Weather Witch by Janice Seagraves

One of the themes for this month is castles. I only have one story with a castle in it, Weather Witch. It's part of Persephone's Song Anthology. 

Blurb: Janice Seagraves takes us to Regency England where Lord Godfrey negotiates for a wife in "Weather Witch." When Meredith, the weather witch, storms in she provides Godfrey with interesting possibilities, but will she embrace a chance to let go of her past and find happiness for her future?

Excerpt (after Lord Godfrey helps Meredith save her son from kidnappers):

"Thank you." Meredith glanced sidelong at him. "For helping me."

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"I think we make a great team." Lord Godfrey walked beside her. "After we wed, I think we should retrieve the bow of your father's ship. I have an alcove in my garden where we can place it. Then, when we go for our evening stroll, you can place flowers in front of it."

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"That's very thoughtful, but I didn't agree to marry you." She strode faster, but kept her face turned away from him.

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He trotted to keep up. He wasn't sure, but he thought she hid a smile. "There's a lovely beach beside my castle that can be reached by way of the secret passageway I told you about. The other way to get there is a bit of a walk, but worth it. I keep a sculpture of Poseidon there."

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"You do?" She glanced at him.

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"Yes, complete with trident. I thought he'd see it as a kindness and not send any rough winter storms to tear down my castle."

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She snorted. "You're a fool."

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He arched an eyebrow. "Now is that a nice way to address your betrothed?"

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"I didn't say I was marrying you." She shook her head. "And my mother-in-law already told me she didn't agree to it either."

"That's not a no." He smirked. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Find Weather Witch and the other wonderful stories in Persephone's Song Anthology on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Persephones-Anthology-Sweet-Spicy-Romance-ebook/dp/B00ER6X66S/

Janice Seagraves's website: janiceseagraves.org

It's Raining in my Books by Janice Seagraves

I enjoy the rain, spring and the planting season. It's raining right this minute and I'm loving it.

 Photos owned by Janice Seagraves

I've added rain as a scene element in most of my stories. The weather is nearly a secondary character in Windswept Shores, while Megan and Seth struggle to survive on a deserted island in the Bahamas, and in Weather Witch, Meredith, shows her emotion in a most singular way, the weather. 

In my current release, Matrix Crystal Hunters, a science fiction romance, it's the start of the rainy season on the distant planet of Zenevieva. On a trek out to the badlands, Vach and Maya get caught in the rain, but my favorite scene comes just after.

Blurb for Matrix Crysal Hunters:

The trail seemed to go on forever. Puddles reflected the dark gray sky. The air had a fresh-scrubbed smell, which contrasted with the earthy scent of the damp ground.

Several hours later, Maya checked her watch. Twelve o’clock. Which could mean it was closer to ten, since the Zeeman day had twenty-two hours and her watch used Earth’s twenty-four hour cycle. A hooded Zeeman stood not far off, staring at her. She stared back, wondering if it was a herder. But where was his flock?

Several more Zeeman-shaped figures were standing in a group, not far away, but their cloaks didn’t appear to be being stirred by the fretful wind. Maybe they weren’t Zeemen at all. Statues of some sort?

Later, she spotted one ahead of her, near the road. As she rode closer, she saw that it was a stone pillar of some kind. Zeeman-shaped, but much larger, maybe ten to twelve feet in height. She looked it up and down, trying to find carvings or letterings, but there were none.

She turned over the possibilities in her mind, finally coming to the conclusion that these must be the roots of long dead trees and bushes encased in limestone jackets. A few miles down the road, more of these pillars filled the landscape. The standing stones seemed to be watching her, from out on the flat plane. A shiver went down Maya’s back. Creepy.

Vach waited for her at the next rest stop. His nasty sherakey had been tied up at the far side, with a bush to chew on. Brawley made his way into the clearing, and Vach held his arms up, so he could help Maya dismount. She pulled a leg over the huge saddle horn and slid off into his arms.

Vach caught her, laughing. “Got you.”

She smiled. “Yes you do. Now, can you kindly help me walk? I’m as stiff as a board.”

“Of course.” He half-carried her over to a picnic table and bench set.

She let out a groan as she sat on the hard, ironwood surface.

“The ride will get better.” He rubbed her back.

Maya looked at him. “Promise?”

“It will.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

US, Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FJ10W26

UK, Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Matrix-Crystal-Hunters-ebook/dp/B00FJ10W26/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1380662336&sr=1-3

US, Trade paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Matrix-Crystal-Hunters-Janice-Seagraves/dp/1492709751/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

UK, Trade paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Matrix-Crystal-Hunters-Janice-Seagraves/dp/1492709751/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_t_1_KKW6

Persephone's Song Anthology with Weather Witch by Janice Seagraves

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.

~*~

Excerpt: Arianna jumped up, pushing her chair back with an ugly scrape. "She's here."

"I know, daughter." Lady Cawyn pressed her lips together into a thin line.

"She'll be angry." Arianna fisted her hands and turned toward her mother. "I told you not to do it, Mother."

"Who will be angry?" Who or what has them so anxious? Lord Godfrey eyed the two frightened women. William, his steward, shrugged.

All at once there came a mighty bang, not unlike the sound of lightning hitting a tree. Thunder rolled overhead. As the sound faded, pounding feet rushed down the outside vestibule. The double doors were flung wide. In a sudden gust of wind the candles blew out. The maids and butler rushed to relight them. Lightning momentarily lit up the room.

A woman in scant clothing stood at the foot of the table, dripping wet, her hair plastered to her head and shoulders. Anger flashed in her stormy expression. Her blonde hair was nearly white as sea foam, and her eyes gray as a rainstorm.

"Old woman, where is my son?" The woman's voice was husky.

He stood and stared at the apparition bathed in candlelight. Her breasts heaved as she took in great gulps of air.

"Now this woman has fire." He didn't realize he'd spoken aloud until every person in the room turned toward 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/