Sunday Snippet: Automatic Failure

September 29, 2019

Had a crazy busy week with multiple projects coming due and, thankfully, I made the deadlines. I'll freely admit there might have been some wine to help along the way. More as a reward at the end of the week than during the actual crunch time.

I made a lot of progress on the three shows I'm currently watching. This means I haven't seen any of the premieres of the new seasons yet. I'm weirdly out of sync with everyone else and I'm not eager to dive into the new stuff yet.

I continued with season three of Peter Gunn and have a handful of episodes left to watch. Season three marks the end of the run and I'm not sure what I'll replace this show with, but I think I'd like to go with another classic television series. We'll see what I can find.

I'm through season seven of Classic Who and have a start on season eight. I'm in the Mind of Evil arc. The Master is now a nemesis and it's fun to watch how the long-standing rivalry started between the Doctor and the Master.

I've also finished up series eighteen of Midsomer Murders and should start nineteen soon. That leaves about twelve or so episodes left before I finish up the entire run. Not sure what I'll replace this one with either. I might finish The Coroner if it's still available.

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

Here's the mini-blurb:

Piper Kemp, a flight instructor, moves aside to avoid letting her personal feelings influence a decision about whether to pass one of her students. But when he crashes and almost loses his life, Knox Petruci steps up to defend Piper and opens a can of worms because her student happens to be his brother.

And a sneaky peek…

Sometimes Knox wanted to punch his younger brother in the face. This counted as one of those moments he would cheerfully do so. His brother's insufferable treatment of his flight instructor—who for all intents and purposes Abel didn't deserve—rubbed Knox the wrong way. He shouldn't be surprised Abel tried to play an angle with her—she definitely had the beauty and brains factor going on—but the disappointment burned hot anyway. One of these days his brother would get his. Knox hoped he'd be there to see it happen.

He stared Abel down. "You're a dick." Folding his arms over his chest, he added one more insult. "And an asshole."

Abel lifted a shoulder. "Love you, too, bro." He frowned. "Why are you here? Didn't we have enough happy family time this morning?"

Again, the urge to smash his fist into Abel's mouth almost won out. But Knox liked a fair fight, so he resisted the temptation. Wouldn't be sporting when Abel had two broken legs and a busted hip. Not to mention bruised ribs. But, hey… adding a broken arm to the mix might not be a bad idea.

Abel snapped his fingers. "Knox. What brought you back to the hospital? Aside from the need to call me names?"

Knox bit back another sarcastic reply. "You got a call from cryptology and counterintelligence. Don't ask me why, but they want you for their program." Actually, Abel would be better suited for spook work than flying any day.

Abel snorted. "News travels fast. I haven't been out of surgery for a full twenty-four hours yet." He swept a hand back and forth over his legs. "Hope they're not expecting me to report anytime soon."

Knox shook his head. "Look, Abel, I suggest you at least get back to them right away." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the paper with the phone number on it. "It's an opportunity for you to excel in a field suited for your particular skill-set." He put the information on the bedside table and started for the door.

Abel stopped him with a question. "Hey, what's my particular skill-set?"

Knox glanced over his shoulder. "Being a dick and an asshole." He pulled the door open. "So get your head out of your ass and make the call before they realize you might be too good for the work." Exiting the room, he ignored the barrage of expletives his brother unleashed.

He had another person to visit, a nice, amicable veteran who had served with his grandfather.

I loved writing the exchange between Abel and Knox. Siblings are so much fun to portray, especially when they're not afraid to call each other on their bullshit.

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

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: An Answer to Fate

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

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

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

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

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

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

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from An Answer to Fate, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt. It's also the first in a triology.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Quillan Jaymes and Jeb Paladino finally get their act together and declare themselves a couple. Too bad that's when everything goes wrong.

And a sneaky peek…

"Did you ever think we'd actually get here?" Quillan Jaymes brushed her lips along the firm jaw of the man reclining beside her, Jeb Paladino.

Jeb chuckled. "Only when I was too tired to find reasons why we shouldn't."

"Why didn't you find more of them sooner?"

"I'm not the only one who played musical partners, Quill. You've led me on more than one merry chase."

Her lips quirked. "But you had fun." Her hand drifted downward, skimming his taut abdomen to dip under the covers. "And makes catching me so much more worth it, right?" Wrapping her fingers around his heavy length, she relished the way it filled in her palm.

Jeb agreed. "Notice I'm not arguing." He waited a beat. "That should speak volumes." He shifted toward her, nudging her legs apart to work a hair-roughened thigh between them.

Quillan laughed. "Gah… why did we wait so long?" She loved being so free and open with him.

Jeb pondered. "We weren't ready yet. We are now." His hands spanned her waist, sliding up to cup her breasts.

Quillan moaned. "I love having your hands on me." She leaned into his touch, arching her back.

Jeb kneaded, teased, and tantalized. His head lowered so his mouth could capture a nipple while his fingers tugged and pulled on the other one. Quillan squirmed, trying to cool her heated need.

Jeb flicked his tongue over the pebbled tip. "You getting impatient, Quill?" His palm ghosted over her hip to slide between her legs.

She hissed out a breath when he made contact with her button-hard clit. His erection jutted between them, rubbing against her lower stomach. Rock hard but velvety soft met her grasping hand.

She made a hum of satisfaction. "I'm not the only one. You're all but throbbing in my hand." Her fingers curled around the shaft, squeezing lightly.

Jeb gave a grunt. "Not gonna last long. I'm ready to go off right now." He rolled to his back, then maneuvered her to straddle his thighs.

Quillan caught his lips for a hard kiss. "Then we'll make this one quick and dirty and save slow for later." The fact there would be a later sent a wave of contentment through her.

She lifted her hips and slid over his hard cock, taking her time to savor every sensation. The experience didn't disappoint and when her butt met his thighs, she closed her eyes and sighed.

When she opened them, her gaze met Jeb's. "So worth the wait."

I'm loving the way this story is unfolding. I also love having an established couple in the beginning of a book that ends up getting separated for some reason. Quillan and Jeb have a long journey ahead of them.

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

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: All Jacked Up

This past week I got to experience my daughter's first "senior night", this one for golf. She's my youngest and the last one we need to get through high school. Which is actually funny because she's also the most organized of my three kiddos and we haven't had to do much to get her through anything. Okay, except to maybe open the checkbook or whip out the debit card.

Anyway, the golf team had a scramble with another county team and the girls had a great time. This is a little poignant for three of the four seniors because they're all four-year letterman and they literally launched the girls' golf team for the high school. My daughter and one of her friends were the true masterminds, getting another freshman and two sophomores interested so they could form a team. There had to be at least four girls and they had five so they were good to go. In the four years they've had a team, the roster grew to eight, dropped to seven, then went back up to eight again this year. It's been exciting to watch the group grow and change and support each other.

Next up, is senior night for band and that's next weekend. I'm hoping for a non-rainy football game. This past week, the game got delayed due to lightning. Fun times.

Had a busy week overall with work but did get some television viewing in. I kept up with more episodes of Peter Gunn. I'm almost through the second season.

Also got some Classic Who in with The Mind Robber, The Invasion, and The Kroton multi-part episodes. I think I'm through the mixed episodes that are part animation and part regularly shot scenes.

I also watched three more Midsomer Murders episodes. I'm in series seventeen so I have about three more series to finish up.

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

Here's the mini-blurb:

Lita North is injured and ordered to stay off her feet for forty-eight hours which doesn't go over well because Lita doesn't do inactivity. But when Ollie Tulver gets stuck babysitting her after she disobeys the order, she has two choices—continue being a pain in the ass or toe the line. Lita being Lita, she decides to do both.

And a sneaky peek…

Lita had one section of the bulkhead painted before lunch. "Amazing how fast this goes when you're on wheels." The roller brush zoomed along the metal partition.

She set the brush crossways on the paint tray then grabbed the roll of tape. This part gave her a few fits but she only cheated by standing up twice. Thankfully, her butt rested squarely in the chair when the sound of the hatch key code blipped behind her.

She maneuvered the wheels around so she faced the entry. Oliver poked his head in then led with a tray of food. After placing it on the low table by the couch, he went back and retrieved her crutches.

Handing them over, he lifted his chin. "You made a fair amount of progress."

She hobbled toward the head. "Yeah. And I hate to break it to you but this won't take more than half the day to finish up." The look on his face almost made her laugh.

The poor guy… he'd have to find something else to occupy her time.

Shit. "It's gotta suck being my friend right now." Babysitting duty… didn't get much worse than that.

Lita finished up and washed her hands, taking time to scrub the stray paint smears off. She might as well make an effort for Oliver's sake. He only brought one tray, but she'd share the entrée. Least she could do.

She rolled her eyes. "More like I want the company. Especially his." As far as jailers went, Oliver made for great eye candy and could hold up his end of a conversation.

And maybe, just maybe, something deeper hovered between them.

Might be a good time to find out.

She managed to get back out to the main room. "Why the hell do you put up with me?" She propped the death sticks against the unpainted section of the bulkhead and sank down onto the couch.

Oliver quirked an eyebrow. "Is that a rhetorical question?" He pushed the low table closer to her and whipped the lid off the plate.

The scent of baked pasta tickled her nose. An oversized serving of lasagna smothered in cheese along with a side salad, a crusty roll, and fruit cup took up all the space on the tray. Her stomach rumbled and she sighed happily.

She glanced up. "No, it's not rhetorical. You get stuck with babysitting detail yet you bring my favorite meal… If our positions were reversed, I'd be tempted to bring you a sandwich, an apple, and maybe those saltine crackers in the little packets not ply you with something you actually enjoy." Picking her fork up, she cut a hunk of lasagna off to cool it down.

Oliver laughed. "No, you wouldn't. You'd feel sorry for me and bring exactly what I brought you." He held up a finger. "In fact, wait here… pun intended." He ducked out and returned with another tray. "Hope you don't mind some company."

Lita shook her head. "I don't." She took a bite of her lunch and chewed for a moment.

Oliver felt sorry for her? The idea stung a little. Then again, might help if she just asked.

She waited until he got settled on the chair perpendicular to the sofa. "Am I just a pity project to you?" Stabbing another forkful, she met his gaze.  

So much relied on his answer.

Lita is a holy terror but she's also got a soft, gooey center she doesn't like to show anyone. Ollie just might get to finally see it after he answers her question.

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

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: All Day Sucker

Whew. What a week. My middle kiddo—who's not really a kiddo anymore at twenty—ended up in an accident when a car turned in front of him across traffic. His car is pretty crunched up but he's thankfully okay. It's been a lot of phone calls this week to get a loaner car lined up and an insurance claim filed. I can say one thing with absolute certainty. I'm so glad we don't have many accidents or fender benders that need insurance company involvement. Yeesh.

I've been on a bit of a comfort viewing watch this past week. I stuck with more Peter Gunn episodes after watching the weekend marathon. I'm in the beginning of season two and about ten or so episodes in.

Also caught three groups of episodes with Classic Who. The six-part Web of Fear, which had some editing issues but it's better than not being available. I followed that with The Wheel in Space, another six-part arc. And then finished up with The Dominators, which is a five-part storyline. It looks like I'm in the last season of Two's run. I'm a little disappointed with how few episodes are available from his tenure.

I watched the last two episodes of series sixteen of Midsomer Murders and started the first episode of series seventeen. It's kind of odd how there was "The Flying Club" in sixteen and now "The Dagger Club" in seventeen.

I need to try to binge watch the final episodes of Riverdale to prepare for the new season starting soon. My heart is so heavy when I watch because they're the last episodes with Fred. I'm really looking forward to the premiere episode, which will be his memorial show.

And that's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from All Day Sucker, a possible free read featuring Murph and Jess from Midwinter Crises.

Here's the mini-blurb:

When Ben Murphy returns from a grueling road trip, Jessa Muldoon pulls out all the stops to welcome him home.

And a sneaky peek…

Jess's sexy smirk went straight to his dick. No doubt her intended response.

He nuzzled her throat. "Ah, Jess. It's good to be home." He missed stuff like this—spur of the moment, hot and steamy, and so them.

She trailed a finger down his chest. "Yes, it is." Reaching for the shower gel, she got her hands sudsy.

Murph gave her free rein, enjoying the way her palms kneaded, her fingers danced, and her mouth moved over his skin. He exhaled on a happy sigh. Two weeks of pressure drained away, replaced by the kind of tension he welcomed… sexual with a side of Jess's playfulness thrown in.

She pressed up against his back. "Mmm. There's the man I know and love." Her hands ghosted around his waist, dipping lower to grasp his shaft and fondle his balls.

Murph moaned. "You're a wicked, magical woman, Jess." Turning, he braced his shoulders on the shower tiles out and away from the spray.

Jess leaned in, her lips whispering over his wet skin. "I know… it's why you love me." Her mouth worked along his jawline, down to his collarbone, then lower to his chest.

She swirled her tongue around both nipples then licked a trail from his sternum to his groin. Her hand continued to fist his cock, tugging gently to tempt and tease.

When she dropped to her knees, Murph sucked in a breath. "You are making my night, Jess." Her tongue flicked over the tip. "But, don't you want—" Me, buried balls deep inside you…

Jess shook her head. "Uh-uh. Not yet." She drew his cock all the way to the back of her throat. "I've been looking forward to this." Looking up through her eyelashes, a smile curved her lips. "You can pay me back while we wait for round two." She enveloped his shaft again, sucking hard.

Murph groaned. "Damn straight I will." His fingers threaded through her wet hair.

Jess didn't rush, taking her time, savoring his dick like an all-day sucker. Murph loved the technique and never failed to be surprised when an orgasm would sneak up on him, sweeping him into a wave of bliss only Jess could create. Then, when his brain started functioning again, he'd return the favor.

Jess made a long, slow drag with her lips from the base of his cock to the head, her cheeks hollowed out from the suction. She glanced upward and, as usual, his spine tingled just before he erupted, his fingers putting pressure on her scalp.

When Jess stood up, he hauled her close, twisting the knob to shut off the water. "I love you. You know that, right?"

She tilted her head back. "Yeah, I do. And I love you right back."

I love revisiting my characters at a different point in their lives. Murph and Jess are two of my favorite people.

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

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Advocate for the Defense

I'm welcoming September with open arms. August ended up being a truly weird month. We'll see if September flows any smoother.

Decent week of television. I stuck with classic and mysteries. I finished up a 77 Sunset Strip binge watch last week and launched into Peter Gunn, logging about seven more episodes via Prime and now a marathon on regular cable.

I caught the Classic Who episodes of The Enemy of the World. Interesting segue… an episode of The Saint featured the actor who plays Two. It's just a weird little connection that made me smile.

I also watched another Midsomer Murders episode. Oddly, they're back to Causton CID again instead of Midsomer Constabulary. Obviously, it's not a huge deal, just one of those random things that popped out at me.

Yes, I'm strange.

Tonight's post is from Advocate for the Defense, a novella that started with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Jada Link has self-sabotage down to an art form and she gets into trouble on a regular basis. But when she needs an advocate to get out of her latest scrape, she meets the one person who can make her career... and possibly find his way into her heart--Quince Lazenby.

And a sneaky peek…

Quince reviewed the file and glanced up. "Have you seen her numbers?"

The lieutenant nodded. "Yep."

Quince shook his head. "They're almost as good as…" He flushed, letting his voice trail off.

Lieutenant Morrow finished. "I know." Morrow crossed his arms over his chest. "It would be a shame to lose her."

Quince couldn't argue. But, geez, it didn't seem Cadet Link had found a line she wouldn't cross… yet. Quince wondered if he'd be able to find a way to advocate for someone who seemed bent on delinquency. Hell, not just bent on it. From all appearances, she fully embraced reckless behavior.

Quince met Morrow's gaze. "Are her infractions worse than they seem on paper or is there more to the story here?" Context rarely made it in to reports.

Morrow shook his head. "You're gonna have to figure that out." Leaning forward, he tapped the top page of the file. "Because even with numbers like hers, if this is the shape of things to come, we need to know. She can't fly if she's locked up all the time." He pinned Quince with a dead-eye stare. "So dig deep and, if you have to, use some of your pull."

The translated meaning being… help the pilot figure her shit out and use unofficial channels if necessary.

Quince got the message. "Yes, sir. I'll do my best." He gathered the folder and tucked it under his arm.

Morrow stood up. "You always do. That's why I asked for you." He waited for Quince to rise and walked him to the door. "Don't let me down."

Quince nodded but added a caution. "It's not just me, sir. Cadet Link has a role in all this. She has to do her part." His gut jumped, indicating the situation could go either way.

Morrow didn't mince words. "Make sure she does, Lazenby."

Quince exited the office and heaved a sigh. "Welcome to the tarmac. Try not to get burned."

I like where this story is going. Quince and Jada get to have a brief dance around their different ranks and regulations but that's half the fun.

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

ML Skye