Aloha to Jill Shalvis and FOREVER AND A DAY: Eat Me (Lucky Harbor) versus Bite Me (Honokohau Harbor)

Twitter is bubbling with great reviews for Jill Shalvis' FOREVER AND A DAY - Book Three in the Chocoholics series.   Or is it Book Six in the Lucky Harbor series?  It is both!   The chocoholics - Mallory, Amy, and Grace - accidentally met at Eat Me Cafe in Lucky Harbor.   They continue to meet at Eat Me to dish about life, love, and chocolate.  

Coco puffs - left are stuffed with chocolate creme;
right are topped with chocolate creme.

During our recent visit to the Big Island, we lunched at Bite Me Fish Market in Honokohau Harbor.  It is a local hangout like Eat Me.   So let's have some fun with the two meet-and-eat places:

Bite Me specializes in fish.   Eat Me specializes in hunky heroes.

Bite Me has surfboards.   Eat Me has washboard abs on the hunky heroes.

Bite Me warns against Flying Monkeys.   Eat Me should warn against flying gossip.

Bite Me hosts the crusty captain.  Eat Me hosts the lively Lucille, who posts the flying gossip on Lucky Harbor's Facebook page.

Bite Me weighs the catch of the day.  Eat Me weighs the hearts of the heroines.

Both eateries are located in coastal towns, so it is win-win for readers, diners, and lovers!  I am currently reading (and loving) Grace's story in FOREVER AND A DAY:

LOVE CAN HAPPEN IN A HEARTBEAT.

Grace never thought she’d be starting her life over from scratch. Losing everything has landed her in Lucky Harbor, working as a dog walker for overwhelmed ER doctor Josh Scott. But the day his nanny fails to show up, Grace goes from caring for Josh’s loveable mutt to caring for his rambunctious kids. Soon Grace is playing house with the sexy single dad…

With so many people depending on him, Josh has no time for anything outside of his clinic and family–until Grace arrives in town. Now this brainy blonde is turning his life inside out and giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “good bedside manner.” Josh and Grace don’t know if what they have can last. But in a town like Lucky Harbor, a lifetime of love starts with just one day…

I am giving away a book choice from Jill's Lucky Harbor backlist.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about your favorite diner.

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, September 8, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 9.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

To learn more about Jill and her books, check out her website at jillshalvis.com.

To learn more about Bite Me and its menu, check out its website at bitemefishmarket.com. 

Aloha to Jessica Scott and UNTIL THERE WAS YOU

She is gorgeous.  Talented.   Mom.   Military spouse ... and active duty!   I am thrilled to host Jessica Scott in celebration of UNTIL THERE WAS YOU!    From her bio,

Jessica Scott is a career army officer, mother of two daughters, three cats, three dogs and two escape-artists hamsters, wife to a career NCO and wrangler of all things stuffed and fluffy. She has commanded two companies, served in Germany, Korea, Fort Hood and Iraq, and been lucky not to get fired. She is a terrible cook and an even worse housekeeper, but she’s a pretty good shot with her assigned weapon. Somehow, her children are pretty well adjusted and her husband still loves her, despite burned water and a messy house.

Kim:  You are a military officer and military spouse. What was your favorite assignment?

Jessica:  I think my favorite assignment would have to have Germany. So much history and so easy to travel. Plus it was where I met my husband, so you know, I can't complain about that. I've also served in Korea, Fort Hood and Iraq. Each place has been different but taught me so much. 

"Fallen" Memorial at Schofield Barracks
near Mililani, Oahu

Kim:  How has your "job" in the military prepared you for romance writing?

Jessica:  I had a battalion commander tell me once that everything is about relationships. What else is romance than a story about a relationship? In all seriousness, I wanted to give the everyday average soldier a happily ever after.

Jessica with Sue Grimshaw

Kim:  What have you learned from your recent experience as a debut author and attending RWA?

Jessica:  I highly highly encourage authors to attend RWA, especially if you are active online. The best thing about RWA is establishing those relationships in a face to face world. There are so many things that can go wrong via email, facebook or twitter. RWA, for me, anyway, is about taking those online relationships and bringing them into the real world for some positive reinforcement until next time, you know? Plus, it's a chance to talk to your favorite authors, meet new people and expand your knowledge! RWA is probably my favorite event of the year!

Kim:  Tell us about UNTIL THERE WAS YOU!

Jessica:  UNTIL THERE WAS YOU tells the story of two army captains who are the exact opposite when it comes to what it means to be an army officer. Here's the blurb:

He plays by the rules, she’s not afraid to break them. Now these two strong-willed army captains will prove that opposites attract . . .

A by-the-book captain with a West Point background, Captain Evan Loehr refuses to mix business with pleasure—except for an unguarded instance years ago when he succumbed to the deep sensuality of redheaded beauty Claire Montoya. From that moment on, though, Evan has been at odds with her, through two deployments to Iraq and back again. But when he is asked to train a team prepping for combat alongside Claire, battle-worn Evan is in for the fight of his life.

Strong, gutsy, and loyal, Captain Claire Montoya has worked hard to earn the rank on her chest. In Evan, Claire sees a rigid officer who puts the rules before everything else—including his people. When the mission forces them together, Claire soon discovers that there is more to Evan than meets the eye.

He’s more than the rank on his chest; he’s a man with dark secrets and deep longings. For all their differences, Evan and Claire share two crucial passions: their country and each other.

Jessica at the Random House book signing

Kim:  What's next for Jessica Scott?

Jessica:  Next up is Back to You, Laura & Trent's story from BECAUSE OF YOU. It's going to be a tough tough story to write but one that I'm really looking forward to! 

Mahalo, Jessica, for joining us at SOS Aloha!  Jessica is giving away an ecopy of UNTIL THERE WAS YOU.   To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave advise for Jessica as a "terrible cook and even worse housekeeper" - any shortcuts to help her balance it all?

When we lived in the Netherlands, the general's wife once told me, "When company comes, I make reservations."   I think it is sage advice!

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open to through Saturday, September 1, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 2.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

To learn more about Jessica and her books, check out her social media:

Website: jessicascott.net

Facebook: facebook.com/jessicascottauthor

Twitter: twitter.com/jessicascott09

Goodreads at this link

Vintage Army helicopter at Schofield Barracks 

ENTER TO WIN THE GRAND PRIZE OF 

A KINDLE FIRE OR A NOOK COLOR!  

To enter the contest, forward your email receipt of purchase of UNTIL THERE WAS YOU to “contest@jessicascott.net” . Entries must be received by OCTOBER 7, 11:59pm EST. 

You can preorder UNTIL THERE WAS YOU at these ebookstores or wherever ebooks are sold!

Amazon at this link.

Barnes and Noble at this link.

Itunes at this link.
Powell's at this link.

Aloha to Christie Craig and BLAME IT ON TEXAS

I offer you Hump Day Humor with Christie Craig! She is celebrating the release of BLAME IT ON TEXAS with a guest blog ...

Ten Things You Will Learn from Blame It On Texas 

1. Guys don’t like to play dress up, but when one willingly dresses as a clown for their six-year-old niece’s birthday party—because the real clown canceled—he’s one special uncle. And could possibly make a special hero for some lucky lady.

2. Sometimes, fear itself can do much more damage to us than the thing we’re actually afraid of.

3. Any man who doesn’t cuss up a blue streak when you dump a plate of hot grits on him can’t be all bad. (In fact, he might just be The One.)

4. It’s important to remember the lessons of the past so we can use them when making decisions for the future. But those lessons should never keep us from the future we deserve.

5. Before accusing the sexy guy who pounced, knocked you down, and crawled on top of you of being foreplay impaired, check to see if someone is shooting at you.

6. The southern delicacy of a banana and mayonnaise sandwich may be an acquired taste, especially when a hungry hero chomps down on the delicacy and is expecting ham and cheese.

7. If you think getting caught screaming and dancing on top of a mattress—all while attempting to rescue your cat from an overzealous dog—can be slightly embarrassing, try it while you’re wet from the shower, and as naked as a jay bird. Oh, and you are caught by your possible love interest who hasn’t seen you naked yet, and . . . (yes it can get worse) his two best friends.

8. It’s downright amazing how playing a few rounds of Strip Scrabble can spice up an evening.

9. A family doesn’t always have to be the people who share your bloodline; sometimes, the best families are those we make when we gather together all the people we love.

10. Learning to trust yourself is usually a lot harder than trusting another person. But both are generally required before finding true love.

Check out Christie's book video at this link.   Forever is giving away a print copy of BLAME IT ON TEXAS to one randomly selected commenter:

Zoe Adams has always been content with her quiet nights at home, sitting alone on her couch munching popcorn and watching tv--until her life turns into a real-life episode of the Unsolved Mystery Hunters show she loves. The story of a kidnapped girl triggers unexplained memories, and Zoe is dead set on figuring out why. Her search leads her to one of the Lone Star state's richest families and to sexy PI Tyler Lopez.

Tyler has sworn off women, especially redheads with killer curves who poke their noses into his clients' personal affairs. Still, he can't deny the attraction any more than he can deny that some of Zoe's crazy story makes sense. But when she becomes a hit man's target, this cold case really starts heating up. Suddenly, Tyler will do anything to protect Zoe-even if it means risking his heart.

To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about Texas - what do you love about it?

2.  Forever's giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents.  I'll giveaway a Hawaii to Texas souvenir to an international reader.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, September 1, 10 pm.   I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 2.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

To learn more about Christie and her books, check out her website at christie-craig.com.

USS Texas in Pearl Harbor
wikipedia.com

Guest post - M.L. Buchman and I OWN THE DAWN

FLYING WITH…

Hello and thanks so much for having me back! Greetings from the mainland! I’m so glad to be here to chat a bit about my next book. Why? I love it! I Own the Dawn is book II of my “Night Stalkers” series about the real-life U.S. Army secret helicopter regiment, the 160th SOAR. It’s another adventure of a strong woman stepping into a man’s world and discovering her own strengths, as well as her own weaknesses. It’s about the man who stops her breath and starts her heart. It’s about facing death and life together.

And that’s part of what I’m finding to be so fascinating about writing this series. It started out as a story about cool helicopters and people falling in love. About a woman discovering her true self in the midst of discovering true love. Sounded like a fun premise.

But it has grown and shifted in ways I least expected. And I have been forced to grow and change along with my writing. If I step back from the romance and my passion for a good love story, I’m finding other layers of this military world I have begun to explore. Never having served, I knew that the military would be the greatest challenge for me to capture well and convincingly. So I read an account of a retired SEAL. I read about men who chose to fly helicopters. I read accounts of war and accounts of failure.

The more I researched, the more fascinated I became. I interviewed a female Black Hawk helicopter crew chief who’d served in Iraq and men who still packed a weapon, though they’d been back in the civilian world for a decade. I discovered a respect I didn’t anticipate finding. By the time they reach Special Forces, these soldiers are the supporting stars who are in the background of movie after movie. Once you reach SEALs, Delta Force, PJs, or SOAR, you are the big stars. Except you aren’t paid $15M a movie. The paparazzi have never heard of you or what you’ve done. But you’ve trained longer and harder and more thoroughly than I ever imagined.

Why? That question has chased me through the first two published novels in the series and the two that are to follow. I begin to see the edge of it. I begin to understand. It isn’t glory, for if they do their job right there is none. For a long time I thought it might be about protecting our country and our way of life. It is. But it’s also about much more. The thing they consistently talked about was the people they were honored to serve with. The ones they would trust their very lives to fly with.

Where do I see that in my every day world? In most places I don’t. But I’ve taken that lesson to heart more than most in my life. I keep my family close. How? I would do anything for them and they know that. I keep my team at work close. How? I’ve got their backs. They’re the ones getting the job done and I’m the one making sure they have the space to do it, the tools, the skills, and the freedom. I’ve had the honor to lead dozens of teams on complex and challenging projects over the years. But this is the best I’ve built yet. I’m proud of my crew. And when I think of what I do to create that better than I ever have before, I find myself thinking of those I fly with in our desk-bound flight and I find I must say something I’d never have thought to say before, “It’s an honor.”

I’d love to hear about those you’d wish to honor.

And please check out the contest page on my website: by following along my blog tour for the month of August, you will have multiple chances to win a signed copy of I Own the Dawn at this link.

I OWN THE DAWN BY M.L. BUCHMAN – IN STORES AUGUST 2012

Name: Archibald Jeffrey Stevenson III
Rank: First Lieutenant, Dap Hawk Copilot
Mission: Strategy and execution of special ops maneuvers

Name: Kee Smith
Rank: Sergeant, Night Stalker Gunner and Sharpshooter
Mission: Whatever it takes to get the job done

You Wouldn't Think It Could Get Worse, Until It Does...

When a special mission slowly unravels, it is up to Kee and Archie to get their team out of an impossible situation with international implications. With her weaponry knowledge and his strategic thinking, plus the explosive attraction that puts them into exact synchrony, together they might just have a fighting chance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M. L. Buchman has worked in fast food, theater, computers, publishing, and light manufacturing. It's amazing what you can do with a degree in geophysics. At one point he sold everything and spent 18-months riding a bicycle around the world. In 11,000 miles, he touched 15 countries and hundreds of amazing people. Since then, he has acquired a loving lady, the coolest kid on the planet, and lives in Portland, Oregon. For more information, please visit matthewlieberbuchman.com.

Be sure to check the Contest page for a chance to win a free, signed copy of I Own the Dawn.

Guest Review - M. L. Buchman's I OWN THE DAWN

Guest Review: I OWN THE DAWN, The Night Stalkers, by M.L. Buchman

Not too long ago I reviewed ML Buchman’s THE NIGHT IS MINE, the first book in a four-book series (because there’re four seats on a Black Hawk helicopter) featuring “women pilots who fly for the immensely secretive, real-life U.S. Army SOAR.” I loved it and eagerly anticipated book two in the series.

Book two, I OWN THE DAWN, revisits the sunbaked, forward SOAR operations in Pakistan and doesn’t disappoint. I may actually like it even better than book one. Sergeant Kee Smith is an immensely flawed and very human character. A volatile firecracker always on the verge of explosion, she is wonderfully offset by cool and collected First Lieutenant Archie Jeffrey Stevenson who can’t believe his luck when Kee strolls into camp.

At first, their relationship is a turbulent, hot, hotter mess, but they navigate it like they navigated everything else in their lives: with 100% “Night Stalkers Never Quit” commitment.

I love Buchman’s warrior women. He has an undeniable way with them; they’re tough, capable, oh so deadly, and yet completely female (not feminine so much). His men are often exasperated by their chosen mates, a very endearing trait that robs them of none of their masculinity.

Fair warning: I OWN THE DAWN is a military romance set in the world of a forward deployed group of elite fighters, but there’s nothing romantic about the setting of war. People die. Lives are in constant danger. Love is a luxury. I loved all the technical, military details that dealt with SOAR, the helicopters and Kee’s job as a gunner, but if you’re not a closeted military enthusiast, the technical aspects of the novel could become a tad bit overbearing.

If you enjoyed book one, you’ll love book two. If you’re hesitant to jump into a new series, don’t worry about needing to know previous events; I OWN THE DAWN can be thoroughly enjoyed as a stand-alone. 

A

Mahalo, Nadja, for reviewing I OWN THE DAWN! Sourcebooks is giving away a print copy of I OWN THE DAWN to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about the dawn - are you just going to bed or getting up for the day?

2. Sourcebooks' giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada.

3. Comments are open through Saturday, September 1, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 2.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

To learn more about M. L. Buchman and his books, check out his website at matthewlieberbuchman.com.

Aloha to Mary Wine and A LADY CAN NEVER TOO CURIOUS

Let's kick off the week with Mary Wine as she celebrates her new steampunk novel, A LADY CAN NEVER BE TOO CURIOUS.  From her bio,

When she’s not abusing a laptop, she spends time with her sewing machines…all of them! Making historical garments is her second passion. From corsets and knickers to court dresses of Elizabeth I, the most expensive clothes she owns are hundreds of years out of date. She’s also an active student of martial arts, having earned the rank of second degree black belt. 

Mary (left) with readers at RT/2012.

Kim:  I know you wear your gorgeous dresses to Medieval Festivals - how did you become involved in them? What attracts you to them? What is your favorite food from them?

Mary:  My fascination with dresses began early. I used to make my Barbie dolls clothing. The renaissance faire we have near us hooked good. Why here was a place I could wear fancy dresses, thereby giving myself a reason to make them and also explore history. There was the added benefit of being able to meet other people who enjoyed debating the little details of history too. Some folks have RV’s or horses…we have swords, corsets and Elizabethan dance classes. The food which delights me is historical. We tend to plan banquets and among the other junkies that work these events are people who strive to make recipes from the period. I make a fine almond pudding. 

Here's the Hawaiian dress throughout the ages!

Kim:  Second degree black belt? Congrats! Have any of your heroines used any of your moves? 

Mary:  I need to update that because I took my three degree test last fall. My first books were paranormal and yes, my martial arts was used in those. 

Kim:  You have attended RT and RomCon - what do you enjoy most from meeting readers?

Mary: It’s really an amazing thing to encounter someone who loved one of my books. I’m really not kissing up by saying that. It just doesn’t get any better than to discover someone who enjoys the ramblings of my imagination. 

Hawaiian culture also had separate societies.

Kim:  Tell us about A LADY CAN NEVER BE TOO CURIOUS! 

Mary:  This is my first Steam Punk. A new hybrid of romance, it’s Victorian Science fiction. At its core, it is a historical. I wanted to introduce my idea of what ‘Steam Punkers’ were. In this case, a secret society that is based on science. The Victorians did adore their secret orders! They also clung tightly to their ideas of the classes not mixing. Which allowed me to play with a lady and an Illuminist man who are drawn to one another in spite of the culture surrounding them. 

I'd like to find trouble with a Highlander ... 

Kim:  What's next for Mary Wine? 

Mary:  Next up will be ‘The Trouble With Highlanders’. This book follows ‘The Highlander’s Prize.’ At the end of book one, Daphne went home after allowing Norris Sutherland to seduce her and get her out of marring Broen. But Norris isn’t in the mood to allow Daphne to turn her back on him,, in fact, he wants her and intends to bring her home. 

Mahalo, Mary, for joining us at SOS Aloha!  I posted my review of I posted my review of A LADY CAN NEVER BE TOO CURIOUS on Goodreads at this link.   I am giving away a print copy of A LADY CAN NEVER TOO CURIOUS to one randomly selected commenter:

On the outside, Janette Aston appears to be a proper young lady; however, the people of England have no idea that this poised young miss secretly studies the scientific discoveries of the mysterious Illuminist Society. Janette soon grows hungry for more secrets about this Society, and she finds herself impersonating an Illuminist to discover more information. As she is exposed to secrets and dangers she never could have imagined, she begins to wonder if she's finally gone too far. But when she runs into gorgeous Illuminist Guardian Darius Lawley, she finds that, while her life is in danger, her sense of curiosity is most certainly piqued...

To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about your curiosity - if you could enroll in one class for a semester (traditional or nontraditional), what you like to learn?

I'd like to learn more about the Hawaiian language!

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, September 1, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 2.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

To learn more about Mary and her books, check out her website at marywine.com.

The Place of Refuge was mysterious to outsiders ....

Aloha to Patricia Rice and THE TROUBLE WITH MAGIC

Sourcebooks' Casablanca Books is offering a special giveaway today!   Casablanca is bringing back beloved books .... including THE TROUBLE WITH MAGIC by Patricia Rice:

Is Her Magic a Gift or a Curse...?

All the Malcolms have some magic, but Lady Felicity's ability to read people's emotions simply by touching them or their possessions overwhelms her. She's reached a marriageable age, but how can she ever wed when she can see so clearly a man's guilty secrets?

Only He Can Tell the Difference...

Ewen Ives, itinerant rake and adventurous inventor, knows better than to underestimate the mischief of the Malcolms. But sparks fly when he encounters Felicity, and Ewen can't seem to refuse her plea for assistance...

Duntrune Castle - seat of the Malcolm Clans
wikipedia.com

 PRAISE FOR PATRICIA RICE:

“Rice's enchanting book is truly spellbinding.” —Booklist

“You can always count on Patricia Rice for an entertaining story with just the right mix of romance, humor, and emotion.” —The Romantic Reader

“Patricia Rice's historicals are deliciously fresh, sexy fun. Never has the battle of the sexes been more charming!” —Mary Jo Putney, New York Times bestselling author

Patricia Rice (middle) laughs with Eileen Dreyer (left)
and Cathy Maxwell (right) at RT/2011

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

With five million books in print and New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists under her belt, Patricia Rice’s emotionally-charged contemporary and historical romances have won RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice and Career Achievement Awards and have been honored as Romance Writers of America RITA finalists in the historical, Regency and contemporary categories. A former CPA, Patricia Rice is a native of Kentucky and New York, a past resident of North Carolina, and currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri. For more information on Patricia’s current releases, please visit www.patriciarice.com.

Patricia (left) with Christine Skye, Cathy Maxwell, and
Sue Grimshaw at RT/2011

To enter Sourcebooks' giveaway, 

1.  Leave a comment about magic - what power would you like to have?

2.  Sourcebooks' giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada ... I'll give a Hawaiian "magic" souvenir to one international reader.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, September 1, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 2.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Weekly winners from Bellows Beach!

We have winners here at SOS Aloha!

Kiana Davenport's THE SPY LOVER:

- Sara is the winner!

Kieran Kramer's LOVING LADY MARCIA:

- Little Miss Molly is the winner of swag!

Robin Kaye's CALL ME WILD:

- Tina wins a "wild" Hawaiian souvenir!

Forever's PLEASURES TO SEDUCE with Jennifer Haymore and Nina Rowan:

- Diane and Jane are the winners!

Diana Cosby's BORN TO BITE:

- Hawaii Food Bank is the winner with 63 comments!

Amanda Arista's NINE LIVES OF AN URBAN PANTHER:

- Pam is the winner!

Winners - please claim your prize by sending your mailing address to sos.aloha@yahoo.com.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to Heather Snow and SWEET DECEPTION

On this date in 1981, VOYAGER 2 made its closest approach to Saturn.  Eight years later, on the same day in 1989, VOYAGER 2 made its closet approach to Neptune.  Just imagine the calculations necessary to explore the other planets ... especially with CURIOSITY exploring Mars today!

Math is the key to discovery ... a topic that Heather Snow explores in SWEET DECEPTION, Book Two in her Veiled Seduction Series:

Lady criminologist, Miss Emma Wallingford, unknowingly finds herself tangled in the dangerous final mission of Lord Derick Aveline, a spy who also happens to be her long lost first love. But when deception, however sweet, is the name of the game, no one can be trusted. And every love--and every life--is at risk.

Derbyshire
wikipedia.com

I posted my five star review of SWEET DECEPTION on Amazon at this link and Goodreads at this link.   

Inventive heroine + spy hero = passionate romance.   

SWEET DECEPTION has exponential emotional depth as Heather explores how a lady a head of her time can convince a former spy to take a chance on love.   As a math major and military veteran, I applaud Heather for including realistic angst arising from a spy's life ... in a surprising twist.  

I am giving away a Hawaiian SWEET Treat to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about space - does any heavenly body intrigue you?   

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, September 1, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 2.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

To learn more about Heather and her books, check out her website at heathersnow.com.