Wednesday Words: Whistler’s Mother

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Silver James

This snippet is a combination of prompts. The THEME for #1LineWed today is **WHSITLING**. The prompt for last week’s Thursday Threads flash fiction challenge was “How tough would that be?”  And sometimes, a plan just comes together and this scene fell into place for CROSSFIRE.
****
“What is it you want us to do?” Tank asked.

The man presumably in charge didn’t hesitate. “Blow up the bridge.”

Silence followed before Dalton asked, “How tough would that be?”

The big explosives expert checked the small amount of available C4 then studied the structure with a knowing eye. “We might be whistling in the dark but there’s a chance.”

Dalton glanced back at the group of Ukrainians he now secretly called the Irregulars. These men and women were part of a civilian defense force. They’d stayed behind to help refugees, like the ones huddled in the woods higher up the mountain, and to defend their beloved country. Most of them were young and he couldn’t help but think about Red Dawn, the movie about America getting invaded and a group of high school kids turning into guerrilla fighters up in the Rocky Mountains. He liked the original version with Patrick Swayze. He grinned. “Then lets get this done.”

Two hours. Kin heard them first—the muffled diesel engires and the squeaking treads of the tanks. Everyone hunkered down to finish waiting.

As the first tank in the column neared the end of the bridge, Tank pressed the little box in his massive hand. At first, nothing happened and then… It started with a rumble. The lead tank stopped. Heads popped out of turret and driver hatches. In slow motion, the bridge shuddered. Swayed. Crumbled. Tanks plummeted into the gorge.

The Ukrainians cheered and Dalton raised a triumphant fist, yelling, “Wolverines!”

Tank gave him the side-eye. “Seriously? You went there?”

Grinning broadly, Dalton punched the big man on his massive biceps. “Tell me you didn’t think the same thing.”

Both men were grinning now, fists raised and punching into the cold, mountain air, yelling in unison, “WOLVERINES!”
****
There you have it. A slight spoiler maybe but y’all know that my guys are always blowing up something because that’s what they do. Writers, any whistles you want to share? Readers? Can you whistle? I can’t actually. It’s frustrating but whatever.

[EDIT] FYI: This blog was set up last week so I’m basically still “off blog duty” and probably will be tomorrow too. That said, Friday’s Sinema is also “preset” and ready to go. Sometimes I get ahead of myself. 😉

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Tuesday Time-Out

Posted on April 5, 2022 by Silver James

I’m taking the day off. Not from writing but the blog. A couple of reasons–I don’t really have a recipe or a book to tout at the moment, and I totally need to focus whatever brain cells I can muster toward getting books revised and back up. No books fixed and reuploaded means no sales. No sales means no coffee and NO ONE wants to see how ugly that can be. Me without coffee? **SHUDDER** Anyway…

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April Flowers on a Monday

Posted on April 4, 2022 by Silver James

Welcome to Spring, since this is the first Monday of April. We’ve had a few showers–but neet morre! And my daffodils FINALLY burst into bloom. I have a bumper crop this year and those yellow blooms nodding in the breeze make me smile every time I look out the window.

Saturday was siren test and lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant. It was a beautfiul day, the food was awesome, and Jake was a good boy. I always laugh–inside–when we leave and other diners realize that this giant furbaby has been there all along. Sadly, Baseball Boy had to miss it. He was coaching in a tournament but getting time with Only and Stormy was all kinds of awesome.

In writing news, I have my letter of revisions of rights, though I’ll admit I haven’t checked to see if the books have come off sale on Amazon yet. I had one of the books ready to go (SEAL Moon) except for updated back matter and then…I lost it. Don’t ask me how. The internet swallowed it. The cloud rained. My computer ate it and didn’t spit it back out. I’d added over 3K words to the book and those are words I’ll never find again. So, being all up in my head, I tabled that book and started on the book that was the first one orginally published. While all four are part of my Moonstruck Wolf world and share some characters, they are stand alone stories. Anyway, the problem with RESCUE MOON was figuring out the military group (originally a Delta Force team created by Susan Stoker, since I was writing by invitation ). In the other three books, it will be easy enough to insert my Hard Target team. But they aren’t “active duty” military. So, I had to create new characters. And darn if that didn’t take me a heckin’ longer time than I thought it would. Why? Because I’m trying to make them like real characters, ie. dimensional. Not to say that Susan’s weren’t but the original books were aimed at her readers and they already knew her characters. These four books, like MONTANA MOON, CRASH & BURN, and BLOOD & FIRE, will be all mine now.  So, it’s taking awhile. Everything else is only hold because I don’t get paid if I don’t sell books and I don’t sell books if they aren’t available for sale. So, there ya go.

In sports news, my Cowgirls are rockin’ the softball diamond. They’re currently ranked #8 in the nation. They played Baylor over the weekend and the games were televiased, including Satruday night’s game on big ESPN. My Cardinals are having a typical spring–win some, lose some, lots of picthing changes and subtstitutions on defense. It gives invitees a chance to shine and gives the starters both time to practice but also rest so lest chance of injury. Opening day is this weekend and I’m ready! And yes, I’ll be all boring as I wax on about my sports infatuation.

In TV news, our main U-Verse box died. We could still get TV with the two “regular” boxes hooked to the other TVs. We got the replacement box in a few days and everything is mostly copacetic now. Sadly, we lost all of the DVR’d shows. There’s something to be said for those shows to be up in the cloud but, hey, my revisions were supposed to be there too and oops. Whatever. Luckily, we didn’t lose the master list of shows that are supposed to automatically record. Still, I went in and changed some of those shows’ settings from first run to all. I’ll delete the ones I’ve already seen. Yes, technology was not my friend last week.

In reading news, I finished off the Pride and Honey Badger Chronicles series. Laurenston’s characters always make me laugh. I’m now into a relisten of Suzanna Wright’s Phoenix and Mercury Packs series. They are entertaining but also rather dark and dirty. I tend to skim through the sexy bits at this point. I did mention relisten, yes?

And that’s my update for this slightly rainy Monday. Jake and I have Wallyworld and then we’re pick up Liam from school for a visit until his parents get stuff done. I have hopes of getting many words added and revised between my trips out into the world. Dang but I have having adult on a Monday. 😉 How about y’all? Do you have to adult today?

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Friday Sinema: Rednecks

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Silver James

It might be April Fool’s Day but I’m not jokin’ about this–or tryin’ to prank y’all. I admit it. I was born and raised around rednecks. And I do love me some country music–especially when it comes to Brantley Gilbert and Jason Aldean. So…when this new video popped up, I knew I had to share because…yeah. When you get right down to it, rednecks work for a livin’. And the livin’ can be good, especially with these two singin’ about it. Have a great weekend!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Challenges

Posted on March 31, 2022 by Silver James

Sometimes, the biggest challenge facing a writer isn’t figuring out who the characters are, what comprises their chracter arcs, the turning points in the plot, the opening line and the final end. Nope. Sometimes, the biggest challenge is actually sitting down at a computer (or a with a pen and notebook for those who write old school) and creating words that flow from the brain to the fingertips. There are lots of people who think they can write a book but there’s few of us that do. It’s work. Good thing we love our work, right? Well, at least most of the time. Anyway, as usual, the Universe has something to add to the discussion.

Silver, each challenge adds to the suspense, adds to the mystery, adds to the chaos, adds to the possibilities, adds to the romance, adds to the adventure, adds to the joy.

And I say anything that adds to the joy should be embraced.

Cool?
The Universe
©www.tut.com

There’s nothing challenging that has ever happened in your life, Silver, that one day you won’t look back upon with deep gratitude.

Sometimes, writing is the biggest challenge of all. But you know what? Those of us who are driven to tell the stories floating around in our heads, we have no other choice. So we channel those challenges into the challenge of creating a story that other will want to read, and if we’re lucky. they’ll enjoy they story, recommend it to others, and buy the other books we’ve written. Writers live on creativity but we also need the sell books to meet the challenge of living–like paying bills and putting food on the table. Still, whenever I finish the challenge of writing a book, I am deeply grateful that the words still come. Because I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life. What’s your challenge today and are you grateful for anything?

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Wednesday Words: Star Power

Posted on March 30, 2022 by Silver James

Time needs to slow down! How can it be Wedneday again? *sigh* Anyway, it is and that means new words based on a #1LineWed prompt.  I’ve noticed a trend the past few weeks. First, there was “banner.” Then there was “spangled.” And today’s theme? **THE STAR**. Hrmm. Me thinks there might be something to this. :roll” This snippet is hot off the keyboard so ignore the typos and it’s fairly self-explanatory. This scene happens a bit deeper in the book, as the Hard Target team on the ground herds this group of orphans across the Carpathian mountains in western Ukraine, trying to get them to safety in Moldava. Our hero and heroine are still getting to know each other.
****
The light fall of snow stopped about the time they halted and made camp. By the time a shelter had been built for the kids and they’d been fed, the clouds overhead had cleared. Kin leaned against a fallen log. He dozed off yet still aware, as soldiers in light combat sleep were, of any movement around him. He didn’t open his eyes as a body settled beside him. He knew who it was from the fragrance of blooming heather. He lifted an arm so she could snuggle against him. She did so, immediately. Kin managed to not smile.

“Are you asleep?”

He considered snoring as a response but didn’t. “Not now, lass.”

“I’m sorry.” She pushed away but he tightened his arm around her shoulders.

“Don’t be.”

“Well, still. I didn’t mean to wake you. I know how hard you guys are working to keep us safe. Sleep is a luxury.”

“Aye. It can be.”
She nestled her head on his shoulder and looked up into the dark sky. Raising a hand, she pointed. “See

that?”

He followed the position of her finger. The star she indicated was the brightest in the myriad lights scattered across the blackness of space.

“Yes.”

“That’s the star we followed. Petro told the children that it would lead them to a place where there was food and warmth and people who would love and take care of them.”

“All of them are orphans?”

Meg nodded. “Sadly, yes. Some were placed in the orphanage due to their disabilities. Don’t get me wrong. I think their parents were just too poor to be able to get them the care they needed. And until the war started, they were taken care of.”

“And the others?”

“Some were rescued from a hospital that the Russians bombed. The doctors and nurses were overwhelmed so Petro and I ended up with those who weren’t quite so sick.”

“Their parents?”

“A few died there in the hospital during the bombing. Others were killed out on the street in other incidents.”

She felt his muscles tensed and she patted his chest. “Yes. The Russian leadership is made up of nothing but butchers. But at the same time, there was a group of Russian soldiers who gave us fresh water and a little food, even though they had almost no rations themselves. I don’t think many of them knew what they were getting into. And I don’t believe the majority of the Russian people have any clue about what’s actually going on.”

Kin remained silent, mulling that over for a few minutes. “Aye. When ya live in a totalitarian state that controls everything you see and hear and where any who might disagree get disappeared…” He let the thought trail off.

“Yeah,” Meg agreed softly.

“How did you end up here?”

She huffed out a quickly swallowed laugh. “I went to see a man about a dog.”
****
And I wonder what kind of dog she’s talking about? Anyway, the words are still coming slow but they are coming. Forward progress is always a good thing and I’m hopeful that this book will be ready for release by the end of April. 🤞🏼 Writers, do you have any starry words to share? And readers, whose your favorite movie/TV star? Ha! Thought I’d throw a curve ball here. LOL

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Tuesday Treats & Titles: Baked Ravioli with Tomato Sauce

Posted on March 29, 2022 by Silver James

Sometimes, you just want something hearty that’s a little spicy and gooey but very easy to fix and serve because time is short and you’re hungry. This is the perfict dish to whip up.

Total Time: 45 Min.
Prep Time: 15 Min.
Cook Time: 30 Min.

8 servings

Make the most of refrigerated ravioli with our Baked Ravioli with Tomato Sauce. This Baked Ravioli with Tomato Sauce takes 15 minutes to prep for the oven.

What You Need
1 tub (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese Spread
2 Tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 can (14 oz.) no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup water
2 green onions, finely chopped
1 pkg. (9 oz.) refrigerated cheese ravioli, uncooked
2 Tbsp. KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

Let’s Make It
1 – Heat oven to 400ºF.
2 – Mix cream cheese spread, milk and seasonings in medium bowl until blended. Add next 3 ingredients; mix well. Add ravioli; stir gently to evenly coat.
3 – Spoon into 8-inch square baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; cover.
4 – Bake 30 min., uncovering and sprinkling with Parmesan for the last 5 min.

Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – For Easy Cleanup: Baking the filled baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet (placed on the oven rack) catches any sauce that might bubble over the sides of dish as the casserole bakes.

Tip 2 – Note: For best results, use medium-size square ravioli.

Tip 3 – Variation: Prepare using your favorite refrigerated ravioli, such as meat or spinach.

Tip 4 – How to Prevent Foil from Sticking to Top of Baked Casserole
Spray the foil with cooking spray to help prevent it from sticking to the cheese on top of the baked casserole.

My Tip: I don’t do tomatoes. Tomato sauce? Yeah, but nothing with seeds or skin. Anyway, I’ll be using a large can of tomato sauce when I make this.

For those of you who grow veggie gardens, I bet you could use some fresh tomatoes, as long as you add some water to them. Just a thought. Anyway, you know the drill. Just CLICK ON OVER to My Food and Family for all the details. This recipe is one that several heroines have swiped but the first was Lainey Walker. Between feeding her little brothers, trying to finish her business degree with hopes of a CPA and dancing at Chasin’ Tail, this was a great solution. The twins ate it up, her mother and older brother–both total jerks–didn’t complain, and once she hooked up with Hollywood Hilton, the Wolf is always happy to indulge. If you’d like to read how they hooked up, grab NIGHT MOVES from the Nightriders MC series. Just click on a pic with the cover, or the title. You can also go to BOOKS2READ to see all the on-line bookstores where it’s available. What about y’all? Is Italian a year-round staple or mainly for the colder months?

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Monday Madness

Posted on March 28, 2022 by Silver James

I’m not a fan of round ball–ie. basketball. I played a little back in the day, under duress. As a result, I don’t pay much attention to brackets when March Madness rolls around. This year? I have to admit to giggling often when I catch a sports report because EVERYONE’S bracket got blown all to hell and back. Go Cinderella! Show ’em how to dance. And yes, I am talking about the men’s side of the bracket because unlike others, I can define both what a man is AND and woman. Anyway…

The weather turned out really nice over the weekend. Made me a happy camper, especially since I have to out into the backyard and stand around with Boone while he does his thing. I’ve been finding a sunbeam and soaking up some Vitamin D.

I am catching back up to my reading/listening goals to meet my 2022 challenge. I’ve read 32 of 150 books and I’m only 3 books behind schedule now. Yesterday, I finished up Shelly Laurenston’s Pride series. She has a way with silliness and shifters. I’ve rolled over into her follow-on series, The Badger Chronicles. I have to admit, I do have a soft spot in my heart for the honey badgers.

There was writing. A bit more than the previous week but still not up to my par. Ah well. All new words are appreciated and I’m still liking the ones Im typing. I get the rights to the rest of the Moonstruck Wolf books set in Susan Stoker’s world on Friday. I REALLY need to get on the ball and get all of them ready for reupload once they disappear from Amazon. Yes, I am taking them wide. I really need to brain this week.

LOTS of softball and baseball this weekend! My OSU Cowgirls rocked their conference series against Texas Tech. The Cowboys also had a good weekend. OU gave all their fans a heart attack yesterday. They were 0-0 against Baylor until the 6th inning when Baylor scored. OU was down to their last out in the bottom of the 7th and they managed to get 2 on base (FINALLY) and then the batter hit a walk-off three-run homer. Whew! And this from a team that’s run-ruled teams 24 times this year. On the pro side, My Cardinals were a mixed bag but it’s spring training and a late start at that. They’ll be ready by opening day in April. I ❤ spring sports!

LG had an early morning trip to the ER Sunday. Boone nailed him in the eye with a paw/claws and he (LG) has two abrasions–on the iris and the white. He has meds and is supposed to take things easy. Poor LG. He gets the brunt of Boone’s activities.

Gotta brag on The Only again. The advertising agnecy she works for has some awesome clients–several tribes, the Murray Bombing Museum and Memorial, and the state’s largest “local” banking group. She’s gone from head archivist to Director of Creative Services and they are also utilizing her amazing photographer skills. She also has good ideas. See, that bank bases it’s commercials on local history and she had a suggestion for when they did a commercial for the city of Muskogee. Well, no commercial yet, but the bank picked her idea for their “Loyal TV” channel. Y’all go check out The Native Modernist. Only’s first degree is an Assciates in Indian Art from Bacone College. Her mentor was Ruthe Blalock Jones, a renowned Native American artist, who was mentored in turn by Dick West. When Only graduated, Ms. Jones presented her with a set of paint brushes orginally owned by West. Anyway, y’all know how proud LG and I are of her.

On that note, it’s Monday and my madness consists of my weekly trek through Wallyworld. Jake is ready to go so time for me to get out there and people. Lord help us all! 😉 Anyboyd do something fun this weekend?

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Friday Sinema: Songs, Storms, Shrouds…

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Silver James

And DRAGONS! Today’s sinema is in celebration of my friend B.E. Sanderson’s new release SONG OF STORM AND SHROUD. This is epic fantasy at its most epic. After reading it, I descripbed it as a sort of medieval Harry Potter. If fantasy is your thing, this one is for you. And did I mention there’s a dragon!?!?! I’m also a big Lindsey Stirling fan and this early piece of hers is the perfect video for this book. Once you read it, you’ll understand why! Anyway, go grab your copy by clicking on the title and enjoy the video. Have a great weekend.

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Reasons

Posted on March 24, 2022 by Silver James

There’s not much I can do to change the world so I’m getting back to what I do–writing. And musing on the art and craft of writing. See, there is two parts to doing this job. First, writers need to know and understand the craft. Story structure, character development, plot…well, plotting. Every story–whether a short story, novella, short novel, novel, or epic tale–must have a beginning, a middle, and an end. And guess what. Each of those parts also has a…yup, you got it–a beginning, a middle, and an end. Only in the writing game, we call those parts “turning points.” Those are the twists and hints that keep a reader turning pages. Craft is the nuts and bolts of writing. The more entertaining part is the art of writing. Art is the creative part of the process. It’s thinking, the plotting, the naming and describing of characters and places. It’s designing the story that allows you to paint it with words. And what does it take to stitch all of this together? In a round-about way, the Universe has the answer.

There’s always a deeper reason, Silver, for the emotions you feel, the doubts you have, the questions you raise, and the fears you entertain.

It’s called “wanting it all.”

What a system, huh?
The Universe
©www.tut.com

And you are sooooo close, Silver!

I’m alway close. But the Big U is correct. There is always a deeper reason, more emotion, more doubts and questions and fears. This is true of both creator and creation. We all have our doubts as we write, and never more so than when we release a book into the wild. But it’s important to take all those feeling and infuse them into the story. It’s that deep dive that takes our work from just a story we tell our friends to a novel that is worthy of publication and being read by strangers. And isn’t that the rush? When a stranger buys your book, reads it, and enjoys it enough to leave a good review… Yeah. That makes the rollercoaster worthwhile.

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