Last Monday

Posted on December 28, 2020 by Silver James

 It’s almost time to say goodbye. Only four more days and then it’s the end. Personally, I’ll be happy to see an end to 2020 but I’m not all that crazy about what awaits in 2021. There’s not going to be any magical transformation of the “new normal.” In fact, I’m looking at a lot of people and thinking, “Be careful what you wish for…” But that’s just me.

In other news, this is Monday after Christmas. I stayed away from the world on Saturday. The day after Christmas always gives me the heebie-jeebies because all. Those. PEOPLE! This year, due to circumstances and on account of because, maybe the crowds weren’t that big. Still, people head out to return presenst and snap up the after-holiday sales.

We had a good and very quiet Christmas. We headed up to Only and Baseball Boy’s house for Santa, presents, and cinnamon rolls with them and Stormy. The kid raked in the goodies! I got gift cards so there are new jeans and lots of books in my future. We stopped by to drop off presents at the BiL/Sil’s house and wish them a Merry-Merry but didn’t get out of the truck. Stupid Covid. Then we came home, I did a small bonelss turkey breast and we had sandwiches and pie! My favorite part of late Christmas day. 😉

Saturday, I was lumpen, as mentioned. LG braved the wilds of the world to hit Home Depot. We have new, BRIGHT lights in the garage and over the backdoor and new toilet seats. This is all a bigger deal than it sounds. 🤣

Sunday, I caught up on the DVR’d The Masked Singer. Last night, I gave The Masked Dancer a try. I’m still on the fence… LG and I have totaly OD’d on Hallmark Christmas movies and there’s nothing wrong with that. We saw quite a few fun ones this year–together and apart. We each have different–and weird–sleeping patterns so one of us is usually up. Anyway…

I upped my Goodreads reading challenge from 200 to 205 last week when I hit #199 with over a week to go. I’ll hit it with no problems. I’m currently doing a relisten of Ilona Andrews’ Hidden Legacy series. So. Much. Fun! I have no clue what I’ll start of in the New Year.

Speaking of books, guess what!?!?!? I have an audio book releasing on January 12th! Who knew??? Okay, I knew the audio version was in the works but I thought production had been delayed and then all the sudden–bam! There it was! If you are into audio books, you can preorder FIGHTING FOR ELENA by clicking on the title. This is part of the mini-series set in Susan Stoker’s Operation Alpha: Police and Fire Badge of Honor, Tarpley VFD. FYI, the second season of the Tarpley VFD series comes out February 16, 2021, and FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE is up for pre-order too! And as long as I’m doing a commercial, TWICE THE TEMPTATION, Red Dirt Royalty #9 comes out on February 2, also up for preorder. The link will take you to the books Harlequin page and you can find links to all the major retailers there.

No sports last week or weekend but college bowl games are coming up. My OSU Cowboys play on the 29th. And OU plays later in the week.

And….that’s pretty much it for me this week. Looking ahead, I might get some writing done. I definitely will be book listening. Maybe I’ll work on organizing my office. I’m still itching to rearrange it so I have a snoopier view out my window. 🙄 Hope you all had happy and safe holidays, got cool prezzies, some relaxtion, good food, and time with family and friends–one way or another. Let’s get through the rest of this week and see what Friday brings. For better or worse, it’ll be something different. 😉

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Friday Sinema: The Night Before Christmas, Southern Edition

Posted on December 25, 2020 by Silver James

Merry Christmas from my house to yours! I hope Santa was good to you all!

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Thursday Thoughts: Traditions

Posted on December 24, 2020 by Silver James

Christmas Eve Gift! No Universal truths today. It’s Christmas Eve so I thought I’d look a bit deeper into my own head and heart today.

We’ll start with my greeting. On Christmas Eve, my mother would answer every phone call, every knock on the door, and greet everyone with “Christmas Eve Gift!” I asked her once why she did that and she just looked at me, baffled. “Because that’s what we do,” she finally answered. I later learned it’s a Southern thing. This should not surprise y’all.

The Christmas Giver Game. Okay, I just made that up because we’ve never really had a name for this tradition. It dates back to the first Christmas Lawyer Guy and I spent away from home, which was our second married Christmas. We were stationed at Ft. Knox, and he decided to stay on duty. We’d invited some troops who were stuck on base for lunch/dinner later on Christmas, along with some of his co-workers in the Trial Defense Office of the JAG unit. We went rather overboard on presents and frankly, I got tired of writing out gift tags from “Me” or “Santa.” I tore all those up and started over by listing the giver as someone/thing that had to do with the gift. For instance, a coffee table book on the Orient Express was from Agatha Christie. As we opened presents on Christmas morning, I made LG guess what his gift was based on the “giver.” The following year, he did the same and we continued it with Only and now her family.

The Christmas Cactus Tree (which has been retired after years of service…) 1995 was a hard year. The Murrah Bombing in April, my dad passing right before New Year’s, our Great Pyrenees pup deciding to eat the Christmas tree… In 1996, my mother took the whole family (my brother and SiL and their two kids), and the three of us to Colorado Springs for Thanksgiving. While we didn’t stay at the Broadmoor, we had Thanksgiving lunch there. There are many Broadmoor stories in the family but I won’t bore you with them. It snowed while we were there and it was lovely and beautiful with all the Christmas lights. We hadn’t gotten around to replacing our tree and while shopping up in Manitou Springs, we found a 3-D cactus made of barb wire and strung with chili pepper lights. It was funny and whimisical and the dang dog couldn’t eat it! So we bought it. Except we’d flown there. Arrangements were made for the cactus tree to be shipped. After many delays and an emergency “fix” of stringing garlands along a beam with lights and the ornaments strung in them, the cactus finally arrived on December 24th. I glued a “tin” sheriff’s star to the top of it and it served us for many, many years.

Those are just a few of our personal Christmas traditions. I won’t get into that whole deal over stockings, full Christmas dinner verses “Get to the good stuff!”, or spaghetti for Christmas Eve dinner while watching Santa on NORAD’s radar! Christmas is a time for family and friends and friends who are family. It a time to remember and rejoice, to look ahead with optimism. It’s lights twinkling in the dark and the wonder in a child’s eyes. From me and mine to you and yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, no matter how you celebrate. If you’d like to share some of your own unique tradtions, I’m all ears!

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Wednesday Words: Up the Chimney

Posted on December 23, 2020 by Silver James

I can’t take credit for this, but for a few edits here and there to change it around to a Nightrider version. See, the #1lineWed theme is **CHIMNEY**. I had a couple of fireplaces but those mentions were in NIGHT WISH and SILENT NIGHT so I had to come up with something Christmasy for today. Anyway, with semi apologies to Clement Moore…

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the club
Not a creature was stirring, not even a cub;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The Nightrider Wolves were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of Harleys danced in their heads;
My old lady in her ’kerchief, and I in my vest,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s rest,
When out on the yard there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the clubhouse the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle,
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

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Tuesday Titles and Treats: Silent Night & Hot Cocoa Dip

Posted on December 22, 2020 by Silver James

Wolf on a moonset and on woods and with fog.

 I wanted the story to look all pretty, so I’ve embedded the .pdf for your reading pleasure. Additionally, there’s a fun recipe you can fix and munch on snacks while reading. 😉 

Total Time: 1 Hr. 10 Min. including refrigerating
Prep Time: 10 Min.
Cook Time: 1 Hr.

Enjoy the flavor of your favorite warm beverage in a dessert of its own. Hot Cocoa Dip is perfect with strawberries, pretzels or vanilla wafers. Serve this Hot Cocoa Dip on your dessert charcuterie board!

What You Need
3 cups JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows, divided
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 pkg. JELL-O Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding
1 cup milk
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping (about 3 cups), thawed

Let’s Make It
1 – Microwave 2 cups marshmallows in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min. or until marshmallows are completely melted when stirred.
2 – Add cream cheese; beat with mixer until blended.
3 – Add dry pudding mix; mix well. Gradually add milk, mixing well after each addition. Whisk in COOL WHIP.
4 – Refrigerate 1 hr.
5 – Spoon dip into serving bowl; top with remaining marshmallows.

Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – Serving Suggestion: Serve with strawberries, pretzels and/or vanilla wafers.

You can bet Robyn started making this again after her Silent Night. 😉 CLICK HERE for all the details from My Food and Family. And now to our story. From my house and worlds to you and yours, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Click to access silent-night.pdf

Psst. You can click on the .pdf and either download or print it for easier reading.

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Christmas Monday

Posted on December 21, 2020 by Silver James

Five days. FIVE DAYS! Okay, there’s time. No, really. There is. No need to panic. I’ve got this. No, really. Stop laughing! Fine, whatever.

There was a weekend. We had Stormy for dinner and sleepover Saturday and then he was “mine” all day Sunday because LG had to work a corn hole tournament at the Post. Only and Baseball Boy were helping out a friend clean out a storage unit and transfer the boxes to the parents house up in the NW part of the state. All in all, Stormy was a cool kid and it was fun when he’d zoom into my office and say, “Jammie! I love you!” Of course, that was after he bugged me every fifteen minutes to check the outside temperature because I said he couldn’t go out to play until we’d reached 40 degress. 🙄

In writing news, I finally finished the Christmas story that I was writing as a gift for my readers. It’s just over 6K words but man, the hero and heroine took me on a ride. It is NOT the story I started. But that’s okay. I liked the final outcome. And the picture I chose for today reminds me of the story. You’ll just have to wait for the “cover” and story until tomorrow.

In reading news, I finished off Dannika Dark’s Seven series, along with the two attached novellas, CHARMING and WINTER MOON. I ❤ that series. Now I’m listening to the second book in Kristen Ashley’s Dream Team series, DREAM CHASER. So far, it’s a fun, sexy read/listen.

In sports, looks like OU is going to the Cotton Bowl against Florida Gators and my OSU Cowboys are going to the Cheez-It Bowl in Orlando against Miami. We’ll probably watch. I refuse to discuss the national champsionship bracket. Considering how effed up this year was and the lack of games some/one of the so-called top 4 played? Well, nevermind. And no, I’m not upset because neither of my teams in in contention. They didn’t play well enough. Anyway…

I’m still digging the Hallmark movies. Turns out, Jake is apparently a fan as well. I’d gone to bed and LG was still in the family room. He fell asleep watching one of the Hallmark movies and when he woke up, he switched over to one of the history shows he likes. Jake pawed at his hand and nosed him. Continuously. Until he flipped back to the Hallmark channel. Well…alrighty then!

I don’t have much else to relate. Weather’s nice. Family and critters all doing well. My knee is well and truly bruised but I’m mobile and mostly not in pain. Today is “finish $h!+” day–stocking stuffers and the last of the presents. Then all I have to do is bag ’em and tag ’em, and consider making rolls. I suspect if I don’t make my cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning Only will disown me. Y’all take care out there and let me know where you are on your list of things to do.

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Friday Sinema: A Southern Christmas

Posted on December 18, 2020 by Silver James

How can Christmas be only a week away?!?!! I hope y’all will take a break, grab some eggnog and check out this peek at Christmas in the South. I totally identify with the shopper! Have a great weekend.

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Ticket

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Silver James

Writing has been elusive this week, though I am making progress on a pet project–a “free read” for my friends. It feels weird calling them fans. I like to think that we’ve become friends as I share my stories with them. I’ve found the direction for this story and at least one of the characters is speaking to me so things are moving along. S’all good. And as it’s Thursday, I dipped into my files looking for ideas to muse about prompted by the Universe. The following sort of popped out at me…

Time and space, Silver, what a hoot. Look to them for answers, direction, and meaning, and they’ll rock your world in every which way.

Yet discover that they look to you for answers, direction, and meaning, and you will rock the world.

Take my word for it, the latter is your “ticket.”

Tallyho, maestro –
The Universe
©www.tut.com

Silver, what an adventure, if I do say so myself.

Writing is an adventure. In my head, the time and space of the Universe equates to my imagination. I dip into my imagination for answers, direction, and meaning. And sometimes I get really lucky and my writing world gets rocked by amazing words and characters and places. And those characters do look to me for answers, direction, and meaning that will rock their world. And I suspect that today’s message also applies to my readers. I just hope that I can rock their worlds with my stories. I want to tug on their heartstrings. I want them to invest in my characters and the world I created for them. I want them to laugh and cry and get mad and find the HEA at the end. That’s what I wish for each of you as the holidays gather around us. I wish a very Happy Ever After for you all. There’s no bigger adventure than finding the things that makes you happy–be it family and friends, pets, jobs, passions, dreams. Wishing you all your heart desires. And thanks for spending a little time in my worlds. I plan to keep things rocking. 😉

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Wednesday Words: Christmas Free-For-All

Posted on December 16, 2020 by Silver James

So, how many shopping days until Christmas? Yikes! I should stop staring at the pretty snow and either get stuff ordered online or go shopping! A couple of things before we get to the words. #1lineWed is letting all writers pick their own theme. It’s a free-for-all. Me? I decided to share this rough draft scene. And speaking of FREE!!! CHRISTMAS MOON is still free to download and keep until December 20th. Grab a copy today if it’s not already in your library. As for today’s snippet. It’s more or less self-explanatory…
****
In the beginning…

“C’mon, chickie. It’s been two years.”

Two years was a blink of the eye when it comes to goodbyes. I wasn’t ready. Not yet. Maybe not ever. And I certainly wasn’t ready to head to the local roadhouse for dancing and beer.

Suzi leaned down to stare in my eyes. “It’s almost Christmas and you’re still living in a mausoleum.”

She was right, as best friends often are. Christmas used to be my favorite season. Until a dark green car pulled up to my house and two men in uniform got out. December 23rd. Mike’s National Guard unit had been ambushed. Mine was not the only family who mourned that Christmas. Except I had no family. It was just Mike and me.

“Earth to Robyn.”

“Suz…”

“No excuses, Robs. We are going to Angel’s. I’m going to introduce you to some of Drummer’s friends. We’ll drink some beer. Have some laughs. You can’t hide forever.”

“Sure I can,” I mumbled.

She plopped a cap on my head and snugged it around my ears. Then she pulled me to my feet and held out my puffy jacket. “It’s supposed to snow tonight.”

“See? Another reason to stay home.”

Suzi laughed. Her laugh always got to me. It sounded like jingle bells. “This is Montana. And December. Snow happens.”

We took my car because it had all-wheel drive. As Suzi reminded me, December in Montana meant snow. It also meant Christmas. I didn’t do Christmas. Not anymore. Christmas had once been a big deal. Huge. As kids, it hadn’t been much to write home about—mainly because we didn’t have homes. Not real ones. But once it was just Mike and me? Every room had a tree and lights and wreaths festooned everything that could be draped and hung. After I got the news, I took the decorations down and hid them away. And they remained in storage. Christmas was just one more day in a long series of days.
****
There it is, the opening to SILENT NIGHT the free Christmas story I’m working on. I thought it was going one way but the characters took a detour. It happens and it’s all good. I shoul mention that I also piddled around (while looking for inspiration) and created a cover–something I don’t normally do but what the hey? Why not, right? Anyway, writers, it’s a free-for-all so share whatever words you’d like. Readers, anyone want to guess about the hero?

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Tuesday Treats & Titles: Hot Chocolate Stir Sticks

Posted on December 15, 2020 by Silver James

Last week, I featured the Hot Cocoa Bombs. This week, it’s the same “theme” but much easier to make, especially if the kids are involved. I thought the bombs were adorable but the idea of buying molds and “painting” the chocolate put the brakes on. Waaay too complicated for me. Then I discovered this recipe. Haven’t tried it yet but I’m thinking about it.

These hot chocolate sticks are don’t have a hot cocoa powder in them, so you’ll need a few more ingredients. They are still easy to prepare! Just pour warm milk over them, stir, and enjoy a delicious cup of hot chocolate. Unlike hot chocolate bombs, you do need to use milk. You can add different toppings to them before they set up. Use cookie sprinkles, mini marshmallows, and/or crushed peppermint. You can leave them plain, too. They make great gifts or set them out for a party. Reusable cake pop sticks, sturdy plastic coffee stirrers, or popsicle sticks all work.

Total Time: 1 Hr. 15 Min.
Prep time: 15 Min.
Cook time: 1 Hour
25 sticks/servings

Ingredients 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
18 ounces milk chocolate chips
4 ounce unsweetened chocolate

Instructions
1 – In a medium sized sauce pan, combine the heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk. Stir while heating over medium heat until hot but not boiling.

2 – Add the chocolate chips and chopped unsweetened chocolate. Remove the pan from heat and let sit for 10 minutes.

3 – Line an 8×8 pan with foil.

4 – Stir the chocolate mixture. Pour it into the prepared pan. Add toppings. You may need to gently press them down to make sure they will stick when the chocolate cools. Place in the fridge for 2 to 3 hours.

5 – Cut into 25 equal sized pieces. Add sticks.

6 – Heat 8 ounces of milk. Stir in the chocolate for a delicious cup of hot chocolate.

Tips:
1 – You can also use a silicone mini muffin pan to make these.
2 – Store in air-tight container for 1 week at room temperature, 2 weeks in refrigerator, 1 month in freezer.

For all the details, CLICK HERE for the Food Talk link. For those of you familiar with the story of CHRISTMAS MOON, you might remember Nona Klaussen, the wife of General Nick Klauseen. Nona would make these for the kids who showed up on their doorstep on Christmas Eve, along with the motley crew of Wolf shifters. For those of you unfamiliar with CHRISTMAS MOON, a quote from Liam McIntire, the son of Mac McIntire and Hannah Jackson McIntire. “Dad! It’s like a Die Hard movie!” Save the girl or save Christmas… What will Mac and the Wolves do? You can find out for free. CHRISTMAS MOON is free for the next five days. Give yourself a Christmas present and grab yours now! Just click on the cover or the title to snag your copy. Who’s ready for Christmas…and some hot chocolate?

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