Sunday Snippet: Quicksilver Flash

Whew. What a week. Between everything going on in the US, most of which is terrible, and the yucky weather, I'm exhausted. One of my goals for this year is to take better care of myself, so I'm making some plans to do that. Getting better sleep is topping the list right now.

Work projects are stacking up and I'm happy to be busy. February is shaping up to be another good month for editing! I also have two birthdays to prepare for and one of them is a big one!

Had a decent week of viewing. I made it through my usual shows even though I tried to get to bed earlier than usual.

Finished up my rewatch of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries regular season shows. I'll be hitting the movie this week.

Started the fifth series of Foyle's War and forgot how much of a banger the opener was. And a holiday episode to boot. But very glad to have the whole wife thing out of the way.

Started a new two-part Silent Witness and look forward to finishing it up this week. The two new characters are growing on me. I love the newest tech, and the new head of the Lyell is finally settling in.

Caught another episode of Poirot and thoroughly enjoyed the many twists and turns. Gotta say I miss it when Hastings and Miss Lemon aren't in the show, but it's fun to see Japp and Poirot on their own also.

Elementary didn't disappoint. I'm looking forward to seeing how the season ends and what the resolution will be between Sherlock and Joan, Moreland, and the offshoot of Moriarity's group.

Watched another episode of Batman Beyond and it's one I didn't remember or only have a vague recollection. Ended up enjoying.

Also enjoyed another episode of Star Trek Lower Decks. I'm kind of feeling like the show finally found its groove. Or at least I found my groove with the show.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Quicksilver Flash, a novella with a bit of a steampunk flair.

Here's the miniblurb:

Winsome Crown, a scientist's daughter, searches for her lost father in the wilds of the mountains. Lynx Hadrington lives alone and away from society—by choice. When Winsome stumbles onto his little piece of sanctuary, he can't deny her plea for help, but he fears the worst for her dad. Only one person has ever survived a brush with the quicksilver flash—him.

And a preview snippet…

Lynx opened his mouth then closed it again. If she'd said she could blow rainbows out her ass he wouldn't have been more shocked. Telepathically linked with Wadsworth?

Lynx narrowed his gaze. "Professor Crown never mentioned being telepathic." He'd never mentioned his daughter either.

Her mouth twisted in a wobbly smile. "Yeah, he's kind of weird about the ability. A little too woo-woo for him." She rolled her eyes. "As if there isn't a scientific field dedicated to the study of the subject." A sigh escaped her lips.

Probably an old argument between the two; one he could almost imagine after working with Wadsworth.

Lynx nodded. "I'm sure he had reasons for not talking about it with me. He didn't acquaintance didn't last that long, and he got very wrapped up in his work." To the detriment of his guide.

Winsome picked up her spoon and stirred her stew. "Probably didn't say he had a daughter either. He likes to compartmentalize." She slurped the mixture of chicken and carrots off the utensil and made a hum of satisfaction.

Lynx shook his head. "He didn't, but we didn't get into personal details." He ate a heathy bite of his food. "So, you think something is wrong with the professor because you haven't what? Heard from him?" He had no idea how telepathy worked between them.

Winsome lifted her chin. "Not in three months. And he's never been radio silent for that long." She scooped up some of the broth with her bread and popped it into her mouth.

Which Lynx refused to think of as sexy. He couldn't afford to be attracted to her. Even if she appealed to him on many levels.

He posed a question instead. "Not even when he's deeply absorbed?" The good professor toiled tirelessly … to the point Lynx had to remind the man to eat and rest.

Winsome shrugged. "He's gone several weeks without reaching out before, but after a lively conversation we agreed he wouldn't do that anymore. After six weeks, I started looking for him. That's the length of time we negotiated." She picked up her glass and drained the contents. "Let me back up a little. I received a cryptic letter from him with little detail other than he had some kind of breakthrough with his latest project. Then nothing. I waited for the six weeks, then spent a week preparing to travel and then the last five trying to piece together his last know whereabouts." She picked up her spoon again. "That finally led me to you."

Lynx needed a moment, so he refilled her glass and brought the pot of stew over to the table. "Like I said, it's been almost a year since I saw your dad. I'm not sure how you think I can help." He actually had a very good idea of what she wanted, but he truly needed to avoid getting sucked back into Wadsworth's orbit.

Winsome chewed thoughtfully on a piece of bread. "You might not be able to help, but I'm hoping you can at least direct me to where you parted ways." She kept her gaze trained on the bowl in front of her.

Whether intentionally or not, Lynx couldn't tell.

He'd better find out. "What makes you think you'll find him where I last saw him?" Wadsworth could've doubled back or moved on.

She carefully placed her spoon on the table. "Because he's obsessed. I didn't know why but I do now. You were ground zero." She met his gaze. "He's trying to find a cure for the quicksilver flash."

Lynx blinked and his mouth dropped open. "Well, fuck."

This one is coming together in short little bursts, but I'm happy with the progress. Lynx and Winsome are going to have quite an adventure.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Question Everything

Today is my middle kid's birthday. Something fun to celebrate in the middle of January when the weather is often full of yuck, which it is today.

It's been a weird, wet week in Ohio. Mostly rain, but we got some snow last night and early this morning. We'll have more snow and rain throughout the week with maybe one day of no moisture falling from the sky. We also had some back-and-forth temperatures again, which makes my sinuses cranky.

Work projects continued with good progress. I have a new project starting this week and a catch-up call with an author on when to get their new book started through the editing process. Also making great progress on the memoir and series developmental edits.

Had a solid week of viewing. I made it through the full slate of shows I normally watch and hope to do the same this week. I'm close to being able to start the new season of at least one of my fave shows and I can't wait.

Started out with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and it's one of my favorite ones. I'll be watching the finale this week and then move on to the movie.

Ended up watching the whole episode of Foyle's War, which I actually remembered. It's also the last one in season four, because it only had two episodes. I'll be starting the new season this week.

Caught the second part of Silent Witness and, whew, it definitely had some twisty turns. Such a good episode! Starting a new two-parter this week.

Enjoyed another episode of Poirot. Interesting to have a plane involved in the mystery and fun to know Poirot isn't any fonder of flying than he is of sailing.

Watched an episode of Elementary and thoroughly enjoyed watching Moreland and Gregson go head-to-head about Sherlock and Joan. Kind of glad Moreland didn't actually have his employee killed. Also quite love that he didn't clock Joan as being as sneaky as she is.

Caught an episode of Batman Beyond and loved seeing Inque again. I remembered this one and enjoyed how it ended.

Enjoyed an episode of Star Trek Lower Decks. I'm finally warming up to Mariner. The dual storyline with the chief engineer ended up being a lot of fun.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Question Everything, an urban fantasy romance that brings a couple together while they try to take down an underworld dynasty.

Here's the miniblurb:

When Temple Sparrow discovers her family is part of an underground society of beings and creatures who secretly control the city, she eschews their traditions and finds her true vocation, seeking answers. Hunt Gambit doesn't trust anyone, least of all Temple, but playing by the rules isn't an option and he'll use her knowledge to get what he needs and teach her to question everything.

And a preview snippet…

Temple pocketed the keys to the front door and strode through the lower floor of the townhouse from the foyer into the living room. "Let's put a light on for show." Twisting the toggle, she turned a lamp on.

But she didn't stop or remove her jacket. Instead, she headed through the dining room and into the kitchen. She glanced out the window, checking the side yard, before heading into the butler's pantry. From there she could head down to the basement or up to the second floor. Or … she could duck out the side entrance and circle back around to the front of the house.

Okay … not the front. She planned to cut through the neighbor's yard and make her way up the block then head to the street facing the townhouse from an angle.

Because someone followed her home. And she wanted to find out who. If her mother thought she could keep tabs on Temple, Tressa would learn the hard way not to fuck with her daughter.

Slipping outside, Temple carefully and cautiously approached the green space across from her home. She thanked Uncle Marsh for teaching her how to use stealth to keep the element of surprise. She hoped she'd be able to thank him for imparting lessons in guile, but she doubted it because a direct confrontation would get her answers faster.

Quietly creeping in from behind, she caught her first look at the person tailing her. A lone man, with dark hair and lean muscles. He didn't have the hefty bulk her mom's goons usually carried on their beefy bodies. Didn't mean Tressa didn't opt to change tactics and give Temple someone wildly different to throw her off kilter.

She softly snorted. "Try again, Mother." From this point onward, Temple wouldn't let her guard down.

Crouching low to the ground, Temple took a few minutes to observe the guy watching her house. He had one shoulder propped against a tree and a hand in his pocket. Did he have a weapon hidden inside? Didn't really matter. She planned to take him by surprise and be prepared for anything. And … she had her trusty blade, which she'd use to make him spill the reason he found her townhouse so interesting.

Moving quietly, she headed straight for her target.

This one is finally coming together. I had the basic premise but didn't have some of the beats I needed and they're slowly filling themselves in.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Quest for the Kingfish

Well, 2026 is off to a wonky start. It's like it looked at 2025 and decided to say, "Hold my beer." Not sure that's a good thing.

Weather stayed very cold, which I'm totally okay with. We got a bunch of snow on New Year's Eve and I'm happy to have stayed in and enjoyed ringing in the new year at home. It ended up being a super-busy week with a lot going on but at least I didn't have the crazy back and forth temperatures to deal with. My sinuses really hate that.

Another slower work week, but progress on the three projects I'm working on at the moment. The unexpected stuff kind of messed up my groove, but I got back on track. I'm hoping this week is a little smoother.

Didn't quite make it all the way through my round of shows, but I did get the remaining holiday special in. I also have some new seasons of shows I'm excited about.

I started with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, and I'm almost finished with my rewatch. I think I have two more episodes left. Then I'll probably watch the fan-funded movie, which is quite excellent.

Finished up the episode of Foyle's War and enjoyed it. I'd forgotten Andrew and Sam split up in this one and I kind of mourn their breakup.

Caught the holiday special of Death in Paradise. Such a good one! Having Selwyn in England added a really nice layer to the whole mystery and tied the episode of Beyond Paradise in nicely.

Started a new two-part Silent Witness and it's a very twisty and turny case. Looking forward to the second part to wrap things up. I also really enjoy the newest addition to the Lyell.

I began season four of Poirot and enjoyed the first episode. Interesting mystery and a lot of fun with Hastings really wanting to talk about his shooting of the alligator-like creature and no one being interested until the very end.

That's all I got in this week on my television shows.

Tonight's post is from Quest for the Kingfish, a novella that sends a couple of a wild adventure in search of an elusive artifact.

Here's the miniblurb:

Stevie Peel is a little bit backward and standoffish, but she loves a good mystery. Griff Lannsiter takes an immediate liking to Stevie and when she finds an ancient scroll tucked into the dusty stacks of the research library, he offers his help on her quest to find the elusive kingfish.

And a preview snippet…

Griff propped his head on his hand. "So this scroll is the answer to everything? Filled with cryptic clues and mumbo jumbo to find the mysterious Kingfish?" He quirked a brow. "Maybe I should take the dusty roll into protective custody."

Stevie snorted. "Forget you. I'm going to find the single most hunted and well-hidden artifact in our history." And put everyone else to shame.

Griff prodded her. "You sure about that?"

She gave an emphatic nod.

He flashed a grin. "Good. Want some help?" His free hand curved over her hip.

Stevie smirked. "Thought you'd never ask." She tucked the parchment under the bed and snuggled into Griff. "But it'll keep until the morning." Her lips trailed along his jawline. "Right now, I want something a little more tangible."

Griff's hand drifted around to cup her ass. "I think I can help provide what you're looking for." He leaned in, his mouth hovering close to hers.

She caught his lips in a hungry kiss and his erection bobbed against her stomach.

She eased away, reaching down to palm his length. "I'd say there's no doubt about that." Her stroking had his cock swelling in her grip.

Griff nuzzled her throat and skimmed a hand up to her breast. Her nipples grew taut and sensitive. He thumbed over a pebbled tip and a zing of heat pooled in her core.

She wanted more. She needed him. Even if she got lost in the haze of uncertainty of why he'd return her feelings.

Griff moved his hand to cup her chin. "Stevie. Stop thinking and let me in." His mouth captured hers.

She deepened the kiss, sliding her tongue to tangle with his. He moaned and shifted onto his back, hauling her over to straddle his thighs. She took the hint and raised her hips to sink over the hard, long length of his dick. Once fully seated, her eyes closed and she savored the sensation of being filled to capacity.

Griff brought his hands up and cupped her breasts. "Yeah, that's it. Ride me, Stevie." His hips flexed and dipped under her.

She planted her palms on his chest and rocked back and forth. Heat and lust coursed through her veins. Tingling awareness skittered along her nerve endings. Griff's hands fondled her dangling boobs, amping up the tension coiling low in her belly.

Her head drooped, a riot of colors swirling in her mind. "So close, Griff. It's so good." The pressure burst outward and an orgasm washed over her.

Griff hissed out a breath. "Ah, yeah. Right behind you." His thighs grew taut and his head thrashed on the pillow.

Stevie collapsed down to her elbows, her mouth seeking his. Griff meshed their lips together, his heartbeat running wild against her chest. Her fingers and toes were numb with bliss.

Easing away from him, she rested her forehead against his. "Will you stay with me tonight?" She didn't want to break the spell they were under yet.

Griff gave a brief nod. "I'll stay as long as you let me."

She smiled and shifted to the side and burrowed into him. She didn't notice when he drew the sheet up and over them. Her eyes drifted shut and sleep claimed her.

I didn't quite know where this one would end up going, but I had a stroke of inspiration and think I have a plan now.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye