Sunday Snippet: Shaken Alliance

I'm looking forward to seeing the end of May. It hasn't been a bad month or anything. It's nice to feel like I'm starting with a clean slate.

We've had some rainy weather but it's keeping the temperatures mild, which I love. Really hoping the cooler weather sticks around for another week or two. I have some yard and garden work I want to do.

Work ended up being pretty okay. I still have the wordsmithing author making changes, but I think the project manager is putting a stop to that. Hopefully, we'll be able to get the proofread over the finish line. I'll be finishing up the science book proofread this week. And I have a copy edit that should finish sometime tonight or tomorrow. It's the twisty mystery thriller and it's definitely been a wild ride.

Not a bad week for viewing. I got through my usual list of shows but didn't end up adding any of my reserve ones.

Started out by finishing up the episode of Foyle's War. I have one episode left then some bonus material to watch.

Caught another episode of Brokenwood Mysteries and quite enjoyed it. Very interesting to see Mike move house and how the transition worked into the case.

Finished up the second part of Silent Witness. Super happy to see Jack accepted as a professor. Also rather liked the resolution of the case.

Enjoyed an episode of Poirot. Always fun when he's kind of on his own. The case was very interesting also. I like it when he's solving old ones.

Elementary ended on an interesting note. I'm wondering if the mention of Sherlock's dad is going to come into play for the second half. Also fun to see Kitty again.

Watched an episode of Young Justice and I'm intrigued. The addition of Artemis could prove interesting. I'm leaning toward double agent.

Caught another episode of Star Trek Lower Decks. Fun to see Boimler handle his first away mission. Also really fun to watch the other three try to outsmart their superior officers.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Shaken Alliances, the opening book for the Technorati series.

Here's the miniblurb:

Janna Allgood, a corporal in the Alliance, is the best at what she does, bringing Technorati deceivers to justice. But when she's assigned the task of tracking down the notorious leader of the rogue technomancers, she discovers a new calling, one that puts her life in danger because it may bring down the Alliance she works for.

And a preview snippet…

Janna moved into the cool down phase of her workout simulation. She only had time for a very quick shower before her appointment. Which she should probably get to if she didn't want to be a terrible hostess.

"Take your time. I'll come to you when you're ready."

Her lips quirked. "Allow fifteen minutes. I won't be long." She stripped off her clothes and rinsed off the perspiration from her exercise.

After toweling dry, she dressed in comfortable attire—a pair of loose-fitting pants and a long, flowing tunic. She left her feet bare, enjoying the sensation of the woven reed carpeting under her toes. Retrieving the light meal she'd prepared earlier, she placed it on the low table in her seating area and went back for a large pitcher of geely fruit infused water.

The gentle nudge to her mind came at exactly the right moment.

She smiled. "Come in. I hope you're doing well today."

Her dearest mentor entered her quarters, his long robes gliding over the floor. "I am, indeed. What have you prepared for us? I hope you didn't go to a lot of trouble." He settled on her long sofa.

Janna sat perpendicular to him in a soft chair. "I have dumplings and string noodles with an array of sauces. Also some roasted tanga meat." She plucked a skewer off the serving platter and set it on a plate.

The dumplings were packed with vegetables that paired well with the meat and noodles. Her mentor ate heartily, which satisfied Janna because he'd been looking a little frail lately. Then again, he had a demanding schedule.

When they finished, he brought up the reason he'd requested this meeting. "How did your interview with DeBerg go today?"

Janna answered honestly. "As we expected. He gave me a plum assignment and the trappings that go with it." She projected that portion of their meeting into her mentor's mind.

He frowned when he glimpsed the slimy innuendo coming from DeBerg.

Janna pulled back. "I didn't want to share that part." She had tremendous power and control of her mind-sharing ability, but her mentor had decades more.

He inclined his head. "I know. But you can't hide the underhanded tactics he uses. You'll have to walk a precarious path to keep him at bay while you attempt to complete the work." His head tilted to one side. "You neglected to share who your quarry would be. Is there a reason?"

She shook her head. "No, I'd rather speak of the task instead." She paused a moment. "DeBerg gave me the assignment of bringing in Paxton Teller. The number one most wanted member of the Technorati."

Her mentor's eyes widened. "It's a big task, are you ready?" His voice held no censure, but he'd be unwise not to wonder.

She answered with a question of her own. "Do you doubt my abilities, wise one?"

He met her gaze. "Not at all, dear Janna. But I worry for you. There is much more at play here than bringing in Paxton Teller." He leaned forward. "You have to know if you fail, you'll be exactly where DeBerg wants you."

Janna nodded. "In his debt, under his thumb, and a convenient scapegoat if he needs one." She'd come to that conclusion while doing her workout. "My belief is he's getting ready to make a move. Working behind the scenes to puff himself up and Teller will be his crowning achievement." The idea should have pleased her.

But … instead … she had grave concerns.

The wise one smiled. "And what does that tell you?"

She shrugged. "There are cracks in the machine. DeBerg doesn't want to fall through one, so he's going to attempt a climb." Her lips twisted. "Which means he's going to displace someone at the top … and he might use me to make that happen." She didn't have to add the part about her mentor being the one to get knocked off his perch.

The wise one lifted his chin. "Perhaps. But I'm well protected." He sighed. "Which doesn't mean this isn't worrisome." He settled more comfortably on the couch. "There have been rumblings going on for a long time. But the Technorati have been making some bold moves." His gaze met hers. "And you'll be directly in the crosshairs between the Alliance and the shadow magicians."

She hand-waved his concern. "I'll do my job. If there's a way to bring Teller in, I'll make it happen." She hadn't failed yet.

Her mentor sat quietly for a moment. "Janna, have you ever felt a call for something different?"

She blinked at the change of topic. Did she? She often yearned for more satisfying work. But she had nowhere else to go in the Alliance.

The wise one planted a seed. "Maybe you should seek more."

She shifted her inner gaze to him. "What more is there?" Technomancers were no longer allowed to hold elected positions.

He frowned. "If you can't imagine or don't know, I can't say more."

She let instinct guide her next question. "I've been reading the old texts. Are they true?" Were they really being held back from realizing their full potential?

The wise one's head dipped. "They're a very good place to start."

I'm excited about this opening book. I'm hoping to get this series mapped out and launched sometime soon.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye