Sunday Snippet: A Quiet Hell

Bleh. I found out we need to get a new furnace because ours is old, horribly inefficient, and very dangerous. Fun news I didn't really need or want. The good news is the new furnace will be super energy efficient and probably save us a buttload of money overall. I definitely won't complain about that.

Had a semi-decent viewing week. I caught two episodes of Midsomer Murders and should be ready to start the final series. I'll be sorry to see Cam go. I liked her.

Caught episodes of Murdoch Mysteries and Frankie Drake Mysteries. I'm kind of on the fence with the new season of Frankie. I liked the first episode but it feels like a very different show. I loved the first season, enjoyed the second season, so I'm hoping I'll fall into a groove with the third. We'll see how it goes.

Finished up the first story arc of Sapphire and Steel. I rather like the show. I'll give the rest of the season a whirl and see how it goes with this one too.

Watched the rest of Classic Who's season eight. I'll be starting season nine this week.

I should also be catching the final episode of Arrow's season seven run. I'm trying to savor every last moment because season eight is the final bow.

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

Here's the mini-blurb:

Mattox Lang lives in a quiet hell, seeing and sensing paranormal activity. Bruce Wendelson has haunting dreams that linger, but he can never recall the details. Mattox understands Bruce's torment and hopes to ease her own by helping him deal with the nightmares.

And a preview snippet…

Mattox wanted to snatch the offer back as soon as it left her mouth. But she couldn't stand the torment oozing from every channel coming from Bruce. The man didn't have much longer before he went completely mad.

Bruce narrowed his gaze. "You actually see what I'm thinking?" He tilted his head and gave her an overt once-over.

Marie made an attempt to step in. "Uh, Bruce, maybe we should give Mattox a little breathing room." She started for the coffeepot.

Mattox waved off Marie's concern. "It's okay, Marie. I'm good now." She did her best to shield her senses and met Bruce's gaze. "Being crude doesn't change facts, Mr. Wendelson. But I'll give you points for being inventive." Her lips twitched when his mouth dropped open.

His gaze went speculative. "You could be well-versed in reading people. I still don't believe you can see what's in my head." He folded his arms over his chest.

Mattox leaned in closer to him and pitched her voice low. "Sex. Up against the wall. You pulled a switch and had your shoulders braced with me straddling your thighs. That's why you got points for being creative." She sat back and gave him a pointed glance.

His face took a ruddy shade of red. "Damn. Okay. You've made your point." He met her gaze this time. "I'm sorry. That was a total dick move and you didn't deserve it." Slumping back, he sighed. "I'm usually not a complete asshole."

Marie brought two cups of coffee over and handed one to Bruce then held the other up, asking if Mattox wanted it.

She accepted gratefully. "Thanks, Marie. I really am okay now." The shielding helped and the caffeine would clear the cobwebs from passing out.

She still had a running movie playing in her mind, but she filtered out the hopelessness and frustration that held Bruce in their grip. Her heart went out to the man, even while her brain urged caution. Instinctively, her gut warned he had the power to break her.

Marie took a chair and turned it around to face them. "Well, Mattox… I'm right, aren't I? Bruce is special like you." She almost preened.

Mattox gave a brief snort. "I've always thought of it more as a—"

Bruce cut in. "Curse."

Mattox huffed out a laugh. "Exactly." She turned toward Marie. "I don't know what's going on yet… if Mr. Wendelson has an ability or if he's just caught up in something else, but I should be able to help."

Bruce broke in again. "It's Bruce, please. If what I suspect is going to happen happens, Mr. Wendelson is gonna get old real quick." He paused and took a bracing gulp of the coffee. "We'll need to be on a first name basis."

Mattox grinned. "Bruce it is. Obviously, I'm Mattox. I rarely use my last name." She tried to avoid anything to do with her mother. "I do think I can help you, but if you don't want one-on-one sessions, it's going to be difficult."

Bruce closed his eyes and slowly exhaled. "I had a traumatic experience as a kid during therapy. But I'm willing to do just about anything to be able to sleep again." His gaze went dark and stormy.

Man, did she feel his pain on that topic.

Mattox braced herself and put a hand on his arm. "What I do isn't therapy, Bruce. Not in the traditional sense." She stopped a moment then opted to finish with the biggest truth bomb she could. "But you'll have to be comfortable with me sharing your bed for a while."

I like writing Mattox and Bruce. Wounded souls that find their way to each other is one of my favorite things.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Quicksilver Flash

Well, another homecoming house party is in the books and I'm so thankful we had such a great group of kids to host over the last four years. A few faces came and went, but for the most part, the core group has remained the same. I'm looking forward to seeing what this group of kids ends up doing in the future.

It's been a crazy week with a ton of work projects coming in and I'm truly thankful to be busy. Sometimes my projects dwindle a little in the fall and that doesn't seem to be the case this year.

A limited week of television, but some good progress made. I started a new classic British series called Sapphire and Steel. It's pretty decent with some time-wimey elements.

I also started a new arc of Classic Who. I didn't realize quite how much of a role the Master had in the third doctor's run.

Caught an episode of Midsomer Murders and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm almost through with series nineteen and have the final season to watch.

Watched another episode of Arrow and should be ready to start the new limited season eight in the near future. I started the penultimate episode but had to pause to get ready for homecoming. I'm going to miss this show so much when it's gone.

Also viewed an episode of Murdoch Mysteries and quite enjoyed it. I'm a little wary of what they're possibly doing with Julia, but we'll see how things go.

Finished up Frankie Drake Mysteries second season and look forward to starting the third. I'm pretty excited to see where things go from here.

Caught another episode of Riverdale. I can honestly say the whole farm thing really kind of annoys me. That said, this show tends to pull off a few twists that end up making me like what I didn't before. With the exception of Hiram. I love the actor but truly hate the character.

Also started another episode of Blue Heelers but have to pick it back up this week. Ran out of time to finish watching it.

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

Here's the mini-blurb:

Winsome Crown, a scientist's daughter, searches for her lost father in the wilds of the mountains. Lynx Hadrington lives alone and away from society—by choice. When Winsome stumbles onto his little piece of sanctuary, he can't deny her plea for help, but he fears the worst for her dad. Only one person has ever survived a brush with the Quicksilver Flash—him.

And a preview snippet…

Lynx cradled the soft form of Winsome close to his chest. "I knew you'd be trouble. I knew it." Correction… his innate ability informed him.

Not for the first time, he cursed the day he met Wadsworth Crown and agreed to act as a guide for the man. Even if the professor ended up becoming a friend and confidant. They'd parted on amiable terms, but Lynx specifically asked the man to leave him out of any further expeditions and experiments.

Lynx picked Winsome up, carried her to his bed, and gently placed her on the mattress. "You are going to stir things up, aren't you?" More like stir him up.

He'd gone two months without glowing or shimmering. She walked in and within minutes, he'd reacted to her. Damn.

He smoothed the hair back from her forehead. "Hmm. You're overly warm. That shouldn't be, not after you've been out in those frigid temperatures." Loosening the top button of her flannel shirt, he checked her pulse.

Slow and steady with a hop every few beats. Probably exhausted and rundown. Moving to her feet, he unlaced her boots and slid them off, placing them beside the bed. He drew a blanket up and over her then exited the small room and crossed over to the kitchen tucked into the corner of the cabin.

Reaching into the fridge, he pulled out some leftover chicken and set it inside his one and only stock pot. "Some broth and plenty of fluids should get her fixed up right." And maybe shorten her stay.

Setting the burner to a medium-high temperature, he added some seasoning then filled a glass with water and carried it into the bedroom. After checking her once more, he got some pain killers, shook two out of the bottle, and placed them beside the glass.

He paused before leaving. She had Wadsworth's facial features but instead of a light hair color, hers had a deeply luxurious onyx color. Her mother must have been a raven-haired beauty.

Another gust of wind rattled the cabin walls and Lynx backed out of the bedroom. If he lost power, he might have to make the broth over the fire. The woman in his bed would need the sustenance when she woke up.

"And then she needs to be on her way… for my peace of mind."

This story is coming together nicely. I'm going for a bit of a steampunk flair and having fun adding those elements.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Question Everything

So far, October is a pretty good month. My daughter is on the homecoming court for the first time and is excited to participate in the annual parade coming up in a week or two. She'll be hosting her annual gathering next weekend and we've got a laundry list of stuff to get finished up before then.

Not a bad week for television. I started out with a Passionflix original, Brother's Honor and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I'm excited to see the other two movie's in this trilogy when they're available.

I also caught up on some Arrow, watching an episode from last season. I'll be a little behind when season eight premieres but I should be caught up soon.

Watched the first episode of Murdoch Mysteries's new season. This show is so much fun. I love the characters more each year.

For some reason, I missed the last two episodes of Frankie Drake Mysteries's second season. I got one episode watched and have the final one and the first three of this season to get caught up on.

I'm also catching up on Riverdale. I finished an episode and watched another full one. I haven't seen the premiere of season four yet, but I plan to have at least a full box of tissues handy when I do watch it.

I still haven't decided what I'll be picking up after Peter Gunn, but I'll be starting that this week.

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

Here's the mini-blurb:

When Temple Sparrow discovers her family is part of an underground society of beings and creatures who secretly control the city, she eschews their traditions and finds her true vocation, seeking answers. Hunt Gambit doesn't trust anyone, least of all Temple, but playing by the rules isn't an option and he'll use her knowledge to get what he needs and teach her to question everything.

And a preview snippet…

Two days after her father's funeral, Temple Sparrow stormed into his study demanding answers. "Is it true?"

Her mother, Tressa, cool and haughty as always, answered. "It is." Her gaze barely met Temple's before she went back to reading the file in front of her.

Temple seethed and flung an arm out. "I can't believe this. How did I grow up in this mausoleum and not know anything about my family's involvement in the underground?" The city's black market traded on the supernatural beings they exploited for the normals.

Tressa closed the folder and tapped her blood-red nails on the surface before she responded. "Because I made sure it was kept from you." She got up and smoothed the skirt of her black dress.

Fucking widow's weeds for a cold fish. One who gave nary an actual shit about her husband's death. Or much of anything else except keeping up the appearances of being successful.

At the cost and on the backs of every average fae being.

Tressa lifted her gaze. "If I had my way, you wouldn't have been informed yet. You're entirely too volatile and not at all ready for a seat at the head table."

Temple snorted. "Keep your damn table, Mother. I won't sit anywhere near the stink of corruption you want to wallow in." If her mom knew anything about Temple, she'd already be aware of this sticking point.

Tressa gave a quick head shake. "I wouldn't be so certain. I'm not the only—"

Temple cut Tressa off. "Oh, but I am. If you're involved, I'm not. Call one of your craven family members and ask them to join the club." Anyone on the Wingate side should be more than happy to step up.

Except Uncle Marsh. He had little to do with his four siblings' power grabs.

Tressa gave Temple a hard look. "Walking away means you leave with nothing."

Temple huffed out a breath. "Did you forget about Grandmara's trust?" The one she now had access to since her dad died.

The stricken look on her mother's face said she had. Score one for Grandmara Vi. 

Temple rolled her eyes. "Of course you did. A mere half million is chump change for someone like you. But it's all mine and you can't touch or control any part of it… which means you can't touch or control me." She gathered up her scattered thoughts and turned on her heel. "Good-bye, Mother. I hope you wither in this monstrosity you call a house, but I'm sure that won't be the case."

Tressa followed after her. "You can't leave, Temple. Once you're aware of our ties to the underworld, there's no recourse. You either take up the reins or they take you out."

Temple paused at the door and looked over her shoulder. "Let 'em try." She sailed out of the study and strode directly to the front door.

The warning sent a fissure of fear down to her toes, but she'd never cower in front of her mom. But Temple would take some precautions and do her damnedest to expose the rot at the root of the city's founding family trees.

