Tuesday Treats & Titles: Oops Edition

Posted on October 10, 2023 by Silver James

Uhm…rut ro! Apologies. This is a bit late and done on the fly because…reasons. Good ones. I got so deep into the Boston Wolves yesterday that I forgot I hadn’t set up the blog for today. Tuesdays are kind of a pain. I have to find a recipe, pick a character to match, and then do a graphic with the food and the book cover and embed the links. I totally blanked out yesterday. The good news is, the story made great strides.

So anyway, down and dirty edition today. You get my standard graphic and a couple of questions to answer. Here we go:

  1. Whether you read paper, ebook, or listen to audio, what is the messiest snack you love to eat while reading? I mean like, leaves fingerprints and stuff. For me, it’s Cheetos Puffs. And yes, sadly, I do have paperback with orange spots in the margin. I will also inhale an entire giant size bag in one sitting.
  2. What is the snack you love most that is the least likely to leave a mess on page or screen? I’m all about the Peanut M&Ms. Melt in your mouth, not on your book.
  3. What book are you currently reading? I’m finishing off Amanda Quick’s THE BURNING LAMP and then goning “back” to her THE PERFECT POISON, which released at midnight. POISON is the 3rd book in the 5 by Quick. They others had already been released so when I finished the 2nd, I skipped to the 4th with intent to backtrack once POISON released. While interconnected, they can be read standalone for all intents and purposes.

Your turn. Messy snack? “Clean” snack? And current read?

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Don’t Mind Monday

Posted on October 9, 2023 by Silver James

Hello, Monday. I have coffee. And no air conditioner turned on! I’m such a happy camper right now. Friday night, I even wore a quilted windbreaker with a hood to the soccer game. Saturday was fuzzy slippers before time for siren test and BBQ with the family. Long sleeves! Sunday was fuzzy slippers and hoodie. Sadly, the 80s are coming back a few days this week. That’s okay. Nights are still cool enough to keep the house comfortable and then 60s this coming weekend. I do love me some Fall!

In writing news, I love my Irish Wolves, too. I need to figure out which of them is white. Actually, I need to figure out what coat color they all have, except Devlin. Devlin is a black wolf. He’s already made an appearance. Anyway, new words last week and over the weekend and more scenes falling into the correct order. The word count shifts back and forth but this will still be one of my longest books to date. I can only hope I don’t bore readers and they’ll be as excited over these Wolves as I am. There’s all sorts of twists and turns and secrets coming out. Stick around Wednesday and Thursday this week for some of those words and a peek at my process.

We still haven’t won the Powerball lottery. Bummer. But yeah, buying a ticket today because 1.5 BILLION in the pot, though less if you take the cash payout and pay taxes.

There were sports this week. The aforementioned soccer game Friday night and a two-game tournament up the turnpike on Sunday. Stormy’s team lost but they scored a goal and kept it tight up until the end, when it got dark and there are no lights on that field. Plus they were playing the A team. No clue on the other games at the time of this typing. In college football, my OSU Cowboys managed to pull of the win against Kansas State on Friday night–an upset. And the bigger upset is #12 OU beat #3 Texas in the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl. My family were HUGE OU fans and I’ve been down to many of those games in my childhood. Luckily, in college, they let me stay home alone. Still, it was touch-and-go down to the very last drive of the game. Exciting football! And speaking of upsets, the Phillies beat Braves, Rangers beat the Orioles, and the Diamondbacks beat the Dodgers. Atlanta Braves and Baltimore O’s were #1 seeds in the bracket and the Dodgers were #2. Crazy sause. Two more games yesterday, but again, this was typed before scorres. If you’re intereted, you’ll know the outcomes. If you aren’t this boring so moving along. LOL

Still waiting on the re-release of Amanda Quick’s THE PERFECT POISON audio book in her Arcane series. I skipped ahead to the next book and trying to listen in small bursts. I don’t want to start the last Quick entry before this middle book that comes out tomorrow. Then it’s on to the contemporary stories by Jayne Ann Krentz.

Not much else going on. I made a Cajun Boil last week–shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn-on-the-cob in butter/Cajun spice sauce. Good stuffs! I also did a quick Chicken-Mushroom Alfredo with bow tie pasta. Yes, I cheated and used a jar of Alfredo sauce but it was tasty so there. 😛 I’m looking forward to more comfort food fixings as the weather cools. I love spaghetti, shepherd’s pie, patty melts, etc. And hot bread. It was way too hot this summer to have the oven on.

I need a CD player. Who knew?!? Neither of my computers accept music CDs and I’ve got a huge collectio of them that I’d like to plug into while I write. I’m staying away from world news. It’s just too sad while also making me so angry. I hope the Universe has a special place in Hell for terrorists and those who support them. Moving on… Music. I’m streaming “play lists” on Youtube at present and that’s okay except I’m going to have to start over soon. Which is why I’m checkin out places to purchase a CD player on the cheap. I used to have one or two but I think they went to the thrift store long ago, if they were still operable. Anyway, I’m open to suggestions.

On that musical note, I’m off to Wallyworld for the weekly grocery run. Luckily, the list isn’t too long so hopefully Jake and I can dash, get done, hit Starbucks on the way home, and then I can settle in to do laundry and write. How do y’all listen to music these days? And what are you going to settle in to do today?

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Friday Sinema: Southern Blessings

Posted on October 6, 2023 by Silver James

I’m not known for getting political on social media. Heck, as a rule, I don’t political face-to-face unless it’s with Lawyer Guy but after 40 years of marriage, he just rolls with it. And vice versa. But this #ItsASouthernThing video is so very true! Yeah, I AM proud Southerner, why do you ask? And yeah, just wait for it… Have a great weekend, all!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Needs

Posted on October 5, 2023 by Silver James

I am learning the various blocks available to me on WordPress and it’s not easy because I’m so used to their classic version where everything is just there, handy, and I know how to add the coding needed to make it look the way I want it to. As a result, today’s message from the Universe applies to all sorts of things. I’m discovering what I need most to publish this blog, for sure. Mainly, though, I have to agree with the Big U when it comes to my writing.

Silver, that which you most need, right now, is already at hand.

You knew that,
  The Universe
©www.tutcom 

P.S. Today you sit on a gold mine, Silver, upon acres of diamonds.

What do I need most when it comes to this WIP? Time and focus. I have the first, need the second because Procrastination is my middle name. I really am sitting on a gold mine of ideas, scenes, and words so there’s that. And I’m really hoping that this book is a diamond in the rough. I’m still wondering about the title, though. Working title is MOONSTRUCK MAFIA: BOSTON. There are two more books out there–New York and Chicago. And yeah, working titles are MM: New York and MM: Chicago. Not exactly thrilling so if you’re feeling creative, I’m open to suggstions. In the meantime, I’m back to work. What do you need today?

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Wednesday Words: I See What You Did There

Posted on October 4, 2023 by Silver James

I miss the days when I could resize the image I use. Stupid FB. Ah, well. Y’all are here for the words and not the pics, right? I have new ones–words, not pics–and they evolved into a scene that was coming up pretty soon in the plot so win! Also, I judged Thursday Threads last week, but I still wrote this snippet based on the prompt: **”How did you see her?”** Things are getting serious in Boston. I will give you a bit of a hint–the homicide cop involved in this scene has had a “thing” for Mick since they were kids. *bwahaha*

****

They’d been sitting in this stuffy little room for almost two hours now. Mick was a model of nonchalance. He could unlock the handcuffs at any time but left them on his wrists since the street cop who dropped he and Declan off here had been nice enough to move them around to the front. He’d opted for the chair in the corner, where he could see the camera, the two-way mirror, and the door. Deck took the chair next to him but pulled it to the end of the table, turned his back to the camera, sat and promptly put his feet up on the table.

Mick had just closed his eyes on a yawn when the door exploded open, banging against the wall in which it was set. Detective Alan Bragg swaggered in, followed by two uniforms and another detective who was slightly better dressed than Bragg.

“Well, well, well,” Bragg smirked. “The great Michael O’Connor sitting in my interrogation room.”
Without removing his feet, Declan said, “Two hours. Was that enough time to manufacture and plant whatever evidence you discovered in my client’s home?”

Ignoring Deck, Bragg dropped into a chair—one that creaked ominously under his bulk.
“How? Did you see her when we brought her in for an interview? Did you go after her then?” Bragg snarled the words, leaning across the table in an attempt to intimidate Mick.

Remaining relaxed to the point he almost sprawled in the uncomfortable metal chair, Mick kept his mouth shut.

“That’s presuming my client actually saw her,” Declan said.

The cop still hardly glanced at Deck, keeping his main focus on Mick. “I’m not talking to you. I’m askin’ him.”

Mick sat straighter and leaned closer to the scarred wooden desk that separated him from the cops. “Her who?”

“The woman you murdered.”

The two Wolves exchanged a look but it was Mick who replied. “I have no clue who or what yer goin’ on about, Detective Bragg.” He sank a wealth of derision into Bragg’s rank. “Ya come to my home with a squad of coppers in the middle of the night. Ya trash m’place after ya put me in handcuffs and drag me down here with not a word as to the why of it. And now yer accusin’ me of murdering a woman? What woman, Bragg? Where? And when? And how? But most of all, why? Why would I kill some anonymous woman?”

“Because she fingered you for Tommy Gallagher’s murder.”

****

Cue the dramatic music: Dun dun DUNNNN! I got a bit off track this weekend and had to put my train cars back on the rails. Time is moving too slowly in the book. Which I guess is not a bad problem except a certain amount of time has to pass in plot before certain things can happen and I am soooo ready for those things to happen. Why, yes. I AM impatient. Why do you ask? So writers, go for the prompt if it will help. Readers, ae you impatiently waiting for something?

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Tuesday Treats & Titles: Cowgirl Buffalon Bacon Chicken Bites

Posted on October 3, 2023 by Silver James

While the weather may not be there yet, fall sports definitely are! There’s football–college and NFL, plus the MLB play-offs and upcoming World Series. You’re sure to please the whole crowd with Bacon-Wrapped Buffalo Chicken Bites when they come to watch the game.

Bacon-Wrapped Buffalo Chicken Bites
TOTAL TIME: 1 Hr(s) 3 Min(s)
PREP TIME: 35 Min(s)
COOK TIME: 28 Min(s) Cook
24 servings (conservative)

What You Need
1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 48 pieces
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cut into 48 pieces
1 pkg. (16 oz.) OSCAR MAYER Bacon, cut into thirds
1/2 cup Buffalo wing sauce (I suggest Frank’s brand)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar

Let’s Make It
1 – Heat oven to 400ºF.
2 – Top each chicken piece with cream cheese piece; wrap with 1 bacon piece. Secure with wooden toothpicks; place on foil-covered rimmed baking sheet.
3 – Bake 15 to 18 min. or until chicken is done. (Bacon will not be crisp.)
4 – Mix wings sauce and sugar until blended; brush onto bacon-wrapped bundles. Bake 8 to 10 min. or until bacon is crisp, and sauce is hot and bubbly.

Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – Don’t want lots of spicy? Substitute HEINZ Tomato Ketchup for the wings sauce Tip 2 – Serve with bleu cheese or ranch dressing for dipping.

If you want all the details, head over the My Food & Family for nutritional info, etc. Just CLICK HERE. I’m going back almost to the beginning with this recipe. My editor and I had a long discussion about the fact that Cassidy would be a St. Louis Cardinal fan. First, she grew up in Oklahoma and two, she lived in Chicago at the opening of the the book. He thought she’d support the Texas Rangers because…Dallas. Or either the Cubs or White Sox because…Chicago. He was also surprised that Chance’s family would own a minority share in the Cards–enough to get them a box and “green seats.” The green seats are directly behind home plate, are like a private club with very comfy and padded seats and seat-side beverage and food service. Those seats are passed down to heirs, have a long waiting list, and can cost up to $10,000 a seat, on the conservative side. We had a loooong discussion about it and I finally convinced him. And yes, I’ve pretty much been a life-long Cardinals fan from the days when baseball was far more often on the radio than TV. And this is far more information than y’all probably want but hey, maybe it’s stirred some interest in COWGIRLS DON’T CRY, which was the first contemporary romance I sold to Harlequin. And you know something? The opening scene of that book STILL makes me cry, even if cowgirls don’t. Usually. 😉 So, enjoy this snack and if you don’t want to watch a game, go grab my book and read it instead. If you click on a pick with the cover or the title, you’ll go to Harlequin. You can buy directly from there or find the links to all the stores where it’s available. What’s your favorite fall sport?

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Falling for Monday

Posted on October 2, 2023 by Silver James

It’s October! Where’s Autumn?!?! The weather guru’s promise cool temps coming mid-week. I’m not holding my breath but boy howdy am I ready! My perfect temp would be 68 year round, but that’s just me. And no, I have no plans to ever move to a place where that’s a possibility. One, I don’t think thre is such a locale and two, despite all my gritching, I do enjoy the changing seasons. I’d just be happier if they happened on time.

So anyway, I’ve given up on any help from FB when it comes to photos featured on the blog. If you see two versions (depending on the pic), it’ll mean FB did it again and I will have deleted the cross-post with the wrong pic and upload the URL and pick manually. If I have to do that, I’ll go back to posting manually, and uploading the featured pic directly to my FB author page. Grrr. Sadly, instead of being automatically shared at 6 a.m. when I schedule the blog posts to hit on the website, posts will appear whenever I get to my computer and do it. So much for “automation” and AI. No dig at WordPress, which is my host and platform. Not their fault. I’ve heard that I’m not the only one this happens to on FB.

In other news, last week was busy. Jake got a bath–always a fun time. 🙄 I spent all day Wednesday updating all my self-pubbed to meet the ‘Zon’s new AI disclaimer. FYI, I don’t use AI at all. Not to write my books, edit my books (unless you consider spellcheck to be AI), nor do I use it for the covers. I have an amazing artist who puts my covers together. During this process, I discovered that I never got around to formatting four of the books for print, to match the other books in the particular series where they belong. That’s now on my list. It’s probably easy for most but I’m old and tech is not my first comfort zone. It takes me awhile to remember what goes where and how to set that up and set the parameters. It’d be cool if I was a best-selling author so I could just pay someone. That’s not the case. This is very much a one-woman shop, with the occasional contract assistance from my cover artist. I’ll get around to getting those four in print once I get the Irish Wolves corraled and in the wild.

Speaking of the Irish Wolves, last week and this past weekend were productive, despite distractions from Real Life. It’s such a relief to get lots of words moving from my imagination to the monitor. This story is really taking shape and falling into place. The hard part is giving everyone equal “screen time.” Yes, this book has a large cast of characters. When the plot was originally conceived, I was toying with the idea of publishing it as part of the Kindle Vella serial program. Then I started writing it. And the time lines of each couple overlapped and were all tied up in the overall plot so…there ya go. At this point, it’ll 100K. Trust me when I say there is a LOT going on in this book. And it’s fun. Fun to write and fun to read. At least for me.

In sports news, yesterday’s soccer got cancelled due to a conflict in scheduling. That worked out. See above about 90+ weather (game was schedule for like 2 p.m.) With no came, Stormy got to go to a birthday party and the Kids got to see the matinee of a Broadway musical–road company. I got to watch the retirement ceremony for Adam Wainwright, pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and all-around really good guy. Yes, I had a tissue handy during the speeches and the gift giving. He played 19 years for the Cards and should be a MLB Hall of Famer when he becomes eligible. He’s obviously a shoo-in for the Cardinals’ Hall of Fame. My Cowboys had a bye week. I hope they get their act together for Friday night’s game.

In reading, I finished the new release in JD Robb’s  Eve Dallas/In Death series, PAYBACK IN DEATH. It was a good listen but I was sort of scratching my head at the end as the conclusion seemed a little pat. Still, lots of Roarke time which made up for his lack of “screen time” in the last book. I can’t believe there are 57 books in the series, and a new one coming out in either January or February. I don’t remember which and I’m too lazy to go look. I’m currently delving into Jayne Anne Krentz/Jayne Castle/Amanda Quick’s multi-pen-name interelated series, the Arcane Society. She just re-released the Amanda Quick book SECOND SIGHT in audio. The first chronological-by-plot/time period book in the series, it’s set in Victorian England. It introduces the Jones family and other families in the Arcane Society. Lots of psychic paranormal fun and while I’ve stayed up with Arcane through her Harmony SciFiRom series. It’s been years since I did the historicals and contempories. Something a little different to listen to as I make my Wallyworld run this morning then come home. I’ll switch to the Celtic music when I settle in with my Boston peeps and write.

That’s pretty much the wrap-up for me. What about y’all? Oh! Interesting story in the news. Some linguist claims that authentic southern accents are fading way. Dude, seriously? You need to come spend time in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and South Carolina. Anyway, y’all have a good week and thanks for comin’ around to check in here and say howdy!

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Friday Sinema: Celtic Cosplay

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Silver James

I’ve caught up on the Irish Wolves. Starting with the Prologue, I read through the chapters I had organized in order, along with the random scenes. I moved some of the scenes around where they needed to be and I’m ready to get back on track. While reading, I pulled up a Celtic playlist on YouTube and listened to “get in the mood” while reading. Oh, boy did I! I also discovered this video. It’s German but yeah, there were German Celts too. Anyway, I want to know where the video was filmed (not that I’d ever travel there but I can dream!) and yeah, if I wrote true fantasy, this would be excellent inspiration. Hope you enjoy it and your weekend! See you back here on Monday.

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Credit

Posted on September 28, 2023 by Silver James

This week has flown by! So many words. So much plotting and planning. It’s been a long time since I felt good about what I was writing. Since I had confidence in what I’m doing. I can point the finger a bunch of different directions: Covid, personal health–mainly the situation with my eyesight, family health, life. But when it comes right down to it, I should have listened to the Universe instead of getting all wrapped around the axle.

Often, Silver, you don’t know what you can do until you do it; what you can be until you become it; or what you can have until you have it.

But hey, that never stopped you before!

Arriba, arriba, ándale, ándale –
The Universe
©www.tut.com

PS: You’re doing so well for yourself, Silver, just hope you give yourself all the credit.

At the moment, I am doing well. I got a book out. I didn’t flip out when I found out I needed to go through all the books I’d uploaded to the ‘Zon and update their terms to get those books back into the “hey look at me” algorithm. I didn’t even gritch–okay I gritched to Lawyer Guy a little bit–when their system backed up when I was barely halfway through my titles. So yeah, I’m gonna give myself some credit. I finished a book and got it published. I’m on track to finish another book and publish it before the first of the year. I’ve given up on figuring out why WordPress Classic and FB won’t play nice and I’m adapting. See? I can be a techie. You can stop laughing now. I’m also taking care of administrative tasks that go along with being a self-publisher. And boy howdy, the Big U is right. You never know what you can do until you do it. And I am sooo doin’ it. What are you doin’ today?

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Wednesday Words: Tell Ya Later, Gator

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Silver James

So, tech is still hating me. Since only those who mosey over here from FB understand, I should just stop gritching about it. The thing is, to get the right photo graphic to show up over there using the “auto-feed” thingy from WordPress, it seems I have to use the block format so I can either have a big picture on FB or the wrong picture. Or just turn that feature off and copy/paste the link, except I haven’t tried that yet. Besides, I have better things to do–like write NEW words! And I’m writing a bunch of them Today’s prompt is **”I’ll tell you later.”** This chapter starts in Clancy’s Pub and there’s a bit of a dust-up between Shannon and Mick. Shannon and Bowie are siblings. Fiona is Bowie’s, as she’s about to find out. Again this is probably not a spoiler. LOL

****

She held up a hand to ward it off. “Stop that. It doesn’t work anymore.” She rolled her eyes. “Because why?”

“Because Mick has been the one for you since the first day of fourth grade, there on the playground at St. Augie’s. You stood and stared. He stood and stared. And then Seamus O’Ferrell hit him from behind and beat the shite out of him.”

Fiona burst out in giggles and quickly covered her mouth to muffle the sound. “Not laughin’ at ya, Shan, laughin’ with ya.”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” Shannon closed her eyes. “What am I supposed to do, Bowie?” She opened one eye an stared at her younger brother through skewed vision. “Are you growling at me?” She sat up a little straighter, catching the red glint in the back of Bowie’s eyes. “Boo?”

He inhaled. “There are days I want to challenge him, Shan, for what he’s doin’ to you.”

“A challenge isn’t the way, Bowie, and you know it.”

“Aye, I do, but I can’t bear to just hang back and watch him break your heart. T’isn’t right, ya know.”

“Trust me, I know.” She tilted her head toward Fiona. “Speaking of knowing…” She deliberately trailed off the last word.

“Aye. That was m’plan for t’night until that gobshite got me jammed in between the two of ya.”

“Tell her, Bowie. And make your claim.”

“Tell me what?” Fiona paled as she glanced between the siblings.

Bowie gulped then shook his head. “I’ll tell you later.”

Arms crossed over her chest, Fiona jutted her chin. “You’ll be tellin’ me now, Bowie Patrick Francis Maguire.”

His mouth suddenly full of spit, he swallowed hard so he could speak. “Ya know how I feel about ya, yeah?” Bowie began. “And ya know I want more.”

Fiona inhaled sharply but nodded.

“Before I can ask for more…” He cleared his throat. “Before I can claim ya proper, I have’ta explain.”
Fee looked to Shannon for an explanation. “What is all this talk of claims and challenges?” She was more than nervous now as certain words and phrases finally fell into place.

“I’m not exactly human,” Bowie answered instead.

****

And there you have it. I’ve been writing like a crazy woman of late. Lot’s of Celtic music streaming, lots of words flowing. I’m up to 79+K and going strong. I am thrilled that writing is fun again. Not sure I should bring it up here but whatever. This is a “mafia” type story. My heroes aren’t exactly good guys. Good-hearted, yes, but not “good.” Well, except to each other, their mates, families, kids, puppies, and kittens. I was anticipating the sexy bits to be a bit dark and dirty like in my Nightrider series. That said, every time I’ve gotten to that part of each relationship? Yeah…it goes behind closed doors. I’m not sure how I feel about that. And I’m not sure how you, my readers, will feel about that. So, there ya go. Writers, use the prompt and yay or nay on the sexy bits being out there. Readers, I REALLY want your views on that? Do you want the dirty details in a mob-style book or is a bit of “privacy” okay?

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