Half-Off Chocolate Monday

Posted on April 21, 2025 by Silver James

Welcome to the Monday after Easter or as I like to celebrate it, Half-off Chocolate Day!

I hope everyone had a good weekend. Mine was…a weekend. Due to circumstances and on account of because, it wasn’t all kinds of awesome but it didn’t totally suck, either. Considering the dates, that’s nothing to be taken lightly.

Most who know me are aware that I’ve had far more than my share of nine lives. Thirty years ago, I was a forensic fire photographer working with the airport rescue-fire department as the assistant chief of forensic and technincal services. It’s a long explanation. Anyway. On April 19, 1995, a home-grown terrorist decided to make a statement by blowing up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building at 9:01 a.m. I was already halfway to the scene when my pager went off telling me to report. Yes, those were the dinosaur days of mobile communications. PTSD is a bitch and April 19th is always a tough day around these parts but especially for me. And on the big anniversaries, there’s lots of hoopla for a little extra reminding. Anyway, I got through the day.

Yesterday was Easter. Yay. I like Easter. It’s a hopeful celebration. I decorate for Easter with themed tablecoths, bunny candlesticks, porcelain bunnies, and spring flowers. Only always got really cool Easter baskets. Now she makes them for Stormy. True story, my dad always did two things every year: He sent me a rose bud for Valentine’s Day and a chocolate bunny for Easter. He passed in December of 1995. Needless to say, 1995 was not a great year.

Anyway. On a bright not, all the leftover Easter candy will be on sale today. Yayayay! 📣(This is a megaphone, like cheerleaders use. I wish there were pompom emojis. They’d be so much bettr.)

Easter was quiet. No chocolate bunnies. Not complaining. My posterior does not need any extra padding. That said, I might go shopping later. 😁

Saturday night, we got rain. We got more rain on Sunday morning. Lots of rain. We needed lots of rain, just not all at once. There was also thunder and lightning. Luckily, Jake does not mind thunder. Fireworks? That’s a different story, but thunder is no big deal. Parts of the state got twisters and damage. We got flashflooding. Not *we* personally, but the area. Sadly, there were casualties. There’s big truth to “Turn around, don’t drown.”

No soccer this weekend. Easter. And rain. But there was softball. My Cowgirls were in Orlando and they took 2 of 3 games against UCF. There were homeruns and come-from-behinds and walk-offs. Yay! I do love me some good softball.

Rain makes for good reading–or in my case, listening. I wanted something light but intense with a side order of crazysauce. My go-to author for that is Kristen Ashley. I relistened to the first two books in her Avenging Angels series. Third one is coming out soon. I’m currently working on her Wild West MC series, in which a new release recently dropped. KA is an acquired taste but lots of fun.

On that note, I’m going say that it is Monday. The holiday is over and it’s time for work. No more wallowing. I’m bucking it up, whistling while I work, and getting my nose down to the grindstone. Books don’t write themselves. I hope y’all have a good weekend. And don’t forget, chocolate is cheap today. 😉

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Friday Sinema: Superman

Posted on April 18, 2025 by Silver James

I’m not crying. You are. Bring them home!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Script

Posted on April 17, 2025 by Silver James

This is always a hard week for me–and many others. It is especially hard on the “big” years. The milestones, as it were. Saturday makes 30 years, according to the calendar. But it hit me Wednesday really hard because that day 30 years ago was a Wednesday. A bright spring day. People going about their lives. Until they weren’t. When I originally saved this message from the universe, I had other plans for it. It’s relevant to writing, as it most of these things I share. But today, I just want the message to be relevant for everyone.

When it comes to setting aside a little time each day to visualize, Silver, look at it like this:

No matter how distracted you become or how confused you are about the process, the simple fact that you gave your dream this time and attention means you did it correctly, you did it long enough, and that by the time you open your eyes, already in the unseen, huge wheels have begun turning.

HUGE.

You think I’d make it hard?

Your humble servant,
The Universe
©www.tut.com 

P.S. Silver, always, you are so much more likely to succeed, be fulfilled, and find happiness than bring about anything you might be afraid of. Right?!

On that day, 168 souls left this plane. The lives of thousands were changed. Today, I’m going to take the Universe’s advice. And I’m going to keep taking it, and set aside a little time. Right?

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Wednesday Words: Laughing With You

Posted on April 16, 2025 by Silver James

Guess what?!? I managed to garner another Honorable Mention in the Thursday Threads fromme last week. I’ll admit I’m a little surprised because I really had to think about the prompt. My inner editor rebelled just a little, wanting the me to be myself. Here’s what I’m talking about: *”I was laughing at me.”*

The only thing I can tell you about this scene is that the “Scoobie Gang,” or at least a large portion of them, have gathered in Rochester–NY not MN–to figure out what’s up with Ariel.

****
Stumped, Sade stared at Caleb. Nope. No insight there. She shifted her gaze to Sinjen. They were hunting things that only came out to play at night. Could these creatures be some variety of vampire? Except there were no visible marks on the victims. No signs of violence. No trauma. Lost in thought, she missed the exchange of glances.

A master vampire, Sinjen could be considered the King of Night Play. She capitalized that in her head and yes, her brain went there. She chuckled because it occurred to her that if it wasn’t for the gutter, her mind would have no place to go.

A noise sounding very much like ahem refocused her thoughts even as the old-fashioned attention-getter made her laugh. Jeez but she needed sleep.

“You gonna let us in on the joke?” Caleb wasn’t amused.

She curled her lips between her teeth though her shoulders still shook. Finally able to speak, she said, “No joke. I was laughing at me.”

“You aren’t funny.”

Sade gave her best withering look. Neither Sinjen nor Caleb was impressed. “You’re right, Sinjen. I’m not. I’m going on forty-eight hours with no sleep. Coffee has abandoned me. I’m in fu—frickin’ Rochester, New York. Ari’s in trouble and I can’t do a damn thing about it. The only advice you two can give is that I shouldn’t quit my day job to become a comedian.”

“Good to know you’re smarter than you look.”

“Shut up, Caleb.” She didn’t hit him.
****

There you have it. Last week’s judge liked the dialogue and humor. She thought it excellent and that the interplay was clever. *preens a little* It’s the little encouragements that help. I have plans for words today and tomorrow. We shall see what occurs. Writers, use it or lose it. 😉 Readers, who doesn’t like a bit of humor in their books?

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Tuesday Treats & Titles: In the Dumps Cake

Posted on April 15, 2025 by Silver James

Okay. That’s it. I’ve had it. You people have been making fun of me since Silver first started telling stories about me. And yes, it IS all about me. In case we haven’t met, why the hell not?!? My name is Hannah Jackson McIntire. I started life as an Army Major assigned to SecDef. That’s the Secretary of Defense to those who don’t know. I had one job. And it wasn’t cooking. It was wrangling a pack of SpecOp soldiers with weird abilities. That whole not cooking thing is why Silver started making fun of me. I first appeared in BLOOD MOON, but the full story–at least the beginning of it–is told in MOONSTRUCK: SECRETS. Are you paying attention yet? There’s a new book out that tells the rest of the story: MOONSTRUCK: RETRIBUTION. Anyway, I’m here to defend myself. I can too cook. And this recipe proves it. And trust me, my boys love this cake.

  • Yield: 8  servings
  • Prep time: 5 Minutes
  • Cook time: 2 Hours
  • Total time: 2 hr 5 min

Ingredients

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix
  • 2 – 21oz cans cherry pie filling
  • 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

Instructions

  1. Pour the cherry pie filling into the crockpot.
  2. Sprinkle the cake mix over the pie filling.
  3. Melt the butter in the microwave. Pour evenly over the cake mix.
  4. Cook on HIGH for 2 hours.
  5. Serve hot with whipped cream or ice cream.

Tips

  • This can also be baked in the oven if you don’t have a crockpot. Follow the same instructions, but use a greased 9×13 inch baking dish instead of the slow cooker. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

I heard some of you asking where Silver is. She’s around. Sort of. She’s working on a new book so I shoved her down a rabbit hole to get her out of the way. When she comes back, I want y’all to tell her that I was polite and didn’t cuss. And that I CAN cook. Dammit. If you haven’t bought this book, or need to start with 1st book, use the QR code up top, or click on either book cover or any title. If you already have the book and have read it, did you leave a review? I mean, seriously! It isn’t that the fu…er…friggin’ hard. Click 5 stars and say, “I loved this book.” Repeat after me: Click 5 stars and say, “I loved this book.” See? Easy peasy. Now go frickin’ do it. And make my cake. I mean, c’mon! It has chocolate. And cherries. And ice cream. It’s perfect when you need something to put a smile on your face. I mean, it is Tax Day. You need chocolate, right? And it’s easy peasy. Like buying a book and leaving a review. Don’t make me come over there…

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Hello, Monday

Posted on April 14, 2025 by Silver James

Actually, Monday isn’t being a total pain. I just find that meme really funny.

There was a weekend.

I did stuff.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled Monday activities.

What? Still here? Okay. Yes, I was still in slug mode last week. I accomplished very litt.e. I had to people a couple of days and that made me want to build a blanket fort and hide in it. Thing is, once I got down on the floor in the fort, I wouldn’t be able to get up off the floor withou the assistance of the fire department. And I’m not really kidding. Okay, maybe a little.

I did very little writing. There will be words on Wednesday, though. I did do a lot of beta reading for a friend. Getting closer.

I finished off the available editions of the dramatized adaptations of the Kate Daniels series. There’s one more to go, the final–mostly–in the series. There are spin-offs so it’s not like the characters are done. As of this moment, I’m not sure what I’m listening to. I didn’t have time last night to pick something out.

Stormy had a soccer game Sunday. They won. He played great. I missed it for…reasons. Stuff happens. I did make it to his musical program at school. It was funny–a whale of a tale and a guy named Jonah.

It’s hot. That’s not great but it beats being cold. I’m slowly working on switching from winter to summer stuffs around the house. I also got the hummingbird feeder filled and hung. I hope I see some of the little flitters soon. They give me a happy.

My goal this week is to get over myself and my malaise. That’s such a cool word. And fitting. Anyway, NOW you can get back to you’re lives. Anybody do anything cool this weekend?

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Friday Sinema: The Doctor is In

Posted on April 11, 2025 by Silver James

It’s time once again to go south. I have only one word: Vicks 🤣🤣🤣 Have a great weekend.

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Thursday Thoughts: Slippery Slopes

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Silver James

Life imitates art. Or not. Art imitates life. Maybe. I mean inserting Picasso, Jackson Pollock, or Salvadore Dali into that discussion immediately skews things. Please understand that I’m writing this after about 3 hours of sleep and a full day so my brain is…AWOL. Mostly. There is a point to all this, if I can find it. In the meantime, the Universe dropped this into my inbox.

It’s not that your life totally rocks, except for a few tricky spots, slippery slopes, and challenges, Silver.

It’s that your life totally rocks, in large part, because of the tricky spots, slippery slopes, and challenges.

Stranger than fiction,
The Universe
©www.tut.com 

P.S. Everything makes you more, Silver, and you look so good on the slopes.

Writers, what does this put in your mind? Are these things you want to incorporate into your book? *nods* Of course you do. You need those tricky spots, slippery slopes, and challenges in your plot. Think how boring it would be to read a story that was just boy-meets-girl, they date, they get married, they live happily ever after. 🥱 Am I right, readers? You want conflict, action, and well…challenges. As writers, we need to supply those things. So add the tricky spots, slipperty slopes, and challenges to totally rock your story.

And yes, today’s blog totally sucks because I really am that tired and brain fogged. What’s rocking in your life lately?

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Wednesday Words: Coffee Helps

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Silver James

Midweek. Wednesday. Hump Day. New words. Yay.

I feel a bit phony claiming to be a writer because the only words I’ve managed on the WIP in the past week are these. In a way, that’s okay because they are pretty good words–enough to get me the honorable mention in last week’s Thursday Threads flash fiction challenge. Here’s the prompt: *”Helps most of the time*”

****
Business at the counter remained steady. Most customers were mundanes though an occasional magick arrived, made their purchase and left, often with a scowl directed Sade’s direction. After a werewolf flashed red eyes and barely hidden canines at her, she raised her elbow and sniffed under her arm.

