Sunday Snippet: Dawn of the Son

It's been a weird week but also a productive one. I can't quite believe March is almost over. My middle kid has gallbladder surgery on Tuesday and my youngest kid has a long weekend coming up and I'm kind of excited to have everyone home.

Very slow work week so I got to focus on writing again. Made a lot of progress on the back end with a good bit or organizing and updating files. I got some new projects launched and made a big dent in some older ones that have been on the back burner. It's always nice to feel productive.

Also got some cleaning done, which is terrific and long overdue. I've been setting a timer and sticking with one area for that timeframe. Seems to be working well so far. I pick a room, set the limit, and get busy. Makes the job seem less daunting.

On the television front, I got three arcs of Classic Who watched this week. I'm almost finished with season fourteen and I miss Sarah Jane but Leela is pretty fun. I don't think I've seen any Leela episodes so it's kind of fun to see new fare.

I also watched several more episodes of The Muppet Show. I'm about halfway through the first season and other than remembering how annoying Miss Piggy's karate chops are I'm having great memories.

Caught the second part of Silent Witness and finished out the ninth season. I'll be starting ten this week.

Got another episode of Peak Practice in and should have one more for the second season then ready to start the third. I'm not sure how long Jack and Beth will be sticking around but I'm really enjoying this show.

I also got to catch an episode of Murdoch Mysteries. I'm behind on the new season, but I like to binge this show so I'll get caught up soon.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Dawn of the Son, a novella that got started with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Apollo and Aurora aren't supposed to get together, but the Universe has other ideas. When everything starts to go sideways, two mortals personify the ancient deities and balance is restored.

And a preview snippet…

Aurora entered Apollo's grotto and propped a shoulder on the marble column. "The oracle said it's time." She moved forward, coming to a stop beside the love of her life—a man she couldn't have.

Apollo reached out and drew her forward. "Pythia found them. The two who can fulfill the prophecy." He only held her for a moment; otherwise, she'd start to dissipate.

The curse of belonging to a different pantheon. She only had brief windows of opportunity to see and converse with Apollo, something that drove both mad.

Rules are rules—even when they're stupid.

Apollo's lips curved. "Railing at the forced limitations doesn't make them go away and cuts into the brief time we have together." He withdrew a scroll and spread it open. "Pythia provided me with this…" He waved his hand over the parchment.

A couple appeared, their life unfolding on the page. Aleina Foyle and Alston Saddington fought their way through a war that ravaged their planet. Now they were part of the leading force that had to convince the population to leave their homes and take to the stars. The warfare decimated their home to the point it wouldn't recover.

Aurora tilted her head. "She's magnificent." Aleina had strength and faith that did little to curb her headstrong ways. "Has Pythia started planting the seeds yet?"

Apollo nodded. "With waking dreams and nightscape visions. It's going to take a toll on Aleina." He frowned, his poet's heart battling with his hunter's mind.

Aurora turned her attention to Alston. "He's an enigma. He doesn't believe in the pantheon but he has a wellspring of fortitude and a moral fiber that runs strong." She met Apollo's gaze. "Will he accept his role for what needs to be done to save humanity?" If he didn't, she'd have a very long wait to be with her love.

Apollo studied the scroll. "For her, yes. He'll resist and fight the current, but the prophecy indicates he'll carry through." He waved his hand over the vision and the parchment returned to normal.

Aurora sighed. "I wish I could be there when you bring Aleina over. It's not fair, these tiny openings in the veil never last long enough." Already, the pull to return to her side tugged at her.

Apollo gathered her close. "Patience, my love. We'll be together soon." He meshed his lips with hers, taking the kiss long and deep.

The moment ended when Pythia entered the grotto. "My dears, time is short. Aurora must return to her side or humanity's fate will come to an end." The oracle stood vigil over the rift in the veil. "The mists swirl and her path will obscure soon."

Aurora sent Pythia a grateful smile. "Thank you. For everything." Pythia's role in bringing the prophecy to light would always endear her to Aurora.

Taking one last lingering look at Apollo, Aurora made her way out of his grotto and slipped through the mists to her side of the veil. The plot set, the pieces in motion, she hoped the oracle's vision for saving humanity held true.

The goddess of the dawn would soon be chasing the moon away and seeking her light, the god of the sun. Aurora had the power to intervene and give humanity its last chance to get things right. But she'd need her poet hunter to balance the universe. Aleina had the strength to carry the burden of bringing the people together. Alston had the right mix of military bearing and political savvy to keep them on the path.

And the triggering event would take place soon to bring Aurora and Apollo together on the mortal coil.

What started out as a single standalone title has morphed into a trilogy. I'm not how that happened, but I'm running with it.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Dangerous Elements (a Lantern Jack tale)

I did get my vaccine this past Tuesday and only had mild side effects, for which I'm very grateful. I'm glad it's out of the way and look forward to everyone else getting theirs and finding a new normal.

Had another slower work week and caught up on more writing. It's nice to focus for longer periods when I'm able to. Had a few distractions involving family member health issues but both of those were expected.

Television ended up being fairly decent this week. I finished a new arc of Classic Who and it might be the last one with Sarah Jane Smith. I'm not sure but should find out this week.

Caught an episode of Peak Practice. Jack and Amanda finally got married and had some drama prior to the wedding.

Caught the last two episodes of No Offence's first season and, wow, what a great ending. A little twisty and turny but very satisfying. Also caught the deleted scenes and a behind the scenes meeting of the cast and creator. Worth the watch.

Watched a couple episodes of The Muppet Show. Again, I had some great memories of watching as a kid. I'm enjoying diving back into the show.

Started a new episode of Blue Heelers but haven't made it very far yet. Looks like a good episode so far.

Caught another episode of Silent Witness. Almost at the end of season nine. This looks like another good two-parter.

Did a binge marathon of Hawaii Five-0 and watched a good portion of season nine. I'll have to revisit because I missed some key points, but it's a decent season so far.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Dangerous Elements, a Lantern Jack tale featuring a shifter and a guardian.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Lantern Jack is back to right another wrong. The long-standing animosity between shifters and the human council comes to a dangerous head. Dahlia Derringer is next in line to rule the council and she's stepping into the role because a shifter almost took her father's life. Otto Orpheus leads the shifters and he's furious a rogue fox acted against his orders. Samhain is nigh and the shifters need to replenish their aura … if Otto can get Dahlia's permission to do so.

And a preview snippet…

Otto Orpheus stood outside the Derringer house, with an ugly jack-o-lantern on the porch, biting back anger and frustration. "How dare the council refuse entry to the sacred lands?" He crumpled the letter.

Were they trying to kill off the shifters?

He knocked, fully expecting a tense conversation with Dean Derringer, the head of the human council. Otto wanted a treaty, one that would allow access to the land throughout the year. If he had to concede to small numbers and having his people escorted throughout their visit, he'd do it. He'd do anything to get his clan healthy and whole again.

The door jerked open and Otto nearly swallowed his tongue when a vision of female loveliness greeted him. Tall and sensuous, she had legs for days but also glorious curves. He loved a woman with some hips. His eyes scanned upward and he almost fell in love with the gorgeous female … until he met her gaze—hard, furious, and unyielding. Dahlia Derringer had certainly grown up in the ten years since he'd seen her last.

She huffed out a breath. "What do you want?" Her chest heaved with indignation.

Otto showed her the letter. "To speak with Dean. He can't bar us from the sacred lands. He can't refuse—" His words were cut off when she shoved him on the shoulder.

Dahlia snarled. "He didn't, I did." She gave him another jab.

What the hell?

Otto shook his head. "Why? What's going on?" What on earth happened?

She stepped back, her mouth a thin slash across her face. "Leave. Now." She started to close the door.

He stuck his foot out to stop her.  "Hold up. What the hell is going on here?" He couldn't go anywhere until he got some answers.

Dahlia got pissed. "You dare show up when my father's life hangs in the balance? Demanding entry to sacred lands? No, I don't think so." She made another effort to slam the door.

Did I step into an alternate reality? What's going on here? He literally had zero clue what had her so furious. How did Dean's life hang in the balance? Her chest rose and fell with anger and her gaze, while glittering with rage, also held an underlying note of concern. She truly feared for her dad's life.

But he needed to secure entry to their sacred area. "Wait a minute. What happened to Dean? I haven't been informed of any of this."

She rolled her eyes. "Do you expect me to believe you? Really?" She turned and walked toward the hall.

Otto followed her but stayed close to the door. "I don't expect anything. I'm asking what's going on. If you refuse to answer, I can't address or defend whatever it is you think I've done wrong."

And for once he hadn't been plotting or planning anything.

I have such a good time writing the Lantern Jack tales. Otto and Dahlia are a fun couple to put on the page.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye 

Sunday Snippet: Lost in Translation (Crystal Shard Brotherhood)

Well, I think I get my vaccine this week. I'm actually rather excited they made it to my age range. I'll look forward to being able to be out and about more than I currently am.

Had a slower work week, which ended up being nice to get caught up on some writing and start some new projects that have been waiting in the wings. Also caught some television.

Ended up watching two arcs of Classic Who. I am in season fourteen and but I'm not halfway as I originally thought.

Caught two episodes of No Offence. I'm almost finished with the first season and it's getting really good. I'm thoroughly enjoying this show.

Watched the first part of Silent Witness and started the second. It's actually kind of a creepy episode.

Caught another episode of Peak Practice, which ended up being really good. I'm near the end of the second season and almost ready to start the third.

Started a new episode of Blue Heelers and it continues a bit from the previous episode. It's getting a little more into the personal lives of the characters.

Also watched several episodes of The Muppet Show. I'm having some seriously fun childhood flashbacks.

And that's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Lost in Translation, a Crystal Shard Brotherhood novella.

Here's the mini-blurb:

A body dumped outside a fortress. A scroll located in twelve different locations. A trap sprung. But the brethren are too smart to take the bait. Jackson Alexander and Jacey Durham have to turn the tables on the nemesis trying to dismantle the Crystal Shard Brotherhood.

And a preview snippet…

The scary look on Jacks's face didn't deter Jacey from trying to remember what happened.

She thought back, the twinge of pain less intense this time. "I got a phone call." She left out the encoded part for now, better to hold the information back until she knew more about Jacks. "Left to meet the driver."

She had a memory of walking to the lift, going down in the empty tram, and heading through the lobby of her building.

The bump on her head started to throb, but she continued. "I was early so I waited by the doors." Things got a little fuzzier after that. "The car pulled along the curb so I exited and went out to meet it." She frowned. "The driver usually gets out and opens the door, but he didn't this time." Why hadn't he? She wished the details weren't so murky in her head.

Jack showed an interest in that statement. "That the first time that's happened?"

Jacey shook her head. "No. But it's not common." Her hand rubbed absently along the bruised area on her head.

Jacks noticed. "You okay? We can stop if you need to."

He clearly didn't want to. Curiosity warred with concern on his face. With a dash of wariness.

Jacey shrugged off the fatigue. "No. I'm fine. But there's not much more I can tell you." She pushed her limits. "The door popped open from the inside and I entered…" Jacey frowned again. She got a little more—a flash of a face—but nothing clear. The visage got shoved aside by the memory of a stinging pinch on her arm.

Her eyes widened and her hand went to the spot on her bicep. "I was injected with something." But what?

Her eyes flew to Jacks. "I think I was drugged." Buy why? She didn't have a clue who would want to do something like that. Or why they'd want to then beat her and dump her outside the keep.

Her head ached and now her arm throbbed.

I'm excited about moving ahead on this series. I don't have all the books plotted out but I do have some good beats jotted down so I at least know where things are going.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Consortium of Chaos

Hello, March! It seems weird that a year ago next week, I went out with friends to celebrate birthdays and a week later we started the state shutdown. It's been both the longest and shortest time span between the two. I'm not sure that makes sense, but it's definitely how the last twelve months have been for me. LOL

My middle kiddo, who is actually a grown adult, ended up being admitted to the hospital on Monday. He's got some health issues going on and he's really tired of trips to urgent care, the ED, and various doctors. I'm hoping he eventually gets a solid diagnosis and starts to find some relief soon.

Had another fairly busy week with work. My projects have slowed down a little since last June, which is a blessing and a curse. I like having more time to hit some side projects but I also like to stay busy so I don't lose my groove.

Not a bad week for television. I caught a couple episodes of Silent Witness. Season nine started on such a downer but one of the things I love about British dramas is how they explore the journeys characters take. US television doesn't do that as often.

Watched another episode of No Offence. I'm still enjoying this show. I like the overreaching arc of a serial killer and the case of the week stuff also. Good show.

I caught another episode of Peak Practice. I'm almost finished with the second season and I'm looking forward to easing back into this show on a regular basis.

For fun, I started watching The Muppet Show series. I remember experiencing the original run with my two brothers. It was one show we all agreed on and watched together without fighting. Brings back good memories.

Caught a binge marathon of Hawaii Five-0 and I'm almost at the point where I stopped watching regularly. Not sure if seasons eight through the end will be on, but I'll try to finish out the series.

Finally, caught another arc of Classic Who and started season fourteen. I can't remember how many seasons the fourth doctor had, but I think I'm at the halfway point.

And that's pretty much it for this week. Tonight's post is from Consortium of Chaos, the opening book of the Chaos series, which has a bit of a steampunk flair.

Here's the mini-blurb:

A missing brother, a madman's sinister plot to make a perfect world, and a connection so strong it saves a life hundreds of miles away. Ashton Sylvester and Esme Von Staunton never have a dull moment.

And a preview snippet…

Ash smiled. "I can absolutely do that." And without using his attunement skill.

Other than an occasional emergency, like the warming calm, he rarely gave free rein to his ability.

His fingers plucked at the buttons of her vest, one of her ingenious inventions. The pockets held all sorts of odds and ends. He pushed the heavy fabric off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor.

Esme leaned in and Ash caught her lips, working the buttons of her shirt loose. His mouth dropped down, ghosting along her throat before stopping to nuzzle her collarbone. Esme moaned, low in her throat, and her hands busied themselves removing his jacket.

Ash helped and shrugged out of the coat, but kept his hands on Esme. He craved the contact, fingers gliding down her arms, sliding the thick cotton shirt along with them. It hung by the cuffs at her wrists and he trailed nibbling kisses along each arm before working the cuffs off her hands.

He skimmed his fingers along her sides, then slid the thin straps of her camisole over her shoulders. Esme's impatient fingers freed the buttons of his shirt and Ash dipped his head to snag her lips again. Her mind filled with need and he decided not to toy with her any longer. He tugged the ribbon in the center of her camisole, loosened the laces and spread the fabric to reveal her breasts.

Esme shivered, the cool air puckering the nipples. Ash cupped her breasts with the warmth of his hands and gently kneaded them. Hurried now, Esme shoved his shirt off his shoulders and dropped her hands to unfasten his trousers. Ash grinned. She always got in a rush when he wanted to slow things down.

He leaned in and whispered against her ear. "You're impatient, my love. We have all night." The pad of his thumb worried over a pebbled nipple.

Esme pushed his trousers past his hips and his cock sprang forward. "You're primed and ready, let's not waste time." Her hand wrapped around his length and applied firm pressure. Not enough to hurt, only to entice. "I want to stoke the fire while I can."

She loosened her pants, the ones Ash loved. He never cared how scandalized other got when she wore them. They hugged her curves and let his imagination run wild.

Esme tugged forward on his shaft and gave her hips a twist. The clinging fabric slid down her legs and pooled at her feet. She took his breath away.

The wanton look of her, chemise gaping open, breasts exposed, holding his cock in her hand, made him swell and harden. "Gads, Es. Stoke the fire much more and you won't achieve your goal for the evening."

She threw him a sly grin and kissed him hard on the mouth. "Oh, yes, Ash. I will." Her hands moved to his hips, drawing him closer.

He stepped out of his trousers, lifted her, and urged her legs to warp around his waist.

His cock nestled snug in the crease of her buttocks and her slippery wetness drenched his groin. "Mmm … you're very eager tonight, love." His hands moved to cup her ass. "Won't be able to make it last." His mouth met hers and he carried her to the bed.

He sat on the foot end of the mattress, Esme's hot center, heating his blood.

She broke the kiss and eased her head back. "Don't care if it's fast. I need you, Ash." She nudged him backward, planted her hands on his chest and lifted her hips.

Poised above his rigid shaft, her gaze held his, a myriad of emotions passing through her eyes. Desire. Need. Want. But most prominent … love. Ash understood her silent declaration and when he nodded Esme made a slow descent, enveloping his cock inch by inch.

She drew him in and held fast, squeezing her walls around his length. Ash moaned and lifted his head, crushing his mouth against hers. Esme rode him, slowly at first, but when his hands cupped her breasts, her hips rocked faster and harder, dragging them quickly to the edge of reason.

Esme broke the kiss, gasping for air, and tossed her head back. Her fingers curled into her palms and her hands pressed hard into his chest. Ash held on by a thread, wanting … needing her to break first.

Her hips twisted and he choked out a harsh breath. "God, Es. So close." He sucked in another breath and begged. "Come with me. Please." His thumbs brushed over her nipples and Esme tensed then shuddered, an orgasm rocking through her.

A little steamy but this scene came together better than I'd hoped. Esme and Ash are a joy to write.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye