Saturday, May 31, 2014

Weekly Winners


We have winners at SOS Aloha:

From my posts of New Orleans on my travel blog, ALOHA ON MY MIND,
- Jeanne M. wins a book choice from my convention stash.


Kay Thomas' PERSONAL TARGET
- Maureen wins an Avon tote bag with military swag

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Collette Cameron's THE EARL'S ENTICEMENT
- May wins a digital copy of THE EARL'S ENTICEMENT


Paige Tyler's HER PERFECT MATE
- Cathy P. wins a print copy from Sourcebooks


Julie Rowe's HOLLYWOOD SCANDAL
- Erin wins a digital copy

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Megan Erickson's MAKE IT COUNT
- BN100 wins an Avon tote bag and "school days" swag


Winners, please claim your prize by sending your mailing address (or confirm email for digital books) to sos.aloha@yahoo.com.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City


June celebrates Grads, Dads, and Readers!


6/1: Weekly Winners
plus Jayne Fresina's ONCE UPON A KISS
6/2: Terry Spear's JAGUAR HUNT
plus Kimberly Kincaid's GIMME SOME SUGAR
6/3: 
Kate Dyer-Seeley's SCENE OF THE CLIMB
6/4: Sherri Browning's THORNBROOK PARK
plus Sharon Hamilton's SEAL MY DESTINY
6/5: Emily Greenwood's MISCHIEF BY MOONLIGHT
6/6: Jennifer L Hart's FINAL NOTICE
6/7: Kari Lee Harmon's AMBER (Lake House Treasures)
6/8: Weekly Winners

6/9: Chip Hughes' The Surfing Detective: MURDER ON MOLOKA'I
plus Rachel Grant's CONCRETE EVIDENCE
6/10: Chip Hughes' The Surfing Detective: WIPEOUT!
6/11: King Kamehameha Day
6/12: Chip Hughes' The Surfing Detective: KULA

plus Ophelia London's MAKING WAVES
6/13: Chip Hughes' The Surfing Detective: MURDER AT VOLCANO HOUSE
6/14: Army's Birthday/US Flag Day with Barbara Witek's DADDY WORE DOG TAGS
plus Marie Harte's THE TROUBLEMAKER NEXT DOOR
6/15: Weekly Winners

plus Anya Wilde's MURDER AT RUDHALL MANOR
6/16: Michelle Gorman's THE CURVY GIRL CLUB

plus Sara Humphrey's VAMPIRE TROUBLE
6/17: Chelsea Fine's PERFECT KIND OF TROUBLE

plus Kieran Kramer's SWEET TALK ME
6/18: Kennedy Ryan's WHEN YOU ARE MINE

plus Deeanne Gist's FAIR PLAY 
6/19: Mhairi McFarlane's HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU
6/20: Lecia Cornwall's ONCE UPON A HIGHLAND AUTUMN

6/21: Celebrate Little Victories
6/22: Weekly Winners
6/23: 
Remember the Battle of Bannockburn with Laura Hunsaker's HIGHLAND ELIPSE 

6/24: Jessica Lemmon's THE MILLIONAIRE AFFAIR
6/25: 
Diane Kelly's PAW ENFORCEMENT
6/26: Stacy Henrie's HOPE AT DAWN

6/27: Bronwyn Evans' INVITATION TO PASSION
6/28: Cathy Maxwell's THE MARRIAGE WAGER (Avon Rerelease)
6/29: Weekly Winners
6/30: Sherri Browning's THORNBROOK PARK


7/1: 
Debbie Mason's CHRISTMAS IN JULY 

7/2: Fern Britton's THE HOLIDAY HOME
7/3: Rebecca York's BETRAYED
7/4: Independence Day
7/5: Celebrate Little Victories
7/6: 
Elizabeth Michels' HOW TO LOSE A LORD IN 10 DAYS OR LESS
7/7: Michele Summers' FIND MY WAY HOME
7/8: 
Grace Burrowes' THE CAPTIVE 
7/9: Erin Duffy's ON THE ROCKS 

7/10: Kari Lee Harmon's MEGHAN (Lake House Treasures)
7/11: Ellen Butler's HEART OF DESIGN
7/12: Kandy Shepherd's THE TYCOON AND THE WEDDING PLANNER
7/13: Weekly Winners
7/14: Tracy March's SUDDENLY SMITTEN
7/15: Kelsey Browning's PROBLEMS IN PARADISE
7/16: Alexandra Brown's CUPCAKES AT CARRINGTON'S
7/17: Cindy Myer's CHANGE IN ALTITUDE
7/18: Catherine Lloyd's DEATH COMES TO A VILLAGE
7/19: Celebrate Little Victories
7/20: Weekly Winners

Aloha, San Antonio, here I come for the RWA National Conference!

7/21: Kat Latham's TEMPTING THE PLAYER cover reveal
7/22: Open
7/23: Open
7/24: Open
7/25: Elizabeth Michels' HOW TO LOSE A LORD IN TEN DAY

plus HE'S IRRESISTIBLE by Susan Hatler, Veronica Blade, and Virna DePaul
7/26: Celebrate Little Victories
7/27: Weekly Winners
7/28: Sara Humphreys' VAMPIRE TROUBLE
7/29: Sharon Richard's UNSTOPABLE
7/30: Sarah Castille's IN YOUR CORNER

plus Robin Bielman's VEILED TARGET
7/31: Lauren Layne's ONLY WITH YOU


8/1: Book Reads Blog Hop (coordinated by Stuck in Books)
8/2: 
Shana Galen's LOVE AND LET SPY
8/3: Weekly Winners
8/4: Happy Birthday, US Coast Guard!
8/5: Samatha Grace's IN BED WITH A ROGUE
8/6: Mary Wine's THE HIGHLANDER'S BRIDE TROUBLE
8/7: Kari Lee Harmon's BROOK (Lake House Treasures)
8/8: Brooklyn Ann's ONE BITE PER NIGHT
8/9: Celebrate Little Victories
8/10: Weekly Winner
8/11: Marie Harte's HOW TO HANDE A HEARTBREAKER
8/12: Debbie Macomber's LOVE LETTERS (A Rose Harbor Novel)
8/13: Open
8/14: Open
8/15: Open
8/16: Celebrate Little Victories
8/17: Weekly Winner
8/18: Open
8/19: Sabrina Jeffries' HOW THE SCOUNDREL SEDUCES
8/20: Hawaii State Day with SUNSET INN: TALES FROM THE NORTH SHORE
8/21: Open
8/22: Open
8/23: Celebrate Little Victories
8/24: Weekly Winners
8/25: Open
8/26: Mary Jo Putney's NOT QUITE A WIFE
8/27: Open
8/28: Open
8/29: Open
8/30: Celebrate Little Victories
8/31: Weekly Winners

9/1: US Labor Day 

9/2: Samatha Grace's IN BED WITH A ROGUE
9/3: Open
9/4: Open
9/5: Open
9/6: Celebrate Little Victories
9/7: Weekly Winners
9/8: Sandra Owens' CRAZY FOR HER Blog Tour
9/9: Open

9/10: Open
9/11: Open
9/12: Open
9/13: Celebrate Little Victories
9/14: Weekly Winners 
9/15: Open
9/16: Open
9/17: Open
9/18: US Air Force's Birthday 
9/19: Open
9/20: Celebrate Little Victories
9/21: Weekly Winners

9/22: Open
9/23: Open
9/24: Open
9/25: Open
9/26: Open
9/27: Celebrate Little Victories
9/28: Weekly Winners
9/29: Open
9/30: Open

10/6: Mia Marlowe's ONCE UPON A PLAID
10/7: Jodi Thomas' A PLACE CALLED HARMONY


11/25: Eileen Dreyer's TWICE TEMPTED


Friday, May 30, 2014

Aloha to TIMELESS ESCAPE - A Collection of Summer Stories with Ruth A. Casie, Lita Harris, Emma Kaye, Nicole S. Patrick, and Julie Rowe

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I posted my final blog about the RT Booklovers' Convention on my travel blog, The Last Beignet, at this link.  Beignets made my top 10 list as did meeting Ruth A. Casie and Julie Rowe - they energized the convention! Their joy continues with their new adventure with TIMELESS ESCAPES - A COLLECTION OF SUMMER STORIES: 

Escape to the Virgin Islands where the bonds of marriage are renewed, friends become lovers, and new love is given a chance to thrive.

Ruth A. Casie ~ Second Chance by the Sea

Married for ten years, a couple at odds find their marriage was never registered. Will an impending disaster be the final straw that breaks them up or will it rekindle their love and send them back to the altar for a second chance?

Lita Harris ~ Chasing Fireflies

Soured on love by a recent breakup, a travel agent with a fear of flying and open water takes a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands. She meets a boat captain who challenges her fears. Will she survive her breakup and find happiness in the arms of another man?

Emma Kaye ~ In Her Dreams

When an author escapes to the Virgin Islands to work on her latest book, she’s swept back in time to Regency England and must decide whether the love she finds with an English lord is real or only in her dreams.

Nicole S. Patrick ~ Poseidon’s Strength

A beloved hero’s death leads his sister and his best friend, who have never seen eye-to-eye, to discover that helping family can be their happy medium, and possibly lead them to uncover a love that's meant to be.

Julie Rowe ~ A Pirate’s Vacation

A doctor grieving the death of her husband, buys a B&B in the Virgin Islands in need of a lot of fixing. Her old flame arrives to help with repairs, but will she let him heal her shattered heart?

TIMELESS ESCAPES is on sale through Monday for 99 cents on Amazon and B&N.   I am giving away a digital copy of TIMELESS ESCAPES to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway, 

1.  Name a tropical location for your timeless escape!

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, June 7, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 8.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

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Also available from  Ruth A. Casie, Lita Harris, 
Emma Kaye, Nicole S. Patrick, and Julie Rowe

Aloha to Luanne Rice and THE LEMON ORCHARD


Year after year, Luanne Rice’s fans eagerly await her next book. Their enthusiasm is soon to be rewarded with The Lemon Orchard, Rice’s romantic new love story between two people from seemingly different worlds.

In the five years since Julia last visited her aunt and uncle’s home in Malibu, her life has been turned upside down by her daughter’s death. She expects to find nothing more than peace and solitude as she house-sits with only her dog, Bonnie, for company. But she finds herself drawn to the handsome man who oversees the lemon orchard. Roberto expertly tends the trees, using the money to support his extended Mexican family. What connection could these two people share? The answer comes as Roberto reveals the heartbreaking story of his own loss—a pain Julia knows all too well, but for one striking difference: Roberto’s daughter was lost but never found. And despite the odds he cannot bear to give up hope.

Set in the sea and citrus-scented air of the breathtaking Santa Monica Mountains, The Lemon Orchard is an affirming story about the redemptive power of compassion and the kind of love that seems to find us when we need it most.


Amazon: link

Barnes and Noble: link


Luanne Rice is the author of thirty-one novels including many New York Times bestsellers. Five of her books have been made into movies and mini-series, and her work has been featured at Hartford Stage in Hartford, Connecticut, the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, California, and in several off-Broadway theatre productions. She divides her time between New York City and the Connecticut shoreline.





Thursday, May 29, 2014

Aloha to Jane Graves and BABY IT'S YOU


Jane Graves joins us today to celebrate the release of BABY IT'S YOU ... with wine!

FIVE PEOPLE I’D LIKE TO HAVE A GLASS OF WINE WITH

1. Ron White. I laugh myself silly every time I see him perform. He probably won’t drink wine, but after he leaves there won’t be any Scotch left in the house.

2. Neil deGrasse Tyson. I get a real bang out of astrophysics, if you’ll pardon the pun. Like his predecessor Carl Sagan, he makes that field both accessible and interesting. Maybe he’d like Moon Pies with his wine, or maybe Brach’s chocolate stars?

3. Steve Jobs. A visionary who changed the world. He was also aggressive, demanding, and unreasonable, but I bet Ron White could make him laugh.

4. Benjamin Franklin. It’s interesting enough that he was one of our founding fathers, but he was also an inventor. Besides the key and kite thing he used to determine the nature of electricity, did you know he also invented swim fins and bifocals? As for a snack with our wine, we’ll have apples that day so he can keep the doctor away.

5. Julia Child. Did you know she was part of an international spy ring during World War II run by the Office of Strategic Services, the forerunner of the CIA? Pretty cool. But the real reason I want her to come is because somebody has to make some munchies for all these people, and I can’t cook to save my life.


About BABY IT’S YOU:

With only the wedding dress on her back and her honeymoon luggage in the car, Kari Worthington is running away. Determined to put her controlling father, her rigidly structured life, and the uptight groom she left at the altar in her rearview mirror, she escapes to the Texas Hill country . . . and lands on a tall, dark, and gorgeous winery owner's doorstep. All she needs is a job and a place to live until she can get back on her feet. So why is she fantasizing about losing herself in his powerful arms?

For Marc Cordero, freedom is so close he can taste it. He's devoted his life to managing the family business and being a single dad. Now with his daughter away at college and his brother taking over the winery, Marc is ready to hop on his Harley for parts unknown-until a runaway bride bursts onto the scene. Free-spirited and tantalizingly sexy, Kari excites him like no other woman has before. But when irresistible passion turns into something more, will Marc give up his future to take a chance on love?

Barnes and Noble: link
IndieBound: link


About Jane Graves:

New York Times bestselling author Jane Graves is a nine-time finalist for Romance Writers of America's RITA Award, the industry's highest honor, and is the recipient of two National Readers' Choice Awards, the Booksellers' Best Award, and the Golden Quill, among others. Jane lives in the Dallas area with her husband and a very sweet kitty who kindly keeps her lap warm while she writes. You can write to her at jane@janegraves.com. She'd love to hear from you!

Jane’s social media:
janegraves.com
facebook.com/AuthorJaneGraves
@JaneGraves


Forever offers an excerpt from BABY IT'S YOU:

The ibuprofen, the wine, the heating pad, a sexy man putting Band-Aids on her blisters…what didn't make her feel good?

"Much better," she said.

Marc applied the last Band-Aid and removed her foot from his thigh, and she settled back with a sigh of pure contentment. Nobody in her adult life had anyone ever done anything like this for her. On the surface, Marc was big and gruff and demanding, but beneath it all was a kindness and compassion she never would have imagined, and it drew her to him like nothing else. Now she hoped he would pour himself a glass of wine and stay for a while. After that, who knew what might happen?

"Okay," he said. "It's time for me to go."

Kari's eyes flew open. "Go? Why?"

"I'm finished here. I'll leave everything. You'll probably need all of it again tomorrow."

No! She didn't want him to go. She wanted him to stay there forever so this feeling would never go away.

"You don't have to go," she said.

"I have work to do."

"After dark?"

"Accounting stuff."

"Why don't you forget that for tonight? Stick around? Have a glass of wine?"

"Can't," he said. "Things piles up."

"Don't you ever relax?"

”Not when there are things to do."

As he rose to leave, Kari felt a rush of disappointment. But what was she supposed to do? Grab him by the arm and forbid him to leave?

"Wait,” she said. “I'll lock the door behind you. Assuming you lock things all the way out here."

"Always lock doors," Marc said. "You never know."

Of course he would say that. Mr. Practicality. And of course Mr. Practicality couldn't stick around and have a glass of wine if there was an iota of work to be done. To say she was attracted to him was an understatement. To say he was frustrating the hell out her was a bigger one.

Suppressing a groan of pain, she rose from the sofa and followed him. When he reached the door, she called out to him.

“Marc?”

He turned back. “What?”

She stopped in front of him. “Thank you for all this.”

“It was no big deal.”

“No. It was a big deal. Believe me. A really big deal.”

“A pair of shoes, a heating pad, a couple of Band‑Aids—“

“No. You don’t understand. Nobody's ever done stuff like this for me before."

The words were out of her mouth before she really thought about them. Now she was stuck feeling just a little bit pitiful, particularly when a look of disbelief came over Marc's face.

"Ever?"

"Yeah. Ever."

"But when you were a kid, surely--"

"When my mother was alive, I guess."

"How old were you when she died?"

"Eight. After that, my father's staff was nice to me. But it wasn't the same." She shrugged. "You can pay people to do all kinds of things. Doesn't mean they care."

Marc just stared at her as if her words didn't compute, and suddenly she wished she'd kept her mouth shut. She'd looked pitiful enough when she'd almost quit her job. The last thing she wanted to do was look even more pathetic now.

"What made you change your mind about the job?” Marc asked.

"I don't know. It doesn't matter. Thanks again for helping me," she said, having a hard time looking at him. She nodded toward the door. "Go ahead. I'll close it behind you."

But he didn’t move. Instead, he continued to stare at her. It was just like at Animal House that night, when he hadn't even blinked. He just stared at her stoically, as if he was feeling absolutely nothing. Zero. Nada. Zilch.

So why wasn't he leaving?

He flicked his gaze to her almost‑empty wineglass. "Now that I think about it," he said, "they say people who drink alone have a drinking problem. You're new in town. We wouldn't want people jumping to the wrong conclusion."

Kari's heart bumped hard against her chest, her stomach quivering with anticipation. "Exactly. It's like you said when we were at the inn. This is a small town. Word gets around."

But he made no move to grab another wineglass and fill it. She held her breath, wondering what he was thinking. His gaze played across her face, then moved downward to her chest, then lower to the V of her robe where it dipped down between her breasts. It had fallen open slightly when she rose from the sofa, but the last thing she wanted to do right then was pull it shut. As far as she was concerned, he could look at anything he wanted to as long as he wanted to.

They both stood motionless, the air between them growing hot and heavy. Evening was turning to dusk, and the dim light from the single lamp gave the room a dreamy, otherworldly feeling. Or maybe it was the wine. Maybe she didn't know. She only knew she loved the feeling and didn't want to lose it.

Then his attention turned to a spot above her eyes, and his brows drew together with concern.

"What's the matter?" she asked.

"Is that a bruise on your forehead?"

"Yeah."

"What happened?"

"I came out the kitchen door. Unfortunately, it was the door you're supposed to use to come in. I've learned that's a felony when you're working in a restaurant."

He lifted the hair on her forehead to examine it more closely.

"It's okay," she said. "It doesn't hurt."

"If I'd known about it, I'd have brought an ice pack."

"No need. I'm fine."

He moved his fingertips downward, letting her hair fall back against her forehead. But to her surprise, instead of pulling his hand away, he traced those two fingertips all the way along her cheek to her jaw, then wrapped his callused hand around the side of her neck and stepped closer.

Oh, my God.

She couldn't meet his eyes. Didn't dare. She just stared straight ahead at that big, rock‑hard chest and prayed he didn't stop. She leaned into him, closing her eyes at the heavenly feeling of her body pressed against all that bone and muscle. All the sexy thoughts she'd been having about him since she came to his door two nights ago melted into a red-hot jumble in her mind until thinking wasn't an option. She couldn't have mustered up a single coherent thought if her life depended on it. Whatever pain she'd felt earlier had vanished. She only knew she wanted Marc. She wanted him here. And she wanted him now.

"This is a bad idea," he whispered.

Kari felt a shot of desperation. "No. It's a good idea. An excellent idea. In fact, it's the best idea I've come across all day."

He moved his other hand around to the small of her back to pull her closer, and her heart went crazy. But he still did nothing else. Good God. Did he have to have so damned much self-control?

"What's wrong?" she said, barely able to breathe for the anticipation she felt. "Do you have a girlfriend I don't know about?"

"No. No girlfriend."

"And I no longer have a fiancé."

"But you just left him at the altar two days ago."

"Which was better than marrying the wrong man."

"Okay, that's logical," he said.

And then he kissed her.

Aloha to Megan Erickson and MAKE IT COUNT




MAKE IT COUNT
Series info: Bowler University Series #1
Category/Genre: New Adult Romance
Publisher: William Morrow Impulse/HarperCollins
Release Date: June 3

Kat Caruso wishes her brain had a return policy, or at least a complaint hot-line. The defective organ is constantly distracted, terrible at statistics, and absolutely flooded with inappropriate thoughts about her boyfriend's gorgeous best friend, Alec...who just so happens to be her brand new college math tutor. Who knew nerd was so hot?

Kat usually goes through tutors like she does boyfriends--both always seem to bail when they realize how hopeless she is. It's safer for her heart to keep everyone at arm's reach. But Alec is always stepping just a little too close.

Alec Stone should not be fantasizing about Kat. She's adorable, unbelievably witty, and completely off limits. He'd never stab his best friend in the back...

But when secrets are revealed, the lines of loyalty are blurred. To make it count, Alec must learn messy human emotions can't be solved like a trigonometry function. And Kat has to trust Alec may be the first guy to want her for who she is, and not in spite of it.

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Google Play
Avon Romance


Kat Caruso
The Student
“No rush. But by the time I leave tonight, you will give me a kiss, Alec Stone.”


Alec Stone
The Tutor
“Don’t you feel it? All that negative crap I’d been holding inside is gone because of you. And the good I’m filling it with? That’s you.”


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Megan Erickson grew up in a family that averages 5’3” on a good day and started writing to create characters who could reach the top kitchen shelf.

She’s got a couple of tattoos, has a thing for gladiators, and has been called a crazy cat lady. After working as a journalist for years, she decided she liked creating her own endings better and switched back to fiction.

She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids and two cats. And no, she still can’t reach the stupid top shelf.

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Hashtag: #CountTheCast


Mahalo, Megan, for sharing Kat and Alec with us! I am giving away an Avon Tote Bag with "school days" swag to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. Tutors, teachers, and substitutes - have any funny stories to share?  I substituted several times with little success ... I had no patience with the students. I am better suited as a volunteer at the library!

2. Comments are open through Saturday, May 31, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 1.

Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City


UT’s campus is nestled by the Hillsborough River and downtown Tampa.
I attended the University of Tampa
on the Hillsborough River
ut.edu



Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Aloha to Julie Rowe and HOLLYWOOD SCANDAL

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Meeting Julie Rowe ranks in my top ten moments at RT14 in NOLA - she is an energizing author with a generous heart.   She joins me today to celebrate the release of HOLLYWOOD SCANDAL - isn't that cover sexy?

Kim:  We love international travel here at SOS Aloha. What is your favorite sight, sound, and smell of Alberta, Canada?

Julie:  The Rocky Mountains would be my favorite sight, smell and sound. Pine needle scented air, the slightest bite of snow to remind you that the snowline isn't that far away. So beautiful. There's a highway between Banff and Jasper, Alberta that goes down the back of the Rockies and is one of the most beautiful drive's in the world. If you ever have a chance, go for a drive there.

Kim:  How did you jump into a career as a full time author, freelance writer, and workshop facilitor?

Julie:   By accident. I wrote up a creative writing workshop for my local college and it went over well, so they asked me to teach a business writing workshop for them. That went well, so they added Report and Procedure writing workshops. Those went well, so they kept asking me to teach more/different classes until I told them I couldn't fit anything else into my schedule.

The magazine writing got started after a workshop on writing for magazines. I submitted a few article ideas and sold them, so I kept at that as well. Getting paid is a big motivator. :-)

Kim:  What did you learn from fans and industry members alike at the RT Booklovers' Convention?

Julie:  I learned that fans don't forget a good book, and neither do editors or agents. I learned that writers are often the most generous of people, helping out in ways that are often creative and fun. I learned that readers are constantly looking for great new authors to read. I learned that no one knows where the publishing business is going to go next, but everyone has an opinion. I learned that the world is a small place where people can connect with darn near anyone from anywhere over the miracle that is social media.

Photo: Julie Rowe of Canada, presented me with a $5 Silver Military Coin --commemorating the  Devil's Brigade, Canada's elite combat unit formed with the USA from 1942-1944.
Julie presented a special coin to Kathryn Falk
at the SOS America Military Tribute

Kim:  Tell us about your books - what is your unique twist to romance?

Julie:  I write medical romance and adventure, but my unique twist is the theme of RECOVERY threaded throughout all my stories, long or short. I write about people who are generous, courageous and intelligent trying to deal with grief, loss and emotional (and sometimes physical) trauma. These are highly independent and educated people who suddenly find themselves unable to handle the trauma without help. How many of us wait too long to ask for help?

Kim:  What's next for Julie Rowe?

Julie:  I'm working on developing a military medical romance trilogy for one publisher and serializing another story as a self-published project for myself. :-)

Mahalo, Julie!  I am excite to read HOLLYWOOD SCANDAL - A Seacliffe Medical Novel:

Dr. Calla Roberts has seen too much death, destruction and betrayal to ever believe in fairy tales or men who are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside. Which is why LA Lawyer Alex Hardy irritates the crap out of her. He’s a lawyer who practices radical honesty in a city famous for make believe. When an actor who thinks he can buy or cheat his way out of anything attempts to discredit Calla, Alex (with a crooked nose for trouble) champions her desperate cause. She slowly begins to think that good guys do exist, until she discovers Alex has lied about who he is, and who he loves.

I am giving away a digital copy of HOLLYWOOD SCANDAL to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway, 

1.  What Hollywood scandal caught your attention?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 31, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Julie and her books at julieroweauthor.com.

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Also available this week from Julie ...
come back on Saturday for another giveaway!

Aloha to Paige Tyler and HER PERFECT MATE


Paige Tyler joins us today to chat about her new release, PERFECT MATE.  From her bio,

Paige Tyler is a USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, romantic fiction. She and her very own military hero (also known as her husband) live on the beautiful Florida coast with their adorable fur baby (also known as their dog). Paige graduated with a degree in education, but decided to pursue her passion and write books about hunky alpha males and the kickbutt heroines who fall in love with them.

Kim:  Aloha, my fellow Floridian! What are your favorite sight, sound, and smell of the Sunshine State?

Paige:  That’s easy—the beach! My hubby and I try to go to the beach at least once a week during the summer. Luckily, it’s only ten minutes from where we live, so it’s easy to get there. There’s nothing as relaxing as sitting in beach chairs under an umbrella listening to the sounds of the waves and the cries of the seagulls, smelling the ocean breezes, and watching the pelicans soar over the clear emerald waters. Throw in the occasional pod of dolphins, and it can’t get much better. Love it!

Kim:  Thank you for your husband's service ... and your service, too, as a military spouse! What have you learned as a military spouse that you can apply to your writing career?

Paige:  You’re welcome! Getting a chance to experience firsthand the camaraderie and bond that exist between soldiers is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I was always amazed at the way they could rib and cuss at each other one minute, then bend over backward to do anything for each other the next. The way the shared risk and common mission helped diverse groups of individuals come together is amazing. And of course I got to hear all the military jargon and see how these people learn to deal with the danger and stress that comes with their chosen profession. All of these experiences helped me make the relationships between the Special Forces guys in my X-OPS Series deep and realistic.

Kim:  You have eclectic tastes in books, TV series, and movies. How do you quantify a good story?

Paige:  First, it has to have characters that people can relate to and fall in love with. There has to be enough info provided about the characters that you get drawn into their world, their troubles, or their desires, but at the same time, there also needs to be enough mystery that you’re left yearning to know even more about them.

Next, comes chemistry. We’ve all seen it before. A TV show or movie will have a great ensemble cast, but the moment they start interacting you’re left feeling blah because there’s simply no chemistry between the actors. Books are the same way, but in some cases, it can be even harder to get that chemistry across. You only have the written word to get the relationship going. The reader can’t “see” that there’s magical attraction like in a movie, so the writer has to make it happen with words.

Last, comes purpose. What is this group of characters supposed to be doing? It doesn’t necessarily matter what they’re doing, be it finding love or saving the world from vampire zombies with dental overbite issues, but ultimately someone seeing or reading about them has to care.

If these three things get going in the book, TV show, or movie I’m watching, then there’s a pretty good chance I’ll like them.

BTW, it probably wouldn’t hurt if the lead guy walks around a lot with his shirt off.

Kim:  You schedule indicates you are attending the RT Booklovers Convention! Are you an RT virgin or veteran?

Paige:  This is my first RT, and I’ve very excited about it! I’ve been to smaller conferences, but nothing this huge. I have my schedule so full of great workshops on promo and sales tips and techniques that I can barely find time to eat. Of course, I love getting to interact with the readers—that's always the best part of any conference, but this first time I’m planning to just try and relax and take in the whole experience. I don’t want to be so busy seeing all the trees that I forget to look at the forest.

Kim:  Sadly, I did not see you in the overwhelming crowd at RT.  But I'll also you at Lori Foster's Reader Author Get Together, where I will be a virgin. I loved your pictures from last year's event. Since you are now the veteran, what can I expect at RAGT?

Paige:  You’ll absolutely love RAGT! It was the first conferences I ever went to, and it’s still my favorite. One of the best things about it is that it’s a very casual event. It’s less about a full workshop schedule and fancy parties, and more about readers and writers hanging out with each other for hours on end. People will sit together in the lobby and stuff for half the night talking about their love of books and all things romance. I’ve made so many friends and mentors there that I can’t possibly name them all, but it’s no stretch of the imagination to say that I wouldn’t be where I’m at in my writing career if I hadn’t gone to RAGT all these years.

Kim:  Tell us about the X-Ops Series and Book 1, HER PERFECT MATE - what inspired the series?

Paige:  It revolves around the Department of Covert Operations (DCO for short), a top secret organization that exists within the Department of Homeland Security. They pair the very best soldiers, law enforcement people, and spies together with shifters—humans that have special animal attributes in their DNA. They take on impossible missions that few people in the world will ever know about.

The heroine is a sexy, but deadly feline shifter named Ivy Halliwell who gets teamed up with yet another soldier—and she definitely isn't thrilled about it. Both her previous partners hated her because she was a freak in their eyes, and she figures this new guy won’t be any different. But Captain Landon Donovan is Special Forces, so he's used to taking crazy situations in stride. He’s also gorgeous, hot, hunky, and smells delicious.

They very quickly discover that they aren’t just amazing on the job, but that they’re amazing partners of the romantic variety as well. Unfortunately, relationships between partners is somewhat frowned upon in the DCO, so they have to deal with that issue at the same time they have to fight bad guys trying to kill them every few chapters.

Her Perfect Mate is a paranormal shifter story that combines romance, action, suspense, and military elements into one exciting package that will keep you up reading late into the night—I promise. 


Mahalo, Paige, for sharing HER PERFECT MATE with us! Sourcebooks is giving away a print copy to one randomly selected commenter:

He's a High-Octane Special Ops Pro

When Special Forces Captain Landon Donovan is chosen for an assignment with the Department of Covert Operations, he's stunned to find his new partner is a beautiful woman who looks like she couldn't hurt a fly, never mind take down a terrorist.

She's No Kitten

Ivy Halliwell isn't your average covert op. She's a feline shifter, and more dangerous than she looks. Her feline DNA means she can literally bring out the claws when things get dicey. She's worked with a string of hotheaded military guys who've underestimated her special skills in the past. But when she's partnered with special agent Donovan, a man sexy enough to make any girl purr, things begin to heat up. He doesn't think she's a freak-and he's smokin' hot. Soon they're facing a threat even greater than anyone imagines...and an animal magnetism impossible to ignore.

Read an Excerpt:  link

Reviews:

"An absolutely perfect story-one I honestly couldn't put down. One of the best books I've read in years. I hope this is the beginning of a very long series, because I definitely want more of Paige Tyler's shifters." - Kate Douglas, author of the bestselling Wolf Tales and Spirit Wild series

"A wild, hot, and sexy ride from beginning to end! I loved it!" - Terry Spear, USA Today bestselling author of A SEAL in Wolf's Clothing

"Once I began, the outside world ceased to exist. It's exciting and fast paced." - Paranormal Kiss

"I love a good paranormal romance and this series has started off with a bang!" - Hopeless in Literature Reviews

Amazon: link
B&N: link
ARe: link
iTunes: link
Sourcebooks: link

To enter the giveaway, 

1.  Leave a comment about how you quantify a good story?

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

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 31, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Author Links:

Website: paigetylertheauthor.com
Blog: paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com
Facebook Profile Page: facebook.com/paige.tyler.9
Facebook Author Page: facebook.com/PaigeTylerAuthor
Twitter: twitter.com/PaigeTyler
Pinterest: pinterest.com/paigetylerauth
Google+: link
Goodreads: link
Newsletter: link




Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Aloha to Collette Cameron and THE EARL'S ENTICEMENT


Isn't this cover gorgeous?  Collette Cameron joins us with a guest post to celebrate the release of THE EARL'S ENTICEMENT .... 

Can I Be Honest With You?  Want to know a secret? 

Well, I guess it’s not really so much a secret as a confession. I never aspired to be an author. And, I never, ever dreamed I’d write romance novels.

What?

I didn’t scribble notes and fabricate prose from the time I could string two or three words together? I didn’t dream of being the next Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott, or Emily Bronte?

Nope.

Almost sounds blasphemous, doesn’t it? 

I did write some rather heinous poetry in high school, but there was never the slightest inkling to someday become a published author. Really. I’m telling the truth.

So, what happened, you ask? Okay, maybe you didn’t ask, but I’ll tell you anyway. Lucky you.

I started reading—more like voraciously inhaling—sweet romances when I was thirteen. A girlfriend gave me a Barbara Cartland Regency to read, and I was hooked! Over the next several years . . . er . . . decades, I read thousands of romances, mostly historicals because to me, those are the ultimate romance. (BTW, I graduated from sweet, just a wee bit.)

Still, it never crossed my mind to write a novel, let alone a romance. All that dialogue and . . . well, you know, the sex. I couldn’t ever write a love scene. Ever. What would people say?

Actually, they ask all the time if I write them from my personal experiences. Seriously?

But I digress. Back to how I became a historical romance author. I know, the suspense is killing you.

A couple things happened that starting the old creative juices flowing. I went back to school and got a bachelor’s of Science in Liberal Studies and a Master’s in Teaching (In three and a half years-Do Not do that! It nearly killed me.) Naturally, there were all sorts of torturous essays I had to write, but professor after professor told me I had a knack for writing.

One of them, my Children’s Literature professor, turned to me one day after I’d shared a children’s book I’d written for an assignment, and said, “You’re going to be a great teacher, but writing is your true gift.”

Yeah right. The story was a ridiculous thing about split pea soup and a frog swimming around the bowl. Still, the insidious seed of, “What if?” had been planted.

Within a year, my last child left home for college, and there I was with a brand new teaching certificate, no kids at home (hubby doesn’t count) and I was only substituting part-time.

So, what did I do?

In February 2011, I parked myself in front of my computer, and as an experiment, decided to see if the scene that had popped into my head a few weeks before, could be made into an entire novel.

Seems it could.

Highlander’s Hope, the first book in the Castle Bride’s Series was born. My, but that was a long labor! Today, I’m celebrating the The Earl’s Enticement’s release, the third and last book in the series. Another six book series, The Highland Heather Romancing a Scot Series, is in the works, as well as two novellas. All the books are spin-offs from the first series.

Now, I’m thoroughly addicted and cannot imagine why I waited so long to begin writing. Hubby would say I’m obsessed, but that would mean I’m preoccupied and a bit fanatical about writing. . . . All the time. Every waking moment.

Darn. He’s right.

I think the most important thing is, once the niggling seed to become an author took hold, a dream I didn’t even realize I harbored, blossomed. And look where I’ve ended up?

What are your impossible dreams? What can you do to make them come true?

Urquhat Castle on Loch Ness

THE EARL'S ENTICEMENT

She won’t be tamed.

A fiery, unconventional Scot, Adaira Ferguson wears breeches, swears, and has no more desire to marry than she does to follow society’s dictates of appropriate behavior. She trusts no man with the secret she desperately protects.

He can’t forget.

Haunted by his past, Roark, the Earl of Clarendon, rigidly adheres to propriety, holding himself and those around him to the highest standards, no matter the cost. Betrayed once, he’s guarded and leery of all women.

Mistaking Roark for a known spy, Adaira imprisons him. Infuriated, he vows vengeance. Realizing her error, she’s appalled and releases him, but he’s not satisfied with his freedom. Roark is determined to transform Adaira from an ill-mannered hoyden to a lady of refinement.

He succeeds only to discover, he preferred the free-spirited Scottish lass who first captured his heart.

Glenfinnan, Scotland

Award winning, Amazon best-selling, and multi-published historical romance author, Collette Cameron, has a BS in Liberal Studies and a Master's in Teaching. A Pacific Northwest Native, Collette’s been married for thirty years, has three amazing adult children, and five dachshunds. Collette loves a good joke, inspirational quotes, flowers, the beach, trivia, birds, shabby chic, and Cadbury Chocolate. You'll always find dogs, birds, quirky—sometimes naughty—humor, and a dash of inspiration in her novels. Her motto for life? You can’t have too much chocolate, too many hugs, or too many flowers. She’s thinking about adding shoes to that list.

Connect with Collette:

Website 

1779857818300575

Mahalo, Collette, for sharing your secret!   It's no secret that I love Regency ... and Scotland!   I am giving away a digital copy of THE EARL'S ENTICEMENT to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Answer Collette's question, What are your impossible dreams? What can you do to make them come true?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 31, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Glen Coe, Scotland

Aloha to Kay Thomas and PERSONAL TARGET: An Elite Ops Novel - Cover Reveal

 22249687

AEGIS: an elite team of ex-military men working under the radar of most governments. If you have a problem no one else can handle, they can help.

A former SEAL and Black Ops specialist who left the CIA, Nick Donovan gave up a life on the edge to work in the private sector. But that didn't stop his enemies from coming after him—or his family. In a case of mistaken identity, a drug cartel kidnaps his sister-in-law's best friend … a woman from Nick's past.

One minute Jennifer Grayson is housesitting and the next she's abducted to a foreign brothel. Jennifer is planning her escape when her first "customer" arrives. Nick, the man who broke her heart years ago, has come to her rescue. Now, as they race for their lives, passion for each other reignites and old secrets resurface. Can Nick keep the woman he loves safe against an enemy with a personal vendetta?

PERSONAL TARGET will be available July 29 from Avon Impluse (link).  Meanwhile, Kay is hosting an international giveaway of Book 1, HARD TARGET, at this link.

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I am giving away an Avon tote bag plus other military swag to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about housesitting - have you done it?  Anything exciting happen while doing it?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 31, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Kay and her books at kaythomas.net.

USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112)
USS Michael Murphy, named for a fallen SEAL
US Navy/Public Domain





Aloha to Avery Flynn and THIS YEAR'S BLACK


I spotted Avery Flynn smiling daily at the RT Booklovers' Convention ... obviously she is happy that THIS YEAR'S BLACK is now available ...

A fighter since birth, Allegra “Ryder” Falcon would rather trade in her all-black wardrobe for head-to-toe hot pink than let anyone ever see the cracks in her tough exterior. But one night with a stranger changes everything.

Devin Harris may have given up his MMA fighting dreams for high fashion, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t always in control. So when someone embezzles millions under his watch, he isn’t going to let the private investigator working the case go it alone—even if she is the woman who blew him away in bed and then blew him off.

Just when it seems like it couldn’t get any hotter between Ryder and Devin, the case takes them to a tropical paradise where the danger increases. From the catwalk to the pineapple fields, they have to work together to track down the missing millions before the thief finds—and kills—them.


Purchase links:
Amazon: link
Barnes & Noble: link
Kobo: link
iTunes: link



Avery Flynn has three slightly-wild children, loves a hockey-addicted husband and is desperately hoping someone invents the coffee IV drip.

She fell in love with romance while reading Johanna Lindsey’s Mallory books. It wasn’t long before Avery had read through all the romance offerings at her local library. Needing a romance fix, she turned to Harlequin’s four books a month home delivery service to ease the withdrawal symptoms. That worked for a short time, but it wasn’t long before the local book stores’ staffs knew her by name.

Avery was a reader before she was a writer and hopes to always be both. She loves to write about smartass alpha heroes who are as good with a quip as they are with their *ahem* other God-given talents. Her heroines are feisty, fierce and fantastic. Brainy and brave, these ladies know how to stand on their own two feet and knock the bad guys off theirs.

Aloha to Adrianne Lee and DELECTABLE - A Big Sky Pie Novel




Are you ready for Big Sky Pie?  Piping hot and available now .... 

Montana real estate agent Quint McCoy will tell you that the most important thing is location, location, location. It's a lesson he learns all too well when he goes incommunicado for a four-week fishing trip to Alaska. While he's away, his mother Molly turns his office into the pie shop she has always dreamed of, Big Sky Pie. But that's not the only surprise in store for him.

On her way out of town, Callee McCoy only wants to say a fond farewell to her beloved mother-in-law. But Molly soon persuades Callee to stay and lend a hand at the new shop, even if it means heating up the kitchen with her soon-to-be ex. As Callee and Quint rediscover their recipe for love, they realize that some couples are so sinfully good together that one delectable taste is never enough.


Barnes and Noble: link
IndieBound: link

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Adrianne Lee lives with her husband of many, many years on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula in Washington State in a pole barn building her husband transformed into an upstairs apartment with a shop below for his hot rods. Adrianne creates her stories on her laptop, in her recliner with her adopted cat, Spooky, curled between her calves, snoozing. Over thirty years of summer vacationing in the Flat Head Lake area near Kalispell and Glacier Park has given her a love for all things Montana.

adriannelee.com
@akaAdrianneLee
facebook.com/adriannelee.author



Forever offers an slice, er, excerpt for DELECTABLE:

She wiped her hands on the chef coat and then gripped the handles of the marble rolling pin. They felt like ice against her hands, while Quint’s breath felt like a summer breeze on the back

of her neck. He said, “Okay, now start at the center and roll toward the edge, keeping the pressure even.”

She started, then inexplicably froze. His hands came down on hers as he leaned over her, their bodies spooned. Her heart began to race. His cheek touched hers, his mouth near her ear, his voice husky. “Keep the pressure even. Like this. That’s right.”

He leaned into her and away from her with each extended roll, his body heat like a comforter she wanted to snuggle. She didn’t mean to nuzzle his head, but she did, and the next thing she knew...

“Oh, God, Callee,” Quint groaned, spinning her into his arms, his mouth finding hers, his body meeting hers. A fiery rain of irresistible sensations washed through her, burning away her resistance. She kissed him with all the need she’d suppressed for months and months and tore at his chef ’s coat as he tore at hers, their lips locked in an ever-deepening reunion. His hands were in her hair, hers were in his. He tasted of red wine and Thai food and smelled even better. Her sweater vanished, followed by her bra, and his shirt, his belt, his jeans. He pulled her naked torso to his, eliciting a gasp of pure pleasure at the ached-for feel of his body. Her nipples were rock hard against his chest, his arousal against her thighs.

She didn’t remember kicking off her boots, or her jeans, or her panties. Every breath, every touch, raised her higher and higher toward the heavens, and she didn’t want it to ever stop.

Quint swept the parchment paper, pie crust, flour, and rolling pin from the island. The ensuing crash brought Callee to her senses with a bang. Dear God, what was she doing? She shoved against Quint’s shoulders, tore her lips from his and pushed him away, panting. “No. No. I don’t want this.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” His words came out in a breathless rasp.

Callee gathered her clothes, tugging them on, humiliation and embarrassment scorching her insides. She glanced at the mess on the floor. It was just like their marriage. It had started out as something wonderful and ended up thrown away. She left him standing there, naked, aroused, and making no attempt to cover himself. He looked perplexed and angry and sexier than any of her memories.