Title: Romance in the Rain (A Seattle Anthology)
Authors: Kristine Cayne, Dawn Kravagna, Charlotte Russell, Sherri Shaw, Clare Tisdale, Marianne Stillings
Publisher: Kristine Cayne
Release Date: October 15, 2012
Pages: 360
Buy Link: Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | B&N | Kobo| ARe | Smashwords
Blurb:
From the pioneer days of Seattle through the smoke-filled clouds of WWII and into the present, Romance in The Rain takes readers on a journey with four generations of the strong-willed and passionate Caldwell family. The anthology of six novellas is a collaboration of the Seattle-based Rainy Day Writers group.
Splendor in the Moss by Charlotte Russell—By the spring of 1853 Englishman James Caldwell has traveled thousands of miles in a quest to find a place to call home. Newly settled Seattle isn’t that place and he’s ready to move on again when widowed Mattie Jensen marches into his life as somber as a cloudy day. But James can see through the solemn haze to Mattie’s strength and passion. Now he has a reason to stay, if he can just convince Mattie to take a second chance on love—and him. (22,000 words)
Final Approach by Marianne Stillings—With the world at war, Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Service pilot Lt. Charlene (Charlie) Thompson faces personal battles as well. Pearl Harbor left her a widowed bride, certain love would never come again – but battle-scarred Capt. Joe Caldwell has other ideas for the beautiful lady flyer, if he can just keep her safe from the secret saboteur who's already taken the life of Charlie's best friend. (17,000 words)
Love Phantom by Dawn Kravagna—University of Washington, 1983: A great place to get an education and meet single men. Drama major Kara Caldwell prefers to hide behind the characters in her plays, yet feels pressure to live up to the example set by her brave and witty grandmother, a veteran of WWII. Can she learn to overcome her reticence and prejudices to discover which guy truly cares for her--and who is just putting on an act? (17,000 words)
What’s Wrong with Mr. Perfect? by Sherri Shaw—No sooner did Chef Ivy Turin wish to meet the perfect man than Sam Rockney walked into her restaurant. But is the sexy Seattle quarterback for real or is there something wrong with Mr. Perfect? (17,000 words)
Shelter from the Storm by Clare Tisdale—Seven years and one broken heart later, JD Caldwell returns to Seattle to pick up the pieces of his old life, never imagining he will fall for Maya—the mysterious woman who lets him into her house and bed but keeps the door to her heart tightly closed. When their summer fling takes an unexpectedly serious turn and Maya gives him his walking papers, JD has to decide whether their love—and his legacy—is worth fighting for. (21,000 words)
Aftershocks by Kristine Cayne—When Seattle is struck by a devastating earthquake, technical rescue firefighter Jamie Caldwell must save his estranged wife and daughter from the wreckage of a collapsed building. He's defied the odds hundreds of times, but will his luck finally run out for good? (24, 000 words)
Excerpts
| Splendor in the Moss by Charlotte Russell After telling the dog to stay, he steered her away from the Jensens’ cabin, towards the woods to the south. “Thank you.” “For what?” “Giving me the time of day. You were gone for such a long while, I wasn’t certain you’d come back.” “I had to fight my better judgment.” James laughed. He couldn’t put on airs around Mattie if he tried. Final Approach by Marianne Stillings "You were there." Caldwell's voice was quiet as though he were speaking to a timid child. He took a step toward her. "You saw it, didn't you. Didn't you, Charlie?" Another step. And another. Suddenly, he was standing before her and she was standing, too, and his arms came around her as she pressed her head against his strong shoulder and for the first time in a year, she felt safe. Safe enough to relive the agony—and let it go. Safe enough to let someone be strong—so she could be weak. Safe enough—to cry. And so she did. What’s Wrong with Mr. Perfect? by Sherri Shaw "Somehow I can’t picture you as a nerd.” You’re too perfect, Ivy silently added, fingering the amulet at her throat. It hummed under her fingertips as the vendor’s words skated across her mind: If you truly want to find the perfect man, and restore your faith in true love, then this necklace will be your good luck talisman.” She dropped her hand, shaking off the crazy notion. It was merely a coincidence that she wished to meet the man of her dreams and Sam showed up. The necklace had nothing to do with it. Right?" Shelter from the Storm by Clare Tisdale A shadow crossed the window, and JD looked up in time to see a seagull fly by. Beyond the downtown high rises, the waters of the Puget Sound lay brooding, glazed by morning mist. Much as JD hated starting over again, he realized that if he had to, he'd rather do it here than anywhere else. Seattle was his home; he belonged here. Maya and her beach house had helped confirm that for him. Aftershocks by Kristine Cayne Adrenaline surging through her system, Erica hung onto the doorjamb as the quake rocked the old courthouse. The building swayed and groaned, windows rattled and shattered as the earth continued to tremble. Cracks raced across the ceiling and plaster dust showered down, covering everything in a thin white film. She’d lived in Seattle all her life but had never experienced a quake as powerful as this one. And her daughter was all alone. |
Interview
Thank you so much for having me on your blog today! It’s a pleasure to talk with all of you about the Romance in the Rain anthology and my uber-sexy team of rescue firefighters :)
1. What has it like been so far being part of an anthology?
Romance in the Rain is actually my third anthology. But because of the group of authors involved in this project as well as the way we interconnected our stories, the experience was very different. I loved how bits from the past were woven into future stories and seeing how the Caldwell children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren fared. In terms of the working experience, it was fantastic. Each author pitched in with her own specific talents to create more than the sum of the whole. :)
2. Did your stories need to be within a similar theme?
The only “rules” were that a) the story needed to be a romance, b) needed to take place, or have ties to, Seattle, and c) the hero or heroine needed to be a Caldwell. Most of us chose to refer in some way to the Caldwell family’s past, either via the Caldwell Fine Furnishings Company, founded by the James Caldwell from Splendor in the Moss, or by mentioning a particular piece of furniture, handed down through the generations, or mentioning a character in a previous story.
3. Where did you get the inspiration for Aftershocks?
I wanted to write a romantic suspense story. Normally, I have a villain in my romantic suspense stories, but that takes a lot of time and words to develop. Since the story was going to take place in Seattle, I began to think about what kind of events might occur and soon settled on an earthquake. From there, it was a quick jump to have the story be about a rescue.
4. Any crazy drooling stories about a real-life firefighter?
Oh man, don’t I wish? The truth is that I don’t personally know any firefighters. Most of the men I know are engineers and such. Nice guys, but I wouldn’t describe what they do as exciting or drool-worthy. So since I’m totally lacking in action heroes in real-life, I’ve decided to write about my own hunky rescue firefighters in my new firefighter romance series.
5. What's next for you?
Before the holidays, I’ll be releasing Under His Command, the first book in my new erotic romance firefighter series. This story takes place after Aftershocks and continues Jamie and Erica’s story. We join them on their journey to honesty and trust, and a true happily ever after.
Top 10
Top Five Current Favorite TV Shows
1. The Walking Dead – amazing character development
2. The Vampire Diaries – you never know what’s going to happen next!
3. Nikita – intricate layers of suspense
4. True Blood – Skarsgaard!
5. Parenthood – fascinating look at three generations of the same family and their trials and tribulations
(Note: Chicago Fire is too new for me to decide if it’s on the list, but so far, I’m really enjoying it!)
I'm absolutely in love with The Vampire Diaries, too! I still haven't finished Season 2 of Nikita so I haven't seen what this season is like!
Top Five Favorite TV Shows Ever
1. The Walking Dead – character development, very intense suspense, forces you to examine how your principles might change in an extreme situation
2. The X-Files – no one wears a trench coat like Mulder. The truth is out there!
3. Rescue Me – the darker side of firefighting; how it affects them and their relationships with friends and family
4. Seinfeld – the funniest sitcom ever made; favorite episode “Master of My Domain”
5. Star Trek (original version) – a first in many ways: first interracial kiss, first bromance, first forward-thinking view of a future without prejudice. And Captain Kirk was the James Bond of space!
The Rainy Day Writers:
Writing fiction is difficult and lonely and more often than not, the "normal" people in your life don't understand the writing process and can't fathom why you are possessed and obsessed with finding the perfect word or phrase that says exactly what you want to say right where you want to say it. Only other writers comprehend and accept that kind of torment.
To fill this need to surround herself with like-minded obsessive-compulsive self-doubting lunatics, in 2005, Marianne Stillings, who writes Romantic Suspense, established what came to be known as The Rainy Day Writers.
There were only two requirements for joining the group: You must be serious about writing and getting published, and any criticisms of co-members' work be honest, gentle, and kind.
Over the years, the membership has changed; some people moved on, others joined. The group we have now has been stable and constant since 2009. The Rainy Day Writers are a family.
Charlotte Russell joined the group in 2006 at the suggestion of a former member. Charlotte writes Historical Romance.
Dawn Kravagna became a member in the spring of 2007 because of a writers' list where Marianne had posted looking for new members. Dawn writes Comedy and Mystery.
In the Autumn of 2007, Sherri Shaw found her way to the group because she and Marianne happened to sit at the same table at the Emerald City Writer's Conference that year. Sherri writes Historical Romance and Paranormal Historical Romance.
Clare Tisdale joined in 2008 as the result of an email Marianne posted on the Greater Seattle Chapter Romance Writer's list seeking new members. Clare writes Contemporary Romance.
Kristine Cayne found the group in 2009 because she won Marianne's raffle basket at the Emerald City Writer's Conference that year. The basket included an offer to critique the winner's manuscript—an evaluation that resulted in an invitation to join. Kristine writes Romantic Suspense.
For more information on Romance in the Rain and the Rainy Day Writers, visit them at www.seattlerainydaywriters.com
Giveaway
All giveaway ends November 22, 2012 at midnight. Make sure to only enter the giveaway you are eligible for.
Giveaway for US residents only.
Giveaway for US residents only.
Grand Prize:
a Rafflecopter giveaway- 1 autographed copy of Deadly Obsession + SWAG
- 1 autographed copy of Deadly Addiction + SWAG
- The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever, by Julia Quinn (autographed copy)
- Blood Trinity, by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love
- 1 e-book copy of “Falling Angel” by Clare Tisdale
- 1 handmade shell necklace by Clare Tisdale
- A handmade afghan crocheted by Marianne Stillings
- 1 autographed copy of AROUSING SUSPICIONS
- 1 autographed copy of SATISFACTION
- 1 autographed copy of KILLER CHARMS
- 1 bag of truffles from Seattle Chocolates
- 3 chocolate bars from Seattle Chocolates
- $15 Starbucks gift card
- 1 autographed copy of Cattle Capers: Search For The MooMoo Pearl by Dawn Kravagna
Prize #5:
Prize #5:
- 1 ecopy Deadly Obsession by Kristine Cayne
- 1 print copy Accidental Cinderella, by Nancy Robards Thompson
- 1 print copy Everything I Know About Love I Learned From Romance Novels, by Sarah Wendell
Prize #6:
- 1 ecopy Deadly Addiction
- 1 print copy The Angel in My Arms, by Stephanie Sloane
- 1 print copy The Naughty List, by Donna Kauffman, Cynthia Eden and Susan Fox (autographed by Susan Fox)
Prize #7:
- 1 ecopy Deadly Addiction
- 1 print copy Tsunami Blue, by Gayle Ann Williams
- 1 print copy A Tale of Two Demon Slayers, by Angie Fox (autographed copy)
Giveaway for both US and International residents.
Prize #1:
- 1 ecopy Deadly Obsession
- 1 ecopy of A Week to Be Wicked by Tessa Dare
- 1 ecopy of The Sergeant's Lady by Susanna FraserPrize #2:
- 1 ecopy Deadly Obsession
- 1 ecopy of Unraveled by Courtney Milan
- 1 ecopy of Unlocked, a novella by Courtney Milan
Prize #3:
- 1 ecopy Deadly Obsession
- 1 ecopy of One Night in London by Caroline Linden
- 1 ecopy of Ruined by Rumor by Alyssa EverettPrize #4:
- 1 ecopy Deadly Obsession
- 1 ecopy of Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase
Prize #8-10:
- 1 ecopy Deadly Addiction
- $10 Amazon or B&N giftcard
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Prize #11 US and International Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck everyone!