Weekly Winners and MRW Auction

We have winners from last week's posts:

Recap of the WRW Reader's Luncheon and Book Clubs:
- Susan P. wins a book choice from my convention stash.

Happy Belated Birthday, USAF!
- Gretchen wins a box of books from AF Vets.

Book Review - THE BULL RIDERS' REDEMPTION
- Di wins a book choice from my convention stash.

Happy Birthday, US Navy!
- Cathy P. wins a box of books from Navy Vets.

Winners, please contact me with your mailing address at sos.aloha@yahoo.com.

You can also be a winner at the Maryland Romance Writers (MRW) Online Auction at this link. Check out the fun items you can win, including signed books and special gifts.

We are also winners with the Fall Season! Do you decorate your house? Carve a pumpkin? Wear a costume to hand out candy? Maybe even indulge in Trick or Treat?

One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Sunday, October 23, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 24.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Heidi Hormel and THE BULL RIDER'S REDEMPTION - Book Review

BACK IN THE RING

Clover Van Camp meets her match when her plans to turn a struggling Arizona town into a Wild West resort are blocked by the hunky mayor, retired bull rider Danny Leigh. To make things more complicated, this isn't the first time the two of them have tangled…

Danny knows Clover usually gets her way, but this time he won't back down. He's got a few things to answer for and a town to save. Besides, reconnecting with his former fling has benefits, as long as he doesn't get distracted by their mutual attraction. Will Danny and Clover let their ambition keep their hearts divided?

When in doubt, let your horse do the thinkin'. -- Old West Proverb

Teenagers Clover Van Camp and Danny Leigh first crossed paths when she, as a junior beauty queen, presented him with a trophy as a junior rodeo champion.  Fast forward several years - Clover slipped off her stilettos and pulled on cowboy boots to buy failing properties for a resort project in Angel Crossing, Arizona. She expected to bump into Danny, the new mayor of the desert town, but she did not consider that he has his own plans for Angel Cross. Nor did she envision that an abandoned dog which she and Danny rescued would open her heart to her teenage crush.

THE BULL RIDER'S REDEMPTION is a heartwarming romance set in a dusty town - the least likely place where an uptown girl would fall in love again with a down home boy. Heidi plays upon the "opposite attracts" theme to bring together two fated lovers who revitalize Angel Crossing along the way. I appreciated that Hormel reminded both Clover and Danny of their humanity as they cared for the abandoned dog

THE BULL RIDER'S REDEMPTION is Book 5 in the Angel Crossing - beloved characters from previous books make guest appearances throughout the story but still allow Clover and Danny to shine as they find their happily ever after.

THE BULL RIDER'S REDEMPTION is now available from Harlequin.

Learn more about Heidi and her books at heidihormel.net.

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 Western Wear - do you have thing lurking in your closet that you could wear to the rodeo?  I only have jeans.

2. Due to shipping costs, this giveaway is open only to US residents.

3. Comments are open through Saturday, October, 16, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 17, here at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Heidi Hormel and THE KENTUCKY COWBOY'S BABY - Book Review

Reminder - I have a special giveaway for August at this link.

HOME AT LAST

Pepper Bourne has big plans for her stepdaddy's Arizona ranch. The physician's assistant dreams of opening a community garden for Angel Crossing's neediest. The only thing standing in her way is the tall, rugged cowboy who just inherited the property!

Former bull rider AJ McCreary gave up the rodeo to raise his baby girl, and selling the ranch is the only way he can support her now. While Pepper's claim on the property may be uncertain, there's no denying her claim on AJ's heart. He's ready to become a family man. But can he prove it to the one woman who makes his family complete?

The cast of H50 created a community garden at

my son's elementary school in Hawaii

"You don't have a garden just for yourself. You have it to share." - Augusta Carter

Hormel returns to Angel's Crossing with a Kentucky bull rider and his baby girl.  Said baby girl, precocious as the baby on the the cover, brings together AJ McCreary and Pepper Bourne in a police station, arguing over the toddler's welfare.  The fated lovers soon find themselves on opposite sides, again, over property that could fulfill each of their dreams.

I commend Hormel for creating a rodeo hero who is not from a Western state - AJ reminded me of my cousin in Mississippi who had a wall full of rodeo trophies. Where ever there are horses, there is a rodeo hero to be found. This rodeo hero brings the baggage of a recently discovered daughter and the realization that he has to provide for her.  Hormel weaves a heartwarming story of two strong willed protagonists who learn they need to share their hearts to find the happiness they seek.

THE KENTUCKY COWBOY'S BABY is the second book I have read from the Angel's Crossing series.  Hormel made it easy to jump right back in the saddle with characters from previous novels without taking the spotlight away from AJ and Pepper.  Yeehaw!

THE KENTUCKY COWBOY'S BABY is available August 9, 2016, from Harlequin Books.

Learn more about Heidi and her books at heidihormel.net.

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

1. Do you garden?  What's your favorite veggie from the garden?  I don't garden ... but I can't resist home grown heirloom tomatoes!

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Weekly Winners

We have winners at SOS Aloha ...

Celebrate Romance Every Day: SOS Aloha 6th Anniversary Finale: A Blog is Born
- Danielle M. wins a book choice from m convention stash.

Amy Sandas' LUCK IS NO LADY
- Janice wins a print copy from Sourcebooks.

Maggie Leffler's THE SECRETS OF FLIGHT

-  Susan P. wins a book choice from my convention stash.

Heidi Hormel's THE ACCIDENTAL COWBOY

- BN100 wins Scottish Swag

Toby Devens' BAREFOOT BEACH

- Debby wins a Beach swag.

From Aloha Author Assistant, Artemis wins a book choice from my convention stash.

Winners, please claim your prize by sending your mailing address to sos.aloha@yahoo.com.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Heidi Hormel and THE ACCIDENTAL COWBOY - Book Review

When former bronc rider Lavonda Leigh is asked to guide a Scottish archaeologist through the Arizona desert, she's expecting a fussy egghead. But then she discovers tall, strong Jones Kincaid competing at the local Highland games. She can't help her interest in him--and that's before he puts on his cowboy hat and hits the trail like a pro.

Jones is after more than he's letting on. His quest could clear a past scandal and let him live his dream—studying the old West. But as he spends time with Lavonda in this rugged landscape, he realizes that what he wants isn't just academic--he yearns for a life with her on the ranch. If she discovers his deception, this professor-turned-cowboy will lose his reputation...and Lavonda, too.

Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys - Waylon Jennings

Lavonda Leigh's mama let her grow up to be a cowgirl in the rodeo circuit.  It was the family business after all.  Yet Lavonda escaped to big business as a communications expert only to find herself downsized.  She returned home to Angel Crossing, Arizona, to rethink her career path.  Lavonda becomes a caretaker of an abandoned ranch bequeathed to the local university.  She finds solace with the resident goat, donkey, and cat.  When the university asks Lavonda to guide a Scottish archaeologist through the desert to study beans, she is taken back when the scientist is not quite what he seems.

Dr. "Jones" Kincaid is trying to escape the damning effects of a failed project (think Geraldo Rivero opening an empty tomb of Al Capone).  He uses the bean study to give him access to Arizona desert where his American ancestor may have stashed ancient treasure. As much as he is desperate to revive his reputation, he soon realizes he needs something more - Lavonda.

Hormel delivers a heartwarming romance between two "wandering" souls who have more in common than first look. Both Lavonda and Jones linger in their respect families' shadows until they meet each other.  The time spent on the ranch and in the desert give Lavonda and Jones the opportunity to see beyond their families' expectations to find a "treasure" of a lifetime - love.

I enjoyed Hormel's vivid descriptions of the Arizona desert - its beauty, mysteries, and dangers. I also appreciated how Hormel introduced me to a cowgirl's life in a rodeo and a Scot's love of his culture, even on horseback in the desert.  I'm off to find Hobnobs (link) in the commissary!

THE ACCIDENTAL COWBOY is available Tuesday, April 5, just in time for National Tartan Day on Wednesday, April 6 (link).   

I am giving away Scottish swag to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about Arizona - what do you know about the home of Angel Crossing?

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City 

Learn more about Heidi and her books at heidihormel.net.