Sunday Snippet: Beast in the Belfry

Entering thankfulweek with so much to think about and be grateful for. There's a lot going on inlife right now and some of it's not great. But … there's also so much that's goodand I always try to focus on the good stuff. I spent way too many years as aglass half empty girl. The stress of that did not do me any favors.

I got to edit anamazing holiday story, which I didn't expect and I'm so happy I got the project.It's from one of my favorite authors too!

My husband starteda new job that he can do during his off season from the golf course, which is anamazing opportunity.

I got to watch aplay my daughter did the entire lighting setup for, and I'm so glad I got to goand see what she's accomplished with her theater major. I already get to hear herradio show for her media production major. She has a semester left and I can'twait to see the amazing things she does with her future.

Had a pretty decentweek of television viewing. I managed a full round of my current slate of shows,minus the Battlestar Galactica rewatch. Hoping to pick it back up thisweek.

Started out withthe first half of a two-part Silent Witness. Kind of an interesting casemixed in with the personal aspect for the characters.

Caught another Deathin Paradise. This is an episode I got to see part of before and it's niceto have the full context of everything that happened.

Loved the episodeof Only Murders in the Building. So awesome to see Theo again. I lovehis friendship with Mabel. I'm kind of hoping the trio is back together by thenext episode, but it's fun to see Mabel interact with other people. Going to missseeing her in her aunt's apartment though.

Watched anotherepisode of The Batman. This one introduced the Riddler. I'd forgottenhow much teamwork between Yin and Batman was in this one.

Enjoyed another episodeof Classic Rugrats. I kind of remembered both and liked being able tosort of rewatch and still be a little surprised.

Caught an episodeof VIP. This one ended up being a lot of fun and had some terrificcharacter moments.

Watched an episodeof My Life Is Murder. Nice to see Alexa kind of joining in andparticipating in a celebration. Here's hoping we get more of that in later episodes.

Also got another episodeof Agatha Raisin in. This ended the second series and had so many greatmoments. I'm excited to see what season three brings.

And that's prettymuch it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Beast in theBelfry, a novella that has a bit of a supernatural twist.

Here's theminiblurb:

A curse leaves artist Vittoria Blahm disfigured andmarred for life. But Cal Gilligan sees the true woman under the scars, and hefalls hard for her when she saves him from plunging to his death. Vittoriacan't quite believe anyone wants her and fears risking her heart to thepossibility.

And a preview snippet…

Cal gazed out on the expanse ofbuildings on campus—an unshakable feeling of home settling over him. He swung aleg over the open window and settled on the sill. A sound caught his attentionand he turned, taking in easels and paints, the couch, bed, and kitchenette. Shit! Does someone live here?

A wild-haired, screeching personflew out of the shadows, their hands raised for attack. Startled, Cal gaspedwhen its—no, her—face came into view.

"Get out! Get out!" Shegrabbed his arm, tugging hard. "Leave. Now!" Fear filled her gaze butalso anger.

Cal tried to duck out of the way,but in his haste he tottered sideways and went crashing through the openwindow. He skidded along the tiled roof, scrabbling to hold on. A firm grip onhis wrist kept him from sliding—thank the universe—and gave him time to pullhimself back up and into the tower. The woman scrambled away, cowering againstthe wall.

Cal stepped forward but didn'tinvade her personal space. "Thank you. You pretty much saved me from ahorrible death." How he spoke calmly when his heart thundered, he'd neverknow.

She flicked her gaze to him butquickly glanced away. "You need to leave. This is my home." Her handsballed into fists.

Cal apologized. "I'm sorry. Ididn't know." Something about her called to him.

The mission work his parents didexposed him to distraught, damaged people. This woman had deep-running scars onthe inside. Probably more painful than the ones marring her face.

He slowly stuck out his hand, palmup. "Cal Gilligan. U of M is my alma mater, but I've been gone for severalyears." When she didn't respond, he continued. "I didn't mean toinvade your space. I just accepted a position in the literature department, andI used to come here all the time, especially during my final year."Silence. "Anyway, please accept my apology again. I'll leave now." Hetucked his hand inside his pocket and crossed the floor, heading for the stepsbut stopped short when he passed the painting. "My God. This isincredible." He shot her a look. "Did you paint this?"

I have so much lovefor this story. Cal is just the right guy to bring Vittoria out of her self-imposedprison. I can't wait to finish this one!

 

That's it for thisweek.

Cheers!

Skye