Sunday Snippet: Mister Mysterious

May the Fourth be with anyone who celebrates! And, wow, a shiny new month that's off to a wild start so far. Our weather has been crazy intense with loads of rain. My daughter graduated with a master's in arts administration, and I unfortunately had to miss due to being under the weather. But I'm so proud of her!

Work projects kept me very busy. I'm getting to a finishing point on one that's been difficult to get through and I have a new one getting ready to start. The weather has been wreaking havoc on productivity because the possibility of losing power is a constant concern.

I did have a decent week of viewing and made a full run through my regular slate of shows. I started a movie but didn't have time to finish it.

I caught an episode of Dark Winds and I'm still intrigued by everything that's happening in this show. I love that the FBI agent's cover is blown by episode two and I can't wait to see what happens with the fallout from that.

Also watched another episode of Brokenwood Mysteries. This is truly one of my happy place shows. I'm rather curious about whether Gina is still rooming with Kristin or not and if not, what happened there.

Enjoyed another episode of Death in Paradise. Very curious where things might go with the Sophie and Neville thing and also where the whole last prepper standing thing will end up going since he's watching Neville.

Loved the season two finale of Beyond Paradise. Humphrey and Martha are so much fun, and the surrounding cast of characters is so good. I'm not always sure about Anne, but she's growing on me.

Caught another episode of Elementary and rather enjoyed Sherlock's attempt at taking care of Joan. And her solution to having her own space is genius.

Watched an episode of Batman Beyond with the beginning of season two. Ended up remembering most of this one. This is such a good follow up to the original series.

Enjoyed another episode of Classic Rugrats. I have some vague memories of both vignettes, which is so weird because most of the ninth season is new to me.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Mister Mysterious, a novella that gives a couple a second change to right an old wrong.

Here's the miniblurb:

Marlow Spence loses her sister to a sinister spellbinder who believes the siblings have the power to control dreams. When Tharn Oliver shows up on her doorstep, there can be only one reason—Leo Tolstoy is back and he wants Marlow.

And a preview snippet…

After tossing and turning for an hour, Tharn spent a sleepless night studying the cluster of gifts Marlow had received. "Better than strolling down memory lane…" Which would not end well with her in such close proximity.

Stop thinking with your dick, dumbass.

Right. Because that would not happen. They had their chance and acting on their attraction stole the future from them.

He clenched his fist. "Not this time." Tolstoy wouldn't get the chance to ruin Marlow's hard-won recovery.

Even if she existed in solitude never letting anyone get too close.

Not that he blamed her. And he respected the fact she continued to work and carve out a life for herself … even if she had to be lonely. The conscious choice she'd made worked for her.

He leaned his head on the back of the couch. "Wish I could say the same." But he really couldn't.

He moved through life always reaching for something that eluded him. The thing he almost had the night Charlotte died. A contentment lasting in a small window of time before his future ended up dashed and dead against a rocky cliff.

Because even after so much time had passed … and especially after coming here tonight … he finally figured out what his life had been missing.

"Marlow's it for me." No one else could fill the void in his heart.

Seeing her brought the wild attraction back, but in a way tempered by the events of that night. All that transpired since then added depth to the longing for what could have been. And served as a stark contrast to the reality he lived.

"Is she really happy? Or is she marking time like I am?"

The answer to that question might prove to be as elusive as what he truly wanted …

Her love.

She would hate having him in her space … a constant reminder of what she lost. But he wouldn't walk away … not yet. When she no longer had to look over her shoulder, he'd get out of her way, and she could live her life…

Without him.

This is such a moody manuscript and I kind of love it. Tharn and Marlow have a road they have to travel together and it's fun writing their journey.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye