Sunday Snippet: A Timely Distraction

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

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

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

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

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

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

I did finish up TheMandalorian. This episode ended up being terrific. Ahsoka's introductionand her interaction with Grogu topped my favorite moments. Having theMandalorian and Jedi working together also made things interesting. I love thisshow.

I started the nextepisode of Only Murders in the Building but didn't get to finish. I'llprobably watch the rest later tonight.

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

My daughter alsofinished up this semester of college and came home this weekend. She'll be hereabout a month before heading off to Michigan for a paid internship in a summerstock theater. So excited for her!

That's pretty muchit for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from A TimelyDistraction, a novella with a fairytale vibe.

Here's themini-blurb:

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

And a previewsnippet…

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

Vivian smiled. "Practice. Butyou'll only be able to pull that off once or twice a year." Damon didn'thire idiots to guard his only son.

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

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

Vivian nodded. "Here soundswonderful." She paid for her purchase then handed the card to Hue. "Arendition of the hawthorn tree and a memento of today." She hoped he wouldunderstand the significance.

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

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

After they finished two dinners ofstew and crusty rolls, Hue asked for two stout ales. Vivian loved how he didn'tinsist she drink something different from him. He lifted his mug and gave her asilent toast.

She raised hers. "To a daywell spent."

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

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

Hue settled back, relaxing with hisale. "So, I've been curious all day. Why are you at the palace?" Hecrossed 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 importantcronies." The beer soured on her tongue when she thought about Wally.

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

Viv shook her head. "No and Iwouldn't care about that." She appreciated a finely made male but didn'tuse handsomeness as a measure of worth. "Wally is the definition of astuffed 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 forprim and proper trappings. I hate them. And I won't let anyone tame myspirit." She'd done Wallace Windsor a favor by rejecting him.

Hue's gaze drifted toward thewindow. "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 landsoutside of Kendara." His voice took on a dejected tone.

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

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

The statement crushed Viv a little,but she got it. "You want what your parents had. Which means you don'twant to acquire a mistress on one of your journeys and have to tuck her awaysomewhere because you're in a loveless marriage." Right now, the remindersucked the wind from Viv's sails.

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

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

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

Even if it couldn't be her.

Hue blinked and shook his head alittle. "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 theguard on the way if we don't."

Hue barked out a laugh and got tohis feet. "No doubt you're right." He crooked his elbow and tuckedher hand around it again. "Thank you for the delightful diversiontoday."

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

She couldn't wait to spring hernext idea on him.

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

 

That's it for thisweek.

Cheers!

Skye