Sunday Snippet: Storm Down the Drain

Very busy week with work projects and client calls. My youngest was also in the UK over her spring break for a study abroad program. She's back in the States today.

Weather is all over the place, which is typical for March. We had sunny and warm followed by chilly and rainy, followed by brrrrr! and some flurries. I can't wait to see what the next two or three weeks brings to the playing field.

Had an okay week for television. I didn't get back on my regular schedule, but I did get a few things watched.

Started out with some Classic Rugrats. Only watched one episode but enjoyed it. I always like the episodes where Angelica is bested by the babies.

Watched another episode of Midsomer Murders. I'm kind of bummed Barnaby's degree in psychology isn't a thing anymore. I enjoyed that aspect in the first few seasons of John's tenure.

I finished an episode of Endeavor and enjoyed it. Glad to be back into this show. I'm a few seasons behind but I'll get caught up eventually.

Caught another episode of Classic Who. This one started a new arc and I'm excited to see where it goes. There might have been a hint about Ace's mom and I want to see if pans out.

Completed season twenty of Silent Witness. Really liked how the episode played out and I'm interested in how Nikki and Jack deal with the fallout of their trip to Mexico.

Watched another episode of Strangest Things. A couple of interesting features in this one, especially the bat bomb that destroyed an entire air force base.

Also started a new episode of The Mandalorian. I'll finish it up later today while I prep for the new season.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Storm Down the Drain, a novella where the characters play a cat and mouse game with their adversary and fall for each other in the process.

Here's the mini-blurb:

On a dark and stormy night, Brooks Algonquin knocks on Velvet Strong's door and asks her to help him find the Burmesian Raven, an antiquity with magical qualities. Velvet takes his case, but quickly learns Brooks has ulterior motives for acquiring the artifact stolen from his family.

And a preview snippet…

Velvet dressed with care for her assignation with Brooks Algonquin. "When I play a role, I go all out." She zipped the back of her dress up.

A shopping excursion scored several new outfits, all slinky and sultry in a range of colors. Her shoe problem—she could never have too many—allowed her to choose from a wide array of options. She settled on a pair of violet peep-toe platform pumps to complement the lilac sequined sheath with fringe along the hemline.

Slipping them on, she admired the rhinestone accents on the shoes. "A little shimmer will keep my legs as a focal point." She also selected a knotted necklace of sparkling crystals. "The glistening gleam begs a man's gaze to linger on my decolletage." A matching pain of earrings finally drew attention to her face and eyes, which she'd done in smoky purples and grays.

She'd gone heavier on the color than normal, mainly to be convincing as something of a coquette. Her cases didn't often require her to flirty and she rather looked forward to bantering with Brooks.

She added a spritz of perfume—a freesia scent with deep caramel undertones. The floral aroma lasted a long time but didn't overpower. The caramel added weight and kept the flowery vibe from being too sweet.

Checking her appearance one last time, she grabbed a silver clutch and draped a white velveteen stole around her shoulders then headed to meet Brooks at Jumpin' Joes, the little bistro with a jazzy sound.

Halfway down to the ground floor, she smiled. "I hope Brooks likes to dance." The tiny floor allowed for several couples to sway along to the live singer's performance.

She'd own wanting to be in his arms—but only because the action would add to their guise of a chance meeting turning into something more.

And the something more element added a layer of danger that appealed to her.

I'm having so much fun writing this story! Velvet is a terrific character with a mind and will that more than matches Brooks's.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Shine One On

Well, the first week of 2023 is in the books and we're off to a wild start. Here's hoping the weird and bizarre world stage eventually settles in to what's supposed to be the Age of Aquarius. I have my fingers crossed.

Had a busy work week with multiple projects being added to my schedule. I'm excited to get started on them! The weather did it's usually mild temperatures dropping down to cold ones. I'm okay with the cold … if it stays cold.

Had an okay viewing week. I'm still continuing my rewatch of Batman: The Animated Series. I think I'll have it completed before HBOMax removes it from screening. Then I'll probably start back on my usual schedule.

I finished up the second season, which had a strong finish with "The Terrible Trio," "Showdown," "Catwalk," "A Bullet for Bullock," and "The Lion and the Unicorn," which is one of my favorites because it dives into Alfred's backstory.

Season three begins with "Holiday Knights," which is a favorite holiday-themed episode. I do wonder and can't remember if it ended up being shown out of order in the original run. I'm too lazy to check Imdb to find out.

I have some feelings about the drastic change in animation style for season three. There are a few things I really enjoy, but I'm not a fan of the reimagined villains or the complete total makeover they gave Bruce. I am fond of the updated storylines, moving Dick Grayson to Nightwing and adding Tim Drake. I left off on "Joker's Millions" and should finish that episode this week.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Shine One On, a novella set in an alternate universe with a noir flair.

Here's the mini-blurb:

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…

Maxine put the case of honey—her secret ingredient for the best-tasting moonshine—into her cart beside her bags. "Thanks, Lulu. The guys go through a ton of this stuff." And made a ready excuse for her to keep the amber syrup on hand to make the premium hooch.

On the way to the exit, she bumped into Saul Ludlow, best friend to her former husband and a nasty, corrupt revenuer.

He narrowed his eyes. "Maxine. Sure is a lot of honey." His gaze searched her other bags. "Whatdaya do with all that gloppy goop?" He rocked back on his heels giving a sly look.

She played a little coy because she felt frisky. "Gee, Saul. I run a boarding house. I wonder what goes good with the biscuits we have with every meal." She rolled her eyes.

Like she'd ever confirm the man's suspicions. Just because she made the stupid mistake of marrying Ashford, didn't mean she hadn't learned a hard lesson. Don't trust the assholes of the universe.

Saul didn't like the fact she ran a business and didn't need his assistance after Ashford died. He'd been all ready to swoop in and save her after the funeral. When Beau told Saul they'd bought the boarding house with Ashford's life insurance, Saul threw down the gauntlet. He'd been hounding Maxine ever since.

He jabbed a finger at her. "I know you're earning coin by illegal means." He spat the words at her. "No way your little boarding house keeps you in such svelte style." His gaze did a slow once-over, from the tips of her low-heeled pumps, up along her stockinged legs, to the princess neckline of her shirtwaist dress.

She pushed back at him. "You're welcome to sign a lease as soon as I have an opening…" She checked an imaginary watch on her wrist. "Which should be the day after never."

He sneered. "How many hours do you spend on your back, Maxine? You've got a large group of men living there." He folded his arms over his chest. "You probably charge a pretty penny to dive between your thighs."

A passing woman gasped and ducked her head before hurrying off. Saul snorted, unbothered by being rude and crude in public.

Maxine squared her shoulders. "I sleep with no one but myself. Sex is not a transaction at my place. Everyone pays for room and board and three square meals a day." At least her books showed income from those sources.

Saul huffed out a breath. "Who does the cooking? Ashford said you couldn't figure out how to work a stove to save your life. And you couldn't tell a pot from a skillet." He shook his head.

Maxine got up in Saul's face. "Kind of hard to cook when you're taking blows from the pots and pans." She stepped back. "Something else Ashford shared with you." She turned and exited the store, dragging her cart behind her.

Maxine can give as good as she gets but usually steers clear of Saul … she might wish she'd walked away sooner from their confrontation.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Ill-Timed Case

Whew. It's been a week. Had another trip to the emergency department with a family member and, thankfully, things seem to be okay and we're getting closer to having some answers.

Had an okay week of television viewing, mainly because my brain was kind of scattered all over the place. Started out with watching the behind the scenes and episode breakdowns for Ms. Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries. Thoroughly enjoyed both.

Caught both episodes of a Silent Witness two-parter. This is one I kind of remembered and I ended up liking it a lot. Some cool intrigue mixed with the science.

Enjoyed two more arcs of Classic Who. I believe there will be a new companion joining the crew but I'm not sure how soon that happens.

Watched two more episodes of UFO Witness. This one isn't nearly as entertaining as the lost evidence series but I'll finish it out.

Caught four episodes of The Muppet Show. Pearl Bailey, Jean Stapleton, Loretta Lynn and Alice Cooper were the guest stars. I'd forgotten about the Alice episode and really enjoyed watching it again.

Enjoyed two more episodes of McCartney 3, 2, 1. It's so cool to watch the breakdown of how many happy accidents shaped the sound of Paul's career.

Watched two more Master Class lessons with LeVar Burton. The first was a case study of Roots and how that story impacted so many. The second was about the importance of the oral storytelling tradition. I'm so glad I gave this series of lessons a try.

Got two more episodes of Peak Practice viewed. I didn't finish the second episode, mainly because one of the characters annoyed me so much I couldn't watch it. I'll pick back up with the next one and see if I missed anything important.

Caught another full episodes of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and I'm almost finished with another one. I'm sort of on the fence with this show right now. I literally hate Blackwood with a passion and I'm close to saying I'm done because I can't stand him.

Enjoyed another episode of Star Trek: Discovery. I gotta say I'm impressed with the narrative so far. There's some serious intrigue I'm enjoying along with a mix of new concepts that I'm fascinated with. Lorca is compelling to watch.

Watched another episode of Chicago Med. I'm enjoying the second season a lot and I might have to go look up the crossover episodes again.

Caught another episode of The Brokenwood Mysteries. I really love this show. I switched to a different streaming provider and should be able to continue the second season without a delay.

I'll probably finish out the week with another episode of New Rugrats and another Chicago Med. I'll discuss those next week.

That's it for television recaps. Tonight's post is from Ill-Timed Case, a novella with a little cat and mouse between the characters while they try to piece together a mystery.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Rex Van Adder, private investigator, has more cases than he can handle. Enter Gracie Lee, along with a dead body, and Rex scrambles to keep his head above water, especially since he knows Gracie is involved but can't figure out how.

And a preview snippet…

Nighttime excursions were Gracie's favorite. "But I'll have to be extra careful from this point forward." Lover boy could be bothersome.

She'd only caught a glimpse of him and, even with his hat pulled low on his head, no one could mistake the chiseled cheekbones and day-old scruff on his face. One of my weaknesses. He walked with confidence and his keen gaze missed nothing. He'd spotted her, which rarely happened when she didn't want to be seen.

She shivered a little. "And he's taking up entirely too much space in my head right now." She shifted a little closer to the burning flames under the mantel.

The heat of the fire warmed her while waited for Sam Baldwin, the deputy police commissioner. The nights they'd spent by the hearth were too numerous to count. Her lips curved. She loved the man like a father—even though he'd fired the shot that killed hers.

Glenn Lee grew up with Sam but they'd landed on opposite sides of the law. As a beat cop, Sam arrived at a private residence when the silent alarm had been tripped. He'd followed procedure, identifying himself and ordering the thief to stop. But Baldwin also followed protocol when the robber drew a weapon and fired a shot.

Sam's heart broke when he discovered Glenn Lee under the black ski mask. Baldwin had tried so hard to keep Glenn on the straight path, but old habits were hard to break. Not even having a twelve-year-old daughter made a difference. And it should have.

Of course, when Sam found Gracie sound asleep in her dad's car, he immediately took her in and raised her as his own.

"And I've been with him ever since." Going on twelve years now.

Sam came in and settled beside her. He and Gracie discussed McGuiness's murder. After giving her initial impression of the room and the shambles it had been left in, she recalled her narrow escape.

She shrugged. "Avery Marlow got the call out. And he was joined by some lo— er, lordly-looking guy in a fedora and trench coat." Geez, she'd almost used her nickname for him, but covered just in time.

Baldwin slid his gaze sideways for a moment. "I'm guessing your mystery man will end up being Rex Van Adder." He paused a moment. "You'll have to be cautious. He has a nose for solving his cases." He chuckled. "I'd love about a dozen men like Van Adder to counter my straight-shooters like Marlow, but Van Adder doesn't play by the rules."

Gracie smirked. "Neither do I."

Baldwin gave her a long, level look. "Just be careful, Gracie. There's more to this business with McGuiness and his gem. Use Van Adder if you can to find out why this rock seems to be so damned important."

Gracie nodded. She would enjoy the challenge of snaring Rex Van Adder.

I'm having a lot of fun with this one. I've got a love for trying my hand at writing with a noir flair and this story lends itself nicely to creating that style.

That's it for this week.

 

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Gotta Make a Living

Apparently, the week before last ended up being bizarre not only because Mercury is in retrograde but two other planets are squaring up. I'm kind of glad I made it through the insanity. The past week had some challenges but things finally started coming together and smoothed out. Whew.

My youngest kiddo returned from Alaska where she had a great time. She graduated high school last year and she and my dad finally got to take a trip this summer. They had great weather and got to do a ton of fun sightseeing events.

Had a slightly slower than usual television viewing experience. I started out with a new episode of No Offence. Viv had quite the revelation at the end of the episode and I'm interested to see where things go from here.

Enjoyed another episode of Silent Witness. This one has some quirky undertones and I'm interested in the second part to see how everything plays out.

Caught another episode of Blue Heelers and started a new one. Since my new washing machine arrived, I've been catching up on laundry and getting some quality time in on my Australian show.

Watched a full arc of Classic Who. For some reason, I thought they only needed to find four pieces of the key, but it's actually six. Should be interesting to see how the final three play out.

Enjoyed another episode of UFOs: The Lost Evidence. This one focused on UFO tech, which I find fascinating. The theories that come out of the woodwork regarding why and how the technology is used always makes me smile.

Caught two more episodes of The Muppet Show. Guest stars were Madeline Kahn and George Burns. Both were shows I didn't remember.

Watched a great episode of The Hardy Boys. Things are starting to come together and I'm really interested in where things will end up. I'm ready for the tall guy to get served. Just saying.

Enjoyed a new episode of Peak Practice. I have a feeling the next one will have a tragedy but I rather liked the new doctor they introduced. Looking forward to more from him.

Caught another Master Class on graphic design. This one focused on life as a working designer. I didn't think I'd get much out of that lesson, but I actually did. Even if I don't want to pursue graphic design as a career, the concept of what's important in the career you choose provided some good information.

Finally, I'm watching another episode of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. This is set around Thanksgiving and there are some great character reveals. I like this show but I'm not champing at the bit to get to the next one … yet. This episode does have an awesome guest star in Michael Hogan and I'm happy to see him in the mix. Reminds me to send positive vibes out and hope his recovery is going well.

That's pretty much it for television and life updates. Tonight's post is from Gotta Make a Living, a novella with a noir flair.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Niles finds Claire standing over a dead body and can't decide if he should call the cops or haul her into his arms. Claire makes the choice easy by asking him if he sees any smoking guns. They decide they better work together to find the killer before Claire is framed for a murder she didn't commit.

And a preview snippet…

The things he wanted to know had nothing to do with Conrad's death. He'd have to put his libido in check and focus on the pertinent information. But…

He straightened. "Not here. How about Blinky's? I could use some good coffee." And time to regroup.

Her eyebrow rose. "Lovely choice." Her gaze slid toward Conrad. "What about him?"

Niles reached for his phone. "I'll call it in." He pressed the send button. "Yeah, Kovach? Niles here. Send a unit down to C&P BioTech, and get my brother out of bed. Conrad Pesterson has been murdered."

Kovach repeated the information then added, "I don't think Nelms is in his bed, Niles. He met that new lawyer lady, Cera Springfield, after shift."

Niles rolled his eyes. "Then get him out of her bed, Kovach. He needs to be on this one from the beginning." Nelms would pitch a bitch fit for being pulled away from his latest female companion, but he'd throw a bigger one if he didn't get first dibs on the crime scene.

Kovach snorted. "He's not gonna be happy, but I'll get him." He wanted a beat. "I don't have to tell you to stick around until the beaties get there, do I?"

Niles sighed. "Inform the beat cops I'll be here exactly five minutes. If they're not here, it's on your head." He ended the call before Kovach could wheedle more time.

Claire flashed a cheeky grin. "You've got this down to a science, don't you?" She tilted her head to one side. "Something tells me poor Conrad isn't the first stiff you've stumbled across." She didn't wait for a reply, instead stooping down to the floor.

Niles watched her move, gathering her purse and its contents from the carpet. "Is it your first?"

She shot him a sultry look. "Most of the stiffs I come across are attached to living, breathing men." She lifted a shoulder. "Lame humor aside, yes, it's the first dead body. I've dealt with bullet holes, knife wounds, and more messed-up faces than I can count. Stands to reason I'm overdue for a corpse." She grimaced.

Niles remembered his first and the gut-wrenching heaves of his stomach. Then again, he'd been with Nelms on the hunt for a missing girl and by the time they found her, she no longer resembled the picture they had. Claire handled Conrad's demise much better than Niles would have expected.

Niles waited until she got to her feet. "Do you want to skip the coffee?" They could meet the following day if needed.

She shook her head. "No, but I'd like to be clear before the police get here." She started for the door. "I'll submit to whatever tests they want and give a statement, but not right now." She paused with her hand on the knob. "Can we meet at Blinky's?"

Niles waved her off. "I'll be right behind you." He checked the time … the beaties had three minutes before he headed out.

I love this story! Niles and Claire are evenly matched and headed for a big adventure to get to the bottom of Conrad's death.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Tangled Web

April 19, 2020

Crazy weather in Ohio this week. Warm, then cold and rainy, and then a little slushy snow mix thrown in. I can honestly say I'm kind of ready for spring to get here in full. At least having the option to go outside and enjoy some sun breaks things up a bit.

Not a big week for television but I got a few shows watched. I started with an episode of Arrow and I'll be getting ready to start the Crisis Crossover soon.

Caught the penultimate episode of Murdoch Mysteries. I'm sad about the death of a character I liked. I loved George's side story. I have no earthly clue what Julia is doing but I'm rolling along with the character arc to see where things go. I do like seeing the ups and downs of William and Julia.

Watched an episode of Riverdale and, wow, the batshit ramped up to double digits, which I love. I still hate Hiram with the burning passion of a thousand suns and gotta say the character kind of ruins the show for me. We'll see how this season shakes out but I honestly can't stand it when he's on the screen. I'm not sure how I feel about the Charles / Chick development but we'll see how that one plays out also.

Had a virtual watch party with a good friend and we rolled out The Rise of Skywalker. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie to bits. I'm hoping we'll get more of those in soon.

Started the second episode of Roswell, New Mexico's new season. So far, I'm enjoying but I really want Maria to finally be aware of the aliens. The fact she isn't really bugs me. So far, I'm not a huge fan of having Rosa back either.

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

Here's the mini-blurb:

Jordan gave her a slow once-over and interest flashed in his gaze.

Ruby shook her head. "You don't want to get tangled up with me." Her inner self screamed her frustration.

Jordon tilted his head to one side. "Why not?" His lips curved in a sweet, sexy smile.

Ruby gave him the straight answer. "I'm toxic. Burned every damn bridge I ever crossed." Okay, more like had every one burned for her, but she'd fill him in later on that part.

Jordan quirked a brow. "So? Leave one untouched for once."

Ruby snorted. "Can't."

He prompted. "Because…"

Show or go time. "Every guy I've dated, shown an interest in, or hell, greeted in a nice manner is dead." She met his gaze head-on. "And I need to find out why."

Jordan gave her a long, considering look. "And you want me to help." He made it a statement.

Right. Because why else would she have contacted him?

He continued. "That's why you messaged me and asked to meet here, isn't it?"

She nodded. "I come here every Tuesday, so it's nothing out of the ordinary or a change in habit." She lifted a shoulder. "I honestly didn't know if you'd show." But holy crap. Relieved didn't begin to describe her gratefulness he had.

He laughed. "Are you kidding? Who could resist a request to meet at a beauty parlor?" He leaned in closer. "I've never seen the inner workings of such a female-dominated place before. Truth told, I was a little terrified to enter."

Ruby smiled. "Nothing too scary." She glanced around the back area of Curl-a-Whirl. "Just a bunch of coloring dyes and perm solutions."

He scanned the room. "I had no idea so many different shades existed."

She chuckled. "I just brought the latest colors in. Purple is a big trend this fall." She shook her head again. "Sorry. I'm rambling a little. Thelma's place is my last stop on Tuesday and I sometimes stay and have tea and scones with her. That's why I picked this shop."

His head bobbed up and down. "Smart. Truly. Gives us some time to discuss what you're looking for."

Ruby sighed. "I'm looking for a miracle. I'm so tired of being an object of destruction." She snorted. "Or, I guess I should say being used as an instrument of one."

Jordan questioned. "Are you sure that's what's going on?" He settled back in the seat when Thelma entered the room, carrying a tray with tea, scones, and two mugs.

Ruby got up and took the items from Thelma. "I'm not sure about anything, Mr. Riceman, but my gut says—"

He corrected. "Jordan. And you don't have to say more. Gut instinct has saved my life more than once." He waited until she sat back down before going on. "So, people, men in particular, drop like flies around you and you'd like to know why, right?"

Hell, yes.

Since he'd nailed it on the head, she poured two mugs of tea before responding. "Wouldn't you?" She placed a cup in front of him.

He lifted the tea and blew across the top. "Absolutely." He took a tentative sip then let out a blissful sigh. "Earl Gray, one of my favorites."

Ruby's lips curved. Knowing a brew by taste raised her respect for him a notch. She hoped like hell he'd take her case.

She toyed with the spoon beside her mug. "Mr. Rice—sorry. Jordan, knowing what you do now, about the men I've been associated with, are you willing to find out what's going on?" She sprinkled some sweetener in her tea and stirred, anticipating yet dreading his response.

He snagged a scone from the serving tray. "Oh, I'm in, Ms. Ire. If for no other reason than to clear a path for you and me to get better acquainted." He bit into the pastry and gave another bliss-filled sigh.

Oh, she liked him. A lot.

Ruby stuck out her hand. "Please … call me Ruby." When he grasped her fingers, she added. "And thank you. I think you might be a little insane, but after two years of handling this alone, it feels good to have someone on my side … aside from Thelma."

Jordan grinned. "If the woman throws in a dozen of these on a weekly basis, I might just work for free."

Ruby laughed, a true, honest release of mirth.

Jordan winked. "Feels good, doesn't it?" He leaned forward, taking her hand again. "Be prepared for more, Ruby. We will figure out what, or who, is plaguing you. I promise."

She squeezed his fingers in response but didn't speak. She couldn't. Finally. Finally.

She had hope.

I love writing what I've dubbed as Urban Noir. Combining the feel of underlying intrigue and danger with a slightly paranormal edge, the characters get to act and react in different ways.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Gotta Make a Living

Ugh. I love fireworks but my dog… not so much. Seriously, July is a rough month because various places around where I live have events and they're within hearing distance. The poor dog just shakes, trembles, and pants like it's the end of the world. Oddly enough, thunderstorms don't tend to bother her much. When they're really severe she gets a little antsy and won't settle down, but she doesn't tremble and shake. Here's to getting through the midway point of the month when the last show is scheduled. Whew.

Had a decent viewing week for television shows. Caught Endeavor and Midsomer Murders. The mystery shows are always a treat.

Caught the second part of Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Started season five The Batman and it's terrific.

Watched my military shows, Band of Brothers and Strike Back. I'd forgotten how crazy Strike Back gets about midway through season four. I'm looking forward to seeing if season five keeps the frantic pace alive.

I'm almost finished with season one of Sense8. I love the interactions of the group and how the fallout from those is super awkward sometimes. I'd love to have a little more information about the whole conspiracy angle but I'm truly thrilled with how the first season unfolds.

Got another two episodes of The Sarah Conner Chronicles in and, seriously, that was some awesome television. I miss the show a lot.

I only got to episode four of Mutant X before the app pulled the show. Now I'll have to find it somewhere else. Pensacola Wings of Gold had a good episode but I'm not glued to it the way I thought I'd be. I'm almost finished with Constantine. It's a bit of a struggle to stay attached to the episodes but I want the backstory when John joins the Legends lineup.

Last but not least, Canal Road is such a great show. I'm totally invested in Spence's mystery and I want to smack Olivia for telling him to not watch the video on his wife's laptop. I'm certain he'd have the proof his wife and son's death was murder. GAH!

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Gotta Make a Living, a novella that started with a scene prompt of "smoking guns".

Here's the mini-blurb:

Niles finds Claire standing over a dead body and can't decide if he should call the cops or haul her into his arms. Claire makes the choice easy by asking him if he sees any smoking guns. They decide they better work together to find the killer before Claire is framed for a murder she didn't commit.

And a preview snippet…

Claire Thorpe zeroed in on her mark, a man named Jordan Heparin. Head of Ipso Bio-Medical research and development, the guy always had supper in the Langley Arms's dining room before retiring to his suite on the seventh floor. His habit of having a pre-dinner drink at the bar gave Claire the opening she needed.

Sliding up onto the barstool next to Jordan, she set her clutch between them. "Bartender, I could use a whiskey, neat." Heparin had a mix, probably a gin and tonic based on the highball glass with clear liquid.

Jordan shot her a sideways glance then turned his full gaze on her. "I'll take care of that, Joe." He signaled the barman. "Put it on my tab."

Right on target and according to plan.

Claire gave Heparin a nod. "Thank you." She angled around to face him.

Give him some cleavage to ogle. Planting an elbow on the counter, she leaned forward a little. Sure enough, his gaze dropped below her neck, giving Claire the opportunity to check his suit pocket for his room key. No luck there.

Heparin's lips curved in a wolfish smile. "I'm waiting on a table in the dining room. Would you care to join me for dinner?"

Claire made a show of putting her hand on his lapel and peering over his shoulder to check out the dining area. Bingo! The key card rested in his inside pocket.

Settling back, she gave a small sigh. "I'd love to, but they look pretty busy and I have a pressing appointment in a little while." She leaned in close and whispered in his ear. "But I'm very disappointed I can't join you." Almost too easily, she pilfered his room key, hiding it in her palm.

Sliding the keycard under her purse, she turned back to her drink.

Jordan put a hand on her thigh. "I'm here every night. If you're ever back in the area, the invitation is open." He took a long swallow of his drink and a moment later the maître d called his name.

He downed the rest of his gin and tonic. "That's me. I hope your meeting goes well." He waved to Joe. "I'll settle up on my way out."

Claire gave Jordan another smile. "I hope the meeting goes well, too. Thanks again for the drink." She downed the rest of her whiskey.

He made his way into the dining room and she slid her clutch and the keycard off the counter then smiled at the bartender. With a waggle-fingered wave, she made her way out of the bar.

Two minutes later, she keyed into Jordan's suite and got to work. Five minutes after entering, she found the hidden compartment behind the headboard and pulled out a stack of files. Rifling through the folders, she found the one she needed.

And hit pay dirt. "Bingo! Here we go." Retrieving the small camera scanner in her clutch, she took pictures of each page in the file. "Damn. Conrad is gonna flip." Conrad Pesterman didn't want to steal the designs, even though corporate espionage ranked as the normal course of business.

People like Pesterman, the head of C & P BioTech, tried to walk the righteous path of not being a dick and taking shortcuts.

Claire snorted. "Too bad he's one of the rare few." She finished getting the intelligence and put the file back in its hiding spot.

At least Conrad would know if C&P's schematics had been leaked for the synthetic living skin project. Based on what she'd scanned, if there hadn't been an actual leak, proprietary information had at least been shared.

Conrad would be very disappointed. He prided himself on picking solid employees. Claire took another moment to read through the Ipso file to see how far along the company had progressed on the production of a prototype. So far, they didn't have a working sample, but the notes from C&P would give them a jumpstart.

Claire frowned when she exited the room. She hated to break the news to Conrad. But he paid her a fat retainer to deliver the truth, whether it packed a punch or not. Reaching the main floor, she milled about in the lobby until the desk clerk took a step away from the counter. She deposited Jordan's room key in the lost-and-found tray and strolled out of the hotel. Hailing a cab, she gave the driver her street address. She'd contact Pesterman as soon as she arrived home and make arrangements to deliver the scanned file.

She settled back and ignored the busy street traffic passing by. "This is one call I don't look forward to making."

I love the noir vibe and I hope I'm pulling it off in the story. Claire and Niles are fun to write.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Underbelly

Wow. I so look forward to my Sunday posts, mainly because the crazy that is the real world makes discussing fictional television shows and books a nice, lovely interlude.

Teen Wolf followed up with a terrific episode. I literally laughed for a good, long while during Stiles's FBI scene. The return of Old Man Crazypants didn't disappoint either. Just saying.

Had a seriously busy week playing taxi driver for the kids. Didn't get to catch up on anymore Killjoys or Dark Matter. I have to throw Wynonna Earp in there, too.

Now that the end of Orphan Black happened, I'll be adding that show to my queue to binge watch the entire final season. Can't wait!

The Last Ship premieres next week!! Really looking forward to having my favorites back on the screen. And crossing my fingers that I don't lose my super-secret top few this season. Won't be holding my breath on that one. LOL

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Underbelly, a novella that got a writing community prompt to write a noir detective story. I love the feel of a good noir and couldn't wait to get started with my own little twist on the genre.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Jarrod Steele is a private investigator who deals with the weird and the unknown and can find anything his clients want. His super-efficient assistant, Maylin Rose, along with her unique skill set, makes sure of it.

And a preview snippet…

Maylin Rose straddled her partner's lap, doing her best to distract him from work. "Come on, Jarrod. We've been here half the day already." She worked the top two buttons of his shirt loose.

Jarrod Steele had a fantastic chest and she enjoyed ogling the broad expanse whenever she could.

Jarrod did his best impression of a stern glare. "Maylin, I need to finish this report so we can bill our very satisfied client." He leaned around her, writing another quick sentence.

Maylin tsked. "Considering they're happy because of me, I think I deserve a pre-lunch break in the form of a satisfying romp." She'd managed to reacquire a stack of very revealing photos showing a young starlet in the throes of passion with her costar.

Maylin's ability to get in and out of secure locations barely warranted mention. But the profuse thanks and promise of a quick payday definitely kept their two-person firm in demand. Of course, everyone thought Jarrod ran the show, which suited Maylin just fine. She preferred to stay in the background, acting as a somewhat secret weapon in Jarrod's arsenal. He'd made her a full partner before they got personally involved, leaving no doubt about his confidence in bringing her on board.

She'd finally found a man who didn't hold her past against her and appreciated the unique skill set she brought with her. Jarrod's exceptional connections and various underbelly contacts also gave them an edge. He kept tabs on anything and everything paranormal and supernatural related. Their combined resources got them through doors no one else could enter. Maylin planned to make sure they stayed on top of the private investigations heap.

But she also liked to keep Jarrod from taking life too seriously. Hence the desire for some sexy fun in the office. She leaned forward, ready to flick her tongue against his ear when the phone rang.

She reached behind her and grabbed the handset. "Jarrod Steele Enterprises. We'll find whatever you're looking for." She used her super sultry secretary voice—the one Jarrod said oozed sex and sin and sensual promise.

And never failed to make his cock spring to life… sort of like now.

Maylin continued the conversation with a prospective new client, her lips curving into a smile when Jarrod finished the report with a flourish. By the time she hung up the phone, he'd closed the file and set it aside.

Maylin shifted backwards and made a move to slide off Jarrod's lap.

He snagged her hips. "Oh, no. Where do you think you're going?" His hands skimmed along her sides.

She gave him a saucy smirk and stood up. "New client coming in. Thought I'd get everything ready for him." Which usually meant sitting at the desk while she faked typing up files.

Jarrod stood up, crowding into her personal space. "Where's he coming from?" He flicked the first two buttons of her blouse open.

Maylin suppressed a shudder of hot desire. "Murphy Towers over on Larchmont." She didn't object when Jarrod finished undoing her shirt and tugged the fabric from her skirt.

He grabbed her hips and spun her around to face the desk. "It'll take him at least thirty minutes to get across town." His warm breath fanned against her ear. "Plenty of time to make you scream my name before he gets here." He inched her skirt up over her ass and eased her panties down before slipping his hand between her thighs.

Maylin moaned low in her throat. "Mmm. You really kike my sex kitten voice, don't you?" The sound of his pants dropping provided a definitely clue.

Jarrod grasped her hips, pulling her flush against his groin. "You know I do." He maneuvered his thick erection lower, the tip nudging up to her wet and ready core. "And someone mentioned a need for a satisfying romp not too long ago." His hands palmed her breasts over the lacy fabric of her bra.

Maylin braced her forearms on the desk and pushed back, enveloping the first few inches of his hard shaft. "Yes, someone did. But I don't recall anything about screaming your name."

Jarrod thrust forward, going balls deep. "Oh, it'll happen. You can trust me on that one."

True to his word, fifteen minutes later, Maylin shouted him name with her head thrown back in ecstasy.

I'm thoroughly enjoying the chemistry between Maylin and Jarrod. This will be a treat to finish.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Storm Down the Drain

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. It's a beautiful day in Ohio and I hope to enjoy the weather for a while.

Another terrific week in television. Gotham keeps working the crazy and I'm loving it. The blending of three or more plot threads is terrific and I hope we continue seeing a nice mix of all.

I missed most of The Flash. See crazy month starting for me last post. But, I'll catch up before Tuesday's new episode.

Arrow delivered another great episode. I love having Thea back even if it might only be for a little while. I'm not sure what's going on with Rene, but it'll be interesting to see how that plays out. Something tells me Chase might have something to do with why he didn't show up. I'm truly hoping the final showdown ends up being between Oliver and Talia with a little Nyssa thrown in.

Riverdale's season finale rocked! The first arc is finished and the second one opened with a serious bang. I'm honestly excited to see what the hell happens next. It'll be a major wrench in the Arch / Ronnie duo if her dad had anything to do with Fred's shooting. And something tells me that's a big possibility. Then again, I won't be surprised if that's a red herring and Mayor McCoy is actually the one behind the violence. Or maybe even Hermione. I'll have to wait not-so-patiently to find out. LOL

Last Sunday's Talking with Chris Hardwick turned out to be an excellent show. I'm a Charlie Hunnam fan and having him on for the entire hour was terrific. I love Chris's laid back style a lot.

Finally got caught up on Murdoch Mysteries and, wow, what a season finale. Definitely hope the show is renewed for an eleventh season.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Storm Down the Drain, a novella built around a prompt of writing a scene in a specific genre with a distinctive tone, like noir. I chose to run with the noir feel but with an added paranormal twist.

Here's the mini-blurb:

On a dark and stormy night, Brooks Algonquin knocks on Velvet Strong's door and asks her to help him find the Burmesian Raven, an antiquity with magical qualities. Velvet takes his case, but quickly learns Brooks has ulterior motives for acquiring the artifact stolen from his family.

And a preview snippet…

Velvet eyed the prime specimen of manhood lounging on her sofa. On the tall side with broad shoulders, he had wavy hair that looked like he'd tumbled directly from his bed. She'd bet he never thought twice about how much the rakish quality would appeal to the opposite sex. His long legs met a narrow torso and the stretch of fabric across his chest hinted at a sculpted and cut physique. Even dressed casually, his body language screamed money and wealth. Of course, the Algonquin name confirmed he could more than afford her fee.

Not that she needed paying clients. A tidy inheritance from her grandfather and a widow's pension, which she more than earned, from her deceased spouse meant she could pick and choose the type of cases she wanted. And she definitely wanted Brooks's.

Velvet read people well—men in particular—and Mr. Algonquin intrigued her. A man comfortable in his skin but not the world he inhabited. She couldn't wait to peel back the layers to find out why he needed her services.

She poured a cup of coffee from her decanter. "You mentioned bringing danger to my doorstep." Sliding the cup in front of him, she settled back on the cushion. "Care to explain?" She tucked her legs up under her filmy robe.

Brooks picked up the coffee and blew across the top. "Well, my family recently had something of great value stolen from them." He took a sip then set the drink back on a coaster. "I need to find it." His voice held conviction and determination and a hint of something not quite above board.

Velvet made a logical leap. "And you can't involve the police because the object isn't really yours." The family name alone gave credence to her suspicions.

Brooks flashed a wry smile. "You're very astute and no doubt keyed into the darker aspects of the Algonquin name." He lifted a shoulder. "And that is part of the reason. We can't go to the precinct and fill out a report for a missing gemstone carved into the shape of an obelisk." He picked up his cup again. "The artifact won't show up on a registry list. And there are people who would claim it as theirs and tie up the court system trying to prove the improvable." He took another sip of the fragrant brew.

Velvet tilted her head to one side. "Does this gem thing do tricks or something?" Why else would a connected family need to hire an investigator to find a bauble?

Her question had him choking on the coffee.

He blinked and recovered, but wouldn't meet her gaze. "Uh, no. No. It's more of a superstition thing. Been in the family for almost a century." He set the cup back on the table, his movements stiff and precise.

Velvet caught the lie and disappointment nudged its way into her brain. Even so, she couldn't resist the intrigue and desire to discover more about this theft and the man who needed to find the jewel.

Leaning forward, she held out a hand. "Well, Mr. Algonquin, looks like I've got myself a new client. I'll take the case." A smile lit his face and his warm hand enveloped hers, his firm grip sending tingles up her arm.

Velvet and Brooks are a fun duo to write and I'm excited about how things play out from here.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Shine One On

Well, the beginning of April is here and I've been bitten by the spring cleaning bug. This is not a bad thing. House, garage, and computer files are getting spiffed up and decluttered.

The Walking Dead finale is tonight and I'll be there. Not sure I'll pay a lot of attention, but I can't not watch.

The Flash introduced an irritating villain. Can't say I'm sad to see him go. Also really frustrated with the whole Savitar storyline at this point. I'm ready for the final end game and season finale.

Legends of Tomorrow rewrote reality and kept me entertained. Looking forward to the season finale to see how they resolve everything. Mick remains one of my favorite characters and it better stay that way.

Arrow's deft mastery of weaving Oliver's past into his present life will be missed. This isn't to say the writers won't continue churning out excellent fare. In fact, I'm looking forward to seeing how the story continues. Something tells me Oliver's past will still come back to haunt him in many other ways.

Riverdale had a new episode and, wow, I wanted to get a better read on Alice Cooper… I got it. A little sad it's at the expense of Hal, but the interesting wrinkle might be worth it. FP's playing a sly game. He doesn't get near enough credit for being a true mastermind. Come on, people. He's Jughead's dad. The kid had to get his smarts from someone. Just saying.

I'm still binge-watching City Homicide, working my way through season three. The first season is probably my absolute favorite but I do enjoy the later seasons also.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Shine One On, a novella that got a writing community prompt start; prohibition, one character owns a speakeasy, one is the moonshine supplier. I decided to go urban noir with this and make it an alternative universe. I'm hoping for a twenties / thirties / forties feel with some nice twists.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Against state regulations, Maxine Wynne braves the revenuer to provide speakeasy owner, Drake Kestleman, enough moonshine to keep his customers happy. When Maxine is caught, Drake launches Operation Shine One On to get her out of danger and back in business.

And a preview snippet…

Maxine Wynne wiped down the kitchen counter and kept an eye on the oven. Dinner time would see seven hungry men climbing the stairs from her basement, ready to fill their bellies full of home-cooking. Not that Maxine cooked. She had a woman who prepped everything and left Maxine with the minimal responsibility of taking it out at a specified time.

Thank the world for small favors.

The phone rang right when Maxine put the last pan on the table, the clump of boots on the stairs right on cue.

She answered the line. "Wynne's Rooming House. You've got Maxine on the line." Waving for the guys to help themselves, she took the call into the front parlor for some quiet.

"Hey, Maxine." The whiskey smooth voice caressed her eardrums. "Let's shine one on, honey, say sometime on Wednesday, the twenty-seventh?" Drake Kestleman, her best and favorite customer, never failed to adhere to her carefully constructed code for placing an order.

Drake also never failed to make her pulse thrum, set her imagination on fire, and yearn for something she could never have.

A man in her life.

Never again.

Poking her head into the kitchen, she motioned for Beau Lamont, her right hand man, to join her. "Drake, love, you know I'll do anything to see to your needs. Let me check my calendar." Translation. She had to find if she could fill his order for premium alcohol. She quickly did a few calculations on the notepad on her side table then turned the page for Beau to read. He shook his head and held up two fingers. He'd need at least a couple of days to make a batch of premium moonshine, the only kind Drake bought.

Maxine purred into the phone. "But I'm sorry, hot stuff, I won't be free until Friday. Can you hold out that long, handsome?" She could barely keep up with orders, but Drake would definitely get his.

Drake sighed. "It'll be a rough wait, Maxine." He paused. "But only because you're my best girl."

Translation. He'd hold out for the good stuff. No one made better 'shine than Maxine.

She purred. "I'll make it worth your while, Drake." Meaning she'd provide a few extra cases of hooch, free of charge.

Drake played along and added a sexy hum of approval. "You never disappoint, Maxine. Until Friday." He cut his end of the call.

Maxine shook her head and handed the phone to Beau who returned the handset to the receiver.

Flirty banter with Drake always got her revved up. But the need for encoded conversations and constant vigilance required the subterfuge. They never knew when a revenuer agent might be listening in on the line. The revenue office liked to get their pound of flesh and didn't always use legal means to get their due. The nationwide ban on alcohol consumption and manufacture meant anyone caught paid hefty fines, legal fees, and usually bribes to stay out of jail.

Didn't help the hot and steamy images from filling Maxine's head though. Beau came back into the parlor and picked up a fan, waving it in front of her face.

He let out a low whistle. "Easy there, Maxie, or the booze will combust if you get too close."

Considering her production took place in the basement two buildings over, she didn't find his observation amusing.

But she ignored his teasing. Beau got away with things no one else did, like calling her Maxie. He came up with the idea of using her grandmother's recipe to supply the lower half of the state with moonshine.

She fronted the real moneymaker by turning the house, left by her not-so-dearly-departed husband, Ashford Wynne, into a room and board business. She didn't grieve the loss and she definitely never asked Beau if he'd forgotten to fix Ashford's car or if he purposefully left the brakes in terrible condition so Wynne could take his place in hell sooner rather than later.

She didn't care. Beau had her back. He always did, from the moment they'd landed in the same group home at age six. Raised like siblings, they left at sixteen and moved into a low-rent flophouse, making ends meet by running numbers. She dressed as a boy and together they set Beau's reputation on fire by claiming the most bets.

They had a great thing going until Ashford discovered her true identity. He put her to work as a hostess in his nightclub and tried to keep other men away from her.

At twenty, Beau had left for a stint upstate to handle a book maker's numbers. She'd married Ashford, even after Beau warned the smooth-talking racketeer reeked of ill intentions.

Beau snapped his fingers. "Maxie? Geez. Why don't relieve some of that tension with Kestleman?" His tone dropped, keeping the conversation between them.

Maxine quirked an eyebrow. "You know why. Drake is very easy on the eyes, but he's also a strong personality." She squared her shoulders. "I won't be under any man's thumb again." Or behind his fists or trampled by his wingtip shoes.

She's worked too hard to make her way on her terms to let her life and her money fall out of her grasp.

She didn't have to explain. Beau had nailed Ashford's character on the head. When Lamont returned from his sojourn he took one look at her bruises and set Ashford straight. If Wynne physically harmed Maxine again, Beau would make sure Ashford regretted the action. Within a month, her husband tested the boundaries and two weeks later he crashed going around Wylie's Run.

Beau shook his head. "I'm not saying you have to marry the guy. After your ass of a husband, no one would blame you from steering clear of matrimony." He lifted shoulder. "But Kestleman's a different breed, Maxie. He's straight and solid."

She'd love to go with Beau's instincts, but refused to take a chance. "You don't know that for a fact. You don't live with him." A lesson she learned the hard way with Ashford.

One she wouldn't forget.

Beau held up his hands. "Okay. Backing off and shutting up now." He waggled his eyebrows. "But you still need to get laid."

Maxine slugged his shoulder. "I thought you were shutting up now." She pushed him into the kitchen, waving off any more commentary.

She settled down onto the small wingback chair. Beau nailed her dilemma. She needed to blow off steam and wanted to get down and dirty to do it. Drake tempted her, seriously tugging at the demons she'd long thought buried. After her marriage, she withdrew from the seedy underworld of backroom trysts with nameless men.

She missed the powerful high of sexual release, never achieved anything close with Ashford. Every cell in her body screamed Drake Kestleman would be her undoing.

So… she'd stay firmly in supplier mode, thank-you-very-much-Beau.

Longer than usual preview. I'm hoping the scene flows as well for readers as it does in my head.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye