Sunday Snippet: Yelling in Vain

Whew. Very long week of scorching temperatures and tinder-dry conditions. We need some rain in a big way. Also, the end of my street is closed, which is kind of inconvenient but not terrible. It's the height of construction season and it shows with multiple road projects going on.

Super busy week with work projects and shifting my schedule around a little. I'm very happy to have a full calendar even when it overwhelms me a little.

School starts this week and I'm excited for my husband, who really enjoys interacting with the students, teachers, and staff. Looking forward to hearing how his first week goes with the kids coming back.

Had a decent viewing week. Made it most of the way through my shows, including one of my back-burner ones. It also looks like a few of my faves are getting ready to return to my streamers.

Started season two of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and enjoyed all the newcomers. Jack's former wife and his father-in-law along with Dottie's sister. Phryne doing a fan dance also ended up being fun.

Enjoyed the mystery on Madame Blanc Mysteries. Kind of fun having John back but I'm hoping it's not going to be a lot of him. Also wondering if there are some cracks in Jean and Dom's relationship. I'll be a little sad if there are.

Finished up season thirteen of Death in Paradise. I'm oddly sad to say goodbye to Neville. But I'm really thrilled he's leaving with Florence. A fitting end for the character.

Watched another episode of Poirot and quite enjoyed the mystery. Having the ongoing Monopoly game going throughout the episode was fun.

Elementary ended up being very interesting. Having Sherlock working with Moreland ended up being entertaining and I'm very interested and wary of why Moreland is really in New York. That ending hinted that all may not be what it seems, which isn't that surprising. I hope it gives Joan the chance to kick ass on Sherlock's behalf.

Caught another episode of Batman Beyond and loved how Terry and Max teamed up to handle Curare. This was a great episode.

Lower Decks once again charmed and annoyed me. That's the running theme for this show. That said, I enjoy it enough to definitely keep watching.

Got most of an episode of Reacher viewed. It's the penultimate ep so I'm paying close attention to the details. Because … details matter. Just saying.

Peak Practice is hopefully back on target for this week. I started a new episode but didn't get all the way through.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Yelling in Vain, a novella that brings a couple together in less than stellar circumstances.

Here's the miniblurb:

After an accident that takes the life of a fellow cadet, Lora Seaves falls back on her combative attitude to keep it together. Jestin Warbly has to decide whether or not Lora is cracking up or okay to fly. He's got one big problem … a powerful attraction for the rookie pilot clouds his judgment.

And a sneaky peek…

Lora received a note to meet with Jestin Warbly regarding the crash.

She stared at the words and assigned time on the paper. "Well, I'm thinking it's probably a psych evaluation." Great … just what she needed.

Her roommate, Marva Escholl, entered their quarters. Lora glanced up and stuffed the note into her pocket. She could maybe look this Warbly guy up on the way to the meeting.

Marva quirked a brow. "Love letter from one of your admirers?" She turned toward her locker.

Why Marva always thought Lora had guys stashed everywhere never failed to amuse her.

Lora shrugged. "Nope. Pretty sure it's a summons for a psych eval." She snorted. "Unless this Jestin Warbly is some kind of secret fan I don't know." Highly doubtful.

Marva whipped around. "Um, no. Warbly's an up and comer. Definitely not a shrink." She sat on her bunk across from Lora's. "He's a brand-new graduate but super sharp and very eager to move up in intelligence."

Lora narrowed her eyes. "How do you know all this?" And why did she know it?

Marva smirked. "I've got grade-A listening skills. I pay attention when the brass starts talking about their shining stars." She got up and pulled her shower gear from the locker.

Lora lifted her chin. "Ah. Got it."

Marva cocked her head to one side. "You should probably play nice. He'll quite literally hold your flight status in his hands." Marva got up and bounced toward the door. "Gotta run." She gave a wave over her shoulder.

Lora quietly freaked out a little. "This guy can make or break me. Damn." She grabbed the note, memorized the address, and headed out.

Once she arrived, she had a few minutes before their scheduled meeting. The door to the room stood open and Lora entered, her gaze sweeping the bland, utilitarian space. A single table with two chairs took up the center of the space. A row of small windows lined the upper wall across from the door. She wandered to one corner where a rack held recruitment material and class manuals.

A man entered, looking starched and pressed. But he also filled out the uniform, so he kept fit. Definitely not one of the nerdy hive-mind guys that normally worked in the intelligence branch.

But … he had some killer looks—dark hair, chiseled cheekbones—and that could only mean one thing. He had some pull somewhere.

She rolled her eyes and snorted. "Ugh. Just my luck." She would get a bona fide insider as her investigator.

After closing the door, Jestin glanced her way. "Cadet Seaves. Care to explain that comment?" His eyebrows arched over striking blue eyes.

Damn. It figured.

She really needed to learn how to keep her mouth shut.

Lora will soon learn that first impressions aren't always accurate. I'm having so much fun writing this one!

 

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

ML Skye