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

Celebrate Hawai'i Week - Aloha to Jill Marie Landis

Image courtesy of Linda M. 

Reminder: I have a special giveaway to celebrate June at this link.

The island of Kauai - the oldest of the eight islands - was never conquered by King Kamehameha. From Kauai.com,

Twice King Kamehameha had gathered armadas to conquer Kauai, and each time he was met with utter failure – due once to a storm and rough seas, and the other due to an epidemic which crippled his forces. Eventually though, the king of Kauai, King Kaumualii, united forces with Kamehameha, probably to avoid future invasion attempts, and to prevent continuing hostilities and any possible bloodshed which would ensue.

Kauai's independent spirit is alive in kama'aina (resident) romance writer Jill Marie Landis.  From her bio,

I've written seventeen steamy historical romances which I am in the process of publishing in e-book formats, a trilogy of contemporary single title romances entitled the Twilight Cove Series, and five inspirational historical romances. Most recently I've been penning a series of comedic mysteries set on Kauai.

No matter what kind of novel I'm writing, I focus on creating memorable characters, adding the emotion my readers have come to expect, spinning page turning plots and adding the requisite happy endings.

Today we are living the dream in Hawaii on an outer island where I continue to write and dance hula and garden (when I'm not sitting on the beach). Hubby Steve is involved in outrigger canoe paddling. Steve also appears around town playing a form of Hawaiian guitar music known as "slack key."

I can't get enough of the Tiki Goddess Mystery series ...

Somewhere on the North Shore of Kauai near the end of the road you’ll find THE TIKI GODDESS BAR, famous for exotic tropical concoctions by Uncle Louie Marshall, mixologist extraordinaire. There’s a legend behind every drink and each and every one has been approved by a taste testing parrot named David Letterman. Two-for- one Mai Tai Night really packs ‘em in.

As tourists rub shoulders with locals and celebs, the surf hits the beach with a hypnotic rhythm matched only by the beat of exotic drums and the hum of ukulele music floating on the trade winds.

Who knew murder and mayhem existed in paradise?

Learn more about Jill Marie Landis and her books at jillmarielandis.com and thetikigoddess.com.

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 favorite tropical drink - alcoholic or not.  I love POG - Passion, Orange, and Guava juice.  I also enjoy Mai Tais!

2. Comments are open through Saturday, June 11, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 12.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Books I'm Grateful I Read - Giveaway Hop with Jill Marie Landis and the Tiki Goddess Mystery Series

Valerie from Stuck In Books is hosting an appropriate blog hop for November - Books I'm Grateful I Read!  I am grateful for every book ... for the escapism ... for the hope ... and for the connection to talented women - authors, publishers, bloggers, and readers.

Keeping with the theme, I am grateful for Jill Marie Landis' Tiki Goddess mystery series.  From TheTikiGoddess.com, 

Somewhere on the North Shore of Kauai near the end of the road you’ll find THE TIKI GODDESS BAR, famous for exotic tropical concoctions by Uncle Louie Marshall, mixologist extraordinaire. There’s a legend behind every drink and each and every one has been approved by a taste testing parrot named David Letterman. Two-for- one Mai Tai Night really packs ‘em in.

As tourists rub shoulders with locals and celebs, the surf hits the beach with a hypnotic rhythm matched only by the beat of exotic drums and the hum of ukulele music floating on the trade winds.

Who knew murder and mayhem existed in paradise?

Jill Marie Landis lives on Kaua'i and recreates the Aloha Spirit in these cozy mysteries with a colorful cast of characters who represent the welcoming people from Hawaii.  

Here's my own blurb - Set on Kauai, a California divorcee 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

Mahalo, Jill Marie, for sharing the Aloha Spirit with readers!

Oahu chief giving thanks (makahiki)

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 a book you are grateful to have read.

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Follow along the blog hop (and giveaways) at this link.

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 

Aloha to Jill Marie Landis' TROUBLE IN PARADISE

The cold weather is pulling at my heartstrings for Hawaii.  I found a tattered book from my TBR pile to quench my thirst for warm weather - DESTINATION: MARRIAGE with Jill Marie Landis, Jo Leigh, and Jackie Braun (Harlequin, 2008).   Landis' story, TROUBLE IN PARADISE, is set on her home island of Kauai:

Talk about bad bridal juju. Carrie Evans is in Hawaii for a dream getaway wedding--with rain, a missing dress and absent guests. Is there enough Hawaiian magic to turn these nightmarish nuptials into the best day of her life?

Bride and Groom in Ko'Olina on Oahu

Ua ola loko i ke aloha. 

Love gives life within. 
- Hawaiian proverb

Carrie comes from a conservative family yet her parents have outgrown the intimacy of their marriage.   Her fiance, Kurt, is an artist whose parents lived happily together without a wedding.   Carrie and Kurt plan a destination wedding on Kauai to bring togegther their very different families.   Yet a last minute photo shoot of Kurt's artwork forces Carrie to travel to Kauai alone to meet with the wedding planner.  She reads an article in the airline magazine about Ho'ailona - signals - which spooks her when her checked luggage is missing, her car rental is changed, and wedding guests are delayed.  She even encounters an elderly Hawaiian man and a white dog with an ominous warning, he kau aunane'i i ka lae 'a'a - watch out lest the canoe land on a rocky reef.  His warning sends Carrie into a panic, wondering if the destination wedding was a mistake.  Can Kurt convince Carrie that love conquers all?  

TROUBLE IN PARASIDE is an enchanting novella with Hawaiian culture interwoven with Landis' distinct humor.  The Aloha Spirit is alive and well with Carrie's response to the omens and Kurt's efforts to keep Carrie focused.  Ultimately the couple learns that their love transcends any obsticle.

Recommended read for a snowy day ... or a sandy beach.

I found DESTINATION: MARRIAGE in the book swap at the Kapolei Public Library when Jill Marie Landis spoke to the RWA Aloha Chapter ... it was karma!

Bridal shoot on Kailua Beach

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

1.  Leave a comment about destination weddings and/or vacations - have you done one?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, January 17, 10 pm in Baltimore. 

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 18.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Jill and her books at jillmarielandis.com and thetikigoddess.com.

Check out my reviews of MAI TAI ONE ON (link), TWO TO MANGO (link), and TOO HOT TO HULA (link).

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