Sunday Snippet: Quell the Boom

Whew. What a day. But I had a great week. I'm getting ready to start a very exciting new project and moving along on another one. I also got to spend three days with one of my friends at a gorgeous Airbnb not far from where I live.

Actually stayed pretty much caught up on my regular viewing schedule—watching ahead a little definitely helped.

Started a new Classic Who arc and kind of enjoyed the storyline. Looking forward to seeing what happens this week.

Watched another episode of Most Terrifying Places in America. This one had Devil's Playground as the title and it kind of fit based on the anecdotes.

Caught the second episode of Moon Knight and enjoyed it. I like the series so far and look forward to another episode.

Enjoyed another episode of Harrow. I have two episodes left and I'm pretty interested in seeing how they play out. I loved the mention of the two big bads from the earlier seasons. I'm glad someone finally kind of connected those dots.

Watched another episode of Blue Heelers and things took a turn I didn't expect, which is always fun. Looking forward to the next episode.

Completed another MasterClass with Roxane Gay. She focused on research this time and, again, I got some good ideas from her lesson.

Caught another episode of The Babysitter's Club. I like the new girls and I love how much growth Christy showed. Actually, all the girls showed some growth and it's terrific to see.

Enjoyed two more episodes of Classic Rugrats. Oddly, they were very Angelica-centric which I didn't remember.

Watched an episode of Chicago Med and enjoyed it, even if it ended up being a little soap-operaish. I did like the way the storylines played out.

Finished up the opening episodes of Batman: the Animated Series. Looking forward to really diving back into this series.

Started season three of Driven, a Passionflix original series. Terrific premiere episode. I'm excited to see where things go from this point.

Also caught another episode of The Snoopy Show. This one had a great mix of the characters and each vignette had great humor.

That's pretty much it for the life update. Tonight's post is from Quell the Boom, a novella that puts rival characters together to solve a dangerous situation.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Quinna Joltz and Efran Pendragon, experts in diffusing magical bombs, tend to let their rivalry take center stage, but when an unbalanced wizard plants devices that can bring down their entire city, they agree to work together. The adrenaline filled race finally gives them some perspective and a little bit of common ground to share.

And a preview snippet…

Quinna forgot about everything—food, the incantations, the bombs. The kiss blew her mind. Efran did not lack in the creative department when it came to mashing lips together.

How did I not know this?

She might have started the lip-lock but Efran quickly took control. His hands cupped her face and he teased and tempted, his head slanting to take the embrace deeper. Her brain melted when his tongue slipped past her teeth to duel with hers.

This is exactly what I need. I need Efran and really hot sex.

As soon as the thought hit, she tried to squash it. Then gave in and let the idea blossom in her mind. Why the hell shouldn't they take a much-needed break for food and fun?

She eased away and blinked. "Wow. Ensnared in a web of my own making." She met his gaze. "You've got some mad skills, Efran." She hooked a finger in his shirt collar. "I want more." She leaned in and caught his mouth with hers.

Working her hands under his shirt, she inched the fabric up. Warm skin met her fingertips and she craved more. Pushing his shirt up further, she splayed her palm over his chest.

Efran grasped her hand. "Uh, might not be the best time for this." His fingers curled around hers.

Quinna glanced downward. "At least one part of you disagrees with that statement." The long, hard evidence couldn't be denied.

Efran lifted his shoulder. "All well and true, but we've got something way more important to deal with, don't you think?" His thumb made a circular motion over her skin.

He's not nearly as chill as he's pretending, whether he knows it or not.

Quinna opted for full-blown honesty. "If you think I struggled to concentrate before, it'll be worse now." She met his gaze. "My brain is going to focus on one thing right now and that would be getting naked with you and burning through the overload of energy I need to expel." Her brain wanted what it wanted.

Efran huffed out a breath. "Damn. You don't mince words, do you?" He stepped away, clearly needing some space.

