Monday of Lazy, Catch-up, and Stuff

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Silver James

lol monday coffee Why yes, I do resemble this today, why do you ask? I’m late. I know. I normally write a blog post and set it up the day before. But I took yesterday off. I didn’t even turn on the computer. And dang if I’m not paying for it this morning. I have 167 email in one account and 97 in another. I suspect most of that 167 are Facebook notifications. *sigh*

So, it’s Monday. All day. And about 5 degrees outside. Only I really have to get out. Dogs are out of food and I’m almost out of coffee. Either event could be disastrous. 😆

Totally random thoughts: Pitcher/catchers report February 5th and MLB Spring Training starts on Valentine’s Day. That’s better than chocolate. Almost. Baseball is my sport. I watch the Superbowl for the commercials.

Speaking of sports, OU beat Alabama. Yay. OSU (Ok State) lost to Mizzou. Haz a sad. That other OSU (Ohio State) lost. There’s a National title game tonight–Auburn vs. Florida State. *yawn* Did I mention it’s only 30 days to pitcher/catcher? 😉

More randomness–I’ve been sucked into the vortex that is Christine Feehan’s Dark Carpathian series. I’m on book…5? It’s hard to remember because they’re all so much alike. Sadly. But there’s still something oddly…enticing about them. Lots of sex. LOTS of sex. And these books were out back in 2000.

Okay…I’ve stalled long enough and had my first cup of coffee. The brain is functioning. Sort of. How was your weekend? And are you frozen in your neck of the woods?

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Friday the First Free-for-all

Posted on January 3, 2014 by Silver James

mobile phone and booksI’d actually thought about starting the new schedule on Monday because…first day of the week, right? But since today is Friday, and with New Year’s falling in the middle of the week–which makes Thursday and Friday sort of a non-week…

Anyway. I keep seeing those Best of the Year lists floating around the internet. Since I started off my Goodreads challenge with a reread of a series I once enjoyed, I got to thinking about rereading series. Also, B.E. and I chatted about this via Facebook, because rereading a favorite book doesn’t count toward the reading challenge. 😛

So…here’s my Top Something List of Series I Reread:

1. In Death/Eve Dallas – JD Robb. This is my favorite series of all time. Period. NAKED IN DEATH, the first book is my “chicken soup” book. Once I’ve read it, I feel almost compelled to reread the whole series. All 30 books. *headdesk*

2. Charley Davidson/Grim Reaper – Darynda Jones. There are only 5 books currently, with a novella. The 6th book releases in May. Yayayayay! Darynda’s Charley is a delight–funny, snarky, determined, and OMG is Reyes hot! Seriously HOT!

3. Allison Brennan. Okay. That’s a writer, not a series, but all of her suspense/thrillers are interrelated and mostly set up as trilogies, but for the Lucy Kincaid books. That’s a series, but all those characters in previous books are still around. This makes me have a happy. 😀 You don’t have to read them in order but yeah. If romantic suspense is your thing and you HAVEN’T read Allison, why the hell not?!? You can find her book list HERE. She’s starting a new series this spring.

4. Cat and Bones series – Jeaniene Frost. I came to this series late, and scrambled to catch up. The last true “Cat and Bones” book comes out this spring. I has a sad. 😦 These are paranormal–Cat is a half-vampire slayer. Bones is the vampire who wins her heart.

5. Jayne Anne Krentz/Jayne Castle/Amanda Quick – again an author. I started with her Harmony series (Castle) and quickly added the Krentz and Quick books that are Arcane Society/Harmony related.

And here’s a quick, off-the-top-of-my-head list of favorite series I’ve read in the past, even if I don’t stay current (except for Jen Lyon’s series. I’m all over it if she publishes more!):
1. The Wing Slayer Hunters – Jennifer Lyon
2. The Neurotic Hitwoman series – JB Lynn
3. Witch World – Andre Norton
4. Dragonriders of Pern – Anne McCaffrey
5. The Sacketts – Louis L’Amour
6. Sherrilyn Kenyon – Darkhunters and just about everything else
7. The Bullet Catchers – Roxanne St. Claire
8. The Highlanders – Karen Marie Moning (I still need to read her Darkfever series)
9. Aisling Grey series (and sub-series) – Katie McAllister (Dragons! Who could resist)
10. Demonica series (and sub-series) – Larissa Ione
11. Joe Leaphorn/Jim Chee Navajo police series – Tony Hillerman

So, what series is on your must buy list? Do you reread books?

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New Year, New Schedule

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Silver James

lolcat perspectiveI hope all of you had a safe New Year’s! Welcome to 2014. As mentioned at the start of the week, I’m posting a series of “informational” blogs. I’d love your input on my plans for the coming year!

One of my words for this year is ORGANIZATION. One of the places I plan to get organized is here. I’ve done a lot of assessing, market research, and whatnot this last quarter of the year. I don’t know how long it will last (we all know how UNorganized I am!) but I’d like to get the blog on a schedule. That way, when I know life is going to be crazy, I can pre-schedule things. So…here’s my thinking.

Monday Mayhem: This is all about the fun–what happened over the weekend, crazy news, random thoughts, etc.

Tuesday’s Treats: Another grab bag of items–recipes, movies, TV shows, Pinterest stuffs, etc.

Wednesday Words: I’ll be sharing the books I’m reading (and writing) and I’ll post short quotes that caught my eye.

Thursday’s Thoughts from the Universe: The Universe is far too astute for me to stop sharing it’s wisdom.

Friday Free-for-all: Sort of like Monday, Friday will be a mishmash of ideas. I’ll share book deals/sales, host friends for guest blogs, post those silly “sinemas” that catch my eye. Oh, except for the last Friday in the month. The last Friday is Forensic Friday. Forensic Friday will be a grab-bag of real-life stories from my career and how I “twisted” real-world forensics to fit into my fantasy worlds. Sound interesting? I hope so!

So, what do y’all think? I’m here to entertain you folks. Does this stuff appeal?

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Happy New Year – 2014!

Posted on January 1, 2014 by Silver James

Happy New Year from me, Iffy, and all the characters living in our imagination! May 2014 find you healthy, wealthy and wise. And surrounded by family and friends, your life full of merriment and joy!

2014 Moonstruck

2014 Happy new year

2014 Faerie wishes

But most of all, I wish you many happy hours of reading!

~Silver and Iffy

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Saying Goodbye to 2013

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Silver James

notebookDear 2013-

Where did you go? It seems like just a few days ago that I was trying to figure out what to do with you. You had such possibilities, so shiny and new. And here you are, old, wrinkled, well-worn. We had some times, didn’t we?

This is goodbye. I know you don’t want to break up. It’s me, not you. Okay, it’s you, but you can’t help it. You came with an expiration date and at midnight, you’ll fade into the annals of What Once Was.

Speaking of goodbyes, I had a few this year. They always make me sad, even if–ultimately–some of the farewells are for the best. I miss those who have moved on. Some know how I feel. Others? I can’t speak for them. They may be just as happy to have me gone, like the old year.

2013, you presented me with more opportunities. I continued to pursue my road to independence in the publishing arena. You weren’t quite as good to me as 2012 was, but that’s okay. We learned new things together, you and me. And we stretched. This was good. You kept me DEDICATED month-to-month and I thank you for that. You saw the “birth” of Sade, Sinjen, Caleb, Ariel, Roman, Nikos and the other denizens of the Penumbra Papers. You brought new readers for MOONSTRUCK and taught me that I can’t say goodbye to the Wolves and their families. I’ll just have to work harder to make room for them in the schedule. 😀

I learned from you, dear 2013. I learned I could stand on my own, to take chances, to move on when life deemed it necessary. Thank you for that.

I don’t know what your newer, shinier brother will bring, but I can’t really complain about you. All in all, you were good to me, though you left some unfinished business. Hopefully, 2014 will take care of it.

Sometimes, 2013, we were BFFs. Other times, frenemies. That’s okay. You weren’t perfect and the Universe knows neither am I. We managed to sort out our differences and get along for 365 days. Take care of yourself, old friend. I have your memories recorded. I won’t forget you. And isn’t that the final word? To live on in someone’s memory?

All the best-

Silver

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In-Between Times

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Silver James

funny-dog-pictures-not-ready-for-mondayThe time between Christmas and New Year’s always feels a bit Twilight Zone-ish to me. The old year is coming to a close and the new year is just hanging out there on the horizon, not quite in sight yet but definitely not out of mind.

I take time to reflect during this period–to reminisce about the year just past and what will come when the clock strikes midnight on December 31. It’s a time for goodbyes. A time for assessment. A time of decisions of what’s to be. A time of dreaming about what will come.

Over the next few days, I’ll be sharing my thoughts and discussing some of the new directions I have planned for my life and for this site and blog. It’s all good. I promise.

Until then, may you have family, friends, heart family, and all good things in your life.

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Christmas Break

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Silver James

I’m a huge fan of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. As an early Christmas present, fix your warm drink of choice, get comfortable, and spend the next 46 minutes enjoying this story about the Ghosts of Christmas Eve. Happy Holidays!

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Staying Alive Update

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Silver James

Meathiel_Winter8_zps5cbe488eHow the holymoleywhereinhellhastimegoneDecembercan’tbehalfover did it get to be December 17th? *muppet flail* Christmas needs to go away! Right now. And stay away until I’m ready. Because I’m not! *wails and gnashes teeth*

New Orleans. I’m back. But I swear every muscle and joint in my body is aching. SOOOOO much walking. Like miles. And MILES. AND MILES!!!! Which was probably good because OMG the food! Sooooo good! Truthfully, though, I think it was from schlepping suitcases through two airports and dealing with delays. It was after midnight before I go home Sunday night/Monday morning. I still feel like I need a nap. 😀

I have pictures. But I lost the USB cable to load from my camera to my computer. I have one on order. It will be here this week. I will post photos eventually.

I’ll also do some posts on some of the things I did, saw, learned, etc. Warning, things will be spotty until after the first of the year. There are some changes coming and I’ll touch on them as time goes on.

What did y’all do while I was gone? I missed you!

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Friday Christmas Sinema – Carol of the Bells

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Silver James

It’s Friday the 13th. I’m in New Orleans. Fitting, right? LOLOL

Even so, I wanted to share another holiday favorite! I remember the first time I heard this song years and years ago. I got chills. Stil get them when I hear the song. And, it’s Pentatonix again. What can I say? They are amazing.

Same question as last week…tell me another of your favorite songs–and if there are several versions, which artist is your favorite?

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The Weather Outside is…

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Silver James

Snow Dogs …Frightful. At least here! How is it in your neck of the woods? At least the snow and frigid temperatures kept me inside and working. Yes. The Sooper Sekrit Project has been completed and submitted. I should hear something in a week or so as to whether it’s good to go or needs more work.

My OSU Cowboys lost to the Sooners–our in-state rivals. 😦 However, B.E.’s Michigan State boys beat that other OSU (Ohio State) so that was good! We play Missouri in the Cotton Bowl. OU plays Alabama in…some bowl. 😆 I wasn’t paying close attention. And speaking of football, did anyone watch the Lions/Eagles game in Philadelphia? Holy crap! Six inches of snow in the course of the game? Yikes!

Reading! Who’s been doing some? I needed a break from work this weekend and after going through all the books on my Kindle and all the books on the TBR files, I couldn’t find anything that just jumped out at me. I ended up starting Angie Fox’s ACCIDENTAL DEMON SLAYER. It’s different. The hero is a shapeshifting griffin and the heroine’s grandmother rides a Harley with a coven of old biker witches. Yeah…those were my thoughts, too. 😆

Hair cut today, packing and trip prep tomorrow, and then fun, travel, and adventure on Thursday. I’m looking forward to another visit to New Orleans. Of course, it’s supposed to rain. Figures, right?

So what are y’all up to?

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