Thursday, January 3, 2013

Cruising Along Into 2013

Welcome aboard!




And greetings from beautiful Los Cabos, Mexico.  Nah, not really. I'd love to be there, basking in the warm Mexican sunlight instead of sitting here in the dreary midwest looking out at the snow and ice still on our porch. Oh, well.

Thank goodness for imagination. If I can't actually travel around the world, I can still visit places I've longed to see by reading about them. Through the pages of romance novels, I've done a lot of traveling, and I've fallen in love more than a few times along the way.

When it comes to writing my own stories, I tend to stay close to home most of the time. It's nice to add little details I know from personal experience, and it's also fun to learn about the history of the area as I research past places, people, and events.

Secret Cravings Publishing has been great to work with, and I hope you'll join with me in celebrating their second anniversary. I hope you'll join with me, as well, as I celebrate the release of my second novel with SCP.

It's "Happily Ever After" -- set close to home in Kansas City, Missouri. The story takes place in the late 1890s,  a time when life might have been a bit slower-paced and moral standards a bit different, but love and passion have always been part of the human experience.

It's a story of love, and a story of loneliness, a story of dragons, and a story of despair.

Anne Hopkins wants to help Rowena Mather, a troubled 9-year-old girl who is grieving over her mother's death. But helping Rowena means dealing with the girl's father, too.

George Mather is a desperately lonely man. Although he's drawn at once to his daughter's new caretaker,  his heart is trapped in the past, still bound to his late wife, Margaret, and to the vow he made to her.

An innocent child with frightening nightmares, a broken man struggling to cope, and a devoted grandmother who can't stay away from her opium...the Mather family need Anne in their lives.

But what of the secrets Rowena shares about her father? Could George be the dragon of Rowena's dark dreams? Has his grief turned him to anger and violence?

George has questions about Anne Hopkins, as well. He's seen her with another man, and he's heard the rumors about town. Is she the kind-hearted woman she appears? Or is she hiding a shameful secret?



You can read a short excerpt from Happily Ever After by clicking HERE!

To help with my new-release celebration, please leave a comment below, and let me know your favorite fairytale. They do come true at times, you know. I'll draw at random from all entries, and the winner will receive a free copy of "Happily Ever After" -- either Nook, or Kindle, as the winner prefers.

And don't forget my port-of-call for the SCP 2nd Anniversary contest. 
Christina Cole: Los Cabos, Mexico

Grand Prize for the SCP Giveaway is an IPad2
First Place: Kindle Fire
Second Place: $50.00 SCP Gift Card
Third Place: $25.00 SCP Gift Card

Click the link above to visit the SCP Blog.

Be sure, too, to submit your contest answers to:

Happy Cruising!

27 comments:

  1. I love Mexico. I went to Acapulco twenty five years ago. Hope you enjoy your stay.

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  2. Christina, your book sounds so good. And Mexico-- good choice. I have loved fairy tales my whole life, and they are primarily why I write today. My favorite? I would have to say East of the Sun and West of the Moon. Other favorites are Snow White and Rose Red, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, and The Snow Queen. Good luck with your release.

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  3. I would love to go there too. You book sounds great!

    amysmith98@gmail.com

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  4. Having grown up poor, my favorite fairy tale has always been Cinderella. What I wouldn't have given for that to come true for me.... :). 1luckywoman(at)cox(dot)net

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  5. My favorite fairy tail is Red Riding Hood - that wolf!
    swimming1@bellsouth.net

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  6. I guess I'm old school. Cinderella has always been my favorite

    Wolphcall(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  7. I've always loved Beauty and the Beast or Little One Eye, Little Two Eyes and Little Three Eyes. Oh, and 12 Dancing Princesses....

    storimom2@aol.com

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  8. I've always been a big fan of Cinderella. I love Fairytales.

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  9. Ohhh, your book sounds fabulous! Congrats!

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  10. Darkness and dragons and fairy tales, oh my! Fantasy and fairy tales all put in one: perfect. Congrats on your new release :) Throwing confetti over here for you. My favorite fairy tale is Aladdin.

    ckpoisonedrose AT gmail DOT com

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  11. I rather be in Los Cabos too, :)

    Dawna N.

    vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

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  12. I've always loved Snow White.
    Happily Ever After sounds like a heart-warming story!
    ivegotmail8889(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  13. My favorite fairytale is Beauty and the Beast.

    penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. My favorite fairytale is Cinderella of course... conflict, evil, love, and the HEA...what more could you ask! I found most fairy tales enjoyable because love triumphed over everything. Awesome!

    Thanks for the opportunity!

    Belinda G
    belgre AT comcast DOT net

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  15. Snow White has always been my favorite fairytale. Of course I liked all of them when I was little!

    suz2(at)cox(dot)net

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  16. Cinderella has always been my favorite fairytale. Have never visited any place in Mexico, Los Cabos sounds wonderful.
    skpetal at hotmail dot com

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  17. Mmm Cabos and the sun, nice combo...

    caiidynsmommie(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. Heard really great things about Los Cabos, would definitely love to visit :)

    Eva
    evitap67(at)gmail(dot)com

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  19. Im still fond of Cinderella

    Sounds like a great place to be especially in winter!

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  20. I can't wait to read your book. I can honestly say that my to read list has increased since this little cruise. Thanks for letting us stop at your page.

    crystalnewman51@gmail.com

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  21. Los Cabos sounds like an interest port of call

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  22. I think it would be Cinderella for me.
    Happy New Year!

    beckerjo at verizon dot net

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  23. Cinderella has always been for me. Los Cabos sounds like a great place to visit. Cant wait to read your book.
    lauratroxelatyahoodotcom

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  24. Happy Cruising!! This is a great trip and I am def going to check this book out! Happy Anniversary Secret Cravings!!
    I love Rapunzel...it's all that hair!
    grapeapril75(AT)gmail.com

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  25. Hi! Happy Anniversary and Happy New Years! Ive always wanted to go to Ireland. That would be my dream! Thanks for the awesome hop and all the giveaways! This is so fun! Thank you!! Have a great day! Best wishes and many blessings to you!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

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  26. Thanks to everyone who dropped by "Los Cabos" to celebrate!

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  27. The winner of my "Happily Ever After" giveaway is Scuba Girl!

    Scuba Girl, I will be contacting you this morning. Congratulations!

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