Aloha to Lily Dalton and NEVER ENTICE AN EARL: Release Week Blitz

 

May is Armed Forces Appreciation Month ... and it is my privilege to spotlight historical author Lily Dalton:  

Lily Dalton grew up as an Army brat, moving from place to place. Her first stop after relocating was always the local library, where she could hang out with familiar friends: Books! Lily has an English degree from Texas A & M University and after graduation worked as a legal assistant in the fields of accident reconstruction and litigation. She now lives in Houston, Texas, with her family. When she isn't at work on her next manuscript, she spends her time trying out new recipes, cheering on her favorite Texas football teams and collecting old dishes, vintage linens and other fine "junque" from thrift stores and flea markets.
lilydalton.com
@LilyDalton
facebook.com/LilyDaltonAuthor

Lily is celebrating the release of NEVER ENTICE AN EARL, Book II in the One Scandalous Season series:

A Deception Most Reckless
Lady Daphne Bevington would do anything for her maid Kate-including masquerading as Kate and sneaking around the wrong side of London to settle the poor girl's debt. Yet her innocent ruse takes a scandalous turn when "Kate" runs into a handsome gentleman on a secret quest of his own. A moment of passion could cost Daphne her reputation, but how can she ignore the stranger's searing kiss?

An Arrangement Most Wicked
Lord Cormack Northmore is determined to find the immoral peer who ruined his sister. So when he learns that the irresistible woman he knows as "Kate" is the Season's most sought-after debutante, Cormack plans to use her connections to help him set a trap. Now, the closer Cormack gets to uncovering the villain who haunts the ton's ballrooms, the more he realizes that the lovely lady is in danger herself. Will he abandon his quest for revenge-or risk losing his one chance at love?
Amazon – link

Barnes & Noble – link

IndieBound – link

Forever Romance is giving away a print copy of NEVER ENTICE AN EARL to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Do you know any military brats?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 3, 10 pm in Baltimore.

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Forever Romance offers an excerpt for NEVER ENTICE AN EARL:

Kate?”

She started, realizing he spoke to her, and opened her eyes to find him studying her with amusement.

“You won’t put on those clothes as long as I’m in this carriage, will you?”

“Of course not.”

Again, he smiled, and everything inside her melted because she knew he would do the right thing. Indeed, he rapped a fist against the roof. Immediately, the carriage swayed, changing directions and decreasing speed. Cormack perched at the edge of the bench, as if prepared to exit. But then—

He moved toward her, a shadow in the night, until he half crouched, half knelt with his hands planted on either side of her legs. Her heart raced, and she breathed him in, savoring his scent and his heat. Gray eyes stared straight into hers.

Her pulse jumped wildly, taken over by a dark and pleasurable desire for a stranger. Against all good sense she liked him this close, with his attention fixed so intently on her.

“Cormack,” she whispered.

He kissed her suddenly, catching her mouth slightly open. Before she realized, she’d leaned into him, kissing him back with fervent eagerness. His tongue slipped inside her mouth, something that ought to have shocked her but instead felt completely natural. She sighed, and touched her tongue to his too. Oh, how sweet and warm he was, inside and out. Who needed dry clothes and a fire, when there was kissing?

He chuckled low in his throat.

She froze. Why did he laugh? Had she done something wrong?

She very well might have, because she’d never kissed a man, unless one counted young David Waddington from the neighboring farm, when they’d both been just twelve. It had been a hurried, sloppy affair with neither of them knowing what they were doing. Her brother, Vinson, had caught them behind the hedge and given David a fat nose, but refused even under intense interrogation, to tell their father, the viscount, why.

On the contrary, Cormack clearly knew his way around a kiss. With a slant of his head, he kissed her more deeply, easing her backward into the cushions and thrilling her with the confident glide of his tongue over her upper teeth. With each brush of his lips, each warm breath into her mouth, an invisible velvet cord that ran along the center of her body tightened and quivered. Her toes curled into the cushion.

He exhaled and murmured near her ear. “Sorry--I couldn’t help myself.”

And apparently she couldn’t either, but something told her to keep that to herself. Something held her silent, preventing her from begging for more. Her upraising, she knew, and the expectation of her family and society that she would always behave as a lady.

His face hovered her cheek, but did not kiss her. He gave her an opportunity, she realized, to reject him, to protest. The moment lasted only that long--a moment--before he bent a few inches more and nuzzled the side of her neck, just below her ear—

“All right then. You haven’t screamed…or poked out my eyes.”

He pressed his lips to the sensitive skin there. Her fingers curled in his shirt.

“Tell me if you’re opposed,” he murmured against her skin. “Tell me if I should stop.”

She couldn’t say anything. He couldn’t possibly understand why, and she wasn’t about to tell him. But his breath tantalized and tickled. With a sigh, she clasped his head there, and he found her earlobe. They sank into the corner, the shadow of his body closing over hers, a delicious blanket of heat and weight, his mouth again claiming her lips.

“Cormack—” she whispered against him, inhaling his breath. Kissing him back. “Yes.”

Beneath the coat, his hand found her bare skin, and smoothed up her thigh.

The carriage jerked to a stop.

He groaned, kissing her hard, and breaking away to stare at her though glazed eyes.

May is Armed Forces Appreciation Month

5/1: Lily Dalton's NEVER ENTICE AN EARL Release Week Blitz
5/2: Belles on Wheels - Gallery Books Bus Tour 2014
5/3: Aloha to the RT Booklovers' Convention - Making the Most of the Magic
5/4: Weekly winners
5/5: Tracy Solheim's RISKY GAME
5/6: ML Buchman's PURE HEAT
5/7: Liz Ternow's THE FORGOTTEN SEAMSTRESS
5/8: Juliana Stone's BOYS LIKE YOU (YA)
5/9: Sandra Brown's Blog Tour
5/10: Military Spouses' Appreciation Day with Teresa Taylor's NIGHT FLIGHT: The Courage and Calling of a Coast Guard Pilot
5/11: Weekly winners

Aloha, RT Booklovers' Convention, here I come!

5/12: Rebecca Zanetti and BLIND FAITH
5/13: Hannah Dennison's MURDER AT HONEYCHURCH HALL
5/14: Sarah Barthel's MACKENZIE'S CROSS
5/15: Heather Boyd's AN ACCIDENTAL AFFAIR
5/16: Gina Conkle's MEET THE EARL AT MIDNIGHT
5/17: Linda Yellin's WHAT NORA KNEW
5/18: Tracy Brogan's HOLD ON MY HEART
5/19: Weekly winners
5/20 Darlene Marshall's THE PIRATE'S SECRET BABY'
5/21: Jennifer Haymore's THE SCOUNDREL'S SEDUCTION
5/22: Laura London's THE WINDFLOWER
5/23: Jenna Jaxon's BELEAGUERED
5/24: Celebrate Little Victories 
5/25: Weekly winners 
plus Nina Rowan's A DREAM OF DESIRE
5/26: Memorial Day - Remember the Heroes
5/27: Adrianne Lee's DELECTABLE
plus Avery Flynn's THIS YEAR'S BLACK
5/28: Collette Cameron's THE EARL'S ENTICEMENT
plus Kay Thomas' PERSONAL TARGET cover reveal
5/29: Paige Tyler's HER PERFECT MATE 
plus Julie Rowe's HOLLYWOOD SCANDAL
5/30: Jane Grave's BABY ITS YOU  
plus Megan Erickson's MAKE IT COUNT
5/31: Celebrate Little Victories 
plus Luanne Rice's LEMMON ORCHARD

6/1: Weekly Winners
plus Jayne Fresina's ONCE UPON A KISS
6/2:  Terry Spear's JAGUAR HUNT
plus Kimberly Kincaid's GIMME SOME SUGAR
6/3: Marie Hart's THE TROUBLEMAKER NEXT DOOR
6/4: Sherri Browning's THORNBROOK PARK
plus Sharon Hamilton's SEAL MY DESTINY

Aloha, Cincinatti, here is come for Lori Foster's Reader Author Get Together (RAGT)

6/5: Emily Greenwood's MISCHIEF BY MOONLIGHT
6/6: Kate Dyer-Seeley's SCENE OF THE CLIMB
6/7: Kari Lee Harmon's AMBER (Lake House Treasures)
6/8: Weekly Winners
6/9: Chip Hughes' the Surfing Detective: MURDER ON MOLOKA'I
6/10: Chip Hughes' The Surfing Detective: WIPEOUT!
6/11: King Kamehameha Day
plus  Marie Harte's THE TROUBLEMAKER NEXT DOOR
6/12: Chip Hughes' The Surfing Detective: KULA
6/13: Chip Hughes' The Surfing Detective: MURDER AT VOLCANO HOUSE
6/14: Barbara Witek's DADDY WORE DOG TAGS
6/15: Weekly Winners
plus Gina Danna's THE WICKED BARGAIN
6/16: Michelle Gorman's THE CURVY GIRL CLUB
6/17: Chelsea Fine's PERFECT KIND OF TROUBLE
6/18: Kennedy Ryan's WHEN YOU ARE MINE
6/19: Open
6/20: Open

Aloha, Long Island, here I come for the Book Obsessed Chicks' Summer Bar-B-Que!

6/21: Celebrate Little Victories
6/22: Weekly Winners
6/23: Open
6/24: Open
6/25: Holly Chamberline's THE BEACH QUILT
6/26: Open
6/27: Open
6/28: Celebrate Little Victories
6/29: Weekly Winners
6/30: Open

7/1: Grace Burrowes' THE CAPTIVE
7/2: Elizabeth Michels' HOW TO LOSE A LORD IN 10 DAY SOR LESS
7/3: Rebecca York's BETRAYED
7/4: Independence Day
7/5: Celebrate Little Victories
7/6: Weekly winners
7/7: Michele Summers' FIND MY WAY HOME
7/8: Open
7/9: Open
7/10: Kari Lee Harmon's MEGHAN (Lake House Treasures)
7/11: Open
7/12: Celebrate Little Victories
7/13: Weekly Winners
7/14: Tracy March's SUDDENLY SMITTEN
7/15: Kelsey Browning's PROBLEMS IN PARADISE
7/16: Open
7/17: Open
7/18: Open
7/19: Celebrate Little Victories
7/20: Weekly Winners

Aloha, San Antonio, here I come for the RWA National Conference!

7/21: Open
7/22: Open
7/23: Open
7/24: Open
7/25: Elizabeth Michels' HOW TO LOSE A LORD IN TEN DAY
7/26: Celebrate Little Victories
7/27: Weekly Winners
7/28: Sara Humphreys' VAMPIRE TROUBLE 
7/29: Open
7/30: Sarah Castille's IN YOUR CORNER
7/31: Open

8/1: Book Reads Blog Hop (coordinated by Stuck in Books)
8/2: Celebrate Little Victories
8/3: Weekly Winners
8/4: Open
8/5: Open
8/6: Open
8/7: Kari Lee Harmon's BROOK (Lake House Treasures)
8/8: Open
8/9: Celebrate Little Victories
8/10: Weekly Winner
8/11: Open
8/12: Open
8/13: Open
8/14: Open
8/15: Open
8/16: Celebrate Little Victories
8/17: Weekly Winner
8/18: Open
8/19: Open
8/20: Hawaii State Day with SUNSET INN:  TALES FROM THE NORTH SHORE 
8/21: Open
8/22: Open
8/23: Celebrate Little Victories
8/24: Weekly Winners
8/25: Open
8/26: Open
8/27: Open
8/28: Open
8/29: Open
8/30: Celebrate Little Victories
8/31: Weekly Winners

9/8: Sandra Owens' CRAZY FOR HER Blog Tour

10/7: Jodi Thomas' A PLACE CALLED HARMONY

Aloha to Sue-Ellen Welfonder and TO LOVE A HIGHLANDER: Release Week Blitz

I follow Historic Scotland, @welovehistory, on Twitter. I am treated to gorgeous views of the Highlands each morning.

Alba. Sigh.

Sue-Ellen Welfonder brings Scotland to life in her historical romances, including TO LOVE A HIGHLANDER, Book 1 in the Scandalous Scots series:

A TEMPTING PROPOSITION

As one of the bastards born to the Stirling court, Sorley the Hawk has never known his mother or father. It's a burning quest he has devoted himself to uncovering at any cost. But as a roguish warrior who serves at the pleasure of the King, his prowess-both on the battlefield and in his bedchamber-is legendary. So when a flame-haired Highland lass sneaks into his quarters with a tantalizing proposition, he can't resist taking her up on her offer . . .

AN UNQUENCHABLE DESIRE
Lady Mirabelle MacLaren will do anything to keep from marrying her odious suitor, even sully her own good name. And who better to despoil her than his sworn enemy, the one they call "Hawk?" As they set about the enjoyable task of ruining her reputation, Hawk and Mirabelle soon learn that rebellion never tasted so sweet.

Buy Links:
Amazon link

Barnes & Noble link

IndieBound link

Sue-Ellen Welfonder is a Scotophile whose burning wish to make frequent trips to the land of her dreams led her to a twenty-year career with the airlines. Now a full-time writer, she's quick to admit that she much prefers wielding a pen to pushing tea and coffee. She makes annual visits to Scotland, insisting they are a necessity, as each trip gives her inspiration for new books. Proud of her own Hebridean ancestry, she belongs to two clan societies: the MacFie Clan Society and the Clan MacAlpine Society. In addition to Scotland, her greatest passions are medieval history, the paranormal, and dogs. She never watches television, loves haggis, and writes at a 450-year-old desk that once stood in a Bavarian castle. Sue-Ellen is married and currently resides with her husband and Jack Russell terrier in Florida. 

welfonder.com
facebook.com/SueEllenWelfonderAuthor
@se_welfonder

Forever Romance is giving away a print copy of TO LOVE A HIGHLANDER to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Referencing Sue-Ellen's 450-year-old desk, what's the oldest "thing" in your home?   I have an Belgian sideboard that probably is 200 years old.  We procured it during my husband's assignment with NATO.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 3, 10 pm in Baltimore.   

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore 

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Forever Romance offers an excerpt for TO LOVE A HIGHLANDER:

“We had a plan, an agreement.” Mirabelle shifted on his lap, keenly aware of a certain hot ridge of hardness nudging the bottom of her thighs, burning her even through the layers of her skirts.

“Aye, we did.” He took her face between his hands then, kissing her long and deep. When he pulled back, breaking the kiss, his eyes were darker than she’d ever seen them, and he was breathing hard. “I still have a plan, sweetness. And I hope I’ll gain your agreement.”

Mirabelle just looked at him, sure she hadn’t heard rightly.

But she must’ve, because all along the table, and even elsewhere on the dais, people were grinning, looking on with rapt interest.

Mirabelle ignored them, but she did frown. “Our plan doesn’t seem to have the affect I’d desired.”

To her surprise, Sorley grabbed her to him again and kissed her even more hungrily than before. It was a wild and heated open-mouthed kiss, full of breath, tongue, and hunger. He also thrust his fingers into her hair as he ravished her lips, holding her firmly to him, giving her no choice but to return the kiss with equal fervor.

She did so gladly, feeling bereft when he finally tore his mouth from hers. She hadn’t wanted their kiss to end and the delicious tingles rippling through her left no doubt that she also wanted more.

Sure he could tell, she met his gaze, thrilled and excited, but also worried that her heart and not her good sense was guiding her.

“That was indeed better.” It was all she could think to say. “A most convincing display, for sure.”

“Indeed.” He leaned in, kissed the tip of her nose. “Though my purpose has changed, or have you no’ heard anything I’ve said this e’en?”

Mirabelle blinked. “I do not understand.”

“Then I shall make it clearer.” He cupped her face, slanting his mouth over hers again, his tongue thrusting sure and possessively.

She melted beneath the onslaught, gripped his shoulders to keep from sliding off his lap. The he pulled back, breaking the kiss as swiftly as he’d seized her. But he kept hold of her face, looked deep into her eyes. Clearly stirred, his chest rose and fell, heavily. And his gaze wasn’t just piercing, but blazed with something that made everything else around them fade to nothingness, as if they were alone in the hall, perhaps all the world.

“This isnae a planned seduction, Mirabelle,” he spoke her name as if it held gold. The rough softness of his tone weakened her knees.

The look on his face….

Her eyes started burning again just seeing the adoration there. The other more fierce expression that she didn’t dare hope to decipher.

“No deliberate attempt to scandalize you.” He leaned close to say that, lowering his voice so no one else would hear. “A man doesnae bring shame to the woman he loves.”

Aloha to Rachel Van Dyken and THE BET - Launch Day Blitz

THE BET by Rachel Van Dyken (April 29, 2014; Forever Trade Paperback; $12.00)

"I have a proposition for you." Kacey should have run the minute those words left Seattle millionaire Jake Titus's mouth. It's been years since Kacey's seen her childhood friend Jake, but the minute Jake mentions his ill grandmother, Kacey is ready to do anything for the sweet old woman. And if that means pretending they're engaged for her sake—so be it.

But Kacey wasn't counting on Jake's older brother Travis still being there. She calls him "Satan" for a reason: she's never forgotten the way he teased and taunted her. Yet when they meet again, Travis's gorgeous smile is a direct hit to her heart . . . and Kacey's more confused than ever. As the days pass, only one thing starts to become alarmingly clear-she never should have accepted Jake's deal . . .

Buy Links:
Amazon
B&N

iTunes

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor. She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at rachelvandykenauthor.com.

Social Media Links:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Kace!” Travis strolled into the room, absolutely shirtless and wearing nothing but pajama pants. Was her tongue hanging out of her mouth? Oh God, she was beginning to sweat. Geez, at least turn the air on in this place.

Averting her eyes, she managed an awkward laugh. “What’s up?”

“Movie night.” He threw a pillow at her and went to the DVDs.

“Um, is it naked movie night? I’m not sure I got that memo.”

She looked him up and down when he turned around.

“I’m sorry. Does my masculinity frighten your prudish nature?”

She snorted. “Please. I just don’t want to get last night’s skank on me. I hear diseases travel through too much skin contact.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’ll put on a shirt if you take off yours.”

How tempting that was . . . “Take off my shirt? So you can finally see my boobs? Oh gosh, Travis. Let me think. Give you the fantasy you’ve been dreaming of for years or keep my pride? Yeah, I think I’ll keep my pride.”

He shrugged. “Suit yourself, but it really isn’t a slumber party if you’re not naked.”

“What the hell kind of slumber parties were you subjected to as a child?” Kacey asked.

Travis grinned shamelessly. “Only the good ones. Now seriously, go change into sweats. I’ll wait.”

“Fine.” She hopped off, her heart beating erratically out of her chest. This witty banter had to stop. For crying out loud, they were adults! Not teenagers! She grabbed some short Victoria’s Secret shorts and a black tank and put on her slippers to make it look less . . . seductive. Not that she was seducing him. Her stupid skin betrayed her in the mirror as it turned a very nice crimson color.

She really needed to start dating more.

Taking the stairs two at a time, she went back down to the living room and saw Travis opening a bottle of wine; thankfully he had put a shirt on. She wasn’t sure she could handle any more of his glistening muscles that evening. “Thought you could use this, even though it’s not good for the baby.” He winked.

“I would drink that whole bottle if I knew it wouldn’t get me completely drunk. I miss wine.”

“Um, you haven’t had it for one night, and you miss it?”

“Clearly, you underestimate my relationship with wine and what I do on the weekends when I’m by myself reading.”

“You wild thing, you.” Travis nudged her and filled her glass to the brim. He should be sainted, immediately.

Their fingers brushed slightly as he handed the wine over. His eyes flickered to her shorts, and he cleared his throat. “Those are nice.”

“Thanks.” She inwardly smiled.

“Are they shorts or underwear?”

Was he being serious? “Shorts, you ass. Now, what movie are we watching?”

“Guess.”

“Not in the mood, not near enough wine in my system for me to embark on such a strenuous activity.”

“Ah, pregnancy brain, it does it to ya; it really does.” Travis got up and turned off the lights, then pressed Play. “I thought you might want to watch a horror movie.”

“Horror movie?”

A cartoon popped up on the screen. Kacey blinked as the music came on, then nearly fell out of her seat. “Oh my gosh, we can’t watch this, Travis. I can’t watch this. It’s been forever and . . .”

“Conquer your fears, Kace.”

Kacey scooted a little closer to him, just in case some of the cartoons did in fact decide to pop out and devour her.

He pressed Pause and laughed. “Kace, really? I thought you’d be over this fear by now.”

“It’s not a fear.” Kacey drank her wine faster. “It’s a scary movie!”

“It’s Alice in Wonderland.”

Kacey shook her head a few times and drank some more wine.

“Damn that Cheshire cat.”

Travis held up his wine. “To conquering old fears?”

Something shifted between them then. His eyes, though it was dark, seemed to be hiding something, as if he were talking about more than her stupid phobia. She leaned in, now completely relaxed from downing half her wine already, and whispered, “To conquering old fears.”

Aloha to Avery Flynn and BETTING THE BILLIONAIRE

Avery Flynn, famous for her Facebook posts of ManWars, joins me today for a cozy chat to celebrate the release of BETTING THE BILLIONAIRE:

Avery Flynn has three slightly-wild children, loves a hockey-addicted husband and is desperately hoping someone invents the coffee IV drip.

She fell in love with romance while reading Johanna Lindsey’s Mallory books. It wasn’t long before Avery had read through all the romance offerings at her local library. Needing a romance fix, she turned to Harlequin’s four books a month home delivery service to ease the withdrawal symptoms. That worked for a short time, but it wasn’t long before the local book stores’ staffs knew her by name.

Avery was a reader before she was a writer and hopes to always be both. She loves to write about smartass alpha heroes who are as good with a quip as they are with their *ahem* other God-given talents. Her heroines are feisty, fierce and fantastic. Brainy and brave, these ladies know how to stand on their own two feet and knock the bad guys off theirs.

Kim:  Aloha, Avery!  What is your favorite sight, sound, and smell of the Nation's Capital?

Avery:  Aloha! I love the National Zoo - even the smell of it. :) There’s just something so fun about getting to see all the animals and you can’t beat the pandas.

Kim:  Love your "send chocolate" button on your website. What is your "must have" chocolate? I am still hooked on Moana Loa's chocolate covered, toffee coated, macadamia nuts!

Avery:  YUM! I think I want some of those now. My true addiction though is Oreos. Seriously. I can do damage.

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

Avery:  Pretty much everyone on the face of the earth. :) There are so many people who’ve helped, but one of the first was one of my original critique partners, Avril Ashton. The woman is a phenomenal writer and she helped me more than she’ll ever know.

Kim:  You and Kimberly Kincaid engage in Man Wars on Facebook. Who inspired GABE from BETTING THE BILLIONAIRE?

I don’t usually write with an actual person in mind, but I did find some guys who fit the bill afterward. You can check them out on my Pinterest board for Betting the Billionaire at this link.

Kim:  What's next for Avery Flynn?

Avery:  I’m working on the third book in the Killer Style series (High-Heeled Wonder is out now and This Year’s Black comes out next month) as well as the third book in my contemporary series set in Salvation, Virginia. You’re gonna love the Sweet triplets. :)

Thanks so much for having me!

Mahalo, Avery, for celebrating BETTING THE BILLIONAIRE with us:

If that man calls her one more time…

So what if Gabe Campos is a model-dating billionaire who gets Keisha Jacobs hotter than a Ferrari’s engine on the straightaway? He keeps pushing her to sell her family’s furniture business, but she’ll never give in—not unless she wants to give her father a second heart attack.

All Gabe should be thinking about is how he’ll finally get revenge on the man who killed his father. But when he meets the man’s daughter, Keisha, instead of focusing on destroying Jacobs Fine Furnishings, he can’t get her warm-whisky voice out of his mind.

Forced by a snow storm to spend the night together, their passion ignites. The next day, however, it’s back to business. The only way Keisha can save her family is to win a bet with the billionaire. But neither realized their hearts are part of the bargain…
Purchase links:

Amazon: link

Barnes & Noble: link

Kobo: link

To learn more about Avery and her books, check out her social media:

Website: averyflynn.com

Facebook: facebook.com/AveryFlynnAuthor
Twitter: twitter.com/AveryFlynn
Goodreads: goodreads.com/AveryFlynn

Avery is hosting a fun giveaway at this link.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Here's a classic car for the billionaire to enjoy!

Aloha to the Sweet and Sassy Blog Tour with Hope Ramsay and Molly Cannon

  

Aloha!  It is my honor to host the Sweet & Sassy Blog tour to celebrate Hope Ramsay's INN AT LAST CHANCE and Molly Cannon's FLIRTING WITH FOREVER.  Both authors share their top 5 "sweet and sassy" things they love ...

From Hope Ramsay ....

1.  My husband, affectionately known as the Georgia Good Ol’ Boy.  He’s sweet, but he sure can sass.

2.  Southern men, generally.  (See #1 above)

3.  Pakka and Simba, my two cats.  Pakka is sweet.  Simba is sassy.

4.  Sour Patch Kids

5.  Ruby Rhodes, the hairdresser in Last Chance, South Carolina

Hope Ramsay grew up on the North Shore of Long Island, but every summer Momma would pack her off under the care of Aunt Annie to go visiting with relatives in the midlands of South Carolina. Her extended family includes its share of colorful aunts and uncles, as well as cousins by the dozens, who provide the fodder for the characters you'll find in Last Chance, South Carolina. She's a two-time finalist in the Golden Heart and is married to a good ol' Georgia boy who resembles every single one of her heroes. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia, where you can often find her on the back deck, picking on her thirty-five-year-old Martin guitar. 

HopeRamsay.com
facebook.com/HopeRamsayAuthor
@HopeRamsay

INN AT LAST CHANCE

Jenny Carpenter is the unrivaled pie-baking champion of Last Chance, South Carolina's annual Watermelon Festival and the town's unofficial spinster. With her dream of marriage and children on hold, she focuses on another dream, turning the local haunted house into a charming bed-and-breakfast. But her plans go off course when the home's former owner shows up on her doorstep on a dark and stormy night . . . Mega-bestselling horror writer Gabriel Raintree is as mysterious and tortured as his heroes. His family's long-deserted mansion is just the inspiration he needs to finish his latest twisted tale, or so he thinks until he learns it's been sold. The new innkeeper proves to be as determined as she is kind, and soon Gabriel finds himself a paying guest in his own home. As Jenny and Gabe bring new passion to the old house, can she convince him to leave the ghosts of his past behind-and make Last Chance their first choice for a future together?

Amazon link

Barnes & Noble link

IndieBound link

From Molly Cannon ...

1. Nothing is better than being surrounded by loved ones, sharing food, talk and making memories. And of course  grandkids are such an extra special blessing.

2. I’m all jazzed about the mini-series coming out this summer of Diana Gabaldon’s OUTLANDER!

3. Dinner with old friends. We meet with a group once a month and never run out of things to yak about.

4. Pecan pie and lemon meringue are tied at the top of my dessert love meter at the moment.

5. Live music.  Any kind, anywhere really gets my juices flowing!

Molly lives a charmed life in Texas with her nearly perfect husband and extremely large cat Nelson. When she's not writing, she spends her days reading, taking dance classes with the hubby and watching all kinds of sports. 

mollycannon.com

Facebook link

@cannonmolly

FLIRTING WITH FOREVER

Flying is Theo Jacobson's passion. Soaring above the clouds, he's on to the next adventure . . . and the next woman. So when he comes home to Everson, Texas, for his big brother's wedding, it's nothing but a pit stop. He'll act as best man, cover the family business while the happy couple honeymoons, and be on his way before the champagne goes flat. But all that changes when he comes face-to-face with the wedding planner-the very same woman who broke his heart without a backward glance years ago. Irene Cornwell started I Do I Do with a wing and a prayer. Now, with two weddings under her belt, it's a piece of cake . . . until Theo lands back in town. Just seeing his twinkling blue eyes and infuriatingly sexy smile turns her world upside down. For the sake of her business, she proposes an uneasy truce. But when the wedding is over-all bets are off!

Amazon link

Barnes & Noble link

IndieBound link

I am giving away print copies of INN AT LAST CHANCE and FLIRTING WITH FOREVER to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about cozy inns in small towns ... or flying in a small plane.

I flew in a small plane from Honolulu to Kalaupapa to visit the historic leper colony on Moloka'i - check out pictures on my travel blog at this link.

2. Comments are open through Saturday, May 3, 10 pm in Baltimore.

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Kalaupapa, Moloka'i

TWO DUKES AND A SCANDAL Virtual Book Tour with Caroline Linden, Laura Lee Guhrke, and Gayle Callen

I met three Avon authors this weekend at Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Luncheon - Eloisa James, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and Kay Thomas.   Good things come in three, especially at Avon Romance!  This week Avon Romance is celebrating three new historical romances from fan favorites Caroline Linden, Laura Lee Guhrke, and Gayle Callen, available April 29 ...

Sometimes It Takes a Scandal . . .

Abigail Weston has everything: beauty, wit, and one of the largest dowries in England. Her parents hope she'll wed an earl. Abigail hopes for a man who wants her desperately and passionately. But the money seems to blind every man she meets—except one.

Sebastian Vane has nothing. He came home from war with a shattered leg to find his father mad and his inheritance gone. He's not a fit suitor for anyone, let alone an heiress. But Abigail lights up his world like a comet, bright and beautiful and able to see him instead of his ruined reputation. And it might end happily ever after . . .

To Reveal Your Heart's Desire

. . . Until Benedict Lennox begins courting Abigail. Ben is everything Sebastian isn't—wealthy, charming, heir to an earl. Sebastian won't give up the only girl he's ever loved without a fight, but Abigail must choose between the penniless gentleman who moves her heart, and the suitor who is everything her parents want.

They had a deal . . .

From the moment she met the devil-may-care Duke of Margrave, Edie knew he could change her life. And when he agreed to her outrageous proposal of a marriage of convenience, she was transformed from ruined American heiress to English duchess. Five years later, she's delighted with their arrangement, especially since her husband is living on another continent.

But deals are made to be broken . . .

By marrying an heiress, Stuart was able to pay his family's enormous debts, and Edie's terms that he leave England forever seemed a small price to pay. But when a brush with death impels him home, he decides it's time for a real marriage with his luscious American bride, and he proposes a bold new bargain: ten days to win her willing kiss. But is ten days enough to win her heart?

A duke who needs to be tamed . . . a lady who refuses to be rescued.

Adam Chamberlin was the third son of a duke, known for gambling binges and drunken nights. No one expected anything of him . . . until tragedy strikes. Now Adam is the new Duke of Rothford, determined to right the wrongs he's done. Except a secret in his past means helping the one woman who doesn't want his help at all . . .

It's not every day that a duke introduces himself to a woman sitting by herself in Hyde Park. Faith Cooper is even more surprised when Adam offers her a position as a lady's companion to his elderly aunt. Faith refuses to be beholden to a man again—certainly not this man, who both infuriates and attracts her. But with passion simmering between them, will Faith surrender to forbidden desire?

Let's make it three Dukes ... with Duke Kahanamoku, the Ambassador of Aloha.   Duke invites you to leave a comment about Dukes ... do you know any by name or title?  One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash - filled with Avon romances!  Comments are open through Saturday, May 3, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll publish the winner on Sunday May 4.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about these authors and their books, check out:

Carolyn Linden:  carolinelinden.com

Laura Leigh Guhrke: lauraleeguhrke.com

Gayle Callen:  gaylecallen.com

Doris Duke built Shangri La with a view of Diamond Head
(more pictures at this link to my travel blog).

Weekly Winners

I am a winner from Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Luncheon - I posted pictures on my travel blog, ALOHA ON MY MIND, at this link.

We have winners at SOS Aloha:

Carolyn Brown's THE RED HOT CHILI COOK-OFF
- Liz wins a print copy.

Upcoming Conventions

- Jane wins a book choice from my convention stash

Tracy March's A SHOT OF RED

- Linda wins an ebook from Tracy

World Book Night 

- Marcy wins a book choice from my convention

 

Teresa Grant's THE BERKELEY SQUARE AFFAIR

- Dani wins a print copy

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Celebrate Little Victories - Books!

Aloha!  I fly tomorrow morning to Milwaukee for Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Luncheon (link). I am sitting with Eileen Dreyer ... and Debby Macomber is the guest speaker. I'll post pictures on Monday.

Dear Author posted this link for "the most famous book set in each state."   I hail from Florida and I have not read Ernest Hemingway's TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT.   Likewise, I have not read James Michener's HAWAII.   The blog suggests Anne Tyler's DINNER AT THE HOMESICK RESTAURANT is most famous from Maryland ... a title I don't recognize.   So I strke out three out of three.

What are your thoughts on this list - have you read the book for your state?  Can you offer a substitution?  For our international readers, can you offer a book from your region/country?

One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 3, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 4.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Teresa Grant and THE BERKELEY SQUARE AFFAIR

One of spring's anticipated novels is Teresa Grant's THE BERKELEY SQUARE AFFAIR from Kensington:

A stolen treasure may hold the secret to a ghastly crime... Ensconced in the comfort of their elegant home in London’s Berkeley Square, Malcolm and Suzanne Rannoch are no longer subject to the perilous life of intrigue they led during the Napoleonic Wars. Once an Intelligence Agent, Malcolm is now a Member of Parliament, and Suzanne is one of the city’s most sought-after hostesses. But a late-night visit from a friend who’s been robbed may lure them back into the dangerous world they thought they’d left behind. . 

Playwright Simon Tanner had in his possession what may be a lost version of Hamlet, and the thieves were prepared to kill for it. But the Rannochs suspect there’s more at stake than a literary gem–for the play may conceal the identity of a Bonapartist spy–along with secrets that could force Malcolm and Suzanne to abandon their newfound peace and confront their own dark past...

Hamlet's Castle
Kronborg Castle, Helsingør, Denmark
Image released to Public Domain (link)

I am currently reading THE BERKELEY SQUARE AFFAIR and loving it!   Grant captures the grandeur of the Regency Era along with the mystique of "cloak and dagger" from the protagonists' former lives.  Stay tuned for a full review!    

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about Teresa and her books, check out her website at tracygrant.wordpress.com.

Aloha to Gina Danna and LOVE & VENGEANCE

To Be Legion 

300. Spartacus. Gladiator. Epic films and shows that capture our attention. Tales of the ancient world that was beautiful and brutal at the same time. As a historian, I love tales of old. These films actually piqued my interest in Ancient times. Also, an added bonus, for two of these is that I’m half Sicilian. Our family ancestry traces way back to Italy so I’ve always been interested in its rich history.

That intrigue and interest kicked into play with one of the other fascinating tidbits of these dramas – these films have men who are in tip top shape physically. Their women are also. I was truly envious. The image of Dustin Clare as Gannicus in Gods of the Arena, when he steps out onto the sands in the first episode is classic – six-pack ab muscles, corded legs, biceps honed, he truly looks like a champion gladiator! A God of the Arena! Amazing and hot! The interest in how he and others got into shape for this show was filmed as a snippet which showed their ‘gladiatorial training’ prior to filming. Fascinating!

During the last season of Spartacus, War of the Damned, “an opportunity presented itself”. I was following Starz Spartacus, Liam McIntyre (Spartacus) and Stephen DeKnight (creator of the series) on Twitter. Comments about the gladiatorial training finally prompted Tyrone Bell, Liam’s trainer, to do a short video on how he got the actors and actresses in shape and staying in shape with a hectic film schedule with a 20 minute intense work-out and showed what some of these sessions were. I saw it & thought, wow! I can do that! Apparently I wasn’t alone because soon they announced Legion Training by Tyrone would be available to us fans. He set this up with us signing up through twitter, sending in a photo with our names and email addresses. Cool!

Legion Training is an 11 week work-out with an additional 2 weeks pre-work-out warm up. Liam McIntyre explained how Tyrone had him and the cast do this in their training. To participate, you had to join a gym, get a stop watch and be motivated. The workouts are 20 minutes long, done 5 days a week with 6 days of cardio (45 minute brisk walk first thing in the morning), leaving you with one day of rest. Included in this was a diet but you have to weigh in every 2 weeks and take your measurements, all recorded online in your account. The exercise changes daily and Tyrone has videos on how to do each (he is in New Zealand so all done thru the internet). This was designed as a competition for us and the winners got flown to NZ to meet Tyrone and Liam.

From what I saw on the show, I figured it worked so I was in it for me. What we do in 20 minutes is harder than most people at the gym do in an hour. It is timed to the exact second and he spells this all out for you. The mindset for this is relatively easy – back during Ancient Rome, they don’t have sweets like we’re used to (no chocolate – I know, how horrible!). The menu for this training is based on what you hope to gain out of this. In my case, that was to lose weight and get in shape. It’s streamlined plan using regular food like eggs, oatmeal, fruits, grains and protein.

During this time period in Rome, the Romans themselves were in physically good shape. They had gymnasiums where they played and being physical fit was important to them. Keeping that in mind plus listening to the soundtrack to Spartacus during my sessions helped to keep me focus on the goal.

So for 11 weeks I followed the plan and lost over 15 pounds (at 5 feet tall, that’s close to 30) and got in great shape, enough so when I submitted my final pix, wearing the same clothes, the change was noticeable! Plus I succeeded to be one of the 11 Honorable Mentions (out of the hundreds who completed this worldwide!).

So is it possible as an everyday person to get in shape like Dustin Clare, Manu Bennett, Liam McIntyre, Russell Crowe, etc? Yes. Legion Training IS a lifestyle and it’s great! And if I get to meet Russell Crowe, well, even better yet!

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Gina Danna has spent the better part of her life reading. History has been her love and she spent numerous hours devouring historical romance stories, dreaming of writing one of her own. Years later, after receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees in History, writing academic research papers and writing for museum programs and events, she finally found the time to write her own stories of historical romantic fiction. 

Now, under the supervision of her three dogs and three cats, she writes amid a library of research books, with her only true break away is to spend time with her other life long dream – her Arabian horse – with him, her muse can play.

Congratulations, Gina, on your success with "legion" training! And congratulation on your new release, LOVE & VENGEANCE:

Amid his bloodthirsty quest for vengeance, champion gladiator Marcus saves Gustina from execution, only to realize his newfound love for the spirited slave might mean his own death.

Rome 108 A.D., under the Emperor Trajan, is the center of the civilized world. It is a time of sophistication and decadence, a brutal world to its conquered.

Marcus, a Roman citizen sentenced to die as a gladiator, stands accused by his wife and brother for a crime he did not commit. Yet death eludes him and he rises to become champion of the sands. The title he does not want. He seeks revenge, but his victories in the Colosseum bestow monetary rewards he can use to save a beautiful slave, Gustina, from certain death by the beasts. She gives him a taste of love in a world full of lies, betrayal and murder.

But his overwhelming desire for vengeance, for blood and the kill, brings a higher price tag—can he satisfy the demon inside him and face the truth? A truth that will kill the woman he loves?

Hadrian's Wall in England
Image released to Public Domain (link)

 

I am giving away a "Roman" treat to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about Rome - past or present.  My family has visited the Roman Empire's ancient ruins in Rome, Belgium, England, and Scotland.   

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, April 26, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, April 27.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about Gina and her books, check out her website at ginadanna.com.

Roman Amphitheater in Caerleon, Wales