Sunday Snippet: A Rockin' Yule (a Holiday Spirit short)

What a wild week. We're back to almost winter temperatures with freeze warnings this weekend and the first part of the week. My cold is sorta kinda over, but the crazy weather probably won't help.

Had a pretty decent work week. I'm in flux on a number of projects but the work is moving steadily along. I'm happy to stay busy.

Pretty good viewing week also. I finished up a rewatch and have to pick a new show to watch on one of my streamers … and I have no idea what I want to choose.

Started off with My Life Is Murder and it was so fun to see a regular in one of the shows I watch do a guest turn in this episode. Can't wait to watch the finale this week.

Caught another behind the scenes episode of Foyle's War and enjoyed it. I have one or two more before starting the next season of the show.

Watched another episode of Poirot and loved the mystery. Hastings completely falling for the girl ended up being very interesting along with Poirot kind of lending a helping hand. Very cool.

Started the new season of Silent Witness. Jack's new look is … okay? Enjoy them being in a new city, and I'm liking the vibe of the characters.

Elementary, as usual, didn't disappoint. Such an interesting case and having Sherlock go out on a limb for Shinwell was rather cool.

Finished up my Batman Beyond rewatch and, honestly, the show holds up. Not sure what I'll pick next, but it might be DC universe adjacent.

Watched another Star Trek: Lower Decks. Kind of fun to have a one-off character come back and not end up being an actual hero. I like the risky maneuver there.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from A Rockin' Yule, a holiday spirit short featuring a hellhound and a nymph.

Here's the miniblurb:

Saffron Sapienza is in trouble with her hellhound pack for being wild and overindulgent. She's looking for an escape in the hopes of letting her latest scandal die down. Gabriel Gabor has a big decision to make—become nobleman of the nymphs or give the job to his archrival, a man who tries to take everything Gabriel has. A holiday spirit, Jolly Jingleman, brings the duo together at a secluded bed and breakfast over Yule and works his magick to help the couple find their holiday cheer along with some direction for their future.

And a preview snippet…

Gabriel Gabor rubbed at his temple. "I don't know what else you think I can do here, Mason. The holiday season is in full swing, and everyone is distracted by upcoming events." Gabriel paced back and forth in front of the roaring fire in Mason Mulgrave's living room.

Gabriel made his appeal to the nymphs—they needed to integrate into the human realm or risk growing stagnant with their dwindling numbers. The fae glade members approached Gabriel to take over after Mason retired. The group wanted Gabe as their nobleman yet didn't want his advice or to follow his recommendation for a better future.

Mason steepled his fingers. "Tyson's not helping the situation. He's got a bunch of the group frothing at the mouth about tradition and staying in our own confines. Why mess with perfection, blah-blah-blah." He blew out a long, slow breath.

Gabriel snorted. "The stupid thing is, Tyson wanted to integrate not six months ago, but when you approached me to become nobleman—and most of the group backed me as your choice—Tyson backtracked and decided to throw his hat in to muddy up the waters." Which Gabriel should have expected.

Tyson Truman wanted whatever Gabriel had.

Mason sighed. "I should've been prepared for that possibility." He got up and added on the log to the fire—even though it burned hot and steady. "Now we have to have a vote, and it could go either way." He settled back in his wingback chair.

Gabriel voiced his nagging thought. "It'll go one way if I step aside." At this point, he might as well.

Mason's gaze snapped to Gabriel. "You're not serious."

Gabriel shrugged. "I think I am. Do you really want a decade or more of strife and turmoil? You know if I win the vote, Tyson will work behind the scenes to wreak havoc. If he wins the vote, we risk dying off and ending the nymph lineage." He held Mason's stare. "I honestly don't want to be around for either eventuality." Because losing the little they had left didn't appeal at all.

Mason frowned and got to his feet. "You'll think about sticking it out though, won't you?"

Gabriel rolled a shoulder. "I'll take a few days and let you know right after the Yule holiday."

Mason clapped him on the back. "I'll wish you a happy yule then—even though you've got a lot of thinking to do." He walked Gabe to the door.

Gabriel left Mason's small cottage and started the walk to his bungalow, tucked into a copse of trees, flanked by a rolling hillside. "Right. Happy Yule is something of an oxymoron this year."

Having so much fun with the holiday spirit shorts. I love writing the pairings and adding a dash of merriment with the holiday spirits.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Rite of Passage (Warlock's Curse)

Bleh. I've been fighting a yucky cold all week and I'm feeling a little better but not quite 100 percent. I'd be happy if the coughing could be a wee bit less.

Weather has been steadily warming up. We've dipped back down a couple of times but thankfully it's been gradual without the wild forty-degree swings in twenty-four hours. Been getting a lot of rain, which is causing high water and some flooding. Combine that with ongoing construction and the onset of tree-trimming and getting anywhere is something of a challenge. It pays to leave early.

Another busy work week. Finished up another proofread, continued work on one, and started an assessment read through. Also finished up a read through on another project that keeps lingering in the shadows. Started a new proofread that's a lot of fun so far.

Had a decent viewing week even though I slept a lot because of the yuck. I made it all the way through my usual slate of shows and added an addition to the lineup.

Started off with My Life Is Murder and thoroughly enjoyed the mystery along with getting more Harry backstory. I think the next two episodes are a two-parter that makes the finale. Can't wait to watch.

Watched the first behind the scenes for Foyle's War. Kind of enjoyed seeing the process of how they do what they do to film the period specific series.

Finished up the first season of Return to Paradise. I have no idea when season two will be available on the streaming platform, but I'll look forward to it.

Caught another episode of Poirot and completely enjoyed poor Japp trying to manage on his own then having a harder time after accepting Poirot's invitation to stay with him. Fun to see Miss Lemon's sister.

Elementary ended up being very entertaining. The twisty start proved interesting and Joan's advice to Sherlock turned out to be great. I love where their relationship is at this point.

Watched another episode of Batman Beyond and had completely forgotten about this one. I think I have one more left before I'll need to find a new series to watch or rewatch.

Also caught another episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks and quite enjoyed learning about Tendi's pirate past. Always fun to see characters from other Trek shows pop up in the episodes and Deep Space Nine counts as a character. Just saying.

I continued to use my Kanopy tickets to watch Fleetwood Mac: The Dance. This was such a great concert film, with quite a few surprises. Glad I got to watch.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Rite of Passage, book three of the Warlock's Curse series.

Here's the miniblurb:

Nadia Iris and Falk Ridenour have one goal—to thwart her father's nefarious power grab. Even though they're on the same page, Nadia struggles for balance and Falk has to make some hard choices about their future.

And a preview snippet…

Falk almost laughed when Boris came charging up the lane leading to the mill. "The guy missed his calling … as a bona fide drama queen." He schooled his features when the other man got closer.

Boris sneered. "Who the hell do you think you are to summon me?" He planted his hands on his hips, his breath seething about between his teeth.

Falk stayed chill, only arching an eyebrow. He carefully watched Boris for weaknesses. The man's ego definitely counted as one. But his inflated sense of self wouldn't be enough. Falk needed to find a few more.

Boris went for the throat. "Do you really think you can best me in magick, young welp?" He rolled his eyes. "I have decades of experience on you. And I fight dirty."

Falk's mouth curved. "As proven by twisting your daughter into knots." He met Boris's gaze. "You know, it takes a special kind of asshole to dick a woman until she's pregnant, bind the kid by your blood, then fuck off for parts unknown." He lifted a shoulder. "I mean, kudos, I guess for putting together a long con…" He waited a beat. "But it's still a con." He hoped the stinging barb landed.

He wanted to put a few chinks in the man's armor.

Boris snarled. "It's not a con. It's fucking grandmaster chess." His jaw clenched. "I left nothing to chance. I literally rule the board."

Falk snorted. "No, you don't. You have a huge blind spot named Nadia, and she's a variable you couldn't possibly account for. Not one hundred percent." Falk absolutely believed that fact with his whole being.

Boris scoffed and waved a hand. "You're wrong. I've got her locked down tight. She can't hurt or stop me from seeing my plan through to victory." His lips curled in an evil grin.

Falk grunted. "I'm gonna enjoy proving you very wrong about that." A flash of insight flared in his mind.

Nadia would be arriving soon. She figured out what she needed to do.

Boris lifted his chin in challenge. "We'll certainly see if you can." He shook his arms and bounced on his toes.

Falk smile. "Yes, we will." He flexed his fingers and conjured two balls of flame. "Shall we begin…"

I love a good battle between good and evil. Falk is definitely on the side of good, but he's not afraid to be sneaky and underhanded when necessary.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Rise of the Son

Happy Easter to those who celebrate. Happy regular Sunday to those who don't. After three days of lovely temperatures, we're back to mid-forties and chilly. I'll take the cooler weather because the warm-up seemed to bring the ticks out. Pulled three of them off my spouse yesterday. That's usually a May through October problem.

Got to enjoy a wonderful Friday with my daughter at an art walk. She's a project manager for a county arts council and knows many of the artists. So much fun!

Had a busy work week. Finished up a copy edit and proofread for one of the publishers I edit for. Also finished a proofread for a memoir. Continued work on two other proofreads. I have a developmental edit to start this week and hopefully another copy edit.

Ended up with an okay viewing week. I got through most of the shows I watch. I ended up skipping two because I didn't feel well and couldn't concentrate on more than one thing at a time. I did get some cleaning and decluttering done when I needed a break from work projects.

Started off with My Life Is Murder and quite enjoyed the mystery. I love Alexa and Madison's friendship, especially when Madison pushes Alexa out of her comfort zone.

Caught another Foyle's War and ended the eighth season. Loved Sam's good news and kind of felt sorry for Miss Pierce. There are several behind the scenes episodes that I hope to watch this week.

Watched another Return to Paradise and I'm almost finished with the first season. Not sure when the second will be available to me, but I'll look forward to it.

Also enjoyed another episode of Poirot. A holiday episode with a truly distasteful antagonist that thankfully didn't last long. I loved Poirot coming to Japp's rescue once the singing started. If you know, you know.

Elementary ended up being very good. I'm kind of interested to see where Joan's story goes with Shin. Also enjoyed Sherlock's chess match with Shin.

I binge-watched some Brokenwood Mysteries. The new season starts this week and I'll dive into it as soon as I finish up My Life Is Murder.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Rise of the Son, a follow-up novella to Dawn of the Son.

Here's the miniblurb:

After surviving several trials and tribulations to find the Book of Pythia, Aleina and Alston—imbued with the essences of Apollo and Aurora—have to follow the scrolls to lead their people to a new home. Their journey isn't without danger and the map isn't easy to follow, but Aleina and Alston have the advantage of being on the same page and trusting each other to see their path to its end.

And a preview snippet…

Alston yawned and rested his head on the back of the sofa. "They're not making it easy on us, are they?" He referred to the gods and oracle that set them on this journey.

Aleina's lips quirked in a twist. "Nope. I'm gonna start on the next scroll. See if Pythia dropped any clues there." Leaning forward, she grabbed the text from the table.

Alston nodded and closed his eyes. He needed a small breather from reading the ancient prophecies. At least he and Laney figured out the translation. Now they could read through the material without constantly consulting a language guide.

"You can read the translations because I gave you the power to do so."

The voice echoed in his mind and could only be from one source.

Pythia.

"I guess we owe you our thanks. Would it be too much to ask for you to provide a map to get through the asteroid system?" He might as well go for broke.

Pythia responded. "I can't. But I can make it easier to find."

An image appeared in his mind. The table, cluttered with scrolls, zoomed inward and three words appeared on a page beneath several others.

Light the way.

Alston jerked awake. "Damn." He shook his head, trying to dislodge the unsettled feeling of receiving a message from beyond the veil.

Laney arched her brows. "It's a wild trip, isn't it?" She set the scroll aside and focused her attention on him.

Of course, she figured out exactly what happened while he'd drifted off for several moments.

Because she usually ended being on the receiving end of communications from the beyond.

Alston shuddered. "It's fucking creepy. But aside from feeling like I've been violated, pretty sure I got the assist we might need." He rifled through the pile on the table and found the one he wanted.

Laney scooted forward. "Light the way." She met his gaze. "Any clue what this means?"

He snorted. "Not yet. But it's a place to start." He eased back and held the parchment out so Laney could read it with him.

The passage described two vessels that would chart a route through a mire of obstacles using their power to light the way. The path wouldn't be completely clear, but the faith of the mappers would guide the fleet to safety on the other side. There would be a toll paid … but nothing indicated what the price would be.

Alston sighed. "Better than nothing. But this is gonna suck." He rolled the scroll up and put it aside for safekeeping.

Laney rubbed her chin in contemplative thought. "I have an idea of the how, but it's not fully formed." She turned toward him and moved to straddle his lap. "Think we'd better sleep on it … but first, I think we need to regroup and recharge a little." Her lips caught his in a fierce kiss.

Alston cupped her ass and toppled them sideways. "Now that's a plan I can get behind…"

Alston and Aleina have quite a journey ahead of them. I'm having a lot of fun writing it.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye