Aloha to Delta Gamma's "Do Good" Week with Tracy Solheim and SMOLDER

I welcome fellow Delta Gamma turned romance writer Tracy Solheim for DG's "Do Good" Week .... 

“Doing Good” By Supporting the Characters Featured in My Books

This week, Delta Gamma sorority is celebrating “Do Good Week” which simply means that as members, we are encouraged to live up to our motto “Do Good” by paying it forward within the community. As I did last year, I’ve chosen to “Do Good” by supporting the Red Cross and their efforts to support those affected by the raging wild fires out west. With two incredible hurricanes capturing the weather headlines these past few weeks, many people are unaware of the fire damage occurring in our nation. The 2017 wildfire season is one of the worst in our nation’s history destroying over 8 million acres across nine states in the west: California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Many of these fires are still burning today, devastating not only natural resources, but families and businesses who find themselves in harm’s way. Throughout the month of September, I’m donating one hundred percent of my sales from my book SMOLDER (featuring a Montana smoke-jumper) to the Red Cross charities that provide support for those displaced by these wildfires and the first responders who put their lives on the line to fight the blaze. I had the opportunity to speak with several smokejumpers while researching SMOLDER and it is out of my profound respect for these men and women that I’ve chosen to “Do Good” for the Red Cross this year.

SMOLDER is available in all digital formats.

Donate to the Red Cross support of the wildfires at this link.

Former Army Ranger, Sam Gaskill, is starting over in Glacier Creek, Montana - far away from the plains of Texas and the memories of his late wife. Taking charge as the new captain of a squad of smoke jumpers should provide him with enough adrenaline to chase away the ghosts from his past. Until a sexy, green-eyed temptress with a sassy mouth enters the picture... 

Laurel Keenan, champion horsewoman, couldn't wait to escape her hometown. But instead, an ailing mother and an unplanned pregnancy landed the impetuous dreamer right back on her father's ranch. Laurel has managed to lead a quiet life with her young son--until she sets eyes on the tough guy with the sexy ass.

Sam already failed one woman; he won't trust his heart with another. And Laurel is determined not to risk her heart--or her son's--on another thrill-seeker. Can their slow burn lead to a love that lasts?

From Tracy's website (link),

Currently, I live in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, with my husband, two kids, a wild Labrador Retriever puppy and a mare named after my debut novel. When I’m not writing, I enjoy photography, cooking, and reading–shocker, right? Be sure to friend me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Margaret Mitchell House

I am giving away a swag pack from RWA17 to four randomly selected commenters from my posts published in the month of September. To enter the giveaway,

1. Let's chat about Tracy's home town of Atlanta ... what do you know about the Big Peach?

Back in May, I visited the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum in downtown Atlanta.  It was a step back in time.

2. Comments are open through Saturday, September 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

atlanta.net

Aloha to Beach Blanket Bingo, Tracy Solheim, and SMOLDER

I have started packing for the RT Booklovers Convention in Atlanta, Georgia!  Kim Rocha (Book Obsessed Chicks) and I are hosting Beach Blanket Bingo:

Join Annette Funicello (Kim Rocha) & Frankie Avalon (Kim Lowe) for a special edition of Book Cover Bingo. Expect spontaneous singing, dancing, & flirting with lifeguards inspired by the beloved 60s film. Readers will join sun loving authors at their favorite beaches and compete for the book laden gift baskets ... perfect for the sand and surf!

Wednesday, May 3, 2017 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Location: LL2/Exhibit/Reader Level
Room: Grand Hall West, 3

Kim and I invited 26 authors to join us, including Atlanta local Tracy Solheim:

Tracy Solheim, a military brat who now makes her home near Atlanta, began her writing career as a teenager when she penned a column in her town's local newspaper. Then, it was on to journalism school and a brief stint with NBC sports. After spending nearly two decades writing reports and testimonies for Congress, she delved into fiction. She lives in the suburbs with her husband, two teenagers, a Labrador retriever who thinks she's a cat and a horse named after her first novel. When she's not writing, she enjoys photography, cooking, and reading. A frustrated sports writer, the books she loves to read--and write--feature athletes and the women who capture their hearts. See what's she's up to at www.tracysolheim.com.

Tracy is know for romance set in the sports world and small towns ... but roared onto the scene with a smoking hot romance, SMOLDER:

Former Army Ranger, Sam Gaskill, is starting over in Glacier Creek, Montana - far away from the plains of Texas and the memories of his late wife. Taking charge as the new captain of a squad of smoke jumpers should provide him with enough adrenaline to chase away the ghosts from his past. Until a sexy, green-eyed temptress with a sassy mouth enters the picture…

Laurel Keenan, champion horsewoman, couldn’t wait to escape her hometown. But instead, an ailing mother and an unplanned pregnancy landed the impetuous dreamer right back on her father’s ranch. Laurel has managed to lead a quiet life with her young son—until she sets eyes on the tough guy with the sexy ass.

Sam already failed one woman; he won’t trust his heart with another. And Laurel is determined not to risk her heart—or her son’s—on another thrill-seeker. Can their slow burn lead to a love that lasts?

Glacier National Park

Public Domain (link)

For the month of April, I am giving away a box of books from authors attending RT. To enter the giveaway,

1. Readers - do you have any advice for authors at conventions?

2. Comments are open through Sunday, April 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I will be offline from Monday, May 1 - Sunday, May 7.

4. I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 8.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Historical Trivia ... and late birthday wishes

I enjoy historical trivia ... on this day:

In 1910, Theodore Roosevelt becomes the first U.S. president to fly in an airplane. He flew for four minutes with Arch Hoxsey in a plane built by the Wright brothers.

In 1942, during the Battle of Cape Esperance, United States Navy ships intercept and defeat a Japanese fleet on their way to reinforce troops on Guadalcanal and destroy the Allied airfield.

In 1984,  Kathryn D. Sullivan becomes the first American woman to perform a space walk during a mission aboard the Challenger.

Speaking of air and space, I missed the Air Force's 69th birthday on September 18 during my blogging break.  I set aside a box of books to giveaway to celebrate the youngest service within the Department of Defense - these authors are connect to the Air Force as veterans, spouses, brats, or parents. 

Delores Fossen, THE MARSHAL'S JUSTICE
Lorraine Heath, WHEN THE DUKE WAS WICKED
Shirley Jump, WHEN SOMEBOYD LOVES YOU
Merline Lovelace, THIR TIME'S THE BRIDE
Catherine Mann, SHELTER ME
Crista McHugh, TELL ME TRUE
Pamela Palmer, A LOVE UNTAMED
Tracy Solheim, RISKY GAME

plus the anthology WAY OF THE WARRIOR with Suzanne Brockman, ML Buckman, Anne Elizabeth, Lea Griffith, Catherine Mann, Kate Serine, Tina Wainscott, and Julie Ann Walker.

I am giving away the above books to one randomly selected commenter from all posts in October.  to enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about airplanes, space travel, or the Air Force - do you know someone who flies an airplane?  Would you like to go up into space like Wolowitz from the Big Bang Theory?  Do you know anyone connected to the Air Force?  Or do you have your own historical trivia to share?

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

3.  Comments are open through Monday, October 31, 2016.  I'll post the winners on Wednesday, November 2.

We celebrate the US Navy's birthday on Thursday, October 13 - 241 years strong!

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Missing Man Formation

RWA Recap - Book Signings and Author Hobnobbing

Last Friday was dedicated to book signings ... and walking to the post office to mail boxes home.

I enjoyed breakfast with Kate Pearce - an English rose transplanted on the Big Island of Hawaii. We caught up with recent lava flow thanks to Madame Pele.  Kate also asked me to review her upcoming release THE RELUCTANT COWBOY .... squee!

After breakfast, I scurried over to the Avon Romance book signing, where I chatted with Jill Shalvis ... she gave me an ARC for her upcoming release, THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE.  Squee again! Rest assured, I hand carried these two ARCs home with me rather than risk them in the mail.

Over at St. Martin's Press book signing, I gushed over Diane Kelly ...

... and then Tracy Solheim at the Berkley Romance book signing.

I also attended the St. Martin's Press cocktail party, where I chatted with Farrah Rochon.  She is an absolute delight!  I hope to persuade her to share her Louisiana cooking skills at next year's conference!

The cocktail party was held at Roy's Hawaiian Fusion ... librarian extraordinaire Wendy Crutcher pointed me in the direction of the Hawaiian themed sushi ... it was a taste of Paradise!

Do you like Cajun cuisine and/or Hawaiian food?  I love Shrimp Etouffee from New Orleans and Loco Moco from Waikiki.  One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Saturday, July 23, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 24.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

San Diego Bay

Public Domain (link)

Aloha to Tracy Solheim and SMOLDER (Firefighters of Montana) - New Release Blitz

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

Tracy Solheim is gearing up for the release of SMOLDER ...

Former Army Ranger, Sam Gaskill, is starting over in Glacier Creek, Montana - far away from the plains of Texas and the memories of his late wife. Taking charge as the new captain of a squad of smoke jumpers should provide him with enough adrenaline to chase away the ghosts from his past. Until a sexy, green-eyed temptress with a sassy mouth enters the picture…

Laurel Keenan, champion horsewoman, couldn’t wait to escape her hometown. But instead, an ailing mother and an unplanned pregnancy landed the impetuous dreamer right back on her father’s ranch. Laurel has managed to lead a quiet life with her young son—until she sets eyes on the tough guy with the sexy ass.

Sam already failed one woman; he won’t trust his heart with another. And Laurel is determined not to risk her heart—or her son’s—on another thrill-seeker. Can their slow burn lead to a love that lasts?

Glacier National Park Jammer Bus

Public Domain (link)

Tracy's creative writing career started in the fourth grade when she published her first book. It was a bestseller–mainly because her dad bought all ten copies. From there, she moved on to work for NBC Sports and then to writing reports and testimony for Congress.

Today, Tracy is the author of best selling contemporary romance novels featuring hot football players and the women who love them. She lives in Georgia, with her husband, two nearly adult children, and a horse named after her first novel: Game On.

See what she's up to at tracysolheim.com.

Bowman Lake, Glacier National Park

Public Domain (link)

I am giving away a digital copy of SMOLDER to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway, 

1. Leave a comment about Montana - what do you know about the Treasure State?

2. Comments are open through Saturday, June 4, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 5.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Weekly Winners

Celebrate Romance Every Day: Aloha to Parris Afton Bonds, Trailblazing Romance Author
- Anita wins a book choice from my convention stash.

Aloha to Sharon Hamilton and TRUE BLUE SEALS: ZAK

- Dorothy wins a digital copy.

Tracy Solheim's ALL THEY EVER WANTED

- Barbara wins a print copy.

Emmy Curtis' COMPROMISED

- Danielle wins military swag.

A New Endeavor and Reader Opportunity

- Karen T. wins a book choice from my convention stash.

From new new endeavor, Aloha Author Assistant, Carol L. 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 Tracy Solheim and ALL THEY EVER WANTED

Romance stands apart from other genres in publishing with its author-to-reader connections.  Given romance is predominantly written by women and read by women, it is not surprising that these women nurture relationships within Romanceland. I discovered Tracy Solheim when Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance featured FOOLISH GAMES, Book Two in the Out of Bounds series (link). After several email exchanges, I learned:

- the series is set in Baltimore 
- Tracy grew up as an Air Force brat
- Tracy and I are members of the same sorority, Delta Gamma
- Tracy worked for NBC Sports at the Seoul Olympics 
- We each have a son who is an Eagle Scout

We met at RWA 2014 in San Antonio ... and I adore her books! Tracy is celebrating the release of ALL THEY EVER WANTED, Book Two in the Second Chances series (and shares the same setting as FOOLISH GAMES) ...

In the new Second Chances novel by the author of Back to Before, even love might not prove strong enough to save a man’s promising future from a woman’s hidden past...

All he ever fought for...

Aspiring congressman Miles McAlister has dreamed of representing his hometown of Chances Inlet, North Carolina, since he was a boy. So when he’s asked to help run his mother’s bed and breakfast he moves home and rolls out his campaign at the same time. But political stardom isn’t a given, especially when he’s expected to compromise the very ideals he’s trying to uphold. Making matters worse is the inn’s stubborn, and distractingly beautiful cook. He’s loved and lost before, so falling for Lori Buchman is not part of his plan.

All she ever feared...

Lori just wants to do her job and be left alone until she can safely move on. The last thing she needs is to get involved with her boss’s son. Miles proves to be too sexy to ignore, however. Their heated fling elicits feelings deeper than either anticipated. But everything about Lori is a lie. She’s harboring a secret that’ll destroy Miles’s career, and when the truth gets out it’s going to shock Chances Inlet to its core, forcing Miles to make the hardest decision of his life.

Currituck Lighthouse at sunset in Corolla, NC
Image by Nophun201 (link)

I am currently reading (and loving) ALL THEY EVER WANTED - review to come!  It is the perfect escape from the political hogwash ... but make sure you vote! I am giving away a copy of ALL THEY EVER WANTED - winner's choice of format - to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about North Carolina - the setting for ALL THEY EVER WANTED.  What do you know about the Tar Heel State?

2. Comments are open through Saturday, March 6, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 7.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Tracy and her books at tracysolheim.com.

 

Aloha to Tracy Solheim and SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY - Book Review

The author of Risky Game returns with a football team owner who’s a real player, and the woman who’s ready to call him out on everything...

Dot-com millionaire Jay McManus is discovering that owning a pro football team like the Baltimore Blaze isn’t easy. An anonymous blogger is out to destroy his reputation, and now his team is being sued by its own cheerleaders. If Jay’s not careful, he could lose big—and not just financially.

Bridgett Janik’s brother may play for the Baltimore Blaze, but she’s not thrilled to be defending Jay McManus, the man who broke her heart. It’s bad enough she has to mingle with Jay during games, but working beside her former lover may be too much for her body—and her heart—to resist.

Jay’s determined not to let Bridgett slip away from him a second time. But, as the two follow the mysterious blogger’s trail, secrets—both past and present—are revealed, and Jay and Bridgett must decide if their relationship can be something more than just sleeping with the enemy.

Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner. - Nelson Mandela

An honorable businessman.  A determined lawyer.  A troublesome blogger.  And football!  Tracy builds upon her successful franchise, the Out of Bounds series, with romance and drama on and off the field.  Jay and Bridget work together despite their painful estrangement only to realize the spark still exists between them.  They soon realize there is no "I" (or regrets) in team as they battle the blogger and realize their connection.

Thank you, Tracy, for this heartfelt second chance story mixed with football frenzy that we've been anticipating as summer winds down.  I especially appreciate how Tracy makes both characters vulnerable and therefore believable.  I also enjoyed the references to pop culture, including the trend hide behind online anonymity to create trouble in real life. The sizzling cover perfectly depicts the romance and passion in the story line.

Recommended read for fans of sports romance, strong female character, "good guy" hero, and second chances. 

I received an ARC from another blogger.

Local fans at the Pro Bowl

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

1.  Do you have a favorite tailgate food - at the stadium or even at home?  Mine is loaded nachos!

2. Comments are open through Saturday, September 12, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 13.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Tracy and her books at tracysolheim.com.

Wednesday's Warriors: Aloha to Tracy Solheim and SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY

The author of Risky Game returns with a football team owner who’s a real player, and the woman who’s ready to call him out on everything...

Dot-com millionaire Jay McManus is discovering that owning a pro football team like the Baltimore Blaze isn’t easy. An anonymous blogger is out to destroy his reputation, and now his team is being sued by its own cheerleaders. If Jay’s not careful, he could lose big—and not just financially.

Bridgett Janik’s brother may play for the Baltimore Blaze, but she’s not thrilled to be defending Jay McManus, the man who broke her heart. It’s bad enough she has to mingle with Jay during games, but working beside her former lover may be too much for her body—and her heart—to resist.

Jay’s determined not to let Bridgett slip away from him a second time. But, as the two follow the mysterious blogger’s trail, secrets—both past and present—are revealed, and Jay and Bridgett must decide if their relationship can be something more than just sleeping with the enemy.

 Baltimore's Inner Harbor

Tracy Solheim brings the tailgate party to Charm City just in time for football season! Let's play Seven Degrees of Separation ...

1. On this day in 1912, Arthur Rose Eldred received the first rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America. Eldred later enlisted in the US Navy during WWI.

2. Eagle Scout James Lovell graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.  He later became a Naval aviator and Apollo 13 astronaut.

3. James Lovell is portrayed by Tom Hanks in APOLLO 13.

4. Tom Hanks was inducted in the US Army Ranger Hall of Fame for his portrayal of Captain Miller in SAVING PRIVATE RYAN.

5. US Army Ranger alumni include football player Alejandro Villanueva.

6. Alejandro Villanueva played college football for the United States Military Academy (Westpoint) Black Nights.

7. Each year, the Black Nights challenge the Midshipmen in the celebrated Army Navy game.  Baltimore hosted the Army Navy game six times, including last year's victory for Navy, 17-10. 

I am currently enjoying the Baltimore set SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY - look for my review this coming weekend. Meanwhile, I am giving away the first three books in the Out of Bounds series - GAME ON, FOOLISH GAMES, and RISKY GAME - to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about football - do you have a favorite team from high school, college, or professional leagues? Now that my son is attending the University of South Florida, I'll be rooting for the Bulls!

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

1908 Army-Navy college football game at Franklin Field.
Library of Congress - Public Domain