Spectacular giveaway and review of "Romance in the Rain"!

Today I have a special treat! First, there's my review of a fantastic new anthology by six Seattle authors. Second, I have three huge giveaways that you can enter, with eleven prizes total, including tons of books, gift cards, and even a free ebook cover design! To enter the giveaways, follow the instructions in the RaffleCopters below. 

I recently had the pleasure of reading Romance in the Rain (A Seattle Anthology). 

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 Links: Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | B&N | Kobo | ARe | Smashwords

Description:

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. 

Romance in the Rain is an anthology of six novellas written by the Seattle Rainy Day Authors. All the stories are set in Seattle, and each one involves a member of four generations of the Caldwell family, spanning a time period from 1853 to slightly in the future. Unlike most anthologies, where the stories are loosely linked by a common theme, this one has the same family at its heart, which makes for a uniquely touching effect that had me reflecting on the generations of my own family that have preceded me and that will follow me. 

All the stories are strong, another factor that sets this anthology apart from many that I've read. Despite the varying time periods, genres, and tones, the anthology hangs together because of the family at its center. For once I found myself carefully and eagerly studying the family trees at the end of each story. What could have been just a clever gimmick turns out to add an emotion-stirring layer to this collection. 

A little about each story: 

Splendor in the Moss by Charlotte Russell: A thoroughly delightful and charming historical romance about Englishman James Caldwell's woes as he tries to build a homestead for himself in the Seattle territory. James hates Seattle, hates the weather, and is ready to give up and return home when the prickly and beautiful widow Mattie Jensen catches his eye. She's a challenge he's *not* ready to give up on, but her wounded heart gives him a merry chase. Amusing and well-drawn secondary characters round out this excellent tale. 

Final Approach by Marianne Stillings: A solid and well-constructed historical romantic suspense set in 1942, one year after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Charlene (Charlie) Thompson, a female pilot, and Capt. Joe Caldwell, her superior, find themselves embroiled in the chase to catch a killer who hates the female pilots assisting with the war effort. Great banter, sizzling sexual tension, and genuine suspense blend into a potent and memorable mix. 

Love Phantom by Dawn Kravagna: A new-adult tale set at the University of Washington in 1983. Drama major Kara Caldwell finds herself the object of affection of two men: one a worldly assistant stage director, the other an earnest actor in the play she's working crew on. She's mad about the stage director and not so sure about the actor; he's just not her type. Or is he? Conflicting signals from both men have the tightly wound Kara in an uproar. Can she sort out true feelings from fictional ones? An enjoyable story with an at-times frustrating, but believable heroine. Vivid backstage and college settings bring this story to life. 

What's Wrong with Mr. Perfect? by Sherri Shaw: A quirky, slightly supernatural, contemporary romance set in the present day about the rocky romance between Ivy Turin, an up-and-coming chef, and Sam Rockney, a Caldwell and a superstar quarterback for the fictional Seattle Pioneers. Ivy's heart has been betrayed in the worst way, and she is reluctant to let anyone into her life--until a chance encounter with a jewelry vendor in the Pike Place Market, who insists on giving her a necklace with an unusual stone, which he claims will help her find true love. Although Ivy wants to trust again, when the outrageously perfect Sam enters her life shortly after, she can't help peering under every rock in search of his bad side, for she's convinced there must be one. No one can possibly be that perfect--he *must* be hiding something! This story is full of delightful twists and turns; I was never quite sure what would happen next or how it would all work out. Very well done! 

Shelter from the Storm by Clare Tisdale: A page-turning contemporary romance set in the present day about the fraught relationship between JD Caldwell, newly returned to Seattle and still licking his wounds from the break-up of a six-year relationship, and Maya, the mysterious beauty who answers the door of his best friend Parker's house. Turns out Parker is long gone, but his ex, Maya, invites the handsome stranger in anyway and welcomes him into her bed. JD falls hard and fast--but there is something broken about Maya, and she cannot seem to return his affection, despite his numerous and heartfelt attempts to prove himself to her. Unusual for a romance, this story is told entirely from JD's point of view, which keeps us in the dark about Maya and her intentions. When we find out what she's really up to, we're no less shocked than poor JD, who is sent reeling. Despite his doubts about Maya, JD resolves to win her over, but will she ever thaw? Very well-written and beautiful romance filled with genuine, heartbreaking emotion that compelled me to seek out more stories by Clare Tisdale. A standout!

Aftershocks by Kristine Cayne: Taut, gripping romantic suspense set in the near future against the backdrop of a massive Seattle earthquake. Soon-to-be-divorced Erica Caldwell and her daughter Chloe are trapped in the King County Courthouse by a partial building collapse. Erica's estranged husband, Lieutenant Jamie Caldwell, of the Seattle Fire Department's Technical Rescue Team, takes charge of the rescue of his wife and daughter. When Erica and Chloe are finally found in the rubble after considerable searching, little does Jamie know that his day is about to get a whole lot worse. Can he save his wife and daughter--and his marriage--or are some things beyond repair? This story had me on the edge of my seat, as bad goes to worse goes to oh-My-God what more can these people take? My eyes teared up, I gasped in surprise, and my jaw dropped open more than once. And the emotional story line, of the hanging-on-by-a-thread love between Jamie and Erica, deepened and enriched the suspense plot. Another outstanding effort by Kristine Cayne that stands up well under repeated readings. I very much look forward to her upcoming firefighter romance series, which will follow up with the characters introduced in Aftershocks.

Overall an exciting collection by a group of exceptionally talented writers. Highly recommended! 

For more information about Romance in the Rain and the Seattle Rainy Day Writers, visit them at www.seattlerainydaywriters.com.

Giveaway Spectacular!

All giveaways end November 22, 2012 at midnight. Make sure to only enter the giveaway you are eligible for. To enter the giveaways, follow the instructions in the RaffleCopters. 

Giveaways for US residents only.

Grand Prize: 

A Northwest Basket containing:

- 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: 
- 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 by Kristine Cayne

- 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 by Kristine Cayne

- 1 print copy Tsunami Blue, by Gayle Ann Williams

- 1 print copy A Tale of Two Demon Slayers, by Angie Fox (autographed copy)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaways 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 Fraser

Prize #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

1 free ebook cover design by Sherri Shaw with up to a $20 royalty-free background

a Rafflecopter giveaway