Cate Masters's Blog, page 100

Spring is Bustin' Out all Over!

At The Long and Short Reviews, at least! Wish it would bust out in central Pennsylvania too, but for now, take part in the LASR blog event. You might win a Kindle! The more comments you leave, the better your chance.

Tomorrow, I'll be part of the event, so I hope you'll pop over and join me there. Leave a comment on my post so I'm not out there talking to myself! :) Find out my favorite part of Spring, and let me know what yours is too!

True Believers for Teaser Tuesday

Here are two from Maria Zannini's incredible True Believers, a scifi romance:

Like fireflies on a breeze, the remains of the trapped souls drifted near her face attracted by something they could not understand.  As the specks drew closer, she pursed her lips and blew them away like a kiss.


Read more wonderful Teaser Tuesday entries here!

Join the Hunt!

Today's my day to participate in the TRS Treasure Hunt! There are plenty of great giveaways, including the grand prize of a Kindle! So collect all the clues and enter your answers at the TRS page.

Here's my clue:
Whiskey Creek Press author Cate Masters loves diving into her writing. When one of her heroes meets a real mermaid, what does she help resurface?

Here's an added hint for my clue: just check the blurbs on my Books page and you'll quickly find the answer. :)

And leave a comment on this post for the chance to win a PDF of my contemporary romance, Design for Life. I'm so excited it was a Top Ten Finisher in this year's PredEd poll! Woot!

Reviewers said: "Ok, So I'm a softy and I love a story that gets me a warm and mushy inside and this one totally did it. I LOVE Ms Master's ability to make me feel the ups and downs along with the characters. It makes for a really good read."

And: "If you want a story that will stick with you long after the last page, then you need to read Design For Life."

I'd love for you to check out the trailer, plus more reviews and the excerpt.

Happy hunting! And good luck!

More of The Bridge Between

Yay, another Six Sentence Sunday! I'm so grateful for your comments.
I was really hoping to have a cover by now, but I'll have to be patient awhile longer.
Here's another six from my latest release, The Bridge Between, out with Whiskey Creek Press this month! And another pic from my hometown. Makes me a little homesick. (sigh)
When she walked up his front steps later, he held the door open for her. He pulled her into his arms, and they danced to their own music. Billy's hands played her body to a crescendo. Even during the lulls, his fingers stroked and slid, plucked and held, never letting go. Their harmony bound them like a musical chord. At the end of the weekend, again standing at Billy's front door, the music had slowed to a hum that she knew would resonate within her, wrap her thoughts around him until she could again stand here in his arms.
Check out all the wonderfully talented Six Sentence Sunday participants! And thanks again for your comments and encouragement!

Sweetening the pot

I'm adding to the treasure at the TRS Treasure Hunt! One commenter on my blog will win a PDF of my contemporary romance, Design for Life. Be sure to stop back here on Monday to leave your comment, and hunt down the clues for the other participating authors - check the TRS page for the list.

Here's a different excerpt:With the lone guitarist on the tiny corner stage, and every table filled once Becca and Mike took the last one, The Tin Cup bustled with noise. She didn't mind, since they had to lean their heads close to talk. Smelling the tangy coffee on his breath made her want to taste him again.The brilliance of his smile, the sparkle in his umber eyes grew more vivid at close range. "Tell me something.""What?" Being this close to him made her so lightheaded, she'd tell him anything.With a mischievous grin, he narrowed his eyes. "What secrets lurk in that humungous handbag? A body, maybe?""No." She laughed. "Only two-dimensional figures."He arched his brows. "Your sketches? Let's see.""Oh, I—" Other than her teacher at art school, she'd only shown a few people. Her mom. The Flower Basket ladies. Her best friend. Showing him the sketches was like baring her soul. If he hated them, she'd be crushed."Come on, show me."The warmth in his tone reassured her. With a steadying breath, she pulled the sketch book from the handbag. After wiping a coffee smudge from the table, she laid the pad between them. "They're very rough."Flipping slowly through page by page, he shook his head. "These aren't rough. These are professional quality. Weren't you working on something like this in high school?"Something inside her dissolved, some barrier of nagging questions. No longer did the inner voice warn her she shouldn't be here, that next Thursday night, when class convened, they'd be back to teacher and student."You remembered." The amazement she felt resounded in her voice.His gaze skipped from the sketch pad to hers, searching. "A lot of things. The way you slung your backpack over your shoulder like you were going mountain climbing or something. How your auburn hair caught the sunlight and swayed as you moved." He closed the pad, placed it on the floor against the wall and leaned closer. "The curve of your hips."Her nerves tingled in excitement. She smiled, her hand light on his sleeve, itching to explore. "You do have a good eye for detail."Grinning, he laced his fingers in hers. "The curse of an artist, as you well know." He glanced out the window and smiled. "Nice night for a walk, don't you think?""Yes, the stars are lovely." Not as lovely as the light in his deep brown eyes.His gaze fell to her lips. "And quiet. Shall we?"

TRS Treasure Hunt!

 Here's another chance to win a Kindle!
Thanks so much to Vivi Dumas for organizing this fun event, and to TRS for hosting it for us!
Treasure Hunt RulesWho can resist is good treasure hunt? Especially when the treasure is filled with exciting locations, sexy heroes and heroines, and a lot of adventure and fun to filled the hours. We hope you have fun uncovering the characters and plots of the stories each author has provided a clue to.
1.       Each day a group of authors will post the answers to their clues. 2.       You must use the clues to find your way to the author's blog/website or FB and find the answer to their question. Answers can be found in the excerpts/blurbs posted on the sites.3.       All the answers will be posted by Friday 04/08/11.4.       Once you have all the answers then you must go to TRS website http://www.theromancestudio.com/ and click on the Treasure Hunt logo to submit your answers.5.       All answers must be submitted by Saturday 04/09/11.6.       The person with the most correct answers wins the Kindle. In cause of tie, a random winner will be picked from the group of top answers. Other prizes drawn at random.7.       First prize is a Kindle. Other prizes include 10 print romance titles, many of the authors will be giving away a copy of their ebook to a commenter on their blog/site, and $25 gift card to Amazon.
04/01 Friday's CluesPassion in Print writer Jennifer L. Hart believes in torturing her characters in the fires of hell before they are allowed a happily ever after. In her latest release, Drue redeemed himself by working as an assistant to Dakota Whitmore, the woman he believes to be a thief. What does Drue think she stole from him?http://www.jenniferlhart.com/
Seleste wishes she could visit the Badlands to enjoy some "Ramblings and Romance" and maybe even end up Blood Kissed. Which sci-fi captain does Seleste think would sit down for a drink or two with Spencer Pierce, the hero of her steampunk romance Badlands?http://selestedelaney.com/wordpress/
Ryan Field, an openly gay romance writer for twenty years who writes for Ravenous Romance, wants to know what two very important topics does Luis want to discuss with Jase in the beginning of the book?http://ryan-field.blogspot.com/
04/02 Saturday's CluesDecadent Publishing author, Deena Remiel can be found where The Brethren like to play, at Deena Remiel's Place. Michael, Brethren Protector has a full-time day job. What does he do?http://deenar116.wordpress.com/
Urban Fantasy and paranormal romance writer, Vivi Dumas, resides at Delusions of Grandeur. Her heroine, Angel, true love is a hot demon name Jacque, but she has a second passion she loves almost as much. What is it?http://vividumas.wordpress.com/
While sitting on her Writer's Block, author Kelly Yeakle enjoys all things with classic beauty and Timeless elegance.  In both of her current published novels, this location has been used for either a portion or the entire novel.  Name the place.http://kyeakle27.webs.com/
Rebecca Leigh, a straight-laced attorney by day who writes sexy erotic romance by night, wants to know what her two hot male vampires in Room Number Twelve like to role-play on Friday night at the Warehouse on Sixth Street.http://blog.rebeccaleighromance.com/?zx=9f7ac5e328b15b
04/04 Monday's CluesStacey Espino loves to escape into erotic romance.  Whether it be futuristic, paranormal or western menage, she has you covered.  In one of her menage romances, two wolf shifters are not too happy about sharing the human female they found by the side of the road.  What is the name of the woman who has captured their hearts?http://www.staceyespino.blogspot.com/?zx=9cd4776461d53fe7
Canadian author, Jean Roberta's recent collection of stories all have something in common. What does each one have?http://www.jeanroberta.com/Books/obsession.htm
Whiskey Creek Press author Cate Masters loves diving into her writing. When one of her heroes meets a real mermaid, what does she help resurface?http://catemasters.blogspot.com/
04/06 Wednesday's CluesLouisa Bacio enjoys traveling through some of the darker & wilder sides of the erotic. Bacio's m/m/f paranormal release "The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf" is set in what historic U.S. city?http://louisabacio.blogspot.com/
Kilt Kilpatrick is a popular Ravenous author with a novel and several short stories to his name. Two of his short stories take place ouside of the U.S., which are they? Btw, if you can't find a blog for him, try looking for him face to face...http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kilt-Kilpatrick/160928497477
LaVerne Thompson loves a good mystery. Her hero Caine Hayden meets a mystery woman one night and his business associate the next. He falls for both. What are their names?http://isisindcblog.blogspot.com/?zx=504a36458bcde215
04/08 Friday's CluesPJ Schnyder is an author of paranormal and sci-fi romance who believes home is where the heart is. One of her heroines, Carri, believes a man might only be a lone wolf because he was never given the option to be something else. Who is Carri's wolf and what is his nickname for her?http://pjschnyder.com/blog/
Author Jay Di Meo's home has her name. Her hero James is a reincarnation of Egyptian god Seth, represented by a Jackal. His beloved Silver is the Falcon – which Egyptian god is he?http://jaydimeo.wordpress.com/
Trinity Blacio has been writing professionally for the last eight years. She has titles with several different publishers. Throughout the Running In Fear series what is the one thing Jaycee craved and wanted that she finally got in book 3?http://trinityblacio.com/blog/
Ravenous Romance author Lisa Lane has two series, an erotic horror trilogy and erotic, romantic space opera.  In her erotic horror books, how do her vampires take their coffee?http://www.cerebralwriter.com/blog.html

Good luck!

Hopping into the Author Blog Hop

This week's question is: Genres- What two do you think mix together best? 
I love mashing genres, the more the better! In my contemporary erotic romance, Wilderness Girl, I also mixed in a little humor to mix and mash a little more. :)
 Here's a snippet to whet your taste buds:
  Dana scanned the stacks of camping gear piled on the shelves. People must be crazy to pay full price for this junk. But planning this trip had been the first time Sean had paid attention to her like he used to. He'd been so distracted these last two months. Working late, even going missing a couple of nights, leaving her waiting for calls that never came. When she asked later, explanations stumbled out in a short, stammered rush that left many of her questions unanswered. If going camping helped him focus on their relationship, well, she'd do whatever was needed. A deep voice behind her reached inside her thoughts. "Can I help you with anything?"She grinned. Sean must have circled back around. He liked it from behind, and lately doggy-style was their only position. She backed the cart up until she felt his heat–it seemed more intense than usual. Maybe tonight he would relax a little. He'd been so tense lately."Um, yeah, I might need a little help." She reached behind and ran her hand up his thigh. Maybe she'd give him a taste of what, in particular, she had in mind. He kept pestering her to be more sexually adventurous. She slid her fingers to his crotch. Clicking each tooth of the zipper open, his sharp intake of breath made her smile. The sight of Sean walking between aisles, looking in the opposite direction, made her freeze."Oh my God." Her breath strangled in her throat and she whirled around.Six feet of tanned muscle, wrapped in a faded black T-shirt and jean shorts loose on his hips. Eyes like wildfire burning in a sun-kissed face. Grinning like a fox."Well, don't stop there. You have my full attention."
Check out all of today's entries here!

My first Teaser Tuesday

Here are two enticing lines from Emma Lai's His Ship, Her Fantasy:
"It would be nice if once, just once, a man would take care of me," she muttered under her breath.
Maybe it was because she ignored the ship's warnings and refused to stop her rang that it chose to knock some sense into her.

 Check out more Teaser Tuesdays entries!

Casting Call: The Bridge Between

 
While I wrote The Bridge Between, the story was most vivid in my mind, like a movie playing in my head. Yes, that happens much of the time. :) But particularly for this story, because it's set in my hometown of Lambertville, New Jersey. 
Though it's not a straight romance, it has a love story at its center. Actually, more than one. :)  The characters practically wrote the story themselves, and I merely took dictation. I love those kind of stories. :)  And who were these characters? 
Jessie Moore is the photojournalist whose live seems out of focus. She returns to Lambertville for the funeral of an old friend, and rekindles her affair with her first love, Billy Black. Claire Danes was always Jessie, in my mind.
And Billy Crudup was always Billy Black. I even named him Billy for that reason. :)Who can resist Billy Crudup? Smart, sensitive, artistic, incredibly sexy, but oh so screwed up. Jessie can't help fall in love with him again. 
 I fell in love with him when I saw Almost Famous. :)  My sisters and I even went to NYC to see him on Broadway. Outside the stage door, we caught up with him, and he was nice enough to pose with me. (sigh) Do I look like I might lick his cheek? I think it occurred to me at the time. :)
Ahem. Back to the story. :)  Billy heals Jessie's heart after her crushing breakup with Matt Cleary.

Ah, Matt could be no one else than Luke Wilson. I fell in love with Luke after watching The Family Stone. It's now one of my favorite holiday movies (though not just because of Luke, lol).For a secondary character, political reporter Alec came through loud and clear too. Paul Bettany's suave, sophisticated and charming to a fault, just like Alec. 

Finally, Spencer Tipton, another of Jessie's suitors - rich, handsome, driven by success. Matt Damon seemed to embody all these things and more.
Here's the story blurb:Once, Jessie Moore had inexhaustible energy for her art, but after this past year, her art – like her life – feels out of focus. Working at the fledgling Philly Times newspaper with reporter Matt Cleary proves draining after their breakup. When a longtime friend dies of AIDS, Jessie travels to her hometown of Lambertville, NJ. At the funeral, she reconnects with her first love, Billy Black, who becomes a bridge back to the safety of her old life, and also to the origins of her inspiration. But Billy's more lost than Jessie. Too often, he drowns his worries in beer, threatening to drag her down too. After she rekindles their affair, Matt's jealousy confuses her. Before she can truly give herself to anyone, Jessie must learn to be true to herself.

The Bridge Between to release in April!

Woot! Nothing more exciting than release day! For the next few weeks, I'll be celebrating the April release of The Bridge Between, my mainstream/women's fiction novel.


It's especially dear to me because it's set in my hometown of Lambertville, NJ. Lambertville's a character in its own right, a media darling in real life. Articles about its art and antique shops have appeared in The New York Times , women's magazines, and The Travel Channel featured Mason's Bar in an episode. The fun thing about a mainstream is that it's not limited to one love story. :)

The unofficial blurb is:

Once, Jessie Moore had inexhaustible energy for her art, but after this past year, her art – like her life – feels out of focus. Working at the fledgling Philly Times newspaper with reporter Matt Cleary proves draining after their breakup. When a longtime friend dies of AIDS, Jessie travels to her hometown of Lambertville, NJ. At the funeral, she reconnects with her first love, Billy Black, who becomes a bridge back to the safety of her old life, and also to the origins of her inspiration. But Billy's more lost than Jessie. Too often, he drowns his worries in beer, threatening to drag her down too. After she rekindles their affair, Matt's jealousy confuses her. Before she can truly give herself to anyone, Jessie must learn to be true to herself.


I hope to have the blurb and excerpt finalized by next week. In the meantime, below are my six(ish) for this week. And thanks to everyone who's been stopping by and leaving a comment. I'm very grateful.



" No. I definitely do not want you to go." In a second, he was out of his chair, putting a CD on the boom box on the back doorstep. A mellow guitar tune melted the tension from the air. He held out his hand. "Let's dance."With her hand in his, she was out of her chair and in his arms as if she'd swam to him.

If you'd like to see who starred in the video version playing in my head while I wrote, come back tomorrow!
Don't forget to visit Six Sentence Sunday to read the rest of this week's entries by amazing authors.