Monday Once More

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Silver James

It’s Monday. What does that keep happening? Of course, if you stop and think about it, NOT having Monday roll around would be a bad thing. Happy First Day of Spring! You can’t prove that it IS Spring by the weather here. Saturday night was a hard freeze, Sunday was barely into the 40s, and today? Who knows? The forecast says mid-50s, with a chance of rain overnight. We’ll see. First thing, though, is my Wallyworld run. Gotta stock up for the week, doncha know.

I’m still not doing much in the way of “work”–ie. writing. My vision is still settling on a “setting.” Sometimes, I can see the smaller print on the Tv from across the room and my borrowed readers work for my phone, computer, and menus. Other times, I can only see the medium letters and I have to add a magnifying glass to read the fine print up close. I have a follow-up appointment this afternoon and hopefully I can get some “closure.” I need to get back to work and right now, I last about five minutes reading on the computer before my eyes water. Even with the touch-screen that allows me to increase the size. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

The Kids got back from their spring break trip to the British Isles late last night. I don’t have all the detailsw but I think they had a good time in Ireland, Wales, and a little bit of southern England.

In sports news, my Cowgirls are currently #2 in the national rankings and they swept the tournament they played in over the weekend, winning all four of their games. They play North Texas on Wednesday and then start Big 12 Conference play this coming weekend against Baylor. Sadly, Puerto Rico lost to Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, but the USA came back with a rocking grand slam from Trea Turner to beat Venezuela Saturday night. Last night, they played Cuba. If I don’t fall asleep, I’ll update the score after the game. If I do, well, I edit this. As you can see, I edited this. LOL I did NOT fall asleep. Amazing game! USA won 14-2 over Cuba. Now they play the “unicorn.”wait to see who they play in the finals–Mexico or Japan. I do love me some good baseball!

In reading news, I’m still listening to Jennifer Estep’s Crown of Shards/Gargoyle Queen series. That’s plural. CoS is a trilogy and GQ is a spinoff trilogy. Newest book released last week and I’m about halfway through the second book so will be starting the new one soon.

Not much else going on in my world. I feel like Life is kind of on hold. I saw a LOL cat meme the other day and actually laughed out loud before I realized there’s probably a whole bunch of people who wouldn’t get it. You’d have to be familiar with “Laugh In” and Ernestine the Telephone Operator. Anyway, that’s how I feel about Life these days–“Is the party to whom I am speaking?” What’s up in your world?

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Friday Sinema: A Little Bit Irish

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Silver James

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. I think we’re all a bit Irish today. Luckily, I actually am part Irish–according to my DNA. Way back in the day, Only and I went to see Riverdance (with Michael Flatley) when they were on tour back in the 90’s when RIVERDANCE was such a phenonemon. The performance was magical and it was such an awesome mother/daughter bonding experience. There’s a new tour going around this year and yes, I’ve been tempted to check for tickets but haven’t. Instead, I found this video that explains the origins of Riverdance. Who knew? And what’s more fitting to feature today than this video? May you find your pot of gold today!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Results

Posted on March 16, 2023 by Silver James

The Universe is at it again. This popped up in my inbox yesterday. As soon as I read the email message, I knew I had to post the big U’s wisdom. While I look at it through the eyes and “mission” of a writer, it is a message that can touch everyone. I’ve been making excuses for not writing but after reading this? Yeah, I’ve found new resolve. Instead of focusing on how I’m going to finish CROSSFIRE, I’m just going to do it, no matter how long it takes because it’s not the how but the end result…

Think not of “how,” Silver, but only of what you want in terms of its end result.

The end, in thought, combined with baby steps in its general direction, will literally create the necessary circumstances, serendipities, players, epiphanies, ideas, and stories necessary to bring about your desire.

The hard part is done for you.

Your part is the easy part,
The Universe
©www.tut.com

P.S. In one line, Silver: The end result forces the “hows” that will yield the manifestation, as long as you keep physically moving.

Yes, it sounds easy and simple in theory. And, maybe, deep down, I actually believe that because my writing process is definitely outside the box and my characters and plots constantlysurprise me with circumstances, serendipities, new players, epiphanies, ideas, and hidden back stories. And that’s why I keep writing, despite the frustrations and distractions. Deep down, it’s fun. And when I type The End, it’s a real accomplishment. Today–and every day–I will keep moving forward, even it it’s only baby steps. If you keep moving, those baby steps become a mile. What about y’all? What do you want to accomplish?

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Wednesday Words: Don’t Laugh

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Silver James

So, I’m thisss close *holds thumb and forefinger about an inch apart* to typing The End on Crossfire. What little writing I’ve managed since the diagnosis and eye surgeries have been concentrated on scenes to finish it off. Until last week. The #ThursdayThreads prompt of “Don’t make me laugh.” sent me down a different rabbit hole. A scene from the Moonstruck Mafia WIP hit me out of the blue. So I wrote it. And expanded on it. And then spent the ensuing days wondering where the hell it fits in. This morning? I think I know, though it means some backtracking. Anyway, new words are new words no matter where they belong, right? Right! So, here you go in a rather “Way-back Wednesday” deveiation.
****
Ronan stood feet apart, hands clasped behind him, and stared out the wide windows. His back to the room, he didn’t need to see who was about to invade his office. He recognized the cadance of her footsteps and the scent that preceded her entrance. He didn’t turn around, remaining focused on the scene down on the Boston street. However, he didn’t miss the soft intake of her breath or the hammering beat of her heart. His own reaction, though better hidden, echoed hers.

“I’m here, Mr. O’Connor. What do you want?”

He almost smiled. Almost. “Thank you for coming, Ms. Brannigan.” He didn’t turn around. He couldn’t without adjusting the front of his slacks.

“Why am I here?”

“’Tis simple. I need your help.”

Maura snorted, the inelegant sound almost making him laugh, and he had to turn to face her, consequences be damned.

“Don’t make me laugh.” Her voice, tinged with bitterness, sounded brittle to her own ears. She wouldn’t—couldn’t meet his eyes. This man, he did things to her. Made her think things, want things, do things that were alien to everything she’d ever thought she knew about herself. He wasn’t trouble, he was danger personified. “You? In need of my help? Did hell freeze over when I wasn’t looking?”

“Yer boss has charged m’brother with another murder. He didn’t do it.”

His brogue was thick with emotion and she shoved her fists into her pockets to keep from reaching for him. She understood now. “I know.”

He studied her, his scrutiny unwavering. She bore the brunt of his gaze for only a moment before she glanced away. Ronan’s eyes reminded her of the ocean when a nor’easter churned up the water—a shade not quite gunmetal blue nor gray. They were intense and missed little. Despite the sexual tension between them, she was determined to keep things professional between them. The fact her boss was a royal asshole didn’t help matter. She was tired of getting caught in the middle of whatever machinations these two men were involved in.

She spread out her hands in a gesture of both futility and surrender. “There’s nothing I can do. Alex is handling Mick’s case himself.” She received a raised eyebrow and a look of pure incredulous speculation in response. “Don’e ask,” she said, preempting anything he might ask. “He got a judge to sign off on the warrant and sent his pocket-pet cops after Mick last night. I knew nothing about it until this morning when I got to the office.” Resigned, she dropped into an armchair facing Ronan’s desk.

“Who was she?”
“I’ve not a feckin’ clue. None of us do.”

She studied the carpet for a long moment before finally meeting and holding Ronan’s gaze. “That’s what I figured. They’ve manufactured evidence against him.”

“Will ya help him?”

She almost snorted again. “Mick has the best criminal defense attorney in the state. I don’t think Declan needs any help.”

Ronan shook his head and his expression indicated he thought she might be dense. “Not Declan. Bloody Crenshaw.”

The light bulb went off. A disgusted grunt escaped before she could contol it. “That cold day in Hell? Yeah, that’ll happen before I do anything to help Alex Crenshaw.”
****
I do miss Ronan and Maura. Totally need to finish, edit and publish CROSSFIRE so I can get back to my Boston Mob Wolves. Writers, feel free to grab the prompt and write inspired words. Also, share them here if you want. Readers, what’s made you laugh lately?

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Tuesday Treats & Titles: Bailey’s Irish Cocoa

Posted on March 14, 2023 by Silver James

I’m tagging the nearest leprechaun so I can do a little time traveling. We’re catching a ride on the way-back machine to 9th centery Ireland. The first three books in the Faerie Reign series were the first books I sold and were published. I still love them–the characters, the plots, the romance. There’s time travel and reincarnation. There are are Tuatha d’Danaan mucking about in human lives.  So, in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day this Friday, lets travel to one of my favorite places in the world–even though I’ve never been. Ireland is still on my bucket list. I’m gonna make this warm cocktail, curl up under a blanket and travel back to the beginning. Want to come along for the ride?

Bailey’s Irish Cocoa
The tasty addition of aromatic bitters enhances the taste of this hot chocolate cocktail. Mini-marshmallows and raspberries add both fun and “class” to this easy-to-make libation.

Ingredients
3 oz whole milk
1 1⁄2 teaspoon hot cocoa mix, plus more for garnish
2 oz Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur
6 dashes aromatic bitters
8 mini-marshmallows and 4 raspberries—skewered—for garnish
1 can whipped cream

Let’s Make It
1 – In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the milk with hot-cocoa mix and lightly stir.
2 -. Heat the bowl in the microwave in 15-second intervals until warm (about 2-3 times, depending on the microwave).
3 – Add Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur and aromatic bitters. Stir to combine.
Evenly divide the liquid between 2 mugs. Top with whipped cream, garnish with raspberry skewer and mini marshmallows. Sprinkle with hot cocoa mix.

Pssst you can add a bit of coffee if you want more caffeine. 😉

Go out and celebrate because on St. Paddy’s Day, we’re all a little bit Irish but please, if you got for the alcohol, please drink responsibly. The best Idea is to just stay home where it’s warm and dry, mix up this adult cocoa and read my books! Why? Because without the words, history is doomed to repeat itself. Just ask Becca and Ciaran, Moira and Duncan, Delaney and Riordan, or Abhean and Gweneth. If you could go back, do it over again, would you take a chance to find true love? What if you had no choice? In FAERIE FATE, two humans find out. Rebecca Miller and Ciaran MacDermot must discover the secret that will keep them together forever.

In FAERIE FIRE, Moira O’Connor and Duncan Ross face old grudges, family secrets, and vows intended but never sworn. They share memories of lives entwined then ripped apart. In the present day, he’s a SWAT sniper with PTSD and she’s the psychologist assigned to evaluate his fitness for duty. Will they find their HEA?

If you had one shot—just one chance to seize everything you ever wanted in one defining moment, would you capture it or let it go? Find out next in FAERIE FOOL. In a previous life long forgotten, Riordan “Rory” MacDermot vowed never to lose his heart. But then he meets Delaney Burns. Again. Can they find the magic to stay together this time?

In this final story, Abhean, Tir Nan Óg’s resident troublemaker and harper gets his.Manannan Mac Lir, the fae king of Tir Nan Óg, exiles Abhean in the human world until he finds the other half of his heart. Will he be too stubborn to recognize and claim Gwenyth Rily as his own? Find out in FAERIE FAITH.

You can buy the first three books as a digital box set at a reduced price. Just click on the pic with all the covers. The last book was part of an anthology series so you have to buy it seperately. To grab them individually, just click on the cover or the title. Who’s going to be wearing green come Friday? 🙋🏼‍♀️

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The Monday After

Posted on March 13, 2023 by Silver James

I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned how much I truly dislike Daylight Savings Time. I do not like springing forward or falling back. Just leave it at plain, ol’ Standard Time. It has served us well for generations. Anyway, at this rate, I might have to move to Arizona to get away from it but I don’t really wanna do that either.

So anyway. There was last week, which was followed by the weekend. I wish I had lots of exciting news to relay. I don’t. I did very little. I did make small strides in my recovery. Lifting and bending restrictions ended, though I’m still supposed to be careful to help keep the pressure down in my eyes. I went to Wallyworld all by myself. As I’m doing this morning. I can also bend over with just a little bit of a squat to pet Pete out in the garage. That whole squatting thing? VERY bad for my knees and Mother Nature’s continued drunken weather binge didn’t help. We had freezing temps, a hight of 80, more freezing temps, and yeah…today we might actually make it to 50. Whatever.

I watched a lot of baseball–World Baseball Classic–and softball. My OSU Cowgirls played a 3-game series against Florida State. They took 2 of the 3 games so yay! All three games were televised on ESPN+ so double yay! They should hang on to their #3 rank because #2 UCLA lost a game to an unranked team. At least the Seminoles were ranked #6. I’m rooting for some of the underdogs in the WBC–like Czech Republic and Israel. Also Puerto Rico, which isn’t an underdog, necessarily. That team is managed by my favorite and newly-retired player, Yadier Molina. The Czechs all have day jobs. They have a former MLB player and two Czech college students who play for schools here in the States. One of their pitchers, an electrician by trade, actually struck out Shohei Ohtani, who is referred to as the unicorn of MLB. He’s an incredible two-way player who pitches lights out and hits like a champ. That’s some pretty big bragging rights. Israel is in much the same position. Of course, I’m hoping Team USA repeats as the champs this year but in the meantime, there’s some great baseball.

In writing, I sort of did a backslide. The new words I wrote belong in the Moonstruck Mafia WIP that’s been on the back-burner for over a year while I’ve struggled with the CROSSFIRE WIP. They are good words though, and any words are better than none. The eyes are still adjusting but until the prescription settles, no glasses to correct vision, which means limited computer time. Ugh. 

As to reading/listening, I’m on the 3rd book of the Crown of Shards trilogy by Jennifer Estep. Once I finish CRUSH THE KING, I’ll move to the spin-off series The Gargoyle Queen. The 3rd book in that series released last week. It fantasy with magic, gladiators, court politics, assassination attempts, and true love. What else could you ask for?

And that pretty much sums up my week. Like I said, I haven’t done much of anything. I’m hoping to push past the lazy-dazies this week. We’ll see how that works out. In the meantime, I have to stay bundled up until like Wednesday and Thursday. And Friday is St. Patrick’s Day. Yay! Come back tomorrow for a taste of Ireland and a throwback to a few of my earliest books. Anybody do anything or productive over the weekend?

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Friday Sinema: Last Cup

Posted on March 10, 2023 by Silver James

If you aren’t a coffee fiend, just enjoy the video for the fun. If you are? You’ll totally get this! Have a great weekend and enjoy you coffee.

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Happens

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Silver James

To be so hard, writing is pretty simple when boiled down to the basics. All a writer has to do is make it happen. Okay, you can stop laughing now. I laughed, too, when I first played around with this message from the Big U to make it work for a craft post. But think about it. Yes, crativity and imagination is involved. Yes, craft and ability are involved. Yes, there’s research and characterizations and settings and plots to plan out but in the end, what is it writers actualy do…

You can make anything happen, Silver..

After all, who do you think put the stars in the sky?

Who do you think teaches each bird to fly?

And who do you think I mean when I say, “Me, myself, and I”?

Life, good –
The Universe
©www.tut.com

P.S. YOU can make anything happen, Silver.

Isn’t that how it works? A writer gets an idea. We stew over it for awhile, filling in the blanks, and then we sit down and start streaming words from our fingertips. We put stars in the sky and teach birds to fly. We make it happen. Just like the Universe says. Easy peasy, right?

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Wednesday Words: Far-Telling

Posted on March 8, 2023 by Silver James

Wednesday again and I’ve managed to go a week plus on a regular posting schedule. Yay me! Sadly, though, the only writing I managed last week for for #ThursdayThreads which had this perfect prompt: **”As far as I can tell.”** The original flash fiction was 250 words but I incorporated it into a rough-draft scene and expanded both the snippet AND the scene, so win-win for all of us, yeah? Psst It was a definite win for me. I won the challenge last week! Yippee!!! As for the expanded snippet today, all I’m going to say in way of a set-up is that Kin is acting (and looking a bit) like Lassie and Meg is Timmie. Also, the wild wolves are the ones she worked with in the sanctuary before the war started.
****
Loch cleared his throat. “What are you, the wolf whisperer or something?”

That startled a laugh out of Meg and the juvinile wolves scattered. One of them barreled into Kin, tumbled over from the collision, and he froze, belly up but whining. Boss snarled and took several stiff-legged steps toward Loch and Kin. Before Meg could speak, Loch shushed her. Instinct told her to obey so she did.

Kin, much taller and heavier than Boss, casually left Loch’s side. His ears were back, his head slightly lowered. Meg eased out the breath she’d been holding. Kin displayed non-aggressive wolf behavior. Boss remained tense, nostrils flaring. Then the real wolf turned his head to look at her and she almost giggled again. The poor thing looked totally confused.

Loch squatted on his heels and he and Kin both focused on Boss. Were they holding an actual conversation? Somehow, that didn’t surprise Meg.

While this conclave went on, the juvenile who’d bumped into Kin, scrambled to his feet and retreated back behind all the others. Fascinated, Meg couldn’t keep her eyes off the interaction. The body language, the vocalizations, the whole idea that humans could truly communicate with wild wolves made her all giddy inside. Too bad her head continued to pound and she found her focus drifting.
Suddenly, Kin—still in wolf form—was nosing her and she realized she’d slumped over. “Hey, big guy. I’m okay. As far as I can tell anyway. Probably a mild concussion or something.” She put her arms around his neck and leveraged back mostly upright, though she continued to lean against him for support. “Can we go home now?”

“I’ve got her, Kin,” Loch assured the wolf. “ You need to stay in wolf form for a bit longer, mate, yeah?”

Kin yowled and Meg wanted to laugh but her head was pounding. He sounded downright indignant.

“Loch has clothes on, big guy. You’d be naked and I, in all my girlish innocence, would likely swoon at the sight of all your manly manliness.”

Her wolf growled and she did laugh before pressing her palms to her temples. “Oww. Don’t make me laugh.”

A moment later, Loch had her secured in his arms and they were headed down what she discovered was a large though rough-hewn tunnel. Kin padded beside them, carrying her pack in his mouth. The other wolves stayed in the larger chamber.

“What’s going to happen to them?” she mumbled.

“They’ll stay here until we’re gone and then they’ll move along. I suspect they thought to den up here but with the cottage still being use, they’d be hunted by the shepherds once the flocks return later in the spring. We told them that. They’ll head back to their home territory in the mountains. They’ll be protected there.”

“Good.” Did she say that out loud? Meg didn’t know. Her vision was fading in and out and all she wanted to do was sleep. Yes, sleep would be really good right then.

“Open your eyes, Meg.” Loch’s voice was as sharp as a slap. Her eyes snapped open. “We’re almost to the end of the cave. You need to stay awake until Kin changes and has the chance to check you over. If ya don’t, he’s liable t’lose it again.”

She dropped one arm and waggled her hand at the large wolf. “I’m okay.”

Loch eyed her, his expression brooding. “No, yer not.”

Kin pushed against her and soft fur brushed against her palm. “Concussion. That’s all, love. Ice and ibuprofen and I’ll be fine in no time at all.”

She got a growl in reply. And smiled as her wolf licked her fingers.
****
And there you have it. A little humor in the aftermath of a very scary situation. And really, doens’t ice and ibuprophen pretty much cure most ails? 😉 Writers, feel free to jam away with the prompt. Readers, as far as you can tell, what’s are you reading today?

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Tuesday Treats & Titles: Ride the Night

Posted on March 7, 2023 by Silver James

I’m celebrating a bit today. I got a B&N royalty statement and while it was only about $12, someone bought the entire Nightriders series. Yippee! Sales are slow so I’m always thrilled when someone grabs a whole set. So, today I’m talking about the Nightriders. Yes, they are rude and crude. Yes, they are an outlaw motorcycle club. And yes, their club and their…uhm…businesses? Enterprises? Endeavors? Yeah, those things aren’t always this side of legal. I mean, they are members of a 1% MC. But…when it comes to mates and kids? They’ll go to the wall, hunt down those who would or have hurt them, and protect them with their lives. They’re Wolves, after all. Oh, and they’re all sexy as hell. What’s not to love, right?

Somebody asked me why I decided to write an MC series. Two reasons–or more precisely, two authors–Kristen Ashley and Joanna Wylde. Ashley wrote a book titled MOTORCYCLE MAN that developed into the Chaos MC series. Several of her contemporary series are all tied together and have crossover characters. I’d read her Rock Chicks series and picked up on the Chaos MC and a mercenary/security group that was tied in peripherally. Being me, I jumped over to grab MYSTERY MAN which is a 4-book series, the final one being MOTORCYCLE MAN, and oh, yeah. Had to grab the Chaos series. Fun stuff there. The thing about Ashley is you either love her, tolerate her, or hate what she writes. I’ll admit, her books are good escapes for me and I’ve read (and own) most of them. I don’t actually remember if I read Ashley first or Wylde. Her Reaper series is dark and dirty and when I’m in a certain mood, it was just the thing. I haven’t done a relisten of it in a few years. Both of these author’s MCs have a couple of things in common. They’re rough and fight dirty and run criminal enterprises (though Chaos’s prez is trying to get his club on the right side of the law).

So, as I was ending the Moonstruck series, the Nightriders popped into my head. First, it was a challenge. Could I write something a bit out of my comfort zone? Could I make bad outlaws into good Wolves? And would anyone but me read them? That’s when Easy walked into my head, pulled up a bar stool and said, “Lemme buy ya a beer.” And not too long after he relayed his story to me, NIGHT SHIFT was headed into the wild. While I love all my characters (and yes, I have a few more favorites), I’ll admit to being just a little partial to the Nightriders. I’m always jotting down off-the-wall snippets that I just know will develop deeper and be attached to one of the Riders who doesn’t have a complete story yet. And yes, that includes the Russian. He’ll get his. Eventually. In the meantime, besides NIGHT SHIFT (#1), there’s REMEMBER THE NIGHT (#1.5), NIGHT MOVES (#2), NIGHT FIRE (#3), NIGHT FALL (#4), and NIGHT WISH (#5). Go forth and read or reread!

Anyway, it’s Tuesday so I need to throw some treats in here. Chaos is known for their hog roasts. Literally. They get a whole hog, put it on a spite over an open fire and BBQ it. The Reapers? They had parties but the old ladies just brought food like a pot luck. That’s pretty much what the Nightriders do–though depending on which chapter, there might be a big ol’ smoker out back of the clubhouse. Me? I make a mean brisket but it’s slow cooked in the oven and I do make my own BBQ sauce. I am sooo not a grill master. My dad, on the other hand? His beef short ribs, rib eye steaks, and full racks of pork ribs were to die for. I tried to learn. Truly I did but nope. The grill is kinda like technology where I’m concerned. Totally not my friend! So that’s our treat today. BBQ–on or off the grill. So, whether you grab take-out, bake or grill your own, settle in with some BBQ and binge on good food and my books. You can click on any of the covers for the link or click on Books2Read to head over to the series page where you can see all of them and go to their buy pages. And the joy of digital books? You don’t get BBQ sauce all over the pages. 😉

What about y’all? Are you a grill master–or someone in the family? Or are you a take-out kinda BBQ connoisseur?

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