J.J. Devine's Blog, page 6

Procrastination...

Good morning, everyone!!!

I've been procrastinating this evening. With procrastination comes productivity :) So instead of finishing edits today I worked on another facebook cover pic and book cover :) Darkness Brings Desire is third in line to come out this year so I figured I should go ahead and get the cover made :) 

Hey, don't judge, I was procrastinating :)

It's been a crazy week so far. I'm on a twelve day stretch at the day job, my sister is on an eleven day stretch, so on Sunday we took the day off of life. She texted me and said, "What ya doing?" I said, "Blogging, what are you doing." Her response was, "Showering then picking you up." Hence the adventure began.

We hit up a few flea markets, the LTD store, and the Goodwill :) All of which we enjoy browsing. We each found some fun finds and enjoyed getting out of the house a bit.

I've been working on getting Destiny's Price and Passionate Pursuit out very soon, so between that and the day job, it has been super crazy. 

I've been asked to do an Authors Night in mid April, so I would love to get these two out before that along with start on the edits for Darkness Brings Desire and get it ready to go before summer hits.

Just a little more to go on Destiny's Price and Passionate Pursuit. Which makes me super happy :) I'm hoping to have the release date announcement very soon.

Well I better sign off of here for now. So much to do, so little time.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!










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Welcome to Romance Writers Weekly presents...

Welcome back to Romance Writers Weekly. It's been awhile since I've joined in on the weekly blog hop, so just to refresh your memory on how this works:

I answer the weekly question then post the link at the end of my blog to the next blog on the hop. You'll find the link to the next blog at the end of their blog, and so forth and so on. :)

With Spring being only a day away I've asked the authors of Romance Writers Weekly to share with all of you their favorite thing about springtime. 

Check out my response below and then a special surprise for you from the amazing author, A.S. Fenichel before you link over to her blog to find out what she loves best about springtime :)

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Ahhhh, what can I say about springtime :) There is so many things I adore about spring.

I love the lilacs that bloom out front every year. The signs of life returning after a long winter's nap, with the budding of the trees, the first signs of spring flowers shooting up through the earth, the return of sunshine filled days and warmer nights.

It will be time to get the bikes out once again. Riding through this little town either by myself or with hubby and the grandchildren. Definitely one of my favorite pasttimes. 

Then of course clothes on the clothesline. There is nothing sweeter than climbing into bed beneath the fragrant scent of line dried sheets and blankets. 

Opening up the windows and doors and letting the fresh air into the house. Enjoying the breeze of the day and even the night.

I adore planting the flowers and vegetables for the up and coming season. The earth between my fingers and toes. The earthy scent of nature filling my soul once again. 

I love walking through the woods with my sister. Watching the wildflowers spring to life once again. Watching the changes that come quickly as the weather changes from cold to warm.

I would have to say there isn't much I don't like about springtime :) It reminds me that I am back in the land of the living after a long winter here in small town U.S.A. Where life can be as simple as you wish it to be :)

That's it for me, now let's hop on over and see what A.S. Fenichel has in store for us, shall we???

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Up next is A.S. Fenichel but before you head over to her page to see what her favorite thing about springtime is, check out her new book releasing today!!!

Here's a little blurb:

Can a broken engagement ignite the spark of true love?

Sylvia Dowder had almost made it to the altar when her fiancé unexpectedly became a viscount, and dropped her like a stale crumpet to make a more “suitable” match. Though Sylvia’s heart has been crushed, her spirit has not. She puts her wits and social savvy to use as a secret gossip columnist—and as the Everton Domestic Society’s party planner to the ton. Luckily, she’s not in danger of ever falling for an aristocrat again…

Especially not one like Anthony Braighton, Earl of Grafton. Raised in America, Anthony sees no reason to marry when he can enjoy all the perks of being an eligible earl. Determined to convince his family he doesn’t need a wife, he hires Sylvia to act as hostess and decorator for upcoming parties. Yet Sylvia is as adept at captivating his interest as she is at beautifying his home. And despite this Everton lady’s aversion to titled men, some attractions can’t be denied—and love rarely does go where it’s told . . .

I've been quiet as of late...

Good morning, everyone!!!

I know it is hard to believe me being quiet. Ms. Opinionated. But, quiet I've been. I started something new this year, full moon meditation baths to help focus my thoughts and energy in the right direction. 

Needless to say it has not helped in the acquaintance department, in fact I've lost a few acquaintances in this process. But that is part of this process this year. The object is to help clear away clutter from my life in many forms, not just things, but people who drag me down as well. Whether this emotional toll is via Facebook posts, things in my life, or yes, people in my life.

By emotional toll I mean things which drag me down emotionally for long periods of time. I don't have time for emotional baggage anymore. 

I first began this in January. Right after the first meditation I found myself refreshed, but I also found myself sick. It is part of the process. I managed to see direction and also wrote notes after the meditation to help clear my vision. When I came down with a horrible head cold for the first time in a long time, I knew this was part of the process. You can't move forward if you are still holding within you the pieces of life before. So, you get sick, you push out of your system the negative forces that have held you back. 

This week's full moon meditation brought about even more revelations, with a few lingering things pushing themselves forward right before the full moon. 

I felt so energized yet so lethargic after this meditation. The lethargic was the final blows of the last month. The release so to speak. I awoke this morning refreshed and ready for this next phase. Ready to take on the next steps in this adventure. 

Spring cleaning this year will be different than the years before. This year it will be an entire house. My emotional/spiritual one as well as this entire four bedroom house. No nook or granny will go unturned. This has always been helpful in my life. Going through drawers and closets allows me to go through all those locked doors of the emotional/spiritual world as well. I not only assess the items I find, but I assess my inner self as well. Releasing what doesn't work and hold onto what does work for me. 

It is the same for people. There are certain people we keep in our lives because everyone else thinks we should. In the writing world especially. We hold onto friendships we think are beneficial to us in this field, but in reality, they are only dragging us down. There are certain authors I thought I had to be associated with just because they were authors. Over the course of the last couple of years, things have really opened my eyes with a few of them. I've seen sides of them that not only made me gasp, but also things I never expected. Attacking other authors just because they believe differently, with nothing to do in the writing realm at all. I believed in these authors until a few years ago. 

Needless to say this shook up my emotional world a bit. I have never been one to think highly of someone talking down to others. In fact, I have always prided myself on surrounding myself with people who help, assist, and bring up others. Then to find out my circle (which is never that large anyway) was full of people finding more pleasure in bringing people down versus rising them up, really threw me for a loop.

Hence part of the reason for this year's full moon meditations. I need focus on my own life. I need insight into who I allow inside my inner circle even in the acquaintance world. It makes me question a lot of things that require a lot of guidance from the inner realm. 

I do not hate these people by any means. In fact, I pray for their success, I pray they can set aside their angers and hate, which I know eats away at a person from the inside out. I also seek out within myself patience, understanding, and lastly, release from any bindings that brought me full circle to this aspect of my life. I want to be able to pray for acceptance rather than lining my soul with anger and hate. That is my goal for this year. To be able to face things that anger me or bring about negative emotions with a new outlook. Be able to change these moments quickly into moments of grace and positivity, before the rage and negative take over and drag me down.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!
















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Sometimes the strangest things make you think...

Good morning, everyone!!!

People judge by what they see and hear, before taking the time to delve into the reason behind the scenes. It's just human nature.

The other day I watched a movie on Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein. Whether or not any of it or all of it was true, is beyond me. However, it did make me take another look at how I view the monster.

As authors we pour our heart and souls into our writing. This I know to be fact. So, as this movie unfolded and the ending told 'who' the monster in the story was, it made so much sense. He was a representation of her emotions, her life, the voice of the author as it poured from her soul. 

Her rejections in life. Her anger in life. Her frustrations. Her longings. Her deep-seeded needs for love and acceptance in the world around her. 

It helped her to release these feeling within her on the printed page. It helped her take another look inside herself. Helped her to accept herself in ways she never had before. 

Strange how writing does that for authors. Sure, some write for what is trending now. But most authors have that one story, or stories, that lead them to a path a fulfillment within themselves. 

Writing allows the author to overcome things they would not otherwise. It's called their voice. They find it within the words, sentences, paragraphs, and finally the finished product. 

Writing is an escape of sorts, but it is also a path to our inner self. A place where we find our voice both inwardly and outwardly. Writers question everything. The whys of every emotion. The 'how could that happen' of every situation.

They become each character they write to find the answers. 

Writers are deep thinkers. They look inside themselves to seek out their writing voice. Often times they are never satisfied with the end result for some time, the reason being, not that it is perfect, but that it is accurate. Not just the timelines and historical facts, but accurate in the emotions, the deep-seeded feelings that drive a human being. 

I've watched good authors throw away amazing work, just because the emotion wasn't right. I've watched authors throw away good work, also, because it wasn't what was trending. 

Ghost stories and monsters have been a topic of writing for many many years. In the beginning people wrote them for the scare factor. Romance authors gave them new life and turned them into the most amazing heroes or heroines. 

I challenge you to look deeper at the monsters and villains of yesterdays. Are they truly the monsters they appear to be in the stories? Or, are they how the author perceived themselves?

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!









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This one is going to be controversial...

Good morning, everyone!!!

This week I posted a post on my Facebook page that yes, caused me to lose like 3 friends on that page, but in my heart and soul I believe firmly in my post and my decision to either delete or them delete me. I will not apologize for this post just as I will not apologize for the Facebook post. This is something I firmly believe in and if you are on the other side of this fence, I hope you have more just reasons than, "A woman has the right to chose what she does with her body."

Before I was ever a mother, just a teenager in this life, abortion was introduced on a wide scale. I am not going to sit here and preach my beliefs, rather, I am going to sit here and write you a true story of a child someone once said should have been aborted.

On January 24th, 2013 the day was moving right along. My daughter was sitting in her hospital bed, eating Arby's her father and I brought her. I made sure to bring one of their Lava Cakes, because my unborn grandchild would get so excited when you mentioned chocolate cake. Her monitors would go crazy, she would wiggle and squirm. So of course being the grandma I am, she got her cake :)

She was three months from her scheduled birth date of May 5th. Cinco de Mayo :) Her mother was a New Year's baby, her sister born on St. Patty's Day. So, her due date was only fitting :)

I helped her mom with her shower. Because mom couldn't be alone for a shower just in case our angel wanted to come into the world. We got her back into bed. In just a short time, labor happened. The nurses and doctors couldn't make it stop. In fact, things got serious, the placenta broke away all together. My daughter and granddaughter were dying.

I thank the good Lord and Lady every day for what happened next. The doctor had her in surgery in moments, pulling my granddaughter from her now not so safe place.

My first look at my beautiful granddaughter was the top picture. Tubes and wires all over her. People would say, see a good reason for an abortion. Well, if that had happened, my story would end and there would not be any life's lessons to tell.

During this time I was filled with two very powerful emotions. One was hate, it consumed me in such a force I have no idea how I survived it. The other however, is most likely what got me through, love.

I don't do well with strong emotions. In fact, strong emotions consume me so deeply, I can't hide nor control them. A vulnerable state that eats me alive.

We spent seven weeks and one day between home and a NICU. We crammed a lifetime in those short few weeks.

When Ali was born, her little head was no bigger than a Cutie orange. However, what I witnessed in that tiny being has convinced me that yes, unborn babies are not only a living breathing mini person, but also already has their own personality.

I won't focus on the hatred I had for the father, who put my daughter and granddaughter in this position. Because I've come to grips that karma will prevail here. I will, however, focus on the love aspect of this time.

I watched this little angel from the moment of birth, take on her own personality. She had such a strong will. Determination was so evident. Yes, she had to have tubes to breathe, her lungs were too damaged to do so on their own. (This is part of where the hate came to my soul). But, the first time I helped change her diaper, her little legs stood straight up, causing laughter, because she was trying to help her grandma change a diaper with her on her belly and inside a baby cave.

I felt her laughter, even though I could not hear it. Her little shoulders would shake and a smile would peek out from behind the tape holding her tube.

The first time she touched my face. Lifting her little hand to my cheek. My heart sailed. Just like her brother knew grandma's voice, so did my precious angel.

We spent a good deal of time in the NICU. Where so many babies spent the first part of their lives. So many walks of life. So many beautiful souls. Each one touching the lives of their family in ways they would not have been able to if they had not been given the chance.

Sometimes these babies live, sometimes, just like our Ali, they do not. However, to be denied of the precious memories would have been a tragedy in itself.

I can only give you my experience. My thoughts and feelings on this time.

I just know, seeing this sweet girl, being a part of her life, experiencing all I did, was the most beautiful and most heartbreaking time of my life. I would not trade it for anything.

If you ever have any doubts of when a baby becomes a human being, spend a few days at a NICU. There are babies from so many stages of pregnancy. Each one as beautiful as the next. See the pains the hospital goes to making the NICU a place for these wonderful little people. Be touched by the dedication the nurses have in their care of these babies they don't know will live or die. 

I don't wish anyone to ever have to be on the receiving end of a NICU, because it is not a place I would wish on anyone. However, it is an eye opening experience that only cemented in stone my firm beliefs I've had since before I was a mother. 

Our little Ali was a fighter. She was amazing. She brought to my heart a love I never knew could be so deep. 

So, yes, when I see States passing laws that would allow these beautiful little humans to be taken away before they ever have the chance to live in this world. Learn lessons to make them into the people they can become. It breaks my heart wide open.

People justify their thoughts by saying, "If the mother's health is at risk." Well, wake up folks, that is not the true use of this procedure. It never has been and never will be the sole reason for this act. 

I've sat with moms who've aborted their children only days after the fact. I've held them in my arms as their tears flowed and their hearts broke. Because once it's done, there is no going back. I've watched good women go from good people to drugs and alcohol because they can't face what they've done to get out of having a child. They can't even look the children they've had in the face, because of what they've done to their siblings.

So, no, I can't in good heart feel this act is ever going to be moral. God doesn't give us more than we can handle, but we have to accept the challenge.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!











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First full moon of the year...

Good morning, everyone!!!

Yesterday was officially the first full moon of the year. This year I made the decision that each full moon I would chose a meditation appropriate for that full moon, affirmations also associated with that full moon, as well as an appropriate scent.

I sat down after work yesterday and wrote out a set of flash card affirmations to use until the next full moon along with a card on what I wish to manifest, let go of, and embrace. 

I learned some pretty cool things during my meditation last evening. I found my heart chakra and my third eye chakra are closer related than I would have thought :) But as I sat there meditating I realized it made sense to me.

I'm a firm believer in affirmations and mantras. So I am excited to see how using these specific ones each day between the full moons will manifest in my daily life. 

When I go to the store tomorrow I have decided to keep my appropriate scent in abundance at my house, so each time I walk through my door I take in this meditation and these affirmations. You know, trigger these things which I wish to manifest into my daily life. 

I almost always meditated in the bath tub. Mainly, because it is so relaxing and I can focus on the warmth of the water surrounding me, engulfing me as I go deeper into my meditation. 

Meditation is something I've done for years I just don't do it as often as I would like. Seeing as this year is the first year I've had no children at home, I decided it was time to get it as part of my daily routine. No distractions. I can let my mind wander where it needs to go and not have that worry, "I only have this long."

Meditation is good for not only your physical health and well being, but also your emotional and spiritual health as well. Chakra meditation is good to help balance you in all aspects of your being. Aroma therapy enhances this and keeps to the surface all you have put out there to work on, enhance, and embrace.

The affirmations I've chosen are those which will help me reach the ultimate goals I have for myself for the year. Reading them regularly, daily, as often as I need each day. Using them when I am happy, sad, aggravated, or just because. Helping me to maintain that balance I am looking to uncover during the 2019 year.

How did you spend your full moon?

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!













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Meeting those goals...

Good morning, everyone!!!

I had an extra day off this week, so I used it wisely. My plan was to start the revamp of my bedroom. Go through things, toss out things, put things away. Then... what actually happened was I spent the entire day off at the computer working on edits for Destiny's Price.

Good news is, I have one more round of edits then a read through and it will be ready for publishing!!! The goal, to have it ready to go live January 30th. Passionate Pursuit is fast on Destiny's Price's tail. It also has one round of edits left to go through, then it too will be ready for publishing with a hopeful release date in February. :) Keep your fingers crossed :)

I've spent the entire day deep in words. After edits I read with two of my granddaughters. Lil Miss and I are reading Mike's Mystery (a Boxcar Children Mystery) and Lil Zoe and I have been reading her potty book :) I'm going to look upstairs this week and see if I can locate my Grandma's Fairy Tale book so we can add some variety to our reading each day LOL.

Lil Zoe has watched her sister and grandma read most of the year together. So, this week she decided she and grandma needed to read together too :) Of course I'm on board for this :) It makes my heart happy to see children enjoying books.

I decided this year I would get off my backside (or get on my backside so to speak) and get things done. After I release two more historical romances I will be working to release another paranormal. Then alternate between the two genres and hopefully get out a few more before the end of the year. Jessie's Revenge and Shadows of the Heart are hanging in the wings to be finished as is Kiss of Darkness. 

Don't worry I'm taking things one step at a time. I've set realistic goals. And I may be slacking on some of the household stuff (not in a horrible way though) but I've been kicking it in the writing world :)

Well it's almost time to start my day job. So I guess I better get some things around.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!










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Making the month productive...

Good morning, everyone!!!
 
This month already has shown so many results of being productive that it makes me smile. Now to keep up that momentum :)

The first part of this month I knew I would be very busy at the day job. We have so many changes upon us that I knew to schedule too much during this time would do nothing but stress me out. So, I took a different approach. I focused solely on what I needed to do at the day job. Fortunately, I had hubby home a good portion of that time to assist me on keeping things on the home front going as well.

We managed to get the Christmas decorations down and put away. Then two of the grandchildren came over and helped me put the living room back together :) This helped a great deal to help me start my next plan of action.

This week I'm going back to my lists. Seeing as I work all day, I keep my at home lists short (you can do that when you're the only one home). Yesterday I managed to straighten up two rooms, run the dish washer, pick up one of the grandchildren from the bus and resume our reading adventures. Then came home and got in four chapters of edits before relaxing in bed and watching a bit of tv. 

I also managed to learn a few things on my word program I didn't know I had on there :) Which really thrilled me, making the edits move a bit faster :) I have some writing goals this year that I intend of pushing the mark for, but I also am approaching this with realistic knowledge of what is going on in my life on a daily basis. 

My objective this year is to be productive without stressing myself out to the point I get nothing accomplished. So, back to the lists I go. Each day I make one, each day I get done what I can on them, and then hit the keyboard for a few hours. I will also be scheduling days off. Such as those days I know hubby will be home, will be less productive in the areas and more productive in other areas. 

See, he and I usually don't have the same thing in mind for days off. We still have a few things to finish up in the kitchen so I can stain the new cabinets. There is also a few other house projects we'd like to do over the course of the winter months. So to plan anything else during his time home would be silly.

Then my weekends off. I am hoping to still spend at least one of those days hanging out with my sister. Exploring the woods. Just doing whatever comes to mind. I've found this is so refreshing for my soul. Something we all need to do to help us mentally.

So wish me luck for a productive month. Because I am taking this day by day, month by month for the new year.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!












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A bit behind...

Good morning, everyone!!!

I'm a bit behind on my end of the year beginning of the year post. It has been insanely busy around these parts for the last few weeks, but I survived and feel pretty good about surviving it :)

This year has been full of lessons learned for this old gal. One of the biggest lessons this year is learning to accept what I cannot change. Sometimes being a seer is not always the best ability to have. Because you see things beyond the moment. You see the future in a way others do not. 

So you want more than anything to prevent what your visions show you. However, it is not always the best course of action to be that warning.

I spent a portion of this year (a good portion) in a state of worry for what is yet to come. This prevented me from living in my own here and now and present. I had to make firm decisions (very difficult decisions) and had to learn to focus my energy elsewhere. 

But 2018 wasn't all bad. It was actually a fantastic learning year for me. I found ways to redirect my energies. I found ways to focus on healing within myself. I found ways to take the stress and turn it into production. I found ways of relaxing in my chaos.

I have a great deal of this learning experience this year to thank my sister for. Her senses always told her when I needed a break from life. I would receive a text asking if I was up for a walk in the woods. Or focusing our energies into our gardening and canning adventures. Or those bargain shopping trips we enjoy taking to the Goodwill or Salvation Army stores.

I've learned a great deal of inner self this year that I never thought was possible. Clearing the path for 2019 in a manner I really didn't see coming.

I've strengthened relationships in areas that are healthy. I've let go of some unhealthy thinking and choices. Because everything in this life is a choice. Some we make for ourselves some others make for us. However, it is up to us how we proceed with these choices. The choices of others are their own lessons, and my interference is not necessary, in fact, it could hinder their lessons learned.

I've started my new work year off on the right foot. Confident but knowing mistakes happen and are not the end of the world. Proud of what I have learned yet, knowing there is still so much more to learn. Being thankful for those who are by my side and help me through.

I'm looking forward to a more productive 2019. This year I plan to teach myself how to push the important aspects of life to the forefront and let worry only take up enough time that it doesn't hinder progress.

I asked for signs of how things should go for this year and I've received many pointing me in the right direction. So, as I move into this new year I have new direction, a renewed hope, and a fresh start.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!














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