalizing glimpses of her bare mound and rounded ass whenever she moved. A sharp intake of breath and a spike of lust in her companion's gaze put the finishing touch on her preparations.

She glided toward him, giving him a moment to mentally close, lock, and secure the door. Stopping an arm's length away, she dropped her gaze to his crotch, her mouth salivating over the outline of the large bulge hidden behind the dark fabric. Her pulse rate surged with anticipation.

She met his heated stare. "Hello, Mace." Her tongue flicked out to wet her lower lip. "I'm in the mood for dessert first." Turning with a sexy twist, she gave him a brief glimpse of her ass. "Any objections?"

His arms shot out, catching her shoulders before his palms ghosted down to settle on her breasts. His thumbs worked over her nipples and he stepped forward, bringing his hard length against her. She snaked her hand between them, cupping the hard flesh.

Dipping his head, his lips hovered over hers. "Not a one, Nessa. Who gets the first taste?" His mouth clamped onto hers and his tongue swept inside.

Nessa groaned and came up for air. "Doesn't matter who as long as we're both sated afterward." Her hands loosened his belt buckle.

Mace gave her a wolfish grin, reminiscent of their first meeting when he'd assumed lupine form. He snapped his fingers and her costume shimmered and shook, working its way up and over her head. His hands spanned her waist and he lifted her off her feet.

His lips curved with a sexy twist. "Then I'll claim the first sample." He lowered her to the plush carpet and spread her legs.

Nessa's breath caught in her throat, anticipation making the blood thrum in her veins. When Mace leaned down, hooking her knees over his shoulders, she arched her hips off the floor. Her instincts kicked in and she absorbed the lust rolling off him.

She chuckled. "Looks like the prize goes to me." Her fingers plunged into his hair, drawing him closer. "I'll make that up to you… I promise."

Mace glanced up. "I'll hold you to that." His head dipped and his tongue dragged over her clit.

A gasp exited her and her hands thudded against the carpet and she curled her fingers into her palms.

Mace's wicked mouth wouldn't take long to work an orgasm out of her.

She relished attaining the release.

I love this story so much. Mace and Nessa are a fun couple to write and their brief journey in this tale is tempting me to write more for them.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Oracle's Prayer

I'm always blown away when July arrives and I realize half the year is really gone. The whole time speeds up when we get older thing is absolutely a thing.

Fairly busy week but stayed caught up with most of the shows I'm watching. Started out with In the Dark and watched two episodes. My heart kind of breaks for everyone on this show. And, again, I keep going back to how messy everything is. The episode with Murphy and Max on the run truly ended on a cliffhanger. Need to watch another episode soon.

                   

Caught an episode of Blade, the penultimate one. This series was ahead of its time and I wish it had the chance to realize its full potential.

Also caught the season finale of Chicago Fire, which ended on a cliffhanger. I literally had to call my dad—a retired fire chief and still active in our local department—to decompress. He's also a fan.

Watched another Classic Roswell episode. This one started moving the plot forward and tightening the bonds between the group. That means it's almost time for a wedge to show up and pull them all apart.

Frankie Drake Mysteries had a great episode. I loved how the women pulled all the threads to solve their case and it's interesting to see Frankie end up with a new enemy. Lots of fodder for future episodes.

Once again, Riverdale pulled out all the super batshit crazy it could find. I do love, love, love that FP is now the new sheriff. I'm dying to know what Hermoine meant when she said it's finally time. There better be a payoff there. Alice makes my head spin with her insane loyalty to the farm creepies. I truly hope I end up enjoying that storyline because I have a feeling that shit isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Kind of sad Veronica practically ran back into the fold when Hiram got shot but it makes for good conversation. Almost fell out of my seat when Tallboy arrived back on my screen. Can't say I'm upset he didn't stick around.

Watched an episode of Arrow and, wow, quite a few revelations. Having Emiko be the leader of the dark knights is just the kind of twist I like. Kind of sad she's pushing Laurel back toward her dark persona. That'll be interesting to see next week.

Caught another episode of Blue Heelers and can't say I liked the creepy dude they had to bring in to nab the home invaders. Kind of glad Doyle sent him packing and didn't fall for his creeptastic come-on lines. Geez. Also started a new episode but only got the first few minutes watched.

Krypton had a great episode. Glad Seg is free of Brainiac, or at least I hope he is. I love how twisty this show is right now. It's very hard to tell who is playing against who and I like that. Never knowing which direction a character will turn is fun.

I'm almost finished with Painkiller Jane. The standard groundhog day episode ended up being better than I remembered. I don't always love those kind of episodes.

Watched the season two premiere of Durham County and, yeah, this show is still dark and twisted. I love it.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Oracle's Prayer, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Nason Forn, the daughter of an oracle, goes undercover to trap a wicked mage preying on young apprentices and thinks she's found her man when she discovers Lane Garganess standing over the body of the latest victim. But Lane has a covert identity, too, which puts him in a bad spot and on the wrong end of Nason's wrath.

And a preview snippet…

Nason Forn paced back and forth in her mother's chambers. "Are you going to help me or not?" Why couldn't her mom do one thing for her?

Paloma quirked an eyebrow. "What is it that you seek?" She folded her hands within the sleeves of her robe.

Nason barely held back a snarl. "You're a goddamn oracle. You know what I need." Just once, she'd like to not play games with her mother.

Paloma inclined her head. "I do, yes. Yet you can't say the words." She rose, keeping her arms tucked inside the flowing fabric of her priestess garb. "Words you've known since birth. Words you'll need if you're going to bring the one who took our sweet Georgie away to justice." Her tone dropped to an angry level. "Words you'd better goddamn get used to speaking aloud if you want any hope of pulling this ill-advised charade off." She flung her head back and opened her arms, flinging them wide.

Nason blinked at the spectacle, something she should've been used to, growing up as the daughter of a powerful oracle. And… her mother had a valid point. Nason had to see past the specter of her past and embrace the spiritual side she buried deep.

She sighed. "I hate it when you're right." She turned, her hands clasped behind her back, and faced her mom. "Fine. Here we go… I seek knowledge from the oracle's heart. I crave wisdom from her sage beliefs. I pledge this gift will not be abused. Nor the advice be refused." The oracle's prayer—spoken by any who wanted a glimpse of their future or an interpretation of their dreams.

Paloma nodded and directed Nason to sit in a chair by the fire. "You did well, my daughter." She settled in the matching seat and tucked her legs under her robes.

Nason shrugged, uncomfortable with the praise. "Not like I haven't heard the prayer a million times in my life." Probably more.

Paloma shot Nason a sideways glance. "Hearing it is not the same as believing the prayer opens the doorway to interpretation and divination or that it makes a binding contract between the oracle and the seeker." She leaned forward a little. "Georgie believed. Her apprenticeship neared its end and she had strong ties to the order. Her loss hits everyone hard."

Nason's eyes welled but she refused to let the tears fall. "She was my best friend, Mom. You're not telling me anything I don't already know or feel to the depths of my soul." Georgie made the world not suck so badly.

Paloma reached out and clasped Nason's hand. "She was more than your best friend, Nason. Georgie was family, the sister of your heart and I'm sorry she'd gone." Her fingers squeezed Nason's. "But I firmly believe you'll bring her killer to justice."

Nason cocked her head and gave her mom a long look. "Have the mists revealed this?" Her mom rarely tried to divine Nason's future.

Paloma shook her head. "No, you know I don't pry into your futurescape. You'll find her killer and bring him in because it's what you do. Even though I hate the idea of you putting yourself in harm's way, I will help you in your quest." She let go of Nason's hand and eased back, leaning into the chair.

Nason held her mom's gaze. "Did the agency speak with you?" Her work with the enforcement division of the fae council never sat well with Paloma.

She lifted a shoulder. "Only one person spoke with me. Benton Dartworth. He asked me to keep our conversation confidential from anyone but you two." Her head tilted to one side. "There's more going on here, isn't there?"

Nason answered with the truth. "There always is, Mom. Ben can't be sure the killer isn't in the agency. He knows I'm not because of my relationship with Georgie." She gave her mom about three seconds before she'd figure out the rest.

Paloma's eyes went wide then she nodded. "And he's not the killer for the same reason." She waited a beat. "His relationship with Georgie."

Nason's lips twitched. "As usual, you get it in one." She tucked her feet under her legs, sitting in a similar position to Paloma. "When can we start, Mom?" Soon wouldn't be fast enough.

Paloma gazed into the fire before she answered. "First thing in the morning." She held up a hand, knowing Nason would object. "I have had a full day. And if you think for one moment I'm going to half-ass your training for this, you can get up and leave now. Twelve hours is not going to make a bit of difference in the killer's timeframe."

Nason pushed back a little. "It will if he kills another apprentice tonight."

Paloma sent her daughter a scathing glance. "No, it won't. I can't train you in ten minutes, Nason. We need at least a full day. Tomorrow night is soon enough for you to get started on the trail of justice."

Nason sighed and got up. "Fine, Mother. I'll be here bright and early. Does seven a.m. work for you?"

Paloma rose and shed her robe, neatly folding it and draping it over the back of the chair. "Yes, it does. Meet me in the garden and be prepared to immerse yourself into an intense training session." She followed Nason out of the chambers and to the front door.

Nason twisted the knob and stepped out onto the wide porch. "I'll be ready." She paused then hugged Paloma. "Thanks, Mom." Stepping back, she briefly caught sight of the sheen of tears in her mother's eyes.

Nason headed down the steps, unable to offer any reassurances. She had one mission and couldn't get started soon enough.

I'm pretty pleased with how this story is moving along. Nason and Lane have a twisty road to walk and it's going to be fun to see how they navigate.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye