Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I wish everyone a happy and safe New Year.

And that 2014 treats you better than 2013 did.

My Turn to Blog

It was my turn to blog on Romance Books 4 Us blog. 

http://romancebooks4us.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-christmas-story.html

 

Guest Blogger

Read what I wrote about writing and artwork: http://exquisitequills.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-genesis-of-book-matrix-crystal.html?showComment=1388051075393#c7820741304572959523

Merry Christmas

 Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Our kitty says, "Christmas? Wake me when it's over!"

My Thirty-Fourth Wedding Anniversary

Thirty-four years ago today, I married my husband.

 Happy anniversary, sweetheart.

We celebrated by going to see the movie the Hobbit: the Desolation of Smaug, and going out to eat at Red Lobster, which was a special treat for me since we hadn't been in years.

Christmas Kiss

My husband years ago bought a crystal Hershey's kiss. 

He fills it with Hershey's kisses each year then gives me a Christmas kiss.

Twelve Days of Christmas

I’m participating in the twelve days of Christmas event on Facebook.

Come join the fun.

There will be giveaways, contests and lots of books.

https://www.facebook.com/events/501036566670571/

I won the Nanowrimo contest!

I just validated my Nanowrimo story and I have won the nano contest.

Meme

I haven't done a Meme in years. So here it goes.

Trinity Blacio told me my number is 9.

 I have to post 9 things about me you might not know.

1. I've dyed my hair red since I was thirty-one because I was going gray that young.

2. Since I was little I hated to go to sleep. Even now, I'll start a project late as midnight so that won't be done until 2 or 3 in the morning.

3. I've had insomnia since I was a baby. No really. It's true. Our family doctor used to prescribe a sleeping medicine to put in my bottle.

4. I've dreamed all the stories I write, except for some of the short stories.

5. I'm a trained artist.

6. Matrix Crystal Hunters and Matrix Crystal Christmas have some of my artwork.

7. I didn't get to finish college.

8. I used to have sky blue eyes, then when I was seven, my eyes turned first brown and then finally green.

9. Last one. I have hobbit feet. Feet me something salty and I could play a hobbit with out their rubber feet.

Matrix Crystal Christmas

My new eBook, Matrix Crystal Christmas, which follows, Matrix Crystal Hunters, is now available: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GJCNBAY

Nanowrimo

I'm doing the nanowrimo again this year.

Things That Go Bump In the Night

Here's my post on Romance Books 4 Us about things that go bump in the night. With an excerpt from my just released novel, Matrix Crystal Hunters, and a three of my drawings. 

http://romancebooks4us.blogspot.com/2013/10/things-that-go-bump-in-night.html

Guest Post

I'm a guest on E.B. Walters blog.

http://enwalters.blogspot.com/2013/10/new-release-matrix-crystal-hunters-by.html?showComment=1381308613406#c8028524553441625042

My Newest Release: Matrix Crystal Hunters

Blurb: Team Alpha Three’s spaceship is out of power after fighting a wormhole, and parked on the primitive world of Zenevieva. With half the team sick from radiation poisoning, the team commander entrust geologist, Maya Gladstone, to find enough matrix crystals to power up their spacecraft, so they can go home to Earth.

Vach Namaste of the powerful Clan Namaste, a native of the planet, has desire the lovely Maya since she stepped off the spaceship on that astonishing day a year ago. He’s hounded her every step since. As Hymeneal Night approaches, he makes plans to take her as his bride… willing or not.

Excerpt: As promised, Maya bought another cheap tote so she wouldn’t damage her prize. Then she worked her way through the bazaar, buying supplies for the next day’s trip. As she went from tent to tent, hunting down the few veggies, fruit and other types of food that she could digest, she caught glimpses of the Zeeman following her. She tensed. What does he want with me?

She stalked completely round one of the tents to come face to face with him. Now’s my chance. “Why are you following me?”

“What? I don’t know what you mean.” He took a step back.

Maya grabbed a fistful of his dark brown robes. “Yes, you do. You've been dogging my steps from moment I set foot on your planet.” She suddenly noticed that the young man was bigger than she’d thought. His chest was deep and his shoulders broad. His arms were larger than Bobby’s and he worked out. And here I am, holding him by his clothes.

He stared at her hand. “I like you and want to get to know you. If you were one of my people, I would woo you.”

She realized his robe wasn’t made from the rough, homespun fabric used by the common Zeeman. Is he a clan lord? Maya loosened her grip on the silky material. “Who are you?”

He moved back and swept his arm down in an elaborate bow. “My name is Vach Namaste of the Namaste clan. It would please me if you remembered it.”

 With a flutter of his robes, he hurried away, weaving through the crowd. It wasn’t until he had disappeared that Maya realized that he’d been speaking to her in English.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~

Vach finally reached the edge of the bazaar, where he had tied up his steed. He patted its thick neck. “Hey, Brawley.” 

 His mount woke up with a snort, then lipped at his hand, demanding a treat. It was still standing in the same place that he left it and no one had bothered it. No one would dare touch a sherakey, not even this sleepy fellow. 

Reaching into a pouch, Vach dug out a sweet lump for his mount. Giving him the treat, Vach turned to see if the human female had followed. 

She hadn't. 

He felt disappointed. But she wasn't of his race and didn't understand the proper way to act. If she wanted him to woo her, she should have followed him. If she didn't, then she should have knocked him on his well-bred butt, just like the human guard had suggested. 

Vach had wanted this human female since he saw her step out of the spaceship on that astonishing day a year ago. Her blue eyes drew him closer. Her long, red hair made him want to run his fingers through it. Her curves sent flames of desire flickering through his body. 

He’d taken to coming into town regularly to stroll by the compound, just to see if she would be there. Today had been one of those rare good days when she was there to follow. He learned a little more about her each time. Now he knew she wanted to find something. If he knew what it was, maybe he could find it for her. 

Climbing up on the saddle, Vach clicked his tongue and his mount started down the dusty road toward the Namaste bachelor compound. He contemplated his plan for Hymeneal Night. Vach already knew from eavesdropping at the map seller’s tent that Maya would be out on the desert, all alone. 

 And then he’d get his chance to have her. 

For the kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FJ10W26

Happy Friday

Felines, friends, family, fun, Friday. Most good things start with "F"!

First day of Autumn

Today is the first day of fall. It rained here yesterday and the temperature lowered. I actually slept, for the first time in months, under a blanket.

How's the first day of fall for you?

Matrix Crystal Hunters

I have been sitting on some bad news that I received on Monday. One of my contracted book's publisher has closed it's doors and returned all my rights to me, but, also very generously gave me the edits on my story.

I'm going over the ms to tidy it up for self-publishing. Please look for Matrix Crystal Hunters on October first (same release date) for the kindle and paperback.

9/11

This year I'm not posting anything. I just want to ask for a moment of silence to remember the men and women who died that day. 9/11

Guest Post

I did a guest post on Lynda Frazier's Blog. I meant to post this earlier, but my WiFi decided to act up and I couldn't go online until now.

Please do me the favor of stopping by and leaving a comment.

http://lyndafrazier.blogspot.com/2013/09/persephones-song-anthology-guest-post.html?showComment=1378796246358#c5147546999515387700

Why Regency?

I'm a guest on Sapphire's Blog, talking about why I wrote a romance story set in the Regency Era. 

Please do me a favor and stop by and leave a comment. :)

http://sapphirephelanspassioncorner.blogspot.com/2013/09/romancing-on-friday-why-regency-guest.html?zx=c4a6222a8af90c43

Author Spot Light

I'm on Anne Lange's Blog as her Spot Light Author. Please drop by and leave a comment. I sure could use the support. 

http://authorannelange.com/2013/09/05/persephones-song-and-weather-witch/

Blog Post On Another Blog

My turn to post on Romance Books 4 Us blog: http://romancebooks4us.blogspot.com/2013/08/persephones-song-anthology-with-weather.html

My Short Story: Weather Witch

I'm thrilled to announce that Persephone's Song Anthology has been released on Amazon. It includes my story, Weather Witch. 

Weather Witch: Regency Nobleman Lord Godfrey is negotiating for a wife, until Meredith literally storms into the Manor. Then all bets are off as he tries to tempt the tempestuous nymph into marrying him.

Kindle US: http://www.amazon.com/Persephones-Anthology-Sweet-Romance-ebook/dp/B00ER6X66S/

Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Persephones-Anthology-Sweet-Romance-ebook/dp/B00ER6X66S/

Lost Kitty Found

Happy news.

My daughter heard what she thought was a kitten some how stuck in my landlords barn that's located behind our house. She tried to contract our landlord for the last two days. He and his wife were out of town and just got back a little while ago.

They showed up. "Kitty rescue, here to help," the wife said.

 Then the landlord opened the barn and he and his wife helped my daughter look for the kitty.

Turned out it was my daughter's missing cat, Freya.

She home, safe and sound but very thin after her adventure.

Blog Hop

I'm participating in a blog hop. Please stop by and leave a comment for a chance at a prize and a grand prize.

http://janiceseagraves.org/2013/08/08/ellas-turning-what-blog-hop/

Closet Space

I cleaned out my side of the closet of all my too small to wear, stained, or just shrunk up from the dryer clothes. I filled five shopping bags full. I didn't realized I had that many clothes. It took me two days and I have the sore arms and back to prove it.

Then in just a few minutes my oh-so-helpful husband removed the clothes that had ended up on his side, because I didn't have enough room, and added these clothes to my side.

Where did my room go?

Yup. Filled it right up.

Next weekend I'll have to start over. I guess I'll look for outdated clothes. God knows I have a lot of those.

Grammar Factoid

While I was at the bank today, the TV screen they have started mentioning factoids. It stated that punctuation wasn't used until the fifteenth century when the printing press was invented. Until then thewordsrantogetherlikethis.

However, as I did the research I found that wasn't exactly true. English has always used some form of punctuation, but it wasn't standardized until the invention of the printing press. In the ninth century, the Romans started using dots to separate words.

Later, a librarian in Alexandria became the first to coin the terms "comma," "colon," and "period," although they were very different from what we use today.

It's interesting to see how grammar evolved.

My Turn to Blog

It was my turn to blog on Romance Books '4' Us. I blogged about showing emotions on the page.

http://romancebooks4us.blogspot.com/2013/07/showing-emotion-on-page-by-janice.html

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl

Thirty-three years ago, I married my husband. Twenty-two years ago today, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Happy birthday, Sarah.

Guest blogged

I'm so sorry I got to this so late. I had errands to run until eight and just realized I hadn't post a link to my guest spot.

Please do me the favor of stopping by and leaving a comment. 

http://www.cindycarroll.com/blog/2013/07/25/windswept-shores-with-a-wild-boar-problem/#comment-3984

Mr. Coyote

Photo by ©Dennis Pepin bought through Fotolia

My mom told me something disturbing today. We both live out in the country, and there are wild animals that live out here too.

My mom was out early this morning and watched a coyote walk over to one of the neighboring farms. This neighbor had small dogs.

Not anymore.

The two little dogs ran over to the coyote and barked and barked. And Mr. Coyote gobbled them right down. Dumb dogs. When the half grown chickens started heading over into Mr. Coyotes direction, my mom went inside. She'd seen enough.

Animals are dumb.

Beetles

I've never been afraid of bugs. I used to play with the box my dad had behind the couch that had meal worm and black beetles (adult form of meal worms) that he used for fishing. He had them in a shoe box with saw dust and cut up potatoes to feed them. He also raised red worms and minnows.

I only call on my husband to kill a spider because he likes coming to my rescue (even though it's unnecessary).

Recently while doing some clean up in the yard, I disturbed millions of burgundy colored beetles with light colored legs that stunk like dirty feet. They were hiding behind some of my containers and under some left over fall leaves. There was so many of them that they made a noise just trying to get a way. I scooped as many of them as I could and dumped them in a big garbage can. One tried to get under my glove, but I got him.

For a while there I wished we still had out chickens, they would have had a feast.

Blog Hop When Spark Fly

I blogged with the When Sparks Fly Blog Hop. Please do me the favor of dropping by and leave a message for the chance to win a prize. 

http://janiceseagraves.org/2013/07/03/when-sparks-fly-blog-hop/

How to Make Your Book into a Page Turner

How to make your book a page turner: http://romancebooks4us.blogspot.com/2013/06/how-to-make-your-book-page-turner-by.html

Persephone's Song and Weather Witch

I'm so excited to share this.

Here's the cover for Persephone's Song Anthology. My story Weather Witch will be included in the anthology.

The release date is in July.

Eggs

I was grocery shopping the other day with my daughter. An egg cartoon I checked for cracked eggs had one egg with a tiny frowny face pained on it in yellow.

After studying it for a moment trying to decide if it was accidental or deliberate, I put it back and bought a different egg carton.

Sime~Gen Series

I'm reading the Sime~Gen series. Written in the late seventies and early eighties they are a bit telly and head hop. I'm reading them in order, but unfortunately they weren't written in order.

I'd read the first in the series, House of Zeor, just after it was first published in 1977, when I was in HS. It kept my interest all the way through. I thought I'd read it again and found it still captured my interest. I found that it's a series now, and I'm working my way through the books on kindle.

Weather Witch

Nearly finished with my second edits for my short story that will be out in July.

I'm so excited.

It's a short so I don't have a long blurb for Weather Witch: Lord Godfrey is negotiating for a wife, until Meredith literally storms into the Manor. Then all bets are off as he tries to temp the tempestuous beauty into marrying him.

Happy Memorial Day

Today in the States it's Memorial Day.

Most people celebrate by having a barbecue, watching sports or going camping. Usually this day falls on the first three day weekend when the weather is nice, and a lot of people use it for their first family vacation of the year.

However, Memorial Day is the day to remember all the men and women who died in military service.

Happy Memorial Day, Everybody.

Blog Post

It was my turn to post on Romance Books 4 Us Blog.

I wrote about books that last: http://romancebooks4us.blogspot.com/2013/05/janice-seagraves.html

Today in History Dracula was published

This day in history: May 26, 1897: When Bram Stoker's Dracula was published, 116 years ago today, it was already part of a vampire literary tradition dating back to the mid-18th century.

 There's a lot to be said for a book that's lasted and still read today for well over a hundred years.

I need your help.

The Sweaty Nights blog hop got canceled, and I set my post to draft but the darn thing launched anyway. So if you want a chance at a prize and some great free reads, I'm at: 

http://janiceseagraves.org/2013/05/23/sweaty-nights-blog-hop/ 

Chowchilla Fair

Went to the small fair in Chowchilla. Daughter and BF only wanted to ride two rides. Looked at some of the displays and the animals. Made it home with two treats: Kettle corn and cotton candy.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.

My mom and dad taken in 1982 at the Salton Sea CA, the year my father died.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.

We didn't have a lot of money growing up. My mom made a lot of my clothes. She went to the salvation army, bought like new dresses and took them apart, then pin a pattern down on the material. After cutting the pattern pieces out, she pin the pieces together and sew a new dress for my sister and I.

She got creative with meals too. Left over mash potatoes became potato patties. Fried chicken went a long ways, and so did stew which she warmed over on top of the stove.

My dad fished all the time. She learned to fry fish the way my dad liked, and he was fussy and demanding. She cooked three big meals a day from scratch each day.

She found time to be with my sister and me, took care of her parents and ran errands (even the extra ones my dad gave her), and taught Sunday school at church or helped out in a class.

She took care of my dad when he was diagnosis with colon cancer. Cooked him special meals that she'd hoped he could eat to build his strength. And tried to hold it together when he took a turn for the worst.

When I get bogged down with what I have to do, I remind myself that my mom didn't have a microwave or dishwasher. She also didn't pay bills on the Internet. But she still managed to keep things running smoothly at home.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's day to all the mothers out there.

Water Woes

Water problems this year. It seems to happen ever two to three years when you live out in the country. The well either needs to be purged, dug deeper or bugs have gotten into the wires and something got fried. 

Unfortunately, this time it was all three.

 Our landlord decided, since the well needs to be dug deeper that it would be cheaper to have our holding tank hooked up to the nice deep-deep well that waters the almond orchard.

Of course, that might mean we'll be without water for a couple of days. I reassured my hubby that we've toughed it out before and we could do it again.

 I woke this morning to no water. I flushed the toilet with water from a bucket. Washed up with bottled water. And had a sandwich for brunch, and then brushed my teeth with more bottled water.

 Love-love the good well people who dug a trench to the back forty and got it all connected. It only took a day.

We have water again.

 With much belching of yucky mud, air and then white misty stuff, the water finally settled down to clear, cool water! Lovely, lovely water. I took a shower, which put me in a good mood for the rest of the day!

What's With The Bugs

What is it with the bugs this year?

There was a cricket in the house for the last three nights. We looked for it but couldn't get it. It disturbed my daughter's rest until she left to sleep at a friends house.

 Last night it chirped so loud it bothered me as I wrote. If that wasn't enough, when I got ready for bed the darn thing followed me into the bathroom.

It hopped right underneath the door and right in front of me. The big black cricket sat there and stared at me.    As if it thought I'd scream or something. I guess the dumb thing expected me to act like a girly-girl, which I'm not.

Brazen, huh?

I grabbed one of my husband's reading materials, and hit it, twice.

May the Fourth Be With You

Today is the anniversary of Star Wars!

 Maybe you don't remember that day but I do.

Seeing Star Wars for the first time on the big screen was totally awesome. We'd never seen anything like it. The story telling was wonderful, the special effects, although primitive to CGI, was great!

And the music done by composer John Williams from 1977 to 1983 sent you right out of this world.

Big, Big Cockroach

I live in California and saw a huge black cockroach big enough to ride.

It saw me about the same time as I saw it. It zigged and I zagged, I hit it over the head with a bottle of toilet cleaner and thought I'd killed the sucker.

The next time I went to the bathroom, I saw a movement, it was the same damn bug.

I had to kill it again.

Two Blog Posts

Please stop by and read about how I put tension in my book. 

http://romancebooks4us.blogspot.com/

I need your help. I entered a blog hop that's been canceled, but I still have a prize and free down loads to give away. 

Please stop by and leave a comment.

http://janiceseagraves.org/2013/04/24/tortured-hero-blog-hop/
 

No Respect: Writing Romance

I don't mean to complain, but the problem with writing romance is there's no respect. It's one of the most sneered at genres out there, and yet it sell more than any other genre. 50 % of book sales are for romance books. 

I've been sneered at by family. From one of my BIL's who just heard that I had published a book, "Oh, it's probably one of those books with all the sex in it."

And an older SIL said, "My sister published a book too, but it wasn't like that... a romance. It's was a non-fiction, because she's a professional."

 On a critique group, that had a promo day, a member tore apart my published book with this comment: "This is why I hate romance."

 The only thing you can do is shake your head and move on.

Boston Marathon Bombings

My heart and prayers go out to the people at the Boston Marathon Bombings. That happened just yesterday and one day later it's already on Wikipedia.

Three people died.  Eight local hospitals reported that they were treating or had treated a total of more than 124 people, including at least 15 who were in critical condition on April 16. Most had lower body injuries, including losing one or both legs. Quite a few had exploded eardrums from the blast. At least one person had a brain injury.

Happy Belated Easter

We had an interesting Easter day.

I barbequed steak, peppers, hot dogs and soy dogs for my family as I watched the storm clouds blow in.

Lightning flickered across the horizon and thunder boomed overhead.

The weather had the cat and dog chasing each other around the yard, and around my feet.

I got everything off the grill just as it started to rain.

Once inside, I had to turn off the computer since the thunderstorm had arrived.

Lightning flickered all around the house.  Flashes lit up the windows. I smelled ozone. You know that smell when something burns out. Nothing burned out, but I think it was because of how much electricity was in the air.

We turned off the lights in the house at one point, so we could watch Mother Natures show.

Guest blogger

I have a guest on my website today. Please stop by and leave a comment: http://janiceseagraves.org/2013/03/31/guest-blogger-catrina-barton-on-finding-inspiration/

Blog Post

It was my turned to blog at Romance Books 4 Us blog:http://romancebooks4us.blogspot.com/2013/03/writting-matters-by-janice-seagraves.html

Swallowing Cinnamon

A new Yahoo trend is to swallow a spoon full of dry cinnamon in front of a camera and post it.

Kids don't do this, or dare anyone to do this. It's dangerous.

Dry cinnamon is strong, bitter and because it's a powder it can be accidentally inhaled. One girl inhaled some and her lungs collapsed. She nearly died.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

May those who love us love us. And those that don't love us, May God turn their hearts. And if He doesn't turn their hearts, May he turn their ankles, So we'll know them by their limping.

St. Patrick's Day Blog Hop

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I'm participating in a blog hop and posted a racy excerpt from my book. 

Please stop by and leave a comment, with your email addy, for a chance to win a prize.

http://janiceseagraves.org/2013/03/16/big-cocks-and-shamrocks/ 

Janice~

Some Good News

The second book in my Alien Heart Series was accepted by Keith Publications.

Good news along with the beautiful weather we've been having. Warm, and lovely clear blue skies with just enough puffy white clouds to make the view more interesting.

However, today I got woken up by a damn sea gull, screaming its head off.  It seems to be stuck up in the pine tree in front of our house.

Boy, is it ever lost!

Blooms 2013

Some of the reasons my allergies have been keeping me indoors.

It's beautiful, but I sneezed my head off for two weeks and hadn't felt like doing much.

Blog post on Romance Book 4 Us

It was my turned to post on Romance Books 4 Us blog. I compared American Idol to writing.

http://romancebooks4us.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-american-idol-is-like-writing.html

Guest Blog Post

I'm a guest blogger at Erin Bevan's Blog today, talking about my science fiction romance series: http://www.erinbevan.com/2013/02/author-of-week-janice-seagraves.html 

President's Day

If you live in the US, Happy President's Day.

Today we celebrate two great president's; George Washington our first president and the Father of our country, and my favorite Abraham Lincoln our Sixteen president, who freed the slaves.

Hearts On Fire Blog Hop

What sets your heart on fire? Post an answer for a chance at a prize.

http://janiceseagraves.org/2013/02/13/hearts-on-fire-giveaway-hop/ 

First Flight

Saw a cute short last night. My daughter has the Madigastar Valentine special, which had a short, call First Flight.

It's about a ridged OCD kind of guy, who breaks out of his routine to help a little bird learn how to fly.

After it ended, I thought the little bird might not remember the man who helped him, but the man will never forget the day he learned to let go and fly.

Heart Breaker Blog Hop

I'm participating in the Heart Breaker Blog Hop. 

Come over and leave a comment along with your email addy to win a prize. 

Post an answer to the question: What do you think makes a heart breaker?

http://janiceseagraves.org/ 

Shorts on Men

Short that are actually short and not down to men's knees might actually be coming back. On a trip to Fresno (CA), we saw a jogger wearing shorts that actually fit and showed his muscular legs. 

My daughter took a long look at the jogger. I grinned at her. "Not often you actually see a man's legs, huh?"

Writing Likable Characters

It's my turn to post on Romance Books 4 Us and I blogged about writing likeable characters:  http://romancebooks4us.blogspot.com/2013/01/likeability-by-janice-seagraves.html