Wednesday Words: Wind Power

Posted on July 27, 2016 by Silver James

wurkn-on-mai-plan-for-word-domination-caleb-pupHello, Wednesday Worders! I’m baa-ack! 😉 Today’s theme is full of sound and fury…or hot air. 😉 Yeah, we’re talking about WIND power! Well, to be specific, the theme is WIND. There have been some awesome prompts since I last had the time (and the words) to play #1lineWed over on Twitter. Sadly, I still don’t really have the time to keep up with the amazing lines shared on Twitter on Wednesday but I do have a line, followed by a snippet, from the WIP. For reasons you’ll have to read the book to learn– *bwhaha* Dominic Karras and his heroine, Peni Comanescu need a fast extraction. So…here’s a tease.

****

Double Trouble KW Logo FinalWind tangled Peni’s hair as she curled around Luca. Dom, Luiza protectively cradled in one arm, leaned over her, sheltering all of them from the biting sand kicked up by the blades of the hovering helicopter. Two men slid down ropes dangling from the craft. As the first one touched down, Dom passed Luiza to him, and reached for Luca. Peni clutched the baby, shaking her head.

“Honey, you gotta let Brady have him. I can’t carry you and the babies at the same time. It’s okay. They’re the good guys. This is my team and I trust them with our lives.”

She loosened her grip enough he could slide Luca from her arms. The man named Brady offered her a smile full of dimples as he cuddled her son and passed over some sort of headset to Dom.

“S’all good, sugar,” the man drawled loud enough she could hear him.

The next thing she knew, both men were zooming upward, her babies held shielded against their chests.

“Brady and Shane are PJs. The babies are safe with them.”

PJs? She didn’t understand. Before she could ask, pandemonium hit. In what seemed like simultaneous action, a cable with some sort of harness arrived, the gun in Dom’s hand disappeared, and sand spattered around their feet.
****

So, dear readers and writers, do you have any “windy” words to share today?

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Last Monday

Posted on July 25, 2016 by Silver James

1st night balcony cityLast Monday I was headed toward the airport in San Diego. I didn’t want to leave. It’s beautiful there and I can see why people flock to live there. That said, I was really, REALLY glad to get home. RWA Nationals is always an adventure. I get to see so many old friends. I get to spend a week with people who eat, drink, sleep, and breathe writing romance and romance books. It is invigorating, and thrilling, and exhausting. And when I get home, I’m…torn. Part of me is fired up! I want to writewritewriteWRITE!!!!!!!!!!!! And part of me feels just a little bit like an imposter. Especially this trip. I had “social obligations.” Which is a southern way of saying “OMGWTFBBQ! People like me! They really LIKE me!” I had luncheons and meets for drinks (more coffee than booze), I had cocktails and appetizers, I had receptions. I stood in Nora Roberts’ suite, after introducing myself to her, and stared at all the movers and shakers in my industry and wondered WTF I was doing there!??!

Yeah, a lot of it had to do with the RWA National Service Award I’d won but a lot of these people knew me by sight, and many of the others knew my name. It was…odd. For someone who really likes to sit in a corner and observe in instances like the above, I was thrust somewhat into the limelight and most definitely beyond my comfort zone. Still, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!

I sat next to Roxanne St. Claire at a luncheon, and contrary to on-line threats, she did NOT kiss me on the mouth. 😉 I had coffee with Jennifer Lyon and we talked and talked like old friends do after any sort of separation. I learned that the president elect of RWA has family in my hometown and we commiserated over wine and amazing appetizers. I saw my editor often and shared meals, snacks, conversation, a long walk (along with Cindy Dees who tagged along with us between hotels–and major fan girl moment for me!), and watching the RITA awards with him.

I gave away all my print books (Devil’s Cut, Night Shift, and Double Cross) at the Indie signing, along with quite a few of the cards with free downloads for MOONSTRUCK: SECRETS. I met new authors and hope I gave them encouragement in the answers I gave to their questions. I stayed up late, got up early, and never really spent the time I wanted on my balcony just watching the ships go by. But that’s okay too.

Yes, I’m rambling, but this is the post I would have written for last Monday, had I been focused and awake enough. I’ll be sharing photos in the next few weeks. You can click on the photo to get an enlarged view. The picture above is from my first night in San Diego. After arriving, getting unpacked, and oriented, I settled in for the evening and this is the view from my balcony looking right toward the city. If I looked left, I had a view of the marina and the bay. And man, that ocean breeze felt nice…

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Cover Reveal! DOUBLE TROUBLE – BAREFOOT BAY KW

Posted on July 20, 2016 by Silver James

Double Trouble KW Logo FinalIt is my absolute delight to reveal the cover of my upcoming Kindle World book, DOUBLE TROUBLE, set in Roxanne St. Claire’s Barefoot Bay and a crossover novel with my Hard Target series.

When you owe a man for saving your life, calling in a favor isn’t a big deal. Right?

Nicholas “Nick” Karras, hot-shot Air Force veteran once flew missions in the war zone. Now he flies under the radar. When Gabe Rossi calls in a favor, the last thing Nick expects is playing white knight to a young mother on the run.

With the lives of her twins on the line, who can she trust?

Peony “Peni” Comanescu is coerced into becoming the surrogate mother for a powerful man. He wants a son for his heir. A daughter is just a messy complication. When Peni discovers the depth of his evil, she runs away to save her newborn children. With a million dollar bounty now on her head, Peni and her twins hide at Barefoot Bay, sheltered by strangers.

When a Romanian mobster arrives to claim his son, there’s only one thing to do…

Determined to protect Peni and her children, Nick calls in reinforcements. With two babies caught in the crossfire, there’s more than love at stake—there’s DOUBLE TROUBLE for Nick and his friends.
****
Take a look at all the covers for the upcoming August “second launch” of BBKW stories! (Click on the pic to get an enlarged view! 😀 )
Rocki L2 covers

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Wednesday Words: Random Numbers

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Silver James

wurkn-on-mai-plan-for-word-domination-caleb-pupGetting a late start on the blog, though I had an early start to my day. Don’t ask. Same ol’, same ol’ and that’s boring. 😉 So…todays #1lineWed theme is a line from page 5, 16, 27 or 38. So…since I’m fighting writer’s block, maybe picking some lines will help me get off high-center. Quick rundown–Peony “Peni” Comanescu is the surrogate mother of twins. Their sperm donor is a powerful man with mob ties. Due to circumstances and on account of because, she’s run away and ended up at the Casa Blanca Resort and Spa on Mimosa Key. Dominic Karras, from the Hard Target team, has been recruited by Gabe Rossi to help protect her and the twins until they can be spirited away.

So…for your reading enjoyment (hopefully). a short excerpt from page 27 of DOUBLE TROUBLE:

Dom returned to the kitchen, his thumbs flying over the text app on his phone. Peni’s story pissed him off. So did her panic. And damn if her cringing away like he was going to hit her topped off his outrage with a liberal helping of hot sauce. He’d never laid hands on a woman in anger and any man who did didn’t deserve to be called a man.

He texted the information he had gotten from her to Gabe, and added that he thought the girl might try to run again. He planned to stay awake but if she went out the window, he might not be able to catch her in time. Gabe needed to alert resort security. He was sure as hell positive that Vasile’s attack dog was hanging around just waiting for a chance to act. He might have lost track of her but this Cezar dude would turn up sooner than later. Dom just hoped it was much later—after he’d spirited Peni and the kids off Mimosa Key and had them stashed under new IDs in a place Vasile couldn’t touch them.
****

Now, I really need new words–like a minimum of 3K today. *sigh* Any of you have words to share?

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4th of July

Posted on July 4, 2016 by Silver James

July 4th

2016 is a watershed year for American politics. I look at the future and shudder because if one candidate wins, it is my studied opinion that the US will slide into mediocrity and all the things we’ve worked for, fought for, and dreamed of will be a thing of the past. I hope people will look deep inside, will study the issues and research them rather than letting the media and propaganda dictate their thoughts. A group of patriots came together 240 years ago and declared that all people had certain inalienable rights. If we aren’t vigilant, there are those within the government who have and will continue to erode those rights. There is so much wrong with America–top universities declaring that history majors need not study US History, pricey private grade schools teaching six-year-olds they are born racist because they have white priviledge. I…there’s just so much wrong with all of that. And so many don’t care–or they’ve been fed the Kool-Aid and embraced it.

I’m proud to be an American. I’m proud of the military who fight to keep us safe and free, of the police, firefighters, and EMTs who serve and protect, of the farmers and the small business people, of the entrepreneurs, of the school teachers who TEACH the facts, not the rhetoric forced upon them. I’ll practice my First and Second Amendment rights. And I’ll vote in each and every election.

Have a safe 4th of July. Remember how you got the freedoms we enjoy and teach your children because they might not learn any other way.

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Friday Sinema – Book Trailers

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Silver James

I’m always interested in the book trailers that publishers and authors put out. I like watching them but I wonder if they really sell books and what their ROI (Return on Investment) is. Do they pay for themselves in book sales? I finished reading this book and went to the author’s website to see if there was news of the next book in the series as the teaser chapter in the back belonged to one of her books in a different series. She had the trailer embedded on her page. It was…interesting. I liked the way it told the story. I liked that I knew one of the actors, Scott Nova, but I have a problem with the actor portraying the hero. He…didn’t match my mental image. At all. Which, I suppose, is why trailers might be a risk. Anyway, I liked the book and the trailer is compelling in that it offers intriguing hints at the story, and it’s Friday–so VIDEO! Have a great holiday weekend, if you live here in the states. If not, have a great weekend anyway! 😀

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Monday Mayhem

Posted on June 27, 2016 by Silver James

More weekendI’m typing this in the middle of a thunderstorm so it’ll be short so I can shut down the computer for the duration.

My ‘pokes went down in defeat in the NCAA College World Series. They at least made it to the “final four.” Still…I haz a sadz. 😥 Though speaking of baseball, after sweeping the Cubs, my Cardinals went to Seattle and kept losing close games until the final yesterday afternoon–well, this afternoon because that when I’m typing this–when they won 11-6. It was a fun game.

I’m doing some beta reading and sorting through some thorns in DOUBLE TROUBLE. I’ll get them sorted out and get back to word count sometime today. I read/listened to some books last week but other than the In Death “re-listens,” I can’t really remember what I read. They weren’t bad books, I just…crowded brain.

I want Dierks Bentley’s new album, BLACK. Just sayin’…

Drover will need his water pump replaced before winter. Wheee. That’s only about $1200 not in the budget. Ah, well. Must write faster.

I like rain and thunderstorms just so long as they aren’t severe, even though it means I have a large black dog cowering under my desk.

And….damn. THAT lightning strike was a little too close. Shutting down now. How was your weekend?

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Friday Sinema: Cats

Posted on June 24, 2016 by Silver James

Kevin Spacey. Christopher Walken. Magic. And cats. Need I say more? Have a great weekend!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Mystique

Posted on June 23, 2016 by Silver James

universeI broke down and went shopping yesterday. I have social invitations at Nationals next month. But I hate to dress up. And it’s San Diego. And…and… So, I managed to spend under $100 and scored a dress with two “over-ups” that I can wear to cocktail parties, a skirt (that I need to add elastic to because who wears “yoga” skirts?!?!) that I already have an “over-up” to wear. What is this over-up? It’s a light jacket/sweater/top I can layer because I hate my fat arms and any dress/top that’s sleeveless gets one. I also bought new makeup because…dude…I haven’t worn any in MONTHS! So, you ask, what does any of this have to do with the Universe and Thursday Thoughts? Yeah…this:

Of course not everyone understands you, Silver.

It takes crazy to know crazy.

It takes sexy to know sexy.

And most assuredly, it takes cool to know cool.

Yeah, uh-huh, alright –
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

To everyone else, Silver, you have mystique.

I like that word. MYSTIQUE Yup. That’s me all right. shifty-eyes-ani2faster

So, what’s your word?

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Wednesday Words: Crossing Lines

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Silver James

wurkn-on-mai-plan-for-word-domination-caleb-pupToday’s #1lineWed prompt is…LINE. Have your characters crossed a line? Drawn a line? Did they say a line, write a line, do a line dance? Well, Dominic “Dom” Karras, the bad-boy pilot on my Hard Target team knows all about lines–pickup lines included. Dom’s story is a cross-over novella with Rocki St. Claire’s Barefoot Bay Kindle World. If you’ve read her Guardian Angelinos or Barefoot Undercover series, you’ll recognize two of the secondary characters. But back to Dom… In today’s snippet, he’s drawn his line in the sand…
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“Is she hurt?” The man Dom figured out was Rossi’s grandfather peered down at him.

He’d kept the woman’s head from slamming against the granite coffee table as she fainted and now he held her cradled in his lap as he settled against the cushions of the couch. Dom ran his fingers through her hair, checking her skull for bumps. None. He glanced between the two men. ““Don’t think so but what the fu—”

“Babies,” Uncle Nino barked. “No bad language. From either of you.”

Seriously? Like they even understood speech at this age? Whatever age this was. His fingers tangled in the woman’s hair and he gently extracted them. Her hair was soft but smelled like plain soap. Nothing fancy for her. Her dress was a shapeless cotton thing that only hinted at the curves he was fast becoming acquainted with. Her sweet ass molded against his groin like she’d been tailor-made to fit. Her figure was…fucking perfect. Full breasts—not huge but enough to fill his palms. A gentle curve from waist to hips, which his hand was stroking even now.

Staring at Gabe, Dom waited for an explanation. He got a quick run-down while Uncle Nino interjected points he considered to be salient—like the lack of diapers and other accoutrements babies evidently needed. What the fuck did Dom know? He was an only child and had made damn sure that he never made any of his own. Uncle Nino handled his baby like a pro. Rossi? Dom hid a grin. Rossi looked like he was holding a IED about to explode.

Yeah, when it came to holding babes, Dom got the best of this deal. Still, the fact someone tried to kidnap one of the babies and this woman seemed both destitute and terrified? Yeah, that pissed him off. He wasn’t necessarily a white hat, but a man didn’t disrespect women like that. And they damn sure took care of any “oops” when they fucked up the fucking. That was his line in the sand.
***
So what about y’all? Any one-liners you want to share? 😉

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