Monday, July 28, 2008

A Blooming Review!

Nancy at Romance Reader At Heart has made my day!
(Thank you, Nancy!)


RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS: Top Pick Rose!!!


Really good Western romances are hard to find, but Stacey Kayne aims and hits the bull's eye dead center with her latest release, THE GUNSLINGER'S UNTAMED BRIDE. The second book in her Bride series, this story also features many of the characters from that first title, BRIDE OF SHADOW CANYON, including Rachell, Jed and their children.

What really takes front and center here, though, are the characters and story of Lily and Juniper. Juniper was the 14 year-old boy who shot a man in self-defense and was taken in to be fostered by Rachell and Jed at the end of BRIDE OF SHADOW CANYON. Now a grown man, he's lived by the gun for so long that he always seems to be confronting his past. Trying to turn his life around by putting on a sheriff's badge, Juniper finds himself suddenly confronted by his new employer, Lily Carrington, a woman whose real reason for being there goes far beyond checking out the records of her newly acquired logging company.

Knowing exactly who Juniper is when she meets him—the man who shot and killed her father in cold blood—Lily is determined to not just get even, but to settle the score and avenge her father, once and for all. But sometimes things aren't all that they seem to be, and even as astute a businesswoman as Lily is, she hasn't thoroughly investigated the story of what really happened that day between this gunslinger and her father. When the payroll she's brought along goes missing and the tension begins to mount between employer and employees, Lily is forced to work alongside Juniper. Soon she realizes that the man she's demonized all these years is not quite the cold, calculating and hardened man she thought he'd be. As attraction grows between them and the air becomes taut with sexual tension, can Lily hold fast to her plans for revenge, or can she forgive this man she blames for taking away all that she once held dear?
Both Lily and Juniper are strong, resilient characters, both trying to find their footing after similar childhood trauma that eventually ended in opposite outcomes—Lily became orphaned and fostered with relatives who disapproved of her, while Juniper found a family who fostered and loved him as one of their own. Juniper would like nothing more than to settle down and raise a family, but his past seems to stand in the way. He hasn't yet learned that you can't expect others to forgive you unless you can learn to forgive yourself.

Lily, on the other hand, dwells on the family that was lost to her—a mother who died of illness and the perfect loving father—in her eyes—whose life was cut short by Juniper's bullet. What she believes happened that day versus what really did, are eventually eye openers for Lily, a woman who has spent her adult life focused on using her business acumen to amass her fortune with an "I'll show you" mentality. Just like Juniper, she needs to leave her past behind her and focus on what could be—the love that has eluded her, while letting go of her hatred and drive for vengeance and learning to forgive.

Stacey Kayne has a wonderful way with her prose, which is why I enjoy her work so much. Her stories are always fast-paced and engrossing, and her in depth characters and their situations believable. The setting of a logging camp in California is definitely out of the norm, and even her secondary characters—like Regi, Lily's spoiled and pampered cousin who's an absolute hoot—are likeable and interesting. Bottom line is, I know I'll read a great Western romance whenever I dive into one of her books.

With a hearty two-thumbs up from this reviewer, Stacey Kayne's THE GUNSLINGER'S UNTAMED BRIDE is one sure shot of a historical Western romance.

Reviewed by Nancy Davis

Friday, July 18, 2008

Stop by Petticoats & Pistols!


Today I'll be blogging about the history of cook stoves - click on the picture to check out my P&P post!


Thursday, July 10, 2008

BookEnds Blog

Today I'll be hanging out at my literary agent’s blog and sharing my views on Sticking To Your Gunskeeping the faith in your writing when the odds seem against you.

Stop by BookEnds to give a shout and share your views!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Hot Off the Review Presses!

This review just came in from THE ROMANCE READER’S CONNECTION. This is a new review site to me so I was thrilled by their reception of my fourth book! (Thank you!)

"THE GUNSLINGER'S UNTAMED BRIDE is a breath-taking adventure, with a romance between a head-strong heroine out for vengeance and a noble hero who is trying to survive the sins of his past. As a fan of western historical romance, I've experienced many a great flawed hero seeking to mend his ways, yet none can compare with how the character of Juniper Barns has touched my heart. His sincerity radiates off the page every bit as strong as the unexpected passion he feels for Lily.

Lily Palmer Carrington is a heroine, who at first glance, seems rather impenetrable in her determination to avenge her father's death and have her way in all other facets of her life, especially in business-- despite the trouble this causes. From the beginning, Lily's rather myopic view is in sharp contrast to her obvious intelligence and as we see later, her passion for Juniper. Slowly, however, Lily's view expands which makes her a more likable and sympathetic character. Their blossoming romance creates a great deal of turmoil and readers will likely be swept up in the maelstrom. Having so thoroughly enjoyed THE GUNSLINGER'S UNTAMED BRIDE, I cannot wait to add Ms. Kayne's other titles to my collection. Highly recommended!"

4.5 Stars!
Reviewed by Melissa Fowler

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Guest at Simply Romance Reviews

Stop in and post a comment for your chance to win a signed copy of
THE GUNSLINGER'S UNTAMED BRIDE, BRIDE OF SHADOW CANYON, and MAVERICK WILD!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

GUNSLINGER ~ Officially Released!!!

Today is the official release date for
THE GUNSLINGER'S UNTAMED BRIDE!
So far I've heard from readers who've spotted Juniper heating up bookstore shelves in California, Texas, Montana, New York and Michigan! My hubby went out today and stopped into Borders and Barnes & Noble and called me on his cell to let me know he was looking at my books ;-) I'm currently behind deadline (horrible as that is to admit!) and stayed home with my fingers on the keyboard!

THANK YOU to the readers who've written to tell me they've enjoyed Lily & Juniper's story--it's always a thrill to hear from happy readers :)
For free GUNSLINGER bookmarks send a SASE to:
Stacey Kayne
PO Box 323
Chowchilla, CA 93610
What critics are saying about THE GUNSLINGER'S UNTAMED BRIDE:
"This second installment in Kayne's Bride series is fast-paced and laced with humor, action and sexual tension. The characters are well developed and the plot suspenseful as it rushes headlong to an exciting conclusion." 4 Stars! ~Romantic Times
"Kayne’s ability to craft multi-faceted characters, intriguing plots, action-packed adventure and sizzling romance promises to keep her in the forefront of the western romance genre." 5 SPURS! ~Love Western Romances
"This is Ms. Kayne’s best work to date." ~The Historical Romance Club
"The deep level of emotionality combined with everyday human complexity gives this book, and this author, a new dimension." Grade: A~The Good, The Bad, The Unread
"Stacey Kayne has brought to life two incredible characters with Lily and Juniper. Their learning and changing is what made this book such a delight. Witty conversations, non-stop action and romance at its best - The Gunslingers Untamed Bride has it all." 4.5 Stars! ~CataRomance