Sunday Snippet: Place of Honor

Had a much calmer week and got caught up on almost everything—including laundry. I can honestly say that hasn't happened for a long time. Multiple work projects are churning along and I'm also getting some writing and creative endeavors accomplished. I've been sleeping a lot better and I'm pretty sure that's playing a big role in lighting the spark.

Or the planets are aligned in a specific pattern and helping me along. Either is possible.

Had a semi-decent viewing week. I got two MasterClass with Roxane Gay lessons viewed and I really like listening to her. She's got some terrific things to say.

Finished up the first season of the Babysitter's Club and thoroughly enjoyed watching. I'm glad there's another season to dive into.

Caught another episode of the Ready Room. Ethan Peck had some great things to say about playing Spock and I'm excited to see him on the new Trek.

Watched two episodes of Chicago Med and hope to finish watching a crossover episode to find out what happens.

Enjoyed another episode of The Snoopy Show. I think I have one more for the first season and then I'll start on the second.

Finished Signora Volpe and loved the first season. I really hope there's more of this show. If not, at least I like where they left things.

Watched the beginning of a Silent Witness two-parter. Loved the setup on this one. Looking forward to finishing up the second half.

Started season twenty-five of Classic Who. The daleks are back and we'll see how things play out in this arc.

Caught another episode of Most Terrifying Places in America. Weirdly, I'm not horrified by any of those locations after this week. Living in my own house is scary at the moment.

Watched another episode of The Mandalorian. I loved this one. Smart heroes make me happy and Mando is very smart. I also enjoyed a few laugh out loud moments and that's a bonus.

Harrow had an interesting episode and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it yet. I hate that Harrow has been betraying Nichols and it's going to bite him on the ass. I really like the growth they've had over the past two seasons and I'm not going to be thrilled if they trash that.

Caught another episode of Blue Heelers and finished up a two-parter. I liked the conclusion and the way they resolved the hostage situation.

Also enjoyed two more episodes of Classic Rugrats, both had moments I'd forgotten and I loved catching little details.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Place of Honor, a paranormal romance that sends the characters in opposite directions for a while.

Here's the mini-blurb:

A band of bounty hunters go after urban legends, bagging, tagging, and removing the threat from cities, towns, villages, and sprawling rural landscapes. Wiley Star has a score to settle and Hex Harrigan can't deny her quest for vengeance—but when Wiley lands on the wrong end of a double cross, it's up to Hex to track her whereabouts and save the day, which proves difficult because his personal feelings keep getting in the way.

And a preview snippet…

Two days later and his lips still tingled from Wiley's parting kiss. "How can something that barely lasted three seconds linger so long?" Maybe because she'd packed a heavy promise in that brief window of time.

They could have a future … if she didn't let the past pull her under.

Hex sighed. "Vengeance can cut both ways, Wiley. You never remember that." Then again, he didn't have a sibling who'd had his back when it mattered.

Vella Star might have been the younger sister, but she took on the role of protector and put herself in harm's way to safeguard Wiley after she stirred up a nest of trouble with the Reavers. Finding Vella sprawled on the side of the road, dead, sent Wiley into a tailspin. She immediately wanted every Reaver on a pike.

Hex shook his head. "Except they didn't claim responsibility." They usually left their calling card in plain sight for everyone to see.

Reputations and cred were prime commodities on the street, especially when competition turned fierce.

Drumming his fingers on the table, he mentally sifted through what they had on Vella's grisly death. She'd been beaten. Probably abused and violated. Strangulation ended her life.

But … she hadn't been marked by a blade or ink. Her face hadn't been touched, meaning all the damage had been from her throat down to her toes. The Reavers being behind the killing didn't make sense. Their MO to date included some kind of branding—either by a knife or an iron. The keepers—men and women trafficked into servitude—were tatted up with ownership clearly laid out in bold black ink.

Hex got up and paced back and forth. "I don't like this. Don't like it all." He didn't trust the intel.

"You don't like what?" Jace Savitch pushed away from the door jamb and entered the office. "The hole you're wearing in the floor?"

Hex narrowed his gaze. "I'm not wearing anything in the floor. I think better on my feet." He paused then sat back down. "But not right now."

Jace turned a chair around and settled onto it. "Look, Seth's coming in soon for night watch. Let's go patrol for a while. Maybe you'll uncover some new leads." His lips quirked. "Or kick some ass. Ass-kicking can help you think, too."

Hex snorted. "That's not a bad idea." He met Jace's gaze. "You're cool with being out late? Mona's not gonna chew you out for not being home?" He wouldn't step on toes if he could help it.

But patrolling might give him the outlet he needed to work through his unease. And Jace would keep him in check. His day watch leader read Hex's moods well. Especially considering Hex didn't have to explain what had his gut twisted in knots. Jace caught the lowdown the vibe in the room.

Jace shook his head. "Nah, man. Mona's spending the next three weeks working a couple of ren faires. Said she'd make contact if she hustled any information out of anybody." He stood up. "Gonna get Meat to cover for me in the morning. We can hunt all night if you want."

Hex got to his feet. "That's a plan. Meet me at Monk's Tavern when you're ready. I've got an informant that could use a shake-up."

Jace gave a two-fingered salute and left to find Mike Brandish—Meat. Hex stocked up on a few tricks of the trade and made his way through the clubhouse. Most of the hunters greeted him with head nods or chin lifts. No one asked him about Wiley or the Reavers. Hex had no doubt Jace and his counterpart on night watch, Seth Montgomery, had a hand in keeping the others in check.

Once outside, Hex breathed a little easier. The place seemed too quiet, especially when the others were keeping their mouths shut about Wiley's absence. Hell, Wiley lit the place up on a regular basis, stirring shit up to keep things interesting.

Swinging a leg over his motorcycle, he owned how much he liked having her be a huge pain in his ass.

Then he hoped like mad he'd get to have that experience again…

This story goes a little darker than usual for me. Wiley and Hex are very clear on how they want things to play out and I'm settling in for the ride.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye