Tuesday Treats: Cheesy Mexican Chicken and Rice

Posted on September 11, 2018 by Silver James

There’s a hint of Autumn in the air which always puts me in mind of cheesy-gooey easy meals. This one fits the bill.

Prep Time: 10 min.
Total Time: 20 min.
Servings: Makes 4 servings.

Instant rice and chicken chunks are cooked in a cheesy salsa-flavored sauce for an easy and delicious main dish.

What You Need
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts** (1-1/4 lb.), cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup TACO BELL® Thick & Chunky Salsa
1/2 cup water
6 oz. VELVEETA®, cut up
1-1/2 cups instant white rice, uncooked (I’d cut this down to 1 cup rice when cooking for two)

**Note: I use John Soules Foods Grilled Chicken Breast Stripes, family size and cut the strips into bite-size pieces.

Make It
Spray large skillet with cooking spray. Add chicken; cook and stir 4 to 5 minutes or until cooked through.

Add salsa, water and VELVEETA; mix well. Bring to boil.

Stir in rice; cover. Remove from heat. Let stand 7 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Stir before serving.

If you want all the nutritional details from Kraft Recipes, CLICK HERE. This recipe is easy and filling enough that I have a hero who suggested this recipe. Sean “Boomer” Donaldson grew up pretty much taking care of himself. He took what he could beg, borrow, or scrounge up and scrambled it up into a one-pan meal. And he likes to…spice things up. Just ask his heroine, Annie. 😉 You can read their story in WOLF MOON, but if you want to get the whole story about how Boomer ended up in Texas with Annie, you’ll want to grab MOONSTRUCK: LIES. Just click on the cover if you want to read about them. The link will take you to page with all the sales channels listed. In the meantime, who likes spicy? Food, people! I’m talking about food!

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Falling for Monday

Posted on September 10, 2018 by Silver James

So. It’s Monday. Again. Most months have four Mondays in them. Better than five, right? Yes, I’m babbling. I need more coffee. So. There was a last week. And a weekend. And since it’s Monday, I normally recap. So. In no particular order…

My St. Louis Cardinals are back on the rollercoaster of win/lose. Looked like the Tigers might sweep them but then Rally Squirrel appeared in the 7th and they scored 5 bloopy runs. Rumor has it that “Ernie the Equipment Guy” caught and secreted RS on the team plane and the critter isn now enjoying the high life with a steady diet of airline peanuts, corn nuts, pecans, and hickory baseball bats. They’re still in the Wild Card hunt so there is that.

I gotta get on that proposal this week. And I think I figured out part of the plot for Wiz and Jen’s story (the next Nightrider book). I keep wanting to title the next Penumbra Papers book LEATHER AND LACE, using lines from the song as chapter titles. Don’t ask.

I finished off a quick reread of DARK IN DEATH to refresh my memory as I launched into LEVERAGE IN DEATH. I ❤ the In Death books like damn and whoah! Some are outstanding. Some are excellent. Some are great. Some are good. I've never read a bad one. I gave LEVERAGE 5 stars because it's an excellent book. I missed the button though. The button is a big deal to me and there were a couple of places it could have been mentioned to great effect. Ah well. I'm listening to some Audible Romance books by Vivian Arend, in her Takhini Pack series. They're good time fillers. There are acoupe of books coming later this fall that will necessitate re-listening to the entire series to which they are attached because…favorite series! Any excuse! That's my story, anyway.

Being mostly lazy, I've caught up the ol' DVR on everything but "Yellowstone" and the last three episodes of "Lucifer." I'm saving Lucy for next year when Netflix streams Season 4. I want to start off with the episodes leading to the finale so I know where the series starts. My brain is like a sponge. It's absorbs all this stuff but as soon as I wring it out, *POOF*. That’s why I can reread book series as often as I do. 🙂

And that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing. There was a pancake breakfast Saturday, so family time. The Jolly Green Giant was supposed to start soccer Saturday morning but the fields were under water from all the rain. I think he has two games this Saturday so we’ll go watch.

What’s up in your world?

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Friday Sinema: Freedom!

Posted on September 7, 2018 by Silver James

I love corporate entities that have a sense of humor. Enjoy a special edition of today’s sinema with this commercial from Easyjet, celebrating the airlines new route between Edinburgh and Jersey. I wish I was there! Where are you wishing to be this weekend?

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Start

Posted on September 6, 2018 by Silver James

So…one down, a whole bunch more to go. All it takes is typing “Chapter 1.” Or “Prologue.” Depending on the story. Even if I feel like I can’t. Even if there doesn’t seem to be a story. But whenever I stare a that blank document on my monitor, I always remember what Nora Roberts is so often quoted as saying, “You can’t fix a blank page.” You can’t. Words matter. Even lousy words with no plot. Because I can. Because it’s a start. And once those first hesitant words start, momentum does build. Stories and characters emerge. Just like the Universe says…

Believing you can, you can. Though you might not.

Believing you can’t, won’t change that you can. It just hides it.

Whereas simply getting started, however timid your first steps are, Silver, and consistently moving in the direction of your dreams day after day, will eventually create such unstoppable momentum, you’ll find it nearly impossible to believe that there was ever a time when you wavered.

Let’s give them something to talk about –
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

Besides your cooking, Silver.

Hey, Big U! Take that back. I happen to be a good cook. When I…you know…actually cook. And you better believe it. 😉 What’s holding you back today?

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Wednesday Words: Working It

Posted on September 5, 2018 by Silver James

A new month and another Wednesday. That means it’s time for #1lineWed. Since Monday was Labor Day here in the States, the good folks at RWA Kiss of Death decided an approprite theme for #1lineWed would be **WORK**. That works for me. 😉 Here’s a little snippet from a Nightrider book several away but when inspiration hits, and all that. I don’t Think I’ve posted this here, though I may have for a #ThursdayThreads flash fiction challenge some time aga. Anyway, Val is a single mom and Rebel is…Rebel.

Valerie
I finished paying, grabbed the bags and turned to corral my son. Only Maxey wasn’t there. Movement in the parking lot caught my attention. Clutching my bags, I dashed outside. Sunlight bounced off the hot sidewalk and formed shimmering heat waves that danced between Maxy and me. Sweat dampened my armpits and the humid air made it hard to breathe. Maxey stood in the shadow of a man, head tilted up, mouth moving a mile a minute as he jabbered questions. That couldn’t be right. Maxey didn’t talk.

Normally, I would snag him, apologize, and skedaddle.

Normally.

Today wasn’t normal. Today, CPS had served me with a hearing notice. They wanted to institutionalize Maxey. Thanks to my freaking ex. And today, Maxey didn’t corner some hapless guy to pester. No. He accosted a big, scary biker guy. Wearing a black leather vest. With patches. Standing next to a shiny black Harley. Which had captured Maxy’s attention.

I inhaled. Exhaled. Put on my big girl panties and marched over there. An apology formed on my lips, cut short by my son’s enthusiasm.

“Mom. Mom! Lookit. Motorcycle. Can I ride?”

Those were more words than he normally said in a whole day. A beautiful smile lit his face and my heart lurched in my chest. He didn’t often smile, either. Still, he knew the rules so I schooled my face. I very carefully modulated my voice to hide my fear and frustration, and my hope.

“You ran off, Maxey. You promised you weren’t going to do this anymore.”

“It’s okay.”

I looked up at the sound of the deep voice and the man smiled. My big girl panties melted.

“If you say yes, I’ll take him around the parking lot.” He settled a helmet on Maxey’s head before I could respond, like my approval was a done deal.

How could I say no? “He…” My voice trailed off. How did I explain to a stranger that my son had issues, especially in front of Maxey when I was working so hard to keep him mainstreamed. I cleared my throat, glancing at my boy before meeting the man’s friendly eyes. “Maxey has…he’s…,” I struggled. Before I could explain, Maxey tugged on my skirt and started reeling off facts and figures about the motorcycle. When had he become such an expert? And how? My little boy could be utterly brilliant when something lodged in the twists and turns of his brain. In a loud whisper just loud enough to be heard over his exposition, I blurted, “He’s autistic.”

“And?” Like it was no big deal. “I’ll keep him safe. Promise.”

I believed him.

“I’m Rebel. And I’ll keep you safe, too.”

If only he could.
****
Do your characters work for a living? Work out? Work up to it? Work hard? Work smart? Don’t work at all? Share any words you have that work this theme. 😉 And I promise, Rebel’s story won’t be too far away. He and Val–and Maxey–keep nudging Iffy.

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Tuesday Treats: Frozen PB Turtle Pie

Posted on September 4, 2018 by Silver James

I’m the first to admit that I’m a total sucker for Turtle candies. Chocolate, caramel, and pecans. What’s not to love?!? Also, I’m probably far too fond of ice cream and/or frozen desserts. So, combine the two and you get this awesome after-dinner/eat-any-time treat.

Prep Time: 20 min.
Total Time: 4 hr. 20 min.
Servings: 10 servings

Peanut butter and chocolate are the driving forces in this frosty pie. A layer of caramel and a sprinkle of pecans make it worthy of the turtle title.

What You Need
1 tub (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese Spread
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
1 OREO Pie Crust (6 oz.)
1/4 cup coarsely chopped PLANTERS Pecans, toasted
2 oz. BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Make It
Beat cream cheese spread, peanut butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add COOL WHIP; mix well.

Spread caramel topping onto bottom of crust; cover with cream cheese mixture. Freeze 4 hours or until firm.

Top with nuts just before serving. Melt chocolate as directed on package; drizzle over pie.

CLICK HERE for all the nutritional details. The Kraft recipe site is good about that stuff. And Dr. Cory Prince Reagan, the heroine of Hard Target’s DOUBLE CROSS, has become remarkably adept at making it. Living the laid-back life on Key West has given Cory an appreciation for frozen desserts, especially those that include chocolate, caramel, and pecans! Duke Reagan, and his Atlantis Team members, tend to hover, watching the time. I won’t mention who suggested a shortcut–using liquid nitrogen. 🙄 If you’d like to read Cory and Duke’s story and haven’t yet, just click on book cover. It’s still free to read on Kindle Unlimited or you can buy it for less that a Starbucks would cost. 🙂 Who else is with Cory and me on the chocolate, caramel and pecan train?

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Labor Day Monday

Posted on September 3, 2018 by Silver James

Here in the States, today is a holiday day. It’s summer’s last hurrah. It’s…a three-day weekend. Unless you work retail, are a first responder, or in the military. Labor Day was designated to celebrate those who work for a living. Many of them have to work on Labor Day these days. Ah well.

So, what happened in my world last week and over the weekend…

Reading: I did some, and some listening. MAGIC TRIUMPHS by Ilona Andrews TRIUMPHS. If you like paranormal and haven’t read this series, why the eff not!?! Ten books and a few novellas. Do it. I also finished SLEEPING UGLY. Snarky, fun paranormal mystery by B.E. Sanderson. Sorry it took me so long, but stupid eyes don’t let me read print like I used to. I read/listened to a few other titles. One, I didn’t finish but it was on my Audible Romance package so no harm, no foul. It wasn’t a bad book, it just…I don’t know. Got predictable? I stopped about half-way through. It’s still sitting in my library, but I’ll probably return it unfinished. I grabbed another book on Kindle Unlimited. It was…thankfully short. I liked the characters okay. The premise was a little different but it, too, was predictable. I’m glad I read it on KU for free basically because the author wanted $3.99 for the book and while it is allegedly 354 pages in print, I read it in just over 2 hours. Oh, and the author lists her editor as GRAMMERLY! There wasn’t a page that didn’t have a typo or bad grammar. And what really ticks me off? This book has over a 100 reviews–most 4 and 5 stars–and she’s ranked as an Amazon author. How do people do this crap? It’s so disheartening. I know so many talented writers, and forgive me but I’m including myself in this group, who work hard at our craft, who write excellent books and we can’t get traction for shit. ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Okay, enough. Moving on.

TV: I’m catching up on my LIVE PD episodes that were DVR’d and I didn’t get to see all or parts of for various and sundry reasons. “Black Panther” comes out on Netflix tomorrow. Yay. I’ve been wanting to see it. I also need to start and finish “Yellowstone.” I’ll get right on that at some point. 😆

Sports: My Cards are killin’ me! ‘Nuff said. Go OSU Cowboys! Go OU Sooners! They both had good games. However, there’s video out there of OU’s hotshot running back bouncing off a referee and going down. It’s pretty funny. I must point out that the ref is HUGE and the RB? Not so much. 🙄

Writing: I took a break. I’ve got to hit Cooper’s story and revise the proposal. That’ will be book #9 in Red Dirt Royalty. I’m making a little traction with Wiz and Jen’s story, which should be the next Nightriders. I’ve got a Sade and Sinjen story brewing and it will hopefully come to a boil in time for the usual Halloween release. We’ll see. I need to get off my arse and get busy. I still hope for a Hard Target book, too. We’ll see if the words come.

And…at some point, I need to clean out the shoes/boots in my closet. Boone is sleeping in there and he makes a big mess of all the extra shoes. I don’t actually wear most of them so, yeah. Donation time.

On that note, I’m off to get a little work done before we celebrate Labor Day and combined birthdays for Lawyer Guy and the Brother-in-Law. For those of you off today, enjoy and stay safe. For those of you having to work, hang in there.

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Friday Sinema: My Love

Posted on August 31, 2018 by Silver James

The footage is from a perfume commercial. I think. But matched with Kovacs’ “My Love,” which is a lovely tango-esque song, it puts me in mind of Harlequin’s Desire books. I’m pleased to be writing for them and someday, maybe I’ll use this as inspiration. Happy Friday!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Getting Close

Posted on August 30, 2018 by Silver James

What’s that old saying about the light at the end of the tunnel?

The light is getting brighter, Silver.

The path is getting clearer.

And you are getting closer.

That’s all I’m saying,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®
Actually, Silver, this has been true every day of your life, but sometimes it helps to be reminded of it. Whoohooo, you!

In this case, it wasn’t a train. It was the words THE END. Because I finally fought my way to that point through revision hell. I didn’t want to revise this particular book. Not because it didn’t need it but because I’d already revised three times and third times the charm, right? Yeah, no. Iffy, my Muse, was as sullen as a two-year-old who hasn’t had a nap in four days, didn’t want to each califlower, and whose blankie was in the washing machine. Okay, the writer was feeling some of that too. But the thing is, by the time I typed THE END, I’d rewritten, erased, revised, erased, edited–because I always have duplicate words, typos, and its when I mean it’s and vise versa. But as I got closer, as the end loomed near, there was no train whistle. Iffy was eating chocolate and flicking through pictures of bare-chested men. There are times when she’s very easy to entertain. 😉

But the thing is, even though I was sick of the story, tired of the characters, and I often walked away from the keyboard in frustration, now that I’m close–which is good because BILLIONAIRE COUNTRY has a release date of March 1, 2019–I sort of love this book. And the characters. And as my editor reminded me, this book had good bones. We sent it down the path to boot camp and now it’s in shape. I hope. What are you close to that seems just slightly out of reach?

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Wednesday Words: Psst

Posted on August 29, 2018 by Silver James

Can you keep a secret? #1lineWed is all about SECRET babies, SECRET agents, SECRET weapons, and SECRET hiding places. Especially that first one and the last. Here’s a revised snippet (not sure this will be final but maybe) from BILLIONAIRE COUNTRY. Which releases on my birthday next year. How cool is that? Ahem Anyway, I hope you enjoy this sneak peak.

***
Zoe screamed, “TUCKER!” She was flying across the travel stop’s apron, Nash on one hip, flapping a tabloid at him. A clerk chased after her.

He met her halfway and held his hand up to the clerk as he tried to make sense of Zoe’s babbling. She finally thrust the paper at him, and he snatched it before it blew away.

“She didn’t pay for that!” The clerk advanced on them.

“Just hold on. I’ll pay for.”

“Tucker!” Zoe insisted, shifting Nash to her other hip. “You have to read that…that trash. It’s…none of it’s true!”

The clerk’s eyebrows rose, her gaze bouncing between Tucker and Zoe. “Oh em gee!” the girl squealed. “Will y’all sign a copy for me?”

Several people stopped to gawk. Tucker herded the women back inside the convenience store and found a spot where he could read the headlines. “Billionaire’s Baby Mama Lives in Secret Love Nest. Barron Entertainment’s second in command, Tucker Tate, hides his lover and their child on a private estate in Nashville.” He pinched his nose and kept reading. It got worse. He backtracked to check the by-line. Parker Grace. Of course. Had to be her.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out, he saw “Mom” flashing on the screen. He hit ignore. Thirty seconds later, the screen flashed “Bridger.” He hit ignore. For the next three minutes, his phone blew up. His mom—again. His brothers Cooper, Hunter, and Boone. Chance Barron, his cousin and the family attorney. Chance’s brother Cash, who was Bridger’s boss at Barron Security Services. Then Dillon tagged him, followed by Deacon. He waited. It was just a matter of time before Chase, his own boss, called. And bingo. There was the call.
“What are we gonna do?” Zoe spat, keeping her voice low.

Tucker rubbed the back of his neck. “We’re going to pay for whatever snacks and drinks you left on the counter when you came running out to tell me. We’re going to pay for this rag. I’m going to ignore my phone until we get to Atlanta, and then I’m going to make some calls.” He lifted a shoulder in a shrug looking far more nonchalant than he felt. “This isn’t a big deal, angel.”

“But that’s a whole pack of lies,” she insisted.

“Need I remind you that this is a tabloid? The people who matter don’t believe this stuff.” Yeah, of course they didn’t. The headlines had nothing to do with his phone blowing up. Nope. Not at all. “C’mon, darlin’. We need to get on the road.”
***
Go ahead and spill your secret (words) here. I promise we won’t tell. Nope. Not at all. 😉 … Psst! Hey, have you heard…

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