Monday: True Story

Posted on October 2, 2017 by Silver James

There was a weekend. Sort of. And last week happened, just like this coming week will. Deadlines. I have them. Yippee. Yeah, yeah, broken record. Such is the life of a published author. So…quick rundown.

Sports: Cardiac Cowboys managed to pull it off and beat Texas Tech. Man, the Pokes are killin’ me! Especially with their loss against TCU. 😦 OU had a bye weekend. My Cards are done. I’ll wait to see which teams shake out in the post season to decide if I’ll pay close attention to the World Series.

TV: LUCIFER! New season starts tonight! I’m pumped!!!

Reading: I’m downloading some books with my Kindle Unlimited subscription as they cross my radar. I finished one that was KU plus free audio. As I’m doing more with audio books lately, that was good. The book? DEAD SPOTS (Scarlett Bernard #1) by Melissa F. Olson. It’s an urban fantasy. The MC is a magic null who does supernatural crime scene cleanup. She’s snarky and the story was okay. Darynda Jones and her Charlie Davidson character do the snark better. It was free, enjoyable, and that’s cool. I also delved back into some “golden oldies” with the first two books in Larissa Ione’s Demonica series. Yeah. Glad the library had the audio books. I’m currently listening to Nalini Singh’s ARCHANGEL’S VIPER. Enjoying it so far and I’m glad to be hanging out in her Archangel/Guildhunter world again.

Writing: I fear Tucker is a little stalled, which is bad. Roman is lighting up the keyboard, though, which is good and also the reason why Tucker is stalled. I have about a week, maybe a week and a half to get Roman’s book whipped into shape so it can go through the process and be ready to go on/before Halloween. Also, I have a book release tomorrow, Deacon’s story, THE COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS PROPOSITION. Y’all go grab a copy, read it, and pleasepleasePLEASE leave a review! Even if you hate it! 🙂

Let’s see. What else? Uhm…OH! I think I’ll do a Facebook live recording tomorrow morning to celebrate Deacon’s release. Some of my readers sent questions. It’ll be fun. I hope. And pretty quick. Something new and different. I’ll be posting it on my FB author page, not my personal one.

That’s it for me. What did y’all do this weekend? I’ll check back after I get a lot of words written!

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Friday Free-for-all: Random Thoughts, Links, and a Milestone

Posted on September 29, 2017 by Silver James

Yesterday was my 1000th post on this blog. I wasn’t paying any attention. *tosses up some confetti* I had a blog on a different server for a few years before I had to retrieve my domain name and start over. Still, 1000 blog posts… That’s a whole lot of hot air, right? 😆 That takes care of the milestone. Let’s get random!

The top searches that brought someone to my site for a visit (though I’m not about to “Google” them to see where I show up on the search page!):
gypsy movie sex scene
food fight motorcycle
sexy beast moon
bloody drinks
moon pies

Yeah…still not going on the internet to check. Just sayin’!

A typical work day a la LOLPICS. I promise, you’ll want to click through to this short video! Why? Because cute critters! And, it’s true. 😉 CLICKETYCLICK

Speaking of Google, I periodically Google both of my names. My “legal” namesakes own an upscale hair salon in New York City, have been named chief financial officer of an insurance group, and write really raunchy erotica–all available on Kindle Unlimited. Her words, not mine. Yeah…I’ll stick with Silver. As for that side of my namesake, I appear to be the only one. There’s a James Silver, also an author, and I get hits for people named James winning silver medals, and silver James Avery jewelry pieces, but the first page and a half of the search is all about me. I must be doing something right with my branding. Just wish that translated to more sales. Ah well.

And one last bit of tomfoolery. Every time I get on social media, I see this image in my head whenever someone has a meltdown. Have a great weekend!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Weather

Posted on September 28, 2017 by Silver James

Maybe it’s because I grew up in Oklahoma, or worked Search and Rescue, or…maybe I’m just a little odd, but I’ve always been attuned to the weather. *shrug* For whatever reason, I pay attention to it and don’t really understand those of my friends who don’t. It doesn’t matter what kind of weather–hot/cold, wet/dry, severe, snow/sleet/ice, and I’m listening and looking at the maps. It’s been raining for two days, when it was only supposed to rain for one. That’s not a problem, as we were edging back toward drought conditions and that’s never a good thing. People are idiots when the weather is anything but sunny and dry.

When the Universe dropped this into my inbox, I was starting a scene set in Jackson Square in New Orleans. I knew what needed to happen but I wasn’t sure how to start. Email dinged and there was my answer. I was wavering on that scene and this thought from the Big U got me to thinking about the sun and wind and rain. From that, I created the rest. Like cities/settings, sometimes the weather can also become a secondary character and for that one scene, it did. It gave me the stage to set so my characters could trod across it and say their lines with the emotions they were supposed to feel.

As a writer, I always work to include at least one of the five (and sometimes that nebulous 6th sense 😉 ) senses in a scene, layering in sights and sounds and touches and tastes and smells. I should remember to occasionally use those senses–in a modified form–for the settings, because in many ways, weather and atmosphere are equal to the five senses used by characters. Anyway, odd thoughts after two water-logged days with lots of rain, mist, cloudy skies, and a gloom that’s descended over everything.

In case you haven’t noticed, Silver, the sun doesn’t always rise in crimson.

The wind doesn’t always blow from the south.

The rains don’t always fall on the plains.

And so must you allow for your own rhythms in time.

Always in love,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

Sometimes, Silver, when you waver, it creates the rest you need to become even more.

I REALLY need to make in rain in New Orleans. Just sayin’… 🙂

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Wednesday Words: Taming the Beast

Posted on September 27, 2017 by Silver James

Another Wednesday and lots more words. Today’s #1lineWed theme is **TAME**. I figured I’d have to write a scene but when I searched Scrivener, lo and behold, one instance turned up, though not exactly in the way I anticipated. I may have to tame more words just to be sure the word gets used because…witch and gargoyle? Almost-mortal enemies? Yeah… *rubs hands together* … *waggles brows* Also, the fun thing about Urban Fantasy? The H/h don’t have to meet right at the start. There’s world-building and plot building and characters to introduce, all while the H/h dance around each other.

Oh. One other thing. This is the beginning of Chapter 4, and the title of the chapter? “The Storm is Coming”
****
Roman stood at the window, a dark silhouette if anyone below chanced to look up. Early-morning fog swirled through Jackson Square, leaving the granite blocks and wooden benches with a silvery sheen as the first fingers of dawn poked through the gray miasma. Roman refused to count the number of times he’d stood here, waiting, watching for…something. He hadn’t known what until—

A bright swirl of color coalesced through the murk and the constricting pressure in his chest eased, a feeling he chose to ignore. She was early this morning, lugging her wagon with the folding chairs, market umbrella, rickety wooden table, and her satchel filled with the exotic paraphernalia of her trade. Her tousled curls were tamed today, severe in a long braid snaking over one shoulder. Fog swirled around her, lightened, leaving her poised like an island tinted by riotous hues.

He couldn’t remember when he’d first noticed the girl. Young woman, he corrected himself. Of course, she could be a crone of ninety and she’d still be little more than a child to him. He thought back, trying to pinpoint the moment the little gypsy had wormed her way into his psyche. Had she always been there, crouched down hiding behind all the memories of the before times? Perhaps she had.

Roman had found no peace since the first time he’d truly noticed her in front of the cathedral. Her smile tugged at his heart even as his senses warred with the knowledge of what—of who—she might be. Was she rogue? Or perhaps unaligned, though the witches guarded their bloodlines as closely as they did their Book of Shadows. The girls was an unknown. The Witches’ Council knew nothing of her that Roman could gleam from them. All magicks living or visiting in the city had to register with the Legates office and he had no record of a gypsy girl who told fortunes on Jackson Square. That was disturbing.

He didn’t know her name but this young woman with haunted shadows in her eyes and the fragile sheen of magic clinging to her skin like glitter drew him as inexorably as that proverbial moth. Would she singe his wings if he got too close? He was half tempted to find out.
****
Anyone have tame words to share? Anyone want to hear the song from the playlist for this chapter? It’s “The World is Unraveling” by Milck.

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Tuesday Treats: Cheesy Crisp Baked Chicken

Posted on September 26, 2017 by Silver James

I’m a big fan of “gooey” chicken with soup and rice. And the picture of this looks so fancy for something so easy and quick.

Prep Time: 15 min.
Total Time: 35 min.
Servings: 4 servings
Bring worlds of deliciousness together with our Crisp and Creamy Baked Chicken Recipe. This baked chicken recipe is a tasty, cheesy delight to behold.

What You Need
4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 lb.)
6 Tbsp. (about 1/2 of pkt.) SHAKE ‘N BAKE Extra Crispy Seasoned Coating Mix
1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
2/3 cup (about 1/2 of 10-3/4-oz. can) condensed cream of celery soup
1/4 cup milk
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Three Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA

Make It
Heat oven to 400°F.
Coat chicken with coating mix as directed on package; place in 13×9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Discard any remaining coating mix.
Bake 20 min. or until chicken is done (165°F). Meanwhile, cook rice as directed on package, omitting salt.
Mix soup and milk until blended; pour over chicken. Top with cheese. Bake 5 min. or until cheese is melted and sauce is hot and bubbly. Serve with rice.

Believe it or not, Deacon Tate can actually cook and this recipe is easy enough he doesn’t have to look at a recipe card. He’s been known to fix it when he’s trying to impress a date. Good thing Quinn’s around now. Except…I have the feeling she’s not much of a cook. 😆 Oh, and have I mentioned lately that their book releases October 1st? (Or you can grab it now at the Harlequin site!)

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In a Monday Kind of Mood

Posted on September 25, 2017 by Silver James

This is the last Monday in the month. The autumnal equinox happened toward the end of last week. Days will be getting shorter, nights darker. I’m down with that. Autumn is my favorite time of year. I have two deadlines hanging over my head and those books are pretty much consuming every waking part of my brain these days. Still, some thoughts…

Writing is going. I tend to get in the groove for Roman’s book (and it looks like I’m really leaning toward THE SOUND OF SILENCE as the title) after dinner, which means I stop about 11 or 12. Still, words are progress. It’s been hard to connect with him emotionally and Verity has been very shy about her past so teasing out her half of the story is hard. Sade is her usual loud-mouthed self so she’s getting attention because she, as always, has a part to play. Sadly, Sinjen hasn’t appeared yet. Hrm…I wonder if I should be worried. Then again, Caleb, Ariel, and Nikos haven’t come out to play either. Soon, my pretties. On the other hand, my editor and I finally agreed on a direction for Tucker and Zoe’s book. I’m rearranging and adapting some previously written chapters so it’s like a massive engine overhaul. Slow, tedious, but the damn thing is gonna purr by the time I’m done.

Reading–or should I say “listening” has kept my sanity on the good side lately. Sadly, though, I finished up my reread of Patricia Briggs’ Alpha & Omega series, interspersing those books into my first read of the Mercy Thompson series. Things make more sense now. 😆 The next A&O doesn’t release until March 6, 2018 and there’s no word on when/if the next Mercy book will be out. It was a fun read even though I wanted to Gibbs Slap™ both Mercy and Adam more than once. Nalini Singh’s next Archangel book releases Tuesday (tomorrow as you read this) so there’s that. I preordered in Kindle and will hopefully get a price break on the Audible version. If not, I have one credit currently. I’m weird, I know. If I can buy an Audible book for less than the $9.99 I pay a month to be a member–thus getting that one free credit–then I pay “cash” for it. If the book I really want is more than my monthly fee, I’ll use the credit. That way, I’m getting something for my money. Makes sense, right? I pretty much blew my Kindle/Audible budget earlier this year when I broke down and gave myself the present of all the In Death books in digital and Audible. Well, all but the novellas in various anthologies. Anyway, as I type this on Sunday afternoon, I want a book to listen too. Nothing I already own is calling to me and so far, the library has been a bust on books that do interest me. Ah well. The other book I finished this week is B.E. Sanderson’s WISH HITS THE FAN. Wow! What a climax to the series! I’m still not sure how I feel about her ending, but that’s okay. I still enjoyed the book like whoah!

So…reading, writing…ah yes! TV. I have actually been watching a little besides sports. I finally caught up with last season’s LUCIFER. OMGOMGOMG *breathes into a paperbag* OMGOMGOMG! I can’t wait for the season premier on Monday, October 2nd. Now to catch up with GAME OF THRONES. I still have two episodes I need to watch on demand and then this whole season. Lots of time there because it’s not coming back for quite awhile. I did catch ASSASSIN’S CREED Saturday night. Yeah…I was a little underwhelmed which is sad because…Michael Fassbender! The special effects were cool but the story was choppy and I just couldn’t really get into, still sad because I’ve been waiting quite awhile to see it. Ah well.

That leaves sports and that’s about all I want to say about that topic. NFL? I am so freaking done with you AND your sponsors. Period. Same with the NBA. If MLB goes the same way, then I’ll just read more. /end of mini-rant My OSU Cowboys lost. OU won. My Cardinals are close to a Wild Card berth but they need to stop splitting series. It’s do or die time. And on that note, it’s do or die time in Roman’s book too. Time to get back to it.

What gripes do y’all have today? What shows are you looking forward to returning or premiering this fall? Whose read a good book that has audio I can go track down?

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Friday Sinema: Fool’s Paradise

Posted on September 22, 2017 by Silver James

This is Dante Frisiello, aka Roxanne St. Claire’s not-so-baby-anymore boy. He should be a hero in a romance novel, don’t you think?

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Check Six

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Silver James

Check Six is a term the military uses. It means several things–like look behind you to make sure no one is sneaking up on your blind side, or look back along the trail/road/path so that you can recognize landmarks and could find your way back if needed. When someone says “I’ve got your six,” it means they are looking out for you, that they’ve got your back. To me, personally, it also means I should look back from time to time to see where I’ve been so I can remember where I’m going. I have the feeling the Universe sort of agrees with me.

When driving down the road of life, Silver, rarely do you know how good you have it, until you see it in the rear-view mirror.

Which is not to suggest that you should look back now, but to remind you that where you are today is more awesome and amazing than you probably realize.

10-4,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

Trust me, Silver, because you’re now in my rear-view mirror… and side-view mirror… and up ahead.

I’m glad the Universe has my six, as do my family, friends, and colleagues. It makes the road I’m on just a little bit easier to travel. Wouldn’t you agree?

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Wednesday Words: Wild Hunt

Posted on September 20, 2017 by Silver James

Today’s #1lineWed theme is a walk on the wild side with a wild thing where the wild things are. 😆 Yes, you’ve guessed it! The theme is **WILD** and here’s a rather tense scene between Roman and Verity. Don’t ask me what’s going on, or where it happens in the book, because I heard a song titled “Hurricane” and this is the scene the spilled out from my fingers. It just so happened to fit today’s theme.
****
Roman stilled, forced his hands to remain at his sides, palms flat against his thighs. Verity was a wild thing, hair and eyes looking fey in the thrashing wind and uncertain moonlight. He didn’t know what this was, was almost afraid to even consider the consequences. He was sure, though, that he had never seen what he thought he was in her this moment.

He listened, caught the baying of far-off hounds, the sound of horns, the shouts of men and thundering hooves. No matter how unearthly Verity looked at this moment, he knew to his very soul that she was not Fae, nor was she prey for the Wild Hunt.

“She is mine, Oberon!” He threw back his head and challenged the very air. The sounds of the hunt faded but he didn’t relax. Lowering his head, he focused on the slip of a girl standing on the small jetty of rocks poking into the Mississippi.

“This can never be,” she whispered. The wind caught her words and brought them to his heart. “I will lose you. No matter how hard I try to hold on, you will leave me. I am…”

A shudder rocked her and Roman feared she’d fall into the angry water lapping at her feet. He reached for her then but she leaned away, her perch far more precarious now.

“Is it true?” she asked. “What they say about witches? That we don’t float.”

His lungs turned to the stone that was his natural form and he couldn’t breathe. “No,” he answered but the wind blew his words away.

“The damage is done, Roman. I can’t fix it. I can’t make it go away. You are good and light and…I’m not. The darkness in my heart, in my head…” She spread her arms wide, as if welcoming the lashing rain. “I am the foulest of the foul, Roman.”

Before he could move, she was gone. He hadn’t seen her move. Hadn’t seen her body tumble into the river. But she was gone, the shining-bright wild light that had been Verity was snuffed out as surely as a candle before a gale.

He screamed, the wind tearing his voice from his throat and flinging it into the tempest.

“Gone,” the wind told him.

“Forget,” the water insisted.

Roman sank to his knees, head bowed. The storm kissed his forehead then danced away as if it never was, and the sound of silence wrapped around him.
****
And I do believe the title of Roman’s book is going to be THE SOUND OF SILENCE and yes, Seether’s version is likely to be the “roll credits” song for the book. 😉 What about y’all? Any wild words to share today?

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Tuesday Treats: Make-ahead Mini Meatloaves

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Silver James

When I start getting close to deadlines, I’m always looking for good food that’s easy to fix–or can be made ahead. These yummy Mini Mealoaves checks off both boxes.

Prep Time: 10 min.
Total Time: 55 min.
Servings: 6 servings
Keep these bacon-wrapped make-ahead mini meatloaves in the freezer for a fast, home-cooked solution to mealtime emergencies.

What You Need
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1-1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken
3/4 cup KRAFT Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese
1/3 cup KRAFT Original Barbecue Sauce
3 green onions, sliced
6 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon

Make It
Whisk eggs and milk in large bowl until blended. Add all remaining ingredients except bacon; mix lightly. Shape into 6 (1-inch-thick) patties; wrap bacon slice around edge of each patty.

Wrap individually in plastic wrap; place in freezer-weight resealable plastic bag. Seal bag. Freeze up to 3 months.

Heat oven to 375ºF. Unwrap frozen patties; place on rimmed baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Bake 40 to 45 min. or until done (160ºF). For a video and/or more information, CLICK HERE.

Katherine Barron Tate, as the mom of six strapping boys with a busy life of her own, happens to love this recipe. She could make a batch of these (and did when the Tate boys were growing up) and when the boys got home from school, work, dates (*waggles brows*), they could fix themselves a snack and often ate these patties on hamburger buns with a slice of cheese. 😉

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