I’m still laughing over this because it’s soooooo true!!!! The weatherman has promised a hint of fall starting tomorrow night. We’ll see. I’m not holding my breath but I’m crossing my fingers. Who else is waiting for Fall? 🙋🏼♀️ Anybody got plans for the weekend? Fall break so no soccer. I’ll find something to occupy my time. 😉 Have a good one
I’ve been in the doldrums lately. I know I’m not the only writer fighting what seems like a futile battle. How do we get people to buy our books? How do we not get depressed when we don’t sell our books? What gives us the oomph to keep writing? It would be so easy to just…stop. All the inspiratonal quotes is the world, all the coffee, all the kicking my own arse…? Yeah. I got nuttin’ honey. Then the dang Universe drops this into my lap…
Life? I kind of see it like this, Silver:
Second after second, illusion after illusion, miracle after miracle… an unending parade of opportunities to catch yourself in the act of creating.
Gotcha!
The Univers
©www.tut.comP.S. Here comes one now, Silver…
And there one came. Actually two. Unable to get motivated yesterday, I spent waaay too much time on X. I got sucked back into a protracted conversation that invovled multiple people. It started with a thing sold by Skims, a Kardashian company. Don’t ask. Trust me. You do NOT want to know. Anyway, the discussion somehow devolved into romance novels and then picked back up today with Fabio. I don’t know why. While being an active participant, I’d totally missed the whole train. Anyway. One of the gals, bought one of my books. At least I think it was her. I mentioned THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC to her and that’s the book I sold. So…I sold a book! The second thing occurred after I reposted an announcement of a soon to be released album of Celtic music from an musician I’ve followed since I joined the old tweetybird. And yes, he followed me too. He just released an album and I added it to my Spotify lists. One of his songs will be on Ariel’s playlist. But that’s only a side note. Another X person liked my repost and asked if I’d ever listened to Blackmoor’s Night. I hadn’t so I checked them out and ended up on a song titled “No Second Chance.” Yikes! Just like that, I had a scene. Not written yet, it’s settling into place but it has a place–an important one–in Ariel and Aisling’s relationship.
So, there it is. No matter how discouraged we get, we truly need to keep our senses open to inspiration winging in from unlikely places. I’m back to writing again. And y’all have permission to kick my arse or surprise me in…well…surprisng ways! Now get out there and create!
Happy Camel Day. I have words. I also managed to take first place in last week’s Thursday Threads. I had fun with this prompt: *“Never seen it done before.”* It also gave me ideas on how to tie some unrelated scenes together. Progress! All I will say is that the Four Mousketeers are on a mission and they’ve come to a roadblock. So to speak. It could start like this: A fae, a werewolf, a vampire, and a dragon walk into a crypt…
****
The four men stared at the massive doors. Made of impressive slabs of oak, edged and hinged with cold iron, and secured with a series of intricate locks.
Ariel stood well away from it. Cold iron was a nemesis to the Fae like silver was to a werewolf. “There’s no magic that I can discern, just the metal.” He glanced at Caleb.
“Yes,” the werewolf agreed. “No magic but both silver and iron. He held up his hands. “I’m out. Sinjen?”
The vampire gave the two of them a look. “I’m not a thief. I’ve not a clue how to pick a lock. Too bad Sade isn’t here.”
“True,” Caleb said. “She’s got the touch.” He bent and looked closer. “Even so, not sure she could conquer that beast.”
The three of them turned to the fourth. Nikos returned their expectant gazes with a raised brow. “Why are you looking at me?” His voice was tinged with both arrogance and amusement.
“Uhm…dragon,” Caleb said, his tone dry.
“What is that supposed to mean?” The arrogance edged over into disdain.
“Dragon.” All three spoke in unison.
“Hoard,” Ariel added.
“Lair.” That came from Caleb.
Nikos turned his icy gaze on Sinjen. “Have you something to add?”
The vampire smiled, showing a hint of fang. “Rumor has it that there’s not a lock made that
can defeat a dragon.”
“Fine.” Nikos inhaled. A torrent of fire melted the lock.
“Never seen it done before,” Ariel said.
Caleb had one word. “Cool.”
****
Since the challenge only allows for 250 words max, there will be some expansion of this scene but it works for now. Writers, use the prompt if it works for you. Readers, what’s something you’ve never seen done but would like to watch?
We are almost half-way through October. Already. How is that possible?!?! *flail* Yeah, yeah. I know. The sun rises, the sun sets, and days go by. Anyway. It’s October. That means Halloween! Sometimes we want cute treats. Sometimes we want cute treats that are really easy. Sometimes we want cut treats that are really easy but they look like we took forever. Boy, do I have the recipe for us!
WITCH’S HAT COOKIES
PREP TIME: 30 minutes
COOL TIME: 30 minutes
Cover homemade or stove-bought cookies in melted HERSHEY’S Chocolate Chips and top them with HERSHEY’S KISSES Milk Chocolates to make decorative witch hats. They’re the spooky snack that kids will love this Halloween.
INGREDIENTS
24 HERSHEY’S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates
24 fudge bottomed striped cookies
1 cup HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate Chips
Decorating icing or gel in tube (optional)
Chocolate sprinkles (optional)
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
Wax Paper
Tray or Cookie Sheet
Microwave-Safe Bowl
Microwave
Measuring Cup
DIRECTIONS
1 – Remove wrappers from chocolates. Place cookies with chocolate-coated bottom facing up on wax paper covered tray or cookie sheet.
2 – Place milk chocolate chips in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at medium (50%) 1 minute; stir. If necessary, microwave at medium an additional 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chips are melted and smooth when stirred. Dip bottom of chocolate kiss into melted chocolate and place in center of cookie. Repeat for all the cookies. Allow chocolate to firm before continuing.
3 – Pipe icing or gel around base of Hersey’s Kiss. Use chocolate sprinkles to make square buckle for hat, if desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Tip
1 – Bottoms of homemade or store-bought cookies can be coated in melted chocolate if fudge bottomed cookies aren’t available.
I admit that I’ve featured this recipe before but when it popped up in my email newslettr straight from the chocolate folks themselves, I wanted to remind folks. Head over to HERSHEY’S to get all the details on this fun Halloween goodie. It’s hard to believe that SEASON OF THE WITCH will be 12 years old the end of the month. *flail* Dang. I’ve been doing this whole writing gig thing a long time. Sade and Sinjen are still one of my favorite couples. Sade made her debut in THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC, but she didn’t connect with her favorite vampire until this book. SEASON OF THE WITCH answers that age-old question: Can a dedicated FBI agent find true love with her undead suspect in a series of brutal murders? Just click on the pics or the title to grab your copy of either book AND the other books in the series from Books2Read, which hooks you up with your favorite on-line bookseller. Happy reading and Happy Halloween!
This time of the year is rather like the summer doldrums. Days are getting shorter which is something. But I’m ready for Fall! Yes, leaves are falling but it’s more from lack of rain and hot days. I’m sorry but 88 degress is NOT all autumnal. It might be play-off season in the MLB. Football is in full swing. But if it doesn’t feel like Fall, how can it be…you know…FALL?!!?
I finished a book I’d been putting off reading. It’s by a favorite go-to author in a favorite and often reread/relistened to series but this book? Yeah. There were reasons. Both characters are favorites but I wasn’t ready to buy into the romance. Also, the wazy the books was structured occasionally threw me in and out.of the story. Still, the author is best-selling so who am I to question. I still have mixed feelings about the book but I’m glad I finally broke down and listened to it. I’ve moved on to an “omnibus” of six books in a series. Werewolves. Well-known author but new to me. We’ll see. So far, so good.
What little writing I did last week was good. Well, it made me life anyway. I can always count on the “four mouskeeters” to keep me entertained. That would be Caleb, Sinjen, Ariel, and Nikos. Sade was absent for this scene and the good news is, I’ve figured out why she missed out of the fun. You’ll get to read the snippet come Wednesday. I didn’t write copious amounts but I did write some and the bits and pieces of what is written is in better order and the story is starting to not only take real shape but to make sense as well. I’m still determined to get it out by Christmas.
I did a good thing Saturday. I used to give blood regularly but since the surgeries and the whole collapsed veins in both arms, I’ve been reluctant. That said, it’s been almost 2 years and the local blood bank is in desperate need of my blood type. So, Jake and I went to donate. The vampire was excellent and I got a cool Halloween T-shirt that glows in the dark and has a gargoyle on it. Anyway, I’ll get back in the habit of donating. I’m the only one in the family who can. Sadly, Only and LG are universal donors but both are on meds that preclude them from doing so.
I haven’t seen my hummingbird lately but she’s been around, according to the nectar level in the feeder. They normally start heading south around this time of year but see my above complaint about daily temperatures. I mean, seriously. By now, I’ve usually turned off the AC and opened windows. Due to ragweed–which won’t go away until we get a frost–and high temps, AC is still running. Blerg.
Let’s not talk about sports, um-kay?
And on that note, I’ve got nuthin’ left to report. Ah well. Not like I live an exciting life, right?
Toby is very vocal. He’s not as bad as Micco, our Siberian Husky, was but he’s pretty mouthy. He’s also pretty cute. I thought we’d end the week with a giggle or seven. Or at least a smile. Enjoy these crazy pups. Have a great weekend!
The world is still crazy. I’ve started switching off the news and only glancing at the alerts on my phone. I have a meme that says: When I’ve had too much reality, I read a book. I’ve also been know to write for the same reasons. And the kind of books I most often grab/write are the ones that have a Happy Ever After. As is par for the course, the Universe is right on top of things.
Love always wins, Silver.
Kindness always prevails.
And smiles always disarm.
Touché,
The Universe
P.S. And there can be as many winners as players, Silver. Life rocks.
The romance genre is romantic for a reason. And it sells lots of books for a reason. And that reason? Love. Because, as the Universe says, love always wins. And in reality, the big U is also right about love and kindness. And smiles. So, read something that makes you smile today.
Once again, no win, place or show in the Thursday Threads flash fiction challenge. Recent judges are being cool and either picking favorite lines or mentioning what they liked about a piece. Last week’s judge, George, had this to say about my entry: Two friends having an almost playful conversation with some excellent interaction. Carla is a hoot; I was drawn to her strength and snark. Aisling’s quiet strength yet almost shy-like response of keeping things private was great. This was a well rounded and strong tale of two women. I like it, thank you, Silver, for writing this.
Our prompt this week, boys and girls, is: *”It was magical.”* That said, George pretty much set up the scene and the rest is self-explanatory.
****
Aisling sipped her tea, pretending her cheeks weren’t flushing pink from Carla’s question.
After a long period of silence, Carla nudged. “Well?”
Swallowing, Aisling didn’t quite meet her friend’s gaze. “There’s nothing to tell.”
“Baloney.”
Heat suffused her face again. She barely managed to keep her hands busy so she didn’t fan herself. “You’re making this much bigger than it is.”
Carla snorted, the sound both cheeky and sarcastic. “Girl, you lie worth shit. C’mon. You know you wanna tell me.”
Aisling stalled by pouring more tea into her cup. “Nothing happened.”
“Right.” Drawing out the word, Carla leveled a knowing look on her. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Trust me, he is totally into you.”
This time she did fan her face. “No he’s not.”
“Me doth think the lady protests too much.”
“Carla!” Aisling worked to project flippant disdain into her voice.
“Aisling!” Carla mimicked her tone. “I saw the two of you sitting on the porch. I had to turn my fan on because the heat was radiating all the way to the third floor. I can’t believe Eunice didn’t march right out there and demand that—” She changed her voice to a higher octave and added a nasal whine. “You are a hussy, sitting here with that…that…man!” She sniffed theatrically. “Shame on you.”
Laughing, Aisling fanned her face with her napkin. “Okay, fine. He kissed me.”
Gasping dramatically, Carla asked, “How was it?”
Her face dreamy, Aisling replied, “It was magical.”
****
Now, I have to write a scene that is magical. 🤣 Writers, feel free to grab some inspiration if it strikes. Readers, have you ever had a magical kiss? (Give me a break. My brain in on over-drive at the moment. Iffy is chasing PITA Pup with sciseros. Pete is laying on my desk, using his tail to dust my keyboard. Jake is snoring. Loki is lurking. And damn book STILL isn’t writing itself.) 😆
Sometimes, you just want to wake up to something ooey-gooey and easy. Which means making it the night before and latting the baking gods work their magic while you are sleeping. You get up, make coffee, preheat the oven and by the time you’re fully awake and ready for the day and have your coffee, you also have the yummy sticky buns.
Cinnamon Sticky Buns
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Rise time: 5-12 Hours
Cook time: 30 Minutes
Total time: 5 – 12 hours
Yield: 10 rolls
INGREDIENTS
10-12 frozen bread rolls (I use Rhodes brand)
1/2 cup butter, divided
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional, walnuts or pecans work great!)
LETS MAKE THEM
The Night Before
1 – Prepare a, 8-10″ bundt or tube cake pan with non-stick spray. I use a silicone pan and it is amazing! The silicone makes it easy to remove the bread and it’s easy to clean.
2 – Place the chopped nuts at the bottom of the pan all around. These will end up on top of rolls when you flip the pan after baking.
3 – Soften ¼ cup of the butter in the microwave at 15-second intervals. You probably only need two intervals, mixing in between. Be careful not to completely melt the butter. Add the brown sugar to the softened butter and mix completely. Spread the mixture over the chopped nuts.
4 – In a microwave-safe bowl, completely melt the remaining butter (about 30 seconds in the microwave). Use a medium-sized bowl because this will be one of the dipping steps. In another medium-sized bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. This will be the second dipping step.
5 – Take each frozen roll one at a time and dip it first into the melted butter, then into the cinnamon-sugar mixture and ensure they are fully coated. Place the coated roll on top of the nut and butter layers. Repeat until the bottom of your pan is completely full. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan, these are going to rise A LOT!! The rolls can be next to each other, but not on top of each other.
6 – Take a piece of foil or plastic wrap and spray one side with non-stick spray. Place over the top of the pan to cover rolls (the cooking spray is so the rolls don’t stick to the foil after they rise). Place the pan in a cold oven or on the counter overnight and they will be ready to bake in the morning when you wake up!
The Next Morning
1 – REMOVE the pan from the oven first and then pre-heat the oven to 350°F. Remove the foil and bake for 30 minutes.
2 – Remove the pan from the oven and allow the pan to cool for a minute or two. Now you are going to flip the pan over onto a large plate or cake pan using potholders. I discovered my 9″ cake pan was perfect for these rolls and the lip keeps all that gooey cinnamon glaze on the rolls. BE CAREFUL because the pan and the rolls are REALLY hot!!!
3 – Allow the rolls to cool for about 5 minutes before serving and enjoy!
TIPS
1 – I use a silicone bundt pan, even going out to buy one specifically because EASY PEASY! Both removing the buns and clean-up.
2 – Because the rolls are frozen, they need time to thaw and rise. If you want to serve this for an afternoon cofffe klatch, you could put it together first thing in the morning and it would be ready to bake by mid-afternoon. Let the rolls rise at least 5 hours.
3 – If you’re serving in the morning, it’s easy to throw together right before bedtime and then when he get up, preheat that oven, bake and enjoy!
Since there was a super moon last night–or is it tonight? Whichever. Supermoon means it’s time to grab a Moonstruck Wolf story to read–or reread. I’m reaching back and snagging BLOOD & FIRE. As an EMT in Austin, TX, Celina Monaghan is all about the comfort food. And working shifts, she’s learned to plan–and execute–aheaqd. You can bed that Rhys Kendric is a big fan. Theirs is a courtship fraught with danger, mystery, and…well…blood and fire. And lots of moonlight. It will take a super blood moon to see these two to their Happy Ever After. Make up a batch of these sticky buns the night before. Come morning, grab the book–just click on a pic of the cover or the title, or open your ereader if you already own it. Put the sticky buns in the oven, pour a cuppa, sit back, and enjoy.
There was a weekend. That means it must be Monday. No soccer. A lot of baseball. Some college football. Some cleaning, thanks to PITA Pup. He decided one of the litter boxes was in his way so he dragged it out ono the area rug in the Florida room and dumped most of it. At least it was the clean one and he didn’t roll in it. Small favors. I did do some stuff on the book. I would say I wrote because…
Writing? What is this mysterious thing of which you speak? Yeah, I was a slug last week, despite good intentions. However, I did knuckle down both Saturday and Sunday–hence the reason I know today is Monday–and got through all the snippets and stray scenes, putting notes on them. Today, after morning coffee and piddling on the ‘net for a bit, I’ll switch to the corkboard view and move the scenes around so they are in some semblance of timeline order. At that point, I can start writing to fill in the blanks. This is my goal for today then the plan for the rest of the week is to write new stuff every day. We’ll see how that works out for me.
I finished off BONDED IN DEATH, the February release in JD Robb’s In Death/Eve Dallas series. The new one, FRAMED IN DEATH, dropped last month but I was doing marthon listening to other series. I used to go back to the beginning of In Death, NAKED IN DEATH and listen all the way through when there was a new release. with 61 books out now, that ain’t happenin’. Now I just go back a book or two to remind of what’s happened and where everyone is for the beginning of the new book.
I tried out my new crockpot. I think I’ve mentioned that I got lucky enough to be picked for the Hamilton Beach All-Star Ambassador group. Every so often, I get an email with a list of products. I can pick one, they ship it to me, I give it a good try-out, and write a review. I’ve loved several of the products and use them all the time. Sometimes, I really like the product but it gets less use due to lifestyle. The lastest one is a crockpot. Now, I already have a big ol’ crockpot. I also have a smaller one that came with a really small one. I don’t crockpot much but the new one is versatile. It has the larger “main” crock that is stoneware. Then it has to metal inserts so you can slow-cook two seperate dishes. I used the previous one mostly for pot roast, where everything got dumped in together. I’m intrigued by the idea of cooking meat and a side dish separately. I tried a skrit steak recipe with a mixed sice of new potataoes and “rainbow” carrots. The carrots are literally purple, orange, and yellow. I should have put the side on at the same time as the meat. Still, the meat was tasty and the sides were okay. They’d be yummy if given more time to cook. I’ll know next time. Bonus, the pans were easy to wash! I’ll be on the look-out for more recipes so I can use it more often. I need to write my review and send it off today. I did remember to take pictures. 😆
To top off our weekend, we splurged and ordered a pizza. It’s been a long time since both LG and I craved pizza at the same time. It was tasty. What about y’all? Any tasty treats? Exciting events? Good books? Plans for the week?
NEW RELEASE
NEW RELEASE
NOW AVAILABLE
Silver James 