Celebrate Romance Every Day: SOS Aloha 6th Anniversary (Part 3): Andrews AFB, RT, and RWA

Andrews AFB is home of Air Force One, which frequently visited Hawaii, parking not too far from my house!  Andrews AFB is also where my romance appetite was cultivated by Cathy Maxwell during a book signing in the base exchange. 

Cathy's THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT was the first romance book I read (link). Cathy attended the Old Fashioned Tea Party on Fort Meade (link). I was too busy at the Tea Party to chat with Cathy, thus prompting me to join her at the book signing on Andrews AFB.

I watched Cathy work her magic, laughing with readers as she signed their books.  I noticed a retiree approach her table, pick up her book, read her bio, and comment, "You look like you love what you do.  I'd like to buy this book!"

In April 2009, I attended the RT Booklovers' Convention in Orlando.  Cathy supported me as I coordinated the SOS America Military Tribute - she's a Navy Vet!   Many readers asked what they could do to support military families ... so I collected email addresses to create the SOS America newsletter (the newsletter would later morph into a blog).

No sooner had I returned home from Orlando when my husband received his next assignment - Hawaii.  By July, my house was packed but I had one last event - the RWA National Conference in Washington, DC.  I was in heaven! The highlight was sitting in the bar with Cathy, Cara Elliott, and Lauren Willig ... when the fire alarm rang and the lobby was swarmed with firemen!  No doubt this inspired the wave of firemen romances to come.  As we evacuated the building, Cathy suggested we enjoy lunch at an Thai restaurant across the street.  We were joined by Elizabeth Hoyt and Jade Lee. What more could a romance fan want?!?

I found firemen during RWA in NYC in 2015

My roommate at RWA was Mary Gramlich (link), who had been reviewing books for several years. She invited Delilah Marvelle back to our room for an impromptu wine tasting.  We later dined with Delilah and Kim Killion.  I look back at the entire conference with fond memories before our big move to Hawaii.  Those memories sustained me as I felt isolated from romance by the physical distance ... my blog would later bridge that distance. 

Readers, do you remember the first romance blog(s) which caught your attention?  One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Saturday, March 19, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 20.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Next Week:  SOS Aloha is born on Pearl Harbor.

Flash Holiday Giveaway - Kensington Christmas Trio

Montpelier Mansion handmade decorations

While searching through my closets (and under the beds) for holiday gifts stashed away, I found Christmas romance novels ... so let's giveaway a Kensington Trio:

MISCHIEF AND MISTLETOE by the Word Wenches aka Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverley, Joanna Bourne, Patricia Rice, Cara Elliott, Annie Gracie, and Susan Fraser King

Unwrap the most romantic of Regency delights in this sparkling holiday collection. . .

Christmastime in England--a time for passionate secrets, delicious whispers, and wicked-sweet gifts by the fire. From a spirited lady who sets out to save her rakish best friend from an unsuitable engagement, to a bold spy who gets the unexpected chance to win the woman he's always loved, to a vicar's daughter who pretends to be a saucy wench, these holiday tales will make you curl up in front of the fire for a memorable season of mischief and mistletoe. . .

Theresa Romain's SEASON FOR DESIRE (Holiday Pleasures, Book 4)

Properly Wicked

Like her four sisters, Lady Audrina Bradleigh is expected to marry a duke, lead fashion, and behave with propriety. Consequently, Audrina pursues mischief with gusto, attending scandalous parties and indulging in illicit affairs. But when an erstwhile lover threatens to ruin her reputation, Audrina has no choice but to find a respectable husband at once.

Who would guess that her search would lead her to Giles Rutherford, a blunt-spoken American on a treasure hunt of his own? When a Christmas snowstorm strands the pair at a country inn, more secrets are traded than gifts—along with kisses that require no mistletoe—and Audrina discovers even proper gentlemen have their wicked side…

Mollie Cox Bryan's A CRAFTY CHRISTMAS (A Cumberland Creek Mystery Book 4)

Christmas is just around the corner, and the ladies of the Cumberland Creek Scrapbook Crop are thrilled when Sheila wins the first place prize in a scrapbooking design contest: a ten-day scrapbook-themed cruise in the Caribbean. Vera and Paige decide to tag along, which should pose the perfect opportunity to learn some new techniques, mingle with fellow croppers, and get in some rest and relaxation before the chaos of Christmas. But when Sheila finds a famous crafter dead, and investigators determine she was poisoned, the luxury cruise veers toward disaster as Sheila becomes the number one suspect--or was she really the intended victim? Just as the croppers begin un-wrapping the truth, a storm strands them at sea, and they'll find it's harder than ever to survive the holidays with a killer on deck. . .

To enter the flash holiday giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment - where do you hide holiday gifts?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, December 12, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 13.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Handstrung popcorn garland

Aloha to Cara Elliott and SINFULLY YOURS

I recently reviewed Cara Elliott's SCANDALOUSLY YOURS (link) .... now I am ready for SINFULLY YOURS, Book 2 in the Hellions of High Street:

After an eventful Season, Anna Sloane longs for some peace and quiet to pursue her writing. Though her plots might be full of harrowing adventure and heated passion, she'd much prefer to leave such exploits on the page rather than experience them in real life. Or so she thinks until she encounters the darkly dissolute-and gorgeously charming-Marquess of Davenport.

Davenport has a reputation as a notorious rake whose only forte is wanton seduction. However the real reason he's a guest at the same remote Scottish castle has nothing to do with Anna . . . until a series of mysterious threats leave him no choice but to turn to her for help in stopping a dangerous conspiracy. As desire erupts between them, Davenport soon learns he's not the only one using a carefully crafted image to hide his true talents. And he's more than ready to show Anna that sometimes reality can be even better than her wildest imaginings . . .

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Cara Elliott started writing Western novels at the age of five. Later she changed her genre to Regency romance after reading Pride and Prejudice. She graduated from Yale University, and she now lives and works in New York City.

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Forever Romance is hosting a special giveaway at this link .... and offers an excerpt from SINFULLY YOURS:

“It was getting devilishly dull out here with only my own thoughts for company.”

Speak of the Devil!

Anna whirled around. “That’s not surprising, sir, when one’s mind is filled with nothing but thoughts of drinking, wenching, and gaming. Titillating as those pursuits might be, I would assume they grow tiresome with constant repetition.”

“A dangerous assumption, Miss Sloane.” Devlin Greville, the Marquess of Davenport—better known as the Devil Davenport—tossed down his cheroot and ground out the glowing tip beneath his heel. Sparks flared for an instant, red-gold against the slate tiles, before fading away to darkness. “I thought you a more sensible creature than to venture an opinion on things about which you know nothing.”

Anna watched warily as he took one . . . two . . . three sauntering steps closer. Quelling the urge to retreat, she stood her ground. The Devil might be a dissolute rake, a rapacious rogue, but she would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her flinch.

“Sense has nothing to do with it,” she countered coolly. “Given the rather detailed—and lurid—gossip that fills the drawing rooms of Mayfair each morning, I know a great deal about your exploits.”

“Another dangerous assumption.” His voice was low and a little rough, like the purr of a stalking panther.

Anna felt the tiny hairs on the nape of her neck stand on end.

He laughed, and the sound turned even softer. “I also thought you a more sensible creature than to listen to wild speculation.”

“Indeed?” Feigning nonchalance, she slid sideways and leaned back against the stone railing. Which was, she realized a tactical mistake. The marquess mirrored her movements, leaving her no way to escape.

“I—I don’t know why you would think that,” she went on. “You know absolutely nothing about me.”

“On the contrary. I, too, listen to the whispers that circulate through the ton.”

“Don’t be absurd.” She steadied her voice. “I am quite positive that there’s not an ill word spoken about me. I am exceedingly careful that not a whiff of impropriety sullies my reputation.”

“Which in itself says a great deal,” he drawled.

“You’re an idiot.”

“Am I?” He came closer, close enough that her nostrils were suddenly filled with a swirl of masculine scents. Bay rum cologne. Spiced smoke. French brandy. A hint of male musk.

Her pulse began to pound, her breath began to quicken.

Good Lord, it’s me who is an idiot. I’m acting like Emmalina!

Shaking off the horrid novel histrionics, Anna scowled. “You’re not only an idiot, Lord Davenport, you are an annoying idiot. I’m well aware that you take perverse pleasure in trying to . . .”

Cocking his head, he waited.

“To annoy me,” she finished lamely.

Another laugh. “Clearly I am having some success, so I can’t be all that bumbling.”

To give the Devil his due, he had a quick wit. Biting back an involuntary smile, Anna turned her head to look out over the shadowed gardens. Flames from the torchieres on the main terrace danced in the breeze, their glow gilding the silvery moonlight as it dappled over the thick ivy vines that covered the perimeter walls.

She shouldn’t find him amusing. And yet like a moth drawn to an open fire . . .

“What? No clever retort?” said Devlin.

Anna willed herself not to respond.

“I see.” Somehow he found a way to inch even closer. His trousers were now touching her skirts. “You mean to ignore me.”

“If you were a gentleman, you would go away and spare me the effort.”

“Allow me to point out two things, Miss Sloane. Number one—I was here first.”

The marquess had a point.

“And number two. . .” His hand touched her cheek. He wasn’t wearing gloves and the heat of his bare fingers seemed to scorch her skin. “We both know I’m no gentleman.”

Devlin saw her eyes widen as the light pressure on her jaw turned her face to his. It wasn’t shock, he decided, but something infinitely more interesting. Miss Anna Sloane was no spun-sugar miss, a cloying confection of sweetness and air that would make a man’s molars stick together at first bite. He sensed an intriguing hint of steel beneath the demure gowns and dutiful smiles.

If I had to guess, I would say that she’s not averse to the little game we have been playing.

She inhaled with a sharp hiss.

Or maybe I am simply in a state of drunken delusion.

It was entirely possible. Of late he had been imbibing far more brandy than was good for him. Only one way to find out.

He would give her a heartbeat to protest, to pull away. Yes, he was dissolute, but not depraved. A man had to draw the line somewhere.

She made a small sound in her throat.

Too late.

The tiny throb of her pulse beneath his fingertips had signaled her time was up. Devlin leaned in and felt their bodies graze, their lips touch.

A mere touch, and yet it sent a jolt of fire through him.

He froze. The distant laughter, the faint trilling of the violins, the rustling leaves all gave way to a strange thrumming sound in his ears.

Anna shifted, and Devlin shook off the sensation. It must be the brandy, he decided. He had just come from his club, where he had been sampling a potent vintage brought up from the wine cellar. Women had no such effect on him.

A kiss was a distraction, nothing more. A way to keep boredom at bay.

“Go to Hell.” Anna’s whisper teased against his mouth as she jerked back.

“Eventually,” growled Devlin. “But first . . .” He kissed her again. A harder, deeper, possessive embrace. Her lips tremored uncertainly.

Seizing the moment, he slipped his tongue through the tiny gap and tasted a beguiling mix of warmth and spice. Impossible to describe.

He needed to taste more.

More.

Aloha to Cara Elliott and SCANDALOUSLY YOURS - Book Review

Proper young ladies of the ton-especially ones who have very small dowries-are not encouraged to have an interest in intellectual pursuits. Indeed, the only thing they are encouraged to pursue is an eligible bachelor. So, the headstrong Sloane sisters must keep their passions a secret. Ah, but secret passions are wont to lead a lady into trouble . . .

SCANDALOUSLY YOURS

The eldest of the three Sloane sisters, Olivia is unafraid to question the boundaries of Society-even if it does frequently land her in trouble. Disdaining the glittery world of balls and courtship, Olivia prefers to spend her time writing fiery political essays under a pseudonym for London's leading newspaper. But when her columns attract the attention of the oh-so-proper Earl of Wrexham, Olivia suddenly finds herself dancing on the razor's edge of scandal. With the help of her sisters, she tries to stay one step ahead of trouble . . .

However, after a series of madcap misadventures, Wrexham, a former military hero who is fighting for social reform in Parliament, discovers Olivia's secret. To her surprise, he proposes a temporary alliance to help win passage of his bill. Passion flares between them, but when a political enemy kidnaps the earl's young son, they must make some dangerous decisions . . . and trust that love will conquer all.

St. Giles Chuch, Wrexham

Image by David Powell (link)

The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say. - Anais Nin

Olivia Sloane has a talent for writing yet the ton forces her to hide behind a pen name.   She also hides during social engagements.  On one such occasion, Olivia matches wits over a chess board with a shadowed man marked by a military bearing.  She later learns her challenger was Earl of Wrexham, a war hero and widowed father of a precocious son.   Circumstance continues to bring them together, giving Olivia and Wrexham the opportunity to learn each other's secrets.   

Elliott excels in the little details to make this a quintessential Regency romance laced with passion, humor, and warmth.  The chess board becomes the catalyst for these fated lovers to learn how to outmaneuver their enemies ... and conquer each other's hearts.  Elliott includes children in a subplot ala Sleepless in Seattle.  I wasn't sure how this storyline would merge with the overarching story of the social reform.  Yet Elliott weaves all threads together for a heartfelt romance, whetting my appetite for the other Sloane sisters to have their own adventure.

Recommended read for fans of Regency historicals, bluestocking heroines, and road trips.

The road trip takes them to Dartmoor ...

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about your pen name - what would it be?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, April 25, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, April 27.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Cara and her books at caraelliott.com.

Books 2 and 3 from the Hellions of High Street

Aloha to Cara Elliott and SCANDALOUSLY YOURS

SCANDALOUSLY YOURS by Cara Elliott (March 31, 2015; Forever Mass Market; $6.00)

The eldest of the three Sloane sisters, Olivia is unafraid to question the boundaries of Society-even if it does frequently land her in trouble. Disdaining the glittery world of balls and courtship, Olivia prefers to spend her time writing fiery political essays under a pseudonym for London's leading newspaper. But when her columns attract the attention of the oh-so-proper Earl of Wrexham, Olivia suddenly finds herself dancing on the razor's edge of scandal. With the help of her sisters, she tries to stay one step ahead of trouble . . .

However, after a series of madcap misadventures, Wrexham, a former military hero who is fighting for social reform in Parliament, discovers Olivia's secret. To her surprise, he proposes a temporary alliance to help win passage of his bill. Passion flares between them, but when a political enemy kidnaps the earl's young son, they must make some dangerous decisions . . . and trust that love will conquer all.

Amazon
B&N
iBooks
GooglePlay
BAM
Kobo

Cara Elliott started writing Western novels at the age of five. However, she traded in her cowboy boots for Regency high-top Hessians after reading Pride and Prejudice in junior high school and hasn't looked back. She graduated from Yale University, and she now lives and works in New York City.

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Forever is hosting a giveaway at this link ... and offers an except from SCANDALOUSLY YOURS:

“How dare you spy on me, sir!” demanded Olivia, once she had mastered her emotions enough to speak.

He fixed her with a commanding stare, the one that had set many a seasoned soldiers to quaking in their boots. “I would not have had to resort to such tactics if you had shown me the courtesy of answering my letters.”

Olivia refused to be intimidated. Lifting her chin, she scowled back at him. “I did answer them.”

“With a single word—no.”

“And what,” she asked with excruciating politeness, “did you not understand about such a simple syllable?”

John couldn’t help but admire her grit. It took courage and resourcefulness to play in a man’s world. And she played well, he conceded.

Expelling a harried sigh, he felt his anger dissipate just as quickly as it had come. She had no choice but to guard her secret very carefully. “Look, at least hear me out, Miss Sloane. Tracking down The Beacon has led me on a merry dance throughout Town.”

Olivia paled at the mention of the nom de plume. Turning abruptly, she plunged off the path and darted around a tangle of holly.

“Wait!” John ducked under the prickly branches, losing his hat in the process.

“Go away!” Her voice was muffled by the overhanging leaves.

“Not until we talk!”

“I’ve nothing to say to you.”

The Devil take it. All but a last little flutter of her skirts disappeared behind a shaggy yew hedge. Swearing under his breath, John cut through a patch of lavender. He hadn’t come this far to be rebuffed. She would damn well listen. Or else…

Several long strides brought him within arm’s reach of her. “Confound it, Miss Sloane, stop and listen,” he called, lunging for her sleeve.

As his fingers seized the fabric, his boot snagged on a twist of morning glory. Pitched off-balance, he stumbled and fell, taking her with him. Tangled together, they hit the ground hard, their momentum rolling them into a patch of pachysandra.

“Ooof!” Olivia’s flailing kick caught him square in the shin.

Flat on his back, John got a momentary glimpse of Olivia’s irrepressible curls dancing in the breeze before another half turn landed him on his stomach. Burning with embarrassment, he tried to right himself, only to find that she was sprawled across his…posterior.

Bloody hell, he had never felt like a bigger arse in all his life.

They both started wriggling at the same time. He managed to twist face-up just as she slipped on the glossy leaves and fell back down atop him.

“Miss Sloane,” he gasped.

“Lord Wrexham,” wheezed Olivia, an odd little burr roughening her already throaty voice.

For an instant, he feared she was going to burst into tears.

Instead, she began to laugh.

And laugh.

Scottie was right. It was a delightful sound, its top notes shaded with a rich, sensual echo that seemed to stroke over his skin like a moon-dappled midnight breeze.

A twitch tugged at his lips. His dignity—as well as his coat—was in tatters, his pride was bruised, and though he should not find it at all funny, John felt a rumble vibrate deep in his throat.

Olivia tried to get up again, but her limbs were too weak with mirth. “Good Lord, what a ridiculous picture we must make!” she wheezed in between burbles of laughter.

“Here, let me help you.” Levering to his feet, John lifted her up and as she seemed a bit shaky, he kept his hands on her waist.

“Well, it’s not every day I take a tumble in the hay with an earl,” she quipped.

“Please don’t think that I make a habit of ruining a young lady’s reputation,” he answered.

Her cheeks, already pink from the breeze, turned a lusher shade of red as she looked up and wet her lips.

John felt his body clench. His legendary sang froid began to bubble…His steely self-control went up in smoke…

Olivia flinched as his mouth possessed hers. She was like summer rain against his tongue. So soft, so sweet.

Her hands came up around his neck.

Hell, it would serve him right if she throttled him on the spot.

But then, all of a sudden, she was kissing him back.

In a daze, John twisted around and braced her back against the ivy-covered wall, the glossy leaves crackling under the crush of silk. He was dimly aware of a roaring like cannonfire in his ears, and as his hands slid down to cup her breasts he realized it was the pounding of his own heart.

Knocking all reason to flinders.

A gust of air ruffled his hair, stirring wild, wicked thoughts of her waltzing naked through the trees. In response, his own privy parts began dancing to their own drummer. Thump. Thump. Thump. His pulse was pounding a military tattoo, commanding all soldiers to stand erect.

And Dear God, his Major Organ was responding with unabashed enthusiasm.

Olivia didn’t seem disgusted by his display of primitive lust. With a tiny moan, she tightened her hold and hitched her hips into him.

Lud, it felt good. No, better than good.

Exquisite.

         

Coming Soon from the Hellions of High Street

Weekly Winners

Aloha!  I am a winner - I won Kandy Shepard's THE SUMMER THEY NEVER FORGOT and Tracy Brogan's HOLD ON MY HEART.  Reviews to come ...

We have winners at SOS Aloha!

Máire Claremont and THE DARK AFFAIR
- Terri wins a signed copy from Máire.

Kate McKinley's By Invitation Series

- Catslady wins the bound edition from Forever Romance

Jane Ashford's THE BRIDE INSISTS

- Diane wins a print copy from Sourcebooks

Passionate, Enticing, and Reckless Blog Tour

- Jane wins these books from Forever Romance

Elizabeth Michels' DESPERATELY SEEKING SUZANNA

- LSU wins a print copy from me

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Forever Romance's Passionate, Enticing, and Reckless Blog Tour with Cara Elliott, Lily Dalton, and Vicky Dreiling

We have the triple delight in Regency Romance!  Cara, Lily, and Vicky share their top five ...

Cara Elliott's Passionate, Enticing, Reckless Top 5 List

What's something you're passionate about: Literacy, especially for kids

Name one of Hollywood's most Enticing hunks: Matthew Macfadyen

What's one reckless activity you've always wanted to try? Heli-skiing in the Rockies

Share a fun fact about your book: Caro, the drama queen, was the hardest of the sisters to write—I think I went through at least six dozen Lindt Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt bars bribing the Muse to make her behave.

Share a fun fact about you: I took up fencing for several months in college but decided I didn’t like getting poked with a sharp object and turned to squash, a sport in which you get to whack a little rubber ball against a wooden wall.

Lily Dalton's Passionate, Enticing, Reckless Top 5 List

What's something you're passionate about: Dishes. My “granny” had lots and lots of dishes, and not one matching set! It made her happy to eat on a different pretty plate every day and put them out for visitors. I think I must have inherited my love of dishes from her. My cabinets are crammed with all sorts, new and old. It’s an obsession my husband doesn’t understand.

Name one of Hollywood's most Enticing hunks: Hugh Jackman (Best Physique)

What's one reckless activity you've always wanted to try? I’d love to parasail over a bright azure sea.

Share a fun fact about your book: There’s a dangerous, wrong-part-of-town bawdy house!

Share a fun fact about you: I used to be a really great slalom water skier. I might still be…

Vicky Dreiling's Passionate, Enticing, Reckless Top 5 List

What's something you're passionate about: Downton Abbey – My Facebook readers and I are in mourning until the next season!

Name one of Hollywood's most Enticing hunks: Henry Cavill—role model for Colin/WHAT A RECKLESS ROGUE NEEDS (3/25)

What's one reckless activity you've always wanted to try? Ride in a hot air balloon (Did I mention I’m afraid of heights?)

Share a fun fact about your book: There is a pug named Hercules in the book. William and Mary introduced the pug to England in 1688.

Share a fun fact about you: I taught aerobics for ten years.

Passionately Yours

PASSIONATELY YOURS by Cara Elliott (March 4, 2014; Forever E-Book; $7.99)

The youngest of the Hellions of High Street, Caro Sloane has watched her two sisters have exhilarating encounters with dashing heroes, and now she is longing for some excitement of her own. After all, how can she write truly passionate poetry until she has experienced a Grand Adventure? But that seems unlikely to happen as she'll be spending the next few weeks in the quiet spa town of Bath, where nothing grand or adventurous ever happens . . . until she and her new friend Isobel are nearly abducted while walking on a quiet country road-only to be rescued by Alec McClellan, the moody and mysterious Scottish lord she met at Dunbar Castle.

Alec has come to England to deal with a treacherous betrayal and fears that his half-sister Isobel is in peril from an old enemy. Does he dare share his secrets with Caro? The bold and brave beauty leaves him no choice, and together they are quickly caught up in a swirl of dangerous intrigue . . . where fiery desire between them may ignite into the greatest danger of all.

Cara Elliott started writing Westerns at age five but moved on to Regency romance after reading Pride and Prejudice. (Clearly she has a thing for Men in Boots!) A graduate of Yale University, she lives and works in New York City.

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Never Entice an Earl

NEVER ENTICE AN EARL by Lily Dalton (April 29, 2014; Forever Mass Market; $8.00)

Lady Daphne Bevington would do anything for her maid Kate-including masquerading as Kate and sneaking around the wrong side of London to settle the poor girl's debt. Yet her innocent ruse takes a scandalous turn when "Kate" runs into a handsome gentleman on a secret quest of his own. A moment of passion could cost Daphne her reputation, but how can she ignore the stranger's searing kiss?

An Arrangement Most Wicked

Lord Cormack Northmore is determined to find the immoral peer who ruined his sister. So when he learns that the irresistible woman he knows as "Kate" is the Season's most sought-after debutante, Cormack plans to use her connections to help him set a trap. Now, the closer Cormack gets to uncovering the villain who haunts the ton's ballrooms, the more he realizes that the lovely lady is in danger herself. Will he abandon his quest for revenge-or risk losing his one chance at love?

Lily Dalton grew up as an Army brat, moving from place to place. Her first stop after relocating was always the local library, where she could hang out with familiar friends: Books! Lily has an English degree from Texas A & M University and after graduation worked as a legal assistant in the fields of accident reconstruction and litigation. She now lives in Houston, Texas, with her family. When she isn't at work on her next manuscript, she spends her time trying out new recipes, cheering on her favorite Texas football teams and collecting old dishes, vintage linens and other fine "junque" from thrift stores and flea markets.

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Buy Links:
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What a Reckless Rogue Needs

WHAT A RECKLESS ROGUE NEEDS by Vicky Dreiling (March 25, 2014; Forever Mass Market; $8.00)

WILL THE ROGUE'S PERFECT PLAN . . . Colin Brockhurst, Earl of Ravenshire, has no desire to wed, this season or any other. So when his father demands he give up his wild ways and take a wife, Colin refuses. But his father raises the stakes and threatens to sell the ancestral home if Colin doesn't comply. Now Colin has no choice but to find a wife. Unfortunately, the only woman he wants is the one whose heart he broke years ago.

LEAD TO THE PERFECT SEDUCTION?

Regardless of the ton's whispers, Lady Angeline Brenham won't settle for anything less than true love. After rejecting more than her share of suitable suitors, spinsterhood looms before her-until the devilishly handsome Colin reappears in her life with a proposition. Angeline vows to keep her feet on the ground and her heart in check. That is, until one searing kiss melts her resolve and reignites a burning desire for more . . .

Vicky Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the United Kingdom allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her Trouble.

When she's not writing, Vicky enjoys reading, films, concerts, and, most of all, long lunches with friends. A native Texan, she holds degrees in English literature and marketing.

Social Media Links:
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Facebook
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Buy Links:
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Wow!  And it gets better ... Forever Romance is giving away an ecopy of PASSIONATELY YOURS, a print copy of NEVER ENTICE AN EARL, and a print copy of WHAT A RECKLESS ROGUE NEEDS.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Share something passionate, enticing, and/or reckless about you!  

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

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 15, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 16.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore  

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

I am passionate about the beach ....

Aloha to The Sinful Scots Blog Tour with Amanda Scott's THE WARRIOR'S BRIDE and Cara Elliott's SINFULLY YOURS (part 2)

On Saturday, I spotlighted The Sinful Scots Blog Tour, giving away a print copy of THE WARRIOR'S BRIDE (link) ... the giveaway is still open!

Today, I offer you five fun facts from Cara and Amanda!

From Cara Elliott:

If Anna Sloane had Netflix, these would be her five favorite Historical Heroes

1. Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice” AND Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice.” (Jane Austen is, of course, her favorite author so she can’t resist making two choices—can you blame her?)

2. Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow in “Pirates of the Caribbean.” (She confesses to having a soft spot for rogues . . . as you might guess from the rest of the list)

3. Timothy Dalton as Heathcliff in “Wuthering Heights.”

4. Sean Bean as Richard Sharpe in the “Sharpe” series from BBC.

5. Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII in “The Tudors.”

SINFULLY YOURS by Cara Elliott

After an eventful Season, Anna Sloane longs for some peace and quiet to pursue her writing. Though her plots might be full of harrowing adventure and heated passion, she'd much prefer to leave such exploits on the page rather than experience them in real life. Or so she thinks until she encounters the darkly dissolute-and gorgeously charming-Marquess of Davenport. 

Davenport has a reputation as a notorious rake whose only forte is wanton seduction. However the real reason he's a guest at the same remote Scottish castle has nothing to do with Anna . . . until a series of mysterious threats leave him no choice but to turn to her for help in stopping a dangerous conspiracy. As desire erupts between them, Davenport soon learns he's not the only one using a carefully crafted image to hide his true talents. And he's more than ready to show Anna that sometimes reality can be even better than her wildest imaginings.

About Cara Elliot:

Cara Elliott started writing Western novels at the age of five. Later she changed her genre to Regency romance after reading Pride and Prejudice. She graduated from Yale University, and she now lives and works in New York City.

Social Media:
CaraElliott.com
@CaraElliott
Facebook: facebook.com/cara.elliott1

Buy Links:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iTunes

From Amanda Scott:

1. While I was outlining Lairds of the Loch, I applied to my favorite resource for all things Scottish, seeking his input on the setting I wanted to create. I had chosen the Highlands between Loch Lomond on the east and Loch Long— known then as the Loch of the Long Boats—on the west. I wanted Lady Muriella’s family to live in a stone tower (for which I needed a name), and I wanted them to be generally safe there. That meant creating a protective landscape and more, something that was either magical or could seem magical (to match the heroines’ gifts). I explained all that, and my friend, who grew up at Eilean Donan Castle and spoke Gaelic before English, suggested Tùr Meiloach, which means “a small tower guarded by giants.”

2. Stress of deadlines and multiple requests from editors, publicists, news media, and others can make a writer trying to finish a book crazy. But relief can come quite unexpectedly. I was in that position one day while I was finishing THE WARRIOR’S BRIDE when I received the following text from my son: “I’m in the garage tinkering when I hear Cam (my then 4-year-old grandson) say, ‘Daddy, help me; I’m stuck.’ I should say Cam’s voice was very calm. I walked outside and got drenched. He was on the front porch up above me, standing on a bench by the front door with his super soaker! He blasted me! ROFL” I should tell you that this was well-deserved karma, because my son at age 2 soaked me with a garden hose.

3. I sign books every year at Scottish games and festivals in California (Woodland, Costa Mesa, Pleasanton), Washington (Enumclaw), and Colorado (Estes Park). I love to meet fans and hear what they like to read (and what they hate), so if you’re in the area, come and say hello.

4. My orange and white Persian, Willy Magee, starred as a kitten called the “wee biter” in SEDUCED BY A ROGUE and now considers himself my chief critic … and editor. He has been known to add bits to whatever I’m writing, while I have lunch or take some other break, and even to delete portions that apparently he disapproves of. Fortunately, his editing can generally be undone … albeit not always.

5. I’m often asked if I’d like to trade places with one of my characters if it were possible to do so. My answer to that, so far, has always been the same, no. I spend my summers in a rustic cabin in the High Sierras, with no road, no sewer, no telephone, and no Internet. That’s enough historical living for me. I like libraries, iced mochas, and driving fast cars. Living in a drafty, smoky castle might be fun for a sennight or so, and I love good haggis, but after that…nae, thanks!

THE WARRIOR’S BRIDE by Amanda Scott:

Robert MacAulay, heir to a powerful Baron, is known for being a skilled warrior with a strong sense of duty. His respectable reputation, along with his devotion to the king, is why Andrew MacFarlan and hope he'd agree to marry his youngest daughter, Lady Muriella. But for reasons Rob refuses to share, he turns down Andrew's request and vows never to wed. 

Lady Muriella never wanted to take a husband, but after seeing her two older sisters happily settled, she's beginning to think marriage may have its merits. When she learns that Rob has refused her without even knowing her, she becomes determined to seduce him into changing his mind. Then she will be the one to say no to him. But when she's captured by her father sworn enemy Dougal, both land in more trouble than either had anticipated.

About Amanda Scott:

Amanda Scott is the author of over 60 romance novels and the recipient of the Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA Award. She lives in Folsom, California, outside of Sacramento. She is a fourth-generation Californian.

Social Media:
amandascottauthor.com
Facebook: facebook.com/amandascottauthor

Buy links for THE WARRIOR’S BRIDE:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iTunes

I am giving away an ecopy of SINFULLY YOURS to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Can you add to Cara's list of historical heroes ... I loved Henry Cavill in The Tudors, too!

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 1, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winners on Sunday, March 2.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Scotland Forever!