Monday, December 30, 2013

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I wish everyone a happy and safe New Year.
And that 2014 treats you better than 2013 did.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas

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

Saturday, December 21, 2013

My Thirty-Fourth Wedding Anniversary

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

PhotoPhotoPhoto 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.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

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.

Sunday, December 08, 2013

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.

Friday, November 29, 2013

Thursday, November 14, 2013

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.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

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. 

Monday, September 30, 2013

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. 

Friday, September 27, 2013

Happy Friday

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





Sunday, September 22, 2013

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?

Friday, September 13, 2013

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.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

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

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Friday, September 06, 2013

Saturday, August 24, 2013

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.




Friday, August 16, 2013

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.


Tuesday, August 06, 2013

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.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

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.

Friday, July 26, 2013

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.


Thursday, July 25, 2013

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. 



Friday, July 19, 2013

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.

Sunday, July 07, 2013

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.

Thursday, July 04, 2013

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

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.
pscover333x500

Thursday, June 06, 2013

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.

Tuesday, June 04, 2013

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.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

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.

Monday, May 27, 2013

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

Sunday, May 26, 2013

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.

Friday, May 24, 2013

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/ 

Monday, May 20, 2013

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.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

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.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Friday, May 10, 2013

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!

Wednesday, May 08, 2013

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.

Saturday, May 04, 2013

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.

Thursday, May 02, 2013

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.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Two Blog Posts


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

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.

Monday, April 22, 2013

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.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

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.

Monday, April 01, 2013

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.

Monday, March 25, 2013

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.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

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.


Janice~

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

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!

Saturday, March 09, 2013

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.

Monday, February 18, 2013

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.

Monday, February 11, 2013

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.

Friday, February 08, 2013

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?



Sunday, February 03, 2013

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?"