Aloha to Mariah Stewart and THE CHESAPEAKE BRIDE

This weekend marks the end of summer.  For Marylanders, that means a trip to the Cheasapeak Bay.  Enter Mariah Stewart with a new chapter in her celebrated Chesapeake Diaries series .... 

Architect Cassidy Logan has sworn off good-looking adventurers. Newly divorced, she’s focused on building ecologically friendly, historically accurate homes on the Chesapeake Bay for her father’s construction company. Traveling to Cannonball Island—where there has been no new construction in nearly one hundred years—Cass is sensitive to the heritage of the island, and has come up with plans so perfect she’s determined to buy a home for herself. Even the fact that Owen Parker—a local who she dismisses as a lightweight and a player—seems to be everywhere isn’t enough to deter her from building her dream house.

Owen Parker is and always has been sinfully handsome and wickedly clever, a magnet for mischief as well as girls. He’s a rolling stone, going and doing whatever appeals to him, from flying a mail plane in Alaska, to working on a cattle ranch in Australia, a shrimp boat in Louisiana, and surfing and diving in Costa Rica. When an old friend offers him a job salvaging a sunken ship on the Chesapeake Bay, Owen gladly accepts. Something’s been telling him it was time to head home to Cannonball Island, and a job is as good an excuse as any. And he’s totally smitten by the pretty architect on the scene, but it seems he’s finally met a woman who’s immune to his charms. Sooner or later, Owen will have to face the reason why he always runs, because this time, leaving just might be harder than staying.

Mariah Stewart is the award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of numerous novels and several novellas and short stories. A native of Hightstown, New Jersey, she lives with her husband and two rambunctious rescue dogs amid the rolling hills of Chester County, Pennsylvania, where she savors country life and tends her gardens. Visit her website at mariahstewart.com, like her on Facebook at AuthorMariahStewart, and follow her on Instagram at mariah_stewart_books.

Chester County, Pennsylvania
pennsylvania-vacations-guide.com

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. What do you know about Pennsylvania - the Keystone State?

I recently drove up for the day to Philadelphia with college friends - we walked around the historic downtown, soaking up our democracy in action.

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

Aloha to Kate Angell and NO ONE LIKE YOU - Book Review

No One Expects a Curveball

For Rylan Cates, the gloriously sunny beachside town of Barefoot William may be home, but the pro baseball player needs to focus on spring training. Hiring a personal assistant to keep him and his four dogs organized for the next eight weeks is the first step--and Beth Avery is the perfect pinch hitter.

Beth is still looking for her place in the world, and a couple months caring for Rylan's two dachshunds, his golden retriever, and a Great Dane named Atlas should shore up her finances before she moves on. Except it's Atlas who won't budge, pushing her toward tanned, scruffy, sexy Rylan every chance he gets. One more strike and she's calling the dog out--unless she and Rylan admit that the attraction they're feeling is a game-winning grand slam. . . .

University of Tampa - my alma mater

Don't let the fear of striking out hold you back. - Babe Ruth

NO ONE LIKE YOU opens with Beth Avery walking four dogs.  The great dane named Atlas decides to lay down and roll over in the street during Beth's trial run as a personal assistant for Rylan Cates, the aging star of the Richmond Rogues.   Rylan hires Beth for two months while his team enjoys spring training in his hometown, giving his full time assistant an extended honeymoon.  The temporary job is perfect for Beth as she wanders around the country, licking her wounds from a series of personal setbacks.   Rylan hires Beth over other applicants after his dogs bond with her ... and he decides she is not his type.  Yet he, too, finds her just as appealing as his dogs.   
Rylan is content with his life until he meets Beth.  He's the all American boy who realizes what he has been missing from his ideal life.  In turn, Beth begins to trust again.   NO ONE LIKE YOU is an easy breezy beach read ... which happens to take place in a beach town.  NO ONE LIKE YOU is the perfect way to usher in the summer.   

I follow Kate Angell on Facebook - she often shares her daily adventures with her elderly neighbors.  She also posts pictures of delicious food in honor of "national day" of celebrated dishes. Kate creates a cozy atmosphere for her fans ... I can hear her voice in NO ONE LIKE YOU.  

NO ONE LIKE YOU includes characters from the Barefoot William and Richmond Rogue series. 

NO ONE LIKE YOU is a heartwarming read worthy of your time.

Clearwater Beach could be the inspiration for Barefoot William

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 dogs, beaches, and/or baseball.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 2.   

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Kate and her books at kateangell.com.

Other books in the Barefoot Williams series