Monday’s Mission

Posted on August 29, 2016 by Silver James

Monday coffeeWhy is it Monday keeps rolling around every 7 days? I’m never ready for it. And I’m sure not ready for the last Monday of August. *flail*

headdeskSo…Life happened this weekend. I didn’t get Kade’s proposal finished. I do like the direction RDR#6 is headed and I am almost finished with chapter 3. I have a decent idea of the new synopsis as well, though I haven’t started it either. Today’s mission is to finish and have it ready to roll out to New York tomorrow. Which is 1 day before deadline.

This week’s mission, after RDR#6 heads to NYC, is to edit BLOOD & FIRE, which is in the October release of Paige Tyler’s DALLAS FIRE & RESCUE Kindle World. I really like Rhys and Celie and it will be fun transferring them to Texas and making her an EMT. 🙂

PBD-Post Book DepressionReading has been…odd of late. I find myself wanting the comfort of old favorites. Of books and series I know I can fall into and hide out. I scroll through the covers on my Kindle and peruse the books on my TBR shelves. Sadly, the number of each is about the same, meaning I have way to many books that I haven’t read and way too many books that I read over and over. At least I’m a little ahead on my 200-book reading challenge.

TV has been…baseball. Or reality cop shows to go to sleep by. I’m ready for the new season to get here, though I still have some Rizzoli & Isles and Game of Thrones episodes to clear off my DVR. I am looking forward to the next season of LUCIFER. I’m hoping they can keep up with Season 1. So I guess that’s my other mission this week. Get those shows watched. 😆

So what about y’all? How was your weekend?

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Friday Sinema: Seminole Wind

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Silver James

Back in 1992 when I first heard this song by John Anderson, I loved it. Hearing this new release make me love it even more. While I am far from a musicologist, I listen to a lot of different musical genres–from rock to blue grass, from country to metal, from film scores to ethnic. Today, my favorite genre is blue grass. Just sayin’…

If you’re interested in the storing behind the new version and a listen to the original, check out THIS LINK. Have a great weekend!

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Thursday Thoughts Universal Stories

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Silver James

universeStarting a new book is always an adventure. I don’t every outline and the only plotting I do deals with characters, settings and the basic trope. All the rest gets made up as I go along. When this little gem from the Universe dropped into my inbox.

It’s all so precious, Silver, and hopelessly romantic…

I mean, just look around you right now. In your office, your neighborhood, down the street. There are people, right? Friends or maybe complete strangers. 7 billion people in all.

And every single one of them have forks in the road of life, just up ahead, that even now swiftly approach. Adventures and choices that will take them, at least temporarily, out of sight, beyond reach, and eventually closer to “home.” Yet until then, they’re so incredibly near, you have so much in common, and there are still stories to tell.

Treasure every beautiful second.

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

Once upon a time, there was this really cool person named Silver, who for absolutely no apparent reason decided to surprise another really cool person named….

I should have cards printed up with this explanation on them. Then, when people ask where I get my ideas, I can hand them a card, smile, and ask if they have any stories to tell. As for surprises, I leave those for my characters. This time, its two really cool people named Kaden and Pippa. So what’s your story?

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Wednesday Words: Working Girl

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Silver James

Double Trouble KW Logo FinalI’m slow doing the #1lineWed prompt today, which is “WORK” but better late than never, right? And I’m not doing it officially because it’s supposed to come from a WIP. Today’s snippet is from the my newest release, BAREFOOT BAY: DOUBLE TROUBLE. This a “getting to know you” scene between Nick and Peni.

Will you tell me what’s going on?”

She blanched and stepped back. She reminded him of the stray dog that hung around Bagram Air Force Base in Khandahar. The animal had been beaten and starved before it appeared at the PJs’ HQ. Dom spent weeks making friends by leaving scraps and just sitting nearby. Eventually, the dog accepted that they meant him no harm and Scruff became the unit’s mascot. This extreme patience came from the space deep inside that he’d cultivated in response to certain interests he occasionally enjoyed when the right partner came along.

Moderating his voice, he glanced toward a second barstool. “Will you sit down? I’ll get you something to drink and we can talk. Okay?”

Dom backed up, and keeping the breakfast bar between them to ease the girl’s nerves, he headed to the fridge. Like that stray, she crept over to the stool and eased up on it. “How about some orange juice?” At her nod, he pulled a glass carafe from the top shelf, found a glass and filled it. He slid the juice toward her but stayed on the kitchen side of the bar.

“The man who’s hunting you—”

“Mr. Vasile.” She spat the name like it tasted bitter.

Gabe had been right. Now Dom needed to know why she was on the run, and how she’d gotten involved. She had a slight accent—one that came out at odd times. Was she an American? Or had this Vasile asshole brought her into the country on a guest work visa or some sort of bullshit like that. He reached for patience and schooled his voice to sound concerned but noncommittal. “Will you tell me why you’re running?”

“The story’s a long one.”

He offered his charming smile, the one with the dimple as he leaned back against the counter and crossed his ankles. “They usually are. And I seem to have a lot of time to listen at the moment.”
***

And yeah, you can dash over the Amazon by CLICKING HERE to grab a copy. The book’s gotten a 5-star review that had me grinning like a loon while sniffling. That’s the sales pitch. Now it’s your turn. Pitch me some words about “work.”

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Tuesday Titles: Eleven in Barefoot Bay

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Silver James

Rocki L2 covers

Today’s the day! I’m jumping into Roxanne St. Claire’s Barefoot Bay with both feet! I’m in Launch 2 with some fantastic authors and feel privileged to be included. This group has something for everyone! Romantic suspense? CHECK! Sweet inspiration? CHECK! Romantic comedy? CHECK! Second chance at love? CHECK! Bosses, fairy tales, and ghosts? OH hellayeah CHECK! This group of Barefoot Bay Kindle World novellas have something for everyone! Just click and go:

DOUBLE TROUBLE – Silver James                      DANGEROUSLY SWEET – Angela Evans

ONLY IN YOUR ARMS – Debra Fisk                     DIVINE INTERRUPTION – Amy Lyon

MISS MATCH – EmKay Connor                             TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY – Jeannie Moon

A SOLDIER’S SURPRISE – Lynne St. James       SEEING SHANNON – JoMarie DeGioia

BE MY BABY – June Bowen                                     AS WHITE AS SAND – Keri Ford

WHISPERS IN THE SAND – Gail Chianese

And don’t forget the FACEBOOK PARTY starting at 11 am EDT this morning and goes until tonight. CLICK HERE TO RSVP. I’m taking over the party from 3-4 pm EST. There are great prizes up for grabs–like Kindle Fires, free books, gift cards, so come play, even if you can’t come while it’s going live, the posts should stay open for awhile for folks to catch up!

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The Monday Before

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Silver James

See this? Yeah…that pretty much explains the head space of every author as release day approaches. In this case, it’s tomorrow. Barefoot Bay: DOUBLE TROUBLE comes out on Amazon sometime after midnight as part of an eleven-book launch in Roxanne St. Claire’s Barefoot Bay Kindle World. I worried about this book then it surprised me. The characters came together and I ended up really liking Nick and Peni. Having the ability for them to interact with Gabe Rossi, Uncle Nino Rossi, and Poppy from the Barefoot Undercover series is a total fangirl moment for me! Writing in Rocki’s world was a huge thrill and while I’m pretty sure my readers will enjoy the story, I’m totally chewing my nails over whether the fans of Barefoot Bay will. I always worry when a book comes out but this time? I have TWO worlds to uphold. So yeah…a little panicked. I also don’t control the pricing and I won’t have a buy link until sometime late tonight.

So, other news of the weekend…

… … …

There was one. 😆 I watched some baseball. I squeezed out 1500+ words for the first chapter of RDR#6 – Kade, which is a lousy working title but my only other working title is “Cowgirl Up” and it doesn’t really fit the change in story. Kade and Pippa are a wonderful couple and there’s lots of angst and tension and fun stuffs but my brain just doesn’t want to wrap itself around their story yet. Which is troublesome, given the proposal is due 10 days from now. *flail*

I’m reading Margaret Mallory’s CAPTURED BY THE LAIRD. I have mixed emotions but mostly enjoying. I’m about 40% done with it and as it was on digital sale, it’s a good bargain. I also have to squeeze in some contest reads for my RWA chapter by mid-September. And there are soooooooooo many books coming out between now and the first of the year (and just after!) that I can’t wait to read.

I have hummingbirds. That’s fun. I moves the feeder about a foot and now I can see the feeder out my window just by looking up. Not sure what’s attracted them but I often see them perched there drinking. 🙂 Speaking of “wildlife”, I’m still feeding the feral cats. There are 3 jet blacks-Wynken, Blynken, and Nod who are 3 sizes, with Nod being the smallest. Then there’s Ghost, who is a little brindle gray with a dark gray tail. He’s very shy. I think they’re all from the same litter or it’s a momma and 3 babies. Last, there’s Pywacket. Pye is not a Siamese like the character cat in “Bell, Book, and Candle.” The cat looks like a piebald horse. I keep hoping they’ll let me make friends but after several months, no real luck yet.

So, what fun/boring/reading/watching/industrious/lazy stuffs did y’all do this weekend?

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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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