Tuesday Tidbits: Linky-links of Procrastination

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Silver James

procrastinationToday is election day here in the states. I’m ignoring Real Life and thought other people might want to do the same. Here’s a round up of some fun links I’ve been collecting for procrastination purposes. Go forth and have some fun!

Cosmo decided to have some fun. Some of their staff texted random quotes from various romance novels to their significant others. Here’s the result: TEXTING ROMANCE How would your SO react? 😀

What does your hero smell like? Because a writer needs to know! CLICK HERE

Every author I know has received the dreaded rejection letter. This REJECTION CHECKLIST from a 1915 movie studio is too funny–and still too true.

I’m not big on quizzes but since I’m avoiding anything to do with Real Life today, this one is short and kinda fun. What Shapeshifter are you? FYI, I’m a dragon. 😉

And as long as we’re doing quizzes, here’s another shorty: What Romance Novel are you? I’m not telling what I am. But it made me laugh. And is probably true, given my current series.

And finally, for those of you who really like to procrastinate, like to make book “memes”/ads, here’s a fairly comprehensive and easy-to-follow tutorial for using Canva. If you haven’t heard of Canva, you should check it out. Just Google. I signed up, piddled with it, got busy and let it slide because I was having trouble with the learning curve–mainly no time/no patience. This YOUTUBE VIDEO is about 14 minutes long and I’m going to make time to watch and play. EDIT: I got a very nice email from Kate the Community Outreach person at Canva. She asked if I would share their direct link. If I hadn’t been so lazy, I would have earlier. Go sign up with CANVA HERE!

Today and tomorrow are good days to procrastinate and stay away from the real world. I hope these links give you some fun time. 😀

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The Monday Before the End

Posted on November 7, 2016 by Silver James

dst-mondaySome time ago, I declared my social media sites a No Politics Zone. That’s one reason I haven’t been around my personal FB page much, and my author page is all about hot guys, coffee memes, and books. Tomorrow–hopefully–life will get back to some semblance of normal. I’m so ready, especially on top of Daylight Savings Time. ‘Nuff said.

So, true story. Lawyer Guy’s office mate has a client who is currently in jail. He was there checking up on her. Due to circumstances and on account of because, she doesn’t get much “recess” time. One of the other inmates took pity on her and offered up a paperback she’d just finished reading. The client read it cover to cover and liked it so much, she mentioned it to her attorney. Since his sister is also an author, he asked who wrote the book. “Someone named James,” the client said. “Was the first name Silver?” he asked. “Yes!” she exclaimed. “I loved it so much I’m going to read it again.”

Uhm…shiftyeyes And yes. I will be offering to donate some of my books. 😆

So reading…I read a quick novella by Stacy Bennett, SON OF ANUBIS. It was interesting and I like Stacy’s voice. I’m listening to Elliott James’ (no relation) urban fantasy, CHARMING. It’s an interesting take on vampires, Valkyries, Templar knights, and werewolves. Next up for reading is Allison Brennan’s THE LOST GIRLS. I have one word to say about this book: KANE!!!! My love of Kane Rogan knows no bounds. 😀

Sports: THE CUBS WON THE WORLD SERIES! That’s pretty awesome. The real OSU won, as did OU. Pitcher/Catcher is 103 days away. Go Cardinals! If you’re counting down, THIS SITE will tell you down to the second. 😉

Writing: This is Day 7 of NaNoWriMo. I’m a little ahead of schedule which is good. I’m in final edits on RESCUE MOON, which releases on November 22. I hope to have it finished and formatted today. I’ve also done a third revision on the opening chapters of Kade’s book. eye sigh I’ll make everybody happy sooner or later. The rest of the story is moving along. I need to get it done and turned in. I have two more deadlines in January. Lots and lots of words to go.

And…whoppee…that was a fun rock and roll…not! As I was typing this last night, we had a 5.3 earthquake. The epicenter was about 70 miles away. We shook for just over a minute. Fun times! What was xhaking in your world over the weekend? Any urgent plans for this week?

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Friday Sinema: I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghosts

Posted on November 4, 2016 by Silver James

I know Halloween was at the first of the week and it’s Friday, but this was too cool not to share. Warning, ear worm is highly probable. For those of you doing NaNoWriMo, here’s to many words this weekend! To the rest of you, have fun! 😀

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Secret

Posted on November 3, 2016 by Silver James

nanowrimo_2016_webbadge_participant-200This is Day 3 of National Novel Writing Month. This is my eleventh year. Yowser. And yes, almost all of the books I wrote for #NaNoWriMo has been published. Y’all know I’ve accused the Universe of favoring writers when it comes to the thoughts It tosses into my inbox. This one is totally appropriate for all the NaNoers out there–including me. Because no matter how many books I write, no matter how fast or slow I write them, I still need to remember this:

Always remember, Silver, when it comes to climbing mountains, slaying dragons, or just plain getting what you want, you’ve got a built-in, double-secret advantage:

You’re supernatural.

Shhhhhh … don’t tell anyone,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

Right, Silver, you got me. No one is mere mortal. No one.

I learned on Tuesday that Natalie Babbitt, and author and artist, died on Halloween. Her book TUCK EVERLASTING is one of my favorites, even though I was graduation college when it was first released. The idea of immortality, explored through the eyes of a 10 year old girl, was one I found fascinating and Ms. Babbitt’s prose was perfect for the tale. My point is, if you write your stories and you leave them behind, you will never truly be mortal. A part of you will live on. My name might not be Tuck but somewhere, sometime in the future, someone will find one of my books, read it, and I’ll come to life all over again.

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Wednesday Words: Under

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Silver James

wurkn-on-mai-plan-for-word-domination-caleb-pupThe theme for this week’s #1lineWed is **UNDER**–and yes, being a romance writer, my mind went there! 😆 Instead of doing the obvious, I took a different track. This is an unedited snippet from RESCUE MOON, releasing November 22 in Susan Stoker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World. Hawk Greenwood, our hero, is at Fort Hood as a special instructor on loan to Delta Force. He’s been called into General Jack Donovan’s office for a “secondary” special assignment…

***
Hawk realized his index finger was tapping the photo. He tore his eyes from the woman’s face to gaze at the general. “Do we have proof of life?”

“As of yesterday, yes.” Donovan shrugged. “Estanza may play with her for awhile. Depends. She’ll either end up as a sex slave or dead.”

He stilled and went cold, like he’d been flash frozen. He finally blinked and asked, “Why me? Why not Bryson’s team? Or the SEALs?”

Donovan pursed his lips, tapped the pen he’d picked up on his desk, and studied Hawk. Hawk returned the man’s gaze.

“I know who you are, Master Sergeant Greenwood. More importantly, I know what you are.”

He went statue still, but for the pacing of his wolf just beneath the surface of his skin. Hawk had never been identified as being a Wolf, not as far as the military was concerned. Only a few select people knew he was a wolf shifter. Mac McIntire would not have betrayed him, nor would have any Wolf in the 69th. His kind were being actively hunted by a clandestine corporation seeking Wolf DNA and it was more important than ever to fly under the radar.

“Relax, Hawk. This information goes no further than this office.” Donovan leaned back in his chair. “There are various reasons the military can’t be officially involved. But given your abilities, I thought you could handle this. Back in the day, we often used the 69th for missions such as this. Will you accept the mission?”
***

So, what are y’all laboring under today? Any words to share?

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Tuesday Treats: Skillet Spinach Dip

Posted on November 1, 2016 by Silver James

skillet-artichoke-spinach-dip-2I think I’ve mentioned before…like several times 😆 …that one of my favorite dips is hot spinach and artichoke. Yum stuff! I came across the video at the bottom of the page and after seeing the last dip prepared, I had to go search out a recipe. Did I mention YUM STUFF?!?!! So yeah…Have fun and good eats. Let me know if any of the other dips catch your attention. 😉

Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Bread Ring Dip

Ingredients:

12 frozen dinner roll dough balls
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
1 (14 oz) can (1 1/2 cups) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
3/4 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained of excess water
2 cloves garlic, chopped (about 1 tsp)
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Olive oil
Pita chips or crackers (optional)

DIrections:

Coat a 10-inch oven-safe skillet with olive oil.

Place the dough balls in a ring around the skillet. Cover and thaw until the rolls rise and double in size.
Combine cream cheese, Parmesan, Romano, mozzarella, sour cream, artichokes, spinach, garlic, basil and red pepper flakes.

Scoop the cheesy mixture into the center of the thawed rolls.

Brush the rolls with olive oil and top with an additional sprinkle of cheese (optional).

Bake at 375˚F for 25 minutes. (If the bread browns too quickly, lower oven temperature to 350˚F or cover the bread with a ring of foil.)

Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.

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Monday Boo!

Posted on October 30, 2016 by Silver James

Happy HalloweenNo tricks today. I got them this weekend. 😆 The book I’m currently writing for Harlequin Desire has a release date in July, 2017. Which I just found out about on Friday. So I scrambled this weekend to find model and scene pictures for the art information sheet. And ideas for titles. I also have to write a more or less carved in stone synopsis for marketing. Which is hard for me because I’m mostly a pantser when push comes to shove. Technically, I’m a puzzler–I have the general idea of characters and where I want the plot to go but nine times out of ten, those characters ignore me completely. That happened with REDEEMED BY THE COWGIRL (releasing in early March) and it’s a heck of a lot better book than it originally would have been. So anyway, due to those circumstances, the deadline is pushed back a bit. I have some breathing room, especially since National Novel Writing Month starts Tuesday. I’m always geared up to write hard during November.

So weekend… There was one. I spent lots of time looking and pictures. And trying to figure out the plots turning points without really having the plot set and I’ll be finishing up the art sheet which is due tomorrow. Since O spent my days looking at pictures, I listened to an audio book and as Insomnia is my BFF lately, I also did a lot of reading.

Books: I devoured the newest Chronicles of Elantra books, CAST IN FLIGHT by Michelle Sagara. I tumbled onto this series this summer and marathon read them all. I enjoyed it a lot. I really like the characters the author has created and her world-building is stellar. I’m also reading Rebecca Zanetti’s DEADLY SILENCE, the first book in her new Blood Brothers series. It’s romantic suspense with a touch of paranormal/scifi. If you enjoyed her Sin Brothers series, you might want to give this new one a try. I’m also a big fan of her Scorpius Syndrome series, which is post-apocalypse romantic suspense.

Sports: The REAL OSU took it to West Virginia on Homecoming and beat the #10 Mountaineers. As a result the Cowboys are back in the top 25, at #22. A year ago, Homecoming was stained by a horrific accident that killed four and injured dozens during the homecoming parade. This year’s parade was dedicated to the first responders. OU also won their game. The Cubs were down to their last game in the series but they pulled out last night to take the World Series back to Cleveland for game 5. The Cubs are down 3-2 so they have to win the next two games to take home the trophy.

Writing: Tomorrow starts NaNoWriMo. I’ll be working on RDR#6-Kade and once it’s done, I’ll push over to CRASH & BURN, which will be my second foray into Paige Tyler’s Dallas Fire & Rescue Kindle World. It’s coming out in late January. Fun times!

TV: I haven’t watched much TV besides sports. I need to catch up on LUCIFER, NCIS, LETHAL WEAPON, and PITCH. Someday! When I don’t have good books to read. 😆

halloweenAnd that’s it for me. Don’t forget about the big Kindle Fire and Ebooks giveaway on Maria Connor’s blog! Just CLICK HERE for info and entry if you haven’t already! Contest ends at midnight tonight, winner drawn tomorrow. So what’s up in your worlds? I’ll be dealing with the little witches, ghouls, goblins, and various super heroes come sundown. May you have a spooktacular day filled with nothing but treats!

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Saturday Extra: Books on Fire

Posted on October 29, 2016 by Silver James

Who wants to win a Kindle Fire plus 23 ebooks from across several genres from some awesome authors? Click on the image to go visit Maria Connor for info and entry. If you don’t want to click the pic, click HERE instead. Goes to the same place. And it’s easy peasy. If you already have a Fire, enter anyway. Christmas is coming… Just sayin’! 😀

octobookfest-1

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Friday Sinema: It’s All in the Delivery

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Silver James

Don’t even ask. Just watch. It’s short so wait to drink until it’s over, just for the WTF factor! Have a great weekend! And watch out for the little beasties, ghosties, and ghoulies.

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Thursday Thoughts: Other Side

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Silver James

universeWe live in a world of dualities. Black and white. Up and down. War and peace. Light and dark. Love and hate. Good and evil. Heads and tails.

Back in college, in a philosophy class, we talked about what would happen if there was no flip side. The discussion lasted over several class periods and as is usually the case in such circumstances, nothing was decided. I was in the camp that came firmly down on the side of opposites. My reasoning? If there was no evil, how would we know what was good? If we’d never been lost in the dark, how would we truly appreciate the light? And vice versa. Can you imagine a world where there is no dark? How would you ever rest? Would we all sleep at weird times with those fancy sleeping masks from the madcap romance movies of the 1940s? How would we cherish peace if there was no war?

So yeah…Today’s message from the Universe has made me think and reconsider that long-ago discussion. I’m older now, and allegedly wiser. Since I want that to be the case, I have to agree with the message. We can’t have one thing without it’s opposite.

Would it be as much fun, Silver, if you never stopped laughing? If there were never any clouds? If you were never challenged? If you were never alone? If you never heard the whole truth when it hurt? If you always knew what would happen, what to do, and where to go?

Or would you be like, “Beam me up, Bro!”

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

Relish the quiet, Silver, enjoy the mysteries, and welcome the whole truth.

I do.

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