Aloha to Kandy Shepherd and GIFT WRAPPED IN THE WEDDING DRESS - Book Review

The billionaire's Christmas proposal … 

Billionaire Dominic Hunt's Christmas ball is a chance for hard-working party planner Andie Newman to make her name. She's intent on convincing gorgeous Dominic that decking the halls is the way to transform his brooding reputation, but he has an alternative idea—a festive proposal!

After Dominic unexpectedly helps Andie with her own emergency, she says yes! The engagement is meant to be just for show, but as Dominic and Andie are surrounded by the magic of Christmas, they find their fake feelings are becoming all too real.

You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving. ~ Author Unknown

Magazine editor turned party planner Andie Newman enters the lair of the lion, cut throat billionaire businessman Dominic Hunt, for the chance to coordinate his annual charity ball. Although she is impressed by the impeccable house (and home owner), she glimpses a vulnerable crack in Dominic's facade.

Dominic reluctantly opens his home for a charity ball to overcome his scrooge image.  After interviewing several planners with bland ideas, he is taken back by Andie's fresh perspective and lovely legs.  Dominic carries emotional baggage from his childhood ... but Andie's optimism inspires him to let go.  

Aussie author Kandy Shepherd gives readers a flirty romance laced with holiday cheer.  GIFT WRAPPED IN HER WEDDING DRESS is an ultimate escape from the pressure cooker which often accompanies the Christmas season.   Shepherd reminds readers to have fun, be kind, and take a chance of love in this sweet romance from Down Under.

I received a print copy of GIFT WRAPPED IN HER WEDDING DRESS from the author for an honest review.

I met Kandy Shepherd at the RWA Annual Conference in NYC this past summer ... so it is only fitting to giveaway RWA swag to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Do you enjoy wrapping gifts ... or using gift bags?  I often volunteered for gift wrapping fundraisers at the base exchange. I enjoyed adding a special touch with bows, especially for men giving gifts to their wives, daughters, and mothers.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, December 5, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 6.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Kandy and her books at kandyshepherd.com.

Kandy and I share a drink before the Rita awards in NYC!

Aloha to Kandy Shepherd and HIRED BY THE BROODING BILLIONAIRE

Last Sunday, I storlled around Bryant Park with my conference roommate, Kandy Shepherd. I posted pictures on my travel blog at this link.  Kandy commented on the floral beauty ... and how gardens play a part in HIRED BY THE BROODING BILLIONAIRE, now available from Harlequin Romance.  

When billionaire Declan Grant decides his estate's enormous garden needs taming, he hires idealistic horticulturalist Shelley Fairhill to take on the challenge. Since losing his wife, Declan has adjusted to a life of self-imposed isolation—he wants Shelley to tackle the weeds, then leave.

But as Shelley gradually restores order and unexpected beauty to his garden, her caring nature also begins to thaw the ice encasing Declan's heart. Can he let Shelley's light in and finally let his second chance at love blossom? 

I learned so much from Kandy during our week together ... from her bio:

Kandy Shepherd left a fast-paced career as a magazine editor to write award-winning romantic fiction.  

Kandy lives in a small farm in the Blue Mountains near Sydney, Australia, with her husband, daughter and a menagerie of four-legged friends.

She believes in love-at-first-sight and real-life romance—they worked for her!

Learn more about Kandy and her books at kandyshepherd.com.

Kandy is one of many authors who write for Harlequin.  In honor of Kandy's new release, I am giving away a print copy of HIRED BY THE BROODING BILLIONAIRE plus an assortment of other Harlequin Books for you to indulge in the fantasy! To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about your favorite garden .... whether it is in your backyard or a famous landscape.  

I'm partial to endless flowers in Waimea Valley (link and link).

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 8, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 9.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Kandy Shepherd and A DIAMOND IN HER STOCKING

Wouldn't you like a diamond in your stocking?!?

Everyone loves a Christmas wedding!

Chef and single mom Lizzie Dumont is moving on. Returning to Dolphin Bay to make her new restaurant a success, she has no time at all for jaw-droppingly handsome Jesse Morgan—even if she can't forget that incredible kiss they once shared!

Jesse can't forget their kiss, either. But the betrayal in Lizzie's past has made her wary of him, and he hates the fact that she can't see past his reputation as a heartbreaker. Now he's on a mission to change her mind—and luckily it's the most romantic season of the year: Christmas!

Dutch shoes and Hawaiian stocking ...
... all the cultures are covered!

I am currently reading (and loving) A DIAMOND IN HER STOCKING.  I am giving away holiday swag to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about any gift you received in your stocking.   I often receive gift cards to Amazon.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, December 27, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 28.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Kandy and her books at kandyshepherd.com .... including other books from Dolphin Bay.

Aloha to Kandy Shepherd's THE TYCOON AND THE WEDDING PLANNER - Book Review

I discovered Kandy Shepherd when I won a copy of THE SUMMER THEY NEVER FORGOT (link).   Kandy recently asked me to review next book from Dophin Bay, THE TYCOON AND THE WEDDING PLANNER:

When one wedding leads to another…

Kate Parker distracts herself from her memories by keeping busy—and how better than organizing weddings for Dolphin Bay's sweethearts? But tall, dark and handsome tycoon Sam Lancaster's arrival suddenly has Kate forgetting where she left the confetti….

And mysterious Sam will be around awhile longer than the cutting of the cake—because he's got to oversee Kate's building project! There's no time for distractions…but is it time to stop running from happiness now that it's led them to each other?

A bride on Kailua beach

Falling in love was the easy part; planning a wedding - yikes!  - Niecy Nash

For Kate Parker, planning her friends' wedding was a distraction ... and then a boon when she meet the sexy friend-of-the-groom, Sam Lancaster.   It is instant attraction for Kate and Sam.  And there is no better place to indulge in an unexpected romance than Dolphin Bay.

Shepherd returns to the sun kissed coastal town in the dreamy Australia.   She delivers the ultimate summer escape with a timeless story of two lost souls who find each other.   Shepherd is spot on with her vivid descriptions of a beach town, taking me back to my beloved Hawaii (both Australia and Hawaii are islands!)

THE TYCOON AND THE WEDDING PLANNER is a breezy read that kept my attention from page one.   Recommended to those seeking the perfect beach read.

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

1.  Leave a comment about the beach - do you have a favorite?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, July 19, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 20.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Kandy and her books at kandyshepherd.com.

Aloha to Kandy Shepherd and THE SUMMER THEY NEVER FORGOT - Book Review

I recently won an autographed copy of THE SUMMER THEY NEVER FORGOT:

It started with a summer kiss…

Sandy Adams is on her way to an interview, but when she sees a signpost for Dolphin Bay she decides to take a detour down memory lane….

Ben Morgan has had his share of heartache. But when a ghost from his youth catches his eye memories of their last summer together come flooding back.

Everything has changed in the past twelve years, and still they're right back where they started, facing a second chance they deserve… together.

What is life, when wanting love? Night without a morning; love's the cloudless summer sun, nature gay adorning. - Robert Burton

Isn't this cover gorgeous?  It sets the tone for this nostalgic romance of two summer lovers who reunite twelve years later.   A chance meeting enables Sandy and Ben to cast away their burdens for a few days.   And it only takes a few days for them to realize that they can have a future together.

Shepherd delivers a sentimental look at love lost, second chances, and grabbing life for what it's worth.   THE SUMMER THEY NEVER FORGET is a comfort read any time of the day ... but one especially recommended for the beach.

The bonus - THE SUMMER THEY NEVER FORGOT is set in Australia!  

Do you have a special summer memory?

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about Kandy and her books, check out her website at kandyshepherd.com.

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