Kristine Cayne's Blog, page 13

FREEBIE Spotlight: An Interview with P.T. Macias

Friends, please help me welcome P.T. Macias to the blog today. P.T. is the author of the De La Cruz Saga, and an all-around wonderful person. She's so helpful, she came with her own interview questions. LOL. She also brought along some great news for readers--her new release Hot & Enchanting is FREE. Details on this great book are after the interview, so be sure to keep reading.

Hot & Enchanting  is FREE on 12/20 and 12/21. Get your copy now! ~ http://amzn.to/ZUEjCU

An Interview With P.T. Macias

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why? 
I would love to live in Europe because of the history. I would love to visit the castles.

Do you have other talents? Or is there a talent you don't have that you wish you did? 
No I don’t, but I would love to know how to play the piano. It’s been one of my dreams.

What genres do you prefer to read? 
I prefer to read romance and paranormal romance.

What genre(s) do you write? 
I write romance thriller.

What do you like best about being a writer? 
I love writing the story. I love the characters. I’m constantly amazed on how the characters communicate their story. I love meeting amazing authors and readers.

What's your least favorite part of the writing process? 
My least favorite part of writing is editing, lol.

When did you start writing? What inspired you? 
I recall reading a book when I was young and thinking that I can write a love story. I especially thought about writing when I didn't like the ending a story.

What has been the toughest criticism you've ever received? What is the biggest compliment?
I truly have not had a tough criticism, lol. I attempt to take all criticism as constructive.  The biggest compliment was I love your book and I want to read the next one.

Do you have any advice for those authors just beginning this journey?  
I would advise fellow writers to be proud of their work and to own it.  We all make mistakes.   I have read several books that had some mistakes.  There will always be people that will love it and people that will hate it.  You will meet awesome fellow writers and readers that will make your day, lol

How many books have your written? Do you have a favorite?
My first novel is Hot & Spicy. I also was compelled to write the De la Cruz Saga. The saga is about the twelve cousin’s love story. The cousin’s stories interlocked.  Hot & Spicy is the first book of a twelve novel series. The other eleven novels in the series were written concurrently. I have nine of the novels in the series approximately three quarters completed.  The second novel is Hot & Forbidden that was released in October 2012.

What are you working on now? 
I’m currently working on my fourth book Hot & Wild.

Can you tell us about your upcoming release(s)? 
Hot & Spicy is my debut novel. Hot & Forbidden is also out.  I’m so excited that Hot & Enchanting is now available.  I’m working on Hot & Wild.   I’m excited that these Hot & Wild will be available for the holidays, in a few weeks.  

Where do your best ideas come from?
My best ideas come to me in my dreams.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
 I wanted to be a writer and an attorney when I grew up, lol.

What's a typical writing day like? 
I love to start to write in the mornings with a cup of coffee. I don’t like to have noise and distractions, but my family does like to visit, lol.    

Are you a plotter or a pantser? A combination? 
I start off with a rough outline and timeline of the story.  I believe this would be a plotter, lol.   Ahh, but I’m mostly a pantster. I’m a pantster because I then allow the story to flow out. The characters direct the story.  I type away, lol.  I believe that I’m a combination.

Which comes first - the plot or the characters? 
The characters and plot comes to me together in my dreams. The characters direct their story.

Tell us something about yourself that others might find surprising. 
I have been working for the same company for thirty-one years. I have been married to the same man for thirty-one years. My job is to write estimates on damaged vehicles.

Complete this sentence: 
When I want to kick back and relax, I take a shower, get some coffee and read a book, lol.

Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do to combat it?  
No I have not suffered from writer’s block, lol.  I have been busy with the De La Cruz Saga.  I need time to finish it.

What are you reading now?
I'm not reading a book right now. Don't I wish lol. I'm too busy to read writing my saga.

What is your favorite movie? Why? 
My favorite move is Titanic because of the time period, the romance, and the action.

What inspired you to write? 
It all began with a dream. I dreamed my story over and over again. I decided to write these novels after several weeks of dreaming about all of these characters. The characters truly motivated me to write their stories, lol. They wouldn't leave me alone.  I started brainstorming and organizing it into outlines. I developed each character’s personalities, interests, and personal love story.  I wrote the De La Cruz Saga that is a twelve novel series.





Hot & Enchanting: De La Cruz Saga by P.T. Macias   

The hot-blooded saga of the De La Cruz familia and their fortunes is centered on romantic relationships of the explosively passionate nature.

The first novels in the series are Hot & Spicy ~ The bachelor that wars the Mexican cartel to protect his amor, familia, and fortune. Hot & Forbidden ~ Star-crossed lovers break taboos and fight against the chains that bind their amor.      
                     
Hot & Enchanting~ Ricardo Emmanuel De La Cruz is the sexy alpha playboy of la familia and is an attorney. He’s one of the managers in the familia’s company. He’s constantly having fun with all of the chicas that chase him.  They have been chasing him his entire life.

Ricky literally runs into Jacqueline Cortez in the hallway. She’s a bella, shy, and quiet certified public accountant that works for the familia.  Jacqueline turns his world upside down.
Jacqueline Cortez has been in love with Ricardo her entire life.  She never dreamed that running into him would unleash the amor that she locked up.  Jacki had lost hope of ever catching his eye.

Will she be able to outrun Ricardo and avoid being his next conquest? How long can Jacqueline resist Ricardo’s attention? Is she doomed to fall under his enchantment and into his waiting arms?

Excerpt

Ricky is in a hurry getting out of his carro. Damn it I’m almost out of time. We have a meeting with the new client. I have to make sure that the contracts are correct before I turn them over for Jose Enrique’s review. Si I hate running behind schedule. I’m always on it. I don’t usually arrive so early at the office, thinks Ricky grabbing his portfolio from his carro.

Ricky strides into the hall to get the elevator, missing it, watching the doors close. He stops in shock. Damn it, that’s the hermosa muneca from yesterday, thinks Ricky standing, watching her just before the doors close.

Wow, I totally missed an opportunity to talk to the muneca. How can I get to know her? I know that she recognizes me. She’s looking at me with shock. Yeah, she didn’t expect to see me and I sure as hell didn’t expect to see her.  I need to talk to her outside of the building. I don’t want to cause any issues with la familia’s company employees, ponders Ricky impatiently waiting for the elevator to come down. I know that she works here, but a lot of good that does me. My body won’t calm down, I’m totally awake now. I don’t know what it is about her that provokes these amazing overwhelming reactions.

Hot & Enchanting is FREE on 12/20 and 12/21. Get your copy now! ~ http://amzn.to/ZUEjCU


Hot & Wild will be available in a few weeks!

Hot & Wild ~ Christian Arturo De La Cruz is a Navy SEAL. Christian lives for excitement. He loves it when the risk is great, dangerous, and complex. He enjoys the thrill of conquering the enemy when on a mission and the chicas when he’s on leave.

Monique Acosta is a young innocent bella chica. Her freshness and charm captures Christian’s alma. She instantaneously turns Christian’s world upside down.

Christian is hurled into dangerous warfare. He engages against the biggest menacing criminal ever. He fights against time and evil to save his amor and familia.


P.T. Macias Links
www.ptmacias.com
www.ptmacias.blogspot.com 
www.delacruzsaga.com
www.amazon.com/author/ptmacias.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/PT-Macias/319871778087970
https://www.facebook.com/ptmacias.DeLaCruzSaga 
http://www.networkedblogs.com/user/100003063676611
http://pinterest.com/ptmacias/
http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/patriciamacias
http://www.tumblr.com/blog/ptmacias
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6035548.P_T_Macias
http://tiny.cc/a08ykw  -  google plus
http://bookblogs.ning.com/profile/PatriciaMacias
http://www.shelfari.com/o1515059902
http://www.authors.com/profile/PatriciaTMacias
http://klout.com/#/auth_PTMacias/influencers/2
http://www.networkedblogs.com/user/100003063676611
http://www.myspace.com/580777542
http://bloggers.com/account/home
http://youtu.be/n5p8k_pZ36A
https://twitter.com/pt_macias
http://romancefantasymagic.blogspot.com
http://crystalpixiedust.blogspot.com


P.T. Thank you for joining us today. Congratulations on your new release and your terrific saga. Readers, please pick up a free copy of  Hot & Enchanting  on 12/20 and 12/21 ~ http://amzn.to/ZUEjCU

Happy Holidays!Kristine

RELEASE DAY: Under His Command by Kristine Cayne + contest

Snoopy dancing over here!! I'm so happy that release day for UNDER HIS COMMAND has finally arrived. I've been dying to share my super sexy technical rescue firefighters with everyone.

As some of you may now, I've started a new erotic romance series called Six-Alarm Sexy. The prequel  novella, "Aftershocks" is available as part of the Romance in the Rain anthology.

Under His Command is the first full-length novel in the series.

Description

A firefighter desperate to save his failing marriage earns the trust—and the sexual submission—of his controlling wife in the most pleasurable of ways.

After an explosive one-night stand results in pregnancy, Jamie Caldwell is thrilled to marry the perfect foil to his Dom side. But when his submissive wife starts cringing every time he gives a command, Jamie shackles his dark desires. A bout of rough, frenzied reunion sex makes him wonder if now he should free the Dom he’s kept in chains and teach Erica the joys of submission and sexual surrender.

Erica Caldwell secretly loved every sinful thing Jamie did to her on their first night together. However, terrified she’ll become a codependent doormat like her mother, she repeatedly rejects Jamie’s dominance, despite craving the kind of release only he can give her—the release that comes from yielding to Jamie’s every demand.

Hoping that the trust required by BDSM will help them rebuild their faith in each other, Jamie and Erica embark on a journey of sexual exploration. But is it too late to repair their crumbling marriage?

A Snippet

Something soft and cool slid over her eyes. “What’s this?” she asked, reaching for it.

“Shh… It’s just a blindfold. To heighten your senses.”

Like she needed her senses heightened? He’d already taken her places she’d never been. “I’m not sure about—”

His hand smacking her butt cheek completely derailed her train of thought. “Did you just slap me?”

“That was a spank. Now turn around.” He tied the scarf over her eyes, plunging her into darkness.

She really should resist, tell him to stop. Something. But she didn't  “Okay. Why should I let you spank me?” she asked. So far this night had been like nothing she’d expected. Jamie was skilled and unpredictable. And she was genuinely curious.

“Because you love it.” His fingers trailed down the crease between her cheeks and dipped into her. Her body convulsed, pushing against his hand to take more of him. What was it about fingers that felt so darned good?

Another smack, this one a little harder, had her trembling. “See how wet you are? How good it feels?” he said.

He was so right. 

What Readers are Saying

Here's what some of my early readers had to say about Under His Command:

“Highly flammable and unforgettable. My favorite erotic romance of the year. Cayne's debut erotic romance was impossible to put down.”
—MsRomanticReads Romance & Erotica Book Reviews

"A Romantic BDSM story, Kristine Cayne's erotica debut hits all the right spots and set them on fire."
—Provocative Reads Book Reviews

“UNDER HIS COMMAND is an edgy, sassy, and oh-so-sexy novel! In other words, erotica at its sizzling best. Another 5-star achievement from talented author Kristine Cayne!”
—Laura Taylor, Romantic Suspense Author of The Warrior Series, 6-Time Romantic Times Award Winner, 2-Time Maggie Award Winner, & RWA RITA Finalist

"This baby gives new meaning to the word HOT! Insanely creative, toe curling and to top that, an amazing story as well! If this is Kristine's first erotic romance, imagine what she'll think of next!"
—Jackie Munoz

Where to Get It
If you've won Under His Command in a contest, check your email. You'll be getting your egift today. 
Under His Command is available on Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR for only $2.99 (or equivalent)!



Giveaway!


Have you read Aftershocks, the prequel to the Six-Alarm Sexy series? No? Then leave a comment to be entered to win a copy of Romance in the Rain, which contains the prequel novella, Aftershocks. You'll get the full scoop on Jamie and Erica Caldwell and the rest of the gang at station 44. Contest ends Thursday, December 20, 2012 at midnight PST. 

Romance in the Rain at any of the following sites: Amazon, Amazon UK, B&N, Kobo, ARe, Smashwords.




Word of mouth is super important to authors and you, the readers, are the best people to help us spread the news about new releases. Please tweet or share this post so that others can come celebrate with me!


And on that note, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Be safe, and be happy!
~Kristine

Kristine Cayne's Hot Winter Reads - Candy Cane Kink Hop

Welcome to stop #46 on the Candy Cane Kink Giveaway Hop, where we're celebrating hot reads and holiday fun! In many parts of the world, it's very cold right now, and what better way is there to warm up than with a smoking hot read? So, I'm going to share with you some of my hot reads recommendations. I hope you'll share yours with me too!

Heat Index: Moderate

Stacey Joy Netzel's Lost In Italy  is loaded with gripping suspense and sizzling sexual tension. 

Susan Griscom's (Regan Walsh) Whisper Cape  is for anyone who enjoys a good suspense and a riveting romance, in a fabulous paranormal world of "super" humans.

Heat Index: Hot

Dana Delamar's  Revenge and Retribution from her Blood and Honor romantic suspense series, where the sex is as gritty as the suspense story.

J.A. Redmerski's The Edge of Never is an emotional journey told from the first person point of view of both the hero and the heroine.

Heat Index: Scorching

Andrew Grey's Redemption by Fire from his By Fire Series, for readers who love their heroes to be as brave in their jobs as they are in their beds.

Bianca Sommerland's Game Misconduct from The Dartmouth Cobra's Series, where the sex is as raw as the hockey.


Now let me tell you a little about my own scorchers. As some of you may now, I've started a new erotic romance series called Six-Alarm Sexy. The prequel, "Aftershocks" is already available, and the first book in the series, Under His Command, is releasing on Monday (12/17/2012).


A firefighter desperate to save his failing marriage earns the trust--and the sexual submission--of his controlling wife in the most pleasurable of ways.


Other books in the Six-Alarm Sexy series: The Prequel - "Aftershocks," in Romance in the Rain (Available at: Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | ARe | Smashwords)


Excerpt

He gave her a little push to make her fall back on the bed. She was still gasping when he grabbed the waistband of her jeans and yanked them off her legs. The matching blue panties drew his attention. Placing his hands on her thighs, he drew them apart. She made a slight show of resistance, but gave that up when he frowned at her. Through the delicate material, he could see the shadowed outline of her folds, but no dark hair showed through. Was she truly blonde? Or shaved? Either would work. He grinned. “Take off your bra.”


When she sat up, her legs drifted together. He tapped her right knee. “Keep your legs open.”

Her eyes widened, but she did as he asked. The movement transfixed him like the unwrapping of a long-awaited gift. His gaze wandered up to her chest and focused there while she undid the bra clasp at her back. What tumbled out took his breath away. Perfectly pale, perfectly rose-tipped.

“Do you know how pretty you are?” he murmured.

She shook her head and started to close her legs again, but when she looked up at him, she stopped herself. Good, she was catching on.

“Lie back,” he said. After she complied, he slid two fingers into the sides of her panties and tugged them down to expose her. The very narrow, very fine strip of pale hair left the outer pink lips clearly visible. How would she taste? He was more than eager to find out.

When he finished removing her panties, she immediately spread her legs wide. He smiled and rewarded her by kneeling between her thighs and tracing his finger along her silken folds. “You have a gorgeous pussy.”

Her snort caught him by surprise. “You don’t think so?” he asked.

“First, it’s not gorgeous, and second, I hate that word.”

“Pussy? What else should I call it? Crotch? Mound?” His mock-shudder made her laugh. The low throaty sound had him imagining what noises she’d make when she came. Christ. His cocked pulsed against his zipper.

“I guess there is no good word for it. But men use pussy in such a vulgar way. It’s always turned me off.”

With the tip of his finger, he massaged the V along both sides of her clit. The tender skin gleamed with her juices, and she writhed beneath his touch. “You don’t seem turned off to me.” A blush bloomed on her cheeks. She really was too cute. He continued his exploration. “Let’s see. It’s soft and warm and furry, and it likes to be petted. When you do it just right, you even hear it purr.” He ran his finger up to her clit and circled around it.

“Mmm,” she closed her eyes and moaned.

“Sounds like a pussy to me.”

Her lids popped open and her gaze shot to his face. She answered his grin with one of her own. “You do have a way with… words, Jamie.” She licked her lips and arched her back. “But we’d better get this show on the road. I’m pretty close to the edge already.”

Was she now? Little Rickie was going to learn that, with him, orgasms had to be earned, and she hadn't earned hers yet. Far from it. He stepped back from the bed and undid his jeans, letting his cock pop free. She sat up and watched as he wrapped his hand around it and stroked its length. “Want this?” he asked.

She swallowed and cleared her throat before answering. “Y-yes.”

“Then come and get it.”

Rising from the bed, she crossed the few feet over to him and stopped. When she reached out to touch him, he shook his head. “On your knees.” The words tore out of his throat, thick and hoarse with need.

He waited for her to follow through on his command before removing his jeans and boxers. He tossed them onto the chair by the window then went back to her, placing the head of his cock so that it barely touched her glistening lips. A drop of pre-cum escaped. Her tongue peeked out from her alluring mouth and she licked up the bead with one broad swipe, a satisfied smile on her face. His knees shook with the strength of his arousal.

Who was this woman?

To hide his surprise, he wrapped a hank of her hair around his hand and tugged until her head fell back, then he moved in close. “Suck me. Deep.”

Want a chance to win a copy of Under His Command? Check out my pre-release contest page and enter to win one of five copies of Under His Command on release day (12/17/2012). It's super easy! 

Prizes!!
What's a blog hop without giveaways? Boring! Don't worry, I've got a couple great giveaways for you.


1st Prize: This amazing candy cane thong bookmark




2nd Prize: Summer's Journey: Collection One by Summer Daniels




To enter: Fill out the rafflecopter below! Contest ends at midnight on 12/21/2012. Winners will be selected on 12/22/2012. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway
Happy Hopping!
You can find the other hop spots by going to the our Blog Hop Central: http://closeencounterswiththenightkind.blogspot.com/2012/12/candy-cane-kink-giveaway-hop.html or by clinking on the links in the list below.

Good luck and Happy Holidays!

~Kristine

Kristine Cayne's Favorite Holiday Memory - Holiday Gifts of Love #HolidayHop

Happy Holidays friends and readers! Welcome to stop 69 on the hop! (Hmm... that should be my number on the Candy Cane Kink Giveaway Hop I'm also doing. Click here to enter that one too!)

Although everyone celebrates the holidays with different traditions and for a variety of reasons, most people do celebrate. It's a time to share with those who mean the most to us. And for me, that includes you--my readers. January will mark the end of my first year as a self-publisher, and thanks to all of you, it's been an amazing experience. This blog is my chance to give a little something back. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom for the details on the giveaways and how to enter to win!


My Favorite Holiday Memory

When my oldest son was about four years old, he decided that all he wanted for Christmas was a beach ball because the one he'd gotten the previous summer had popped. He first mentioned this to me in early November, so for two months, I searched high and low for a beach ball. Ever try to find a beach ball in Chicago in the middle of winter? Talk about a mission impossible.

At the time, my husband was working in Memphis and was also searching for a beach ball, without much luck. When Christmas came around, I packed up the kids and drove sixteen long hours to my parents' house. My husband was to join us there as he was flying in from Memphis. The whole trip, I obsessed about the fact that all my son wanted was stupid $2 beach ball, and I couldn't give him one.

Fortunately, I'd brought his popped ball as a back up plan. I thought to give it to him attached to an IOU. Not that a four-year old would care about an IOU. The kid just wanted his ball. My brother-in-law, aka Mr. Fix-it, patched up the broken ball as best he could with his swimming pool liner repair kit. The ball could be blown up, but I could tell it wouldn't last five minutes once my son started to play with it.

On Christmas eve, my husband flew into town, arriving just as our celebrations began. And in his bag, he had the best surprise of all -- a brand new beach ball! How he managed to find it, I don't know. He must have had some help from above. Later that night, my son whooped and hollered when he unwrapped the new beach ball "Santa" had brought him.

My husband, the hero, saved Christmas for my little boy, and a merry time was had by all.

* Sniff, sniff *
Grand Prizes

We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!


1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet2nd Grand Prize: A $200 Amazon or B&N Gift Card3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!
Note: 1st and 2nd Grand Prizes are International. The 3rd Grand Prize is US-only.

To enter: Leave a comment below with your email address in the comment. Entries without an email address will be discarded.
Question: What's your favorite holiday memory?

My Prizes
As some of you may now, I've started a new erotic romance series called Six-Alarm Sexy. The prequel, "Aftershocks" is already available, and the first book in the series, Under His Command, is releasing on Monday (12/17/2012). So, my prize today is:
 Two (2) ecopies of Under His Command, or Deadly Obsession (the first book in my Deadly Vices romantic suspense series). Winners choice.

To enter: Fill out the rafflecopter below. Please be sure to leave a comment with your email address so that I can contact you should you win. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway





Title: Under His Command
Series: Six-Alarm Sexy
Author: Kristine Cayne
Genre: Erotic Romance
Release Date: December 17, 2012

Description: A firefighter desperate to save his failing marriage earns the trust--and the sexual submission--of his controlling wife in the most pleasurable of ways.

Other books in this series: The Prequel - "Aftershocks," in Romance in the Rain (Available at: Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | ARe | Smashwords)







Title: Deadly Obsession
Series: Deadly Vices, Book One
Author: Kristine Cayne

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Heat: HOT!

Rating: 4.6 stars on 66 reviews (Amazon.com)

*** Currently on sale ***
Only 99¢ at Amazon ebook (77p at Amazon UK | 75p at Nook UK) | B&N | Kobo 
Also available: $3.99 at ARe | Smashwords | iTunes/Apple USA | Diesel |Sony ($9.99 at Amazon print)





Under His Command Pre-Release Giveaway
Want another chance to win a copy of Under His Command? Check out my pre-release contest page and enter to win one of five copies of Under His Command on release day (12/17/2012). It's super easy! 


Happy Hopping!
You can find the other hop spots by going to the our Blog Hop Central: Website: http://carrieannbloghops.blogspot.com/ or by clinking on the links in the list below.

Good luck and Happy Holidays!

~Kristine

NEW RELEASE: Dying to Remember by Trish Marie Dawson + #giveaway

Please join me in congratulating Trish Marie Dawson on the release of her new book, Dying to Remember. 




Title: Dying to Remember
Series: Book 2 of the Station Series
Author: Trish Marie Dawson

Genre: YA, Science-Fiction and Fantasy
Available From: Amazon |











Description
The next installment in The Station series by Amazon Bestselling Author, Trish Marie Dawson, takes readers on another lively journey through the after-life adventures of eighteen year old Piper Willow.

Piper has new challenges to overcome, new names to learn and is faced with a new Station occupation. Did she make the right choice - choosing to stay at the Station and become a Volunteer? Does she really want answers to the questions that never leave her mind? How did the Station come to be? What lies beyond? Who is Andurush and what, exactly, does he want with Piper?
She must ask herself once again if she has what it takes…but this time it isn't about saving lives, it's about discovering what lies beyond death. Would you want to know?
Excerpt from Dying to RememberIf I thought the exceedingly happy mood that has me perched atop my favorite velvet throne would last very long I'm mistaken after I enter the Ones building. Niles is standing near the counter talking to Laney. I know the moment I see him that he is there to give me news about my volunteering status. Poof goes my throne.
"Hey, Piper. You really are a popular girl today," says Laney with a tight smile.
"I guess so," I try and laugh but it sounds more like a vocal seizure.
"Piper, I came to collect you," Niles says, all business.
"Collect me?" I try and laugh again, but the sound is simply unpleasant so I snap my mouth shut to avoid any more verbal diarrhea, and nod a goodbye at Laney while moving back outside with Niles.
I allow my eyes a few seconds to readjust to the brightness around us. He places an arm loosely around my shoulders as we begin walking and says in a comforting tone, "Before I tell you where we are going and who we will be speaking with, I need you to understand you aren't in trouble. You've done nothing wrong, okay dear?"
I don't trust my voice so I only nod.
"I'm taking you to see the Mentors and…" he pauses to glance around us, and only when he seems satisfied that no one is close enough to hear, he continues, "…and the Keeper."
I don't know what this means. The look on my face must further establish my confusion but Niles only nods and continues to usher me around the fountain, which is currently teeming with teens of all ages, until we reach the Staff building.
Finally, just as Niles opens the door in front of us, I find my voice, "What's the Keeper?"
"I can't tell you, but you will see, don't worry, dear. Remember, you aren't in trouble, okay?"
We walk down the empty hallway and go through a door into a room that looks nothing like the one where Mallory and I met for the first time in person. This staff room is shaped more like an oval, with no corners on the walls and there are no tables or chairs. The center of the floor dips down a good two feet, creating a sort of recessed bench that matches the curved shape of the room. This is where the Mentor's sit in a circle. I get over my intimidation of them instantly as my eyes widen at the sight of the other person sitting with them. A man at least a good foot taller than anyone else stands and nods at me. His clothes appear to be all white but it's hard to tell at first, because the man is glowing.
About the AuthorTrish was born and mostly raised in San Diego, California where she lives now with her family and pets. She's been writing short stories and poetry since high school after an obsession with Stephen King's 'The Stand'. After over fifteen years of crazy dreams and an overactive imagination, Trish began her first book 'I Hope You Find Me' in December of 2011. When Trish isn't writing, she's homeschooling her amazing daughter and mildly autistic son, reading whatever she can get her hands on, or enjoying the Southern California sun. As a strict Vegetarian, Trish holds a special place in her heart for animal rights and dashes into the backyard weekly to rescue lizards and mice from her mini-lab/cocker spaniel mixed dog, Zoey...who is always getting into some sort of trouble.
Trish's Links
Trish's Author page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterTrishMarieDawson
Trish's Author page on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008CQGASU
Trish's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Trish_Dawson
Trish's Blog: http://writertrishmdawson.wordpress.com/

Trish's Contest
To celebrate the launch of Dying to Remember, Trish is having a giveaway with two awesome prizes: a Grand Prize swag pack and a Runner-up ini swag pack. To enter to win, just fill out the rafflecopter on her FB page at this link:   http://www.facebook.com/WriterTrishMarieDawson/app_228910107186452


Happy release day, Trish! Thank you, readers, for stopping by and celebrating with us!

~Kristine

Kristine Cayne's Author Spotlight: Why I Write by L.H. Thomson + #Giveaway

Hello everyone, please help me in welcoming back L.H. Thomson. A couple months ago, I hosted L.H. while he was on a book tour for Quinn Checks In, a fast-paced hard-boiled mystery. I was so excited to post my review of this amazing book, that I neglected to include L.H.'s fabulous post about the reasons why he's a novelist. Some of them may surprise you!

L.H. has generously agreed to give away one copy of Quinn Checks In to a lucky commenter! Details are below.

Why I Write by L.H. Thomson
A confession: some of my fiction choices have selfish underpinnings.

For one, my Max Castillo novels are based in Spain because I love that nation’s history and character.
For another, Liam Quinn was co-invented by my wife, who said she found it hard to see the characteristics that she liked in men in most of her favorite authors’ work. She had plenty of heroines to root for, but not many consistent heroes.
For a third, I write the odd science fiction story – The Process Server was my first sci-fi novel – because of my own fear of mortality.
As an agnostic I cleave to just one belief, which is that something after death is possible as long as we can never prove it isn't. It’s my one core non-objective, non-rationalized belief, but as a consequence I think I spend more time than most people wondering what life will be like in the future, when we might well be able to prolong life far beyond its current shy-of-a-century average.
If a recent scientific development turns into anything anytime soon, of course, all bets are off. A scientist recently developed a theory that would allow for the production of “warp bubbles”, allowing us to cross the galaxy in weeks instead of light years by expanding or compressing space around a vehicle. And nano-technology is, away from public view for the most part, advancing in leaps and bounds. If we can do all that, slowing cellular degeneration won’t be that far off.
But I probably won’t be here for it. We’re not that far ahead. I’m 42, and so writing Sci Fi and imagining other futures is likely as close as I’ll get to experiencing  the real thing.
I suppose we all write, to some degree, based on the sum of our experiences, and that makes it all a little selfish, even when we’re trying our darndest to entertain others. Maybe that makes the exercise a little more valid, not a little less, and is true for any writer. We may draw from our own experiences, or those of others. But we write because we care about the subjects that make their way into our stories.
My big project right now is an allegorical novel about Cordoba in the 11th century, in which the fates of locals are tied into the historic division in Islam between the Hashim and Umayya clans and their respective social approaches to the application of their faith.
There are some pretty startling messages to be found  in that era, messages about tolerance and peace that are often forgotten by regional geo-politics, in favor of fomenting hatred by preying on people’s faith. Back then, that kind of behavior ended with the most powerful family in Islam being all-but-wiped out and effectively exiled from the Middle East.
At the time the book was written, Cordoba was the world’s jewel, a city of between 500,000 and a million souls, with street lights and running water during a period when many in Europe were still living in mud huts. The selfish rationale behind that story? I've got this insane – and probably insanely common – hope that before I kick off, people over there will stop killing one another, or going violent deranged at every small provocation.  And then the vast majority of people in those countries – the civil, sane people – might have a chance at achieving something great again.
A book alone won’t lead to that, of course, but it might make people think a little, and that’s always good. Besides, I get plenty of opportunity to entertain people and am grateful for the change of pace. I have enough projects in my wait cue now that I’ll be writing fiction long into my twilight years, and most of them are just fun. This one is something a little bit more than that, and I want to give it my all.
Giveaway!


In preparation for the upcoming release of the second book in the Liam Quinn series, L.H. is giving away an ecopy of Quinn Checks In, the first book in the series, to one lucky commenter. Please leave your email address in the comment so that we can contact you.
Reader Question: What's your favorite hard-boiled mystery and why?
Click here to read my review and an excerpt of Quinn Checks In. I loved this book! http://kristinecayne.blogspot.com/2012/10/spotlight-lh-thomson-author-of-quinn.html

DescriptionLiam Quinn is back in his hometown Philly after three years in the pen for forgery. Now the ex-boxer, ex-art student has been given a chance to make amends by working as an insurance investigator, restoring a little of his family's pride and getting another chance at Nora Garcia de Soria, the woman of his dreams.
But a gallery heist isn't what it seems, and pretty soon, Quinn is running out of people to trust. The biggest mobster in town, a sweetheart named "Vin The Shin," is calling him out; a steady string of lowlifes want his head, and the local police think he's hiding something.
Hey, when trouble comes knocking?
That's when Quinn Checks In.

Links
Lowell's blog
Lowell's books on Amazon
Quinn Checks In on Amazon


Thank you, L.H. for your super post, and to all the readers for joining us today. Good luck with the giveaway everyone!
~Kristine

UNDER HIS COMMAND by Kristine Cayne: Pre-Release Contest

December 17th is release day for Under His Command, the first book in my new Six-Alarm Sexy series. I'm so excited about it that I decided to hold a contest so my readers could join in the excitement too!




A firefighter desperate to save his failing marriage earns the trust--and the sexual submission--of his controlling wife in the most pleasurable of ways.
Under His Command is an erotic romance not mean for people under 18.

What's the Prize?
I'm giving away 5 ecopies of Under His Command.

How Can I Enter?
It's very easy. Just add Under His Command to your Goodreads To-Read shelf! Click on the button below to get you there in a flash. :)


IMPORTANT: Add a comment below with your email address in the comments so I can send you the egift via Amazon if you win.


When Does the Contest End?
On Sunday December 16th at midnight Eastern Time. I'll make a list of everyone who has added Under His Command to their Goodreads To-Read shelf, and using Random.org, I'll pick 5 winners.




Have you read Aftershocks, the prequel to the Six-Alarm Sexy series? No? Why not read it now and get the full scoop on Jamie and Erica Caldwell and the rest of the gang at station 44 before you read Under His Command? 

Romance in the Rain at any of the following sites: Amazon, Amazon UK, B&N, Kobo, ARe, Smashwords.





Good luck, everyone! And please share this post so that other can party with us. :)

~Kristine

Kristine Cayne's Author Spotlight: Strong Female Lead Characters--Why We Need Them! by Samantha Adams #giveaway

Please help me in welcoming Samantha Adams, the co-author of Immortal Prophecy. Today, she's talking about one of my favorite topics--strong female characters. Writing a strong and relatable heroine is not as easy as it sounds. But Samantha is right: we absolutely need them. We have a giveaway too! Two ecopies of Immortal Prophecy are up for grabs. See details are at the end of the post. Take it away, Sam.

Strong Female Lead Characters – Why we need them!

As little girls more often than not, we want to be a Princess when we grow up.  And why not? It could be a lot worse right?  Kate Middleton and Princess Mary are wonderful role models for young women around the globe and there should be more like them.  But they are not your average princess and certainly not what the sentence, ‘I want to be a Princess’ implies.

When a little girl says this, she means she wants to grow up, marry a prince who will rescue her on his white horse and take her to his castle where she can live in luxury and never have to think or take care of herself again.  Her biggest problem in life will be what to wear to the next royal function and even then, she will have an assistant to do that for her.  The fairy tale is complete.

As we get older and reach our teenage years, we start reading young adult novels, watching TV and move on to the next un-empowering role model, which heaven forbid is someone like Paris Hilton.

Our personas and ideals are based on what we read, watch, hear, see and most of this is done unconsciously.  This is the reason we need the market for young adults, who are learning their way and in the crucial age of trying to discover who they are and what they want to be, to be flooded with strong female protagonists.

Young girls need positive role models who empower women!  Encourage them to think for themselves, make healthy choices in relationships, challenge them to better themselves, have a strong sense of self-worth and take control of their lives in a very positive way.

JK Rowling hit the spot with Hermione Granger.  She is the perfect example of a strong female lead character. Sadly, these types of characters are rare as hen’s teeth.

The female lead can’t just be a one dimensional character either, all kicking butt and physical strength.  She has to be real.  She needs a feminine side and vulnerability and she even needs to be unsure of herself at times, because even the strongest women are.  But it’s what she does when she is in a situation where she is unsure and vulnerable that really shows us what she is made of.

As authors, we wanted to make sure our lead female protagonist, Alessandra, was all these things. It was something which was very important to us.  We have received a lot of feedback saying how refreshing it was to read about a character like that and that says we need more of them!

Her destiny has been preordained and she has a soulmate named James, but even though she appears to have no choice in her life or relationship, she still questions everything around her and makes the decision on what she wants and what is going to be right for her.

Alessandra is downright difficult at times, unsure of herself and what to do, but she finds the strength and courage to carry on despite all this. She is a woman of substance, intelligence and courage.

If you are a reader and enjoy this type of strong character, then check out our debut novel, Immortal Prophecy.  If you are a writer then consider doing something different and write about a strong young woman.  You might just change a young girl’s future and inspire her to be something special and different from the usual suspects.

Thanks for having us on your blog Kristine :)





Title: Immortal Prophecy (Saga Book One)
Authors: Samantha Adams and Kay Fry

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Available from: Amazon | B&N 

Price: Only 99 cents!









Book Description

The prophecy has been foretold...
Her destiny has been written...
Her fate has been sealed...

Alessandra Decosta was just your average sixteen year old girl,
until she took a fateful visit to a fortune teller. What happened that night
would alter the course of her life forever...

Five years later, Alessandra, now a private investigator,
was doing what she thought was a routine stake out...It was to become anything
but.

Without any real warning, she found herself in the clutches
of the evil vampire, Vincent.

Just as she expected to die, James Carlisle, the smouldering
immortal that had haunted her dreams and thoughts for the last five years saved
her from certain death with only a moment to spare.

Her memories of the horrifying encounter are removed and its
only when she meets James again at a masquerade ball, does she begin to have
flashbacks of her brush with Vincent and the intoxicating Immortal that saved
her life.

Alessandra is the only thing that stands between the immortals, the
guardians of the human race and the vampires, the destruction of all mankind.

Excerpt from Immortal Prophecy

Ally couldn't breathe, couldn't move. The same feeling she had five years ago, consumed her again. She watched James, unable to take her eyes of him. He was the most captivating man she had ever laid eyes on. As James leaned on the balcony railing looking out over the garden paradise, Ally admired his chiseled profile. He stiffened, sensing her presence, and slowly turned around to look straight at her. His eyes flared, and he seemed lost in the same vortex that she was.

The room had grown unnaturally quiet, as if eagerly watching the two of them, wanting to be the first to see what would happen between Alessandra and James. Ally was sure her mind was playing tricks, and if she’d been able to look around, she would've seen no-one was watching what was going on.
James pushed off the rail with an ease and elegance that didn't seem human. He walked toward Ally, never taking his eyes off her once. He reminded her of a lion, stalking its prey with a hypnotic, unbreakable determination.

Everything changed into a slow motion scene. She felt her body gravitating towards him and without conscious thought, she had taken a step. He seemed to be calling to her. She trembled from the anticipation running through her veins. Ally couldn't form a single coherent thought.

He drew closer.

It was pure magnetism between them, pulling them together by the forces of nature.

He looked at her like a man starving.

She looked at him like a woman drowning.


About the Authors

Samantha Adams and Kay Fry are the mother daughter team behind Immortal Prophecy. They share a love of good books, swoon-worthy hero’s and sipping lattes at their local café.

Samantha is a young stay at home mum to her son, Joshua and is lucky enough to be married to her very own soulmate, Scott.

She lives in a leafy suburb of Melbourne with her family and two dogs, Coco and Ellie.
She loves dogs, adores horse riding, is absolutely addicted to reading young adult paranormal and historical romances and would love to live in England one day.



Kay never thought she would find herself writing a novel. It was a secret dream she thought wouldn't come to fruition.

As for life outside of writing, Kay lives in a leafy Melbourne suburb, loves walking around the local lake and has a desire to travel the world. Her favourite authors are Dean Koontz and Victoria Holt. She loves dancing, getting creative and of course, shoe shopping!





Author Contact Information
Samantha's website - http://www.samanthajadams.com/Samantha's blog - http://www.samanthajadams.blogspot.com.au/

Giveaway!
Great news, everyone! Samantha is giving away an ecopy of Immortal Prophecy to two (2) lucky commenters!  Please leave your email address in the comments so we can contact you.

Thank you, Samantha, for the fabulous post on strong female lead characters and for telling us about your wonderful book, Immortal Prophecy.
Readers - if you have any questions for Samantha or comments about this blog, please leave a comment. Samantha and I will be sure to respond. Thank you!
Happy Reading!~Kristine

Kristine Cayne's Author Spotlight: Charity Parkerson, author of The-Adonis

Hello readers! I'm happy today to be hosting Charity Parkerson to celebrate the release of her latest erotica novel, The-Adonis. Charity is a talented and prolific author as well as an all-around wonderful lady. I'm honored to have her visiting us today. Now let's find out all about this new book with the amazing cover!



The-Adonis
ByCharity Parkerson






Title: The-Adonis
Author: Charity Parkerson


Genre: Erotica
Publication Date: Novermber 2012



Available From: Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | Amazon US | Amazon UK 









Blurb:
Grecian Fantasies hosts one of the hottest balls in town, a naughty Nobody-Knows-Your-Name masquerade that is not only exclusive, but is also not for the faint of heart. Pleasure, fantasy, fetish, and vice are all on the menu at this ball. The only thing not up for grabs is the notorious woman behind its creation, but that is about to change.
Excerpt:
“I’m Weston,” he said as he wound Rob’s ribbon around his neck, tying it in a neat bow, and making himself appear as a giant unwanted present. “What’s your desire?” Rob started to tell Weston that he desired for him to go away, but a bright yellow feather caught his eye once more, and his gaze found the Goddess across the room.“I need you to fetch someone,” Rob answered, deciding to use the awkward situation to his advantage. “Oh, yay, a threesome,” Weston cheered. “May I suggest Mike over there,” he said, pointing to a gigantic man wearing a plain black mask. “He has lumberjack hands,” Weston added cheerfully.Rob paused. Lumberjack hands? No, he was not going to ask. “What are lumberjack hands?” “You know, he can wield his . . .” Weston began before Rob waved his hand, cutting him off. “Never mind, I get the picture.” And he did, too. He would never be able to wash this moment from his mind. Getting back on track before things got out of hand, Rob pointed across the room. “Bring her to me,” he ordered. Weston’s face fell as he caught sight of the woman to which Rob referred. “I cannot,” he stammered, sounding horrified. “What the hell? I thought you were supposed to fulfill my desires or some shit?” Weston seemed honestly distraught over Rob’s aggravation. “I’m sorry. If you ask me to fetch anyone else for a bit of fun, then I am at your service, any service,” he added, raking Rob’s body with his eyes. “However, that is Theadonis and I cannot do as you command.” “The Adonis,” Rob repeated, sounding ridiculous even to his own ears. “I thought Adonis was a man. That is no man.” As the words left Rob’s mouth, he found himself tilting his head to one side and studying the woman closer just in case he was wrong.  Weston rolled his eyes. “Not ‘the Adonis.’ Theadonis. That’s her name. She is the owner of Grecian Fantasies.”
About the Author


Charity Parkerson was born in Tennessee, where she still lives with her husband and two sons.  She is the author of several books including twelve Amazon bestsellers. You can like her at http://www.facebook.com/authorCharityParkerson. Be sure to visit her at http://www.charityparkerson.com  and you can read her blog at http://charity-thesinners.blogspot.com

Her “Sinners series” was voted one of the top ten best books by an Indie author in 2011- Paranormal Romance Reads
She was named as one of the top three Indie authors of 2012- The Book Connection  
She is a member of The Paranormal Romance Guild, is a Goodreads moderator, a member of Coffee Time Romance, and co-host of The Melissa Craig and Charity Parkerson show.
She won author of the week in August of 2011, and is a three-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath.
You can follow her on Twitter @https://twitter.com/CharityParkerso


Links: AmazonBarnes & NobleSmashwordsPunk & Sissy PublicationsGoodreads


Thank you everyone for stopping by today. Do you have any questions for Charity about her new book? If so, feel free to leave a comment. I'm sure Charity will be by to answer them throughout the day.

~Kristine

Author Spotlight: Nikki Lynn Barrett, author of The Secret Santa Wishing Well

Everyone, please help me in welcoming debut author Nikki Lynn Barrett to the blog today. And since Thanksgiving is over, it's the perfect time for a holiday-themed contemporary romance and a giftcard giveaway to help refill your pockets after Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping splurges.!

But first, Nikki is going to share with us the inspiration for her amazing new story, The Secret Santa Wishing Well.


Christmas in a Child's Eyes
Do you remember those days? When everything was so innocent. When you were a child, you didn't know so much of the things you do now. Funny how all we wanted was to grow up, but now that we are, we want that innocence as a child back.

When thinking about The Secret Santa Wishing Well, I created an image of Christmas through a little boy's eyes. For a six year old, Ben Jensen has a lot of weight on his shoulders. He is the man of the house, he helps his mom with his little sister as often as possible. Without the role of his father in his life.  Ben's image of Christmas hasn't been shattered by the fact that there won't be many toys for him to play with under the tree. Ben's Christmas is changed because he doesn't want his mom to have to work so hard just to provide for him, and his baby sister.

The thing about Ben is that I'm betting there are so many children in his position all the time. And not all of them would take on the responsibility the way he does. And frankly, they shouldn't have to.  Too many childhoods have been cut short because of things that forced them to grow up far too quickly.

When I wrote this story, it really brought things into prospective. As real as the situation may be, I still longed for that happily ever after.  I created the hero, Jacob, based a bit on my step dad. He came into my life when I was one, and got attached to me, and I was attached to him.  He's been married to my mom for 29 years and he has always treated me as if I were his own flesh and blood. Many people who have known me for a long time never realized that he's not my biological father, because there has always been a closeness. I call him Daddy.

So that's why The Secret Santa Wishing Well holds a special place in my heart.  I hope that readers enjoy reading about Jacob, Cheyenne, Ben, and baby Desiree. It's not just a story for Christmas, it's a story about family, love, and new beginnings.

Thank you again, for having me here today, and allowing me to ramble.

-Nikki Lynn Barrett




Title: The Secret Santa Wishing Well
Author: Nikki Lynn Barrett

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: November, 2012

Price: $2.99

Available from: Amazon | B&N










Description
The magic of Christmas has been lost to Jacob Winston. At the suggestion of his ill sister, Jacob takes a job as a Secret Santa at the mall, hoping to restore his Christmas spirit. Even that doesn't seem to work, until a special little boy ambles up to make a very special wish...

Cheyenne Jensen is struggling to raise her two kids without the help of her ex-husband who refuses to acknowledge his daughter's existence and doesn't provide for the son he does. This Christmas is shaping up to be as heartbreaking as the last, until her son Ben's kind actions lead a stranger to them.

Ah, but it's Christmas time and the magic has begun.

When Jacob and Cheyenne meet, neither can deny their immediate attraction to one another. As situations arise that require they spend more time together, their feelings grow stronger and stronger.
With Christmas fast approaching, the pair learn what matters most in life. Now, if only they could ditch the ghost of Christmases past.

Maybe this holiday will bring some wishes come true- for everyone after all.

Excerpt from The Secret Santa Wishing Well
It didn't take long for her to come back.

Jacob moved to the living room, standing and waiting. When he saw her coming, he closed the gap between them. Before he could think twice, he touched her shoulder gently, wanting to thank her for the evening. But instead of talking, he leaned in and kissed her. Just a light kiss. Gentle. Friendly. Until she responded.

She had her arms around him, pulling him for another kiss. Deeper. Sweeter. She tasted so sweet. Her need made him swell. He could do this all night. Jacob pressed her against the wall, their kisses deepening with urgency. He ran his fingers through her fine hair. Hers wrapped around his neck, rubbing lightly.

Jacob pulled back abruptly. “Cheyenne," he ground out. “We have to stop.” Before I lose it. He didn't want to stop. He never expected her to reciprocate like this. Wow. Maybe it wasn't one sided after all. Jacob sighed.

That halted everything. She pulled away, looking at him with wide, beautiful eyes. “I'm sorry. I pushed. You must think I'm a fool. I thought when you kissed me...” Cheyenne attempted to move out of Jacob's embrace. Oh, damn. She thought he didn't want her. He did, oh, how he did.

“No, no. Honey, that's not it at all. Kissing you was magical. Amazing. But we just met. I don't want to take things too far. But I would love to see you again.” He pushed back loose strands of her hair that hung over her face when she'd moved. She looked so vulnerable. Was she going to cry? Oh hell, he wouldn't be able to handle it if she did. The last thing he wanted was for her to be upset with him.

“I'd like that, too. It was a wonderful, amazing day, and I have you to thank for it.” She nearly whispered the words, choking up on the last part. “God, I'm a mess. I'm sorry. There's been so much going on, and my signals are going crazy at the moment.”

Yours aren't the only one, Jacob thought. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket, typing in her name in the contacts and handing it to her. “Can I have your number?”

She laughed. “Of course.” Her fingers brushed his as she took the phone from him, tapping in her number. She handed it back to him. Electric shocks of awareness zipped through him. His gaze lingered on her, knowing he needed to get the hell out of here before he lost it completely,

Buy Links
Amazon | B&N

Coming in print and Kobo soon. Other ebook retailers TBA.

Author Links
Website: http://www.facebook.com/NikkiLynnBarrettauthor
Blog: http://www.nikkilynnbarrett.blogspot.com/
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/WYLCbB
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6583655.Nikki_Lynn_Barrett


Giveaway - $10 Amazon or B&N Giftcard
Nikki is so into the spirit of the holidays that she's treating us to an early present. Leave a comment and your email address to be entered to win a $10 Amazon or B&N giftcard! The giveaway ends on Friday, November 30, 2012 at 11:59 PM, Pacific time.

Remember to include your email address in your comment!

Thank you, Nikki, for your incredible generosity. We wish you the best of luck with your fabulous debut novel.

Thank you, readers! Best of luck with the giveaway.
~Kristine