~Regency Wednesday~ Chaw Bacon

♫ Now playing in Jaimey's mind: Billie Piper ~ Honey to the Bee ♫

Simple definition post today, folks (and my apologies for failing to post a Regency Wednesday last week). 

Chaw Bacon. A countryman. A stupid fellow. 

*Taken verbatim from 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, available for free download from Amazon's Kindle store (as far as I know...) 

To My Readers, Fans, and Loved Ones

♫ Now playing in Jaimey's mind: Maroon 5 ~ Won't Go Home Without You ♫

Thank you. That is all. Much ♥ to all of you!

For One Day Only!

♫ Now playing in Jaimey's mind: The Chordettes ~ Lollipop (Squeak E Clean & Desert Eagle Remix) ♫

I'm offering all of my eBooks for FREE. That's right, free. Today only (Friday, November 25) you can download one or all of my eBooks from Smashwords for FREE. The codes stop working on Saturday so take advantage NOW. 

Have I said FREE enough?

Here are the links and codes. All you have to do is click over to Smashwords, add the book(s) to your cart, apply the code(s), and submit your order. Make sure your cart total is $0.00 before you click submit. 

• The Dragon's Birth (fantasy short story) 

Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/93831 

Code: KX58A 

• Honor (Regency romance) 

Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/60023 

Code: DY39S 

• Betrayal (Regency romance) 

Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1324 

Code: VL69J 

• Deception (Regency romance) 

Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/22609 

Code: RH36B 

• Spellbound (Regency romance) 

Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1375 

Code: AY43H 

• Redemption (Regency romance) 

Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1433 

Code: KE43Q 

Happy reading!!

~Photo Friday~ What is it? (#16) REVEALED

♫ Now playing in Jaimey's mind: Evanescence ~ Lithium ♫

Did you guess flower, stamen, or more specifically, chicory? Woo-hoo! Great guessing! :O)

A Time to Mourn

♫ Now playing in Jaimey's mind: Jordin Sparks ~ No Air ♫ 

My maternal grandpa died Saturday, November 19. He's the first grandparent I've lost. My own children lost their grandfather (my father-in-law) almost two years ago, but this is a first for me. He fought cancer and the cancer won, eventually. I suppose we all knew this would happen; he was 82 years old. Still, he gave it a serious fight before it prevailed.

Growing up, I had grandparents and great-grandparents. Every year, we enjoyed family reunions with my dad's side of the family and recently, with my mom's side of the family. Pictured here is my grandpa at our family gathering the summer of 2010.

Grandpa was a hunter, fisherman, trapper, and farmer. He loved nature.

He loved his family. He loved to spoil his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And he always smiled. I can't recall a time that he wasn't smiling.

It's so hard to believe he's gone. He will be greatly missed.

~Photo Friday~ What is it? (#16)

♫ Now playing in Jaimey's mind: Arabian Nights (from Disney's Aladdin) ♫

Ready for another mystery pic? What is this? 

(I apologize for the lack of clarity in this pic.) Post your best guess here or on facebook or anywhere you happen to see this blog feed. Happy reading, writing, and guessing!! 

~Photo Friday~ What is it? (#15) REVEALED

♫ Now playing in Jaimey's mind: Evanescence ~ You Only Call Me (When You're Sober) ♫

Did you guess last week's pic was bull thistle? If so, pat yourself on the back. You're a flower (weed?) expert! 

And here's how I used this pic over on Zazzle: 

Bull Thistle Magnet by jaimeygrant
Join Zazzle's graphic design affiliate programs

Stay tuned for a new mystery pic. Happy reading, writing, and blogging!! 

~Regency Wednesday~ Fashions for December 1819

♫ Now playing in Jaimey's mind: Sarah McLachlan ~ Fear ♫ 

Plate 36. —Walking Dress. 

  A pelisse composed of kerseymere: the colour is a peculiar shade of grey; it is lined with white sarsnet. The body is tight to the shape, the waist is rather long, and the sleeve is set in so as to just touch the point of the shoulder: the sleeve is wide and falls very much over the hand. The skirt is moderately full, meets before, and fastens down on the inside. The trimming is composed of ruby-coloured velvet; it is of a new pattern, and exceedingly rich and elegant; it goes round the bottom, and up each of the fronts. The epaulettes and cuffs correspond with the trim. High standing collar, trimmed in a similar manner. Head-dress, a bonnet composed of ruby velvet, intermixed with levantine: the crown is made of folds of these two materials, so disposed as to form a point in the centre, which has a light and novel effect: the brim is large, and of a singular but becoming shape; it is finished at the edge by a rich roll of ruby levantine, to which is attached a full fall of blond lace, set on narrow towards the ears, and broad in the middle of the brim: this style of trimming adds much softness to the countenance. A high plume of ostrich feathers, to correspond, is placed upright in front, and a rich ribbon ties it under the chin. Gloves to correspond with the pelisse. Half-boots, the lower part of black leather, the upper part grey levantine. 

*Taken verbatim from Ackermann's Repository, December 1819. 

~Photo Friday~ What is it? (#15)

♫ Now playing in Jaimey's mind: Sinéad O'Connor, Nothing Compares 2 U ♫

Here's the next mystery pic in my ongoing series. Do you know what this is? 

Comment here on this blog or anywhere you happen to see this pic/question. It's all in fun, so guess, guess, guess!! 

Happy reading, writing, and guessing!! 

~Photo Friday~ What is it? (#14) REVEALED

~♥♥~ Now playing in my head: Shinedown, The Crow and the Butterfly ~♥♥~

Did you guess pink rose petals or flower petals? Woo-hoo! You're absolutely right. Way to go! 

Stay tuned for a new mystery pic later today. Until then, happy reading, writing, and blogging!!

~Just Released~ The Dragon's Birth...cont'd

~♥♥~ Now playing in my head: Chloë Agnew, Someday ~♥♥~

 Forgive me for the multiple posts on this topic but my excitement knows no bounds. The Dragon's Birth is now available in the Kindle Store on Amazon. There's a handy link, just to the left here, that will take you right to the listing, should you be interested in checking it out. 

If Amazon's not your cup of tea, there's still the listing at Smashwords, and soon (hopefully) it will appear on B&N, Kobo, Apple, Diesel, and a few others I can't think of off the top of my head. 

And if you like to try before you buy, there's an excerpt (from the first edited draft, not the final) on my website and Smashwords allows you to read the first 10%. Amazon also will send an excerpt to your Kindle, if that's how you prefer to roll.* 

Happy reading, writing, and blogging!! 

*Edited at 12:54PM to add: I just sampled the Amazon version and they don't give any of the actual story, just the copyright page. Sorry about that. lol

~Just Released~ The Dragon's Birth

I'm pleased to announce that after several months of fine-tuning and tweaking my non-romance, fantasy short story The Dragon's Birth, it has finally been accepted, approved, and released with TreasureLine Publishing. 

At the time of this posting, the e-book is available at Smashwords but will be available in the Kindle store soon. To read an early draft excerpt, click on over to my website. 

Happy reading, writing, and blogging!! 

*Winners of my celebratory giveaway, you have already been emailed with a download code to get the book for free. 

~Regency Wednesday~ Fashions for December 1813

~♥♥~ Now playing in my head: Kid Beyond, I Shall Be Free ~♥♥~ 

Plate 40. —Promenade or Carriage Costume 

  This dress, when divested of the spencer, or jacket, exhibits the 

Evening or Opera Costume, Plate 41. 

 In order to render these commodious habiliments the more clearly understood by our readers, we shall commence with a description of the Evening or Opera Costume: which consists of a round robe of morone or crimson-coloured Merino, kerseymere, or queen's cloth, ornamented round the bottom and up the front with a fancy gold embroidered border. The bodice is composed of satin, or velvet of the same colour, trimmed round the bosom and sleeves with gold braid and narrow swansdown; the front of the bodice richly ornamented with gold and pearl buttons. A gold band or pearl and diamond clasp confine the bottom of the waist, with a gold frog pending on each side, inclining towards the back of the figure. The robe is laced behind with gold cord. Hair disposed in dishevelled curls, falling on the left side, and decorated with clusters of variegated autumnal flowers. Necklace, composed of a treble row of pearl, white cornelian, or the satin bead, confined in front with a diamond clasp. Ear-rings and bracelets to correspond. Slippers, of crimson velvet, ornamented with gold fringe and rosettes, though we recommend those of white satin in preference. White kid gloves, below the elbow. Fan, of richly frosted silver crape. 

*Taken verbatim from Ackermann's Repository, 1813.

~Photo Friday~ What is it? (#14)

~♥♥~ Now playing in my head: Oleander, Why I'm Here ~♥♥~

The last couple mystery pics were rather difficult so here's an easier one (I hope)... 

What is this? Post your best guess wherever you happen to see this pic/question. This is all for fun, so guess away! 

The answer will be posted next week. Happy reading, writing, and guessing! 

~Photo Friday~ What is it? (#13) REVEALED

~♥♥~ Now playing in my head: Adele, Someone Like You ~♥♥~

If you guessed feathers, way to go! If you guessed peacock feathers, even better. Pat yourself on the back. :O) 

A new mystery pic will be posted later today, so stay tuned! In the meantime, happy reading, writing, and blogging!! 

For the Record

In an ongoing effort to whine my cares away, here's the next installment of... 

FOR THE RECORD 

Facebook is NOT PRIVATE. Facebook has NEVER BEEN private. Facebook will NEVER BE private. Privacy settings are not as private as they'd have you believe. 

FACEBOOK: Making it easier for stalkers since 2004. 

Thank you.

~Regency Wednesday~ 1815 Advertisements (#2)

~♥♥~ Now playing in my head: Hayley Westenra, Who Painted the Moon Black ~♥♥~

HEMET'S 

  Essence of pearl and pearl dentifrice, which excel, both in elegance and efficacy, every other preparation for the Teeth and Gums, price 2s.9d. each. The essence is particularly recommended to Parents and Persona have hae the care of Children, as the greatest preservative of young and tender Teeth. None are genuine but what have the words "J. Hemet, Bayley and Blew, Cockspur-street," engraved in the stamp. (January 1815)

---

BEAUTIFUL IMITATION OF DIAMONDS.

  T. Duddell and Co. solicit the Nobility and Ladies, at the present season, to inspect their much approved fine imitation of brilliant Diamonds, as also of the carious coloured Gems, as Rubies, Emeralds, Topazes, Amethysts, &c.; having now complete elegant suits of Necklaces, Bracelets, Tiaras, Ear-rings, and Brooches—the whole of which are set by the first diamond artists, and are not to be distinguished from the real stone. Merchants and Captains may be supplied with them as usual, expressly assorted for the different Foreign Markets, by T. Duddell and Co. 106, Holborn Hill, London. (February 1815)

---

IMPROVED IVORY PAPER, 

FOR PAINTING IN MINIATURE. 

  A very great improvement has of late been made in this article, by laying on a surface of dissolved Ivory, which embraces all the properties of the animal substance, at a much lower rate, and it rendered perfectly smooth and clear. 

   Sold wholesale and retail by R. Ackermann, 101, Strand. (March 1815) 

*Taken verbatim from Ackermann's Repository, 1815.

Do You Like to WIN?

TreasureLine Publishing (my publisher) just rolled out the carpet for two new books. The party started today and will continue through tomorrow. There are tons of prizes to win on various websites and blogs and fun conversations with the authors over on Facebook. 

I've been given two e-books to give away over on my book reviews blog. Tomorrow I'll announce the one commenter who gets to download both of these fabulous romances. So get over there and comment! If you'd like to increase your chances of winning one or both of these books, click over to the Novel Launch site and find out all the other ways to win. 

Happy reading, writing, and winning!! 

Slight Renovations and Sidebar Woes

~♥♥~ Now playing in my head: Sick Puppies, Odd One ~♥♥~

First, let me state for the record how apropos the song in my head is right now. Thank you. 

Some of you may have noticed I've changed my blog header and background. It was time for a change and I like this for now. (For really awesome backgrounds, I highly recommend Cute and Cool Free Backgrounds by Itkupilli.) 

I have a tendency to overdo it on the sidebar items. I need to go through and decide what I really need there and what can go. Sigh. The life of a blogger. Any opinions on the matter are more than welcome. :O) 

Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!