Month of Love Guest Blog & Giveaway: Extreme Snow Anyone? by Karin Tabke (Karin Harlow)
Hello lovers! Doll Day here. Extreme Snow Anyone?
Well, just about everyone I care about in other states has been hit by the “Snowpocalypse” or ‘Snownomi” or my favorite term for the weather lately, the ”SnOMG” storm. Though my state hasn’t been affected with the heavy snowfall, we have been dealing with unseasonably cold and freezing temperatures. Perfect weather for reading right?
I will confess, I am not the avid romance reader that some of the other dolls are, I do have some favorite love stories and the one that always leaps to mind when the weather turns cold is “” by Boris Pasternak. If you want a snowy type of epic romance you can’t get much better than this fabulous story. But that got me thinking…what do today’s romance writers think of the weather we’ve been having lately? Does it influence their writing habits or inspire romantic settings for their stories?
So, we touched base with paranormal romance author Karin Tabke (Harlow) and thought we’d ask her to weigh in…
Hello Paperback Dolls!
Thank you for having me today! And since snow seems to be so much a part of everyone’s life right now, tell me: How many feet are you under? And how the heck do you cope with it? You see, I can’t relate. I’m in Northern California and today it’s going to hit a sunny 70 degrees! By Sunday, we’re looking at 75, and they say even warmer on Monday!
I’ll be spending the weekend in a spacious villa not too far from my house with 9 other writers. I know, it’s a rough life I lead. Actually, it’s going to be a straight working weekend for me. I’m very behind on my writing, and I can not wait to get away from the 3 dogs, and 2 cats that own my soul!
Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not always sunshine and villas here in California. We get rain. Some years a lot of rain, and in the summer time where I live, 100+ degrees is a regular occurrence. But, we don’t get the humidity. It’s nice dry heat. Closer to the coast the cooler it is, but still, no humidity. All and all the weather here is great. And once you live here, it’s hard to think of leaving. But if I could leave, I’d go east to the Carolinas and settle along the Atlantic coast. Hurricanes don’t scare me. I was born in southern Florida and remember them vividly. Out here we have earthquakes. They aren’t a big deal. Even the big one in ’89 when the ground was shaking and shifting under my feet, didn’t bother me. We get a rare thunderstorm, no tornadoes, and well, again, it’s pretty nice all the way around.
I mean we have Napa just an hour away, San Francisco less than an hour away, Tahoe is just up the road and over the Sierras and then there is the breathtaking Carmel and Monterrey coastline just down the road. I love it here. But again, as much as I love it, the south calls to me.
What about you? Do you live in your dream place? If not, what romantic locale would you live in if you could live anywhere in the United States?
I’ll pick one lucky commenter to win a copy of one of my backlist!
Like Karin said, she’s offering YOUR choice of her back-list as Karin Harlow or Karin Tabke to ONE lucky US commenter. All you need to do to win is answer the question from her post. {Full Book List}
More ways to win:
+1 for each place you post about today’s contest on your blog, social network, or anywhere you can. Digg it, stumble it, twit it, share it with the world. Wherever you share it, make sure you add a link to it along with your comment.
Giveaway ends March 7th and the winner will be chosen by random.org on March 8th. We ask the winners to post a review of the novel someplace. Whether it is on their own blog, Amazon, GoodReads, LibraryThing or wherever, it doesn’t matter. Just help get the word out. Also, we will try to contact the winners, but we ask that you check back to see if you’ve won.
For a long time, controlled chaos ruled Karin’s life. Busy mother of four, owner of her own successful business and wife to a street cop, she harbored thoughts of twisting plots and hot romantic scenes. Now, with only one child left at home and hubby retired from law enforcement, Karin happily pounds out those steamy scenes at her keyboard.
Still semi-distracted by her adult children (Yay! no more phone calls from the high school!) and her husband now a successful football coach (Yay! No more worrying when he’s out on the street!), Karin turns out stories about hot cops, bold knights, bad boy werewolves, and the women who bring them to their knees.
A full-time writer, Karin draws on a lifetime of stories and backdrops that few outside of the law enforcement community ever see, let alone hear about. Controlled chaos now reins supreme through the pages she writes where hot heroes serve, protect, and pleasure from page one to The End.
Karin also writes paranormal romantic suspense as Karin Harlow.
Bonnie Jean said…
Hi Karin!! *waves* Well, we haven’t had hardly ANY snow this year, which is weird for us. Some around Thanksgiving, but that’s it. I’m bummed.
Don’t enter me in the contest – I just wanted to continue stalking you around the web <3
xoxo
February 4, 2011 10:36 AM
CeeCee said...
Hi Karen...I am not sure I can comment after seeing that cover to Men out of Uniform...I'm so distracted. We had early snow but it's pretty decent now here in PacNW! I would move back to Hawaii in a heartbeat if I could though.
February 4, 2011 10:53 AM
Eden Bradley said...
Just stopping by to say hi, Karin. :)
I live in So. California, so pretty much my dream place for now-we have great weather. But I wouldn't turn my nose up at a villa in the Italian countryside for a few months each year.
February 4, 2011 11:03 AM
KittNLuv said...
Hi Karin! Thanks for sharing with us! We haven't had ANY snow or are we likely to, because I do live in a paradise! Warm sunny weather, hot white sandy beaches, and beautiful blue/green oceans. Come to Destin, Florida and escape that nightmare!
February 4, 2011 11:24 AM
Karin* said...
Hi, Bonnie, 'waves back'! :) I currently have a 15 lb Maine Coon cat laying on my right arm, so forgive me in advance for typos!
February 4, 2011 12:22 PM
Meredith said...
I'd like to live in the midwest somewhere...that secret place with no tornadoes and no snow. Oh, doesn't exist? Well, I'm in Florida, but would love to venture out a little!
meredithfl at gmail dot com
February 4, 2011 12:23 PM
Karin* said...
CeeCee that cover is hawt! I'd love to go to Hawaii! Kauai to be exact!
February 4, 2011 12:23 PM
Karin* said...
Thanks for stopping by Eden! Your So Cal weather can not be beat! I love the San Diego area!
February 4, 2011 12:24 PM
Karin* said...
Kitt, thank you for having me today! I love Florida weather, except the humidity!
February 4, 2011 12:26 PM
Karin* said...
Meredith, I was wondering what you were smoking! No such place exisits out there!
Florida is a good place to be!
February 4, 2011 12:27 PM
Melissa (Books and Things) said...
Oh I've heard such good things about these books. I must read them! I don't know if I live in my dream place, but CO always has a special space in my heart. I could live just about anywhere though.
books (dot) things (at) yahoo (dot) com
February 4, 2011 1:12 PM
Ricki said…
I would love to live in the mountains – most people choose tropical, but I think the scenery in the mountains is more romantic.
rickimc[at]aol[dot]com
February 4, 2011 3:47 PM
Di said…
Oh WOW YES – according to the local paper we’ve had 40 inches of snow already this winter (I’m in NJ). The icicles coming off the roof are so pretty when it’s sunny, but just goes to show how high the snow is piled on the roof.
Would love to have this book to read during the gray snowy days.
sallans d at yahoo dot com
February 4, 2011 4:46 PM
Sheree said…
Even though I’m in NorCal as well, sometimes I really want to live on the Big island of Hawaii, but only during non-vog days. Otherwise, I’m fine here. I’m thinking of going to the beach on Sunday; it should be in the high-60′s out there. :)
ironss[at]gmail.com
February 4, 2011 5:36 PM
Missie said…
I’m in South Texas and I gotta say, I have no complaints. We have great weather. Yeah sure, it sometimes gets too hot, but I’d rather deal with heat than the cold. :D
I’m so excited about this giveaway. Thanks!
missie at theunreadreader.com
February 4, 2011 7:28 PM
Karin* said…
Melissa, I hope you do read one of my books! I’ve always been intrigued by Colorado. Maybe one day I’ll actually visit!
February 4, 2011 8:40 PM
Karin* said…
Ricki we just looked at a property nestled in the foothills with a breathtaking view of Mt. Diablo. I can see why you love the mountains
February 4, 2011 8:41 PM
Karin* said…
OMG! Di, 40 inches! So glad I’m in Nor Cal! Stay warm, and watch out for falling icicles!
February 4, 2011 8:43 PM
Karin* said…
Sheree, do you go to any of the local RWA meetings? I’d love to meet you! Have fun at the beach!
February 4, 2011 8:44 PM
Karin* said…
Missie, I hear your neck of the woods is vera nice! what’s a little heat when everything else is primo
February 4, 2011 8:45 PM
Selena Gomez said…
I have visited many of blog but did not get such impression with content creation and information as here. I like it
February 4, 2011 9:06 PM
Michelle C. said…
Karin I live in PA which alot snow and ice and you know I have a walker walking on ice is a bit tricky lol! My place to live right now CA sounds heavenly 70′s I have not seen that since October lol.
I just watching tv or reading books in this wintertime of snow and ice.
Michelle
February 5, 2011 12:54 AM
Tore said…
I also live in Pennsylvania which has had snow and ice. I wouldn’t say I am living in my dream place. I would love to live in Italy or Hawaii. I am really interested in reading your books. Please enter me in contest.
February 5, 2011 6:40 AM
Victoria said…
I grew up in Western NY and went to college in the Southern Tier of NY and then moved to North East Ohio so I guess you could say I love all seasons and snow/cold/ice don’t bother me. I live exactly where I want to be.
My husband is trying to get me to move to Scottsdale where he will be living half the time for work. I hate the heat so he is having a VERY difficult time with me.
Your books look great. I think I’ve read you in an anthology.
February 5, 2011 8:24 AM
Anne said…
Hi, Karin-
After the 20+ inches of snow we got this week, I can say with completely certainty I do not live in my dream location. I can’t actually think of one place that’s perfect. Warm places get too warm, if you don’t get monsoons, you get hurricanes or tornados, etc. Beautiful islands with sandy beaches get hurricanes and tsunamis. However, the Cayman Islands sound as close as perfect right now.
acm05atjuno.com
February 5, 2011 9:37 AM
Robin K said…
This is most definitely not my dream place. If I could choose anywhere in the USA I would think Seattle or in the lush everglades :)
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
February 5, 2011 5:19 PM
jkrowyn said…
Hi there! Right now outside there is about 1 and a half feet of snow, but the real problem is the ice. So many accidents this morning because people just can’t slow down, plus there is no driving on ice. I would love to live somewhere there is no ice or snow, just some mildly cool weather once in awhile. BUt not too hot either, with no humidty. Does that exist somewhere? Thanks!!
Artesia at comcast dot net
February 5, 2011 5:32 PM
JenM said…
I live in the SF Bay Area like you, so I’d say that I live in my dream place. I lived on the east coast, in FL, CO, and NM so I’m pretty sure this is where I want to be. Hubster and I have talked about moving to Hawaii, but I hate bugs and having lived in Florida, I know that in the tropics, you just can’t get away from them. Still, it’s a nice dream.
jen at delux dot com
February 5, 2011 9:23 PM
donnas said…
Not yet. But if I could it would be the desert region of Nevada, California or Arizona. Where the weather is dry heat and great cities and places to visit are only a short trip away.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
February 6, 2011 9:07 PM
Jolene Allcock and Family said…
Karin!!! Love your books. Well, really I’ve only read Enemy Lover, but it’s one of my top fav’s. I can’t wait to get ahold of one of your books you’ve written under Tabke. That’s a hard question. I’m living in Cali right now and the weather here is amazing, which is not what I am used to. Right now I should be dealing with freezing cold temps. In all honesty, I miss my family. We have been away from them for the last 4 years. My oldest had plenty of time to spend with my parents and have sleepovers before we moved, my younger two have basically grown up in Cali and don’t have that closeness that I wish they had with their grandparents, cousins and aunts and uncles. I feel left out at every family party and bbq and would love nothing more than to be back home, close with my family. We use to joke about how stressful holidays were being torn between my husbands and my families and wished we would spend some time alone with just our little family. Now that we got our wish, I miss the crazy hectic holidays and being torn in a million different directions. So nowehre fancy, just surrounded by family
june111(at)att(dot)net
February 7, 2011 3:40 PM
Danielle Gorman said…
I definitely don’t like living where I live. I live in Central Florida and it is way too damn hot here. I don’t mind the area too much but I just hate not really getting to experience seasons. Me and my boyfriend always talk about moving to Central or Northern California.
blog follower
February 12, 2011 4:45 PM
Asylumgirl said…
I’d love to live in St. Augustine, Florida. Fortunately, I’m only a couple of hours from there. The history, sights and sounds take me away.
Deidre
February 17, 2011 9:56 AM
JoAnna said…
I live in PA. While I like it in PA I think I would prefer living somewhere I little warmer. Maybe one of the Carolinas?
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beckerjo(at)verizon(dot)net
February 20, 2011 12:44 PM
mbreakfield said…
I live in South MS, so the weather gets pretty hot and sticky. I’ve always wanted to live in a castle in Scotland.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
February 22, 2011 4:44 AM
Amy said…
I don’t know if NYC is my dream locale, but I do love it a lot. City life is great for me, though I do wish there was more greenery. The weather is mostly good; I like having four seasons of weather.
angeldream3[at]gmail[dot]com
February 24, 2011 9:18 PM
June M. said…
This is definately NOT my dream place! My dream place would be somewhere without snow and ice storms, a tropical beach but where I could still get the internet and books delivered!
February 28, 2011 7:34 PM
Aanchal @ Book Flame said…
I’m orignally from Sacramento,Ca boring city if I could take my pick I would live in Lake Tahoe for the scenery lol but I am more of a city and rain person so i’d say maybe seattle,and Vegas if I didn’t have any kids…
March 2, 2011 9:13 PM
My name is Patricia said…
I would live in England, in particular in Chawton where Jane Austen lived.
PelicanJL{at}hotmail{dot}com
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March 7, 2011 8:05 AM