Sunday Snippet: A Tantalizing Yule

April is almost over and it doesn't feel like we should be moving into the summer months. Seriously, the weather is still chilly, there's a pandemic making everything seem more lopsided and crazy, and it really just feels like we're still stuck in 2019, right?

Anyway, slower than usual week in television, but I did get several things watched. I started out with finishing up the Roswell, New Mexico episode and it ended up being pretty solid. I really want Maria to know what's going on with everyone. Make that happen soon, dammit.

Caught another episode of The Heart Guy and, seriously, this show is growing on me. I'll have to recommend this one to my brother, another fan of Aussie dramas.

The main reason I didn't get a lot of my regular shows watched is because I got completely sucked into the Battlestar Galactica marathon on Syfy. It was so much fun catching up with cast members and seeing them reminisce about the show. The marathon also made me long for the old days when Syfy used to marathon shows on a daily basis. I miss those days so much. I literally loathe the crap they show during the day now. Ugh.

Caught another episode of Peak Practice, the final one for the first season. A familiar face popped up, the man who plays Brackenried on Murdoch Mysteries. That was fun.

Watched two episodes of Danger Man for some background noise. Both were episodes I didn't remember seeing in my initial viewing of the series.

Also caught another arc of Classic Who. I have one more arc left with Three then will be moving on to the fourth doctor.

Watched another series of Cirque de Soleil shows. The talent the performers have amazes me. And the theatrical costumes and plot also blow me away.

Started the second episode of Picard, but the streamer kept crapping out with error messages. Frustrating as that seems to be happening a lot lately with various platforms. With so many people trying to stream shows, I guess that's to be expected.

Same thing keeps happening with Strike Back. I'm almost finished with the fifth episode, but it's taken my three days to get that far. Very annoying. But patience is a good thing.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from A Tantalizing Yule, a holiday spirit sexy short.

Here's the mini-blurb:

During the Yule season, Ginger Radiance, a holiday spirit, has to get Regina Royal, a sexy sprite, under the same roof with Fakhir Frenum, a studly spawn. The two have a clash of wills, creating a massive snowstorm that leaves them stranded … plenty of time to let the holiday work its magick on the wary enemies.

And a preview snippet…

Ginger Radiance burst through her front door and dropped her bag on the floor. "Whew! If I'm lucky, I'll have just enough time to grab a shower before I have to start cooking all the things for my dinner party." Shrugging out of her coat, she hung it in the closet.

She had four other spirits coming for an elegant meal to kick off the Yule season. So far, she had most of the dishes prepped; she only needed to put the finishing touches on them before getting them into the oven. But … she'd run out of wine—an oversight to be sure. One couldn't have a full celebratory feast without a little holiday cheer.

She had the water turned on and warming when the atmosphere shifted and a buzz of awareness zinged her.

Ginger's shoulders slumped. "Oh, no. Not now." Turning the water off, she snagged her robe and sat down at her vanity.

The air shimmered and a message appeared in front of the mirror, floating until Ginger clasped it between her fingers and set it on the smooth surface of the dresser's top. Her gaze scanned the missive and she shook her head.

With a sigh, she sent a quick message to her four guests, postponing the gathering for a day. "I should have known. How many times have I been warned about planning any festivities this close to the solstice?" More than she cared to count.

The powers that be liked to put lonely people together over the holiday—and, dammit, they tended to get it right each time—and Ginger had the unenviable task of getting a sprite and a spook together.

She snorted. "Nothing like a challenging pairing." Sprites and spooks usually didn't hit it off.

And, hoo boy, the couple she had to help had polar opposite personalities.

Getting into her task, Ginger reviewed her first charge's information. "Regina Royal, party girl extraordinaire." But not quite what she seemed.

As an earth sprite, she had a gift with manipulating air and atmosphere surrounding her.

Regina had experienced some recent growing pains and wondered if she'd ever get off the constant party train.

Ginger tsked. "Oh, dearie, the cost of being the life of the party has a high price tag sometimes." And Regina's antics kept her in solid demand.

But, she didn't get to use her ability because most of the gatherings were indoors. And while the female sprite enjoyed the lavish attention and being surrounded by a crowd, she often went home alone. Being at the top of everyone's guest list didn't give her a lot of opportunity to make lasting connections. Regina longed for something different—a reason, an excuse to pull the brake and get off the tilt-a-whirl party train.

Ginger pursed her lips. "She wants somebody to see the lonely woman who craves to be more than a hat-trick, good-time gal."

Even if Regina hadn't quite figured out how to make that happen.

Now, Ginger's second charge could prove to be a complete killjoy. Spooks, often by nature, conjured the whole dark-and-stormy-night vibe. Fakhir Frenum fit the mold and had a tendency to be abrasive and irascible.

Ginger tilted her head to one side. "Maybe because no one can get past the smoldering looks and hard body." Fakhir had more going on with his keen intelligence and elemental ability.

Spooks descended from pantheon DNA and almost always had incredible physiques. The diluted bloodline limited their power but gave them fae magick. Fakhir wanted to do more than get hit on by preternatural creatures or be a magnet for physical altercations.

Ginger drummed her fingers on the vanity. "But it's been so long since anyone tried to dig deeper with him, he does nothing but snap, snarl, and snipe at everyone."

Which could prove interesting when he met Regina.

Rubbing her hands together, Ginger got up and headed for her wardrobe. "And I know just the place to make that happen." The Goodacre Bed and Breakfast.

Dragging some clothes out, she made a mental checklist of what she'd need to outfit the charming inn and what type of invitation she wanted to send. Satisfied with her plans, she dashed off the magickal parchments then sifted through the veil into the nether realm.

I have so much fun brainstorming ideas for the holiday spirit shorts. I love coming up with creative names for the spirits.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye