Wednesday Words: You Look Familiar

Posted on January 7, 2026 by Silver James

Due to the placement of the holidays on Thursdays last year, there were no Thursday Threads to tug. Luckily, I had a Christmas story to share for the one and the next Thursday was New Year’s Day so…hey, Happy New Year. That said, it meant no fresh words for today. At least not from the flash fiction challenge. Instead, I went in search of inspiration and found a phrase that sparked a scene between Aisling and…someone.   The prompt is: *”Have we met before?”*

****
Aisling stared at the elevator then glanced at the door marked “Stairs.” Not that she was claustrophobic. It wasn’t the size of the elevator that made her nervous. No, not at all. It was the chance of something going wonky. Well, not just wonky but flat-out wrong. Like the car getting stuck between floors. Or the cable unraveling and the lift falling down the shaft gathering speed before smashing into the concrete at the bottom of the sub-basement.

She turned her head to stare at the closed doors. Was it true or just an urban legend that if you were in a runaway elevator and you jumped up and down so that you were in the air when it hit bottom, you wouldn’t be hurt. Or hurt as bad. She resolved to look that up on the Internet. She was a research librarian after all. Besides, it was only three floors. That was what? Forty feet? Or so. No far at all. She’d survive. Maybe. Probably.

The doors opened and she stepped forward blindly, her thoughts distracting her. She bumped into something solid. That was warm. And…solid. Eyes wide, she stared at a soft gray linen shirt, open at the collar, with softly tan skin of a masculine chest showing. She raised her head, gulping as her gaze followed a strong jawline and stopped on silvery green eyes the color of an antique jade vase. And oh, the twinkle of amusement in them made her gasp.

Aisling became aware of two things—strong hands gripping her upper arms and an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. The words spilled out of her mouth before she could think about them. “Have we met before?”
****

There it is, boys and girls. A little free writing to get me back into the swing of things. Today I shall write some more words–hopefully. I’m still reading through the story so far plus my notes and getting reorganized, but while doing that, I’m also working on expanding unfishined scenes–grouping them together, writing transitions, and creating chapters. I will conquer this beast! In the meantime, writers, if the prompt inspires you, steal away! Readers, if you bumped into a fictional character getting off an elevator and you asked them this question, who would it be?

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Tuesday Titles: What’cha Readin’?

Posted on January 6, 2026 by Silver James

Due to circumstances, I wasn’t on the computer much for any length of time until it was late and dark outside. Meaning if there was going to be a new post for today, it needed to be short. And sweet. Hopefully. When they dilate my eyes, it’s like 6 hours before I can see the fine print. Anyway.

I finished off the Devon Monk Ordinary Magic series yesterday. Thank goodness for audio books! As most of you know, I “read” almost exclusively by listening to audio books. I’m legally blind in my left eye and I do my best not to strain my right so I can keep it for reading/editing what I write, and for beta reading a few very select friends. Anyway. I loved the series and binged right on through all the books. But…there are threads. UNTIED THREADS! At the end of the last book. There’s a rumor that there will be at least two more books but no schedule on when that is going to happen. Anyway, I loved the series. Ordinary, Oregon is far from ordinary and the characters are delightful. Even the vampires. If cozy paranormals are your catnip and you haven’t tried these books, I recommend them. I listened to the Graphic Audio adaptations using a full cast. Fun stuff. But I want more. Hence my dilemma.

The next new release I’m looking forward to doesn’t drop until later this month. This means I need a book to listen to. I have weird tastes. Which means I never know what is going to catch my attention. So now I’m tossing it to you, friendly readers. What’cha readin’? Are you enjoying it? What’s it about? What are you liking–or not liking–about it? I need suggestions and if something catches my eye, hopefully I can find it in audio. I’m depending on y’all! Bring me your suggestions!! ASAP!!!

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First Monday of the Year

Posted on January 5, 2026 by Silver James

Well…all righty then. Mid-week holidays. Confusion. Chaos. *flail* Okay. Not really. All is good. The “Lost Week” is done. Christmas past, New Year chugging along. And here it is Monday once again. It might be the 5th day of the month but it is techinically the first day of work for many. Except retail. Or health care. First responders. Okay. Only for people in offices and schools. Oh, and writers. Our work is never done. 😉

New Year’s Eve dinner was really fancy–pepperoni pizza and cheesy bread from Little Caeser’s. Yum! New Year’s Day was easy peasy. We did nothing. Jake had had a bad night. He has PTSD–yes critters have it too–and anthing remotely sounding like gunfire sets him off and there were a lot of boomers in the neighborhood. Jerks! Lots of time spent petting, hugging, and soothing him. Luckily, Toby was fine. Pete was fine but Loki was worried about his soul brother. Yes, he and Jake are that close. At one point, Jake was up on the couch with LG and Loki jumped up on the arm. LG watched as Loki *petted* Jake with his paw. At that point, Pete, Toby and I were sleeping in the bedroom and missed it. The Kids had stuff to do so no family time. We watched football and ate chili.

In my week off, I binged on Devon Monk’s Ordinary Magic series. The books are set in Ordinary, Oregon, a small town on the coast. A small town where supernaturals live and gods vacation. The MC is Delaney Reed, chief of police. I classify them as cozy paranormals. There is a LOT of humor. And a pink unicorn that is not what she seems. At all. To say I enjoyed them all is an understatement. Sadly, I am now done and I have to find something else to read. Any suggestions?

I’d actually planned to get back into writer mode this week. Then I looked at my calendar. I have to people. Multiple times. Today, I’m off to my eye surgeon for a six-month check-up. Full blown. Which means dilation and all the visual acuity tests. Fun times. Not. Well…sort of. I love my doc. He is all kinds of awesome and has amazing staff. But it will take most of my morning and then I’ll have to wait for my eyes to readjust before I can get on the computer. In my head, I was planning to do a read of the ol’ WIP and all the dangling scenes to refresh memory and get them in some sort of timeline/plot order. So now, that’s my goal on Tuesday. After I run errands. And then Friday, more medical stuff. My PC doc and I made a deal. She’d let me do the at-home test for one procedure if I’d do the bone density and smush-the-girls-ogram. So I did the mail-in thingy and Friday, I have the other two back-to-back. What a way to bookend my week.

There’s not much else going on in my world. Just the same ol’, same ol’. I’ll see what tomorrow may bring. What’s up with you?

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Friday Sinema: 525,600 Minutes

Posted on January 2, 2026 by Silver James

I heard this song on the TV as I was passing by earlier in the week and it occurred to me that it is perfect for today. It looks back at 2025 while also looking forward to 2026. Plus, it’s a cool song. So tell me, how do you measure a year in the life? May your coming year be seasons of love.

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Thursday Thoughts: Happy New Year

Posted on January 1, 2026 by Silver James

Copilot and I are still learning to play nice. I had this great scene in my head but I’m a writer not an artist so the whole scale and field of depth thing is…fluid. The AI gave me a “tutorial” so I know how to describe such in a way that the nice AI “gets it.” I’ll play with it at some point. Anyway, Happy New Year! It’s 2026. I’m not sure how I feel about this. I mean…I read SciFi in the 60s where 2026 was waaay in the future and there was all sorts of stuff. Where’s my flying car? And no moon bases. Or ET invasions. Which is okay. Yeah, really. I’m good with no invastions.

No, I’m not going to get all nostaligic and look back on last year. It happened. It wasn’t my best year. It happens. I started out with expectations and goals and all sort of idess and then Life just sort of…did it’s thing. And that’s okay. No. Really. It is.

And no, I am not going to look forward to all the things that 2026 will bring because, frankly, I have no clue what will happen. I’m not going to make plans beyond having every intention of getting out of bed and doing something each day for the next 365. Wait… It’s not leap year is it? *checks my new wolf calendar* Nope. Not a leap year. So anyway. That’s my goal–out of bed and doing stuff. Writing stuff, hopefully. Usual housekeeping stuff–you know, laundry, dishes, cooking, the like. I’m going to watch softball and baseball and Stormy’s soccer games. I’m going to listen to books if they are in audio and read them if they aren’t. And I hope to write some–but nothing set in stone. Expectations. I have none. We’ll see if that works out better for me. You know, something new and different.

Anyway, the old year is past, tucked away in a corner full of memories and cobwebs; gone but not forgotten. And the new year is standing here bouncing on its toes a little, all shiny and bright like sunlight on a mirror, waiting to be all it can be like a new recruit, uniform pressed with shiny buttons and boots.

So, Day One. I’m out of bed, I’ve written words, but first I had coffee. And now it’s time for another cup. So, from me and mine to you and yours, may 2026 be all it can be.

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Wednesday Words:

Posted on December 31, 2025 by Silver James

HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE! Anybody have big plans? Going to a party or celebration? We’ll be staying in and dealing with nervous pets. Dogs and cats do NOT like “ringing” in the New Year when it includes firecrackers, gunfire, and the big booms of fireworks. I’ll likely doze off before midnight but once the ruckus begins, I’ll be in the floor with Jake. Pete and Loki will be in their hidey-holes. We have no clue what Toby’s reaction will be. If he takes his cue from Jake, that’s not a good thing. I wish the neighbors would be law-abiding and NOT shoot off fireworks. *sigh* In the meantime, it IS Wednesday…

Due to circumstances and on account of the holiday season, there has been no Thursday Threads flashfiction challenged since before Christmas. And since I recycled a Christmas short for last week’s words, I have new words to share for today. As usual, I can’t say a whole lot about this scene. It’s sort of spoilery all in and of itself, but it sorta isn’t. Not that I’m being vague. Or anything. In case you’re curious, here’s the prompt: *”What are you doing?”*

****
Aisling watched Ariel take ten steps before he paused. Then he pivoted a quarter turn and walked three steps before another pivot, which put him facing back the way he’d just come.

“What are you doing?”

“What does it look like I’m doing?” He didn’t look at her when he answered. Instead he stared at the floor, his gaze intent, almost as if he could see what lay beneath the concrete floor.

“If I knew, I would be asking now, would I?” She didn’t hide the exasperation in her voice.

“Something’s not right.” Ariel strode to his original starting point and repeated his actions. He did this several times, but moving one step to the side for each subsequent trial.

Aisling watched intently. Whatever intrigued the Fae was lost on her. “Can you be more specific?”

Pausing, Ariel glanced at her. “If I knew what is off, I’d say.”

“This room isn’t square, if that’s the problem.”

“I’m aware. This has nothing to do with…” His voice trailed off as he stared at something on the floor. Crouching, he ran his fingertips over the spot.

Kneeling beside him, Aisling asked, “What?” She whispered for some reason. “What did you find?”

Ariel slowly turned his head to look at her and then a wicked smile curled his lips as an odd light wreathed his face and reflected in his eyes. “I would say it’s the back door to Narnia, but Mordor is more apropos.”

“Holy crap.”

“You can say that again.”
****

Oh, sweet mystery of life. Or, more precisely in this case, the Veil between the realms. By George, I think he’s got it. Writers, grab the prompt if it inspires you. Readers (and writers who who want to “play”), what do you think? Will they find Narnia or Mordor if and when they can breach whatever portal/gate/doorway (I haven’t written that far yet)?

Psst. Extra points if you know where those “Easter egg” quotes come from… 😉

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Tuesday Titles: Rock Chicks and Angels

Posted on December 30, 2025 by Silver James

I have a confession. There’s a very popular author who, by all rights, should drive me crazy. She writes books that wallow in the stuff that makes me want to toss books at walls. She writes in 1st Person POV. Yes, I know. I’ve written books in 1st, but bear with me. She goes deep into the FMC’s head. All of her FMCs are detail oriented. Shoes. Clothing. Food. Decor. EVERY LITTLE DETAIL! I have stopped reading books because of this.

I’m not quite sure how I first tumbled onto Kristen Ashley’s books. I think I tumbled across her Mystery Man series first, which lead me into the Chaos MC series, and then the Rock Chicks. And others. I’ve read a bunch of her books, including some of the fantasies. I’ve read several of the series several times. I tend to do this with books I enjoy. Some I’ll read on a yearly basis. I should also explain here that many of the plots are so full of OMGWTAFBBQ Muppet Flail drenched in crazy sauce that I just shake my head. While reading intently, laughing out loud and wishing that these people and places actually existed because I would go and visit them. From Fortnum’s Book Store in Denver to the Oasis Apartments and The Surf Club in Phoenix, these people are entertaining. Despite the girly-girl gushing about details.

I digress. Sort of. Let’s talk about Rock Chicks and the Hot Bunch. The Hot Guys in the Hot Bunch are cops and PIs in Denver and there’s a Rock Chick that becomes The One for each of them. The secondary characters are as important as the main characters. There are shootings and arsons and bombs and kidnappings and a flannel-shirt-wearing coffee barista savant with PTSD who cat sits and has hand grenades. No, I’m NOT going to explain Tex. I’ve chuckled and laughed my way through the Rock Chick books many times. They found The One. They got married. They had kids. Some moved on to other places. Good times.

Which brings us to the Avenging Angels. The heroes are the Hottie Squad, second generation Hot Bunch. Some of the OG (Old Guard) Hot Bunch have come to Phoenix to open the 3rd office of Nightingale Investigations (Denver, LA and Phoenix). The Angels (and yes, think Charlie’s Angels complete with a myterious beefactor and a Bosley only don’t EVER call Clarice “Bosley” to her face–she’s a high-powered defense attorney with roots and ties in Denver but now in Phoenix). The Oasis is the cozy apartment complex where they live and they work at The Surf Club which is a coffee shop, bar, diner place that would be an awesome place to hang and write books because…reasons.

Anyway, I’m doing a marathon year-end relisten to the Angels because…new release. And I’m rolling my eyes while laughing at the antics. These books are NOT my catnip but I can’t put them down and now I’ve a hankering for a deep dive back into the Rock Chicks because…yeah. I want to live in their world.

And that’s rather the point of this ramblie. As a writer, I want to create worlds and characters that readers want to not only read about but would want to meet the people and visit the places I’ve formed in my imagination. Anyway. If you a bit of sexy with some crazy action and deep romance, you might hook up with the Rock Chicks. Indy Savage and Lee Nightingale lead off the parade in ROCK CHICK. What book or series would you like to visit in real life? Which character do you want share a cup of coffee (or beverage of your choice) with and talk? I’m nosey.

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Last Monday Of the Year

Posted on December 29, 2025 by Silver James

Where did 2025 go? It seems like just the other day I was typing a post welcoming in the first Monday of the year. I didn’t come close to accomplishing what I had hoped. It happens. I am not going get all depressed as that’s been part of the problem.

I have to admit I’m not exactly looking forward to the new year. I should explain. I’m not bummed out there’s going to be a change in numbers. That’s cool. Time marches on and that BS. By not looking forward, I mean I’m not making plans. I beat myself up when I make goals and totally fail. It’s like my book sales. Yeah. They sucked in 2024, but I ended up the year making almost $50 this last month.

One of the things I know about self-publishing is that while it is about quality, it’s also about quantity. Since my illness and surgeries two years ago, the energy just hasn’t been there. It’s time to stop beating myself up–figuratively–over it. It is what is. Hence, my current “philosophy” about doing what I can and not sweating what I can’t. Now…the interesting part will be whether or not I can follow through. Ahhh, my head. It really is a mystery up there.

In the meantime, I’m crunching out the last few audio books of the year in order to meet my Goodreads Reading Challenge, is is way down from my usual. I’ve adjusted the final number a couple of times–usually shifting it to more books. It currently sits at 128 and I’m listening to #126 so I’ll likely make it and might even get to up it again. I’m marathoning Kristen Ashley’s Avenging Angel’s series. The antics of this “second generation” of Rock Chick/Hot Bunch couples makes me laugh. A lot. There’s a new release in the series and since the books make me smile and occasionally laugh out loud, I figure it’s a good way to ring out the old year.

Christmas was excellent even though I had a bad cold. Everyone had “early” Christmas at home and then the Kids came here for stockings, inter-family gifts, and turkey sandwiches with pie. It was laid back, easy, and fun. I’m lucky. I have a great husband, a marvelous daughter, a great son-in-law, and a grandson who is waaaay too smart for his own good. 😉 Toby did well with all the people and commotion. Hopefully, by next Christmas we can put up a tree with presents under it.

That’s pretty much the sum total of my week and end of year summation. I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday and that Santa was good to you. Share your favorite gift! Mine is the GC to Shoe Carnival from Howie Mandel. I have a new pair of Sketchers in my future!

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Friday Sinema: Christmas Lights

Posted on December 26, 2025 by Silver James

Yes. I’m late. I won’t EVEN get into all the forgetfulness from yesterday. That said, it was a wonderful day with family and friends. Today, sharing one of my favorite types of Christmas videos–first responder light shows. I have no clue how they do it, I’m just glad they do. Hope your Christmas was as deLIGHTful as this video. ❤️

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Merry Christmas!

Posted on December 25, 2025 by Silver James

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