I heard this song somewhere and I put it in my little black book of songs to use at some point when I do sountracks for my WIPs. When I went looking for a sinema for today, I came across it, looked it up and now I want to write a book based on these characters. *headdesk* Someday, I will. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy. Have a great weekend!
When a writer sits down and faces the blank page, lots of thoughts go through our minds. Who are the characters? What’s the story about? Where does everything happen? When, as in past, present, or future and also when in the story do certain things happen, does the story take place? Why are you telling the story and why do the things happen? And finally, how are you going to tellit? It’s a terrifying responsibility, that blank page. When this little missive from the Universe popped up in my in-box, I knew exactly what that mountain looks like.
Oh, shoot, Silver! I don’t think I ever told you that whilst in the pursuit of a grand and wonderful dream, should you all of a sudden round a bend and see before you an enormous uncharted mountain with towering cliffs, jagged rocks, and seemingly impenetrable walls, just consider it a sign that your dream is considerably more worthwhile than you had previously imagined, and that you are exactly where you should be.
Kudos –
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®Silver, is that what you call a run-on sentence? At least I used “whilst.”
The blank page–and the first sentence–are as big a mountain as crafting the final line and writing THE END. Along the way, there are all sorts of twists and turns and surprises, including mountains, that make a writer begin to wonder if they’ll ever get to that last page. My current WIP has been like traversing Mount Everest. That said, I’m finally within sight of the summit. I’m within 8K words of my projected word count. Working diligently today and tomorrow, I plan on reaching the top of this darn mountain, planting my flag and getting it in good enough shape to send to my editor, deadline met. More or less. That’s my plan and I’m sticking to it.
What about y’all? What mountains are looming in front of you? Or have you conquered them?
It’s Wednesday. That means it’s time for more words from the WIP using the #1lineWed theme from Twitter. This week’s THEME is fitting, given the time of year in the northern hemisphere and the heat. I’m letting the SUN shine in, because there’s SUNshine on my shoulders, with my SUNglasses on, and using SUNscreen so I don’t get SUNburned. Here’s a snippet from Cooper’s Red Dirt Royalty book. And no, it’s not finished yet but it’s a whole lot closer!
****
Cooper had hung the swing from the big tree near the fire pit on a whim. With his cousins’ children coming for the occasional visit, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Now? Now, he decided the idea had been utterly brilliant. Britt, wearing a loose dress covered with blooms painted in outrageous hues, pushed off in the swing. Her rounded belly peeked from behind the riotous colors as she pumped her legs and leaned back to swing higher.
She’d agreed to stay with him, for a few days at least. He liked having her under his roof and in his life. A rough meow drew his attention to his feet. Lucifer sat beside his scuffed boots, eyes fixed on the colorful display. Britt continued to swing gently, her barefoot toes reaching for the sky on the upswing, in dappled shade for a moment before they disappeared in the long skirt as she folded them beneath the swing the next.
He moved closer, standing by just in case. He would give her a push whenever she asked, whenever she hollered, “Higher!” She didn’t ask so he remained on the sidelines, with Lucifer. “We need to figure out a way to make her stay,” he muttered to the cat. He glanced down. Luci stared up at him, his gaze malevolent. “You know you want her to stay just as much as I do.”
In a display of feline disgust, Luci appeared to roll his eyes as he shook his head, flipped his tail, and sauntered back toward the main house. The cat couldn’t fool him. He’d caught the darn thing curled up next to Britt, snore-purring while she petted him. Cooper settled into a lounge chair and watched the woman he hungered for.
The sun disappeared as gray clouds collided overhead. The wind changed, bringing the scent of rain and ozone. Britt slowed the swing, dragging her feet in the grass until it stopped. She hopped out and strode toward him, calling “Where’s my phone?”
He pulled it out of his hip pocket and handed it to her. As she checked for messages, the first fat raindrops fell. Coop grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the house. They were drenched by the time they reached the French doors opening into the master bedroom. Laughing like kids, they surged into the house and headed to the bath. He grabbed a thick towel and wrapped it around her before snagging a second one he used to dry her long hair.
“What about you?” Britt asked, eying the way his shirt molded to his chest.
“I’m not so sweet that I’ll melt because I got wet. You? You might.” Cooper didn’t smile when he saw her expression go soft. Looking into brown eyes the color of melted chocolate, he felt his own expression soften.
“You shouldn’t say things like that,” Britt murmured.
“Why not?”
“Because you’ll make me like you and I don’t want to like you.”
****
Writers, do you have any SUN words in your WIP? Readers, where would you rather read: on the beach or in the shade?
Bonus to this recipe is that you can make your own chocolate peanut clusters–a personal favorite!
Total Time: 1 Hr. 30 Min.
Prep Time: 20 Min.
Cook Time: 1 Hr. 10 Min.
Mix two favorite cake ingredients with Chocolate Cluster-Peanut Butter Cake. Peanut butter cake and chocolate cake lovers will applaud this creamy combo!
What You Need
1 pkg. (2-layer size) chocolate cake mix
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
1 cup cold milk
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup PLANTERS Dry Roasted Peanuts
2 oz. BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted
1-1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
Let’s Make It
1 – Heat oven to 350°F.
2 – Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on package for 2 (9-inch) round layers. Cool cakes in pans 10 min. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Meanwhile, beat pudding mix and milk with whisk 2 min. Add peanut butter; mix well. Refrigerate until ready to use.
3 – Mix nuts and melted chocolate until nuts are evenly coated. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Refrigerate 10 min. or until firm.
4 – Stack cake layers on plate, filling layers with 1 cup pudding mixture. Gently stir COOL WHIP into remaining pudding mixture; spread over top and side of cake. Decorate with chocolate-nut clusters.
Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – Size Wise: A serving of this special occasion cake goes a long way on chocolate flavor.
Tip 2 – How to Melt Chocolate: Microwave chocolate in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min. 10 sec., stirring after 30 sec. (The chocolate will retain its shape.) Stir until chocolate is completely melted.
Tip 3 – Substitute: Use 1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O SIMPLY GOOD Vanilla Bean Flavor Pudding.
As always, CLICK HERE to get all the nutritional details and info. Jolie Davis Barron loves this cake and so do her “men”–husband Cord Barron, and their son, CJ. The rest of the Bee Dubyas (the Barron Wives–BWs. 😉 ) are big fans as well and hint, beg, and downright demand that Jolie bring the dessert to any gatherings. As Jolie says, “Seriously, what’s not to love? Peanut butter and chocolate plus chocolate peanut clusters!” You can read Jolie and Cord’s story in THE COWGIRL’S LITTLE SECRET, a second chance story with a…secret. 😆 Just click on the cover or the title for the HQN link. If you don’t want to buy it there, then click on the “Buy from other Retailers” button on the page. And enjoy the cake! Are you a fan of peanuts/butter and chocolate?
July is half over. This time next Monday, I’ll be on my way to NYC with Only. We leave at the butt-crack of dawn coming and going. Cheaper flights and half days on each end to get stuff done. In NYC, it means getting settled in the hotel with some time for exploring. Coming home means time to unpack and do laundry before getting back to work on Monday. Only and I have been talking about “doing” New York for years. I’m cutting way back on my RWA stuff so we can do girl time.
Let’s see, what else is going on…
Words. I’ve actually made progress. I’ve got some blanks to fill in, some scenes to expand, and I might actually have this puppy finished. Well, at least the first draft. I got the other stuff out of the way so I can concentrate.
On the reading front, I finished off the re-listen of the Reapers MC books. The latest entry was okay. Now I’m doing a re-listen to Suzanne Wright’s interconnected series about the Phoenix and Mercury Packs. They are dirty sexy but some of the books are so full of emotion and the world and characters are interesting. There’s either 1 or 2 new books coming out this week in one or both of the series.
TV and sports. Not much baseball last week–All Star break. My Cards are playing a little better but I’m not holding out for an extended season. Oh well. Maybe they’ll surprise. LIVE PD is back live. Yay! Jeez but my life is mundane. 😂
Critters. Loki is back to being the Kitten God of Mishief and Mayhem. He’s eating regular food and running amok. Especially at 5:00 a.m. He and Adidas are getting along a little better. Lawyer Guy and I cracked up this afternoon. Deeders was drinking at the “pet fountain” and Loki was lurking behind her. Then he jumped out, patted her tail and zoomed off. Then he zoomed back to set up for the drive-by again. Deekers continued drinking. Just as Loki was about to pounce, she turned her head to stare at him. He froze in his Godzille pose. Very slowly, he lowered back to all fours, doing his best to look all cute and innocent. Deeders wasn’t fooled for a minute. Jake even got to go run an errand with me on Saturday–mainly because I wasn’t getting out of the car. Too hot for doggos to be left in cars without AC. He totally loves to ride and he’s so funny. We drove by the Starbucks and he turned his head to watch it go by without me pulling into the drive-thru. I had to laugh. We were meeting Only and when she came over to the Highlander, she laughed. Jake “sits” on the back bucket seat with his front feet on the floor. Hey, it works for him. And yes, he got his pupucino on the way home.
That’s all my news. What all happened in your world last week?
You know, it’s times like these that I’m glad I’m a Harlequin author. The marketing team does such fun stuff. Hope you enjoy this short sinema and then will go find your happy place! (Psst. If that was with one of my books, that would be totally awesome! Just sayin’… 😉 ) Have a great weekend!
So, today’s post is a bit late. I’m writing it this morning instead of setting it up last night, like I normally do. Yesterday was one of those days–a royal-class Monday in the middle of the week. Things sort of blew up, as they do. After dinner, I heard an alarm going off. I tracked it down to my office. Great. Located it but I have nothing in my office that goes beep-beep-beep continuously until a message flashed at it shut down. Continously. Great. So, I finished dealing with the critters’ dinners, hand-feeding Loki, kitchen KP stuffs. Then I searched the net. Found a thread. Did as suggested, and voila! Here I am typing happily this morning. Anyway, things have been rocky, what with unexpected vet bills, the WIP coming in fits and starts–deadline looming, and just life in general being a pain. So…I’m ready for a change, and for some of my dreams to come true.
Sometimes, Silver, when circumstances or disappointments bump you off track, it’s the beginning of an even bigger dream coming true, that could not have come true on the track you were on.
Yeah, always.
Always, always –
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®
I know what I’m doing, Silver, and I love you so much.
I’m glad the Universe knows what’s going on because me? I’m just sort of getting dragged along for the ride. I’m ready to hit some peaks for a change. A change of scenery would be The view down here in the valley is getting a little old. What are you ready to change in your life? Or maybe there’s a dream you’d like to share?
So many moons to choose from. Moon pie. The cow jumped over the moon. Moon shot (HEY! I have a book by that title… 😉 ). To the moon and back. Moon walk. Take your pick for #1LineWed’s THEME of **MOON.** This little snippet is from NIGHT WISH, the current Nightriders MC WIP. This is Jen and Wizard’s story. It doesn’t need much set-up because it’s pretty self-explanatory. Ahhh, Wiz. 😉
****
“I’m not human.”
Jen’s face scrunched up in that puzzled look that always made me want to kiss her nose. She threw up her hands, demanding, “How are you not human, Wizard?”
I’d waited too long to have this conversation and was now tempted to kick my own ass—metaphorically speaking—for not discussing this with my already-mated brothers. I’d watched them acting the fools when they were moonstruck, swearing I’d act differently.
“About that…” I dropped my chin, rubbed the back of my neck. Explaining what made a Wolf different came down to the science, though there had to be some sort of magic shit involved because a man changing into a wolf? Plus, that whole other half thing?
My wolf chose that moment to swipe at my insides, claws bared. My skin itched as he rubbed up against me, wanting out. Inconvenient bastard. I forced him into the background as I planted my ass on the barstool next to hers.
“I’m a wolf shifter.
Jen stared at me a full minute. Then another. She opened her mouth, closed it. Several times. Then she found words. “What the heck does that even mean?”
“It means just what it implies, babe. I can shift into wolf form.”
Sounding slightly hysterical, she laughed. I stripped off my vest and shirt, shucked my boots and jeans. I hated this part because it hurt, but I let my wolf out anyway.
Jen screamed. Someone yelled, “Don’t run.”
It was already too late.
****
So, writers, share your moon words. Readers, what’s your favorite moon book?
Sometimes, in the summer, it seems like Italian food and/or hot pasta is too much. This recipe offers the best of pasta dishes with a lighter touch for hot, summer days and nights. The quick time in the oven keeps your kitchen from heating up so much.
Spinach Lasagna Rolls
Total time: 55 Min.
Prep time: 25 Min.
Cook time: 30 Min.
Everything you love about lasagna: pasta, spinach and sauce, plus three kinds of cheesiness, all rolled up into one perfect bundle of gooey goodness.
What You Need
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
1-1/4 cups KRAFT Shredded Low-Moisture Whole Milk Mozzarella Cheese, divided
1/4 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese
6 lasagna noodles, cooked
2 cups OLIVO by CLASSICO Traditional Pasta Sauce
Let’s Make It
1 – Heat oven to 375ºF.
2 – Mix cream cheese, spinach, 1 cup mozzarella and Parmesan until blended; spread onto noodles. Roll up tightly.
3 – Place, seam sides down, in 9-inch square baking dish; top with sauce and remaining mozzarella.
4 – Bake 30 min. or until heated through.
Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – Make Ahead: Assemble as directed and cover with foil. Refrigerate up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake in 375ºF-oven 40 min. or until heated through.
Tip 2 – Variation: Prepare using PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese and KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese.
Tip 3 – Special Extra: Stir chopped fresh basil and/or sliced mushrooms into sauce before using as directed.
Tip 4 – Make and Freeze: Assemble as directed and cover tightly with foil. Freeze up to one month. Thaw completely in refrigerator overnight. Uncover and bake in 375ºF-oven 40 min. or until heated through.
Want all the details? CLICK HERE and head over the My Food and Family site. Luckily, Zoe Parker Tate discovered this recipe and passed it on. She fixes it when she wants a quiet, romantic dinner with Tucker. She adds a tossed salad, hot bread sticks, wine and candlelight. “It’s easy-peasy to whip up. Shhh. Don’t tell Tuck that. He thinks I’ve been slavin’ away all afternoon in the kitchen. If y’all haven’t read about how Tuck and I got together, you need to grab our book, BILLIONAIRE COUNTRY. Miz Silver will explain it to y’all.” Getting the book is as easy-peasy as the recipe. You can click on the book cover or the title and head over to Harlequin’s site. Don’t want to by from HQN? That’s easy-peasy too. There’s a place to click or all the other retail sites where you can grab a copy.
What about y’all? Do you like pasta in the summer?
How can half the year be over already?!?! *flail* The good news is, I’m 17 books ahead of my reading challenge on Goodreads. The bad news is, I haven’t come close to any of my writing goals. This year is officially fired. So what else is new?
Loki, Kitten God of Mishief and Mayhem, comes by his name honestly. His new trick is to climb my leg while I’m at my desk so he can get into my lap, dash across my keyboard, leap across my desk and onto the windowsill where he either watches the birds or plays with the blinds. He’s also getting bolder about stalking the dogs. To see the two giant beasts totally freaked by the tiny black furball makes me laugh. Even Lawyer Guy, who is NOT a cat person, stops to watch Loki play, grinning and laughing. He even bought Loki a cat toy.
Gentleman Jake is acting out a little bit. If we go off and leave him home “alone” (meaning no human-type people), he knocks over the kitchen trashcan and drags trash out. He knows he’s bad and gives us The Look™ the minute we walk in and see it. LG is going to have fun while I’m in NYC.
Speaking of, I leave in two weeks. *FLAIL* I can’t…just…NoooOOOOOooooo. I’m not ready.
Writing. I am doing some. I’m at about 75% of my word count for the RDR WIP. I’ve also pretty much figured out where those weird little scenes I’ve written will go in the timeline, which ones need to be consolidated in chapters and which just need to be fleshed out as chapters. This is a good thing. If I disappear this week, don’t worry. It just means that I’m driving hard toward my deadline.
TV is…blah. So is baseball. 😕 Ah well. There’s always audio books. 🙂 So…I’m sort of in the middle of the Reapers MC series leading up to the new release. Then the library dropped a hold on me. It’s been a year since the first book in the trilogy came out so I had to do a re-listen to it. The book was just as good the second time around. KILL THE QUEEN (Crown of Shards #1) by Jennifer Estep is an amazing fantasy novel with a touch of romance. The second book, PROTECT THE PRINCE (Crown of Shards #2) adds to the incredible worldbuilding, while giving the main character and her love interest new depth and further backstories. There’s more romance and heartbreak and intrigue and I totally love the series. Now I just have to wait another year for the last book in the trilogy. 😦 I highly recommend the books to anyone who enjoys fantastic world-building, an intriguing magic system and serious emotion in their fantasy. I also love how it’s been described as Gladiator meets Game of Thrones. (But without all the sex and incest.) Anyway.
And that’s pretty much what my life is these days. What’s up in your world?
NEW RELEASE
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Silver James 