How many of you have ever sunk their teeth into that succinctly southern treat the whoopie pie? Well, here’s a fun twist, courtesy of Hallmark, on the original just in time for Valentine’s Day. I’m posting it early just in case you want to…you know…practice! 😉
How is it fair that a month have FIVE Mondays?!?!?! Poor January. Besides, I get to give y’all another weekly update, rundown, recap, and follow up. 😀
So…first up, I’m working on a Valentine’s Day story for the fans of Penumbra. Sade and Sinjen. It’ll be “short.” And it will be exclusive. You have to be subscribed to my newsletter to get the secret code to go read it. Trust me, you’ll want to. So if you haven’t already, go click over there on the sidebar and sign up. I don’t send newsletters out all the time so it’s not like I spam folks.
TV. Oh My Freaking GOD!!!!! I ❤ LUCIFER so much. For many reasons. I'm excited it's back on tonight. The show is on regular Fox. Lucifer, yes THAT Lucifer, is bored in Hell so he takes a vacation. Here's the blurb from Fox's site:
Based on characters created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth and Mike Dringenberg, this series follows Lucifer, the original fallen angel, who has become dissatisfied with his life in hell. After abandoning his throne and retiring to Los Angeles, Lucifer indulges in his favorite things (women, wine and song) — until a murder takes place outside of his upscale nightclub. For the first time in billions of years, the murder awakens something unfamiliar in Lucifier’s soul that is eerily similar to compassion and sympathy. Lucifer is faced with another surprise when he meets an intriguing homicide detective named Chloe, who appears to possess an inherent goodness — unlike the worst of humanity, to which he is accustomed. Suddenly, Lucifer starts to wonder if there is hope for his soul.
Not only is Chloe good, she has an inherent immunity to Lucifer’s powers. This is a series and character I wish I’d imagined first. Neil Gaiman and others beat me to it. Lots of critics didn’t like it. Tough. I loved it like damn and whoah and really hoping Episode 2 is just as good.
I also started clearing the DVR. OUTLANDER. Watched the first episode of Season 2. Wow. That’s all I’ll say.
READING: Contest reads are done for now. I listened to the first two books in Kit Rocha’s dark-and-dirty Beyond series. Now I want to reread/listen to them all. Maybe I’ll use exercise as an excuse. We’ll see. In the meantime, the new IN DEATH book, BROTHERHOOD IN DEATH drops tonight. There’s a couple of other books waiting on the Kindle but I can’t think of them off the top of my head. I also did a reread/lisen of the first 3 Demonica books by Larissa Ione after I bought the ebooks on sale and got a discount on the audio books, too. Fun times.
WRITING: Moving forward with MOONSTRUCK: LIES. I got to resurrect one of my favorite scenes EVER, one that had to be cut from WOLF MOON. It’s a scene in Nate’s POV and it still makes me tear up and get pissed at the world all at the same time. Hoping to have it ready for release by early March, mid-March at the latest. Also working on Hollywood’s story, which I’ve decided is the next Nightrider book. It’s shorter, so will be out soon after LIES. Then it’s on to the next Hard Target and Penumbra, with Red Dirt books slotted in once I have a new contract.
LIFE: The weather is driving my sinuses crazy. I’m still not 100% well from all the winter crud. *sigh* Stormageddon visits two evenings a week while his dad is at baseball practice and his mom is working late. I wish I had the little dickens’s energy.
Aaaannndddd…I think that just about sums it up for me. What about y’all? What have you been up to?
Okay. Life Hacks can be really cool, or totally dumb. Ellen offered some that, except for the fork cork screw, look pretty darn useful–and surprising. Do you have a favorite Life Hack to share? Would you use any of these? Have a great weekend!
How many of you, as a kid–or an adult–stretched out in the grass, hands tucked behind your head and stared up at the summer sky picking shapes out of the clouds? How many of you have seen the Subaru commercial where the grandmother and her granddaughter hug the oak tree because that’s where the grandparents met–at Woodstock? Who’s walked in the rain? And remember that patch of grass on a summer day? Who did it on a summer night, watching for falling stars? And who’s peered at their reflection and wondered what magical worlds were behind it? Know what I mean? 😉
I do wonder, Silver, how some people, who upon seeing gorgeous, billowing cumulus clouds floating effortlessly overhead, don’t just want to explode with joy.
Or who, upon seeing a mighty old oak tree, don’t run right up to it wildly screaming, “I love you!”
Or who, upon being caught in the rain, don’t blush as each drop gently kisses their skin.
Or who, upon gazing at a star-filled night, aren’t paralyzed with awe.
Or who, upon seeing their reflection in a pond, don’t cry the happiest of tears.
Do you know what I mean?
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®I’m always having to pinch myself, Silver.
I’m late. I normally set up a post the day/night before. Sadly, I’m fighting a sinus infection. I hate being sick! My brain didn’t engage yesterday and I was in bed right after dinner. Oh, who am I kidding. I had dinner–clam chowder and toast–in bed. But I’m up today. Sort of. Today’s theme for #1lineWed is SUN. While these snippets are from previously published works, they’re also a WIP because I’m setting up MOONSTRUCK: LIES. Revisions, additions, and fun stuffs! Anyway, LIES encompasses HUNTER’S MOON (Jacey and Nate) and WOLF MOON (Sean and Annie). Here ya go…
This line pretty much sums up Jacey’s life after meeting Nate and I didn’t realize that until now. 😆 Meme time!
The sun peaked over the horizon and the murky landscape materialized into a fantasyscape of light and shadows painted with a watercolor brush. Jacey gripped the back of the seat in front of her and peered forward. There could be no looking back now.
There’s nothing like an Oklahoma sunset. Or dawn for that matter. 😉
Jacey slipped out the front door. She handed one of the mugs she carried to Nate and then settled next to him on the porch swing. A salmon-colored disk hanging on the horizon, the sun painted the clouds with amethyst, vermilion, cobalt, and shades of peach. She didn’t say anything for long minutes, until the sun slipped behind the tree line and the atmosphere took on a purple haze. The air cooled appreciatively with the promise of an early autumn.
Sean is everyone’s favorite charming “bad boy.” Anyone who’s ridden down a country road will know how this snippet feels.
Sean laughed and revved up the engine again. He now knew how to play the Wolf Pack biker gang. He had an “in.” Easing the clutch, he accelerated and the powerful motorcycle leaped into action. This was what he loved about being on a bike. Wind teased his scalp and skin with wispy fingers. The sun speckled the road through the overhead branches and the black ribbon of highway stretched in front of him, beguiling him with a siren’s call to freedom.
How about y’all? Any sun in your lives or writing at the moment?
I receive the occasional email from ConAgra Foods with recipes and food ideas. This one caught my eye, even though I haven’t tried it. One of the commenters mentioned using Costco Raisin bread and only using one slice. My thought was if you wanted to make for more than one, using the giant muffin pans and making individual servings. Anyway, I thought YUM! And EASY! So here’s the recipe. Let me know if you try it and whether you liked it or not.
Ingredients:
PAM(r) Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
2 slices cinnamon raisin bread, torn into small pieces
1/4 cup Egg Beaters(r) Original
1/4 cup fat free milk
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Reddi-wip(r) Dairy Whipped Topping
Directions:
Spray inside of large microwave-safe mug with cooking spray. Place bread in mug. Add Egg Beaters, milk, sugar and vanilla to mug. Mix well.
Microwave on HIGH 1 minute. Stir. Microwave 30 seconds more or until set. Turn out on plate. Top with Reddi-Wip just before serving.
Makes 1 serving. Calories: 286; Total fat: 5g; Sodium: 356g; Carbs: 46g; Dietary fiber: 2g; Sugars: 29g; Protein: 15g
I need coffee. I’m off meeting my CP at the local Starbucks for a coffee break, a brain-storming session, and general chit-chat. Here’s hoping all of you who might have been caught by the Blizzard of ’16 are safe, sound, and warm. I’ll lift a cup in your honor.
Busy weekend. After a phone conversation with my editor, looks like there’s a good possibility for three new Red Dirt Royalty books in 2017. It’s a little weird being a hybrid. On the traditional side, I look ahead a year. On the self-pub side, I look ahead a month or two. Or three. Not a bad way to be, just different.
Speaking of Red Dirt Royalty, #3 comes out in June. THE BOSS AND HIS COWGIRL was an emotional write for me. I really hope people like it. Clay and Georgie’s story was tough to write but it’s a book I’m proud of. RDR#4 arrives in October. It was a blast to write. Chase and Savannah are funny and sweet and their inconvenient marriage of convenience made me laugh, even though there’s a few sniffly parts. The next three books are Cash’s story (#5), Kade’s story (#6), and then the Tate cousins get their books, beginning with country music star Deacon (#7), which is a Christmas story. I’m looking forward to writing all three.
Reading: Shhhh. RITA books. Can’t disclose. At the same time, I’m listening to a “reread” of the very dark Beyond books by Kit Rocha for a break. A bunch of them are on sale if you haven’t read the series. The world of Sector Four is dark, gritty, beyond sexy, and beyond my “sex” comfort zone but I still ❤ these books like damn and whoah and can't wait for the next one. Gotta get my contest reads done ASAP!
TV: LUCIFER debuts tonight on Fox. The devil takes a vacation in LA and crushes on an LA cop. What's not to love? Hopefully, this series is as well-done as the teasers have been. Really sad news re: NCIS. Very Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo, played by Michael Weatherly, is departing the series at season's end. This gives me a huge ol' sad. 😥
Who's a fan of cozy mysteries? I'm doing a survey.
Did I mention that MOONSTRUCK: SECRETS has gone into wide distribution? I took it off Kindle Unlimited and sent it out to a bunch of new sales platforms. I still have to get it uploaded to All Romance. Maybe today. If you haven't read the book, want a copy for your very own, and don't like Amazon, check the Moonstruck page to get links.
There was something else I was going to mention but I can't for my life remember what it was. Teach me not to write stuff down. 🙄 On that note, coffee, work, and then babysitting Stormageddon this evening. What's on your agenda today? Here's to surviving Monday! *clinks coffee mugs*.
So, I open my email to the “newsletter/ads” I get from a place called Country Outfitters. They posted a link to site talking about Superbowl commercials–specifically, this one from Ram Trucks and the inimitable Paul Harvey.
And the fact that commercial led country music singer James Wesley to write this song. And I got all snifflely. So, happy Friday. And remember to thank a farmer. Have a great weekend!
I have mentioned that I believe the Universe is secretly a writer, yes? Yeah, that opinion hasn’t changed. 😆 As a writer, POV is something I have to be very conscious of. I normally write in 3rd POV Past (or whatever the technical grammatical term for that is). When I started the Nightriders, the H/H demanded I write in 1st POV Past. So I did. It was hard, but ultimately it was the right decision. Then there’s Deep POV. I took a class in it. With 1st, you automatically get deep into a character’s psyche. Or you should. In 3rd, you have to dig a little deeper. Okay pun intended. 😉
Sometimes, when writing a scene in one character’s POV, I discover it’s not working. I’ll switch to the other character’s and if it works, awesome. If it doesn’t, then I have to rethink the scene. WHY isn’t it working? Did I take a wrong turn or is it one of those scenes I just need to toss out and go someplace else? Good questions with answers that will make a story better. Hopefully. And as an aside? This is totally true about real life too. Just sayin’… 😉
Sometimes, Silver, finally seeing things from someone else’s perspective can totally change your life.
Which, sometimes, explains exactly why they’re there.
Spooké,
The UniverseLike in the song, Silver, you know, “Spooky,” but it sounds like Spoo-kay.
Today’s #1lineWed theme is DARK. So many different ways to go with this theme. However, since I’m doing some editing (older project that came off Kindle Unlimited and is going live to multiple sales channels) I decided to write something new. These characters popped up during last Saturday’s #FlashMobWrites challenge. This isn’t the whole scene, but it’s enough, I think. 😉 This will become a Nightriders novella at some point so enjoy!
****
Leigh Daniels didn’t hate the dark. Not really. But driving down a two-lane road on the outskirts of the Dallas metroplex at 6:00 am on a cold winter morning was not on her Top 10 Fun Things To Do On The Job list. At least she hadn’t been up all night putting out the warehouse fire. Nope. They waited to call her until she’d finally snuggled under her down comforter after being up all night at the scene of a suspicious house fire.
Fog swirled in front of her headlights and she wished, not for the first time, that she’d driven her POV instead of the department’s POS. Personally Owned Vehicles were infinitely better than Pieces Of Shit. Her Toyota had fog lamps and four-wheel drive. The arson squad’s sedan was ten years old and its headlights barely penetrated the night.
A shadow darted across the road right in front of her. Animal. She slammed on the brakes, fought the vehicle and tires grabbed for traction. A thump. The car shuddered. Tires lost traction as wheels locked. And then she was holding on for dear life as the POS bounced off the road, careened across the rough-grade shoulder and stopped.
Leigh slowly released the steering wheel and blood returned to her fingers. Had she hit the dog? Her red sedan listed to one side, nose down in the bar ditch. Unbuckling, she pushed the door open and leveraged herself out, stepped back about five feet and bit back a string of curse words. There was no way she’d be able to drive out.
She reached into the front seat to snag her handheld radio. She should have been on the fire scene twenty minutes ago. The guys from Station 58 had been standing around in the rainy fog waiting for her. Before she could radio in to Dispatch, the roar of a big motorcycle echoed in the fog. Moving further from the roadbed, Leigh watched the ghostly bike appear, roar past, and then disappear.
Except it didn’t. The motorcycle reappeared through the dark, driving the wrong way back toward her on the shoulder. As an arson investigator, she was cleared to carry a sidearm but guns were not her thing. She counted on her colleagues and the cops for backup if there was a situation where a weapon might be needed.
She was really regretting that decision now.
He tossed his leg over his Harley and stalked toward her. He was six feet four inches and 240 pounds of Do Whatever the Hell He Wanted. His dark, shaggy hair had been combed by the wind. His eyes, color to be determined, were hooded. Fog drifted between them, almost as thick as smoke and then he was there, suddenly, feet braced, massive arms crossed over his chest, black leather jacket stretched to capacity.
“Having trouble?”
Great. The guy was a master of the understatement, not to mention that if his name was Trouble, she wouldn’t mind having some. She flicked her hand toward the car. “You could say that.”
****
Yeah, Leigh is looking at trouble and his name is Smoke. 😉
Anybody else got some dark words to share?
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