Sunday, February 28, 2016

Aloha to Katharine Ashe and THE ROGUE (Devil's Duke Book 1)

 

Katharine Ashe is celebrating the release of THE ROGUE:

In the first book in Katharine Ashe’s stunning new historical series, to capture a duke, a lady must first seduce a rogue.

Lady Constance Read is independent, beautiful, and in need of a husband-now. The last man on earth she wants is the rogue who broke her heart six years ago, never mind that his kisses are scorching hot…

Evan Saint-André Sterling is rich, scarred, and finished with women-forever. He’s not about to lose his head over the bewitching beauty who once turned his life upside down.

But Constance needs a warrior, and Saint is the perfect man for the job. Only as a married woman can she penetrate Scotland’s most notorious secret society and bring a diabolical duke to justice. When Constance and Saint become allies-and passionate lovers-he’ll risk everything to protect the only woman he has ever loved. 


Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo 

Katharine lives in the wonderfully warm Southeast with her beloved husband, son, dog, and a garden she likes to call romantic rather than unkempt. A professor of European History, she writes fiction because she thinks modern readers deserve grand adventures and breathtaking sensuality too.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads 


Katharine joins us for a cozy chat ...

Q. You write historical romance novels—but you’re also a professor of history! How much does your academic work as a professor overlap with your writing?

A. Now that I teach popular fiction -- both romance fiction and other fiction based on medieval history -- I can pour my experience with researching, writing and publishing novels into my teaching. And it goes the other way too; teaching nourishes me. I learn from my students all the time. Also, oftentimes I’ll read something to use in class and it will inspire a character or scene or even an entire plot of a novel.

Q. The title of the novel, The Rogue, refers to Saint, our roguish hero. But he’s not the only one known to break the rules every now and again: Constance is an extremely independent woman. At every turn, she refuses to let society make her dependent on someone else, and she continually rises against every challenge she is faced with. What inspired you to write such a strong, forward-thinking heroine?

A. Constance is incredibly strong and independent, but she’s also damaged and vulnerable. In a world dominated by men who want to use or control her, she’s come to a place where she’s simply refusing that. She wants to make her own decisions, and she wants to be her own hero (it’s why she asks Saint to teach her how to fight with a sword and dagger). But she wants—and needs—love too. I think this is the struggle of modern women: to be independent and take care of themselves, as well as others who need them, but also to allow themselves to be loved by a good man—a man who won’t try to control them, but will love them for the entire woman that they are.

Q. Tell us a little bit about your upcoming projects!

A. The Earl is next! Through several books my readers have been following the heated banter of Peregrine, the secretary of the Falcon Club, and popular London pamphleteer Lady Justice. She has skewered him again and again in the public press for being an idle elitist, but now she needs his help. They’re thrown together in an unexpected (and dangerous) adventure across the Scottish Highlands. It’s a super intense, funny and exciting love story, and I cried and laughed and gasped and sighed and loved loved loved writing it.

After that, the duke everybody’s calling The Devil gets his story!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
Katharine offers an excerpt from THE ROGUE:

Prologue

The Danger

Of the dozen men in the room, he was the only man she should not be staring at. He was not a lord. Not an heir to a fortune. Not a scion of impressive lineage or a favorite of the prince. He wasn’t even really a gentleman.

Yet she could not look away.

It shouldn’t have mattered; a hidden niche was an excellent place from which a young lady could spy on a risqué party. Until someone else discovered it.

Unless that someone else were the right someone else.

For four nights now no one had noticed her peeking from a door that could barely be called a door in the corner of the ballroom. These passages had been fashioned in an earlier era of rebellion, and everybody had long since forgotten them.

Except her.

And now him.

A quality of familiarity braided with danger commanded the breadth of his shoulders and the candlelight in his eyes as he watched her. Yet she did not duck back into the dark passage and escape. She had no fear that he would know her. Like the women who had actually been invited to the party, her mask hid the upper half of her face. Anyway, she knew no one in society. Her father had not yet taken her to London, only deposited her here at Fellsbourne, where he imagined her safe in the company of his dear friend’s family. Where she had always in fact been safe. Teased, taunted, treated like an annoying younger sister, and very carelessly acknowledged. But safe.

Until now.

Not removing his eyes from her, the stranger unfolded himself from the chair with predatorial grace. He moved like a hunter, lean and powerful and aware. Not entirely human. Even at rest he had watched the others, disinterested in the amorous flirtations of the other men and the women here to entertain them, yet keen-eyed. Like an elven prince studying mortal beings, he observed.

For four nights she had wondered, if she were one of those women would he be interested in her? Would he seek her attention? Would he touch her as the other men touched those women—as she longed to be touched—held—told she was special—good—beautiful?

She was wicked to her marrow.

Wicked to want a stranger’s notice. Wicked to relish the thrill in her belly as he walked

straight

toward

her.

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Aloha to Sharon Hamilton and TRUE BLUE SEALS: ZAK

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Sharon Hamilton is celebrating the release of TRUE BLUE SEALs: ZAK ... love the title and the cover!


Zak and Amy are destined for each other. After successfully passing the BUD/S training, and helping to stop a San Francisco terrorist attack, Zak goes to the arena of war with the rest of his SEAL Team 3 buddies, to return a changed man. Amy will have to negotiate the pain in her heart as she works to discover the man she loved going off to war is still the man of her dreams, and only if she can convince Zak he still is that man.

This is Book 13 of Sharon’s SEAL Brotherhood Series and is the full-length book that continues the story of Zak and Amy from her novella, True Navy Blue. The overall arc of the series is divided up into separate mini series: Bad Boys of SEAL Team 3, Band of Bachelors, True Blue SEALs, and Nashville SEALs.


Can’t wait to keep reading? Take ZAK home today:
Amazon AU | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR
(Print & audio coming soon!)

SEAL Delivery Team 2 conduct lockout training
with the USS Hawaii.
Public Domain (link)

Sharon Hamilton is a NYT and USA/Today bestselling author most known for her SEAL Brotherhood series. She also writes Golden Vampire and Guardian Angel series.

A lifelong organic gardener, Sharon lives with her husband in the Wine Country of Northern California, where most of her stories take place. When she’s not writing, she’s getting verra verra dirty in the mud, or wandering Farmer’s Markets looking for new Heirloom varieties of vegetables and flowers.

Author PageSharon's BlogSharon's Website 
FacebookTwitter
Sharon Hamilton's Newsletter




Notice the read band on Sharon's hand - R.E.D. for Remember Everyone Deployed.  Sharon tirelessly supports military families!   I am giving away a digital copy of TRUE BLUE SEALs: ZAK to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about RED - what is your favorite red item in your closet.  Mine is a red lei!

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City


Sharon offers a special excerpt from TRUE BLUE SEALS: ZAK

His hands smoothed up and down her upper arm as he stared at the ceiling. He’d made the first step to do something important with his life by becoming a Navy SEAL. His new family, the Brotherhood, healed and filled so many holes in his soul. He felt the honor of serving with men who would gladly die for him, without thinking about it. He was indeed one of the lucky ones. Now, he was about to do the next big thing in his life. He was “securing the target,” bringing Amy into his life not just as a girlfriend, but also as a mate and life partner. He’d even been honest with her. If she couldn’t take the intensity of his family now, couldn’t deal with the stress and loss and tears that sometimes came with the job, along with the joy of doing something more important than all of them, he’d have to walk away.

And, as hard as it would be, he’d do it. He’d make sure he didn’t give up on his shot to become one of the best of the best, and to serve his country proudly with honor.

They were to meet Carter at an omelet house for breakfast. He and Amy noodled around in the shower until they were going to be very unfashionably late. He was always the one to have to turn down the heat so they could keep to a schedule. Amy would have been fine just staying in bed the whole time.

She made a point of showing him she wasn’t going to wear panties, “just in case.”

“This is going to be a painful day for me, I can see.”

“I have the cure for that pain,” she whispered.

“Indeed you do.” Her hopeful face was seeking out a message he wasn’t going to give her. “You’re here to learn about my community. And before you tell me you learned all you need to know in that bed,” he pointed to the tussled sheets behind him, “I need to show you things. Things that are important for you to know. I’m doing this for you, Amy.” He added a smile he’d almost forgotten to show.

She got that little flighty look as she continued dressing and then examining the floor, turning her head from side to side, the pouty smile on her face, just reminding him that he really wasn’t in control. “Zak, I hope you’re not tired of me already,” she whispered to her bright red toes.

“Not a chance, sweetheart.” He grabbed her and held her tight. Lifting her lips with fingers gently under her chin. “Stay just the way you are. Insatiable.” He kissed her. “Sexy as hell.” He kissed her again. “Riding my cock all night long like last night. I’m going to be ruined when you have to go back.”

“Then keep me here.”

Her clear brown eyes were honest, unflinching. He knew she was ready to take that step through the doorway with him. As long as everything else worked out for these next two days, he’d be able to convince her to get married before he deployed. That was the mission. That was the target to be acquired.


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Weekly Winners


We have winners at SOS Aloha!

Celebrate Romance Every Day - Iconic Cover Models
- Janice wins a digital copy of SAVED BY A SEAL


Krista Davis' MURDER SHE BARKED
- Lexi wins a book choice from my convention stash.

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Cindy Gerard's TAKING FIRE
- Artemis wins a print copy.

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From my travel blog, Marjorie wins a book choice from my convention stash.


Winners, please send your mailing address to sos.aloha@yahoo.com.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Celebrate Romance Every Day: Aloha to Parris Afton Bonds, Trailblazing Romance Author

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I discovered Buzzr TV during Winter Storm Jonas; the cable TV channel broadcasts vintage game shows.  One month later, I am still watching reruns of Match Game.  The episodes feature the original prizes, including tape recorders, microwave ovens, and romance books from Popular Library. The cover above popped up on the screen.  I scrambled to find a pen to write down the name of this author.

I was curious about Parris Afton Bonds.  From her website, parrisaftonbonds.com,


Parris Afton Bonds is the mother of five sons and the author of forty published novels. She is the co-founder and first vice president of Romance Writers of America as well as the cofounder of Southwest Writers Workshop, all of which nudged her closer to being committed to Bedlam, which she has managed to avoid so far by a pretense at sanity.

Declared by ABC's Nightline as one of the three-best-selling authors of romantic fiction, the award winning Parris Afton Bonds has been interviewed by such luminaries as Charlie Rose and featured in major newspapers and magazines as well as published in more than a dozen languages. A New York Times best seller, she donates her time to teaching creative writing to both grade school children and female inmates ~ both of which are captive audiences.

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I asked Parris to join us for a cozy chat ...

Kim:  I am thankful that you co-founded RWA! How did this come about? What were the prevailing perceptions of romance fiction at that time?

Parris:  At the time I co-founded RWA, romance fiction was just taking off, an infant. I had several novels under my belt with Popular Library and was a speaker for the University of Houston's Southwest Writers Conference ~ and the only representative of romance fiction. Several of us writers were hanging out in my hotel room ~ among them, Sondra Stanford, Peggy Cleaves (Ann Major),and Sandra Brown, who had yet to be published. Rita Clay Estrada, also unpublished, suggested a romance writers' organization. Everyone there that evening loved the idea, but it was Rita, who actually ran with the idea and galvanized me, Peggy, Sondra, and Rita Gallagher into action. We used our own money to setup business, promote, travel to ABA, etc. that first year. Now, we are the largest writers' organization in the world, with (I believe at last count) 12,000 members strong.

Kim:  If a romance fan wanted to dive into your backlist, where would you suggest she start?

Parris:  You know, Kim, I look at my backlist and groan, knowing that I had yet to develop my craft and hone my skills. I could have done so much better, knowing what I know now (Isn't that true about our lives, as well?) But I think Flash of the Firefly, my fourth published novel, was a point where I was starting to emerge from the cocoon, to believe in myself; to believe, yes, I really am an author, this isn't just a fluke.

Kim:  You've expanded your writing beyond romance - can you tell us about your mystery series?

Parris:  Dancing With Wild Woman and Dancing With Crazy Woman (the first two novels in my Janet Lomayestewa Tracker series) are about a female Hope Indian tracker for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). The idea for Janet took flight when, serendipitously, two bits of information fell into my lap almost simultaneously. I had just finished reading Book of the Hopi by Frank Waters (Hopi Prophecies), set in Arizona. Then, within the hour saw a TV news item about ICE using Indian trackers in Arizona ~ 16 males and one female. The Indian trackers (from assorted tribes) are often better than modern technology, when Arizona's heat can cause a lot to go awry.

Kim:  What's next for Parris Afton Bonds?

Parris:  I am finishing up the fifth book in the historical The Texicans series, which begins in 1835 with the battles for Texas Independence at the Alamo and San Jacinto and comes forward into the Space Age with Houston's NASA, thus far.

Kim, thank you so very much for this opportunity to connect with your readers.

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Mahalo, Parris, for being a trailblazing romance author!  I am looking forward to checking out your books!  In honor of your contributions to RWA, I am giving a book choice from my RWA convention stash to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1.  Do you have a favorite game show - vintage or contemporary?  I'm also a fan of Family Feud with Richard Dawson (1976-1985), Richard Karn (2002-2006), John O'Hurley (2006-2010), and Steve Harvey (2010-present).

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City


rwa.org

Friday, February 26, 2016

Aloha to Shana Galen and I KISSED A ROGUE (Covent Garden Cubs Book 3)

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Shana Galen is celebrating the upcoming elease of I KISSED A ROGUE, Book 3 in her Covent Garden Cubs series.  This gorgeous cover is available March 1 from Sourcebooks.  Shana joins me for a cozy chat ...

Shana Galen is the bestselling author of fast-paced adventurous Regency historicals, including the RT Reviewers' Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Booklist says, "Galen expertly entwines espionage-flavored intrigue with sizzling passion," and RT Bookreviews calls her "a grand mistress of the action/adventure subgenre." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making. Shana loves to hear from readers, so send her an email or see what she's up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.


Learn more about Shana and her books at shanagalen.com.


Kim: Let’s chat about kisses. What is your favorite flavor of Hershey’s Kisses?

Shana: I would have to say caramel. I love everything caramel. Last year I went vegan, so I don’t eat Hershey’s kisses anymore, but I have found some yummy caramel candies made out of coconut milk that are fabulous.

Kim: How do you come up with your character's names for the historical setting?

Shana: This is always a challenge because I want to use names that are historically accurate, but I don’t want the characters to seem too old-fashioned. Mildred and Archibald just aren’t sexy names to modern readers. So I spend some time looking at lists of people from the Regency period and going over popular names for the time. Brook was actually a popular name for a man. I know now we think of Brooke as a feminine name, but I think it still has a masculine ring. Lila is short for Lillian-Anne, which were also common Regency names. I don’t think a woman would have been named Lila in the Regency, but her family might have given her that name as a nickname, especially if she has a younger sibling who has trouble pronouncing her full name.

Kim: While researching for your Covent Garden Cubs series, can you share a fun fact about Covent Garden and/or Bow Street Runners?

Shana: I think the most interesting facts I learned were about how closely the classes of London lived to each other. Mayfair might have been the bastion of the wealthy and powerful, but it was right next to St. Giles, a very poor area with lots of crime. And while the Bow Street Runners were mostly very honest, admirable men charged with an impossible task of controlling the rampant crime in London, not all were so honest. It’s not hard to understand why when right across from their offices in Bow Street a tavern called The Brown Bear housed criminals who operated freely out of the establishment. Some of the Runners who drank there made deals with the criminals and ran schemes with them. But if it wasn’t for these first “police officers,” London wouldn’t be the city it is today, and it’s certainly much safer than it was 200 years ago.

Covent Garden, 1726
Peter Angelis


Mahalo, Shana, for joining us today ... and congratulations on the new release!

Once she spurned the man…


When the Duke of Lennox hires Sir Brook Derring, England’s best investigator, to find his daughter, Brook intends only to rescue the lady and return to his solitary life. He deals with London’s roughest criminals every day of the week; surely he should be able to endure seeing his first love again—the perfect girl who broke his heart...

Now her life depends on him

Lady Lillian-Anne Lennox has always done her best to live up to her father’s standards of perfection—at the cost of following her heart. When she’s kidnapped and her perfect life is shattered, Lila has another chance. Together, Lila and Brook navigate not only the dark and deadly side of London, but the chasm of pride and prejudice that divides them.


I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash, including several titles from Shana Galen, to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  What is your favorite flavor of Hershey's Kisses?  Mine is Macadamia Nut which can only be found in Hawaii.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 27, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 28.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

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More books in the series ...


Thursday, February 25, 2016

Aloha to Sharon Sala & YOU AND ONLY YOU


Welcome to Blessings, Georgia, a series of Southern contemporary romance from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sharon Sala.  With the support of her handsome, unassuming friend Mike Dalton, LilyAnne Bronte is finally ready to put the past in the past.

It’s never too late

Mike Dalton has secretly loved LilyAnn Bronte since they were all children together in the small town of Blessings, Georgia. But one fateful day T.J. Lachlan roars into town and starts showering LilyAnn with his charm, and Mike feels his dream of them being more than friends slipping away.

To find the love you missed

LilyAnn, as anyone in Blessings will tell you, let herself go after her fiancée was killed in Iraq. The attention of the handsome new guy shocks her into a revelation: she’s ready to live again, and maybe the best is yet to come. The thing is, everybody in Blessings is sure it’s Mike and LilyAnn who belong together—and they’re willing to do whatever it takes to make LilyAnn realize the love of her life has been by her side all along.


(Originally published as The Curl Up and Dye.)

Amazon


Sharon Sala, who has also written under the name Dinah McCall, has 85-plus books in print, published in four different genres—Romance, Young Adult, Western, and Women’s Fiction, and her Young Adult books have been optioned for film. She has been named a RITA finalist seven times by Romance Writers of America, and in 2011 they named her the recipient of the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. Her books are New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly bestsellers and published in many different languages. She lives in Oklahoma, the state where she was born.

Learn more about Sharon and her books at sharonsala.net.

Cherokee rose.jpg
Cherokee Rose - Georgia State Flower
Public Domain (link)

Sourcebooks is hosting a special giveaway at this link ... and offers and excerpt from YOU AND ONLY YOU ...

The Sunday morning ritual for most of Blessings was about the same—­breakfast, then church, or early church, then brunch.

It all depended on the denomination. LilyAnn was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, and there was never a question of if she was going to church. It was simply a question of which service.

When she was little, her parents had taken her to the last one. Sunday school always began at 10:30 a.m. and preaching afterward at 11:15 a.m., and she’d been dressed for display, like the little doll she was.

Now she dressed to hide, and cooler weather was her friend. Jackets and coats, long-­sleeved shirts and slacks hid a multitude of sins, which was good when you went to a church where people preached against them.

LilyAnn eyed the sky as she carried the trash out to the bin behind the house. It was nearly half a mile to church, too far to walk in heels. The day was cold but clear, and she could take a walk this afternoon. Right now, she needed to hurry and get out of her sweatshirt and jeans or she was going to be late for church.

She ran back inside, shutting out the cold as the door slammed behind her, and was on her way down the hall when the phone began to ring. She lengthened her stride to get to the bedroom to answer.

“Hello.”

“Hey, it’s me, Mike. Can you come over right now? I need some help.”

It was the slight tremor in his voice that made her heart kick out of rhythm.

“I’m on my way,” she said, and hung up the phone. By the time she got to the door, she was running.

She flew across her front yard and up his driveway, then around to the back door because she knew it would be unlocked.

“I’m here!” she yelled, as she ran in through the kitchen. “Where are you?”

“In the bedroom.”

She’d spent half her life in this house playing with Mike when they were little and knew exactly where to go. But the moment she started down the hall and saw the blood, panic hastened her steps. The trail went all the way across the hardwood floor of his bedroom and into the bathroom. The door was ajar.

“I’m coming in!” she yelled.

Mike was leaning over the bathroom sink, wearing a pair of blue jeans and nothing else. Blood was pouring from a cut on his forehead, and there were smaller cuts and scratches on his torso. The Plexiglas shower door was in shards.

“Oh my God, oh my God, Mike! You fell!”

“I got dizzy. Slipped. Tried to get dressed, and this is as far as I got. I’m too dizzy to drive myself to the ER. Can you—­”

“Sit down,” she said, and slammed the lid shut on the commode, then grabbed a hand towel, folded it into a large pad, and pressed it against the cut. “Hold this,” she said, and flew back into his bedroom, snatching a button-­up shirt from the closet and a pair of house shoes from beside his bed.

Within a couple of minutes, she had him dressed and on his way down the hall, but he was leaning on her with every step.

“Where are your car keys?” she asked.

He pointed to the dish by the front door.

She grabbed them on the way out, pulling the door shut as they went. Her purse and driver’s license were at her house, and that was just too damned bad. If they got stopped on the way to the ER for speeding, the police officer could kiss her fat ass.

By the time she got Mike in the car, all the color had washed from his face and she was getting scared.

“How long have you been bleeding?” she asked, as she backed the car down the driveway and took off, leaving rubber on the street as she accelerated.

“I don’t know,” he mumbled, and then passed out.

“Oh my God! Mike! Mike!”

But he wasn’t talking. She grabbed the compress that had fallen into his lap and shoved it against his forehead, steering with one hand as she ran stop signs and red lights, thankful it was Sunday morning when the traffic was sparse.

She picked up a cop car two blocks from the hospital, but she didn’t slow down. If he wanted to give her a ticket, he was going to have to do it there.

When she didn’t slow down or stop, the cop hit the siren and accelerated, trying to catch her. She pulled into the ER bay with him on her bumper. When she got out running and covered in blood, the cop’s attitude changed as he jumped out of the cruiser and followed her to the passenger door.

LilyAnn recognized the officer as a former classmate and started issuing orders.

“Lonnie, get me some help! Mike is unconscious!”

Every angry comment Officer Lonnie Pittman had been planning to deliver shifted into nervous energy as he dashed into the ER, coming back moments later with a doctor, a nurse, and two orderlies pushing a gurney.

“What happened?” the doctor said, as they dragged Mike’s bloody body out of the car.

“He fell in the shower. I don’t know how long ago, because he’d lost a lot of blood by the time he called me. It was a bad fall so he may have internal injuries, too. He has cuts and scratches all over his upper torso. Don’t know about the rest of him because he was wearing blue jeans when I showed up. All I know is that the shower door was Plexiglas and it was in pieces.”

“Are you his wife?” the nurse asked.

The question startled Lily. She’d never thought of Mike in that way. “No, but…I guess I’m the closest thing to family here in Blessings. We grew up next door to each other and still live in the same houses.”

“Follow me inside. Maybe you can help with some of his medical history.”

Her voice was beginning to shake. “I need to move the car.”

“I’ll do it,” Lonnie offered. “Meet you inside.”

Lily followed behind as they wheeled Mike in. Her heart was hammering so hard that it was difficult to catch her breath, and she couldn’t look at the blood on her clothes without wanting to cry.

Mike was the invincible one. Seeing him so pale and still brought back memories of her daddy’s heart attack. He had gone from the emergency room to the funeral home in less than two hours, and this was a horrible reminder of that day.

After giving them all the pertinent information regarding age, birth date, address, and so on, she referred them to Mike’s family doctor for medical info. It was all she could do. Before she knew it, they were wheeling him into surgery.

Lonnie Pittman found her in the surgery waiting room. When he handed her the car keys, her hands were shaking so hard that she dropped them twice before she got them in her pocket.

“I’m sorry I was speeding,” she whispered.

“Yeah, well, unusual circumstances and all that, but damn it to hell, LilyAnn, don’t ever do that again. Call an ambulance next time.”

She nodded.

He sighed. “Is there someone you want me to notify? Does he have a girlfriend? Maybe his pastor?”

“No girlfriend,” she said, and then frowned. “At least none that I know of. I’ll call his parents as soon as I know what to tell them.”

“Where do they live?”

“Denver, Colorado. They moved there after his dad retired. That’s where his sister’s family lives.”

“Okay. Well, remember what I said.”

Unaware there were tears on her cheeks, she looked up.

“I will, and thank you.”

He patted the top of her head. “You’re welcome, LilyAnn. Hope he’s okay.”

She didn’t know when Lonnie left. Her gaze was fixed on the doors at the far end of the hall. Mike had to be okay. She couldn’t imagine life without him somewhere in it.

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Books from Blessings, Georgia


Aloha to V.K. Sykes and SEE YOU AT SUNSET (Seashell Bay Book 3)

 

V.K. Sykes is celebrating the release of SEE YOU AT SUNSET, Seashell Bay Book 3:

All Holly Tyler wants is a fantastic career, a not-too-committed relationship, and a city where there are no painful memories. Instead, she's called back to her hometown of Seashell Bay to help with her family's struggling general store. It's a town where everyone knows everyone, and where one man could sink Holly's careful plans.

Deputy Sheriff Micah Lancaster has wanted Holly for as long as he can remember. He knows she has a life on the mainland-and a boyfriend-and that there's no real future with her. But now Holly is back and the attraction still flickers between them, a promise of something more. Their desire is stronger than any undertow . . . and once it pulls them under, it won't let go.

Amazon


Sunset over Kona

V. K. Sykes is a wife/husband writing team -Vanessa Kelly and Randall Sykes - who write romantic suspense and single-title contemporary romance. One of the great things they appreciate about being writers is that they can work anywhere so Vanessa and Randy split their time between Ontario, Canada, in the summer and Florida in the winter. Both locations have shores just as beautiful as the imaginary Seashell Bay.

vksykes.com

Sunset over Pearl Harbor

Forever Romance is hosting a giveaway at this link and offers an except from SEE YOU AT SUNSET ... 

“We’re not eighteen anymore, Micah.”

He grinned. “No, but there’s no law that says we can’t act like we are for a while.” He yanked his shirt over his head, draping it over the railing.

Startled both by his action and the proximity of his incredibly ripped and naked chest, Holly just stared at him. When he started to undo his belt, she managed to find her voice. “Deputy Micah Lancaster, what are you doing?” She winced at the slightly screechy tone to her voice.

“What does it look like? Look, nobody could see us out here on the point even in daylight. And I’d like to note that I’m off duty.” He kicked off his shoes, then shoved his jeans down and stepped out of them.

All he had on was a pair of black boxers that fit him like a second skin. Though she couldn’t help a brief glance at his very impressive package, Holly tore her eyes away. But, oh man, did she want to keep looking.

“I can’t believe you did that,” she said.

“Sure you can. Come on, Holly, be crazy for a few minutes—you’ve earned it tonight.” He slipped past her to the swimmer’s ladder.

Her heart pounded out a crazy rhythm as she greedily took in Micah’s broad shoulders, muscular back, and fine butt. He glanced back, gave her a quick grin, and arced down into the water with perfect form. On top of everything else, he was a great swimmer and a powerful one. She wouldn’t

have anything to worry about if she followed him in.

No, no, no. What a cosmically bad idea that would be—both of them wet and basically naked. But still she moved to the ladder, as if pulled by a magnet. Micah broke the dark surface of the water and raked a hand back to clear his eyes as he bobbed in the gentle waves.

“It’s nice and warm,” he said. “What’s wrong, Tyler?= You chicken or something?”

No, dammit. She wasn’t—not anymore.

“Those are fighting words, Lancaster,” she called down to him as she pulled her tank top over her head and dropped it at her feet. She kicked off her sandals and wriggled out of her skirt, deliberately not looking at him.

Irrationally, she was really happy that her lacy red demi bra and hip- hugger panties were both new, stylish designs from Victoria’s Secret.

She stood poised at the top of the ladder, where she’d stood countless times before. Holly had no fear of the ocean, having jumped and dived off Seashell Bay docks and piers all through her childhood. She’d never suffered anything worse than a black eye Brett Clayton inadvertently

gave with his elbow as he surfaced beside her.

After a quick glance down at Micah, who was staring up at her with his mouth hanging open, she aimed a little to his right and launched herself into a dive.

She came up spitting salt water and shrieking. The water was not warm—it was freaking cold. “You lied about the water, you rat,” she yelped.

He swam closer. “Since when did you become such a wimp?” he teased.

Holly splashed water at him. “Officers of the law are supposed to always tell the truth.”

Micah gave her a sly grin. “Are you still cold?”

She didn’t miss the heated intent in his gaze. You are so playing with fire, Holly. But she didn’t care—not tonight anyway.

“Am I still shivering?” she scoffed.

“I can fix that.” He pulled her in, plastering her against that wet, gorgeous chest of his. Holly couldn’t resist. Didn’t want to resist, because it felt too damn good—better than anything she’d felt in a very long time.

She snaked her arms around Micah’s shoulders and treaded water along with him.

“Does that help?” he whispered in her ear. His bristly chin brushed against her cheek, making her shiver even harder.

“You have no idea,” she choked out.

“Mmm, wrap your legs around my waist, babe. Then you can just float with me.”


More books in the series ...

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Aloha to Cindy Gerard and TAKING FIRE (One Eyed Jacks, Book 4)

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The most explosively sexy One-Eyed Jacks adventure yet from the RITA Award-winning, New York Times bestselling romance author whose name is “synonymous with high stakes and high action” (RT Book Reviews)!

Betrayal. Retribution. Redemption?

Six years ago, tough-as-nails military contractor Bobby Taggart met the woman of his dreams in war-torn Kabul—a sexy, whip-smart war correspondent who approached him at a local bar, took him to bed, made him fall in love…and then mysteriously disappeared. In her wake, the terrorist leader he’d been mining for valuable intel was assassinated—then Bobby discovered his phone had been bugged. And he’s pretty damn sure he’s been played for a fool.

Now, a covert security mission for the U.S. Embassy in Oman unexpectedly reunites him with Talia Levine, the woman who betrayed him and broke his heart. And there’s one more secret she hasn’t told him—one that will change his world. But as the heat of anger mixes with a still-simmering passion, dangerous forces close in, their sights set on Talia. Trust is the only way they will survive—but with their lives in the balance, can Bobby risk trusting her again?


The only thing Cindy had in mind when she started writing her first book was finishing it. The issue of actually selling it came much later. Only after she made that life-altering first sale did she realize that one book would never be enough. Now, over 20 books and numerous awards later, Cindy laughingly admits that she can barely remember life before...well, was there life before writing?

Actually, yes there was, and still is. A professional career woman, Cindy is a trainer for the Iowa Department of Human Services, a position she states is both challenging and rewarding. "Human Services is a front-line, real-life event. Everything about the job is immediate, from serving families in crisis, to assisting staff with difficult situations, to meeting tension-fraught deadlines."

Cindy's career has taught her much about the human condition, its frailties, its strengths, and its spirit. The evocative emotions that pour from the pages of her books are a reflection of some of her work experiences. Her writing celebrates life's richness and trials, offering a wide range of emotions — hope and elation, anger and indecision, laughter and, of course, love. And, according to her readers, her powerful love scenes run the gamut from steamy to tender to lusty to just plain fun.

Learn more about Cindy and her books at cindygerard.com.

Pella, Iowa

I am giving away a print coy of TAKING FIRE to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about Cindy's home state of Iowa, the Hawkeye State.  My inlaws stopped by Pella, Iowa, founded by Dutch immigrants (we previously lived in the Netherlands). Check out Pella on my travel blog at this link.

2. Comments are open through Saturday, February 27, 10 pm in Baltiimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 28.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

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More books in the series ...


Aloha to Krista Davis and MURDER, SHE BARKED - Book Review

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The Sugar Maple Inn in Wagtail, Virginia, is the country's premiere vacation hot spot for pet owners who can’t bear to leave their furry friends behind. But this tourist town smells trouble when a killer goes on the prowl....

Holly Miller's life has gone to the dogs. She has no job, her boyfriend's former flame is sniffing around, and a scruffy but loveable Jack Russell Terrier is scattering crumbs all over her borrowed car. Just when she thought things couldn't get worse, a troubling phone call about her grandmother sends her rushing home to the family inn on Wagtail Mountain.

The staff—and a frisky Calico kitten named Twinkletoes—adopts Holly and her new dog on arrival. But someone in this friendly town is bad to the bone. One of the employees at the inn has been killed in a hit-and-run accident—which is looking anything but accidental. Now Holly and her furry companions will have to nose out the murderer before someone else gets muzzled.

Military families enjoy Dog Beach near Pearl Harbor

Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx

Krista Davis is a veteran writer with nine books from her Domestic Diva Mystery series.  She adds to her resume with MURDER, SHE BAKED, Book One in the Paws and Claws mystery series.  The new series features Holly Miller, an unemployed fundraiser in Washington, DC.  She abruptly leaves dinner with her boyfriend, Ben, when she receives a telephone call that her grandmother, Liesel, is ill.  Holly drives several hours in the rain, rescues an abandoned dog, and reports a fire on the outskirts of Wagtail - a sleepy mountain town which has morphed into a pet friendly resort.  

Holly treasures her memories of summers spent at her grandmother's inn. Yet she is taken back by the modern expansion and the unprecedented crime that has occurred. Liesel acknowledges something is amiss in Wagtail and suggests they investigate together.  Liesel's friend, Rose, balks at this suggestion, claiming Liesel has watched one too many episodes of MURDER SHE WROTE, hence the name of the book.

Holly takes on the role of amateur sleuth while training her new dog, Trixie, and contemplating the future of her relationship with her DC boyfriend, Ben. As she pokes around town, she reacquaints herself with friends she made during her childhood vacations. In fact, Davis introduces many characters in MURDER, SHE BARKED which could be overwhelming for one book.  Yet Davis is building the foundation of character development for additional books in the series. Likewise, the plot is burdened with multiple story lines ... but the action kept my attention. I was surprised by how the mysteries were solved.  
The creme de la creme of MURDER, SHE BARKED was the close relationship between Holly and Liesel. Davis pays tribute to Liesel with cultural references to her Germanic heritage.

Recommended read for fans of cozy mysteries, small towns, independent heroines, and four legged pets!


Resident cat at the Byodo In Temple

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

1. Leave a comment about a "pet friendly" resort - would you take your pet on vacation with you?  My cats are too independent to travel with me.  I would enjoy having a resident cat at the resort!

2. Comments are open through Saturday, February 27, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 28.

Mahalo,


Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

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Books 2 and 3 in the series ...