Sunday Snippet: Six Degrees of Separation

Happy Father's Day to all the dads, father figures, mentors, and fur dads out there. And if this is a hard day, please find peace where you can.

It's so mild in Ohio right now and I'll take the comfortable temperatures. We're supposed to have a soggy week, but the rain is welcome. Hopefully without flooding.

Busy work week with multiple projects crossing my desk. I have a potential new project with a new author starting possibly soon. Finished up a proofread and got that one invoiced. Continued work on a memoir developmental edit, pulling several files together into a single document. Also finished a copy edit and returned it for review. Started a new one that's on the long side, close to one hundred thousand words. A jammed week ahead.

Had a pretty good viewing week. I made it through my regular stable of shows and started one of my back-burner ones. I didn't end up making it all the way through but I'll finish it up this week. I hope.

Started with a Foyle's War behind the scenes interview with one of the guest stars. Very interesting.

Watched another episode of Tales from Irish Castles. Truly a fun series to watch. So many castles in Ireland.

Caught another episode of Death in Paradise and kind of loved the bit of a cliffhanger. I also kind of like how Mervin is settling in with the other officers. Very cool to see the new sarge completely supported by the commissioner also.

Also enjoyed another episode of Poirot. Very interesting case with an unexpected ending. So many colorful characters.

Elementary ended up being a little mind-blowing. I'm really interested in how the whole Shinwell situation will be resolved.

Caught another episode of Young Justice and I'm rather enjoying seeing how the team is coming together.

Also watched another episode of Star Trek Lower Decks and I'm really amazed by how much I love this show. Started out being pretty iffy on whether I'd like it or not and I'm totally in if I haven't mentioned it before.

Started an episode of Peak Practice and made it about halfway through. There's a lot going on in this one and I didn't want to miss anything. I'll finish up this week. Maybe.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Six Degrees of Separation, a book in the Academy of Light series.

Here's the miniblurb:

Melick Traynor and Ramona Peartry, two Academy of Light magicians, have a single passionate encounter after Ramona nearly loses her life to a dragon. But when they navigate their new relationship status, Melick has to step down as Ramona's precept, but neglects to tell her why.

And a preview snippet…

Ramona had a big problem and didn't want to face the issue at the moment.

Being here had taken a big prod from Melick to get her out of bed and on her feet. His casually dropped bomb—the dragon isn't an organic creature, but biomechanical—had her brain screaming to get a better look.

She snorted. "Just as he'd known it would." The guy knew her too well.

He even had a pair of crutches at the ready and handed them over as soon as she sat up. A quick round of instructions from the medical staff—rest and elevate her leg frequently and do light physical therapy to keep her muscles warmed—and off she went to the lab. It didn't take her long to get lost in the intricacies of the highly advanced beast.

She'd been inside the dragon most of the day, working out the flight systems with the mechno master and his assistant. As soon as they'd discovered the dragon to be biomechanical, they hit a wall. Which she could help them scale.

She'd itched to get close and take a look. "Well, I got one." She'd quite literally crawled into the belly of the beast to see how it flew.

The mechno mancer peppered her with questions, and Ramona finally snarled for him to shut up and let her work. She'd figure it out … eventually. If he gave her the space to do so.

He'd gone for a meal break with the assistant. Melick had left a long time ago. He'd only stuck around for about ten minutes to make sure she got settled and hadn't returned. Even pissed off over the suggested precept change, she'd welcome his presence at the moment.

Heaving a sigh, she closed her eyes. "I need to head back to the infirmary and let the medical staff yell at me for not keeping my leg flexible." She'd completely lost track of time while she worked out the flight schematics.

The problem with getting back to the alcove? She couldn’t get out of the damn creature. Well and truly screwed, her leg and hip throbbed from inactivity.

Ramona tried to scoot backward to slide out of the confined area but by her fifth attempt to get out, frustration warred with pain. She tried lifting her leg over the hump but kept hitting the top of the dragon's midsection. Her knee had stiffened and she couldn’t flatten her leg out enough to get past the barrier.

Dammit, dammit, dammit. Why hadn’t she made it a point to move in and out of the stupid thing on a frequent basis? For that matter, why had she let the insane urge to help the mechno mancer figure out the dragon's systems drive her to leave the alcove in the first place?

She knew the answer to that.

Melick.

She let out a growl "Always Melick."

Why were they so awkward right now? What did her getting back on her feet have to do with anything? Ramona figured he used the excuse as his way of stepping back now that the crisis had been averted. But they couldn't put the pool experience back in the box. Hell, she didn't want to. She would admit being disappointed, but she'd rather have him as a friend than lose him altogether.

They were in a weird place she didn't enjoy. He continued to stop by several times a day, which made her happy and drove her mad, depending on her mood.

During one of the mad phases, she'd basically told him to fuck off, especially when he tried to be there for her when she made her first tentative attempt to get back on her feet. She hated being weak. She really hated being weak in front of Melick.

She'd finally refused to even try to keep going on the crutches, and he'd left in a fit of exasperation. She regretted not having his company, but fear had her by the throat, damn it. What if she didn’t get it together? What if the binding spells didn't last long enough to finish healing her knee?

The possibility of not being able to walk without aid freaked her out.

This story is all over the place but it's finally coming together. I love Ramona and Melick so much.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Shit Happens

Kind of a long week and I'm glad it's over. There's something nice about starting a new week with a clean slate. Even if projects linger from one week to the next or challenges still need to be met.

We've got wild weather in Ohio again. Muggy and hot until a storm rolls through then it's lovely for a day until it gets muggy and hot again. The humidity is not fun.

Had a solid work week. One of the projects I thought was finished ended up having more revisions. At this point, the author is wordsmithing and really should leave things alone. That said, it's her last book and giving some grace can't hurt. I'm hoping to finish up a proofread on a science book this week and start a new project about a family history. I also have a developmental edit to get back to and copy edit to finish up. The copy edit is a holiday book and I'm so happy to have one of those to edit.

Had a pretty decent viewing week. I made it through my regular slate of shows, which actually made me happy. It was a busy week, and I ended up being kind of drained.

Started the week by finishing up an episode of Foyle's War. I do believe I have only the bonus episodes left.

Started a new series about Irish castles and thoroughly enjoyed the first episode. So much history I don't know, and I love learning new things.

Caught another episode of Silent Witness. The move to Birmingham seems to be resetting the series with a lot of darker content. I'm actually interested to see how this plays out.

Watched another episode of Poirot and enjoyed one of the better known classics with "Death on the Nile."

Elementary kind of blew my mind. Not sure how I feel about the whole Shinwell thing. It's going to prove interesting to discover Joan's reaction.

Enjoyed an episode of Young Justice. So far, I like the unfolding of the first season. The pacing is pretty good and the reveals are well-earned.

Also caught another episode of Star Trek Lower Decks and really loved the interactions. I honestly didn't know if I'd find my groove with this show, but I did!

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Shit Happens, a sexy short where the characters have to work through past trauma to get their act together.

Here's the miniblurb:

Nyla White, an up-and-coming paranormal cage fighter, has buttloads of potential but her 'Sh*t happens' attitude prevents her from attaining the top spot. Erik Stevens, her trainer, pushes her to use her emotions to own her talent, which Nyla is hesitant to do—because she's got strong feelings for Erik.

And a preview snippet…

You've got to talk to me…

Her shoulders slumped. "I can't, Erik." She spun away, shaking off the excess energy.

He followed her. "Why? There's gotta be a reason for shutting me out. Not letting anyone in." His frustration came through loud and clear.

As always.

She paused, waging an internal battle with herself over what to tell him. "You know I lost everything, right?" She slowly turned to face him.

He nodded. "I do."

She paced back and forth. "I can't lose this. I won't." She needed one thing no one could take away from her.

The championship and prestige that went with it would be her singular achievement. Something earned and hers to keep. Just once, she wanted things to go her way.

Erik shook his head. "That doesn't explain—" Confusion marred his features.

She cut him off. "You're the why. I can't let anyone in for the same reason I shut you out." Her voice lowered. "Because you'll see—everything—if I open up." The admission cost her some pride, but she couldn't hold the way she felt in any longer.

Or deal with his constant pushing.

Erik's mouth dropped open, then snapped shut. "Oh."

Nyla threw her hands up. "Yes, oh. Do you get it now?" She definitely couldn't work with him anymore.

Erik gave a jerky nod. "Yeah, I get it." He turned away. "And I'm sorry. I should have seen it."

Nyla's gut twisted into knots. "No, you shouldn't have. And you wouldn't have if I didn't open my big fat mouth." She crossed the floor and grabbed her jacket.

She had to get out. Get away. Keep a shred of dignity.

Shrugging into the coat, she managed a calm tone. "I'll grab my gear and find a new trainer." Heading for the door, she refused to get teary eyed and blubbery over him.

Seriously happy with how this story is coming together. Both characters have some trauma they have to deal with and some hurdles to get over.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Shine One On

Wow. June is kicking my ass and it's only seven days old. I'm choosing to look at the beginning of the month as the bottom of the well and it can only get better, because I won't be able to handle another appliance going down. Thankfully, delivery services are available on Sunday and I have shiny new fridge to replace the one that died on Friday. And my coffeemaker decided to be wonky this morning so, yeah, I'm still trying to troubleshoot that one. Glad I can pour over in an emergency.

Other than the appliance fiasco, the weather is all over the map, which isn't unusual in Ohio. More chilly days and a few really humid ones. Rain, wind, and little bit of sun. We're supposed to have a drippy week, which is okay because I don't think it's supposed to be severe weather.

Pretty decent work week. I finished up a few projects and should be close to finishing up the one that won't seem to end. Started a new proofread and I'm making good progress on it, even with the appliance distractions.

Had an okay viewing week also. Made it through my usual list of shows but didn't get to the back-burner ones.

Started the week with half an episode of Foyle's War. Should finish it up this week and move on to the bonus episodes.

Also caught the season twelve finale of Brokenwood Mysteries. Really enjoyed this season and hope to have another one because this is definitely a comfort show.

Watched an episode of Death in Paradise. Loved getting some good character building for Seb. I'm also looking forward to getting some for the new sergeant.

Enjoyed an episode of Poirot. This one took a bit of a twist and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking forward to the next episode.

Elementary finished up a two-parter and the resolution ended up being fun. Also loved Sherlock's excitement about becoming a godparent.

Caught another episode of Young Justice and quite enjoyed it. Very fun to see Wally face his disbelief in magic.

Loved watching an episode of Star Trek Lower Decks. The callbacks to other series are such a delight in this show.

That's pretty much it for the life update. Tonight's post is from Shine One On, a novella that explores an alternate history where prohibition didn't get repealed.

Here's the miniblurb:

In a prohibition era, Maxine Wynne provides speakeasy owner Drake Kestleman premium moonshine to keep his customers happy. When a corrupt revenuer goes after Maxine, Drake launches a plan to get her out of danger and out from under the shadow of the government bureaucrat.

And a preview snippet…

With his cock wedged between them, Drake flexed his hips, feigning full intercourse. "And action." He whispered the words against her ear.

By the third fake thrust, he feared getting off, the friction of her warm skin against his dick almost too pleasurable to bear. Her guttural moan suggested she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Maxine's fingers raked down his back to dig into his ass and he fought the urge to spill all over her belly. The primal need to be buried deep in her hot core kept him from doing so. And, damn, if he didn't welcome the tsk-tsk-tsking sound from behind and Maxine's startled yelp from below when each sound came. She scrambled under the single sheet on the bed, pushing Drake aside.

Saul smirked and gave a rude snort. "Really, Maxine? You expect me to buy the false modesty?" His gaze drilled into her.

Drake stood and moved to block the view of Maxine from four sets of prying eyes. He didn't try to cover his nakedness and bit back a bark of laughter when four gazes dropped to his softening shaft.

Stepping up to stand toe-to-toe with Saul, Drake snarled. "There's nothing false about her modesty. No one invited you in."

Saul's face reddened. "We pounded on the door and announced our presence and intention to search. Not our fault your carnal pursuits prevented you from hearing us." His gaze flicked to Maxine. "Although, the distraction is understandable." His tongue snaked out to lick his lips.

Drake jabbed a finger in Saul's chest. "Take your leave. As you can see, we're not hiding anything here." Except maybe raging lust.

Saul stood his ground. "We'll be searching the premises since we're already here." He motioned for his three henchmen to spread out.

Drake shrugged. "Feel free to do so." He followed Saul to the doorway. "We'll be out in a moment." He started to shut the door.

Saul stopped him with a booted foot blocking the heavy slab of wood. "Leave it open. I'm not taking any chances with you two." His gaze raked over Maxine when she sat up, holding the sheet against her.

Drake wanted to punch the man. Saul definitely made his interest in Maxine clear, and he wanted to covertly watch her dress. Maxine rolled her eyes and slipped from the bed. Saul's shadow fell across the living room floor from where he hovered, no doubt peering through the crack between the door and the jamb. And to her credit, she put on a show, holding Drake's gaze while dressing, knowing she had an avid audience.

When Drake's dick got hard again, her lips curved in a sexy smile and she winked at him.

Turning, she sauntered out into the main room and sidled up to Saul. "Hope you enjoyed the show." She slapped him hard across the face. "Consider that your price of admission, you son of a bitch."

Her show of defiance had Drake wanting to drag her back to the bed and finish what they started. Instead, he found his pants and started dressing.

This book is so much fun. Drake and Maxine have some steamy chemistry.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye