Celebrating the Seventh Anniversary of SOS Aloha

Aloha!  Today is the 7th anniversary of my blog!  I created SOS Aloha six months after moving to Pearl Harbor - it became a means for me to remain connected to Romance Land!  I thank Mary Gramlich, the Reading Reviewer, for encouraging me then - and now - to find my own voice. I also appreciate the endless support offered by romance authors Anne Elizabeth and Cathy Maxwell.  I was honored that Pamela Clare asked me to review BREAKING POINT - my first full length review on SOS Aloha (link).    

I would not be here without the readers, too!  I still correspond with some of my first followers - Dani, Jane, Debby, Gale, and many more.

To celebrate my blog anniversary, I recommend books and films from my beloved Hawaii ...

Kauai, the Garden Isle, is home of romance author Jill Marie Landis, who gives readers a taste of Kauai life in MAI TAI ONE ON, Book 1 (of 4) in the Tiki Goddess Mystery series. Read my review here.  Also check out her novella, TROUBLE IN PARADISE, at this link.

Oahu, the Gathering Place, served as the backdrop for independent film, THE RIDE:

When cocky, young surfing champion David Monroe wipes out on a big wave, he slips back in time to 1911 Hawai`i. Washing up on Waikiki beach, he discovers the true spirit of surfing when he is befriended by a young Hawaiian beachboy not yet known to the world - the future Olympic and surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku.
THE RIDE is a nostalgic escape into surfing, a coming of age for a cocky surfer, and a romance across time.  Rent it from Netflix at this link.  I also recommend THE DESCENDANTS with George Clooney and PRINCESS KAIULANI with Q'orianka Kilcher - both are set on Oahu and refer to Hawaiian royalty.

UH Professor Chip Hughes launched the Surfing Detective mystery series with MURDER ON MOLOKA'I - read my review at this link.   I've enjoyed the other books in the series - WIPEOUT (Oahu), KULA (Maui), and MURDER AT VOLCANO HOUSE (Big Island of Hawaii).

Dee DeTarsio takes readers on a wild ride when a weather girl returns home to Maui, the Valley Isle, in HAOLE WOOD.  No sooner does Jaswinder bail out her grandmother for pakalolo (marijuana) than she finds herself becoming a suspect in an island murder.  Aided by oversized guardian angel who loves ketchup, Jaswinder soon learns that home was always in her heart. Check out my review at this link.

On the other side of Maui, Gina Robinson exploits every tourist trap and spy stereotype in THE SPY WHO LEFT ME.  Check out my review at this link.

The Big Island of Hawaii offers a diverse landscape, from snowy mountain top to black sand beaches.  In between are the ranches where paniolo - cowboys - are kings. Enter Shana Gray with COWBOY IN PARADISE, released earlier this week.  It is next in my TBR pile - review to come!

Hawaii's ninth island is ... Las Vegas!  Sin City is the No. 1 vacation destination for Hawaiians ... and home of a mini statue of King Kamehameha along the Strip.  Lori Wilde rolls the dice in LICENSED TO THRILL,

Wilde's fast-paced, steamy, and humorous novel follows beautiful, wisecracking Las Vegas P.I. Charlee Champagne, hired by uptight banker Mason Gentry to find his grandfather, who's on the lam with the family fortune. 

I read LICENSED TO THRILL long before I posted reviews on my blog ... so I will have to reread to share my thoughts on this laugh out loud romantic comedy with you!

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

1. What were you doing seven years ago?  Can you recommend any books or films from Hawaii or Las Vegas?  

2. Comments are open through Sunday, March 5, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, March 6.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Hawaiian History - King Kamehameha Day

Hawaii celebrates King Kamehameha Day on June 11.   From Hawaii History (link),

Born at Kokoiki in North Kohala on the island of Hawai`i (in 1758), Kamehameha descended from chiefs of Hawai`i and Maui. As a young man, he distinguished himself as a talented warrior and served his uncle Kalaniopu`u, ruler of several districts on the island. A keen battle strategist and admirer of Western weaponry, Kamehameha later utilized guns and cannon to defeat his own enemies and consolidate his power in the Islands.

King Kamehameha is often referred to as the Napoleon of the Pacific.  By uniting the islands, he prevented them from becoming European and Asian colonies.   Also from Hawaii History,

Mamala Hoe (Law of the Splintered Paddle)

During a raid on Puna, Kamehameha pursued several fishermen and his foot got stuck in a rock crevice. Realizing the chief's disadvantage, one of the fisherman struck him on the head with a paddle which splintered. As the first fisherman prepared to strike Kamehameha again, the other fisherman made a plea to his companion to spare Kamehameha. Deeply moved by this incident, Kamehameha later proclaimed a law to protect the defenseless and to ensure the safety of travelers. A version of the law was incorporated into the state constitution in 1978.

The statue above was commissioned by the Kingdom of Hawaii in the early 1880s.   It was lost at sea enroute from Europe to Hawaii.   With the insurance payout, the Legislature cast a second statue which now stands in front of the Ali'iolani Hale (Justice Palace) as seen on Hawaii Five O (and pictured at the top).   The original statue awashed ashore in the Falkland Islands.  It was returned to Hawaii and erected near his birthplace near Kohala on the Big Island of Hawaii (link).  A third statue now stands in the US Capital Hall's Statuary Hall along side Father Damien (link).

Kamehameha's private heiau (temple) in Kona

To celebrate King Kamehameha Day, I offer my favorite romance books set in Hawaii:

Ophelia London's MAKING WAVES, a novella from the Perfect Kisses series.  A journalist and surfer learn to trust again on Oahu's North Shore; review link.

Chip Hughes' mystery series, the Surfing Detective, visiting the islands of Lana'i, Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island of Hawaii:

- MURDER ON MOLOKA'I, review link

- WIPEOUT!, review link 

- KULA, review link

- MURDER AT VOLCANO HOUSE, review link

Gina Robinson's THE SPY WHO LEFT ME:  Set on Maui, the heroine attends her cousin's destination wedding only to bump into her estranged husband under cover.  The couple endure every tourist trap, family bickering, and Chinese spies, ultimately bringing them back together for the HEA.   

Check out my interview with Gina at this link and my review at this link.

Jill Marie Landis' Tiki Goddess series.  Set on Kauai, a California woman relocates to the North Shore to save her uncle (from fortune hunters), the Tiki Goddess bar (from going under), and the Hula Maidens (from themselves).   Laugh out loud comedy true to the spirit of the Garden Isle.

MAI TAI ONE ON, review link

TWO TO MANGO, review link

THREE TO GET LEI'D, blurb link

TOO HOT FOUR HULA, review link

Jill Marie Landis' TROUBLE IN PARADISE, a novella bringing a bride and groom to Kauai, only to have their wedding plans disrupted by Mother Nature and Hawaiian lore; review link.

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

1.  Leave a comment about Hawaii - do you have a favorite place, food, drink, book, movie, or something else?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, June 13, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 14.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City 

Best of 2014 - Cozy Mystery

Here are the best cozy mysteries I read in 2014 ... all are set in places where I have a connection!

Hannah Dennison's MURDER AT HONEY CHURCHHALL (link) ... Devon!

Jennifer L. Hart's FINAL NOTICE (link) ... Miami!

Jill Marie Landis' TOO HOT FOR HULA (link) ... Oahu!

Chip Hughes's Surfing Detective Series ... Moloka'i, Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island!

MURDER ON MOLOKA'I (link)

WIPEOUT (link)

KULA (link)

MURDER AT VOLCANO HOUSE (link)

Do you have a favorite cozy mystery from 2014?  One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, January 3, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 4.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Celebrate Hawaii Week - Aloha to Chip Hughes, The Surfing Detective, and MURDER AT VOLCANO HOUSE

For our finale of Celebrate Hawaii Week, we invite Pele, the Volcano Goddess, from Chip Hughes' MURDER AT VOLCANO HOUSE:

Kai Cooke comes to the Volcano House for his strangest case yet—protecting the CEO of a geothermal venture from the wrath of Pele, legendary goddess of volcanoes. Rex Ransom is here in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to attend the funeral for his second employee to die mysteriously in Pele’s domain. His wife sees a pattern and fears that Rex, having offended Pele by drilling in her sacred rainforest, is next. Kai is not so sure. But his faith in common sense receives a jolt when Ransom turns up in a steam vent, boiled alive. Kai investigates and finds others besides Pele who might want Ransom dead. An ex-wife, a former business partner, an anti-drilling activist, a loony woman who fancies herself Pele’s sister, and more. Did the goddess herself strike down Ransom? Or is the answer closer to home? A quick-paced, vivid, island-hopping ride, Murder at Volcano House gives fans of the Surfing Detective reason to cheer, and fans of Hawai'i—who is not?—a welcome journey to these storied isles.

Aia lā ‘o Pele i Hawai‘i ‘eā
Ke ha‘a mai lā i Maukele ‘eā
‘Ūhī‘ūhā mai ana ‘eā
Ke nome a‘e lā iā Puna, ‘eā
‘Owaka i ka lani, nokenoke
Ē Pele ē Pele ē.

Pele is in Hawai‘i
She is dancing at Maukele
She rumbles and mutters
As she consumes Puna.
Flashing in the heavens, on and on
O Pele, Pele

Hughes crafts a cozy mystery with Pele the Volcano Goddess. Kama'aina (locals) warn tourists from taking lava rocks - the essence of Pele - home to the mainland.   Kama'aina know that bad luck will follow the lava rock.  The Park Service displays the rocks mailed back by tourists who have felt Pele's wrath.

MURDER AT VOLCANO HOUSE brings Pele's wrath to a CEO who cut through a sacred forest.  Kai Cooke, the Surfing Detective, is skeptical yet he encounters others who are believers, including the CEO's wife, an activist, and the desk clerk at Volcano House.  The historic hotel is perched on the rim of Kilauea's caldera - Pele's home.  

Hughes delivers another action adventure for the Surfing Detective as Kai navigates through Hawaii's cultural history while trying to avoid Pele's wrath himself.  I enjoyed Hughes sprinkling in the Hawaiian language, local slang, and a homage to the extraordinary landscape of the Big Island. Recommended read for those who appreciate Hawaii's culture heritage.  

I purchased a print copy of MURDER AT VOLCANO HOUSE for my reading pleasure.

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

1.  Can you share any local legends?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, June 14, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 15.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Chip and his books at surfingdetective.com.

Check out my pictures of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at this link, link, link, link, and link.

Celebrate Hawaii Week - Aloha to Chip Hughes, The Surfing Detective, and KULA

Continuing our celebration of Hawaii, KULA is Book 3 in Chip Hughes' Surfing Detective series ...

Summoned to the Honolulu hilltop mansion of radio pitchman Barry Buckingham, presumably to trace his missing wife, the Surfing Detective is in for the letdown of his career. Kai Cook is hired to track another lost family member. A dog.

Despite his qualms, Kai would seem a natural for the case, since the golden retriever named Kula is a famous surfing dog. Yet the PI knows nothing about finding missing pets. But he does know where to find help—Maile Barnes, an ex-K9 cop and kindred spirit with the keys to unlock the dark underworld of animal theft in the islands. 

Then a questionable tip takes Kai to a late-night rendezvous, his tipster winds up dead, and the detective himself becomes a suspect. Can he clear his name and find the murderer before he strikes again? The PI tracks the illusive retriever from O‘ahu to the Big Island to Maui, but the killer is one step ahead—other players linked to the dog’s disappearance keep turning up dead. 

Is a ghost from Barry Buckingham’s past behind the murders? Or is Kai’s client just a misunderstood man with a lost pet? To solve this third case in the Surfing Detective series, Kai Cooke must do what he never does—take on a partner. Teaming up with the headstrong K9 cop is his only shot to liberate the famous surfing dog, who is somehow always at the center of this mystery.

Kailua Beach

People say I train dogs, but in many ways I train people. 

- Cesar Millan

Chip Hughes sends Kai Cooke, the Surfing Detective, into the heartwrenching world of dog fighting that plagues the Hawaiian islands.  Yet he leaves it in the background, giving Kai the opporutnity to demonstrate his sleuthing skills, act as a big brother to a neglected teenager, and team up with a sexy partner.   (And this is a cozy mystery, so there is a happy ending for the animals).   Hughes delivers a fast paced action adventure with vivid descriptions of Oahu, the Big Island, and Maui.   The author introduces readers to a capable heroine who can handle the criminal element as well as Kai's romantic overtures.  And then there is Kula - a dog worth the rescue.

KULA will appeal to readers who appreciate cozy mysteries, tropical settings, and animal lovers.  I purchased a copy of KULA for my personal enjoyment.

Dog Beach near Pearl Harbor

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

1.  Have you seen a dog surf?  Or other unusual animal tricks?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, June 14, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 15.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Chip and his books at surfingdetective.com.

Check out pictures of Kailua Beach, where Kula surfs, at this link and link.

  

Celebrate Hawaii Week - Aloha to Chip Hughes, The Surfing Detective, and WIPEOUT!

Continuing our celebration of Hawaii, WIPEOUT! is Book 2 in Chip Hughes' Surfing Detective series:

“Delivering babies is not in my standard contract,” says Kai Cooke to his very pregnant client, Summer McDahl. Summer has hired the Surfing Detective with an unusual request: to prove her husband is dead. Corky McDahl wiped out on Christmas Eve in heavy surf at Waimea Bay and vanished. Now it’s February, Summer’s baby is soon due, and the P.I. finds himself on a twisted treasure hunt spanning three Hawaiian islands. 

Did Corky pull off the most daring skip-trace ever? The answer turns out to be more complicated than the question would suggest, involving the islands’ big-wave riding and drug trafficking scenes, not to mention the competing claims of Corky’s two “widows.” Is Corky McDahl dead or alive? Though the “Surfing Detective” seems the last to know, his client gains a great deal more than her money paid for.

Just take your time - wave comes. Let the other guys go, catch another one. - Duke Kahanamoku

WIPEOUT continues the sleuthing adventures of Kai Cooke, the Surfing Detective.  A very pregnant client visits his office in Chinatown, Oahu, asking for Kai's help to find her missing husband, presumed dead after a a wipeout at Waimea Beach.   The surfer's disappearance doesn't add up ... and neither does the wife's interest in finding him.   Kai's investigation leads him to Oahu's North Shore, Maui's cowboy town, and Lanai's Shipwreck Beach.   Tides come and tides go ... and Kai rides the waves to find the answer.

Hughes delivers another cozy mystery set in the Hawaiian Islands.  He captures the exotic landscape that attracts tourists ... and the ugly underbelly of criminal activity that plagues paradise.   This quick read will appeal to fans of Hawaiian life and surfing lingo.  

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

1. Have you tried surfing and/or stand up paddling?  I have not ... I preferred to photograph the beach landscape.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, June 14, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 15.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Chip and his books at surfingdetective.com.

Check out my pictures of Waimea Beach at this link and nearby Pupukea at this link.