Sunday Snippet: Manifest Legend

Geez, I can'tbelieve we're almost through March. This has been such a busy month and it'sflying by. A few outside distractions added to the mix this week and weresomething of a big time suck.

My work projectsare still chugging along and I'm making progress on my side gig I hope to launchsoon. Technically it's already out in the world but I'm adding a big layer tothe whole thing. Of course, I pick a moment in time when I'm crazy busy. But Ilove a good challenge.

As usual, theweather is all over the map. We've had a lot of wind rolling through, stirringup dust and who knows what else. And the temps are doing the back-and-forthdance. I'm looking forward to having some even, leveled-out days … wheneverthat might be.

Slow viewing weekagain. Partly due to work stuff and I'm also in a bit of a slump. I might beedging toward a binge-watching phase, which I haven't really done for a longwhile.

I got most of the waythrough the episode of London Kills I started last week. It's theopening ep of the fourth season so I kind of want to pay attention and I keepmissing key things, so I'll finish it when I have more brain power.

Watched an episodeof Death in Paradise and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd seen bits and piecesof this one so kind of knew what to expect. I very much remember absolutely dislikingNeville's sister with an intense passion and that didn't change. Maybe she'llgrow on me, but I doubt it.

Also caught theholiday episode of Beyond Paradise and totally loved it! Christmas showsmake me happy and this episode seemed to pull the periphery cast into eachother's orbits and I loved that. Looking forward to diving into the rest ofseason two. And, oddly, the timing ended up being perfect for the crossoverlast week when Humph returned to the beach. Not sure how I did that.

I did another bingemarathon of Peter Gunn also. I'm loving some of the live channels onPlex.

That's it for thelife update this week. Tonight's post is from Manifest Legend, anintroductory short to the Insula Ara series.

Here's theminiblurb:

Insula Ara is a mystical island offering sanctuary tothose in need, but when she reveals herself for the first time, Cedric EdwardTeasdale, former crewman of a privateer, almost blows his chance for refuge …and a reunion with his lost love.

And a previewsnippet…

Femininelaughter filled his ears. "Well, Cedric, you deserve no less. Leavin' methe ye did. But I'm not ahauntin' you, ye daft man. I'm sitting right besideyou." A sharp pinch on his bicep followed the statement.Ceetbolted upright and scrambled to the edge of the bed. "Emaline? What?How?" He blinked and shook his head. "This can't be possible."Or could it…Hereached under the pillow and retrieved the compass. Did you bring my loveback to me? The device grew warm under his palm.Ceetthrew the covers back and slid to the edge of the bed. "Emaline Gruder,I've missed ye, I have." His hands cupped her face. "And I love you."His vision grew misty, and his head dropped.Emalinethrew her arms around him. "And I you, Cedric." She eased back."And if I understand how this is supposed to work, we'll have all the timewe ever wanted to be together." She hugged him close again.Ceetwrapped his arms around her. "Ah, Emaline. I surely hope so. I surelydo." He shifted his position and patted the bed then tugged Emaline downbeside him. "This island, Sanctuary is her name, is wonderous and full ofmarvels you've never imagined." His gaze went to the rafters of the room."She can create buildings, like this here abode. And she made a barn andprovided animals for my use." He met Emaline's gaze. "But you have tobe certain about what you want, my love. Once yer committed, you can't leave.At least that's how it works for me." And he didn't regret his choice …except for the loneliness.Whichseemed to be resolved.Emalineplaced her head on Ceet's shoulder. "My darling, Cedric. Why would I wantto leave? I've wanted to spend my life with you for as long as I can remember.When I got ill and you didn't return, my heart broke." Her voice grewthick and heavy. "And then I was somewhere in between. Dead but not.Wavering but tethered because I didn't get a farewell from you." Sheclasped his hand. "Now I'm here and we can have a life together…" Herhead angled so she could meet his gaze. "But it's a little different for me.When someone else needs the island, I'll have to go away. But I'll alwaysreturn to you. Always." She straightened and glanced around the room."And to my new sanctuary … Insula Ara."Ceethauled her close. "Then it's time to start our life together…" Hismouth claimed hers and everything in his world turned bright and brilliant.

Ceet literallysprang up and decided he wanted his story told, then he captured my heart when sittingdown to write it.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye