WINNERS!  WINNERS!  The winners from last week’s blog with Robin Kaye are: Karen Roloff and Patti Shenberger!  Please email me at: christie (at) christie-craig.com with your preference of print (with snail mail addy) or e-book (Amazon or B&N.)  Congrats!

Okay, most of you know that I’m a wine lover.  And I’m predominately a red wine lover. Now, I’m usually a Cab gal.  I love lots of fruit flavors, but with a hint of some pepper, chocolate, and I don’t mind a little oak tannin blended in to add to a long finish.  I belong to Wine Styles wine club, where as a club member I get two really good bottles a month.  Yum.

But I also shop around and find a good wine here and there on my own.  My daughter recently recommended one to me, and let me tell you, our tastes don’t always mesh.  I seem to like a fully bodied taste and she tends to go for a little sweeter.  But when I spotted the recommended bottle, being a good mom, I bought two: One for her, and one for me to try.  Hey . . . I do appreciate her thinking of me. 

Surprisingly, I found it pretty darn good.  And for the price, it was a bargain.  Apothic Red is a California wine and a blend of grapes, but it has great fruit flavors, and for the price tag of less than $12, I’d buy it again.

Now Renwood, Old Vine Zinfandel, 2010 Dry Creek Valley, is another one definitely worth mentioning.  I really enjoyed sipping from this bottle.  As a matter of fact, it went way too quickly. 

It’s an earthy wine with red berry fruits and underlying holiday spice on the nose.   It holds hints of pepper and black currant. On the palate, this wine has lots of red flavors. The prominent oak presence blends perfectly with the juicy fruit flavors, and for around $18, it’s one of those bottles I’d buy for the slightest celebration. 

And because I’m a wine drinker, I recently had some wine glasses designed with my Shadow Falls logo.  And today, if you share with me your favorite wine, one lucky commenter will win a set of four Shadow Falls wine glasses.  

And speaking of Shadow Falls, I recently got the title of my new spin-off series, as well as the titles for the first two books.  Shadow Falls: After Dark is the series title.  I really like it because it’s sort of spooky and well, sort of sexy, too.  The first book in the series is called, Reborn, and it will be out April of 2014.  The second book, Eternal, should be out in October 2014.

Recently, St. Martins released Saved at Sunrise, which is a novella from Della’s point of view.  If you’d like to sample the tone and essence of Della’s upcoming series, give Saved at Sunrise a try.  It’s on sale right now for a $1.59. 

Amazon:   http://tinyurl.com/c5u8u3v

B&N:     http://tinyurl.com/bxxobp4

Okay, so make sure you leave a comment and come back next week to see if you’ve won the set of four wine glasses.  Cheers!

WINNERS!  WINNERS!  The winners of The Halo Effect from my blog last week with Shauna Allen are: Sabrina Robert and Sarah S.  Email me at: christie (at) christie-craig.com and let me know if you’d prefer a PDF or Amazon e-book and we will get you your prize.  Congratulations!

This week I have the wonderful Robin Kaye as my guest, and she’s here to share about her new Bad Boys of Red Hook novel, You’re the One.  Stick around and leave a comment and you might be one of two lucky winners of a copy!

So, Robin, tell us what’s the craziest job you’ve held outside of being an author?

I was a 120-pound bouncer at a restaurant/dance club called Swampwater Al’s AKA The Swamp. I worked the door, threw people out, even got into a few fights. I broke one guys nose—yes, he hit me first, so I laid him out. I had to get my diamond ring cleaned after that one. The man still has a nasty scar.

As you can imagine, my mother was so proud. The only good thing about it was that I knew every cop in Pinellas County, Florida and dated quite a few.

LOL!  Sounds like a lot of fun!  Must’ve made for a lot of rule breaking, or following, depending on how you look at it!  If the Ten Commandments was really a list of eleven, what do you think the eleventh commandment should be?

In my family we have 15 Commandments—number 11 is, Thou shalt marry a nice Catholic boy (or girl depending upon your sex) preferably Italian—and have lots of babies.

Love those Italians!  But back to books . . . What is the last great book you read?

I recently re-read Reflections Without Mirrors: An Autobiography of the Mind by Louis Nizer, it’s tied for my all-time favorite book.

Ooh, sounds intriguing.  And, for your book, if it were the main entree in a gourmet meal, what would be the side dishes?

Chocolate Fudge Cake with whipped cream, Mood music, and a huge bathtub…

Yuuuuummmm.  What scene was the hardest to write?  Why?

Technically: The restaurant scene with Skye’s brothers—only because there are so many character’s on stage, it was difficult to make it flow (I hope) seamlessly.

Emotionally, the scene where Skye leaves Red Hook—God, that killed me. Leaving Nicki practically guts her, and Nicki doesn’t understand. Poor Skye had emotional whiplash.   

Do you have a favorite character, either that you’ve written or from another book?

I think my favorite character I’ve written is either Nicki in my Red Hook books, or Karma in my Domestic Gods books. Nicki is a ten-year-old foster kid, who just steals everyone’s hearts.  And Karma—because she’s funny and she plays all her brothers like a fiddle–she’s just evil, but with the best intentions.

OK, totally serious . . . as I end all my interviews . . . Salty or sweet?

Salty or sweet? Both! I’m addicted to Ghirardelli Sea Salt Caramel Squares and Sea Salt Soiree. Can you say yum?

Why, yes . . . yes, I can.  LOL.  Now, can you tell us more about the book or give us a blurb?

Award-winning author Robin Kaye proves that home is where the heart is, even for a bad boy from Red Hook, Brooklyn. 

Logan Blaise expected to be taking a quick break from his successful vineyard in Napa to visit his hometown of Brooklyn. But what he finds is a complete mess: His father is sicker than he’d imagined, and Logan is responsible for keeping the family restaurant running smoothly. When the chef quits, he’s forced to hire the first person who applies for the job—Skye Maxwell, a beautiful enigma with great skills and gaps in her résumé.

Skye is determined to make it on her own, without trading on her famous family name. Working in the community of Red Hook offers the perfect opportunity to stay out of the limelight while pursuing her dreams. At first glance, charismatic Logan seems exactly like all the shallow men she knew back home. But as she notices his small-town roots and strong family ties, the Brooklyn bad boy and his restaurant start to feel exactly like where she really belongs….

***

“Rex, the head cook, just quit.” Logan leaned against the bar and looked from Rocki to Francis DeBruscio, waiting for their promised help.

Francis was a cross between a walk-in refrigerator and Shrek’s Sicilian cousin, Guido the Ogre. He’d been a fixture at the Crow’s Nest since he’d beaten the spit out of Logan back when they were in high school. Pete had told Frankie either he could work off the emergency room bill washing dishes or he’d call the cops.

Under Pete’s tutelage and watchful eye, Francis had turned his life around, and became a paramedic and an all-around good guy. It was hard to believe that the man upstairs acting like a cantankerous old fart had changed so many lives and single-handedly turned them all into men of whom he could be proud. Logan shook his head at the irony.

Francis did a double take. “Rex would never just up and quit.”

Logan rubbed his forehead where the mother of all headaches was forming. “He’s an only child and his mother just had a stroke. She’s paralyzed on the left side—and she lives in Florida. It’s not as if he really had a choice.”

Rocki tapped her foot. “Bummer.”

Logan couldn’t believe this. “Come on, guys, you’re supposed to help me out. Can either of you cook?”

The two of them looked like a pair of bobblehead dolls in a crosswind.

“Neither can I. This is just great. What am I supposed to do now?”

Rocki shrugged one shoulder. “I suggest you start looking for a cook.”

“It’s Sunday. How the hell am I going to find a cook by opening on Tuesday?”

A grin split Francis’s face. “You can put a Help Wanted sign in the window.”

“What does Pop do if Rex gets sick, Francis?”

“It’s never happened as long as I’ve known Rex—but Harrison the sous chef might be able to take over for a day or two, I think. Bree knew what was what in the kitchen, I’m sure she could step in if necessary.”

“Not a big help since Bree’s halfway to New Zealand.”

Rocki went around the bar and poured herself a soda, missing the glass and making a mess of the bar Logan just scrubbed. “Have you asked Pete?”

“No, I didn’t want him to have another coronary.”

Both Rocki and Francis shot him matching glares.

“Bad joke. He’s had a rough morning. I caught him smoking his cigar on the roof and we had words.” Logan was definitely not ready for the role-reversal situation he’d found himself in since he returned. “All I need to do is tell Pop his cook just quit.”

Rocki took a long sip of her soda and watched him over the rim of the glass. “It’s not as if you’re going to be able to hide it from him for long. He’ll notice on Tuesday. Maybe he has a backup chef.”

Francis shook his head. “I doubt it. He’s never needed one before.”

Logan’s phone vibrated. He didn’t have to check to know it was Payton; she’d been calling constantly, crying desertion. He let it go to voice mail. “Fine, I’ll tell Pop, but first I’m going to put a Help Wanted sign in the window. Maybe an incredible cook will walk by and want the job.”

Francis laughed. “Yeah, and maybe I’ll win the lottery.”

He got busy with the sign while they made fun of him. He had nothing to lose, and other than putting an ad in the paper, he didn’t have a plan B.

Logan taped the sign up in the front window and wondered if temp services had cooks—it was worth a try.

He was still running his finger over the tape when a beautiful dark-haired woman dragging a suitcase shouldered the door open. She was a little thing with black shoulder-length hair, pale, almost translucent skin, and the darkest blue eyes he’d ever seen.

“You’re hiring a cook?”

Logan shot a glance at Rocki and Francis, who stood beside the bar with their mouths hanging open.

“That’s what the sign says. Can you cook?”

“Honey, there’s nothing I can’t do in a kitchen.” She had a deep, smoky voice that made him think of tangled sheets and sleepy sex.
Between her voice and her comment, Logan’s mind spun directly into the gutter. What was wrong with him? Not only was she not his type, but he was engaged. He cleared his throat, temporarily rendered speechless.

“Lucky for you, I’m looking for a job. Can I see the kitchen?”

“Why?”

“I won’t work in a dirty or unsafe kitchen.”

“Where have you worked?”

“Here and there. You know how it is in the restaurant business.” She pulled a menu out of the rack on the side of the hostess stand and paged through it. “There’s nothing on here I can’t handle. How many people do you seat in a night?”

Logan looked at Rocki and Francis. The two of them shrugged.

“I don’t know. I just took over the place last night—I’m filling in for the month. It was a really bad time for the cook to quit.”

She smiled and she went from beautiful in a girl-next-door kind of way to simply stunning. “It’s a good thing I walked by, then.” She looked around. “I assume the kitchen is through there?” She pointed at the swinging double doors.

“Yes, it is.”

“Okay then, let’s take a look.” She set her backpack and suitcase on the bench of a booth and he found himself following her to the kitchen.

“Did you close today because you lost your cook?”

“No, we’re only open Tuesday through Saturday.”

She shot him another heart-stopping grin. Nope, he hadn’t imagined it. She was absolutely staggering. Her lips were full, rose-colored, and bare. She wasn’t wearing all that lip crap Payton was always applying—most of which tasted bad enough to put him off kissing for life. If this woman wore makeup, he couldn’t detect it—not that she needed it. Her eyelashes were coal black, full enough to create shadows on her pale cheeks, and as long as Payton’s fake ones.

“So I’ll only have to work five days a week? It’ll seem like a vacation.”

The way she spoke, he’d think he’d given her the job. He hadn’t. Still, he followed her into the kitchen and couldn’t help but notice that her back was as attractive as her front—not that he was looking. His cell phone vibrated. He snuck a peek—Payton—and shoved his phone into his pocket as the woman inspected the kitchen like a general inspecting her troops.

She even ran her finger under the hood. “Your cook kept a clean kitchen. I like that.” She took a turn through the walk-through refrigerator, stepped out, and closed the door behind her. “Okay, I’ll take the job.”

“You will?” He shook his head. “Hold on, I haven’t even offered it yet. Hell, I don’t even know your name.”

She stepped toward him and held out her hand. “Skye. Skye Sinclair.”

He took it—her hand was small, warm, and as callused as his. Her shake was surprisingly firm considering she barely came up to his shoulder, and her touch sent a shock wave through him that had him holding on to see if it would continue. It did.

***

Thanks so much for being here, Robin!  So now, everyone show your love and tell us if you’re salty or sweet people!  Two lucky commenters will win a copy of Robin’s book.  Check back next week to see if you’ve won!

You’re the One is available now at:

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/p2zwjxx

B&N: http://tinyurl.com/oyjd232

Hi, my friends . . . you are in for a treat today!  I’m thrilled to have Shauna Allen back and to learn more about her second release, The Halo Effect.  Her writing is fresh, sassy, and witty—and chalk full of sexy bad boys. 

Two lucky commenters will win a copy so read on and please give her a warm, Laugh, Love Read welcome!

So, Shauna, let’s start with your heroine, Braelyn.  Is she anything like you?  What qualities do you envy in her?

Well, she may have tiny pieces of me in there (as authors, don’t most of our characters?) but she is very different, too.  What we’d have in common is our fierce love of our children, even to the point of embarrassing them sometimes, LOL.  But what I wish I had of hers would be her gardening skills (I kill stuff with my brown thumb,) her eternal patience with a roomful of children as a teacher, and her petite little body.  I wasn’t so blessed.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

I’d like to say a writer, but that wouldn’t be altogether true.  The first job I remember wanting was an airline stewardess.  We travelled a lot, so I guess that job seemed really cool to me. 

What is the last great book you read?

Oh, it’s been more than one.  But the last two that made an impression on me, and they’re polar opposites, were “The Best Man” by Kristan Higgins and “Real” by Katy Evans.  I even Tweeted Katy to tell her how much I loved that book . . . Awesome!

What scene in The Halo Effect was the hardest for you to write and why?

Well, I don’t know if there was any particular scene that was “hardest.”  Noble, in general, gave me a few fits.  He’s so broody and quiet and internalizes everything.  He’s nothing like Jed from the first book who was so demonstrative with his emotions, which I found much easier to write.  Noble’s mystery is part of his allure and true to his character, but also harder for me to write.  I know, I know, my own fault, LOL.  But he’s also such a gentleman and quick to come to the rescue, including in this scene where he’s come to help Braelyn, but she’s learning just how hard he is to get to know.  Take a peek:

 Noble heaved the oven away from the wall a few inches and peeked. Damn. The cord was snugly plugged into the wall. All right, time to see about turning the bad boy on. One of the mismatched knobs was barely holding on to its post, but he was able to crank up the heat.

He tried to ignore her, but her scent overpowered his senses in the tiny room as she sidled up next to him. Sweet and floral with just a hint of something darker. He nearly groaned.

“So,” she said as he checked the stovetop burners, “you from Texas, Noble?”

He glanced over. Her huge, amber eyes glowed with curiosity. “No.”

“Where’re you from?”

The burners worked fine. He shut them off. With nothing to occupy his hands until he’d given the oven time to heat, he shoved them into his pockets and propped his hip against the counter. “Arizona.”

“Hmmm,” she mumbled as she hauled herself up to sit on the counter next to him, her hand brushing his arm. “We came to Texas because it’s where my grandma was from and she told me lots of stories about growing up here.” Her soft breath hitched as emotion filled her eyes. Obviously she loved her grandmother a lot. A thing foreign to him. “So it seemed the natural place to go when we needed a new home.” Her face brightened as she forced a smile and tucked away her nostalgia. “So what brought you to Texas?”

He rolled his neck and looked away. “This and that,” he hedged. He hated to talk about his past. It was ugly and he preferred to let it lie.

“How long have you lived here?”

He sighed. “A long time.” How much longer did he have to give the damn oven to preheat?

Her petite foot tapped the cabinet in time to the music. He didn’t meet her eye. “I love it here. The weather for one thing is much better than Indiana. Do you like it better than Arizona?”

He grunted a noncommittal answer and shoved away from the counter. He opened the oven and reached his hand inside. It was still ice cold. He fiddled for several minutes before deciding on the most likely problem. He turned the dial back off and faced her again.

“I think—” He stopped mid-thought. She looked a touch pissy. Her amber eyes sparked with dark shots of gold and her fingers were drumming rhythmically against her perch on the counter. “What?”

She tilted her head. “Do I disgust you or something? Have bad breath?”

“What? No.”

“Do you find my Hoosier manners to be unacceptable down here in Texas then?” she sat forward, her palms braced next to her thighs, her head tilted.

He trained his eyes back up to her gorgeous, albeit frowning, face. “No.”

“So, are you generally just a pseudo-mute man with the conversational skills of a sloth, then?”

“Uh—”

She jumped off the counter, her bare feet landing softly on the linoleum floor. “See? I’ve been trying to make polite conversation with you. You know, be friendly. Get to know you?” She ran a frustrated hand through her hair. “And you’ve all but ignored me.” She turned around and seemed to be talking to herself. “Not that I’m surprised. You’ve been doing that since we met.” She spun back around. “Why do you come over here if you don’t even like me?”

Holy Moses. If she only knew. “Believe me, I wouldn’t do a damn thing for you if I didn’t like you. I’m not that charitable.”

Her mouth popped open then she snapped it shut. She studied him from under her lashes. “Really?”

He barked out a rough laugh. “Really. I’ve never really been known for my social graces.” He shrugged. “Sorry.”

Her million-dollar smile lit up the entire friggin’ room and his stomach tied itself into knots. “That’s a relief. And here I thought I was torturing the good-lookin’ guy next door with my crappy house and teenage son because he was too nice to say no.” She sagged against the counter. “Phew.”

She thought he was good lookin’? He filed that tidbit of information away for later.

***

Oh, I see what you mean, LOL!  Well, it still sounds like a good read, and I’m sure they get it together eventually, right?

Yes.  Thanks in part to their ever-vigilant Cupid, Michael.  But that’s a whole other story, LOL.

 Well, I’m intrigued.  Can’t wait to read it!  Can you give us the blurb and tell us where can we pick up The Halo Effect?

He’s gotta earn his wings…again.

Love Detail’s favorite angel has his sights set on his next target: the stoic and mysterious Noble Blackfeather.  And it just may prove to be his toughest case yet.  Noble’s reclusive ways keep his angel at wing’s distance, and love even further.  But he’s not playing a part – he’s truly masking a painful secret and a profoundly wounded heart.

A cupid’s worst nightmare.

Noble’s been paired with Braelyn Campbell, the cute single mother next door.  She’s adorable, friendly, fun…everything Noble needs.  This should be a Love Squad slam dunk.  Except she’s making a fresh start in Texas to protect her son from a volatile ex, and she’s not about to risk her heart or her son on another man.  Even if he’s sexy as sin and always coming to her rescue.

Thank God for possibilities.

But, reluctantly, they are drawn together – thanks to their cupid’s dogged efforts and a whole lotta chemistry.  Can the girl next door learn to trust again and help heal Noble’s wounded heart? Together, can they save the lost, hurting boy she’s raising?  Can the angels help it happen before it’s too late?

Thank God for love.

Available now at Amazon:  http://tinyurl.com/qhy5h3r

Also, the first book in the series, Inked by an Angel, will be free on Amazon for two days only, today and tomorrow, so you’ll want to take advantage of that!  http://tinyurl.com/afpfrd2

Awesome! Thanks for being here, Shauna!  Now two lucky commenters can win a copy of The Halo Effect.  Check back next week to see if you’ve won and Good Luck!

***

Shauna grew up an only child with two open and loving parents in Central Texas.  She’s married to her high school sweetheart and is the mother to three fantastic (no, that’s not a typo!) teenagers. 

When she’s not writing, editing, or acting as a personal assistant to a NYT Bestselling author, Shauna enjoys reading, movies with Gerard Butler, vacays to the beach, and hangin’ with the kiddos–even if they don’t like hangin’ with her!

Shauna would love for you to visit her at her website and blog at: www.shaunaallen.com

Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/shauna.allen.12

Twitter : http://tiny.cc/s0dlmw

Goodreads : http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6916632.Shauna_Allen

Pinterest : http://pinterest.com/shaunaallen7/

*** UPDATE! As promised, we are announcing the winners for THIS blog today!  The winners of Lori’s book, LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT are: Anneliese Carinc, Deanna, Faye Hughes, Julie S., Monica C., Sharlene Wegner, Alisha Woods, Becky, Cheryl S., and Melissa Becker.  Congratulations!  Please email me at: christie (at) christie-craig.com and let me know if you’d prefer print (with your snail mail) or e-book (Amazon or B&N.)

And, for awarding the novella, ONE TRUE LOVE, Lori has graciously decided to give a copy to EVERYONE who commented.  Yes, that’s right, everyone!  How wonderful is she?  Just shoot her an email at: loriwilde (at) aol.com and let her know if you prefer print or ebook as well.  Thanks for blogging, everyone!

WINNERS!  WINNERS!  The winners from last week’s blog with Abigail Sharpe are: Barbara Elness and Joelle.  Email me at: christie (at) christie-craig.com and let me know if you prefer print (with your snail mail addy) or e-book (either Amazon or B&N.)  Congrats!

Today, I have my very good friend, Lori Wilde as a guest.  She’s not only my friend, she’s a spectacular writer, and I’m so excited to have her here talking about her book, Love at First Sight, which releases TODAY!  I’ll be giving away TWENTY prizes so keep reading!  Now, without further adieu, take it away, Lori . . .

I’m so excited about the release of LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT, the first book in my Cupid, Texas series.

Cupid is a fictional town set in the Trans-Pecos of Texas. It’s based on an amalgamation of Alpine, Marfa and Fort Davis, although all three real towns make an appearance in the series.

The Trans-Pecos is the home of the Davis Mountains that rise out of the Chihuahuan desert. It’s an eerily beautiful place, both harsh and majestic. The people who live there are a special breed of resilient individualists. In this isolated country, they understand the priceless value of community. It’s a land like no other.

My husband and I made a recent trip to Fort Davis and we were lucky to see the mysterious Marfa lights that make an appearance in LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get a good picture of them. But like my hero and heroine, Dade and Natalie, my husband and I did get to visit Prada Marfa. This piece of unique art in the middle of the desert put a smile on my face.

Hopefully, I did justice to this wonderful land in the pages of my books. If you ever get a chance to visit the Davis Mountains, jump at it! Any trip there will be memorable.

I’m giving away ten copies of ONE TRUE LOVE, the prequel novella to the Cupid, Texas series. Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing and specify if you’d like ebook or print copy.

What about you? Have you ever been to a place that struck an emotional chord inside you?

Thanks, Lori!  So, today, besides Lori’s gifts, I’m giving away TEN copies of LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT, her novel that releases today!  So don’t forget to leave those comments!  You have between now and Friday to enter then- this is a little different – check back right here on FRIDAY to see if you’ve won!  Good luck and Happy Reading! 

I’m thrilled to have the wonderful Abigail Sharpe as my guest today to talk about her book, Who Wants to Marry a Cowboy!  I had the pleasure of reading this gem, and it is utterly charming and witty and a true delight!  You’re gonna love her!  So, stick around, leave a comment, and you might get lucky and win one of two copies of her book I’m giving away!

So, Abigail, your book is about marrying a cowboy.  Do you love cowboys and/or did you marry one?

First, thank you for having me here.  Your books are so amazing and I’m thrilled you enjoyed mine.

Cowboys make the best heroes, don’t they?  They’re sexy, independent, know how to fill out a pair of jeans and rock a Stetson.  And while I adore them in their fictional world, I might have trouble living on a ranch.  I’m more of a city girl in that respect.

Thanks, Abigail!  So, tell me, which three words do you think best describe your book?

Fun, flirty, sexy.

The funny thing is, while I included love scenes in Who Wants to Marry a Cowboy, I was still so new at writing them that I didn’t think they were anything special.  A lot of reviewer blogs, however, mentioned the chemistry between Ainsley and Riley and their sexy scenes.  I guess I was on to something.

Yes, you were.  Now, name three things you have in common with your hero or heroine.

Oooh, tough one.  I have more in common with one of the tertiary characters who visits the ranch as woman who wants to marry a cowboy.  As for my heroine – Ainsley tries to please everyone at the sacrifice of her own happiness.  I don’t go that far, but if there’s something I can do to make my family happy, I’ll do it.  Maybe not hightail it to Wyoming for a ranch vacation, however.  I also like fixing things around the house when I can, like a worn door knob.  Ainsley can do that and so much more. 

What have you learned about people since you’ve become an author? 

Daily interactions are fodder for stories or can be used for inspiration.  The world is such an interesting place.  Ideas are there if you let them come to you.

So true.  And have your parents or family read your book and/or love scenes?  How does that make you feel?

My mom is waiting to see me to get her autographed copy.  I’m still slightly mortified by the thought of her reading the love scenes.  My kids are 11 and 9 – and boys – so they haven’t read it.

As for my husband… He supports me in so many ways.  He doesn’t complain if I ditch the family after dinner or on the weekends to write.  I’ve spent the last three weekends away from home because I was presenting workshops at different RWA chapters.  He takes on my responsibilities when I do that, like picking the kids up from school.  We work on our household budget together so I can go to conferences.  Now, he’s not a romance reader, and I kinda don’t want him to read Who Wants to Marry a Cowboy– my biggest fear being he won’t enjoy it, and then he’d have to lie to me.  I don’t need him to read it to know I have his love and support.

What is your pet peeve?

It’s awful, and I need to get over it.  Are you ready?

I hate when people end sentences with the word at.  Like, instead of saying, “where is it?” they’ll say, “Where’s it at?”  The people I work with know this about me, and will tease me by purposefully ending sentences that way.  It’s funny, but it drives me nuts at the same time.

Okay, last one . . . it’s a doozy . . . Is your hero a boxers, briefs, or commando kinda guy?

Tighty-whities all the way!  Which is ironic – I love a man in boxers. 

Thanks for the intriguing questions!

No problem.  Loved having you here!  So, now it’s everyone else’s turn!  Tell us, do you love a man in boxers, briefs, or commando style?  Or, you can be tame and just tell us if you want to marry a cowboy.  That’ll be fine, too, LOL.  Two lucky winners will win a copy of Abigail’s book, Who Wants to Marry a Cowboy!  Good luck and check back next week!

Available now at Amazon : http://tinyurl.com/d5bf964

Barnes and Noble: 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/who-wants-to-marry-a-cowboy-abigail-sharpe/1112412063?ean=9781455575916

WINNERS!  WINNERS!  The winners of last week’s blog with Mari Mancusi are: Diane and bn100.  Please email me at: christie (at) christie-craig.com and let me know if you’d prefer print or e-book and either your snail mail addy or if you’d prefer Amazon or B&N for e-book.  Congrats!

Mother’s Day has just passed us, and a couple weeks ago, something happened and I was reminded of the amazing power and devotion that stems from maternal instincts.  Instincts that aren’t just human, but are found in all animals.  Yup, squirrels are mamas, too.

I was doing what I do most of the time.  Working.  Lady, my junkyard dog, was resting on my office sofa, gazing out the French doors that overlook my backyard.  She wasn’t just being lazy.  Oh, no, she has a job to do.  She is forever on squirrel duty and takes her job very seriously.  Ahh, but this day she was quite tired from destroying another of her doggy toys, this one a stuffed squirrel, that she’d managed to sneak outside.

You see, Lady is anti-squirrel, and I think she got too much joy ripping the toy to shreds as all the yard squirrels watched on.   Now, she’s a wonderful dog as long as you aren’t a squirrel.  Anyway, while it was a pretty day, blue skies and puffy white clouds, the wind had kicked up.  The strong gusts sent the trees dancing and the innards of the stuffed squirrel were strewn across my yard.

Then I heard it.  A loud thump, like a small tree limb hitting the ground.  Lady, ever attentive to the outside world, bolted to the French doors.  She stood there, her attention riveted.

Then, she came hurdling over to me and put her paws on the desk, barking, which she seldom does.  In doggy language that means, “I want outside…NOW!”

I went to let her out, but something gave me pause.  She was too eager.  So, I squeezed out the door, forcing her to stay inside.

I spotted the reason for her eagerness.  There, on my concrete patio, was a broken nest of sorts.  And outside the nest were four baby squirrels.  My stomach clutched as I drew near, thinking the fall had killed them.  But nope, they were all breathing, just too little to run away.  Lady whined behind me at the French doors, anxious to come out and do her squirrel duty. 

I stood there trying to think what to do.  I had to let Lady out sooner or later.  Right then a loud noise erupted—a half cry, half scream.  I looked around and there, clutching a nearby tree trunk, was another squirrel.  I knew that this was the mama. 

I could hear the panic and devastation in her loud chirps.  Her babies were in danger and could even be dead.   I stepped back.  “I’m not gonna hurt them,” I assured her, and my heart hurt for her.  But was there anything I could do?

Since I knew squirrels weren’t like possums that could hang onto their mama’s back, and these babies were too young to climb, I imagined the worst outcome.  Her babies weren’t going to make it.  And from the heartfelt sounds she made, the mama squirrel knew it, too.   And bam, just like that, I remembered when they took my five-week premature son into surgery.  The fear, the heartache, I felt was as real right then as it was years ago.

Feeling helpless, yet desperate to help, I went inside and called my hubby, wondering if I should collect the babies and take them to the wildlife vet.  He didn’t answer his cell phone, so I started to go outside again, but a movement outside the window had me stop.  The mama squirrel had rushed to her babies, sniffing and nudging them with her nose.  Then what she did next completely surprised me.  She opened her mouth and stuffed a baby inside.  Even though it appeared impossible, she got the entire little body in there.  With only the baby’s tail hanging out, she climbed back up the tree.  It wasn’t an easy climb, once or twice I worried she would fall.  She would stop as if to catch her breath.   It appeared as if she’d either found an empty nest or had just borrowed a friend’s nest to leave the first baby.   Then, one by one, she collected the others.  With maternal strength, she saved what was most precious to her.  Her babies.

With all her squirrels out of harm’s way, she skittered back down and started gathering items to help rebuild a new nest.  Oddly enough, she collected a lot of the stuffing from the toy squirrel. For some reason, that felt like poetic justice, though I wouldn’t tell Lady.  And I kept my squirrel guard dog inside, allowing the still panicked mama all the time she needed to do her work.  I’ve never seen a squirrel work so hard. 

Lady wasn’t happy I’d kept her from her job of ridding the yard of squirrels, but I knew the mama squirrel was ever so grateful.  And it just reconfirmed what I’ve always known.  There is nothing like a mother’s love.

WINNERS!  WINNERS!  The winners of last week’s blog with Teri Thackston are:  Debbie Lynn Pittman and Jan Nash!  Please email me at: christie (at) christie-craig.com with your preference of Amazon or B&N for your e-book.  Congratulations!

I’d also like to take a moment to give a HUGE thank you to all of my wonderful readers who helped me get Chosen at Nightfall to #3 on the New York Times Bestsellers List  and #25 on the USA Today List.  It was a phenomenal and exciting week for me!  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Now, I’d love to re-introduce you to one of my friends who played along on my baby blog.  She is a fantastically talented author who dabbles in many genres and has oodles of books in romance and YA to her credit.  You’re gonna love her!  Please give a warm welcome to Mari Mancusi as she tells us about her book, Love at 11 . . . and don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win!  And, for everyone else, you’ll want to pick it up because it’s on sale for only 99 cents for the month of May!

If your book were an ice cream flavor, what flavor would it be?

 Rocky Road because life for my heroine can be kind of messy, a bit rocky at times, but in the end, oh-so-sweet.

How did you get your start in writing?

I feel like I got started writing before I could even pick up a pen, dictating stories for my mother to transcribe. My first book was a stunning saga called “My Horse Jennifer” about a horse who went to parties and such. When I was in high school I started writing serialized stories about my friends and the rock stars who loved them, passing out chapters every week in class. But it wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I actually sat my butt in a chair and forced myself to write an entire book. After a couple attempts, I ended up selling my first novel to Dorchester—a chick lit/time travel tale called “A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur’s Court.” Since then I’ve published 17 books in romance and YA.

What is your biggest dream or goal now?

My dreams changed a lot when I gave birth to my daughter two years ago. Back then I might have said “Hit the NYT list” or go on a worldwide book tour. Now I just want to be a good mommy and have lots of adventures with my little girl. It sound corny maybe, but it’s true.

 What has been your biggest fan girl moment?

Meeting and interviewing David Duchovney for the TV show I used to work for. I was a big time X-Files fan girl back in the day and being able to chat with him one-on-one was truly amazing. I’ve interviewed a lot of celebrities over the years, but none got my heart pumping like him! Also—you’ll be happy to know he’s amazing and cool in real life. (And even hotter in person.)

If you had to sum up your book in one word, what would it be?

A lot of reviewers have been using the word “heartwarming” and I kind of like that. It’s easy to write a book that’s funny or irreverent or sexy and exciting—but I think in the end, my favorite books are full of heart.

What is your favorite scene in the book?

The scene where Maddy’s parents tell her they’re getting a divorce. At the time I wrote it, my own parents had just announced their separation and I was really broken up about it. I poured a lot of my real emotions and frustrations into that scene and I think it shows on the page. In fact, it’s so real and raw that when the book first came out my dad sent me a very angry email, not liking how “he” was portrayed. I feel bad about that actually. But at the same time I think it was therapeutic, in a way, and comes off as a really strong scene.  

Any words of wisdom for aspiring authors?

Enjoy the writing process, love your characters, and don’t be in too much of a hurry to publish. Once you get that first book out—there’s going to be never-ending deadlines and pressures and whispers from critics. Writing that first book should be a pure joy that you can look back upon and remember.

That all sounds so wonderful!  Can you give us the blurb for Love at 11 and tell us how to find it?

When Maddy graduated from Columbia University, she was ready to change the world. She’d get a job at Newsline, meet a nice guy, and live happily ever after with a real designer handbag on her arm. Two years later, she’s stuck producing puff pieces for News 9 San Diego–where “if it bleeds, it leads.” She’s still single, her family’s falling apart, and so is her knock-off Kate Spade. 

Then Jamie Hayes walks through her newsroom door. The former filmmaker is now her cameraman and everything Maddy has ever dreamed of. Creative, smart, and sweet–with eyes that could make a girl melt. The perfect guy…but perfectly unavailable. And the more Maddy tries to stay away–the further she starts to fall.

Now a secret scoop from her favorite knock-off purse guy has Maddy chasing a lead that could make her career. Or destroy it forever. How far is she willing to go to broadcast the truth? And will this breaking news lead to more broken dreams…or an exclusive on Jamie’s heart? Stay tuned… It’s the story of a lifetime.

Great!  Thanks so much for being here, Mari!  Now, do any of you have a great fan girl moment to share?  Two lucky commenters will win a copy of Mari’s book, Love at 11 just for sharing!  Good luck! 

Today is a special day for me.  I have a great friend with me to tell you about her fantastic book.  It’s a beautiful, romantic story, full of love, a dash of time-travel, a touch of suspense, and a very sexy hero.  How can you go wrong?  You can’t.  So stick around, leave a comment, and you might be lucky enough to win one of two copies of Wait Until Moonrise.

Please welcome, one of the nicest ladies you’ll ever hope to meet…Teri Thackston!

Thanks, Christie, for inviting me to post on your blog. It’s always nice to get together with my writer friends—even if it is only in the web!

 So, Teri, I’d love to know, which three words would you say best describe your book?

I would describe Wait Until Moonrise with these words:  romantic, suspenseful, haunting. It’s also the book o’my heart, holding a special place there.

Your book has a time travel element; if you could travel to any time in history, when would it be and why? 

I would want to go back to the 1940s. That was such an intense time for the world, and there were so many real—and easily identifiable—villains and heroes.  People understood what it meant to make sacrifices, and they did it anyway. And the music—Big Band music has always been a favorite of mine. It can be romantic and inspiring, and so many of those old melodies are still popular today.

And I really loved your characters.  If you had to be locked in a closet for 12 hour with either your hero or your heroine, which would you pick? 

I love Bria but I would have to say I’d choose Nicholas. Not only is he mysterious and sexy, but he has firsthand information about life in 18^th century Wales. He could share some really fascinating information…and in that lovely Welsh accent.

I think I might concur about that Welsh accent, LOL.  Can you tell us a little bit more about the book and how to find it?

Wait Until Moonrise . . .

Unseen. Unheard. Untouched. Welshman Nicholas Pierce is cursed to endure a lonely eternity surrounded by the living residents of Beaumarith Castle. But two hundred-plus years into his hellish existence, Bria Leighton arrives…and she can see him! Can he convince her that he’s real—not a ghost—and that she is the one true love who can save him…before the sorceress who cursed him destroys Bria, too?

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/75lcdm6

Barnes&Noble: http://tinyurl.com/c8ualx6

Smashwords (PDF version): http://tinyurl.com/cjz42hf

Wait Until Moonrise will be on sale for 99 cents as part of a Book Lovers’ Buffet until May 5th . . . you don’t want to miss it!

And, last, can you tell us about you?

I’ve been writing ever since I can remember, typing my first story on a typewriter my dad borrowed from his office when I was about eleven years old. I’ve won awards for published and unpublished novels, and I spend some of my writing time on web articles that cover topics such as choosing the perfect flower girl dress or how to process credit cards for small businesses. I’m married to my high school sweetie, who shares my love for romantic comedies, musicals, and action pictures—and he’s a singer who hosts the longest running karaoke ‘show’ in Houston. We have two grown sons that I think would make great book cover models—but I just can’t convince either of them to do it!

Please follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Terithackston or Twitter at www.twitter.com/terithackston or on my website www.terithackston.com.

Fantastic!  I’ve really enjoyed having you here, Teri!  And Wait Until Moonrise is a beautiful story.  Everyone should pick it up!  But, two lucky commenters are going to get the chance to win it now.  So, tell us, if you had the chance to travel back in time, when or where would you go?  What adventures would you have?  I’d love to know! 

WINNERS!!!

WINNERS!!!

The winners from last week’s Ohhh, Baby, Baby blog are in! Drumroll, please . . . The grand prize winner of a Kindle or Nook loaded with the participating authors’ books is: Darci Paice-Bailey!  Congratulations!  Please email me at christie (at) christie-craig.com and get me your contact information so I can get you your prize.

As for our other lucky runner-ups . . . Amy Sherman, Vanetta Quintana, Sarah Smith, Michele Hayes, Na, Debby Biter, Stacy Schooler, Margie Rodgers, VF Brooks, Abby Rudica, and Becky H.  Many congratulations to you all.  Please email me with your preference of print or e-book and you will receive a surprise gift from one of our wonderful authors.  Thanks to everyone for playing.

Now, I know that blog was difficult.  Would you like to know the correct answers?

1 (G) Yours truly, Christie Craig

2 (J) Shauna Allen

3 (I) Nina Bangs

4 (H) Mari Mancusi

5 (B) Susan Muller

6 (L) Diane Kelly

7 (C) Lori Wilde

8 (A) Gemma Halliday

9 (K) Robin Kaye

10 (E) C.C. Hunter, my alter ego

11 (D) Gerry Bartlett

12 (F) Amanda Stevens

Now, are you one of those readers who doesn’t pick up a series until it’s finished, so there’s no waiting for the next one to come out?  Well, you just hit pay dirt.  Today is the release of Chosen at Nightfall, the fifth and final book in Kylie Galen’s story.  I can hear some of you saying, “But that book was written by C.C. Hunter.”  Yup, some of my recently acquired fans still don’t know that I have this alter ego/multiple personality thing going on.  And then some of you are going to say, “But isn’t that a young adult book?”  Amazingly, my audience for the Shadow Falls series is about 70% adult.  Oh, and if you are an e-reader, you can pick up the first book, Born at Midnight, for $2.99.  And if you are a print reader, you can pick up: Shadow Falls: The Beginning, for $9.99, and that includes Born at Midnight and Awake at Dawn.  

Now this week, I gave away a Nook or a Kindle here at my Christie Craig blog, but now I’m doing it over at my C.C. Hunter blog: http://cchunterbooks.com/blog/.  So I’d love to send all my fans over there to see how they can win either a Kindle or a Nook, one of three Shadow Falls posters, one of three books by some other amazing authors, and a chance to name a character in my upcoming novel—which will be the first book of Della’s story—a spin off series of Shadow Falls.

When Kylie Galen entered Shadow Falls Camp, she left her old life behind forever and discovered a world more magical than she ever imagined. A place where your two best friends can be a witch and a vampire…and where love doesn’t happen the way you’d expect.

When Kylie’s most powerful enemy returns to destroy her once and for all, there’s only one way to stop him—to step into her full powers and make a stunning transformation that will amaze everyone around her.  But her journey won’t be complete until she makes one final choice…which guy to love.  Should she choose the werewolf who broke her heart, but will give anything to win her back, or the half-fae, who ran from their attraction before they had a chance?  Everything she’s learned at Shadow Falls has been preparing her for this moment—when her fate will be revealed and her heart claimed forever.

Yes, Kylie’s last book is out.  Her journey is complete.  I traveled with her.  I’ve cried when she got her heart broken, I sighed with she got kissed.  I laughed when crazy things happened.  I felt Kylie’s pain when she learned that her parents weren’t perfect, I was relieved when she discovered they didn’t have to be perfect for her to love them.  I have written and experienced Kylie’s life with her, and so have many of you.  

And today, the wait is over.  Read Chosen at Nightfall where Kylie…

1. …nearly kills Lucas, twice.
2. …has another boy become interested in her.
3. …acquires another stalker.
4. …is accused of having an affair with an older man.
5. …has an unwanted guest crawl over a bathroom stall when she’s trying  to pee.
6. …gets kissed by two guys.
7. …finally makes the choice of which boy she loves.
8. …is forced to kill someone to save someone she loves
9. …tells a human that she’s a supernatural.
10. …gets caught buying a pregnancy test.

And to give you a better feel for what’s in store in Chosen at Nightfall, here is the extended version of the video:

WINNERS!  WINNERS!  The lucky winners from last week’s blog with the wonderful Catherine Bybee are:  Not Quite Dating – Bec & Not Quite Mine – Seona McDonald. Please email me at christie (at) christie-christie.com with your snail mail addys and I’ll forward those on to Catherine so you can get your autographed books!  Congrats!

Now, today, I’d like to play a game.  Well, actually, me and ten or eleven of my closest friends are going to play a game with you.  And you have the chance to win some fabulous prizes!  They were kind enough to send me their adorable baby photos so I could share them with you.  Now, what I want you to do (besides go ‘Awww!’) is try to match up the author with their baby shot.  Then email me your best guesses at christie (at) christie-craig.com.  I’ll randomly select several winners!

Who’s playing and what can you win, you ask?  Great question!

Have a look-see!

And in case you missed that, there’s me, Lori Wilde, Diane Kelly, Susan Muller, Shauna Allen, Nina Bangs, Gemma Halliday, Mari Mancusi, Gerri Bartlett, Amanda Stevens, Robin Kaye, and some author I know named CC Hunter!

One Grand Prize Winner will receive an 6″ Wi-Fi Amazon Kindle or a Nook Simple Touch plus e-books from each author. Each author is also offering one additional copy of their book as a prize, so there will be twelve more winners, so there are plenty of prizes to be won!  So, don’t forget to email me your guesses and check back to see who’s won.  Now, please note these photos are jumbled . . . I want you to match the adult (NUMBERED) with the baby (LETTERED)  And, if it still seems a little difficult to match up all the cutie-pattooties, well you might want to check out all these authors’ social media/websites.  I’ll bet they left you some clues.  Okay?  Let’s get started!

A

1

C

B

2

D

3

4

E

5

6

F

G

7

H

8

I

9

J

10

K

11

L

12