Sunday Snippet: To Create a Spy

Hello 2025. I trulyhope this year is better than I expect it will be.

I have some goalsfor this year, and one is to finally launch my side project. I've been puttingit off, and I think I finally figured out why. Instead of FOMO, fear of missingout, I have FOFU, fear of fucking up or, a kinder version, FOMU, fear ofmessing up. I need to get over that.

We're under awinter weather advisory and I have to leave super early in the morning to pickmy oldest up from work. I'm debating whether I should fill up my tank now orjust wait and do it on the way. We're only supposed to have an inch of snow,but I'm not sure about the freezing rain and ice. I'll monitor and decide soon.

Very light workweek. I'm working on a readthrough of a series for a friend and I'm so excitedfor this project! I'm also hoping I have some new work starting this week. Ihave tentative dates in my calendar, but nothing set yet.

Had an okay week ofviewing. I've been in a weird mood and haven't been watching as much as I couldhave. That said, I have been getting a lot of writing done so I'm not complaining.

Caught anotherepisode of Elementary. Much happier with where Joan and Sherlock in thisepisode. The vibe is very different from the first two seasons, and I think I'mokay with that.

I started a BatmanBeyond rewatch. I have a lot of love for this show and look forward to divingback in again.

Enjoyed anotherepisode of Classic Rugrats. Once again, I didn't remember either of thevignettes, so I had fun watching.

Watched an episodeof Mr. and Mrs. Murder. I hadn't seen any of this one and thoroughlyenjoyed it. I think there's one episode left, and I'll have to find a new showto watch.

Almost through theseason three premiere episode of London Kills. This could end up being awild ride. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.

That's pretty muchit for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from To Create a Spy,a novella with characters inspired by the original series of La Femme Nikita.

Here's the miniblurb:

Mariah St. James isn't what she appears to be when she'srecruited by a covert black ops group hell bent on using her supposed skillset. But when she finds an ally in Matthew Jamison, she thinks she mightactually survive the rigorous and deadly training … until he betrays her byleaving her alone in a dangerous situation.

And a sneaky peek…

Matthew had to get a grip. He'djust put both their lives in danger. Over a kiss. Why now? Since he'd picked her up from theprison and all through her training, he'd never been compelled to act on thestrange connection he shared with Mariah. Yet today, he'd not only acted on it,but turned it into a measuring stick. Pushed at her to see if she'd learned thestuff they didn't teach. She had. And learned it well. What is it about Mariah that sucksme in? Ten yearsin Division and he'd never once been tempted to put his ass on the line foranother operative.

He'd wined. He'd dined. And yes,he'd bedded when necessary. Always on command from someoneelse. Under orders. He did what they asked, when they asked. Matthew didn't indulge inattractions with other operatives or staff. And he suffered no delusionsregarding the peril he faced by doing so now. Yet it will continue. Underwraps, completely in secret, but there will be more with Mariah. The big question in his mind? Howlong before I can't control the pace? And that begged the next query. Howmuch damage will the fallout inflict and who will be left standing?He needed to step back, assessevery angle, weigh the consequences. But his brain kept revisiting the feel ofher lips under his. Her initial surprise gave way to a soft yielding tingedwith an underlying heat. She'd wanted more, would have let him take it furtherregardless of their location. Good and bad.

Matthew didn't doubt they'd resistthe pull between them. But if either of them stepped wrong while on premises,containment wouldn't be far behind. Mariah needed to learn that. Hold it closeand never break protocol while in the confines of Division. If his decade of experience withthe ins and outs didn't stop him, she would have to remind him. And the factthat he wanted more and didn't care if it proved deadly, gave him one certainundeniable fact. She's the most dangerous thing on the planet right now.Heading back to the hub, Matthewfound Axyl and asked him to load the upcoming mission data to his panel. Abrief stint in the field would be a wise move and Matthew intended to wait noless than twelve hours to get out there.

I think thisnovella will be the opening for a three-part series. I'm having a lot of funwriting this and I'm excited to see where everything goes.

 

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

ML Skye