Aloha to Michele Summers and FIND MY WAY HOME

Debut author Michele Summers joins me today for an interview that hits home for me.  From her bio,

Michele Summers writes funny romances set in small Southern towns with sassy heroines, witty heroes and wacky, small-town characters, along with a satisfying happily ever after. Michele started her fiction writing career after Hurricane Wilma hit Miami and she was without power for over a week. Bored to tears, she scrounged for a legal pad and pen, and with the help of a trusty flashlight, started writing. Thrilled to have found another creative outlet, she's been writing ever since, when she's not working as an interior designer, personal chef, playing tennis, or raising her two great kids. Presently,she resides in North Carolina where she grew up with her family, but she still misses sunny South Florida, swaying palm trees and wearing open-toed shoes...everyday! 

Kim:  I grew up in Coral Gables but moved to Clearwater for high school. What do you miss about "sunny South Florida", i.e., what is your favorite sight, sound, and smell from Miami Dade? 

Michele:  Awwww, you’re killing me! A girl after my own heart. I know most would imagine I’d say the beach, but that’s not what I miss the most. The Royal Palms that lined my street and the full moon right outside my front window. The blooming pink and purple bougainvillea’s and Poinciana trees with their red-orange flowers. I miss playing tennis almost daily. And wearing Havaianas, literally ninety percent of the time. I miss drinking Cuban coffee; even though I didn’t indulge every day…I liked knowing that pick-me-up was right around any corner. The sounds my kids would make swimming in the pool and my daily drive down historic Old Cutler Road. I could go on and on about the food, shopping, my friends…I’m sure you wished you’d never asked. ;-)

Kim:  How was your transition from big city Miami to small town North Carolina? 

Michele:  I’m originally from NC, but haven’t lived here for years so I’m still in transition. I like to drive fast and hate long stop lights. In Miami, a yellow light means, floor it! In NC…I’d likely rear end the person slowing down to stop in front of me. Winters are tough for me. Barren trees, gray skies, freezing cold, lots of snow…so not happy with that weather. But my daily rabbit-route takes less time and my kids love being with their cousins.

Kim: Who or what helped you along the path to publishing? 

Michele:  Belonging to RWA and my two chapters in NC and S. Florida has provided the most useful information and support. There’s definitely a huge learning curve in this ever-changing business and having those groups to rely on for answers has been immeasurable. Also, my critique partner has been a rock and very helpful with all things publishing.

Kim:  What inspired FIND YOUR WAY HOME? 

Michele:  My love of interior design and my love of tennis for starters and then my experience with moving from a place I called home to one I wasn’t so sure about. Lots of angst, nail-biting and hair-pulling goes along with a big move and I’ve experienced my fair share.

Kim:  What's next for Michele Summers? 

Michele:  Not So New in Town will be coming out in January, 2015, the second book in the Harmony Homecomings series. Bertie’s good friend, Lucy Doolan returns home (unwillinging…imagine that!) to help out her demanding step-sister on bed rest. This one is chock full of love, laughs and small town fun.

And I’m presently writing the third in the series about Katie McKnight, a location scout from California, who discovers Harmony and spies the perfect house needed for the next teenage-horror-mini-series. Laughter and love bloom as kids and pets are wrestled and someone discovers a new home.

I hope you’ll check out my new series and visit me at michelesummers.com. I’d love to hear from you.

Facebook: link
Twitter: link
Goodreads: link

Pinterest: link

Your S. Florida partner in crime…

Michele Summers

Savage's Manor House - I wonder how it is decorated ...

Sourcebooks is giving away a print copy of FIND MY WAY HOME, Book 1 in the Harmony Homecoming series, to one randomly selected commenter:  

She's just the kind of drama 

Interior designer Bertie Anderson has big dreams for her career, and they don't include being stuck in her hometown of Harmony, North Carolina. One last client, and Bertie is packing up her high heels and heading for her dream job in Atlanta. But her plans are derailed by the gorgeous new owner of that big old Victorian she's always wanted to renovate...

He's vowed to avoid

For retired tennis pro Keith Morgan, Harmony is a far cry from fast-paced Miami-which is exactly the point. Keith is starting a new life for himself and his daughter Maddie, and he's left the bright lights and hot women far behind. Bertie's exactly the kind of curvaceous temptation he doesn't need, and Keith refuses to let their sizzling attraction distract him from his goals. Keith and Bertie both have to learn that there's more than one kind of escape, and it takes more than wallpaper to turn a house into a home ...

To enter the giveaway,

1.  How would you describe the decor in your home?  Mine is "round the world mish mash".

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, July 12, 10 pm.

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Another historic house in Savage ... maybe colonial decor? 

Weekly Winners

I am a winner by participating in the Laurel Independence Day Parade at this link.

We have winners at SOS Aloha:

Cathy Maxwell's THE WEDDING WAGER

- Carol L. wins a book choice from my convention stash.

Sherri Browning's THORNBROOK PARK

- Erin wins a book choice from my convention stash.

Carolyn Brown's HOW TO MARRY A COWBOY

- Marcy S. wins a print copy from Sourcebooks.

Rebecca York's BETRAYED

- Mary K. wins a print copy from Sourcebooks

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 Catherine Lloyd and DEATH COMES TO THE VILLAGE - Book Review

Catherine Lloyd is the alter ego of Kate Pearce, an award winning author of spicy books.  Kate moved to the Big Island of Hawaii just as I left Oahu ... but we have become Twitter friends.  After meeting Kate at the RT Booklovers' Convention, I contacted Kensington to review DEATH COMES TO THE VILLAGE:

Major Robert Kurland has returned to the quiet vistas of his village home to recuperate from the horrors of Waterloo. However injured his body may be, his mind is as active as ever. Too active, perhaps. When he glimpses a shadowy figure from his bedroom window struggling with a heavy load, the tranquil facade of the village begins to loom sinister...Unable to forget the incident, Robert confides in his childhood friend, Miss Lucy Harrington. As the dutiful daughter of the widowed rector, following up on the major's suspicions offers a welcome diversion - but soon presents real danger. Someone is intent on stopping their investigation. And in a place where no one locks their doors, a series of thefts and the disappearance of two young serving girls demands explanation...As Robert grapples with his difficult recovery, he and Lucy try to unearth the dark truth lurking within the village shadows, and stop a killer waiting to strike again...

My mother's family hails from Kenn, Devon.
My ancestors are buried at the Church of St. Andrews
churchofstandrew.org.uk

Few things are more pleasant than a village graced with a good church, a good priest and a good pub. - John Hillaby

In the village of Kurland St. Mary, the pleasantries derive from the rector's daughter, Miss Lucy Harrington.   She cares for her widowed father, her four siblings, and the villagers in need.  She also cared for the village's benefactor, Major Robert Kurland, when he returned from Waterloo.   But Lucy wants more for her own life, maybe even a season in London.

Kurland struggles with his recovery and vents his anger on those who care most about him, including Lucy.   After falling in the night, Lucy visits him at her father's behest.   In the quiet moments they share without the servants, Kurland revelas to Lucy that he witnessed someone carrying something across his property (as he tried to close the curtains, which lead to his fall).  Lucy agrees to casually ask around the village for any strange incidents.   Her inquiry leads to more time spent with Kurland as they ultimately overcome the restrictions placed upon them by injury and society. 

Lloyd shines with an unexpected hero in Kurland.  He has a short temper, making him a difficult patient for those trying to help him.   Yet Kurland employs his mind (and authority) to aid Lucy in the investigation.  Likewise, Lucy is a likable heroine who makes the best of every situation.  She soon makes the best of working with grumpy Kurland, forming an adult friendship with a childhood playmate.   Kudos to Lloyd for the very last scene between Kurland and Lucy - he develops a sense of humor and she stands up for herself.   Lloyd hints at a budding romance that may unfold in the next book, DEATH COMES TO LONDON, scheduled for release on November 25, 2014.

The cozy mystery kept my interest while I enjoyed Lloyd's vivid descriptions of the quaint village.   Recommended read for those who enjoy amateur detectives with a historical twist.   

I received an ARC from Kensington for an honest review.

The Ley Arms in Kenn, Devon
theleyarmskenn.co.uk

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about a picturesque village and/or church you have visited (even if it is in your town).

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, July 12, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 13.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Catherine Lloyd aka Kate Pearce at katepearce.com.

Independence Day

Let's celebrate Independence Day with a few links ...

My weekly series, State of Romance, continues at USA Today's HEA Blog with romances set in Virginia (link) and Arkansas (link).   Add your own recommendations on Twitter using the hashtag #stateofromance.

I also have a special post on the RT Daily Blog, How Deployed US Troops Celebrate The Fourth, at this link.    I encourage you to leave a comment on the RT Daily Blog - it requires you to log onto the website.  Or send your comment to the Webmaster, webmaster@rtbookreviews.com.  Comments will ensure that the webmaster publishes more posts about the military in the future!

Finally, check out photos of my family's trip to Philadelphia on my travel blog, ALOHA ON MY MIND, at this link.

Happy Fourth of July!

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Rebecca York and BETRAYED

How about some eye candy for Independence Day?  Or a sizzling story from the legendary Rebecca York?  She is celebrating the release of BETRAYED, Book 2 in the Rockfort Security series ... 

To Trust...
Rockfort Security operative Shane Gallagher has been brought into S&D Systems to find a security leak. Confidential information has been stolen, and Shane suspects Elena Reyes, a systems analyst with the access and know-how to pull it off. As he finds excuses to get close to her, their attraction is too strong to ignore, but how can Shane trust the very woman he's investigating?

Or Not to Trust
Elena has spent her life proving herself, but now she's risking it all: everything she's worked for, and her growing feelings for Shane. Much as she wants to trust the devastatingly sexy, hard-as-nails investigator, she can't let herself fall for him...the stakes are too high.

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

1.  Leave a comment about your plans for July 4th - we're visitng friends in Arlington, Virginia.  We expect to see the fireworks over Washington, DC!

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Rebecca and her books at rebeccayork.com. 

Aloha to Carolyn Brown and HOW TO MARRY A COWBOY

I've been lassoed by Carolyn Brown so she can interview the twins from HOW TO MARRY A COWBOY, Book 4 in the Cowboys and Brides series, available now from Sourcebooks:

Rancher Mason Harper’s two little girls want nothing more than a mama of their own. So when a pretty woman appears on his front porch in a tattered wedding dress, while Mason’s looking for a nanny, he can’t help but wonder if it’s fate.

Annie Rose Boudreaux is in a downright hellish mess. She’s just a few steps ahead of the low-life ex who’s been hot on her heels, but she’s tired of running, and nannying Mason’s two sweet girls may be just what she needs. As her days on the ranch fly by, and the night’s with Mason get hotter, Annie Rose decides that she’s going to stay…for a lifetime.

Vintage truck in Kauai ... a cowboy must be near!

Good morning! I’m here today with the twin girls, Lily and Gabby, from How to Marry a Cowboy. They have agreed to let me interview them if I’ll take them to my hometown of Tishomingo, Oklahoma where Miranda Lambert has a store called The Pink Pistol. They went there for their birthday but they’d like to visit it again. If they answer my questions, then we’re going back there because I noticed last week that Miranda has a whole new shipment of western things and the girls do love their country music. They’re getting impatient with me so let’s get on with it…

Carolyn: Lily, what did you think when you went outside that Sunday morning and found Annie Rose on the porch swing?

Lily: Well, she was wearing a bride dress (rolls her eyes at Gabby) and even though it looked like shit (slaps her hand over her mouth). I’m not supposed to cuss but she did look pretty ragged but we didn’t care, our daddy had brought us a mama.

Gabby: I won’t tell that you cussed this time but if you get me in trouble with it, then you are on your own. I heard Lily squealin’ like a pig stuck in a barbed wire fence and I went runnin’. I thought Annie Rose was sleepin’ beauty at first and I just knew if Daddy kissed her that she’d wake up and be our mama.

Carolyn: Okay, so then you talked your Daddy into letting Annie stay. And then she started making rules. Right, Gabby?

Gabby: We found out real quick that nannies and mamas are two different critters. Nannies get mad and leave. Mamas make rules and we have to stick to them.

Carolyn: Like what?

Lily: Like cleaning out the play pens when we let our new baby goats that Doc bought us for her birthday stay in the house. They were so cute but holy shit (another hand over her mouth) they cried all night long and then nanny/mama, that’s what we called Annie Rose, made us clean out the play pens.

Gabby: I was ready to barbecue them goats and have them for supper after that first night. It was all Lily’s idea to ask for them and I thought it would be fun, but them goats in our bedroom was enough to make me cuss.

Carolyn: Tell me about the How-To books.

Lily: Well, we had to do something. Nanny Mama couldn’t remember anything and we just knew if she’d remember that she’d tell us about the wedding. Daddy was a rascal for not taking us. So we made her a How To Remember book. And then when we was afraid she wouldn’t stick around because she didn’t know about ranches, we made her a How to be a Rancher.

Gabby: And then we had to help her out because we could see that she was afraid that she didn’t think she would make a mommy so we made her a How to be a Mommy book. They all worked real good.

Carolyn: And the How to Marry a Cowboy book?

Lily: (Giggling) You’ll have to ask Daddy about that one.

Okay folks, the girls and I will be around most of the day. Do you have any questions for us? We’d love to visit with you! 

Horses on Oahu ... cowboys in paradise!

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times bestselling author with more than sixty books published, and credits her eclectic family for her humor and writing ideas. Carolyn was born in Texas but grew up in southern Oklahoma where she and her husband, Charles, a retired English teacher, make their home. They have three grown children and enough grandchildren to keep them young.

Website: carolynlbrown.com
Facebook: link

Goodreads: link

Sourcebooks is giving away a print copy of HOW TO MARRY A COWBOY to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment or question for the twins.

2.  Sourcebooks' giveaway is open to readers in the US and Canada.  

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, July 5, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 6.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Debbie Mason and CHRISTMAS IN JULY

Debby Mason is celebrating the release of CHRISTMAS IN JULY from Forever Romance:

Grace Flaherty had given up hope of ever seeing her husband again. After all, it's been over a year since he went missing in combat. So when he strides through the door of her bakery in downtown Christmas one sunny afternoon, she can hardly believe her eyes. But her happily-ever-after is going to take some effort - because Jack has no memory of his family.

All Jack Flaherty remembers about Christmas is that he couldn't wait to leave town. Now he's a local hero with a wife and son he doesn't know. Even as he struggles to rekindle the romance with his wife, he knows in his heart what he wants: a second chance at love.
B&N
IndieBound
iTunes
Amazon

I asked Debby for the top five things that make Christmas, Colorado, so charming ....

1. Nestled in a valley surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains, the town of Christmas has an old world charm. Victorian houses with big yards and wildflower gardens line the streets, while a mountain-fed stream meanders its way through town.

2. Main Street with its cobblestone sidewalks, quaint pastel-painted shops, and antique streetlamps will take you back to a time gone by.

3. The citizens of Christmas are friendly and welcoming. You won't be a stranger for long in this small town. They'll quickly adopt you as one of their own. Whether you want them to or not.

4. And for you single ladies, the men in Christmas are as charming as they are handsome. The town's paper, the Christmas Chronicle, will soon be featuring a local bachelor in their weekly "Christmas Cutie" column, so you'll be able to check them out for yourself.

5. If you love Christmas, this is the place to be. The small town celebrates the spirit of the holiday all year round. Plans are underway to build a Santa's Village in time to celebrate Christmas in July. Local businesses like the Sugar Plum Bakery, Naughty and Nice, and Sugar and Spice are all getting in on the act with holiday-themed window displays and one-of-a-kind gift ideas.

Praised as a "writer to watch" by RT Book Reviews, Debbie Mason also writes Scottish-set historical paranormals as Debbie Mazzuca. Her MacLeod series debuted in April 2010 and is said to "combine the passion of Hannah Howell's Highland romances with the seductive fantasy of Karen Marie Moning's bestsellers."

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

Forever is sponsoring a giveaway at this link ....

... and offers an excerpt from CHRISTMAS IN JULY: 

Madison glanced at the door and reached for her hand. “Okay, just breathe.”

“What…” She followed Madison’s gaze and swallowed, hard.

Jill followed behind their friends—the twins Holly and Hailey and Sophia and her sister-in-law Autumn—with a life-size cutout of Jack tucked beneath her arm.

A warm hand gently squeezed Grace’s shoulder. Brandi, one of Sawyer’s waitresses and another of Grace’s friends, set a drink in front of her. “This’ll help. It’s a Hero. Sawyer named it after Jack.”

“Thanks, Brandi,” Grace murmured, wrapping her fingers around the cold, frosted glass.

“What do you think?” Jill asked, setting up the cardboard likeness beside Grace as the other women took their seats around the table. They placed their orders with Brandi while commenting on the lifelike Jack in his desert camouflage fatigues and Kevlar vest, a helmet tucked under his arm, his sexy grin flashing perfect white teeth in his deeply tanned face.

“There’s nothing hotter than a man in uniform. And Jack Flaherty was—” Autumn, the owner of Sugar and Spice, the woman who made Grace’s chocolate sugar plums, quickly corrected herself. “—is hands down the hottest man I’ve ever seen.”

He was. And looking at him now, Grace felt the same heart-stopping punch of attraction she did on the night he strode into the Washington ballroom to receive his Medal of Honor.

Sophia, owner of the high-end clothing store Naughty and Nice, pointed at Jack and in her heavily accented voice said, “Yes, and he is coming home with me tonight.”

“Grace?” Jill said, looking hurt.

She took her sister-in-law’s hand “It was a great idea, Jill. It’s like he’s here with us.”

Jill smiled, her eyes bright. Brandi came back with their drinks, and they lifted their glasses. “To Jack.”

Everyone in the bar followed suit, and then, one after another, they stood to share their stories about Jack and their prayers for his safe return. By the time they were finished, Grace had downed two Heroes.

Jill clapped her hands. “Okay, time for cake.”

They cleared the table and placed the cake in front of Grace. She stood, relieved that her emotional torture would soon be over. Gage, with Jack Junior in his arms, took his place beside Madison.

Sawyer came up behind Grace and whispered, “Hang in there. Not much longer.”

Before she could turn to ask how it went at the apartment, Jack Junior yelled, “Da, Da.” And put his arms out.

Grace’s breath seized in her chest.

Several people said, “Aw,” while her friends quietly sniffed. “He’ll be home soon, buddy,” Jill said, swiping at her eyes.

Grace wheezed out a relieved breath. Thank God, no one seemed to realize he’d meant Sawyer.

But Sawyer did. “How about that root beer float I promised you, buddy?” He went to take Jack Junior from Gage, who gave him a hard look before passing him over. Of course Gage would notice, Grace thought miserably.

“Me want beer.”

Everyone laughed as Sawyer carried her son to the bar. After they sang “Happy Birthday” to Jack, Grace cut the cake while Jill handed out the pieces.

She reached across Grace, bumping into her. “Sorry,” she said when Grace stumbled.

The knife jerked and hit the house, toppling it over, revealing the chocolate sugar plum underneath.

“Hey, no fair, it’s supposed to be hidden in the cake,” someone grumbled.

Grace sucked in a panicked breath and dove for the sugar plum. Jill beat her to it.

Her sister-in-law laughed. “Finally, I got a sugar plum.”

As Jill opened it, Grace wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. Jill’s laughter ended on a choked sob. “How could you? How could you give up on him?” she said, her voice a strangled whisper.

“Jill, let me explain,” Grace called after her sister-in-law, who strode for the door.

From behind the bar came a shrill whistle. “Everyone quiet,” Sawyer yelled, directing their attention to the flat screen behind the bar where a newscaster announced breaking news. Sawyer turned up the volume. “We have just received unconfirmed reports that the four crew members of the Black Hawk that went down in the mountains of Afghanistan seventeen months ago have been recovered… alive.”

THE TROUBLE WITH CHRISTMAS (Book 1)

is now available ...

IT HAPPENED AT CHRISTMAS (Book 3)

is coming September 30, 2014