Sunday Snippet: Nothing Special

Getting a late start to my day because my sleep schedule is out of whack. This has affected my great cleanout project, and I'm still determined to get back on track and at least do small things each day. Stay tuned!

On a different note, I did get about ten pounds of ground beef cooked and in the freezer. Also got three bags of grapes cleaned and in the fridge. So, the cleanout project took a back burner, but I did get other things done.

Work is still busy with new projects coming in and I'm enjoying the variety of things I have right now. I've also been able to do some catchup on my own stuff. I've been striving for better balance between my editing work and my writing.

Had a solid viewing week and made a full round of my regular shows and my two back burner shows. I'll be starting a new one this week, I think. Looking forward to picking up with a new season of something.

Started the week with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and enjoyed the episode and getting some Dr. Mac backstory.

Think I finished up the first season of Art Detectives. I really enjoyed this show and hope to see another season. They left enough seeds to pick up if they get one.

Caught another episode of Death in Paradise and ended up really loving the mystery. Not a standard path and the twists were good.

Enjoyed another episode of Poirot. It's one I'd seen most of before and I remembered most of the plot. Good episode.

Watched an episode of Elementary. Gotta say I love Joan being totally unafraid of the elder Holmes. Their interactions were very fun. And her getting the goods on him rocked the entire episode.

Caught an episode of Batman Beyond. It's one I remembered but forgot about. Does that make sense. Great episode too.

Enjoyed an episode of Lower Decks. This show is kind of wonky but usually adorable. Just enough tongue in cheek to keep things interesting and fresh.

Watched the opening of Peak Practice season eleven. Sam is on a precarious journey, and I think his exit is set up nicely. Not really sure about Will and Kate. I'm not really interested in them becoming the new Andrew and whatever his partner's name is.

Also caught another episode of Reacher. Man. This show. If I ever find the time, I want to do a deep dive and dig into some of the themes and tropes I love.

And that's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Nothing Special, a novella where the characters edge closer to something that is special.

Here's the miniblurb:

Masha Tuck and Ryce Reynoldson work tirelessly around the winter solstice to help provide a meaningful celebration to their fae and non-fae neighbors. Masha uncovers the perfect gift for Ryce—just a book, nothing special—but if she gives it to him, it'll add depth to their weird relationship and she's not sure she's ready for them to be a thing.

And a preview snippet…

While Ryce stood gazing out the window in the kitchen, Masha gathered the plates and carried them to the sink. "What are you looking at?" She stood beside him.

He cocked his head and leaned forward a little, trying to get a better look outside. "Making sure the world didn't implode." He slid his gaze sideways. "It didn't." He used a deadpan tone, but his eyes were filled with humor.

She laughed. "Okay. I deserved that." She lifted her chin. "So … what's next in the grand having a moment deal?" Enjoying the evening, she threw the question out there.

Ryce's eyebrows arched. "Wine in front of the fire?" He nodded toward a full-bodied semisweet red sitting on his counter.

"Uh…" She hesitated.

Because she'd love to chill out and relax but the weather could turn nasty. Which meant they'd be needed.

He paused while reaching for the bottle. "Unless you have plans?" He started to withdraw his hand.

She snorted. "As if. I'm more worried about the weather. If it rains and the temperature drops like it's supposed to, we might have an icy mess to deal with." Then again, when didn't they have some kind of chaos on their hands. "You know what? Ignore that last comment. There's always something, right?"

He grunted. "Too true." He retrieved the wine and grabbed two stemless glasses.

She followed him into the living room where he had a fire banked already. He added a log and poked at the glowing embers. After they got settled, he poured the heady liquid and handed her a glass.

Easing back against the cushions, he angled toward her. "You didn't comment on dessert…"

Masha flashed a small smile. "I honestly don't have words. It reminded me so much of when my gram used to make it. One of the good moments I try to hold on to." She met his gaze. "Thank you for that trip down memory lane." She waited a beat before softly adding, "Almost as lovely as the brooch." Sliding it out of her pocket, she fingered the jewelry.

Ryce swallowed a sip of his wine. "I'm glad you like it. There were two. The moonstone and a quartz." He set his glass on the table.

Masha circled the crystal with her thumb. "What made you pick the moonstone?" A perfect option … she had an affinity for the faceted colors of the gem.

Ryce's lips quirked. "It symbolizes growth and balance. I don't know anyone as measured as you are. You seem to be everywhere at once yet you don't make anyone feel rushed."

Masha basked a little. "It helps that you're always there." She drew her lower lip between her teeth. "And I feel like I'm back on wobbly ground again." But the idea didn't unsettle her the way she expected it to.

Ryce chuckled. "It's good to be appreciated … even when it's for having a strong back or hot sex."

Masha sheepishly shrugged. "It's honestly more than that, which is the part I don't know what to do with."

Masha and Ryce are weighed down by their work and constantly pulled in a lot of different directions. Writing this scene ended up being a lot of fun.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Nothing but the Truth

It's very sauna-like outside with muggy weather and lots of humidity. Makes me want a pool in a big way. Went down a big rabbit hole researching what's available that won't break the bank and discovered some genius ideas. It won't happen this summer, but I have a new goal for next summer!

Hit a wall on my great cleanout project. But I'm determined to get back on it this week. Even if I only get a little done each day it's something. I'm thinking I might make a chart and log increments of time spent. If I see the forward progress it helps.

Ended up having a super busy work week. Several projects came back at the same time and a new one started. It's been a plate-spinning couple of months with so many different things stacking up against each other. I love the variety and I think that helps keep me from losing my mind.

I did end up having a great viewing week. I did a full round of shows and got to include the two I tend to keep on the back burner when things are jammed.

Started with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. I'm almost through the first season and this is total comfort viewing.

Watched another episode of Art Detectives and I'm really enjoying this show. Shazia is a lot of fun and the mystery with Mick's dad is intriguing. Looking forward to more.

Caught an episode of Death in Paradise. Love to see Selwyn with his daughter. The mystery ended up being excellent and the resolution had a nice twist.

Enjoyed another episode of Poirot. I'm kind of fond of the episodes that don't have murders. This one was kind of madcap and that's always fun.

Watched the season four premiere of Elementary. Watson being ready to kick the shit out of the Holmes patriarch is awesome. I loved her interaction with one of the stooges. And the first glimpse of Holmes the Great? So incredible. Excellent choice of actor to play him. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Caught another episode of Batman Beyond. It's one I remembered, and I enjoyed it. Terry and Max are a great team.

Enjoyed another episode of Lower Decks and definitely plan to stick with this one. Even when I'm annoyed by some of the character bits, it's a fun watch.

Got to get the season ten finale of Peak Practice viewed. Interesting to have Kate back, especially since Will is kind of ready to move on. The vehicle accident played out with lots of tension and the two little girls with Tom ended up being better than I thought it would be.

Last but not least, I got to watch another episode of Reacher. This show, man. It's so good. And that ending. Wow. Reacher's big feet keep stepping in steaming piles. Just saying.

And that's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Nothing but the Truth, a novella where the characters decide honesty is the best policy.

Here's the miniblurb:

Lexa Chan and Quint Maximoff work the seedy underworld of supernatural bounty hunting. Lexa's got a tough as nails reputation and she competes with Quint's larger than life persona. The Halfway, a bar catering to supernatural and mortal beings, is neutral ground where Lexa and Quint form an interesting relationship.

And a preview snippet…

Lexa rode a wave of bliss. There's sex and then there's S-E-X in all caps. Being with Quint definitely deserved the second option.

She might have to face another hard truth soon. Quint would be hard to beat when it came to physical and intimate relations. Her nerve endings all but hummed with satisfaction and she hadn't hit her peak yet.

She crested the rise, though. "Unf. So good." She kept one hand on his shoulder and the other planted on his chest.

Her breath came out in short, raspy bursts. Quint's fingers grasped her thighs, and she welcomed the burn of his skin against hers. With one palm he skimmed her torso and reached up to cup a breast. When his thumb brushed over her nipple, the sensation went straight to her core and her hips jerked harder and faster.

She lifted her head and met his gaze. "Come with me, Quint." Her inner walls tightened around his hard length, and she toppled over the edge.

Quint let out a low moan and followed behind her. His thighs went taut, and air hissed out between his teeth. When she collapsed down to her elbows, he wrapped his arms around her and meshed his lips with hers.

When the feeling returned to her limbs, she eased back and rested her forehead against his. "Full truth? That was amazing." Sliding off to one side, she curled up against him, biting back a yawn.

Quint eyed the bed. "We could use some shut-eye." He slowly got to his feet and held a hand out to her.

Lexa didn't hesitate. She clasped his palm and crossed the room with him. Crawling up onto the mattress, she tugged him down beside her. He stretched out on his side, his gaze slowly traveling over her nude form. His turn to view her myriads of scars. He lingered on each imperfection almost with reverence. She didn't shy away from being viewed. He understood the toll battle took on the physical being.

Which meant … he also had a good idea how many wounds went unseen. The ones that marred the psyche instead of the body. Something shifted inside Lexa. A crack opened and she couldn't close it back up if she tried.

And … oddly … for once she didn't want to.

I like writing quiet moments between characters and ending on one for this scene ended up working so well.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

 

Sunday Snippet: Not on the Same Page

It's the weekend of trying to keep my doggos from losing their minds. I love fireworks, don't get me wrong, but I feel for all the pets out there that freak out over them.

I continued with the great cleanout stuff this week. Honestly, I did more organizing than cleaning but being organized helps make cleaning and clearing a little easier.

I'm finally at a manageable level of projects. I have a few odds and ends to finish on a couple of them but they're with the authors or the designer and I'm waiting in the wings to review revisions.

Had another decent viewing week. Having a lighter workload does help. And I'm not as scattered on the attention span side of things.

Started out with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. I'm finding new things in the episodes, which is one of the reasons I love to rewatch a series I've seen before.

Watched another episode of Art Detectives and I'm enjoying this show. I'm very interested in the backstory of Mack's dad. I'm also hoping for more backstory with his partner.

Caught another episode of Death in Paradise. Good to see the commissioner's daughter again. The mystery also ended up being intriguing.

Enjoyed another episode of Poirot. Very fun to not have a big murder to solve and see how Poirot uses his skill to ferret out what's going on.

Watched another episode of Elementary and, wow, season three ended on a big downer. I'm still trying to decide if Sherlock ended up relapsing or if he's just horribly distraught from Oscar's machinations. Oscar needs to die in a fire. Just saying.

Caught another episode of Batman Beyond and it's one I remembered. Loved the spin on an urban legend that had a grain of truth in it.

Started a new to me series with The Lower Decks. Enjoyed the first episode and ended up being happy I clocked the relationship between the captain and the know-it-all crew member. I'll enjoy watching more of this one.

Ended the week on an episode of Peak Practice. A lot going on in this one. And the tragic leap Will's patient made kind of surprised me. Kerry finding out the truth about her parentage kind of bummed me out, but I'm also seriously irritated by her parents being such ninnies about the whole thing. Definitely feel bad for Sam.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Not on the Same Page, a novella that explores how a couple works through differing viewpoints.

Here's the miniblurb:

Irini Domaine loves Nathair Sofen but marries another to fulfill a familial obligation. When she suggests carrying on the relationship with Nathair he coldly refuses, which makes Irini vow to slowly but surely convince him otherwise and unknown to her, her life may depend on the connection with Nathair.

And a preview snippet…

Irini waited a full month before seeking Nathair out.

Standing on the threshold to his cottage, she inhaled deeply. "Nothing to fear from him. Once I explain, he'll get why I did what did." He had to.

Raising her hand, she let out a small gasp when the door opened before she could knock.

Nathair greeted her with a cool gaze. "What do you want, Iri?" His tone bordered on glacial.

Determined to make him understand, she brushed past him. "I want you. I always will." She turned to face him. "And I need you to know that and so much more." They could still be together if they wanted to.

And she definitely desired him above all else.

Nathair swung the door closed. "So much more? As in you married Norj so your father could save face?" He casually strolled through the living room to stand by the fireplace. "Let him sell you to the highest bidder so his good name wouldn't be tarnished?" His gaze clashed with hers. "Is that the so much more you need to share?" He folded his arms over his chest.

Irini blinked. "How did you … no, there's more to it than the family name and money." She raked her hand through her hair. "He made a blood vow. If I didn't honor it, he'd be stripped of his magick and cast out." She'd saved him from that … but at a high cost.

Her father lost his daughter in the process. She hadn't seen or spoken to him since her marriage. And she had no plans to do so in the future.

Nathair made a garbled choking sound. "Your dad used you as the tithe? Geez, Iri. It's been over a century since anyone used another person as the payment for a blood vow." Disbelief filled his voice.

Irini snorted. "Yeah, well, his desperation made him reckless, and he took the only avenue open to a founding family with no money in the coffer." She shrugged. "But that doesn't mean I have to play by his rules. As a matter of fact, I don't intend to." A little nervous, she paced back and forth. "I did what he required, and I'm done. I haven't seen or spoken to him since the wedding." That had to count for something.

Nathair's brow furrowed. "And what? How does that make any kind of difference. You're still married."

She drew her lower lip between her teeth for a moment. "I don't care." She edged closer to him. "I didn't ask to be bartered against my dad's debts. I shouldn't have to play by his or anyone else's rules." Her fingers clasped his shirt and twisted in the fabric.

Nathair lips flattened. "You started playing by their rules the moment you accepted the proposal." His eyes flared … but not with anger.

Want and need resided in his depths.

She leaned in closer. "Maybe. But I don't have to continue…" And she wouldn't … if Nathair would fall in with her plan.

He cocked his head to one side. "You don't? How do you see that working out?"

Her mouth hovered over his. "Like this…" She embraced him with every pent-up desire she had…

And never wanted to let him go.

This story gets a little twisted and I'm very happy with the way it's coming together.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye