Sunday Snippet: Whatever It Takes

Terrific week on the great office cleanout! I got a ton of shredding done and cleared out from under my table and desk. I got a great hand-vac that did an awesome job of getting the carpet cleaned up. The cabinet I got to put under my desk fits really well and I'm closer to being sorted and organized! One more cabinet for under my table and three bookcases to go. Okay, not quite true. I still have a major amount of shredding to do and then I have the rest of the finding where to put everything phase. But … I can already notice a big difference in having a semi-clear area to work in. It's amazing!

Kind of a slow week for television. I'm working on a developmental edit that requires a lot of focus so I don't use anything as background noise.

I watched a lot of Silent Witness. I'm well into the third season and I like the cast changes.

I also caught several more rune videos. They're actually quite relaxing as well as informative.

Last but not least, I watched the first season finale of The Witcher. Gotta say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I rather liked getting a small bit of backstory about Geralt. Also quite impressed by the mages and Yennifer's role in the battle. I've been a little on the fence with her character but she's definitely growing on me.

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

Here's the mini-blurb:

Lysanor Bela runs the gauntlet and while she survives the experience, it messes with her mind. She has a vision of killing Baron Saltman—and gauntlet revelations are never wrong. Lys will do whatever it takes to keep Baron alive as long as possible—even if it means walking away from their relationship.

And a preview snippet…

Lys caught her breath, trying not to succumb to a heavy lethargy. "I don't have time." Rising on wobbly legs, she fought her weighted limbs and trudged forward. "I will not fail."

Eerie howls and screeches filled her head. Wraith-like shadows followed her everywhere. Inky darkness swallowed her whole.

"Holy shit. Did I fall into a void?" She might not find her way out if she had.

She shook her head. No … voids were rumored to exist but no one had actually been lost in one. At least not to her knowledge.

But what if they are real?

No. Even if they were, she couldn't give in. She had to get out.

Trying to focus and block out the chaotic noise, she moved, never stopping even when her body fought her. Driven by instinct, she started a climb—she couldn't progress any other way. The drowning sensation got worse the higher she went but her senses also grew sharper.

Pulling herself one hand and one foot upward at a time, she struggled to breathe. "I'm so close. I can feet it." She finally broke free, tumbling out of the gauntlet, gasping for air.

Disoriented, she dragged clean, clear air into her lungs but her vision blurred. Exhaustion won out and she collapsed, facedown, on the ground. Med techs swarmed around her. Who called them? Baron. Of course. Always thinking of me. When the techs whisked her off, she had one fleeting glimpse of Baron. The urge to reach out hit hard, but the predictive image of her slicing his throat wouldn't fade away. She survived the gauntlet and achieved mage status but the cost might just break her. Turning her head away, she closed her eyes. She couldn't face yet … maybe not ever. I won't be the instrument of his end. It's my turn to take care of him.

I like the challenge of writing Lys and her journey. Baron is a steady guy but he'll face a set of hurdles too. Fun stuff!

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Voltage

September 20, 2020

Kind of a crazy week. Honestly, 2020 can hurry up and be done. Thankfully, only a few more months.

Not a bad week for television. I finished up the first season of Silent Witness and got a running start on the second. I'll have it finished up this week.

I got to catch the behind the scenes video for Dirty, Sexy Saint. Really enjoyed the actors in that movie.

Also started a series of videos about casting runes. It's a topic I've long been interested in and I'm having fun learning about the practice.

Last but not least, I finally got to watch the series finale of Strike Back. There's so much I want to say about this episode! First and foremost, a heist. Seriously. That was actually a lot of fun. The double cross was also a nice little wrinkle. Breaking things down from the beginning. I loved how Coltrane got out of the gulag. Having Wyatt there and their banter was so awesome. I mean, who else but Coltrane would take a detour during a carefully planned escape? And horses! Excellent. Having Novin take on the entire casino security force also proved to be a wild ride. I'm going to miss her a lot. Loved the beats between the characters when she got back to the apartment and almost took out Wyatt.

The heist itself ended up being an awful lot of fun, with the exception of Gracie getting shot. The boat ride out ended up being beautifully filmed. Then, to find out the big reveal about the, well, I guess it's not really a double cross for the section twenty team, more a double cross of the Russians and Albanians and I love the double meaning behind the comment, "They'll never stop looking for us." Anyway … probably in my top five moments is when Coltrane blithely takes Arianna out then strolls nonchalantly past the pool boy. But my favorite moment is at the very end when the trio heads out to go their separate ways. I mean there can't be a heist episode without the going-off-in-different-directions pan out. Very reminiscent of shows like Leverage or Hustle. Good stuff. Seriously good stuff.

Some final thoughts … the only thing I would have loved as much as the actual ending would have been Coltrane finding Zarkova and / or Wyatt and Novin heading out for lots of adventures. The shipper in me will definitely let my imagination run wild on that front.

Also thoroughly enjoyed the Strike Back Declassified for the series end. I love shows that put behind the scenes or inside looks together for their fans. Having those extras is always a lot of fun, especially when the characters have become like second family.

And … that's pretty much it for television. Tonight's post is from Voltage, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Tess Truvient, Gentry Malloway, and Hunter Keepman use their meta-human abilities for the cause of justice by working with a covert organization with a global reach. Tess and Hunter have a volatile relationship, on one day and off the next. Enter new recruit, Gentry, and Tess finds a much needed distraction—if only for a few months—except something about Gentry draws her in and she's caught off guard when it's time for him to ship out to his permanent post.

And a preview snippet…

Hunter strolled into the shower area and propped his shoulder on the row of lockers in the changing space. Tess emerged from the stalls and his gut clenched at the sight of her. Then jealousy kicked in.

He pushed away from the wall and folded his arms over his chest. "Looks like you've moved on with Malloway. How's that going?"

Tess whirled around, her hand drawn back to release a zap of energy. "Geez, Hunter. You gotta stop doing that. Sneaking up on someone with meta powers could get you killed." Then she cocked her head to the side. "Wait, what did you say?" A note of anger flashed in her gaze. "Did you just accuse me of something?" She planted her feet and fisted her hands on her hips.

Hunter opened his mouth to respond but Tess blasted him with both barrels instead.

She spoke slowly, a clear sign of her simmering temper. "I haven't moved on, as you so prettily put it." She waited a beat. "Not yet anyway. Since when would I sneak around behind your back?"

Okay, never. Tess always gave him fair warning if she planned to take a walkabout. He did the same for her. He'd fucked this whole situation up in a big way.

Tess pushed onward. "For that matter, when I have I ever been anything but honest with you? Or you with me?" She relaxed her stance but not her anger when she stalked to the lockers and yanked the door so hard it clanged outward to smash into the neighboring unit.

Hunter held up his hands. "You're right. You've always been truthful." His face flushed hotly. "Sometimes brutally so." Like now.

Nothing like having his ass handed to him.

She sent him an eye roll. "Exactly. So, what the hell, Hunter? Flinging accusations instead of stating a simple question like whether I'm interested in Gentry…" She angled her head to face him. "Which I am. But there's been no moving on because I do have the courtesy to talk to you first." Done for the moment, she dropped her towel and pulled a shirt over her head.

Hunter sucked in a breath. Damn. She wouldn't turn the tables on him. He needed to know where they stood.

He pushed back. "So … you want the new guy. Guess I should've expected some hot young stud to catch your eye sooner or later." Not like either of them had a lock on turning heads or having their heads turned.

Tess yanked her pants up. "You asshat. He's my age…" She turned and jabbed her finger in his shoulder. "Three years younger than you. Not like I've resorted to robbing the womb." Spinning back around, she shoved her shower gear into her duffel bag. "And I've never had my head turned before this, so shut up."

Okay, she had him there. No one—not any new recruit or veteran—had caught her attention before Malloway.

But Hunter didn't think he and Tess were done yet. He loved her, even when he couldn't be in the same room with her. That had to count for something.

He went for broke. "Look, you're right and I'm being a dick." He grasped her shoulders and turned her to face him. "But I love you and want you to think about that." He captured her face in his hands and meshed their lips together.

Writing metahumans is so much fun. I like to explore the pros and cons of having superpowers in a relationship.

That's it for this week.

 

Cheers!

Skye 

Sunday Snippet: Veering Off Course

So far, September is off to a decent start. I finished up a few projects this week and look forward to getting back to the great office reorganization.

Kind of a slow week for television. I watched two episodes of Silent Witness. I don't think I've ever seen the first few seasons with Amanda Burton as Sam Ryan. I started watching somewhere in the later seasons.

I also did the usual Ovation mystery marathons. Rather enjoyed Midsomer Murders because they went all the way back to the beginning. Also left wondering why anyone considers The Librarians a mystery show, but I guess it's because they always have to track down the treasures for the library. Not really mysterious in my book, but it doesn't have to be.

I'm hoping to get back on track with finishing up the previous seasons of Roswell, New Mexico and Riverdale. Also need to watch the season finale of The Witcher and the series finale of Strike Back. I've been putting off Strike Back because I really don't want the show to end.

I need to catch up on Wynonna Earp also. I'll probably end up binge watching the whole season.

That's pretty much it for television. Tonight's post is from Veering Off Course, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Raine Shippley tends to go her own way, always veering off course. When her true path is revealed, Dalton Tucker thinks they'll finally have a chance, but Raine disappears and he's left to follow the trail alone … or so he thinks.

And a preview snippet…

Dalton woke up to a warm hand on his rock-hard dick. His lips curved and his eyes blinked open. Sure enough, Raine had her fist circled around his length and her fingers between her legs.

His head angled in her direction. "You slept well then?" Rolling to his side, he brushed her fingers away and replaced them with his. "Mmm. Hot, wet, and ready. You did sleep well." He groaned when her grip tightened and stroked firmly.

Raine sat up and twisted around to straddle his thighs. "I needed your assistance last night and I need it now." Her hips rose and she sank over the tip of his cock. "Help a girl out?"

Dalton's palms skimmed along her torso. "Be happy to." He thrust upward, seating in to the hilt.

Raine's head dropped back. "Ah … feels good." She planted her hands on his chest and rocked her hips.

Dalton cupped her breasts, his thumbs rolling over her nipples. Dalton propped up on his elbows to nuzzle her skin before capturing a taut peak between his lips. She moaned and added a small rotation to her movements.

The air hissed from his lungs. "Ah, Raine. Love it when you do that." She blew his mind.

Her breath escaped in raspy pants and she smiled. "I know." Her paced ramped up and her pelvis ground deeper against his groin.

The heat and friction combined with her silky core gripping him like a glove pushed Dalton close to the edge. He flexed his ass, thrusting to meet her hips. Raine's fingers curled into her palms, a sure sign she hovered on the brink of release.

Dalton's hands skimmed down to grasp her thighs. "Come for me, Raine. I'm so close." His fingers gained purchase against her skin while he hung on by a thread.

Raine rocked her hips with jerky motions then gasped and shuddered, her elbows locking when her orgasm hit. Dalton finally let go of his control and crashed through a wall of pleasure with Raine riding him hard. She collapsed, spent and sated atop his chest until her breathing returned to normal.

Lifting her head, she sought his lips for a lingering kiss before she snuggled back into him. "Nice way to start the day, yeah?"

Dalton wrapped his arms around her. "Extremely nice way to start the day." Definitely.

I love happy little moments right before a big kick comes flying at a character's face. Dalton isn't going to be waking up in an extremely nice way for a while after this.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Various Reasons

Hello, September. The great office reorganization is coming along. If all goes well, I might have the bulk of the work complete by the end of the year. I'm very happy with how everything is going so far.

Not a bad week for television. I finished up the Danger Man episodes that were available. Not sure what I'll start on to replace this one yet.

Caught an episode of Picard and enjoyed it. I'm not quite sure what to make of the guy who's captaining the ship yet. I rather liked getting a little more Ravi backstory.

Watched two more episodes of Peak Practice. I'm getting to the end of the second season and, so far, still enjoying the episodes.

Finished Ms. Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries. I'd really love to have another season of this show. I feel like the final episode had everyone coming into their own as characters. Maybe we'll get lucky.

Caught another arc of Classic Who. I think I might be ready to start the next season or I'm getting close.

That's it for this week. Tonight's post is from Various Reasons, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Paloma and Cedric keep putting off thinking or talking about the future—they've got a fae war on their hands, but after a particularly ugly skirmish, Paloma decides it's time to open the topic for discussion. Cedric is so shocked, he's not quite sure he believes her, but once Paloma gets through the list of various reasons, he's close to getting on board.

And a preview snippet…

What the hell is going on with Paloma?

Keeping a watchful eye on the next advancing hound, he flicked a quick look over his shoulder. Her stun batons at the ready, she moved warily and less fluidly than normal. The blades at the end of her stunners gleamed in the filtered light from the moon and street lamps.

He focused back on the riled dogs. "Sure you're good?" Did he miss something?

She'd tell him if she got injured. Wouldn't she? Yeah, they were a team. Injuries caused a disadvantage and they needed a razor-sharp edge to fell the final five.

She huffed out a response. "I'm good, yeah. Incoming, right and high." She jabbed the underbelly of a mottled white and black hound.

Cedric slashed with his blade and the beast dropped. In a frenzy now, two more came with snapping teeth and menacing growls. Saliva flew and a line of droplets landed on Cedric's glove, sizzling through the heavy material and opening up a pattern of holes. The protective layer did its job, keeping his skin from being burned.

Cedric flung the whip, snaking the end around the neck of the attacking fawn-colored animal then made a wide arc before releasing it against the building behind them. The second mutt darted around and faced Paloma. Her stun wand jabbed into its snout and the second baton, blade-end forward, finished the job.

A single duo remained and both snarled and frothed at the mouth and each crouched low to the ground. Paloma angled around, facing the beasts at his side. Her weapons charged and waiting, she gave a nod.

Cedric readied his whip. "I'll bring them forward. Let's finish this." He cracked the flayed tail above the heads of the dogs.

They leapt forward, teeth bared. Paloma jabbed her batons into the flanks of the shaggy, red animal a moment before it reached her. The dog got its paws on her shoulders and dug its nails into her vest, all feeling lost in its legs from the jolt of electricity. The weight of the hound dragged her to her knees. Cedric slashed out with his knife and caught his opponent on the underbelly, but only with a glancing slice. The dog spun in the air and countered, landing behind Cedric. He snapped out with his whip, coiling it around the beast's neck and jerked hard, twisting his wrist to end the threat. Paloma struggled with the red mutt, its dead weight keeping her down and its snarling snout in her face. She finally managed to get a hand free and spun her wand around to jab the demon dog in the throat.

Shoving the animal away from her, she rocked back on her haunches. "Geez, tell me the civilians got clear. I'm gagging from the stench here." Slowing getting to her feet, she heaved a sigh and grimaced.

Cedric shot a look toward the now-vacant bar the dogs had attacked. "We're clear." Threat averted, the adrenaline rush dissipated quickly leaving him drained and spent.

Paloma huffed out a laugh. "Thank whatever rules the universe." Her eyes closed and she staggered backward, her shoulders slumping forward.

Cedric swayed where he stood, ready to drop. The wind changed direction and he caught a whiff of something foul. His eyes watered and he broke out in a choking cough. Man … what a rank smell.

I like this couple. They're very casual until bam! One of them gets smacked with something other than the smelly creatures they're dealing with.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye