On this day in 1945, Japanese officially surrendered to Allied Forces led by General MacArthur, ending the War in the Pacific. The surrender took place aboard the USS Missouri. Today, the Mighty Mo is a floating museum in Pearl Harbor. She stands guard over the sunken USS Arizona - a "bundle" a ships which represent the beginning and end of WWII for the United States. I am grateful that our time in Hawaii gave me the opportunity to explore the Mighty Mo and pay tribute to the USS Arizona.
I often write about historical author Cathy Maxwell. I enjoy her books - THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT drew me into the magical world of romance books. Cathy is joy to hear on panels. But Cathy rocks because she is a Navy Veteran. She married a Navy man. She is now a Coast Guard mom.
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| Cathy (right) with Elizabeth Hoyt and Vicky Dreiling at RWA 2012 |
It is my pleasure to promote Cathy today as she celebrates a special e-bundle from her latest series, The Chattan Curse - available September 3 from Avon. The e-bundle includes LYON'S BRIDE (Book 1) and THE SCOTTISH WITCH (Book 2).
Two great full-length novels in The Chattan Curse series together in one set from NY Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell. Includes never before seen "behind the book" info, photos from the author, and a sneak peek to her next series The Brides of Wishmore.
Fans of Karen Hawkins, Sabrina Jeffries, and Eloisa James will enjoy these utterly romantic and unforgettable books set in Regency England and Scotland.
Lyon's Bride
They call him Lord Lyon…proud, determined and cursed. He is in need of a bride, but if he falls in love it's is said he will die. So he seeks a woman to marry without love, hoping to break the curse of the Chattans forever. Enter beautiful Thea Martin—a duke's headstrong, errant daughter and society's most brilliant matchmaker. Years ago, she and Lyon were inseparable, until he disappeared without a word. Now she is charged with finding him his bride—a woman he must not love, for a man Thea could love all too well.
The Scottish Witch
Portia Maclean believes she is beyond love and marriage. Then, one moonlit night, she finds herself swept off her feet by a powerful stranger. But what will he do once he discovers she's betrayed him? Harry Chattan is fighting for his family…he's come to Scotland on the hunt for a witch to break the Chattan curse. Instead, he finds himself bewitched by Portia. Harry has vowed to fight the demons torturing him, but will that battle destroy her as well?
I posted my five start review of THE SCOTTISH WITCH on Amazon (link) and Goodreads (link). You can also read my original post at this link.
History, Mystery and Love: Why Readers Love Historical Romance @ Sherwood Center
The first of two discussions hosted in conjunction with the local chapter of Romance Writers of America, this panel features Joanna Bourne, Donna Dalton, Cathy Maxwell, and Deanna Raybourn. Moderated by Laurin Wittig.
Guests support literacy while enjoying tea at tables hosted by some of the hottest romance authors from around the country. The Buns & Roses emcee is local celebrity Candace Havens, the entertainment critic for the Dorsey Gang on 96.3 KSCS.
Saturday, October 19, New Jersey Romance Writers' PUT YOUR HEART IN A BOOK (link). The conference also offers a Literacy Book Fair that is open to the public:
New Jersey Romance Writers is happy to once again be hosting a Literacy Book Fair and Author Signing at the conclusion of our Put Your Heart in a Book Conference. Open to the Public, the Book Fair will take place Saturday, October 19, 4:00-5:30 pm.
I am giving away a "bundle" of LYON'S BRIDE and THE SCOTTISH WITCH to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about the first romance book you read.
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, September 7, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 8.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
To learn more about Cathy and her books, check out her website at cathymaxwell.com. You can meet Cathy in person at the following:
Sunday, September 22, 12:30 at the FALL FOR THE BOOK FESTIVAL at George Mason University (link):
History, Mystery and Love: Why Readers Love Historical Romance @ Sherwood Center
The first of two discussions hosted in conjunction with the local chapter of Romance Writers of America, this panel features Joanna Bourne, Donna Dalton, Cathy Maxwell, and Deanna Raybourn. Moderated by Laurin Wittig.
Sunday, October 6, 3:00 pm, BUNS AND ROSES Romance Tea for Literacy (link), near Dallas, Texas. Cathy is the keynote speaker.
Saturday, October 19, New Jersey Romance Writers' PUT YOUR HEART IN A BOOK (link). The conference also offers a Literacy Book Fair that is open to the public:
New Jersey Romance Writers is happy to once again be hosting a Literacy Book Fair and Author Signing at the conclusion of our Put Your Heart in a Book Conference. Open to the Public, the Book Fair will take place Saturday, October 19, 4:00-5:30 pm.
I think it was Mary Balogh's Slightly series or Rachel Gibson's contemporary hockey ones... Can't remember! It was loooong time ago!
ReplyDeleteMy first book was the Ginny and Steve book.
ReplyDeleteOmg I love Kathy Maxwell thanks to you Kim.
ReplyDeleteMy first Romance was The Bride by Julie Garwood she led me to Jude Deveraux. Always have a love for Scottish romance.
Have a good one Ann/alba
My first romance was The Rose in Winter by the late great Kathleen Woodiwiss. I was 11 and I was hooked!!!
ReplyDeleteMy very first romance book was The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E Woodiwiss.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it would have been something by Danielle Steel. Maybe "The Ring." I remember I loved that one and read many of her books when I first started reading romance novels way back when.
ReplyDeleteThe first romance book that I ever read was "Whitney, My Love". No need to enter me into the contest, as I already have these books.
ReplyDeleteI don't recall the title. It was a harlequin.
ReplyDeleteI read romance before this author but she is the one who got me hooked - Kathleen Woodiwiss - The Wolf and the Dove and also The Flame and the Flower.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember the first romance book I read. I do know that in college my friend got me into Georgina Gentry and Heather Graham. I've been reading all kinds of romance since then.
ReplyDeleteThe first romance I read was Julie Garwood's "The Bride."
ReplyDeleteThe first romance book I read was by Barbara Cartland, but I don't remember the name of it. The first serious romance I read was Kathleen Woodiwess's Shawna or the Wolf and the Dove, whichever she wrote first.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time, so I don't remember the very first romance book I ever read. It would have been a medical romance because that's what my older sister was into at the time.
ReplyDeleteMy first romance was Danielle Steele's The Promise. I was in 10th grade and immediately went on a used book store hunt for all of her novels. Thankfully, I've outgrown her and like books like Cathy's much better. :)
ReplyDeletethe first romance I ever read was For the Roses by Julie Garwood. It was made into a Hallmark hall of fame movie and so it had the movie cover on it. I was able to buy it and get it past my uber religious mother and boy, oh boy, it was not what I thought it was!!! I've been hooked ever since :)
ReplyDeleteI have the worst memory ever - I seriously do not remember the first romance I read.
ReplyDeleteIt was a harlequin romance about a wealthy man who married a poor girl and the misunderstanding continued until the end where I got my first HEA. I was hooked, I wish I remembered the name.
ReplyDeleteThe first romance book I read was The Bride by Julie Garwood. That book made me fall for historical romance.
ReplyDeleteThe first romance book I read was Johanna Lindsey. I picked up a few books but it was her Malory series that drew me in -- and gave me my love for romance series over standalone books. The characters were so vibrant and entertaining and it really made me love historicals as well.
ReplyDeleteMy first romance read was Saving Grace by Julie Garwood. I thought it was the most epic thing I have ever read considering I was just getting out of Sweet Valley High novels with all their teen angst. This was a whole other world, not just being a historical novel, but it showed me a whole new side to romance which I love!
ReplyDeletemaybe pride and prejudice
ReplyDeleteI don't remember for sure, but I think the first pure romance I read was Georgette Heyer's Venetia. Before that, I read my father's and brother's Zane Grey and Edgar Rice Burroughs books, which, while not romances, per se, had a fair amount of romance in them.
ReplyDeleteSadly, that was so long and so many books ago that I can't remember. Perhaps it was Georgette Heyer or Sylvia Thorpe or Patricia Veryan, lol. Thanks for the giveaway, and it's always great to get a peek into Cathy's life, thanks for sharing the links and kudos to her and her fantastic family for their service and sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteI would guess that it was Georgette Heyer or Victoria Holt.... I'm older that dirt!
ReplyDeleteI don't remember the very first book... do remember being mad for Jane Austen's P&P. When I started going to the army library I noticed all those romance novels and started reading more of them. Julia Quinn was an immediate favorite of mine, Elizabeth Boyle, Elloisa James, Stephanie Laurens. I guess the historicals are my cup of tea :)
ReplyDeleteThe first book was by Lavryle Spence but I am not sure which title since I read a bunch of her stories at once.
ReplyDeleteI am not quiet sure which one it was, because it was still in German. I think it was one of the classic authors Johanna Lindsey or Julie Garwood
ReplyDeleteThe first romance book that I can remember reading is a Sherrilyn Kenyon book. Lol. It's PNR, but still romance. ;)
ReplyDeleteNow I cannot get enough of them!
I have yet to read a book by Cathy Maxwell, but she is on my TBR.
Thank you for sharing the convention info also, Kim.