Sunday Snippet: Raid at Midnight (an Under the Black Raven Banner novella)

Welcome to spooky month! October is one of my favorite months, even if it means holiday season is hiding around the corner. So far, we've had some fall-like weather and that's making me very joyful right now.

Had a semi-decent viewing week. Work projects are ongoing and I needed some quiet time to focus on those. But I made a full circuit of my standard streaming schedule.

Once again, Ted Lasso delivered a full-on episode. I'm nervously awaiting the moment when Rebecca reveals why she really hired Ted and dying to see the fallout. Keeley rules at being a mess but not staying that way. I love how she's absolutely not afraid of Rebecca because it never occurred to her to be so. This show. It's so good.

I tried to watch the behind the scenes feature for Brokenwood Mysteries but couldn't seem to get it to play. I'll try again this week.

Started a new show and watched the first episode of Suspects. So far, I'm hooked. I enjoyed the characters and watching the case unfold.

Finished up the second half of Silent Witness and liked the twist the episode took. I kind of thought I had the right killer but the history part I didn't quite see coming.

Caught another episode of Classic Who. I'm ready for the Doctor's reunion with Leftbridge-Stewart. I'll be disappointed if it doesn't happen in the next installment.

Watched another episode of Strangest Things. This one featured the enigma machine and delved into the history of how the encryption finally got cracked.

Finished the first season of The Book of Boba Fett and I have to say, I ended up loving this show! I hope there's another season.

Enjoyed another episode of Only Murders in the Building. What a mess Oliver and Mabel got into. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Started season nine of Peak Practice. Gotta say Andrew kind of annoys me when he darts off to figure himself out. I guess it's something of a character trait with him. Loved how Joanna and Sam held the line and got through the ordeal of having their patients down with an unknown virus.

Caught another MasterClass lesson with Roxane Gay. She focused on getting published and what to expect from the traditional side of publishing and also delved a little into the small, independent presses and self-publishing. Good information.

The Umbrella Academy had a stellar episode. Pieces are falling into place and plots mixed with subplots are popping up. Allison's concern about Leonard is definitely warranted and I'm very interested in what Vanya's power is. I loved the interactions with Five and Luthor and Klaus and Diego and, of course, the standoff with ChiChi and Hazel ended up being terrific. This show is amazing.

Started season three of Star Trek: Discovery. Gotta say I'm kind of blown away. Can't wait to have Michael back with her crew and hopefully with the addition of a few more members. Excellent premiere!

Finished off the week with Batman: The Animated Series and got another episode without a feature rogue's gallery villain. I really enjoy the slice of life ones.

I'm also in the midst of watching more Resisting Roots, a Passionflix original. I might have it finished up this week, but I won't make any promises.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Raid at Midnight, an Under the Black Raven Banner novella.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Verity Jones joins an elite group of civilian protectors in a battle-torn land. She's the daughter of an ace fighter pilot who tore up the skies in the first epic war. Emory Cavendish is the lead pilot and his crew pulls off amazing feats, largely thanks to Verity, which drives their commanding officer mad to the point of putting Verity in danger.

And a preview snippet…

The next day, Verity spotted Emory when he entered the hangar and went to the communication room. She wiped her hands and made her way over then knocked on the jamb.

He glanced up. "Verity, what can I do for you?" He dropped a folder on the desk and propped his hip on the side.

Verity moved into the space. "I don't like the sound of one of the birds." Her stomach clenched a little but she soldiered on. "I need to take it up to really get a feel for what's wrong." Probably an impossible request, but she had to try.

Emory's eyes widened. "Wait. You're a pilot?" He straightened and moved away from the desk.

She shrugged. "Since age fourteen. Learned to fly before I learned to build planes." Something her dad said would make her a better mechanic.

Emory didn't take more than a second to ponder her request. "Whitcomb will hate it, but let's go." He moved past her into the hangar.

Thrilled, Verity couldn't believe her luck. She loved flying. And Emory didn't seem fazed when she pointed out which plane sounded off. He opened the big doors and motioned for her to get inside the plane and move it out to the runway strip. She slowly maneuvered the bird out onto the grass landing area and followed Emory's motions until he gave her the all clear to take off.

Once airborne, she made several circular passes of the estate, altering her trajectory and altitude. And she figured out the problem—the throttle needed an adjustment. She landed just as the sun started sinking low in the sky and moved the plane back inside the hangar. Once she had the helmet off, she sucked in a breath. Whitcomb had fire coming out of his ears, shaking his fist at Emory.

By the time she finished a post-flight check, Emory stood waiting at the bottom of the short set of steps with the colonel by his side.

She handed him the helmet. "The throttle needs an adjust—"

Whitcomb cut her off. "You are not authorized to fly my aircraft. I won't have you ever doing it again. Women do not belong in the cockpit." His face all but boiled in a raging shade of red.

Verity stood her ground. "Understood. If I may make one point. I didn't want to put any of your pilots at risk when I couldn't figure out what was wrong. Going up myself only put my life in danger." And, of course, the plane, but Whitcomb would be complete ass to argue that fact.

The colonel opened his mouth then snapped it shut and stormed off.

Emory gave her props. "Took guts to put the CO in his place." His lips curved in a half-smile.

Verity basked in the praise. "Thank you. For letting me take her up." She glanced around.

An empty hangar meant she could show her appreciation. Throwing caution to the wind, she wrapped her arms around him and planted her mouth against his.

Emory surprised her by taking the kiss deeper and cupping her ass in his hands.

She eased away and tempted fate a little more. "Can we maybe move this encounter to my quarters?" She wouldn't do anything to put his position in jeopardy.

Emory grinned. "Are you sure? Because I can't think of anything else I'd rather do."

She gave an emphatic nod and Emory grabbed her hand and headed for the exit.

This series is finally coming together and I'm excited to finish everything up and launch it into the bookosphere.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye