Sunday Snippet: Spider's Webb

Ugh. My daughter had her first fender bender already. I haven't even made the first car payment yet. LOL

She's fine, which is all that truly matters. The car isn't completely wrecked and that's also a good thing. Whew.

Needless to say, I had a lot of distractions this past week. That said, I did get a few good viewing sessions in.

I started Luke Cage's second season and liked the first episode. I'm very interested in seeing what happens with everyone. Also caught two episodes of Killjoys and one of Wynonna Earp. Still behind, but I'll get caught up eventually.

Started the limited series Driven from Passionflix. So far… definitely so good. I'm so happy to be a founding member of this venture.

I ended up getting an episode of The Dresden Files in along with the tenth episode of Canal Road.

On DVD this week, I caught Batman: Assault on Arkham and the Veronica Mars movie. Enjoyed both!

Also did my usual marathon viewings of Murder, She Wrote and In the Heat of the Night. Got in an episode of Peter Gunn, too.

And that's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Spider's Webb, a book in the Furlough 99 universe.

Here's the tagline:

Spider Smith, techno geek extraordinaire, meets his match when Hailey Webb decides she needs his expertise. When her carefully planned escape from a life of crime goes awry, Spider wants to help, but with his team out on a fool's mission, Spider has to fight the battle on his own.

And a sneaky peek…

Spider snarled. "So the guild is on a fool's mission. There's no fugitive." Dammit. They could've used the funds.

Hailey cringed. "Yeah, sorry about that. But if you'll let me—"

Spider grabbed her arm and dragged her behind him. "Let you what? Explain?" He whipped her around and marched her forward. "Oh, yeah. You're definitely gonna be doing some serious chatting." Thank the universe Spider caught Hailey before she could finish corrupting the security system. He dragged her to his lair and dumped her in an overstuffed recliner. Grabbing for the comm headset, he started to call in the guild.

"We'll see if there's a nice bounty on your head. The guys'll like that. It's been a quiet week."

Hailey snorted. "Whatever, dude. I could save you time and tell you there's not."

Spider paused, moving the microphone down. "You didn't have time to delete yourself. No way."

Hailey's lips quirked. "Listen, I hate to break it to you, but I could work circles around you."

Spider scoffed. "I don't think so. Your work is sloppy, messy, and amateur."

Hailey rose from the chair and moved in on Spider. "Hey, dumbass. Do you have any idea how hard it is to fuck code up in just the right way to alert the super genius security guy…" She poked him in the chest. "That would be you…" Her hand fell away and she rambled on. "But not clue in the above average intelligent crew breathing down the back of my neck?"

Spider blinked. "Shit." It would take a fuck ton of talent and finesse.

She smirked. "Damn straight, you moron. The shit's pretty deep and someone just dropped me in it, neck high." She pinned him with her gaze. "Again, that would be you."

Because he'd caught her sooner than she wanted. Spider heaved a sigh. "Shit."

Hailey shook her head. "You know, for a brilliantly smart guy, your vocabulary is hugely lacking." She paced back and forth. "No way you're gonna be the one to cover my ass. I'm pretty much a walking ghost right now."

Only a true pro could purposefully screw up the code enough to ping him but not alert the crew she ran with. Hell, she might be better than him.

Stunned at her skill, Spider finally got his brain to kick in. "Look, this is salvageable."

Hailey spun around. "Really? How?"

Spider shrugged. "I let you go. You meet back up with your team and finish the job."

Hailey shook her head. "Uh-uh. They'll never believe I got tagged by the guild and didn't spill."

Spider pondered a moment. "So you tell them you convinced me you'd make it worth it to let you go."

Hailey tilted her head to the side, considering the idea. "Hmm. Been a long time since I've pulled out the tits and teeth routine." She chuckled. "It's been a long time since I've been caught and needed to."

Spider frowned. "I was thinking more along the lines of a credit exchange."

Hailey snorted. "They'd never believe that. A guy with your skill set can get all the credits he wants." She dragged the ponytail holder from her hair and mussed it up. "But a wild night with me… they might just go for. Especially since none of them can ever get near me. And your boys are on fugitive patrol in the mining colony." She paused. "But my team will still be suspicious. That could be a problem."

Spider had a solution. "You really do need someone to cover your ass."

Hailey smirked, then purred. "You volunteering for the job, big man?"

If her voice made his dick hard, he had a fleeting thought about what her mouth could do.

Hailey snapped her fingers. "Hello? Stop thinking with the little brain and focus."

Spider shook his head. "Right. Focus." He moved to his setup and opened multiple programs. "And, yes, I’m volunteering." His fingers flew over the keyboard, entering a long series of commands. "Look at the monitors." He nodded toward the screens. "I'm hacking our droid units, telling them to log your every move." He turned and guided Hailey a few feet to her left. "Stand still." He hit enter, carefully watching the holovid scan Hailey from head to toe. "Your image is uploading to every droid and security monitor we have on station. They'll follow every move you make as soon as I enter the command code."

Hailey grinned, long and slow. "Geez. You're beyond skilled." She shuddered. "I'm actually very turned on right now."

Spider's dick jumped in response. "Later." Realizing how that sounded, he added. "Er, if you're not, you know, dead or behind bars."

Hailey laughed. "Oh, my god… I'm stupidly happy I took a chance and finally got to meet you."

I have so much fun writing Hailey and Spider! This couple knows how to keep each other on their toes.

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Specter's Masquerade

Yeesh, another crazy-busy week. And it's allergy season for me, so… yay. Not.

I had a particularly lengthy manuscript with formatting issues so my viewing schedule dwindled again this week. As usual, I caught marathons of Murder, She Wrote and In the Heat of the Night as background for much of the week.

I caught a CW Seed pilot called Cupid's Match. Gotta say that one looked kind of interesting. Also watched Pensacola: Wings of Gold and another episode of Lexx.

I ended up starting and not finishing another Hallmark Movie. I apparently like the mysteries way better than the meet-cutesy ones. Still… I'll keep sampling.

On DVD, I caught two Batman movies. Bad Blood and The Killing Joke. Both were pretty decent and I enjoyed the more adult-oriented storyline.

Finished season four of Strike Back and I'm geared up for season five. Looking forward to seeing if I like the new cast as much as I loved the previous one.

I'm almost finished with season six of Chicago Fire. I truly love where the cast is right now. Of course, there's a major shake-up for season seven so I'm not sure how I'll like that.

Caught a sci-fi marathon of original series Battlestar Galactica, Kolchak, the Night Stalker, Lost in Space, and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea last night. I love revisiting some of those classic shows.

And that's it for television this week. I'm behind on Wynonna and Killjoys but should catch up this week. Fingers crossed. Tonight's post is from Specter's Masquerade, a novella set on a space station and the opening book for the Masquerade series.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Juna Newberry starts her new position as head of security on the Specter Spacestation under fire. She walks into the job two days before the biggest gala event of the solar year, a threat is made on the personnel, including the principal owner of the station, Maddox Specter, all while fighting her attraction for the sexy entrepreneur.

And a sneaky peek…

"You brought a new chief of security in two days before the Specter Masquerade?"

Maddox Specter paced back and forth in his conference room. The sheer stupidity of the board's decision hit him harder than it should. Especially when he'd been out on the fringes of space, discussing a new venture with Roman Holly and catching up with two other old friends. Dammit, he'd earned a brief holiday, had worked his ass for it, in fact.

But he should have counted on the board to move in and make a few sweeping changes. They battled against him at every opportunity.

Paul Edwards, the chairman, made a soothing sound. "Now, Maddox, you said yourself we needed to move on hiring someone."

Maddox whirled around, the holo images swimming in his vision. "Not two bloody days before the biggest event of the year!" He lowered his voice. "And not without consulting me." Sweeping his gaze over all the holographic visages, he asked. "Who spearheaded this exercise in stupidity?"

No one spoke up or took credit. Maddox didn't care who jumped the gun. They were all a bunch of morons.

At least they'd gone with one of his top five choices. Juna Newberry had serious qualifications. And she'd probably put them to good use if he didn't get the hell out of this meeting and do some damage control.

Maddox turned to face Paul, singling him out. "Edwards, this isn't finished. Once the masquerade is over, we'll be meeting again. I won't have the board running roughshod over Specter Station." And he wouldn't need their backing much longer.

Edwards quirked a brow and smirked. "I have no doubt you'll have plenty more to say, Maddox, but we're not done here. We still have the new galleria bid to go over."

Maddox snorted. "Right now I don't care about adding new shops. The bid can wait. I have a new head of security to get settled in." He turned on his heel and walked out of the conference room.

Walking the short distance to his private office, he entered, giving a terse order to his admin. "Wanda, get me a meeting with the new head of security as soon as she arrives." He loosened his tie, tossed it onto the credenza behind his desk, and walked over to the bar to pour a splash of Carbonite bourbon into a glass.

His admin's soothing voice replied. "Guess what, Maddox? She's already waiting on you."

Maddox glanced up and sure enough, his new employee stood moving back and forth in the reception area. His eyes slid closed and he downed the alcohol. No time to prepare, but he'd meet the situation head-on.

Heaving a sigh, he grabbed his tie and put it back on. "I'll meet her now. Grant access, Wanda." Knotting the fabric shouldn't feel like a noose, but somehow… it did.

The sages gave me a huge chunk of this story in one go and then they kind of stepped back and cut off the flow. I have the outline finished and story points for the other three books now. Here's hoping I can finish this one up and launch the series soon.

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Something New

The start of the school year looms closer for my last kidlet. She'll be starting her junior year but she's already been involved in fall activities. Band camp for two weeks and three-day-a-week practices in the evenings. The golf season officially started and she had her best eighteen-hole round this past week with an eighty-eight on a par seventy-two course. In between all that, she worked a part-time summer job at our local pool, got hired and trained for a new part-time job at a local restaurant that opens in a few weeks, and got her first car. GAH! Okay, the husband and I are actually paying for the car, but she's involved in so much we decided she needed a vehicle. She'll be contributing toward the payment and her insurance with the part-time job and banking the rest of her paycheck in her shiny new checking account.

The struggle is real… my wee one is fast approaching adulthood.

So… the busy week of car loans and new editing projects kept me from my usual viewing schedule. I did a lot of Murder, She Wrote and In the Heat of the Night marathons. I did catch a few other shows.

Wynonna Earp. Watching everyone grieve for Dolls broke me a little. It's Wynonna Earp so of course there was nothing standard for the process. And we got quite a bit of plot momentum and new secrets. This show… never a dull moment. Ever. And one of the best fight scenes ever in the history of fight scenes on Wynonna Earp. Just saying.

I'm behind on Killjoys, which makes me very sad. I'll hopefully catch up this week. Fingers crossed.

I caught another episode of Garage Sale Mysteries, which I'm rather fond of. I like the dynamic and mix of characters. And in the mystery category, I caught the first episode of Midsomer Murders season thirteen. Moving right along on the episodes I haven't seen yet.

Also caught some more The Dresden Files and remembered by I enjoyed this show so much when it originally aired.

Caught another episode of Canal Road and I gotta say I have a theory on who either killed Spence's wife or ordered it done. I'm totally going to freak out if I'm correct. Australia has some kick ass television… just saying.

I watched two Batman DVDs this week. Gotham by Gaslight ended up being a terrific experience, topped only by a rather grown-up for animated DC fare of Batman and Harley Quinn. Seriously, I'm down with the kid version, but I'm completely there for a more adult-oriented movie.

Caught another episode of Babylon 5, basically the opening of the first season after the initial pilot. I'm looking forward to rewatching the entire series. Also caught most of another episode of The Sarah Conner Chronicles.

And that's about it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Something New, a sexy short that started with a writing community prompt of creating a scene with multiple positions and something that hasn't been tried before. Fun!

Here's the mini-blurb:

The sex is always good between fellow fleet officers Margie Range and Eli Kennington, but Margie wants to try something new. The challenge? They're on a ship deep in the black and the position she wants to attempt needs a lot more space than is currently available, but she won't be denied.

And a sneaky peek…

When the XO dismissed Eli's team, he took Margie's warning seriously and went straight to the mess. "I'll have the baked steak with potatoes and a side of steamed vegetables." He flashed a grin at the server. "Better add an order of bread, too."

Her lips curved and she picked up two individual loaves, adding them to his tray.

He grabbed an iced drink then found a seat and settled down to eat… a lot of food.

When had he become so wrapped up in Margie's spell? Right. About five minutes after meeting her.

Bold and brash, she demanded attention without asking. She carried her commanding presence in the way she moved. Graceful confidence mixed with relaxed intensity. A study of contrasts, yet she made them work. He'd never admit to having a type, but from his dating history, Margie didn't fit the standard mold. Dark hair, pulled ruthlessly back from her face, showcased her expressive eyes, which sucked him into her orbit. He took one look into the amber-flecked brown gaze and stopped thinking with his head. His dick, on the other hand, had no problem taking over and determining what it wanted.

Margie Range.

The polar opposite of what he normally considered for female companionship.

He chuckled around a bite of food. "Didn't take me long to figure out I'd been going after the wrong females."

Only an inch or two shorter than his five-eleven height, she had sinful curves he could hold on to for days. Her legs, especially when wrapped around him, were incredible. And she had a laugh that never failed to brighten his day, pull him deeper into her web, and turn him on—usually all at once.

In short, Margie made being deep in the blackness of space not only bearable but fun.

His Margie-sense tingled when he'd finished half his dinner. Looking up, he spied her chatting with a petty officer and accepting a small duffel. Eyes narrowed, he waited until she sat across from him to ask about the exchange.

He nodded toward the duffel. "What's in the bag?" Knowing her, it could be anything from laundry to contraband.

