Sunday Snippet: Excelling Anger

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 Excelling Anger, a novella that explores the way an almost couple navigates their personal and professional relationships.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Fallon and Rook are pilots who excel at many things, but they've turned being angry with each other into a fine art. When they have to confront their issues, they rediscover how working together can have excellent results.

And a sneaky peek…

“One more time?” Marcie reset the monitor.

Rook shook his head. “No. But I’m glad we took our time, even though Troyer pushed for a completed plan.” He gathered their translation. “We need to get this to command. Whoever goes on this mission, they’re headed for an ambush.” He didn’t like what they’d pieced together with the transmission.

He and Marie hauled ass to the comm deck to inform Gamner.

“Sir, we’ve got new intel. We need to scrap the current parameters and replan the mission.”

Gamner shot a narrow-eyed glance toward Troyer. “I’ve opted to follow the recommendation of Colonel Troyer.” He came around the console and stood between the two men. “We’ll send an SAR ship to retrieve the stranded crew. Quick in and quick out.”

Rook shook his head. “That’s the exact opposite of what Fallon suggested. We should send at least one squadron to cover their six.” And prevent more loss of life.

Gamner sighed. "Look, your CAG isn't up to jumping in just yet."

Troyer smirked from his corner.

Rook squared his shoulders. “Actually, she is. Dreamboat and I just spent hours piecing together the information.” He waved the notes back and forth. “You send another bird, the enemy will track them back to us.” And catch the ship with the asses hanging out.

Gamner waved off the concern. “We’ve got our plan set. We’re not making changes now. You said yourself it took hours to piece together information that’s garbled and questionable. By now, you’re hearing what you want.”

Rook got pissed. “You know what? Fallon's right. You're too old school. We’re dealing with pirates who don’t follow a standard playbook.” He sent a glare in Troyer’s direction. “Launching a full squadron won't hurt and it could save lives. At the very least, we should have both squadrons launched and ready if our bird is traced.” And it would be, Rook would bet his next paygrade on it.

Gamner straightened. “Get off my command deck. Your very personal relationship with the CAG is clouding your judgment.” He nodded toward Troyer.

Rook shook his head. “No, it's not. It never has and never will.” Which probably explained why they couldn’t seem to get their acts together and make things official.

Gamner’s lips thinned. “I thought you understood the command structure. Apparently, you don't.” He lifted his chin and Troyer escorted Rook to the hatch.

Rook held the man's gaze for a long moment. “This is going to bite you on the ass. And you'll deserve it.” And so much more.

Troyer sneered. “My ass is gonna look good when I'm second in command.”

Marcie snorted when she ducked past Troyer. “Doubt it.”

Troyer glared but turned on his heel and shut the hatch.

Marcie fell into step beside Rook. “What are you going to do?”

Rook paused at the causeway. “I'm going to camp out in Gamner's quarters until the man sees reason.” They had a twelve-hour window and Gamner had to sleep sometime.

Marcie grimaced. “Probably won't go over well.”

Rook grunted. “Don't care. He's wrong. I love Fallon—even though she's a hot-headed pain in the ass—but I take all sides into account. She's right this time.” He gave Dreamboat the translations, nodded, and headed for command quarters.

This story is fun to write. I love taking a couple who aren't quite committed to each other yet and throwing them into an intense situation so they have to face their drama. Rook and Fallon get to do that in this one.

 

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

ML Skye