Music Magic – THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC SOUNDTRACK

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Silver James

That Ol Black Magic 680I like music. All kinds of music. I am NOT musical, though. Which is funny since I used to perform in musicals (semi-professionally even!) and I danced. Play a musical instrument? Oh heck no! Sing out loud? Only to the radio in my car or alone in my office, or if a very strong singer is standing next to me so I can “key” off him/her. Yeah, any “lead” roles I had in musical theater all hinged on it being okay to be off key. Often. 😆

I have eclectic tastes in music and that shows up in my play lists when I’m writing. I have angry songs, sexy songs, sad songs, songs for fighting, and yes, I even have happy songs. I use music to set the mood for a scene and with The Penumbra Papers, I’ve decided to include the play list for each book. In digital editions, there will be links either to Amazon (Amazon versions) or to iTunes in all other versions.

Just for fun and to celebrate release week, here’s the play list for THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC. Be sure to read it because there’s important information at the end. *nods*

Chapter One: Déjà Vu All Over Again (Inna: Déjà vu) Amazon (album) | iTunes
Chapter Two: Garden of the Dead (Night Wish: Dead Gardens) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter Three: Blood Feud (Lord Huron: I Will Be Back One Day) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter 4: Still of the Night (Kellie Pickler: Someone, Somewhere Tonight) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter 5: Silver Linings (Abney Park: The End of Days) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter 6: Signs (Daughtry: Maybe We’re Already Gone) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter 7: Hands Off (Bon Jovi: Lay Your Hands On Me) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter 8: Here Be Dragons (OneRepublic: Someone To Save You) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter Nine: One of Those Days (Nickleback: Someday) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter 10: Decisions (Daughtry: Breakdown) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter 11: Caution (Of Monsters and Men: Yellow Light) Amazon | iTunes
(Jason Aldean (with Kelly Clarkson): Don’t You Wanna Stay) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter 12: Read Between The Lines (Sara Bareilles: Between the Lines) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter 13: Talk is Cheap (Josh Groban: Falling Slowly) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter 14: No Secrets Worth Keeping (OneRepublic: Prodigal) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter 15: Dragging Down (Melissa Ethridge: Silent Legacy) Amazon (album) | iTunes
Chapter 16: Who’s In Charge (Placebo: Running Up That Hill) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter 17: Ally, Ally, Oxen Free (OneRepublic: All Fall Down) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter 18: Resistance (Melissa Etheridge: Resist) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter 19: It Gets Worse (NO: Long Haul [explicit]) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter 20: Dead or Alive (Jordin Sparks: Battlefield) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter 21: Tempe in a Teapot (Daughtry: Crashed) Amazon | iTunes
Chapter 22: Cast a Spell on Me (Frank Sinatra: That Old Black Magic) Amazon | iTunes
(Roxette: Cry) Amazon | iTunes

Did you make it through the list? Well, pick out your favorite songs. On Friday, I’ll pick a random commenter to win downloads of your five favorite songs. 😀 Nothing like the gift of music, right? And don’t forget to pick out your favorite magick for a chance at the Amazon gift card and swag! You can still comment HERE. Now let’s talk music! And guest blogging! Because I’m visiting with B.E. Sanderson over at THE UNPUBLISHED WRITER’S GUIDE TO SURVIVAL, talking about writer types. And I’m also at Siobhan Muir’s THE WEIRD, THE WILD, THE WICKED blog talking about the autumn equinox. Pssst. There’s a chance to win a free book over there.

AMAZON | SMASHWORDS | GOODREADS

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It’ll Put a Spell On YOU!

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Silver James

At least I hope THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC will! Today might be Friday the 13th, but it’s a lucky day around here! Besides, what better day to release the first installment of my new Urban Fantasy series, The Penumbra Papers?

That Ol Black Magic 680Welcome to the world of the Penumbra Papers. These “Cases from the Shadow’s Edge” explore the forces of light and dark as they dance through shadows humans barely glimpsed prior to the Big Rip. Since then, all manner of preternatural magicks intermingle with humans in ways mysterious, magical and, in some cases, criminal. Much to humanity’s surprise, there really are monsters under the bed and the things that go bump in the night are bigger and scarier than anyone ever imagined.

That’s where Special Agent Sade Marquis enters the mix. A human FBI agent with an X-Files mentality, Sade’s been handpicked to fill a new slot within the Bureau—Preternatural Liaison Officer with the MAGIC Unit. The Magical Activity, Grievances, and Inhuman Crimes unit is in charge of investigations involving magicks. It’s her job to deal with all the monsters.

In THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC, Sade, along with her FBI partner—and werewolf best friend—Caleb Jones, is sent to New Orleans to investigate the murders of several high-ranking magicks. The Big Easy is neutral territory so Sade must find and arrest the culprit before war breaks out between the Realms. Things look up when the gargoyle Sentinel, Roman, a permanent fixture in Sade’s childhood, arrives to keep the peace. Maybe.

The investigation is hampered by Sade’s faerie nemesis, Ariel—the King’s Seducer. Oh, and then there’s the new dragon in town, Nikolas Constantine. Sade can’t decide whether to arrest his ass or admire it.

When guilt and innocence come to play in the French Quarter, it’ll take Sade’s brand of crazy to sort it all out.

I’m throwing a party starting today and lasting all week! Plus, I’m giving away prizes–like swag and a free ebook. How do you win? It’s easy. Check out the CHARACTERS OF PENUMBRA page and pick out the magick you’d most like to follow you home. 😉 Then leave a comment on THIS post telling who you picked. Like my AUTHOR PAGE on Facebook. And leave a comment here that you already like me or just did. 😉 The more you comment, the more chances to win! I’ll pick two random commenters next Friday to win post-its and scratchpads, a really cool pen, and some sooper-secret stuffs. And one commenter will get a copy of THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC in the digital platform of their choice PLUS the swag. Sweet, right?

Smashwords is taking their own sweet time in releasing THAT OL’ BLACk MAGIC “downstream” to other retailers. In the meantime, you can get it on Kindle at Amazon and other platforms at Smashwords. It’ll also be available at All Romance eBooks soon! You don’t want to miss out on the fun, do you?!? CLICK! And mark it WANNA READ on Goodreads! The more the merrier.

AMAZON | SMASHWORDS | GOODREADS

And one last quick question. THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC is just over 40K words. Would you buy a print version if it was available? Now, pour your beverage of choice, pick out the magick you want for your very own and LET’S PARTY!

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Zombies? What zombies?!?

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Silver James

I think it’s time for another Postcard from the Shadow’s Edge…

Zombies Postcard TOBM

I think that pretty much speaks for itself. But…you CAN buy the book to find out what led up to that conversation–and what happened afterward. 😉

AMAZON | SMASHWORDS

Tomorrow’s Friday. Who’s ready for the weekend?!?! *raises hand*

[Photo (c) Clary Carey]
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A Day to Be Normal

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Silver James

9-11I don’t think I need to remind anyone what today is. Nor do I need to ask if you remember where you were, what you were doing, etc. I have three such days in my life. November 22, 1963. April 19, 1995. And September 11, 2001.

I was a kid in ’63 and while the idea of a presidential assassination was enormous, I think the fact it happened almost in my backyard, in a city my family visited often, where relatives lived, is what really hit home.

In ’95, I was there 31 minutes after the truck bomb went off. Cars were burning in the parking lot across the street, dust and bits of paper and debris filled the air. I close my eyes and remember–the odors, the sounds, the sights. I did my job. And it still haunts me.

In ’01, I learned men I’d worked with in ’95 went into the towers and never came out. Our best man was at the Pentagon that day. He came out alive.

During a Facebook conversation with a friend who shares PTSD with me, she mentioned shutting out media reports and just trying to get through the day. I offered her a book to read and in doing so, I realized that we can remember but still…live normal. So that’s what I’m doing today. I’m going to live my life like it was any other day. While we were all profoundly changed on this day twelve years ago, the most lasting memorial, in my opinion, we can offer is to live each day to it’s fullest.

So…there’s been some additions to this site. Check out the Penumbra Papers link up there on the menu bar. THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC is available in all formats from Amazon and Smashwords. You can find the links on its page. Eventually, you’ll be able to buy it directly on B&N, iTunes, and a few other places, too. I’ll market tomorrow. Today, I’m going to enjoy my freedoms and my life and hope all of you do the same. Peace.

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Tuesday Tease: First Page That Ol’ Black Magic

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Silver James

Edits on the up-coming SEASON OF THE WITCH are done for now. The brain is slowly coming down from it’s caffeine-infused existence of the last week. Yesterday, I wrassled ISBN numbers and uploads. Today, I’ll teach both myself and THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC how to fly as I learn how to upload to the various platforms. In the meantime, how about the first page?

That Ol Black Magic 680THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC
Chapter One
Déjà Vu All Over Again

This was only Day One of what was shaping up to be a bloody weird week and the gods had been drinking again. Too bad Sade Marquis didn’t have that option. She was on duty. Dammit. Not to mention it was only ten in the morning. However, if things got any stranger, she might change her mind.

She occupied the one booth that gave her a broad view of the whole place. Déjà Vu. All over again. Back in the early days, right after graduating from the FBI Academy, the New Orleans Field Office had been her first assignment. She’d leased an apartment upstairs from the Déjà Vu. The bar-restaurant combo became a second home. Open twenty-four/seven, she could eat no matter the time of day.

Jax Martine—or as she liked to think of him “a Jax of all trades”—sailed by her table and two glasses of ice water appeared in his wake. He was human, but Sade would bet dollars to donuts there was a witch in his family tree. She glanced at her watch and wondered if she could squeeze in a late breakfast. She was meeting her partner, who had no concept of time. Werewolves were like that.

Catching Jax’s attention, Sade wiggled her fingers through a complicated series of gestures. A plate with eggs, bacon, and French toast—real French toast made from thick-cut slices of crusty French bread—appeared a few minutes later, along with two more glasses of ice water to replace the ones she’d drained.

She was on her third cup of post-breakfast coffee when two girls sitting at the bar stirred. Their attention swiveled to the front door, eyes on the prime specimen of fae male swaggering into the shadowed space. Back-lit by a sunshine nimbus, Ariel made quite an entrance. Sade looked to heaven for a reprieve that didn’t come. Her day just kept getting better and better.

****

And thus begins Sade’s journey to the Shadow’s Edge–or as her boss labels it, the Penumbra Papers. I hope you enjoy her trip!

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Posted on September 9, 2013 by Silver James

It’s Monday. Things are cooking. *looks all mysterious* In the meantime, have another Postcard from the Shadow’s Edge… 😉

Ariel's Postcard TOBM

How was your weekend? Mine was busy. And this is going to be a crazy week so probably another week of low profile. I’ll catch up soon. Promise!

[Background photo (c) Misha/Bigstock.com. Used with persmission.]
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Acts of Kindness

Posted on September 4, 2013 by Silver James

Meathiel highway journeyWriters tend to be solitary creatures. We live in our imaginations, occupy writing caves, and carry on conversations with the voices in our heads. Many of us are shy. A few are socially awkward. Still, if the word goes out that someone needs help, writers are usually the first in line.

By the same token, writers depend on the goodwill of others–the reviews and rankings, the word of mouth spreading of news of releases and sales. Most of us would write even if no one ever picked up one of our books. Why? Because those darn voices in our heads would drive us crazy!

This little “blurb” from the Universe showed up in the ol’ inbox not too long ago. When rooting around for a blog topic for today, I came across it.

Acts of kindness, Silver, however small – a smile, a compliment, a helping hand – plant seeds of hope, love, and beauty in a spectacular garden you’ll one day call home.

Talk about “Miracle Grow,”
~~The Universe

In the meantime, Silver, I’m enjoying the heck out of ’em.

I look back at acts of kindness others have performed for my benefit and I’m humbled–by the people and the acts both. I’ve tried to follow in those footsteps. I want to offer encouragement and helping hands as I journey through this life. I want to sow seeds along the way so there are wildflowers of love, hope, and yes, even beauty, planted in my words.

Thank you, all of you, who stop and smell the flowers as you journey to other places, too. Happy Wednesday. Happy September. Happy first day of the rest of our lives. And no, don’t ask why I’m all maudlin and serious and shitstuff. I have no clue…well…other than I’m embarking on a chapter of my publishing life and the idea terrifies me just a little. But y’all have my back so it’s all good.

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Magic Moments

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Silver James

I’m trying something new where the Penumbra Papers are concerned. (Not that I enjoy procrastinating or anything! Shhhhhhh….)

I thought I’d make “postcards” out of some of the memorable lines from the books. People can pin them on Pinterest. Share them on Facebook and Twitter and Google+. And hopefully, just enjoy them. Since THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC is off in the magical hands of the formatter, I thought I’d start with the opening to the story.

Black Magic Sade-ism1

There will be more as time goes by. And with any luck, it’ll be back in my hands by the end of the week and I can start figuring out how to upload it places besides Amazon. Anyway, welcome to the Penumbra Papers and the world of Sade Marquis. Her best friend turns furry. Her godfather is a master vampire. And her mother was once the mistress of Oberon, King of the Faerie Court. As Agent In Charge of the FBI’s MAGIC Unit, her life is full of things that go bump in the night.

Who had fun over the long weekend? Besides working, I’m reading Loreth Anne White’s PIECES OF YOU. It’s a taut romantic suspense set in a small Canadian ski resort. OMG! But back to work for me. SEASON OF THE WITCH waits for no writer! 😉

[Photo copyright: iofoto.com, used by permission bigstockphoto.com, design copyright 2013, Silver James]

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Labor Day + Amazon = Books

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Silver James

Don’t forget to pass the word along to anyone who might enjoy a quick mystery read or a longer paranormal thriller read. CAFE MIDNIGHT and BLOOD MOON are free today only on Amazon (midnight to midnight PST, September 2). Here are some tweets/FB posts with links you can cut and paste, or you can simply click on the covers!

A dead body. A burned out cop. Sherlock Holmes?. What can go wrong? CAFE MIDNIGHT http://www.amazon.com/Cafe-Midnight-ebook/dp/B00EHZ4H58/ #freebook #Amazon #Kindle

Cafe Midnight 680A burned-out homicide cop. A mysterious diner. A dead body. What could possibly go wrong?

When that cop is Joe McGwire? Everything. Back on duty after a shootout where his partner died, Joe and his best friend, Insomnia, hit the streets. Drawn to a diner called Cafe Midnight, Joe walks into trouble.

Welcome to Cafe Midnight, where the coffee’s hot, you can still smoke, the payphone costs a nickel, and famous detectives hang out looking for a case.

This short story is a fond homage to film noir and the detective novels of the last century. It’s a tongue-in-cheek tale about a hard-driven homicide detective and the denizens of the dark he meets while investigating his latest murder.

Mac & Hannah. Match made in heaven or will all hell break loose? BLOOD MOON http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Moon-Moonstruck-ebook/dp/B0080UST5K #free #Amazon #Kindle #moonstruck

Blood Moon Cover 680Winner of the International Digital Awards for Paranormal Short Fiction.

Army Major Hannah Jackson knows where the skeletons are hidden at the Pentagon and now she’s been tasked with keeping the secrets of Army Special Sci Ops Unit 69—the Wolves—and their secret is a doozy. That a civilian corporation wants to exploit the Wolves is a matter of pressing concern.

Sergeant Major Ian McIntire doesn’t trust Hannah as far as he can throw her—and that’s quite a ways considering he’s an alpha werewolf. The woman is a pain in his butt and with the Blood Moon coming, the unit needs to complete their mission and get home before tempers flare. While she might know most of their secrets, the one she doesn’t know about the moonstruck Wolf might just get them all killed.

When a covert operation goes wrong, Mac must trust Hannah to save his men—and his heart. Secrets, lies, and betrayals are more personal under the full moon, but when a Wolf loves a woman, he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

I’m laboring today. Edits on SEASON OF THE WITCH because THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC has gone to the formatter! *happy dances* Enjoy your day!

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Long Weekends & Sales

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Silver James

It’s Friday. Monday is a holiday here in the States. Labor Day. That means a long weekend and lots of big sales. I’ve never quite figured out why Labor Day = Sales. Or President’s Day for that matter. Or any other day/weekend that retailers decide to make their associates work crazy hours.

I’m not big on shopping. Hate it, in fact. Black Friday? I’m sleeping late and catching up on my reading. Cyber Monday? That might catch my attention so long as I can connect with a site but the minute my computer runs slow or the website won’t load because of traffic? Nope. I’m outta there.

Cafe Midnight 680Blood Moon Cover 680So, if I hate shopping, why am I talking about sales? Because I decided to put CAFE MIDNIGHT and BLOOD MOON “on sale” come Monday. For 24 hours, both will be free. Spread the word. Let your friends know.

I plan to watch baseball and work on revisions and edits of SEASON OF THE WITCH this weekend. What about y’all? Any big plans? Small ones? Good times ahead?

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