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.
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.
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).
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!
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
Olga Cabral
Thanks for joining the blog hop, I've read so many romances in the past year, it's hard to say which is my favorite. I'd have to say the Kinkaid series by Robin Kaye.
Olga Cabral
ocorders@comcast.net I forgot to leave email address.
Kristine Cayne
Olga – I haven't read Robin Kaye's books yet, but I'll be sure to check them out. Thank you for hopping and for participating in my giveaway. Good luck!
Kaylyn D.
I would have to say Something Wicked This Way Comes by Sierra Dean. I discovered her Secret McQueen series in 2012 and it was awesome! Thanks for the giveaway.
kaylyndavis1986@yahoo.com
Kristine Cayne
And thank you for the recommendation, Kaylyn! Good luck 🙂
Karen H in NC
Capture of the Earl of Glencrae by Stephanie Laurens was one of my top favorite reads in '12. Thanks for the giveaway and thanks for taking part in this hop.
kareninnc at gmail dot com
Kristine Cayne
I'll have to check it out, Karen. I haven't read Stephanie Laurens in a while, but I did really enjoy her books. Thank you and good luck with the giveaways!
Kassandra
I really enjoyed Firelight by Kristen Callihan this past year,
Kassandra
sionedkla@gmail.com
Kristine Cayne
Another author I haven't read yet. Thank you for the recommendation, Kassandra. Good luck with the giveaways!
Theresa Esterline
My favorite read from 2012 was Kallypso Master's Rescue Me series. theresa.esterline@gmail.com
Kristine Cayne
I've got that one in my TBR, Theresa. You're recommendation is pushing it up the pile. Thank you and good luck with the giveaways!
laurie
I really enjoyed Firelight by Kristen Callihan this past year,
parisfan_ca@yahoo.com
Kristine Cayne
Thank you, Laurie. Good luck with the giveaways!
laura troxel
I really liked reading the Colter's Series by Maya Banks.
lauratroxelatyahoodotcom
Kristine Cayne
Adding to my TBR. Thanks, Laura, and good luck with the giveaways!
Len Phelps
My favorite romantic book that I have read is Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts. Thank you so much for the great giveaway!
aphelps7377@gmail.com
Kristine Cayne
Haven't read that one yet, Len. Thank you for the recommendation and good luck with the giveaways!
Z
I loved Haunted Warrior by Allie Mackay and Warrior's Redemption by Melissa Mayhue and Courting Carolina by Janet Chapmen. Yep love my Highlanders.
Z
seawitch reviews at yahoo dot com
Kristine Cayne
Highlanders are almost as sexy as firefighters, Z. 🙂 I love them too. Thanks for the great recommendations and good luck with the giveaways!
Meghan
I loved "Poughkeepsie" by Debra Anastasia and "Beautiful Disaster" by Jamie McGuire.
Very good.
mestith@gmail.com
Kristine Cayne
I've heard good things about Beautiful Disaster. I'll have to check both of them out. Thank you for the recommendations and best of luck with the giveaways!
bn100
lover reborn by JR Ward
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Kristine Cayne
Oh yes. All of JR Ward's books are on my read-right-now list. Thank you for the recommendations and best of luck with the giveaways!
Midu Hadi
The last in the Parasol Protectorate Series
strideress_longshanks@hotmail.com
Thank you for this giveaway!
Kristine Cayne
I hadn't heard of that series, Midu. I'll check it out. Thank you for the recommendations and best of luck with the giveaways!
Veronica
Reflected In You
xo_veronica16[at]hotmail[dot]com
Kristine Cayne
I'll check it out, Veronica. Thank you for the recommendations and best of luck with the giveaways!
Karen Arrowood
I must say that the Stewart Realty series, by Liz Crowe, is my current favorite romantic read right now.
Thank you for the opportunity toi win.
karen.arrowood@sbcglobal.net
Kristine Cayne
I haven't read any of Liz's books, Karen. But that will soon be corrected. 🙂 Thank you for the recommendations and best of luck with the giveaways!
Tina
There are so many fav reads, but I really love the Beautiful Creatures series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl…Thank you for the great giveaway 🙂 dantalionofthegoetia@gmail.com
Kristine Cayne
That's the one that was made into a movie, right? I'll have to check it out. Thank you for the recommendations and best of luck with the giveaways!
divavixenqueen
Loved "Deadly obsession"by Kristine and "Lost in Italy" by Stacey Joy Netzel.
divavixenqueen(at)gmail(dot)com
Kristine Cayne
Woot-woot! So glad you enjoyed my book and Stacey's. Good luck with the giveaway!
booklover0226
Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
Kristine Cayne
Outlander is my all-time favorite read ever, Tracey. Thank you for the recommendations and best of luck with the giveaways!
Cassandra
I had many but I'll go with Jeaniene Frost's complete Night Huntress series 🙂
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Kristine Cayne
My friend talks about that series all the time, Cassandra! Thank you for the recommendation and best of luck with the giveaways!
vera mallard
Lauren Wilde's Twilight Texas Series. it was wonderful.
vera28546 at yahoo (dot) com
Kristine Cayne
I haven't heard of her before, but I'll be sure to check it out, Vera. Thank you for the recommendations and best of luck with the giveaways!
Jean MP
On Dublin Street by Samantha Young, really enjoyed this story.
skpetal at hotmail dot com
Kristine Cayne
This is a new one for me, Jean. Thank you for the recommendations and good luck with the giveaways!
Bleu Moon
Fave Romance read… Lover Unbound JR Ward
Gotta love Vishous true?
Leah
LeahB427@gmail.com
Kristine Cayne
I love all of JR Ward's books, Bleu Moon! Seems we are kindred hearts. 😀 Good luck with the giveaways!
Ellen Thompson
I think my favorites from 2012 were the Rough Riders series by Lorelei James and the Sullivans series by Bella Andre. Thanks for the great giveaway!
thompsonem3 at aol dot com
Kristine Cayne
Love Lorelie James, Ellen! I've got a couple of Bella's books but haven't got to them yet. Soon though. 🙂 Good luck with the giveaways!
BookLady
My favorites were A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness. Thanks for the giveaway!
bhometchko(at)hotmail(dot)com
Kristine Cayne
Thank you for the recommendation, BookLady. I'll check out Deborah's books. Good luck with the giveaways!
Kimberly Brooks
So many to choose from. I think the one that touched me the most was bindign arbitration by elzabeth marx.
Thanks for the bloghop
Kim86004 at gmail dot com
Kristine Cayne
Thank you, Kimberly. That is a new one for me. I'll check it out! Good luck with the giveaway.
Grandmareads
It's so hard to decide but I chose these 2: historical The Ugly Duchess by Eloisa James and contemporary The Good Wife by Jane Porter.
Kristine Cayne
Thank you for the recommendation, Grandmareads. I haven't yet read The Ugly Duchess but I'll be adding it to my TBR. Good luck with the giveaway!
Adila Mammadova
Sandy Blair's The King's Mistress was a great read.
Thanks for the Hop Stop,
Adila (from Azerbaijan)
adilasblog(at)gmail(dot)com
Kristine Cayne
You're very welcome, Adila! I actually have relatives from Azerbaijan. 😀 Good luck with the giveaway.
Lori Thomas
Hi, you are a new author to me; but can't wait to read your books
Kristine Cayne
Thank you very much, Lori!
Conny
I could not find my previous post so I will do it again. I have a lot of favorites but a good one is the Nighthuntress series by Jeaniene Frost. Great fun. Thanks for this awesome giveaway.
Conny
Kismet83@comcast.net
Kristine Cayne
Conny, I'm not sure what happened to your previous post, but I'm glad you stopped by again. 🙂 Thank you for the recommendations!
Emily
I can't just pick one, but I do love M/M, so I'll share two of my faves with you: The Change of Fate series by Mary Calmes and pretty much anything by Megan Derr, especially Dance in the Dark. I highly recommend both to you.
tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com
Kristine Cayne
Thank you for the great M/M recommendations, Emily. My M/M TBR ran dry so these came just in time. 😀 Good luck with the giveaway.
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