Tuesday Tease – Cowgirls Don’t Cry

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Silver James

I really-REALLY wish I could share my upcoming cover for COWGIRL’S DON’T CRY. It is so completely awesome! However, I don’t have permission yet. That said, the behind-the-scenes “mechanics” continue toward my January 15, 2015 release. That’s like…five months away. And I’ve heard the rumor that the second book (working title of COWGIRL’S SWEETHEART but no official title yet) could be coming in the spring. I spent yesterday afternoon working on blurb, tag line, synopsis, and the Art Fact Sheet for Marketing. Mr. HEd also mentioned that CDC’s typeset proof will be here this week. That means I have to knuckle down to get the proposal on books 3 and 4 done!

So…anyway…here’s some teasing for you. Y’all know this is the image I had for Chance:
cowboy-abs4 The Harlequin Art Department did an amazing job finding a model who resembled this pic. Only with clothes. And a straw hat, but its summer so…

See that’s the thing. The wearing of a cowboy hat follows strict fashion rules like whites shoes, or patent leather. 😉 Yeah, yeah. It’s a southern/southwestern thing. Or thang, depending on your accent. Anway. I’m rambling because I have no real post for today. So…how about a tease from page 77. There’s a meme going around about that but I can’t remember anything but lines from page 77. 🙄

This little excerpt starts in Chance’s POV and then shifts to Cassidy’s. He’s just come out to the ranch to pick her up for their first “official” date.

This was the first time he’d seen her wearing anything remotely feminine—besides those killer boots in Chicago. The skirt she wore hugged her hips and left her long legs in plain sight. A lacy turquoise tank left just enough of the rest her to the imagination. He swallowed. Hard. Ignoring Boots, he stepped toward her.

“Wow.” She smiled and he gulped again. “You look terrific.”

Her cheeks pinkened and she dropped her gaze. When she looked up, her eyes twinkled and crinkled at the corners. “Happy to see you, too, cowboy.”
*
He was so busted. She laughed at the expression on his face when he figured out what she meant. He *was* happy to see her. And she was happy to see him. She couldn’t remember the last time a guy turned her on like Chance. Her breasts swelled as she inhaled. Just thinking about the kiss they’d shared had her all but panting. She cut her eyes to look at him and noticed his gaze dropped to her chest. She cleared her throat and his head jerked up, his expression guilty as he met her eyes. She bit back a laugh. Busted again, but she didn’t mind.

Happy Tuesday. I’m doing eye specialist with The Only, then babysitting Magic Bean Sprout for the day while Baseball Boy does a job interview and then update training with the library. Hopefully, I’ll get some actual work done. Or not. 😉

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First Monday

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Silver James

funny-dog-pictures-not-ready-for-mondayI’ve been home from RWA for a week and I still feel like I’m playing catch-up. The last of mail-outs for NRCA certificates and trophies that weren’t picked up go out today. I still need to email the winners with their winners’ buttons.

It’s August. How is that even possible? School starts…like now…or over the next few weeks for almost everyone. This past weekend was Oklahoma’s Tax-Free Back-To-School Buy-Stuff weekend. I stayed away. 😆 I hate crowds even more than I love office supplies. Besides, I’m pretty stocked up with stuff at the moment.

Lawyer Guy and I took Only and Magic Bean Sprout out for lunch Saturday. I’d been up since early and pushed through more of chapter 1 for COWGIRL TOUGH, the working title for Red Dirt Royalty #3. As the first Saturday of the month, it was also siren test day so I went with LG to his “post” (he’s a member of a HAM radio group) and then we met TO and MBS. Baseball Boy works Saturdays at the library. I finished up chapter one when we got home and then took a four-hour nap. Crazy! I NEVER nap that long. It was 8:30 before I woke up and surprisingly, I was asleep by midnight. THAT doesn’t happen either. Just goes to show how tired I was. 😆

Yesterday, I finished Chapter 2 and got an idea for the beginning of Chapter 3. I hope to knock the whole chapter out today after I get back from errands. Then I just have to write a 4-6 page synopsis, a 4-6 synopsis of Chase’s book (he finds a *real* cowgirl in his bed. shifty-eyes-ani2faster Then I get to figure out Cash’s book and Kaden’s and decide which one I want to be the last of the Barron brothers. There are “Barron” cousins (last name Tate) so if the series is popular, there will be more to come. I hope to have that all knocked out this week. Uhm…yeah. I know I said my goal was to have it done last week but that’s before Clay turned into a complete PITA. My virtual trashcan was overflowing with the starts and stops to Chapter 1. I finally found the right place–and tone–to start to make him happy. Georgie, his heroine, is much easier to deal with.

I still hope to get on BLUE MOON soon. Antoine and his heroine, US Deputy Marshal DJ Collier, are both chaffing at the bit. My bikers are arguing over their origins so I’m letting them settle things. Yes, my mind is a very busy place. Scarily so. 😉

Some of you are headed to Authors After Dark this week. Have fun! And speaking of fun, who had some this weekend? What’s up with y’all? Who has fun plans for this week? Who has to work? *raises hand* … *wanders off to get more coffee*

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Cover Reveal: Cloudburst Ice Magic by Siobhan Muir

Posted on August 3, 2014 by Silver James

CBIM-600x1000 Cover What better time to think chilly thoughts than in the heat of summer. I’m excited to preview the cover and blurb of my good friend, Siobhan Muir’s upcoming release, CLOUDBURST ICE MAGIC. I was honored to beta read this book and it’s a fun one!

Release Date: August 11 2014

BLURB
Avalanches may bring down more than snow…

Working for the Search and Rescue team at the Cloudburst Resort in Colorado, Lily Sinclair figures she’ll do all the rescuing from now on. When hikers are caught in a spring blizzard, Lily and her partner head into the storm. Cut off from communication and facing deadly conditions, Lily fears she’ll never see her Ice Demon lover before death claims them.

Zach Snow encouraged Lily move to Cloudburst to grow and learn, but missed her every day of their months apart. His plans of moving to Colorado get pushed up when he receives her text explaining her situation, and saying goodbye. He must negotiate with the local Ice Demon clan to work in their territory to rescue Lily and the hikers before the Spring Fling blizzard kills them. But he’s running out of time.

Between the amorous hiker hitting on Zach, Lily’s self-doubts, and an avalanche bearing down on them, Zach and Lily must rediscover the love they first kindled in a Christmas ice cave, and create their own Cloudburst ice magic.

BIO
Siobhan Muir lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with her husband, two daughters, and a vegetarian cat she swears is a shape-shifter, though he’s never shifted when she can see him. When not writing, she can be found looking down a microscope at fossil fox teeth, pursuing her other love, paleontology. An avid reader of science fiction/fantasy, her husband gave her a paranormal romance for Christmas one year, and she was hooked for good.

In previous lives, Siobhan has been an actor at the Colorado Renaissance Festival, a field geologist in the Aleutian Islands, and restored inter-planetary imagery at the USGS. She’s hiked to the top of Mount St. Helens and to the bottom of Meteor Crater.

Siobhan writes kick-ass adventure with hot sex for men and women to enjoy. She believes in happily ever after, redemption, and communication, all of which you will find in her paranormal romance stories.

Siobhan’s upcoming release, Cloudburst Ice Magic, is a sequel to Christmas ICE Magic in the Happy Holidays from the Crescent Moon Lodge anthology. She has published A Hell Hound’s Fire (a free read) and The Beltane Witch in the Cloudburst Colorado series. Siobhan has also published Bronco’s Rough Ride and The Navy’s Ghost in the Bad Boys of Beta Squad series, Not a Dragon’s Standard Virgin and Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack through Siren Publishing, and Her Devoted Vampire through Evernight Publishing.

You can find Siobhan on the internet here:
WEBSITE | BLOG | GOOGLE PLUS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | PINTEREST

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Friday Sinema – Outlander Style

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Silver James

I’m sort of ashamed to admit that I’ve never read OUTLANDER. I have it on my Kindle but never got around to reading it. Yeah, yeah. I know. I suck as a romance reader. 😆 I am, however, looking forward to STARZ premier of the series coming August 9th. To tease you, here’s a couple of trailers. I should also mention that Jamie is a new TVBF. *swoon*

Official Trailer:

The Disappearance:

And finally, director and stars commentary:

I will have popcorn. And Diet Coke. And I will be watching! How about you? Have a great weekend, everyone.

*psssst* I have an Outlander poster to give away. Stand by it, books, and other goodies coming soon.

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Thursday Thoughts – Universe Writes a Romance

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Silver James

universeSince I spent last week surrounded by 2500 romance writers and those who support us–agents, editors, families, etc, today is a good one to share this little gem from the Universe. The energy that swirls around the conference is palpable. I come home exhausted but invigorated at the same time. Even though I’m feeling overwhelmed by all the projects facing me, I’m chafing at the bit. Words. Give me a page with words, long beautiful words. Shining, gleaming, streaming, flaxen, waxen. Give me down to there, WORDS, novella length or longer.
Here baby, there, momma, everywhere, daddy, daddy. Words, flow ’em, show ’em, long as Muse can grow, my words…**

So anyway, I write romance. And the Universe pretty much sums it up just fine:

Always follow your heart, Silver, unless it’s been broken, then you must lead it.

Back into love,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

Did you know, Silver, that hearts are never too big to mend, too small to rebound, or too tired to love?

This also applies to real life. You know, just in case it fits someone’s needs for inspiration at the moment. What’s your love story about?

**Two points to anyone who gets the song, and apologies to the lyricist. 😉

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Wednesday Words – All Mine

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Silver James

Writer's Mind Wednesday is #1lineWed on Twitter. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to share bits of writing without all the BUY!BUY!BUY! spam. And, I suppose with two books coming out on each side of Christmas, and hopefully a third this fall, I should be thinking about my lines. Right? So…Wednesday Words is all about me today. 😆 So, without further ado:

From COWGIRLS DON’T CRY:

Cassie wore black—suit jacket, matching skirt, heels—and felt out of place. Colorful western clothes abounded, the room resembling a patchwork quilt—homey and warm, like the people who wore them. The small chapel was bursting at the seams with an array of folks—old rodeo hands, neighbors, the friends garnered from a lifetime of living. Death was just another part of all that living. Her dad once commented that suits were for marryin’ and buryin’, but nobody said they had to be black. She should have remembered that.

From COWGIRL’S SWEETHEART:

What was wrong with him? He was supposedly the easy-going Barron, the good ole boy comedian. He didn’t get angry. He didn’t beat up innocent vehicles. Except when Jolie was around. He was always off balance where she was concerned, like a pinball game with lights flashing and bells clanging as a huge TILT strobed in front of his eyes. Yeah, that definitely summed up their relationship. They’d been headed for a big, fat GAME OVER from the moment he first laid eyes on her.

From BLUE MOON:

DJ stood frozen on the bank, all sense of self-preservation deserting her as she watched the scene unfold out on the water. A few moments later, ripples appeared, and then a head. A man rose from the turgid water and stalked toward her.

“You should be more careful.”

She’d hit system overload. Her eyes rolled back in her head but he caught her before she hit mud.

“I will take care of you, chère.”

Oh, hell. She was caught in a real-life “Deliverance.”

And that’s all I got at the moment. Those of you on Twitter, come check out #1lineWed, sponsored by the Kiss of Death RWA chapter. 🙂 I’ll be tweeting and writing. Lots and lots of writing! Which means I’ll be doing #1k1hr, too. 😆 What are y’all doin’ today?

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Tuesday Tease – Faerie Faith Cover Reveal

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Silver James

I received such teasing news last week when I was having to basically read email on my iPhone and I’m not that technologically advanced. 😆 Getting wireless internet in a conference hotel with 2500 writers is like finding a swimsuit that makes you look good AND fits. Ain’t gonna happen. 😉

Anyway, I don’t have a release date yet (November/December time frame – FAERIE FAITH is the 8th book, I think), nor do I have the cover copy, but I do have the cover design. FAERIE FAITH is the culmination of my Faerie books and tells the story of Abhean, the faerie Harper. He’s been a character we’ve all loved to hate and hated to love but did anyway. 😀 So, without further ado, can I get a drum roll and trumpets?

perf5.000x8.000.indd

Many thanks to cover artist Debbie Taylor and executive editor R.J. Morris, both of Wild Rose Press. What do y’all think? Thumbs up or down?

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Monday News

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Silver James

BeAWriterI need to find a .gif for freaking-out-muppet-fail stuffs. That’s me at the moment. Holy cannoli! RWA14 was totally awesome! *madly waves to Kimber* Yes, I will be using my yearly quota of exclamation points this week as I catch up with everyone and fill y’all in on all the news. Meeting Kimber at the Literacy signing on Wednesday night was a big highlight of the week! RWA raised over $58,000.00 to be donated to various literacy programs around the world and in San Antonio. I even sold 5 books!

First, Lawyer Guy and I had a great trip. Going down, we got stuck in traffic in Austin. Coming back, thanks to a Dallas resident, we learned the sneaky way. It’s a couple of miles out of the way but it’s a toll road with 85 mph speeds and completely by-passes all the little suburbs between San Antonio and Austin. We cut almost two hours off our drive time on the way home.

The Kiss of Death RWA Chapter tour on Tuesday was lots of fun. I have pictures. Once I get them downloaded, I’ll start sharing them. We went to Lackland Air Force Base and got to meet and watch their Security Forces training. (That’s Air Force talk for police. 🙂 ) They don’t just deal with crimes, they also do high value target guarding and other very cool stuffs. The afternoon was spent at Ft. Sam Houston with the combat medic instructors. Holy moley! Great fodder for Iffy there!!!

I got to tell Nalini Singh that I hated her for being such an amazing author I had to read ALL of her Psy-Changling books in a week. She laughed. I got hugs from our own Liza (lots and lots from her! She rocks!!), Brenda Novak, Cindy Kirk, Carly Phillips, Lesley Kelly, Janelle Dennison, and so many more. I’m not a hugger, but at RWA? Yeah. I turn into a hug slut. 😆

I met Olivia Gates, a best-selling Desire author who is made of so much awesome I’m hoping some rubs off on me! 😆 And speaking of Desire, I have the unofficial cover for COWGIRLS DON’T CRY. As soon as I get official notice, I’ll share it. Trust me when I say it is so freaking awesome I’m surprised the people on my hotel floor didn’t call security when I started screaming. My meeting with my Sr. Editor at Harlequin Desire was…wow. Just WOW! Today I get to catch up with social media and email, laundry, groceries, and all that other stuff because tomorrow? I have to crank out the words. She wants proposals for every Barron brother. That’s four more books. Plus another series we discussed. *MUPPET FLAIL*

Plus, I’ve promised y’all another Moonstruck book and THE DEVIL’S CUT in Penumbra. Iffy is hiding under the bed whimpering right now. Tomorrow, hot guys, chocolate, and double-shot frappucinos for her! (And me!!!! *muppet flail*

I took 30 hardcover copies of SEASON OF THE WITCH to the Indy Signing. They’re all gone. I was so excited! I figured I’d be lugging all those suckers home.

And the fun stuff. I have books. And more BOOKS. And MORE BOOKS! I’ll be doing giveaways here and on my Facebook author page. Up for grabs? Two Avon cloth tote bags with books and goodies AND two RWA canvas bags with conference goodies. More details on the fun stuff soon.

For now, bear with me. I couldn’t do this “job” without each and every last one of y’all. You rock my world and keep me steady when I freak. And I am doing some serious freaking at the moment. All good stuff but….*MUPPET FLAIL* (No, I will not go look on the internet for a flail .gif. Just won’t do it. Wouldn’t be prudent. 😉 )

Now, tell me what y’all have been doing while I’ve been gone! I’ll be back tomorrow with a special Tuesday Tease. 😀

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Monday Means FTA

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Silver James

Road less traveled Yeah, that’s pretty much the way, Lawyer Guy and I road trip. We’re off on a grand adventure headed to San Antonio for RWA Nationals. The kids are moving in for critter sitting while we’re gone.

Tuesday, I’m headed to Lackland Air Force Base and Fort Sam Houston for tours of facilities and Q&As with some of our service members along with 49 compatriots from the Kiss of Death Suspense and Mystery Chapter. Wednesday is the big literacy signing in the Marriott Rivercenter. You can get all the INFORMATION HERE. Kimber, I can’t wait to meet you in person. I’ll be somewhere in the middle of the ballroom as we’re seated alphabetically. I have swag. 🙂 Liza, I’ll see you for coffee! And at the signing. Thursday is another crowded day, as is Friday, when I announce the winners of the National Readers Choice Awards. Saturday is full, too, ending with Lawyer Guy and I presenting a panel on the Laws of Attraction (teaching legal characters how to walk the walk and talk the talk), followed by the RITAs Saturday night.

Sunday is the drive home, followed by a collapse into my own bed surrounded by needy critters. Did I mention I hope to actually get some writing done while I’m at it? Yeah…Either BLUE MOON (the next Moonstruck) or the first book in the NIGHTRIDERS series. Y’all have fun while I’m gone. I’ll see you next week full of all sorts of news and stuff to give away.

Oh. and FTA? That means Fun, Travel, and Adventure….only…not. shifty-eyes-ani2faster It has a deeper meaning but my lips are sealed.

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Monday Mayhem and Other Stuff

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Silver James

Monday again baby*muppet flail* It’s Monday. A week from today, I’m headed to San Antonio for RWA Nationals. I’M. NOT. READY!!!!!

I finished the line edits for COWGIRL’S DON’T CRY on Saturday and they went off to Mr. HEd. Dang but he made me work my @$$ off. It’s a better book. Now I have to get the suggestions from my CP and a beta reader put together to final out COWGIRL’S SWEETHEART. My deadline is a week from today. Uhm…yeah. *headdesk* Don’t say it. I know!!!!!

Needless to say, I’ll be scarce this week. Between getting the NRCA stuff finalized plus all the other stuff I have to do to get ready for Nationals, I’m balls to the wall. If I don’t comment to y’all on FB and blogs, don’t take it personal. I’ll do my best to read what folks are up to but if I stop to answer? Yeah….TIME SUCK!!!!

What else? Oh! I finished Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changling series. At least until the next one comes out. Oh my freaking goodness gravy with chocolate chips and jelly beans on top! I ❤ that series like damn and whoah!!!! No, really. I want every one of the heroes. Every. Last. One. Of. Them!!!! Thank goodness, I could borrow them digitally from my local library system–all except one anthology with four P/C novellas in it. I bought it. Because…I had to.

I should have worked yesterday but my brain needed a break. I caught up on Rizzoli & Isles (cried through all four freaking episodes! *sniffle*) Saw FROZEN finally. ACT OF VALOR. Holy moley! Will have to watch that one again. The Wolves were all perked up passing beers and goin’ “Hell yeah!” until the end. Then they offered a solemn toast. And passed me the Kleenex box. Oh, and tonight, Lawyer Guy and I watched A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD. I hadn’t seen it yet. Crazy effing car chases and pure John McLain and John McLain Jr.

And that was my weekend. Who had fun? Who worked hard? Who read a good book or saw a good movie?

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