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Sunday, April 27, 2025

Spilling the Tea in my stories by Janice Seagraves


I'm not talking about the gossip in my stories, but the tea the heroine drinks. 

I'm a huge tea drinker, and I have my heroines and sometimes the heroes drink tea in my stories. 

The tea is just one small detail that I add.

Sometimes I have my heroines favor a certain type of tea. Sometimes it's whatever tea is available to them.

In my first book, Windswept Shores, I have the heroine who's stranded on a deserted island in the Bahamas, drinking a weak tea from the same tea bag since she has no way to get more. 

In Empath's Ranch, the heroine in the last two stories (the first story is about her brother) drinks tea when her boyfriend takes her out. She might drink Coke, too. I'll have to read it again to be sure. 

I had planned on a future story in the Chronicles of Arcon to have a heroine who misses coffee but can't find a good substitute for her favorite drink. And then, she impulsively buys an Arcon, because he smells strongly of her favorite beverage: Mocha cappuccino with whipped cream. And when she kisses him, she gets a hint of it, too. So you can see where this would lead to some interesting situations. 

Unfortunately, I'm just not getting the sales for my series, so I'm going to wrap up the adventures of my Arcons heroes in a future novel. 

In Weather Witch, the heroine drinks fortified water. A detail I ran into while doing research and added to my story.

In the three-book series, I'm currently working on the heroine again favors tea. She makes it herself since it's a cheap drink and she's trying to save money. She lives in Los Angeles and things are expensive there. 


Here's an excerpt from my novel, Alien Rescuers, Chronicles of Arcon series. The heroine is drinking tea, but the Saber's meal is not what he expected at all. 

Saber kept his back stiff, but with a drumbeat of adrenaline pulsing through his veins. His hand twitched near where he’d normally carried a blaster when he still lived on Arcon. Will I need to fight our way out of here? 

“Don’t worry, we’re safe.” Mouse leaned back in the seat, nodding to the music.

“Are you sure about that?” he asked. The music consisted of a hard pounding beat with a slap and repetitive squeak. Not unlike someone jumping on a noisy bed. Saber wasn’t sure why Mouse enjoyed it.

A waiter brought them their order and set a glass of water and a plate with a single entree in front of Saber then placed a mug in front of Mouse.

She removed her gloves and wrapped her hands around the clear cup. “Oh, warm.”

Saber inspected his meal. “Is it meat or a vegetable?”

“Yes,” the waiter said before walking away.

What does that even mean? Saber poked the shiny, congealed, orange mass with the two-pronged fork. A ripple went through it.

“Huh, looks like they gave you some melted cheese,” Mouse said.

 He peered closer at the food on his plate. The thing was covered in roundish bumps which seemed to be quivering. That can’t be normal. “My meal…it’s alive.”

Mouse tucked a strand of his hair under the cap. She relaxed into her seat to sip her tea and stared over the rim at him. “Your imagination is working overtime. Try to enjoy your food.”

Round, yellow eyes opened to stare at him. The congealed substance started to propel itself along like a larva to the edge of the plate.

“What the—?” The section with eyes reared up to glare at him. Saber straightened with a grunt, gesturing to his food. “Does that appear to be my imagination to you?”

When the orange thing twisted to glower at her, she recoiled. “Shit. It’s alive.”


For the kindle: Amazon.com: Alien Rescuers: Chronicles of Arcon eBook : Seagraves, Janice: Kindle Store

B&N: Alien Rescuers by Janice Seagraves | eBook | Barnes & Noble®

Smashwords: Alien Rescuers


Thursday, March 27, 2025

Writing Goals for 2025 by Janice Seagraves



Currently, I'm working on a new series, an urban fantasy.

Here's the tagline: When the Magic Surge unleashes chaos into an unprepared world, modern technology collapses, paving the way for magic, mayhem—and a fight for survival.

That's the idea behind my new series. 

Unfortunately, I plan on shopping it around to a publisher instead of self-publishing this one, so I can't tell you more than that.

Wish me luck. :)


Thursday, February 27, 2025

It may be time to say goodbye by Janice Seagraves

 


I'm talking about my writing goals for 2025

It may be time to say goodbye to the Arcons.

Sadly, I'm just not making the sales I wanted with my Romance Sci-Fi series Chronicles of Arcon. 

I plan to wrap things up with one last book and call it done. 

It may be out next year, I'm not sure yet. 

The next one will be called Alien Awakening. 

If you've enjoyed the Chronicles of Arcons and wish for the stories to continue, now is your chance. Please buy the books, post a review, and tell your friends. 

Until the next book, please buy my newest release:


The night before he’s to be sold in a slave auction, the Arcon, Saber Daystar, is rescued by the human, Mouse, an independent scrappy thief.
Zinnia Field, a.k.a. Mouse, needs the hunky Arcon’s remarkable night-sight to help her steal information on where her mentor is being held prisoner.
As they race to the rescue, will the sparks that fly between them get in the way of the rescue attempt?

Amazon.com: Alien Rescuers: Chronicles of Arcon eBook : Seagraves, Janice: Kindle Store

Saber Daystar had an itchy, creepy sensation crawling up his spine. His attention swung to a pair of piercing blue eyes, watching him intently through a small hole in the window. He gave a start then scrambled to his feet. Someone’s outside my window? “How did you...? That window is constructed from thick, escape-proof plas-glass.

“Never mind how,” said a female in a soft voice. “Is it true Arcons can run fast, make excellent bodyguards, and see well in the ultraviolet range?”

“Who are you?” He approached the window with tentative steps. “What are you up to?”

“Answer my question then I’ll answer yours,” she shot back.

“Seems an odd way to inspect the slaves for tomorrow’s auction. So, you checked the auction catalogue and found me. The last Arcon in the galaxy.” He peered through the opening, observing the female’s button nose and fringe of brown hair.

“Hell no. I hate slavery.” She moved so she could stare at him with one eye then arched an eyebrow. “You’re wasting time.”

“An exchange of information then?” He paused. What do I have to lose? “My people can see in the dark and well into the ultraviolet. We are known for our speed and fierce in our duty.  Your turn. Now start talking.”


Awesome sauce, that’s exactly what I need.” She bounced up and down. “I’ve got a laser cutting tool that burns through all this shit. So, do you want to get out of here or what?”


Monday, January 27, 2025

Alien Rescuers is Published by Janice Seagraves

 I published Alien Rescuers on Christmas Eve. 

Yay me!

I also went a little overboard making book trailers.

Alien Rescuers: Chronicles of Arcon


Find on Smashwords: Alien Rescuers


The night before he’s to be sold in a slave auction, the Arcon, Saber Daystar, is rescued by the human, 
Mouse, an independent scrappy thief.
Zinnia Field, a.k.a. Mouse, needs the hunky Arcon’s remarkable night-sight to help her steal information on
where her mentor is being held prisoner.
As they race to the rescue, will the sparks that fly between them get in the way of the rescue attempt?

Book trailers:

Friday, December 27, 2024

Coming Soon---Alien Rescuers by Janice Seagraves

 I'm on the final edits and the cleanup. 

It'll be publishing soon. 

Now I just got to figure out which day. I'm leaning towards Christmas Eve. 

When this posts, you should see Alien Rescuers on Amazon.


Blurb: 

The night before he’s to be sold in a slave auction, the Arcon, Saber Daystar, is rescued by the human, Mouse, an independent scrappy thief.

Zinnia Field, a.k.a. Mouse, needs the hunky Arcon’s remarkable night-sight to help her steal information on where her mentor is being held prisoner.

As they race to the rescue, will the sparks that fly between them get in the way of the rescue attempt?


Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Update on my next book by Janice Seagraves

 I just sent back the first professional edits on Alien Rescuers. I have to say "professional edits" since a lot of writers are calling revision editing or self-editing. I always hire an editor for my books before I self-publish. 

I'm not sure when I will be publishing Alien Rescuers, but it might be in December. I never set a deadline since something unexpected can and does happen. 

So hopefully, the next edits will go just as well as the first and I can get my next baby out there.


Stay tuned.


Thursday, October 17, 2024

Autumn How I Love Thee! Let Me Count The Ways.

 Autumn is the best season. Why? For numerous reasons. So what are those reasons? 

  1. The season is made for books. It’s the perfect weather to curl up in a chair and lose yourself in a book.
  2. Sweater Weather. Sweaters are cozy and can feel like a hug. 
  3. The cool, crisp weather. The very air brushes against your cheek and has your body at the perfect temperature so you’re not sweating or forced to wear a bulky coat. 
  4. The changing leaves are nature’s painting—vibrant in a way that reminds me of a lovely fire. 
  5. Hot chocolate. Some might say this is the season of pumpkin spice and it is everywhere. But I hate pumpkin and most definitely pumpkin spice. Yuck! But if you are a lover of the P.S. then you are overjoyed. 
  6.  Halloween. I’m not a big fan of dressing up in costumes but I love watching the horror movies and the bags of candy that I buy to hand out but end up eating so I must replenish the supply. 

What about Autumn do you like? Did I list your favorite aspect of the season or do you have something to add? 

Friday, September 27, 2024

Revising by Janice Seagraves

 I've been revising the next book in the Chronicles of Arcon series.

Yesterday, I went through and changed all the "shrugs". Not as many as I was afraid it was.

Then I looked up all the "looked" and it was a lot. I changed them to glanced, gaze, stare, and only kept like ten "look" that was in sentences like, "look, I'm only going to..."

Lastly, I looked for felt and feel. Sadly, I used more than I thought I did. And I know better!

Next, I'm working on "and"...and it's a lot, too.  :( 


Keep an eye out for the next book in the Chronicles of Arcon series. Coming soon.



Wednesday, September 18, 2024

It's the Season!

 


Autumn, oh, Autumn how I love you. Out of the four seasons, fall is the best season. You may disagree but I can say that you are wrong. Sorry. So, why have I fallen for fall? For numerous reasons and those reasons are:  

  1. The season is made for books. It’s the perfect weather to curl up in a chair and lose yourself in a book.
  2. Sweater Weather. Sweaters are cozy and can feel like a hug.
  3. The cool, crisp weather. The very air brushes against your cheek and has your body at the perfect temperature so you’re not sweating or forced to wear a bulky coat. 
  4. The changing leaves are nature’s painting—vibrant in a way that reminds me of a lovely fire. 
  5. Hot chocolate. Some might say this is the season of pumpkin spice and it is everywhere. But I hate pumpkin and most definitely pumpkin spice. Yuck! But if you are a lover of the P.S. then you are overjoyed. 
  6. Halloween. I’m not a big fan of dressing up in costumes but I love watching the horror movies and the bags of candy that I buy to hand out but end up eating so I must replenish the supply. 


What about Autumn do you like? Did I list your favorite aspect of the season or do you have something to add? 

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Cover Reveal by Janice Seagraves

 

My next book in the Chronicles of Arcon series. 

Coming soon.

Alien Rescuers

By Janice Seagraves

Tagline: Someone needs rescuing—but who’s rescuing who?

The night before he’s to be sold in a slave auction, the Arcon, Saber Daystar, is rescued by the human, Mouse, an independent scrappy thief.

Zinnia Field, a.k.a. Mouse, needs the hunky Arcon’s remarkable night-sight to help her steal information on where her mentor is being held prisoner.

As they race to the rescue, will the sparks that fly between them get in the way of the rescue attempt?


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