Sunday Snippet: Quelling Hunger

Happy Solstice season! I did start to get in the spirit last week and I'm kind of feeling better about things in general. We're very low-key for holiday celebrations anyway. The good news is because I finally got some shopping done, I had to do a cleanout of my space, which is a very good thing. Got those urges started again and I also did more clearing and decluttering in other areas. Yay!

Ohio is still trying to figure out what it wants to do with the weather. We got a little more snow and a bunch of rain then plummeting temps. Thankfully, we also had a ton of wind before the drop, so we didn't have icy conditions. Whew!

Had a decent work week. I finished up some last-minute changes on a proofread, completed a copy edit, and had a client meeting over Zoom. I'm getting into some deep edits on the memoir and getting ready to start a new proofread and developmental edit over the holiday break.

I had an okay viewing week. I didn't make it through the bulk of my shows, but I'm kind of needing a brief break. I'm changing things up a little for the holiday season.

I did start over with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and enjoyed the rewatch. There aren't many episodes left before I'll be moving on to a new show.

I also got a partial episode of Foyle's War in. Since this season's episodes run a little longer, I might break them up into two parts. The Americans have finally arrived in England and it's going about as good as can be expected … which isn't great.

I started a new season of Silent Witness and part one ended up being very interesting. I really wish we got a little more info on where the other characters ended up going. Jack's niece in particular. The new head of the Lylle is kind of different and I like that. And it's always good to see Sean Pertwee show up in any show.

Watched another episode of Poirot and enjoyed the intrigue. Also fun to see super young actors that have gone on to starring roles in their own series. In a weird twist of fate, the actor playing Japp had a guest starring role in the episode of Foyle's War.

Also did a minimarathon of the holiday episodes of Death in Paradise. Both featured Neville. I might dive back into the new inspector's episode this week.

I also plan to watch Madame Blanc's holiday special this week. Stay tuned for more on that one.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Quelling Hunger, a novella about a couple trying to keep the peace during a crisis.

Here's the miniblurb:

When a storm destroys the food warehouses in the city, Rita Steed and Fletch Lancaster are tasked with keeping the peace while half-rations are necessary until the rooftop gardens can produce more crops. Heading up the sector patrol, neither is certain they can maintain the status quo when quelling hunger seems to be impossible.

And a preview snippet…

Rita paced back and forth, waiting on Fletch to return from the briefing. "I know he's gonna bring bad news. It's stupid to add another holding facility unless something's wrong." Her heart sank when she thought about more trouble.

Fletch entered their space. "Well … you were partially right." He heaved a sigh. "They're not cutting rations again but they're anticipating more conflict because there will be a slight delay in the harvest." He raked a hand through his hair. "No, it's not really a delay. More like the processing time is going to be longer than they thought." Sinking down onto the futon, he kicked his feet out.

Rita plopped down beside him. "So, the new holding center is to hold more people who just want to eat?" She shook her head. "Actually, maybe that is the route to go. If they're inside, they'll be served their share of food and can't hurt anyone or wreak havoc anymore." Damn … didn't make their job any easier though.

Fletch snorted. "That seems to be the prevailing thought. The one piece of good news is they've brought more field officers on board. At least temporarily." He met her gaze. "You and I? We've got two days of training them in between callouts." He held up a hand when she got ready to protest. "Yeah, not great news but…" He patted his lap. "We have the rest of today off." Grasping her hand, he tugged her over to straddle his thighs.

Rita leaned in close to him. "How did you manage that?" Her lips grazed the column of his throat.

Fletch grunted. "Told them they needed a day in the field, so they understand what's going on." His hands cupped her ass. "And if they didn't take my suggestion, they would be adding combat pay to our weekly salary."

Rita made a low humming sound. "Not that I'd turn down more wages, but your solution is better." She rocked against him. "Having a full day to rest … and do whatever…" Working her hands between them, she lifted the hem of his shirt upward. "Sounds really great right now." A brief respite from the chaos outside.

Fletch grabbed the collar of his shirt and yanked it over his head. "Thought you might appreciate my genius there." His fingers worked the button of her pants lose.

Rita pulled her shirt over her head and slid back to drop her fatigues. "You'd be right about that." She reached forward and helped Fletch get out of his pants.

Then she dropped to her knees and swiped her tongue over his cock.

Fletch thrust his fingers into her hair. "I aim to please." He groaned when she drew most of the length into her mouth before pulling back again.

Rita glanced up to meet his gaze. "Yes, you do. And so do I…"

I like writing this one because there are variations on the title theme. Rita and Fletch are a fun couple even if they're living through a dark time.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Quell the Boom

Yeesh. We're already halfway through the month and I have barely scratched the surface on holiday stuff. In all fairness, I'm not really feeling it this year. There's just too much terrible going on from mass shootings to the kidnapping of people off the streets. Good will toward man doesn't seem to be a thing anymore … unless it's a specific type of man.

Ohio is super cold and snowy right now. We got about six inches last night and the temperature plummeted down to single digits. It's in the teens at the moment. Won't last long. We're supposed to be in the mid-fifties by Thursday. Seriously.

Work projects are moving along. I'm finishing up a proofread and working on a copy edit. I have another new project getting ready to start soon and another copy edit coming next week. I also have the memoir that I'm reviewing as the author makes changes.

I got a few of my regular shows watched this week. I'm still in a blah place and haven't been able to dedicate the time to viewing. I did get a good bit of my mountain of laundry completed, which is a huge accomplishment. I have a new hanging rack I want to get set up but can't until I get the backlog of clothes cleared.

I did finish up Foyle's War and will be starting a new season this week. The next one only has two episodes, which means they might be a little longer. If that's the case, I might be breaking the episodes into two chunks.

I also got the season finale of Beyond Paradise in. I wanted to get it watched before the holiday special and I got it done. Really hope there's some good stuff around the corner for Esther and Archie. My fingers are crossed. Also … Martha and Humphrey are really great foster parents. It hurts my heart every time they send one of their fosters back.

In an odd twist, I caught a holiday episode of Poirot. Thoroughly enjoyed the mystery even without Hastings and Miss Lemon or Inspector Japp. Gotta say the Egyptian prince being a complete prat ended up being fun to watch. I would not have blamed Poirot if he lost his calm and thwacked that guy on the head.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Quell the Boom, a novella that brings a couple together when they have to catch a mad bomber.

Here's the miniblurb:

Quinna Joltz and Efran Pendragon, experts in diffusing magical bombs, tend to let their rivalry take center stage, but when an unbalanced wizard plants devices that can bring down their entire city, they agree to work together. The adrenaline-filled race finally gives them some perspective and a little bit of common ground to share.

And a preview snippet…

Efran Pendragon did a slow walk around the hex bomb suspended from the ceiling joists of the old barn. "Tricky son of a bitch." And way harder to assess than the previous two explosive devices he'd diffused earlier this month.

Folding his arms across his chest, he stared upward. No way to tell if levitating would trigger the device. And no way to tell if there were any trip-wire spells surrounding the bomb. If he tried to cut it down to see if he could diffuse on the ground, it could blow up, taking him and the barn with it.

Exhaling on a hard breath, he ran multiple simulations through his brain, trying to envision the safest way to handle the situation. "Gonna be a two or three step process." A possible solution settled on the edge of his mind.

He brought the idea into focus, carefully examining the pros and cons of each move. First step … dampening spell. If the bomb triggered, at least the damage would be contained … to him.

Next would be a spell to disengage the bomb from the rafters. "This part is gonna be a pain in the ass." A wrong word or phrase could send the thing crashing to the floor, which the dampening spell wouldn't stop.

The last part … getting it somewhere safe to either diffuse or trigger had him a little stumped. He couldn't risk translocation or teleporting, but maybe…

A smile curved his lips. "I can cloak it until I'm clear of the building and in a safe spot." Yeah, that could work.

Centering his mind, he began a long series of incantations and didn't stop until he had the explosive device outside and well away from the barn. Gently lowering the bomb, he kept the dampening spell active then ran like hell once it touched the ground. The loud boom made his ears ring but otherwise did no harm … at least not to him.

But the field now had a small crater strewn with debris from the explosion.

He approached with caution and carefully picked though the pieces, gathering what might be useful for his bosses at Hampstead. No doubt they'd be in conference with the team from Briarcliff.

Which probably meant a joint operation. "And I know who they'll stick me with. Quinna Joltz." Just thinking about her gave him heartburn.

She always, always, had an answer. Even if she didn't have a clue. He'd never met anyone who spent so much time being snarky and obnoxious.

Heading toward the road, he decided a nice, long walk would do him good. "Give me plenty of time to wrap my head around the idea of working with Quinna."

Why did such a gorgeous creature have to be a massive pain in the ass?

This one is a lot of fun to write. Efran and Quinna have a lot more in common than they think.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Protect the Target

Well, the first week of December is in the books, and it ended up being super busy for me. I had a follow-up appointment with my primary care doctor, and we went over the results from the colonoscopy. While everything looks okay, I have to go back for another scan in six months. Um … yay? Bleh. I also have several moles we're going to remove in January and my blood pressure is still a little high so I'm starting meds for that. All in all, a productive appointment.

I'm not juggling as many work projects, but I have a tricky copyedit that I need to do some research on and a proofread that's due next week. I also have reading to do for the developmental edit of the memoir. I also have two more projects waiting in the wings. I like the idea of having a strong end to the year.

I did not get much viewed this week. I've been in a bit of a slump and just needed a break. I did do some binge watching of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, My Life Is Murder, and I got a bit more the of Foyle's War episode watched.

Other than that, I had adulting to do like check insurance coverage for the procedures I need to have and paying bills. I hate how much time that stuff eats up.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Protect the Target, a novella that puts the main characters is harm's way and they use subterfuge to outsmart their opponent.

Here's the miniblurb:

Noya Vix is a walking target with a lot of magical factions coming after her, the most persistent being Lenj Gottman, who wants to exploit her precognitive ability. Booth Wanderlux is her number one protector, but he's got issues with keeping Noya out of harm's way because she refuses to lay low until Lenj is caught.

And a preview snippet…

Noya Vix focused on the series of runes and oghams just inside the veil of a shadow glade. "This could be the one." Closing her eyes, she calmed her breathing and opened her mind.

Images shuffled in her head and thoughts tried to intrude, but she shut the door on them and only allowed the visual array prominence. Three pieces clicked into place, but the others didn't.

Exhaling on a sigh, she silently cursed the lack of progress. "Dammit." She started to uncross her legs but a hand on her shoulder kept her sitting down.

Booth Wanderlux crouched beside her. "We've got company again." He motioned for her to follow him, staying low to the ground.

She got to her knees and crawled behind his retreated form. "How the fuck did they find us this time?" She hadn't told anyone which shadow glade they would be checking.

Booth grunted but said nothing. He used his preternatural ability to lead them through the veil and into safety. No doubt he'd have plenty to say once they cleared the danger zone.

Noya would give up her precognitive skill if it meant making Lenj Gottman lose his major hard-on for her. The man made life more of a hell for her than trying to find a new glade for her mage brethren. He figured if he could control her, he'd be able to become the de facto leader of the society.

She huffed out a breath. "Over my dead body." Which, yeah, could become her reality if Booth didn't have her back.

Gottman represented everything terrible happening in their current home. Depleted resources, unbalanced representation, and a forceful consolidation of power against everything she held dear. Their entire system teetered on the brink of disaster … all because of one man.

Booth shifted carefully through the veil, leading Noya out into the dim light of dusk in their current glade. Clasping her hand, he stuck close to the tree line until they cleared the boundary of the property and entered the relative safety of their estate grounds. She trudged beside him, taking the stone path up to the house.

Outside the door, she tugged him to a stop. "Do you know how they found us?" Keeping her voice low, she angled her head toward the entrance. "Starkey's gonna have questions." He always did.

Booth lifted a shoulder. "I can only guess, and that's not going to go over well with him." He paused a moment. "The attempts to get to you are weighing on him. He's gonna be ready to take action after this one." Twisting the knob, he pushed the door open.

Noya sighed. "Which means he's going to be in total Grandpa-mode. Great." Not.

Because not only did she have to deliver bad news she'd also have to fight Starkey to keep trying to find a new glade.

Fun times.

I'm having fun with this story even if it's coming together in weird out of sequence bursts.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye