October 2019 – Page 2

Snippet Sunday – Painted Dog Tired

Posted on October 12, 2019October 12, 2019 by Siobhan Muir

It’s time for Snippet Sunday and we’ve had our first snow in Cheyenne. I’m sure it seems early, but Wyoming is known for it’s October snow and frankly it was nice it waited a week this year. But I think it’s going to be a cold winter. The Triple Star Ranch series already has two books, ROPE A FALLING STAR and STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT in it. And STAR SPANGLED BANNER coming out in October and you not only see the old favorite characters but meet some new ones. In this snippet, we’re in Petty Officer Enrique Sanchez’s POV, but Suzie is the first to speak. They’re on their date and she’s taking him to her favorite coffee shop in downtown Cheyenne. ~~~~~~ “May I take your uninjured arm? I don’t want to be too forward since we’ve just met.” “Hell no, Suzie. I’d love for you to take my arm.” He’d like nothing better. He held it up and she wrapped her hand around his forearm. He resisted the urge to shiver with pleasure as her body brushed his. Damn, it was gonna be hard to keep from getting hard with her that close. She smelled of leather and the sweet scent of Alfalfa hay, and it reminded him of his grandparents’ horse farm and lazy summer days. “So do I remember right? You’re a championship barrel-racer?” Her smile widened. “I am now. My horse Painted Dog Tired and I came out on top this year.” “Congratulations. How’s it feel to be the best of the best?” To his surprise she smiled and frowned at the same time. “I don’t really know. I’ve definitely worked for this and wanted to succeed, but now that I’ve done it, I’m sort of over it.” She grimaced. “It doesn’t make sense, I know. Lots of women strive for this honor and it’s hard to reach. But though I love barrel-racing, I like being a doctor more.” “You can’t do both?” She shook her head. “Not at professional level. It takes a lot of hours of practice to get that good and I just can’t spare the time away from my medical practice.” She shrugged. “But I’m starting to think I don’t want to, anyway. Maybe next year, I’ll volunteer to be one of the on-call arena docs just in case more men fall out of the sky.” He laughed, but unease slid through him. He still didn’t know why his chute had collapsed on him, dropping him to the ground to destroy his arm. ~~~~~~~ That is the main question. Why did he fall out of the sky? 😉 There are several great authors on the Weekend Writer Warriors list, the Snippet Sunday Facebook group, and the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. A few of my favorites are, P.T. Wyant, Karen Michelle Nutt, Veronica Scott, Jessica Subject, Kathy Griffith Karysa Faire, and Iris Blobel. Here’s the blurb for STAR SPANGLED BANNER: Coming Soon! Sometimes a falling star wears a flag… Dr. Suzie Appleton expected a helluva ride in the barrel-racing championships at Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo, but she had no idea she’d have to save a man falling from the sky. When he calls her for a date, she’s hesitant, but there’s something sexy and seductive about the Leap Frog, and she takes a chance. She suggests he come to the Triple Star Ranch for his therapy to have more time with him before he returns to jumping out of airplanes. Petty Officer Enrique Sanchez signed up to serve his country and expected to get shot at, just not during an exhibition jump at a rodeo. But the sexy doctor who saved his life in the arena is willing to sign off on his transfer on one condition: that he’s not her patient. Works for Enrique. He’d much rather play doctor with her than have her white coat get in the way of their personal relationship. While the attraction between them isn’t one-sided, neither are the threats. Someone is trying to complete their attempt on Enrique’s life, and someone else has their sights set on Suzie. Rumors and lies threaten to destroy their relationship. But all’s fair in love and war, and both of them could lose big.

#ThursThreads – Week 383 – Winners

Posted on October 11, 2019October 11, 2019 by Siobhan Muir

Week 383 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Patty Knowles for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Jo Hawk | @JoHawktheWriter Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Eric Martell | @drmag00 Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Mark A. Morris Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles Terry Brewer | @Stories2121 Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Silver James | @SilverJames_ Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Dakota Trace | @dakota75 Honorable Mentions Silver James | @SilverJames_ Patty says: This entry has a good mix of characterized vocabulary. The sister’s vocabulary is complex. In contrast, the brother’s is mostly fragments. On the theme…which is worse—the betrayal of a lover or the betrayal of a brother? I like that she refuses to betray her uncertain future happiness. I hope she holds to this rejection of her brother. He knows her. How will he use his knowledge against her? This hook catches my attention. I could read more. Dakota Trace | @dakota75 Patty says: Ever the romantic, I felt the character’s emotions as this story began with that hopeless feeling of being alone, the relentless nagging of the friend, and the heart-stopping moment when hope begins again. Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU Patty says: Touché. This scene reads quickly with no surprises. Gracie makes easy work of getting the truth. I’m sure the prosecutor is standing behind the scenes with his mouth hanging open. Every detail fits perfectly, even the cry of fake evidence. winner announcement Week 383 Winner Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles Patty says: This is an innocent story that has a rather dubious-sounding introduction. A double-bribe to get someone to do Bree’s will. Life often works that way. I paused at the word “instructions.” My brain had to reset but in a good way. The unexpected twist at the end had me smiling. I hate assembling anything myself. The Mississippi Mud cake would convince me to try! I like that this whole scene rounds itself out. Doubt and desperation fill Bree as she faces the fallout of her recklessness. Turning to her best friend, Treena, she pleads, “Could you get Darius on board?” Nodding, Treena responds, “I could.” “Work on him. We need his help for this to come together.” “I just have to work my womanly ways on him. And he’ll expect you to give him a little something as well.” Treena wiggles her eyebrows at Bree. “I’ve already got something in mind he’s really gonna like.” “I’ll call him.” Treena walks out with the phone to her ear. Bree hears her friend’s muffled voice, but can’t make out her words. Hoping for the best, Treena begins her preparations for Darius’s arrival. A half hour later brings a loud knock on the door and Darius bursts in. “Okay, ladies. What have you got for me? Mmmm . . .” He breathes in a deep breath. “Somebody’s got it smelling gooooood in here.” “Darius! Hi!” “Treena tells me you need my help with a little problem?” Darius’s head swivels around the room. “I see she didn’t overstate the issue. Payment?” “In the kitchen. It’s a recipe called Mississippi Mud Cake. I think you’re gonna like it.” “So, you threw away the instructions?” “It was an accident! I dumped all the parts out and heard the garbage truck coming down the street so I ran out with the box. It’s Erin’s birthday and she really wants a doll house!” “No worries. I just did one like this for Rachie.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Two Time Winner Teresa, and Honorable Mentions Silver, Dakota, and Atticus! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 383

Posted on October 10, 2019October 9, 2019 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Weird, Wild, & Wicked Tales. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing. We’ve reached our Seventh year of weekly prompts! This is Week 383 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook and the Group on MeWe. Need the rules? Read on. Here’s how it works: The prompt is a line from the previous week’s winning tale. The prompt can appear ANYWHERE in your story and is included in your word count. The prompt must be used as is. It can be split, but no intervening words can be inserted or tenses changed. Rules to the Game: This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250. The story must be new writing, not a snippet from something published elsewhere with the prompt added. Incorporate the prompt anywhere into your story (included in your word count). Post your story in the comments section of this post Include your word count in the post (or be excluded from judging) Include your Twitter handle or email in the post (so we don’t have to look for you) The challenge is open 7 AM to 8 PM Mountain Time The winner will be announced on Friday, depending on how early the judge gets up. How it benefits you: You get a nifty cool badge to display on your blog or site (because we’re all about promotion – you know you are!) You get instant recognition of your writing prowess on this blog! Your writing colleagues shall announce and proclaim your greatness on Facebook, Twitter, MeWe, and Google Plus, etc. Our Judge for Week 383: Author and flash fiction writer, Patty Knowles. Facebook | Twitter | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “I could work on him.” All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!

Snippet Sunday – He Was Asking Her Out

Posted on October 5, 2019October 5, 2019 by Siobhan Muir

It’s time for Snippet Sunday and it’s cold Cheyenne. It was sunny and warmer today, so we dug up some of my tulip bulbs to bring to the new house. We also harvested some lettuce and mint seeds. This moving stuff is getting real! The Triple Star Ranch series already has two books, ROPE A FALLING STAR and STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT in it. And STAR SPANGLED BANNER coming out this month and you not only see the old favorite characters but meet some new ones. In this snippet, Petty Officer Enrique Sanchez is calling up Dr. Suzie Appleton to thank her for her help. ~~~~~~ Suzie laughed just as her land line rang. Frowning, she ducked back inside and picked it up. “Hello?” “Dr. Suzie Appleton?” “Yes. Who’s this?” “My name’s Petty Officer Enrique Sanchez. I met you at the Cheyenne Frontier Days arena?” “Oh! Yes, Petty Officer. I remember. How are you feeling?” She immediately switched into doctor mode. “I’m good, thanks, Doc. Hey, I have leave because of my injuries and I wondered if I could take you out for coffee or dinner in thanks for working on me right there in the arena.” Suzie’s jaw dropped. He was asking her out? She scrambled to get out of doctor mode. “Uh, well, I’m on call today.” “How ‘bout tomorrow? You can meet me here at the VA hospital.” The hint of accent in his voice warmed her in ways she hadn’t expected. “I don’t know, Petty Officer. I don’t normally fraternize with patients.” “But I’m not really your patient. You were the triage doc, so I got myself a whole new doctor now. You’re not my doc, but I’d like to thank you in person anyway.” “I’m not sure it’s a good idea.” “Why, do you have a boyfriend or are you lesbian?” She laughed. “No to either of those.” “Then I can’t see any more reasons not to get together for coffee. Whad’ya say, Doc?” She shrugged. “All right, Petty Officer. You got yourself a date.” “Hooyah, ma’am!” She laughed at the delight in his voice. “I’m glad you’re looking forward to it.” “Yes, ma’am. What time should I expect you?” “Hmm, why don’t I meet you at the hospital at ten hundred?” “Oooh, a woman who knows military time. That’s sexy.” ~~~~~~~ He definitely knows how to sweet-talk her. 😉 There are several great authors on the Weekend Writer Warriors list, the Snippet Sunday Facebook group, and the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. A few of my favorites are, P.T. Wyant, Karen Michelle Nutt, Veronica Scott, Jessica Subject, Kathy Griffith Karysa Faire, and Iris Blobel. Here’s the blurb for STAR SPANGLED BANNER: Coming Soon! Sometimes a falling star wears a flag… Dr. Suzie Appleton expected a helluva ride in the barrel-racing championships at Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo, but she had no idea she’d have to save a man falling from the sky. When he calls her for a date, she’s hesitant, but there’s something sexy and seductive about the Leap Frog, and she takes a chance. She suggests he come to the Triple Star Ranch for his therapy to have more time with him before he returns to jumping out of airplanes. Petty Officer Enrique Sanchez signed up to serve his country and expected to get shot at, just not during an exhibition jump at a rodeo. But the sexy doctor who saved his life in the arena is willing to sign off on his transfer on one condition: that he’s not her patient. Works for Enrique. He’d much rather play doctor with her than have her white coat get in the way of their personal relationship. While the attraction between them isn’t one-sided, neither are the threats. Someone is trying to complete their attempt on Enrique’s life, and someone else has their sights set on Suzie. Rumors and lies threaten to destroy their relationship. But all’s fair in love and war, and both of them could lose big.

#ThursThreads – Week 382 – Winners

Posted on October 4, 2019October 4, 2019 by Siobhan Muir

Week 382 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Daelyn Morgana for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball Terry Brewer | @Stories2121 Jo Hawk | @JoHawktheWriter Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Eric Martell | @drmag00 Mark A. Morris Daniel Swensen | @daniel_swensen David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Silver James | @SilverJames_ Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Daelyn says: There were some delciously dark tales that made my dark little heart sing and I enjoyed reading them all. Honorable Mentions Daniel Swensen | @daniel_swensen Daelyn says: Not gonna lie, this tale was a real close second to winner. The lines about “the big guy upstairs or downstairs” made me laugh out loud. I’ve never looked at it that way but it certainly rang a new perspective for me. As much as I absolutely love the darkness of the tale, I also love the touch of sweetness at the end. This tale has just about everything. Sweetness. Darkness. Sacrifice. Duty. Humor. All perfectly balanced and rolled up into one neat little package with a punch. Beautifully written! Mark A. Morris Daelyn says: This tale leaves quite a lot to ponder on the moral scale. Cloning ourselves for the use of living forever seems like a temptation that will lead to our damnation. The fact the clone recognized what was going to happen makes me believe that they, in some form, had their own personality and memories and will to live. But in a matter of seconds it would be ripped away, replaced by the greedy who want to live forever young. There’s something quite dark lurking in this plot bunny, and oh, the possibilities it could bring. I’m not much of a sci-fi girl, but I would definitely read a storyline like this. Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Daelyn says: The name Pandora just opens up so many possibilities in my head for where this storyline might be going. Add in glowing blue eyes and visions full of screaming and I am definitely hooked. This tale was well written and painted a vivid picture in such few words, too. All around well done! Eric Martell | @drmag00 Daelyn says: You had me at the words “familiar” and “dragon”. I love the contrast to this story. The staccato melody paired with a macabre harmony of screams. Such a perfect line. There’s humor to it, too. Without seeing much of the dragon familiar we still get a look at her personality. Though I must admit I would love to know what might have been too late, and how a dragon feasts on ghosts. Unless they aren’t really ghosts in the traditional sense? Hmm… winner announcement Week 382 Winner Jo Hawk | @JoHawkTheWriter Daelyn says: I was automatically drawn to this one as soon as I got down to the line “I could work on him”. Chills raced through me, sensing the underlying darkness. And the lines about the bitter coffee and how we disguise the truth? Such a true statement and perfect sucker punch analogy of life. The voice of the narrator is so calm and precise and confident, but guarded, as if they themselves are disguising their truth. There’s just something dark and evil lurking beneath their surface that makes my little dark heart dance. Would love to see more of this one! Excellent tale for October! Concentrate on the happy things they said. But I don’t have happy things. Nothing major. Something small that makes you smile. They bored me. Jeremy was much more pragmatic. He was still a pain in my ass, and entirely too optimistic, for his own good. But there were the occasions when he was tired, or distracted, and I caught an edge of cynicism in his tone. I could work on him. In the cafeteria, they served a strong, black, bitter coffee in thin, brown paper cups. Most drowned it with packets of sweetener and milk, disguising its true nature. That was the problem, we are all hiding the truth. I sipped, repressing my grimace. I didn’t have to wait long, Jeremy, with his armload of green files and sporting his usual white coat soon joined me at my table. “How are we this morning?” “We are happy.” “Is that so?” Jeremy lifted an eyebrow, “And why is that?” I raised the flimsy coffee cup, my silent toast to my worthy adversary. I took a sip. “I see,” he said, retrieving a cheap, disposable ballpoint from his jacket pocket. “And the new medication?” I shrugged. He flipped open my chart and began taking notes. I waited. When he looked at me, I regaled him with the fruit of my practice and smiled. “How is it we are so happy today?” “It’s easy. I block out the screams.” Jeremy patted my hand. “Sounds like we are making progress.” Jeremy had no idea. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Two Time Winner Jo, and Honorable Mentions Daniel, Mark, Cara, and Eric! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 382

Posted on October 3, 2019October 2, 2019 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Weird, Wild, & Wicked Tales. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing. We’ve reached our Seventh year of weekly prompts! This is Week 382 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook and the Group on MeWe. Need the rules? Read on. Here’s how it works: The prompt is a line from the previous week’s winning tale. The prompt can appear ANYWHERE in your story and is included in your word count. The prompt must be used as is. It can be split, but no intervening words can be inserted or tenses changed. Rules to the Game: This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250. The story must be new writing, not a snippet from something published elsewhere with the prompt added. Incorporate the prompt anywhere into your story (included in your word count). Post your story in the comments section of this post Include your word count in the post (or be excluded from judging) Include your Twitter handle or email in the post (so we don’t have to look for you) The challenge is open 7 AM to 8 PM Mountain Time The winner will be announced on Friday, depending on how early the judge gets up. How it benefits you: You get a nifty cool badge to display on your blog or site (because we’re all about promotion – you know you are!) You get instant recognition of your writing prowess on this blog! Your writing colleagues shall announce and proclaim your greatness on Facebook, Twitter, MeWe, and Google Plus, etc. Our Judge for Week 382: Dark fantasy author, archer, and horsewoman, Daelyn Morgana. Facebook | Twitter | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “I block out the screams.” All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!