May is National Military Appreciation Month - Aloha to Lindsay McKenna

Lindsay McKenna hosted the Shadow Warriors table at the SOS America Military Tribute during the RT Booklovers Convention in Dallas (pictures to come).  She is a Navy Veteran who proudly served during the Vietnam War.  From her bio,

Naturally, Lindsay's military experience is the backbone of her writing--in addition to being credited with writing the first military romance novel (Captive of Fate, 1983), she has created a thriving sub-genre within the romance field. It is, therefore, no surprise that her many experiences in the U.S. Navy are a backdrop for her upcoming Operation: Shadow Warriors series.

RUNNING FIRE is Book 8 in her Shadow Warriors series,

He was a haven in the midst of Hell…

Temporarily assigned to the Shadow Squadron in a troubled region of Afghanistan, Chief Warrant Officer and pilot Leah Mackenzie is no stranger to conflict—even if most of her physical and emotional scars are courtesy of her vicious ex. Still, she's got a bad feeling about picking up a team of stranded SEALs. A feeling that's all too justified once enemy fire hits their helicopter and all hell breaks loose…

SEAL Kell Ballard's goal was to get the injured pilot out of harm's way and find shelter deep in the labyrinth of caves. It's a place of dark intimacy, where Leah finds unexpected safety in a man's arms. Where prohibited attraction burns brightly. And where they'll hide until the time comes to face the enemy outside…and the enemy within their ranks. 

Lindsay has an exciting new series coming this fall ... and we will talk about it here at SOS Aloha!  

May is National Military Appreciation Month. For the month of May, I am giving away one grand prize of books and swag from the authors featured this month (link). Plus five more commenters - one for each branch of service - wins a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about the Navy - what do you know about it?   I just read the Navy is hosting a special march in June 11 at the Naval Academy to commemorate the 73th anniversary of the Battle of Midway, a decisive battle in WWII.  

(I posted another question in error - all comments are good!)

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Lindsay and her books at lindsaymckenna.com.

May is National Military Appreciation Month - Aloha to Sally MacKenzie

Sally MacKenzie cohosted the Battle of Trafalgar table at the SOS America Military Tribute during the RT Booklovers Convention (pictures to come).   From her bio,

When not at her keyboard or staring into space musing on her next story, Sally can be found at the gym or in the middle lane of her Masters swim practice, trying to keep all her moving parts working. She loves to travel, particularly to England where she drags her poor husband to historic sites in the name of research or—as he puts it—to look at spoons. But since she also enjoys hiking over the English countryside, he remains relatively content. Sadly she doesn’t cook (but her husband does!) or clean, but she has good intentions...sort of.

I walked 5+ miles several mornings in Dallas - she has a fast clip!

Above, Sally (second from right) attended the SOS America Military Tribute in Chicago in 2012.  Sally is ready to celebrate the release of IN THE SPINSTER'S BED, available June 30:

At Spinster House, a woman can enjoy the spoils of single life—or find the love of a lifetime…

It has been twenty years since Lord William Wattles laid eyes on Annabelle Frost. Still, he remembers everything—her ethereal beauty, her bookish intelligence, her surprisingly modern attitudes about love...and lust. But Belle's allegedly wanton behavior led her father to send her away to save the family's reputation. Now she resides at Spinster House in the village of Loves Bridge, where an unmarried lady can live—and in Belle's case, support herself as a librarian—in peace...

Beautiful, passionate Belle—sworn off marriage? William can't believe the woman he once knew could end up like this. But when the hands of fate bring him to Loves Bridge, his long-lost love might just end up back in his arms. Is their unwavering desire worth the sweeping scandal that is sure to follow them both? Absolutely.

It is the prequel for her new series, The Spinster's House, with Book 1, WHAT TO DO WITH A DUKE, coming August 25.

May is National Military Appreciation Month. For the month of May, I am giving away one grand prize of books and swag from the authors featured this month (link). Plus five more commenters - one for each branch of service - wins a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1. Both covers from Sally's new series feature a Calico Cat in the corner.  Do you like pets in romances?  Do you like cats?  I have four cats, three from Hawaii.

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Sally and her books at sallymackenzie.net.

May is National Military Appreciation Month - Aloha to Siera London

The SOS America Military Tribute featured authors connected to the military, including debut author Siera London.  From her bio,

Contemporary romance and women's fiction is my therapy of choice. I served 22 years in the United States Navy as a registered nurse before I decided to focus on my writing career. It's never too late, to follow your heart's desire.

I live in the Washington DC area with my husband and a color patch tabby kitten named Frie. I am a pet lover at heart. I would gladly welcome more furry friends into the household; however, I had to guilt my husband into the kitten. As a native Floridian, the DC weather makes me long for the sun rays on my face most days.

When I'm not writing, I love getting lost between the pages of a great book. I get a thrill searching through recipe books with my sister in-law. I enjoy cooking huge meals to share with friends and family. I would like to think I'm a pretty good cook since folks keep showing up at the front door to eat my food.

When I can whisk my husband away from his job we enjoy warm, sunny places anywhere in the world. We have plans to visit Peru this summer!

Siera is still basking in the glow of her debut novel, CHASING AVA:

She’s chasing her dream.
He’s chasing the woman of his dreams.
Together they're Chasing Ava.

Ava Walters is a pediatric nurse who doesn’t do relationships. An abusive past has left her wounded, but determined to pursue her dream of becoming as a Navy Nurse. Ava is in the midst of rebuilding her life, when she is targeted by a sexual harasser who wields the power to destroy her dream before it sets sail.

Logan Masters, is an ambitious specialty surgeon whose past is riddled with betrayal. His trust in women is conditional- no secrets and no boundaries. When he comes to Ava’s rescue, there is no denying the spark of attraction. Things get complicated when Logan pursues Ava, rather than the arranged relationship that holds his business alliance together.

After years of being alone Ava starts to believe that love is possible under Logan’s skillful touch. But Ava is harboring a secret she doesn’t want exposed. Determined to guard her heart, Ava soon discovers Logan is as focused on winning her heart as she is at shielding it away.

When secrets and broken alliances threaten to torpedo both their futures, how will they chart a course to lasting love?

Navy Nurses in  San Diego

Public Domain (link)

May is National Military Appreciation Month. For the month of May, I am giving away one grand prize of books and swag from the authors featured this month (link). Plus five more commenters - one for each branch of service - wins a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1. Do you have a recipe book?  I have two cookbooks from my roommates and fellow Lieutenants from my first assignment.

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about sieralondon.com.

Navy nurses aboard the USS Solace in the Pacific, 1945

Public Domain (link)

May is National Military Appreciation Month - Aloha to Ophelia London

I invited Ophelia London to participate in the SOS America Military Tribute at the RT Booklovers Convention because she wrote an awesome novella set in Hawaii.  From Ophelia's bio,

USA Today bestselling author Ophelia London was born and raised among the redwood trees in beautiful northern California. Once she was fully educated, she decided to settle in Florida, but her car broke down in Texas and she’s lived in Dallas ever since. A cupcake and treadmill aficionado (obviously those things are connected), she spends her time watching arthouse movies and impossibly trashy TV, while living vicariously through the characters in the books she writes. 

Ophelia recently celebrated the release of AIMEE AND THE HEARTTHROB:

He never noticed her before, but now she's all he can see...

Miles Carlisle is every teen girl's fantasy. His rugged good looks and exotic British accent have helped catapult his boy band, Seconds to Juliet, to super-stardom. But after two disastrous and very public breakups, Miles isn't interested in dating just any girl; he wants The One. And the only girl he's interested in is not only his best friend's little sister - and off-limits - but won't even give him the time of day...

As a kid, Aimee Bingham had a huge thing for Miles...until he made fun of her for always tagging along. Now that she's outgrown both him and her pigtails, the prospect of spending two weeks on tour with the childhood crush who broke her heart isn't exactly enticing. Except now Miles seems interested. Very interested. And no matter how hard Aimee tries to resist him, her crush is definitely making a comeback. But everyone knows that falling for a heartthrob is a backstage pass to heartbreak...

May is National Military Appreciation Month. For the month of May, I am giving away one grand prize of books and swag from the authors featured this month (link). Plus five more commenters - one for each branch of service - wins a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1. Cupcakes!  What's your favorite?  I love anything chocolate!

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Ophelia and her books at ophelialondon.com.

May is National Military Appreciation Month - Aloha to Merline Lovelace

Today is the SOS America Military Tribute at the RT Booklovers' Convention.   Our guest speaker is Merline Lovelace.  From her bio,

After 23-years in the United States Air Force, Colonel Merline Lovelace hung up her uniform for the last time and launched a second career as a writer, basing many of her tales on her own experiences in the military and on her travels around the globe.

Her works have won numerous awards, including the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA. Merline is especially proud to have been named Oklahoma’s Writer of the Year and the Oklahoma Female Veteran of the Year.

Merline in Vietnam ...

HER UNFORGETTABLE ROYAL LOVER has been nominated for RWA's RITA award for contemporary romance/short:

Undercover agent Dominic St. Sebastian never expected to be dubbed a duke. The resulting media frenzy puts his name in the headlines and his undercover career on hold. And it's all the fault of his cousin's dowdy research assistant Natalie Clark, who dug up the information…then showed up on Dom's doorstep with a case of amnesia! 

So why is Dom suddenly finding her so unforgettable? Could it be that Natalie isn't what she seems? One thing's certain: their undeniable magnetism is about to take them on a royally wild ride!

Mahalo, Merline, for your service to our country!  May is National Military Appreciation Month. For the month of May, I am giving away one grand prize of books and swag from the authors featured this month (link). Plus five more commenters - one for each branch of service - wins a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1. What do you know about Oklahoma?  Have you visited the Sooner State?

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Merline and her books at merlinelovelace.com. 

Other books in the Duchess Diaries series ... 

May is National Military Appreciation Month - Aloha to Kennedy Layne

The few, the proud, the Marines.  Kennedy Layne and her hero husband are hosting the USMC table for the SOS America Military Tribute at the RT Booklovers Convention.   Last chance to claim free tickets at this link.  From her bio,

First and foremost, I love life. I love that I'm a wife, mother, daughter, sister...and a writer.

I am one of the lucky women in this world who gets to do what makes them happy. As long as I have a cup of coffee (maybe two or three) and my laptop, the stories evolve themselves and I try to do them justice. I draw my inspiration from a retired Marine Master Sergeant that swept me off of my feet and has drawn me into a world that fulfills all of my deepest and darkest desires. Erotic romance, military men, intrigue, with a little bit of kinky chili pepper (his recipe), fill my head and there is nothing more satisfying than making the hero and heroine fulfill their destinies.

I hope you'll join me on their journeys...

US Marines in the Washington Navy Yard, 1864
Public Domain (link)

Kennedy is ready to launch the Book three from the Red Starr series, IGNITING PASSION:

Risking everything…

Aaron “Stick” Scott spent twelve years of his life protecting his country. He diffused well over fifteen hundred bombs during the course of his military career, expecting each one to be his last. Luck had a huge part in his survival but it was fate that had a laugh at his expense by having a woman shatter his heart.

Playing it safe…

Simone Laurent’s career as a cultural attaché wasn’t exciting by any means, but she did love promoting the culture of her homeland. What she hadn’t anticipated was getting caught up in political war where her life would be at risk. Her situation goes from bad to worse when the man she left behind is the only one who can save her.
Igniting Passion…

Stick’s hostage rescue mission becomes sidetracked when he’s ordered to protect the one woman who couldn’t handle his job. Seeing her in the light of day brings back memories they’d both rather soon forget, but it’s the long evenings together that lights a fuse neither one can ignore. Will their reignited passion survive the highly explosive danger that’s coming their way?

Mahalo, Kennedy, for honoring military families!  May is National Military Appreciation Month. For the month of May, I am giving away one grand prize of books and swag from the authors featured this month (link). Plus five more commenters - one for each branch of service - wins a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1. Kennedy's a coffee drinker - how about you?  I drink hot chocolate instead of coffee for my morning caffeine.

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Kennedy and her books at kennedylayne.com.

Also available in the Red Starr series ... 

May is National Military Appreciation Month - Aloha to Elle James

Elle James is one of the original sponsors of the SOS America Military Tribute each year at the RT Booklovers Convention. Tickets are still available for this year's event at this link. From her bio,

Elle was born on Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, Washington to parents who taught her the value of hard work. She grew up as a military brat moving from place to place, alas, only stateside in lovely places like Glasgow, Montana, Abilene, Texas and various places in California and Washington. Elle got her creative streak from her talented artist mother, her tenacity from her wonderful father and her inspiration from her writing buddy and delightful sister, Delilah Devlin.

As a former member of the Army and Air Force Reserves, Elle's traveled across the United States and to Germany, managed a full-time job, and raised three wonderful children, Courtney, Adam and Megan. She and her husband, Cleve, have even tried raising exotic birds in the Texas Hill Country. Ask her and she'll tell you what it's like to go toe-to-toe with an angry 350-pound bird!

Mahalo, Elle, for your service!  Elle has been busy at the keyboard, including SEAL'S SEDUCTION:

Home on emergency leave, Navy SEAL Dusty Ford didn't expect to run into his high school sweetheart, local news reporter Jenna Turner, figuring she'd have shaken off the dust of their hometown a long time ago. A woman as addicted to action and adventure as he was, he thought she'd have moved on. But she was still there, and every bit as distracting as she'd been when they were teens.

Jenna Turner never got over Dusty, but moved on with her life, establishing herself as a news reporter for the local station. In an effort to take on more than reporting social events and weddings, with the help of a cousin and an inside connection on the police force, she chases the hotter news items, determined to make her break into the national news scene.

Now that he's older and wiser and his father is on the mend, Dusty tests the heat with his old flame and finds it's sizzling. When Jenna is caught in the crossfire and taken hostage during an ATF raid, Dusty and his brothers stage a rescue operation to bring her and others out alive.

May is National Military Appreciation Month. For the month of May, I am giving away one grand prize of books and swag from the authors featured this month (link). Plus five more commenters - one for each branch of service - wins a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1. Let's chat about birds ... do you have a favorite?  I miss the wide variety of birds from Hawaii, including the Oahu Amakih. 

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Elle and her books at ellejames.com.

Also new releases from Elle ...

May is National Military Appreciation Month - Aloha to Sharon Hamilton

I met Sharon Hamilton at last year's RT Booklovers Conference in New Orleans.  She is a positive force in Romanceland.  From her bio,

Sharon Hamilton is a NYT and USAToday bestselling author most known for her SEAL Brotherhood series.

Her Golden Vampires of Tuscany are not like any vamps you've read before, since they don't have to go to ground and can walk around in the full light of the sun.

Sharon's Guardian Angels struggle with the human charges they are sent to save, often escaping their vanilla world of Heaven for the brief human one. You won't find any of these beings in any Sunday school class.

All of Sharon's books are available on eBooks (most formats), print and Audible.

A lifelong organic gardener, Sharon lives with her husband in the Wine Country of Northern California, where most of her stories take place. When she's not writing, she's getting verra verra dirty in the mud or wandering Farmer's Markets looking for new Heirloom varieties of vegetables and flowers.

Sharon is represented by Jill Marsal at the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Sharon is hosting a table at the SOS America Military Tribute during the RT Booklovers' Convention - tickets are still available at this link.  Perhaps she'll chat about the next book her Bad Boys of SEAL Team Three series, SEAL'S CODE, available June 30, 2015:  

Danny Begay has tried to drive out the voices of his ancestors for most of his young life, but the life springing from his Navajo roots will not die. He is summoned back to Arizona to visit his dying grandfather, one of the original Navajo Code Talkers. Ashamed he has disappointed his hero grandfather he buries himself one more time in the arms of a stranger before he goes back to his home in Northern California.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

IBooks

Navajo Windtalkers in Saipan, June 1944
Public Domain (link)

May is National Military Appreciation Month. For the month of May, I am giving away one grand prize of books and swag from the authors featured this month (link). Plus five more commenters - one for each branch of service - wins a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1. Do you visit Farmer's Markets?  I haven't found one here yet in Baltimore ... but I loved the farmers' tables at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet!

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Sharon and her books at authorsharonhamilton.com.

Also coming from Sharon in June ...

May is National Military Appreciation Month - Aloha to Emmy Curtis

I am looking forward to Emmy Curtis, one of the table hostesses at the SOS America Military Tribute - free tickets are still available at this link.   From Emmy's bio,

Emmy Curtis is an editor and a romance writer. An ex-pat Brit, she quells her homesickness with Cadbury Flakes and Fray Bentos pies. She's lived in London, Paris and New York, and has settled for the time being, in North Carolina. When not writing, Emmy loves to travel with her military husband and take long walks with their Lab. All things considered, her life is chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny. And if you get that reference...well, she already considers you kin.

Cadbury Flake
Public Domain (link) 

I shared Emmy's bio with my British mother ... she understood the references!   Emmy is the author of the Alpha Ops series, including PUSHING THE LIMIT:

They’re tough. They’re brave. And they’ll do anything for the women they love. They’re the Alpha Ops. In the tradition of Suzanne Brockmann and Julie Ann Walker comes a sizzling new high-octane romantic suspense novel from rising star Emmy Curtis.

After their one-night fling at a wedding, archaeologist Henrietta “Harry” Markowitz thought she’d never see war hero Matt Stanning again. So when they’re paired up to investigate a military plane crash in Iraq, she’s not sure if the three-month reunion is serendipitous or cursed. What she does know is this gorgeous man lights her body on fire—and incredible sex is always a welcome distraction.

Air Force Sergeant Matt Stanning has been called a hero, but he feels nothing like one when he realizes the sexy blonde in his bed is the widow of his fallen brother-in-arms. Even worse, he actually has to work with her, and she’s unearthed evidence that points to a military conspiracy. If they dig deeper, they’ll put their lives in danger. If they don’t, they’ll never know the truth—not only about the mysterious plane crash, but about each other. 

Mahalo, Emmy, for serving as a military spouse ... and writing hot heroes!  May is National Military Appreciation Month. For the month of May, I am giving away one grand prize of books and swag from the authors featured this month (link). Plus five more commenters - one for each branch of service - wins a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1. What is your favorite chocolate?  I agree with Emmy that Cadbury's Flake, especially in ice cream, is ono (delicious).

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Emmy and her books at emmycurtis.com.

May is Military Appreciation Month - Aloha to Paige Tyler

Paige Tyler is participating in the SOS America Military Tribute on Thursday, May 14, in Dallas - free tickets are still available at this link.  From Paige's bio,

Paige is a USA Today Bestselling Author. She graduated from The University of West Florida with a degree in education in 2000, but decided to pursue a full-time career as a writer in 2004. Since then, she’s written over fifty books in several genres, including paranormal, contemporary, western, sci-fi and erotica. She loves writing about strong, sexy, alpha males and the feisty, independent women who fall for them. From verbal foreplay to sexual heat, her stories of romance, adventure, suspense, passion and true love will leave you breathlessly panting for more.

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.

Paige is celebrating the release of HER WILD HERO:

Department of Covert Operations Training Officer Kendra Carlsen has been begging her boss to let her go into the field for years. When he finally agrees to send her along on a training exercise in Costa Rica, she’s thrilled.

Bear-shifter Declan MacBride, on the other hand, is anything but pleased. He’s been crushing on Kendra since he started working at the DOC seven years ago. Spending two weeks in the same jungle with her is putting a serious strain on him.

When the team gets ambushed, Kendra and Declan are forced to depend on each other. But the bear-shifter soon discovers that fighting bloodthirsty enemies isn’t nearly as hard as fighting his attraction to the beautiful woman he’ll do anything to protect.

Today we are excited to sit down with Declan MacBride and Kendra Carlsen, the heroes of Paige Tyler’s May release Her Wild Hero! The latest title in Tyler’s hot X-Ops series finds Declan and Kendra deep in the Costa Rican jungle fighting for their lives. Kendra and Declan are here to give us a peek at their jungle adventures and a survival tip for would-be X-Op agents!

“It had taken them the better part of the day to traverse the rough terrain between the site of the ambush and the landing zone. On the trip out, they’d covered at least two swampy areas, a practically vertical ridgeline, and about three miles of thick jungles in that time.”

Kendra’s Jungle Tip: So, you don't like climbing over endless mountain ridges? You might not want to complain. It's a lot better than slogging through slimy swamp water up to your waist and praying none of the mud seeps into places you don't want it.

Amazon
Apple
BAM
B&N
Chapters
Indiebound
Kobo

Sourcebooks is hosting a special giveaway at this link.

Red Eyed Tree Frog from Costa Rica
Public Domain (link)

May is National Military Appreciation Month. For the month of May, I am giving away one grand prize of books and swag from the authors featured this month (link). Plus five more commenters - one for each branch of service - wins a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1.  Have you visited a jungle?  I've hiked through a few jungles in Hawaii.

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

From a Hawaiian jungle ...