Friday, November 29, 2013

Aloha to St. Andrew's Day with Cathy Maxwell and Scottish Romances


From the lone shielding of the misty island 
Mountains divide us and the waste of seas – 
Yet still the blood is strong, the heart is Highland, 
And we in dreams behold the Hebrides! 
John Galt 1779-1839 Scottish writer 


Today the Scots celebrate their country's patron Saint, Saint Andrew. They will proudly wave the Saltire - the blue flag with a white cross that represents Scotland's independence.  I have been blessed to visit Alba twice ... and I visited Alba after reading my first romance novel, Cathy Maxwell's A MARRIAGE CONTRACT. Cathy is my go-to-author for Regency Scottish Romance ... she always delivers heartwarming moments and humor laced dialogue.

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Cathy is sponsoring a special giveaway at Fresh Fiction (link),

I am so grateful for my readers and for the chance to do what I do, I want to celebrate this Season of Gratitude with a special contest.

THREE lucky readers can win an autographed copy of one of my books plus a set of heart shaped measuring spoons. This will make your holiday baking special because we all know love can only be measured by what we put into it, no?

I'll also include a set of bookmarks for my TWO new books THE BRIDE SAYS NO and THE BRIDE SAYS MAYBE. They'll be out on the shelves this coming February and March.

And to everyone--

May your holidays be full of the joy of love!

All my best,

Cathy


Plus Cathy is giving away the same prize here at SOS Aloha! To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about Scotland ... if you could visit one place, what would it be?  A castle?  A city?  A distillery?

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, December 7, 10 pm in Baltimore.   I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 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.

To learn more about St. Andrew's, check out this link.

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Coming in 2014


Thursday, November 28, 2013

Aloha to Ellen Butler and SECOND CHANCE CHRISTMAS


Oh, Black Friday is too busy for me ... I'd rather focus on romance books! Today Ellen Butler joins me for a cozy chat to promote her new novella, SECOND CHANCE CHRISTMAS.

Kim: Washington, DC - what is your favorite sight, sound, and smell?

Ellen: This is a tough one. There are so many amazing sights in the DC area it’s tough to choose only one. However, I think my favorite would have to be the Lincoln Memorial. There is something majestic about the enormous bronze statue of this illustrious president, yet Lincoln’s kindly expression always made me want to climb into his lap.

My favorite sound would have to be the sound of snowfall. DC is such a busy area with horns beeping, trucks rumbling along and planes flying overhead, but every once in a while we get socked in with snow. Offices close and streets become impassable, and all you hear is the quiet plopping of snow, muffling pedestrian’s steps.

As for my favorite smell, that one is easy. There is a cupcake shop in Georgetown, and when you open the door the scent of sugary goodness wafts past. You take a breath and all your cares and worries float away as the smell envelops you like a warm blanket, and you’re feet automatically take you to the display case of beautifully decorated, tiny little cakes of paradise.

Kim: Who or what helped you transition to "dry professional newsletters" to strong female characters in women's fiction?

Ellen: I’ve always had an over active imagination. I’d read a book or watch a TV show and think, “what would happen if…” and my mind would spin all sorts of tales. However, when I worked for a medical association, there was no place for creative writing. My writing consisted of reports, articles, promotional materials, business correspondence, blah, blah…you get the picture. I remember getting dinged by the company’s editors for using fanciful language and my articles would get cut down to the necessary facts.

However, when my children were born I quit work to stay at home, and my imagination still flowed. I wrote a few outlines, created characters, and ended up stuffing it all in a drawer. When the second child went to preschool and I finally had a few hours of peace to myself, I reached into that drawer and started typing.

Kim: What inspired SECOND CHANCE CHRISTMAS?

Ellen: I’ve lived in the DC area for almost thirty years. Living here comes military – friends, neighbors, colleagues, family. I have the utmost respect for our soldiers and their spouses. Military wives are a part of my life, and I’m proud to have so many of them as my friends. The wives inspired Second Chance Christmas, and it is the reason the dedication reads –

This book is dedicated to all military wives; the nation’s backbone behind our soldiers.

Kim: What's next for Ellen Butler?

Ellen: I have a Women’s Fiction novel titled Poplar Place coming out March 25. It will be available via ebook at Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Smashwords. My agent is currently querying publishers for the first book of a romance trilogy titled Heart of Design, and I am writing the second book of the trilogy, Planning for Love. For blurbs and more information about upcoming novels please visit my website at www.ellenbutler.net.


Mahalo, Ellen, for making my Black Friday a little more romantic! I am looking forward to reading SECOND CHANCE CHRISTMAS:

Prominent DC attorney Emma Taylor is pulled away from a promising date the week before Christmas to pick up her ex-fiance from the ER after a bar fight. She's in no mood to re-open old wounds, but it’s Christmas and she can’t just leave him alone and injured.

Eight hundred eighty-four days. That’s how much time has passed since Major Colton Evans made the biggest mistake of his life. Even after two tours of duty and too much shrapnel in his leg, it’s still the loss of Emma that haunts him. And if he can win her back, he’ll take any chance.

When she insists he stay with her during the holiday, they put out enough sexual electricity to rival the most decorated house on the block. But will it be enough to light the way to a future together?

Ellen offers a jolly excerpt ....

“Beg for mercy.” He slid a hand under my silky blouse and tickled my belly.

“Mercy! Mercy!” I cried.

He immediately stopped his onslaught. My breathing took a few minutes to get in order, but my heart continued to pound as Colton’s humorous demeanor turned serious and his chocolate gaze melted my bones. I froze, unable to turn away, as our game instantly morphed from playful to erotic. His touch turned firm and glided along my torso, stroking the soft flesh below the bra line. For once, libido overruled my good sense and instead of pushing him away, I shivered with anticipation.

Unhurriedly, he eased down to graze my lips. The contact electrified me, sending zings throughout my body, making me tremble. A delicate sigh escaped as his teeth nipped along my jawline before returning to my mouth, this time applying gentle pressure. I opened for him and quietly moaned as his torrid tongue swept along mine, tasting and exploring. My hand glided along his velvet-soft clipped hair, and he shuddered. The tender and undemanding kiss warmed my body and created a molten glow in my nether regions. Eventually, it drew to a close and we broke apart. Silent, we gazed, trying to gauge the other’s reaction. My breath slowed to normal and Colton pulled away.

“Some things never change,” I uttered and touched my swollen lips.

“You’re not going to slap me, are you?”

“Smart ass.”

“Gotta put those extra brains somewhere.” He flashed a smile.

We were pathetic. Neither one of us knew what to do about the kiss. It was so different from Saturday’s near miss, full of hormones and regrets. This one was full of tenderness and affection, and dare I say…hope.


SECOND CHANCE CHRISTMAS is available from:

Amazon link
Barnes & Noble link
iBookstore link
Kobo link

Ellen is also offering a holiday giveaway - a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card (winner’s choice) at this link.

Happy reading!

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City


Aloha to Forever's 12 Days of Christmas Blog Tour with Jill Shalvis, Kristen Ashley, Hope Ramsay, Molly Cannon, and Marilyn Pappano



Forever is counting down the 12 days leading up to the release of the anthology A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER with Jill Shalvis, Kristen Ashley, Hope Ramsay, Molly Cannon, and Marilyn Pappano (link).

On the fifth day of Christmas, my favorite authors gave to me ....

..... 5 Best Holiday Stories!

Marilyn:  One year when we lived in Georgia, we decided to surprise my mom for Christmas. The rest of the family knew we were coming, so they all found an excuse to show up at Mom's house the evening we were due to arrive. The surprise was on us, though, when we hit an ice storm in Arkansas and had to spend an extra night on the road. The family went home without saying anything to Mom, so she was shocked when we finally got there the next day. Oh, and despite my sisters' best efforts to stop her, she'd shipped our gifts to Georgia anyway. 

Molly:  One year early in our marriage we went to Houston to spend the holidays with my mother and stepdad. My mother was gone to the grocery store, and we were sitting in the living room talking and waiting for her return. The backdoor opened and she came in and put the groceries down and came in to say hello. As we were getting up to greet her, she got a funny look on her face and started frantically taking her pants off. Then she started yelling, “I’ve got ants in my pants.” She got them off before they bit her too badly, thank goodness! And my poor husband got to see a whole new side of his mother-in-law. 

Hope:  Every Christmas for the last few decades, since my kids were little, I’ve made gingerbread cookies. The kids always had a lot of fun rolling out the dough and cutting the cookies with festive cookie cutters. But the best part of making gingerbread is decorating and icing the cookies. I use royal icing in a number of colors that kids can paint on using brushes. Well, one year my husband’s Aunt Frances came visiting for the holidays. She was in her 80s, but she was spry as a spring chicken. She was also an award-wining watercolor artist. She wasn’t about to be left out of the decorating cookies with a watercolor brush. What she did to those cookies was truly amazing. We had gingerbread women wearing fancy bridal gowns, and their consorts in tuxes. These were the most gorgeous gingerbread men and women you ever saw in your life. No one wanted to eat the cookies they were so beautiful. Aunt Frances lived to be 94. She passed away last year. But every year, when we bake cookies, the family gathers around the table to ice the ginger bread men and we all remember Frances and the year she made cookies that were too beautiful to eat. 

Kristen:  Holidays have much to do with tradition and even as a very untraditional person, I still love the tradition of holidays.

I had long been away from my close family at Christmas having lived in England for nearly a decade and travel being too expensive during the holidays. So when I moved back to The States, I was excited to jump back into family holidays and their traditions. For us, this included Christmas morning opening of presents and the feeding frenzy and movie orgy that would go through the day.

Alas, last year, my brother-in-law, who’s a pilot, found out that he was going to be flying Christmas Day so Christmas morning was out. We were going to have to celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve.

It was a little shocking how sad this was for all of us. Mostly that John wouldn’t be with us, of course, but also bucking tradition that had stood strong for the “adults” for over four decades.

But the most important part of the celebration of Christmas is doing it with family. So Christmas Eve it was, in order that we could be with John.

And…it…was…a…BLAST!

First, if you open up presents Christmas Eve night, you have absolutely no qualms downing a bottle and a half of prosecco all by yourself. This will lead you to being very tipsy which will lead you to being quite emotional during some present openings and, finally, when your family gives you an awesome pink Schwinn as the final present of the night, you will get on it in your jammies and ride down the street after midnight.

It was phenomenal. We loved it. Every one of us. We even talked about doing the same this year, just because it was so awesome.

The thing we all knew, though, was that it was awesome because we were all together. Christmas present giving can happen in the morning, in the night, the day before, the day after, a week later, in your living room, in your sister’s living room, on the moon and it would be awesome.

Just as long as the people you love are there.

Jill:  One year we all got stuck in an airport on Christmas Eve (ever been stuck in an airport with three little kids?). We got home cranky and tired and annoyed at 4 in the morning, with no one in a holiday mood. The house was frozen (we'd forgotten to leave heat on) and it took awhile for the wood stove to heat up so we all huddled around it and ended up staying up to watch the sunrise and open gifts and make breakfast together. It turned out to be the Best Morning Ever. 

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Mahalo, Forever, for sharing holiday cheer with us!  I am giving away an ecopy of A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER to one randomly selected commenter:

Curl up with this heartwarming Christmas collection!

Jill Shalvis, Dream a Little Dream: Melissa has kept every man at a safe distance-especially firefighter Ian, a sexy friend with sexy benefits. But Ian secretly longs for more. Luckily, 'tis the season for giving love a chance . . .

Kristen Ashley, Every Year: Holidays don't come easy for Shy and his brother, Landon. But with the magic of Christmas, along with a little help from Tabby and her family, the Cage brothers are about to get the gift of a lifetime . . .

Hope Ramsay, Silent Night: Down on her luck and evicted from her apartment, single mother Maryanne hopes to start over in Last Chance. When the snow begins to fall, it looks like her baby might literally spend Christmas Eve in a manger. And Maryanne might celebrate the holiday with a handsome stranger.

Molly Cannon, Have Yourself a Messy Little Christmas: Lincoln is a bachelor who's set in his ways-until a professional organizer dressed up as Mrs. Claus changes his life, one tip at a time. . .

Marilyn Pappano, A Family for Christmas: War widow Ilena doesn't mind spending Christmas alone. But when a new doctor blows into town with the winter wind, will she get her secret Christmas wish?

To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about your favorite food from yesterday - perhaps you celebrated Thanksgiving or perhaps you just had a delicious meal!

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Check out the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Tour:

12 Best gifts (11/22): Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
11 Worst/funniest gifts (11/23): Smexy Books
10 Quotes from your novellas (11/24): Bookish Escape
9 Items on your Holiday List (11/25):  Hesperia Loves Books 
8 Favorite holiday movies (11/26): Book Bliss
7 Things on your holiday wish list (11/27): Tiffany Talks Books
6 New Year’s resolution (11/28): Cocktails And Books 
5 Best Holiday Stories (11/29):  SOS Aloha
4 Holiday favorite foods (11/30): Stitch Read Cook
3 Books to read during the holidays (12/1):  The Window Seat
2 Holiday songs (12/2:  Kindles And Wine
1 Holiday recipe (12/3):  Taking Time For Mommy


Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Aloha to SECRET SANTA - A Holiday Anthology by Fern Michaels, Marie Bostwick, Laura Levine, and Cindy Myers

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I listen to WGTS 91.9, contemporary Christian music, in my car (link).   This week, the DJ announced that WGTS will only play Christmas after Thanksgiving.  I agree with this philosophy, as Thanksgiving is often lost in the holiday hustle.  Yet here I am, promoting holiday books on my blog!  I do so to make sure readers receive books in plenty of time to read before Christmas.  Today I spotlight SECRET SANTA, a holiday anthology from Kensington (link):

Christmas is the time for miracles, mayhem, and holiday romance in these wonderful stories from four of today's most beloved authors…

"Mister Christmas" by Fern Michaels

A week before Christmas, attorney Claire O'Brien is summoned to Ireland to change her wealthy client's will--only to encounter resistance from his handsome nephew. Will Claire be forced to spend the holidays up close and personal with her irresistible Irish nemesis?

"The Yellow Rose of Christmas" by Marie Bostwick

Though Miss Velvet Tudmore wrote off romance years ago, rumor has it she has a secret admirer. And when her surprise suitor promises to reveal himself at the annual Christmas ball in Too Much, Texas, Velvet starts to wonder: is it ever too late to find love?

"Nightmare on Elf Street" by Laura Levine

Aside from the mortifying costume, how bad can a gig as a mall Santa's elf be? Jaine Austen finds out when she's teamed up with the Santa from Hell. But things go from bad to worse when he's found murdered on the job--and Jaine is a suspect. Now all she wants for Christmas is to find the real killer…

"Room at the Inn" by Cindy Myers

When a Rocky Mountain blizzard forces Barb and her husband to spend Christmas in a remote Colorado cabin with their fellow travelers, Barb struggles to cope--especially when her husband reveals troubling news. But sometimes a holiday shake-up is all a woman needs to discover what she's truly made of….


Lucky is ready for the holidays ... 

I requested to review this anthology for Laura Levine - I love her books with Jaine Austen, a freelance writer in LA whose best customer is a plumber seeking clever ads.   Jaine accidentally solves murders in this cozy mystery series with Prozac, her self absorbed cat, and Lance, her self absorbed neighbor.   NIGHTMARE ON ELF STREET hit the spot - I laughed all the way through this short story.   Highly recommend for longtime fans and new readers seeking a laugh out loud escape.   

I also enjoyed the other stories in this anthology - they were more sentimental.  I am giving away a print copy of SECRET SANTA to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Have you ever dressed as Santa, an elf, or a reindeer for any reason?   I have not, but I once wrapped gifts with another military spouse who had.  At a previous base, the commander's spouse ordered "sexy elf" costumes for the other spouses to wear during gift wrapping.   Hmmm, I don't think I look too sexy in a too short dress, covered with tape!

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

... and so is Zsa Zsa!


Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Aloha to Crista McHugh, EIGHT TINY FLAMES, AND A VERY SCANDALOUS HOLIDAY (part 2)

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Crista McHugh graciously resent her guest post for EIGHT TINY FLAMES after Yahoo ate it as an early Thanksgiving snack.  Mahalo, Crista, for your extra effort!

Inspiration for Eight Tiny Flames

When I saw the call for this anthology, I wanted to do something outside the usual Regency/Victorian Christmas story. As a former USAF physician, I’ve always been fascinated by the history of battlefield medicine, and the fact that the Battle of the Bulge was fought during the 1944 holiday season gave me an opportunity to combine my love of history with a chance to tell a holiday story that was a bit unusual. But I never expected to discover some truly heroic stories during my research.

The first thing that really got this story churning in my mind was a picture Sarah Sundin (who writes fabulous WW2 romances) posted on her Pintrest board. It was of Muriel Phillips, a Jewish Army nurse who’d been captured by the Nazis during the Battle of the Bulge. It gave me the inspiration for my heroine, Ruth.

When I started investigating the medical units in WW2 and where they were around the holidays, I found a story of a brave group of doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel from the 67th Evacuation Hospital who volunteered to stay the night with their patients during the start of the Battle of Bulge when the German forces were close enough to trigger an evacuation order. About 200 patients were deemed too ill for immediate transfer, and these brave men and women chose to put the safety of their patients before their own personal safety.

And the night they stayed happened to be the eighth night of Hanukkah 1944.

File:US Navy 041218-N-3236B-015 A World War II U.S. Army veteran and Nurse who served in the Battle of the Bulge, stands and watches as several speeches, presentations and a 21-gun salute are made.jpg
Lt. Katherine Nolan, Army nurse in the Battle of the Bulge,
was photographed at the 60th Anniversary.
Photo by US Navy
Public Domain (link)

Mahalo, Crista, for sharing your research.  I've known several military medical personnel and they all demonstrate a dedication to the mission ... and their patients!   Crista is offering an ecopy of A VERY SCANDALOUS HOLIDAY to one randomly commenter.  

Entangled Publishing presents… A Very Scandalous Holiday Anthology. Four very spirited vignettes of holidays past.

Erin’s Gift by Nancy Fraser
Chicago 1920
Widower, Seth Harrison, has no intention of falling in love again but will he be able to resist the sweetness of his son’s nanny, Erin O’Mara – his sister’s best friend?

An Eternity of You by Sophia Garrett
England 1833
The Duke of Sharrington left Rebecca with more than a broken heart six years ago – he left her with a son. He’s rekindled their passion with his return, but it will take a Christmas miracle to earn her heart.

Letters at Christmas by Amber Lin
England, late Regency
After three years at sea, Captain Hale Prescott has the means to marry the love of his life and his best friend’s sister. Sidony Harbeck, however, might never speak to him again. Despite their whispered adolescent promises, he never wrote her a single letter… at least none he ever sent.

Eight Tiny Flames by Crista McHugh
1944 Ardennes, WWII
Lt. Ruth Mencher has always secretly admired Capt. Joseph Klein, but it takes the lighting of a Hanukkah candle to uncover the spark of mutual attraction. Each night awakens a new facet of their relationship, but as the Battle of the Bulge begins, the approaching Nazi forces threaten to tear them apart.

To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about what you know about World War II .... I was blessed to live in both Europe and Hawaii to visit WWII sites from the European and Pacific theaters.

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about Crista and her books, check out her website cristamchugh.com.

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Aloha to Crista McHugh, EIGHT TINY FLAMES, AND A VERY SCANDALOUS HOLIDAY

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Crista McHugh prepared a guest post about the real events that inspired her WW2 Hanukkah novella, EIGHT TINY FLAMES, part of the anthology A VERY SCANDALOUS HOLIDAY.

But Yahoo ate it.

So I am going to wing this for my fellow RomVet - Crista served in the USAF!  From her bio (link),

Growing up in small town Alabama, I relied on story-telling as a natural way for me to pass the time and keep my two younger sisters entertained.

I currently live in the Audi-filled suburbs of Seattle with my husband and two children, maintaining my alter ego of mild-mannered physician by day while I continue to pursue writing on nights and weekends.

I am an active member of the Romance Writers of America (including the FF&P , Greater Seattle Chapter, and the Seattle EastsideChapters), Absolute Write, and Romance Divas.

Just for laughs, here are some of the jobs I’ve had in the past to pay the bills: barista, bartender, sommelier, stagehand, actress, morgue attendant, and autopsy assistant.

And I’m also a recovering LARPer. (I blame it on my crazy college days)


For the latest updates and answers to any burning questions you have, please check out my blog.


Entangled Publishing presents… A Very Scandalous Holiday Anthology. Four very spirited vignettes of holidays past.

Erin’s Gift by Nancy Fraser
Chicago 1920
Widower, Seth Harrison, has no intention of falling in love again but will he be able to resist the sweetness of his son’s nanny, Erin O’Mara – his sister’s best friend?

An Eternity of You by Sophia Garrett
England 1833
The Duke of Sharrington left Rebecca with more than a broken heart six years ago – he left her with a son. He’s rekindled their passion with his return, but it will take a Christmas miracle to earn her heart.

Letters at Christmas by Amber Lin
England, late Regency
After three years at sea, Captain Hale Prescott has the means to marry the love of his life and his best friend’s sister. Sidony Harbeck, however, might never speak to him again. Despite their whispered adolescent promises, he never wrote her a single letter… at least none he ever sent.

Eight Tiny Flames by Crista McHugh
1944 Ardennes, WWII
Lt. Ruth Mencher has always secretly admired Capt. Joseph Klein, but it takes the lighting of a Hanukkah candle to uncover the spark of mutual attraction. Each night awakens a new facet of their relationship, but as the Battle of the Bulge begins, the approaching Nazi forces threaten to tear them apart.

File:Hanukkah-US-Military-GITMO-Dec-28-08.jpg
Navy personnel celebrate Hanukkah
Public Domain (link)

When we lived in the Netherlands, we paid tribute to the Battle of the Bulge by visiting Bastogne.  From Wikipedia (link),

On December 16, taking advantage of the cold and the fog, the German artillery started the Battle of the Bulge by attacking the sparsely deployed American troops around Bastogne. A few days later, Brigadier General McAuliffe and the 101st Airborne Division along with elements of the 10th Armored Division (United States) and the 82nd airborne arrived to counter-attack but, after heavy fighting, became encircled within the town. On December 22, German emissaries asked for the American surrender, to which the General answered quite briefly, “Nuts!” The next day, the weather cleared up, allowing air retaliation and the parachuting of much needed food, medicine, and weaponry. On December 26, troops under the command of General Patton broke the deadlock. The official end of the Battle of Bastogne only occurred three weeks later, when all fighting finally stopped.

Across the border in the Netherlands, American troops prepared for the battle by worshiping in the Maastricht limestone caves.  Check out this link from the Stars and Stripes about the Midnight Mass ... and now I am curious about how soldiers celebrated Hanukkah.   Stay tuned for the lost article from Crista!  In honor of military personnel celebrating the holidays around the world, I am giving away an ecopy of A VERY SCANDALOUS HOLIDAY to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about the upcoming holiday - do you have a special tradition?

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

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Aloha to Tracy Solheim and FOOLISH GAMES


This weekend, we are rooting for the Meade Mustangs as they challenge the Suitland Rams in the Maryland State High School semifinals.  The Mustangs hail from Fort Meade ... and several players have deployed parents.   One such player is named Will ... and that's the name of the hero in Tracy Solheim's football romance, FOOLISH GAMES.  Tracy joins me for a cozy chat as part of her blog tour.   I asked her a few questions about her website bio (link).


Kim:  We are nosy here at SOS Aloha - what is your favorite sight, sound, and smell of Georgia?

Tracy:  Great question! Georgia is one of those diverse states with the ocean, farmland and mountains all within its borders. My favorite sight is probably the huge Ferris wheel along the Atlanta skyline. It’s a distinct accent for the city to have. The sound I like the best would be the hoof beats against the sand at the farm where my daughter rides her horse. It’s a peaceful sound that relaxes me. I’m going to be cliché and say my favorite smell is of fresh peaches in the summertime. (My South Carolina family would argue that the peaches are better in their state and they might be right!)

Kim:  As I write this, we are going on Day 7 of the government shutdown. I'm sure your work with Congress (and masters in Legislative Affairs) gave you a peek into challenge of politics. Any tidbit you can share (no names) that demonstrates fact is stranger than fiction?

Tracy:  Oh the things I could tell you! For the most part, most of the staffers working in Congress and for the government are intelligent, hardworking people. Unfortunately a few do represent the pervasive stereotype, however. One elected official used to show up to hearings and promptly fall asleep.  It was as if he had narcolepsy because when it was his turn to ask questions, his staffer would prod him awake and he’d carry on the conversation without missing a beat!

Kim:  This past summer, my kids and I visited hubby in Korea and we spent a week in Seoul. Loved it! Do you have a special memory from your brief stint at the Seoul Olympics?

Tracy:  I love Seoul! My parents lived there for three years. Great shopping and the Korean people are wonderful! Working at the Olympics was definitely my dream job. I’d always wanted to work in sports broadcasting. I think my favorite memory was the night we snuck out of the International Broadcast Center and went to the swimming finals. I sat next to Janet Evans’ parents as she won two of her three Olympic gold medals. The American team dominated that night and it was fun to watch it in person rather than from the studio.

Kim:  Given you wide range of experience, from Congress to Olympics, what inspired you to write about football? Who is your favorite team and favorite player?


Tracy:  I guess you could say I’m a frustrated sports writer at heart, but I love writing—and reading—books centered around sports. I can thank my dad for that. He introduced me to Dick Francis novels when I was a teenager and I was hooked. I’m also a big fan of the happily ever after endings of romance novels, so it was only natural that I combined the two elements. I’m a big hockey and baseball fan, but living in the heart of SEC country, football tends to trump all sports. Plus, I think it’s a sport that—even if people don’t follow it closely—they know the basics about it. The game is an integral part of our society.

Being a graduate of the University of Tennessee, it goes without saying that my favorite player is Peyton Manning. I cheer for the home team, the Atlanta Falcons, but my Redskin roots are buried pretty deeply.

Kim:  What's next for Tracy Solheim?

Tracy:  I just finished a novella that will be the prequel to my May, 2014 release, Risky Game (Brody’s story). Numbers Game is the story of a CPA who encounters an old college flame when she comes to Baltimore to audit the Blaze’s books before the team’s new owner takes over. The football player who broke her heart a decade ago has recently traded his helmet for a coach’s headset. It was a bit of a challenge to write a complete story with such a short word count, but I think the reader will be satisfied. As with the entire Out of Bounds series, there are characters from previous books featured in the novella. Look for it sometime in March or April.

To find out more about Tracy Solheim, visit her at:

Website: tracysolheim.com

Facebook: facebook.com/TracySolheimBooks

Twitter: twitter.com/TracyKSolheim

Goodreads: link


About Foolish Games:

SOMETIMES THE BEST DEFENSE IS A STRONG OFFENSE….

Bridal gown designer, Julianne Marchione knows better than to lose her head at a client’s wedding. But much to her embarrassment, a mix of migraine medication and a smoking hot football player lead to a steamy one night stand resulting in a surprise pregnancy. Julianne has every intention of leaving her NFL hookup far in the past until her son, Owen, is born with a life-threatening blood disorder that requires a transfusion—and Julianne is not a match.

Will “William the Conqueror” Connelly grew up tough shouldering the stigma of being a bastard child born on the wrong side of the tracks. He refuses to let any child face the same discrimination. When he finds out about Owen, he’s furious that Julianne kept his son a secret. But when he sees her again at the hospital, he realizes that his feelings for her go far beyond anger.

Will insists that Owen recuperate at his home in North Carolina, and he’s adamant that Julianne become his wife—even if it’s only a temporary marriage in name only. But will their simmering attraction ever lead to a real connection? Or are they just playing foolish games?

Buy links:

Amazon link

B&N link

iBooks link

Books-a-million link

Indiebound link

Powell’s link

Tracy is giving away a $50 Amazon gift card and signed copies of GAME ON and FOOLISH GAMES to one random winner.


Tour Schedule:

November 24- Ramblings From This Chick ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com

November 26- Herding Cats and Burning Soup 
herdingcats-burningsoup.com

November 27- SOS Aloha 
sosaloha.blogspot.com

November 29- The Book Pushers 
thebookpushers.com

November 30- Romancing Rakes For The Love of Romance romancingrakes4theluvofromance.blogspot.com

December 2- What I’m Reading 
sillymelody.blogspot.com

December 3- Book Binge 
bookbinge.com

December 5- The Romance Dish
theromancedish.com

December 6- Stitch Read Cook 
stitchreadcook.com

plus Seductive Musings 
seductivemusings.blogspot.com

December 7- Give Me Books 

December 8- Eclectic Passions 

December 10- The Book Queen’s Palace
tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspot.com

December 11- Ms Romantic Reads
msromanticreads.wordpress.com

December 12- Cocktails and Books 
cocktailsandbooks.com

December 13- Rookie Romance
rookieromance.blogspot.com

December 14- Miss Ivy’s Book Nook seawitchreviewsfromthebookshelf.wordpress.com

Check out this link for the full schedule.   


Let's show some love for Tracy - a military brat herself - with a special giveaway!  I am offering a military tote bag plus Korean book mark to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Who is your favorite football team and/or player?  It can be American football ... or the other football played around the world!

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 30, 10 pm in Korea.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

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Monday, November 25, 2013

Aloha to Amanda Forester and A MIDSUMMER BRIDE

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On this day in 1778, Captain Cook came ashore to Maui, making him the first European to visit the Valley Isle.   Cook's accomplishments in the Pacific set the bar high for the Royal Navy during the Georgian Era.  Unfortunately, the Royal Navy would set the bar low during the Regency Era with "press gangs".  Amanda Forester joins us today with a special post about "press gangs" in her new release, A MIDSUMMER BRIDE, Book Two in the Marriage Mart series ...

Ka'anapali, Maui

Harriet Redgrave is an unconventional heroine for an English Regency romance – she's not even English! I got the idea for Midsummer Bride after I learned that during the Napoleonic Wars, the Royal Navy routinely turned to impressments, the taking of sailors by force to serve in the navy, in order to man their 600 ship fleet. Press gangs could operate both on land and at sea. By British law, any officer of the Royal Navy could, if the need arose, stop another seagoing vessel and press eligible men into service of the navy.

I was astounded to learn that the British navy could stop another ship and impress the English sailors into service. Could you imagine if the navy did that today? Early in the 19th century, British frigates often stationed themselves outside U.S. harbors in order to search American vessels for contraband or men they considered eligible for impressments. Since Britain did not recognize American naturalized citizenship, they considered anyone of British descent to be fair game for impressments. Obviously, Americans were none too pleased about this practice, and it became one of the reasons America declared war on Britain during the war of 1812.

I wondered what would happen if an American heiress, and granddaughter to a British earl, were on a ship seized by the Royal Navy. I enjoy stories that throw people out of their element to experience a completely different life. Harriet is taken, most unwillingly, to England where her aristocratic grandfather hires a matchmaker to find her a titled husband. Through her eyes, I was able to experience Regency society from the perspective of an outsider. As an author I had a lot of fun with Harriet running amuck in polite (and not so polite) English society. Add a handsome Scottish earl and a few nefarious French spies and you have a recipe for romance!

A Midsummer Bride is the second book in the Marriage Mart Series. Miss Harriet Redgrave, a horrendously rich American heiress, laughs too loud, states her opinion directly, and even conducts science experiments. Her aristocratic grandfather is desperate to get her respectably wed and is offering a king's ransom to anyone able to arrange a suitable marriage that comes with a title. In contrast, Harriet is interested in science and avoiding matrimony – until she meets Duncan Maclachlan, Earl of Thornton. Thornton has sworn to never marry for money, but is drawn to the irrepressible Harriet. What begins as friendship, and a desire to prevent his castle from being destroyed by some chemistry experiments gone wrong, sparks into a reaction that threatens to consume them both.

Often it is the hero who is cast as the outsider in romance stories, but do you also enjoy the heroine as the outsider? Comment for a chance to win a copy of A Midsummer Bride!

Thanks so much for inviting me. I hope a little A Midsummer Bride will warm your hearts this holiday season! I love to hear from readers so come visit me at my website, Facebook, or Twitter.


File:Caricature-1780-press gang.jpg
1780 caricature of a press gang
Public Domain (link)

Mahalo, Amanda, for joining us today.   Sourcebooks is giving away a print copy of A MIDSUMMER BRIDE to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about science - do you find it intriguing?  I struggled with high school chemistry but enjoyed Physics! 

2.  This giveaway is open to readers in the US and Canada.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 30, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

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Aloha to Megan Mulry's IN LOVE AGAIN

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The day after Thanksgiving may be Black Friday to savvy shoppers, but it will be Release Day for Megan Multry's IN LOVE AGAIN, Book Three in her Unruly Royals series (link),

SECOND CHANCE...The Marchioness of Wick is about to get a second chance at life...whether she wants it or not. After twenty years in a loveless marriage to a duplicitous British aristocrat, Claire Heyworth Barnes finds herself broke and alone. Encouraged by her dynamic American sisters-in-law, the shy royal decides to start over in New York City. When she lands a job with a famous interior designer, Claire accidentally reconnects with the first—and only—man she ever loved.

FIRST LOVE...Benjamin Hayek has never forgiven Claire for the heartless way she left him when they were teenagers in the south of France. And even if he could, Claire's not sure she has the courage to contend with how he makes her feel. Can they build a new love from an old flame? Or will a bitter history and a complicated future stand in their way?


To celebrate IN LOVE AGAIN, let's play Six Degrees of Separation:

1.  On this day in 1922, Pharaoh Tutankhamum's tomb is opened for the first time in 3000 years by archaeologist Howard Carter and his sponsor Lord Carnarvon.

2.  Lord Carnarvon's ancestral home is Highclere Castle, a 1000 estate in Hampshire, England.

3.  Highclere Castle has an alter ego - Downton Abbey on PBS's popular Edwardian series of the same name.

File:Highclere Castle.jpg
Highclere Castle
Image by JB + UK_Planet (link)
Creative Commons Attribution (link)

4.  Downton Abbey follows the aristocratic antics of the Earl of Grantham and his family.

5.  The Earl is married to an American heiress; the show details their family's dance around "class" with their peers and their servants.

6.  Megan Mulry's Unruly Royals features a contemporary "class" conflict - an aristocrat romances an American  businesswoman in A ROYAL PAIN, his younger brother romances an American heiress in THE SHOE FITS, and his younger sister will be romanced by an American businessmen in R IS FOR REBEL (coming February 2014).

IN LOVE AGAIN is the story of the older sister ... demonstrating that love transcends class and oceans.   I am giving away an ecopy of IN LOVE AGAIN.   To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about Downton Abbey - are you a fan?

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about Megan and her books, check out her website at meganmulry.com.

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Sunday, November 24, 2013

Aloha to Jill Shalvis and CHRISTMAS IN LUCKY HARBOR

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On this day in 1984, 36 musicians recorded Band Aid's DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS to raise funds (and awareness) for famine relief in Ethiopia.   Here's a link to the artists who participated in this humanitarian effort.

I know its Christmas with the holiday romances lined up on my bookshelf, including Jill Shalvis' holiday anthology, CHRISTMAS IN LUCKY HARBOR:

Love awaits you in Lucky Harbor . . .

Simply Irresistible
After losing her boyfriend and her job, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim her inheritance-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. She sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if she can give the inn the makeover it needs. Enter Jax, a tall, handsome contractor who knows exactly what Maddie needs...

The Sweetest Thing
Helping her sister set up the family inn is just the thing to make Tara forget her ex-husband and focus on her new life. Until she meets a sexy, green-eyed sailor determined to keep her hot, bothered, and in his bed. When her ex reappears, Tara must confront her past and decide what she really wants.

Kissing Santa Claus
NASCAR driver Logan Perrish returns to Lucky Harbor, Washington, with love in his heart and a ring in his pocket. But can Sandy Jansen forget the past and give him a second chance? Or will Logan be spending another Christmas alone?

Under the Mistletoe
There's no place like home for the holidays. And the Lucky Harbor Bed & Breakfast is bursting with festive lights and good cheer. But for Mia, Christmas is turning out to be anything other than merry and bright. Her recent break-up with her boyfriend Nick has made her return bittersweet. But then a surprise arrives, when Nick follows her to town bearing gifts - and asking for forgiveness.


I am giving away a print copy of CHRISTMAS IN LUCKY HARBOR to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Have you kissed Santa Claus ... or another jolly fellow under the mistletoe?  

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.   I'll most the winner on Sunday, December 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

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

Once-in-a-Lifetime-cover_hi-resItsInHisKiss_FINAL_layers-copy

Coming in 2014 






Saturday, November 23, 2013

Holiday Giveaway - NO PLACE LIKE HOME by Linda Lael Miller, Kat Miller, Mary Carter, and Laura Florand



There's nothing more festive than a winter romance, and in these heart-warming stories, love is a gift that can take you by surprise. . .

The 24 Days Of Christmas by Linda Lael Miller

A matchbox advent calendar first brought Frank Rayner and Addie Hutton together. But that was years ago. There's no way the miracles of Christmas--and the magic of true love--could possibly be hidden under one of its tiny flaps. Or could they?

Christmas Angel by Kat Martin


When Angel Summers' first love, Josh Coltraine, joined the Army, she vowed to hate him forever. But now he's back in Savannah for the holidays--wishing for a miracle that could heal both their hearts.

The Christmas Carousel by Mary Carter

Single mom Georgia Bradley can't afford to fight the developers who want to tear down her beloved Rhode Island auction house--especially Adam Cavalier. But when she receives a mysterious gift, Adam becomes intrigued with its origin--and with Georgia...

A Rose In Winter By Laura Florand

Allegra Caldron knew the rule never to talk to strangers. But on a cold winter night in Provence, she breaks that rule--and more--with an irresistible man. Raoul Rosier seems thrillingly dangerous, yet why does Allegra feel so safe with him--even when she believes he's a thief?


I am giving away a print copy of NO PLACE LIKE HOME to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about a special gift you have received during the holidays.

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.   I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City



Weekly Winners




We have winners at SOS Aloha:

Anthology, THE SUGAR COOKIE SWEETHEART SWAP with Donna Kauffman, Kate Angell, and Kimberly Kincaid:
- Kim H. wins a print copy.


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Anne Cleeland's DAUGHTER OF THE GOD-KING
- Linda wins a print copy.

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Jill Shalvis' MERRY AND BRIGHT
- Jane wins a print copy.

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Susana Ellis' A TWELFTH NIGHT TALE:
- Mary K. wins a Hawaiian ornament.


Vanessa Kelly's LOST IN A ROYAL KISS
- May wins an ecopy.

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City