So…Another Monday

Posted on May 21, 2018 by Silver James

I’m so freaking tired of waking up between 5 and 6 a.m. and not getting back to sleep or grabbing a nap. Sucks. And I’m tired despite copious amounts of coffee. There was a weekend. And week passed. Here’s a summation of my recent life.

I swear to God every channel was running the wedding on Saturday. Even ESPN. (Okay, not really, but it felt like it.) I mean, I’m all for romance. I’m a freaking romance author but seriously? It didn’t need 24 hours of coverage. I like Prince Harry. A lot. The guy is a certifiable hero. I’m glad he found someone who loves him. But I don’t need a play-by-play of their every move. Just me and I’m not disparaging anyone who was all agog over the proceedings More power to you. Just not my cup of tea and it would have been nice to find regular news, weather, and stuff.

OU is going to the NCAA D1 Super Regionals. OSU is out. 😦 Sixteen teams will be whittled down to eight and then it’s the Women’s College World Series. I remember when we used to get series tickets. The Only and I were out there for every game day after day. I also remember when she got to play in a tournament at Hall of Fame stadium (where the WCWS is played) and her name was up on the scoreboard when she came up to bat. Fun times. Stormageddon starts Tee Ball this week, beginning with a mini-camp this evening. I’m picking up up at day care and running him over to meet Only after she gets off work. Fun times!

Lucifer is still cancelled. I keep hoping for good news there. The last two episodes in this season almost broke me! Seriously. I haven’t deleted them yet because talk about The Black Moment™! As a writer, to be able to capture all the feels? Yeah, I’ll be rewatching, especially the finale. I’m a mess every time I do, but hey…if it adds that kind of emotional depth the my own black moments? I’m there!

My Cardinals were up and down. The season is still young yet but man, it seems to be either feast or famine when it comes to the bats. If it drives me a little bonkers, I can imagine what it’s doing to Mike Matheny, the Cards’ manager.

Live PD is on hiatus until June 1st. Ah well. I have those to episodes of Lucifer to keep watching. 😉

I’m sort of on hold on my reading. Two books come out the 29th, and I’ll want to re-listen to one of the series but that’ll only take a few days. The other one means lots of books to listen to and I may hold off. If I can get into the new release without having to backtrack, I’ll do that. I may wait until it’s available from the library. That’s were I got the other books in that series. In the meantime, I’m doing a back and forth re-listen to Patricia Briggs’s Mercy Thompson and Alpha/Omega series, getting them more or less in the correct timeline since the two series sort of run concurrently. Comfort reads. I’m all about the comfort reads at the moment.

In Digger’s story, I painted the characters into a corner and it took a few days to find a window to open so the paint would dry. I think I found a way out but my beta readers will have to let me know when I turn th ebook over to them. I didn’t work this weekend because Friday night, I cooked 20 pounds of bacon (200+ slicses) and over 100 slices of breakfast sausage. My feet and legs were killing me. Saturday was the pancake breakfast and craft show at the Post, hence me frying all the breakfast meats. Lawyer Guy and I spent Saturday night and Sunday with our feet up and doing nothin’! We’re gettin’ old and needed the recovery time. 😆

That’s pretty much my life at the moment. Today is new words and then Tee Ball. Life is good. What’s good in your life these days?

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Friday Sinema: #SaveLucifer is in The Air

Posted on May 18, 2018 by Silver James

So, a couple of things. Those of you who’ve been around me awhile know that in my opinion, the scene in the original “Miami Vice” TV show where Crocket and Tubbs are driving at night along the causeway while Phil Collins’s “In the Air Tonight” plays in the background is the sexiest 4 minutes in TV. You also know that I’m a HUGE fan of the TV show “Lucifer.” I’m heartbroken that Fox cancelled the show with so little notice that Season 3’s finale is a cliffhanger of the worst variety! This season a romantic triangle has developed between Chloe, Lucifer, and Cain/Pierce. Yes, THAT Cain–as in original sin. A few episodes back, “In the Air Tonight” was used to great effect, along with Lucifer driving at night in his very spiffy black classic Stingray. When I went looking for it, I found this fan-made video instead and realized this sums up the show so well, I wanted to share it. Keep your fingers crossed that someone picks up the show because it is all things awesome. And yes, I bawled during the finale. Not embarrassed to admit it. Not at all. Have a great weekend!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Balance

Posted on May 17, 2018 by Silver James

Sometimes, I only know what day of the week it is because I have a schedule of posts on this blog: Monday wrap-up, Tuesday treats or titles, Wednesday words that make up a snippet from a work in progress, today, and Friday whatever pops into my head. I remember Wednesdays and Saturdays because I feature pictures from my male model file on my author’s page on Facebook. The days just seem to blend together, one week after another and here we are halfway through May. It’s crazy. Granted, I tend to work–or try to–seven days a week. Sometimes, I end up sitting and staring but my brain twists and turns things while Iffy munches on chocolate and scans photo sites for inspiration. That’s why today’s message from the Universe makes so much sense to me. There’s a quote from musician/singer Marc Anthony: “If you do what you love, then you’ll never work a day in your life.”

That’s kinda how I feel about things. I worked a very long time and now? Now, despite the hassles, the ups and downs, the frustration, and sometimes sheer lunacy, I’m doing what I’ve always dreamed of doing. I’m writing stories about people created in my imagination that real people actually want to read. It doesn’t get better than this.

Always see work as play and play as important, Silver, and soon you won’t know the difference between them.

Let’s all take a work break!
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®
OK, Silver, and now it’s time to take a play break…

Yeah, think I’ll take a play break–write a few words, look at a few inspirational photos… You know…the important stuff. 😉 How will you play today?

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Wednesday Words: One is the Loneliest

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Silver James

Another Wednesday and the earworms are in full force with the #1lineWed theme of “LONELY.” Please bear with this snippet. When I realized that I didn’t have the word in Gravedigger’s WIP, I opened a short snippet that consisted of the first four paragraphs. Then I started free writing and the result is this snippet. It’s a first draft so don’t hold it against me. This is in Shy’s POV and is further in the book than I am in “straight drafting.” Still, it’ll fit nicely with what comes. 😉 I hope you enjoy.
****
“The only thing we have going for us is hot sex.”

He gave me a slow grin guaranteed to melt my panties—if I’d been wearing any.

“And that’s a bad thing?”

“Yeah, because I hate you and everything you stand for.” My voice didn’t waver and rang with my conviction. Points to me. I wasn’t my body. I had a brain. And I had a heart. He didn’t love me and dammit, I deserved to be loved by the right man. Digger was the wrong man on so many levels I’d need an elevator to reach them all.

I stood my ground, defiant, waiting for his come back. He tilted his head, watching but didn’t speak. Might was well lay it all out. “You might be able to turn me on, using my hormones against me, but every time you touch me, I cringe. You represent every bad thing that’s ever happened to me. There is nothing between us. Nothing. You kidnapped me. You threatened me. You raped me.”

He jerked like I’d slapped him. “Take that back,” he growled.

“No.” I spat my denial at him.

“I asked you.” His voice vibrated with anger. “Repeatedly. You never fucking once said no to me, Shiane. Not one fucking time. I can get pussy any time I fucking want. Your’s isn’t cut from diamonds. I don’t rape women. I didn’t rape you.” His hands clenched at his sides as he took a step toward me.

Technically, he was correct. He’d asked me. Told me, in fact. Say no, he’d said. If you don’t want this, want us, tell me now and I’ll walk away. His words echoed in my head. I’d wanted to say no. I’d wanted him to leave. But I didn’t. I didn’t say no and I sure as hell didn’t want him to walk away. I’d wanted him so much my whole body ached for him.

I lifted my chin. “You’re right. I didn’t say no, so I guess technically, it wasn’t rape. I hate you, Shane Cole. I hate your damn motorcycle club. I hate your touch. I hate the way you make my body feel, hate that you make me want you when I want nothing to do with you. You’re a criminal. And a bastard. Hear me now. No more. I don’t want you to ever touch me again.”

The cockiness melted from his expression, to be replaced by…something, some emotion I didn’t recognize, not at first. Disappointment? No, something deeper, more…profound. Hurt. My heart thudded in my chest as he backed away. He withdrew without a word. I’d expected a fight, or more swagger. A fleeting look of sorrow flashed in his eyes and then he was gone, the door clicking to a quiet close behind him.

What the…? Stunned, I stood there wrapped in that stupid towel staring at the door. After all we’d been through, it wasn’t like him to just walk away without a fight. I finished drying off and jerked on underwear and clothes. I tiptoed to the door and listened. Nothing. The hallway was dead quiet. I tried the door knob. It turned easily in my hand. That was a first.

My heart was still thudding and I turned to lean against the door, suddenly overwhelmed. My knees gave out and I slid until my butt hit the floor, knees bent. What was wrong with me? I felt…devastated. And alone. Did Gravedigger feel this lonely? God, but it hurt. And then there was…nothing. Nothing but blank emptiness. I swiped at tears I was only just then realizing I shed. This is what I wanted, right? To be done with him. To be free.

But who knew freedom would hurt so much.
****
Who else is feeling lonely today? Got any words to share?

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Tuesday Treats: Peanut Butter Cup Squares

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Silver James

I don’t eat a lot of candy. I like candy. A lot. Which is why I don’t buy it. Peanut M&Ms. Snickers. And Reeces Peanut Butter Cups. There’s just something about peanut butter and chocolate that is divine. This makes me a total sucker for any recipe that even faintly resembles a Reeces. Here’s a quick recipe that doesn’t take much prep time–make it in the morning and serve it as an afternoon snack. What’s not to love, right?

Prep Time: 15 min.
Total Time: 4 hr. 30 min.
Servings: 16 servings

A cookie crust is topped with layers of creamy peanut butter and chocolate—elevating these squares from a candy store favorite to an elegant delight.

What You Need
25 peanut butter sandwich cookies, divided
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup cold milk
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
2-1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, divided
3 oz. Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Make It
Line 9-inch square pan with Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Finely crush 24 cookies. Mix with butter; press onto bottom of prepared pan.

Beat cream cheese and peanut butter in medium bowl with whisk until blended. Add milk and dry pudding mix; beat 2 min. Stir in 1 cup COOL WHIP; spoon over crust. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Microwave remaining COOL WHIP and chocolate in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 to 2 min. or until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after each minute. Cool completely.

Spread chocolate mixture over pudding layer in pan. Chop remaining cookie; sprinkle over chocolate mixture. Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm. Use foil handles to lift dessert from pan before cutting to serve.

CLICK HERE for all the nutritional information. This is a favorite of all the kids–big and small and easy enough that any of the Wolves’ mates (even Hannah! 😉 ) can whip it up. If you are new to the Wolves, I suggest you start at the beginning, but if you want to meet all the kids and see how the story ends, mostly, then click on the book cover. You can read MOON SHOT free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription or buy it for $1.99 until June 1st. I’ll be taking all the books off the super-cheap sale in June.

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On Any Random Monday

Posted on May 14, 2018 by Silver James

Or writers. Days of the week don’t have much meaning for writers either. The only days that grab our attention are DEADLINES! I have a few but nothing to panic over. Yet. 😆

So, I’m full of all sorts of Random Stuff™. In no particular order:

REDEEMED BY THE COWGIRL is a finalist in OKRWA’s National Readers Choice Awards. Woot-woot! This is one of my favorite books. I made myself laugh more than a few times and at two seperate points, I had to stop writing/reading/editing so I could sob a little. I’m glad that “real” readers liked it too.

LUCIFER has been cancelled by Fox. The season finale is tonight and there won’t be any resolution. This bums me out tremendously. I can only hope that Amazon, Netflix, or Hulu picks it up. If not, I’ll be totally pissed at Fox, on the entertainment side at least. Since Fox Sports covers my St. Louis Cards, I can’t be mad at the whole outfit.

LIVE PD makes me shake my head. A lot. This past weekend, I loved the “Pink Ladies” in Slidell, Louisiana, riding their bicycles all lit up with LED lights on the wheels. They were celebrating a birthday by riding from the party site to a “margarita bar.” The cop who “pulled” them over posed for pictures and then gave them an escort. Made me smile. Then there were all the people who copped attitudes, chasing the cock (as in game rooster), and a dog that led them on a chase that lasted for a couple of miles, with commentary by the cop. The lab pup led them back to his home at a junkyard.

My OSU Cowgirls made the NCAA D1 Softball Tournament. They’re the #2 seed in the Fayetteville regional with #1 seed Arkansas, #3 seed Wichita State, and #4 seed DePaul. OU is hosting their regional as #1 seed and #4 national rank, #2 seed Tulsa, #3 seed Missouri, and #4 seed Boston. Yay for softball. The Cowboys should be in the Baseball tournament but teams won’t be announced until the end of May.

I’m enjoying my reread/re-listen of Joanna Wylde’s Reapers/Silver Bastards series. I also discovered that Ilona Andrews is going to treat fans of her Hidden Legacy series to a novella, releasing this fall. The subject? Navada and Mad’s wedding. I. Can’t. Wait. I one-clicked that puppy so fast I sprained my finger! 😉 I keep waiting for new books to read but the ones I want are all spaced out over the next six months. Of course, that gives me time to reread/re-listen to all the books in those series will give me fodder for both Kindle and Audible.

Not to get political, but…

I wish California would decide to secede from the Union. Get ride of presidential birthdays and replace one or both with a Communist/Socialist holiday? What’s up with that?

We should be worried about the current crop of college students. The stuff they spout? But then I remember that they are being spoon-fed pablum and have never been taught to think for themselves. By and large they’ll be followers and the smart ones who think will be leaders. I look at them and have hope.

I watch the news and just shake my head, much like I do when I’m watching the stupid people on LIVE PD. I just…there are no words.

And on that note, I’ve run out of words. Well, at least words for this post. I have ideas for Digger’s story. I think Noni is going to visit her “Roo.” 😉 What’s up in your corner of the world?

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Friday Sinema: Criminal

Posted on May 11, 2018 by Silver James

I want to make this gal a heroine. Haven’t decided on the story. Or the hero. But someday. And it’s a bonus that I like the song. 😉 Have a great weekend.

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Possibilities

Posted on May 10, 2018 by Silver James

Things come in threes. Bad things more often than good, it seems. This week, my extended family got hit by three. A favorite aunt, an “other mother” and uncle. The first came without warning, a medical crisis that she couldn’t recover from. Her funeral is tomorrow and we’ll be going to support The Only and Baseball Boy. The next two came togther, a horrific accident caused by inattention. Like so many of us, she mothered all of her daughters friends and her brother was the goofy, happy guy the kids all adored. They were on the turnpike and a semi-truck plowed into them and two other cars.

When looking for a message from the Universe for today, I wanted to convey something of my mood but that also offers hope and maybe a smile. This one seems to work.

When something difficult or painful happens, Silver, always look to see what it makes possible that wouldn’t have otherwise been possible.

Like a new adventure, a closer friendship, or chocolate in your peanut butter.

Everything makes you better,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

Clever of me, huh, Silver?

I often compare writing to life. Why? Because when I write, I create a life for the characters that are the children of my imagination. I craft their days and nights, giving them tribulations as well rewards. Because I write romance, they get those good things in the end. In literature, characters get tears but so very seldom laughter. The dog dies, along with beloved characters. I read to escape. Saying goodbye to friends and family happens in real life. Happily Ever Afters don’t always happen. Daughters have to say goodbye to their mothers and their uncles. Nephews have to say goodbye to their aunts. Friends support family, family gets through, and life goes on.

Please remember that life can change in a heartbeat. Don’t hesitate to tell people you care. So here’s a big virtual hug to all of you who stop by here. You brighten my day. You inspire me. You occasionally make me laugh, and far more rarely–thank goodness–you make me cry. Thank you for hanging out with me.

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Wednesday Words: It’s Hard to Be Humble

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Silver James

Another hump day rolls around and it’s time for #1lineWed over on Twitter with a new theme. Whether it’s hard to be humble, you’re eating humble pie, or came from humble beginnings, you can play along. For me, I’m sharing another snippet from Digger’s story. At the moment, I’m considering NIGHT FALL as a title. This scene is fairly self-explanatory. Lots of stuff went down and Gravedigger went a little feral. Hardass, the Club’s VP and former combat medic, went looking for him. This is what happened when Hardy found Digger.
****
Hardy sat, back braced against a broad tree trunk. He stared into the underbrush, his gaze fixed on me. “It’s time, Digger. You need to come back now.”

His voice was low, with a hint of alpha command in it. Not that it would work on me. We’d never tested who was the stronger wolf but I was damn sure he couldn’t force me to change. Only the Russian was capable of that.

“I brought your clothes, bro. It’s been two weeks.”

I sank down on my haunches, regarding him unblinkingly, a snarl on my muzzle.

“You don’t scare me, Dig. You forget. I work for the Russian and I served under Mac McIntire. You’re tough. But you ain’t either of them.”

True.

“And not to sound humble, but I can take you.”

I snorted, which came out more of a sneeze. Like hell.

“I need to check your wound. I suspect you haven’t been shifting nor have you smeared any of the antibiotic ointment on it. That means you’ve been licking it. We heal fast but that was a wicked wound and wolf spit won’t do squat.”

I growled, even though he was right. That’s exactly what I’d done. If it worked for our wild kin, why wouldn’t it work for us?

“I was long gone by the time Bricks recruited you.” Hardy continued to talk. I growled again. “You were what? Eighteen when that raid happened?” He stretched out one leg, crooking the other knee to use as a prop for his arm. “Bricks didn’t have time for his own kid so he damn sure didn’t have time for any child that wasn’t his. Weird that. Seeing that most of us are hardwired to protect pups.”

His head thunked back against the tree and he stared up through the branches to the night sky above. “Once upon a time there was another little girl. Much younger than your Shy. I was fourteen, barely past my first couple of changes. She was in a bad place but she saw me in wolf form and thought I was a lost dog. She would sneak food to me and left an old bowl out, filling it with fresh water every day. I knew she was mine. I don’t how. I just did. But I was thirteen and she was maybe four.”

I didn’t want to hear this but to get him to shut up, I’d have to change and I wasn’t ready for that. I should just run back into the woods and stay away. The problem with that, we were Wolves and we were pack animals. Lone Wolves didn’t do well. The Club depended on me. I had a place in the hierarchy. My place. I growled and stretched out, listening because it suddenly occurred to me that not many Nightriders were left who knew Hardy’s story.

“Bricks caught me. Went apeshit when he found out her folks were drug addicts and had some tie to the Hell Dogs. Even back then they were our enemies. He called child protective services. Anonymously. Not to protect the kid. To punish me. She cried when they took her away. Not for her parents. For me. Bricks made sure I was there to see it.”

Fuck. I shifted. Hardy heard my bones popping and stopped talking, thank Christ. When I walked out of the trees, he tossed a bundle of clothes to me. I dressed but Hardy didn’t say anything else. The bastard was going to make me ask.

“What happened?”

“Huh?”

“The little girl.” My voice cracked from not using it.

Hardy shrugged. “No clue. I haven’t seen her since that day. But I learned something.”

He stared at the sky again, not speaking. I finished dressing and sat down to pull on my motorcycle boots. Hardy still hadn’t said anything else. Asshole. He was doing it on purpose. Then I caught a faint scent. Magnolias. I really looked at the man known as Hardass. He wore an aura of sadness like a quilt. I hunkered down beside him.

“She wasn’t really mine,” Hardy murmured. Louder, he added, “You wouldn’t have known, Dig. Not back then. No way.”

“Then why did I save her?”

“Because you weren’t a homicidal fuck like Bricks.”

That startled a laugh out of me. “Good to know.”
****
And that’s it for today. If you have some hunble words to share, please do. Enjoy your slide to the weekend. 🙂

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Tuesday Treats: Margarita Cheesecake Pie

Posted on May 8, 2018 by Silver James

I’m not a huge drinker. I’ll sip the occasional single malt scotch. Scarf a cold beer on a hot day with burgers or BBQ. Wine with a fancy dinner. Irish coffee on a cold winter’s night. But if I’m goin’ out to party with my crew? I am all about the margarita. So…when I tumbled across this recipe, I thought to myself, “Self, all the margarita goodness without the hangover. Score!”

Prep Time: 30 min.
Total Time: 1 hr. 30 min.
Servings: 10 servings

Give this pie sweet-tart deliciousness with sweetened condensed milk and fresh lemon juice. No tequila needed for Margarita Cheesecake Pie!

What You Need
34 RITZ Crackers, crushed
6 Tbsp. butter, melted
2 large limes, divided
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Make It
Heat oven to 350ºF.

Combine cracker crumbs and butter; press onto bottom and up side of 9-inch pie plate.

Bake 10 min. or until golden brown. Remove from oven; cool 5 min.

Meanwhile, zest 1 lime; set aside. Cut zested lime in half; squeeze juice from lime halves. Beat cream cheese and milk with mixer until blended. Add lime juice and lemon juice; mix well.

Spoon cream cheese mixture into crust; smooth top. Cut remaining lime into 4 lengthwise quarters, then cut each quarter crosswise into thin slices. Arrange around edge of pie; sprinkle with zest.

Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.

For all the nutritional information, check out the recipe from Kraft HERE. I just so happen to have a character who loves margaritas almost as much as I do. “Who?” you ask. Why Adele McCoy Jones, our intrepid Crime Scene Investigator with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the true love of FBI Agent and werewolf Caleb Jones from THE DEVIL’S CUT, book 3 in the Penumbra Papers Urban Fantasy series. If you’d like to read their story, just click on the book cover to find the list of buy links.

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