Fall Is...

Copper Harbor, October 2019.

Fall is a bittersweet time of year for me. For the past eight years, at least one of my chicks has returned to school. It wasn't too bad when the girls were only a couple hours away.

But the man-child? He's EIGHT hours away!

Crazy, right?

Fortunately, I live in Michigan. When we drive from mid-Michigan up to nearly the northern-most point in the contiguous U.S.--we usually go sometime in October--the colors are GORGEOUS!

As matter of fact, they're inspirational.

(Ignore the overcast-ness. My son says they only had three days of sunshine during the 2018-2019 school year, so it's 'normal'.)

Lake Superior, early September 2019.

What's absolutely breathtaking is Lake Superior.

There have been gale-force winds over the past few weeks and THESE IMAGES came across my Facebook timeline. They're beautiful and scary and forceful--all wrapped up in a couple dozen images. The waves crashing against the cliffs sending foamy spray into the pine trees. Waves reaching 20-feet in height are common on the Big Lake.

Mackinaw Bridge, early September 2019.

I spend a lot of the road trip writing. Sometimes, I have a plan. I want to work on this or that. And other times, I let the landscape inspire me.

Are there things in nature that inspire you? What about sights in your state?

Share in the comments!

Happy almost Halloween by Janice Seagraves

Happy almost Halloween!

My gloves and stuff for fall

Don't you just love the cooler temperatures? 

I actually wore a sweater this morning.

Next week we'll be handing out candy. 

Our cat Freya

Our old haunted house

At our old country home were we used to live, we didn't get trick-or-treaters except for one time a father brought his little girls to our door. His daughters had spotted our house with the light still on and begged their daddy to take them to the big scary haunted house. We had candy. I always buy it even if we didn't get trick-or-treaters. Hubby gave each little girl half the bowl. (grin)

When we first moved to our current house here in town, the neighbors across the street warned us that we'd have a deluge of trick-or-treaters coming to our door. And boy were they right. We ended up giving away all nine bags of candy. I've never seen anything like it. And it was quite a shock going from only two trick-or-treaters in twenty-five years to what felt like hundreds.

This from Wikipedia: 

Trick-or-treating is a Halloween custom for children in many countries. Children in costumes travel from house-to-house, asking for treats with the phrase "Trick or treat". The "treat" is usually some form of candy, although, in some cultures, money is used instead. The "trick" is a usually idle threat to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given. Trick-or-treating usually occurs on the evening of October 31. Some homeowners signal that they are willing to hand out treats by putting up Halloween decorations outside their doors; others simply leave treats available on their porches for the children to take freely.
In North America, trick-or-treating has been a Halloween tradition since the late 1920s. In Britain and Ireland the tradition of going house-to-house collecting food at Halloween goes back at least as far as the 16th century, as had the tradition of people wearing costumes at Halloween. In 19th century Britain and Ireland, there are many accounts of people going house-to-house in costume at Halloween, reciting verses in exchange for food, and sometimes warning of misfortune if they were not welcomed.^[1] The Scottish Halloween custom of "guising" – children disguised in costume going from house to house for food or money – is first recorded in North America in 1911 in Ontario, Canada.^[2] While going house-to-house in costume has remained popular among Scots and Irish, the custom of saying "trick or treat" has only recently become common. The activity is prevalent in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Puerto Rico, and northwestern and central Mexico. In the latter, this practice is called calaverita (Spanish for "sugar skull"), and instead of "trick or treat", the children ask ¿me da mi calaverita? ("can you give me my sugar skull?") where a calaverita is a small skull made of sugar or chocolate.

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Can I ask a huge favor? I'm doing a blog hop and need some comments on my blog: https://janice-seagraves.org/2017/10/27/join-the-frightful-and-delightful-spooktacular-blog-hop-pnr-romance-prizes-fiction-and-fun/

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Year of the Cat

(with a hot Scot)

Blurb: Haunted by the loss of his parents, Jared Catterick earns his keep working for the Catclaw Clan. But, once he finds out the truth he runs to his one true mate, Morgan, who he had met while she was on holiday.
When his past and present collide, it’s worse than he imagined and he’s forced to fight for his life.

Excerpt:
Auntie walked into the middle of the hollow. “We the Catcall Clan are gathered here together to witness a challenge. Called by Munch son of Tiger, who challenges Jared Catterick son of nobody.”
“I am the son of somebody,” Jared yelled. The sudden flow of anger had his heart pounding hard against his ribs.
“Who? What are their names?” Auntie crossed her arm and leaned on one hip and tapped a toe.
“I donna remember. I was too young when they killed them and took me away,” Jared muttered. “And she knows that.”
“Is Catterick your real last name?” Killer asked him in the canine speech.
“Aye. I donna remember much about me old life, but I never forgot me name.”
“Just tell her Mr. and Mrs. Catterick,” Killer said.
“Me parents were Mr. and Mrs. Catterick,” Jared said in a loud clear voice.
A few people around the hollow snickered.
Auntie gave a quick nod. “Jared son of Mr. and Mrs. Catterick. Munch challenges you for the death of his da, Tiger.”
Munch marched to Auntie’s side. He was every bit as big as his father. Well-muscled and not just tall but wide. Where Tiger’s hair was gray and white, Munch was blond and black. Another man accompanied him, his second, a tall, lanky male named Boyd. Jared knew him well, even though he was younger.
“Och. Here we go,” Jared told Killer and walked out into the middle of the hollow.
“He’s big,” Killer said in the canine speech.
“And ugly. I wouldna want to ride him into battle.”
Killer stayed at his side. “Psst.”
“Eh?”
“You can fight, right?” Killer asked.
“Aye.”
“Good to know.”
Auntie looked at both males. “Jared, as the challenged, you may decide on weapons and forms.”
“Human and no weapons,” Jared said.
“Very well,” Auntie said. “You may use your feet, hands, elbows and knees. Even your head if you feel the need.”
“What aboot sticks and stones?” Munch asked, his voice youthful.
“Will break my bones,” Jared said under his breath.
Killer snickered.
“No weapons,” Auntie shook a finger at Munch. “That includes sticks and stones.”
“Well,” Munch crossed his arms, “since I canna change into cat form, I think I should be able to use whatever I find in the hollow.”
“This isn’t a free-for-all, Munch. There is discipline to a challenge. You must remain in your human form and fight like a human. With this match, we’ll have a square go.”
“Not very cat-like.” Munch sniffed.
Auntie fisted her hands and leaned toward Munch. “You’re not a cat. You are a shifter. You shift between three forms. Now stay with one for the duration of the fight.”
“Doesn’t he understand?” Killer asked.
“A bit daft that one,” Jared muttered back. Munch doesn’t seem have a lot of self-control. Unlike Tiger who would have done exactly what Auntie said to the letter.
“Seconds, to the side.” Auntie pointed. “You may view the fight only. Do not interfere unless your partner is hurt or someone breaks the rules.”
Both Boyd and Killer trotted to edge of the clearing.
Jared stood facing Munch. Several feet separated them. Jared shook out his arms, moved his head from side to side, and loosened his muscles.
Auntie raised her hand and did a karate chop between them. “Now fight.”
“I swear on me da’s grave, I will end you!” Munch roared and the skin on his face boiled. His hands burst out of his gloves and feet from his boots. The shift made Munch bigger, tearing his clothes. He stopped in the in-between state, like movie werewolves of old, but in this case half-cat and half-human. The only thing that remained of his clothes was his black overall snow pants and even that stretched taunt across him. Extending his claws, he snarled and reached for Jared. “I want to see you bleedin’.”

Find Year of the Cat on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Year-Cat-Janice-Seagraves-ebook/dp/B0748CP9JH/

 

Are you ready for Fall? #sweatshirtweather #bonfires #fallingleaves

Hi everybody and HAPPY 2nd day of September

As I sit here looking out my window at the sunrise with the window cracked, I can't believe it's September already.  Plus i'm freezing at the  momentlol.  I love, love, LOVE the months of September and October so much but I can't get over where the summer went.  Here in Michigan, we don't really get enough of the real summer weather.  These days we're lucky to get two months of sun and heat.  Not that I'm complaining because Fall is my favorite season but it means that winter isn't far behind.  And that's the last time i'm using that foul 6-letter word for a little while.

Things definitely haven't been dull this summer and real excited that my kids are going back to school next week.  They are excited too actually but i think i win in that category. :)

The closer to the end of summer it gets, the less I seem to be able to get done.  They are literally stir crazy, bored, terribly argumentative and by the time I get quiet time after midnight i'm so flippin' tired I can't concentrate.

I have been attempting to write so that's a good thing.  
I have a short story freebie coming out in September 
in honor of my publisher's anniversary, Roane Publishing, 
and you'll be able to find it here soon... 
The Roane Publishing Blog

Also super excited to be a part of the 
RB4U's most current anthology 
Roping the Cowboy.  

My story is called Whiskey's Sweet Revenge

Then in mid to late 

September 

I'll be in a boxed set...

Once Upon a Time ~ 

The New Fairytales

and it's up for 

pre-order on Amazon.  

....Then lol, I'll be doing 

another cowboy story

 to be in a boxed

 set to be a follow 

up to Cowboy, Mine.

You guessed it, one more then...

In the spring i will have the pleasure 

of being in a Rock Star Boxed set. 

 That's a new one for me so i can't 

wait to see how it all turns out !

Then....again.....somewhere in between all that i have a couple additional submissions but don't know release dates for sure yet :)

***

Hope you all had a GREAT summer and that your fall lasts longer than i'm afraid mine will.

Happy Fall Y'all

Krista

A Little Bit Thankful. . .

It’s been quite the month, hasn’t it? So much has happened. I’m not even sure where to begin, lol.

On a global level, we had several terrorist attacks, the most famous were the attacks in Paris. I don’t know about anyone else, but watching the news unfold on television and social media made me realize just how thankful I was for family living close by and my health.

On a national level, we celebrated both Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving, two holidays that make us reflective and grateful for what we have. We always have Thanksgiving at our house, and it's nice to have all of us under one roof - even if it's only for a little while.

On a personal level, my oldest’s Cross Country Team finished for the year, and her Basketball team started practice. I was very thankful that he basketball schedule is a little less demanding than her running schedule. She also managed to finish a major school project about her ancestors, a project that made me realize just how far we have come from our humble roots.

On a professional level, I got some big news on two fronts, neither of which I’m allowed to share yet. (dang it!) If you want to be one of the first to know, then you might want to sign up for my newsletter here. I’llannounce it here first, as well as give subscribers a special surprise inDecember. So stay tuned!

The news has made me reflective as to how far I have since I started writing in 2008, and all of the amazing friendships I have made along the way. So I’d love to take a moment now to thank all of you, writers and readers, for an amazing 2015. Here’s hoping that 2016 is even better!

How about you? Is there anything you’re thankful for this holiday season? Tell me about it in the comments section. I’d love to hear from you!

Buy from the following vendors:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iBooks
Kobo
Google PlayIndiebound

More vendors coming soon!

“A fast-paced plot, appealing lovers awakening to their true feelings, unnerving antagonists, and entertaining sex scenes make this an absorbing, satisfying romance.” – Publishers Weekly

A sensual tale about the risks and rewards of falling in too deep-and loving it.

PASSION COMES WITH A PRICE.

Tired of living a lie, Arianna Perconti leaves her fiancé at the altar and runs into the arms of her family’s fiercest rival, Jason Stone. Hoping to cash in on their ‘friends-with-benefits’ arrangement while hiding out from bitter relatives, Ari instead finds herself falling deeply, desperately in love with the sexy hotelier. Jason is everything she never knew she wanted-yet she will do absolutely everything to show him she means business. In bed…

CAN THEY AFFORD TO LIVE WITHOUT IT?

Jason lives in the fast lane and has the race cars to prove it. A born adrenaline junkie, he must admit that Ari is the perfect partner for his heart-pumping bedroom games. The problem? The relationship is starting to deepen, but is Jason really cut out to be a one-woman kind of man? The question haunts his days, only fueling the passion he and Ari share during those hot, hot nights. But when an estranged sibling enters the picture, threatening to take away everything he holds dear, Jason is forced to make a decision: Say goodbye to his wild ways or risk losing Ari forever?

A lifetime New Englander, Suzanne married her college sweetheart and has been with him for over twenty years. Every summer she drags her husband and two daughters to Maine on a quest for the perfect lobster dinner. Every fall she can be found down in Foxboro, Massachusetts cheering on her favorite football team. In between those trips, she’s a chauffeur, a maid, a chef, an event planner, a hairdresser, a wardrobe stylist, a tutor and a sometimes masseuse. To keep her sanity, she often drinks copious amounts of coffee and stares at the blank screen of her laptop, dreaming of great adventures. Sometimes she even writes them down for others to enjoy.

For more information, please visit her website.

Finally Autumn by Janice Seagraves

September 23rd was the first day of fall. Yay!

Photo owned by Janice Seagraves and taken by her daughter

I’m so tired of the heat in Central California. Yesterday and today it has become cool, finally. In the seventies, but that’s down right chilly for us.

Last night, I actually shivered and today my knuckles are stinging a bit. Although the stinging has more to do with the clouds in the sky and first heavy dew than the coolness. For the first time in months, I feel moisture in the air. My eyes have been so dry, it’ll be nice not to have to put drops in.

Not a lot of fall color in California. We’re known more for our lovely spring display than anything else.

But, ah, autumn.

I have been so looking forward to this. The smell of fallen leaves, the cooler temperatures, finally being able to wear my long sleeve shirts and pants. I can take walks again without overheating. Make soup on a cold day, bake chicken, lasagna, enchilada pie, and cinnamon rolls and cinnamon toast. Using the burning pit in the front of my house and making s’mores.

Photo owned and taken by Janice Seagraves

I’m looking forward to the first rain of the season. Weather, how I love you. Come to me clouds, rain down on me. I dare ya.

What is your favorite thing about autumn?

SyFy Romance. Excerpt, Matrix Crystal Hunters - Just after a rain:

Walking over, she tried not to smile. He gave her a leg up into the saddle. Sitting on the big animal, she could feel every bruise and muscle strain from the day before.

“Hurts?”

Maya nodded, biting her lip. “I can feel my butt bones. They’re sore.”

“I can only promise you that it will get better with time.” He rechecked the straps for the stirrups, making sure they were the right length for her and set her feet in them. “All right. You’re all set.” He led Brawley over to the two snags. Untying their leads, he handed them to Maya, who ran the rope around the high saddle horn. “Here you go. Same as yesterday, allow me and Zareth take the lead, then follow us.”

“Okay.”

He looked up at her, a slight frown troubling his handsome features. “I never asked, but what does okay mean? You seem to say it all the time.”

She tried to think of an equivalent in his language. “It means the same as all right or yes. Or you can use it to say everything is fine.”

“Oh, I see. Hmm, okay.” He grinned like a little boy.

She laughed. “There, you got it.”

“Okay.” He walked over to Zareth. “You okay, you big, nasty beast?” His mount snapped at him, but Vach jumped out of the way in time. “Guess not.”

He got on his sherakey, kicking him into a canter. When Vach got far enough ahead, Maya leaned forward in the saddle, the leather creaking loudly. Brawley took his cue to start trudging up the path after his master.

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.”

****

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

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

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Matrix Crystal Hunters is now on Smashwords:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/447796

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