Friday, June 30, 2017

Aloha to Annie Seaton and HER OUTBACK COWBOY (A Pickle Creek Novel) - with Giveaway and Excerpt


Annie Seaton is celebrating the release of HER OUTBACK COWBOY, Book 1 in her Pickle Creek series ...

The last thing advertising art director Lucy Bellamy wants is to go home to the Outback, but duty to family calls. At least there’s one bonus—her first love, sexy cowboy neighbour, Garth Mackenzie, is there and the attraction between them is still explosive. But Lucy has no intention of getting stuck in this two-bit town and she counts down the days until she can go back to her real life.

After an engineering degree and working in the mines of Western Australia, Garth has returned to the Outback and is home to stay. His goal is to settle down, start a family, and work his beloved land with the girl he’s always loved. But if it comes to Lucy choosing between the glamour of the city or making a home with him in the Outback—he’d lose, hands down.

Amazon
B&N
iTunes
Kobo
Goodreads


Annie Seaton lives on the edge of the South Pacific Ocean on the east coast of Australia. She is fulfilling her lifelong dream of writing and has been delighted to discover that readers love reading her stories as much as she loves writing them. Annie lives with her own hero of many years. Their two children are now grown up and married, and two beautiful grandchildren have arrived. Now they share their home with Toby, the naughtiest dog in the universe, and two white cats. When she is not writing she can be found in her garden or walking on the beach... or most likely on her deck overlooking the ocean, camera in hand as the sun sets. Each winter, Annie and her husband leave the beach to roam the remote areas of Australia for story ideas and research. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Annie offers an excerpt from HER OUTBACK COWBOY ...

The small copse of trees where they’d both lost their virginity one warm winter afternoon still stood in the middle of the wheat paddock. For a few weeks afterwards, he’d expected to see her grandfather arriving with a shotgun because they’d used no protection. Condoms weren’t something he’d carried when he’d been fencing back in those teenage years. He grinned; it had been a good lesson for an eighteen-year-old boy.

Those lazy afternoons popped into his head as Lucy stood in the water and waded towards him. Her one piece swimsuit clung lovingly to her curves and he let his gaze sweep her length. Her body was more womanly than when she’d been an athletic teenage and her skin was fairer than it had been when she’d lived out here.

But she was still as drop dead gorgeous as ever.

As he kissed her cheek and stepped back he became the subject of her intense scrutiny. Her bright blue eyes held his and her low and husky voice sent a shiver down his spine. “Come on over to the farm for a quick visit.”

He shook his head.” Thank you, but no, not at the moment. Your grandmother wouldn’t be too happy if I rolled into her kitchen.”

35060375

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Aloha to Blog Tours, Community Outreach, and Positive Energy

7646039

Aloha!  You probably noticed that I have posted a series of blog tours for the past few weeks.  I signed up for the blog tours after spending the week at RT with Danielle Gorman from Author's Pal.  She has such positive energy as an author assistant.  I not only wanted to support her ... but also introduce you to a wide range of romance authors and new releases. 

I admit it is easy filler for my blog ... as my life has been a challenge of late.  I'm juggling several family issues yet I did not want to give up on my blog here at SOS Aloha.



Three weeks ago, I attended "Wine, Women, and Word" with the ladies from my church.  I thought it was a Bible study. Instead, the host leads a discussion of issues that relate to our spiritual growth.  This month's host read a passage form Debbie Macomber's ONE SIMPLE ACT:

Debbie Macomber invites us to live with open hands, offering who we are and what we have to others. When we do so with an eager sense of expectancy, lives—including our own—are changed in ways we never envisioned. All it takes is one simple act.

Debbie shares vignettes from her life (and others) on how to use simple acts of sharing, caring, and forgiving to improve our own lives.  The host then gave me her copy to read.  Indeed, Debbie is a practicing Christian and quotes from the Bible.  But she references just plain common sense you would expect from any religion - be kind to one another.  




Most of my coworkers know I volunteer in the community. One coworker mentioned that she was moving into a small home and wanted to donate household items to military families. Last Saturday, I recruited my college son to help transport the items from her home to Fort Meade.  We took three car loads of household items to the Enlisted Spouses' Club (ESC) Thrift Shop (which raises money for student scholarships) and the Meade Attic (which gives household items for free to the lower ranks of all services).  


During our second trip to Fort Meade, I watched a young mother unload a double stroller from her car.  She then transferred a toddler and baby from the car to the stroller.  As she walked towards the Airmen's Attic, I informed her that it was closed; that we were only there to drop off donations in the collection bins. I subsequently invited her to my friend's house since she had baby and toddler items available.  I could see that the young mother was hesitant ... but it was a military base.  I was not a virtual stranger.  So the young mother followed me back to my friend's house - she stocked up on children's books and even took home a bouncy seat.  

In the end, my son and I:

- helped a friend clear out her house
- donated items to the Thrift Shop to raise funds for military families
- donated items to the Airmen's Attic to assist the lower enlisted
- enabled a young mother to pick out children's books for her family 



On our way home, I treated my son to Chick Fil A.  We even brought back chocolate shakes for hubby and younger son who volunteers for roadside clean up with his scout troop.  


For a few hours, I found satisfaction that I could help others, thus distracting me from my own problems.  Those problems are still present in my life, but the problems don't seem so daunting after all. 


Image result for sos aloha lucky books

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


1. What do you have planned for the upcoming holiday weekend?

2. Comments are open through Sunday, July 9, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, July 10.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City



Image result for sos aloha flag






Aloha to Darcy Burke and THE DUKE OF DEFIANCE (The Untouchables Book 5) - Giveaway and Excerpt


Darcy Burke is celebrating the release of THE DUKE OF DEFIANCE, Book 5 in The Untouchables series ... 

Difficult and defiant as a child, Bran Crowther, Earl of Knighton left England as a young man to pursue independence and adventure. He never expected to inherit the title and when duty calls him home, he still finds Society’s codes constricting and others’ expectations oppressive. Nevertheless, he needs a wife to be a mother to his young daughter, preferably a woman of intelligence and warmth who is, above all, immune to his idiosyncrasies—and to falling in love. 

Widow Joanna Shaw isn’t interested in a second marriage, not after the loveless, passionless union she endured. She’d much rather dote on her young niece and nephew since they will likely be the only children in her life...until she meets a precocious girl, in desperate need of a mother. But her father, the so-called Duke of Defiance, is as peculiar as he is handsome, and Jo won’t take another risk with her heart. Their rules, however, are made to be broken, even when the consequences could destroy them both. 

34751383

Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional contemporary romance. A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, and three Bengal cats. Visit Darcy online at darcyburke.com and sign up for her newsletter, follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/darcyburke, or like her Facebook page, facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Darcy offers an excerpt from THE DUKE OF DEFIANCE ...

Oh, he looked magnificent in evening wear, his dark charcoal-colored coat offset by his silver-threaded waistcoat and the snow-white of his cravat. Was he uncomfortable? She wondered how long he’d be able to endure the garments and pictured him stripping them off. The ballroom suddenly seemed overly warm.

He strode right to her and offered a bow, first to Nora as required by her rank, and another to Jo. “Good evening. You look lovely.” His gaze swept over her.

“Thank you.”

“I thought we could discuss the governess interviews,” he said. “My secretary has arranged them for Tuesday.”
Jo nodded. “Good.”

“Lord Knighton, why don’t you ask Jo to waltz? It’s just starting.”

Waltz? At Nora’s insistence, Jo had practiced the steps earlier today, but she’d never actually waltzed. “I’m not certain that’s necessary.”

Lord Knighton held out his arm. “Would you do me the honor?”

Now she was trapped. Although if she could refuse any man and predict that he wouldn’t take offense, it was Knighton. Once she explained her anxiety, she’d no doubt he would understand given his own foibles.

In the end, she simply put her hand on his arm and allowed him to escort her to the dance floor. It could be her only chance.

“I’ve never waltzed,” she said softly.

“Me neither.”

She turned her head sharply to look at him. “Oh dear.”

“How hard can it be?” he asked as they stepped onto the dance floor.

He rested his hand on her waist and clasped her hand. She placed her palm on his shoulder and, despite the layers of clothing, was certain she could feel his muscle.

“See, we’re experts,” he said. 

294178443013171031684539

More books in The Untouchables series ... 



Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Aloha to Tracey Devlyn and ROAMING WILD - With giveaway!


She’s loved him forever…

The last thing traveling nurse Evie Steele expects to find aboard the RV housing her mobile health clinic is her brother’s best friend. As always, Deke’s close proximity stirs her forbidden desires and long-suppressed dreams. But his sudden reappearance in her life and curious interest in her patients makes Evie wonder what he’s hiding.
…but now his secrets could destroy them both.

Special agent Deke Conrad is in big trouble. Not only does he have a thing for his friend’s little sister, but what should be a routine mission is turning into a tour of temptation and survival. He fooled himself into thinking he could keep the beautiful and dynamic Evie in the dark while he used the cover of her Med Mobile to track down a merciless wildlife trafficker. But he didn't anticipate the lure of her scent or the warmth of her smile…or the string of dead bodies littering their path.

When Evie winds up in his enemy’s crosshairs, Deke must unleash every weapon in his arsenal to save her, including his heart. But will he be too late?

Amazon
B&N
iTunes
Kobo
Goodreads 

35134869



USA Today bestselling author Tracey Devlyn wanted to be the next Dian Fossey and explore the wilds of Africa, but that was before she met chemistry and calculus and realized a business major, rather than a science degree, might be more up her alley.

Tracey writes contemporary and historical romantic suspense, historical mysteries, and mainstream thrillers. An Illinois native, Tracey spends her evenings harassing her once-in-a-lifetime husband and her weekends torturing her characters.

For more information on Tracey, including her Internet haunts, contest updates, and details on her upcoming novels, please visit her website at TraceyDevlyn.com. Want information about Tracey's new releases to be delivered to your email inbox? Consider signing up for her newsletter traceydevlyn.com/contact

Tracey can also be found at 





Monday, June 26, 2017

Aloha to Heather Long and SEMPER FI COWBOY

34214961

A Leatherneck by any other name can still kick ass, which is just what retired United States Marine Corps Captain Tanner Wilks plans to do when he returns to his Texas family ranch to care for his ailing father. And nothing will stop him from achieving his mission—not even a lithe, brown-eyed town veterinarian who seems hell-bent on driving him wild.

Captain Tanner Wilks, honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps, returns home to find his father struggling after his latest heart attack. Worse yet, Julia Heller—the sexy new girl in town that he once spent a hot night with—is the resident veterinarian who’s made a home for herself at Round Top ranch, and doesn’t seem to be in a rush to repeat their time together.

It falls on Tanner’s shoulders to take on the ranch and keep an eye on his father before he falls victim to another heart attack. But Julia doesn’t appreciate Tanner coming in or pursuing her. Even if he’s hot as hell and can make her quiver with just a look. Ousting her may give Tanner the leverage he needs to corral his father, but first he has to wrestle with his own heart.


USA Today bestselling author, Heather Long, likes long walks in the park, science fiction, superheroes, Marines, and men who aren’t douche bags. Her books are filled with heroes and heroines tangled in romance as hot as Texas summertime.

Learn more about Heather and her books at heatherlong.net.

Image result for aloha on my mind marines

I am giving away a digital copy of SEMPER FI COWBOY to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1.  Did you do anything fun over the weekend?  My college son and I helped a friend downsize ... we took her donations to the Fort Meade Attic, which offers household goods to the younger military families on limited budgets.  I treated college son to a Chick Fil A milkshake!

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

3.  I'll post the winner on Monday, July 3.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Image result for aloha on my mind marines




Friday, June 23, 2017

Aloha to Ashlee Mallory and HER SURPRISE ENGAGEMENT - With giveaway!


Ashlee Mallory is celebrating the release of HER SURPRISE ENGAGEMENT, Book 4 in the Sorensen Family series from Entangled: Bliss .... 

Single mom Daisy Sorensen doesn’t believe in fairytale endings—at least not for her. All she wants is to enjoy a much-needed, stress-free family vacation at a friend’s Lake Tahoe home. So of course everything that can go wrong does. Including a gorgeous man and his daughter showing up in the middle of the night.

Soon-to-be Governor Jack Harrison has had a crazy week, but he’s sure nothing can top arriving to find a bathrobe-clad, beautiful stranger in the home he’s staying in for the week. He’s wrong. When things spiral out of control the next morning, Jack makes Daisy an offer she can’t refuse. She’ll pretend to be his fiancĆ©e and he’ll help her open the bakery she’s been dreaming about.

But in between late-night campfires and days on the lake, Jack finds himself falling for the strong, stubborn woman for real.

Amazon
B&N
iTunes
Kobo
Goodreads


Ashlee Mallory is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and thrillers. She currently resides in Utah with her husband and two kids. She aspires to one day include running, hiking and traveling to exotic destinations in her list of things she enjoys, but currently settles for enjoying a good book and a glass of wine from the comfort of her couch.

AshleeMallory.com
facebook.com/AshleeMalloryAuthor
twitter.com/ashleemallory
Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

239413512448359530760756

More books in the Sorensen Family series ... 

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Aloha to Emily March and A STARDANCE SUMMER - With Giveaway!

31450840

Now summer is officially here, let's dive into a summer romance!  Return to the beloved small town of Eternity Springs in the newest installment of Emily March’s New York Times bestselling series ....

Sometimes the end of one road ...

Brick Callahan enjoys every minute of chaos at his campground, Stardance Ranch, especially after the Tornado Alleycats arrive for an extended summer stay. The members of the all-female glamorous camping club are primarily seniors—active and adventurous, friendly and fun. But when he discovers Liliana Howe frolicking with the glamping grannies in a late night skinny-dipping session, he fears he's in for a summer of trouble. Because his best friend's kid sister has grown up to be drop-dead gorgeous.

. . .is the start of another

Betrayed by those she trusted, Lili decides she's put her career first for too long. She sells her practical sedan, buys a travel trailer, and heads to Eternity Springs for a summer of rest, relaxation, and reassessment as the newest member of the Alleycats. The last person she expects to find running an RV resort is her high school crush. Their undeniable mutual attraction is a reminder that life is full of surprises. But when the past comes calling, will their summer romance stand the test of time?



Emily March is the New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels, including the critically acclaimed Eternity Springs series. Publishers Weekly calls March a "master of delightful banter," and her heartwarming, emotionally charged stories have been named to Best of the Year lists by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Romance Writers of America. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Emily is an avid fan of Aggie sports and her recipe for jalapeƱo relish has made her a tailgating legend.

Author Blog
Facebook
Twitter @emilymarchbooks
Author Website
Pinterest


St. Martin's Press is giving away a copy of A STARDANCE SUMMER to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1. A STARDANCE SUMMER is set in the fictional Eternal Springs.  Have you visited any "springs"?  Or do you have a favorite "star" or "dance"?

My home town of Safety Harbor, Florida, is famous for its Espiritu Santo Springs (Springs of the Holy Spirit) discovered by Spanish Explorer Hernando de Soto.

My favorite star is Hanai-a-ka-malama. the Hawaiian name for the Southern Cross. Literally, foster child of the moon.

My favorite dance is the hula!

2. Comments are open through Sunday, June 25, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, June 26.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Image result for sos aloha hula



Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Aloha to Ava Claire and THE SWEETEST JERK - Guest post and giveaway!


Please join me in welcoming Ava Claire ...

So happy to be here today on SOS Aloha, talking about my latest, The Sweetest Jerk Series! My story follows Natalee Madison, who kicks ass in all things baked. She's finally breaking into the competitive catering business, scoring the most talked about wedding in the city. When it comes to romance though, her luck is anything but sweet. A sexy blast from the past, at the event that could make or break her business, will turn her life upside down...

Which brings me to my post today! There's just something about unexpected love and second chance romances that makes me swoon. I'm a sucker for redemption; when all seems lost and you think they'll call it quits, there's a look, words, or a song that makes you believe it's all gonna be alright. Better than alright, even--maybe they'll live happily ever after.

For me, that moment is personified in two sentences during the end scene of Sweet Home Alabama. 


(Just in case you haven't seen it I don't wanna spoil the ending...and you should watch it asap because it's amazing!).

My question for you guys is: What book/song/scene from a movie makes you melt and root for one more shot at love?


I loved THE WEDDING SINGER with Drew Barrymore (left) and Adam Sandler (right).  Robbie wins Julia back by singing "I want to grow old with you" as Billy Idol cheers them on.   I also adore all the 80s references in the movie.

Let's learn more about Ava Claire .... 
Ava Claire is a sucker for Alpha males and happily ever afters. When not putting pen to paper or glued to her Kindle, Ava likes road tripping, watching an unhealthy amount of Netflix, karaoke and vintage fashion.

avaclaireromantica.blogspot.com
Newsletter
Facebook.com/ava.claire.9
Twitter.com/avaclairewrites
Goodreads.com/avaclairewrites 

34078670

New Year’s Resolution: No. More. Jerks.

Natalee Madison's life is finally on the upswing. Her business, Madison Creations, is finally gaining traction, and if she slays a high profile wedding, she could be catapulted to heights she's only dreamt of.

She doesn't do dating and it suits her just fine, because she ends it before things get complicated.

And then she sees his face.

Jason Cox.

The best man.

And based on their last run in, the biggest jerk alive.

He's dangerous. Lethal for her 'no complications' approach to men, since he's the one that inspired the approach in the first place.

But when she looks into his eyes, she knows that some rules are meant to be broken…

Billionaire Jackson Colt has success, wealth, power and a presence that makes his competitors tremble with fear. Beneath the armor is a man with a dark and painful past. A man with a heart that he guards by any means necessary.

As far as Sadie McLeod is concerned, 'escort' isn't a bad word. It's a job, one of two that she works to pay off a debt that is not her own. Tough as nails and far from a damsel in distress, love is a luxury she can't afford.

Can they put aside their dark pasts and find the love they both desperately want, underneath it all?

The Sweetest Jerk Part One

Amazon
B&N
iTunes
Kobo
Goodreads

34353645

The Sweetest Jerk Part Two

Amazon
B&N
iTunes
Kobo
Goodreads

35004483

The Sweetest Jerk Part Three

Amazon
B&N
iTunes
Kobo
Goodreads


Monday, June 19, 2017

Aloha to Kadie Scott and THE WRONG KIND OF COMPATIBLE - Giveaway and Excerpt

 

Kadie Scott is celebrating the release of her debut novel, THE WRONG KIND OF COMPATIBLE, Book 1 in the Love Undercover s

Data analyst Cassie Howard may be brilliant (and, okay, a little awkward), but she’s worked hard to get where she is. She definitely doesn’t need some sexy new analyst coming in and taking credit for her work. Or the inappropriate thoughts that keep popping out of her mouth she’d rather he not hear.

For undercover FBI agent Drew Kerrigan, computers have always made more sense than people, but he’d better develop some slick social skills in a hurry if he’s going to win over the too-tantalizing-for-his-sanity Cassie. Hacking their systems was easy. Now he’s just got to hack the one person in the company most likely to see through his ruse…


Amazon
B&N
iTunes
Kobo
Goodreads



Award-winning contemporary romance author, Kadie Scott, grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.

No matter the genre, she loves to write witty, feisty heroines, sexy heroes who deserve them, and a cast of lovable characters to surround them (and maybe get their own stories). She currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal hero, her husband, and their two children, who are growing up way too fast.

kadie-scott.com
facebook.com/Abigail.Owen.Books
twitter.com/AOwenBooks
goodreads.com/kadiescott

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Kadie offers an excerpt form THE WRONG KIND OF COMPATIBLE ...

Drew was nowhere to be seen as Cassie crept into the office the next morning, doing her best impersonation of a midget ninja in a skirt. Then again, she was early and appeared to be the first one in. She just couldn’t stroll casually in with him watching her as though nothing had happened. Despite repeatedly telling herself she was a grown-ass woman, the fluttering in her stomach seemed to be breeding.

She’d dressed up a bit, for her at least. Some deep-seated need to feel sexy in his eyes had her digging in the back of closet for some of the clothes her mother insisted on giving her as gifts. Thinking of how he’d knocked her glasses sideways yesterday in the cab, she’d worn her contacts. She’d opted for a green dress in a soft, clingy fabric with a sexy V neckline, nipped in waist, and skirt that swished against her bare legs. Vulnerable didn’t begin to describe how she felt in this get up. Better be worth it.

Cassie turned into her cubicle and paused. There on her desk sat a potted plant with gorgeous tiny white flowers and a heavenly smell that reminded her of something.

“It’s jasmine,” a deeply masculine voice feathered over her.

Cassie spun around with a gasp to find Drew standing behind her, his ninja impersonation light years better than hers. At the expression in his eyes—naked desire combined with hot possession—as he trailed his gaze down her body, she lost every word she’d ever learned.

After a moment, his lips hitched up. “Do you like it?” Like what, now?

He waved behind her. “I got it because it smells like you.”

Oh, the plant. “Shampoo.” Cassie mentally smacked herself. He got her a thoughtful plant and all she could say was shampoo?

Drew reached out and ran his fingers over a strand of her hair, which was still down. “I know.” His voice dropped, getting all growly, and holy hell, all the build up from yesterday poured into her, bringing her body to delicious, throbbing life. Had someone sucked all the air out of the office?

“My mom has always grown flowers all over the back yard. Jasmine was everywhere. In the spring, the entire house would smell of it. I’ve always loved that scent.” Cassie’s lips twitched. “The way I smell reminds you of your mother?”

He gave her a dark look. “No. The way you smell makes me think of hot summer nights and your gorgeous hair.”

“Oh… I like it,” she said, her voice coming out equally husky. At least she’d managed more than two syllables. Amazing, given how her throat just closed up.

“I like this.” He trailed that same finger down the neckline of her dress, brushing the soft flesh of the top of her breast with a barely there caress that sizzled the few remaining coherent thoughts she had. His gaze followed his touch with the same single-minded focus he devoted to his work. Only now she was the focus.

The dress was worth every vulnerable second in it.

He swallowed. “I’d like to take it off you.”



Friday, June 16, 2017

Aloha to Harmony Williams and HOW TO RUIN YOUR REPUTATION IN 10 DAYS - Giveaway and Excerpt




Harmony Williams is celebrating the release of HOW TO RUIN YOUR REPUTATION IN 10 DAYS, Book 2 in her Ladies of Passion series from Entangled Publishing ... 

In 1814 London, England, a lady is defined as a demure, delicate flower. Miss Francine Annesley is not that lady. If men were like plants, she would have a garden of admirers to choose from instead of the thorn in her side since childhood, Julian Beckwith. But she would make an even worse nun than she does a lady, which will be her fate if she can't dig up a husband before the Season ends. However, Julian is not an option.

With only ten short days left in the Season, Francine doesn't have time to waste on petty squabbles or knee-weakening kisses, even if Julian's offer to fulfill her every wish rouses her curiosity. It seems men are more complicated than plants. Too bad love bloomed at the most inconvenient of times...


Amazon
B&N
iTunes
Kobo
Goodreads


Harmony Williams has been living vicariously in Regency-era England since she discovered Jane Austen. Since time machines don’t yet exist, she’s had to make do with books—fictional and non-fictional. On the rare occasion she doesn’t have her nose stuck in a book, she likes to drink tea and spend time with her 90-lb lapdog. A feminist, she writes stories about strong women and the men who support them as equals.

goodreads.com/author/show/15374173.Harmony_Williams

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Harmony offers an excerpt from HOW TO RUIN YOUR REPUTATION IN 10 DAYS ...

“Before you launch another harebrained scheme, ask me. At least while I’m in London.”

His proposal took me aback. I stared at him, mouth agape, as I tried to discern whether or not he meant the offer. I shifted my arms to cross them in front of my chest, but he stood too near. I couldn’t cross them without brushing his chest. The thought of touching him sent odd tingles over my skin.

“Why?” I asked finally. “So you can stop me?”

“Hardly.” He emitted an odd sound. I couldn’t decide if it was closer to a snort or a chuckle. He shook his head ruefully. “I doubt I can stop you once your mind is made up.”

I matched his smile. He had that right.

But…could I still trust him? This was Julian, the boy I’d known from birth. We’d embarked on more escapades than I could count, but never before as adults. Much had changed in the ten years since we’d lived adjacent to each other.

And my freedom was about to be cropped short.

On a whim, I said, “Kiss me.”

It was madness. He’d never do it.

He flinched. “Are you mad?”

“Hardly. If you want to fulfill my requests, then kiss me. Otherwise I’ll have to turn elsewhere.”

I didn’t mean it. I was the staid one of my friends, the voice of reason. Despite the way Mary flouted convention, I never stepped a toe out of line of my own volition. Maybe I should start.

He scraped a hand over his mouth. My pulse beat faster. To my astonishment, he considered the request. My head spun. How far would he take his offer?

32182142

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Aloha to J.J. Montgomery and GUN FOR HIRE - Romantic Suspense on Maui!


I am excited to host J.J. Montgomery today with her debut novel, GUN FOR HIRE, set in my beloved Hawaii:

The job should have been easy—patrol a swank beach that serves as a backyard for Maui’s rich, kick out the riffraff, and get a tan in the process. But rent-a-cop Samantha Winters didn’t anticipate a deliciously grumpy cop, Sergeant Grady Roark, who comes down to the beach to bust her chops and instead leaves her breathless…and wondering why the one man who could help her seems determined to thwart her at every turn.

Grady is keeping secrets from Sam that have him walking the line between attraction and duty. But when Sam becomes the target of a shadowy organization, Grady will have to choose between the law and the temptation of a woman who has him breaking every rule he’s ever known.

The job should have been easy, but when the bullets start flying, Sam learns nothing is as easy as it seems when you’re a Gun for Hire.

Amazon | The Wild Rose Press 

Image result for aloha on my mind maui

I invited J.J. for a cozy chat ... from her bio (link),

I now live in Bogota, Colombia with Romeo, Little Man, Princess Pretty and a rescue mutt better known by her informal name, No-No-Bad-Dog.

So how do you keep a full time job, mother two children and a dog, move to a new country every couple of years and publish a novel? I’m hoping to figure it out! Check out the blog for updates on whether or not I’m still sane, or you can reach me on Twitter, Facebook, or my favorite, Instagram.


Kim:  Bogota - what is your favorite sight, sound, and smell?

J. J.: Oh, I love Bogota so much. It’s going to be hard to narrow it down! Sight: Parque El Virrey on a sunny Sunday when there are just hundreds of people, dogs, and children wandering around enjoying life. It is so vibrant and truly, what they say about Colombia is true – Colombianos are the most beautiful people on earth, inside and out.

Sound: The sound of Bogota during Semana Santa – when everyone leaves town! It’s a really congested city, and then all the sudden there is this magical week where it’s just so peaceful. Still the same gorgeous place but with half the decibels.

Smell: CarimaƱolas frying. They’re these stuffed fritter things they make on the coast from a yucca dough. Yucca is a root vegetable and it turns into this lighter-than-clouds dough – it’s like eating a meat filled donut. I cannot express to you how delicious these things are.

Kim:  Frequent moves - what do you collect from each country where you live or visit?

J.J.: My husband and I wanted to collect paintings from every place we went, but that hobby got real expensive real fast. It resulted in one spectacular painting from Italy that convinced us we’d need much better paying jobs if we were going to keep that up! I’ve scaled back and now earrings are my thing. My favorites are this dangly green pair I got from Puebla, Mexico. And I recently had the joy of buying my daughter her first big girl earrings from the gold souk in Dubai. That place was incredible!

Kim: Maui - what inspired you to set GUN FOR FIRE on the Valley Isle? 

J.J.: I grew up in Oregon and Maui is a direct flight from my home town. My family used to go there for vacation. My best memories of my young life and my family happened on Maui. I got engaged to my husband on a cliff overlooking Honolua Bay. My son’s first swim in the ocean happened on Kamaole I beach. I would say that choosing Maui as the setting for my book really came from a place of love and respect for that gorgeous island.


Mahalo, J.J. for sharing GUN FOR HIRE with us!  J.J. is hosting a giveaway at this link:


and offers an excerpt below.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City


“The sunlight was intense after a half hour in that gloomy space, but I squinted hard and kept moving toward a narrow set of steps down to the parking lot. Grady walked a few paces behind me, and if he heard the crinkle of paper as I moved, he elected not to say anything. 

Grady hit the remote to his truck and grabbed for the passenger side door, his hand light on my elbow as he helped me up. Paper crackled as my butt hit the seat and Grady’s eyes narrowed. Without a word, he slammed my door and went around to the driver’s side, climbing up into the cab and stabbing the keys into the ignition.

“So, I—” I hesitated as I shifted in my seat and my movement was accompanied by the distinct sound of cardboard bending.

“No,” Grady muttered, and clicked on the radio. “No talking.”

“But—”

“Shh.” Grady put a finger to his lips, his eyes still on the road. “Any minute you’re going to tell me about the felony crime you just committed. And then I’m going to have to deal with the fact that I was an accessory to a felony crime."

“Umm, yeah.” I reached around to the back of my pants and eased the file folder up from my waistband, working it out slowly so as to not lose anything as Grady headed up the hillside toward his house. As I brought it around to look at it, the red block letters damning me to years of incarceration should I get caught, a muscle ticked in Grady’s jaw.

“You stole classified documents.” He shook his head from side to side.

I looked up at Grady and then down at the mangled file with the red Top Secret heading. I took a corner of the front sheet and ripped across the width of the page, separating the words “Top Secret” from the rest of the paper.

“They’re declassified now.” I crumpled up the classification and shoved it in my pocket.

Grady sighed.

I shrugged and opened the file.”