Aloha to Anita DeVito and LOST IN DECEPTION - with Excerpt and Giveaway!

 

Anita DeVito is celebrating the release of LOST IN DECEPTION, Book 3 in her Lost series ... 

Private investigator Esmeralda “Peach” Morales watches in horror as the crane her uncle is operating topples into Lake Erie. He disappears and she’s convinced he’ll be the scapegoat. She’ll do anything to prove he’s innocent. Seducing the lead investigator is just part of her strategy, at least that’s what she tells herself.

Thomas Riley is at Elderberry Farm when he learns of a deadly crane accident in Cleveland. The forensic investigator suspects sabotage and amid the rubble and mangled metal he uncovers a web of lies and deception. At the center of it all is a beautiful brunette who always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Both fiercely independent, they must learn to work together––inside and outside the bedroom––to unravel the mystery and clear her uncle’s name.

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Anita’s rapid paced storytelling style pulls readers into a parallel universe where mystery, mayhem, murder are the order of the day. Her stories are an addictive diversion, trading the heavy, gray world of real life for a fantastically colorful world where bad is good, and cool is smoking hot.

Raised on America’s Rock Coast in Cleveland, Ohio, Anita was born while the river burned. Music, food and family shaped Anita’s life and provide much of the fodder for her stories. Her love of mysteries and puzzle solving came from her Grandpa John, who introduced Anita to her first detective hero – Nero Wolfe. Food was as central a character in Anita’s life as it was in Nero’s, where Sunday dinner at Nonna’s table was a command performance.

Anita has been writing scorching mysteries and suspense since 2006 with stories ranging on the heat index from a “nice spicy little pepper” to “pass a mop for my forehead, please.” Check out tastes of Anita’s stories and like her on Facebook. Anita is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.

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Anita offers an excerpt from LOST IN DECEPTION ... 

Tom couldn’t see where Peach went, and he didn’t like it. What was she going to do with a frying pan against a killer? A door opened, then a solid thump and the landing of a heavy weight. Peach. He was afraid to call out. There was no helping her if he was caught, too. He hadn’t been in a fist fight since college.

“Tom?”

Relief flooded his system at the sound of her voice. “Tell me you’re okay.”

“I need help. The tape Poppy used this morning. It’s on the kitchen counter.”

He found the tape and went to the steps to where Peach stood over the unconscious body. They carried the guy to the basement and thoroughly taped his hands, legs, and mouth. In the windowless basement, he took out his phone and called Jeb.

“We caught one. He’s tied up in the basement. I don’t know if he was alone.”

“No. There’s a minivan on the street, engine running. I’m moving the Escalade into the driveway behind Peach’s house. Be ready to run at my signal.”

“He’s coming,” he said to Peach. “We need to be ready when he signals.”

“What’s the signal?”

He didn’t think to ask that. Engineers were not cut out for this kind of excitement. His head was so busy he couldn’t think at all. “I hope it’s obvious. We’ll get out of this.”

“Of course we will.” He noticed she wasn’t trembling with fear. She wasn’t frantically scrambling or babbling incoherently. Everything about Peach was cool and collected.

Aloha to the RWA Conference in Orlando!

Aloha!  I will be away this week in Orlando for the RWA Annual Conference ... 

... I'll post recaps next week!

Mahalo,

Kim in Orlando

soaking up the A/C 

Aloha to Harper Sloan and KISS MY BOOTS - spotlight with giveaway

Hang on to your Stetsons this summer, because you’re in for one wild ride! Get lost in the second installment of New York Times bestselling author Harper Sloan’s Coming Home series, KISS MY BOOTS. In the second installment, the wildest Davis of them all is looking for love…maybe.

Quinn Davis prefers to live her life quietly. She’s the stereotypical tomboy with two overprotective big brothers who have always looked out for her. Of course, it doesn’t help that her heart has already been hardened when it comes to devilishly handsome cowboys with silver tongues. That is, until Tate Montgomery comes riding back into town. Their first meeting, however, is far from something out of a fairy tale and only further convinces Quinn that men aren’t worth her time.

Growing up, the one time Tate ever truly felt at home was during the long, sweltering summer months he spent at his gram and paw’s farm in Pine Oak, Texas. Now, Tate has returned to his childhood sanctuary seeking a fresh start—but if he’s being entirely honest, he’s not just back for the Wranglers and Stetsons. During those summers, Quinn was a friend turned young love who Tate lost when life threw him a curveball and he cut all ties to his past, but all it takes is one glance at the raven-haired beauty, who he did his best to forget, for him to realize just how much he’s been missing…

Can two people who have stopped believing in love take a chance to find it in each other again? Or will the pain of the past prove too great a hurdle to conquer?

KISS MY BOOTS is the second go-round in this Texas-set series filled with sizzle, heart, and plenty of cowboys!

Harper Sloan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Corps Security and Hope Town series. She started writing as a way to unwind when the house went to sleep at night. Harper lives in Georgia with her family. 

AuthorHarperSloan.com 
Facebook.com/HarperSloanBooks

Pocket Books is giving a copy of LOST RIDER, Book 1 in the series, to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about boots - what kind do you have in your closet?  My family has combat boots ... which we use for snow shoveling when necessary. 

2. Comments are open through Sunday, July 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, July 31.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Coming in December 2017

RWA RITA Finalists Spotlight Blog Tour - Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements

The excitement is growing for the RWA Annual Conference next week at the Dolphin Resort on Walt Disney World.  One of the highlights is the RITA Award Ceremony.  Readers can watch it from the comfort of their own home:

The 2017 RITA Award Ceremony will be streamed live from the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort on July 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. ET. Tune in at rwa.org to watch your favorite authors decked out in dazzling red carpet looks as New York Times bestselling author and emcee extraordinaire Ally Carter announces the winners of the romance industry's most prestigious award. You can find a list of finalists here or follow along our RITA Finalists Spotlight Blog Tour, which runs through 7/21.

Today, I spotlight Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements.  Joining me is Pamela Ferguson, nominated for the Golden Heart Award for unpublished manuscript (although she has since sold her book!)  I met Pamela here in the Baltimore area and I asked her to help me define Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements.

Pamela Ferguson is the author of sweet romances set in small towns. Specializing in gossips, meddlers, matchmakers, and happily-ever-afters, Pam loves dreaming up complications that wreak havoc in the lives of her characters. Her determined heroes and resourceful heroines are forever doing battle with narrow-minded mischief makers. Who knew there were so many bumps on the road to love?

When she isn’t writing, Pam can be found teaching English, travelling, and playing with her high-energy German shepherd puppy. Her small town romance Wings of Love has been named a 2017 RWA Golden Heart® Award Finalist in the Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements category and will be published by Forget Me Not Romances later this year.

How do I define inspirational romance?

The term “inspirational romance” typically refers to romance fiction about characters who have a Christian world view. If you read across the submission guidelines for various publishing houses, you’ll see some consistent descriptions of what publishers want: emphasis on emotion rather than sensuality, no drugs or alcohol consumption by Christian characters, no preaching, etc. Those publishers who follow Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) guidelines often have more detailed recommendations for writers that align with the expectations and preferences of their readers.

I see inspirational romance as a subset of the RWA contest category Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements. RWA defines this category as “Novels in which religious or spiritual beliefs are an inherent part of the love story, character growth and relationship development and could not be removed without damaging the storyline. These novels may be set in the context of any religious or spiritual belief system of any culture.” This definition is broader than the definition of inspirational romance since it includes all religious and spiritual belief systems.

Why do I write inspirational romance?

As a reader, I enjoy reading all categories of romance fiction. As a writer, I find my voice goes naturally to telling sweet, emotion-packed stories about the kind of love that surprises people, fills them with hope, and bonds them together despite society’s injustices. Love that inspires them to be better for each other and for the world around them. Sometimes a character’s faith is already established, sometimes it develops over the course of the book.

What can readers expect when they open an inspirational romance in today's contemporary market place?

First and foremost, readers should expect “a good story well told” with compelling characters, intricate plots, interesting locales, well-researched time periods, and vivid descriptions that, combined, deliver an emotionally satisfying love story. On top of that, there will be elements of faith and, in many instances, an underlying message of hope that the characters will overcome whatever obstacles are placed before them on the road to their happily ever after.

Mahalo, Pamela, for giving us a clear picture of Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements.  And the finalists are ... 

Close to You by Kara Isaac

Howard Books

Beth Adams, Editor

Keeper of the Stars by Robin Lee Hatcher

Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Ami McConnell and Leslie Peterson, Editors

  

My Hope Next Door by Tammy L. Gray

Amazon, Waterfall Press

Amy Hosford, Editor

Trust My Heart by Carol J. Post

Amazon, Waterfall Press

Erin Calligan Mooney, Editor

Best wishes to the finalists ... and thank you for writing romance! I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1. Have you toured a religious or spiritual site - church, cathedral, graveyard, etc.? Two years ago, while visiting Boston, we also toured numerous churches including the Old North Church at this link.

2. Comments are open through Sunday, July 30.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, July 31.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Military Memorial outside the Old North Church

Wednesday's Warriors - Rev It Up, RWA's Literacy Signing, and Helping Military Families

Next week I am attending the RWA Annual Conference at the Dolphin Hotel in Disney World.  Rest assured, I will be inside the hotel, appreciating the air conditioning and hobnobbing with authors. Having grown up in Florida, I have no interest in the parks.

On Thursday, I am moderating the panel I submitted:  

Rev It Up: World Building for Motorcycle Club Romances (RESEARCH)

Speakers: Mandy Rossmeyer, Jade Chandler, Laura Kaye, Kim Lowe, and Constance Phillips

Join four experts for a hands-on experience to “get patched” in the often-misrepresented motorcycle culture. Mandy Rossmeyer, events/promotion manager of Daytona Harley-Davidson, will offer an introduction to the HOG world, from the weekend warrior to the pros who thrash at Sturgis, and best-selling authors will share how they incorporate the motorcycle culture into romance novels for an authentic representation of this unique American identity.

Mandy, below, is a fellow Delta Gamma (DG) sister from the University of Tampa.  I have reminded her "what happened in Tampa, stays in Tampa."  We are joined by three authors who know a thing or two about motorcycles - Laura Kaye, Jade Chandler, and Constance Phillips.  I asked each of them to create their own biker moniker ... I'll share with you in my RWA recap. 

RWA is closing the conference with its annual "Readers for Life" Literacy Signing:

At the "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing, hundreds of romance authors meet with and sign books for fans in this two-hour event, with the proceeds from book sales going to literacy organizations. In 2016, Romance Writers of America raised more than $39,000 to benefit literacy programs—bringing our total donations since 1990 to $ 1 million!

When: Saturday, July 29, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET

Where: Walt Disney World ® Dolphin Resort, Pacific Hall

Check out the list of participating authors at this link.

Immediately at 5 pm, it is  ... ALL HANDS ON DECK!  

RWA invited me to donate a portion of the leftover books to military families ... the remainder is donated to local libraries ... books for all!

I am recruiting volunteers, including authors who just finished signing for two hours, to:

1.  Grab a box (look under the tables).

2.  Grab one book per authors and place in box.

3.  Once the box is filled, bring it to the "exit" area.  I will be standing by to label the box as "military" and acknowledge your volunteer effort.

I have brown hair, pulled back in a short pony tail.  I will be wearing an Aloha shirt.  The boxes left with me will be donated to:

a.  SHADES OF GREEN military resort at Walt Disney World.

b.  USO Lounge at the Orlando airport.

c.  Military spouses in Europe and Asia.

That's it!  15 minutes and you help military families ... and RWA to clear the room.

Driving to Orlando?  Live near a military base?  You are welcome to take boxes home with you to share with military families (and libraries) on (or off) military installations.  If possible, bring a few of your own tote bags in case we run out of boxes (everyone has extra totes at home).

Recruit a friend!  

Share on social media!

MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK!

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

1.  Check out the list of authors attending the Literacy Signing - who would you like to meet?

2.  Comments are open through Sunday, July 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Monday, July 31.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Jennifer Hoopes and HER COWBOY'S PROMISE - with excerpt and giveaway!

Jennifer Hoopes is celebrating the release of HER COWBOY'S PROMISE, Book 1 in her Fly Creek novel, from Entangled Bliss ... 

Three years ago, artist Emily White’s grief and survivor’s guilt sent her to the small Wyoming town of Fly Creek. Since then, she’s kept her emotions safely tucked away—until she meets the new rancher at Sky Lake Dude Ranch. Stetson in hand, the gorgeous cowboy’s arrival in her store immediately shakes up her world.

Adam Conley is only in Fly Creek for as long as it takes to fulfill his promise to his late cousin. The small town brings up too many memories of the life he left behind years ago. He knows his task won’t be easy, but the last thing he expects is the instant attraction to the reason he’s in town. Emily is beautiful, vibrant, and completely off-limits. He’s there to keep his promise—not fall in love.

But Adam’s secret will crumble everything Emily’s life has revolved around.

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Jennifer lives in a small town in Pennsylvania with her husband and two daughters. When not writing, she can usually be found elbow deep in flour or inhaling chlorine as she cheers her daughter on at a swim meet. She loves musicals, caramel and roller coasters, and lists Machu Picchu at the top of her bucket list. She is a member of RWA and is the President of her local chapter, Central Pennsylvania Romance Writers. Find out more about Jennifer and sign up for her newsletter at www.jenniferhoopes.com

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Jennifer offers an excerpt from HER COWBOY'S PROMISE ...

Emily turned to catch a look of confusion written all over Adam’s face.

“What?”

He shook his head and grabbed her hand. “You seem a very surprising woman today. Wondering just what got into you.”

I’m trying to live again.

Emily smiled.

“I’ve changed my mind,” he said abruptly.

Her smile faltered. Had she done something wrong? Was she so rusty she was downright off-putting?

“A-about what?”

“Seeing you soon.”

“Oh.” Emily tugged at her hand, but Adam held firm. If this was his way of letting her down easy, he was failing spectacularly.

“I want to see you now. Or as now as can be. Is the shop open today?”

Excitement burst through veins and not used to the giddy rush, she swayed. Concern swept across Adam’s face and a hand came to cradle her cheek.

She brought her free hand up to cover his. “I would love to see you now, but I do work. And so do you if I recall.”

He leaned his forehead against hers. “I’m done at three.”

“I close at four.”

“4:01 it is.”

They both laughed, and Adam swooped in with a tantalizing kiss. She clung to him. “I’ll need time to freshen up.”

“How about you come to me? I can take you on a trail ride.”

Emily stiffened. Go out to Sky Lake?

“Do you ride?”

She shook her head, unable to speak through the cottonmouth that had taken up residence.

“Even better. You’re going to teach me to paint, and I can teach you to ride.” Adam rubbed his hands up and down her spine. The contact soothed and reassured her, releasing some of her anxiety. “I promise it will make you feel alive.”

“Sounds perfect for a day like today.” She brushed a sweet kiss on his cheek and stepped past him. “See you this afternoon.”

“You most certainly will, Emily White.”

As she walked the few steps to her truck she pep talked herself. She could do this. Sky Lake was just a place. A ranch. A ranch she hadn’t been to and neither had Drew. It was a symbol, nothing more. Now maybe it could be a symbol of her new path. Sliding into her truck, the beginning of a smile tugged at her mouth. Adam Conley on a horse seemed a pretty fine way to spend some hours living this afternoon.

Aloha to Jody Holford and HATE TO LOVE HIM - with Excerpt and Giveaway

Jody Holford is celebrating the release of HATE TO LOVE HIM, Book 3 in her Kendrick Place novel, from Entangled Publishing .... 

Brady Davis is as happy as he is charming. Usually. Unless he’s in the same room with the frustratingly gorgeous antidote to his cheer. Mia Kendrick is headstrong and determined. She’s done with men who stand in her way—even if he has arms like Thor and a smile that makes her dizzy. Whenever they’re together, sparks fly—both the bad and good kind.

When Mia returns home to take over management of Kendrick Place, Brady is worried her focus on big business could be the end of his tight-knit home and the family he’s created there. Mia may have the power to change everything, but Brady could have the power to change her mind…if he can get inside her heart.

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Jody Holford is a multi-published author who has a soft spot for happily ever after. So much so, she tattooed the words on her arm. She’s a mom and a wife, a friend, sister, daughter, teacher, and book-lover. Her stories have a little heat and a lot of heart. And maybe, some swoon-worthy moments that will make you smile.

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Jody is offering an excerpt from HATE TO LOVE HIM ...

When he walked her to her door, they stood staring at each other. She was the only woman who could look at him and make it feel as if she were touching him.

“Are you waiting for permission?” she whispered.

His hand moved to her waist. Was he? Or was he scared once he started he wouldn’t be able to stop? “Do I need to?”

He felt, more than saw, the subtle shake of her head. His mouth touched hers, parting her lips. He inhaled and all he could taste was Mia and it consumed him. Holy Christ, kissing her the second time was a ten-star, whole-body, every-cell-tingling event. Heat spread from the unwinding knot in his stomach through every part of his body. Moving one hand to her hair, he tightened his grip on her waist. Turning so their bodies aligned, he took the kiss deeper, like somehow he could push their differences so far away, they wouldn’t matter. When they were touching each other like this, nothing else mattered. Her fingers curled into his shirt as he backed her against the door.

She pushed her arms up and around his neck, holding on like he was the only thing saving her from drowning. He was drowning in her. Waves of coiled lust, cresting so hard in his stomach, he knew he needed to pull back, rein himself in. How could there be this much passion between them when they’d only just decided to like each other? If just kissing her made him frantic, what would more be like? More would be ripping his rules to shreds and lighting them on fire. His heart beat like a wild animal. He pulled away slowly, then pressed his lips to the pulse point in her neck, satisfied with its quick pace. Her breaths came in short bursts, matching his.

She surprised him once again when her lips curled upward and she remarked, “That’s definitely more than a truce.”

Books 1 and 2 in the Kendrick Place series ... 

Aloha to Bastille Day, Heather Graham, and RWA

Today is Bastille Day in France.  From France's tourist site (link),

Allons enfants de la patrie (Let's go children of the fatherland)… it is time to celebrate!

(On July 14, 1789) the royal fortress of Bastille — a symbol of despotism — was attacked. The tide of patriotic fervour led to the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

“Men are born free and remain free and equal in rights.” 

Nations around the world modeled their bill of rights after this now universal sentence. No wonder France’s national holiday, le quatorze juillet, is world famous. Every year, since 1880, Bastille Day’s notoriety is matched by festivities and pomp honouring the republic to the rhythm of the national anthem La Marseillaise.

No doubt New Orleans will be celebrating ... from Bastille Day New Orleans (link),

Bastille Day NOLA celebrates the French National Day in America’s most French city! Leading up to July 14th (or en français, le quatorze juillet), the city will enjoy a wide variety of French-related events taking place throughout New Orleans. The best part? Most are free!

French culture is a rich part of New Orleans’ heritage, and to honor that heritage, an array of local organizations have come together to host something for everyone, from learning the art of French cooking, listening to French music, to the traditional waiters race and beyond!

When I think of New Orleans, I think of the multi genre author Heather Graham.  From her bio (link),

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.

Heather wrote about New Orleans on her blog (link),

So . . . I love New Orleans, which is pretty evident. I’ll never know exactly what made me so very passionate about the city. Is it the history—is it a real mystique, or something that we’ve given to it.
More than anything, I think it’s the way that Nola manages to be a city of living history. People live out their lives in homes where others tread before, dealing with the tragedy of the Civil War, slave markets, Civil Rights, and more. Restaurants are places where those creating the eras that came before us dined and talked and voiced their own opinion about “current” political situations that shaped the nation we live in now. Since the summer of storms, the city is more international than ever. Everyone is welcome in NOLA—Southern hospitality abounds. There’s the “decaying elegance” of bygone times; there is the good and the bad—an outlook that is resilient and hopeful for the future. There are the cemeteries where the past seems to seep right into your skin and Jackson Square where you see the performers, hear the performers, and the wonderful laughter of the children. Ghost stories in carriages as you listen to the voice of your guide . . . and the clip-clop of the mule’s hooves.

I have the privilege of moderating the chat with Heather Graham at the RWA Conference on Friday, July 28, at 9:45 am:

An intimate chat with best-selling author Heather Graham. Get ready to discuss the current publishing marketplace, what’s changed, and where she sees the romance market going. Bring your questions for a Q&A!

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

1.  Leave a comment about Bastille Day, New Orleans, and/or Heather Graham ... anything goes!

I discovered Heather's books when I lived in the Netherlands ... the Army Library offered her romantic suspense books set in South Florida ... where I grew up.

I have met Heather numerous times at RT .... and she loves the military!  

Most recently at RT, she and Cathy Maxwell showed readers how to dance to rockabilly!

2. Comments are open through Sunday, July 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, July 31.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Heather, center in blue, at the RT Historical Party in 2015

Aloha to Nancy Lee Badger and SHIMMER - THE BEGINNING

Nancy Lee Badger brings you a love story called SHIMMER, a prequel to her Clan of Dragon series. A long time ago, off the coast of Scotland’s Isle of Skye, something incredible began. Among lush green forests, flower-filled meadows, and black jagged mountains, stagnant pools of algae and muck rush to the sea. Robina, daughter of the fairy king, threw wish dust to create a cool, clear, sweet-smelling fairy pool. When a huge black winged creature fell from the sky, she feared her very life was in danger. She never thought she would lose her heart.

Duff, a dragon, was dying, and his hopes to find a mate and produce offspring looked bleak. Drinking from a pool at the base of a waterfall, he sensed another otherworldly creature lurking nearby. A dragon, claiming she was no dragon, knocked him off his feet. When she threw the dust, Duff learned about her ability to shift. As they fought human hunters, and a dark fairy, Robina stole his heart. He surprised her by shifting multiple times without her magical help.

Nancy Lee Badger wrote this novella to explain how dragons on the Scottish island of Skye became shape-shifters. She has filled this paranormal fantasy with romance, danger, fairies, and characters you will love, and one or two you might hate. Enjoy this explanation of her very powerful series, Clan of Dragons with Spark, Smoke, and Smolder.

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Nancy Lee Badger loves chocolate-chip shortbread, wool plaids wrapped around the trim waist of a Scottish Highlander, the clang of broadswords, and the sound of bagpipes in the air. After growing up in Huntington, New York, and raising two handsome sons in New Hampshire, Nancy moved to North Carolina where she writes full-time.

Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, Triangle Association of Freelancers, and the Celtic Heart Romance Writers. Nancy and her family volunteer each fall at the New Hampshire Highland Games surrounded by…kilts!

Connect with Nancy Lee Badger

Blog Website 

Twitter Facebook 

Goodreads Amazon Author Page

Nancy, I love chocolate chip shortbread, too!  Perhaps we can share a package at RWA in Orlando. Nancy is giving away a print proof of SHIMMER to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway, 

1. Leave a comment about Scotland, dragons, or shortbread - anything goes!

2. Comments are open through Sunday, July 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, July 31.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Tina Gabrielle and THE DUKE MEETS HIS MATCH - with Giveaway

Tina Gabrielle is celebrating the release of THE DUKE MEETS HIS MATCH, Book 3 in her Infamous Somertons series from Entangled ... 

The daughter of an infamous art forger, Chloe Somerton grew up poor. Desperate to aid her sisters, she’d picked a pocket…or two. Now circumstances have changed, and Chloe has a chance to marry a young, wealthy lord. Only his mentor—a dark, dangerous duke—stands in her way. The duke knows about her past, and she’ll do anything to keep him from telling.

The moment Michael Keswick, the Duke of Cameron, sees Chloe Somerton, he recognizes her as a fraud. The stunning beauty with sapphire eyes and golden hair now appears to be a proper lady, but he knows better. What begins as a battle of wills soon escalates into a fierce attraction. In Chloe, Michael finds peace from the memories of war, but he refuses to marry…and she won’t settle for anything less.

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Tina Gabrielle, an Amazon best-selling author, is an attorney and former mechanical engineer whose love of reading for pleasure helped her get through years of academia. She often picked up a romance and let her fantasies of knights in shining armor and lords and ladies carry her away. She is the author of adventurous Regency historical romances: A Spy Unmasked, At The Spy’s Pleasure, In The Barrister’s Bed, In The Barrister’s Chambers, Lady Of Scandal, and A Perfect Scandal from Entangled Publishing and Kensington Books. Tina’s books have been Barnes & Noble top picks, and her first book, Lady Of Scandal, was nominated as best first historical romance by Romantic Times Book Reviews. Tina loves to hear from readers. Please visit her website to join her newsletter and enter her free monthly contests and giveaways.

tinagabrielle.com 

facebook.com/TinaGabrielle
twitter.com/@TinaGabrielle
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Aloha to Jennifer Snow and MAYBE THIS SUMMER - With Excerpt and Giveaway

Jennifer Snow is celebrating the release of MAYBE THIS SUMMER, a novella in her Colorado Ice series from Forever Romance ... 

Owen McConnell is used to being ignored. After all, it's only when he appears as the Colorado Avalanche's team mascot that he gets all the attention. When the costume is off, women tend to gravitate toward his famous hockey player friends. But after he meets lovely, damaged Paige Adams, he knows he can be the star player for her. She's raising funds for the hospital burn unit, and Owen's determined to help her out---and sweep her off her feet.

The burn unit has been near and dear to Paige's heart ever since the doctors helped her after a vicious attack. Yet the scars---both emotional and physical---haven't faded as much as she'd hoped. She's closed herself off from relationships, and the thought of opening up is terrifying. But Owen's sexy charm might be just the push Paige needs to start loving again.

Series Page on Goodreads
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Jennifer Snow lives in Edmonton, Alberta with her husband and son. She writes sweet and sexy contemporary romance stories set everywhere from small towns to big cities. After stating in her high school yearbook bio that she wanted to be an author, she set off on the winding, twisting road to make her dream a reality. She is a member of RWA, the Writers' Guild of Alberta, the Canadian Authors Association, and the Film and Visual Arts Association in Edmonton. She has published over ten novels and novellas with many more on the way.

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Forever Romance is hosting a giveaway at this link and offers an excerpt from MAYBE THIS SUMMER ...

“Okay, I’ve got one,” Paige said, pointing to Bob Marley’s “Stir It Up.”

If anyone could help him seduce a woman, it was Bob Marley. Sliding the coins into the machine, he kept one eye on the door as she made her selection.

As the soft beat started, she smiled. “I love this song.”

He was in love with her smile. As she headed back toward the booth, he grabbed her hand and pulled her into him.

A slight look of intrigued panic flickered across her features. “What are you doing?” she asked as he drew her into him, wrapping his arms around her waist. Her soft perfume and the feel of her body beneath his hands made it impossible to let her go, even if he wanted to.

“Dancing with you. I knew if I asked, you’d say no,” he said, swaying slowly to the beat. Every other thought left him as he enjoyed the moment, knowing he may not get this opportunity again. Nothing else mattered except the woman in his arms.

She glanced around the bar, which had gotten busier while he’d been caught up completely in her. “No one else is dancing…”

“That’s okay. I don’t want to dance with anyone else.”

She sighed and reluctantly slid her arms around his neck. “This isn’t exactly a dance floor.”

“Any floor can be a dance floor,” he said, drawing her even closer as his hands slid a fraction lower. His thumbs gently massaged as his grip tightened at her hips.

She shot him a warning look as she readjusted his hands higher on her back.

But she didn’t remove them completely. “Sorry. I felt a vibe and went for it.”

She laughed. “Maybe not the right choice in songs,” she said, though finally swaying in sync with him.

His gaze fell to her hips in her tight-fitting jeans and he had to force a breath. “I think it’s the perfect choice in song. Now, it’s our song.”

“Our song?”

“Yeah. Whenever we go to a wedding and they play it, we can say ‘hey, it’s our song,’ or when we’re driving through the mountains in the winter on the way to the cabin with the kids asleep in the back and it comes on the radio, we can crank it higher and sing along to…”

“Our song?” she finished shaking her head. “You really get ahead of yourself, don’t you?”

“You have no idea,” he said, his gaze locked on hers. The drinks, the beat of the music, the dim lighting in that corner of the bar, her soft, sweet smile made it impossible not to want to kiss her…but he held back. Too soon, too fast was not the way with this one, and that was the only speed he really knew. Not this time. This time it was her speed, her timing. He had no other choice—he was completely hooked on her.

But that didn’t stop him from taking her hand and kissing it, savoring the silky soft skin against his lips.

A conflicted look appeared on her face for just a brief second before she was leaning toward him. When her lips brushed his, his eyes widened. His grip tightened at her waist as her arms circled his neck once more.

Her height made her perfect to kiss. He didn’t need to bend at the knees or crank his neck. Her lips were soft, and she tasted like a mixture of gin and watermelon. Her hands crept into his hair, and she pressed her body to his. He could sense her give into the moment, all tension and apprehension disappearing. His hands cupped her face as he responded with an urgency he couldn’t control. Since the first day he’d met her, he’d wanted to kiss her, and now she was continuing to shock the hell out of him with the passion and heat that she’d initiated. Gone was the cool, guarded woman who’d walked into the bar two hours before. Now she was soft and dangerously seductive as her fingers tangled in his hair and her tongue parted his lips, demanding entry.

His fingers dug into her waist and only the beat of the music kept him grounded in their surroundings, preventing him from taking the kiss to an even more intoxicating level. He wanted so much more than a kiss…

Breathless, she pushed away slightly, her eyes snapping open as her hand flew to her lips.

He couldn’t not to take the opportunity to tease her. “That was a little forward, don’t you think?” He fought to calm his thundering pulse and hoped she couldn’t see the effect the kiss had had on him. His pants felt a whole hell of a lot tighter in the front, and resisting the urge to drag her out of there and back to his place was taking all his strength.

“Well, since you’d already planned family vacations, I took a chance that you wouldn’t mind,” she murmured against his lips as she moved in closer again. “And maybe the alcohol and the music went to my head a little.”

He touched her cheek as they continued to sway. Never in a million years had he expected this evening to turn out the way it was. She’d stayed beyond a quick drink. She’d actually taken the time to get to know him, and she’d let him in. The kiss had told him she was every bit as interested in him as he was in her. And he was feeling pretty damn good.

But a second later he knew he was screwed as her gaze wandered past him to the door. “Hey isn’t that your friend, Ben Westmore?" 

Excerpted from MAYBE THIS SUMMER by Jennifer Snow. Copyright © 2017 by Jennifer Snow. Reprinted with permission of Forever Yours. All rights reserved.