Monday Mutterings

Posted on August 14, 2023 by Silver James

Wow. We’re almost halfway through August. This is not a bad thing because by this time of year, I am sooo ready for Autumn to arrive with cooler temps. Fall is my favorite time of year. I feel invigorated and more alive after the lazy, heat-filled days of summer. I’m not a summer girl. Don’t do the beach, the pool, or the sun. And forget the heat! I haven’t appreciated hot temps since menopause. LOLOL

Last week was long and sad. Baseball Boy had to made tough decisions regarding his dad. I don’t normally discuss “deep” family things on social media and won’t here beyond the fact that we lost a kind, caring, and wonderful member of the family on Thursday. I hope that Dale Earnhardt was there at the Pearly Gates to welcome one of his biggest fans.

There’s never a good time for such events but school starts this week for both BB and Stormy. In other family news, Stormy was placed on a soccer academy team for the fall. His coach has both high school and college coaching experience so he should learn a lot. We’re all excited and the cool thing is, as he learns and gets better, he can be moved up to a more experienced team. This is exactly what he needs to progress in his chosen (at least for now) sport.

Needless to say, my own endeavors took a back seat for all intents and purposes. I did manage to revise and edit a few chapters. I’m hoping this week will be a bit more productive. We’ll see what happens. Today is Wallyworld day, plus an extra stop at Ace Hardware for birdseed (on sale!), and also Starbucks because Jake ALWAYS gets a pup-cup on Wallyworld day. 😉 After we get home and groceries unpacked and put up, I hope to shut out part of the world and concentrate on the current chapter that’s open on my computer. Baby steps.

I’m still in the middle of my marathon listen of Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series. I’m up to Book 13. The new one hits this week but I have 8 more books to finish before I’m ready for the new one. That’s okay. I love this series! In TV news, “Secrets of Skinwalker Ranch” was a crazy ride this season. The finale was Wednesday night and LG and I kept giving each other the “wide eye” as stuff happened. If you’re into UFOlogy or, I guess the current term is UAPology (Unidentified Aerial Phenomenom) and haven’t been watching Skinwalker on The History Channel, you need to find one of the streaming channels that carries it and watch! It’s gone from “Hrmm. Interetsing” to “OMGWTFBBQ is going the hell on there!!!” Seriously. There’s some bonkers $h!+ happening there in Utah.

The weekend was hot. We stayed in, vegged, and I napped. It’s a hard-knock life, don’cha know. 😉 And there’s always tommorow…tomorrow… *ducks and runs* So that’s my update on this fine Mondaqy with slightly cooler temps. I’m off to run errands with my faithful companion, Jake. What’s up in your world and if you have an earworm, feel free to share.

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Friday Sinema: Ice, Ice, Baby

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Silver James

Ok. #ThisMadeMeLaugh. First responder humor is the best–especially when it goes viral. Have a great weekend!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Baby Steps

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Silver James

Another week almost over. More chapters edited. I’m close. And just like when I’m writing, I forget–sometimes–the basics when it comes to this part of the publishing process too. Then the Universe arrives and thumps me in the head with a clueX4. Dreaming up characters and creating a story for them, and place where that story takes place is a lot like magic. And as you get into the rhythm of things, it’s a lot like sailing across an ocean.

You don’t take “baby steps” for the distance they cover, Silver, but to put yourself within reach of life’s magic.

Just like you don’t hoist your sails to move the boat, but to put yourself within reach of the wind.

Hoist, baby, hoist, baby, 1, 2, 3, 4 –
The Universe
©www.tut.com

P.S. Just like you don’t sing in the car to be heard, Silver… Why do you do that?

Gotta take those baby steps before you can sail away. So…what your favorite song for a session of front seat karaoke? Mine is “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” At the top of my lungs. Whether I’m on key or not because sometimes–just like when you’re writing or doing anything in life–you just have to bust out and let loose!

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Wednesday Words: Something to Talk About

Posted on August 9, 2023 by Silver James

Sometimes, I’m really happy that a few of my characters have accents. Take today’s inspiration **“What is she on about anyways?”** for example. Last week’s #ThursdayThreads prompt is tailor-made for one of my Irish Wolves. In today’s snippet, that would be Mick O’Connor. When it comes to recognizing his mate, poor Mick is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. 😉
****
The bell above the front door of Clancy’s Pub jangled just as the music stopped. Shannon turned to see who’d arrived. And froze. Mick. With some woman leaning on his arm. Normally an impeccable dresser, his vest was buttoned wrong, part of his shirt tail hanging out beneath it, and was that bloody lipstick on his face?

Her heart sprouted icicles. Her lungs labored. She had to force her body to move, to turn away from the door and face the bar. It was all she could do to stand there, her back ramrod straight, at the waitress station. Too bad she had to watch them in the mirror behind the bar. He led the woman to his usual booth, where his brother, Ronan, waited. In her section.

A pint of Guinness and some frou-frou umbrella drink appeared on her tray. She raised her eyes to meet the bartender’s sympathetic gaze. “G’on now,” Finn said softly. “Take the man his drinks.”
She had no choice. Did she? No. None. This was the final straw. It had to be. She’d thrown herself at him. She’d even played his one-night-stand bimbo. And now this? Mick flaunting his latest bimbo in public made her status abundantly clear. She was just one of the herd. She put out and she’d been on his one-and-done list.

Somehow, her feet carried her across the pub, the tray held steady. Stony-faced, she stopped at the booth, set the drinks on the table, turned to leave. Her eyes stung and she brushed the back of her hand across a wet cheek. Tears. She swore she’d never cry over a man and here she was, in the middle of Clancy’s with everyone holding their breath watching. Well, if they wanted a show, she’d give them one.

Turning back to the table, she slammed her tray down hard enough that the bimbo cringed away, sloshing the drink she was sipping through a straw. Ronan didn’t move. Mick didn’t either but he spoke.

“Bloody hell, Shannon.”

“No!” She yelled it, leaning closer. “You don’t get to. Not now. Not ever. Never again, you bastard.” She gave up trying to control her tears and just let them come. “Years, Michael O’Connor. I’ve loved you for bloody years and the only time you ever paid attention was when you shagged me in Ronan’s office. We are so done. You want to know what the ever-loving bloody hell, Mick?” She slapped him. “That’s for breaking my heart. We are so frickin’ done. I hate you!”

She ripped off her apron, ignoring the tip money in the pocked and dropped it on a table as she passed. “I quit, Finn,” she yelled over her shoulder.

Stunned silence blanketed the room, shattered only when Mick said, “What is she on about anyways?” He looked utterly bewildered as he watched Shannon slam through the back exit.

“Oh, boyo, ya must be daft t’not have figured it out.” Ronan almost felt sorry for him. Almost. “But ya’d best get off yer arse and go claim yer mate before she gets away.”
****
That might be a bit of a spoiler but probably not because most of y’all are familiar with my Wolves. They always find and claim their true mate. Eventually. After trials and tribulations. And in the case of the Boston mob, maybe even a bit of murder… In other news, I won #ThursdayThreads with the 250-word version. For the 63rd time. But this IS the start of the 11th year for the contest so it’s not like I’m the grand champion or anything. LOL

So that’s what I’m going on about today. What about y’all? What’s got you dazed and confused?

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Tuesday Treats & Titles: Got Nada

Posted on August 8, 2023 by Silver James

So. I’m in the swamp, up to my @$$ in alligators (aka edits) and all the characters are complaining that it’s too hot to cook. The locals are hitting Braum’s for ice cream. Elsewhere characters are looking for the nearest ice cream store/chain in their area. So, I suggest you go get a milkshake, malt, or ice cream cone/sundae/banana split, grab a book and chill out. Hopefully, you’ll grab one of my books. You can find a list of them HERE on the Book List page of my website, complete with buy links to each one. And see? There’s another reason I enjoy audio books–both hands are free so I can eat my ice cream before it melts and I don’t have to worry about dribbling any on the pages of book or my Kindle. 😉

I’m currently listening to Nalini Singh’s TANGLE OF NEED, book 11 in her Psy/Changeling series. As I’m typing this, it’s too early for ice cream but I’m debating for later this afternoon. I like chocolate sodas better than milkshakes but no one really makes them any more, not even Braums. I’m thinking maybe a chocolate milkshake or some fancy Braums sundae with lots of chocolate and nuts. I’m all about the nuts. That might be my lunch today. Now it’s your turn. Book you’re currently reading and favorite frozen treat?

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Hot August Monday*

Posted on August 7, 2023 by Silver James

Actually, it’s only warm outside. Which is AMAZING! The jet stream finally pushed the heat dome back to the west, an ya’ll out that way? I’m sorry. (Not sorry. 😉 ) It’s almost pleasant as I head out to hit Wallyworld this morning. And the continued hit of autumn in the air just makes me antsy. School is starting back up, along with college football. I’m ready for baked fruit pies and hot bread and dinners like spaghetti or shepherd’s pie.

In other news, Life has a way of changing the best laid plans. No siren test or family lunch for First Saturday. The Kids had to make an emergency trip up the turnpike for a family emergency and then a small thunderstorm parked itself over the siren test sites so it was cancelled. It also set me off of editor mode. It happens. LG and I quietly celebrated our 40th anniversary. I had to look up what anniversary that is–Ruby, for those who didn’t know. And no, he didn’t get me a ruby. LOL

So, this week, I need to get back on track. I hope to have a cover to hint at at some point, along with some serious editing progress. Last week, I ended up rewriting two of the chapters. It happens. In better news, most of the book–so far–apears to be better than I originally thought. A writer’s brain and “ego” is an ugly place sometimes. Okay, who am I kidding?!?! 🤣 It’s always a scary place and sometimes uglier than others.

Jake is feeling better. He’s back to barking when he makes his perimeter patrols in the morning and at night. Pete is still the Demon Prince of Weird and Crazy Dreams. Usually–pre-Pete, I dreamed lucidly but they were more like a movie and told a story that I might or might not be a character in and yes, I often dreamed of scenes in current WIPs. And I knew it was a dream. Since Pete started sleeping inside on my bed, my dreams are lucid but in an immediate/Real Life like I’m right there living the scene and it’s like…real. Like this is Not a Dream. This is Not a Drill. This is an Actual Thing! See? Weird and crazy.

On that note, I need to head out. Time to get started on my day. What did y’all do this weekend? And what do you need to do this morning?

*Who else is a fan of Neil Diamond? 🙋🏼‍♀️

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Friday Sinema: Southernitis

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Silver James

I have just two words for you: duct tape. Don’t leave home without it! Okay, that was actually seven words but whatever. Have a great weekend and a few laughs from the fine folks at It’s a Southern Thing!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Love

Posted on August 3, 2023 by Silver James

Would y’all believe that I’m not really a romantic at heart? I’m not, despite being a Pisces and despite writing it for a living. I didn’t really start reading romance until I was out of college. I grew up reading Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey westerns, Andre Norton’s fantasy and SciFi, along with Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov. I read the classics. I read historical fiction. I read Leon Uris. Mary Stewart and Phyllis A. Whitney were also checked out from the library. Oh! And one summer in college, while on vacation with my parents in Colorado, I discovered the Mac Bolan series by Don Pendleton. I inhaled those suckers. LOL  I don’t really remember the first romance I read–not an actual, true romance that would be shelved that way. I was lucky. My dad signed me onto his library card when I was ten because I’d read all the books in the children’s section of the local library. He told the head librarian that I could check out any book I wanted. The first two I checked out were Mary Stewart’s THE MOONSPINNERS and Ian Flemings THE SPY WHO LOVED ME. Which I contend to this day was a romance, or at least had romantic elements. Anyway, I wrote a teen fanfic in the 9th grade that might have been considered a romance. And I wrote a “bodice ripper” right after college on a dare. It was truly awful. I started a women’s fiction. I started a couple of mysteries. I wrote a female-centric semi-Bolanesque military thriller and then a romantic suspense. After several rejections, I stopped writing. And then I truly discovered “romance.” It’s all about the love, as the Universe explains:

Never regret love, Silver.

No matter how blind, it improved your vision.

No matter how foolish, it made you wiser.

And no matter how generous, it made you more.

Hubba, hubba,
The Universe
©www.tut.com

P.S. And while we’re at it, Silver, never regret the second scoop—that one’s always mine.

I’ve never looked back. I’ve written straight contemporary romance. I’ve written paranormal romance (all within several sub-genre), and urban fantasy–with romance. The Universe is right. And for y’all who DON’T write romance, consider looking at this from a career viewpoint. Because, dudes and dudettes, ya gotta love what you’re writing or it ain’t gonna be worth it. So yeah, writing AND life both pretty much comes down to one word: LOVE. Now get out there and love what you do. And out of curiousity, what flaver is that second scoop you’re going to enjoy? Mine will probably mint chocolate chip.

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Wedneday Words: Gotta Go

Posted on August 2, 2023 by Silver James

It’s time for words once more because it’s Wednesday and Wednesday means new words. The Irish Wolves are still chattering at me and when I saw the prompt for last week’s #ThursdayThreads prompt, I knew exactly where **”We have to get out.”** belonged in the story. These were an easy 250 words and they were good enough to win me the honorable mention in the 11th anniversary of the flash fiction challenge. I haven’t added any words nor have I edited it beyond a quick spellcheck before I posted it on Thursday. As I said, there’s a scene where it fits and it needs to be edited into that and if I stop to do that then I’ll get sucked in. LOL So, here’s a short bit that’s pretty self-explanatory.
****
The message ghosted from the answering machine. “You need to be careful.” Click.

Goosebumps pebbled Maura’s skin as a shiver spiraled around her backbone. A stranger’s voice. She had been careful. She’d avoided Ronan O’Connor like the plague, yet he still appeared, a devil she couldn’t ignore.

Heir apparent, she reminded herself. Irish mob. A dangerous man with dangerous pursuits and dangerous friends. Nothing but danger and trouble. Yet there was something…there. Between them. He’d brush against her in a crowd and she’d suddenly feel safe. And desired. Like he’d always protect her even if he was busy kissing her. No! That way lay dragons.

Her cell phone rang and she jumped. Heart pounding, she stared at the screen. ALEX CALLING. Her boss. And the man she was investigating. She ignored it. Her house phone rang. The caller clicked off halfway through the voice mail instructions. Someone hammered on the front door then rattled the doorknob.

A shadow slipped through her back door and she choked back a scream. The man held his index finger to his lips. She recognized him as one of Ronan’s. He beckoned and she scuttled to him, grabbing only the clutch holding her keys, ID, and credit cards. No cell. Phones could be traced.

“We have to get out,” he told her. She nodded. Into the phone held at his ear, he whispered, “Yeah, the goons’re at the door but she’s safe.”

Maura heard Ronan’s relieved voice. “Get to the footbridge.”

“On our way.”
****
Yes, I know who the bad guys are and yes, it’s not exactly a spoiler that Maura’s rescuer gets her out safely and into Ronan’s waiting arms. 😉 Writers, this is a great prompt to run with. Readers, what do want to get out of?

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Tuesday Treats & Titles: Brazilian Assassin Cheese Bread

Posted on August 1, 2023 by Silver James

I have friends who like/want/need gluten-free good stuff so when I caught this on my local newscast and thought, mmm-mmm good! I’ll admit I haven’t made them yet nor have I tried to find tapioca flour. I should probably add it to my grocery list so I’ll remember, huh? Also, it’s still too hot to spent much time with the oven on in the kitchen. Anyway, here’s the recipe.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups tapioca flour
1/2 cup grated white cheddar, Parmesan or Romano cheese
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup olive oil
1 egg

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Spray a mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  3. Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
  4. Pour the batter into the mini muffin pans till they are almost to the top.
  5. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
  6. Cool for 5 minutes and then serve.

For more Sassy Mama recipes, visit @carynsassymamaross on Instagram. You can watch the video HERE. It comes out puffy and light and oh-so-cheesy! According to Sassy Mama. LOL Also, the weather guru and anchors and if you can’t trust them, who can you trust? Just watch the video. And since it is winter in the southern hemisphere, folks down there are likely baking. And since I have not one but TWO books set in Brazil, I figured we’d go for a twofer! I suspect the couples from ASSASSIN’S MOON and UNDER THE ASSASIN’S MOON had this local staple often during their stays down there. If you haven’t, you’ll want to read both books. Just click on the titles or the covers to head over to Books2Read to find a link to your favorite on-line retailer. No link attached to the recipe pic because…two books! LOL Though I suppose I could have put the link to my author landing page. Naw, it’s too hot and I’m too lazy. Anyway, something new and different on a hot summer day up here in the northern half of the world. Out of curiosity, how do y’all feel about gluten-free stuffs?

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