Stacey Kayne

Five-Star Review for MOUNTAIN WILD!

2009-07-02T02:11:00.000-07:00

Stacey Kayne does it again with Mountain Wild, penning a tale that will capture you on page one and not release you until the very last page.

Maggie has spent many years in the wild. Fear for her life led her to flee and now this is the only way she knows to survive. Even to protect the sanctuary of her location, she knows she cannot leave a man to die in the snow, especially one of the few men to ever show her kindness. She must help him and with no other choice she brings him to her safe haven. Garret Daines can’t believe the beautiful woman nursing him is the one known as Mad Mag. She touches him as no woman has before and he knows he would do anything to keep her safe and in his life. Maggie has lived in her shell for so long that she is not sure how to react to this man who shows her kindness. Maggie’s past has not been filled with friendly people and now that past is coming back to haunt her and Garret may be the only one who can save her.

Stacey Kayne will keep you on the edge of your seat as the plot for Mountain Wild unfolds. Maggie was a fantastic heroine. She had been dealt a bad hand in life and turned it into a winning one. Strong and very capable, she was a perfect match for Garrett. We met Garrett in a prior book and he grew into a sexy and compassionate man. It is these qualities combined with Maggie’s that allowed them to survive and thrive. Mountain Wild tells the story of two people who find each other under unusual circumstances and wind up with a love that is unusual in its intensity. Stacey Kayne’s books just keep getting better and better. Don’t miss this one. Be sure and pick it up and be prepared for entertainment at its best.

Five Stars!

Reviewed by Debby
Read full review at: CataRomance

Five-Book Review for MOUNTAIN WILD!

2009-06-27T13:46:00.000-07:00

"Garret Daines calls the wild and resilient Mad Mag of the mountains “My saving Grace”. She has always thought of him as her fair-haired Viking to be admired from afar. Theirs is a compelling story that surrounds the reader with a flood of emotions.

In the blink of an eye thirteen-year-old, Margaret Grace’s (Maggie’s) life is changed from being the much-loved, pampered daughter of a wealthy father to being a person on the run to save her life. With harsh lessons learned from Ira, a reclusive trapper, Maggie survives and becomes Mad Mag dressed in a stinky bearskin coat, hat pulled low over bushy black hair and a hostile attitude that sends most people scurrying away from her.

When she pulls the unconscious and wounded Garret Daines out from under a snowdrift, her world changes. Reluctantly, she hauls him and his dog Boots to her secret home in the mountains, knowing she is going against Ira’s teachings and making herself vulnerable.

Stacey Kayne creates a riveting story with descriptions that make the reader shiver in the snow, shudder at the sadistic cruelty, and sizzle with the love scenes.

Ira, the trapper that appears only once in the story is a major influence in the action. He taught Maggie to depend on no one but herself and to keep moving because she is a target standing still. The antagonist, Nathan Strafford, whose “death would have been a favor to gentle society” in Maggie’s opinion, is the epitome of a deranged person ruled by insatiable greed. Many other characters embody the best and the worst characteristics of humanity as they influence the lives of both Maggie and Garret.

Mountain Wild bustles with happenings we expect in a historical western but it also has startling twists that make the reader catch her breath and rush along reading to get Maggie and Garret out of precarious situations.

Stacey Kayne touches the senses and satisfies the heart with her poignant style and captivating characters. Recommended!"

Reviewed by Camellia

Five Spur Review for MOUNTAIN WILD!

2009-06-07T15:43:00.000-07:00

Kicking off the final book in the Wild Trilogy with a fab review!

"Against the backdrop of unfolding love, this novel is an examination of the bonds of family, love, trust and loyalty that bind us to one another, the devastation that happens when those bonds are broken, and the monumental struggle it takes to rebuild them.

For Maggie it means facing the fear of her brother and those like him that has kept her a recluse, adrift in a violent world, even though it is that fear that has fueled her survival by forcing her to be wary and self-reliant. Can she trust the love of one man enough to stop being afraid and allow herself to be bound to him, to be moored by those all too often fragile ropes of love and trust, family and loyalty? For Garrett it means finally understanding that life without those bonds is only a shadow of a life. But is he willing to take an emotional risk that will sacrifice his independence and saddle him with obligations for the uncommon woman he’s come to love.

Stacey Kayne has written a sizzling western romance with a cowboy hero that will make any woman’s heart flutter and a heroine whose inner strength will have readers rooting for her. Memorable characters, an adventure-filled plot, authentic dialog and emotional punches combine to make this western romance a super read. The opening scene alone will have your heart pounding with excitement. Enjoy!" 5 Spurs!

Check out the whole review at Love Western Romances.com

Honors and Awards!

2009-05-10T09:32:00.000-07:00

I got a call today from the Bookseller's Best Award and MAVERICK WILD is a finalist for Best Short Historical of 2008! They have an Award ceremony at RWA National in July.

MAVERICK WILD was also up for a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Historical KISS Hero. I was unable to attend the Romantic Times conference last month (pout) where Linda Lael Miller ended up taking home the RT KISS trophy. But hey, I was in the running with Linda Lael Miller (my idol!)----don't get much better than that! Cheers to Linda on the win.

THE GUNSLINGER'S UNTAMED BRIDE was honored by The Lori's 2008 Best Book award! Taking home the 1st place trophy for the Historical category, GUNSLINGER is also in the running for Overall Best Book of 2008 - the winner announced in June.

2009-05-08T19:44:00.000-07:00

Book Signing on Sat. May 9th
Coffee Cats - Chowchilla
11:00 - 2:00

MOUNTAIN WILD Book Trailer!

2009-04-01T20:23:00.000-07:00

My first book trailer has been posted to You Tube!

(click on middle rectangle in lower right corner to enlarge screen)

Click here to watch it at YouTube.

So, what do ya think???

Big thanks to Sandy at Phoenix Video Trailers and Banners!!

Cover Appreciation ~ MOUNTAIN WILD

2009-03-10T14:06:00.000-07:00

Harlequin Art Director, Alana Ruoso, was interviewed this month at Cover Cafe. A fantastic article, and includes a behind the scenes look at the cover photo shoot for MAVERICK WILD!
Check it out at: http://www.covercafe.com/BTSCBHq-2.shtml It gave me a whole new appreciation for the work that goes into creating a cover.

Hot off the press--my new MOUNTAIN WILD cover...

In the midst of a range war, Garret Daines is dead-set on keeping his ranch from greedy local cattle barons. An attempt on his life during a winter storm lands him in the healing hands of a mountain recluse. He can hardly believe the youthful beauty he discovers hidden beneath her mountain woman attire or the passion unleashed by her tender touch.
When "Mad Mag" pulls the handsome rancher from the snow she has no idea he'll be the man to thaw her wounded heart. But Maggie is hiding a mess of secrets in her mountain sanctuary, none of which she’s willing to share. Murderous cattlemen threaten their fragile bond and Maggie has to face the fears of her past or risk losing her hope for the future. Garret will defend his wild woman at any cost, but can he convince her their love is worth the risk?

Read Excerpt

Cover: Setsons, Spring & Wedding Rings!

2009-02-21T09:24:00.001-08:00

The cover for my June anthology has finally arrived!

The cover arrived in my in-box the same day as Pam’s Wedding Post, how’s that for timing?! I was already having wedding nostalgia, and this cover put me into total wedding cover bliss. I adore it!
Aside from loving the cover art, I was excited to get my first glimpse of the other two stories in the book. Other than the theme of cowboys and spring courtship, the three stories are not related. Here’s a sneak peek of the story blurbs from the back cover:

Rocky Mountain Courtship by Jillian Hart
Joseph Brooks suspects his mother of bringing a pretty young lady to town–as a mail-order-bride. But Clara Woodrow is not that lady! Enchanted by her and determined to have no other Joseph must use the magical last few days of spring to make Clara admit the desire they share for one another…

Courting Miss Perfect by Judith Stacy
Fleeing a humiliating incident in Virginia, the last thing Brynn O’Keefe needs is an interfering Pinkerton detective suspecting her of some ridiculous crime! Concerned for her reputation, Brynn is horrified when handsome Travis Hollister tells the locals she is his sweetheart–and even more astonished when she begins to like the very idea of it!

Courted by the Cowboy by Stacey Kayne
Constance Pauley becomes enamored with the man who once saved her life–then finds out the very same dashing Kyle Darby had inadvertently caused her injuries all those years ago! Now she can’t forgive the way he has stolen her heart, and how easily she wants to become his bride…

Read an excerpt of Courted by the Cowboy.

Coming to bookstores in May/June!

2008 Best Western Reader Poll - Honerable Mention!

2009-01-20T13:55:00.000-08:00

Maverick Wild took first runner-up in Love Western Romance's Best Western Romance of 2008!

Thank you to everyone who voted and the wonderful ladies at http://www.lovewesternromances.com/ for their fantastic support of the western romance genre!!!

Five Book Review for GUNSLINGER!

2009-01-20T13:46:00.001-08:00

Two wounded souls, Lily and Juniper, had both suffered at the hands of uncaring adults aFter they were orphaned at an early age. Each of them learned survival skills that served them well in their respective environments until fate threw them together.

My goodness, with both of them determined to control a volatile situation at Pine Ridge, action and passion make for breath-holding reading.

Stacey Kayne gives us vibrant, life-like characters who cope with what can’t be changed in their past (even though they can’t forget) as they strive to carve out a future. At times, she lets humor shine through like a bright ray of sunlight.

Reginald, Lily’s ‘sort-of’ cousin, is a darling and should have a story all his own. What a joy to have a friend like Regi.

THE GUNSLINGER’S UNTAMED BRIDE is a story of entangled lives so snared the possibility of working out the kinks and knots seems hopeless. But, Stacey Kayne does a superb job of finding the twists and turns and, with subtle maneuvering, untangles the mess so Juniper and Lily can start their happy-ever-after.

The contrast between the opulent offices of L.P. Carrington in San Francisco to the rough-and-tumble of the lumber camp at Pine Ridge is almost as sharp as the contrast between the hate and love seen in this compelling story. EXCITING READING!

Reviewed by Camellia - 5 Books!
Sending out a big THANK YOU to Camellia at The Long And Short Of It for a great review!

Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Nominee!!

2008-12-09T17:50:00.000-08:00

So yesterday I was driving down the freeway, on my way to pick up my sick laptop, when I get a call from my agent--she wanted to know if I'd heard the news....to which I replied "What news???"

Chance Morgan of MAVERICK WILD was nominated for the Historical K.I.S.S. Hero, Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award!!!!

{{insert happy squeal}}

The K.I.S.S Award is a section in RT Magazine that recognizes five heroes each month for being Knights In Shining Silver. Chance was recognized as a K.I.S.S. Hero this past January. Of all the K.I.S.S. Heroes for the year, eight are nominated by RT Reviewers for the Reviewer's Choice Award -- winners announced at the RT Conference in Orlando FL in April!

Here's the complete list of nominees for Historical K.I.S.S. Hero:

Trevelyn Deveridge

DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS

Emily Bryan, Leisure (Mar.)

Harry Morant

HIS CAPTIVE LADY

Anne Gracie, Berkley Sensation (Sep.)

General Merin

22 NIGHTS

Linda Winstead Jones, Berkley Sensation (Dec.)

Chance Morgan

MAVERICK WILD

Stacey Kayne, Harlequin (Jan.)

Nicholas Ramsay

THE MIDNIGHT MAN

Charlotte Mede, Brava (Aug.)

Major Harrison

THE SCANDALOUS LIFE OF A TRUE LADY

Barbara Metzger, Signet Eclipse (Jun.)

Wyatt Yarbro

THE RUSTLER

Linda Lael Miller, HQN (Oct.)

Gabriel MacBraedon

THE NIGHT BEFORE THE WEDDING

Debra Mullins, Avon (Feb.)

Nominated for BEST WESTERN of 2008!!

2008-11-20T08:14:00.000-08:00

Voting Begins December 1st!

MAVERICK WILD and THE GUNSLINGER'S UNTAMED BRIDE are nominated for Best Western Romance of 2008 at LoveWesternRomances.com along with a line-up of other great authors. Readers decide the winner!

Voting begins December 1st and ends on January 11th. Visit www.LoveWesternRomances.com to cast your vote!

I'm curious, which of these two is YOUR favorite???

Horeshoes ~ Lucky Ups & Downs

2008-10-24T08:22:00.000-07:00

I'm blogging today over at Petticoats & Pistols!

New Email

2008-09-22T20:00:00.000-07:00

For those who've emailed me over the past week---I may have lost your email do to a spam invasion. My account was overrun by 8,000 spam over two days and I gave up on trying to keep it cleaned out. I apologize for any emails that have gone unanswered.

My contact email has been changed to: staceykayne@gmail.com

Win a Book-Of-Your-Choice!

2008-09-17T02:19:00.000-07:00

Today I'm blogging over at Writer's At Play and celebrating my completion of the third book in my WILD Trilogy! Woohoo!!!!

Today's topic: A WILD Harvest!

Stop in over at Writer's At Play for your chance to win a book-0f-your-choice from all my titles.

For those who'd like a sneak peek at EMBRACE THE WILD, I've posted the prologue to my My Space Blog.

Blogging at P&P ~ Reading Influences On Your Life Journey

2008-09-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

Today I'm blogging over at Petticoats & Pistols about mountain man Jedediah Smith and reading influences on our own life journey. Hope you can drop in!

Cheers! ~ Stacey

Cheers For GUNSLINGER!!

2008-08-27T13:47:00.000-07:00

Five Hearts from The Romance Studio!

Ms. Stacey Kayne has once again written a great book with great characters and lots of action and tension. She introduced her two main characters, Sheriff Juniper Barns and Lily Palmer Carrington, by establishing their pasts. Juniper had spent the last twenty years trying to live down his past. Lily had spent the same time planning his death. These two had strong, determined personalities. Ms. Kayne described them in such a way that it was as if I knew them personally.

There is humor woven throughout the book. There is suspense and sensuality. Of course, the hate relationship soon turned to something more. The supporting cast of characters was many and quite effectively penned. There was lots of action which kept the storyline flowing. This book was one which did not just follow the predictable lines. There were many surprise turns in the book.

I loved the book and highly recommend it to anyone who likes historical romances with happy endings—though not predictable. It is everything a good book should be.

Reviewer: Brenda Talley

Overall rating:

FRESH FICTION Review!!

I admit it; I am an unabashed fan of Stacey Kayne. I loved her Maverick books and couldn't wait for this book to be published. True to her style this books characters are feisty, brave and yet not afraid to show their vulnerabilities. Even the most macho guy has a tender side and ladies don't always have to be gentle. This book takes us out of the range and into the lives of those working the early logging mills where living conditions were difficult and families grew in the shadows of the mills. Kayne doesn't take shortcuts with the solutions for these families. Instead she gives us a glimpse of what the future could hold with a little bit of hope and lots of gumption. Lily and June are sure to win a spot in your heart.

Reviewed by: Sandra Wurman

GUNSLINGER reviewed at Romance Junkies!

2008-08-19T22:07:00.000-07:00

"THE GUNSLINGER’S UNTAMED BRIDE is an awesome addition to Stacey Kayne’s Bride series. June and Lily are such strong characters that had their lives changed by one single moment in the past, each from a different perspective. Watching these two characters struggle with their anger from the past and their growing fondness for each other now was a true pleasure. With compelling characters, a captivating story line and romance that is hot enough to melt even the hardest of hearts. THE GUNSLINGER’S UNTAMED BRIDE is a story that I will enjoy reading again and again."

Reviewed by Dina Smith

View full review here.

~THANK YOU, Dina!

Blogging at WAP Today!

2008-08-17T02:39:00.001-07:00

Stop in at Writer's At Play for your chance to win some goodies!

Writer's At Play

"Having flown the earth for 300 million years, dragonflies symbolize our ability to overcome times of hardship. Sighting a dragonfly is meant to remind us to take time to reconnect with our own strength, courage and happiness."

Top Pick Award for Bride Of Shadow Canyon!

2008-08-17T02:06:00.000-07:00

Night Owl Romance reviewer JennJ has awarded BRIDE OF SHADOW CANYON as a Reviewer Top Pick!

Here's some highlights from the review:

"Bride of Shadow Canyon is the first book that I have personally read by Stacey Kayne but it will most assuredly not be the last. In fact I’m going to go out now and get every book that she has available she is absolutely terrific! This one had me from the very first page and held me till the very last one.
"Rachell Carlson is in BIG trouble she has been kidnapped by a jealous employer who thinks she is much more than just his star act. And he’s willing to do anything to keep her which has now included killing one of her dearest friends to do so. But help is on the way when her sister and her husband send Jed Doulan to rescue Rachell and bring her safely to them in California. And Jed is just the man for the job, tough as nails and drop dead sexy ta boot Rachel is in awe when he sweeps in and rescues her. They make their escape in a hail of gunfire and ride off into the night… and right into more hot water! Add to their journey many obstacles including Indians and Mother Nature, and the fact that her obsessed employer is hot on their heels to get Rachel back with a small army of hired guns, and the stage is set for a romping good time! I HIGHLY recommend this wonderful book! Ms. Kayne pens a wonderful and deeply emotional story about two lost souls thrown together by chance and circumstance, just might be the thing that can save them both. A memorable tale and a great supporting cast that I do hope I might see again in future books. Funny and passionate and downright HOT in all the right ways…this is one that I couldn’t put down and will be adding it to my keeper shelf. I encourage you to give it a try and I bet you will too! "

Thank you, JennJ!!

View full review at Night Owl Romance

Romance Writer's of America ~ National Conference

2008-08-05T15:29:00.001-07:00

This past week I've been in San Francisco at the RWA National Conference - this was the fifth conference I've attended and as always, it was an absolute blast. Wednesday night I signed books at the Literacy for Life signing. For a romance writers there is nothing quite like being in a hotel with 2000 other romance writers. I don't know that I'd call a writer's conference a "vacation", as you are running from function to function and meeting to meeting much of the time--I come home completely exhausted, yet fully energized about my craft. It is so great to see online friends from all over the world and to meet with agents and editors. I've posted a few pics of my highlights.

I love gearing up for conference and choosing my giveaways for the "Goody Room"--a room full of promotion material for authors to browse and choose from. Here's a pic of my display--I had a boot full of beaded bookmarks (Thanks Mom!!) as well as some hunky cowboy pins and postcards. My favorite goody was Carla Capshaw's little green pocket mirrors with her pretty tulip logo on them and the book DARK RIDER by Kathrynn Dennis. We met two years ago when her book was still yet-to-be-published and won the writing contest I was coordinating--so great to have a signed copy of her book!

The first event I attended was the tea party put on by my literary agency, BookEnds--that's literary agent Jessica Faust, our gracious hostess for the afternoon, smiling from across the pastry trivet. I wish I'd gotten a better picture of the tables. I felt like Alice in Wonderland sitting on a sofa at a high table laden with teapots of assorted teas and tasty pastries and tiny sandwiches. In the picture below I'm sitting with fellow BookEnds authors Christie Craig and Christine Wells.

This is a pic with my mom at the Harlequin party. It was great fun to have her and our cousin Diane along--though it seemed we saw little of each other as I was always on the run, not that they minded. With so may places to shop in San Francisco, they had a blast and took time out to attend the Harlequin Party with me :)

Below is a pic with some of my Writer's At Play gal pals: Carla Capshaw, yours truly, Terri Garey, Anna Sugden, Janice Lynn, Tawny Weber & Kathleen Long.

Next up, the Harlequin Historical Tea at the Taly Tara Tea House/Polo Shop. Loads of fun meeting with the other HH authors and our editors. Here is a picture in the back garden of the teashop with Petticoats & Pistols Fillies Charlene Sands, Pam Crooks and Kate Bridges. This conference was my first chance to meet fellow P&P fillies in person.

Okay, so this was a start...*g*...have to go write, but I'll be back with more tomorrow!

A Blooming Review!

2008-07-28T19:59:00.000-07:00

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

Stop by Petticoats & Pistols!

2008-07-18T02:58:00.000-07:00

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

BookEnds Blog

2008-07-10T02:27:00.000-07:00

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

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

Hot Off the Review Presses!

2008-07-09T18:55:00.000-07:00

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