Since there's so much going on, I'd suggest sitting back and getting comfy, maybe even grab a hot drink, and reading your way through. I'm not going to feature summaries of the stories in my review, since the official media kit does such an amazing job ((and includes excerpts!)), so make sure you read everything. And don't forget to enter the giveaways!
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
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)
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
Romance in the Rain
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.
My Review:
I have a growing affection for anthologies, especially when there's a central connecting thread. Romance in the Rain traces one family as it grows, expands, experiences history and has life-changing encounters with romance. (And the nifty family trees at the end of every story help keep things straight.) From the blurbs and excerpts above, you can tell there's a lot of very different ground covered in the individual stories, but they all link together and are concise stories that explore the deepest - and simplest - facets of human emotions. They'll make you laugh, make you cringe, make you sigh. They may technically be short stories, but there each has a lot of punch on its own -- and when taken together, as part of a "family history" of sorts? Yeah, good stuff. And all of the writing styles work well together, especially since the range of stories are taking place over a span of time, the changes in voice work - adding context and depth to the overall idea. Definitely an anthology that can be viewed as the sum of its parts.
eBook provided by authors for review.
In the spirit of rainy weather, I am now turning the blog over to Marianne Stillings, who is going to share her Top 10 Rainy Day Reads/Movies.
When it comes to rainy days—weather designed for
snuggling up with a good book or settling down to a favorite movie—the Northwest
offers more than your average share of opportunities. Though I'm an author and
I love books, I have to be honest and say that, when it comes to stormy
afternoons, I'll invariably choose a movie.
There are two reasons for this: 1) Since I like to crochet, quilt, and embroider, my hands can't hold a book and a needle and thread (or crochet hook and yarn) at the same time; and 2) I love love love old movies—especially British mysteries—and enjoy them even more when I'm cozy and warm inside, while outside, the wind howls and fat raindrops pound the roof and windows.
So without further ado, here are my top ten rainy day movies, in no particular order:
Thanks, Marianne! Some of those are on my favorites list as well, and others I may have to look into.There are two reasons for this: 1) Since I like to crochet, quilt, and embroider, my hands can't hold a book and a needle and thread (or crochet hook and yarn) at the same time; and 2) I love love love old movies—especially British mysteries—and enjoy them even more when I'm cozy and warm inside, while outside, the wind howls and fat raindrops pound the roof and windows.
So without further ado, here are my top ten rainy day movies, in no particular order:
- AND THEN THERE WERE NONE – 1945 – Based on Agatha Christie's novel of the same name. An old-fashioned keeps-you-guessing whodunit!
- THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR – 1947 – Great story and very romantic.
- Any HERCULE POIROT TV adaptation of Agatha Christie's novels, starring the absolutely perfect David Suchet as Poirot. And the period costumes and cars are to die for.
- Any MIDSOMER MURDERS episode – Produced by BBC, these are complicated murder mysteries that'll keep you guessing.
- LOVE ACTUALLY – 2003 – A beautiful examination of every type of love, I love it (actually) more and more every time I see it.
- THE GREAT RACE – 1965 – Fun, funny, feisty, and romantic. I first saw it when I was in high school and have loved it ever since.
- Any FOYLE'S WAR episode – BBC miniseries based on the novels of Caroline Graham. These Brit whodunits take place in WWII England. Love the period clothing, cars, and well-crafted and complex murder mysteries.
- DOWNTON ABBEY – Do I really need to explain this one?
- SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS – 1954 – Energetic musical, fantastic and athletic dance numbers, charming romance(s). Who could ask for more?
- PRIDE & PREJUDICE – Either the 1995 miniseries with Colin Firth or the 2005 movie with Keira Knightly. Each are fabulous in their own way. The 1995 version, being longer, offers more detail, but the 2005 film is well written and beautifully filmed. Both are intelligently done and very romantic.
And now, here are the necessary links and details for the tour giveaways. Best of luck, and thanks for stopping by today!
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 Everett
Prize #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