Quinna shrugged. "With what we do, I try hard not to. But don't get caught up in the brutal honesty. I'm not losing sight of the importance of being prepared for what we have to do." She paused a moment. "But you nailed my problem earlier. I have to take a break. And I'll point out the fact that I've followed your plan up to this point. Maybe you could be a little flexible now." A horrible thought hit her. "Or do you not find me attractive?" Just because his body had a physical response didn't mean he liked it.

Efran shook his head. "I find you annoying, distracting, and a little insane." He ran a hand through his hair. "But, I also find you so incredibly sexy I struggle to think straight sometimes." His hand dropped and he slumped against the counter.

Quinna blinked. "You could have fooled me." But at least the sparks weren't one-sided.

Efran's lips curved. "Yeah, well, I'm very good at compartmentalizing."

Quinna moved closer to him. "Maybe you should relax the death grip you have on yourself. For an hour or so…" Probably wouldn't be enough time, but she didn't want to push her luck.

Efran closed the distance between them. "Maybe I should." He cupped her face again and brought his mouth to hers.

This is a fun story. Writing characters that have very different methods for solving problems is entertaining!

That's it for this week.

 

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Quell the Boom

My second senior night is in the books. We got to participate in pre-game moments for the football game, meet with our daughter on the field, and basically bask in her glory for band. We are so, so lucky with her particular group of friends. They've been together for a long time, most of them since elementary school, and it's terrific to watch how they hold each other up and make themselves accountable.

I also got to finally attend one of her band competitions. She's got a duet with another senior and they sounded terrific. I'm hoping I can make more of her shows this year.

My week was jammed with work and running around but I did get to watch some of my usual standbys, starting with Peter Gunn. I finished up the second season and got a start on the third and final one. I should have that one finished up by the end of the month.

I also caught two more arcs of Classic Who and have started on the third doctor's series. This week's episodes were, Spearhead from Space and Doctor Who and the Silurians. I rather like the third doctor so far.

Watched three more Midsomer Murders episodes. I thoroughly enjoyed each one. I'm into series eighteen, so I only have two more to go.

I finished up another episode of Blue Heelers and started a new one. The new one features an almost washed-up footie player, which is fun for me because the US, at least in my part of it, doesn't really follow soccer, unless it's during the championships. Then everyone and their brother has a team. Seriously, it's bonkers.

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

Here's the mini-blurb:

Quinna Joltz and Efran Pendragon, experts in diffusing magical bombs, tend to let their rivalry take center stage, but when an unbalanced wizard plants devices that can bring down their entire city, they agree to work together. The adrenaline filled race finally gives them some perspective and a little bit of common ground to share.

And a preview snippet…

Quinna Joltz made a slow circle around the incendiary device tucked inside a spellbound container. "Tricky bastard." She'd have to reverse the spell before the bomb went off.

The person responsible upped the ante each time he—or she—planted the destructive objects. The first two were easily dealt with. This one… not so much.

She stopped and planted her hands on her hips. "I hate spellcasting." One slip-up on word order could accelerate the countdown.

Unless… maybe a general counteractive incantation would void the spell and she could disarm the explosive or render it useless in one go. Yeah… that could work.

Quinna closed her eyes and centered her mind. "Undo what's been done by the hand of another. Then subdue the bomb, squash and smother." Her fingers made a series of motions giving life to the spell.

A loud pop jolted her eyes open. A trail of smoke drifted up from the mangled heap of parts inside the container. Hot damn. She'd pulled it off.

Using a little magick, she scooped up the pieces and teleported them back to the Briarcliff estate house. Her bosses would want to go over the remnants with a fine-tooth comb. Three bombs in three weeks didn't bode well for the future.

She exited the old warehouse on the waterfront. "If the rumors are true, I'm not the only one dealing with this crap." The gossip mavens worked overtime to add any and all tidbits to the gristmill about the bombs.

They had it on good authority the Hampstead district got the same type of devices. Which meant her pseudo-rival, Efran Pendragon, probably had his hands full, too. No doubt, she'd end up in some information exchange meeting with him by the end of the week.

A smile spread across her face. "That'll be fun." He'd have his nose out of joint and she'd have to go out of her way to make nice with his cranky self.

She laughed. Or not. She could pour on the snark instead.

Heading down the darkened street, she shook her head. "Either way, he won't be happy."

For such an incredibly attractive man, he sure went out of his way to be a pain.

I'm having fun trying to combine the magickal angle with the realism of a mad bomber. Quinna and Efran are going to have their hands full.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Quell the Boom

Tis the season! The final month of the year filled with joy, happiness, and insanely crazy schedules. LOL

I'm working on a little something I hope to share throughout the month, with the idea dependent upon how many hours I have left over during the day.

Television this week had the best almost full week crossover in the DC universe. Supergirl, The Flash, Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow went up against the dominators and came out on top. Pretty great stuff!

The Librarians had a fun episode. I like it when Jenkins and Eve have adventures. The Walking Dead's Tara-centric episode ended up being pretty terrific, too.

Gotham got interesting with the introduction of Selena's mother and Gordon landing in another hot mess. Of course, Barbara and company teaming up with Nygma can only be a good thing.

Agents of SHIELD took a twisty turn having Mac inhabited by the fiery vengeance seeker for a brief period. I'm liking where everything is headed.

For fun, I started what I’m calling my Great Holiday Show Binge Watch. I started out with all the holiday episodes of JAG then dove into the Doctor Who Christmas specials. I'm up to "The End of Time" when David Tennant hands over the TARDIS to Matt Smith. Hoping to finish out the Whoverse episodes and maybe start on NCIS next.

And that's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Quell the Boom, a novella that started with the prompt of "write an action adventure story with a bomb". Fun stuff.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Quinna Joltz and Efran Pendragon, experts in diffusing magical bombs, tend to let their rivalry take center stage, but when an unbalanced wizard plants devices that can bring down their entire city, they agree to work together. The adrenaline filled race finally gives them some perspective and a little bit of common ground to share.

And a preview snippet…

Efran heaved a frustrated sigh. "Quinna, you have got to focus. What is your damned problem?" For someone who ranked at the top of her game, she had the attention span of gnat.

Quinna rolled her eyes. "My damned problem is you telling me what I have to do." She got up and paced the floor. "If you mention the word focus one more time, I'm going to drop you on your ass." Her fingers flexed before she balled her hands into fists.

Efran studied her a moment. Edgy, twitchy, and jumpy. What the hell? If he didn't know her, he'd swear she jonesed for a fix. Quinna prowled around the chamber, her gaze sweeping back and forth then up and down.

He settled his seat on the floor. "You're climbing the walls. You can't stand inactivity." He should've realized earlier.

Quinna whirled around. "Are you my therapist now?" She moved to the window, separating the blinds to peer outside. "I'm fine. Start on the next incantation." Her foot bounced up and down.

Efran closed the book and got up. He moved to her side, noting her closed off expression, the tense lines of her mouth, and pent-up energy screaming for release.

She slid him a sideways glance. "Dammit, Efran, you said we were staying in here until we knew everything upside down, inside out, forwards, backward, sideways, and whatever else. Start the next incantation, will you?" Her gaze went back to the window. "We're six hours in and haven't killed each other yet. Don't test the limits of my flexibility."

She had a point. He pushed hard and she had yet to complain.  Her distraction had caught his attention and her comment about how much time they'd been behind closed doors hit him. They needed a break. Or at least she did. Efran got so lost in the work, he shut everything else out. Hunger, thirst, the necessity to rest his brain all took a back seat to the task at hand.

He snapped his fingers. "Food." Turning, he ambled to the small kitchenette to see what had been stocked.

Quinna's head snapped up. "What did you say?" She followed him. "Are you seriously thinking about eating right now?"

He glanced up from behind the fridge door. "Yeah. We're not going to get anything done if you can't fo—" He cleared his throat and corrected. "Concentrate. You need sustenance." He turned and grabbed items to make sandwiches, setting everything on the counter.

She folded her arms across her chest. "And you don't?" Her brow shot up.

He shrugged. "I'm used to putting aside any and all until the job's done." He met her gaze. "But if we're going to work together, I should probably dial back my single-mindedness a little." His lips quirked.

Quinna snorted. "You think?" She made her way to the counter and started helping with the food. "Don't you ever relax?" Heading for the cupboard, she retrieved a couple of glasses and poured some tea.

Efran paused a moment, tilting his head to one side. "Yeah, I guess." Didn't he?

Quinna laughed. "Oh, Efran, for all your brainpower, I'm not sure you even know the definition of the word." She placed the drinks on the butcher block and parked her butt on a barstool. "Relax… to unwind, kick back, take a load off." Snagging a sandwich, she mumbled around a big bite. "Any of those sound familiar?"

Efran bit back a pissy reply. Maybe he didn't swing from chandeliers—something Quinna had a reputation for—or go skinny dipping during the full moon—an unforgettable sight he witnessed just last month. But her poking fun grated.

He handwaved her chiding remark. "I know how to have a good time." And he didn't have to draw every eyeball in the city to do it.

Quinna snorted. "I doubt that. What, exactly, do you do to let loose?" She drained half the glass of tea.

Efran countered with a question. "Why don't we start with what you do?" He washed the last of his ham and cheese down with a big gulp of his drink.

Quinna's saucy smirk should have been a red flag.

She got up, rounded the counter and fisted her hand in his shirt. "For starters? I find a super-hot guy and"—hauling him close, her mouth hovered close to his—"do something like this." She planted a scorching kiss on his lips.

Well, hell. He should've seen that one coming.

Quinna is going to challenge Efran at every turn, but they'll find a way to work together.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Quell the Boom

It's SDCC weekend! I love how much my Twitter and Facebook feeds explode with fun and exciting information about my favorite shows and movies. So many great pictures, quotes, and rapid-fire reports to sink into and devour—a new trailer for what to expect on the rest of Defiance, a teaser for Arrow season three, reports about The Avengers: Age of Utron, and tons of cosplay pictures, which I love to see.

And SDCC kind of launches the countdown for Dragon Con in September. I've never had the opportunity to attend, but I have so many online friends who go, I'm lucky enough to pretty much experience the whole thing vicariously through them.

Tonight's post is from Quell the Boom, a magical fantasy where my main characters diffuse enchanted bombs.

Here's the tagline:

Quinna Joltz and Efran Pendragon, experts in diffusing magical bombs, tend to let their rivalry take center stage, but when an unbalanced wizard plants devices that can bring down their entire city, they agree to work together. The adrenaline filled race finally gives them some perspective and a little bit of common ground to share.

And a preview snippet…

Quinna paced the room. "Look, Efran, I don't like this whole team up idea one little bit." She whirled around and faced him. "We might be the best at what we do, but our methods for diffusing bombs are as different as night and day." She pinned him with her gaze. "We can't fuck this up."

He cocked his head to one side. "We won't… because you and I are going to lock ourselves in a chamber for the next twelve hours and run every possible scenario." He grabbed one of the spell books from the shelf. "We'll do the incantations over and over, forward, backward, upside down, and sideways, until we have the timing perfect." He placed the heavy tome back on the shelf. "Then we'll suit up, head out, and do the job."

Quinna snorted. "It's not going to be that easy and you know it." She paced the floor again.

Efran nodded. "You're right. But as you pointed out, we can't fail." His hand shot out and halted her progress. "So here the thing—set the friendly competition aside and be willing to compromise. It's work together or lose a big chunk of the city."

She jerked her arm out of his grasp. "I'm aware of the stakes. Consider me super flexible."

He grinned. "Now those are words I never, ever, thought I'd hear from you."

I've had so much fun finding some common ground for Efran and Quinna, but even more fun making them bicker all the time.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye