Kristine Cayne's Blog, page 20
March 17, 2012
St. Patrick's Day Blog Hop - The Winners Are...
My own movie tickets prize generated and incredible 136 entries. I'm thrilled to have had the chance to meet so many new people and I hope you'll all come back to visit me. I'm doing another blog hop in April, so stay tuned.
Now onto the winners
Winner of the Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
#136 from Carrie Ann Ryan's
Melissa L
I'll be attempting Irish Car Bomb cupcakes this St. Patrick's Day!
Winner of the $90 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
#4186 from Wendy Smith's Blog
Shadow
True love? To me is being there, knowing you will always have there love and can count on each other for anything. Youd give up and do anything to make the other happy.
Winner of the pair of AMC Theatre Movie Tickets
#80 from Kristine Cayne's Blog
VanillaOrchids
About my only tradition is the wearing of green. :)
Thanks for the giveaway.
Happy St. Patrick's Day.
Congratulations, Melissa L., Shadow, and VanillaOrchids!
And a huge thank you to all the authors and blog hoppers!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
~Kristine
Image courtesy of http://www.computerclipart.com
March 15, 2012
St. Patrick's Day Blog Hop - Enter now to win great prizes!
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day! Well, okay, it's one day early but we're wearing green and raising a mug! Over 120 authors are participating in this blog hop, so please once you're done entering for the chance to win great prizes here, be sure to follow the links at the bottom of the post. Each author is giving away an individual prize and we have two grand prizes for two different winners. You can enter for the grand prize at each blog! So increase your chances by blog hopping all day :)
(In order not to miss any upcoming posts about new releases, contests, and giveaways, please consider subscribing to this blog via email, RSS feed, Google Friend Connect, Google+, or NetworkedBlogs. The links are in the left sidebar.)
My Prize
Nic "the lover" Lamoureux, the hero of Deadly Obsession and Hollywood Oscar-winner extraordinaire has managed to snag a pair of movie tickets from a fan at AMC Theatres! These are Gold Experience tickets. 
The blurb on the back says, "Good at any AMC®, AMC Showplace, Loews, Cineplex Odeon, Magic Johnson, and Star theatres, excluding Canadian theatres. Subject to surcharge for 3D, IMAX®, ETX, alternative content, and premium services and locations." There are no restrictions on the movie or timing during which the tickets can be used!(I'm so sorry my Canadian friends! Next summer when I go to Montreal, I'm going to pick up some gifts so I can include you in my giveaways!)
To enter, fill out the rafflecopter. Earn more points by executing one or more additional actions. Contents closes at 11:59 EST on 3/16. Good luck!
Grand Prizes
As I mentioned, we have two blog hop grand prizes for two different winners!
Grand Prize 1: Winner's Choice of a Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
Grand Prize 2: Winner's Choice of a $90 Amazon or Barnes&Noble Gift Card
To enter, just leave a comment! The grand prize winners will be chosen at random from the commenters - meaning you can comment on EACH blog in the hop - meaning 120 entries to the grand prize.
Winners will be selected from the commenters on all 120 blogs on 3/17 by Carrie Ann Ryan. However, the last time to enter the contest is 11:59 EST on 3/16. So, let's get busy :)
Here are the links to other blogs participating in the St. Patrick's Day Blog Hop.
Happy St. Patrick's Day - may you have the luck of the Irish!
~Kristine
March 13, 2012
Author Spotlight - Amethyst Eyes by Debbie Brown
Courtesy of the Making Connections Book Tour, I'm please today to be hosting Debbie Brown who'll be talking with us about her new book, Amethyst Eyes.
Title: Amethyst EyesAuthor: Debbie Brown
Genre: Fantasy/YA
Waking up in the hospital from the car accident that claimed his mother's life, 15-year-old Tommy is told his father is on his way. Unaware of his father's true identity or the reason he left so long ago, the teen is unprepared for the reality of the life he must now lead. In the blink of an eye Tommy finds himself on an alien vessel…his father is not from Earth!
The challenges Tommy faces go beyond adapting to a new home and school. But first, he has to survive Jayden…the reluctant, unsympathetic tutor, tasked to help him fit in. When he finally thinks things are getting better, things come crashing down as he learns that being born with amethyst eyes has made him the target of some very unfriendly beings.
Excerpt
"Hold on!" Tommy's mother yelled as she tried to steer their old Cherokee from the truck's path. Tommy never saw it coming. It was just there, on the wrong side of the road and out of control.
"Mom?" Closing his eyes tight, he grabbed hold of the arm she placed across his chest to shield him from the crash, and as suddenly as the truck had appeared, his world went black.
The smell of the smoke was the first thing he noticed. Opening his eyes, he saw that they were still in the jeep. What was left of it. His entire body screamed with pain as he tried to move. "Mom," he called. She was pinned to her seat by the steering wheel. A trickle of blood ran from the corner of her mouth.
"T-om-my," she managed.
Tears filled his eyes. Don't die, he thought to himself. Removing his seatbelt, he attempted to slide closer to her. A sharp stab of pain surprised him, releasing a wave of dizziness. Sweat beaded on his forehead. "Mom…"
Stirring ever so slightly, she tried to speak. Her voice was barely a whisper. "Join…the…p-pen-dant." The effort seemed to cost her greatly. She coughed and let out a small cry as she slipped into unconsciousness.
Tommy's mind raced. The pendant, the pendant. He knew what she meant, he just never believed it. He thought she was joking when she said it was their 911 line to his father. Forcing himself to focus, he pulled on her chain until he located the clasp. Sliding it open and removing the chain, he secured it around his neck. Then he proceeded to join the two stone halves. Would his father come? Where was he? What had Mom meant when she told me 'you will know your father's world soon enough'?
A burst of coloured light filled the car. Tommy dropped the pendant as if it had suddenly become too hot to handle. Before the pendant hit his chest, the molecules shifted, rendering it invisible. He knew now that his father would come. Another wave of dizziness hit as he gazed one last time at his mother.
"I love you, Mom," he whispered as darkness claimed him.
Tommy's stomach knotted as he recognized the antiseptic smell that could only belong to a hospital. Opening his eyes, the memory of the accident came slowly back. He began to cry. The heart monitor raced in response to the sudden onrush of emotion, and he couldn't control the sobs that took hold of his body. He didn't try to either.
A nurse stepped in to check on him. After a quick evaluation, she wrapped her arms around him tight, and without saying a word, let him grieve over his loss.
When the tears were all but spent, Jenna (according to her name tag) brushed the hair from his forehead. He felt so empty and alone, even in the comfort of her arms. His breaths caught sharply when she gently repositioned the brace around his shattered leg, but he said nothing.
"I'm so sorry for your loss," she said in a soft voice. She helped him settle back in the bed, stood and checked on his various tubes and wires. "Your father has contacted us
and will arrive in a few days." Pulling a pad from her pocket, she checked her notes.
"You aren't due for more pain medication for another hour." She shoved the paper back in her pocket. "But if the pain is too intense, I can-"
"I don't want it." He cut her off.
She smiled in a gentle manner. "Well, we'll wait and see, ok?"
On the day of his father's arrival, Tommy stood in the bathroom with the help of his crutches and examined his features closely. He wondered how much he looked like his father. Did he have the same amethyst eyes, or the strange gold highlights in his hair? The glow of the overhead bulb seemed to accentuate the unearthliness of his most prominent features.
Jenna poked her head into the room. "Are you ready?"
He avoided her gaze. "I still have a few things to pack."
"To meet your father, I mean." Without missing a beat, she walked over to him, placed his hair quickly and proceeded to escort him to the door.
"I can't." He stopped before stepping out into the hall. "He left almost thirteen years ago. I don't even remember what he looks like. I was only two..." his voice trailed off.
Jenna placed a comforting hand on his arm. "He's as nervous as you are, and I don't think you'll have any trouble recognizing him. Let's go, gorgeous." She winked at him in an attempt to lighten the mood, but her support and reassurance were genuine.
Jenna led Tommy to a private lounge where a tall, uniformed man stood by the window, looking out over the city. Tommy didn't recognize the blue-and-black uniform but thought nothing of it. The commander turned at the sound of the door opening, and two sets of amethyst eyes met for the first time in years. A silent exchange of acknowledgement passed between the two.
Jenna stood, hands on hips. "Now don't tell me you're one of those cold military types who can't risk an emotional display by hugging a son you haven't seen in years."
Jenna's outburst caused the commander to blush ever so slightly. He made his way over to his son. Tommy let his crutches fall to the floor as he held tight to his father.
"Leave us," the commander ordered with no room for discussion. He lifted Tommy's chin and examined him closely. "I am saddened at the loss of your mother. This was not how we had planned it."
"What do you mean?" Tommy's could barely get the words out.
"Come, sit." A strong arm held Tommy by the waist, and guided him to the couch. Taking a deep breath the commander continued, "As you know, your mother and I are of different origins. She chose not to follow me but to remain here and raise you until the age of eighteen. At this point, I was to return and give you the choice of worlds."
"The choice of worlds?" Tommy repeated. "I'd never even thought about a military career." Why would his father talk about this now? "How far were you stationed that you couldn't even write?" Painful questions Tommy usually avoided were beginning to stir inside.
A look of surprise crossed the commander's face. Releasing the breath he had been holding he said, "I see your mother has not prepared you for this at all." He passed a hand over his mouth and then tapped his watch twice.
"Yes, Commander?" A man's voice filled the room.
"Molecular transport, on my mark." Standing, he helped Tommy to his feet and collected the crutches. "I will show you my world, and I will explain."
Confused, Tommy nervously accepted his father's support.
Holding his son tight, the commander gave the order.
Tommy blinked as everything around him faded. He was no longer in the hospital lounge but on a raised platform at the back of a square, unadorned room. A shimmering glass wall separated them from the two men who sat at some kind of computer console. He froze in place. This was not possible. "Father…" Tommy whispered.
"All clear, Commander," one of the two men said.
His father nodded to the officer. "Follow me," he said to Tommy.
Tommy couldn't move, couldn't speak. He was trying to process what had just happened, but his mind wasn't able to accept it. His heart rate shot up and his legs felt weak.
"Do you require assistance?" his father asked.
Forcing himself to focus, Tommy shook his head 'no' and hobbled forward.
"We will take it slow, one step at a time." His father helped him down from the platform, and they stepped out of the room into a brightly lit, ice-blue corridor. "Are you able to walk, or would you prefer we-"
Tommy cut him off. "I can walk." He took a few unsteady steps forward. "A bit."
"Do you know where we are?" his father asked as they moved slowly down the corridor. The answer came as they made their way to the large, oval port hole at the end of the corridor. It showed Earth in all her glory, directly below them.
Watch the Book Trailer
About the Author
For as long as she can remember, Debbie has been creating stories in her head. She hated to go anywhere without a pen and paper, just in case. As a graduate of the Institute of Children's literature, while pursuing yet another writing course, she finds herself doing what she loves . . . learning and writing. The course gives her an excuse to just sit down and write.
Over the years she has worked as a nurse, a teacher, a martial arts instructor and a CIC officer in the Canadian Forces. Her hobbies have varied from woodworking, to auto-mechanics, with music, painting, karate, holistic medicine, gardening and camping thrown into the mix. Let's not forget reading.Debbie's perfect cure for a long winter's night is curling up in front of a fire with a good book while snowflakes drift slowly past the window. Never having been much of a city girl, she lives with two of her four children, her husband Jean-Pierre and their pets in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec. She couldn't imagine life without the beauty found in the trees, mountains and lakes that surround her.
Contact Info
Debbie likes to talk with her readers. Find her on Facebook, Goodreads, and on her Blog.
Twitter: @amethysteyes01
Email: amethysteyes01@yahoo.ca
Buy Links
Amethyest Eyes is available from the following retailers:
Amazon, Chapters Indigo, Powell's, Barnes & Noble, SONY Reader Store.
It is also available through over 100 online bookstores worldwide; you just have to Google it to find it!
If you like the book, feel free to LIKE its facebook page.
Giveaway
Debbie would like to offer an ecopy of Amethyst Eyes to one lucky reader. Simply comment below and you are entered!
If you have any questions feel free to ask and Debbie promises to get back to you. Debbie also invites you to post comments and reviews.
Thank you for reading!
~Kristine and Debbie
Interview with Kristine Cayne on First Lines
I'm being interviewed by Scarlett Archer on the 1001 First Lines blog about--you guessed it--first lines. Come check it out and see if you agree with my thoughts on what makes a great first line and what makes a terrible one. This could be a lot of fun!
~Kristine
March 9, 2012
Interview with Scarlett Archer - Author and Cover Designer
I'm excited today to be hosting Scarlett Archer, author and cover designer. Scarlett is the author of
1001 First Lines
. She also created the fabulous cover for my book, Deadly Obsession (which you can see in the right sidebar), and is currently working on the cover for Deadly Addiction. Welcome, Scarlett!
Kristine: Why did you decide to write a book on first lines? Why are they so important?
Scarlett: I think first lines are vital to the first swell of a book, to draw the reader into the tide. I love them, I love looking at them as an art form and I realized that others might have the same inclination as I do. They're so important because they establish the setting, the speed, the agony or the ecstasy. Without a good first line a lot of people put the book down and that's it, the end!
Kristine: What's your favorite first line? Why?
Scarlett: "The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed." Stephen King, The Dark Tower. This is my favourite because when I read it I felt like I'd been punched in the face. It still makes me reel when I read it.
Kristine: What's your least favorite first line? Why?
Scarlett: Least favourite, I can't recall. But now I'm so focused on first lines I'm sure I'll have soon enough!
Kristine: Do you think what makes a first line great differs by genre? If so how? If not, why not?
Scarlett: With the number of first lines I had to scour I would have to say yes. And probably for the opposite reason people think so.
First lines of chick lit are vastly different to first lines of biographies, or general non-fiction. Each genre has its own format that is followed so often - consider breaking those cliches. Become familiar with your genre and how all the first lines begin to sound the same, then get cosy with other genres. Ask yourself 'How would it sound if my fantasy/sci-fi novel opened up with the same style as a biography, or thriller?'
Kristine: You also make book covers. What makes a book cover great?
Scarlett: A cover that doesn't give away the story, but invites the reader to pick it up. Essentially I've seen some absolutely horrific book covers but I feel compelled to pick it up and find out what it's about. You gotta give it to the designer, that's pretty effective advertising.
But regarding good design one thing that can make or break a cover is typography. What's typography? The use of type. The layout, the format, the structure. A lot of hobbyists, and people who like playing around in Photoshop, don't realise the importance of typography. They put all their time in to the image and slap a title on there in Arial and voila. They don't realise should they put the amount of time on type as they do on everything else, they will come out miles ahead!
Kristine: What's the best book cover you've ever seen?
Scarlett: It's a series of covers done for Vladimir Nabokov's books, designed as a display case holding something inside: http://bookcoverarchive.com/Vladimir_Nabokov I find them ingenious.
Kristine: What's the worst book cover you've ever seen?
Scarlett: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PMlxkPaTL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
But this made one of the best covers I've ever seen because of the title. It's fairly self explanatory. I actually own this book.
Kristine: You are no doubt proud of all the covers you've created. But what's the one you have the biggest soft-spot for and why?
Scarlett: http://booksat.scarlettrugers.com/books/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/scandal_web.jpg
I designed this cover when I was in University. It was a project to design a book, which I was totally over the moon about! I designed it for a series of short stories I'm writing, the first titled "The Scandal". It's a series about a paparazzo in Hollywood, and the adventures she has and the trouble she gets in!
I love this so much because it was designed with the same style of the Nabokov book designs, as a display case. The cover is a blonde girl pinned down, with tags on the pins like a butterfly. The concept is that the paparazzi are out to capture, analyse, and investigate celebrities. The book was printed and placed into a specially made wooden box with a clear plastic top. My teacher was so impressed by it she bought it off me!
Kristine: Do you have plans to write other books? Can you tell us a little bit about those plans?
Scarlett: I'm in the middle of three different projects. One is a romantic comedy of a female cab driver in NYC [in editing mode for that], another is a dark retelling of The Wizard of Oz [in outlining for that], and the third is a novella about two children who stop ageing, and how they live through the decades. I won't bore you with the details, but I ALWAYS have plan to write books :) Writing is who I am, no matter how much I design writing is number one.
Kristine: Anything you want to tell our readers?
Scarlett: Buying my book 1001 First Lines isn't just about having fun reading first lines, but if you're a writer I recommend it as a vital addition to your library. It has a tick list in the back to check off all the books you've read, and I spent a lot of time on the design so you won't be disappointed buying it paperback!
About Scarlett
Scarlett Rugers (writing as Scarlett Archer) has just released a book 1001 First Lines which is now available at Amazon! You can purchase a paperback, .lit, .epub, .mobi and PDF versions here: http://www.1001firstlines.wordpress.com.She has been writing for over fifteen years, completed over eleven novels, and her main drive is in speculative fiction or its contrasting opposite romantic comedic novels. She has a passion for studying the art of story telling and is a grand lover of movies. Her focus in work is book cover designs which enables her to put all her energy in to the area she loves most- literature.
Scarlett's Amazing Cover Deal
You can get in touch with Scarlett about getting a book cover designed for you for the super affordable price of $50! But there's only 30 places for $50 and they're running out fast! Check it out at http://www.booksat.scarlettrugers.com
Your Turn!
Okay, readers, here are a couple questions for you:
What's the best or worst first line you've ever read? What's the best or worst cover you've ever seen?
Scarlett and I would love to hear your opinions!
Happy reading!
~Kristine
March 7, 2012
St. Patrick's Day Blog Hop - Announcement
Great news! On Friday March 16th, we're having a Blog Hop to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and wearing green! Over 120 authors are going to be telling anything they can about being Irish, celebrating the day, wearing green, drinking green beer... pretty much anything!Each author will be giving away a prize. Like a swag pack, gift cards, ebooks, print books, and so much more.
PLUS We have TWO Grand Prizes for TWO different winners!
Grand Prize 1: Winner's Choice of a Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
Grand Prize 2: Winner's Choice of a $90 Amazon or Barnes&Noble Gift Card
Isn't that exciting? LOL. So you as a reader - what do you have to do? Well, visit these blogs on Friday March 16th and comment on as many as you want. (I'll post links to the blogs on Friday March 16.) The grand prize winners will be chosen at random from the commenters - meaning you can comment on EACH blog - meaning 120 entries to the grand prize.
Sounds great right? Come on over and wear your green and win some prizes!!!
And don't forget - today is the LAST day to enter the Deadly Obsession Goodreads Giveaway. Five signed copies are up for grabs :) See the sidebar or the Goodreads tab (above) for the giveaway widget.
Happy Reading!
Kristine
Blogger - My New Home
Welcome to my new home :) I'm moving my blog from it's previous location to Blogger. Since I can't export my old blog in any form but text, I'll be re-posting some of the better blogs here, over the next few months, interspersed with new content - posts, guest blogs, contests, & more!You can sign up to receive these posts via email, or RSS feed, NetworkedBlogs, or Google Friend Connect. I love chatting with readers, so I hope you drop by often :)
Happy Reading!
Kristine
February 28, 2012
Leap Into Indie - Blog Hop with Us!
Welcome to the Leap Into Indie Blog Hop! Come along on this giveaway blog hop and meet some new indie authors and be introduced to their books.
Everyone is doing a giveaway so the more you hop, the better your chances of winning!
(To make sure you don't miss any entries, please consider subscribing by RSS feed or email. Sign up for my New Releases mailing list for additional chances to win a free book. The links are right here on the sides <===> ).
My Giveaways
In honor of this wonderful blog hop dedicated to indie authors, I'm giving away two romantic suspense e-books via Smashwords coupon. Available formats are: kindle, ePUB, and PDF. International participants are welcome. The giveaways begin at 12:01AM EST Feb. 29, 2012 and run until 11:59PM EST March 04, 2012.
Deadly Obsession (Deadly Vices Book One)
Author: Kristine Cayne
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Blurb:
Nic Lamoureux's perfect movie star life is shattered by a stalker who threatens any woman close to him. When he meets photographer Lauren James, the attraction is instant—and mutual. She's exactly the sort of woman he craves, but the stalker makes deadly clear Lauren is the competition. And the competition must be eliminated.
Fill out the rafflecopter and complete the additional tasks for more chances to win. I'm having some problems displaying the widget but the link should work. If the widget does not display, click here to access the widget on my website: Deadly Obsession Giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Revenge (Blood and Honor Book One)
Author: Dana Delamar
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Blurb:
A woman on the run. A damaged Mafia don. A rival bent on revenge…
Mafia don Enrico Lucchesi struggles to preserve a fragile truce with the Andretti family. But when Kate Andretti flees from her abusive husband, Enrico won't leave her in jeopardy. Can he save her without reigniting the bloody feud between the families?
Fill out the rafflecopter and complete the additional tasks for more chances to win. I'm having some problems displaying the widget but the link should work. If the widget does not display, click here to access the widget on my website: Revenge Giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
More Chances to Win
Please Click on the links below to go to the next participating blog. Thank you!
Paranormal Wastelands
Can't Put it Down
Teri & Lizz @Dreaming Dreams
Gypsy Mama Logs
Kristine Cayne
Crazy Dream Blog
Ann @ BookSpark
Kathy @ I Write, I Read, I Review
Jennifer Zane
Lisa and Maja @ The Nocturnal Library
SweetMarie83 @ Ramblings of a Daydreamer
Blakely @ Indiscriminate Writes
Selena Blake
Maghon Thomas
Karice Bolton - The Watchers Trilogy
Caine Books
Eric Edstrom
usagi @ birth of a new witch
Greta Maloney
Tina M.E.
The Ravens Crossing
Thank you for participating in the Leap into Indies Blog Hop!
~Kristine
Copyright 2011-2012 @ Kristine Cayne
February 27, 2012
Awesome Reviews & Giveaway Winners
The last few weeks have been some of the most exciting in my writing career. I got a couple fantastic reviews, and I gave away some books as part of Ritesh Kala's wonderful Valentines Week Mega Giveaway.
(To make sure you don't miss any entries, please consider subscribing by RSS feed or email. Sign up for my New Releases mailing list for additional chances to win a free book. The links are right here on the sides <===> ).
Reviews
A week ago, the April issue of RT Book Reviews magazine began arriving in people's mailboxes. A friend of mine emailed me to let me know that RT had reviewed Deadly Obsession and given it 4 1/2 stars and a Top Pick! Let me just say that the excitement still hasn't worn off.
As you can see in the image (I've warped out the actual text of the reviews), my review is nicely tucked in between one for Nora Roberts and Christina Dodd! Cherry Adair's in on the next page. And we all have the same rating - whoo-hoo! I think I'm having heart palpitations 
To see the full review, please visit RT Book Reviews here.
I also got a wonderful review from Kerri at Musings of a Bookworm (also posted on Amazon). Here's what Kerri had to say:
5 stars - this is an awesome book
I thought when I got this book that I was in for a nice little read. I would guess who did it by chapter 3 and wait for the plot to catch up. Boy was I wrong, this is a smart savvy story that is a first class romantic suspense and uses the fact we know who the stalker is to full effect. It is a intense and the plot is laid out in such a way that you are on the edge of your seat just waiting for Nik to see what we see. This is a masterpiece and it blew me away, the emotional intensity grabs you from page 1 and doesn't let up till the very last word, it is heartstoppingly beautiful and bloodcurdlingly believable and I for one bow down to a very scary author!!
Thank you, Kerri!
Ebook Winners
Ritesh Kala hosted a Valentines Week Mega Giveaway where nine authors gave away more than 40 ebooks, including three copies of Deadly Obsession.
Jo W.
Marulett
Linda B.
Thank you all for participating in the giveaway and to Ritesh for hosting it!I wish you all "Happy Reading!"
~Kristine
Copyright 2011-2012 @ Kristine Cayne
February 23, 2012
Guest Post - Carrie Ann Ryan & the Redwood Pack
Welcome, Carrie Ann Ryan, top-selling author of the Redwood Pack novels! Carrie will be introducing us to her Redwood Pack world and sharing an excerpt from her latest book in the series, A Taste for a Mate. Carrie has also generously offered to give away one signed bookmark (see image above) as a prize. Just leave a comment with your email address and she'll pick a winner - international participants are welcome. Contest closes Saturday (2/22/2012) at 6:00pm Eastern time. Take it away, Carrie!
(To make sure you don't miss any entries, please consider subscribing by RSS feed or email. Sign up for my New Releases mailing list for additional chances to win a free book. The links are right here on the sides <===> ).
The Redwood Pack World
Every time I open a book to read I get to jump into a new world. When I started writing, I was so excited because I got to make up my own world! The Redwood Pack is an ancient Pack of werewolves who hide their animal halves from the unsuspecting humans.
In each Pack there are different hierarchies. Not all Packs are the same. Not all positions and powers in the Pack are known to the other Packs.
In the Redwoods there are certain positions and most of them surround the Alpha's family – the Jamensons.
Edward Jamenson is the Alpha, their leader. He and his wife Pat, have six sons and one daughter. Kade, the eldest son, is the Heir, the next in line to be Alpha. His story was told in book 1 of the series, An Alpha's Path. Jasper is the second son and the Beta. His story is told
in A Taste for a Mate.
Adam is the fourth oldest and is the Enforcer. Reed is the fourth eldest and doesn't hold a position in the Pack outside of being a family member. Maddox and North are twins and next in age. Maddox is the Omega, while North does not hold a position. Cailin is the baby and the only girl.
There is another position in the Pack – but shh… LOL
The family is really close and yell in my head often LOL. There are no vampires in this world, but there are witches and if evil arises – demons.
These are all hidden from the humans. They don't know that a war of supernaturals is coming and they may be the casualties.
My Jamensons are werewolves. They have two souls – one of man and one of wolf. They work hard for control, but are inherently good.
But the Jamensons aren't the only wolves out there. There is another Pack bent on destroying all that the Redwoods hold dear. It will take everything they have and every power they possess to save themselves and the humans.
Each sibling will find their mate or mates
and do all that they can to keep them. There is love, heat, *ahem* sex, fighting, sorrow and happiness. Everything that I love to read. LOL I love making new worlds and finding secrets. There are more secrets and powers I haven't told you about, but you'll just have to read An Alpha's Path and A Taste for a Mate to find out!
A Taste for a Mate (Redwood Pack Book 2)
by Carrie Ann Ryan
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Jasper Jamenson's only responsibility to being the Beta of the Redwood Pack, second son of the Alpha, is to protect the Pack from themselves and the human world. After a century of selfless service, his brother's new found mating forced him into taking a good look into his life. He isn't sure he wants a mate, but fate may have other ideas.
Willow Delton is a skinny, bakery owner – the type most woman love to hate. Being without family, she finds herself alone to the Greek god with green eyes who saunters into her bakery every morning. Her desire to follow him, to be with him, overrides every rational sense she possessed.
Jasper and Willow are drawn together, despite every nuisance that works against them. But evil beyond even Jasper's supernatural compensation will make war against him, by going after the only thing in his eternal life he desires – Willow. Is Willow's heart enough to overcome Jasper's soul to save her life? A fight he cannot win, but to save her life – he must.
A Taste for a Mate - Chapter 1
The scent of cinnamon and sugar danced on the air as Willow Delton heaved opened the heavy oven door to remove her prized cinnamon rolls. The plump, buttery pastries were baked to perfection, and she set them on the counter to cool. The only thing missing was her thick and creamy frosting, but that would have to wait.
Willow stood back and stared around her commercial grade kitchen. She'd started her bakery from scratch, and it had grown into a successful, albeit small, business. Incredible, really. She'd never thought the day would arrive when she finally had a place to call her own. She was right where she wanted to be. Her favorite part of the day was being able to meet one-on-one with her customers. She loved the looks on their faces when they bit into her temptations, that look of ecstasy not seen on this side of the bedroom door that flashed across their eyes.
Of course, that particular look as the result of a man was long absent from Willow's face. Too excruciatingly long.
She stood back and closed her eyes, conjuring the memory of her mystery man's face. The image that filled her mind made her forget the lack of human contact. The thought of his deep, husky voice tickled her spine whenever he spoke. Green eyes caught her in his web with only a glance. She'd fallen for a stranger and didn't even know his name. He'd come into her store every morning and ordered a cinnamon roll and coffee with only a few words. Then he 'd pay cash before lifting up the corner of his mouth in a semblance of a smile and walking out of her store. Was it strange she worried he'd keep walking and never return?
A bell's tinkle pulled Willow from her reverie and self-pity. As she turned to greet her customer, her heart leapt to her throat. Him. Her mysterious fantasy man. As she tried to regain her senses, she took all of him in. He had to be one of the tallest men she'd ever seen, easily over six and a half feet. The tight black T-shirt he wore hugged his biceps and cut into his muscular physique, while his broad shoulders stretched and strained the seams. His body tapered down to a narrow waist and hips as they met his thighs. His long legs she wanted to grip, encased in worn jeans lead to work boots. Hmm, construction perhaps? She glanced back up his body to his striking face.
He wasn't beautiful, but he did have a face most women would dream about. A strong jaw and cheekbones gave him an aura of strength, the kind of strength that would be protective. His hair was midnight black and long enough to brush his shoulders, however, today, a band held it back, showcasing his face more. He studied her, his green eyes calm and calculating. Willow let out a surprised gasp at the sexual heat radiating from him. Could she possibly be imagining things?
* * *
Jasper Jamenson fought himself as he walked into the bakery that morning. This would be the seventh week in a row he'd come here, every day but Sunday. And that was only because the damn store was closed. As good as the cinnamon rolls were, and they were little tastes of heaven, it was the woman behind the counter that brought him there every morning.
Following a particularly bad night in the forest on a hunt, Jasper had been pissed and hungry. Another wolf had tried to play a dominant game, forcing Jasper to hurt him. The stench of the other's defeat had remained on him, only angering Jasper that much more. The scent of the morning's freshly baked goods pulled him through the quaint and welcoming door, and the slender goddess who served him brought thoughts of a different form of servicing to mind.
Slightly above average in height – he would guess about five foot seven – she was the perfect height to settle against his body. For someone who owned and operated a bakery, she was as skinny as a rail. However, if he looked close enough he could see the telltale signs possible of curves. And with just a little bit of his help and pampering she would gain some well-needed cushion. No matter what, she'd look amazing underneath him. Her long, light brown hair curled in a bun on the top of her head. His fingers ached to pull out the pins and watch it tumble down her back. Hazel eyes sought him and begged for his protection. Damn, he was willing.
Her look made the wolf within him perk up and growl.
"Mate? I want her". His wolf paced beneath the surface of his skin, calculating the best way to quickly claim their mate.
What his wolf spoke of was a possibility. There were only a few women in the world through time that carried the scent to signal the potential mating. Unlike his brother Kade, who had met two women recently that carried the scent, Jasper had never in his one-hundred and three years come across a woman who brought forth the mating urge. However, if all encounters were like this one, Jasper didn't know how others walked away. The urge rode him hard and he fought his wolf for control if only for a moment, something that hadn't happened since he was a pup.
He mentally spoke to his wolf. "We are not ready for a mate. And a human no less. She knows nothing of us. If, and that is a big if, we chose her to be our mate, we will have to go slowly into this. I don't want us to scare her. But she is beautiful, no."
His wolf growled in response.
"Do you want to scare her away? Let's get to know her first, see if she is a good match, other than that incredible cinnamon scent. I'll talk to Adam and find out everything I can about her. I am the Beta; I cannot put my Pack in jeopardy."
God, he really sucked at this. This time he needed to put on his big wolf panties and actually ask her out.
"Then we could mark her."
He snorted at his wolf. Yeah, that was taking it slow.
Jasper shook himself from his inner thoughts and looked into those hazel eyes. The spot of flour on her cheek begged for his hand to brush it way. He fought the urge. No need to freak her out. Her chest moved slowly, her small breasts rising and falling. The cinnamon scent of her filled his nostrils and he took a deep breath, the aroma going straight to his cock. The slight gasp that escaped from her kissable lips almost broke his control, and he fisted his hands to regain it.
"Good morning." His voice lowered an octave and became a growl. He cleared his throat and started again. "I come here every morning and I don't think I ever gave you my name. Let me rectify that." He closed the distance between them so only the counter separated them. "I'm Jasper Jamenson. It's a pleasure to meet you." He held out his hand in hopes of touching her skin.
Willow blinked up at him and seemed at a loss for words. Her lips opened slightly, begging him to lean down and taste her.
"Uh… yeah… I'm Willow Delton." She shook her head, gave him a small smile and placed her slender hand in his. He'd been right – her skin was incredibly soft and made him want to take a bite.
"Yes, I know, you own this place." He gave her hand a squeeze and released her.
"So, Jasper, do you want your usual?" The sound of his name on her lips hardened his cock. Without waiting for him to respond, she turned back to her work-table to ice her cinnamon rolls.
"Sounds good." He watched as her hands moved swiftly and confidently across the baking sheets. "What time do you get off?"
"Smooth, Romeo. Why don't you just ask her to bend over the work table for you?"
Ignoring his wolf Jasper continued, "I thought that we could grab a bite to eat tonight and go see to the arts fest they have running in town."
Oh dear Lord. Why didn't he ease into this?
"Oh, are you asking me out on a date?" She wrinkled her brow and looked utterly confused at the prospect.
"Yes, I am. I've been in here for over a month every morning, and as much as I love your food, I had an ulterior motive."
Surprise flashed across her face before her eyes lit up with excitement. "I've never been to the arts fest in town. I didn't want to go by myself and didn't have anyone to go with me." Her mouth snapped shut at her revealing statement.
Laughing quietly, he shook his head. "So what time do you get off?"
"You really need to stop putting it like that; it gives me ideas." Again, he ignored his wolf's sarcasm.
"I close at four and should be done cleaning up by five. It's only me here today so it's going to take me an hour to close."
"What do you say I come back at six and we go to dinner from here?"
Her smile almost blinded him as she nodded before taking off her apron. "Okay. Sounds good. Here's your breakfast." She handed him his black coffee and a small brown bag with a pink logo.
Taking everything from her hands, he set them down along with the cash to pay for it. Giving into temptation he leaned over the counter to brush the flour from her cheek.
She jumped and a flash of alarm raced across her face.
Chuckling under his breath, he reassured her. "Just some flour. I'll see you at six, Willow." He grabbed his breakfast and walked to the door, taking one last look behind him at the woman who was his mate. He was one lucky bastard.
Whistling a jaunty tune, he walked toward his Jeep, unconcerned and happy while leaving his mate to do her work. The hairs on the back of his neck lifted, and his wolf came to attention. The street was empty but for a few people; nothing looked out of place. Jasper took a deep breath but didn't detect another presence. With one last look toward his slender brunette, he shrugged off the uneasy feeling and continued to his Jeep.
About Carrie Ann Ryan
Carrie Ann Ryan is a paranormal and contemporary romance author. After spending too much time behind a lab bench, she decided to dive into the romance world and find her werewolf mate - even if its just in her books. Happy endings are always near - even if you have to get over the challenges of falling in love first. Her first book, An Alpha's Path, is the first in her Redwood Pack series. She's also an avid reader and lover of romance and fiction novels. She love meeting new authors and new worlds. Any recommendations you have are appreciated. Carrie Ann lives in New England with her husband and two kittens.
Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. You can find her at:
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Buy Links
An Alpha's Path: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
A Taste for a Mate: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Kristine: Now that we've learned all about Carrie Ann's Redwood Pack, tell us why you enjoy paranormal romance? Why do you love werewolf heroes?
Thank you for joining us!
~Kristine
Copyright 2011 @ Kristine Cayne
