Sunday Snippet: Trip the Light Fantastic

Happy Mother's Day to all who celebrate. For me, this includes those who mentor others because being a mom isn't always about giving birth to a person or have fur babies.

Had another busy work week and I'm thrilled to have multiple projects to dig into. I love what I do and being freelance means being happy when the work is rolling in.

Had a limited viewing week with so many other things going on. I sadly lost one of my aunts I've been particularly close to and needed some quiet reflection time.

I did get the double-header of the last two episodes for the first season of Battlestar Galactica in, and they held up as being one of the most perfect season finales of all time.

I also finished up the episode of Only Murders in the Building. Gotta say I had a feeling the artist would do something creepy and she totally did.

Other than that, I watched my classic standby of Perry Mason and also caught some early seasons of Midsomer Murders.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Trip the Light Fantastic, a Chaos series novella.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Esme Von Staunton and Ashton Sylvester think they might be going insane. Ashton's weird attunement with Esme draws her into his bizarre nightmare of hallucinations and doing things neither remember. Esme's brother Eric stumbles onto a plot by Baron Mobride and races to save his source and his favorite couple, but Mobride has other ideas and doesn't plan to let Eric thwart him.

And a preview snippet…

Eric Von Staunton quietly entered the seductively lit room, his gaze drinking in the sight of Bonnie Lancaster while she lightly powdered the apples of her cheeks. "My gorgeous woman, you don't need facial enhancement. You're perfect as is." For six months he'd been visiting her and paying for her services.

But only to keep up appearances.

Bonnie swiveled around and leapt to her feet. "Eric! I'm happy to see you." She dropped the brush to her vanity and launched herself toward him.

He caught her in his arms and slanted his mouth over hers. He welcomed her enthusiastic response of a low moan in her throat. Long ago, he'd hoped to have a shot with her, but circumstances drove a wedge into that plan. He took up the fight against the horrific conditions most of the populace had to work under and Bonnie fell on hard times and took a position in the privacy rooms at the Emporium of Entertainment. By chance, Eric bumped into her when Ash sent Eric to ferret out some information. Their renewed acquaintance brought old feelings to the surface and Eric tumbled headlong into love with her again. Bonnie returned the sentiment but remained as a top draw at the emporium.

Bonnie eased away from him. "How long can you stay? Do we have the night?" She loosened the sash of her robe, easing it from her shoulders.

Eric nudged her toward the bed. "You're most definitely spoken for until dawn breaks over the horizon." He shrugged out of his jacket but stopped when she shook her head.

Her hands smoothed over his shirt. "Let me. I love undressing you." She made short work of undoing the buttons and sliding her palms against his skin. "It's like unwrapping a lovely present and revealing a longed-for gift." Pushing the garment from his body, she started on his pants.

Eric gave her free rein. He'd like her to leave the emporium, but he wouldn't press the issue. He couldn't offer her a home ... yet. He shared the carriage house on Ashton Sylvester's estate with Delphinius Dieter and they had a standing agreement to keep their romantic entanglements elsewhere. Eric didn't like accepting charity from Ash, and Esme argued with Eric about how Ash didn't consider Eric a burden. Ash appreciated Eric's brilliant ideas and liked to invest in sure bets, which Eric would happily accept. But he also wanted to make his own way. So … Eric had meetings about his inventions with manufacturers scheduled.

Bonnie cupped Eric's erection. "Time to turn your brain off, my love, and enjoy our precious time together." Her fingers circled his length then glided along his shaft.

Eric nodded. "You're right." He swept an arm under her thighs and scooped her up. "Starting right now." Depositing her on the bed, he pulled the laces of her camisole loose and helped her shrug out of the garment. "I hope you're ready for a long night…" His head dipped and he captured a taut nipple between his lips.

I'm so happy Eric is finally coming together. The sages weren't telling me what he wanted, and Bonnie ended up being exactly right for him.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye 

Sunday Snippet: A Timely Distraction

Finally have a little bit of spring weather, which is a nice change from the cold and dreary yuck of last week. Taking the doggos out won't be as much of a chore and they like it when the temperatures are mild.

Super, super busy work week. I dropped a quick copy edit in for a healthcare workbook and managed to get the revisions reviewed and back to the author in record time. Might have a few tweaks left, but otherwise that project is in the books.

Also completed a clean copy return for a romance novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. I've been lucky enough to edit the whole series and I'm excited for more!

Finished up a full copy edit on a novel and have the file ready for author review. I'll be forwarding it later today and I'm excited to finish book one so we can jump into book two. This is a fun series to work on.

Also finished up a manuscript evaluation for a new adult novel and I can't wait to work on this series with the author. I love the concept and the characters are messy and fun, which is what I like in the new adult genre.

All those projects didn't leave a lot of time for television this week, which I'm actually okay with. When projects are fun and interesting, I fall right into work mode and enjoy what I do so much!

I did finish up The Mandalorian. This episode ended up being terrific. Ahsoka's introduction and her interaction with Grogu topped my favorite moments. Having the Mandalorian and Jedi working together also made things interesting. I love this show.

I started the next episode of Only Murders in the Building but didn't get to finish. I'll probably watch the rest later tonight.

Also missed my weekly rewatch of Battlestar Galactica. We're doing a double-header for the last two episodes of season one and I didn't have the chunk of time needed to do that this week. Bummer.

My daughter also finished up this semester of college and came home this weekend. She'll be here about a month before heading off to Michigan for a paid internship in a summer stock theater. So excited for her!

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from A Timely Distraction, a novella with a fairytale vibe.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Donahue Stuart, prince and heir to his father's throne, longs for grand adventures, but danger lurks from raiders and marauders, out for royal blood. Enter Lady Vivian, daughter of the king's oldest friend, and a kindred spirit who shows Hue he can have all the magnificent escapades he wants, right in his own realm.

And a preview snippet…

Hue tucked Vivian's hand around his elbow. "Your ingenuity amazes me. How did you come up with the idea to lure the guard to the front gates while we snuck out the back?" He paused at a vendor's table.

Vivian smiled. "Practice. But you'll only be able to pull that off once or twice a year." Damon didn't hire idiots to guard his only son.

They spent the day strolling through the markets, making purchases, mainly small trinkets and baubles. Vivian loved the freedom to mingle with the villagers. She'd found a lovely gray servant's dress made from the softest cotton with plain buttons and a simple sash attached at the waistline. Hue wore sturdy black pants and a homespun shirt in shades of red and gray. He'd added a low-fitting hat that hid part of his face to avoid being easily recognized. Viv admired the fit of his attire. The man made whatever he had on look incredible.

Hue nudged her shoulder. "Are you hungry? Would you mind eating here in the village or would you rather go back to the castle?" He glanced around and nodded toward an inn.

Vivian nodded. "Here sounds wonderful." She paid for her purchase then handed the card to Hue. "A rendition of the hawthorn tree and a memento of today." She hoped he would understand the significance.

Hue grinned. "It's perfect. Whenever I look at it, I'll think of you, the lady of Hawthorne Manor." He slipped the card into his shirt pocket. "Thank you."

Vivian's lips quirked. "You're welcome." She fell into step beside him, and they made their way to the dining area of the inn.

After they finished two dinners of stew and crusty rolls, Hue asked for two stout ales. Vivian loved how he didn't insist she drink something different from him. He lifted his mug and gave her a silent toast.

She raised hers. "To a day well spent."

Hue nodded. "To a day well spent." He drained half the mug.

Vivian followed suit and relished the comfortable hazy glow the alcohol provided.

Hue settled back, relaxing with his ale. "So, I've been curious all day. Why are you at the palace?" He crossed his leg over his opposite knee.

Vivian chuckled a little. "Well, the earl sent me to stay until my latest suitor debacle dies down." She took a large sip of her brew. "I refused one of his important cronies." The beer soured on her tongue when she thought about Wally.

Hue's eyebrows arched. "Did he have bug eyes or some other disfigurement?"

Viv shook her head. "No and I wouldn't care about that." She appreciated a finely made male but didn't use handsomeness as a measure of worth. "Wally is the definition of a stuffed shirt. He's very tied to protocol and maintaining strict standards." She paused a moment then opted for total honesty. "I'm not cut out for prim and proper trappings. I hate them. And I won't let anyone tame my spirit." She'd done Wallace Windsor a favor by rejecting him.

Hue's gaze drifted toward the window. "I know how you feel. I'm tied to protocol and strict standards. And protocol demands I marry and produce an heir before I can travel the lands outside of Kendara." His voice took on a dejected tone.

Vivian laced her fingers with his. "And that limitation chafes, doesn't it?" She definitely understood the dilemma.

Hue nodded then leaned in closer. "What if my perfect mate is out among the world? My dad met my mom while visiting an ally's court." He sighed. "Then the dragon wars started and travel for heirs became restricted." He frowned. "I don't want to settle until I've had the opportunity to explore the world outside of Kendara."

The statement crushed Viv a little, but she got it. "You want what your parents had. Which means you don't want to acquire a mistress on one of your journeys and have to tuck her away somewhere because you're in a loveless marriage." Right now, the reminder sucked the wind from Viv's sails.

And she had a quandary. She'd give about anything to have Hue notice her or want her. Maybe if she planted a hint…

Viv finished her mug of ale and used the liquid courage to tug Hue forward and mesh their lips together. She only lingered a moment, enough to show the embrace to be more than a friendly peck but not long enough to suggest something seductive. Getting too familiar would only tangle her heart into knots.

She eased away and brushed her thumb over his lower lip. "I understand your frustration and I hope you find exactly what you're looking for."

Even if it couldn't be her.

Hue blinked and shook his head a little. "I hope so, too." He gave her a lopsided smile.

Viv pushed away from the table. "We should probably head back before nightfall. My guess is we'll meet the guard on the way if we don't."

Hue barked out a laugh and got to his feet. "No doubt you're right." He crooked his elbow and tucked her hand around it again. "Thank you for the delightful diversion today."

Vivian inclined her head. "You're quite welcome." Plan number one down.

She couldn't wait to spring her next idea on him.

I have so much love for this story. Hue and Vivian are a fun couple and they're easy to write.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: This Is Your Life

Well, April still feels like a mix of winter and summer but not spring. We have hot days then plummet back to cold. I’m hoping May evens it out and we hold steady for a while.

Had a crazy-busy week with work. More projects coming in hot and needing immediate attention. I’m so happy that all of them are absolutely fun and exciting to work on. I love them!

I did have very limited time for viewing this week. I don’t mind the trade off, because I usually have an old standby on in the background like Perry Mason, Columbo, or Murder, She Wrote.

I did finish up Strangest Things and I ended up enjoying the episode.

I also caught another episode in my great rewatch of Battlestar Galactica. This upcoming week, we’re going with a double header to round out season one.

I’ll be starting a new episode of The Mandalorian later tonight.

I also got to listen to my daughter’s radio show. It’s finals week and they get to choose their music. My daughter and her co-DJ picked seventies hits for their time slot. And they made great choices if I do say so. And I do.

That’s pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight’s post is from This Is Your Life, a novella with hex magick playing a role in keeping a couple apart.

Here’s the mini-blurb:

After a harrowing month of captivity in a rival faction's territory, Welch Harrinson can't seem to find his will to keep living. Rina Lewes devises a perfect way to remind Welch why life can be good.

And a preview snippet…

Rina couldn't take it anymore. Welch's distance created a chasm in her heart and soul. She had to find a way to reach him, remind him of their love and passion. Hell, he needed to remember his identity.

She paced back and forth, turning ideas over in her head. The Shringla clan worked some serious hex magic, turning Welch into a shell of his former self. She couldn't counter without knowing the exact incantations their rivals had used, but she might be able to work around the potential traps by nudging Welch down memory lane, rebuilding his knowledge of self and hopefully renewing their bond.

She crossed the floor and picked up the phone, dialing the one person who wanted Welch back as badly as her. His father. For his son, he'd put aside his petty judgments of Rina's lack of bloodline.

She hoped.

He finally picked up on the third ring. "Harrinson's Holistic Health."

She took a deep breath. "Wiggam? It's Rina. Can we meet at the coffee shop?"

