Sunday, January 25, 2026

Sunday Snippet: A Quiet Hell

Whew. We got hit with a ton of snow last night and this morning. About fourteen inches. My county is under a rare level three snow emergency. I had to drive out this morning and, it wasn't horrible but I definitely drove slowly. And we only had about seven inches at that point. So glad I don't have to go out anymore today.

Had a crazy-busy work week. A project came back that needed some extra TLC after numerous author revisions. I'm still working on the memoir, and I started a new project with one of my regular authors. Also working on a long romantasy novel and hitting the series book when I can.

Had a slower week of viewing with everything else going on. Prepping for the snowstorm took up some time and I needed to focus on the work stuff.

I did watch Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears. I thoroughly enjoyed this fan-backed movie project. A very cool way to cap the series.

Also caught an episode of Foyle's War that finished out the fifth season. I'd completely forgotten Foyle actually resigned from the police force. Looking forward to starting the next season.

Finished up the second half of Silent Witness. Again, the twists and turns were amazing. So many red herrings. And a side story that ended up being compelling.

Enjoyed another episode of Poirot. This one had an interesting side plot with Miss Lemon that I loved.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from A Quiet Hell, a novella that explores a paranormal connection between the main characters.

Here's the miniblurb:

Mattox Lang lives in a quiet hell, seeing and sensing paranormal activity. Bruce Wendelson has haunting dreams that linger, but he can never recall the details. Mattox understands Bruce's torment and hopes to ease her own by helping him deal with the nightmares.

And a preview snippet…

"Why do I gotta be here, Mom?" Bruce Wendelson sent his brother Bailey a mean look. "I'm not the one getting in trouble." Stupid Bailey caused all the problems.
Bailey balled up his fist and punched Bruce in the arm.
Bruce snorted. As if that hurt.
Their mom, Tillie, separated the boys and entered the therapist's office. "Bailey won't come by himself, and it's only forty-five minutes." She blew her bangs out of her face and signed them in.
Bruce rolled his eyes. Easy for her to say. She doesn't have to sit with shithead Bailey.
He leaned against the counter. "It's forty-five minutes twice a week, Mom. That's an hour and a half." Time he could be spending with his friends, doing what fourteen-year-old boys did.
Instead, he had to babysit his ten-year-old brother because he wouldn't grow a pair and do therapy on his own.
Bruce folded his arms across his chest. "He's got the balls to be a dick in class, why can't have them for this?" Geez, he shouldn't have to explain how much this sucked.
Tillie pulled Bruce aside. "Bruce Malcolm Wendelson, what have I told about your language?" She hissed the words between clenched teeth.
Bruce heaved a sigh. "It's not fair, Mom." Not much had been fair lately.
Her face softened and deep sadness filled her eyes. "It's not fair that your dad died so young either. Bailey's really struggling." She paused. "And you are too. Ninety minutes isn't too much to ask of you."
Bruce rolled his eyes again. "Whatever, Mom." He'd sit through the stupid counseling session—his own quiet hell—and listen to Bailey garner sympathy for their loss.
And, yeah, last year had been difficult, but Bruce managed to get through a school day without trashing his teachers, destroying gym equipment, or setting fire to anything. But … Bruce would stop complaining to his mom. She didn't need the added burden. Not when she missed their dad as much as Bruce did.
The counselor called Bailey's name.
Bruce heaved a sigh. "Better to suffer in silence." He followed Bailey into the office and started the mental countdown until they could leave.

I have a lot of love for this story. Mattox and Bruce are such an interesting couple and I love writing the vibe between them.


 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

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