“I showered this morning. What’s the deal, Caleb?” She arched a brow. “Oh, duh. I’m sitting here with a werewolf and a dragon. It’s not me, it’s the company I keep.”

“Don’t be sarcastic, Sade.”

Nikos snorted. “That’s like telling a rooster not to crow, Caleb.”

She turned a jaundiced eye to the dragon. “You’re the one who insisted that Ariel frequents this place, Nikos. So where the hell is he?”

“Patience.”

“Patience? At this moment, all of my patience is contained in this cup of coffee.”

“Is it working?”

Sade stared at the mug she held, her expression morose. She eventually took a sip, swallowed, and said, “No, but this helps most of the time.”

Caleb rose, strode to the counter then returned shortly with a large to-go cup. He didn’t sit but teased her with the cup. “You’re going to need this.”

“Why?”

“Because I just saw Ariel across the street.” He paused, his focus centered on a spot out the shop’s window. “He’s following something.”

Standing, Sade reached for the cup. “Who? Who’s he following?”

“Not who, Sade. What.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Whatever he’s after isn’t visible.”

“Great.” Sade growled, heading for the door. “Another wild goose chase.”
****

Yes, Sade is used to wild goose chases at this point in her career. I’m not quite sure where this scene will eventually reside in the book. It depends on when Sade ends up getting involved with the situation that’s developing in Rochester. I still can’t believe that I’m setting a book in Rochester, NY, but there ya go. Writers, I hope the prompt provides some inspiration. Readers, what helps you most of the time?

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Tuesday Treats & Titles: Bailey’s Irish Mob Cake

Posted on April 8, 2025 by Silver James

Sometimes you want something sweet and chocolatey. Sometimes you want something creamy with a bit of kick. Sometimes, you might want to hang out with the Wolves in Boston. Well, have I got a cake for you!

Recipe details
Yield: 14 slices
Prep time: 30 Minutes
Cook time: 35 Minutes
Total time: 1 hr 5 min

Ingredients
2 cups flour
1½ cup brown sugar
3 tbsp instant coffee
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3 large eggs
¾ cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup vegetable oil
½ cup baileys Irish cream
½ cup boiling water

Coffee and Baileys Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp espresso powder
3 tbsp boiling water
1 tbsp Irish Cream

Let’s Make It
1 – Prepare two 8 inch cake pans by greasing with butter and dusting with flour. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).

2 – To the mixing bowl, add milk, oil, eggs, vanilla paste and Irish cream. Mix well.

3 – Add all dry ingredients.. Mix till well combined. If you find this time consuming, you can use a hand mixer.

4 – Add boiling water and slowly mix into batter till incorporated.

5 – Divide the batter evenly between the cakes pans and bake for about 34-36 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs. Do not over bake,else it dries out.

6 – Add boiling water to espresso powder and mix, Combine powdered sugar, espresso powder mixture and Irish cream in a medium bowl; stir well with a fork until smooth. Poke your cake in different areas and drizzle glaze generously over cake; serve.

Tips:

If you don’t have espresso powder, just use instant coffee. The same with vanilla paste. Just use plain ol’ vanilla extract. That said, vanilla paste totally makes for a richer flavor.

Go HERE for more info and a video! This makes two cakes. Also, I WANT those spring form pans she uses!

If you’ve read MOONSTRUCK MAFIA: BOSTON, you know about Clancy’s Irish Pub. And if you ever get to Clancy’s at just the right time, you might be able to sample this Bailey’s Irish Mob Cake. And I promise that Finn would not be the baker. In fact, the pub buys this treat from one of the women in the neighborhood that bakes them for a little extra pocket money. Her cakes are so popular that the mates are conspiring to kidnap her and tickle her until she hands over the recipe. In the meantime, they’ve been known to place “private” orders and pay lots of moolah for the results. 😉 Ah, if they only knew that I’ve been entrusted with the secret. What about y’all? Are there any secret recipes in your families? If you want to know more about the Boston Wolves and their mates, then click on any pic with the cover or HERE to head over to Books2Read to find your favorite on-line bookstore.

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