I love writing Temple and I can't wait for her to meet up with Hunt. They've got a wild and twisty road ahead of them.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Quest for the Kingfish

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 Quest for the Kingfish, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Stevie Peel is a little bit backwards and standoffish, but she loves a good mystery. Griff Lannsiter takes an immediate liking to Stevie and when she finds an ancient scroll tucked into the dusty stacks of the research library, he offers his help on her quest to find the elusive Kingfish.

And a preview snippet…

Stevie Peel sneezed when her feather duster disturbed a pile of moldering dust. "Dammit. I can't believe they won't let me use magick to clean this nightmare of a library wing." Rubbing her nose brought on several more violent eruptions. "Argh! This sucks." She tossed the offending cleaning tool over her shoulder and raised her hands to cast a spell to make the shelf clear.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." The voice came from the doorway leading to the main library.

She didn't have to look to see who decided to interrupt her punishment. Griff Lannister. The only guy… hell, possibly the only person… on campus who would dare. She'd been sentenced and banished to this solitary pursuit for hexing half the pavilion during the winternight festival dance.

Stevie lowered her arms. "You're not me but, yeah, I can't cheat." She shot a gaze over her shoulder. "Besides, I'm not in the mood to kill you right now." Her lips kicked upward in a smile. "Even though I could definitely hide your body in here and no one would find you." Heaving a sigh, she went to grab the stupid feather duster again.

Griff moved into the cavernous room with a laugh. "You won't kill me. I'd come back to haunt you and you'd never know another moment of peace again." He propped his hip on a table stacked with books she'd removed from the shelf.

Stevie chuckled because he totally would haunt her and she had no trouble picturing him drifting around and making her life even crazier than usual.

Moving back to the shelves, she swept the surface again. "Why are you here anyway?" Not that she minded, but the precept made it clear her punishment should be carried out alone.

Griff flipped one of the tomes open, stirring up more dust. "Eh, you got a bum deal. Not fair you have to clean this whole annex and aren't supposed to have anyone down here with you just because you mixed up a few words of a spell." He glanced up from the book. "If they paid attention, they would've known you weren't ready for a public rite." Slamming the book shut, he coughed when a waft of dust rose up to his face.

Stevie shrugged, even though his support touched her deeply. "I could've said something." Except she couldn't. She didn't do well with admitting defeat.

And she didn't talk about her issues with her mind going blank in crowds with anyone but Griff. And only because he pulled it out of her in his very Griff way.

What did the guy see in her?

Griff shuffled through the pile of old papers on the table. "Did they give you a deadline for having this cleanup thing done?"

Stevie snorted. "Are you kidding? I'm pretty sure they're hoping it'll take me the rest of this semester and the next one so they don't have to worry about me ruining the end of year festivities or the Valentine's ball. I mean, how would it look if I ended up making more of the student population succumb to a sleeping spell?" An entire dance floor of people dropping like stones, all because she goofed up the word order.

Griff glanced around the huge expanse of space. "I'll bet you're done within the month. Don't forget we have most of January off for semester break."

Stevie rolled a shoulder. "Except for the mounds of dust, I like it down here. It's quiet and very non-peopley." Her gaze slid sideways in his direction. "Present company excluded." But she didn't mind having his presence.

Griff gave her smirk. "Meaning I'm not people?"

She shot back. "Meaning you're one of the few I actually like." Something that continued to surprise her.

Griff puffed out his chest. "I like being at the top of your list."

She blinked and sputtered. "Totally not what I said." But probably true.

He turned and started toward the doorway, waving his hand in the air. "Doesn't matter, I heard your inferred meaning." He sailed through the exit and left her standing alone.

Shaking her head, Stevie laughed. "Inferred meaning, my ass. You heard what you wanted to hear."

But he didn't happen to be wrong. He did top her list.

I love writing Stevie. I wanted a character that had something of a learning disability but didn't let it stop her from achieving what she wants. And I wanted Griff to not try and fix her or solve her problems but to support her because he sees the potential she has. This story is so much fun.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye