#WeWriWa ~ THE SPY: Table For One? #sfr

Each weekend, the Weekend Writing Warriors share an 8 - 10 sentence snippet. Be sure to visit the other authors. You can find them here.

I'm sharing snippets from The Spy: An Outer Rim Novel. It's the 4th book in my series featuring strong women on the frontier of space.

Because this is a work in progress, suggestions are greatly appreciated. The chatty transport driver has stopped at a restaurant, despite Genna's objections.

She didn’t hold the door behind her, but when she didn’t hear the closure, she knew he’d caught it. She told the hostess a table for one.

“Hi, Bella,” he said to the hostess. “Your mom around?”

She grinned at him. “Not today. Come back tomorrow, and she’ll be here.”

The driver slung his arm around Genna’s shoulders. Since she was taller, he let his hand slide down her back until it rested at her waist. “Table for two, Bella.”

That was ten, now here's a little more:

“I said one,” Genna snapped.

“Aw, c’mon, sweetie.” He squeezed. “Don’t be mad. I told you I was sorry.”

Bella glanced at them and hesitated.

Genna dithered. What should she do? Twist away from his hand sliding down to her hip and make a scene or acquiesce?

In her hesitation, the Chellian driver said, “Table for two, Bella.”

How was your week? Thanks to your encouraging comments, I'm back working on this project. On the homefront, I'm enjoying the lessening of the COVID quarantine. Still not going out much, but we had dinner with our DIL and the 3 little ones, whom I've missed a lot. Next week, ta da, I'm getting a haircut. Can it get much better than that?

Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors.

#WeWriWa ~ THE SPY: Disturbed by the Transport Driver #sfr

Each weekend, the Weekend Writing Warriors share an 8 - 10 sentence snippet. Be sure to visit the other authors. You can find them here.

Sorry for missing last week. I had no computer. Using an iPad made it difficult to even read posts.

I'm sharing snippets from The Spy: An Outer Rim Novel. It's the 4th book in my series featuring strong women on the frontier of space.

Because this is a work in progress, suggestions are greatly appreciated. Genna is in a conveyance (a taxi-like transport) with a chatty driver.

Genna started to smile but caught herself. It would only encourage him. The conveyance descended. After stopping in front of Filiana’s Diner, the driver got out and opened her door.

“You don’t have to do that,” she snapped as she swiped her fake card to pay her fare. Then she realized how churlish she sounded. “But thank you for your kindness.”

He swept a bow and gave her a cheeky grin. “My pleasure, Rimmer Girl.”

For more of this scene:

Ignoring him, she stepped out of the vehicle. She straightened, realizing to her chagrin that he was shorter than her. He’d seemed larger when seated. She chided herself that it mattered. His golden eyes held hers longer than necessary. Suddenly, the empty conveyance lifted off and zoomed away.

“Wait. Why did you do that?” she asked.

“I’m hungry, too.”

“B-But your vehicle . . .” She waved at the sky where the conveyance joined others in the traffic above, more now that they were so close to spaceport.

“It’s become self-operated. Clever, huh? I can eat, and it still works for me.” He seemed quite pleased with himself.

“Clever, indeed.” She headed into the eatery, hoping he’d take her presenting her back to him as a sign that she didn’t want to have anything more to do with him. Anything to get away from him. He disturbed her in ways she couldn’t define.

Blurb (draft):

Rookie agent must rescue veteran before his cover is blown.

Genna Nogaro, new to the Coalition of Planets’ Intelligence Commission, is assigned to bring in an undercover operative in Hallart’s organization. More experienced agents died before getting him out. Were they killed by the intergalactic gangster or has the operative gone rogue?

Quintall d’Sernin, con man extraordinaire, infiltrated the mob and moved up to be the gangster’s right-hand man. Hallart has his tentacles throughout the Coalition—business, industry, and government. Quin’s finally worked himself into a valued position. All he needs is the key to mob structure in order for Coalition forces to take down the entire organization.

Genna will pose as a new recruit to distract Hallart long enough for Quin to find the key. If they work together, they can accomplish more. But Quin and Genna’s lives are jeopardized by a mole in the Intelligence Commission. Will their true roles be revealed before they accomplish their goal?

Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors.

#WeWriWa ~ THE SPY: Rimmer Girl?

Each weekend, the Weekend Writing Warriors share an 8 - 10 sentence snippet. Be sure to visit the other authors. You can find them here.

Thanks to everyone who visited last week. Somehow, I forgot to finish visiting some of you. So very sorry. I'm taking care of that before visiting for this week.

I'm sharing snippets from The Spy: An Outer Rim Novel. It's the 4th book in my series featuring strong women on the frontier of space.

Because this is a work in progress, suggestions are greatly appreciated. The chatty "taxi" driver caught up with Genna outside headquarters. Before leaving HQ, she changed into a baggy shirt and trousers. She's now in his conveyance.

Dodging the heavy traffic in the skies above the capital city required concentration, not chit-chat with her. She was about to remind him of that when he deftly swerved around slower traffic. She prayed to the Matriarch that he would get her to her destination without an accident. Wait, she never told him a destination.

“Take me to—”

“I’m off-duty, and I’m hungry. We’re going to Filiana’s. You’ll love the food, and it’s  located near spaceport. That's where you want to go, right?”

Here's the rest:

“Yes, but--"

"C'mon, Rimmer Girl, you have to eat before taking off for your Matriarch knows where."

"Hold on. How do you know I’m a Rimmer?”

“Your clothes.” Again, he glanced back at her. “You wear them like a native, not a fake like those idiot colonists swarming over every planet out on the Rim.”

“How would a conveyance operator in Eleganza know about Rimmer colonists?”

“I’m well educated.” He laughed, a hearty belly laugh.

Blurb (draft):

Rookie agent must rescue veteran before his cover is blown.

Genna Nogaro, new to the Coalition of Planets’ Intelligence Commission, is assigned to bring in an undercover operative in Hallart’s organization. More experienced agents died before getting him out. Were they killed by the intergalactic gangster or has the operative gone rogue?

Quintall d’Sernin, con man extraordinaire, infiltrated the mob and moved up to be the gangster’s right-hand man. Hallart has his tentacles throughout the Coalition—business, industry, and government. Quin’s finally worked himself into a valued position. All he needs is the key to mob structure in order for Coalition forces to take down the entire organization.

Genna will pose as a new recruit to distract Hallart long enough for Quin to find the key. If they work together, they can accomplish more. But Quin and Genna’s lives are jeopardized by a mole in the Intelligence Commission. Will their true roles be revealed before they accomplish their goal?

Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors.

Enjoy this Memorial Day Weekend as best you can while staying safe. As for us, Hubs and I will celebrate on our deck watching the ducks in the pond.

#WeWriWa ~ THE SPY: Nice Disguise

Each weekend, the Weekend Writing Warriors share an 8 - 10 sentence snippet. Be sure to visit the other authors. You can find them here.

I'm sharing snippets from The Spy: An Outer Rim Novel. It's the 4th book in my series featuring strong women on the frontier of space. 

Because this is a work in progress, suggestions are greatly appreciated. Please excuse the creative punctuation, necessary to keep this within the guidelines. The chatty "taxi" driver with the loud "Hawaiian" shirt is back, and he caught up with Genna outside headquarters. Last week, he talked her into getting into his conveyance. The last sentence was:  With pursed lips and narrowed eyes, Genna yanked the door open and slid inside, “Are you satisfied?”

He turned slightly and winked. “Yeah. Ready for Mid-Day Repast?” He named a popular eatery near spaceport. “I know it’s a little late but . . .”

“No, thank you, I’m not hungry.”

As the conveyance rose above the buildings, her stomach betrayed her. Its growling reminded her she’d missed Mid-Day Repast, and First Meal had consisted of half a protein bar. Being called to headquarters had twisted her stomach into knots in anticipation. She’d thought it best not to have much in her stomach, hurling in front of her superior would’ve made quite an impression.

The driver glanced back at her and smirked, “Somebody’s hungry.”

That's the snippet. Here's the rest of that scene.

“Nice disguise. Was it for my benefit?”

“Your ego is overwhelming.” She paused. “How did you find me?”

“The card I gave you.”

“I threw that away. Try again.”

“You threw it away?” He clasped his chest. “I’m crushed. Truly, crushed.”

“Oh, for the Matriarch’s sake.”

He twisted around. “See. I knew you were Traishan.”

“What?”

“Traishans worship a fem deity, the Matriarch. I kinda like that. Too many cultures have paternalistic deities. As for finding you, I have my ways, Rimmer Girl.”

Now, how did he find her?

I haven't posted the blurb (draft) in a while, so here it is:

Rookie agent must rescue veteran before his cover is blown.

Genna Nogaro, new to the Coalition of Planets’ Intelligence Commission, is assigned to bring in an undercover operative in Hallart’s organization. More experienced agents died before getting him out. Were they killed by the intergalactic gangster or has the operative gone rogue?

Quintall d’Sernin, con man extraordinaire, infiltrated the mob and moved up to be the gangster’s right-hand man. Hallart has his tentacles throughout the Coalition—business, industry, and government. Quin’s finally worked himself into a valued position. All he needs is the key to mob structure in order for Coalition forces to take down the entire organization.

Genna will pose as a new recruit to distract Hallart long enough for Quin to find the key. If they work together, they can accomplish more. But Quin and Genna’s lives are jeopardized by a mole in the Intelligence Commission. Will their true roles be revealed before they accomplish their goal?

Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors.

Hope you are all staying safe. We had a special treat last Sunday when our son backed his mini-van into our driveway and the whole family climbed in back (tailgate open) while Hubs and I sat in our garage (out of the rain) and visited with the family. So good to see the twins (2 1/2 yrs old) and their 5-yr-old sister. A great Mother's Day gift.

#WeWriWa ~ THE SPY: C'mon, sweetie, let's go home #sfr

Each weekend, the Weekend Writing Warriors share an 8 - 10 sentence snippet. Be sure to visit the other authors. You can find them here.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers and those who are like mothers. 
I'm sharing snippets from The Spy: An Outer Rim Novel. It's the 4th book in my series featuring strong women on the frontier of space. 

Because this is a work in progress, suggestions are greatly appreciated. Please excuse the creative punctuation, necessary to keep this within the guidelines. The chatty taxi driver with the loud "Hawaiian" shirt is back, and he caught up with Genna outside headquarters. Last week, he tried to get her to tell him why she wants him to go away.

“So, what is it?” He snapped his fingers, “I know, I’m Chellian—you don’t like us—that’s racial discrimination, you know.”

She stopped and fisted her hands on her hips, “I am not a racist, I don’t care where you’re from or who you are—you talk too much.”

“Oh,” That seemed to stump him, “Okay, I won’t talk, promise. I can take you wherever you want to go, and I promise to keep quiet,” He made a zipping motion across his lips.

Not only was he being a nuisance, he attracted attention—several people along the walkway glanced from the driver of the cruising vehicle to her, then a fashionable Bricaldian fem sidled around Genna and tried to open the door.

“Off duty,” The driver grinned and added a shoulder shrug, “The missus and me had a spat. C’mon, sweetie, get in so we can go home.”

The fem arched a haughty eyebrow at her and backed away, “You are disturbing others.”

“C’mon, honey, get in.”

With pursed lips and narrowed eyes, Genna yanked the door open and slid inside, “Are you satisfied?”

Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors.

As we continue to stay home or practice safe distancing and wear masks, we adapt to our new normal. I hope you stay safe, too.

#WeWriWa ~ THE SPY: It's The Shirt #sfr

Each weekend, the Weekend Writing Warriors share an 8 - 10 sentence snippet. Be sure to visit the other authors. You can find them here.

I'm sharing snippets from The Spy: An Outer Rim Novel. It's the 4th book in my series featuring strong women on the frontier of space. 

Because this is a work in progress, suggestions are greatly appreciated. Please excuse the creative punctuation, necessary to keep this within the guidelines. Do you remember the chatty taxi driver with the loud "Hawaiian" shirt? He's baaack.

As she strolled away from headquarters, Genna kept her eyes open and her senses alert. Suddenly, a conveyance swooped down ahead of her, the Chellian driver stuck his head out the window and hailed her, “Ready for that tour now?”

By the Matriarch, it was him, the driver who’d brought her from spaceport—she’d disguised herself, changed her clothes, and wore a wig, she’d even thrown away his card so how did he recognize her?

She ignored him and kept walking.

He cruised along beside her, his forearm resting on the open window, “Is there a reason you don’t want to ride with me? It’s my shirt, isn’t it? Some Bricaldians think it’s too flashy, but since you’re not a Bric, I didn’t think you’d mind.”

“How do you know I’m not Bricaldian?”

“You’re Traishan, right?” He nodded his head, “Yep. Traishan.”

“It’s not the shirt. I don’t care about superficial things like that.”

 Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors.

Here in Michigan, we're in for another month of shelter-in-place. Amazingly, some people are mad at our governor for trying to save our lives. Please stay safe during this difficult time.

Visiting Paranormal Romantics blog

Today is my day to blog on Paranormal Romantics blog. I share what I'm doing during the COVID-19 quarantine--authors whose books I enjoy. Pop on over.

http://paranormalromantics.blogspot.com/2020/05/cure-for-quarantine-fever-by-diane.html

#WeWriWa ~ THE SPY: Genna Changes Appearance #sfr

Each weekend, the Weekend Writing Warriors share an 8 - 10 sentence snippet. Be sure to visit the other authors. You can find them here.

I'm sharing snippets from The Spy: An Outer Rim Novel. It's the 4th book in my series featuring strong women on the frontier of space. 

Because this is a work in progress, suggestions are greatly appreciated. Please excuse the creative punctuation, necessary to keep this within the guidelines. 

After Vorinda gave her more instructions and background on Quintall d’Sernin, she finally left his office. Tripping lightly down the stairs, instead of using the conveyance, she stopped at the san-fac on the third floor, where she changed into well-worn trousers and big shirt made of coarse-spun, worn by space jockeys and other Rimmers. The multiple pockets almost eliminated the need for a tote, the gift from Laning, but she treasured the dark green zircan leather bag and would never toss it out, like the card the Chellian conveyance driver had given her. She wouldn’t see him again, even though she admired his persistence—what an entrepreneur.

Genna added the final touch to hide her identity, a nondescript brown wig that brushed her shoulders, which she fluffed it to make it seem more natural. Soon, she could go back to her original appearance, so she would be more easily recognized by those who knew her on Galeriana, according to Commissioner Vorinda as he gave the last of his instructions.

“I will be your handler on this assignment,” His announcement surprised her—while she didn’t expect Kolang to be her handler, she assumed she’d be assigned a senior agent.

To have the commissioner as her handler temporarily overwhelmed Genna—a privilege or a hindrance? Would he second-guess her decisions made in the field or give her free rein? He must trust her to get the job done.

She wished she had his belief in her skills.

Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors.

Please stay safe during this pandemic. Sending virtual hugs.

#WeWriWa ~ THE SPY: Dismissed #sfr

Each weekend, the Weekend Writing Warriors share an 8 - 10 sentence snippet. Be sure to visit the other authors. You can find them here.

I hope you all are healthy, sheltering-in-place like the rest of us. I'm trying not to watch too much television coverage, but it's so compelling. The number count of deaths from COVID-19 reminds me of media coverage during the Vietnamese war. So scary. But Hubs and I are doing our part by staying away from people, including the grandkids, which for me is the worst part.

I'm sharing snippets from The Spy: An Outer Rim Novel. It's the 4th book in my series featuring strong women on the frontier of space. 

Because this is a work in progress, suggestions are greatly appreciated. Genna is in Commission Vorinda's office while d'Sernin's handler (Kolang) reports.

 Please excuse the creative punctuation, necessary to keep this within the guidelines. 

“You are dismissed,” Vorinda’s voice, even harder than before, could’ve nailed the handler to the naurem wood door.

The handler blanched, “But, sir, I—”

Vorinda rose, his posture ramrod straight, “I said dismissed—do you not understand Universal?”

“Uh, yes, yes, sir,” Kolang [the handler] stumbled to his feet, “I thought you wanted to know more about d’Sernin.”

“Leave the data sheet with Genna, she’ll familiarize herself with what you discovered about d’Sernin, you’re off that case—go down to the bullpen and wait for further orders.”

“Sir?” Kolang didn’t bother to hide his sneer, “She’s a trainee. She can’t—”

“She’s a fully-qualified agent,” Vorinda’s indigo eyes hardened, “Dismissed.”

“But, sir? How can she—”

“Do you understand the meaning of the word dismissed, Kolang?”

“Yes, sir.” With his back to the commissioner, he smirked at her, “Suck up,” he mouthed.

Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors.

Please stay safe during this pandemic. Sending virtual hugs.

#IWSG: Staying at Home

Happy Insecure Writers Support Group Day. IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going. We are rockin' the neurotic writing world!

I'm pleased to join this month's awesome co-hosts: JH Moncrieff, Anna @ Emaginette, Karen @ Reprobate Typewriter, Erika Beebe, and Lisa Buie-Collard!

The IWSG’s focus is on our writers. Each month, from all over the globe, we are a united group sharing our insecurities, our troubles, and our pain. So, in this time when our world is in crisis with the covid-19 pandemic, our optional question this month is: how are things in your world?

Lonely. It would be lonelier, if I didn't have my husband. It's the rest of the family I miss. Since we're in that 65+ group with underlying health issues, at the very beginning, our kids decided to not visit or bring the grandkids around. Which we appreciate. We're making do with FaceTime. The twins shout "Hi, Nana!"; "Hi, Papa!" as they crawl on top of the kitchen counter to get closer to DIL's iPad. Then, they put their faces right next to the screen, and I get to see what they had for dinner. LOL Their almost-5-yr-old sister hides under a blanket or the table. Who knows why! The older grandkids tell us what they're studying at "school" and show off the chocolate chip cookies they just made. 

As much fun as all that is, it's not the same as being with them in person. That's what I miss. The hugs and kisses. And crawling into my lap along with "read me a story!" 

This whole thing has been a learning curve. I learned how to order groceries online for pick up. (That is really slick!) And I learned how to do a TeleVisit with my doctor. I found old movies (The Court Jester and Second Hand Lions, etc.) Mostly I've learned we are all in this together and complaining does no good. It could be worse. I (or family members) could be nurses/healthcare workers. We've self-isolated from the beginning. I was already confined to the recliner because of my broken foot. 

What I haven't done is work on my WIP. Since I've been stalled for so long, I don't feel too guilty writing something new. At least, I'm writing, even if it's very little. My mind keeps going off on tangents, and I can't concentrate. I remember feeling this way after 9-11.

I'm trying not to obsess over the pandemic. I'm doing what our governor mandated--staying home. I also try not to watch too much TV coverage. I'm proud of our governor (Michigan) who closed schools immediately, then closed restaurants and gathering places, followed by the stay-at-home order. She was well ahead of most states and the country as a whole trying to contain the pandemic. I'm scared that the orders may be rescinded too soon, and the virus returns stronger. I'm grateful Hubs and I are retired, and we aren't in the situation of so many whose jobs are either gone or on hold. 

So, I'm doing my part not to spread the virus and trying to stay optimistic that "this too shall pass." I pray that all of you and your families are safe.

Click here to find others on the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook to see who’s blogging today.