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.

Aloha to Delilah Marvelle and THE DUKE OF ANDELOT

 

For fans of Tom Jones and The Scarlet Pimpernel comes a twisted, sexy tale that takes the French Revolution to smoldering new heights.

Long before becoming the flamboyant courtesan known to men as Madame de Maitenon, Thérèse Angelique Bouchard, dreamed of becoming an actress capable of commanding not only the stage but all of Paris. Until she meets an extraordinary aristocratic gentleman who sweeps her into his arms and the danger of his life, while offering her the sort of wealth she never imagined. What starts off as a seductive alliance, ends in her giving him the one thing she cannot afford: her love. 

After the murder of his older brothers, Gérard Antoine Tolbert, becomes the last heir to the powerful dukedom of Andelot, leaving him to fight for not only his life, but the allegiance he holds for the crown. During the final rise of the French Revolution that whispers of the violent change about to shake the entire country, Gérard meets an aspiring actress who introduces him into wanting more out of himself and life. In trying to protect her from their overly passionate alliance and those that want him dead, he must decide what matters most: his life or his heart. 

AUTHOR NOTE: This sweeping saga will follow Madame de Maitenon and the Duc of Andelot from their youth in 1792, France, to what they ultimately become when the School of Gallantry series first starts in England, 1830.

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Other Books in Series:

Mistress of Pleasure
Lord of Pleasure
Lady of Pleasure
Night of Pleasure
Master of Pleasure
Romancing Lady Stone (novella) 

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Delilah Marvelle is the winner of the Reviewer's Choice for Best Sensual Historical Romance of the Year and had Booklist name her historical romance 'Forever and a Day' one of the TOP 10 Romances of the year. When she isn't writing, she's digging through inappropriate research books that include anything in history having to do with courtesans, brothels, sexual contraptions that were never properly used and other fascinating forms of dirty history that never made it into college textbooks. You can visit her at her website at DelilahMarvelle.com

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FACEBOOK PARTY:
Date: Tuesday, April 14th
Time: 8-11PM EDT
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GOODREADS GIVEAWAY:
Delilah is also giving away 25 copies of THE DUKE OF ANDELOT on Goodreads. Open to US, CA, AU and GB. Ends May 1st at this link.

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Delilah offers an excerpt from THE DUKE OF ANDELOT:

His eyes became flat and unreadable. “Might I ask why you are walking alone in this forest?” His French was upper crust, well-educated and immaculate. “The closest village outside of Paris is a few hours away. Either you are stupid or you seem to think I am.”

Her brows went up. She knew these well-to-do fils de basts were known for being overly righteous, but she didn’t expect them to live up to their reputation. “Be careful with those insults, monsieur. Back in my village, I can skin a pig in less than thirty minutes. My father is a butcher, and I will warn you, he taught me everything I know. So refrain from annoying me. I have a paring knife.”

A tremor touched his lips as if he were fighting an amusement he didn’t wish to feel. “I have been duly warned.” He skimmed her appearance, including her bare feet and hesitated, lingering on the exposed skin above her breasts her knitted scarf didn’t cover. His jaw tightened. “The tops of your breasts are on full display. Is that intentional?”

Her eyes widened, realizing he had a direct view down her sizable cleavage given he was up on a horse. “Of course not. How dare you look.” Thérèse rearranged her fichu over her décolletage and patted it into place, tucking it into her bodice. “It slipped,” she tossed back. “The wind is a bit strong. Or did you not notice given how fast you were going?”

He puffed out a breath. Leaning back in the leather saddle enough to showcase his broad chest, he adjusted the reins in his large gloved hands. “Seeing you have no shoes, mademoiselle, and that the weather is about to turn dire, I suggest you make haste and go home.”

Thérèse snorted. “Home is the last place I wish to be.” Rather pleased with herself for seizing her own independence, she cradled the basket against her corseted waist, knowing a little advertisement was in order. “My cousin is graciously giving me an opportunity to be part of an upcoming performance he thinks will change all of Paris. I am to be his leading actress in a controversial script he wrote called…The Delights of Life. I will be performing on stage this Friday at Spetacle des Variétés Amusantes. Would you like to hear a few lines and maybe consider coming to a performance? Tickets will be selling for three sols a piece. Quite the bargain.”

His gaze snapped to hers.

Without giving him a chance to decline, she breathlessly announced to her audience of one, “Is it possible for a mere commoner, like myself, to attain a measure of good cheer in a world dominated by men, politics, wealth, murder, intrigue and greed? Most certainly! Under the new Republic, one must simply know how to make these aristocrats in power crawl.” She slapped her derriere and gripped it. “And crawl you shall, o lords of this ravaged land. For I am your new harlot better known as the queen!”

He stared.

She grinned. “You ought to see my rendition of Calderón. I make death look real.” She curtsied and regally held out an open palm with the roll of her bare hand. “Might you offer an aspiring actress a few sols for her journey into stardom? It would be greatly appreciated.”

He lowered his chin. “I only give money to those in need.”

The cheeky bastard. “I am in need. I left the house without a single sol.”

“And how is that my problem?”

She dropped her hand to her side in exasperation. “I was hoping for a sliver of generosity. What else will you have me do? I sing. I dance. I also do a variety of impersonations. The only thing I will not do is bare my breasts or offer up sexual favors. However, if you insist, you may kiss my hand. But not with an open mouth or your tongue. I had a man once lick my hand and I swear I can still feel it.”

An inexplicable look of withdrawal came over his face. “You and I are clearly at an impasse.”

She pointed. “You really ought to work on that comedy routine. You are far too serious in nature.”

Celebrate Little Victories - Planes, Taxis, and RWA in NYC

A Cowboy in Times Square

I set aside Saturday to celebrate little victories.  This feature is inspired by Mary Gramlich, The Reading Review.  We met at RT/06 in Daytona and roomed together since then at several conventions.  Mary is a prolific reader of all genres and posted online reviews long before book blogging exploded.  She encouraged me to create this blog when I moved to Hawaii.   We chat once a week to celebrate the little victories.   Today Mary is my guest with a nostalgic look out our last adventure together in 2011 ....

Planes, Taxis, and RWA in NYC 

Before my sons grew up, got married, and started giving me grandsons, I had money to spend on trips instead of toys. I love my grandsons and every moment that I spend with them is a gift so great it cannot ever be duplicated.   But I do miss those trips I used to take with Kim because we had such an amazing time together.

The year we went to RWA in New York City is the one that sticks out in my mind as a full blown adventure.  Kim and I flew from different cities to Baltimore to connect on the same flight to NYC.  We were feeling no pain as the flight departed for LaGuardia as the rosary beads were out and the lovely relaxing pill we both take had kicked in.  After getting off the plane and riding down the escalator to baggage claim, we spotted a limo driver holding up a sign for “ROBYN DeHART”.  This prompted me to look at Kim and say “If I had known she was going to be so famous I would have spent more time on my reviews of her books”. 

(Mary's reviews are spot on whether the author is famous or not).

We start off by getting into an unofficial car service with another woman who wanted to share the ride.   The driver was an EMT who mastered warp speed down a four lane highway feeding into a tunnel.  He turned on his siren to get us ahead of the crowd.  The adventure continued in Manhattan when the woman riding with us jumped out of the taxi, threw money at the driver, and ran off like the FBI was after her. 

(I think this should be a scene in a contemporary romance).

Our hotel was located on Times Square, which hosted the Transformers III World Premier.   I spotted Bumblebee up close and personal.   During the book fair, Roxanne St. Claire yelled my name to come see her.  We dined with Eileen Dreyer. We followed Delilah Marvelle through Hell's Kitchen for a late night donut run.  The next day, we enjoyed breakfast with Katie Lane, lunch with Tracy Anne Warren, and drinks with Kat and Larry Martin. I soaked up NYC's atmosphere by accompanying Kim on her many trips to the post office; one included me running into the hot dog vendor that left mustard on my shirt.  Kim pulled me back out of traffic several times so the taxis didn't run me over.  And this was only Day 2 of our week at RWA in NYC.

Bumblebee from Transformers

Mahalo, Mary, for recounting our "Lucy and Ethel" moments. If only I had you to entertain me on my trip home to Hawaii (as I hate flying, especially over the ocean).   I will miss you at RWA in San Antonio but I carry your spirit (and that of Bumblebee) with me to next week's RWA Annual Conference in San Antonio. 

Can you share a wacky travel story?  One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Sunday, July 27, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Monday, July 28, should I recover from RWA.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Mary and her reviews at marygramlich.blogspot.com. 

Chorus Dancer in Times Square

Aloha to Delilah Marvelle and NIGHT OF PLEASURE

 

On Monday night, hubby and I attended a cozy concert at Ram's Head Live in Annapolis with Jake Shimabukuro - the Hawaiian born ukulele virtuoso. He played wide range of music on the ukulele, demonstrating that music transcends age, instrument, and genre.

Delilah Marvelle enjoys music while writing. She joins us today with her playlist for her latest release, NIGHT OF PLEASURE, Book 4 in the School of Gallantry.

Night of Pleasure Playlist

*Primadonna Girl by Marina and the Diamonds
*Love Don't Die by The Fray
*Just Give Me A Reason by Pink & Nate Ruess
*Memories Are Made of This by Dean Martin
*Roar by Katy Perry
*Please Don't Go by Mike Posner

Delilah Marvelle is the winner of the Reviewer's Choice for Best Sensual Historical Romance of the Year and had Booklist name her historical romance 'Forever and a Day' one of the TOP 10 Romances of the year. When she isn't writing, she's digging through inappropriate research books that include anything in history having to do with courtesans, brothels, sexual contraptions that were never properly used and other fascinating forms of dirty history that never made it into college textbooks. You can visit her at her website at DelilahMarvelle.com.

Facebook: link

Twitter: twitter.com/DelilahMarvelle
Delilah’s Newsletter: delilahmarvelle.wordpress.com

About NIGHT OF PLEASURE:

An arranged marriage is daunting, but not as daunting as seducing a spouse whose passions you do not understand...

Derek Charles Holbrook, Viscount Banfield, knew his fate since he was seventeen when his father announced his union to the beautiful but mysterious American girl by the name of Miss Grey.

To protect the troubled estate, Derek submits to his father's wishes, not realizing he's about to entangle himself in a hell of a lot more than marriage.

Miss Clementine Henrietta Grey may be worth millions, but not a single coin has ever bought her a smidge of happiness. When she marries the charasmatic and dashing Viscount Banfield,
whose only strife in life appears to be the uneven seams in his coat, she finds that siring the heir he wants requires far more than her heart is prepared to give.

Unable to seduce his overly-serious and reluctant wife, Derek realizes his dreams of creating a loving family has turned into a nightmare. But with the unexpected assistance of a retired
courtesan and her outrageous school, Derek and Clementine discover that passion is a language spoken not just from the body, but from the mind, heart and soul.

Excerpt Link
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B&N: Link

Kobo: Link

Delilah is giving away a $5 Amazon gift card.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Let's chat about music - what would be on your play list?   

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 29, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 30.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City