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.
All giveaway ends November 22, 2012 at midnight. Make sure to only enter the giveaway you are eligible for.
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
Wow! I really like the concept of this book~~reading multi-generational family saga is always so interesting. All of the stories piqued my interest, but I think the one that really grabbed my attention was Final Approach. I am always so interested in women at work in the WW2. A question tho, since this is about the Caldwells, is there a Caldwell in What’s Wrong with Mr. Perfect?
ReplyDeleteP.S. thanks for the chance to win!! :)
DeleteThank you so much, June! When one of us suggested the concept of a generational drama, the rest of us jumped on it :) In What's Wrong with Mr. Perfect, the hero is a Caldwell by blood. After each story in the book, there is a family tree showing the characters' connections to the Caldwell family. Good luck with the giveaways!
DeleteJune, I'm glad you liked the concept of Romance in the Rain. Final Approach is a great story that focuses a much needed spotlight on the forgotten heros of WWII, the women.
Deletei agree with June, a multi generational family saga is always such an interesting read and seeing how the times change the family and how the course of events impacts all fo them
ReplyDeleteparisfan_ca@yahoo.com
Thank you, Laurie! We felt the same way and enjoyed mentioning other members of the family in our stories. Good luck with the giveaways!
DeleteLaurie, like you, I think it's fun to have the family history woven into each story. Our past gives us strength, and makes us into the people we are today. Good luck on the giveaways.
DeleteI am always glad to hear of a successful Writers Group. The mutual written book theme of a Family saga has my attention. I enjoy reading about a family and their lives through the years. It is fiction with historical events weaved through which allows me,the reader, to learn about the personal issues the Caldwell family faces and what was happening in the setting of the stories. I choose Clara Tisdale's "Shelter from the Storm" as the leading one I must read. I know what its like to start over and wonder about being where your family has a legacy. It is a situation that you weigh all the options. There is something about living in the City,Town or State you call home. I wonder what J.D does in making this choice and the complications with a romance;love you want to spend time with and have in your life. I do appreciate the chance to see a copy come to me.
ReplyDeleteCyndee Thomas cyndee(dot)thomas0(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you, Cyndee. It sounds like Romance in the Rain will be a great fit for you. And Clare's story is fabulous. I'm sure you'll love it. Good luck with the giveaways!
DeleteCyndee, it's a blessing to be able to work with such a talented group of writers, Clare, of course, being one of them. J.D.'s struggles are ones many of us can relate to.
Deleteshelter from the storm has an interesting excerpt. I want to find out more!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great concept and a great story! Good luck with the giveaways.
DeleteEclairre, I think you'll enjoy the full story of Shelter from the Storm just as much as the excerpt. Happy reading.
DeleteWow! This is definitely going on the to read list. All sections look good but I'm really interested in Final Approach, because it sounds so dramatic!
ReplyDeleteMerry, Marianne Stillings is an amazing writer. I loved Final Approach and learning about the amazing women who made up the WAFS. Good luck with the giveaways!
DeleteMerry, thank you for putting us on your read list. I think you'll find Final Approach an engaging read.
DeleteOmg! your blog is amazing and this giveaway is pretty incredible too, I really hope to win something cause all books sound awesome but I fell in love with Final Approach by Marianne Stillings, that romanic atmosphere just caught me
ReplyDeleteThank you, Twi! I'm sure you'll love the anthology and Marianne's story. Good luck with the giveaways!
DeleteTwi, I hope you enjoy Romance in the Rain, and good luck with the giveaways.
DeleteAs the author of "Shelter from the storm," I can tell you that my main character, JD, does struggle with returning to Seattle after many years away. In particular he is worried about still being in the shadow of his big brother, Michael. It's hard for people to forge their own way in life, especially if there are generations of tradition and expectations behind them. I hope you enjoy the stories in "Romance in the Rain" as much as we enjoyed writing them!
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your wonderful posts; we really appreciate hearing that you're as enthusiastic about our anthology as we are! And good luck in the contest - and happy reading!
ReplyDeleteMarianne
Thank you so much for spotlighting our anthology! I had such fun collaborating with my fellow Rainy Day Writers.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to all who entered the giveaway! Hope you enjoy the stories.
I like this concept, very different. What's wrong with Mr. Perfect draws my attention the most.
ReplyDeletethanks so much!
It's a great story, Texas Book Lover. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Best of luck with the giveaways!
DeleteLove the blurbs and excerpts- definitely going on my TBR list! This book would be a wonderful read curled up with a blanket and a good cup of coffee or cocoa
ReplyDeleteThat sounds heavenly, Amanda. I hope you get the chance to read Romance in the Rain while curled up in the wonderful afghan Marianne made :) Good luck with the giveaways!
DeleteThe grand prize is AMAZING. I love the chocolate, coffee, books, and afghan
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting, Stacy. Good luck with the giveaways!
Deletecoreybrennan26@hotmail.com
ReplyDelete"Shelter from the Storm" sounds interesting. It doesn't give mant details but something about it sounds intriguing.
i want to read deadly addiction first that sounds like an amazingly great story, i love books
ReplyDelete