Monday Comin’ Slow

Posted on June 28, 2021 by Silver James

coffee-Monday happensJune is almost at an end. Mid-week, we start a new month. Time keeps slip-slippin’ away. My brain being firmly stuck in procrastination gear doesn’t help much. Ah well. I have a goal for this week. We’ll see how that works.

I’ve discovered that when time slips past, it’s mainly because nothing much is going on. I’m not “in the game,” as it were. Stormy was here for lunch and afternoon “building.” LG got him several model kits so they would sit at the diningroom table after lunch, LG on the computer and Stormy building very cool stuff–without help. He read the instructions and he built the B-25 bomber, the space shuttle rescue vehicle, the star drone, and two moon bases.

I’ve been marathoning A. Zavarelli’s Boston Underworld series. The characters are Irish and Russian mobsters and it’s set in Boston. There’s just something about her choice of words and the cadence of the story that, when I’m in the right mood, suck me in. These books are dark and dirty so not for everyone. I have one more to go and I’m not sure where I’ll turn next. There’s a few books on my wish list coming next month. We’ll see what appeals.

I’m ignoring sports. Moving on. Same with TV. Ah well. I remember when summer meant nothing but reruns so… *shrug*

Writing is…a chore. Talk about not the right head space. I did get almost 1K done on the Christmas novella that’s due ASAP. And I took a flash fiction challenge and came up with 250 words that are totally random. I think they belong in a SciFi, but I don’t write SciFi. It’s tucked away for another day.

I mentioned a goal for this week. I’d really like to get the novella finished. We’ll see. I’m hoping either completing it or getting a good start on it will get me unstuck. Summer doldrums. I hate them.

One last note. Weather. We had some. We got over 7 inches of rain over the weekend with more due though this week. We managed to miss the wind but Only and Baseball Boy lost two sections of fence. That’s fixed now and LG was up on the roof yesterday caulking around the flashing on our chimney. That’s a know drip and we think it’s fixed and it is until we get 7 inches of rain in two days. 🙄

And that was my week and weekend. Nothing exciting but hey, that’s life. This week is three days of Stormy coming for most of the day. And writing. That’s the goal. Eyes on the prize and all that. What’s up in your world?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Friday Free For All, Video Version

Posted on June 25, 2021 by Silver James

Yeah, yeah. I’m sucker for cute critters and lol memes. And yes, I follow I Can Haz Cheezburger to get my daily quota of them. Today, instead of my standard “sinema”, I’m, posting this link so you can head over there to see their TOP SEVEN DERPY ANIMAL VIDEOS and scroll through the post. Trust me, you want to do this. It’s the best couple of minutes you’ll spend this week. Have a great weekend!

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Thursday Thoughts: Universal Happy

Posted on June 24, 2021 by Silver James

When I started writing, I did it because I had a story I wanted to tell. It was my story, one I wanted to read. Then I kept writing the stories I wanted to read. Eventually, someone convinced me other people might want to read those stories too. I dabbled at getting published and got a few nibbles along the way. They loved my “voice.” They just weren’t sure how to market what I wrote. Back then, books and stories had be nice round pegs that fit into their nice round holes. Even then, I was something of a square peg in a round world.

The first book (series) I attempted to get into the hands of a publisher was an action adventure with some romance. The difference was that my MC and her–yes, HER–team were all female. They did exciting things like take on male SpecOps teams in order to test hi-tech weaponry. They flew helicopters and rappelled from them and did all those SpecOpy things. The publisher didn’t believe men would want to buy it because it starred women, and women wouldn’t want to buy it because it was action-adventure, but hey, they loved my writing so feel free to send something else. I did. I wrote a romantic suspense. It had too many characters and the plot was too complicated but they loved the romance and my voice. Really?

So I quit. And went back to writing for myself. I obviously didn’t know what made others happy but I could make myself happy. I have to admit, I smiled a little when this message from the Universe popped up in my inbox:

You simply cannot know, Silver, what will make others happy.

But you can always know for yourself.

Go for it,
The Universe

©www.tut.com
And they will speak of you in awe, Silver, after you turn and walk into the crowd, woods, or nearby mall, saying, “Whoa, what a firecracker…”

They say, “Write to the market.” I’m not even sure what that means now, much less what it meant then. I once dreamed of being a best selling author and when self-publishing came along, I gave it a try and did okay. Nothing spectacular, but hey, I got a check each month! And I landed a contract with Harlequin, so life was pretty good. I sold some books so someone liked what I wrote. But I never quite clicked with the wide range of readers. I look at a few authors who are mega-sellers and I shake my head. I can’t get through the first chapter of their books without resorting to alcohol. (And I don’t drink very often, just sayin’!) Yet every. Book. They. Put. Out. Goes to the top of the charts. And they have rabid fans that defend them to the point of bullying. How? Why? What am I missing? Well, besides writing to that market, obviously. *shrug* I’m not sure I’ll ever figure it out. And I need to stop letting it mess with my head because doing so dams up my creativity and quells the desire to write. I know others struggle with this too. I totally get it.

I don’t know about “them” (as in, you know, that amorphous they} speaking of me in awe, but I don’t know any other way to write than to do it in a way that makes me happy. And it’s time I remember that. Time to get back to writing the stories I want to tell in the way I want to tell them and hope that there are more people out there looking to read what I write. And here’s a serious question, what made you pick the first book of mine you read? And why did you buy the next one?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Wednesday Words: In the Pink

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Silver James

Well, when I saw that the #1lineWed theme for today was **PINK**, I was sorely tempted to lift the “meet cute” (in a manner of speaking) between Wiz and Gen in NIGHT WISH. But I haven’t been writing new words and I have projects do, even if the flipping characters went on vacation and won’t take my calls. So, I decided to “free write” based on the word “pink” and these words tumbled out. Progress on the Christmas novella, which I think will be titled “Moonshine and Mistletoe.” Jack Riggs, from FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE, his mate Justice, and her neice Brooke are on a Christmas vacation in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. They run into Crow, who is my first hero in the new FILO anthology series with several other authors. The Christmas anthology is a way to introduce the new series. Anway, here’ what happened to Brooke one snowy morning…
****
Aunt Jussie and Uncle Jack were still in bed. It had snowed overnight and I wanted to be out in it. Snow in south Texas is like a non-thing and even when I lived in Oklahoma with my mom and dad before they got killed, snow didn’t come often. I pulled on my boots and puffy coat, wrapped a scarf around my neck and found my gloves in my pockets. Yay. I yelled up that I was taking a walk and would be back for breakfast.

“Take yer phone, darlin’.”

I rolled my eyes at Uncle Jack’s orders. I was seventeen. Of course I’d take my phone. Like d’uh.
Outside, the air was crisp but not that cold. These mountains didn’t get wind like we did on the ranch. Wind chill factor. It’s a thing. I looked up and down the road. No traffic. I looked downhill. It was pretty steep. Looking across the road, the hill didn’t seem so bad and I thought I saw a path.

My boots crunched through the fresh layer of snow and knowing that my footprints were the first on the path gave me a happy that didn’t make a lot of sense but hey! Take the happy where you can get it, right? I’d been steadily climbing for about fifteen minutes, following the trail as it make switchback turns higher and higher.

Thats when I saw a flash of pink through the trees. Intrigued, I sped up. I found little footprints but no sign of who’d left them. Then I heard a soft yelp followed by a whine. Peering through the forest, I caught that hint of pink again. Was that a little girl? What was she doing out here alone? And what the heck was making that awful noise?

I crept forward and froze when I came up on a clearing. Right at the far treeline, a wolf snarled and thrashed, his back foot caught in a steel trap. What the everloving fuck? This was one time Aunt Jussie wouldn’t get on me for thinking or saying that word. A little girl crouched just out of reach of the animal, tears running down her face.

“Baby,” I called softly. “Come here.”

The little girl whirled, paled, and took off running like I was Freddie Krueger or something. The wolf snarled and snapped at me when I tried to go after the child. Again, WTF?

“Stop that,” I ordered firmly. Aunt Jussie ran a wildlife rehab center and I worked with her getting the animals healed so they could be released back into the wild. I was surprised when the wolf snapped his jaws shut. I saw the pink-stained snow his struggle had churned up.

“Easy, boy,” I soothed but I didn’t get any closer because every time I took a step, he got agitated. “I just want to help. That thing has to hurt like the dickens.”

I studied the trap. It looked old and strong. I probably couldn’t open it even if the wolf would let me get close enough. I need reinforcements. Easing my phone out, I called my aunt.

“Brooke?” She sounded breathless and I didn’t want to think about what I’d probably interrupted. “What’s wrong?”

“Sorry, Aunt Jussie. I know you and Uncle Jack…” I trailed off and took a breath, doing my best to shove the pictures out of my head. “I…there’s a wolf in a trap up here. He’s hurt. I need your help.”

“Where are you?” Uncle’s Jack’s voice was calm but commanding.

I gave them directions and then I sat down on a tree stump and stared at the wolf. The little girl had been standing very close to him. I blinked. Holy moley. My brain went straight there.

“Are you a real wolf?” The animal lifted his lip in a snarl. “Yeah, yeah. You’re a wolf right now so that makes you real but are you a…wolf?”

He watched me closely then and I was pretty sure this wasn’t a wild wolf, but a wolf shifter, like Uncle Jack. “My name is Brooke,” I explained. “I called my Aunt Justice and Uncle Jack to come help get you free. Uncle Jack is sorta special. He’s the county sheriff back home in Texas and Aunt Jussie takes care of wounded animals. We’ll get you out of that trap and fixed up, okay?”

The wolf snarled out loud this time.

“Don’t get snarly with me. And I should warn you, when I said Uncle Jack is special? I mean that he’s about three times your scrawny size when he shifts so I wouldn’t be giving him any shit.”

“Language, young lady,” Aunt Jussie corrected over Uncle Jack’s chuckle. I’d been so focused on the wolf, I hadn’t heard them coming.
****
The snippet’s a bit longer than usual but hey, NEW WORDS! And this is sort of a good hook to end on. Who’s the trapped wolf? Why is he in a trap? Who’s the little girl who ran away? PLOT, people! I have a plot! Writers, any pink words to share? Readers, where would you like to take a Christmas vacation?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tuesday Treats & Titles: Coffee Ice Cream Pie

Posted on June 22, 2021 by Silver James

So y’all know–or most of you–that I’m rather fond of coffee. I’m especially fond of coffee that is sweet and creamy. And then there’s pie. I especially like pie in the summer. So, coffee AND pie? I’m all over that!

Prep: 20 MIN
Total: 2 HR 35 MIN
Ingredients: 7
Servings: 8

Only six ingredients and no baking required! Here’s a frosty treat for a hot summer’s day.
By Pillsbury Kitchens

Ingredients
Crust
30 chocolate wafers, crushed (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup coconut
3 tablespoons finely chopped cashews or macadamia nuts

Filling
1 quart (4 cups) coffee ice cream, slightly softened

Topping
1 cup hot fudge topping, warmed
Whole cashews or macadamia nuts, if desired

Steps
1 – In medium bowl, mix crushed chocolate wafers, butter, coconut and chopped cashews. Press mixture in bottom and side of 9-inch glass pie plate; refrigerate 15 minutes. Carefully spoon softened ice cream into chilled crust. Cover and freeze about 2 hours or until firm.

2 – Top individual servings with fudge topping; garnish with whole cashews. Cover and freeze any remaining pie.

Expert Tips
1 – To make cutting the pie easier, remove it from the freezer about 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

2 – Sprinkle each slice with chocolate-covered coffee beans.

This recipe comes from PILLSBURY so click on over to get all the nutritional details. When a friend pointed out to me that Sade would like this dessert, I commented that Hannah and Sade might go head-to-head over the last piece. Sade, the MC of the Penumbra Papers series, and Hannah, the…well…I guess she’s now the matriarch of the Moonstruck Wolves series, might give up their men for coffee. Probably not. But…maybe. 😉 Anway…

You can read about Sade in THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC, the first book in the Penumbra Papers and catch up on her lastest exploits in GHOSTS AND THE ANCIENT STONES. The beginning of Hannah’s story can be found in BLOOD MOON, or more fullin the MOONSTRUCK: SECRETS, though she’s pretty much covered in each of the Moonstruck books. Just click on the book cover or the title and you will zoom away to the links page where you can pick your favorite etailer. Anyway, what’s your favorite pie? Stay cool out there and just remember…COFFEE ICE CREAM PIE! FTW!!!

PS: That same friend challenged me to write that scene between Sade and Hannah. Maybe I will…

Posted in Books, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Midsummer Monday

Posted on June 21, 2021 by Silver James

Today is the longest day of the year, aka the Summer Solstice. Yesterday was Midsummer’s Day. How does that even work? Because technically, today is the first day of summer. Yes, my brain explodes a little around this time of year. Also, it’s hot! Anyway, we all know that even though this is the longest day of the year, it still contains only 24 hours. The thing is, there is a longer period of daylight today. Tomorrow, we’ll lose a minute or two of light and that contines until the Autumnal Equinox, when there’s exactly the same amount of light and dark in a day until we get to the Winter Solstice, which is the longest night of the year. And then the cycle begins again, heading toward the Spring Equinox. Yes, I’m fascinated by this, why do you ask?

Anyway, there was a week and a weekend. We thought Stormy would be here most of the week. He wasn’t there was baseball camp and other things so he was only here Monday and Friday. This week, he comes for lunch and playtime until Baseball Boy arrives mid-afternoon to pick him up.

Saturday was a day of naps and laziness. Yesterday was Father’s Day. The James Gang gathered at a favorite pizza place for dinner and exchanging cards. It was nice. We aren’t a huge group, but we’re close. I also had a couple of cool things happen. I’d left feedback on a some beta testing on Goodreads and they contacted me about doing a Zoom interview. I agreed and spent a very enjoyable time with Sam on their support team. For my “trouble,” I’m getting an Amazon gift card. Yay! The other bit of good news meant winning a contest and now my name is in the hat for the grand prize. That’s all I’m going to say because I don’t want to jinx it!

That laziness I spoke of involved catching up on DVR’d shows. NIGHTWATCH makes me homesick for New Orleans and sad that I haven’t figured out any real plots for my two Cajun cop Wolves. THE SECRET OF SKINWALKER RANCH has gotten crazypants covered in crazysauce wild. I love that the scientists are all discombobulated at all the weird $h!+ going on! Yay for a few more episodes before the season ends! Also, EXPEDITION BIGFOOT had some wild times in Oregon. Next episode, they evidently get chased away by a forest fire. Bummer. Why yes, I do like the crazy stuff, why do you ask?

Last week was a decent reading week. I finished off the Elder Races series, along with the spin-off Moonshadow series. I read one of my own books–because!–and enjoyed NIGHT WISH a lot. Now I’m listening to the new release from Christine Feehan, SHADOW STORM. It’s…slow going. Oh well. Next up will probably be Sean “Sticks” Larkin’s book, BREAKING BLUE. It’s non-fiction. Sticks, of LIVE PD fame, just retired from Tulsa PD. And yes, I’m still made at A&E for so precipitously canceling LIVE PD.

No writing this week to speak of. I have characters, I just don’t have plots. Ugh! I’ve got a bit of an idea for the Christmas anthology novella that’s due…ASAP. I really need to get my butt in gear. At the moment, the only project with a viable plot is Ariel’s story in Penumbra Papers. 🤦🏼‍♀️ I need to get off my butt on all the rest, too.

That’s pretty much my world at the moment. Hope all the dad-types out there had a happy day, stay cool on this full-daylight day, and just remember that cooler days are headed our way. Very, very slowly, but coming. Psst I shouldn’t mention that it’s in the 60s & 70s here today. Yesterday it was close to a 100 so…sorry, not sorry! 😉 How’s your world going?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Friday Sinema: Play Like a Girl

Posted on June 18, 2021 by Silver James

Even though my OSU Cowgirls were on the wrong side of some of these plays, my OU Sooners made up for it. Wanna know why I love softball and watch every chance I get? Take the next five minutes and see how hard and well these young women play! Have a great weekend. If you are under the heat dome, stay cool!

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Thursday Thoughts: Universal Joy

Posted on June 17, 2021 by Silver James

Sometimes, you just need to pause, or even take a step back from the world. Just so you can remember that there is more to life. There are days when the thought of sticking your head out the door to see what’s going on seems like an extreme measure. But you should. When things get crazy and you despair of finding balance, take a deep breath. The Universe has you covered.

If your breathing itself was not proof enough that you are loved beyond comprehension, Silver, then how about your freedom to feel unlimited joy, in spite of circumstances that surround you?

Big hug,
The Universe

©www.tut.com
Not to mention, Silver, maple syrup, turquoise, and butterflies.

I’m all about the maple syrup, turquoise, and butterflies. What brings you joy when the world looks dire?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Wednesday Words: Hope Floats

Posted on June 16, 2021 by Silver James

Time just keeps floating away! And the more it floats on down the lazy river that is my life currently, the more I hope to get started on something soon. As you may have guessed, the #1lineWed prompt is **FLOAT**. This snippet is from an occastional WIP about two deputy sheriffs down in Cajun country–both of whom are Wolves. Beau and Luc tickle me pink so I should probably concentrate on getting their stories told. Thing is, their lives are so entertwined, I haven’t figured out how to split their book into two. Ah well. Enjoy this little peek into their world.
****
The two men stood back, attitude and posture both defensive. The little spitfire marched up and down the sidewalk, her long skirt swirling from the wind and her agitation. Sunflower Magnolia Bloomsbury had her mad on and they didn’t know whether to laugh or run. A gust of wind caught the bright-hued skirt, lifting the flower-imprinted fabric to float around her thighs.
Luc stiffened. His friend and partner, Beau, tilted his head to get a better look. At least until Luc jabbed him in the ribs with a sharp elbow.

“Can’t help myself, bro. Who knew that little thing had such long legs hidin’ under those weird skirts of hers.”

“Nobody’s getting up her skirts but me, asshole.”

Beau grinned so wide his dimples peeked out. “I figured. Now, what are we gonna do about this?” He gestured toward the still-fuming woman, who caught them watching. She marched up and halted in front of Luc. Even rocking up on her toes, as she was currently doing, put the five-foot nuthin’ woman’s eyes at about his chest.

“Are you going to tell me?”

He shook his head.

“Well, fine then. Keep your little secrets. I don’t care.” Sunny crossed her arms under her breasts, drawing the eyes of both men to her suddenly upgraded cleavage.

“Not exactly little,” Luc mumbled.

“No, they certainly aren’t,” Beau muttered back, which earned him a punch in the ribs this time.

“Stop starin’. And that’s not what she’s talkin’ about.” Nope. She certainly wasn’t. She was talking about something totally different. And there was nothin’ little about any of it. When they shifted into their wolves, there was nothing small about them. And the fact they—and their kind—existed at all was a huge, honkin’ secret.
****
Sunny lives next door to Luc. He’s rather dour. (I love that word!) As you can probably tell, she’s not. Beau, on the other hand, wear’s Cajun print Hawaiian-style shirts, ie. alligators and Tabasco bottles intead of surfers and flowers. I think I’ll reopen that project and see if I get inspired today. In the meantime, writers, any “float” words to share? And readers, what’s floating your boat today?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tuesday Treats & Titles: Espresso Hazelnut Beignets

Posted on June 15, 2021 by Silver James

I love beignets. They are yummy, sugary bites of heaven. And this hack seems really easy. I haven’t made this recipe but I’m tempted!

Prep Time: 25 Min.
Total Time: 25 Min.
Servings: 8

Enjoy bakery shop beignets from buttermilk biscuits in just minutes!

Ingredients
4 cups Canola Oil
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder
1 can (16.3 oz) Pillsbury™ Grands!™ Southern Homestyle refrigerated Buttermilk biscuits (8 biscuits)
1/2 cup mocha cappuccino-flavored hazelnut spread

Steps1
1 – In 3-quart heavy saucepan, heat oil to 370°F. In shallow bowl or plate, mix sugar and espresso powder. Set aside.

2 – Separate dough into 8 biscuits. Press each biscuit into 4-inch round. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the mocha cappuccino hazelnut spread on each biscuit. Fold dough over filling; press edges to seal.

3 – Gently place 3 biscuits in hot oil. Cook 1 1/2 minutes or until deep golden brown. Using tongs, gently turn over. Cook 1 1/2 minutes or until deep golden brown. Remove to paper towels to drain. Roll in sugar mixture. Repeat with remaining biscuits, cooking 2 or 3 at a time. Serve warm.

A friend pointed me in the direction of this recipe, noting that Sade would probably enjoy these goodies. I need to remember to check the PILLSBURY site more often! Click over to get more pictures and the nutritional details. Speaking of Sade, B.E. is right! Sade Marquis, the MC in the Penumbra Papers Urban Fantasy series, started her FBI career in New Orleans (THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC). The latest book, GHOSTS & THE ANCIENT STONES, ends with her and her vampire lover, Sinjen, back in New Orleans. This recipe is perfect. All the books are available from lots of different on-line retailers. You can click on the titles or the cover (which is one of my all-time favorites, FYI) to land on the universal link page on Books2Read. You can find your favorite store there! Beignets, anyone? *adds buttermilk bisuits and Nutella to grocery list because JIF doesn’t make the mocha cappucino hazelnut spread anymore.* 😦

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments