Sunday Snippet: A Noble Kidnapping

It's been a longweek with a lot going on. My dad turned eighty last Sunday and my oldest turnedthirty-two. Yep. They have the same birthday. My brothers always give me abunch a grief over getting my dad a grandson for his birthday.

We had a nicereception for my dad, and I got to reconnect with a lot of people I hadn't seenin a long time. So nice to catch up.

Work projectscontinue to keep me busy. I'm making good progress but often feel like I'mspinning my wheels because they're big projects that take a lot of back andforth. This isn't a complaint; it's more an observation.

Had a slow viewingweek but did manage to get through my main group of shows. The backburner onesdidn't make the cut this week.

Started out with BatmanBeyond and enjoyed it. I have memories of this one where Terry's secret isexposed and he finally has something of an ally.

Watched another ClassicRugrats and both were new-to-me vignettes. Thoroughly enjoyed the shoppingone and the one with the snow was fun also.

Enjoyed anotherepisode of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. As a comfort show, theamazing cast is always ready to help me slide into a happy place. Even ifthere's a murder to solve.

Caught the season twelvefinale of Death in Paradise. Good to see Neville's team work hard toclear him of the professor's death. Nice to see the dangling plot threads tiedup also. Looking forward to starting thirteen this week.

Watched anotherepisode of Poirot and rather enjoyed the mystery. A lot gets packed intothe hour-long episodes and sometimes feels a little rushed.

Really enjoyed theepisode of Elementary with the dual mysteries and some insight into thecaptain's daughter and how she operates.

Also watched what Ithink is the first season finale of Return to Paradise. I'm reallyenjoying this show.

I think I found thenew show I'm going to start this week, but I'm not absolutely set. Stay tuned.

That's pretty muchit for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from A Noble Kidnapping,a novella that brings childhood friends together under fraught circumstances.

Here's theminiblurb:

Jaina Wraith discovers Seb Morrison is a member of thenobility and she kidnaps him, fully intent on having him executed. When Sebreminds her how many times he's come to her aid, she has to decide whether tohelp him escape or leave him to a tragic fate.

And a preview snippet…

Jaina stood over her father's grave—twodays after her eighteenth birthday. Her mind whirled with too many revelations.The long letter from her father tucked into his patient ledgers explained a lot… and left too much unexplained.She sighed. "At least you leftthe book of knowledge for me." She'd need the instructive lessons to wieldher new powers.Ones she'd been unaware of becausethey passed to her only upon her father's death.Which happened too soon and underhighly suspicious circumstances.She snorted. "Not that I canprove unlawful killing." Even if she knew in her very bones her dad hadbeen murdered by Hanson Pillwick.Because her dad refused to use hisgift to heal the nobility and Hanson Pillwick discovered Blanton Wraith carriedancestral magick and blamed him for the loss of Hanson's son. He'd had her dadkilled, and the act gave Jaina a cause to fight for. And something to ease thedepth of her grief.The nobility would burn—by her handif possible.A throat cleared.Jaina glanced up from her solitaryvigil to discover Seb Morrison standing across from her.He nodded. "I'm sorry for yourloss, Jaina."She noted the changes in him.Taller, broader, but the same intense blue eyes. Always studying anddocumenting everything in their sight. He'd filled out and become even more handsome.She thanked him. "I appreciatethe condolences." Hyperaware of him, she didn't know what else to say.He reached out and squeezed hershoulder. "If you ever need anything, let me know." Stepping back, heclasped her hand. "If I'm not immediately available, my mother will get amessage to me."He caught her off guard with theoffer. A little touched, her pride wouldn't allow her to accept help or let himinto her future plans.She let go of his hand and liftedher chin. "Thank you for the offer, but I'll be fine." She had a lotof work to do.He gave her another of his odd,studious looks, but accepted her response. "My sympathies then. I'll takemy leave now." He walked away with catlike grace.Jaina followed his progress untilhe cleared the gate. A different kind of loss settled over her shoulders. Itwould be easy to lean on Seb. But she couldn't trust her feelings right now. Anythingsoft she might feel got crowded out by the need to avenge her father's death.Two men emerged from the shadows ofthe crypt beside her. Jocko and Biggs were two tough nuts her dad trusted. Byextension, Jaina put her faith in the men. They would be her eyes and earswhile she fought to find justice.Jocko narrowed his gaze on Seb'sretreating figure. "Who's the bloke?"Jaina shrugged. "Someone Iused to know a long time ago." A friend she would miss but only in herdreams.Biggs grunted. "We moved yourstuff, like you asked. You sure you wanna come to the dregs with us—"Jocko cut in. "Yeah, it's notexactly a welcoming place."Jaina didn't care. "I'msure." She turned and slowly walked away from her father's final restingplace.She'd find her way, especially whenshe started taking down the nobles one by one.

This is somethingof a slow burn romance and I'm enjoying putting the pieces together.

 

That's it for thisweek.

Cheers!

Skye