Sunday Snippet: Gotta Make a Living

We definitely had a hot week and I'm so glad I got rid of most of the yucky upper respiratory crud. We're due for some major storms later today so that should be interesting.

I'm still not quite caught up on my work projects but I'm making headway. Thankfully none of them have red line due dates. I did manage to finish a proofread and will be sending it on its merry way later today. I still have another proofread and a copy edit to work on this week.

Had an almost nonexistent viewing week. Between playing catch up on my work projects and still being kind of bleh, I stuck with my comfort viewing of Perry Mason and Midsomer Murders. I did work in a few binge episodes of Death in Paradise on regular television.

That said, I did start the new season of My Life Is Murder and I'm loving the premiere episode so far. So nice to have Alexa and Madison back!

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Gotta Make a Living, a novella with a sexy noir vibe.

Here's the miniblurb:

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 entered through C&P's private executive alcove and took the elevator up to the corporate office suite. The need to put this case in the done column meant she called Conrad as soon as she walked in her door. She didn't even get a chance to change out of her tarty clothing before Conrad insisted she bring the file.

Rolling her eyes, she sighed. "Should have waited until I'd changed into something more comfortable." But he sounded almost desperate to see the information.

The lift slowed to a stop, and a creepy feeling assailed her when she got out. But she chalked it up to being in the building so late. She always had an uneasy feeling when she had to meet her clients under clandestine circumstances.

Conrad's office door had been left open a crack. Clair nudged it and entered the room. She found the desk lamp on but the chair empty and turned at an odd angle.

Frowning, she resisted the urge to flip the switch for the overhead lights. "He might not want anyone to know we're meeting." Hell, she didn't really want anyone to know.

Creeping further inside the space, she almost tripped over a body. Glancing downward, she barely smothered a gasp. Shit. Conrad!

She had no idea if the killer remained or not. She stooped down, dreading the thought of touching Conrad, but needing to get a general idea of how long he'd been dead. She reached out, her hand trembling, but the elevator pinged again.

Thinking quickly, she beat a hasty retreat behind the door. The killer could be coming back or trying to leave. Or it could be the cleaning people. Whoever … she didn't want to get caught.

Trying not to breathe too heavily, she cursed leaving her gun behind in her haste to give Pesterman the file. Her purse would have to do as a makeshift weapon. Wouldn't be the first time she'd used that tactic.

A man entered, wearing a trench coat and fedora, his gaze scanning the room. Claire had to move now, before he discovered her. She raised her arm, intent on slugging him in the face from behind, but he spun and blocked her, jerking her forward. The momentum carried her past him and into the wall next to the door jamb.

Well, damn. Definitely didn't anticipate his quick reflexes.

His voice rumbled from behind her. "What are you doing here?" His hand flattened against her shoulder blades, keeping her pushed forward.

Considering she only caught a glimpse of a face she might have recognized, she stayed silent for the moment. She needed a hot minute before she figured out how to handle this dilemma. And she'd rather not do it smooshed up against the wall.

Not a great position to be in.

I love writing this story! Claire and Niles are fun characters and weaving in some noir-type vibes is a favorite thing of mine.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Underbelly

Happy Father's Day to the dads out there, including fur dads and mentors. We've got beautiful weather after a very soggy week.

My work projects are bringing me so much joy right now. The books are so amazing! Also heard from one of my authors on two new stories he's got percolating right now. And I got a text message from one of my current authors that completely made my weekend. So … work is awesome right now.

Had a very good viewing week. I ended up doubling up on a couple of shows because the mood struck.

Ended up catching two episodes of the Brokenwood Mysteries. Both were pretty great. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting another one of Mike's ex-wives. And my heart kind of broke for him by the end of that episode. I'll probably finish out season nine this week.

Finished the complete run of available Classic Who episodes. Have to say in retrospect, it's weird how there have been seven doctors and only one master. That said, I'm actually kind of happy with how Seven's tenure ended. Not sure if I'll watch the movie with Eight or just skip over to New Who. It might be a few weeks before I start that.

Caught the second part of Silent Witness. This two-parter ended up being very twisty and I liked it. Looking forward to starting a new one this week.

Watched two episodes of Death in Paradise. I'm enjoying watching from the beginning in chronological order. It's nice to see how the original group came together.

Enjoyed the penultimate episode of Only Murders in the Building. What a cool twist or three. Can't wait to watch the finale this week.

Caught another episode of Classic Rugrats. This is my nostalgia show. I have so many great memories of watching this when my kiddos were little.

Watched an episode of Peak Practice. Joanna breaks my heart sometimes. And we're nearing the end of season nine when things don't go so well for her.

Continued my rewatch of Battlestar Galactica with a double-header of "Home Part I and II." These are two of my favorite episodes of season two. The fleet is brought back together, and the acting is stellar.

Enjoyed another episode of Madame Blanc Mysteries. Very interesting development at the end. I have a feeling I'll either love or hate the twist.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Underbelly, a novella with an urban noir vibe and characters who get to pull off a heist.

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…

Jarrod reached out through a looking glass spell. As predicted, his harpy of a grandmother ignored his call attempts for a full hour.

When he finally got through, Sopharella Whetstone snapped and sniped. "You know I don't appreciate being summoned via a spell. If you want to speak to me, you can come to the estate." Her tone oozed censure.

Jarrod bit back. "Considering I don't know where you are twenty-four hours a day, which estate should I try first?" It could take him days to figure out which home she happened to be staying in.

She snarked. "If you bothered keeping in touch, you'd know where I am."

Jarrod shot back. "Yet, you don't answer calls or spell-casts until it suits you. Kind of makes it hard to find out where you are." He arched his brows. "See the problem?" He bit his tongue to avoid saying more.

She harrumphed. "Touché. What do you want?" Her image wavered a little then grew stronger.

She'd added her considerable power to the spell.

Jarrod got to the point. "What do you know about Aston Pemburke?"

Her lips puckered. "Bah! Nouveaux magick. Bought and paid for by the Pemburkes. Not worth my time." She sent a piercing stare his way. "Why are you wasting yours with him?" Her tone had curiosity laced through it.

Jarrod didn't answer, instead he replied. "He almost got me killed tonight. And I know there's something not showing in his background."

Her visage softened a little. "Are you hurt? Did he cause harm to you?" She couldn't quite keep the concern from her voice.

Jarrod grunted. "I'm fine. But if he didn't set me up, I want to know who did."

Grandma Sophie demanded a full account. "Start at the beginning and tell me everything."

Jarrod shook his head. "I'm bound by my contract to keep the details under wraps." His reluctance to share went deep with her.

She snapped. "If I don't have all the details, I can't provide the right information."

Jarrod snorted. "Meaning you can't give out the crumbs you choose to like ammunition if I don't provide a big enough target." No way would he give her cannon fodder to use against another family.

She waved her hand. "Not this time. Whatever you say goes to my grave. I won't have your life threatened."

Unless she did the threatening.

Jarrod gave her the rundown. She listened without interrupting—for once—and nodded several times.

Leaning forward, she asked one question. "Did the Pemburkes purchase this cube or steal it?"

Jarrod lifted his chin. "According to my research, they bought it. There's a transfer of ownership in the archives."

She settled back in her chair. "The short answer is Aston has a sister whose relationship has been expunged from the family records. She married an up-and-coming magick monger named Jayson Barrowman." Her face twisted in distaste. "The cube works on a blood imprint, meaning anyone with the family DNA can wield the power." She paused a moment. "And the power could be astronomical. Barrowman will, no doubt, want to use it for nefarious purposes."

Jarrod growled. "Son of a bitch." He wanted to smash Aston Pemburke in the mouth.

His grandmother huffed out an exasperated sigh. "What on earth are you doing with a group of lowlifes like them?"

Jarrod matched her biting tone. "Getting paid. Thanks for the help, Grandmother." He cut the conference off with a wave of his hand.

He'd pay later. The next time he needed help.

Rising from the table, he hissed out his frustration. "Stupid class wars." But, damn, the hierarchy aspect explained a thing or two.

I love this couple! There might be a possibility of more adventures if the sages cooperate.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Tangled Web

We had a crazy week of weather. Rain, rain, rain, followed by wind, wind, wind. Lost power for a couple of hours and returned some of the neighbor's stuff that ended up in our backyard. Something tells me we're going to pay for a fairly mild winter with a chaotic and wild spring. Can't wait.

Good week on work projects and I finally made headway with clearing out my inbox on my old PC and I'm starting the transfer of files to my new computer. I can't wait to get this project done so I can go back to having one desktop instead of two in my workspace. Up next, tackling my laptop to see if I can get the graphics card to function again. Or, the issue could be related to a Windows update. Either way, I'm hoping I won't have to invest in a new laptop. Fingers crossed.

Not a bad week of television viewing. I didn't get quite as much watched as I did last week, but I got a few shows in.

I finished up the Classic Who episode I started last weekend and I'm kind of interested in how this one plays out. Hoping to get to the next part this week.

Watched the season twenty-one opener of Silent Witness. Nice to see some fallout from Nikki's Mexico trip. Jack is a little off and I'm curious to find out why. Love to see Clarissa out in the field because she's become a favorite character and shouldn't always be relegated to the lab.

Enjoyed another episode of Strangest Things. The items they discuss are always interesting and I love the speculative aspect when they really don't know exactly what they have.

Caught another episode of The Mandalorian. Bo Katan's introduction piqued my interest. I like how a different sect of Mandalorians are out there giving a different perspective.

Watched another episode of Only Murders in the Building. Thoroughly enjoyed discovering the building has secret passageways and tunnels. Loved the introduction of Lucy. I haven't changed my theory quite yet on who the killer might be, but we'll see what happens. Also nice to see Oliver show up for his son. Much needed character growth there.

Got to return to my Battlestar Galactica rewatch this week. While the episode doesn't rank as one of my favorites from season one, it's still a solid watch. Frankly, season one doesn't have a bad episode. It's probably the best first season of television I've watched.

Enjoyed another episode of Pennyworth. A few unexpected twists turned up and I'm here for those. I'm quite enjoying the slow discovery of how Alfred became Batman's butler. There's not a wasted moment on the screen.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Tangled Web, a novella that puts a little noir into the romantic chase between the characters.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Ruby Ire is bad for men—every time she falls for one he ends up dead, so she doesn't get tangled up with them anymore. But a series of near miss accidents makes her think she's become a target and she hires Jordan Riceman to track down her attacker. And she absolutely will not let Jordan get too close, no matter how damned attractive he is.

And a preview snippet…

Jordan Riceman jogged up the steps to a brownstone in an old neighborhood of the city. He twisted the knob and entered then made his way to the study. The old place needed some work, but the classic lines couldn't be missed.

He rapped on the door. "Granddad?" He opened the door and ducked inside the stately room. "Sorry I'm late." He paused when he caught sight of his grandfather and a distant cousin sitting beside the fire.

Frank Riceman stood and greeted Jordan. "Hello, my boy. You remember Doug, don't you?"

Douglas R. Barclay, son of Jordan's grandmother's sister. Jordan remembered Doug even if it had been at least five years since they'd interacted. Doug lived in a small burg about an hour away and tended to stick close to his home.

Jordan lifted his chin in Doug's direction. "Hi, Doug. Hope you've been well." He motioned for his grandfather to retake his seat. "Again, sorry to keep you waiting."

Frank waved a hand. "Not a problem. I asked Doug to come here to save time." He got up again and crossed over to a maple desk. "I have something for both of you." He withdrew an envelope and a set of keys from the top drawer.

Jordan stayed silent, wondering what his grandfather had in mind for this meeting.

Frank came back around the desk and handed Doug the envelope. "This contains the deed to the hunting cabin your grandpa and I used to use anytime your grandma and my Minnie wanted to redecorate." His lips twitched. "The fact they always chose hunting season seemed awful convenient."

Doug accepted the envelope with a frown. "Uh, thanks. Not sure what I'll do with it." He tucked the deed into the pocket of his jacket. "I hate to cut this short, but I have an appointment to make." Raising a hand, he started for the doors.

Frank added a reminder. "The key to the cabin is under the porch. It's all spelled out in the letter your grandpa included. Call if you have any questions."

Doug grunted and left the room.

Jordan's brows arched. "Not exactly thrilled with the gift, was he?" He didn't remember Doug being quite so rude the last time they'd attended a family function.

Frank rolled his eyes. "I blame Nellie. After Ralph died, she and their daughter Ellen had a falling out and that usually kept Doug firmly on his mom's side." He shook his head. "Doug didn't start coming to family gatherings until after his mom passed. And your grandma is convinced it's only to remind Nellie how poorly she treated her daughter." He waved a hand. "Bah. You didn't come here for a family history lesson." Pressing the keys into Jordan's hand, Frank smiled. "The brownstone is yours. Don't forget the secrets of the old place. Should help you with your work."

Jordan operated a private investigation and security company. The old building had three secret entrances and myriad passageways between floors. So, yeah, the privileged information could definitely help with anything covert.

Jordan gave a nod. "It will. I'll use the lower level for my office and live up here. Be nice to have a couple of shortcuts I can use." Not that he'd share any of those with anyone.

Not even his—if he eventually hired one—assistant. He liked to work alone and had a few key clients that usually kept him busy. But he'd have to bring someone else on board if he wanted to stay relevant.

Frank nudged Jordan's shoulder. "I anticipated your plans. I've got a guy coming over tomorrow morning to put your name on the door downstairs. You tell him what you want and he'll make sure you're good to go."

Jordan hugged his granddad. "Thank you. Can I stop by for dinner next week so I can thank Grandma, too?" After all, the brownstone had been their home after they got married.

Frank smiled. "You bet you can. She'll be happy to see you, my boy." Starting for the doors, he turned back. "Make it Wednesday, if you're free. We're leaving for a cross-country train tour on the weekend."

Jordon walked his grandfather to the main entrance. "Wednesday it is. I'll be there unless I have work to do." He grinned when a black sedan pulled up to the curb.

He'd given his granddad a silent communication device over the holidays last year. Looked like Frank put it to good use. Once the car pulled away, Jordan turned and headed back into the brownstone.

Shaking his head, he huffed out a laugh. "Guess I gotta start thinking of this as my brownstone."

I love writing a small bit of mystery into a romance. The noir feel is one of my favorite things.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye 

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: Storm Down the Drain

I think we're starting to get used to our state of affairs. For me, it's not a huge change. The household still has three workers deemed essential and one who can work depending on the weather. Financially, we're feeling a pinch but not a hard bite. We're still trying to show support for the restaurants and local businesses to help ease their concerns.

Kind of a slow week for television, mainly because I've been feeling kind of blah. When the weather goes from warm to cold then back again twice in one week, I react poorly. My sleep schedule is way out of whack right now. Bleh.

I finished up Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears. I loved it!! The conclusion ended up being perfect with a callback to the series and Phryne's biggest fear. And the movie let Phryne stay in character so to speak. I won't spoil anything but the romance ended up being exactly right for Phryne and Jack.

I also got to check out the behind the scenes footage and a Q and A with Essie Davis. Fun stuff. If you get a chance, check this movie out on Acorn.

Watched the penultimate episode of season one Peak Practice. I'll finish up the series this week coming up. I can quite decide if I like Will or if I think he's a complete prat. Or … if I actually like him because he's a prat. LOL

Caught the Death to the Daleks arc of Classic Who. I'm not sure how many episodes are left in season eleven, but I'm looking forward to revisiting the fourth doctor in the next series.

I decided to see if I can catch some musicals and concerts that are streaming right now. I watched an amalgamation of Cirque du Soliel, featuring Amaluna and two other shows. I'll be watching another one later this week and then searching for a musical or orchestra concert to watch.

I'm doing a trial with CBS All Access and watched the first episode of Picard. I'm intrigued. The reviews were mixed but I can safely say I kind of want to know what the hell is going on with the Romulans and the Borg and the federation and AIs. I'll be tuning in for another episode for certain.

Caught episode four of Strike Back. I'm very pleased one of the characters got to live to see another day. I love how much Chetri does on the down low. I also love how Coltrane does what he thinks he should do but changes on the fly when loyalty comes into play. This show … I'm going to miss it so much when it's over.

This week's Strike Back Declassified ended up being really good. Seeing into the thought process is always fun and hearing how they shoot things in long takes amazes me.

Watched two more episodes of Gargoyles. I'd forgotten how much Demona annoyed the crap out of me. I'm getting a crash course during the rewatch. LOL

Caught episode two of The Witcher. Again, this show intrigues me. I'm following along fairly well and I like having the three storylines playing out on the screen. Looking forward to the next episode.

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

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…

She's taking the case.

Brooks's grin faded. Now he had to figure out how to keep her safe. But … an idea started to form in his mind for a perfect solution.

Letting go of her palm and reaching for his checkbook, he met her gaze. "Will you accept half your fee up front?" He retrieved a pen from his pocket.

Velvet held up a hand. "No, not yet." Leaning back, she draped an arm over the cushion. "Let's see if I can find this artifact first." A small smile curved her lips. "And maybe see how much of an adventure this turns into." The robe parted at her waist below the hastily tied belt, giving Brooks an amazing view of the leg she didn't have tucked under her thighs.

His mouth watered … just a little.

Then reality kicked in. He'd hate to see anything happen to any of her limbs.

Clearing his throat, he pressed forward with his idea, playing a carefully manipulated hand. "Er, you know how my family operates. I ditched my babysitter to come here so they wouldn't know my plans." He rolled a shoulder. "I'd feel better if I have you on retainer. You'll be protected if you are."

Velvet's eyebrows rose. "How do you figure? If I'm on your payroll, they'll know what you're doing." Her lips thinned to a flat line across her face.

Now comes the tricky part.

Brooks complimented her intelligence. "Good point. Your reputation is well-known, but you're also a woman. In my world, you wouldn't be taken as seriously as a male counterpart." He rolled his eyes. "Having you on retainer would offer a layer of protection if only because you'd be taking payment. But … it would tip my hand." He met her gaze. "To be completely safe, and to keep what I need to do under wraps, I want you to become my mistress."

Velvet's mouth dropped open. "Excuse me?" She blinked and her shoulders tensed.

Brooks quickly clarified. "Only to the public. You know, a ruse." He gave her another slow once-over. "Although, full disclosure, I wouldn't mind having you in my bed." Not one damn bit would he mind.

Velvet's countenance changed and the seductive siren came out. "Mmm. As nice as that would be…" She leaned forward, invading his personal space. "I only get intimate with people I trust." She patted him on the chest. "And you and me … we're not there yet." Rising, she gathered the tray from the table and carried the items into the kitchen area again.

Brooks almost asked why she didn't trust him. But … he hadn't told her everything. He couldn't. Not yet anyway. The fact she'd picked up on his evasive tactic kicked his respect for her up another notch.

He stood and followed her into the nicely appointed kitchen. "Have you changed your mind then?"

Velvet angled her head around to meet his gaze. "About taking the case? No, not at all." She turned, facing him. "But let's be clear on my role. I'll pose as your lover in public. In private, we stay in our own beds." She folded her arms over her chest. "Does that work for you?"

He nodded. "It does." As much as he wanted her, he couldn't be a slave to his libido—not with his life on the line.

Velvet gave him a brief smile and moved past him. "Good." She led the way back to the exit.

Brooks paused behind her. "Once my family knows you'll be at my place or I'll be over here, they'll relax. If they think I'm wrapped up in a new woman, the shadow detail should loosen up and give us windows of opportunity to find the artifact." Most of those pockets of time would be during the darkest part of night, but she'd have figured that out already.

Velvet stepped aside but stayed close to the door. "Did you have a place in mind for our first meeting?"

Brooks had just the place picked out. "Jumpin' Joes. Do you know the place?"

She gave a nod. "I'm familiar with it, yes. A good pick. Crowded enough to play into a chance meeting, but not so popular we'll be in a crush of people. Tomorrow around nine?"

The time worked well for him. "Perfect. I'll get there a little early and claim a spot at the bar." One last thought struck him and he didn't stop to think about his next action.

Cupping her face with one hand, he leaned in, making his intention clear. She didn't resist or flinch away and his mouth slanted over hers for a long, lingering kiss.

When he eased back, he traced his thumb over her cheek. "Practice. Had to make sure we'd be able to pull off a public display of affection." He definitely wouldn't mind finding reasons to lock lips with her again.

Velvet blew out an extended breath. "Obviously not going to be a problem." She reached for the doorknob. "But … let's remember to keep those displays in the public arena from this point forward." Pulling the door open, she sidestepped to let him exit.

Brooks lifted his chin, acknowledging her stipulation and left the suite. He waited until he started down the back stairs before letting a wide, slow grin cross his face.

Working with Velvet Strong might be the best thing ever.

I love this couple who aren't a couple. If all goes well, Brooks and Velvet will slowly make their way toward a satisfying ending.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye