Aaand the Winner Is ...

Merry Christmas!

It is time, merry ones, to announce another winner to my random drawing for The Orion Series.

Aaand the winner is ... Shadow! Thanks for visiting the TRS party, Shadow, and stopping by here as well.

I'll be sending you a message via email.

best,
Cathryn

ROCK'N'ROMANCE WITH GENIE GABRIEL

After the re-issue of the three books my Rock'n'Romance series two weeks apart, I'm tired--in that pleasant, just-drifting-off-to-sleep way that comes in the afterglow of truly satisfying events.

At our writers' holiday party, one of the newer writers in our chapter was talking about the struggles and confusion she was feeling about her work in progress. I remembered my own journey to publication. So many times I wondered if I would ever sell a book, let alone two or three or an entire series!

I was again reminded how much I have to be grateful for, including the re-issue of THE ROCK STAR, THE BODYGUARD, and THE LEADER OF THE BAND. And much to look forward to in my writing life with a new series being released starting in March 2012.

WHY HEROES CONNECTED WITH A ROCK BAND?

I'd like to share a bit with you about my Rock'n'Romance trilogy and why I chose to write about heroes connected with a rock band.

I've already confessed on my Rock'n'Romance blog to being a "Rock and Roll Wimp"--no heavy metal, please. :) However, like most teenaged girls I knew, I had a crush or two on a rock star. I went to some concerts and even got up close--but not personal--when members of the band signed photos or other momentos.

When I began writing as an adult, I applied that famous "what if" question writers use a lot. What if a crush on a rock star became more? What if it became a personal encounter? And what if that encounter wasn't a fantasy, but turned into a traumatic experience that changed the lives of both the enamored young woman and the singer? That was the idea that sparked THE ROCK STAR.

Then, as seems to happen when I write, secondary characters demanded their stories be written. So THE BODYGUARD came to life. The heroine wanted to share her story to lend to courage to other women who might find themselves and their children in violent situations. The hero, however, really kept his emotions tightly inside. Only as the book progressed and his attraction for the heroine deepened did he allow his true feelings to peek out. When Mitch and Julia teamed up to rescue her kidnapped children, they discovered their own Christmas miracle in what my first editor called a "feel good Christmas story."

THE LEADER OF THE BAND has a different tone than the first two books of the series, because the hero and heroine are different than characters I usually write. In fact, Zach was the antagonist in the first book of the trilogy--though he does start his journey to redemption. This book brings him up short by the guitar strings so he is forced to examine his excuses for not pursuing the dreams of his heart. These dreams include making a commitment to the former beauty queen he has loved since they were both teenagers.

BEST WISHES AND AN EXCERPT!

And now I'll leave you with best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and an excerpt from THE LEADER OF THE BAND.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you. I have so much to be thankful for.


I get to do what I love--write sexy romance, with action, danger and laughter in the mix.


I have a publisher, Samhain Publishing, to bring my stories to readers.


I have places to chat with readers--this blog, my Amazon author page, Facebook, Twitter and all the wonderful reader forums.

I have The Orion Series out, and a new series in the works. The process--the thrill of writing, then having a book accepted, working with my editor to make it the best story it can be, with the art department to create a cover that will showcase the story. It's hard work, sometimes brutal, but I wouldn't trade it for any other craft.


I have friends with whom to share the journey--other slightly bent people just like me, who love to pour their hearts and imaginations onto the page.

And then it all comes back to the people I'm most thankful for--you, the readers.


Thank you for sharing my love of sexy romance, adventure and a little humor.


You make it all worthwhile.

And ... if you're one of the partiers from The Romance Studio's big Thanksgiving Bash, or even if you're just dropping by just 'cause, leave a comment here, with your email addy.


I'll do a random drawing for all 4 books in my Orion Series. I'll post the winner here by Sunday, November 27th. If you sign up for email notifications, you'll hear right away.


best,
Cathryn

A Writer's Dream ... with Michele Stegman

As a writer I had a dream.  I wanted to be published.  I couldn’t believe it when I finally sold my first book.  The one thing that would make it real for me would be to see my books sitting on a shelf in a bookstore.

          I made careful note of which day of the month the new Leisure releases appeared on bookstore shelves and which day they showed up at Kroger’s. 

          The month my book was released, I was patient.  I waited for two days after the day they should be at Kroger’s before I went down to “shop.”  I got a cart and wheeled through the produce, the deli.  I didn’t rush right to the book aisle.  I savored the moment.  When I got to that aisle, I casually strolled along the shelves, looking for that cover Leisure had sent me. 

          I did a double take.  It wasn’t there!  I looked again.  All the other new Leisure releases were there, but not mine!  I was so disappointed.  What had happened?  I didn’t find out for a couple of weeks that the store had put MY books on the end cap, in a special place because I was a local author!  But the point was, I didn’t see them that day and went home with a sigh.

          A couple of days later my husband and I went to a book store.  This time I hurried directly for the romance section.  There were Danielle Steele’s books.  I should be right after…nope!  No books!  I looked all over the romance section.  No books by Michele Stegman!

          I went up to the counter and asked.  Yes, they told me, there should be two of my books back there.  She went to help me find them.  The clerk couldn’t find them, either.  The conclusion?  They had been stolen!  They would reorder.  Come back in a few days.

          Three days later hubby and I went to a mall where there were TWO bookstores.  Surely, one of them would have my book!  I went to the one downstairs and Ron went to the other. 

          I looked all over that bookstore and they didn’t have my book.  When I inquired, they checked their records.  Yes, they had ordered eight copies—but they had sold out!  Well, that was good news, but frustrating because I still hadn’t seen my book on a bookstore shelf.

          Ron came in and told me there were copies upstairs.  I hurried up there, and sure enough, FINALLY, I saw my book for sale in a real bookstore.  There they were.  Four brand new, lovely copies!  I basked in pride for a moment or two and then I looked at my husband and wailed, “Why haven’t they sold?”

          Well, while I was there, I signed the copies and sold two of them so at last I went home happy.

          If you are a writer, what is/was your dream?  What made it real for you?  Was it getting “the call?”  Signing your first contract?  Connecting with readers at your first book signing?

                                    

Michele Stegman writes warm, sensual romances.  Check out her website for more information on her and her books at:  www.michelestegman.com

Can she give up the man she loves before her secret destroys them both?

As long as no one knows who Irish really is, she will be safe.  But Tyrus Fortune seems determined to uncover all her secrets.  Can she fully love him without revealing her true self to him?  And if she does, will it also put him and his family in danger.


Tyrus Fortune returns home after two years determined to unmask the woman who has found her way into the hearts of his family.  He is sure she is a fraud—until he begins to fall in love with her.  Now he only wishes she will trust him with her secrets and her love so they can face the future together.

Read an excerpt   

Hawaiian Heroes, Book I has a title!

It's a wrap! The first book of my new Hawaiian Heroes contemporary paranormal series has a title!

Walking in Fire will debut in April, 2012.

Now, if you were one of the witty, creative women who participated in my contest to help choose a title, you know that this was not one of the titles suggested. But it was sparked (pardon the pun) by the titles suggested. All the fun and funny titles really got my creative fires burning, and I came up with the title myself.

And ... when you eventually see the title of Book II, you'll know that I actually started with that, and then worked backwards to get this title.

So, since I can't win my own contest, and I want to thank everyone who participated, here's the deal.

I have printed the names of each entrant on a piece of paper, and my personal assistant (just kidding, I don't have one, so my own tall, dark and handsome will step in) will be drawing the name of one grand prize winner for the $20.00 gift certificate and free e-copy of Walking in Fire.

Drum roll, please ... wait, is that a ukulele I hear?

The winner is ... Cher Green! Cher, you gave me some fabulous suggestions, thanks! I hope you enjoy spending the gift certificate on some great reads, and also enjoy Walking in Fire next April. I'll send you an email, so please reply to cathryncade@cathryncade.com right away, and I'll get you the first part of your prize.

And thanks to everyone who participated in the contest. I had so much fun I think I'll have another contest for Halloween.

Stay tuned,
Cathryn

It's a contest! Book Title = Prizes for You

You have great ideas, right? Sure you do. I need one.

Here's the deal--I've written a contemporary paranormal, set in Hawaii. That's right, paradise. Love those islands, don't you?

I love this story, too. What I don't have is a title. So if you can come up with a title my editor and I love, I will send you a $20.00 gift certificate for Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.com, your choice. AND a free copy of the book when it debuts next spring, naturally!

Here's a quick look at the premise ...

' Melia Carson is in Hawaii to escape the chill of heartache. But when she joins a tour, she finds herself in a tropical heat wave. Her playboy host is not what he seems. Neither is the handsome Hawaiian who joins their group. David Ho'omalu is big, powerful and hot enough to melt even Melia's defenses. But why does she dream of him each night, garbed in native style and wreathed in flames?

When she surrenders to the desire burning between them, she discovers he has fiery, hidden depths. As one of the goddess Pele's guardians, he protects her island while she slumbers deep inside her volcano, Kilauea.

A true Hawaiian hero, born to protect his island. He'll use his power to protect Melia as well, but can she trust him with her heart?'

So that's the story ... or at least the beginning. What would be a good title for this story? Keep in mind it involves a little bit of molten lava, too! ;D

You're welcome to present as many titles as you wish. Please send them to cathryncade@cathryncade.com

I will choose a winner by October 1st, 2011.

thanks,
Cathryn

Independence Day ... and beyond

Today is July 4^th, the day when Americans celebrate the signing of our Declaration of Independence.

 Here in the Pacific Northwest, we gather together with friends, family and neighbors to barbecue and blow up as many faux incendiary devices as we can legally buy. Silly, huh? No, not really.

Here's why—every time I see a gorgeous firework rocket into the night sky and then burst into sparkling colors, I think of all the men and women in our armed forces who've died under real mortar and rocket fire. Because of them and their sacrifices my family lives in a free country.  Instead of real battles raging around our home, there are only loud bangs and flashes for a few evenings.

Where ever you live, I hope you have freedoms to celebrate, as well. Like the freedom of information. Have you ever stopped to think that the freedom to buy a romance novel, or any other kind, is an important right? It is—totalitarian regimes always go after the artists and writers as soon as they've secured the government. They don't want you thinking freely.

My writing reflects my appreciation of our freedoms, too. Oh, my current series isn't set in this country or even on this earth, but the men and women of The Orion believe strongly in doing what's right. Protecting their ship and all the beings aboard. Keeping them safe from those who would do harm.

The hero and heroine of Prince of Dragons, my first book in PRINT from Samhain, available tomorrow, July 5th, are the captains of The Orion's Guard. Willing to sacrifice themselves, if need be to keep their ship, her crew and passengers safe.

Would I be this brave in real life? Sorry to say, no. I'm just a civilian. One who's grateful for all those true blue men and women braver than me. And grateful that I have the freedom to share my brave and very sexy characters with you.

thankfully,

Cathryn