Thursday Thoughts Universal To Do List

Posted on August 18, 2016 by Silver James

universeSo…I finished up DOUBLE TROUBLE. It gets uploaded tomorrow for release on Tuesday. There’s a Facebook party that day starting at 11am EDT with Roxanne St. Claire. I’ll be “taking over” from 3-4pm. Lots of prizes, including Kindle Fires. I’ll be giving away some swag and an Amazon gift card. Between now and then I have a whole checklist of things to accomplish for marketing efforts plus pushing forward on RDR#6-Kade because…yeah. I have the proposal due in two weeks. I’m not worried. shiftyeyes What’s 6500 words and a synopsis?

Since to-do lists are on my mind, I thought this little nudge from the Universe was particularly apropos.

****
What can you now do,
that you’d like to do,
that you aren’t doing?

Do it, Silver.

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

‘Til you’re satisfied, Silver.
****
This applies to my writing, to my marketing efforts, and to life in general. I need to make a list. What about you?

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Wednesday Words: If You Believe

Posted on August 17, 2016 by Silver James

wurkn-on-mai-plan-for-word-domination-caleb-pupOne of my favorite scenes in Peter Pan (the original musical version) is when Tinkerbell drinks the poison medicine and Pan asks, “Do you believe in fairies? If you believe clap your hands.
Don’t let Tinker die.” Today’s #1lineWed theme is “BELIEVE.” When you read romance, you automatically believe in the Happy Ever After.

Today’s entry comes from DOUBLE TROUBLE, set in Roxanne St. Claire’s Barefoot Bay. The next batch of Barefoot Bay Kindle World books releases on August 23rd. Until then, have a snippet you can believe in. 😉

****
He finally turned to stare at Nick and after a moment, said, “Theodor Vasile.”

Nick frowned. “That’s quite the mouthful.”

“The man’s a son of a bitch. Romanian. Rich.”

“Mob?”

“Maybe.” Gabe stared at the front door of the villa. “Probably.” He jutted his chin toward the structure. “There’s a girl inside. I think Vasile is hunting her.”

“You think?” Nick didn’t like the sound of that. “Just what is this favor, Rossi?”

“What I said, Karras. If things shake out like I believe, I’ll need you to fly her somewhere else. She’ll have new papers. A new start.”

“This girl. Who is she? Vasile’s mistress? She turning state’s evidence or something?” Which didn’t make sense. The Feds would be taking care of her business if that was the case.

Gabe appeared to ponder his questions before indicating “no” with a headshake as he climbed out of the cart. “Don’t think so, but you need to find out her story. Her name is Peony Comanescu.”
****
What do you believe in? And do you believe you can share some words?

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Monday in the Middle

Posted on August 15, 2016 by Silver James

marina view dayContinuing with the RWA16 photo share…these two photos show different views of the same…view. 😆 This one is a day-time view from my balcony. The area down below, beyond the marina, is called Seaport Village, a collection of shops and restaurants situated in historic buildings. Click HERE if you’re interested in checking out the coolness.

So…There was a weekend. I worked. Due to circumstances and on account of because, I had to rewrite the last 50 pages of DOUBLE TROUBLE. It has to be ready to upload by August 19th. This is me doing a giant *FLAIL*. I lost the black moment between the H/H. I lost the moment the hero faced his doubts. I lost the moment when the heroine realized her feelings for him. So…yeah. Had to restructure. And something interesting happened. A different story emerged and one that I think I like even more than the original. The rewrite pretty much occupied my whole weekend. I caught a little of the Olympics, some baseball, and lots of background TV noise.

I also read. I finished Michelle Sagara’s CAST IN HONOR, the most current book in her Chronicles of Elantra series. The next one, CAST IN FLIGHT comes out in…November? Then I got around to reading Nalini Singh’s ALLEGIANCE OF HONOR. This was my weekend for honor reads. 😆 Totally enjoyed catching up with almost all the characters from the Psy-Changling series. Now I’m doing a “listen” of Jeaniene Frost’s Night Prince series, starting with ONCE BURNED. Fun times!

Marriott North tower from marina walkwaySo that was my weekend. More or less. And this one is the view from the edge of Seaside Village, looking back at the hotel. My room was up there on the 22nd floor about five balconies in. What did y’all do this weekend? What’s on tap for your week?

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Friday Sinema: Something To Talk About

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Silver James

Yeah…This made me laugh because I remember the days when The Only and Micco, our Siberian Husky, carried on conversations just like this. They knew exactly what they were saying. It was up to the rest of us to translate. Happy Friday! Have fun this weekend.

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Thursday Thoughts – Universal Challenge

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Silver James

universeYeah, this has been a week. Lots of ups and downs and changes in plans. Revising revisions. Starts and stops. Twists and turns. But the Universe is right. It is an adventure. With each setback, I learn something–even it’s only a new way to beat my head against a wall. Still, I’d like a little smooth sailing once in awhile, especially given the flow of my next 10 months. Still, when I read this message from the Universe, it hit close to home.
***
Time out! Time out!

What do you mean, Silver, you can’t see it? You don’t know? You aren’t sure? You’re scared?

This is an adventure, you’re an adventurer, uncertainty, fear, and even setbacks happen. Besides, “easy” has never been your style, and just because you can’t see the miracles doesn’t mean they aren’t happening, doesn’t mean you’re alone, and doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path.

The day your ship arrives, and it now swiftly approaches, the confusion, fear, and setbacks will be among your fondest memories.

Today, Silver, you’re exactly where you most need to be –
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

Silver, challenges? Problems? Oh yeah, baby!
***
While the Universe might thrive on such things, I’m ready for some low-key, steady progress in calm water. At least part-time. Because yeah. Gotta have some down time to reboot, rest, rehab, and reinvigorate. So what adventure are you embarking on today?

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Wednesday Words: Had Enough

Posted on August 10, 2016 by Silver James

wurkn-on-mai-plan-for-word-domination-caleb-pupToday’s #1lineWed theme is **ENOUGH**. Oh, the places writers can go, right? I’m back in revisions and edits on DOUBLE TROUBLE. Sadly, I have to switch heroes in mid-stream. It’s a long story and doesn’t make a lot of difference to the plot because instead of the hero being Dominic Karras, member of the Hard Target team, he is now Nicholas Karras, brother to Dom, and maybe a little more on the shady side of the pilot scale. So, anyway, in this scene, Nick and Peni have taken the twins out on the beach for a walk. And enough explanation…

A flash of movement blinked in Nick’s peripheral vision. He had his weapon in his hand and was tugging Peni close. A jogger, down the beach, steadily moving their direction. All his senses went on alert. “Keep walking, babe,” he ordered in a low voice.

“What is it?” Peni’s breathing quickened and she glanced around furtively.

“Maybe nothing but I don’t want to take a chance.”

Her gaze skittered between the weapon in his hand and the man approaching them. She gripped the handle of the stroller and pushed. Nick’s warm hand settled on the small of her back, steadying her.

“Walk, babe. As normal as you can. I’ll cover you and the twins. He won’t get to you. Roger that?”

His use of the military term was meant to make her smile. It worked. Sort of. She flashed him a glance with a hint of curl on her mouth. Dom had every intention of getting up close and personal with that mouth—sooner than later. Duty first though. He homed in on the runner like a bird dog on a pheasant. The guy stared back then dropped his eyes and kept his hands in plain sight. Interesting.

“Karras,” the guy acknowledged when he was close enough not to yell. “Luke McBain, chief of security. We’ve got you covered. Enjoy your walk.”

McBain kept jogging. Nick surreptitiously holstered his pistol. Good to know Rossi had backup in place. He glanced down at Peni, ready to tell her she could go back to wading in the surf—until he caught sight of her expression. Haunted eyes, pale face, lips pressed into a hard line to hide the trembling. He let loose with a string of obscenities in his head.
****
Have y’all had enough yet? Then grab enough to share from your own work. 😉 Happy Hump Day!

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Tuesday Tidbits and Stuffs

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Silver James

Giant poster freakoutSo, no recipe today. But I am sharing a few more pics from San Diego, and some fun links/stories I came across. The first pic is of me with my RWA Service Award. There was this huge vertical banner in the main ballroom lobby area of the Marriott. I freaked out every time I walked past it so Jen Lyon, who took the pic for me, and I thought it would be a good back drop. 😆

And y’all really should take the few minutes to click on the links. This first one is an “imagining” of some of our favorite cartoon heroines after the HEA when motherhood is part of their world. Click for MOM POWER.

And this video shows what happens with the SWEDISH COP TEAM leaps into action when a criminal intrudes on their sunbathing.

marina view dayAnd finally, here’s the view I woke up to every morning. I really wanted to just sit and drink coffee on my balcony. Someday, I want to go back for just a vacation when I can relax, enjoy and explore. I understand why so many people flock to San Diego to live. 😀

So, have any of you found fun places to visit on the internet? Share your links if you have!

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Monday Talking Points and Stuff

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Silver James

Monday coffeeI have no time to fool around, Monday! I will not let you get me down. *nods*

So, I did two podcasts when I was in San Diego for The Disaster Podcast. Fun times but OMG it’s been too long since I did “free-style” speaking. The “uhs” and “ands” had me Gibbs Slapping myself continuously as I listened. 😆 If you’re curious about my take on the Murrah Building/Oklahoma City Bombing, check out the PODCAST HERE. There will be a second one in a week or so about my experiences with the F7 tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma.

My Cardinals sucked this weekend. I haz a very large sad over it. I couldn’t watch the game yesterday. It was just…sad. 😥 I keep telling myself it’s a rebuilding year, especially with all the injuries to the starting players but…yeah. :/

So, I read a lot, due to many sales and Kindle Unlimited. Three books, and started a fourth. THE DEVIL’S LADY, an old school medieval romance. It was nostalgic and fun and I liked the characters, despite their predictability. Read a new-to-me author, Suzanne Johnson. The first book in her Fae Hunters series is free on Kindle Unlimited. It’s the first in the series so I hope the author publishes the second one in a hurry. Thoroughly enjoyed it because basically, the Wild Hunt and its Captain in located in New Orleans to hunt down Fae who’ve crossed between the realms without royal permission. Can you say “CATNIP!!!” Plus, it was well-written and I’m totally fangirling over Falconer/Faulkner. *swoon* And finally, Jayne Castle’s latest Harmony book, ILLUSION TOWN. I’m a huge fan of her various series all relating to the Arcane Society. Fun times! The book I’m starting is the latest in Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changling series, ALLEGIANCE OF HONOR. I’m finishing up the book right before it on audio, to refresh my memory of the events leading up to this book.

Didn’t watch much TV except I discovered a new-to-me show on HGTV–Vintage Flip. A couple in southern California buy vintage homes, restore them, and then flip them. Pretty cool stuffs.

So, that’s about it. Lawyer Guy and I celebrated a low-key 33rd anniversary. He brainstormed a new Nightrider book with me while we made a morning road trip in the rain. I laughed for like ten minutes. It will be AWESOME! An unnamed (because I haven’t decided who yet) Nightrider wins a mail-order bride¹ in a poker game. You do the imagining. 😀 Got home in time for a late lunch with Only, BB, and Stormy at our favorite Mexican place and then we had dinner out at a local sports bar, wherein we enjoyed good food but watched the Cards lose. Still, it was a nice day with my best friend and other half.

What all did you fine people get up to over the weekend? Reading? Writing? Movies? Fishing? 😉

¹It’s an arranged marriage between two Irish Traveler clans and she turns out to be the Nightrider’s mate. *bwahahahahahaha*

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Friday Sinema: Fallon’s Hashtag

Posted on August 5, 2016 by Silver James

For us writers, there is much fodder here. For everyone else, liquids alert. Set the coffee aside and don’t drink. The hashtag is #WorstFirstDate and Jimmy Fallon reads tweets from the hashtag on The Tonight Show. Have a wonderful weekend! Lawyer Guy and I will celebrating 33 years. 😀 and ❤

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Week

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Silver James

universeSo, another week is on it’s way out. I’m only 4 days off the deadline I set myself for DOUBLE TROUBLE. I finished the first draft last night about 9 o’clock. Today is a hard edit–I know of at least one rough spot that needs fixing, and there may be a second. That’s okay. I started out worried about the story but I think I redeemed it in the end. We’ll see what the betas say.

And it’s Thursday so time to be thoughtful. Got any good ideas? Yeah, me neither, but the Universe has something to say on the matter:

Got any good ideas for this week, Silver?

I’m thinking that anything can happen.

But, then, of course, it’s not about what I think.

You’re up,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

I so love your continuum, Silver. It’s so responsive, versatile, and dependable. Kind of like chocolate.
****
Yeah, I like the idea of chocolate. And the nice thing about being a hybrid author is I can be versatile and responsive and…dependable. Mostly. The Universe is right, though. Anything can happen. Let’s go have an adventure. Who’s with me?

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