The Fall Class of Avon Addicts is hosting a blog hop .... follow along for fun prizes at each stop! The schedule is below .... join me on Wednesday, December 5, when we St. Nicholas' Eve - Avon style!
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
Friday, November 30, 2012
Avon Addicts Blog Hop
The Fall Class of Avon Addicts is hosting a blog hop .... follow along for fun prizes at each stop! The schedule is below .... join me on Wednesday, December 5, when we St. Nicholas' Eve - Avon style!
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
Aloha to Grace Burrowes and THE BRIDEGROOM WORE PLAID
In an effort to preserve the family estate, Ian MacGregor, the Earl of Balfour, must marry for money. When a promising match emerges in the form of Genie Daniels, a rich English heiress, Ian begins devising a strategy to woo her. When he meets Genie's poor cousin Augusta, he discovers a new avenue to Genie's heart. But after spending time with Augusta and falling for her charms, Ian begins to question whether or not he's willing to forfeit his heart to save the family name...
I posted my four star review of THE BRIDEGROOM WORE PLAID on Goodreads at this link (look for my review on Amazon when the book is published on December 4). I am giving away a print copy of THE BRIDEGROOM WORE PLAID to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about your favorite "sweet treat" - Scottish shortbread? Tim Tams? Chocolate chip cookies?
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, December 1, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 2.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
To learn more about Grace and her books, check out her website at graceburrowes.com.
Continue the celebration of St. Andrew's Day at my blog, ALOHA ON MY MIND, with Scottish castles at this link.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Special promotions from special authors!
Check out these specials from SOS Aloha Alumni:
- Eden Carson's UNTAMED JOURNEY is on sale for 99 cents on Amazon (at this link) and Barnes & Noble (at this link). Sale ends Sunday!
Eden was my guest at this link.
-Carole Matthews is offering a free Holiday read, WINTER WARMERS, available on Amazon (at this link). I featured Carole as part of the Christmas Creche (at this link). My mother thinks Carole is a hoot!
Do you have any specials to share?
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
Aloha to Michelle Diener and THE EMPEROR'S CONSPIRACY
Today is the Feast Day of Saint Cuthbert Mayne, a English Roman Catholic priest was martyred during the English Reformation. He hailed from Devon ... as does the hero in Michele Diener's new release, THE EMPEROR'S CONSPIRACY:
From nineteenth-century London’s elegant ballrooms to its darkest slums, a spirited young woman and a nobleman investigating for the Crown unmask a plot by Napoleon to bleed England of its gold.
Chance led to Charlotte Raven’s transformation from chimney sweep to wealthy, educated noblewoman, but she still walks a delicate tightrope between two worlds, unable to turn her back on the ruthless crime lord who was once her childhood protector.
When Lord Edward Durnham is tapped to solve the mystery of England’s rapidly disappearing gold, his search leads him to the stews of London, and Charlotte becomes his intriguing guide to the city’s dark, forbidding underworld. But as her involvement brings Charlotte to the attention of men who have no qualms about who they hurt, and as Edward forges a grudging alliance with the dangerous ghosts of Charlotte’s former life, she faces a choice: to continue living in limbo, or to close the door on the past and risk her heart and her happiness on an unpredictable future.
 |
| Ivan Aivazovsky's SMUGGLERS (1884) |
I posted my four star review of THE EMPEROR'S CONSPIRACY on Amazon (at this link) and Goodreads (at this link). I am giving away a print copy of THE EMPEROR'S CONSPIRACY. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about a famous person from your home town (where you were born or where you now live).
I attended college in Tampa. One of my sorority sister informed me that Channing Tatum attended Tampa Catholic High School where her girls are now students. I wonder if he'll visit his alma mater?!?!
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, December 1, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 2.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
To learn more about Michelle and her books, check out her website at michellediener.com.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Sourcebooks 25 Days of Christmas eBook Spectacular
Sourcebooks is feeling the spirit of the holiday season and we want to share it with you! We’re running our biggest promotion yet: daily discounts on our most popular ebooks, starting December 1 and lasting through December 25! When you sign up, you’ll be notified every morning of which book is going on sale that day. And, when you sign up to receive our daily email notifications, you’ll automatically be entered to win two ereaders: one for you, and one for a friend or family member.
In addition, we’ll also be giving away more fun prizes every single week, from candy, to gift baskets, to books. Sign up today! You’ll be able to see the featured books once you’ve signed up.
Double your chances: Each time one of your friends sign up, it doubles your chances of winning, so make sure to forward your emails to all of your nearest and dearest, encouraging them to sign up, too!
Sign up today for the Sourcebooks Christmas eBook Spectacular on our ebook promo page (at this link), for the chance to get great books and great prices, and to win ebooks, candy, print books, and an eReader for you – and one for a friend or family member!
Be sure to check out the @sourcebooks and @sourcebookscasa Twitter accounts for daily updates and links each day, as well as the Sourcebooks Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/sourcebooks.
 |
| My husband and his barbershop quartet spread the holiday cheer .... |
Aloha to Kresley Cole and SHADOW'S CLAIM
Let's celebrate Hump Day with Kresley Cole! Her newest release, SHADOW'S CLAIM, is hot off the press:
#1 New York Times bestseller Kresley Cole introduces The Dacians, a new paranormal romance collection following the royal bloodline of Dacia, a vampire kingdom hidden within the Lore of the Immortals After Dark.
Shadow's Claim features Prince Trehan, a ruthless master assassin who will do anything to possess Bettina, his beautiful Sorceress mate, even compete for her hand in a blood-sport tournament—to the death.
HE WON'T BE DENIED
Trehan Daciano, known as the Prince of Shadows, has spent his life serving his people, striking in the night, quietly executing any threat to their realm. The coldly disciplined swordsman has never desired anything for himself—until he beholds Bettina, the sheltered ward of two of the Lore's most fearsome villains.
SHE'S BOUND TO ANOTHER
Desperate to earn her guardians' approval after a life-shattering mistake, young Bettina has no choice but to marry whichever suitor prevails—even though she's lost her heart to another. Yet one lethal competitor, a mysterious cloaked swordsman, invades her dreams, tempting her with forbidden pleasure.
A BATTLE FOR HER BODY AND SOUL
Even if Trehan can survive the punishing contests to claim her as his wife, the true battle for Bettina's heart is yet to come. And unleashing a millennium's worth of savage need will either frighten his Bride away—or stoke Bettina's own desires to a fever-pitch....
 |
| King Kamehameha is a warrior of the millennium ... |
Mary Gramlich, the Reading Reviewer, featured her review of SHADOW'S CLAIM at this link. I am giving away a print copy of SHADOW'S CLAIM to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Name a kingdom that has fascinated you? I am looking for the less obviously besides the United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.
Kauai was ruled by Kaumualiʻi when Kamehameha from Hawaii began his campaign to unite the islands. Kamehameha failed to launch a successful attack on Kauai due to weather ... yet Kaumualiʻi did not want any bloodshed. So he became a vassal of Kamehameha and the united islands became the Kingdom of Hawaii. Kauai residents remain proud of their "never been conquered" status.
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, December 1, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 2.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
To learn more about Kresley and her books, check out her website at kresleycole.com.
To view pictures from Kauai, check out my travel blog, ALOHA ON MY MIND, at this link, link, link, link, and link.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Aloha to Carla Swafford and CIRCLE OF DECEPTION
Carla Swafford lives in Alabama and is married to her high school sweetheart. A third generation storyteller, she loves every shade of romance and the many paths taken to find that happily ever after.
Kim: Alabama! What is your favorite sight, smell, and sound?
Carla: As the Appalachian Mountains end in Alabama, I enjoy the fog surrounding the foothills in the early mornings, the scent of blooming gardenias in the afternoon air and the songs of Katydids in the late evenings.
Gardenias in Hawaii
Kim: Married to high school sweetheart - how much does your life partner influence your heroes?
Carla: Though my hubby isn’t proficient in firearms, he is all male when it comes to attitude and his unwillingness to put up with nonsense. At the same time, he’s got a dry sense of humor that surprises me at times into laughing where and when I shouldn’t. He’s only a few inches taller than me, but through my eyes he’s six-five. That proves to me of how what a person in love sees is different than what the outside world sees. And why I always have a happily ever after in all of my books.
Hula tells the story in Hawaii
Kim: As a third generation story teller, what have you learned from previous generations that helped you become a romance writer?
Carla: Until my dad had a stroke in his late seventies, whenever we visited, everyone would sit around the dining room table and listen to him talk about his childhood. Even the grandkids were fascinated by the tales. I never had the pleasure of meeting my dad’s mom and dad. But through those stories, I swear I feel as if I know them.
Kim: Tell us about your "Circle" series and upcoming release, CIRCLE OF DECEPTION?
Carla: The Circle is a covert organization of assassins and mercenaries; think of the original TV series La Femme Nikita. In the first book, CIRCLE OF DESIRE, the readers meet Collin and Olivia. Not only do both characters possess deadly skills, they love to fight, verbally and physically. In the second book, CIRCLE OF DANGER, Ryker has protected Marie since she was a child, but she’s all grown up and drives him nuts as she tries to prove she’s her own person. That book is so hot, HarperCollins decided it would be best suited under the AVON RED imprint. LOL! And CIRCLE OF DECEPTION is Rex and Abby’s story and the final book of the trilogy. Everyone has been asking about the couple as they’d shown up in the first two books. I guess you could say Rex and Abby have a few unresolved issues. See for yourself; here’s the blurb.
Carla Swafford’s erotic Circle series comes to an exhilarating finale as the team of sexy spies and assassins goes undercover—under the covers.
After disappearing days before her wedding to fellow Circle agent Rex Drago, Abby Rodriguez discovered that trying to reclaim a life—and a love—lost is a whole lot harder than she thought. When her family’s safety is threatened by an arms dealer, Abby must go undercover with the one man who sees right through her and play the scariest role yet: husband and wife.
Mission or no mission, Rex Drago wants answers from his ex-fiancé. Forced to play along as a rival arms dealer and the husband he once wanted to be, Rex is finding it tough to stay professional—especially when Abby is just as hot as ever. And when they find themselves in a very intimate position, Abby and Rex must act the part—or risk blowing their cover entirely.
Kim: What's next for Carla Swafford?
Carla: Well, where do I start? Like all new authors, I have so many ideas along with old manuscripts that I would like to re-write and send out. But presently, my agent has sent in a proposal to Avon for my newest erotic suspense trilogy. Here’s a little about it.
In a small Alabama county, three brothers fight off rivals who want to take over their deceased father’s disreputable businesses. Each brother must learn they’re not defined by their past.
Pus I have a paranormal series (who doesn’t?) I’m working on and hope to have it ready for my agent by the first of the year. Then I plan to finish a novella that will tie in with the series. Now if I can only stretch time to suit me.
Mahalo, Carla, for joining us at SOS Aloha! I am giving away a copy of Book One, CIRCLE OF DESIRE, to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about a story passed down through your family. Or a current one that you'd like to share with future generations! My father used to tell the story of his Uncle Thomas who claimed to like hot sauce and poured it heavy. But one time it came back to burn him, literally, as the sauce was lava hot! My father himself did not like hot sauce ... but I do!
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, December 1, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 2.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
To learn more about Carla and her books, check out her website at carlaswafford.com.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Aloha to Cindy Myers and THE VIEW FROM HERE
Every morning I am treated to a view of the Waianae Mountains, whose rugged beauty defines the west coast of Oahu. From a distance, the mountains are calming ... but up close, they are menacing with jagged lava rock. Cindy Myers' new release, THE VIEW FROM HERE, transports readers to the mountains of Colorado, who are both calming and menacing to the Houston born heroine:
When newly divorced Maggie Carter inherits a gold mine from the father she never knew, she leaves Houston and travels to the small town of Eureka, Colorado. There, she hopes to solve the mystery of the man who abandoned the family when she was three. In Eureka, Maggie meets people who touch her life in different ways: bitter librarian Cassie Wynock; town mayor Lucille Theriot; and Jameso Clark, whose love-hate relationship with her father intrigues Maggie, and whose attraction for her she finds both frightening and exhilarating. As Maggie confronts the sins of her father and the mistakes of her own past she learns to look at life differently and discovers it can take a village - or one small mountain town - to heal a heart.
When newly divorced Maggie Carter inherits a gold mine from the father she never knew, she leaves Houston and travels to the small town of Eureka, Colorado. There, she hopes to solve the mystery of the man who abandoned the family when she was three. In Eureka, Maggie meets people who touch her life in different ways: bitter librarian Cassie Wynock; town mayor Lucille Theriot; and Jameso Clark, whose love-hate relationship with her father intrigues Maggie, and whose attraction for her she finds both frightening and exhilarating. As Maggie confronts the sins of her father and the mistakes of her own past she learns to look at life differently and discovers it can take a village - or one small mountain town - to heal a heart.
 |
| The Waianae Mountains slope into Yokohama Bay |
I posted my four star review of THE VIEW FROM HERE on Goodreads at this link. I am giving away a print copy of THE VIEW FROM HERE to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about a favorite view you see on a regular basis.
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, December 1, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sundya, December 2.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
To learn more about Cindy and her books, check out her website at cindimyers.com.
 |
| A view of the Waianae Mountains from Ko Olina. |
Guest post from Shawntelle Madison - Top 5 Favorite Author Swag
The launch date for Kept is almost here! To celebrate, I wanted to talk about what I love to collect: author swag! For Coveted and Kept, I wanted to have some fun swag to give away. I've got postcards, custom trading cards, and even fridge magnets. They were fun to design and even more fun to giveaway.
1. Office Supplies and Electronics
Whether you need post-it notes, pens, or I've even seen potato chip holder, office supplies always come in handy and anyone can use them. I absolutely love pens. It's great to have one for the purse and then several for the computer bag. I never turn down a pen. I've yet to find a use for a door hanger, but hey, someone else might love them. :)
Cool find: A pen with a USB stick attached. A fellow RWA member showed it to me. Quite clever and useful in my opinion. I've been to an event with author Maggie Stiefvater and she had tiny USB drives. Those are always useful in my household when I'm on the go. Especially if they have an attachment so I can put them on my keychain, etc.
2. Custom Bookmark, Trading Cards and Postcards
Bookmarks, trading cards, and postcards are a collectible, colorful item for any reader. I've seen some fabulously designed bookmarks that I have no intention of sharing. Case in point, have you seen Shannon Butcher's handmade glass bookmarks? They are gorgeous! (Pictured below)
3. Make up: Nail Polish and Lip Gloss
Author swag has gotten more creative these days, especially in terms of out-of-the-box ideas that would appeal to potential readers. Bree Despain, author of The Lost Saint, had blue nail polish available for readers that matched the blue on her cover. (She even had a purple one for the Dark Divine.) Quite clever. The Shadow and Bone author, Leigh Bardugo, also had a beautiful shade of grey available for readers at San Diego Comic Con 2012. I managed to snag a bottle. It had a beautiful design on the front. Young author Cole Gibsen has Ninja Throwing Star hair barrettes that she has given away to readers. (Pictured below) She owns the Sewing Samauri shop on Etsy and has several products associated with her series about a girl who is possessed by a ninja.
I've been to past Romance Writers of America conferences and I've snagged some wonderful homemade lip balm from Sherry Thomas and Courtney Milan. I used it all up, too. No matter where you are, lotions and eyeglass cleaners are useful and popular. The cost may be a bit high to purchase, but in terms of usefulness, I've yet to see a reader turn them down.
If your main demographic is women or teens, offering this type of reader swag in my opinion is smart. :)
4. Jewelry and Pins. If you really want that reader experience and you have some spare cash, several authors have jewelry inspired by their books. Check out Synde's Etsy shop, Cemetry Cat. It has items inspired by many authors books. Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy has inspired Synde to create a collection, as well as Linda Poitevin, and several other authors. Pins, on the other hand, are far less expensive and they are readily available for any collection. Author Heather Brewer has "Minion Bling" which is free for any of her minions.
5. T-shirts. There's nothing like custom printed T-shirts to get readers excited about a book. I happen to love Jade Lee's purple shirts. It's got man-chest (hello!) and it's comfy to wear. Great branding and a fabulous gift for her readers at events. I gave away one of her shirts earlier this year. (Pictured below)
What's your favorite swag to receive or give away?
Mahalo, Shawntelle, for this fun post! Shawntelle is giving away COVETED swag to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about your favorite swag.
2. Comments are open through Saturday, December 1, 10 pm in Hawaii
3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 2.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
To learn more about Shawnetelle and her books, check out her website at shawntellemadison.com.
Aloha to Jillian Stone and A PRIVATE DUEL WITH AGENT GUNN
On this day in 1922, Howard Carter and Lord Canarvon entered the buried tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, revealing ancient treasures never plundered by grave robbers.
 |
| Image by Bjørn Christian Tørrissen Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported |
Treasure. It inspires and corrupts. It is jeweled treasure that brings former lovers together in Jillian Stone's A PRIVATE DUEL WITH AGENT GUNN, Book Three in the Gentlemen of Scotland Yard series:
She was everything he remembered, only more so.
Cunning, reclusive Yard man Phineas Gunn is as skilled at capturing surly criminals as he is at charming beautiful women. But the dashing agent’s latest assignment is really testing his mettle. Officially, he’s investigating beguiling prima ballerina Catriona de Dovia Willoughby, a suspected anarchist. Unofficially, his attraction to his devilish former flame is hotter than ever.
Unsure whether to trust the enigmatic lover who betrayed her once, Cate nevertheless enlists Finn’s help to recover some priceless family jewels. Their pursuit erupts into a cross-continental adventure that begins with a double cross and crackles with secrets, lies, and sexual tension. The crime is clear—breaking and entering each other’s hearts—but as the clock ticks down, who will be the first to surrender?
 |
| Degas' THE DANCE CLASS |
I posted my review on Goodreads at this link. I am giving away a print copy of A PRIVATE DUEL WITH AGENT GUNN to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about dance - do you have a favorite one to watch? Obviously ballet's THE NUTCRACKER is a holiday favorite. But I prefer the hula!
2. This giveaway is open to all readers. Comments are open through Saturday, December 1, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 2.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Weekly Winners, the Mighty Mo, and Countdown to St. Andrew's Day
 |
| My neighbor is creative! |
We have a cornucopia of winners!
My guest post with Rue Allyn (at this link)
- Lexi wins a book choice from my convention stash.
ALOHA ON MY MIND
- BN100 wins a book choice from my convention stash.
Eden Carson's UNTAMED JOURNEY
- Sue is the winner.
Cloth Book Covers - Open Letter to Vicki Lewis Thompson
- Marlene wins a book choice from my convention stash.
Cara Elliott's TOO DANGEROUS TO DESIRE
- Cat's Lady is the winner.
Diane Gaston's BORN TO SCANDAL
- Melody May is the winner.
Megan Mulry's A ROYAL PAIN
- Erin wins a Maui 2013 Calendar.
Social Media - Street Teams
- Maureen wins a book choice from my conventions stash.
- Maureen wins a book choice from my conventions stash.
Toni Anderson's DANGEROUS WATERS
- Flchen1 is the winner.
Winners - please claim your prize by sending your mailing address to sos.aloha@yahoo.com.
My family is a winner as we are staying overnight on the USS Missouri - the Mighty Mo! I'll post pictures with the headline, "I slept with a movie star!". And fans of Scotland are winners this week as I am posting pictures at ALOHA ON MY MIND (at this link) in a countdown to St. Andrew's Day on Friday, November 30.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)