Sunday Snippet: Twilight Kingdom

Yeesh. October has been a month. Honestly, not quite as fraught as September, but the nasty cold definitely didn't help things. That said, I'm feeling so much better and I'm grateful for that.

Still need to do the brakes on my car and it should be sometime soon. I can already hear the grinding sound, which means I need to get the parts ordered ASAP. My middle kid also needs a new tire very soon. He'll be using our inflator this week because he starts a new job on Wednesday.

The weather continued to be rather cool and chilly. It warmed up in the afternoon, but the early mornings were frosty and frigid. Had to break out the window scraper already.

Work projects went smoother this week. I finished up a copy edit and started a new one. I also completed the evaluation I needed to finish up. Still waiting on word about the possible new project. Also need to schedule a call about another new project in the wings. Very excited to see where everything goes.

Had a seriously limited viewing week. Trying to catch up on the work projects took a lot of my focus. I only made it through three of my regularly watched shows. I did do more Death in Paradise binge watching so there's that.

Stared with Marple and enjoyed the mystery. I'm warming up to the new actress and loved the interactions with everyone on the screen. The mystery was kind of over the top and I appreciated the way the cast played off each other.

Also finished up Britain's Most Scenic Counties and truly enjoyed the stops in Cheshire. Not sure what I'll go with next, but it will definitely be something cultural.

Completed season two of Return to Paradise and, wow, what a finale. I can honestly say every single character knocked it out of the park. Anna Samson is remarkable as Mackenzie, and I very much loved the progress she's made with Colin. Loved the final moments with Glenn. So much to enjoy with episode and this show. I'm so excited for season three.

I started an episode of Poirot but didn't make it through the whole thing. I'll try to finish up this week. We'll see if I end up getting more than three full episodes watched.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Twilight Kingdom, a novella that puts a twist on the Sleeping Beauty fairytale.

Here's the miniblurb:

Jess Gillian heads to the outer rim planets to get away from his overbearing parents—the royal consorts of their home planet. When the heir is away, the evil Maniforti will play, luring Nareen Rhom, a palace ward, into a relationship so he can get close to the rulers. When Nareen gets wise, Maniforti casts a spell holding the entire kingdom in his thrall—until Jess returns and sets things straight.

And a preview snippet…

Jess jerked awake at the telepathically shouted Jess! just in time to see a glinting blade descending from above.

Reflex kicked in and he rolled to his side, feeling the oddly warm steel plunge into his flesh just below his ribcage. "Dammit!" He swung outward, knocking his assailant to the floor, the knife clattering on the wooden planks.

Scrabbling out from under the sheet, Jess started to give chase, but his vision swam and the person made their escape, a hulking shadow exiting through the door. Jess tried to follow, but his steps were awkward and staggering. His mind swirling and fuzzy, he didn't go after them. He grabbed at the wall, trying to keep his balance.

Nari called. Her urgent tone kicked up his adrenaline. She needed him. He tried to reach out and connect with her, but the pain from his wound blocked him. He grabbed a T-shirt to staunch the flow of blood oozing from the slice in his side.

Feeling weak, he struggled into his pants. "I shouldn't feel so drained. What the hell?" He took halting steps toward the door but stumbled to his knees.

Vision swimming, he bit the inside of his cheek. He had to get moving. Couldn't stay here. No accident this time. Someone tried to kill him. And if they made an effort to take him out maybe they were trying to harm Nari also.

A figure loomed in front of him—female—reaching out to steady him. "Easy there, big fella. You're gonna make it worse." Her hand grasped his shoulder.

His brain spun, but he attempted to stand, trying to shake out from under her grip. He needed to get out, to secure transport. He. Had. To. Get. To…

"Nari…" Jess collapsed but got a look at the person offering assistance—the bounty hunter—before he passed out.

Having a lot of fun writing this one. I love putting fun spins on fairytales.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye