Wednesday Words: Tell Me a Story

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Silver James

Another Wednesday, another theme for #1lineWed on Twitter. Last week was show so any writer worth their salt should have been expecting this week’s theme: TELL. *bwahaha* So in this short snippet from MONTANA MOON, Lauren and Tait are doing a lot of talking, a little showing, and maybe they should tell the truth… 😉

****
Lauren flung her hands into the air, the gesture both overly dramatic and petulant. “What can I tell you?”

“How about the truth?”

Her eyes narrowed and the corners of her mouth pulled down. “The truth? That’s a two-way street, cowboy. Tell your truth first.”

“You can’t handle the truth.”

Now her eyes went wide and a snarl curled her lip while her hands flailed around her head. The damn woman shouldn’t be so cute when she was angry. Tait folded his arms across his chest, waiting for her rebuttal.

She sputtered a few times, starting to speak then stopping as words failed her. “You’re giving me bad movie lines now? Seriously?” Lauren stomped over, stopping directly in front of him. Her fingers curled into his T-shirt of their own accord, like they knew what to do even if she didn’t. “You could have died, Tait.” The words tumbled out, breathless and coated with worry and fear.

He tasted both on the tip of his tongue and inhaled the odors with each breathe. Onions and ammonia. Not overwhelming. Yet. Her fingers clutched convulsively in his shirt but he fought the urge to wrap his arms around her.

“Why do you care, Lauren?”

Her lashes swept down to cover her blue eyes a moment before her head thunked against his chest. “I don’t know,” was her mumbled reply. “I shouldn’t. I don’t know you. And you don’t share. But—” She melted against him.

“We’ll talk, Lauren. Soon. I’ll tell you everything as soon as I know you’re safe.”
****
If you’re a writer, what would your characters tell your readers? If you’re a reader, what would you like a character to tell you? *waggles brows*

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Tuesday Treats: Easy Caramel Sticky Buns

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Silver James

Due to a switch-over in internet stuffs yesterday, I stopped in the middle of creating this post and was so distracted I never came back to finsih. So…a little later than I normally post but this treat is yummy, I think it’s worth the wait. 😉 As y’all probably know, I’m a total sucker for sticky buns. And caramel is a favorite flavor so this easy treat has double appeal for me.

Prep Time: 15min.
Total Time: 35min.
Servings: 8 servings

Refrigerated crescent dough is topped with sugar, cinnamon, pecans and raisins, rolled up, sliced and baked in gooey caramel for a breakfast treat.

What You Need
16 KRAFT Caramels
2 Tbsp. milk
3/4 cup chopped PLANTERS Pecans, divided
1 can (8 oz.) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp. raisins

Make It
Heat oven to 375ºF.
Microwave caramels and milk in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 to 2 min. or until caramels are completely melted, stirring after each minute. Pour into 8-inch round pan sprayed with cooking spray; top with 1/2 cup nuts.

Unroll crescent roll dough; separate into 2 rectangles. Press perforations in each rectangle together to seal. Mix remaining nuts, sugar, cinnamon and raisins; sprinkle over dough. Roll up each rectangle, jelly-roll fashion, starting at one short end; cut into 4 slices. Place, cut sides down, in prepared pan. (Sprinkle with any sugar mixture that may have fallen out of rolls.)

Bake 17 to 20 min. or until lightly browned. Immediately invert pan onto plate; remove pan. Spread any caramel from pan over buns. Cool slightly.

As always, CLICK HERE to get all the deets from the Kraft kitchens.

Dr. Liz Graham Lightfoot as two “kids” with cravings for caramel. Michael and Micah have been known to grab the entire pan and disappear. Good thing Liz knows them and always makes a second batch that she hides for herself! If you want to know more about how Liz and Lightfoot hooked up, their story is fully told in MOONSTRUCK: SECRETS or you can grab BAD MOON for the down and dirty version. 😉

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Any Random Monday

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Silver James

I vote we all do this! Who’s with me?

So, another week and weekend has passed. January is coming to a close. I keep thinking I should have accomplished a lot this month but as I look back, my mind goes blank. Ah well. In a look back at last week, there are a few things that stand out.

First, Lawyer Guy’s old iPhone 5 finally died, for all intents and purposes. He now has an iPhone 8 and during the switchover, he changed up our internet and cell plans, saving us some money each month, plus discovered that U-Verse TV is finally available in our neighborhood! If I had a cheerleader emoji, I would enter it here. I’m too lazy to go look for one. Anyway, I can’t wait for the new TV source, even it means relearning favorite channel numbers.

I did get some words written on MONTANA MOON though mostly snippets under 1K at a time. I need to up the effort. Big time. I also figured out the story line for UNDER THE ASSASSIN’S MOON, which will be my 5th entry in Susan Stoker’s Kindle World. The heroine is a spy agency assassin, the hero a Delta Force guy, and there’s a little Indian girl in Brazil who brings them together. Remember Siri from ASSASSIN’S MOON?

Reading has been a lesson in not much exciting. I had contest books, a new book I’d been eagerly awaiting, and a heretofore un-listened to series by a favorite author. Nothing bad. No DNFs in the bunch but nothing that made me jump up and down to recommend and give 5 stars to. I want something to catch my imagination.

Pitcher/catcher is just around the corner and with the new U-Verse package, I’ll get to watch all the spring training games that the Cardinals televise so yay! I didn’t get last season’s Game of Thrones watched but that’s okay. I can pick it up off Amazon or On Demand when I’m in the mood. Thing is, I haven’t really been in the mood for TV lately. Like my reading, nothing has lit my imagination on fire. Blerg.

I’ve enjoyed teaching the on-line class in magic realism this month. Wednesday is the last day and I’ll miss the research, and the class comments and interaction.

Did I mention that 1099s are coming in? Yeah…depressing. :/ Moving on.

So, goals this week: Clean 1 room. Write 1600 words a day. Try a new recipe (to get us out of an eating rut). Learn how to work the new TV technology. And I think that list just exploded my brain! Maybe I’ll just find a good book and read instead! 😉 What’s on your to-do list?

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Friday Sinema: Flying to Middle Earth

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Silver James

Best airline safety video. EVAH! And now I want to fly to New Zealand. Have a safe and happy weekend!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Ghosts

Posted on January 25, 2018 by Silver James

Since I’m teaching an on-line class this month dealing with magic realism (which includes ghosts), I thought this missive from the Universe was right on point. It’s rather self-explanatory.

The reason old souls enjoy spending time alone, Silver, is because they never really are.

Much love from your invisible friends,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

I see you, Silver.

I don’t believe that I’m every truly alone. Whether I have a guardian spirit, or I’m noticed by those I’ve loved who have passed on, someone is watching over me, like I watch over the characters in my books. I was there when they were born. I was there when some of them died. I watched over them as they laughed, cried, raged, loved. Does that make me a god? In a way–the same way all novelists are. As writers, though, we get to share our worlds and charges with others.

Still, it’s nice to know that I’m not alone. 🙂

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Wednesday Words: Show Time

Posted on January 24, 2018 by Silver James

Another Wednesday, another #1lineWed excerpt. Last week, 1000 words might be worth 1 picture. This week? SHOW me the money, watch the dog and pony SHOW, so let’s get this SHOW on the road. In case you haven’t figured it out, today’s THEME is **SHOW**. Here’s a snippet from MONTANA MOON, that occurs later in story. There might be a few characters you recognize. The snippet should speak for itself. 🙂

****
“Shooter?” Hank’s whisper barely stirred the air.

If Tait hadn’t been a Wolf, he might not have heard the other man. He leaned close, his mouth next to Hank’s ear. “If she’s in there, you and Kujo will take Lauren and get the hell out of here.”

Hank jerked away and stared at him. He had no choice. There would be no survivors and he couldn’t pull Hank or Kujo into this world. Wolves were still secret. And Wolves were still as much animal as man. When he and the Wolves hit the compound, it would be brutal and final.

“You’re one of mine, Shooter. I’m not leaving you behind.” Hank was a team leader down to his damn toenails.

“You aren’t. You are getting the target—” and the woman Tait loved beyond all else “—to safety. And you are keeping her that way until I can get back to her.” He glanced over his shoulder. Without his preternatural senses, he wouldn’t have known where the others were hiding.

Michael Lightfoot had his sniper’s nest on the military crest of the next hill—a vantage point where he could see everything. The man was deadly accurate. Mac waited nearby, ready to give the signal. Sean Donaldson had already booby-trapped the wall and several vehicles. At the moment, he was happily building bombs to be planted once they hit the enemy. Then there was Nate Connor. The subject of horrible experiments performed at the hands of Black Root scientists, the former Marine had more reason than any of them to go after the bastards who’d kidnapped Lauren.

In addition to the former SpecOps members, five Nightriders had joined their raiding party. The one called Hardy, short for Hard Ass, had been in the 69th unit with the others, and he’d brought members of the motorcycle club as backup. Gravedigger, Easy, Gunner, and Smoke would have fit right in with a SpecOps unit. They were scary dudes, and deadly as hell.

Tait clamped his hand on Hank’s shoulder. “Please, Montana.” He used Hank’s nickname on the teams for emphasis. “That woman is…I have to stay but I want her safe. I’m trusting you to do that. Yeah?”

Hank stared into his eyes for several long heartbeats. He finally nodded. “Yeah. I get where you’re coming from. If it was Sadie in there…” His voice trailed off. He flashed some hand signals to Kujo, who nodded.

Glancing toward Mac, Tait waited until he had the big Wolf’s attention. He nodded, then added, “It’s show time.”
***
So what have you got to show for yourselves? Any show words? Any ideas about what’s going to happen next? Have a great hump day!

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Tuesday Treats: Churro Cheesecake Bars

Posted on January 23, 2018 by Silver James

Looking for something to nom on during the Super Bowl? Or something for a chilly day with a cup of coffee or tea and a good book? You can make these from scratch and be ready to enjoy in less than an hour!

Prep Time: 15 min.
Total Time: 45 min.
Servings: 24 servings

This bar is somewhere between a cinnamon roll and churros. Tender dough, creamy cheesecake and sweet cinnamon sugar come together for a deliciously simple recipe.

What You Need
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
2 cans (8 oz. each) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

Make It

Heat oven to 350ºF.

Beat cream cheese and 1/4 cup sugar in medium bowl with mixer until blended. Add vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each just until blended.

Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar; sprinkle half onto bottom of 13×9-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray. Unroll 1 can crescent dough on lightly floured surface; firmly press perforations and seams together to seal. Roll out dough to 13×9-inch rectangle; place in prepared pan. Spread with cream cheese mixture.

Repeat rolling out of dough with remaining can of crescent dough; place over cream cheese-topped dough in pan. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar.

Bake 25 to 30 min. or until golden brown. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Want all the nutritional info and stuffs? CLICK HERE.

Annie Simmons Donaldson from WOLF MOON (and MOONSTRUCK: LIES) pulls out this recipe any time she needs something fast–whether for the kids gathering at her house to play or for when the Moonstruck Mates gather for a kaffeeklatsch. It’s not often that Sean “Boomer” Donaldson or any of the other Wolves get a chance to taste. Maybe Annie should double the recipe next time. 😉

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Dude, It’s Monday

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Silver James

I laugh every time I see this meme. It’s so very true! And funny. And I wake up every Monday feeling (and looking!) like one or the other of these two. I’ve even awakened with Adidas (a look-alike for the cat) draped across my head. That would make me the dog in this photo.

So, the weekend. There was one. There were play-off NFL football games. Teams won. I’ll have to check my Fox Sports app before I post this to find out who’s going to the Superbowl. I don’t have a dog in that hunt so…*shrug* There was Bedlam basketball, men and women both. OSU beat OU in both. That’s awesome. But I don’t watch basketball. 😆 Good thing there’s only 21 days until pitchers and catchers report for spring training! Yay.

I read and listened to books. Now that the Kindle World books are on Kindle Unlimited, I’m going back and reading all of the books in Susan Stoker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha world. Yes, I am comparing their stories to mine. I want to find what seems to really work and what might not work as well so I can write better stories. I have book coming out in Elle James’s Brotherhood Protectors series in April and my 4th book in Susan’s world in July. I want them to be better than the ones already published. I finished up listening to two of Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling anthologies that were available to listen to for free on my Audible Romance subscription. That puppy has paid for itself so far! Tuesday, the latest book in Michelle Sagawa’s Chronicles of Elantra come out. I’m excited! Christine Feehan’s JUDGEMENT ROAD also releases Tuesday. I have a hold for the ebook version at the library. I’m like 46 out of something. The audio book isn’t available. If it were, I’d spend a credit for it. Since it’s not, I’ll wait until my turn comes up at the library. Don’t ask me why this makes a difference. It just does.

“The Alienist” starts tomorrow night. I’ll watch because while dark, I find the story line fascinating. I read Caleb Carr’s books THE ALIENIST (2006) and THE ANGEL OF DARKNESS (2010), which are the basis for the TNT series, and enjoyed them.

That’s about the sum total of my life right now. Books: reading/listening and writing. Waiting for baseball. Watching LIVE PD on the weekends and the occasional show during the week. Can you believe there are some people who think the live of a romance novelist is glamorous?

How was your weekend? Anything exciting? Reading a good book? Watch a good movie?

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Friday Sinema: Not a Cat

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Silver James

It’s a Cat’s Life…or not. 😉 And I probably should not have gigglesnorted so loud. I disturbed Adidas and she found nothing funny about the video. Nothing. At. All. *tail flick* Have a great Caturday! 😉

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Path

Posted on January 18, 2018 by Silver James

So… What am I afraid of? Not spiders. Or snakes. Not haunted houses or graveyards. Walking down a deserted street? Piece of cake. Heights? Other than wanting to jump to feel what it’s like to fly (yeah, I know…that’s a bit on the crazypants side), I’m good with ’em. I feed a feral black cat and wish I could domesticate him and bring him inside. I’m not superstitious. Well, not much anyway. I knock on wood, throw a pinch of spilled salt over my shoulder, and say “bread and butter” when someone I’m walking with and I pass on opposite sides of a pole (don’t ask, I have no earthly clue, it’s just a thing in my family). I don’t like making telephone calls but I’m not phobic (much anyway) about them. When this bit from the Universe dropped into my inbox, I got to thinking…

Should you ever find yourself on your path, Silver, moving along in spite of fear, wondering if you’re ready or not to rise to the next level, chances are great that you will not be ready.

Rise anyway.

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

You see, Silver, wondering means you’re not ready, doing means you are.

Want to know what I’m afraid of? I’m afraid that I’m a fraud. That I can’t write. That I’m beating my head against a brick wall and I’m suffering from concussion syndrome because I keep doing the same things over and over. But ya know what? I keep writing. I keep publishing. I keep walking my path despite the fear, worrying if I CAN rise to that next level. In my head, I’m ready. But maybe I’m not because yeah…I still feel like a fraud. But I keep doing it. Writing. Publishing. Wash, rinse, repeat. I’ll get it right one of these days. In the meantime, one foot in front of the other. Someday I’ll “find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.”

Caveat: Feeling like a fraud is a common thing among writers, dreamers, and me. We got this.

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