Wiggam responded. "Is this about Welch?" He thanked a customer and the bell chimed over the door.

Rina answered simply. "Yes." She wouldn't waste more words.

Wiggam paused a moment. "Give me fifteen minutes to have Shirley come in. I'll be there."

The line disconnected and Rina snorted. "Don't bother asking if I can be there in fifteen." She shook her head. "Someday that man will get a piece of my mind." Grabbing her bag, she shoved the phone inside and exited the cottage.

She'd play very nicely with the elder Harrinson … for now.

The drive passed in a blur, her mind spinning with how to tell Wiggam his son had no clue who they were. And if that old man gave her any kind of shit, she'd lose it. Bad enough Welch didn't appreciate her at the moment. Wiggam never had and probably never would sing her praises.

Her lips quirked. "Not like I'll join the chorus for him either." Making the turn into the parking lot, she cut the engine and dragged in a deep breath. "Nothing for it. Gotta bring my biggest detractor up to speed."

Rina and Wiggam will eventually find some common ground, but it’s not going to be an easy journey. Welch is the glue that will hold them together.

That’s it for this week.

 

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Think Twice

Celebrated my thirty-fourth anniversary this weekend! We had crappy weather, so we brought Chinese home and stayed in for the evening.

Had another busy work week and I'm so thankful the projects are rolling in. Working on a terrific manuscript and I'm so excited to dive into the story. This will be a fun one!

Had a so-so week of viewing television. I'm still focusing on the great cleanup and spent a good amount of time reorganizing and rearranging things in my living room.

I did finish up Wednesday and I enjoy this show so much. I'm excited to see where things go from here.

Caught another episode of Classic Rugrats. The autumn leaves one is fun. I love how much this show still appeals to both kids and adults.

Watched the premier episode of Brokenwood Mysteries season nine. This is another show I have a lot of love for. I miss a few of the original recurring characters but I'm enjoying some of the newer ones. Trudy in particular ends up being fun.

Enjoyed an episode of Endeavor. I'm kind of sad to see Thursday falling in with the new crew. But I'm hoping there might be a twist to this thread. We'll see what happens.

Caught another episode of Classic Who. I'm nearing the end of the classic episodes and I'm happy I did a full rewatch. There are a bunch of episodes I either missed as a kid or completely forgot.

Started a new Silent Witness two-parter. I kind of like seeing Nikki in therapy. Not really sure what's going on with Jack, but he's never boring. Thomas is another one I'm not sure about. His interaction, or lack thereof, with his daughter left a lot to be desired. Clarissa is awesome as always.

Enjoyed another episode of Battlestar Galactica. This is another one of my favorites because Lee Adama steps fully into the role of being a badass.

Also needed some background noise and I ended up watching the Surf Now channel and The Forgotten Coast. Ended up enjoying it a lot.

Started another episode of Strangest Things. Kind of an odd mix of topics with this one, but very interesting so far.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Think Twice, a novella where the characters take two steps forward and one step back more than once with each other.

Here's the mini-blurb:

When Judd Millian asks Pru Watson to work with him to take out the evil invading their city, she doesn't hesitate to say yes. But when he wants something more, she's reluctant, unable to commit to an answer. The indecision drives a wedge between them, but Pru won't let Judd get sucked into the worst part of her past.

And a preview snippet…

Pru hesitated before answering. "Because you matter. This is my mess to clean up. I can't deal with something happening to you because of me."

Judd opened his mouth, closed it, swallowed hard then visibly relaxed his stance before he finally spoke. "You do realize you're doing exactly the thing you never wanted me to do, right? You're taking the decision out of my hands and not giving me a choice." He held her gaze, daring her to counter.

And she wanted to. Wanted to deny the truth of his words. But she couldn't because he'd called things exactly right.

Her shoulders slumped. "I do now." She whirled away. "I've been so blind. Because I let my need for revenge and closure consume and drive me to the point of absurdity." She turned back to face Judd. "I don't have to do everything alone. Especially this. The good of all takes priority. I finally understand this." How many times had he pulled her out of the fire.

Going it alone didn't matter because Judd always turned up at the right time.

She needed him for a lot of things, but only one she had confidence to ask about. "I'd like to plan the op together. Can we do that?" Anything else would maybe come later.

Judd tilted his head to one side. "And after?" He didn't spell it out, but what he wanted couldn't be clearer.

She bit her lip, chewing over her response. "I don't know. What I want and what I can have are often two very different things." At least to her brain they were.

Judd shook his head. "They don't have to be. The fact you won't see the difference is a big part of our problem." He sighed. "And honestly, we can plan an op together and maybe get lucky and pull it off, but half the trouble is the constant start, stop, move forward, go back, then dive headlong off a cliff. It's exhausting and it's not healthy for either of us." He started walking back and forth. "I've given you all the space I possibly can. I don't think it's too much to ask to have some kind of assurance that once this is over … we can actually, I don't know, maybe have a conversation about where we go from here and what we want from the future."

She gave a nod. "It's not. Too much I mean. You're asking me to make a decision before we get tangled back up in trying to eliminate the evil running rampant in the city." The idea scared the hell out of her, but he deserved some kind of assurance.

Judd and Pru are on the same side but often at cross purposes. This ended up being a conversation they needed to have.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: That Explains Everything

Had a wild week with several work projects coming in hot and taxiing on the runway. Also had some wild weather, which isn't a big shock. We're supposed to be chilly again sometime next week, which I'm not looking forward to.

Very slow week of viewing. Between the work projects, weather, and an award ceremony for my daughter's university, I didn't get a lot watched.

I did get another episode of Pennyworth watched and, ugh, it kind of broke my heart. The fallout is not going to be pretty, I'm sure.

Watched one my very favorite episodes of Battlestar Galactica with "Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down." Seriously, the acting in this episode is beyond stellar. The dinner party from hell has to be one of the funniest scenes in the entire series, which okay, might not be saying much because the subject matter of the series isn't always open to humor. But kudos to the writers for working it in whenever they could.

I also started a new episode of Wednesday and I'm definitely settling in and enjoying the wild ride. The snark is top notch and Wednesday's quest to find answers that keeps generating more questions intrigues me. I love this show.

And that's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from That Explains Everything, a novella that puts the characters in a precarious situation with a master manipulator.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Tasha Yale wants Brax Vermillion but can't seem to break her connection to Staz Yarrow—until she's taken by Lanai Conns. Finally aware of the nefarious machinations, Tasha fights to get back to her clan and Brax … before it's too late.

And a preview snippet…

Tasha woke up after spending a full week with Staz being home. "He hasn't mentioned when he'll have to leave this time." Oddly, she looked forward to him going out again.

Brax probably played a role there. The desire for Staz to stay grew weaker with each passing day and the pull to see Brax nosed in hard. Usually, she dreaded letting Staz go, hence the reason they tended to fight before he headed out for a tracking excursion.

She got up to make coffee, refusing to think too hard about the reason she wouldn't put up a big fuss when Staz took off again, which would no doubt be soon.

She entered the kitchen and found Staz pouring two mugs of liquid manna.

Her heart softened a little. "Thanks, you didn't have to do this." He rarely did anything domestic around the cottage—unless he had to leave early.

Only then did he take over coffee duty.

Staz gave her an odd smile. "I know, but you do so much for me, and I don't always show you how much I appreciate it." He backed up to lean against the counter.

She tilted her head to one side for a moment then gave him a long, considering look. Maybe they'd get through a farewell without arguing, for once. Might be a first for them.

She straightened and took a bracing gulp of the brew. "It's so sweet of you." She pulled eggs from the fridge and got breakfast started, putting four slices of bread in the toaster.

Halfway through cooking, her fingers grew tingly. She put the spatula aside and flexed her hands. When she reached for the utensil again, the room grew fuzzy and her ears had a roaring sound in them.

She turned. "Staz?" Her vision swam and she got dizzy. "There's something..." She collapsed, barely able to stay conscious.

Staz crouched down, leaning in close to her. "The only wrong is your boyfriend Brax won't be seeing you today." He dragged her to the door before picking her up and hoisting her over his shoulder. "I can't believe you've been sleeping with him. Ruined the plan, you stupid bitch." Nudging the heavy oak slab open, he carried her to his car.

Her last thought focused on Brax before the full extent of how duped she'd been hit her hard.

Tasha's situation is going to hit hard when she finally regains consciousness. And Staz will have some explaining to do.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Shaken Alliances (a Technorati novella)

Happy spring holidays for those who celebrate. We're having a nice, quiet weekend with excellent weather for once.

Long work week but I got a lot accomplished. Should have one of my projects finished up this week and another ready to move on to the next phase. The third is in a holding pattern for now and we'll pick that one back up in about two weeks.

Had an okay week of watching television. I've also been working on the great clean out project again and that limited some of my viewing time.

I started out with Strangest Things. This show always entertains me with the wild and weird stuff they feature. The psychograph shed some light on at least one X-Files storyline for me.

Continued my rewatch of Battlestar Galactica with "Flesh and Bone." The reintroduction of the Leoben character is an excellent watch, even if I completely dislike that particular model of cylon. The acting is terrific in this episode.

Caught another episode of The Mandalorian. Nice to see the big bad from last season is still a big bad. Always great to see Carl Weathers. Loved Grogu's antics in this one. Can't wait to watch the next episode.

Watched another episode of Only Murders in the Building. Loved seeing the fan crew again. Not sure how I feel about bringing Jan back into the story but I'm thoroughly enjoying the new wrinkle with Oliver and Teddy. I'm looking forward to the next episode.

And that's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Shaken Alliances, the opening book in the Technorati series.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Janna Allgood, a corporal in the Alliance, is the best at what she does, bringing Technorati deceivers to justice. But when she's assigned the task of tracking down the notorious leader of the rogue technomancers, she discovers a new calling, one that puts her life in danger because it may bring down the Alliance she works for.

And a preview snippet…

The chancellor of the Alliance stepped up to the podium. "On this defining day, let it be known that the Guild of Technomancers will forthwith be in league with the Alliance, acting as mediators and part of the executive branch." He paused and looked out at the crowd below then directly toward the hololens filming his speech and sending it out among the coalition of planets. "Welcome to the golden age of the Alliance!"

The crowd roared and the chancellor melted back into the shadows before entering his chambers. Satisfaction infused him and he nodded to Rennick, the junior delegate from the guild. Rennick lifted his chin and gave the chancellor a long, level look before turning to exit for his journey back to wherever technomancers gathered.

And so it went. A very powerful, but peaceful group signed on the dotted line and sold themselves out. The technomancers let the Alliance dictate how they'd use their talents, let the galactic force put restrictions on their abilities. The thought behind it was pure. If they could provide assistance and help forge peace where there none existed, how could that be bad?

After all, the chief tenet of the guild, learned as soon as the ability manifested, hadn't changed in eons. Bring harm to none.

But the concept of brokering peace altered over the years to protecting the Alliance and making things run smoothly for the galactic entity at all costs.

The guild's goodwill became a travesty and had to be stopped. A rift formed and an underground movement started with the formation of the Technorati. The Alliance made moves to halt the progress, tightened up their hold on the guild and forbade them from practicing outside the influence of their keepers.

Some fell in and towed the line. But a few others walked away and chose their own path. They refused to be held to someone else's standard. They went out and honed their craft, experimented, tested boundaries, and completely broke free.

The small group of Technorati became the hunted. Tracked down at any cost and offered a choice. Come back into the fold or suffer the consequences. Most chose to stay as they were. Some dodged the bullet by escaping or going deeper into hiding. Those on the inside that wanted to be free got assistance from the rogue group. They were smuggled out and provided for until they got on their feet.

More and more of the technomancers started to escape and the Alliance formed a new division. One created to put a stop to the exodus.

Being hunted by their own people made breaking the bonds of servitude more difficult...

But not impossible.

I'm excited by the way this story is coming together. I think I figured out how I want to leave things before I start book two.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: A Tantalizing Yule (a Holiday Spirit short)

An interesting start to April with howling winds and a kaleidoscope of weather. We got a mix of pretty much everything. Rain, flurries, high wind advisory, and temperatures all over the place.

Solid week of editing. I have three projects that are moving forward at a great pace. I'm looking forward to getting these completed.

Had a decent week of television. I'm not quite back to my full rotation but I've been writing a lot more and that's not a bad thing.

Caught another episode of Wednesday. I love the lore and world building in this show. Didn't know if I'd like having Wednesday at the center of a prophecy but I like where things are going at the moment.

Watched another episode of Classic Rugrats. Always fun to catch a couple that don't always make the rotation of encores.

Enjoyed the finale of Midsomer Murders. I kind of miss when they did six to eight episodes per season, but the four we have this time around are all excellent.

Continued my rewatch of Battlestar Galactica with "Six Degress of Separation." This episode has so many great one-liners with two coming from Doc Cottle. Seriously, it's hard to top the writing and acting in this show.

Caught another episode of Peak Practice and it ended up being a bit of a doozy. I think I have five episodes left of this series and a lot is supposed to happen. Not sure I'm quite ready for it.

Watched another episode of Classic Who. I'm nearing the end of this season and I'm not sure where things are going with this arc, but I'm excited to find out.

Started the second half of Silent Witness. Nikki just can't catch a break. I'm quite interested in finding out where the twists are leading. Update next week on this.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from A Tantalizing Yule, a holiday spirit short.

Here's the mini-blurb:

During the Yule season, Ginger Radiance, a holiday spirit, has to get Regina Royal, a sexy sprite, under the same roof with Fakhir Frenum, a studly spook. The two have a clash of wills, creating a massive snowstorm that leaves them stranded … plenty of time to let the holiday work its magick on the wary enemies.

And a preview snippet…

Regina Royal flopped down on her sofa. "Argh, no, I can't. I really can't." She crossed her fingers to negate the little bitty lie she just told.

She literally could not do another party. She needed a break and maybe some quiet time. And none of her sprite community would understand she didn't crave being the life of the party all the time.

Regina sighed. "No, no. I'm not going to Swell's shindig over yours." Swell Harrington, a fellow sprite, threw the best soirees, which irritated Harley Knowles to no end. "Look, Harley, it's been nonstop happenings since All Souls. Even I need a night off now and again." And how. "Yes, Harley, I'll make your next get together. I promise." She ended the call.

Never let it be said Regina Royal didn't commit to being the queen of all things fun. But someone—anyone else—deserved to have a moment in the spotlight. Because I'm exhausted.

So exhausted.

And quite frankly a little worried about her lack of spirit. Then again, no one ever asked after her. They didn't wonder if she'd had a good day, week, or month. Nope. Everyone called on Regina to liven up their lives. Honestly, considering she spent the bulk of her time being surrounded by so many people, she shouldn't feel so lonely.

Her phone rang again, and she refused to answer. No doubt another sprite wanted her to put in an appearance.

"How did I get to be the go-to person for party cred?"

Okay, stupid question. Her antics were legendary. But, geez, couldn't someone else dance on tables and drink cocktails out of a pair of heels?

"Not like I've got a moratorium on creativity."

Swell came close. But if he didn't host the fete, he tended to be the snark master instead of a fun guy.

Her head lolled back on the cushion, and she heaved a sigh. Her phone's notification went off again. She muted the volume.

"Argh, this is crazy!" The air shifted around her directly before her doorbell rang.

Rising, she went to answer and discovered what caused the ripple in reality. An envelope hovered outside. She grabbed the packet and opened it … almost afraid to find yet another invitation to yet another party.

"Ohh … not a party…" She scanned the parchment-lined card.

When you need a break from the endless balls…

But you can't escape the next round of calls.

Pack your bags and slip away…

For a solitary soiree.

To make the holiday shine bright…

Slip through the veil after midnight.

The mysterious sender provided the location of the Goodacre Bed and Breakfast with instructions to arrive later that night.

Thrilled beyond belief, Regina got just what she needed. "Oh, hell, yes. This is perfect." She got up and headed for her bedroom. "Won't need much. I have no one to impress…" And she loved the idea of packing light.

This story is a lot of fun. There might be a name change for one of the characters, but I love the vibe of this group.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye