Sunday Snippet: Loud As Hell

What a week! My brain is all spinny at the moment because I have an abundance of work projects in my inbox. I love having a full calendar. That said, I need about five more hours in each day, please and thank you.

Honestly, the overflowing inbox comes at an excellent time for me. I have several things that need attention, one of them being the brakes on my car. Now to buckle under and get the work done.

Weather in Ohio is typical for March. Maybe a little on the extreme side, but March always seems to be whiplashing back and forth between winter and spring. Today is springlike with temps in the fifties. Yesterday we barely broke freezing for our high.

Another very limited week for viewing. I'm not kidding when I say five more hours each day would be helpful. Just saying.

I did finish up the Death in Paradise episode I started last week. So sad to see Florance leave again. But what a way to go out. And pretty sure we'll see her again.

Also started a Beyond Paradise episode, which will finish out the first season. I'm really enjoying this show.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Loud As Hell, a follow-up story to A Quiet Hell.

Here's the miniblurb:

Bailey Wendelson has come a long way and learned a lot since almost trapping his brother in a prison for the paranormally gifted. When Bailey meets Yazmin Meechum, a woman with siren capabilities, she has no desire for his assistance, but he won't walk away because she's being followed by the people he used to work for.

And a preview snippet…

Yazmin pushed her cart to the self-checkout area. "Gotta love twenty-four-hour grocery stores." She always waited until after eleven p.m. because the aisles were more or less deserted.

She ran her items over the scanner and paid with her debit card. She smiled and nodded when the night-shift manager asked if he could put her cart away. Grasping the bags, she exited the store and retrieved her key from her jacket pocket.

The parking lot lighting left a lot to be desired, but the tradeoff of fewer people to deal with ranked pretty high on her list. With the exception of talking to herself, she rarely had to interact verbally with anyone. Luckily, she didn't have far to go.

She hit her key fob to unlock her car. "Home. Unpack. Binge watch something until I fall asleep." Not exactly a thrill a minute but she'd grown used to the routine.

Almost to the vehicle, she'd just pressed the trunk button when a large man grabbed her arm and tried to pull her into a van sitting opposite to her sedate sedan. She screamed and the groceries went flying. Twisting and turning, she started to fight back when another guy attempted to scoop her legs up. Kicking out, she shouted for help again.

A metal baton came out of nowhere and cracked the guy trying to grab her legs on the head. He landed on the asphalt with a loud grunt. The other brute let her go and engaged in a fight with her rescuer. Punches were thrown and the baton struck the assailant on the knee, the shoulder, and the nape.

The rescuer whirled around, and Yazmin's eyes went wide. Bailey Wendelson. Holy shit.

His head jerked toward her car. "It's not safe. Pretty sure they planted a tracking device." He collapsed the baton and tucked it into his coat. "We don't have much time. Will you let me get you somewhere safe?" His eyebrows arched.

Not trusting her voice, she gave a shaky nod.

He used his thumb to point over his shoulder. "I'm over here. Sorry about the groceries, but we need to get moving now." He headed for his vehicle, not waiting to see if she followed.

But follow she did, sliding into the passenger seat of the running car. Bailey put the SUV in gear and gunned the engine, lurching forward and barely stopping before pulling out onto the nearly deserted street.

Yazmin hunched into her coat and stared straight ahead. Who were the men and what did they want? How did Bailey know she'd need help? Willing her heart rate to slow down, she twisted her hands in her lap. What the hell am I getting into?

Then a ridiculous thought pinged in her brain. Dammit. My trunk is still open.

I'm having a lot of fun with this story. Bailey really wanted to redeem himself after being a bit of an ass in the first book.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: A Quiet Hell

Greetings to the month of September. I'm kind of not ready for it yet, mainly because once the calendar changes to the ninth month, it seems like October, November, and December zoom by super fast.

Had a great work week and made some progress on my new venture. I'm crossing my fingers I'll be able to launch sometime between October and December. Another reason I'm not quite ready for the new month.

Decent viewing week. I'm not quite caught up on everything, but I'm getting there. I did make a full rotation of my usual shows but I'm off schedule, which confuses my weird brain.

Got two episodes of Only Murders in the Building watched and I'm kind of loving this show. Had a great conversation with my daughter, who also loves it.

Caught an episode of Blue Heelers and kind of thought a couple of the characters were acting unlike themselves. But I did like the mystery.

Enjoyed another MasterClass lesson with Roxane Gay. She did another workshop and talked about finding your voice as a writer. Very good stuff.

Finished up The Babysitters Club and I'm so bummed there aren't any more episodes left. I'll be starting a new show this week but haven't decided which one yet.

Watched two episodes of Classic Rugrats. The Chanukah episode is one of my favorites and I always enjoyed watching it with the kiddos. The Mother's Day episode is also up there even if it's a little bit of a downer.

Started Resisting Roots, a Passionflix original. So far, I'm enjoying it. Looking forward to finishing up this movie.

Caught another episode of Chicago Med and struggled to stay interested. I liked two of the storylines and didn't really have much invested in the other two. Season five might be my last one.

Enjoyed another episode of Batman: The Animated Series. This one introduced the Joker and my major appreciation for Mark Hamill's portrayal of the iconic bad guy started all over again.

Watched the Christmas episode of Ted Lasso and thoroughly enjoyed it. Ted having Rupert's number made me happy. Also loved Roy in this one. And I'm finding a deep appreciation for Keeley. I really love the dynamic she has with Rebecca. Jamie … I absolutely dislike with an intense passion. Just saying. Coach Beard is awesome. And so is Nate.

Caught another episode of The Brokenwood Mysteries. I'm kind of bummed I only have one more left of the season. This show makes me happy.

Finished up the second part and final episode of Silent Witness's season nineteen. Looking forward to starting the new one next week.

Watched another episode of Classic Who. I'm a little lost with what's supposed to be going on but I had a few distractions while I was watching this episode. Looking forward to the final two for this season.

Enjoyed another Strangest Things. This one had several fun artifacts. One happened to feature in a middle grade book I edited a few years ago. Very fun to see a breakdown of the item the author wrote about in his book.

Caught another episode of The Book of Boba Fett. I actually love this show a lot. It's right up there with The Mandalorian. I'm hoping there will be another season of this one.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from A Quiet Hell, a novella where the characters meet under intense circumstances and then figure out the puzzle of what's going on with one of them.

Here's the mini-blurb:

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…

Mattox Lang sat very still with her gaze straight ahead, carefully watching the clock. A quiet time in hell, she hated being in the therapist's office. With a passionate intensity only a pre-teen could understand.

The kindly woman leaned forward. "Mattox, dear, I really am trying to help you." Her hands were clasped in her lap.

Mattox had no doubt the therapist wanted to get to the root of her problems. But fear of the unknown trumped the known repercussions if everything went sideways. And it would.

It always does.

She learned that hard lesson at the tender age of five—when the beatings started. Her mom discovered Mattox's gift for seeing into peoples thoughts and quickly decided how to handle the burden. I won't have an abnormal child. You will not be a freak.

Each word punctuated by a blow, Mattox never fought back. The images in her mom's mind gave her a glimpse of what Audra Lang wanted to do. The violence in her mother's heart involved being left to raise a child she wanted nothing to do with. Alcohol dulled Audra's pain and helped her cope but it also dulled her control.

Two weeks ago, Mattox came to school with bruises she couldn't hide and the school nurse shook her head. "You need to talk to someone, Mattox. Let them help you."

At twelve, Mattox had a handle on what could happen. She said nothing, even though the nurse suspected Mattox's injuries were from her mom. Unless Mattox named Audra as the culprit, the nurse could only inform child services. Which she did.

Now Mattox remained in the stupid oversized chair, not speaking a word, counting the minutes tick by on the clock.

The nice lady tried to draw Mattox out. "Please answer a few questions and I can take things from there." She reached for her notepad and pen.

Mattox refused to answer. Her mom would find a way to make Mattox pay if she did. And she'd make sure the bruises weren't visible anymore.

The social worker made one final attempt. "Let's try something else then." She set out a sketch pad along with charcoals and pastels. "You can draw how you're feeling if you'd like." She got up and went to her desk, leaving Mattox in the chair.

Tempted, Mattox almost took the offer. Art had become her refuge. She couldn't begin to explain how or why she could read and envision people's thoughts but drawing what she saw helped her function as somewhat normally.

Mattox bit her tongue, hard, to resist the dangling carrot on the table and kept her gaze on the clock.

Five more minutes of this quiet hell.

This story has a place in my heart. The couple and their journey ended up being a lot more than I thought it would be. I love it when that happens.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: A Quiet Hell

Bleh. I found out we need to get a new furnace because ours is old, horribly inefficient, and very dangerous. Fun news I didn't really need or want. The good news is the new furnace will be super energy efficient and probably save us a buttload of money overall. I definitely won't complain about that.

Had a semi-decent viewing week. I caught two episodes of Midsomer Murders and should be ready to start the final series. I'll be sorry to see Cam go. I liked her.

Caught episodes of Murdoch Mysteries and Frankie Drake Mysteries. I'm kind of on the fence with the new season of Frankie. I liked the first episode but it feels like a very different show. I loved the first season, enjoyed the second season, so I'm hoping I'll fall into a groove with the third. We'll see how it goes.

Finished up the first story arc of Sapphire and Steel. I rather like the show. I'll give the rest of the season a whirl and see how it goes with this one too.

Watched the rest of Classic Who's season eight. I'll be starting season nine this week.

I should also be catching the final episode of Arrow's season seven run. I'm trying to savor every last moment because season eight is the final bow.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from A Quiet Hell, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

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…

Mattox wanted to snatch the offer back as soon as it left her mouth. But she couldn't stand the torment oozing from every channel coming from Bruce. The man didn't have much longer before he went completely mad.

Bruce narrowed his gaze. "You actually see what I'm thinking?" He tilted his head and gave her an overt once-over.

Marie made an attempt to step in. "Uh, Bruce, maybe we should give Mattox a little breathing room." She started for the coffeepot.

Mattox waved off Marie's concern. "It's okay, Marie. I'm good now." She did her best to shield her senses and met Bruce's gaze. "Being crude doesn't change facts, Mr. Wendelson. But I'll give you points for being inventive." Her lips twitched when his mouth dropped open.

His gaze went speculative. "You could be well-versed in reading people. I still don't believe you can see what's in my head." He folded his arms over his chest.

Mattox leaned in closer to him and pitched her voice low. "Sex. Up against the wall. You pulled a switch and had your shoulders braced with me straddling your thighs. That's why you got points for being creative." She sat back and gave him a pointed glance.

His face took a ruddy shade of red. "Damn. Okay. You've made your point." He met her gaze this time. "I'm sorry. That was a total dick move and you didn't deserve it." Slumping back, he sighed. "I'm usually not a complete asshole."

Marie brought two cups of coffee over and handed one to Bruce then held the other up, asking if Mattox wanted it.

She accepted gratefully. "Thanks, Marie. I really am okay now." The shielding helped and the caffeine would clear the cobwebs from passing out.

She still had a running movie playing in her mind, but she filtered out the hopelessness and frustration that held Bruce in their grip. Her heart went out to the man, even while her brain urged caution. Instinctively, her gut warned he had the power to break her.

Marie took a chair and turned it around to face them. "Well, Mattox… I'm right, aren't I? Bruce is special like you." She almost preened.

Mattox gave a brief snort. "I've always thought of it more as a—"

Bruce cut in. "Curse."

Mattox huffed out a laugh. "Exactly." She turned toward Marie. "I don't know what's going on yet… if Mr. Wendelson has an ability or if he's just caught up in something else, but I should be able to help."

Bruce broke in again. "It's Bruce, please. If what I suspect is going to happen happens, Mr. Wendelson is gonna get old real quick." He paused and took a bracing gulp of the coffee. "We'll need to be on a first name basis."

Mattox grinned. "Bruce it is. Obviously, I'm Mattox. I rarely use my last name." She tried to avoid anything to do with her mother. "I do think I can help you, but if you don't want one-on-one sessions, it's going to be difficult."

Bruce closed his eyes and slowly exhaled. "I had a traumatic experience as a kid during therapy. But I'm willing to do just about anything to be able to sleep again." His gaze went dark and stormy.

Man, did she feel his pain on that topic.

Mattox braced herself and put a hand on his arm. "What I do isn't therapy, Bruce. Not in the traditional sense." She stopped a moment then opted to finish with the biggest truth bomb she could. "But you'll have to be comfortable with me sharing your bed for a while."

I like writing Mattox and Bruce. Wounded souls that find their way to each other is one of my favorite things.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: A Quiet Hell

As usual, the weather in Ohio is all over the map. A balmy fifty degrees one day and single digits the next. It's crazy.

I'm working my way through my binge watch of Hawaii Five-0. I'm currently in season 4 at the halfway mark. I'm rather happy with the continuity to this point. When shows play with their history and / or rewrite it, I get a little cranky. (I'm looking at you NCIS: LA)

Need to catch up on The Librarians and Teen Wolf. Definitely looking forward to the return of my regular shows later this month.

Tonight's post is from A Quiet Hell, a novella that started with a writing community prompt of getting help or going to counseling.

Here's the mini-blurb:

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…

Bruce dropped to Mattox's side. "Hey, are you okay?" He checked for a pulse and breathed easier when he found one.

Marie cleared the room, ushering the other group members out.

She returned and placed a hand on Bruce's shoulder. "Can you help get her up? We can get her settled on the sofa over here." Waving a hand, she indicated the couch she had in mind.

Bruce didn't argue, he swept his arm under her legs and gathered Mattox close. "I got her." He deposited her on the cushions and sat beside her.

Her reaction to meeting him had him perplexed. Yet, she drew him in, even in her unconscious state. Something about Mattox called to him on a deep level.

And the idea freaked him out.

Marie placed a cool washcloth over Mattox's forehead. Bruce didn't even know the counselor had left to get one. Definitely off his game right now.

He glanced up. "Does this happen often?" Marie mentioned Mattox had some kind of psychic attunement thing—the reason she wanted to introduce them.

Bruce didn't know if he believed in abilities of that nature, but he'd reached his limit and decided meeting her couldn't hurt anything.

Never occurred she might be the one to suffer.

Marie shook her head. "No, never. Mattox is one of the strongest women I know." She pulled a chair around and sat beside the couch.

Bruce went to stand, but Mattox started coming around.  Her eyes blinked open and went wide. She flung her arm across her line of sight and eased to a sitting position.

Bruce moved to the other end of the cushions, giving her some space.

She kept her gaze averted. "Sorry about that." She looked in Marie's direction. "I don't usually faint when I meet new people." Her head angled toward Bruce, but her hair kept her eyes hidden from his view. "This will sound insane, but if I'm going to work with you, we need to keep some distance." She paused a moment. "At least until I get a handle on things."

Bruce frowned. "Things? We barely met before you dropped like a stone." He scooted a little further away.

Mattox let out a garbled laugh. "Yeah, well, I don't know how else to describe what happened. I looked into your eyes and everything went black." She lifted a shoulder. "I'm assuming that means there's a super strong connection. Whatever vibes you're giving off are powerful." She glanced at Marie. "As much as I hate to even think this, group sessions probably won't work here."

Bruce sat up. "Hold up. You're not suggesting something one on one, are you?" He got up and paced back and forth. "Because you just said you passed out because you looked me in the eyes. How can we accomplish anything if you're unconscious?" He glared in Marie's direction. "You know what? Thanks for the effort, but I'm done here." He started for the exit.

"You'll never sleep again if you don't face the demons in your dreams."

Mattox's words stopped him cold.

He turned and carefully avoided her gaze. "How do you know?"

Mattox got up, swaying slightly. "Because I see what's in your head and I can help you find out what they want."

I love the paranormal flavor in this one. Not exactly standard fare but lots of fun to write.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: A Quiet Hell

August 31, 2014

Season finale for Defiance… sooooo good. Seriously, I hope it gets renewed. Without giving away too many spoilers, I kind of loved where some of the characters ended up. I'm kind of on the fence about Amanda, but won't say more to avoid spilling anything.

The Walking Dead is almost ready to premiere and Sons of Anarchy rides next week. Makes waiting for Arrow's return in October worth it. Also looking forward to Sleepy Hollow and Gotham. Crossing my fingers FOX won't muck either of those shows up too much.

Enough TV for now. Tonight's post is from A Quiet Hell, a novella with a little paranormal romance for the characters.

Here's the tagline:

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…

Mattox enjoyed the group sessions. Unlike the one-on-one appointments, where the focus rested solely on her, the inclusion of others helped her sort through her visions and sharpened her intuition. She still didn't say much, but she would contribute when someone needed a nudge, especially if she got a strong connection.

The director of therapy, Marie Semmel, smiled when Mattox entered the room and waved her over to the table where coffee and other beverages were available.

She poured a large cup and handed it over. "Mattox, I'm so glad you got here early. I have a big favor to ask of you."

Mattox cringed a little on the inside, but kept her outward calm. Marie always had the best intentions, but sometimes forgot Mattox liked to keep a low profile.

She took a bracing gulp of the java, steeling herself to listen. "Okay, what's the favor?"

Marie lowered her voice. "I have a new participant coming today and I'd really like to get your take on him after the session."

Mattox relaxed. She could definitely offer an opinion.

Marie continued, leaning in closer. "He's special, like you."

Mattox held back a rude snort. Cursed would be a better descriptive term. Marie considered Mattox's affliction a gift and she'd long ago given up trying to persuade the director otherwise. Until Marie had to deal with being on paranormal alert twenty-four hours a day, Mattox didn't see the point in a circular argument.

Her senses on full alert, Mattox set the cup aside and met Marie's gaze. "You know how I feel about raising the topic of otherworldly things in group. I'll observe and inform you of what I see and sense, but don't ask me to participate in discussion."

Marie gave Mattox a wide-eyed nod. "Of course, whatever you're comfortable with." She glanced toward the entrance. "Ah, he's arrived." Her hand went up and she motioned the new member over. "Mattox, this is Bruce Wendelson."

Mattox turned, her palm extended to welcome Bruce. Her gaze clashed with his and her world went black…

Right before she doubled over and hit the floor.

Strong reaction, no? LOL Mattox gets to help Bruce whether she wants to or not. J

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye