Aloha to Carol Ross and A HEARTWARMING CHRISTMAS - Box Set

Harlequin author Carol Ross attended my workshop, How to Promote Your Book, during the RWA Annual Conference.  We exchanged emails ... and I invited Carol to join us for a cozy chat.  From her bio,

Carol Ross was born and raised in Washington, where she lives with her husband and one perfectly loveable miscreant of a dachshund. She adores the Pacific Northwest because it offers so many opportunities to do what she loves--hiking, skiing, running, and spending time outdoors. Although she enjoys reading in many genres, she writes what she loves the most--romance, especially light-hearted stories about the fun, flirty, and often-tumultuous path toward a happily ever after. Stop by her website for all the latest news: carolrossauthor.com.  You can follow Carol on Facebook: facebook.com/carolrossauthor and Twitter @_CarolRoss.

Kim:  Washington - What is your favorite sight, sound, and smell of the Evergreen State?

Carol:  My answer to all three of these is literally contained in our state’s nickname. I love the green--trees, mountains, grass…just green as far as you can see (except for this crazy summer where we’re having a draught and everything is turning brown). For me, the Pacific Northwest is the greatest place in the world to live. There are virtually no poisonous critters, our “scary” animals are shy and seldom even seen, hurricanes and tornados are rare. I live close to the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains where I can literally take a walk on the beach in the morning and be snow skiing that same afternoon. Okay, I don’t really do that, but I could…

Kim:  What's not to love about dachshunds! Does he/she help or hinder your writing process?

Carol:  Well, anyone who knows my dachshund Lucky and is reading this is undoubtedly laughing at the first part of this question right now--and would probably answer “plenty.” Lucky is the light of my life, but he is a rescue dog and came to us with many, many issues. And by issues I mean he doesn’t like people, except me (he kindly tolerates my husband). He growls and barks at strangers (and people he knows, too), has bad manners, bad habits, is extremely spoiled, and is the prince of my world. If he had his way I would just pack him around all day long (which admittedly I do quite a bit.) Thankfully, writing gives us lots of snuggle time and allows him to snack and nap at will--his two all-time favorite activities. Lucky does help in my writing process because writing can get a little lonely at times and he is excellent company.

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

Carol:  I literally owe my writing career to a few editors at Harlequin, and what I like to call ‘a series of fortunate events’... A few years ago, before I was published, I submitted a query to Harlequin’s American line and eventually submitted the full manuscript. The senior editor ultimately declined the story for American, but I was thrilled to receive the nicest, most encouraging letter from her. Later, I was contacted by the associate editor who had requested the full manuscript and was working for a new line (Heartwarming) to see if the story was still available. Under yet another editor (who is fabulous and, thankfully, remains my current editor) and with some revisions this story became my first published novel, Mountains Apart.

Kim: Who are some of your favorite romance authors?

Carol:  My go-to romance is contemporary humor, so to name just a few… Kristine Rolofson, Tracy Brogan, Jill Shalvis, Kristan Higgins, Melinda Curtis, Amy Vastine, and Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I also love historicals, so I have to mention Julie Anne Long (every single one of her Pennyroyal Green books has been my ‘favorite’) and Julia Quinn.

Kim:  What inspired your books?

Carol:  Inspiration comes to me through my characters. This fact has taken me a while to figure out and accept. I’m a little jealous of those writers who plot out the story before they ever write a scene. My characters form and grow and become like real people in my head first, and then I throw them into situations outside of their comfort zones. They react and I write it down and the plot (hopefully) thickens…

And….I’m so very excited to share some details about The Christmas Bell, my first holiday novella: 

Antique dealer Andrea Talbot is looking forward to enjoying her first real Christmas ever--a truly merry Christmas filled with love and laughter and fun like she’s never had with her wealthy, detached, and estranged family. This year her holiday is going to include Ben Fisher, the man she’s spent the last year getting to know…well, as much as you can get to know someone on-line anyway. 

It’s been a year since Ben hired her to find the antique fire bell that used to hang in Christmas Town’s firehouse and they’ve grown close during their virtual search. Unbeknownst to Ben, Andrea has managed to acquire the bell and plans to give it to him on Christmas Eve. But when Ben comes home early, and the bell is late, a series of distractions and mishaps threaten to spoil her surprise, her happy Christmas, and her once-promising relationship with Ben.

The Christmas Bell is available as part of A Heartwarming Christmas: A Boxed Set of Twelve Sweet Holiday Romances, which will be released October 13. The set is being offered now for pre-order for only 99 cents: 

This holiday season, warm your heart with 12 connected sweet holiday romances set in Christmas Town from 12 Harlequin Heartwarming authors who are USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors.

There are four connected anthologies in A Heartwarming Christmas: A Boxed Set of Twelve Sweet Holiday Romances. That means each set of three novellas shares characters and storylines! This collection of PG-rated holiday romances are all set in Christmas Town, a location introduced in the 2014 Harlequin Heartwarming release Christmas, Actually. A Heartwarming Christmas will bring you laughter, tears, and happily-ever-afters (no cliffhangers), for more than 1200 pages.

Foreword by small town lover and New York Times bestseller Kristan Higgins.

Amazon
Kobo
iBooks
GooglePlay

Carol is giving away a signed copy of her recent release, A CASE FOR FORGIVENESS, to one randomly selected commenter (I'll add swag from RWA!)  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about holiday romances - when is the right time to start reading them?  I enjoy reading holiday romances year round because sometimes the holiday magic helps me through the day.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 22, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 23.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to HEATING IT UP, ONE HERO AT A TIME - Book Blitz Tour

Oh, its cold in Maryland!  If I can't be in Hawaii, then I'll just have to heat it up with Jennifer Jakes. She joins us today to celebrate the release of the box set HEATING IT UP, ONE HERO AT A TIME:

Kim:  What do you love about the era(s) in which you write? 

Jennifer:  I have always loved Westerns. Always! When I was a little kid, I would watch any type of movie or TV show that was Western. Reading? It was all about Sacajawea and other Native American stories. As an adult, I was able to do some Civil War re-enacting and got a “real” feel for living back in the 1860s. While I came to realize that, yes, I do romanticize some things (Life was INCREDIBLY hard back then. Too much work, sickness, etc), but there was the ever-present optimistic, undying, American spirit to better yourself and carve out a life in the West. That hunger for freedom, adventure and the determination that went with it, is why I love the Western.

Kim:  What one thing can readers expect from your books? 

Jennifer:  Can I have 2 ? LOL Emotion and heat!

Kindle #1 Best Selling author, Jennifer Jakes, was not only an RWA® Golden Heart® nominee for her debut novel, Rafe’s Redemption, she was also voted Best Romance of 2011 by DITHR. Her second book, Twice In A Lifetime, was a finalist in the 2012 International Digital Awards. Her third book, Eden’s Sin, was a novella written for an anthology with two of her Golden Heart® sisters. Eden’s Sin is also available as a stand-alone read. 

jenniferjakes.com
Facebook: link
twitter.com/jenniferjakes

Love Across the Ages...Seven best-selling and award-winning authors bring readers historical romantic adventures set in Medieval Scotland, Regency England, Civil War America, the Wild West, and Gilded Age America. We’re Heating It Up one hero at a time with Scottish Highlanders, Regency Rakes, Union Spies, Mountain Men & Sexy Smugglers.

This LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET contains seven sensual, full-length novels.

NIGHT STORM by Tracey Devlyn

A promising young apothecary picks up the pieces of her life, only to collide with the ruthless thief-taker who once shattered her dreams and her heart.

RAFE'S REDEMPTION by Jennifer Jakes

He rode into town to buy supplies, not a woman…

SECRETS, SPIES & SWEET LITTLE LIES by Tara Kingston

A heart's destiny cannot be denied when a daring Union spy abducts a beautiful runaway bride he suspects of being a traitor.

THE HIGHLANDER'S TEMPTATION by Eliza Knight

A warrior on a mission is tempted by an alluring lass, and though she's been forbidden she'll break every rule for the pleasure of his intoxicating kiss.

CAMERON by Lane McFarland

To heal a warrior’s heart takes patience. But to resist a warrior’s heart takes fortitude.

THE CAPTAIN'S TEMPTRESS by Averil Reisman

Blackmailing her way onto a ship of gunrunners bound for the Caribbean, Samantha Etheridge proves to be more than a mere opportunistic reporter to Captain Sean Nolan--perhaps even a first mate.

A ROGUE'S DEADLY REDEMPTION by Jeannie Ruesch

Proving his worth to the woman he loves might cost them both their lives.

Amazon Kindle: link
Apple iBooks: link
Barnes & Noble Nook: link
Google Play: link
Kobo: link

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Jennifer offers an excerpt from RAFE’S REDEMPTION ...

Maggie buttoned her coat while the men said their good-byes on the boardwalk. Rafe took the sack from her hands and strode toward the hitching post. Her gaze landed on his horse. The huge beast was the animal she had considered making her escape on. He looked as testy as his owner—and she had to tolerate the company of both. She glanced from horse to man and raised her chin a notch. After his less than complimentary words, she'd be damned before showing fear.

The icy wind whipped her hair when she started from the protective cover of the porch. She tucked the loose strands into the collar of her coat and stepped off the boardwalk.

Rafe frowned. “Wait.” He deposited her back on the porch and disappeared inside. He returned and dropped a man's felt hat onto her head. “To keep the snow and rain off your face.”

“Thank—” She stopped short as he pulled a pair of thick gloves from his pocket and pressed them into her hands. “Thank you.”

He shrugged. “Tom thought you should have them.” Then he walked to the horses, leaving her to follow.

Fine. He didn't want her gratitude. It made no difference to her as long as he kept his promise and took her to the fort.

She stepped off the porch as the snow whirled around. Bits of ice mixed with the large flakes and stung her skin. She tilted her head and leaned into the wind, glad for the hat and for Tom's thoughtfulness.

“We'll have to ride double,” Rafe said when she stood beside him. “There's no room on the pack mule.”

He tied her sack to the saddle-horn, then turned. His steel gaze darted from her to the animals and he frowned, as if he'd just realized how close riding double would be. Maggie couldn't decipher his muttered curse, but judging by his dark scowl, she didn't want to know his thoughts.

He swung his lean frame onto the horse and settled in the saddle, then reached a strong hand down to her. She looked up—way up—at his outstretched palm. She placed her gloved hand in his and hoped she didn't fall. Her breath whooshed out in surprise when he pulled her up behind him as if she weighed no more than a sack of feathers.

Oh, God. A shudder ran through her and she covered her eyes with her hands. No wonder she hated horses. She cracked one eye open, glanced down…and buried her face into Rafe's back. They sat at least six feet off the ground! Thank God she wouldn't have to attempt riding alone. Except now her body pressed against his, a fact that stole her breath.

What should she do with her hands? If she held on to the back of the saddle she'd be dangerously close to his backside. Wrapping her arms around him seemed bold. She clutched the sides of his coat in her fists and wiggled until she found a comfortable position.

Rafe craned his head and glared over his shoulder. “Ready?”

Before she could answer he clicked his tongue to his horse, and they took off with a lurch. The mule's lead-rope bit into her leg as the stubborn animal lagged behind.

“Hang on. We've got to ride hard.”

She nodded, then added, “I'm fine. Do what you must.”

As they rode by Zeke's, Michael's triumphant face grinned through the window. She stared at him, unwilling to look away in shame. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction. Michael was the one who should be ashamed. Her father had entrusted him with the family's fortune and with Maggie. The money would be gone before Christmas.

Where will I be?

The enormous weight of her situation crushed her. She shuddered and bit back tears, again nearly overwhelmed by the urge to cry. She was just tired and hungry. That was all. By next week this trip—this whole nightmare—would be nothing but a bad memory.

***

Rafe tensed as Maggie went limp against him. A feathery sigh tickled the hair at his neck, the deep exhale rubbing her soft breasts across his back. Hell. He closed his eyes, but that was a mistake. Images of her ripped bodice, of hard nipples peeking over a silk corset sent a gut twisting shot of lust through him. Double hell.

She sighed again, her arm dropping forward to rest on his thigh. Christ. Two inches to the left and she’d be cupping his cock. He grabbed her hand and pulled it around his waist to keep her from falling off Moses. The last thing he wanted to do was dig her out of a snow drift. It wasn't that he wanted to feel her arms around him or have her body pressed any closer than it already was. Not that at all.

She mumbled in her sleep, her warm breath fanning his ear, tightening him with need.

A frustrated groan escaped through tense lips. What in the hell had he done? Hadn't he learned anything from the last time he'd defended a woman?

But damn it all, he couldn't let Skinner Joe buy her.

And now some man was looking for an army friend. Friend. Like hell. Rafe knew who searched. Simon. He'd find Rafe and Joe would help.

Rafe pinched the bridge of his nose as every horrible scenario imaginable flashed through his mind. What the hell had he gotten Miss Monroe into? He groaned. And why did she have to be from St. Louis. For all he knew, she could have been to his family home. And the last thing he wanted was questions or pity.

He grunted in disgust and pushed Moses a little harder. The cold wind howled as they started into the foothills. He tucked his chin into his chest and wished he had started a beard a little sooner.

Maggie moaned, then slid her free hand inside his coat, stroking his stomach like cat. He tensed. A hot need coursed through his body. No way would this be all right. He didn't want a woman around. He had been too long by himself.

He just had to stay away from her. He could ignore her for a couple of days. Then once the blizzard passed he'd take her to the fort.

“Think I'll freeze if I sleep in the barn with you, Moses?” A soft nicker came in answer, and he figured his horse laughed at him. Easy for Moses. He was gelded.

Another hour and they'd be home. Heat flooded his frozen face at the thought of this St. Louis society lady seeing how he lived. No doubt she was used to a mansion with servants to attend to every need.

So were you once.

He pushed the thought away, angry that Maggie made him remember things he'd rather not. That life was dead.

As dead as the man he'd killed.

Aloha to LAST HERO STANDING - a box set to stand up to cancer featuring Cynthia Eden

Eleven authors have donated their work to a box set of novellas to raise money for the medical expenses of a colleague stricken with breast cancer. The LAST HERO STANDING box set, which is set to release on Oct. 28, features 11 novels and novellas for only 99 cents, including a bonus short story from New York Times bestseller Dianna Love. All the proceeds from sales of the box set will go toward the medical expenses of USA Today bestselling author Pamela Clare, who was diagnosed with breast cancer this past April and has been unable to work since then. 

Learn more about Pamela's story at this link.

This box set will be available for ONE MONTH ONLY, and all proceeds go directly to the medical fund for box set author Pamela Clare, who is in the midst of her own battle with breast cancer. Everyone who touched this project donated their time and stories. Please help us help her by treating yourself and your friends to a box set full of great stories!

New York Times Bestseller Dianna Love

KISS THE ENEMY, a Slye Temp novel

"It seems with each book, this series gets better..."

New York Times Bestseller Cynthia Eden

FIRST TASTE OF DARKNESS, a novella

“Plenty of passion to fan yourself but also enough love...to make you swoon.” –So Many Reads

New York Times Bestseller Elisabeth Naughton

FIRST EXPOSURE, an Aegis Security prequel novella

“This series is off to an explosive start.”

New York Times Bestseller Joan Swan

SINFUL DECEPTION, a Renegades novel

"Another fast-paced, action-packed, sexy Covert Affairs story!"

New York Times Bestseller Bonnie Vanak

TAKEN BY THE ALPHA WOLF, a novella

"Highly recommend to anyone who likes steamy, sexy novels."

USA Today Bestseller Pamela Clare

FIRST STRIKE, an I-Team novella

“If you’re a fan of romantic suspense, you must read Pamela Clare!”

USA Today Bestseller Mary Buckham

INVISIBLE FEARS, an Invisible Recruits novel

“The powerful descriptive ability this author displays raises the bar for Urban Fantasy!”

USA Today Bestseller Adrienne Giordano

THE EVASION, a Justifiable Cause Novella

"Adrienne Giordano delivers everything romantic suspense readers want…"

USA Today Bestseller Norah Wilson

NIGHTFALL, A Vampire Romance Novel

"...an edge of your seat series."

Award-Winning Author Stephanie Rowe

ICE, an Alaska Heat novel

“ICE delivers pulse-pounding chills and hot romance!”

Award-winning Author Tracey Devlyn

LATYMER, a Nexus novella

"Powerful…and gripping."

Amazon Kindle: link
Barnes & Noble Nook: link
Kobo: link
Apple iBooks: link

Each stop on the blog tour spotlights one of the contributing authors.  Please join me in welcoming Cynthia Eden.

1. How has cancer touched you personally?

I’ve watched friends and family members battle cancer too many times. Every battle breaks my heart. I’m ready for cancer to be defeated, once and for all! I don’t want to lose anyone else that I love to cancer. No more!!! I want a world that is cancer-free.

2. Why did you participate in the LAST HERO STANDING fundraiser for fellow author Pamela Clare?

I participated in this anthology because—quite simply—I think Pamela Clare is amazing. She is an incredibly strong woman, and I would do anything I could to assist Pamela in her fight with cancer.

Award-winning author Cynthia Eden writes dark tales of paranormal romance and romantic suspense. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Cynthia is also a two-time finalist for the RITA® award (she was a finalist both in the romantic suspense category and in the paranormal romance category). Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over fifty novels and novellas.

Cynthia is a “hybrid” author. She has published extensively with New York (her New York publishers include Avon, Kensington, Grand Central, and Harlequin), and she has also enjoyed success in her indie writing career.

Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.

cynthiaeden.com
facebook.com/cynthiaedenfanpage
twitter.com/cynthiaeden
goodreads.com/cynthiaeden

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Cynthia offers an excerpt from First Taste of Darkness: 

“I promise, you’re safe with me.” A new intensity had entered his voice, one that gave her pause. Again, Jess wished that she could see him better. She wished that she could look deep into his eyes.

The limo’s interior had seemed huge to her moments before, but it suddenly felt very small. Or maybe Blake was just too big. His wide shoulders stretched, filling the space, and he seemed to cage her next to him.

“When dawn comes,” her words weren’t as sharp anymore, “I get to leave?”

“If that’s what you want.”

Jess nodded. Sure, that was exactly what she’d want.

His fingers trailed down her cheek, then slipped over the curve of her neck. “Your pulse is racing so fast.”

She swallowed and knew he felt the small movement. “Being shot at will do that to me.”

Blake laughed. The sound sent a shiver over her. A man’s laugh shouldn’t be so sexy. “You are unexpected.”

Uh, okay.

He bent his head. His mouth replaced his hand on her neck. He kissed her lightly. Softly. And then she felt the rasp of his tongue on her throat.

Jess’s fingers dug into that fancy leather seat.

“Once you step into my world,” he murmured, and the edge of his teeth scored her flesh, “you may not want to leave.”

Her eyes had drifted closed, and Jess was working really hard to hold back a moan, so she barely heard his words.

A shoot-out, a seduction in the back of a limo—that was probably commonplace for him.

Not for her.

Aloha to REGENCY MASQUERADES - Box set with Brenda Hiatt, Lynn Kerstan, Allison Lane, Gail Eastwood, Alicia Rasley, and Elena Greene

Regency author Elena Greene joins us today to chat about REGENCY MASQUERADES - a box set of six Traditional Regency romance novels of secrets and disguises ...

When Kim was kind enough to agree to host us, she asked us how groups of authors come together for projects like this. We can’t answer for other groups (though many of them probably came together in a similar way) but we’ll be more than happy to share our journey. It’s all about the community of romance writers.

Alicia was the one who first conceived the idea of an ebook bundle of reissued traditional Regencies, the goal being to attract new readers and spread the word about all of our individual reissues as well as our new stories. She sent out a request for interested parties on the Regency Loop, a long-standing online community of Regency romance authors where we share research and writing news. One by one, the rest of us responded. Although some of us are good friends, some of us had only met before at writers’ conferences or online communities such as the Regency Loop or the Beau Monde, Romance Writers of America’s Regency special interest chapter. Yet even from the beginning, we trusted one another enough to join Alicia in this venture.

We wanted to have some kind of a theme for the set and soon realized that we’d all written stories where the plot involved either the hero or heroine (sometimes both) being in disguise. We all love how a disguise both conceals and reveals character’s issues and desires, the drama that occurs when the masks are removed, and the final message of being loved for who you really are.

So Regency Masquerades was born. We exchanged flurries of emails, making plans for formatting, for cover art (done by the talented Tara at Fantasia Frog Designs (link) and for promotion. We have a diverse set of skills and levels of experience, and eventually everyone found a role to play in making the project come together.

We’re just one example of the strength of the romance writing community. We’ve always always shared knowledge of the research and craft of writing. Now that we can self publish our backlists, it’s a natural way to help one another in the belief that “a rising tide lifts all boats”. Rather than see ourselves in competition, we know that romance readers are so eager for good books that we can better please them by working together.

And so this week, we launched Regency Masquerades and we’re delighted to see that it’s hitting the top of the Amazon Kindle historical romance and other lists.

Readers can buy Regency Masquerades at Amazon (link), Barnes & Noble (link), iBooks (link), and Kobo Books (link). Learn more about the set at our Facebook page, facebook.com/regencymasquerades.

And here are our author websites and Facebook pages.

Brenda Hiatt ~ BrendaHiatt.com, facebook.com/BrendaHiatt and twitter.com/Brenda_Hiatt

Lynn Kerstan ~ LynnKerstan.com and Twitter.com/RegencyTwisters

Allison Lane ~ Eclectics.com/AllisonLane and twitter.com/allisonlanebook

Gail Eastwood ~ GailEastwoodAuthor.com, facebook.com/GailEastwoodAuthor, and twitter.com/GEastwoodAuthor

Alicia Rasley ~ AliciaRasley.com, Facebook link, and twitter.com/AliciaRegency

Elena Greene ~ ElenaGreene.com, facebook.com/ElenaGreene, twitter.com/ElenaGreene7

Thank you for hosting us!

I am giving away a digital copies of REGENCY MASQUERADES:

Six beloved bestselling and award-winning Regency authors bring you six full-length novels of disguise, deception and secret identities. From sweet to subtly sensual, these traditional Regency Romances demonstrate that true love can see through even the most elaborate mask!

This special, limited-edition set includes:

Daring Deception, by NYT and USA Today bestselling author Brenda Hiatt

When her brother promises her in marriage to pay a gaming debt, Miss Chesterton dons a disguise to prove Lord Seabrooke a fortune hunter. But even as she gathers evidence, she finds herself losing her heart to the handsome Earl.

Lucy in Disguise, by RITA® Award-winning author Lynn Kerstan

A charming aristocrat in trouble is rescued by a young woman disguised as a Lancashire Witch. Love comes swiftly, but she’ll only agree to wed if they protect her friend, a fearful heiress, from a greedy and dangerous family.

The Earl’s Revenge, by award-winning author Allison Lane

A battle of wits unmasks the secret lives of the Earl of Bridgeport and his former fiancée Elaine Thompson. Only love might prevent ruination.

The Lady from Spain, by award-winning author Gail Eastwood

A young woman posing as a Spanish widow returns to England after Napoleon’s war, set on a dangerous quest. Can the handsome lord who must unmask her also turn her heart toward love?

Gwen’s Ghost, by RITA® Award-winning authors Alicia Rasley and Lynn Kerstan

An unredeemed rake must mask his true self so that he can undo the damage he caused with his life--and his death.

The Redwyck Charm, by multiple award-winning author Elena Greene

Heiress Juliana Hutton masquerades as an opera dancer to escape an arranged marriage to the Earl of Amberley, but fate has different plans...

Plus the authors are giving away a special digital prize package:

Gabriella by Brenda Hiatt, The Rake and the Spinster by Lynn Kerstan, The Prodigal Daughter by Allison Lane, The Captain’s Dilemma by Gail Eastwood, Poetic Justice by Alicia Rasley, and Lord Langdon’s Kiss by Elena Greene.

To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about masquerades ... what costume would you wear?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 18, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 19.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City