Margie smiled. "You'll see. I wasn't kidding about that eight-hour thing." She pushed his straw to one side and drank half his remaining drink. "Eat up, Eli. Time's a-wasting."

He finished his food in record time and got up to stow his tray in the proper bin.

Margie fell into step beside him. "Ready?"

Eli gave her sideways glance. "Where to?"

Margie shot him a sexy look. "Just keep up. We're headed to D-deck." Her lips twisted in a sultry grin.

Eli didn't have to wonder about the location anymore. D-deck had overnight quarters and surplus accommodations for delegates and visitors. But he couldn't wait to hear how she managed to secure a prime destination on ship without raising suspicion.

He'd lay money she had a good story for how she accomplished such a feat.

This is a fun little manuscript. I'm looking forward to finishing this one up.

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Sibling Rivalry

Wow… it's August. Almost time for school to get started again and the fall sports season to get underway. For me, this means feed the team for one of my daughter's golf matches and getting ready for football games and band competitions. Oh… and homecoming. We got the dress picked out and ready to order today. Yeesh.

Had a low-key week in television. Got kind of busy doing other things and ended up watching a lot of binge scheduling of Murder, She Wrote.

On DVD, I finished up Batman: The Brave and the Bold and got the second half of The Batman's season five episodes. Really enjoyed both.

Finished up the second to last episode of Strike Back's fourth season. Caught a Chicago Fire episode and also watched the season one finale of Sense8. Man… I'm completely sucked in to this show. I was going to watch the second season of Luke Cage then watch season two of Sense8, but I need to know what happens next. LOL Sorry, Luke… I'll be there soon.

Started Patrick Melrose but it didn't grab me. I'll watch it sometime later. Had a binge watch of The Saint on regular television. I'll be hunting down the entire series in the near future. Really love the show.

I'll be watching Wynonna Earp and Killjoys later this week. Had too much stuff going on Friday night to watch live.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Sibling Rivalry, a novella that started with a writing community prompt of writing something similar to boot camp. I picked flight school.

Here's the mini-blurb:

When Fayne Cartier falls for his brother's flight instructor, Rumor Child, he has no idea how difficult dating will end up being when his brother shows signs of not having the chops to qualify. Rumor won't cut him from her class thinking the sibling rivalry may be just what the younger Cartier needs.

And a sneaky peek…

Fayne waited outside the instructor's office. "Rumor Child. Sure has a sassy mouth on her." And he'd definitely noticed her lips, which he'd love to see used for something other than kissing him off.

Fayne did a quick personnel search with his handheld. Okay, she had the chops to back her attitude up, as much as he hated to admit it. Maybe he could talk some sense into her since his brother wouldn't listen.

Fayne sighed. "Dammit, Renner." Thinking he had to follow in their father's footsteps.

Not that the old man disabused his youngest of doing so. Fenrick thought being a pilot should top both of his sons lists. So… of course Renner fell right in if only to please the elder Cartier.

The door opened and Fayne waited until his brother exited and turned the corner before he ducked back inside Rumor Child's room.

Lieutenant Child glanced up and heaved a sigh. "I don't have time for—"

Fayne cut her off, holding up a hand. "I came to apologize for butting in to the interview." He dropped his arm and finished up. "I overstepped and deserved getting thrown out." There, hopefully, that would smooth the way for what he really wanted.

Rumor narrowed her gaze, tilting her head to one side. "And?" She drew the word out, leaving no doubt he wouldn't get anything past her.

He liked her and the fact she saw right through his apology.

He flashed a smile. "Let me take you to dinner to make up for being an ass." He waited, full of anticipation for her response.

Again, she didn't disappoint.

She snorted. "And to talk me out of adding your brother, right?" She rolled her eyes.

Fayne shrugged. "More like letting me share my concern in a calm and rational manner." Hopefully, he could manage that feat.

Rumor shook her head. "As much as I appreciate the gesture, I don't have time." She walked around her desk and gave a pointed look at the files spread across the surface. "I'll be here until at least nine after I finish conducting interviews." She met his gaze.

Disappointed, but completely understanding, Fayne nodded. "Another time then?" He held out hope.

Rumor gave him a long, considering look. "I think I'd like that." Pulling her chair out, she sat down, opening the top folder on the pile.

Backing toward the exit, he grinned. "Sounds great." He turned and left her office, heading for the parking lot.

The beginning of a kick-ass idea formed in his mind. If she couldn't have dinner out, he'd bring it in to her. His brother's potential mistake notwithstanding, Fayne wanted to spend more time with the intriguing flight instructor.

Fayne is definitely going to meet his match in Rumor. They also won't have an easy time staying on the same page.

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye