Wednesday Words: Don’t Gamble Your Life Away

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Silver James

It’s time to take a chance, place your bets, and, if you’re like the hero of my upcoming book, UNDER AN ASSASSIN’S MOON, time to lay down your cards when we spin the wheel and play with #1lineWed’s theme of **GAMBLE**. This book is an August release (good thing I write fast, huh?!?!) in Susan Stoker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha series with Aces Press.

I’m getting a late start today. What little writing I did yesterday is in long-hand and I haven’t transcribed it to the computer yet. Plus, I didn’t have a snippet to fit the theme. By the time my traveling, book signing, T-ball, and family dinner was done, I was too pooped to do anything more than feed the critters and flop into bed. Still, it’s #1lineWed so, this morning, I sat down and whipped this out. Totally a first draft, no edits at all, so overlook any goofs. I’m still getting to know Brodie Buchanan and Izeta Cordero and all I know is that this scene takes place sometime after their first kiss.
****
Zeta did not understand this man, nor could she parse why that made her uncomfortable. He was her target. Period. She assessed him—his too handsome face, his broad shoulders and flat stomach. The man was a warrior. According to his file, he was also a rabid dog who needed to be put down. That’s why she was here. Except. For the first time in years, her curiosity was aroused. She did not understand this man and she couldn’t fathom why she felt the need to do so. Yet she did.

“What are you asking of me?”

That was the question. The time had come for Brodie to lay all his cards on the table. “I’m asking you to trust me.”

Emotion flared in her eyes for nanosecond but her features remained as implacable as her flat voice. “Trust is not a thing I give. To anyone.”

Where was her heat? Her passion? His wolf whined. His animal side did not like this lifeless version of their mate. Brodie had tasted the fire in her response when he kissed her. Now, it was like she’d excised that flame.

“Then maybe it’s time for you to trust someone.”

He and the wolf both watched her, hoping for some crack in the cold veneer. So much of the time her face was a blank canvas but he was learning to read the signs now. She had a few tells and he’d memorized every one of them.

She pondered his statement, weighing the odds—and her feelings. Curiosity again, but something else. She wasn’t used to emotions, definitely didn’t trust them, but there was an…earnestness to Brodie Buchanan. Honor wove through his entire being, lighting him up like the Las Vegas strip.

Brodie waited, watching. It was time to take a gamble. What was the worst she could do? Well…kill him. But she had orders to do that anyway.
***
FYI, Izeta’s name is pronounced ee-zeh-tah, not EYE-zay-tah. Her past has lots of twists and turns. Brodie, on the other hand, isn’t exactly an open book either. He’s a Wolf on a mission and all I know for sure is that Black Root and a blast from the past will rear some ugly heads.

What about y’all? Any gambling words to share?

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Tuesday Treats: Quick Skillet Burrito

Posted on July 10, 2018 by Silver James

Once a month, my family meets at our favorite Mexican restaurant for a Saturday lunch. Mexican and/or Tex-Mex is a staple around here. Sometimes, that once a month trip isn’t enough so when I discovered this recipe I was all…YAYAYAYAY!

Prep Time: 30 min.
Total Time: 30 min.
Servings: 4 servings

Enjoy the savory deliciousness of a beef burrito with the simplicity of a skillet dish—and do it in 30 minutes or less!

What You Need
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 pkg. (1 oz.) TACO BELL® Taco Seasoning Mix
1 can (15.5 oz.) no-salt-added red kidney beans, rinsed
1 cup TACO BELL® Thick & Chunky Salsa
1 cup water
4 flour tortillas (6 inch), cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces
1 cup KRAFT Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese
1/3 cup BREAKSTONE’S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream (or any you have on hand
1 large green onion, chopped

Make It
Brown meat in large nonstick skillet on medium heat; drain. Return meat to skillet.

Add next 4 ingredients; stir. Bring to boil; simmer on medium-low heat 5 min.

Stir in tortilla pieces; top with cheese. Remove from heat; cover. Let stand 5 min. or until cheese is melted.

Top with sour cream and onions.

CLICK HERE to head on over to the Kraft recipe site for the full nutritional details. We have a new mate in the Moonstruck world and she spent most of her adult life living in Army post housing. Bachelor quarters are compact but they do have kitchens. Shiane (aka Shy) Rourke is big on one pan meals and this is a favorite. Of course, she has to triple the recipe when Gravedigger is around to eat. You can read their story in the newly released Nightrider MC book, NIGHT FALL. Just click on the cover to head to the buy page. If you have a subscription to Kindle Unlimited, you can read the book for free. Otherwise, it’s $2.99. Still a bargain! 😉

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Dog Day Monday

Posted on July 9, 2018 by Silver James

It’s hot. Not as hot as some places but add our humidity in with the temperature and it’s like walking out into a steam bath. If I had curly hair, it would be totally frizzed. Since my hair is bone straight, I have the opposite problem. It’s all droopy and blah, which is how I feel whenever I stick my nose out.

So…the first week of July is gone and a new week is staring us in the face. News of note includes the release of NIGHT FALL. I left all the previous Nightrider MC books on sale for $1.99 while debuting FALL at it’s regular price of $2.99. I’m probably doing it backwards but whatever. All the rest of my books have returned to their pre-sale prices.

I haven’t been watching much TV. I have a “stack” of episodes from “Yellowstone” on the DVR. Every time I see a commercial for the series, I get excited and think, “Self? You should sit your butt down and watch this series.” My self agrees with me but then it seems like something always happens and I don’t. Baseball is on-again/off-again, which is the way my Cardinals are playing. I can’t watch long for fear of jinxing the team.

The 4th of July parade was a lot of fun. I always get to sit next to our 92 year-old Navy veteran who served on the USS Enterprise, including being on board during Pearl Harbor. He’s such a cutie pie. We all love him. Saturday was the post’s pancake breakfast and while Lawyer Guy supervised that, I headed north to cover his storm siren test and have lunch with the kids at our favorite Mexican restaurant. Good food and better times.

While waiting for the siren test to start, I wrote the opening to UNDER THE ASSASSIN’S MOON, which will be an early August release as part of the NEW Susan Stoker Special Forces World. With the discontinuation of Kindle Worlds, Susan has opened her own publishing company to handle the previous titles and to offer new titles. I’m thankful she’s done this and while the H/H don’t have names yet, their characters are beginning to gel and I’m getting insights into their backstories. It’ll be a fun one because they’re headed back to the Amazonian jungle of Brazil. 😉

On the reading front, I’m actually going to have to read a book. I’ve listened to the entire Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. I was hoping that IRON AND MAGIC would make it to audio before I hit the end. Sadly, it hasn’t released yet, though it is in the works. It’s on my wish list once it drops. Also sadly, the last book in the series comes out the end of August. According to the Gordons, it won’t be the end of Kate’s world, just the story arc where she and Curran are the main characters. I&M is Hugh D’Ambray’s story and I have mixed emotions abouyt him. He is totallyh dispicable in the Kate books and I’m not sure he can be redeemed enough to be even an anti-hero. We’ll see. I read a sneak peek and I&A’s writing is wonderful, as always.

I took a little mini vacation from social media last week. It was nice. My blood pressure appreciated the break.

Did I mention it’s hot?

Looking ahead, I’m headed to Mountain View, OK tomorrow to celebrate the MV Library’s birthday. Several authors will be there with books to sell and sign (including me), along with some fun booth’s like face painting and food venders. There may be some craft booths, too. I’m packing lots of water because we’re setting up in the park behind the library building. A week from today, I’m getting on a jet plane and heading to Denver for RWA’s National Conference. I’ll be out of touch that week for the most part.

So that’s my world. Welcome to it. How’s things in your neck of the woods?

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Tuesday Treats: Watermelon Cupcakes

Posted on July 3, 2018 by Silver James

It’s time for a 4th of July picnic and while watermelon is a staple in this part of the country, I’m willing to give these watermelon cupcakes a try!

Prep Time: 20 min.
Total Time: 1 hr. 23 min.
Servings: 24 servings

Sure, these Watermelon KOOL-AID Cupcakes are as cute as can be and fun to look at on the dessert table. But trust us: They’re even better to eat!

What You Need
1 pkg. (2-layer size) white cake mix
1 env. (0.15 oz.) KOOL-AID Watermelon Flavor Unsweetened Drink Mix
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
6 drops green food coloring
1 container (16 oz.) ready-to-spread vanilla frosting
1 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

Make It

Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on package for 24 cupcakes, adding dry drink mix and 1/2 cup chocolate chips to batter before spooning into prepared muffin pan cups.
Cool cupcakes in pans 10 min. Remove from pans to wire racks; cool completely.
Remove cupcakes from liners. Spoon frosting into medium bowl. Add COOL WHIP; whisk until blended. Stir in food coloring; spread onto cupcakes. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips.

To watch a video of how to make these treats and get all the nutrional info, CLICK HERE. Our favorite alpha female, Hannah Jackson McIntire, notorious bad cook in the Moonstruck series, took one look and said, “Hey! I can make these. I mean…cake mix. Pre-made everything! No, seriously. I can do it.” That was before the Kool-Aid package spilled all across the kitchen counter (WHITE counter) when she opened it. Should I mention that the counter was wet? Yeah…Mac and Liam are still laughing, just not in her earshot. Check out her love story with Mac in MOONSTRUCK: SECRETS, or any of the Moonstruck books because she ALWAYS shows up. 😉 Just click on the cover for a trip to the page with all the links.

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Friday Sinema: Stampede

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Silver James

I’m a huge Lindsey Stirling fan and watching her performances on “Dancing with the Stars” was a real treat. Love seeing her use what she learned in the videos for her current tour. In this video, she plays and dances with Mark Ballas, her DWTS partner, who is one-half of the singing duo Alexander Jean, along with BC Jean.

Plus, this sort of puts me in the mood for NIGHT FALL, my upcoming Nightrider MC release. Have a great weekend!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Beauty

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Silver James

There’s a lot of ugly in the world right now, and not just in actions but in hearts. I’m old school. I believe in civil discussions about differences, a give-and-take debate over topics two people disagree about. That’s not happening any longer. It makes me sad. It makes me mad. And it makes me want to shake my “mother finger” and send people to time out. Or bang their heads together. The Universe dropped this into my inbox some time ago, as if the big U knew what was coming.

Looks change, Silver.

Beauty lasts.

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

The “thing” that makes beauty, Silver, lies within all.

Too bad so many people are finding the ugly inside instead of the beauty. There was a time when it was okay to disagree, when folks could still sit down together, could be friends though they held differing views. Not that way anymore. I just hope that things that can’t be taken back won’t be said, that friendships won’t be so ripped apart that nothing will put them back together.

Me? I’ll keep my head down, my thoughts and views to myself, and I’ll write and read books set in worlds where love finds away. And I’ll look hard for that thing that makes beauty in everyone.

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Wednesday Words: Truth or Dare?

Posted on June 27, 2018 by Silver James

Spin the Bottle. Truth or Dare. Party games teenagers the world over have played. For this week’s #1lineWed THEME, it’s time to tease with a bit of **TRUTH** or **DARE** – and extra bonus points if both words AND theme are checked off. FYI, there’s a bit in the middle that’s a little bit NSFW.

In this scene, Shy has scouted out the Nightriders’ compound. Now she’s come back to beard the lion, or in this case, the Wolf shifter, in his den. 😉
****
Shy
I was the world’s biggest fool but I’d been thinking about it since leaving Full Throttle that afternoon. The manager of the loan company looked like a nice lady—a pregnant one at that. The biker who’d come out? He was sexy as hell but all about his old lady. He was scary but so protective of her that it made my heart hurt. What would it feel like to be that loved? They were making a family. I was making war. It had been a sobering thought, one that stuck with me all day.

Driving more or less on autopilot, I headed to the convenience store. A plan was forming in the back of my mind. A stupid plan, but it was a plan. At the store, I picked up a suitcase of cold beer. My brain decided a frontal assault was the best idea and rather than a Trojan horse, I’d use a 24-pack of beer to get through the gate.

I pulled up across the road from the gate, which was open, but two guys were lounging there looking all badass and cool. They pretended not to notice me while I pretended not to study them, the gate, and the compound. There were motorcycles lined up in the forecourt but I didn’t see any bikers beyond the two on gate duty. Did I take a chance and try to smuggle my pistol inside? In the grand scheme of things, the weapon wouldn’t really matter. I slipped my Glock under the front seat, made sure the hilt of my combat knife was well below the top of my right boot, and stepped out the car.

Making a show of bending over to reach back into Mitch’s truck, I hoped the guards were checking out my butt. My baby-doll tee shirt rode up showing a band of skin above the black leather belt looped through my low-rider jeans. I’d made sure that belt was loose enough my jeans rode down over my butt showing a hint of red lace. I owned one set of sexy underwear—the red lace bra and bikinis I’d worn on my first foray into Nightrider territory. Suppressing the shiver the memory of that night conjured, I clamped down on my libido. I wasn’t here for a finger fuck or anything else that would lead to a orgasm.

I straightened, the beer cradled in my arms. My boobs were only a B cup so I used the suitcase to plump me up. If they were checking out my T&A, maybe they wouldn’t recognize my face.

“Hey,” I called as I crossed the road.

“Yo,” the tallest of the two guys said.

Decision time. Did I ask for Bricks or for Gravedigger? I flipped a mental coin. “Is…Gravedigger around?”

The men exchanged looks and I wondered if I’d messed up. I juggled the package of beer which jiggled my breasts, bringing their eyes back to my chest. “I owe him some beer,” I added, pasting what I hoped was a sexy smile on my face.

The tall one put a cell phone to his ear while saying, “What’s your name, babe?”

Dare I give another fake name? Neither of them were on the gate the night of the party, but that one guy—the one who’d gotten me off standing there in the back courtyard—knew the truth. I probably shouldn’t chance it. “People call me Shy,” I said.
****’
Are you ready to play? Share some truthful words, if you dare. 😉

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Tuesday Treats: Easy Parmesan Chicken

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Silver James

I like Italian food. Sadly, my two favorite family-owned Italian restaurants have gone out of business. Since I have the occasional craving for chicken Parmesan, when I found this recipe from Kraft, I knew I wanted to share.

Prep Time: 15 min.
Total Time: 45 min.
Servings: 6 servings

Save time with our Easy Chicken Parmesan! Bake chicken in spaghetti sauce to infuse your Easy Chicken Parmesan with flavor, no breading or frying required.

What You Need
1 jar (24 oz.) OLIVO by CLASSICO Traditional Pasta Sauce
6 Tbsp. KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese, divided
6 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (1-1/2 lb.)
3/4 lb. spaghetti, uncooked
1-1/2 cups KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Make It
Heat oven to 375°F.

Pour sauce into 13×9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Stir in 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp.) Parmesan. Add chicken; turn to evenly coat both sides of each breast with pasta sauce mixture. Cover.

Bake 30 min. or until chicken is done (165ºF). Meanwhile, cook spaghetti as directed on package, omitting salt.

Top chicken with remaining cheeses; bake, uncovered, 5 min. or until mozzarella is melted. *Note: I use the grated (canned) Parmasan with the sauce but substitute shredded (fresh) cheese mixed with the Mozzarella.

Drain spaghetti. Serve topped with chicken and pasta sauce mixture.

To check out all the nutritional information and watch how-to video, CLICK HERE. This is one of those recipes that even a guy can make, and kids will eat it. Easy, from NIGHT SHIFT, figured out that sometimes his mate needs a break from the kitchen. He sends Jonas and Noni out to play so Sam can soak in a hot bath while he fixes dinner for the family. If you haven’t jumped into the Nightrider series, NIGHT SHIFT is the first book and tells all about how Sam came to claim Jonas and Noni, her neice and nephew, from Easy, one of the club’s enforcer. Just click on the cover for the link. It’s on sale and you can also read for free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription.

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June Moon Monday

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Silver James

I’m celebrating the full moon even though there isn’t actually one. I’m celebrating because I’ve finally finished the draft of NIGHT FALL, book 4 in the Nightriders series. All it needs now is a hard edit, beta read, editor edit, revisions, blurb, formatting and upload. Why yes, the cover is done, thank you. I’m revealing it over on my Reader Page on Facebook later this morning. If you don’t follow that page, CLICK HERE and follow me, dang it! The cover post should be up around 8 a.m. Thereabouts. The blurb, like the bok is in first draft stage, but here it is just to tease you.

He’s big. Bad. And a Wolf.
Shane “Gravedigger” Cole comes by his name honestly. He knows where all the skeletons are buried. He’s walked through fire and a rain of bullets for his brothers, meting out the justice demanded by the Nightriders MC.

When you hunt a big, bad Wolf…
In one violent night, Shiane “Shy” Rourke lost everything. For fifteen years, she’s planned, trained, and now she’s ready to hunt down the man who stole her sister and her childhood. With only memories and a name, she goes after the Nightriders and a man called Gravedigger.

You just might end up as prey…
Bent on revenge, Shy is ready to give up everything to take down the Nightriders and the one man who tempts her into sin, the one man who might just be her salvation, or her destruction. Everyone knows that when a Wolf claims his mate, it’s “’til death do them part.”

In other news, the Cardinals finally won two games, beating the Brewers Saturday and Sunday. Now they’re only 4.5 games back from the Brewers in the National League Central Division.

On the reading front, I’ve caught up to the newest release in Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling/Trinity series. I finished SILVER SILENCE late Saturday night. I ❤ that book so much! The Russian bears are a delight and Silver Mercant is a sly "adversary" for Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater bears. LoveLovELOVE this book. As I'm typing this early Sunday evening, I haven't yet started listening to OCEAN LIGHT, the newest release in the series. While I suspect I don't love it as much as SS (since that book is in my top ten favorite books), I hope I'm enjoying as you read this.

We had storms all weekend. Lots of rain, some lightning and loud thunder. Poor Boone. I don't know why he's smart enough to hide in the closet but so dumb he doesn't realize that thunder won't hurt him. The biggest round hit about 4 a.m. Sunday morning. Fun times. Not! It stormed off and on all day but since we needed the rain, no complaints from me. That's what naps and early bedtimes are for!

Updating some TV news. LUCIFER has been picked up by Netflix for a new season. This makes me happy! Sort of. The only "smart TV" in the house is in the family room. That means watching it in there. Or on my computer. If I can figure out how to get Netflix open on it. There's a new series that debuted Wednesday night, too. YELLOWSTONE with Kevin Costner. I DVR'd it and haven't watched it yet but it looks intriguing. We'll see if the execution holds up to the hype. I also broke down and entered A&E's sweepstakes to visit the set of LIVE PD and meet the folks there, including Sean "Sticks" Larson, of the Tulsa PD gang unit. I would LOVE to talk him into posing for a book cover and creating a Wolf character based on him. Still, an expense paid trip to NYC for the weekend? Yeah, buddy. I'd take it if I won. (See me holding my breath? … Not! 😆 )

And that's pretty much been my life of late. This week is edits and shipping NIGHT FALL off for the next round, then getting the Kindle World books ready for either resubmission with the World owners' publishing companies, or stripping out world references and republishing as semi-different books. There are two I'll republish myself after some revisions. There won't be enough changes to make a difference so no need to rebuy them or anything.

On that note, time to get this Monday off to a good start. I'm editing. What's on your agenda today?

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal HEAs

Posted on June 21, 2018 by Silver James

Happy Ever Afters. The stock and trade of romance writers everywhere. That’s why I read romance. And why I write it. I’m there for the feel-good pay-off. And when I pick up a romance novel, I’m guaranteed at least a Happy For Now, hopefully with more books to follow where the hero and heroine get their final HEA.

Endings are a funny thing when you’re writing. If I get really, REALLY luck (being a puzzler), I’ll have the final scene written before I get to that point. A lot of times, I bump up against the end of the story, stare at the Scrivener program screen, and tap my fingers on the keyboard with no words coming. I hit that spot yesterday. I got the sexy bits, I got the “big reveal,” and then I got nuthin’. Well, I had the last line. At least, I thought it was the last line. But I needed a whole chapter of action before I got to that last line.

Endings. I hate them sometimes. Like now. Other times, the ending of one story flows right into the next story. That’s how series are born. I’m sort of shaking my fist at the Universe at this point. Because all good things must come to an end. Including this dang book. Anyway, the Universe’s message is most apropos.

All endings, Silver, are happy endings.

If you even believe in endings.

Whah!!
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

It’s just a matter of staying with the story long enough, Silver. And by the way, yours is about to get really, really exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don’t know about exciting, but the bottom is about to fall out and I’m going to be deluged with deadlines. Which is why I need to type The End. I’ve stayed with this particular story long enough. 😆 What about y’all? Writers, do you know your story’s ending? And readers, do you want the HEA? Or can you read without it?

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