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?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

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!

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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.

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Tuesday Treats & Titles: PB&C No-bake No-cross Pie

Posted on September 26, 2023 by Silver James

Summer has dug her fingernails in and is hanging on a bit like the hag she could become if she doesn’t let Autumn make her entrance. As a result, here’s a chill treat. Do you love Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups? Love peanut clusters? Yeah, me too! And this pie hits all the right buttons for those cravings. Plus, this recipe is so easy, even Hannah could make it. Sadly, she doesn’t have the patience to wait the time needed between making and eating. That’s the one drawbakc. That said, this treat is soooo worth the wait!

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Chilling time: 1 hour then 3 hours
Total time: 4 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients
1 8-inch chocolate cookie pie crust

FOR THE FILLING
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup powdered sugar sifted and divided into one 1/2 and 1/4 cup
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup creamy peanut butter
4 oz cream cheese softened

FOR THE TOPPING
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
4 oz semi-sweet chocolate chopped
1/4 cup roasted peanuts chopped; for garnish

Let’s Make It
FOR THE FILLING
1. In a large bowl of an electric mixer, with the whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream until soft peaks have formed. Add the ½ cup sifted powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Whip until stiff peaks form.  Transfer the whipped cream to a separate bowl.

2. In the same mixer bowl (no need to wash it), with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese, peanut butter, and remaining ¼ cup of confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.

3. At a low speed, beat a ⅓ of the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture just until combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the remaining whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture until incorporated.

4. Transfer the whipped peanut butter mixture into the prepared chocolate cookie pie shell. Gently smooth the mixture into an even layer with a spatula. Refrigerate the pie, uncovered, for 1 hour.

FOR THE TOPPING
1. Save this step until the pie is chilled. Go have a cup of coffee and read a book for an hour. Then come back. 😉

2. Place the chocolate pieces, or chocolate chips, into a small bowl.

3. In a small saucepan, bring the ½ cup of heavy whipping cream to a boil over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Once boiling, immediately remove the pan from the heat. Pour the boiling cream over the chopped chocolate. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let sit for one minute. Remove the plastic wrap and whisk until a smooth chocolate ganache forms.

4. Pour the chocolate ganache over the chilled peanut butter pie. Using a spatula, gently smooth the ganache until all of the peanut butter filling has been covered.

5. Sprinkle the chopped peanuts along the outer rim of the pie. Chill in the refrigerator for 3 hours before slicing.

6. Store the pie in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days.

First, this pie is really yummy and easy to put together. The hard part is waiting for it to chill in the fridge before adding the topping and then serving and eating. Also, the recipe says 10 servings. Yeah, that would be skinny pieces for for like super models. The kids and the Hard Target team members do like them some PB& C (Peanut Butter ane Chocolate). Meg found this recipe and gave it a try because Dalton introduced Max to PB&J sandwiches and Tank sneaks Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to Mariska. I’m tellin’ y’all, the guys are really bad influences and probably shouldn’t be around kids. Just sayin’… 😉 Anyway, I keep hoping sales will pick up if I keep boring people with this book. That and I need to write faster to get the next book out. Should I mention that I have CROSSFIRE graphics to share? I’m such a sucky marketer. Anyway, you know the drill. Click on the pic or the title to head over to Books2Read to find your preferred on-line bookseller. And if you try the pie, I hope you enjoy it.

*🤞🏼 the “cover curse” is done with. If not, then I will start manually sharing the blog to FB since I don’t know what else to do. And yes, #TechnologySTILLHatesMe 🙄

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Menial Monday

Posted on September 25, 2023 by Silver James

So, today is full of menial tasks and errands. That’s okay. It IS Monday, yeah? First up, an twisty explanation. See, I really like the “classic” template provided here on WordPress. That’s the one I learned to use (and to use simplified code in) way back when. I always include a meme or a graphic based on what day of the week it is. Well, for some weird reason, since I released CROSSFIRE, the graphic of that cover has been showing up when the blog post is “sent” from WordPress to Facebook. It used to go to Twitter, now known as X, but when X became X, things changed so the blog post only cross-posted to my FB author page. Still with me? I told you it was twisty. Well, like one time in the past two weeks, I’ve gotten the picture I embedded to show up on FB. I can’t figure out why that keeps happening. I haven’t embedded the pic in any of those posts. I finally stopped even linking the “designated” pic to its media file in case there was something screwy there. Yeah, that didn’t work either. So now, I using the new and so-called improved template from WordPress to see if there’s some shadow coding or something in the classic version. I don’t know. I’m not a techie. I know just enough code to mostly stay out of trouble. Anyway, I have no idea how the pic will turn out, if it will turn out, or even if this post will make it over on that other platform. This is irritating and I don’t like the new-improved version because it seems to take more fiddling, especially when adding pics. Anyway, that my gritch for the morning.

And since this is menial Monday, I’m off to Wallyworld. Oh, joy. I’m just hoping they’ve gotten restocked. I mean really people! Covid lock-down is long over. The supply chain is allegedly up and running but there are sooo many times I’ve had to substitute items or hit a second store because what I want isn’t on the shelf. And don’t even get me started on the costs! Our grocery bill has almost doubled and it’s not like I’m buying filet mignon and lobster tail. Just sayin’!

In good sports news, Stormy played part of the first period in as a defenseman and most of the second period as goalie. Only and I were figuratively–and almost literally!–biting our nails. He did good, though, and when we asked him about it after the match, he said he had fun. My Cardinals took one out of three from the Padres. Eh. That said, Adam Wainwright got his 200th win, only the 3rd Cardinal pitcher to do so. This is his last year and this was his big milestone goal. And he did at home, in Busch Stadium so another big yay. As for college football, no comment.

Writing. I’ve done a BUNCH! *shakes pompoms* I read through all the chapters I’d drafted in order. Then I went through the “puzzle” scenes. I slotted some of them in to already-written chapters and got others rearranged on the timeline so I can slot them in at the appropriate places. You know what? I’m really liking this book. I’ve laughed a couple of times. I’ve cried more than once. And I’m loving the characters. There are a bunch of them so there’s lots to love. 🤣 I’m just over 75K words now, with an anticipated goal of 100K. It may turn out longer. I’ve got Chapter 20 mostly figured out and will start the draft of it once I’m back from Wallyworld. I also fixed some typos and other OOPS! during my read through so that will help the editing/revision process go faster once I’m to that point. I’m shooting for having this ready to go before the end of the year. Wish me luck! 🤞🏼

On that note, time to finish off my coffee, put on real clothes, harness up Jake and head out into the Real World. Yippee. *makes a put-upon face and twirls an index finger in a desultory whoopee kind of way* What happened in your world last week and this weekend? Hope it was all good!

PS – Happy Birthday, Daddy. You’ve been gone 28 years now but I still miss you every day. ❤

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Friday Sinema: S’all Cool

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Silver James

My how times fly when you’re having fun. Or staying busy. Or living life. It’s been over a week now since I rearranged things. I feel so much lighter. I can see things out the window. I’m doing things. I spend a little time each day adding to clearing out extraneous stuff in my office–and other spaces. I spent more time reading the WIP to catch up and writing words to fill in spots. And sometimes, I catch a tune and think, “Hey, that’s pretty cool.” So here. To celebrate Friday, have some cool. Especially since tomorrow is supposed to hit 90, which hopefully is Summer’s last gasp!

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Thursday Thoughts: Universal Criticism

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Silver James

National Novel Writing Month is a month and a half away. I’d like to think that I’ll be done with the Boston Wolves but yeah…probably not. I bring this up because I got an email from the local coordinator with a list of places and times where those of us here in the metro area can gather for write-ins. Some are in October as a way to get prepped and excited for the kick-off of things on November 1. Yeah, yeah, you say, but what does this have to do with today’s topic? Well, here’s what the Big U had to say. My thoughts follow.

Embrace criticism, Silver… whether from the wise or from fools.

Never have words been uttered that didn’t have meaning to those who’ve heard them.

How’s that for stopping you in your tracks?
The Universe
©www.tut.com
(Now be sure to read the P.S. below… BTW there’s always a “P.S. below,” on every single daily Note.)

P.S. Which by no means implies what you heard was true, Silver! Maybe you heard those words to test your confidence, to challenge your resolve, or to help you rethink earlier choices… only you know.

I normally don’t do the group events. I’m solitary by nature but one of the coordinators from several years ago asked me to come and be available for questions since I’d been published and all. As anticipated, I got no writing done (I’m easily distracted when there are others around for…reasons! LOL) I didn’t give a class or talk or anything. The coordinator introduced me and told those who’d gathered that I’d be happy to answer questions if they wanted to come up to me. None of the participants had been published yet so I was expecting quetions on how to find an agent, a publisher, the pitfalls of self-publishing, etc. I was surprised by the majority of conversations I had that evening. Their number one concern–and what seemed to hold some of them back from showing their work and/or trying to get published–was the fear of criticism. “What do you do about bad reviews?” “How do you handle rejections when you submit your book?” “What happens when someone hates your work?”

Yeah, we writers are an insecure lot. Heck, ALL of us are insecure when it comes to criticism–whether it’s about our work, our looks, our lifestyles, whatever. Someone is always going to dislike something about us. And that’s basically what I told them. You shrug it off. You enjoy the good reviews, the requests, and the folks who love your stuff. I don’t write to please everyone because that’s an exercise in futility. I write what I enjoy reading and I write what those who enjoy reading it want. There’s an audience out there for whatever you write. The trick is finding them. And that’s my lesson for today. Take the good, walk away from the bad, lesson learned. Yeah?

Posted in Craft, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Wednesday Words: You Need This

Posted on September 20, 2023 by Silver James

I’m back at work on the Boston Wolves. Are you excited? I am! Today, I’m sharing a double prompt for…reasons. Mainly because for once the two weekly prompts went hand in hand from the scene’s start to finish. Well, mostly the start to the finish. Not sure it’ll be the beginning of a chapter or the end. The main thing is that I’m rereading the story so far, checkout out my “puzzle pieces” and then I’m all about the new words. I’m not too worried about spoilers because as slow as I’ve been getting a new book released, y’all will have forgotten any previous scenes. Right? Are you curious about the prompts? Here they are:**”You’re going to need this.”** and **”Why do you say that?”** Thing are, once again, self-explanatory.
****
The morning had been a complete waste of his time. First it was the mix-up in the liquor order for the bar. Then there’d been a dust up on the docks and he’d made far more phone calls than should have been necessary to clear it up. Brian Boru called needing information on some possible business partners. While the old man left most of the work that came with running the organization to Ronan, he still kept his hand in the pot—usually the illegal stuff. Brian knew Ronan was working to take the mob legit—at least as much as possible. There’d always been lines that not even Brian would cross—human trafficking the biggest. The information Ronan had gathered meant he and the boys would have to deal with the gang making this new business proposal. And that meant handling it the old way.

Ronan looked up as his brother entered the office. Without a word, Mick strode to the built-in bar, snagged an Irish crystal highball glass and poured a generous splash of Irish whiskey into it. Still silent, he approached the desk and set the drink in front of Ronan.

“What’s this then?” he asked.

“Drink it.”

“And why should I be drinkin’ in the middle of the day?”

“You’re going to need that.”

He didn’t touch the glass but he leaned forward, his entire attention focused on Mick. “What’s happened?”

“Nothing. Yet.”

“Just a guess here, but I’m thinkin’ yet must be the operative word.”

“Aye, Ronan.”

“Who died?”

“No one. Yet.”

“And there’s that word again. Fine. Who needs killing then?”

Mick snorted out a laugh. “Now that ’twould be a long list, yeah?”

Ronan leveled an alpha stare on his brother. “I’ve got actual work t’be doin’, Mick. Spill it or get on with yer day and leave me in peace.”

Mick returned to the bar and poured whiskey into a second glass. He tossed it back before he faced Ronan. “It’s the Brannigan woman.”

Ronan went very still. Under his icy stare, Mick grabbed the untouched glass he’d placed in front of his brother and drained it too. Sadly, as a Wolf, the alcohol was more for show and taste than any sort of actual palliative effect. He briefly met his brother’s gaze then lowered his eyes.

“What about Maura?” Ronan’s voice was all teeth and claws.

“Someone wants her dead.”

“And why do you say that?”

“I say it because the grapevine is fairly hummin’ with it. Big money, too. It’d hav’ta be a rich pot considering she’s an assistant district attorney.”

“Who?” The word was barely understandable, far more wolfish snarl than human speech.

“I don’t know yet, but I’ve got Fitz workin’ on it. He’s already lurkin’ about the dark web peekin’ into the blackest corners.”

Callum “Fitz” Fitzpatrick was a computer genius and one of Ronan’s lieutenants. He’d ferret out the bloody wankers and then Ronan would personally hunt them down and rip out their throats.

“I can put a man on her, Ronan, but considering who she is, he can’t shadow her everywhere. We’ll find them, keep her safe.”

“Aye. We’ll find them,” Ronan promised. “Then we’ll hunt them.”

End of story.
****
This fits so perfectly into a part of the story that I was fairly bouncing when I wrote the first scene and then continued it. I know excactly where it goes and have scenes before and after it. I’m so happy to be “shipping up to Boston” once again. These Wolves have been on hold for way too long and their story is all but vibrating to leave my brain and appear on the monitor.  Writers, what project are you anxious to get back to? (And yes, feel free to use the prompts!) Readers, I’ll make it easy for you. What are you currently reading? I’m off to work. Later, taters!

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments