Aloha to St. David's Day - Patron Saint of Wales

March 1 is St. David's Day - Dydd Gŵyl Dewi - the Patron Saint of Wales. He was a home grown priest who lived a simply life in the 6th century. Yet he brought hope to the people of Wales from the Middle Ages to Modern Times. Hubby and I visited Wales in 2008 ... and I share those photos of our visitis to historical sites cared by CADW - the guardian of Welsh heritage (link).

The Roman Amphitheater at Caerleon

Caerphilly Castle, 

guarding the town famous for its cheese

A Victorian sink in Castle Coch

The clock tower at Cardiff Castle

Tintern Abbey, founded in 1131 for Cisercian monks

Have you read any books (of any genre) set in Wales?

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

  

White Castle (sans hamburgers)

Aloha to Maggie Mae Gallagher and ANOINTED

Isn't this cover incredible?   Maggie Mae Gallagher joins us today with a special guest post ...

First Crushes

The first Hollywood guy I fell in love with was Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. What girl could resist his no-holds-barred passion for historical artifacts or his disarming charm with a dash of devil-may-care bad boy skimming the edges, not to mention his deftness with a whip made you wonder how those hands would feel with you in them. I was five when I fell for Indy. It’s a love affair that has tempered and forged what I look for in a hero: passion, drive, determination, and honor.

As I grew, my tastes matured, but I still wanted heroes who would transport me on some marvelous adventure Goonies style and risk everything he wanted for the woman he loved. Yet, I still couldn’t shake loving the bad boy. Most Buffy fans wanted her to end up with Angel, and I wanted her to shove Angel aside for Spike. True Blood fans adored Bill, while I wanted her with Eric. If I admit it, I even loved The Mummy. I mean come on, he cursed his soul for the woman he loved. Besides, Arnold Vosloo in nothing but a skimpy skirt was mega-hot.

When Gaelen first strutted onto the pages of ANOINTED I finally realized why I had loved all these men. The answer, I adore Epic love stories. I’m not the flowers, candy, and Mayberry Lane type, not that there is anything wrong with that. But I want to a hero who will barrel in, upend order, and take me on a voyage to the edge of Mordor to defeat Sauron’s forces or travel on a train into the heart of Egypt to stop a curse from ending the world.

Gaelen has a touch of the bad boy I have always had a crush on, with a larger-than-life attitude. There were times I wanted to strangle him, almost as much as Alana did; although, that tends to happen when you put two confident people together. However, I couldn’t help but fall head over heels for Gaelen.

While my tastes in Hollywood leading men have changed as new stars have been christened, Chris Hemsworth or ahem, actor dressed as Thorin Oakenshield, call me maybe, they still have the underlying element of dangerous, unrepentant, bad boy to them. And as for my first love, he may be seventy but he’s still a hunk!

Who was your favorite Hollywood crush?

About the Author

Maggie doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t writing. When she was a kid she acted out her favorite scenes, only better, with her brother and cousin. As a teenager, she wrote reams of poetry, but realized her true love lay with creating characters and stories. A former music and history major, Maggie is a total geek at her core. When she is not writing, she adores attending the latest comic con or spending time with her family. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her two furry felines.

Website: maggiemaegallagher.com

Facebook: link

Twitter:  twitter.com/magmaegallagher

Mahalo, Maggie, for being my guest today.   I fell in love with Harrison Ford in STAR WARS (a few years before INDIANA JONES).   When I lived in Hawaii, I often wrote about Alex O'Loughlin aka Steve McGarrett.  It was a Five O thing.  But I truly admire Gary Sinise for his work with the USO.

usoonpatrol.org

Maggie is giving away an autographed copy of ANNOINTED:

My name is Alana Devereaux. I enjoy the simple things in life, walks in the park, sky gazing, and ripping a demon's heart out though its chest. I am a demon slayer, the last of my kind, and I have been sent back through time to save your world. How am I doing so far? My time travel went haywire, all the signs I needed to stop the prophecy have passed, and the only way I can save my world is by keeping yours from ending.  Then there's Gaelen, most days I want to deck him. He hides his true motives and if it was not for the intel he had, I would be rid of him. Any day in my life without a demon attack is a good day; I haven't had a whole lot of those lately. The only problem is, if I don’t stop the Mutari, this world will burn.

To enter the giveaway,

1.  Answer Maggie's question - who was your favorite Hollywood crush?

2.  This giveaway is open to US readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 8, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 9.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

I had to fight off the other spouses to pose with Alex.

Aloha to Lisa Becker and DOUBLE CLICK

Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter. - Ansel Adams

In my review of Lisa Becker's first book, CLICK:  AN ONLINE LOVE STORY (link), I wrote, "Lisa delivers a humorous look at the search for love and the value of friendship, even as technology instantaneously brings lovers and friends together." 

The sequel, DOUBLE CLICK is now available:

Fans of the romantic hit Click: An Online Love Story will enjoy another voyeuristic dive into the lives of Renee, Shelley, Ashley, Mark and Ethan, as Double Click picks up with their lives six months later. Are Renee and Ethan soul mates? Does Mark ever go on a date? Has Shelley run out of sexual conquests in Los Angeles? Will Ashley's judgmental nature sabotage her budding relationship? Through a marriage proposal, wedding, new baby and unexpected love twist, Double Click answers these questions and more. Readers will continue to cheer, laugh, cry and cringe following the email exploits of Renee and friends.

The final installment, RIGHT CLICK, is due out this spring. 

You can follow Lisa on Facebook here.

View the Click: An Online Love Story video trailer here.

Purchase Click at Amazon here.

Purchase Double Click at Amazon here.

I am giving away an ecopy of CLICK:  AN ONLINE LOVE STORY to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about the first time you used a computer. 

OK, I'll show my age.   In high school (early eighties), my physics teacher taught an after school programming course where we saved the Basic program to a tape recorder!

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 1, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 2.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Hawaiian checkers ... no need for computer games in Paradise!

Aloha to The Sinful Scots Blog Tour with Amanda Scott's THE WARRIOR'S BRIDE and Cara Elliott's SINFULLY YOURS (part 2)

On Saturday, I spotlighted The Sinful Scots Blog Tour, giving away a print copy of THE WARRIOR'S BRIDE (link) ... the giveaway is still open!

Today, I offer you five fun facts from Cara and Amanda!

From Cara Elliott:

If Anna Sloane had Netflix, these would be her five favorite Historical Heroes

1. Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice” AND Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice.” (Jane Austen is, of course, her favorite author so she can’t resist making two choices—can you blame her?)

2. Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow in “Pirates of the Caribbean.” (She confesses to having a soft spot for rogues . . . as you might guess from the rest of the list)

3. Timothy Dalton as Heathcliff in “Wuthering Heights.”

4. Sean Bean as Richard Sharpe in the “Sharpe” series from BBC.

5. Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII in “The Tudors.”

SINFULLY YOURS by Cara Elliott

After an eventful Season, Anna Sloane longs for some peace and quiet to pursue her writing. Though her plots might be full of harrowing adventure and heated passion, she'd much prefer to leave such exploits on the page rather than experience them in real life. Or so she thinks until she encounters the darkly dissolute-and gorgeously charming-Marquess of Davenport. 

Davenport has a reputation as a notorious rake whose only forte is wanton seduction. However the real reason he's a guest at the same remote Scottish castle has nothing to do with Anna . . . until a series of mysterious threats leave him no choice but to turn to her for help in stopping a dangerous conspiracy. As desire erupts between them, Davenport soon learns he's not the only one using a carefully crafted image to hide his true talents. And he's more than ready to show Anna that sometimes reality can be even better than her wildest imaginings.

About Cara Elliot:

Cara Elliott started writing Western novels at the age of five. Later she changed her genre to Regency romance after reading Pride and Prejudice. She graduated from Yale University, and she now lives and works in New York City.

Social Media:
CaraElliott.com
@CaraElliott
Facebook: facebook.com/cara.elliott1

Buy Links:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iTunes

From Amanda Scott:

1. While I was outlining Lairds of the Loch, I applied to my favorite resource for all things Scottish, seeking his input on the setting I wanted to create. I had chosen the Highlands between Loch Lomond on the east and Loch Long— known then as the Loch of the Long Boats—on the west. I wanted Lady Muriella’s family to live in a stone tower (for which I needed a name), and I wanted them to be generally safe there. That meant creating a protective landscape and more, something that was either magical or could seem magical (to match the heroines’ gifts). I explained all that, and my friend, who grew up at Eilean Donan Castle and spoke Gaelic before English, suggested Tùr Meiloach, which means “a small tower guarded by giants.”

2. Stress of deadlines and multiple requests from editors, publicists, news media, and others can make a writer trying to finish a book crazy. But relief can come quite unexpectedly. I was in that position one day while I was finishing THE WARRIOR’S BRIDE when I received the following text from my son: “I’m in the garage tinkering when I hear Cam (my then 4-year-old grandson) say, ‘Daddy, help me; I’m stuck.’ I should say Cam’s voice was very calm. I walked outside and got drenched. He was on the front porch up above me, standing on a bench by the front door with his super soaker! He blasted me! ROFL” I should tell you that this was well-deserved karma, because my son at age 2 soaked me with a garden hose.

3. I sign books every year at Scottish games and festivals in California (Woodland, Costa Mesa, Pleasanton), Washington (Enumclaw), and Colorado (Estes Park). I love to meet fans and hear what they like to read (and what they hate), so if you’re in the area, come and say hello.

4. My orange and white Persian, Willy Magee, starred as a kitten called the “wee biter” in SEDUCED BY A ROGUE and now considers himself my chief critic … and editor. He has been known to add bits to whatever I’m writing, while I have lunch or take some other break, and even to delete portions that apparently he disapproves of. Fortunately, his editing can generally be undone … albeit not always.

5. I’m often asked if I’d like to trade places with one of my characters if it were possible to do so. My answer to that, so far, has always been the same, no. I spend my summers in a rustic cabin in the High Sierras, with no road, no sewer, no telephone, and no Internet. That’s enough historical living for me. I like libraries, iced mochas, and driving fast cars. Living in a drafty, smoky castle might be fun for a sennight or so, and I love good haggis, but after that…nae, thanks!

THE WARRIOR’S BRIDE by Amanda Scott:

Robert MacAulay, heir to a powerful Baron, is known for being a skilled warrior with a strong sense of duty. His respectable reputation, along with his devotion to the king, is why Andrew MacFarlan and hope he'd agree to marry his youngest daughter, Lady Muriella. But for reasons Rob refuses to share, he turns down Andrew's request and vows never to wed. 

Lady Muriella never wanted to take a husband, but after seeing her two older sisters happily settled, she's beginning to think marriage may have its merits. When she learns that Rob has refused her without even knowing her, she becomes determined to seduce him into changing his mind. Then she will be the one to say no to him. But when she's captured by her father sworn enemy Dougal, both land in more trouble than either had anticipated.

About Amanda Scott:

Amanda Scott is the author of over 60 romance novels and the recipient of the Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA Award. She lives in Folsom, California, outside of Sacramento. She is a fourth-generation Californian.

Social Media:
amandascottauthor.com
Facebook: facebook.com/amandascottauthor

Buy links for THE WARRIOR’S BRIDE:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iTunes

I am giving away an ecopy of SINFULLY YOURS to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Can you add to Cara's list of historical heroes ... I loved Henry Cavill in The Tudors, too!

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 1, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winners on Sunday, March 2.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Scotland Forever!

Aloha to Jenna Jaxon and BETRAYAL

Downtown Abbey ended its fourth season with a tease of court life - the Grantham Family traveled to London for Lady Rose's presentation.  Indeed, scandal creeped into the plot - but it was the Granthams trying to prevent a scandal brewing from the Prince's indiscretions!  The English court has a long history of indiscretions ... and Jenna Jaxon gives a taste from Medieval England in BETRAYAL, Book 2 in her Time Enough To Love series ....

The worst betrayals come from within. 

After a night of passion with her betrothed, Sir Geoffrey Longford, Lady Alyse de Courcy is eagerly looking forward to her wedding. But when Geoffrey is forced to marry another, a heartbroken and possibly pregnant Alyse finds herself in her own private hell. She must either gamble with her reputation or marry someone she does not love.

A reputed connoisseur of women, Thomas, Lord Braeton, has dallied with many ladies of King Edward’s court, although he has favored none. However, as Geoffrey’s best friend, Thomas has sworn to serve and protect Alyse, an oath now sorely tested when he agrees to marry her—in name only—to guard her reputation. Yet, as they grow closer, and Thomas discovers Alyse’s sweet but spirited nature, he comes to desire a marriage in truth. Can he overcome her memory of Geoffrey or is Thomas doomed to burn with passion for a woman he can never possess?

Panoramic View of Windsor Castle
Released to Public Domain (link)
BETRAYAL opens in Windsor Castle

Betrayal can only happen if you love. - John le Carre

Jenna Jaxon's foray into the English Court reminds me of Showtime's THE TUDORS - the cable show offered beautiful costumes, enchanting music, and soap operatic court intrigue that rivaled Dallas, Dynasty, and the Housewives series.    Yet Jaxon accomplished the same, but two hundred years early, by relying upon her writing talents to deliver the same feeling that I was watching the action from within. 

Jaxon delivers an authentic setting of a time of unquestioned loyalty to the crown, arranged marriages, and honor above all.   Alyse drew me into her world, from praying in the chapel, attending to the princess, and privately grieving the loss of her fiance.  It was only natural for Alyse to question Geoffrey's offer and resist his charms.  BETRAYAL is a sweet story of "love against the odds" in a time when love didn't factor into arranged marriages that suited the king.   

When I started BETRAYAL, I quickly understood Alyse's back story.  I assumed this was a stand alone novel; I was surprised by the cliff hanger.   Upon further investigation, I now realize that BETRAYAL is a continuation of BETROTHAL.   I don't feel that jumping into BETRAYAL, without reading BETROTHAL, impeded my enjoyment of it.   For readers who enjoy Medieval Romance, I recommend starting with BETROTHAL to savor the continuing story of BETRAYAL. 

I am a fan of Medieval castles ....

 

I received an e-ARC from the author for an honest review.   I am giving away a e-copy of BETROTHAL (Book 1) to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about prime time dramas - did you watch Dallas (80s version)? Dallas (current version on TNT)? Dynasty?  The Tudors?  Housewives?  or any other show that is over the top?

I have been sucked back into the world of Dallas on TNT.

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 1, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 2.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about Jenna and her books, check jennajaxon.wordpress.com.

Aloha to Kim Harrison and THE UNDEAD POOL

Yesterday was Super Tuesday with the release of several long anticipated books, including Kim Harrison's THE UNDEAD POOL:

Supernatural superhero Rachel Morgan must counter a strange magic that could spell civil war for the Hollows in this sexy and bewitching urban fantasy adventure in acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison's Hollows series.

Witch and day-walking demon Rachel Morgan has managed to save the demonic ever after from shrinking, but at a high cost. Now, strange magic is attacking Cincinnati and the Hollows, causing spells to backfire or go horribly wrong, and the truce between the races, between Inderlander and human, is shattering. Rachel must stop this dark necromancy before the undead vampire masters who keep the rest of the undead under control are lost and all-out supernatural war breaks out.

Rachel knows of only weapon to ensure the peace: ancient elven wild magic, which carries its own perils. And no one know better than Rachel that no good deed goes unpunished . . .

Kim is embarking on a special tour ... so visit her when she comes to your city:

Wednesday, February 26, 2014--CINCINNATI
7:00 PM--Book Event & Signing
JOSEPH-BETH & DAVIS-KIDD BOOKSELLERS
2692 Madison Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45208

Thursday, February 27, 2014--MINNEAPOLIS, MN
7:00 PM--Book Event & Signing
BARNES & NOBLE (Edina MN)
3225 W 69th St, Edina, MN 55435

Friday, February 28, 2014--PITTSBURGH, PA
7:00 PM--Book Event & Signing
BARNES & NOBLE (Homestead PA)
100 W Bridge St, Homestead, PA 15120

Saturday, March 01, 2014--UPSTATE NEW YORK
7:00 PM--Book Event & Signing
NORTHSHIRE BOOKSTORE (Saratoga)
424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Monday, March 03, 2014--NYC
7:00 PM--Book Event & Signing
BARNES & NOBLE (Upper West Side)
2289 Broadway, New York, NY 10024

Tuesday, March 04, 2014--CONNECTICUT
7:30 PM--Book Event & Signing
RIDGEFIELD LIBRARY
21 Governor St., Ridgefield, CT 06877

Wednesday, March 05, 2014--BOSTON
6:00 PM--Book Event & Signing
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
700 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116

Friday, March 07, 2014--RALEIGH
7:30 PM--Book Event & Signing
QUAIL RIDGE BOOKS & MUSIC
3522 Wade Ave., Raleigh, NC 27607

Saturday, March 08, 2014--SOUTH CAROLINA
2:00 PM--Book Event & Signing
BOOKS A MILLION (Columbia)
164 Forum Dr., Columbia, SC 29229

Monday, March 10, 2014--ATLANTA
6:30 PM--Book Event & Signing
FOX TALE BOOK SHOPPE
105 E Main St., Woodstock, GA 30188

Tuesday, March 11, 2014--NEW ORLEANS
6:00 PM--Book Event & Signing
GARDEN DISTRICT BOOKS
2727 Prytania St., New Orleans, LA 70130

Monday, March 17, 2014--MICHIGAN
6:00 PM--End of Tour party
SCHULER BOOKS (Lansing, MI)
2820 Towne Centre Blvd., Lansing, MI 48912

I look forward to seeing Kim at the RT Booklover's Convention in New Orleans (link).

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore 

To learn more about Kim and her books, check out her website at kimharison.net.

Aloha to Cathy Maxwell and THE BRIDE SAYS MAYBE

On this day in in 1303, the Scots engaged the English Army at the Battle of Roslin during the First War of Scottish Independence.   Five hundred years later, another battle of independence takes place in Cathy Maxwell's THE BRIDE SAYS MAYBE, Book 2 in the Brides of Wishmore series:

What happens when a bride says maybe?

She’d once been the toast of London, but now scandal has brought her down. Still, pretty, petted Lady Tara Davidson can’t believe her new fate. She had wanted to marry for love . . . but her profligate father has promised her hand to none other than Breccan Campbell, the “Beast of Aberfeldy” and laird of the valley’s most despised clan! Well, Tara may have to marry him, but Breccan can’t make her love him—can he?

What happens when the groom insists?

Breccan Campbell is nobody’s fool. He knows that Tara is trouble. Yet he’s determined to reform the Campbell name even if it means forging an alliance with the arrogant beauty. There’s no doubt that Tara is a challenge, and Breccan loves nothing more. For he’s vowed to thoroughly seduce Tara—and make her his in more than name alone.

Schiehallion Summit with Loch Tummel
Schiehallion overlooks Laird Brecan's crumbling
castle in THE BRIDE SAYS MAYBE.
Released to Public Domain link 

I threw a wish in the well, Don’t ask me, I'll never tell.

I looked to you as it fell, And now you're in my way.
- Call Me Maybe, Carly Rae Jepsen

Cathy Maxwell writes on the dedication page, “I am wealthy in my friends”. The perception of wealth is the basis of this book. The heroine, Lady Tara Davidson, is short on friends. A renowned beauty, Tara doesn’t have friends to guide her through beauty’s pitfalls. She grew up with her older sister substituting for her dead mother. Her sister married but returned home divorced from an abusive marriage, adding to the scandal that her father is a relentless gambling. Although Tara met “friends” in London during her debut, they simply envied her beauty and gossiped about her family. Tara, as a secondary character in THE BRIDE SAYS NO, walked away from an arranged marriage after she realized she stood in the way of two people finding love. She grew a heart ala the Grinch.

Maxwell recaps the events of THE BRIDE SAYS NO in the opening chapters of Book Two, THE BRIDE SAYS MAYBE. Now it’s time to test Tara’s mantle.

Castle Campbell
Image by Alister Young
Creative Commons Attribution (link)

Unlike Tara, Laird Breccan Campbell is no beauty. He grew up being taunted for his over sized hands and awkward bearing. But he was comforted by a loving mother (who has since passed away) and supported by quirky uncles (one served in the Navy - a nod to the Navy blood that runs in Maxwell's family). Breccan is mesmerized by Tara’s beauty. He buys up her father’s debts to trade for her hand, thinking Tara’s elegance will bring respect to his family. Sadly, his family is the poor relations within the notorious Campbell Clan.

Once again, Tara is forced into a marriage that she doesn’t want to a bear of a man. Still, she bargains with Breccan – she’ll give him two bairns in exchange for a life in London after she delivers. But she has to deliver living inside a medieval castle that has not been modernized to Regency standards. Likewise, she is greeted by a pack of indoor dogs who do not take kindly to her elevated status in their master’s heart. The “wedding night” is pure fun with the dogs!

Tara soon realizes that Breccan’s clan may not be wealthy with money, but they are wealthy with love. Over time, Tara and Breccan fall in love, recognizing that their shared passion is wealth enough. Of course, there are a few hurdles to jump … and a villain from a previous series makes an appearance to stir the pot.

Maxwell delivers all that I love about Scotland – the rugged majesty, the close connection with the land, the endearing characters within a family, and the realization that wealth is more than coin. I thank Maxwell for giving Tara the opportunity mature into a true Scottish lady … and rewarding Breccan with a partner who makes him feel beautiful inside and out.

Recommended read for those who enjoy Regency romance, Scottish landscape, and a “Beauty and the Beast” theme.

I posted my review on Goodreads (link) - I appreciate your "like" vote!   I am giving away THE BRIDE SAYS MAYBE - winner's choice of format - to one randomly selected commenter.  Let's have some fun ... over the weekend, Cathy spoke on a panel with Dr. Ruth at the Mohegan Sun Resort Big Book Getaway.  Kimberly from Book Obsessed Chicks posted pictures on Facebook at this link.   

1.  If you met Dr. Ruth, what would say?  Offer her sex tips? Trade cookie recipes?  Or something else?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 1, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 2.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Shannon Richard and UNDONE - Launch Day Blitz

My fellow Florida girl, Shannon Richard, is celebrating the print release of UNDONE, Book 1 of Country Roads series:

Things Paige Morrison will never understand about Mirabelle, Florida:

Why wearing red shoes makes a girl a harlot

Why a shop would ever sell something called "buck urine"

Why everywhere she goes, she runs into sexy-and infuriating-Brendan King

After losing her job, her apartment, and her boyfriend, Paige has no choice but to leave Philadelphia and move in with her retired parents. For an artsy outsider like Paige, finding her place in the tightly knit town isn't easy-until she meets Brendan, the hot mechanic who's interested in much more than Paige's car. In no time at all, Brendan helps Paige find a new job, new friends, and a happiness she wasn't sure she'd ever feel again. With Brendan by her side, Paige finally feels like she can call Mirabelle home. But when a new bombshell drops, will the couple survive, or will their love come undone?

Shannon Richard grew up in the Florida Panhandle as the baby sister of two overly protective but loving brothers. She was raised by a more than somewhat eccentric mother, a self-proclaimed vocabularist who showed her how to get lost in a book and a father who passed on his love for coffee and really loud music. She graduated from Florida State University with a BA in English Literature and still lives in Tallahassee where she battles everyday life with writing, reading, and a rant every once in a while. Okay, so the rants might happen on a regular basis. She's still waiting for her Southern, scruffy, Mr. Darcy, and in the meantime writes love stories to indulge her overactive imagination. Oh, and she's a pretty big fan of the whimsy.

Social Media:
shannonrichard.net
@Shan_Richard
facebook.com/ShannonNRichard

Buy Links:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iTunes

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shannon offer an excerpt for your reading pleasure ...

Paige was wrapped in just a towel as she searched for something to wear. She had exactly twenty minutes before Brendan was supposed to pick her up. There was a knock on her door as her hands closed over a pair of jeans.

“Come in,” she called over her shoulder.

The door opened and Paige turned, throwing her jeans onto her bed.

“What time is he picking you up?” Denise asked as she stuck her head inside the doorway.

Paige had a sudden flashback to high school when her mother would help her get ready before a date. She immediately thought of Brendan and Grace and how their mother had died when they were both so young. They’d missed out on so much, especially Grace. Paige couldn’t imagine not having all of those years with her mother and she felt intensely grateful for every single one of them.

“At seven. You busy?”

“No,” Denise said, shaking her head.

“Will you sit and talk with me while I get ready?” Paige asked.

“Yeah,” Denise said, her mouth breaking into a smile. She opened the door farther and walked into the room, a glass of wine in hand. She shut the door behind her and sat down on the edge of Paige’s bed, just like old times. “What are you going to wear?” she asked, grabbing a pillow and playing with the frilly lace edging.

“Jeans,” Paige said, pointing to the pair on her bed. “I haven’t decided on a shirt though,” she said and turned back to her closet.

“Shoes?”

“My black wedges.” She knew they drove Brendan crazy, and that’s exactly what she planned to do tonight. She didn’t feel guilty about it at all either; he obviously had no problem doing it to her. Turnabout was just fair.

“What about your red peasant top. The one that hangs off your shoulders and hugs your waist.”

Paige grabbed the shirt and turned around, holding it up to show her mom.

“Red on a first date?”

“You look good in red,” Denise said.

“You don’t think it’s too much?”

Her mother gave the blouse a critical eye. “Just wear ugly underwear. If you wear stuff that you don’t want him to see, you’ll be less likely to sleep with him.”

“Mom!” Paige said shocked. “I’m not going to sleep with him on the first date.”

“I know. Just wear something to keep you grounded, and then you won’t slip.”

“I have some self-control.”

“Yes, well, I’ve seen that boy. Slipping would be completely justifiable considering the circumstances.”

“What circumstances would those be?” Paige asked as she walked over to her dresser and opened her underwear drawer.

“That gleam in his eyes,” Denise said.

“What gleam?” Paige asked, turning to her mom.

“The one he gets when he’s looking at you. It’s something that goes way beyond sex.”

“Well, he is a nice young man,” Paige said mockingly.

“Yes, he is.” Denise nodded, taking a sip of her wine.

She grabbed a fairly tame pair with yellow and white stripes. Stripes didn’t scream “I’m going to have sex tonight,” at least not like black or red lace would have. She could’ve sworn she’d read that stripes were unflattering on everyone. Or was that faux fur?

She dug around in the drawer and found her strapless bra. She grabbed her clothes from the bed and went into the bathroom.

Aloha to Jade Lee and WHAT THE GROOM WANTS

  

JADE LEE LAMPOONS THE WRITING LIFE

I turned 50 at last year's Romantic Times Booklovers' 

Convention (link).  So in celebration (or mourning, I'm not sure which) I hosted a Roast and I invited my four best friends to come insult me. (You can see it by searching Jade Lee’s 50th Birthday Party on YouTube - here's one of the 4 videos at this link).  Anyway, it was so much fun, that everyone wanted another party. But I can't have another birthday–50 is old enough–so I decided to just make fun of my life indirectly - JADE LEE LAMPOONS THE WRITING LIFE (link):

So here is the cast. We begin with me as the poor, hapless (and terribly talented) author with a book of her heart that she wants to sell. She manages to sell it to Amazing Editor Cindy Holby who has humorous suggestions on how to edit it. (“I'm dating a guy named Radley. Can we name the hero Radley?” and “Now I've broken up with him, so can we name him Eustace?”) Here’s a normal boring picture of Cindy. Trust me, she got mischief on her mind!

But before I go to a face to face editorial meeting with Cindy, my Slick Agent Damon Suede gives me all sorts of advice on how to impress editors and sell books. (Naked men on your Facebook page! Babysit the editor's seven ADHD kids! ) Here’s a picture of Damon with bestie Heidi Cullinan. Or did I mean Beastie?

Next comes the cover shoot with Art Director Kim Killion and a hot guy thanks to RT. We'll get to see her pose everyone for the cover—along with "helpful" advice from agent and editor. Here’s a picture of Kim and me at a historical tea party. OMG, I can’t breathe just remembering that corset.

And the piece de resistance? Enter Eileen Dryer as The Powers That Be: the CEO of the publishing house. She will take over the release to make sure that the book is the best that it can be! (I've learned that the way to get a bestseller is with zombies or dolphins. So we're going to do both: Zombie Dolphins! Who become Vampires in a secret plot twist revealed in the back cover copy!) Here’s a picture of Eileen. Do you see why I picked her to be the Wrath of God...er, CEO?

Come join the fun Saturday, May 17 from 5 - 6 at the RT Convention in New Orleans!  BTW, there will also be lots of giveaways including my new book WHAT THE GROOM WANTS!

WHAT THE GROOM WANTS BY JADE LEE – IN STORES FEBRUARY 2014

An honest love...

Radley Lyncott has been in love with Wendy Drew as long as he can remember. When he went to sea, she was too young to court. Now that he’s returned to take up his Welsh title, he is appalled to find that debt has ruined the Drew family, and—even worse—Wendy is being courted by another man.

Or a dangerous attraction?

Family comes first for seamstress Wendy Drew, who is forced to settle her brother’s debt by working nights at a notorious gambling den. But her double-life hasn’t gone unnoticed—she has captivated none other than Demon Damon, a nefarious rake who understands Wendy’s darkest desires and is hell bent on luring her into his arms.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

USA Today bestselling author Jade Lee has been scripting love stories since she first picked up a set of paper dolls. Ball gowns and rakish lords caught her attention early (thank you Georgette Heyer), and her fascination with the Regency began. An author of more than 30 romance novels and winner of dozens of industry awards, she finally gets to play in the best girl-heaven place of all: a Bridal Salon! In her new series, four women find love as they dress the most beautiful brides in England. Lee lives in Champaign, Illinois.

To Purchase What the Groom Wants:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Books-a-Million
Chapters/Indigo
IndieBound
iBooks
Sourcebooks

Mahalo, Jade, for the sneak peak of your special event at the RT Booklovers' Conversation.   Sourcebooks is giving away a print copy of WHAT THE GROOM WANTS to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  If you could pose for a book cover, what would you be willing to wear - corset?  kilt?  Zombie?  Dolphin?  Or something else?

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

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 1, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 2.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Weekly Winners

Aloha!  I am a winner as my friend Nadja sent me a delicious care package from Hawaii!  

We have winners at SOS Aloha:

Nancy Naigle's MINT JULEPS AND JUSTICE
-  Girlygirl wins a print copy of MINT JULEPS AND JUSTICE

Laura Levine's SHOES TO DIE FOR

- Carol M. wins a Kensington Books package

Elizabeth Michels' MUST LOVE DUKES

- LSU wins a print copy from Sourcebooks

Shana Galen's SAPHHIRES ARE AN EARL'S BEST FRIEND

- Mary K. wins Sourcebooks' prize package

Hank Kellner's TERROR AT MIRROR LAKE

- Debby wins the Korean souvenir

Winners - please claim your prizes by sending your mailing address to sos.aloha@yahoo.com.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

We mailed another care pacakge to deployed soldiers ....
... thanks, Kensington, for your book doantions!