Win Like Crazy at the Romance Madness Hop!

Welcome to the Romance Madness Blog Hop!

To enter the giveaways, follow the instructions under "My Prize Giveaway" and "Grand Prize Giveaway" below. 

The Romance Madness Hop runs from 1/25-1/29, 

so you have plenty of time to win!

For 2013 is the year of branching out in my reading habits. In the past, I've read a LOT of romantic suspense and paranormal romance. I still love those genres, but I want to explore other genres more deeply. Because time is not unlimited, I can't delve into every genre. So, I've picked two: erotic romance and M/M romance. Okay, I know that M/M isn't really a genre, but you know what I mean. :) I've joined a variety of Goodreads groups and my January has all ready been filled with some awesome new books. I'll be posting reviews soon. You'll see it if we're Goodreads friends. 

In the meantime, I'd like to share with you a book that, in my opinion, is one of the best indie books of 2012. I gave it 5 stars. 

My Review: Revenge by Dana Delamar was a great, suspenseful read. This book is definitely on the gritty, sexy, dark side. The heroine, Kate, is one tough cookie caught in a world of underhanded deals, crime, and murder. Enrico, the hero, is a man torn between what he wants and what he's been forced to become. Can he and Kate find real love when he represents everything she's trying to get away from?

A woman on the run. A damaged Mafia don. A rival bent on revenge...

Kate Andretti is married to the Mob--but doesn't know it. When her husband uproots them to Italy, Kate leaves everything she knows behind. Alone in a foreign land, she finds herself locked in a battle for her life against a husband and a family who will "silence" her if she will not do as they wish. When her husband tries to kill her, she accepts the protection offered by a wealthy businessman with Mafia ties. He's not a mobster, he claims. Or is he?

Enrico Lucchesi never wanted to be a Mafia don, and now he's caught in the middle of a blood feud with the Andretti family. His decision to help Kate brings the feud between the families to a boil. When Enrico is betrayed by someone in his own family, the two of them must sort out enemies from friends--and rely on each other or die alone. The only problem? Enrico cannot reveal his identity to Kate, or she'll bolt from his protection, and he'll be duty-bound to kill her to safeguard his family's secret. 

Attacks from without and within push them both to the breaking point, and soon Enrico is forced to choose between protecting the only world he knows and saving the woman he loves. 

Excerpt: 

Enrico raised a hand in greeting to Kate, and she returned his wave and started descending the steps. She headed straight for him, her auburn hair gleaming in the sun, a few strands of it blowing across her pale cheek and into her green eyes. With a delicate hand, she brushed the hair out of her face. Enrico’s fingers twitched with the desire to touch her cheek like that, to feel the slide of her silky hair. A small, almost secretive smile crossed her features, and he swallowed hard. Dio mio. He felt that smile down to his toes.

She stopped a couple feet from him. “Signor Lucchesi, it’s good to see you, as always.”

He bowed his head slightly. “And you, Signora Andretti.” He paused, a grin spreading across his face. “Since when did we get so formal, Kate?”

She half-turned and motioned to the doorway behind her. And that was when he noticed it—a bruise on her right cheek. Merda! Had someone hit her? Tearing his eyes off the mark, he followed her gesture. A tall, sandy-haired man, well-muscled and handsome, leaned in the doorway, his arms crossed. “My husband, Vincenzo, is here.”

Enrico’s smile receded. He looked back to Kate. “I’d like to meet him.” And if he did this to her, he’s going to pay.

Want to know what happens next? You can find Revenge at these retailers: Amazon US (Kindle), Amazon UK (Kindle), Amazon Canada (Kindle), Apple, All Romance eBooks, Barnes & Noble, Barnes & Noble UK, Diesel, Kobo, OmniLit, Smashwords, and Sony. 

If you prefer print, Revenge is also on Amazon US (paperback) or Amazon UK (paperback).

My Prize Giveaway

I'm giving away an ecopy of the Romance in the Rain, an anthology of six novellas, which contains "Aftershocks" the prequel to my new Six-Alarm Sexy series. While Under His Command can be read stand-alone, "Aftershocks" provides background and depth to Jamie and Erica's conflicts.

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.

"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?

To enter to win my prize giveaway, complete the rafflecopter below. Be sure to include at least the Comment option and leave a comment on the blog with your email address (otherwise, I have no way of contacting you if you win).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Grand Prize Giveaway!
The Romance Reviews (TRR) is sponsoring FIVE grand prizes. To be entered to win the grand prizes, you MUST register with and log into the TRR website, and then click the button below. You can register and log in at http://www.theromancereviews.com. Each blog in the Romance Madness hop is also offering a prize. That's over 50 chances to win! 

Now what are those grand prizes?

5 - $10 Amazon gift cards! (international)

To continue hopping, click the button below!

Note: The button above will take you to another blog in the hop (one you haven't already visited) as long as you've already registered and logged in at TRR prior to clicking. 

If you don't want to register or log in at TRR, you can continue hopping by clicking the links on this page: http://www.theromancereviews.com/romancehop.php

Happy Hopping!

~Kristine

Get UNDER HIS COMMAND by Kristine Cayne #FREE on 1/23-1/24

UNDER HIS COMMAND

Get it for FREE on 1/23 and 1/24!

 Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

If you've been wanting to read my hot erotic firefighter romance, Under His Command, but haven't had the chance, today is your day!

Because I appreciate my readers so much, I've decided to give back and let you try Under His Command, book one in my new Six-Alarm Sexy series, for FREE.

But hurry! It will only be free on January 23 and 24th!


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Because you love it.”

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

He was so right.

 Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

Happy Reading!
I hope you enjoy Under His Command, my gift to you. Let your friends know about this great opportunity to pick up Under His Command for FREE.

I love to hear from my readers, so please consider writing a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog.

Thank you!
~Kristine

Kristine Cayne's Author Spotlight: Wendy Ely, author of Jesse's Brother

Everyone, please help me in welcoming Wendy Ely, the author of Jesse's Brother. I read this book a few months ago and found it to be a very entertaining read so I'm super excited to hear all about how Wendy came up with the twist to the familiar love triangle trope. Take it away, Wendy!

Inspiration for Jesse's Brother
One thing I can’t deny about Jesse’s Brother is that there is one breath-taking love triangle between the pages. Let me tell you how the idea for the story formed…

Several years I dated two guys at the same time. For the sake of their privacy I’m going to name them Jared and Corey. I liked both of these men for different reasons. Jared and I both had two kids, so I could relate to him. He was in the military, which I admired, and planned to remain in for fifteen more years. Yes, he was stable. He was also sweet and charming. Then there was Corey—younger, sexy, and loads of fun. He made me weak in the knees.

Anyway, one night I was on a date with Corey, who had gone to the bathroom, when Jared called. I answered his call but told Jared that I couldn't talk because I was out with Corey. The next day Jared had flowers delivered to me. Corey saw the flowers while picking me up for another date. After that, Corey brought me flowers. It seemed that they were in competition with each. My thought: Holy crap! What if this happened to my character…

And then came the love triangle plot for Jesse’s Brother.

Here is another confession about this book: I don’t plan out the story before I write, so I began with the premise that she’d have a love triangle. Yep, that simple. Once the basics of the characters were figured out, I started playing “what if” as I wrote. My “what if” game went something like this:

What if: She’d known one of the men for a long time… Nevermind. That wouldn't work because she rebelled against her family/past. Okay, so she has to meet both men when she returns home for the summer.

What if: One of the men works for her father? She has to see him every day. Yes! That fits.

What if: The other man lives in another town but close enough to spend time with each other… and the men know each other! Yes. And are related somehow? Perfect…

And then I had to make each man appeal to her inner struggles. She didn't want to love Noah because he represented her past that she left behind. She wanted to love Jesse because he was a symbol of the future she was trying to achieve.

I wrote the first draft not knowing who she’d pick by the end. I just wrote what came to mind but quickly realized that both of the men were so lovable that I had to change one of the men’s personalities so the readers would have an easier time rooting for a hero. I ironed out the wrinkles in the final draft and Jesse’s Brother was born.

Jesse’s Brother Teaser
Getting involved with someone was complicated enough, but with the boss’s daughter? Probably not a good idea. The fact that Frances hated the very air he breathed made the situation worse.

“I never take the easy road,” he grumbled as he wiped the sweat trickling down his cheek.

What was Samantha doing now? His eyes switched over to the door. It would be nice if she’d come down to the barn.

Available from: Amazon

Wendy On-Line
You can find Wendy Ely at the following Internet locations:

Email: authorwendyely@gmail.com
Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wendy-Ely/159969607422152
Amazon author page: http://amzn.com/e/B008SA6TJK
Twitter: @wendyelyauthor
Blog: http://www.wendyely.blogspot.com/

Under His Command by Kristine Cayne Nominated for Best BDSM Romance

I'm thrilled and honored to let you all know that Under His Comnmand, my erotic romance released just last month, has been nominated for a Sizzling Award in Best BDSM Romance.

This nomination truly warms my heart because Under His Command is first and foremost a love story, the struggle of a husband wife to be true to themselves and each other.

What is the Deadline to Vote?
The deadline to cast your vote is January 20th, 2013. So hurry!

Who are the other nominees?
The BDSM Romance category is a very tight one with many well-known authors. My only hope is that you will all vote for me. :)


BDSM Romance

• Tessa’s Dilemma by Tessa Wanton
• Under His Command by Kristine Cayne
• Nobody’s Hero by Kallypso Masters
• Dare Me by Jennifer Probst
• The Dom WIth A Safeword by Cari Silverwood
• Fournicopia by Delilah Devlin
• Bared to You by Sylvia Day
• Assumed Identity – Lila Munro

How do I vote?
Voting in this contest is super easy. Here are the steps:

1) Cast your vote by emailing marissa@sizzlingpr.com with ONE choice for each category by January 20th.
2) Include the categories you want to vote in and the name/book you are voting for.

For example:

BDSM Romance
- Under His Command by Kristine Cayne


Where Can I find More Information?
For more information about the contest, the nominees and the other categories, please visit Sizzling PR's website.

More About Under His Command

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

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

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

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



Under His Command is available on Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR for only $2.99 (or equivalent).

Thank you all for your tremendous support!
~Kristine

Warm Up Your Winter with Warm Winter Reads #BeachBookBlast

Tired of the cold? Guess what, Sandmen don't melt!  
17 Authors are sharing their work and giving back to readers.

Welcome to the Warm Winter Reads Blog Hop, sponsored by the Beach Book Blast Authors!


Did you receive a hot new e-reader during the holiday season?  Do you have gift cards burning a hole in your pocket?  If so, we've got just the thing for you! Seventeen Beach Book Blast authors have come together to warm your winter by offering everything from romantic comedies to mysteries. 

Our Books
Each participating author in the Warm Winter Reads is featuring one of their books. You can find blurbs and retailer links for each book at the Beach Book Blast site. Some are being offered at a sale price, others at regular price. But one thing is certain--all are great deals. 

Be sure to check out both tabs:
Warm Winter Reads 2013 Event Books
More Warm Winter Reads Event Books (hint: Under His Command is on this tab)


Under His Command

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

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

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

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

A Snippet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He was so right. 

Under His Command is available on Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR for only $2.99 (or equivalent).

My Prize

I'm giving away an ecopy of the Romance in the Rain, an anthology of six novellas, which contains "Aftershocks" the prequel to my new Six-Alarm Sexy series. While Under His Command can be read stand-alone, "Aftershocks" provides background and depth to Jamie and Erica's conflicts.

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.

"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?

To enter: Fill out the rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Grand Prizes
Of course, we all know that a cool hot-rod needs to be souped up with some accessories.  Well, since writers are usually readers too, we know that you might need some super accessories for that e-reader your received--maybe a hip cover, light, or charger.  

So, to help you trick out your e-reader, we are offering:

1st GRAND PRIZE

a $50 Best Buy gift card as our Grand Prize 

+ a $25 gift card of the winner's choice (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or iTunes). 

That's a $75 prize!

2nd GRAND PRIZE

a $25 gift card from Amazon.  

TO ENTER: All you need do is enter the Rafflecopter drawing on the Beach Book Blast site and follow the directions. 

Get Hopping!
Not to sound like that Sham Wow guy—but wait!  There’s more.  Many of our Beach Book Blast authors are also offering prizes on their sites.  Click on the links to their sites below to see what tantalizing treasures they are offering or return to the main Beach Book Blast site.

Thank you for hopping with us!
~Kristine

NEW RELEASE and Contest: Capital Bride by Cynthia Woolf

Friends! I'm super excited to be hosting Cynthia Woolf today. She recently released Capital Bride, the first book in her new Matchmaker and Co. Series. She's going to tell us all about it and she's giving away some fun prizes! Take it away, Cythia!

* * *

Thanks Kristine for having me today.  I appreciate being here and hope your readers enjoy the blog today.  I’ll be giving away two copies of my ebook and two $5 Starbucks cards to four different commenters.  So I everyone will need to leave their email in the body of their comment in order to be entered to win.  There are four chances.

Using What You Know
They, whoever they are, say you should write about what you know.  Well, I say write about WHERE you know.  Whether it’s the mountains around Golden and Creede, Colorado or the universe I’ve make up for my scifi romances, they are places that I know and am familiar with.

I chose Colorado, Golden specifically because I grew up there.  I’m a Colorado native and was raised in the Golden area all my life.  I know it.  Know its history.  Its topography.  It’s not hard for me to imagine in my mind what the area looked like in the 1860’s when  my stories for the Matchmaker & Co series take place.

For Creede, Colorado where my Tame series, set in the 1880’s takes place, I had to take a research trip.  I hadn't been to Creede since I was a little girl and could remember very little about it.  I needed to know the layout of the town, which hasn't changed much in more than one hundred years.  The proximity of the town to the ranch (yes, it is a real ranch and has been around since the 1880’s).  Then I listened.  Listened to my mother’s stories.  Shared her memories and tried to relate some of the flavor from those stories to my work.

So I say write where you know.  You can add a flavor to the story that it wouldn't otherwise have.

Capital Bride
Sarah Johnson and her daughter MaryAnn live by the good graces of her great Aunt Gertrude.  All is well until Aunt Gertrude dies unexpectedly leaving Sarah now homeless.  Not wanting to live with her cousin, William, she is left with only a few options.  She is unqualified for any kind of work except perhaps a governess.  But Sarah is a fallen woman with a bastard child and no one wants that type of woman teaching their children.  She decides the best thing for her is to become a mail order bride and leave her past behind.


John Atwood lost his wife in a bank robbery, leaving him a daughter to raise.  His daugher, Katy, hasn't spoken since the bank robbery when she witnessed her mothers murder.  John needs help raising Katy.  No woman of his acquaintance wants to take on the task of helping with Katy, so he orders a bride from Matchmaker & Co. in New York City.

Together John and Sarah overcome their backgrounds and while their daughters help one another heal from their hurts.

Available from: Amazon | Smashwords | ARe | Kobo | B&N


Excerpt

New York City    April 10, 1867

On the other side of the door was her last resort.  Either this or prostitution and prostitution was not a choice.  She couldn't raise MaryAnn in that environment, nor if truth be told, could she lower herself to live like that.  At least this way there would be some stability in her little girl’s life.

Sarah took a deep breath, turned the knob, and walked through the door to a better future for her daughter and, if she were lucky, for herself.

The office was small and precisely kept.  A single desk with a straight, high backed wooden chair, one in front and one behind, sat in the middle of the room.   She’d noticed the flowered curtains were open on the way in, curtains tied to the side.  The small area was flooded with dazzeling afternoon light.  The walls were whitewashed and the desk well organized.  There were several tables with neat piles of files along one wall.  The other wall held several rows of pictures of women and men.  None smiling, as that was the way pictures were taken, but all appeared to be wedding pictures.  Below each picture was a small brass place with the names of the bride and groom and the date of the wedding.

A small, woman in her late thirties with fiery red hair, sat behind the desk.  When Sarah got closer she saw gorgeous dark blue eyes behind the wire rimmed glasses perched on the end of her nose.  Her eyes were so dark a blue they could almost be called violet.  They were striking and clear, honesty shone from them along with a “no nonsense” attitude.

“May I help you?” the woman asked.

“Um.  Yes.  My name is Sarah Johnson.  I saw your advertisement for mail order brides.”
The woman looked Sarah over, taking in her clothes, her hands clasped in front of her and ending at her face.

“First, let me introduce myself.  I’m Margaret Selby and I own Matchmaker & Company.  Please, sit down.  You’re older than the women we usually have.  You’re also better dressed and don’t appear to be hungry.  What would bring someone like you to my door?”

“I’ve been living with my great aunt.  She passed away suddenly two weeks ago and the lawyer says I need to find other lodgings.  My cousin, William, has inherited everything except a small stipend she left for me.  William is selling everything.  MaryAnn and I have nowhere else to go.”

“MaryAnn?”

“My daughter.”

“So, you are a widow?”

Now was not the time to be less than truthful, if she wanted this woman’s help.  “No.”

“I see.  How old are you, Miss Johnson?”

“I’m twenty-eight.”

“And your daughter?”

“MaryAnn is five.”

“Tell me, Miss Johnson, how did you come to find yourself with child at age twenty-two without being married?  Surely you knew how those things happened by that age.”

“My fiancé was killed at Bull Run.”

“I understand.  Many fine men were killed there and throughout the war.”

“Yes, they were.  Lee and I planned on marrying before he left.  He still had two weeks before he was supposed to go back.  He was sure the war wouldn’t last long,” she sniffled and blew her nose into her handkerchief.  “They called him back early, and then he was killed.”

“No need to go into further detail, Miss Johnson.  Let’s get down to business, shall we?”

Sarah sat straight in the chair.  “Yes, of course.”

She was more nervous now than she had been showing up on Aunt Gertrude’s doorstep six years ago, pregnant and unwed.  They’d planned on putting out the story that Lee was her husband but one of the servants overheard and passed the information on to other servants, some of them in the homes of her Aunt’s friends.

Aunt Gertrude took it all in stride.  She actually handled it far better than Sarah had.  She’d cried for days until Gertrude shook her and said to get under control and stop feeling sorry for herself.  So she’d had her beautiful MaryAnn and was raising her with Aunt Gertrude’s help.  She would be missed for so many reasons.

“Miss Johnson?  Miss Johnson.”  Margaret snapped her fingers bringing Sarah back from her memories.

“Yes, Miss Selby.  I’m sorry.”

“It’s Mrs. Selby.  Now, please pay attention.  I have several candidates that might work for you.  Two farmers in Kansas and a rancher in the Colorado Territory.”

“Do you have a recommendation?”

“Well, neither farmer has children, though they are not unwilling to consider a woman with children.  It would be awfully lonely for your MaryAnn with only you and her new stepfather for company.  The rancher, on the other hand, also has a daughter, who is seven, I believe.  They would be able to keep each other occupied while you attend to the work you’ll need to do.  Can you cook?”

“Yes.  Our cook taught me the basics.  If I have a recipe, I can follow it.”

“Then, I suggest you write down all of your cook’s recipes.  You’ll need them no matter which man you choose.”

“I’ve already got the ones I want.  I’d hoped to put them together in a book one day.  These men you’re talking about, how old are they?”

“Raymond Jacobsen, farmer in Kansas, is thirty-two.  Robert Kline, also a farmer in Kansas, is twenty-nine, and last is John Atwood, a cattle rancher in the Colorado Territory.  He’s a widower, thirty-seven and has a daughter who is seven.  I think he would be the best match for you.”

About Cynthia

Cynthia Woolf was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in the mountains west of Golden. She spent her early years running wild around the mountain side with her friends.

She was and is an avid reader. Her mother was a librarian and brought new books home each week. This is where young Cynthia first got the storytelling bug. She wrote her first story at the age of ten. A romance about a little boy she liked at the time.

Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband Jim and her critique partners for saving her sanity, allowing her to explore her creativity.


Capital Bride is available from: Amazon | Smashwords | ARe | Kobo | B&N

* * *

Cynthia, thank you so much for coming on the blog today and sharing your fabulous new book and series with us.

Readers, leave a comment with your email address to be entered to win one of two copies of Cynthia's ebook or one of two $5 Starbucks cards.

Happy Reading!
Kristine

DEADLY OBSESSION - Creme de la Cover Contest January Semi-Finals

Fabulous news! DEADLY OBSESSION is in the semi-finals for the Creme de la Cover contest at InD'Tale Magazine.

What is the Creme de la Cover Contest?
Each week, InD'Tale Magazine holds a vote-off on four covers. The prize for the weekly contest winner is a 1/4 page ad in the next issue of InD'Tale magazine.  It is also entered for consideration in the Best of 2012 RONE awards!

The winner then competes in the  Creme de la Creme Cover finals at the end of the month.  The monthly winner receives a full page ad in the magazine PLUS a month's worth of free advertising on the homepage of InD'Tale's website.

So as you can see, this is a really great contest. But, it all depends on reader votes.

Do you think this cover for DEADLY OBSESSION, designed by the very talented Scarlett Rugers (www.scarlettrugers.com/), should win? If so, please head over to the contest page and vote. You will need to register/login first.

Where to vote? 
Go to: indtale.com/cover-contest
Click the Login / Register button. Registration is pretty quick and fairly painless. :)

Once you're logged in, if you've lost the page, you can find it easily under the Fun Stuff menu (in the menu bar across the top of the page) and click on Creme de la Cover Contest.

That's it!

Thank you so much to all my readers and author friends for your incredible support. May 2013 be our best year yet.

~Kristine

Naughty New Year Goals - Let's Share! #naughtyhop

Welcome to the Naughty New Year's Blog Hop!

A new year is the time for new resolutions and goals. Since we're talking naughty books on this blog hop, I'm going to share some reading goals as well as some writing goals.

2013 Reading Goals
I read a lot of books, mostly romantic suspense and paranormal romance. I don't know exactly how many I read though; setting a number goal intimidates me. But, I am pledging to reading more erotic romance and erotica. I want to try a wider variety as well.

I'm also pledging to read more M/M books, ranging from sensual to erotic. I recently read Fair Game by Josh Lanyon and loved it! The sex was fairly tame, but the sexual tension was great as was the mystery plot.

2013 Writing Goals
Last year was the year of launching myself into self-publishing. The learning curve was huge and the ride thrilling, to say the least. But each new year needs to bring new challenges. A couple weeks ago, I released Under His Command, the first book in my new Six-Alarm Sexy erotic romance series. I have two ongoing series, but I've written the books consecutively. This year, I'm going to attempt to write the books simultaneously. That should be fun!

Be on the look out for Deadly Betrayal, book three in my Deadly Vices romantic suspense series. Kaden will travel to Afghanistan where he is caught up in a web if lies, deceit, and corruption.

And look for books two (Everything Bared) and three (title TBD) in the Six-Alarm Sexy series. I'm really excited to be working with Kim Killion and Jenn LeBlanc to get fabulous firefighter photos for my books and swag. I don't want to reveal too much about the plot of these next two books, but rest assured, there will be plenty of kinkiness!

Now that you've heard about my Six-Alarm Sexy series, maybe I should tell you a little about the first book, Under His Command?

Under His Command is available on Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR for only $2.99 (or equivalent).

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

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

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

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


A Snippet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He was so right. 


My Prizes

A Measured Risk by Natasha Blackthorne

He is her most dangerous temptation and now he is demanding her submission. Dare she take the risk?

                                                                            
Young dowager countess, Lady Cranfield, is emotionally scarred by the traumatic accident that took her husband's life. She cannot forget how he was killed and breathed his last in the circle of her trembling arms.

Imprisoned by her lingering fear of horses and carriages, Lady Cranfield is fascinated by the brave, self-assured Earl of Ruel and longs to be closer to him. She believes he alone can teach her how to overcome her terror. 

Seduced by the covert, come-hither glances from the shy Lady Cranfield, Ruel sensed she would be the sweetest, most submissive experience of a lifetime-if only he can gain her total and complete trust. 

Lady Cranfield grew up emotionally neglected by her ducal parents and later betrayed by her charming, handsome husband. She has learned that she can trust no one and protects herself at all costs. However, she's desperate to regain her former life and now willing to risk almost anything-her reputation, even her virtue.

But Ruel wants something she never expected. He makes her a non-negotiable offer. His help in return for her complete sexual submission and total obedience for one month.

Dare she take the risk?

Romance in the Rain: A Seattle Anthology contains "Aftershocks" the prequel to the Six-Alarm Sexy series. While Under His Command can be read stand-alone, "Aftershocks" provides background and depth to Jamie and Erica's conflicts.

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.

To enter: Fill out the rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Grand Prizes
We have two amazing grand prizes for you this week!

1st Grand Prize: a $100 giftcard to EdenFantasys

2nd Grand Prize: a digital gift basket of 10 erotic books

To enter: Leave a comment with your email address in it. Entries without an email address will be discarded. 

Question: What is your 2013 Naughty Reading Goal?

Keep Hopping!
Thank you to everyone for participating in the Naughty New Year's Blog Hop. I wish you all heath, happiness, and success for 2013!

Keep hopping for more chances to win. Click on one of the blogs in the linky list below or go to the main blog hop website: http://www.skyewarren.com/hop/

Happy New Year!
~Kristine

How Do You Celebrate the New Year? #2013 New Year's Giveaway Blog Hop

Can you believe 2012 is already over? Well we authors, readers, and bloggers sure can't. And to celebrate the New Year with bang, we're going crazy and sending out so many prizes, fun parties, experiences, and other goodies, that it's a bit scary. Each author has a favorite New Year memory, book, idea, or way to party and we're going to show you! 

How I Celebrate the New Year
For the past 49 years, my mother's relatives have celebrated the New Year by gathering on New Year's Day. My grandparents began the celebration as a way of uniting their 17 children, along with spouses and grandchildren. It started out small, if you consider over fifty people, a small celebration. :) 

Over the years, the family has grown, and at times, more than one hundred people attend the party. It's a blast and a great time to catch up with relatives I don't see often. Unfortunately, these days, I'm the relative that isn't often seen since I live on the West Coast and my family is on the East Coast.

Now, my usual celebration involves watching the count down on television with my husband and children. This year though, we did something a little special, involving a certain castle and fireworks. You might recognize it.

My Prizes

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

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? 

Deadly Addiction, the second book in my Deadly Vices series.

A violent clash of cultures and nations tests the forbidden love between a Native American man and a white female cop.

When beautiful police sergeant Alyssa Morgan enters his life, Rémi Whitedeer never expects her to upend it. Not only does she have his hormones in an uproar, she’s also threatening to take the position he wants—Chief of Police for the Iroquois Blackriver Reservation. But Alyssa is more than a Barbie cop. Her ends-justifies-the-means philosophy, so different from his own, challenges Rémi on every level. With her sharp investigative skills and her fearlessness, she leads Rémi to confront bitter truths about his family and his standing as a man of mixed race within his tribe. 

Tall hunky Rémi Whitedeer, of the panty-melting grin and the smoldering green eyes, flips Alyssa’s world ass over teakettle. She’s always had a laser-like focus on the job, but Rémi proves a constant distraction. His inner strength and sense of purpose strip away the winner-take-all attitude Alyssa wears like armor. Soon she’s longing for more—a more that terrifies and intrigues her.  If he finds out the fine line she’d walked while undercover, will he still want her? And will she ever find the courage to let him—or anyone—that far in? 

When Alyssa and Rémi uncover a drug-fueled scheme involving a biker gang from Alyssa’s past and a militant sovereigntist group led by Rémi’s cousin, they are forced to choose between their growing love for each other and the lives they’ve worked so hard to build. Will Rémi and Alyssa have to leave everything behind—even their identities—for the chance of a future together?

Have you read Deadly Obsession, the first book in the Deadly Vices series? If not, now would be a good time to pick up a copy. It's only $0.99 until the end of the blog hop (January, 6th). 

Only 99¢ at Amazon ebook (77p at Amazon UK, 75p at Nook UK), B&N, Kobo. 

To Enter: Simply fill out the rafflecopter below! Be sure to provide your email address in a comment.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $300 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!

Note: Prize 1 and 2 are international. Prize 3 is US-only.

To Enter: Leave a comment below with your email address. Tell us what is your favorite way to celebrate the new year.


Keep Hopping!

Thank you to everyone for participating in this year's New Year's Blog Hop. I wish you all heath, happiness, and success for 2013!

Keep hopping for more chances to win. Click on one of the blogs in the linky list below, or go to the main blog hop website: Website: http://carrieannbloghops.blogspot.com/

~Kristine