Thursday Thoughts: Universal Pictures

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Silver James

There’s an old saying–a picture is worth a thousand words. As a writer, I sort of take that to heart, but not. Which makes no sense, right? Only to me, it does. Yes, I use words to paint the picture I want my readers to see. I use them to color my characters’ emotions, their environment, how they act. I translate the picture I have of the scene in my imagination into words so my readers can see it in theirs.

For some strange reason, the painting of “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” by George Seurat always comes to mind when I think of that phrase. It’s the painting in the center of the movie “Sunday in the Park with George.” In the painting, people lounge along the river, enjoying the green grass and the shade of the trees despite their uncomfortable Victorian clothing. There are dogs sniffing around and a couple stands stiffly side-by-side as they gaze out over the scene. Some of the ladies carry parasols and some of the men are more formally dressed than others, denoting a difference in class. Now, don’t ask me why I think of this painting or the movie when the picture/1000 words comes up. Just the weird way my brain works. Anyway, while it’s talking of something else, the Universe keeps the writer in mind…

One of the most transformative things you could ever begin doing, Silver, is to start “thinking in pictures.”

Of what you want, of what you love, of who you dream of becoming.

Thoughts become things,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®
And to think such thoughts, Silver, with your heart.

How does this apply to writing? We have to imbue our characters with wants and desires, give them a story arc so they can become who they dream of becoming. And then I’ll use those 1000 words to paint the scene around them–the river and the trees and the uncomfortable clothes, and of course, a dog or two, or even a cat. Or maybe a Wolf. But why should I think such thoughts with my heart? Becasue I write romance. 😉 Sounds simple, right? So, writers, do you think in pictures? And readers, who do you dream of becoming?

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Wednesday Words: A Whiter Shade of Pale

Posted on September 16, 2020 by Silver James

Ten points to anyone who gets the title! Today’s #1lineWed prompt is **Pale/Impale**. Since there are no vampires in the current WIPs, here’s a quick scene from NIGHT WISH. Yes, with RDR#9 back in NY, I’m once again working feverishly to get this book ready for release. This isn’t a spoiler. Just a teaser of a scene. And I’m not giving y’all any background. You just have to take it as it. 😉
****
Wizard
I was the first one through the doorway. Gunsmoke hazed the air, the acrid stench clogging my nose. Gravedigger and Easy plowed into me because I’d stopped cold. No one spoke while we surveyed the room.

A guy wearing one of our cuts sprawled on the floor, dead eyes focused on the figure standing over him, a Glock dangling from the woman’s slack hand. Fuck. I’d know those sweet curves anywhere. Gen. What the hell was she doing here?

“He’s dead,” Gravedigger announced. He’d know.

“Wiz, you need to get the gun.” Easy’s low voice wasn’t meant to carry.

“Yeah,” I agreed.

Gen’s head came up, horror etched across her pale skin. Her eyes were the size of silver dollars, and though hyperventilating, she managed to gasp out, “It was an accident.”

I stepped closer, reaching for her. “Gimme the gun, babe.”

“I didn’t mean to—” Her voice broke.

Grabbing the Glock, I passed it off to Easy then gathered her into my arms. “Who is he?”

“A…a…” She gave me a helpless look. “A Nightrider?”

“What did he do to you?” I growled the words. She jerked away from me, stumbling back and going down hard enough to bruise her sweet ass. I squatted next to her. “Shh, babe. It’s okay. I’ve got you. He’s not one of ours.”

“I killed him.”

“Did he hurt you?”

A breathy “No” accompanied Gen’s shudder. Her gaze glued onto my face. “But he tried.”

“We’ll fix this.”

We would. That’s what we did best—hide the bodies.
****
And there ya go. Writers, any impaled words of paleness to share? Readers, what makes you go pale?

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Tuesday Treats: Mini Pumpkin Spice Latte Cheesecakes

Posted on September 15, 2020 by Silver James

I’ve shared this recipe before but since it’s now officially Pumpkin Spice Latte season, figure it’s time to share it again. This recipe is perfect for flavor fans. Enjoy it with plain coffee or your very own latte.

Total Time: 4 Hr.
Prep Time: 30 Min.
Cook Time: 3 Hr. 30 Min.
24 servings

Serve the flavor of fall with Mini Pumpkin Spice Latte Cheesecakes! Our pumpkin spice latte cheesecakes feature canned pumpkin, instant coffee and more.

What You Need
24 European-style cookies for coffee (speculoos cookies), finely crushed (about 1-3/4 cups)
1 cup sugar, divided
3 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
2-1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, divided
1 tsp. vanilla
3 egg s
1 Tbsp. MAXWELL HOUSE Instant Coffee
1 cup whipping cream

Let’s Make It
1 – Heat oven to 325°F.
2 – Combine cookie crumbs and 2 Tbsp. sugar; press onto bottoms of 24 paper-lined muffin cups, adding about 1 Tbsp. crumb mixture to each cup.
3 – Beat cream cheese and 3/4 cup of the remaining sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add pumpkin, 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Stir in coffee granules until completely dissolved. Spoon over crusts.
4 – Bake 26 to 30 min. or until centers are almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 2 hours.
5 – Beat whipping cream with remaining 2 Tbsp. sugar in clean bowl with mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Spoon into pastry bag; use to pipe whipped cream over cheesecakes. Sprinkle with remaining pumpkin pie spice.

Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – How to Pipe the Whipped Cream: Insert decorating tip in pastry bag. Fold down top of pastry bag about halfway, forming a cuff. Fill bag halfway with whipped cream. Unfold cuffed top and twist bag until it’s tight against the whipped cream. To pipe, hold bag firmly and squeeze from the top, keeping bag twisted closed to prevent leaking from the top of bag.

Tip 2 – Substitute: Prepare using PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese.

My Tips
Speculoos: What the heck, you say?!? This is a type of Belgian coffee and spice cookie. You can also use Biscoff cookies. You can find speculoos at Trader Joe’s and Biscoffs at Walmart.

Piping: You can use a plastic bag with the corner cut in lieu of a pastry bag. Or, I’ve been known to use my cookie press with a piping tip.

If y’all want any additional details, CLICK HERE for all the nutrional details at My Food and Family. There’s one of my characters who won’t admit–

“I’m not f*cking afraid to admit it!”

“Okay, Sade. You admit that you have a love of pumpkin spice lattes. But see, the deal is, I feature a character who actually uses the recipe.”

“That’s not f*cking fair.”

“Sure it is. Because you don’t cook. And language, Sade. This is a PG blog.”

“I can make effing coffee. And there’s this little bakery down in the French Quarter that makes these muffins. I bet they’re even better than yours. So there.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll let you be the featured character today. Does that make you happy? Y’all know what to do–Sade’s story starts in THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC, down in New Orleans. Where there is cafe au lait, and lattes, and pumpkin spice muffins, all given five stars by our very own FBI Special Agent Sade Marquis. The book is available wide so click on the cover or the title for the universal link to your favorite on-line bookstore. What about y’all? Is pumpkin spice anything an annual favorite?”

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Monday Deadlines

Posted on September 14, 2020 by Silver James

This pretty much sums up last week and my weekend. In fact, it says it all.

Deadline is today. I’ll get ‘er done. Please tell me y’all had a real life the last few days!?!?

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Friday Sinema: Going Nuts

Posted on September 11, 2020 by Silver James

Okay, okay. Yes. All this pandemic thing is finally getting to me. And this guy has waaaaaay too much time on his hand but you know what, I not only wasted 7 minutes of my day, I’m thinking I’d actually buy (if I had the extra cash) something like this and I’d go broke keeping it stocked with nuts. Also, I wish this guy lived next door. He’s warped and I like it! Happy Friday. Go nuts this weekend!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Challenges

Posted on September 10, 2020 by Silver James

My mission, and unlike Mr. Phelps and/or Mr. Hunt*, I can’t choose to not accept, is to finish the line edits and revisions on my next Harlequin Desire by Friday. My wonderful editor hinted that I could probably have until Monday. Imma gonna need it! The line edits are pretty easy–track changes/accept/decline. It’s the comments (aka questions/suggestions) that show up in the margins. Yeah…it’s a case of “What was I thinking?!?! Oh, wait…I wasn’t.” And that’s my challenge. Of course, the Universe just had to butt in with this:

Challenges in life don’t arise haphazardly, Silver, no matter how accidental or coincidental they may seem.

They only arrive when you’re ready for them.

Tallyho,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

Not when you’re ready to be squashed, Silver, but when you’re ready to grow, overcome, and be more than who you were before they arrived.

I’m lucky to have my editor. He challenges me to reach deep. He doesn’t let me get lazy and take the easy way out. And no matter how much I gritch about it, he always ALWAYS makes my books better. He makes me grow, overcome, and be more than the writer I was before. Each and every time. And he’s so danged nice about it. I always get some grins and giggles and “atta girls.” He reminds me why I wanted to be an author in the first place. Even while I’m saying bad words under my breath and considering squashing the book because…well, this one was ready to be fixed. And that’s what I’m doing. And it wasn’t an accident or coincident that these edits arrived now, when I’m looking a hard deadlines on two other projects. Because I’m getting through the doldrums and finding my writing mojo again. So…hurray for challenges! What’s your challenge this week?

*the two spy guys (old skool and new) who head up the Mission Impossible team. And I bet you’re humming the theme song right this instant. 😉

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Wednesday Words: Tis the Season

Posted on September 9, 2020 by Silver James

With a change in seasons looming ever closer, the #1lineWed theme is **SEASON**. And, I’m in the middle of line edits for the next Red Dirt book coming in February from Harlequin Desire so I thought I throw in a little tease from that book. Since the heroine is a storm chaser, she’s all about the seasons because each one brings it’s own weather. I think this scene is fairly self-explanatory. 😉
****
There was always calm before the storm. They’d been getting along so well, but then again, they’d had a mild spring, Until now. Severe weather was out there waiting and Cooper realized he’d probably just stepped in a big ol’ pile of cow patties when he decreed that she was not going to be chasing tornadoes this year.

“You have no right to tell me what I can and cannot do, Cooper Tate.” Britt was spitting mad. “It’s spring. Storm season. My job is to be out there—” She swept her arm in a wide arc indicating…the world. “This is what I do.”

“You’re pregnant.”

She cupped her palms on both sides of her belly. “Gee. Brilliant deduction. What was your first clue, Sherlock?”

“Britt—”

“Do not go there, Cooper. Don’t get all conciliatory and condescending. I’m perfectly healthy and thus capable of doing my job. My doctor has cleared me to work. The station has cleared me.”

He inhaled to argue again but she cut him off. “I sit in my truck. I drive my truck. I look at instrument readings. I’d say I take pictures but that’s what Leo is for. He’ll be with me. He’s perfectly capable of driving too. It’s just that trying to work the cameras and the communications equipment is better done when not driving. I’m not due until June. This is April. Heck, the doctor said I could work right up to the point my water breaks.”
****
And you can guess how Cooper reacted to that. 😆 So, writers–any seasonal words you want to share so we can enjoy them? Readers, what’s your favorite season?

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Tuesday Treats: Cinnamon Muffins

Posted on September 8, 2020 by Silver James

Falls is coming! Fall is coming! Fall is my favorite season because I’m all about the cool and the flavors that just seem so tasty while enjoying the cooler temps. Also, I’m really big on muffins and breads and…well…okay, pies and cakes and anything yummy. All of that said, my favorite fall flavor is cinnamon, and these muffins are just the medicine!

Total time: 35 mins.
Prep time: 15 Mins.
Cook time: 20 Mins.
12 Servings

Ingredients
2 cup flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup Melted butter
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 Tablespoon hot cocoa mix

Instructions
*Preheat oven 425 degrees. Grease 12 muffin cups.
*In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, and 2 T sugar
*In a small bowl mix egg, milk, and butter (melted)
*Stir egg mixture into the flour mixture
*Make topping and filling: combine 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon, and hot cocoa mix
*Spoon half the batter into the muffin cups
*Sprinkle half the sugar mixture over the batter
*Spoon the remaining batter into the muffin cups and top with the sugar mixture
*Bake 15 to 20 minutes

Tips
1. You can substitute milk for coconut or almond milk.
2. My tip: I’ve used both soy milk and vanilla soy milk.

Y’all know the drill. HEAD HERE for all the nutritional details from Food Talk Daily. I’m not the only one in the “family” who enjoys fall. Or cinnamon muffins! Sean “Boomer” Donaldson remembers sneaking some from the old woman who occasionally took him in when he was a kid. He’s even been known to share some with Cody, his adopted son, when his mate Annie whips up a batch. You can read their story (plus Jacey and Nate’s!) in MOONSTRUCK: LIES. Or you can so the single route and read about them in WOLF MOON. Just click on the title or the cover to head over. MOONSTRUCK: LIES is available lots of places. WOLF MOON is only available from Amazon, but you can also read it free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. What about y’all? What’s your favorite fall flavor?

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Monday Labors

Posted on September 7, 2020 by Silver James

Okay, so tomorrow ISN’T Monday. Today is. But today is a holiday so tomorrow will feel like Monday for anyone who has to go back to work. Which is what we’re celebrating today. Today Is Labor Day, a national holiday here in the good ol’ USA. Today, lots of people are wrapping up a 3-day weekend. Unless they happen to be law enforcement, firefighters, health care workers, retail, food services…y’all know who you are. And thank you for working today so many others can stay home. Or chance going out somewhere. Stupid Covid. Anyway, to everyone who works for a living, thank you!

In other news, I’m working on line edits for TWICE THE TEMPTATION, my February ’21 Desire release. I’m also trying to squeeze in some new words on NIGHT WISH. I have the cover for WISH and I’ve seen the cover for Triple T. Good stuffs, bot of them, but I’m not ready to release the former and have to wait for final go ahead on the latter. I think y’all will like them. The covers. I hope you like the books too, but I’m never that sure. Silly writer insecurities!

Saturday was busy, as it was the first one in the month. That means pancake breakfast at the American Legion Post, followed by emergency siren test, and finally lunch with Only, Baseball Boy, and Stormy at our favorite Mexican restaurant because they are really-really open now. Yay! After we got home, I did a little bit or work-related stuff and then it was nap time. Because…baseball!

Speaking of, my Cards are playing baseball. Some games, they are playing really good baseball. Some games, not so much. Still, they are hanging in there and given their punishing schedule, I’m impressed. Even if they don’t make the playoffs, they deserve a standing ovation and a trip around Busch Staduim on the Budweiser beer wagon with the Clysdesdale.

Nothing really interesting to report on the reading front as I’m still mustering through my marathon of the In Death books. I haven’t done this–readh them from NAKED IN DEATH all the way through–including the novellas–since 2017. And the new book comes out tomorrow. I can’t decied whether to wait and add it at the end of the marathon or let it cut the line, so to speak. SHADOWS IN DEATH is #51 and I’m currently on #25, so basically about half-way through. I’ll probably start on the new one when I finish CREATED IN DEATH. I’ll just have to see.

I’m seeing the humming birds more frequently. I think they are “stocking” up for their migration south in a month or so. They may head out early given the weather forecast for this week. The weatherman is calling for a high of 55 on Wednesday, with lows in the 40s, starting Tuesday night. I am soooo ready!

Smudge and its sibling is coming over for food more often. They look a lot alike but I haven’t come up with a good name for the second kittencat. I know it’s silly to name feral cats but I do. There’s Shylock and Hi-Jinks. BeeGee (the lady across the street named him Bagheera and I just…can’t so BeeGee it is) and Lucifer/Lucy. Lucy is most likely Loki’s sire. There have been others that come and go–Cowboy and Sunshine, who I think are domesticated but come by to visit occasionally. There was Raja and Rey, the Siamese/Burmese brothers. One got hurt and slunk off before I could catch him and the other eventually wandered off. And Possum. I miss my little goblin cat. Not sure whatever happened to it. Still, I put food out every morning because I’m “that” old lady.

So that there is my unexciting life of the last week and weekend. Jake made friends at Walmart yesterday, but this is not unusual. I got a little work done. Have I mentioned I hate line edits? Makes my head spin and my eyes water but doing them is all about tightening up the story and quality assurance–for the story AND the typos. That’s pretty much my life this week, though we are gathering the extended family today to celebrate the August and September birthdays.

How are things in your world? Do you have to work? Are you hiding from the holiday crowds? Or are you like me–self-employed hermit writerly type who works every day (mostly)? Stay safe today no matter what you’re doing! Enjoy yourselves if you’re off. Don’t work too hard if you are. Stay cool, all y’all out West. And all rest of us will just hang in there. Right?

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Friday Sinema: Giddy-Up

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Silver James

The first time I saw this video, I tried to do the steps and ended up laughing at myself. Even so, I LIKE this song and Blanco Brown’s voice is awesome. Sadly, he was critically injured in a head-on collision this week. I’m sending him good vibes by sharing his video. Get up and dance because it’s Friday and you can. There are those who can’t… Have a safe and sane Labor Day weekend.

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