Mandatory Monday

Posted on July 3, 2023 by Silver James

So, back in the day when I actually had to get up, put on real clothes, and commute to a job, I learned that, when it comes to messing up the work week, the only thing worse than a 3-day weekend is a “Mandatory Monday” between the weekend and a holiday. Like this week. I suspect a lot of people are taking off today to grab a four-day weekend since tomorrow is the 4th and we all know that only relail and food service folks have to work on the 4th of July. Here in the USA, anyway. Me? I’m like a cat. I don’t really pay attention to what day of the week it is as long as I follow my schedule of things I gotta do. Monday means Wallyworld. Tuesday means laundry. Wednesday means…well, something, I’m sure. Same for Thursday and Friday. Saturday is sports (if Stormy has a match or game) and Sunday is for figuring out what the heck I’m doing for the next week.

Just in case you missed the announcement, Smashwords is having their annual Summer/Winter (depends on which side of the hemisphere you live in–LOL). Almost all of my books are half-price with the Smashwords coupon. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO. Books are on sale for the whole month of July but ONLY at Smashwords.

Also, happy Halfway Day! Sort of. It was actually yesterday. As of 12 noon on July 2, 2023 is halfway over with. You know, just in case you have plans for the year that you need to get on. Yeah, me too!

Since it was sort of a holiday weekend, no soccer and since it was First Saturday, we did have siren test. Sadly, our favorite restaurant is now closed so no Alvarado’s. Instead, we opted for Earl’s BBQ. It’s a local chain and they do make good BBQ. No sure it will become our First Saturday go-to for family lunch but it was tasty and even the cooks came out to see and pet Jake so yeah, we’ll be back since he’s so welcome there. As a service dog, he can go anywhere with us but some places are…friendlier, shall we say? The Earl’s in Ednmond was definitely welcoming.

It’s hot–hello! Summer in the South! But it’s not 🤬 🥵 which is just swell by me. We did a little work in the yard and will try to do a little bit more each morning this week. Stupid grapevines and wisteria vines are taking over everything. Not to mention to volunteer oak and sweet gum tree volunteers. Ugh.

There’s not much else going on around here. I keep slogging along–slowly but not very surely–on CROSSFIRE. Not sure why Iffy and I have such a block about finishing the damn book. The first of it is some darn fine writing, even if I say so myself. Part of me thinks I should just go back to the beginning and reread the whole thing then start writing where I left off. Except I’ll fall into that ol’ editing trap that kept me from finishing a couple of books because…I kept editing what was written and made no forward progress. I am not the only author this happens to.

I’m almost to the end of my marathon relisten to the Kate Daniels series. The two new entries (a novella and a book) release as an audio bundle on the 10th. I have 3 books left but according to the chronological timeline, I need to listen to the new books before finishing out with the last book, which isn’t the last book in the series/expanded world, but will be for quite awhile. Two book in 8 days? Yeah, no. Two books in 4 days? Yeah, definitely. I did break down and spend Audible credits for the dramatized versions of MAGIC BITES and MAGIC BURNS. I borrowed BITES from Hoopla before I decidef to buy. I guess I’ll throw BURNS (the 2nd book and I just finished the 9th) into the mix to take up a day or two.

Welps, I think that’s all that’s happening in my world. I get to spend the next couple of days coddlyng Jake because he hates fireworks and we have some idiot neighbors. The far-away ones (ie. the sponsored big fireworks shows) don’t bother him quite so much anymore. It’s the closer, sharper firecrackers that sound like gunshots that freak him. It’s double irksome because it’s illegal to own or shoot them inside city limits, and that includes the two municipalities that we share borders with. Anyway, have a safe and sane 4th, USAers and happy regular Tuesday to the rest of the world. Anyone have exciting plans for the 4th?

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SMASHWORDS BOOK SALE

Posted on July 1, 2023 by Silver James

Now is your best chance to find almost all of my ebook collections for a promotional price (50% off!!!) at Smashwords as part of their Annual Summer/Winter Sale! Find my books and many more HERE all month! #SWSale2023 #Smashwords

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Friday Sinema: Heating Up

Posted on June 30, 2023 by Silver James

It’s hot but I don’t have to tell y’all that. We’re comin’ up on the 4th of July and even though the days are slowly getting shorter, you can’t prove that by the heat indext. Take it from a veteran Southerner, you need these tips to stay cool! Have a great weekend and stay safe!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal You

Posted on June 29, 2023 by Silver James

When I first recieved this message from the Universe, I read it and deleted it. But it stuck with me due to something a sister writer said about channeling real-life personal events into current fictional WIPs. What she said and my reply to her made me think. I retrieved the message from my trash folder and I began looking at the message from a diffeent angle. Actually, I turned it upside down, flipped from side-to-side, and looked at it inside out. There was a deeper meaning here when it comes to writing.

Really and truly, Silver, there is only you, and more you.

Celebrate everyone,

The Universe

©www.tut.com

P.S. I celebrate everyone, Silver, but then, I’ve always known they were you.

Someone who knows me very well said that my Sade Marquis character was me. Brash, snarky, coffee addicted, with a deep sense of fair play. I shook my head. Sade is sooo not me. Neither is Hannah nor is any of the other heroines I’ve created and given stories to. My alpha males aren’t shadows of Lawyer Guy either. Do some of them have some of his traits? Sure. He’s a highly intelligent and educated former military member and a total alpha. But the resemblence stops there.

A very well-known and best-selling author (who shall not be named) was accused of turning her two main female protagonists (two different series) into Mary Sues. If you are unsure what that term means, CLICK HERE for a quick definition and if you’re intereted a somewhat lengthy analyis of the “phenomonon.” I’ll admit, I saw the parallels in her real life and stopped reading both series because it’s one thing to work out some personal issues with your fictional characters but totally another to turn them and the secondary characters into you and yours. Am I guilty of using personal experience in my books? Totally. TWICE THE TEMPTATION and CLAIMING THE COWGIRL’S BABY both touched on things I’m familiar with–deadly tornadoes (TTT) and adoption (CTCB). Do Hannah and Sade share some of my characteristics? Sure. I cuss and suck down coffee. But I CAN (and do) cook. I have a background in law enforcement AND the military.  And besides, there’s that whole “write what you know” rule that may or may not be a good idea. LOL

Is it okay to incorporate your experiences in a work of fiction? Yes. So long as YOU aren’t the main character who acts and reacts exactly like you. If you do that, it’s called an autobiography or memoir. But incorporating things you’ve experenced or felt–through the eyes of the FICTIONAL character you created and breathed life into–makes your story more real. You can infuse those emotions into the character. You can use those events to add action to the story and move it along. You can make it feel real for the reader because it was real for you. The twist here is to keep yourself out of it. Which is heard, especially when dealing with emotionally-charged events. Just keep in mind that your feelings may be valid for your character but you have to keep in mind your character–what their background is, how they react to other things, and why they are doing/feeling what they are. It’s a fine line to walk.

So that’s my lesson for today. Like the Universe says, “celebrate everyone” and it’s okay to know that deep down, there’s a little bit of you in them all. It’s genetic, you know, like passing things down to your kids. Because deep down, aren’t our characters our kids?

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Wednesday Words: Assistant?:

Posted on June 28, 2023 by Silver James

Once again, Iffy is remaining closed-lipped when it comes to CROSS FIRE but she’s all over the Boston Wolves. Last week’s #ThursdayThreads prompts was **I was her assistant.** I went a bit “off-road” with the prompt and split it, which is allowed under the rules. LOL Anyway, this turned into quite the interesting scene involving Ronan and Maura, and happening early in their relationship. Not that Maura knows they have one. A relationship, that is. 😉
***
Ronan was used to cop shops—the bitter scent of burnt coffee, the sour stench of sweat, and the caustic aroma of ammonia. T’was a mystery people thought they could disguise the stink of human misery with pine-scented cleanser and bleach. Of course, as a Wolf shifter, his nose was more discriminating than most. Beyond the smell was the interminable wait. He might have been rash as a lad but he was a patient hunter now.

The door of the interview room popped open and banged against the wall. He glanced at his watch. They’d made him wait only an hour. Two detectives wearing rumpled suits strode in followed by two uniformed cops. It was the fifth person that grabbed his focus. Was she here in her ADA capacity?

“You have the right to an attorney, Mr. O’Connor,” the younger detective said.

Ronan glanced at Maura. Her lips were pressed into a thin line and she studiously avoided meeting his eyes. “Care t’explain why I’m here, Detective?”

“We have a few questions for you.” When he didn’t speak, the man continued. “Maxine Markwell.”

“And who might that be?”

“She owns a shipping company. One that does business with Brian O’Hara.”

“Does she now. I—”

“Was her assistant present?” The older detective cut him off and his interference perturbed the younger man. Interesting.

Ronan looked forward to a bit of verbal sparring. “Where?”

“In Markwell’s office.” The older one said while the younger gave his partner a disgruntled side-eye.

“Why?”

“It goes to the allegations made against you.”

“What am I accused of?”

“Murder, according to the assistant.”
He leaned back, amused. He glanced again at Maura and noted her tense posture. “Since I never met Ms. Markwell, I’ve no notion about her employees.”

“Let him go,” Maura interrupted. She pushed up out of the chair she’d settled in. “He didn’t do it.”

Good t’know she was on his side. Ronan wanted to smile but didn’t. It wouldn’t do to reveal his hand. Not yet. With his poker face firmly in place, he stood. “Next time you wish to question me, gentlemen, contact my lawyer.”

He could still hear the detectives yelling at Maura as he stroke down the hallway. He had every confidence the blasted woman could defend herself.
****
Doesn’t it just figure? The wrong characters are whispering in my ear but since I plan to get back on the Boston moonstruck mafia book as soon and I get the current WIP out in the wild, it’s not a bad thing. And these peeks are filling in some the blanks for me so yayay! I hope you enjoyed this snippet. I could use a personal assistant. LOL What about y’all?

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Tuesday Treats & Titles: Tortellini Double Stuff

Posted on June 27, 2023 by Silver James

Unfortunately for LG, I like pasta salads, especially when it’s hot outside and I can add meat because…carnivore here. I normally use “garden” rotini and add grilled chicken but this dish makes for a tasty change of pace. And yes, I’m a fan of plain ol’ Caesar salad, too. With grilled chicken or shrimp, of course.  Anyway, this is an easy variation with some awesome flavors. As I’m allergic to tomatoes, I leave those out. Your mileage may vary.

Total Time: 1 Hr. 15 Min.
Prep Time: 15 Min.
Cook Time: 1 Hr.
Servings: 6 (1 cup each) (this usually comes to to servings with leftovers for me!)

Thanks to refrigerated cheese pasta, this Caesar Tortellini Salad couldn’t be quicker (or easier) to make. Sprinkle with Parmesan and enjoy!

What You Need
1 pkg. (9 oz.) refrigerated cheese tortellini, cooked, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup KRAFT Classic Caesar Dressing
2 plum tomatoes, cut into thin wedges
1 can (6 oz.) pitted black olives, drained
1/2 cup sliced red onions, separated into rings
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese

Let’s Make It
1 – Toss all ingredients except cheese in large bowl; cover.
2 – Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
3 – Sprinkle with cheese just before serving.

Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – Size Wise: Keep an eye on portion size when you enjoy this rich salad!

Tip 2 – Substitute: Substitute 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced, for the olives.

Tip 3 – Variation: Chicken Caesar Tortellini Salad – Add 2 grilled or broiled boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips, to salad before refrigerating.

My Tips – You can use creamy Caesar dressing which is a nice change. Also croutons and/or bacon bits for a bit of crunch. And, as above, no tomatoes for me! Also, I use John Soules brand precooked and sliced chicken breats. And to really add MEAT, I’ve been known to use Soules brand beef fajita meat. Note: I always heat the meat in a skillet sprayed with butter flavored nonstick cooking spray because I’m weird and “processed” meat should be warmed up, even if it’s only lukewarm when served.

In our regular Tuesday drill, CLICK for all the details. Living though a muggy Oklahoma summer means I’m always on the lookout for easy, non-oven meals that are filling and cool to eat. I’m not the only one. Since her significant other, Duke Reagan, is based out of Key West, Dr. Cory Prince also appreciates cool recipes that are easy and filling and something her manly-man, Hard Target team leader Duke will eat. Duke is not just a former SEAL and the team is made up of men out of the ordinary. They met when Duke’s SEAL Team Atlantis was sent to Africa to rescue the kidnapped doctor. You can read their story in DOUBLE CROSS (Hard Target #1). Grab a copy by clicking on either pic with the cover or the title. You’ll pop over to Books2Read to find your favorite online bookstore. It’s also available in paperback from Amazon.

What about y’all? Do you enjoy hearty salads as the whole meal in the summer? And would you like to visit Key West? 🙋🏼‍♀️

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Monday Run-down

Posted on June 26, 2023 by Silver James

I sooo do not want to hit Wallyworld today because gotta go early before the heat gets bad. I need more weekend because my was pretty much spent adulting. Quick rundown of events.

Early Friday morning, Only called. They had a burst water pipe and 1 1/2 inches of water in their living room plus water flowing out the driveway. She grabbed the water key and got it turned off before callin us. She was attempting to suck up water with their shop vac. Deal was, Baseball Boy is teaching summer school and there’s no substitutes. She absolutely had stuff she had to get done at the office. She was in flight or fight mode. We loaded up and headed north, stopping to buy another shop vac because ours had died and we needed one anyway. The thing is, they tend to let things stack up aound the furniture–boxes, books, etc. Yeah. It was a mess. They are also dealing with BB’s dad being in the hospital up the turnpike (1 1/2 drive away). Anyway, we did what we could before the big rain storm blew in mid-afternoon. I mean, really, Mother Nature? You couldn’t wait until dark to rain on our parade?

Saturday was soccer. Stormy scored two goals–one on a penalty kick. His team won 6-0. It was hot but there was a semi-cool breeze. Still worn out from being on our feet all day Friday, LG and I went home, crashed and burned.

Yesterday, BB needed windshield time to see his dad. Saturday after the game, they’d made the decision to take out the carpet pad and hope that the carpet would dry with no mold or mildew. They had industrial fans going. Then the carpet ripped. So, Only tore out the carpet except under the entertainment center that was bolted to the wall. BB headed out, we headed north. LG worked in the garage sorting stuff that got waterlogged while Only and I dealt with ALL THE THNINGS and many books in the shelves. Then she unbolated the center, we moved the two pieces, ripped up that carpet, and moved the center back against the wall. She’s going to buy a cheap rug, toss it on the concret and let it go for now.

Once that was done, we helped LG finish moving stuff into the garage. To put the cherry on the Sunday, the AC fan in his truck started making an awful racket. And yes, it was hotter than bloody red blazes. He found a loose hose, tightened it and then we discovered that the noise only happened when the AC was on max. Solved that. Put it on normal all the way home. His warning lights and gauges all remained in the normal range so who knows? He did lose a screwdriver in the engine block. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Anyway, that was my weekend and I soooo do not want to adult today. I’m tired, sore, have to Wallyworld if we want to eat and then Stormy is coming this afternoon after his morning STEM camp. That’s cool That’s the easy part of the day. The hard part is getting myself past the first cup of coffee, dressed and out the door to make sense of a shopping list. Fun times. 🙄

Sho what “excitement” did y’all endure this weekend?

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Friday Sinema: Short and Hot

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Silver James

Yes, I fell down the rabbit hole that is YouTube shorts. In doing so, I did find this little gem. Take about a minute to learn some tips to help you survive Summer in the South. Since we had our first heat advisory on the first day of Summer this week, I figure we all needed a refresher course! Have a great weekend and stay cool!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Law 123

Posted on June 22, 2023 by Silver James

Conflict. It’s what often drives the plot engine. Oh, and character development. There’s a famous quote in writing circles: “In writing, you must kill all your darlings.” It’s been attributed to Willaim Faulkner but you can’t prove that by me. There’s a lot discussion about where the idea originated, how it evolved to include torturing your darlings, and what it actually means. Do you go after your characters (presumably your darlings) or does it refer to pet phrases, words, situations, and/or tropes? Well, according to the Univers, there’s a reason.

It’s an absolute law, Silver, that every challenge, fear, or loss you encounter bears gifts far more valuable than the price of the trouble they cause.

I think it’s Law 123.ILY –
The Universe
©www.tut.com

P.S. And remember, Silver, no loss ever goes unsettled in the long run.

Personally, I like to make my characters work for their HEA. If it comes too easy, then what’s compelling about the book? What is there to keep the reader’s interest? Yes, there are low conflict books that find their niche and some have made it onto various best seller lists. I’d give you some examples but I can’t think of any off the top of my head. Why? Because I don’t read them. I want a book with action. I want crazy stuff to happen. I want my characters to have churning emotions–highs and lows. I want them to “work for it.” Whatever that *it* is. I’ve yet to kill off a popular character though I have killed some secondaries in order to advance the story, to give more urgency to the situation. In romance, you’re not supposed to kill the kid or the dog, either, but in other genres, they get away with it. I think romance afficianados have very soft hearts deep down. I’d also add don’t kill the horse or cat, either. All of this said, I’m all in favor of throwing roadblocks–as long as they are real–meaning nothing that could easily be fixed with an adult conversation. I have a strong aversion to books that take that tact. The whole problem–which keeps the couple apart for 3/4s of the book–could have been solved in the first chapter if they just sat down and talked like two normal, rational adult human beings.

Anyway, I’m all in favor of causing trouble for my characters so they can reap the benefits in the end. I mean, it IS romance, even with paranormal thriller suspense overtones. And deep down, don’t we all read romance to get to the HEA?

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Wednesday Words: The Truth is Out There

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Silver James

Are there any rhymes or sayings about Wednesday? None come to mind yet here it is Wednesday once again and time for new words. Iffy had lots of fun with last week’s Thursday Threads prompt: **“That one may be true.”** She immediately danced around my writing cave and chortled. “Ronan!” she shouted at the top of her lungs. “Mick is going to tell an anecdote about them as boys. In front of Maura. And this is what came out after I stopped typing. I hope you enjoy the snippet.
****
Conversation flowed as free as the Guinness streaming from bar taps. The men seemed intent on telling the tallest tale but it was Mick who hushed the table. In fact, the whole bar took a collective breath and listened.

“Now granted, I was but a wee lad m’self and Ronan not much older. There we were at the green grocer’s, shirtails full of purloined apples. One of Boston’s finest had me by the collar and then I was free. Someone had beaned him square in the forehead and knocked him right out.”

The story got a round of derisive comments.

“That one may be true,” Ronan said quietly.

Maura stared at him. Was he serious? She didn’t know him well enough to even make a guess. Relying on the instincts she’d honed in the courtroom, she asked, “May be? Are you hedging your bets?”

“I’m not a gamblin’ man, especially when I’m sittin’ next to an assistant district attorney.”

She laughed. She couldn’t help herself. “Trust me, the statute of limitations have run on a petty larceny.”

Mick chimed in. “But what about the assault with a deadly weapon?”

“I’d hardly consider an apple a deadly weapon.”

“No, you wouldn’t,” Mick counterd. “But that copper? Knocked him on his arse and clean out with a concussion to boot. He’s never forgiven us for that.”

Maura’s eyes widened. “He’s still on the force?”

“Aye,” Ronan said. “He’s a homicide cop now.”

“Please don’t tell me it’s Alan Bragg.”

“Then I won’t.”

After a few moments, he reached over and closed her mouth with a gentle tap beneath her chin.

“So what happened after?” Shannon asked, drawing attention back to Mick and his story.

“’Tis the first time we met himself. Brian Boru walked up and told Ronan he should grow up to pitch for the Red Sox but he’d be workin’ for Brian instead because he was always on the lookout for enterprisin’ young lads. He handed a hundred dollar bill to the grocer and hustled us out of the shop before the cop could wake up.”

“And?” Shannon pushed. “He just took you both under his wings?”

“He did,” Ronan said. “After he made us eat every bit of those apples.”

Mick made a gagging face. “In one sittin’. Neither of us can stand the taste of the bloody things to this very day.”
****
Yes, I do have to go back to insert this scene at an earlier point of the book. If this keeps up, the dang book is gonna be closer to 100K words. Which is okay, I guess. I have to charge more but then there’s more to read so it all comes out even, right? So, writers, grab the inspiration and see where it takes you. Readers, what has truly inspired you today?

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