Casey Dawes's Blog, page 23
June 27, 2013
Inspiration Contemporary Romance, California Homecoming
This week I’ve been hopping all over the blogosphere, sometimes with prizes, but always 
with fun information about contemporary romance and California Homecoming
.
For the stops marked with an asterisk (*), I’ll be offering the following:
Grand Prize: A bottle of Santa Cruz Mountain Pinot Noir (a wine served in California Homecoming)(US ONLY in states where wine can be shipped) OR a $25 Amazon gift certificate (winner’s choice) to a randomly drawn commenter during the Virtual Book Tour AND the Virtual Review Tour
Donation of $20.00 to Fisher House in honor or memory of a service person of the winner’s choice.
For each tour stop $5 will be donated to Fisher House in honor or memory of a service person of the host’s choice.
Don’t forget to enter the Crimson Romance contest to Win a Year of Romance on a Kindle Fire! The contest runs from June 15 to July 15!
Blog Tour 6/27
STOP BY & COMMENT ON THIS BLOG TO WIN!
* June 27: My World of Dreams: Pictures from My Window
June 26, 2013
More News About Contemporary Romance, California Homecoming
“This book has everything a great romance should have, a skillfully woven plot, a Victorian house to remodel and two broken people, stubborn but determined, one lost inside heartache, another struggling to overcome a heartrending tragedy. Sarah and Hunter are forced to face their flaws and fragility in order to redefine themselves, truly “see” each other and discover the grandest love of all. Awesome writing, as always, with courageous, unforgettable characters you want to chat over the back fence with, California Homecoming will take you on a soul-searching journey you don’t want to miss.” ~ Pam B. Morris, author of Smitten Image
Blog Stops 6/26
For the stops marked with an asterisk (*), I’ll be offering the following:
Grand Prize: A bottle of Santa Cruz Mountain Pinot Noir (a wine served in California Homecoming)(US ONLY in states where wine can be shipped) OR a $25 Amazon gift certificate (winner’s choice) to a randomly drawn commenter during the Virtual Book Tour AND the Virtual Review Tour
Donation of $20.00 to Fisher House in honor or memory of a service person of the winner’s choice.
For each tour stop $5 will be donated to Fisher House in honor or memory of a service person of the host’s choice.
Don’t forget to enter the Crimson Romance contest to Win a Year of Romance on a Kindle Fire! The contest runs from June 15 to July 15!
* June 26: Andi’s Book Reviews Interview Questions, Excerpt
* June 26: It’s Raining Books Interview Questions, Excerpt
June 25, 2013
More Fun with Contemporary Romance, California Homecoming
My third Crimson Romance book, California Homecoming, launched yesterday! I’m hopping all over the blogosphere, sometimes with prizes, but always with fun information about contemporary romance and California Homecoming.
The book is getting great reviews and I hope you enjoy it!
Here’s where I am today!
Blog Tour Calendar for 6/25
STOP BY & COMMENT ON THESE BLOGS TO WIN!
June 25: Crimson Romance Guest Blog Post
* June 25: Long and Short Reviews Guest Blog Post, Excerpt
June 24, 2013
Contemporary Romance, California Homecoming, Released!
“The story of Sarah and Hunter and if they can be together is what this whole book is about, pretty much. I loved it from beginning to end. It read like a proper romance should read. I found no mistakes in storyline, flow, or emotion. I was happy, sad, excited, scared, all rolled into one.
Great book!!!”
That’s the first review for California Homecoming and its a 5 star review! Today is the launch day for this new contemporary romance in my California Romance series! I hope you enjoy it as much as Jaime did. You can get it on Amazon or iTunes.
In celebration, I’m blasting out into the blogosphere and you have a chance to win some great prizes! Check out the following. I hope to chat with you soon!
For the stops marked with an asterisk (*), I’ll be offering the following:
Grand Prize: A bottle of Santa Cruz Mountain Pinot Noir (a wine served in California Homecoming)(US ONLY in states where wine can be shipped) OR a $25 Amazon gift certificate (winner’s choice) to a randomly drawn commenter during the Virtual Book Tour AND the Virtual Review Tour
Donation of $20.00 to Fisher House in honor or memory of a service person of the winner’s choice.
For each tour stop $5 will be donated to Fisher House in honor or memory of a service person of the host’s choice.
Don’t forget to enter the Crimson Romance contest to Win a Year of Romance on a Kindle Fire! The contest runs from June 15 to July 15!
Blog Tour Calendar June 24 – 30
STOP BY & COMMENT ON THESE BLOGS TO WIN!
June 16 – 24: Cheryl Gorman Interview Questions & Excerpt
* June 24: Addicted to Writing: Interview Questions, Excerpt
June 25: Crimson Romance Guest Blog Post
* June 25: Long and Short Reviews Guest Blog Post, Excerpt
* June 25: Deal Sharing Aunt
* June 26: Andi’s Book Reviews Interview Questions, Excerpt
* June 26: It’s Raining Books Interview Questions, Excerpt
* June 27: My World of Dreams: Pictures from My Window
* June 28: J.M. Stewart Blog Interview Questions, Excerpt
Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter on the right to get advance notification of events, contests, and sales.
June 19, 2013
Hopping Around for Contemporary Romance, California Homecoming
With the launch of my third Crimson Romance book, California Homecoming, I’m pulling out the stops! I’ll be hopping all over the blogosphere, sometimes with prizes, but always with fun information about contemporary romance and California Homecoming.
For the stops marked with an asterisk (*), I’ll be offering the following:
Grand Prize: A bottle of Santa Cruz Mountain Pinot Noir (a wine served in California Homecoming)(US ONLY in states where wine can be shipped) OR a $25 Amazon gift certificate (winner’s choice) to a randomly drawn commenter during the Virtual Book Tour AND the Virtual Review Tour
Donation of $20.00 to Fisher House in honor or memory of a service person of the winner’s choice.
For each tour stop $5 will be donated to Fisher House in honor or memory of a service person of the host’s choice.
Don’t forget to enter the Crimson Romance contest to Win a Year of Romance on a Kindle Fire! The contest runs from June 15 to July 15!
Blog Tour Calendar
STOP BY & COMMENT ON THESE BLOGS TO WIN!
June 16 – 24: Cheryl Gorman Interview Questions & Excerpt
* June 24: Addicted to Writing: Interview Questions, Excerpt
June 25: Crimson Romance Guest Blog Post
* June 25: Long and Short Reviews Guest Blog Post, Excerpt
* June 25: Deal Sharing Aunt
* June 26: Andi’s Book Reviews Interview Questions, Excerpt
* June 26: It’s Raining Books Interview Questions, Excerpt
* June 28: J.M. Stewart Blog Interview Questions, Excerpt
July 2: Romancing the Writer Guest Post, Excerpt, Giveaway ($5 Amazon Gift Certificate)
* July 8: Rose Wynters Book Review
July 8: Leanne Tyler Character Interview
* July 9: The Boyfriend Bookmark Book Review
* July 10: Storm Goddess Book Review
* July 11: Jacqueline’s Reads Book Review
* July 11: Renee Luke Book Review
* July 12: Flirting with Romance Book Review
July 16 & 17: Just Contemporary Romance Guest Post & Giveaway ($5 Amazon Gift Card)
July 19 – 22: BTGN Blog Hop – Grand Prize $100 Amazon Gift Card
June 17, 2013
California Wine Is Today’s Kindle Daily Deal!
Today I’ve invited Elizabeth Ladina, heroine of California Wine, to tell us a little about herself.
* * *
Oh, hello there. If you’d wait a second, I need to pop this lasagna into the oven. I’ve always liked cooking, but my late husband, Joe, only liked simple food. You know. Steak and potatoes. Hamburgers. Enchiladas.
He died when Sarah, my daughter, was a little girl. I think that’s when I really started to enjoy cooking. Sarah wasn’t a fussy eater, thank God. She enjoyed eating, but never learned to cook very well, I’m afraid. That’s why I’m worried about her opening an inn. You’ll read about that in California Homecoming.
Cooking is a great distraction for me. I love to experiment with new recipes. I don’t bake much. My friend Annie, from California Sunset,
is the baker. She makes the best bread! Some of my favorites are vegetarian chile and pea soup, both from The New Basics Cookbook
. I also like Cook’s Illustrated, don’t you? I learned this great tip from them to make lasagna and manicotti. You use no-boil lasagna noodles for both!
Since my trip to Italy, though, I love making Italian food, especially ravioli. Italian food is especially good with wine and we grow some of the best wine in the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains. If you’re in California, you should stop by!
Don’t forget to read my story in California Wine, on sale today only (June 17, 2013) on Amazon! Get your Kindle copy today!
Buon appetito!
June 10, 2013
Summer in Montana–A Romance Writer’s Paradise
Ideas are germinating along with the seeds and seedlings I’ve planted in my garden. In my imagination, I’m creating a small town on the plains, not too far from Lewistown. The big sky and prairie travel as far as the eye can see. The townspeople are friendly, but money needs to be stretched, especially when the weather isn’t cooperating for the farmers and ranchers.
Lindsay Olson lives not too far from this town. She’s working to rebuild the ranch she inherited from her father, a ranch that’s been in the family for over a hundred years. A hard-working woman, she attends church and the Chamber of Commerce meetings, but tends to keep her opinions to herself.
Until trouble arrives.
Of course.
That’s what I think about when I’m out tending my garden. Summers are short in Montana and we have to protect our tomatoes from hard freezes. Those green things you see in the picture are Walls of Water. Inside are tomato and pepper plants. I should be able to remove them next week.
It’s been raining of and on for the last few weeks and the Clark Fork River is swollen with rain and snow melt. When I took the picture below, it was raining and sunning at the same time. How beautiful!
I hope you’ve caught up on your reading of California Sunset
and California Wine
because California Homecoming will be out in a few short weeks!
June 3, 2013
A Healing Heart
A Healing Love
By: Tara Chevrestt
To purchase, click here
Kimberly Rogers vowed to fight a tragic past the only way she knew how: she joined the Army and became strong. No man would hurt her again. But a war wound sends her to her brother’s in Cripple Creek, WY, with vision and hearing impairments.
Where as glasses can help her see and hearing aids can help her hear, nothing can force her to talk again. Is she really unable to speak, or is she hiding behind her disability to protect herself, her pride, and her heart? Regulated to the most menial of jobs, her world in shambles, Kimberly is finally convinced to seek medical assistance.
Carlos Medina is Jackson Hole’s best therapist. If anyone can make Kimberly speak again, it’s him. But Kimberly has to meet him halfway, and Carlos has his own past tragedy that the young, mute woman threatens to force him to conquer.
They both have wounds…and sometimes wounds must be reopened before they can heal. Can they open up to each other? Can Kimberly find her voice again and open her heart? Can love heal them both?
Review of A Healing Heart
Tara Chevrestt’s novel, A Healing Love, moved me in ways I hadn’t anticipated. The book is a unique take on the casualties of war. In most cases, including in my own upcoming book, California Homecoming, the wounded veteran is a man.
Kimberly Rogers is all woman. The problem is that after a horrible injury in the war, she doesn’t feel like a person, much less a woman. Resistant to all offers of help, she has to hit rock bottom before she can make any changes.
The characters were engaging and the situation rang true. Portrayals of Kimberly’s injuries and the consequences of serving were vivid and moving. The happy ending didn’t come easily and is all the sweeter when it happens.
I felt profoundly satisfied at the end of this read and highly recommend it.
Excerpts
Carlos had been expecting a badly scarred, burly woman, not the petite, slender girl from the coffee shop in Cripple Creek. Only, she wasn’t really a girl. Her curves attested to that. He had to remind himself she was twenty-three, as there was something extremely young and vulnerable about her. Only the angry red mark on her throat—not covered by a scarf as it had been when he’d seen her before—marred her beauty…and that didn’t bother him.
She stepped forward, her gaze on his. She looked just as surprised at the sight of him as he was at the sight of her. Had she been expecting an old man with gray hair? He fought the urge not to smile at the idea. Most people expected someone with his reputation to be much older than his twenty-eight years…and not a biker they’d met in a coffee shop who rambled about senoritas and antibiotics. After all, obtaining a PhD was time-consuming. But he’d been lucky, and unlike many other students, had not had to work his way through college, and thus, had been able to focus solely on his studies. He knew he was blessed. A supportive family and a scholarship had seen him through.
Carlos jolted himself from his musings and managed to tear his gaze away from his patient—patient, best not to forget that—and looked for her brother, expecting him to be right behind her. There was no one there; she was alone.
“Hi.” He rose from his chair and reached a hand out to her for her to shake. “You must be Kimberly Rogers. Is your brother with you?” Her hand felt soft and delicate in his own. He was careful not to give it the firm squeeze he normally was prone to giving, careful to keep his expression neutral and not reveal his surprise or pleasure.
She nodded and pointed to the door, in the direction of the waiting room.
He mentally flipped a switch in his mind, from Casual Carlos to Doctor Carlos. Carlos decided the fact she had brought her brother, but not allowed him to escort her into the office itself was a positive sign. She wanted to do this on her own, obviously. She wasn’t weakened to the point she needed someone to hold her hand at all moments. His task may not be as difficult as he’d originally thought. Then again, too much pride could also hinder a patient’s healing. But at least she was willing and comfortable enough to face a therapist on her own. The woman had drive. It was visible in the way she held herself in front of him, back straight, shoulders back, chin up. And though he knew from her records she was wearing contacts, her eyes had a determined glint the lenses couldn’t hide. The removal of the scarf was a positive step as well. She was no longer ashamed of her wound.
“Have a seat.” Carlos gestured to the chair across from his desk, and then, instead of taking his own, he walked around to take the seat a short distance from hers, turning it slightly as he sat so he would be facing her. When she appeared comfortable, despite the fact she was gripping the armrests, he smiled warmly at her. “I’m Carlos Medina. Your brother told me some of your past history and current problems, but I would like the full story from you. Now, I realize you cannot speak; that’s why you’re here, so is there a particular way you wish to communicate with me right now? You want to write? Would you rather fill out a form and then talk to me on the computer until we progress?” He waited, clearing his throat nervously, for her to answer, and shocked himself with his own internal thought.
Please, say no.
Yea, he was going to crumple and throw that desensitization, talk via computer crap out the window…if she let him. He couldn’t explain why—some therapist he was—but he didn’t want to this woman to talk to him online. He wanted to talk to her in person. The little switch was slipping back down to Casual Carlos pretty fast. There must be a short in my circuit, because I don’t want or need a woman in my life like that—especially not a patient.
It’s not worth my career…or my heart.
Carlos visualized the switch in his mind as he watched the young woman and pictured the little button moving back up to Doctor Carlos.
* * * *
Kimberly stared at the handsome doctor in front of her. Talking online would be easier and more convenient, but she didn’t need that kind of treatment. It wasn’t like she was afraid of going out in public. Plus, she’d lucked out as far as doctors went. The doctors at Walter Reed had been older, gray, and paunchy. Heck, her audiologist wasn’t a young thing, either. But this man…whoa.
He’d been in the back of her mind ever since her failed second job. Meeting him had been the first time she’d felt feelings of attraction or interest in the opposite sex in ages.
This time, the atmosphere was quieter, calmer, and she wasn’t flustered or busy and could take the time to really look at him. He was tall, with olive skin and warm milk chocolate eyes. His face was clean-shaven, his hair ink-black and wavy despite its short length. He sported a very nice suit, a drastic difference from the biker attire she’d seen him in before. An expensive-looking watch was his only jeweled adornment. She’d checked.
He cleared his throat, bringing her back to earth. Kimberly realized he’d been waiting for her to respond. Her face heated with embarrassment. He was looking at her expectantly. What had he asked? Oh yeah, the online thing. No…
Flustered, she merely shook her head at him and reached into her back pocket. She had come prepared. She pulled out her trusty pad, welcoming an excuse to stop staring at him. Her notes were slightly damp from the sweat of her body, and she was reluctant to hand them over, but it was her story, the words she’d written for George. She could sit here all day and scribble in front of him or hand him this.
Deciding she’d rather he be staring at her notes than watching her write them, she handed them over. This way, she would watch him.
He took the notes, and his hand lightly brushed against hers in the process. Kimberly was surprised by the current that traveled up her arm, all the way to her shoulder, on that little contact.
I’m so glad I got contacts.
“Is this what happened to you?” His voice was soft, yet at the same time clear and masculine.
She nodded, very aware of his gaze on her until finally, he looked down at the papers he was holding. A small rush of air escaped her, and she allowed herself to relax. She’d been so conscious of what she must look like; hair tucked behind her aids, the red mark on her throat. It was unnerving having such a handsome man staring at her.
Now, she sat back and stared at him as he read, noting the crease that appeared between his brows, the cleanliness of his fingers turning the pages, the rugged line of his jaw.
Suddenly therapy didn’t seem so bad.
Author Bio
Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, former aviation mechanic, writer, and an editor. She is most passionate about planes, motorcycles, dogs, and above all, reading. That led to her love of writing. Between her writing and her editing, which allows her to be home with her little canine kids, she believes she has the greatest job in the world. She is very happily married.
Her theme is Strong is Sexy. She shares a website with her naughty pen name and they have a Facebook page.
Follow the Tour!
http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/04/now-booking-tasty-review-tour-for_9.html
May 30, 2013
Cover Reveal: California Homecoming!
Less than a month away! California Homecoming will be released on June 24th and I’ve already gotten the cover. Remember Sarah, Elizabeth’s daughter from California Sunset and California Wine? She’s getting her own story now.
At the opening of California Homecoming, Sarah has just purchased an old Victorian in Costanoa with the intention of creating an inn, a dream she’d had with her boyfriend, Rick. But Rick’s no longer in the picture and she’s pregnant with his child. She’s got lots of challenges ahead of her!
Hunter Evans has emerged from a year of rehabilitation after losing part of his leg in war. His only dream is to return to his childhood home, the place his father had ripped him from when he was thirteen.
Unfortunately, Sarah got there first.
With the help of Daisy, a stray golden retriever, Hunter and Sarah may be able to heal their hearts and lives.
Contemporary Romance Inspiration
The characters and situations in this book came from real life stories and statistics. I’m writing this on Memorial Day, a day that used to be called Decoration Day. People would decorate the graves of soldiers with flags and flowers out of respect for their ultimate sacrifice.
As our soldiers come home from the Middle East, many of them have severe injuries, both physical and mental, that they have to deal with, thanks to our improved medical abilities. Yet they are strong men and women who deserve the best we can give them. They are creating new businesses and providing know-how to our communities.
The brave sacrifices of these men and women inspired Hunter.
According to the recent census, more women are single mothers than ever before. Sarah is one of them, but she’s conflicted about her decision to raise the child on her own, as no doubt many young women are. As someone who has experienced the trials of being a single mother, I’m familiar with many of the issues that are involved.
Sarah and Hunter have experienced great pain in their lives. California Homecoming is a chance for them to move on from the past, if they can find the determination to do so.
Look for California Homecoming in your favorite online bookstore on June 24th! I’d love to hear what you think!
May 22, 2013
Violent Crime in Nevada
[image error]Chasing the Tumbleweed
is a story about violent crime and a violent criminal, although there’s not a lot of blood and gore in the pages of the book. We’re fascinated by solving crimes–witness the multitude of television shows like CSI and all its spin-offs, ditto Law & Order, and the fascinating new shows, Person of Interest and Elementary. (A clue–if you read through this post, you’ll find an opportunity to enter two contests.)
I don’t know about you, but I like intricate mystery and suspense stories. I’m not so crazy about having violent crime (which the FBI defines as murder, manslaughter, forcible rape–I’m not sure exactly what non-forcible rape is– robbery, and aggravated assault) visited upon my person. Still, it’s intriging in a purely abstract way.
I’ve spent a lot of time driving through Nevada. Blame it on geography. I inherited “itchy feet” from my grandfather and I like to explore. (Fortunately, my DH agrees with me!) I grew up in New Jersey and kept moving west. Interstate 80 goes across Nevada and my various vehicles and I have made the trip far too often to remember. Driving across Nevada makes readings of Basin and Range
by John McPhee very memorable.
Does Nevada have the highest percentage of violent crime? According to the FBI’s 2011 survey, no. That honor goes to Tennessee (.6082), followed closely by Alaska (.6065%). Nevada has a mere .5621%. But Nevada just looks like one of those states where the crime should be high. In the height of summer, the heat rising from the high desert floor adds to the tension of the drive.
Nevada is miles and miles of miles and miles. Once you get out of the casinos, you’ll find a lot of small towns with a lot of sand. There are major sand dunes, the route of the Pony Express (a surprisingly short-lived enterprise of only 18 months), a tree full of shoes on the self-proclaimed “Loneliest Highway in America.” The interesting parts of Nevada are the nooks and crannies of the state, places like Austin, close to the location of Chasing the Tumbleweed.
Place can be an incredible character within a novel. Think of Manderley in Rebecca
or the Stanley Hotel in The Shining
. For Chasing the Tumbleweed, Nevada plays a significant role to create hot summer nights of suspense and romance.
Now…
To enter for a prize for a $10 Amazon gift certificate, leave a comment below with your email in the format NAME @ URL . So, like this: CASEY @ STORIES-ABOUT-LOVE.COM. Got it? Good luck!
And…
To win one of the Grand Prizes:
1st Grand Prize: (1) Kindle Fire!
2nd Grand Prize: (1) $100 Amazon Gift Card
include something about your hottest summer night in your comment!
Winners of both contests will be announced by May 31st, 2013!
Oh, BTW…
Chasing the Tumbleweed will be free on Amazon from May 21 to May 24. See — you’ve already won! If you like it, a review of it on Amazon or Goodreads would be much appreciated!
To continue on the blog hop….
