Sunday Snippet: Midsummer Mayhem (Capital City Seasons)

It's been a roughweek where my brain wants to do anything but focus on work. We also got eightinches of snow on Friday and the temps dropped way down again. My sinuses arenot happy at the moment.

Not a bad week ofviewing television. The whole distraction thing kind of kept me from getting afull slate watched. I did get through most of my normal shows.

I started out with MyLife Is Murder. I kind of like the new assistant but I'm wondering what's goingon the Maddie. I also love seeing actors from other shows pop up on this one. Ididn't realize how much Australian and New Zealand shows I've been watching.

Caught anotherepisode of Agatha Raisin and finished up the two-parter. Kind of wiggedout that James is getting married to someone else. But I loved the interactionsin this one.

Continued the eight-part,I think, Silent Witness. This season is very intriguing with a lot of twistsand turns. I'm looking forward to seeing how everything plays out.

Enjoyed anotherepisode of Death in Paradise and didn't remember seeing any of this one.Happy to have it in the watched pile.

Watched another episodeof Elementary. The introduction of Moriarity is something I've lookedforward to. Not sure how I feel about Joan lying to Sherlock, but I'll reservejudgment until I see how it rolls on screen.

Caught anotherepisode of The Batman. Enjoyed seeing Scarface again. Also liked peelingback the layers of Hugo Strange. He's an intriguing character.

Enjoyed another episodeof Classic Rugrats. I don't remember either of them from the originalrun and liked both. Such a fun show.

Also watched anotherepisode of The Secret Life of Amy Benson. Very interesting twist withMaggie coming back. I can definitely see how the books this series is based onwould captivate readers. I do think there's a little loss of translation fromthe page to screen, but I really love this series a lot.

That's pretty muchit for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Midsummer Mayhem,a novella in the Capital City Seasons series.

Here's the miniblurb:

Chris Renfer, alpha team leader for the strategic tacticalunit, falls for Melanie Pramble at first sight, but she's new to the city and wantsto get her bearings. But when Renfer's team is stuck in a bad situation,Melanie is the go-to person for negotiation and Chris can only hope theirbeginning doesn't end before it makes headway.

And a sneaky peek…

Chris knocked on Jess and Murph'sdoor two minutes before seven. "What the hell am I doing here?" He didn'treally want to unload his personal issues on two of his closest friends.

Jess greeted Chris with a sheepishsmile. "Come on in. Slight change in plan…" She led him into theentry space. "We're still having drinks, but we've got company." Shenodded toward the living room.

Chris held up a hand. "Look,no problem. We can reschedule." He'd take the unexpected out and thank theuniverse.

Jess shook her head. "Uh-uh. Stickaround." She led him into the living area.

Murph glanced away from hisconversation and lifted his chin. "Chris. Glad you could make it." Hethrust his palm forward.

Chris shook hands then got aglimpse of their additional guest. A gorgeous woman turned and flashed a verybrief smile. Chris sucked in a harsh breath but recovered and grinned.

Ben made the introductions."Chris, this is Melanie Pramble. She's hopefully going to be joining Margoand Graham as a new partner." He slid his gaze toward Melanie. "Nopressure, of course."

New partner? As in she might besticking around? Chris sincerely hoped so.

He automatically put his hand out."That's great. Welcome to Capital City."

Melanie clasped his palm. "Oh,I'm not staying. Yet. I'm headed back to New Boniface first thing in themorning." Her voice betrayed her doubt about signing on with Ben's team.

Chris cocked his head. "Lovelyarea. I can understand your reluctance to leave." But he'd be the first tohope she decided to do so.

Jess stepped in. "Melaniemissed her transport out of town so she's staying at one of Angus's apartments.We're waiting on the keys, which Angus is having sent over." She looped herhand around Chris's elbow. "Why don't we get you something to drink?"Guiding him toward the kitchen, she leaned in a little close. "Reallysorry about this mix-up. Murph will take Melanie over to the apartment then youand I can talk." She headed to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle ofale.

Chris took another look in theliving room and decided his restless itch had met its match in Melanie Pramble.

He took the bottle from Jess andtugged her off to the side. "Yeah, about that? My deal earlier? Might notbe as bad as I thought."

He glanced toward Melanie again. Hecouldn't seem to stop looking at her. Yep. Things definitely looked up.

Jess followed his gaze and shookher head. "Chris, my man, you better not mess this up for Murph. Shehasn't said yes to the offer, yet." She frowned. "She's got somereservations."

Chris tsked. "Why not? Seemslike she'd be a great fit." Not that he would know, considering he'd mether five minutes ago.

Jess lifted a shoulder. "Fulldisclosure? She's worried things will be awkward. She met Ben when we weresplit, and they almost hooked up." She met Chris's gaze. "So, don'tscare her away. Murph really wants her to join the team."

Chris narrowed his eyes. "Idon't care if they almost hooked up. Are you okay with him possibly workingwith her?"

Jess's lips quirked. "Honestly?I have no idea. But I'll use Ben and Jim as a guidepost. If they got past anyweird vibes, I'm confident Melanie and I can do the same."

Chris flicked his gaze toward theliving room again. "Here's hoping."

I have a lot oflove for this story. Chris is one of my favorite characters from the firstbook.

 

That's it for thisweek. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye