I’m elbow deep in Boston Wolves so when this popped up in my Feedly blog feed, I decided to share–easy peasy without falling down the rabbit hole that can be YouTube. Sampson reminds me a bit of Jake, though I doubt Loki or Pete would 1) go hiking with us or 2) ride piggyback. LOL Anyway, this is just a sweet, feel good video about critters. I hope it brings a smile to you today. Anybody else live with dog and cat buddies? Have a great weekend!
Sometimes, you just want to find someone who understands you. Am I right? I’m pretty sure that’s a prime motivation for most of my characters, and the basis for writing a romance novel. I mean, seriously, when you find the right one–and you’re lucky enough to recognize that this is the right one–you just know it. The Universe understands…
I mean, just as Hannah? Speaking of crazy. Mac totally gets her. And just ask Sinjen about Sade. He sees her natural sexiness even if she doesn’t. And when it comes to cool? Who or what is cooler than any of the Wolves? Yes, I am having a big of fun with today’s musing. Words have been coming this week, though not always easily. I’m in some deep kimchi kind of territory in the storyline. There are times I’ve had to get up and walk away for a bit but that’s a good thing. A VERY good thing! That means I’m hitting some emotional stuff that’s just full of mystique. Trust me, I know crazy cool with a side of sexy when it comes to writing about Wolves.
So how are you feeling today? Crazy, sexy, or cool? Or do you just have mystique? 😉
Winner, winner, chicken dinner! The original 250 word snippet took the top spot in last week’s #ThursdayThreads flash fiction “contest.” Yay! When that happens, I know I’m on the right track with the story. The prompt was **Where do you want me?”** The following is basically the 250-word snippet, though I did add 10 or 15 more words to it for this. When I expanded the scene over the weekend, it was over double in size. Yay. Kathleen Gallagher and Devlin O’Reilly are my Romeo and Juliet couple in this book.
**** Kathleen didn’t want to open the door. She’d refused to answer the phone after screening the calls. Why couldn’t they leave her alone? The imperious knock rattled the front windows. She cracked the door and peered out at the two police officers.
“You need to come with us, Mrs. Gallagher.”
“Why?”
“We’ve made an arrest. There’s a press conference.”
“Tommy’s dead and buried. You don’t need me there.”
An hour later, she wore widow black and a stoney face. The chief, and other official types milled around. Alex Crenshaw, the district attorney, brushed past her and she cringed away. Every instinct she possessed urged her to flee.
“Where do you want me?” Crenshaw demanded.
The public information officer lined up everyone but Kathleen. With luck, the woman had forgotten she existed. The PIO gave her instructions then noticed Kathleen. “I want you in front of the chief and the DA. You’ll say a few words after they speak. There will be no questions.”
A moment later, the door opened and they filed out in front of the crowd of reporters. The first face Kathleen saw stood in the very back. She knew him. Her heart knew him. The man from the cemetery. The man from the restaurant. The man who silently watched over her.
When it was her time to speak, she said, “Thank you for coming.” And that was all that came out of her mouth. She immediately stepped back into line.
Once it was over, she found him waiting. “I’ll take you home.”
But she knew she was already there. **** And there you have it. Some of you may remember why these are my star-crossed lovers, some may not, so I won’t spoil it for you. I will tease you a bit more. Dev’s future is the epilogue and it should leave you with a smile. And yes, it was a random scene that didn’t fit into “current” timeline but fit the future nicely. LOLOL Writers, I hope the prompt stirs your creative juices. Readers, where do you want to be today?
Have I menationed that I love pecans? I love pecan pie, pecan pralines, pecan sticky buns, pecans in my cinnamon rolls. Heck, I’ll put pecans on my ice cream. With this recipe, I can put ice cream on my pecans. This Pecan Upside Down Cake is easy to make and so very yummy, especially if served still warm with said ice cream and/or whipped cream.
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hr 10 min
8 servings
INGREDIENTSPecan Topping
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup light brown sugar packed
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/4 cups pecans roughly chopped (or use pecan pieces)
Cake
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2/3 cup whole milk room temperature
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350F and grease an 8” round cake pan generously with nonstick spray or butter.
Pecan Toppig
1 - Add the butter to a saucepan over medium heat and stir until melted.
2 - Add the brown sugar and corn syrup and stir until the brown sugar has dissolved.
3 - Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla, salt, and pecans until the pecans are completely coated.
4 - Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and gently spread to the edges. Set aside while you prepare the cake batter.
Cake
1 - Whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder and set aside.
2 - In a bowl (using a stand mixer or hand mixer) cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.
3 - Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Scrape down the sides.
4 - While mixing on low speed, alternate adding the flour and milk, ending with the flour. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the excess flour around the edges so you don’t over mix.
5 - Spoon the batter into the pan (dollop some around the sides, then the middle) and gently spread evenly across the pan, working the batter the whole way to the edges
Note: Don’t push or spread with too much pressure. Disturbing the pecan layer on the bottom will affect the flip at the end.
6 - Bake for 30-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs but no wet batter.
7 - Place a plate or serving platter on top of the cake, then use oven mitts or a tea towel (holding the pan and the platter like a sandwich) and flip the cake immediately. Leave the pan on top for 1 minute and gently tap the pan all over.
8 - Remove the pan by lifting it straight up, and scoop out any leftover pieces of nuts in the pan back and place them back onto the cake.
9 - Serve warm or at room temperature with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
TIPS
1 - You can substitute walnuts for the pecans if you prefer.
2 - To cut, use a serrated knife to gently saw through the nut layer, then push down through the cake layer.
3 - Store the cake covered with foil at room temperature for 2-3 days.
Once again, I’m going old school because this recipe just says Oklahoma to me and it’s something that the Barron boys would enjoy. With two hungry mouths to feed, Jolie Davis Barron bakes this a lot. Of course, it might have something to do with the fact that her “boys” love this dessert. Cord and their son CJ beg for this especially for Thanksgiving. I can almost agree with them because while I do love me some pie, this cake is on a whole ‘nother level of yumminess. If you’d like to travel back to the early days of my career, Jolie and Cord’s story, THE COWGIRL’S LITTLE SECRET, is the second book in the Red Dirt Royalty series. They’re my Romeo and Juliet couple of the series with a bonus secret baby. What’s not to love, right? If you haven’t tried my Harlequin Desires, this is a great time to start them. Just click on the pic or the title to head to Harlequin. You can buy it direct there or find a link to various other on-line retailers. If you are interested in the series, click on Red Dirt to find the page here on my siite, with a list and blurb for all the books. Today’s question is a serious one. No, seriously! 😉 Which do you prefer, pie or cake?
Is Monday the 13th anything like Friday the 13th? Is there ever enough coffee? Especially on a Monday…or any other day for that matter. That’s just the way Monday rolls. It sneaks up on us, despite the fact that we always know it is coming. Every week. Rain or shine. Spring, summer, winter, or fall. Month after month. Why yes, I have very little to say today, why do you ask? LOL
We won’t talke about sports. ‘Nuff said.
Had a fun family dinner Saturday night to celebrate belated birthdays. We all met at Hideaway, a local pizza chain that both boys enjoyed while they were in college at OSU. Good food, including fried mozzarella sticks and batter-fried mushrooms (my fave!). Lots of laughs and conversation. The people at the next table freaked when we left because Jake came out from under our table. They had no idea he was even there. As it should be.
I’ve been doing a jumbled relisten to Dannika Dark’s Seven series. I didn’t start with the first one (SEVEN YEARS). She has a spin-off series (Black Arrowhead) with a new addition coming out. The characters are closely entwined and I wanted to refresh my memory. If paranormal romance (wolves, other shifters, mages, and other magical types) is your catnip and you haven’t read this series, I recommend it. I just finished off the last book (ONE SECOND) and am currently listening to the “bridge” novella, WINTER MOON. There are two Black Arrowhead books before the latest, THE CHOSEN, releases tomorrow. Well, technically, midnight tonight. Anyway, if you aren’t familiar, you might give this series a try. Definitely start with SEVEN YEARS. While they can sort of be stand-alone, there is a series deep plot and interconnected stories.
In writing news, I shared more character models on my FB author page over the weekend, and a snippet will post here on Wednesday. I’m making progress. I’m over 89K words now, so I have no doubts that this book will be at least 100K, if not a little longer. Still hoping it will be ready in time for y’all to give yourselves a Christmas present by buying it.
I’m off to Wallyworld, which is my Monday modus operandi. Every week. Rain, shine, snow, or sleet. Spring, summer, fall, and winter. Month after month. Why yes, I do live an exciting life, why do you ask? 🤣🤣🤣 How was your weekend?
Okay. I laughed. And cheered. And totally identified with this mastiff. This would totally be me if I were a dog doing an agility course in a dog show. Just sayin’… Have a great weekend, all, and may you find something that makes your happy or laugh. Or both!
Building your life is like building a world. Or maybe that should be the other way around. When a writer builds a world, they also build their life around that world. We craft all sorts of things from history to societal rules. We create people who lived that history and abide–or break–those rules. We sprinkle in love and conflict because that keeps things interesting. I mean…seriously…who wants to write or read a boring book, or live a boring life. The Universe usually has ideas to share–and today, power tools.
**** If you were to be given a few power tools, plus a hammer, chisel, and axe, to craft, carve, and shape the life of your wildest dreams, Silver, I’d bet you’d be really careful with each of your bangs, buzzes, and chops.
So please use the same extraordinary care and precision when using your imagination, choosing your words, and dancing life’s dance.
P.S. Every minute of every day, Silver, choose from the highest within you. ****
I do have to disagree a little. Sometimes, when you’re writing, you just need to spit it out on the page (or the up on the monitor). Thank goodness for certain power tools–computer, laptops, spellcheck. They are the things that let us writers choose the best words to tell the story that’s in our imagination. And what a dance it can become, after we build the dancefloor with all that banging. Sometimes it’s a waltz, sometimes a tango. Jitterbug and hand jive. Cha-cha and salsa. And don’t forget tap, jazz, and ballet. Who else is ready to trip the light fantastic today?
Time just keeps tripping along and danged if it isn’t picking up speed. Am I right? We’re the first week into November and Thanksgiving (here in the States) and Christmas aren’t far away. Last week’s #ThursdayThreads prompt was **”And there might have been a tail.”** Ooh, lordy. There were a lot of ways to run with that one for sure. Writers, should you decide to be inspire, have fun! Readers, this one is pretty self-explanatory, as they have been of late. The original 250 words have now been expanded to 546. Hope you enjoy! 🤞🏼
****
The chattering women stood near the bar in Clancy’s. Maura was laughing as Ronan and his men entered through the back stairwell door.
“That was fun,” Maura said. “Even though my feet are killing me.”
“Light weight,” Shannon teased.
“Totally. I sit behind a desk most of the day, though I do hoof it to and from the train station.”
“I take it the lot of you had fun,” Sean said, reaching for Bridget. He pulled her to him for a claiming kiss.”
“We shopped,” Maura said.
“And had lunch,” Bridget added.
“An’ don’t be forgettin’ the…” Fiona snapped her fingers. “Bellinis. They might be m’new favorite drink ever.”
Finn yelled from behind the bar, “I’ll not be makin’ any of them fancy umbrella drinks for your lot.”
“Grouch,” Shannon called in return. “You make martinis for those Deluxebury bitches.”
“That’s because they pay,” Finn shot back.
“Whatever.” Shannon turned around to ignore him. She rolled her eyes. “But they tip like shit.”
“And what else didja do?” Ronan’s voice was somber.
“We shopped some more,” Maura said.
Bridget put in, “And stopped in for a few drinks to rest our feet.”
“Ignored the office drones hangin’ ’round the bar wantin’ t’flirt,” Fiona declared.
“Then we ordered a car service,” Maura explained with a lift of one shoulder, noting that the men were more intent on getting the pints Finn had drawn for them than in the women’s itinerary.
“And there might have been a tail,” Sophie added.
The men froze. One by one, they slowly turned to look at the women.
“Well,” Sophie said. “That got their attention.”
Ronan zeroed in on Maura but Callum beat him to the punch. “What do you mean, Sophie?”
She put her hands on her hips and forced the smile hovering on her lips to stay hidden. She’d dealt with her father all her life. These alpha males didn’t scare her—especially since she knew Callum would never hurt her. Unlike dear old dad. “I mean that at various times, we all felt like we were being watched. After discussing it, we came to the conclusion that you overprotective alpha hotels were the likely culprits. We all know how good at hiding this bunch can be.”
The men exchanged looks. Callum’s face was set in hard lines when he said, “It wasn’t us.”
This time, the women looked at each other. Shannon turned troubled eyes to Mick. “You didn’t have Brendan or Aidan following us?”
“No.” He bit off the word. “Aidan’s working at the garage and Brendan is driving Brian.”
All the starch leaked out of Sophie. She reached behind her, found a bar stool, and managed to perch on it. Distraught, she studied Callum. When she spoke, it wasn’t a question. “You think it was my father.”
He shook his head. “No.” Unable to stop himself, he walked over to her. She widened her knees so he could stand between them and wrap his arms around her. “Maybe. I don’t know but I’ll find out who it was, Sophie. I won’t let that old bastard or anyone else hurt you. Not ever again.”
She buried her face in his soft shirt, her voice muffled against his chest as she said, “That sounds like a promise.”
“It is.”
****
Callum and Sophie were featured on my FB author’s page this weekend so now y’all know what they look like. While they aren’t actually the main focus of this snippet, they do play a pivotal part and there are hints about Sophie’s past. I have to admit that, given the prompt, I almost went with the obvious “play on words” and “characteristics” considering half my characters turn furry with tails, but I decided to take the high road and go a different direction because…well…normally, there might have been (just ask Maura!) a tail. What about y’all? Are you enjoying seeing the characters and then getting a snippet about them? I want to keep the blog AND the FB page interesting so y’all keep hangin’ around.
Sometimes, a writer or a reader just needs to kick back with a big cup of coffee (or glass of milk) and a plate of warm cookies. This is Only’s favorite cookie. They come out huge and soft, as long as you don’t overbake them.
Giant Snickerdoodles
Dry Ingredients: 4 1/2 cup Flour 2 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon salt
In bowl, stir dry ingredients together.
Wet Ingredients: 1 1/4 cup Crisco 2 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract or 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel 1 cup buttermilk (1/2 cup sugar & 2 tablespoon for coating)
In large bowl, beat Crisco with mixer on medium-to-high for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat until mixed, scraping sides. Beat in eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in vanilla and lemon.
Alternate adding buttermilk and dry ingredients, scraping sides of bowl as needed. Cover bowl and chill at least 4 hours. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Use a 1/4 cup measure or a 1/4 cup ice cream scoop. (Lightly coat scoop with non-stick spray to help prevent dough from sticking.) Scoop dough, roll in sugar/cinnamon mix to coat. Place 3″ apart on cookie sheet. Gently press cookie to 1/2″ thickness. Bake in preheated 375° for 12-14 minutes or until bottoms are a light gold. Transfer to rack to cool. Makes about 24.
This sounds like a lot of work, but trust me, the cookies are well worth the effort!
Tip: You don’t want to overbake, but don’t underbake either. Underbaked cookies crumble. Just sayin’. The way to avoid this is to pretty much “precisely” measure the dough into “balls.” I use a rounded Kitchen Aid brand 1/4 cup measuring cup and don’t overfill it This results in almost perfect 4″ cookies perfectly baked (in my old oven it takes a bit longer). I also use a thin metal spatula to move them from cookie sheet to cooling rack.
True story. Only called last week and asked me to bake these cookies for the dessert table of Stormy’s school auction. I found what was labled as a candy jar in the party supplies at Wallyworld for pretty cheap and grabbed some fall-themed wired ribbon when I went to buy the ingredients. I had great plans to take a picture to use today and then…life happened. I barely got the things out of the oven and cooled enough to pack in time for Baseball Boy to pick up on his way home. In bragging rights news, the dozen cookies I packed in the jar went for $60. So yeah, I’ll be baking them again next year. LOL In character news, I can see Jonah getting ready for bed and remembering that he needs cookies for school the next day. He goes running to his Aunt Sam because she can do anything! Good thing Easy likes these cookies too because he’d stay up late with Sam while she makes a couple of batches. Don’t tell any of the other Nightriders, but he’ll actually handle the dishes and kitchen clean-up. Of course, he has ulterior motives–he gets to be with his mate and when she’s done, there’s always…bedtime. 😉 If you like your paranormal romance on the dark and dirty side and haven’t tried my Nightriders series, you should. For real. Start with Easy and Sam’s story in NIGHT SHIFT. Just click on the pic or the title to get the Books2Read landing page with all the links. Enjoy the book AND the cookies!
What’s wrong with just plain ol’ standard time. Like it is now. It’s natural. It doesn’t discriminate. It’s like when it’s supposed to be light and dark when it’s supposed to be dark. I’m older than dirt. I remember life before DST. And what really sucks, because we’ve been forced to adjust to DST, coming back to Standard Time also entails adjustment–and not just in the clocks. Which reminds me, I need to reset the clock in my SUV when I head to Wallyworld today. And the only over the fridge. I’ve done all the others.
There was a weekend. There were sports. PISTOLS FIREING! My OSU Cowboys beat the OU Sooners. It was the 118th Bedlam match-up and with OU moving out of the Big 12 to the SEC next year, there will be no more Bedlam. All things must come to an end. LIKE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME, GOVERNMENT!!!!
In other sports news, Stormy played in a Charlie Foxtrot of a soccer tournament Saturday and Sunday. The hosting soccer club accepted 300 tearms. The problem is, their “campus” doesn’t have even 300 parking spaces. People were pissed! As I was a bit under the weather Satruday, LG went for fhe first game and had to hike a mile. Literally. He came home after the game and siren test and hit the couch, in bad physical shape. We tried the Sunday afternoon game and it took us 45 minutes to get from the drive into the parking to the area of the parking near the field. Charlie Foxtrot. Also, a parent on the opposing team got red-carded for yelling the F-word and it turned out she was the coach’s wife so he argued with the referee for like 10 minutes, which ate into game time. The game was tied at that point and then they scored a quick goal. Our kids didn’t really get the chance to score again. It’s sucked. The good news is, they played well, as did Stormy. Sadly, it took us almost an hour to get OUT of the parking lot. Yeah, that would be a zero-star review on Yelp.
I didn’t get much writing done but I fully intend to be back on track this week.
The weather is gorgeous. No heat. No AC. Windows open. Cool temps to return later this week. That’s okay. It IS November.
Not much else going on. I’m off to Wallyworld and then words! How was your weekend and what’s on your agenda this week?
Silver James 