Sunday Snippet: Broken Arrow

Wow, January is almost over and it's been a month. I'm cautiously optimistic the year will get better and crossing my fingers to be on the safe side.

Had a semi-busy week with work and I'm still on my cleaning spree. I did get some television watched. Started with another arc of Classic Who and watched the four-part Pyramids of Mars. Will probably get another arc in this week.

Started the next two episodes of Silent Witness. Oddly enough, it featured a horse race and I just finished editing a book about a thoroughbred dynasty so I understood a lot of the jargon.

Also started a new episode of Blue Heelers. There's another new cast member and I'll reserve judgment on whether I like her or not.

As usual, I caught a bunch of the Ovation mysteries and some classic Perry Mason. I also caught a marathon of Hawaii Five-0. I might be somewhat over the loss of Chin and Kono and ready to watch the final seasons. We'll see.

That's pretty much it for television. Tonight's post is from Broken Arrow, a novella that has a character trying to find her way through a crippling experience.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Cailin Berg is a broken arrow, a mage suffering from a crippling experience who can no longer use their skills, and she wants to find a way back to her practice. Phelps Morlach can't give her any answers, but he will offer whatever assistance he can provide … especially since he holds some of the responsibility for Cailin's predicament.

And a preview snippet…

After Farsi settled back on her seat, Cailin made a demand. "You're going to help me, old woman. Tell me what I need to know." She couldn't take the constant barrage of images and noisy echoes in her head.

The oracle calmly shook her head. "You're not ready." She folded her hands and held Cailin's gaze.

Cailin crumpled and made a hard admission. "I'm close to losing my mind." Tears pricked behind her eyelids, but she refused to let them fall.

Farsi gently placed a hand on Cailin's. "Let me make one suggestion. Try to find a quiet place to meditate twice a day." Her fingers tightened on Cailin's. "And, yes, I know you don't have a full appreciation for the art, but you do know how to do it, don't you." She arched a brow.

Cailin nodded because Farsi didn't make it a question. Any mage who'd studied the magickal realm had the ability to meditate.

Farsi continued. "After a week, come back and I will make another effort to give you answers." She let go of Cailin's hand.

Cailin reluctantly agreed. "I really don't have another option, do I?" She couldn't do any magick and she couldn't live this way.

If only she could talk to Phelps. I'm too scared to open up to him. Her fear might be the actual death of her.

Giving Farsi a nod, she slowly got up to leave.

I love how this story is coming together. Cailin has a journey to take and she's reluctant to travel the road she's on, but she'll have some help from Phelps.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Broken Arrow

Hello, February! We've got snow and slushy ick outside today. Perfect weather for the big game I won't be watching. LOL

So… The Flash definitely got Barry out his regular cell, which is terrific. Sadly, he ended up in a much worse predicament. Nice that he got to do a good deed before landing there.

Black Lightning continues to make me happy. I need a few hours to binge watch all the eps together so I can truly immerse into the universe. Looking forward to that.

I'm behind an episode of Riverdale. Need to catch up this week before the new episode.

Arrow… wow. I have so much love for this show. The dueling teams sadden me but I like where everyone is for the moment. I have a truly bad vibe that I won't share just yet but it's going to make me really angry if I'm right. Not mad in a bad way so maybe disappointed is a better word. Stay tuned. LOL

Got through another four episodes of Chicago Fire and I'm so glad the almost lethally lame fill-in chief is gone. Nice to see Welsh do something terrific for once.

I'm almost through season one of The Punisher. Gotta say this show pisses me off to no end but for all the right reasons. I'm kind of interested and waiting to see where they take the Lewis storyline. Right now it's not meshing well with the other parts. We'll see how it goes.

Also need to catch up on my period dramas. Hopefully, I'll have something for next week.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Broken Arrow, a novella that examines how fitting in isn't always the right path and what happens when it's not.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Cailin Berg is a broken arrow, a mage suffering from a crippling experience who can no longer use their skills, and she wants to find a way back to her practice. Phelps Morlach can't give her any answers, but he will offer whatever assistance he can provide… especially since he holds some of the responsibility for Cailin's predicament.

And a preview snippet…

Phelps Morlach entered the quiet alcove and settled across from Cailin Berg, his student, lover, and best friend. His news grave, he considered how to break the information without sending her into a magical tailspin.

Reaching out, he grasped her hands. "Cailin, I've come from the proctor." His thumbs traced wide circles on her skin.

Cailin smiled. "And I'm going to my final examination? When? This week?" She nearly bounced with anticipation.

Phelps shook his head. "No, not this week, or even this month." His gaze met hers. "You need more time, Cailin." He braced for her reaction.

She jerked her hands from his. "You told him, didn't you? About the nightmare I had." Rising from the chaise, she stalked back and forth. "I can't believe you, Phelps. It was one damned dream; nothing says it has to be a prophetic one." She whirled and faced him. "You don't believe in me or my powers. You're so blessed obsessed with having and keeping me, you'll do anything to hold me back." She sneered. "No more, Phelps. I won't wait any longer. I'm leaving tonight." She crossed the floor, her boots scraping along the stone surface. "We're through."

The door, which the society never closed, slammed shut behind her.

Phelps closed his eyes. He sucked. Truly, completely, utterly. How could he possibly explain he didn't lack faith in her? He believed Cailin would do spectacular things one day.

But… the darkness she carried inside her gave him pause. He didn't have the skills to help her get past the nightmare—a prophetic one whether she believed or not—or the ability to show her how to control the dark streak of power. The proctor's edict gave Phelps time to study, learn, and put forth his best effort to keep Cailin from unleashing the raw, tainted magic before she got a handle on the havoc she could create.

The time didn't matter now. His fear for her drove her away.

He'd failed Cailin and lost her in the process.

I'm happy with how this story is unfolding. Cailin has some deep soul-searching to do and it's fun to write how she finally gets the job done.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Broken Arrow

So… I have the final two episodes of Strike Back waiting to be watched and I'm putting it off. Because I want to savor the last two hours before it's over for good. LOL

Teen Wolf… eh, this past week felt like a bunch of set-up, which is okay, but I'm kind of wanting the new guy to be found out and I really want to know what the hell is going on with Stiles. Here's hoping Monday's episode sheds some light.

The Last Ship continues to keep me glued to the screen. I love everything about this show, the actors, the pacing, the storyline, and most definitely the characters. So much awesome rolled into forty-five minutes. Just saying.

Friday night lineup is still kicking major good vibes. Defiance and Killjoys each turned in superb viewing. Repercussions abounded and I pretty much loved both episodes. Dark Matter also dropped some interesting info bombs, which did indeed tie back to the clues in previous episodes. Really liking the dynamic and the way it changes when new stuff is revealed about the characters.

Tonight's post is from Broken Arrow, a novella where my main characters have some serious issues to work through.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Cailin Berg is a broken arrow, a mage suffering from a crippling experience who can no longer use their skills, and she wants to find a way back to her practice. Phelps Morlach can't give her any answers, but he will offer whatever assistance he can provide… especially since he holds some of the responsibility for Cailin's predicament.

And a preview snippet…

Phelps Morlach entered the quiet alcove and settled across from Cailin Berg, his student, lover, and best friend. His news grave, he considered how to break the information without sending her into a magical tailspin.

Reaching out, he grasped her hands. "Cailin, I've come from the proctor." His thumbs traced wide circles on her skin.

Cailin smiled. "And I'm going to my final examination? When? This week?" She nearly bounced with anticipation.

Phelps shook his head. "No, not this week, or even this month." His gaze met hers. "You need more time, Cailin." He braced for her reaction.

She jerked her hands from his. "You told him, didn't you? About the nightmare I had." Rising from the chaise, she stalked back and forth. "I can't believe you, Phelps. It was one damned dream; nothing says it has to be a prophetic one." She whirled and faced him. "You don't believe in me or my powers. You're so blessed obsessed with having and keeping me, you'll do anything to hold me back." She sneered. "No more, Phelps. I won't wait any longer. I'm leaving tonight." She crossed the floor, her boots scraping along the stone surface. "We're through."

The door, which the society never closed, slammed shut behind her.

Phelps closed his eyes. He sucked. Truly, completely, utterly. How could he possibly explain he didn't lack faith in her? He believed Cailin would do spectacular things one day.

But… the darkness she carried inside her gave him pause. He didn't have the skills to help her get past the nightmare—a prophetic one whether she believed or not—or the ability to show her how to control the dark streak of power. The proctor's edict gave Phelps time to study, learn, and put forth his best effort to keep Cailin from unleashing the raw, tainted magic before she got a handle on the havoc she could create.

The time didn't matter now. His fear for her drove her away.

He'd failed Cailin and lost her in the process.

Truly loving how this one is coming together. I've written a lot of the story longhand and it's flowing really well.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Broken Arrow

Greetings!

Gah! What a week in television. Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D got interesting, Sons of Anarchy kicked several plots up a notch, Arrow continues to WOW me, Haven had a kick ass episode and Walking Dead still amazes and creeps me out all at the same time. J I already miss Strike Back, but hopefully a new season will be announced, if it hasn't been already.

Shifting gears, tonight's post is from Broken Arrow, a novella where Cailin has to figure out where she belongs and how to get there.

Here's the tagline:

Cailin Berg is a broken arrow, a mage suffering from a crippling experience who can no longer use their skills, and she wants to find a way back to her practice. Phelps Morlach can't give her any answers, but he will offer whatever assistance he can provide… especially since he holds some of the responsibility for Cailin's predicament.

And a preview snippet…

Farsi turned, picked up a bowl filled with sand, and placed it on the table. "You need a compass, my dear." The oracle drew a circle in the grains and added directional markers. "Someone to guide your aim so it stays true."

Cailin frowned. "Someone?" Could the spiritual guru make less sense?

Farsi nodded. "Yes. A person."

"Could you be less informative?" Cailin huffed out a frustrated breath. "I'm supposed to do what, exactly? Follow some guy, or hell, some girl around then?"

Farsi smiled, an indulgent curving of her lips, and the gesture pissed Cailin off.

Her hand slammed down. "Don't screw with me, old woman. I'm not in the mood." She slouched down in her chair and crossed her arms in front of her.

Farsi quirked an eyebrow. "I can see you're also not in the frame of mind to see what's in front of you or listen with your heart instead of your ears." She smoothed the sand into a flat surface. "The noise in your head is loud and it drowns everything else out. Sometimes what you need to hear is only but a whisper."

Cailin rolled her eyes. "Whatever that means. I don't have the time or patience for riddles. Either help me or shut up."

Farsi pursed her lips. "Hear my words, Cailin Berg. You have one constant in your life. Find it and you'll find the answers and peace you seek." She lifted the bowl and placed it on the shelf again.

Cailin is fun to write, her impatience often mirrors mine. LOL

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye