Thursday, December 29, 2011

2011 Year in Review - Hawaiian Style



It's time for year end lists .... mine includes Hawaiian Proverbs!

He lawai'a no ke kai papa'u, he pokole ke aho; he lawai'a no ke kai hohonu he loa ke aho.

A fisherman of shallow seas uses only a short line; a fisherman of the deep sea uses a long line (reach for what you want).


I began the year stating that I would only blog on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Ha!

I now blog daily plus guest posts at the Reading Reviewer on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Mahalo to the 265 blog followers plus 62 Twitter followers - you encourage me to use the long line!





Lawe i ka ma'alea a ku'ono'ono.
Acquire skill and make it deep.

February brought Hannah Dennsion at this link.  She is the author of the cozy mysteries, Vicky Hill Exclusive, including her latest release, THIEVES!   Vicky Hill continues to hone her sleuthing skills while she charms the readers.  

The series is set in Devon, England where I spent my childhood summers visiting my English granny.  THIEVES! was a fun read that brought back fond memories.


E lawe i ke a'o a mālama a e `oi mau ka na`auao
Take what you have learned and apply it and your wisdom will increase.

In March, I spotlighted Anne Elizabeth's THE PENDULUM at this link.  Tia demonstrates Anne's mantra, "Power up - Destiny is a choice!   Anne Elizabeth is a breath of fresh air in Romanceland!


Ua ola loko I ke aloha.
Love is necessary for life.

In April, Pamela Clare asked me to review BREAKING POINT at this link.  This book blew me away with its realistic portrayal of the Mexican drug wars, a Navy Seal's ingrained training, and love is necessary for life.


I maikai ke kalo i ka oha
The goodness of the taro is judged by the youngest plant it produces.

May brought Laura Harrington's ALICE BLISS at this link.  It is a poignant story of how a girl, her family, and her community react to her father's deployment.   It was a timely read for Memorial Day.


Aia no I ka mea e mele ana.
Let the singer select the song

June brought another non romance book - Elin Hildebrand's SILVER GIRL at this link.   After her husband is jailed for a Ponzi scheme, Meredith found herself alone and broke.  With the help of a reluctant friend, she finds that she could select her own song to sing.


He poho, o ke akamai no ke hana a nui.
Problems happens.  Use wisdom and skill to deal with them.

Deadly intrigue happens in Michelle Diener's IN A TREACHEROUS COURT at this link.  Set during Henry VIII's rein, the protagonists use their skills to survive ... and find love with one another.  I have already received an ARC for the next book, KEEPER OF THE KING'S SECRETS, available in Spring 2012.


‘A’Ole E ‘Olelo mai Ana Ke Ahi Ua Ana Ia.
Fire will never say that it has had enough.


Fire, murder, and the patrons at the Tiki Goddess will never say they have had enough in Jill Marie Landis' MAI TAI ONE ON - her first book in the Tiki Goddess Mystery Series at this link.

Set on the island of Kauai, where the award winning Jill lives, MAI TAI ONE ON delivers quirky characters and laugh out loud adventure on the Garden Isle.  

The last page made my heart swoon.






E lauhoe mai na wa'a; i ke ka, i ka hoe; i ka hoe, i ke ka; pae aku i ka 'aina.
Paddle together, bail, paddle; paddle, bail; paddle towards the land.

In September, I returned to my favorite genre - Regency historicals - with two Sourcebooks authors:

- Shana Galen's LORD AND LADY SPY at this link.
- Leigh Michaels' THE WEDDING AFFAIR at this link.

Both books provided light hearted adventure that required the lively characters to work together to their goals.


A'ohe hana nui ka alu'ia.
No task is too big when done together.

During last year's series premiere of the new Hawaii Five O, Chin Ho suggested this Hawaiian proverb for the team's motto. Perhaps Axel from Gwyn Cready's A NOVEL SEDUCTION also adopted this proverb as he attempted to work with former lover, Ellery, in their task - write an "legitimate" article to promote romance books.

A NOVEL SEDUCTION reminded me that contemporary romances are fun reads at this link.  This book was both a tribute and parody of the romance genre 


I ulu no ka lala i ke kumu.
The reach of a tree's branches depends on its trunk.

November brought another contemporary romance to my doorstep.  Gina Robinson's THE SPY WHO LEFT ME demonstrated through humor that a family's unconditional love (tree's trunk) supports the family's endeavours at this link.  In this book, the family's endeavour is national security!   Bonus - it is set on the island of Maui!


'Ike aku, 'ike mai, kokua aku kokua mai; pela iho la ka nohana 'ohana.
Recognize others, be recognized, help others, be helped; such is a family relationship.

From Kelly at SOS America,
"This is a massive thank you for those who sent cards or packages. Hearing back from some that they got tons of mail!"

Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou - Happy New Year!

Kim in Hawaii



What's a blog without a giveaway?!?  One randomly selected commenter will win a book choice from my convention stash (infused with new books!)   This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, January 7, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 8.

31 comments:

  1. Hi Kim, to you and all your family, I want to wish you a very Happy New Year and all the best always.

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  2. Hard to Believe another year has Passed It was a rough one for me, I will be glad to see 2012.
    I have enjoyed myy time here with you have added to my Book collection shared with my MIL and a few friends which for me is huge ( I am so protective of my books ) But I want to make people happy and READERS are happy.
    Wishing you the Best in 2012
    Happy New Year Everyone.
    Ann/alba

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  3. Happy New Year to all and thank you for your wisdom and cheerful personality that you share with us all year long Kim...it is always a bright spot in my day to read your blog!

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  4. Happy New Year. I'm happy to hear some soldiers got a ton of mail.

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  5. Happy New Year, Kim!

    I've enjoyed this year with you and look forward to 2012.

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  6. I've enjoyed this blog so very much and thank you for all you've done and wish you and yours and everyone here a very Happy New Year!

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  7. Happy New Year, Kim and all the readers of this blog! I've learned a lot about Hawaii in my daily visits! Thank you for all the great giveaways!

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  8. Happy New Year. I love this blog. You have had some great book and author recommendations this year. One of my favs from your list was Shana Galen-Lord and Lady Spy. I have fallen in love with her books, per your recommendation. Thanks for all the great recommendations and can't wait to see what you recommend this next year.
    christinebails@yahoo.com

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  9. Happy New Year Kim! I can't believe 2011 is almost over. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  10. Happy New Year! It truly has been a great year following you, Kim! You are awesome.

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  11. Happy New Year Kim!

    I've had a wonderful time visiting you since I found your site. I had a chance to learn more about some of my favorite authors and have meet "new to me" authors that I never would have read without you.

    You have made 2011 a much more interesting
    "reading" year for me and for that I can't begin to thank you.

    Thank you also for all the wonderful hours of reading I have done because of your love of the written word.

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  12. HAPPY NEW YEAR KIM!


    BLACKROZE37

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  13. Happy New Year, Kim and everyone here.
    I'm so happy I found your blog, it's been so much fun to visit each day and see what I'm going to find.

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  14. Happy New Year!! I enjoyed Hawaiian style thank you.

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  15. Happy New Year for you and family

    all good wishes in year 2012 ;)

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  16. Happy New Year everyone!

    I just hope that 2012 will be better than this year.

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  17. Happy New Year Everyone -- I wish everyone the best in 2012.

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  18. I've been completely absent for months, but thanks for a great year on your blog! It's one of my favourite places on the internet!

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  19. Kim--What a wonderful 2011 you've had. Congrats. Here's to more in 2012. Happy New Year,all.

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  20. Kim, Happy New Year to you and your family! You've brought lots of great books and new authors to me in 2011, and I'm sure 2912 will be a blast.

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  21. Happy New Year to you and your family Kim! Thanks for introducing us to all these great books, all the interesting info you post, all the wonderful pictures. It has been a pleasure reading SOS Aloha and I look forward to doing so next year too....and that starts tomorrow! Happy 2012!

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  23. Kim,thank you for hosting us in 2011. You have helped us to travel to Hawaii, see, and learn new things about it. You have also helped us to meet new authors. Have a safe, healthy, and prosperous Happy New Year. I know that 2012 will be wonderful also.

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  24. Thanks so much for including Lord and Lady Spy. It looks like you read some really great books this year!

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  25. Shana -
    My husband and I always save a "favorite" authors new book to read on New Years Eve. While others are out fighting the traffic and shoveling their cars out of snow drifts we are cozy and warm in front of a warm fire, snuggled up in our favorite chairs reading a great book.

    This year I picked an author that writes stories I love and never can put down. Tonight I'll finally begin reading Lord and Lady Spy to start off the New Year!

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  26. Thanks for sharing with us some wonderful books and authors this year! Looking forward to what you will bring in us in 2012. Thank you and and Happy New Year!

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  27. Great books, thanks, see u next year all, have a good an healthy one, be safe,
    Kimh

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  28. Hi, Kim — I can't believe this year is already over! I wish you the very best in 2012.

    I'm thrilled that BREAKING POINT made your end-of-year list, especially given that contemporary romantic suspense isn't your cup of tea necessarily.

    I especially appreciate the bits of Native Hawaiian wisdom you included in this post. And, yes, I believe love is necessary for life. :-)

    Happy New Year and thank you!

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  29. I am so very glad that I found your blog. I've learned so much and met some wonderful new to me authors - and have some new email friends, too. With your help I was able to personally connect with some service men and women, as well as participate in Operation Spartan Stork and Operation Holiday Card. It has given me great joy to be able to send goodie packages and books. Looking forward to 2012 with you. Thanks for all you do!!

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  30. A bit late to the party... but great year in review! I agree with most of the books mentioned and I have read as there were some awesome reads!

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