Celebrate Romance Every Day - Romance Reader Rendezvous

Today is the Romance Reader Rendezvous in Hawaii.  From its website (link),

This FREE event on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for Oahu's military community celebrates romance novels and the women who love them. This is your chance to mingle with published romance authors, win great prizes, get signed books, and watch a special film all about the wonderful world of romance—the bestselling branch of the book publishing industry. What better way to kick-start Cupid's favorite weekend?

I commend Rachel Skinner - author, editor, and military spouse - for coordinating this event.  I also thank HelenKay Dimon, Eliza Gayle, C.K. Green, Sharon Hamilton, Lynn Raye Harris, Elle James, Cat Johnson, Chris Keniston, and Kallypso Masters for supporting this event!

Battleship New Jersey
Public Domain (link)

In a romantic twist, my husband and youngest son are spending the night aboard the USS New Jersey - an Iowa class battleship during WWII - with the scout troop.  When we lived in Hawaii, I spent the night on the USS Missouri - another Iowa class battleship from WWII - with the scouts at this link.  Check out more pictures of the Mighty Mo here, here, and here,   The Mighty Mo was the star of the movie BATTLESHIP - here.

WWII's iconic couple in front of the Mighty Mo

I know from personal experience that the USS Missouri does not provide room service.  But Room Service is a comedy routine from Hawaii's own Rap Reiplinger - check it out at this link.   My favorite line is:

Our first special is pickled pig's feet served with Spanish rice on mashed potatoes with your choice of dressing on your fruit cup with bread or toast.

Hawaiians never met a carb they didn't love. I also know romance readers never met a military hero/heroine they didn't love.  That's why I celebrate romance every day.

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter - comments are open forum. Comments are open through Saturday, February 20, 10 pm in Baltimore.  i'll post the winner on Sunday, February 21.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

USS Missouri stands guard over the USS Arizona Memorial

May is National Military Appreciation Month - Aloha to Cat Johnson

Cat Johnson will be dressed for Texas as the consummate author of Cowboys and SEALs.   She is hosting a table named "Cowboy and SEALs" for the SOS America Military Tribute during the RT Booklovers' Convention.  Tickets are still available at this link.   From Cat's bio,

It all started in first grade when Cat Johnson won the essay contest at Hawthorne Elementary School and got to ride in the Chief of Police's car in the Memorial Day Parade...and the rest, as they say, is history. As an adult, Cat generally tries to stay out of police cars and is thrilled to be writing for a living. She has been published under a different name in the Young Adult genre, but released her first romance in 2006. 

Today, she is a NY Times & USA Today best-selling, award-winning author of contemporary romance and contracted with Kensington and Samhain Publishing. She's also sponsored real live bull riding cowboys.

Cat (left) with me at RT/Chicago in 2012.

Cat recently kicked off a new series, Midnight Cowboys, with MIDNIGHT RIDE:

One bucking bronco…

Oklahoma ranch hand Tyler Jenkins is too young, too sexy, and too damn wild to be tied down by any single woman—for more than a few steamy hours…

One hard-working widow…

Widowed rancher Janie Smithwick is too busy paying off her debts to play rodeo with a reckless young cowboy like Tyler—no matter how hot he gets her…

One midnight ride they’ll never forget…

As a rule, Janie should be dating a man her own age, like her handsome neighbor Rohn—not the twenty-four-year old ranch hand he employs. But once Tyler gets Janie alone—held tight in his arms, pressed against his hard muscled body, burning with desire—the widow realizes that some rules, like broncos, are meant to be broken…

Can you guess which are Cat's boots?

May is National Military Appreciation Month. For the month of May, I am giving away one grand prize of books and swag from the authors featured this month (link). Plus five more commenters - one for each branch of service - wins a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1. Do you have cowboy boots?  I don't but my husband does from his barbershop quartet, the Tone Rangers.

2. Comments are open through Sunday, May 31, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, June 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Cat also loves SEALs ...

Celebrate Little Victories - Liberty States Fiction Writers' Create Something Magical Conference

Last weekend, I took the train to New Jersey for the Liberty States Fiction Writers (LSFW) Create Something Magical Conference.   The two and half hour train ride was a wise decision as Mother Nature decided to celebrate the Spring with snow.  It was beautiful to watch the countryside blanketed in white fluff ... and I was thankful that I was not driving in it.

Upon arrival at the conference hotel, I took a quick nap before joining Kimberly Rocha from Book Obsessed Chicks.  She coordinated a big table for readers, bloggers, and authors at the Kona Grill ... gotta love the restaurant name!   Kimberly is an enthusiastic blogger who brings the romance community together ... I enjoyed meeting three readers and one aspiring author new to me.  I also chatted with Wendy LaCapra, who is celebrating her debut release, LADY VICE.

Chocolate Dessert

On Saturday morning, I played Scattergories with Jennifer L Armentrout, Cat Johnson, and Elisabeth Staab - my team came in second place with our ability to list many places starting with the letter N.   

Sylvia Day  gave an inspirational speech during lunch, noting that our fear holds us back from success.   During lunch, I sat next to Ruth A Casie - I enjoyed stories from her world travels. 

Following lunch, Sylvia hosted a cozy chat with readers.   I asked her to share what she learned as an Army linguist that helped her with her writing career.  Sylvia answered, "Teamwork".  Thank you, Sylvia, for your service!  

I also attended the Reader/Author mixer, giving readers the opportunity to meet authors and complete a "scavenger hunt" of sorts.  During the mixer, I chatted with Holly Bush - a historical author new to me.  And ... I won a Kindle Fire XD! 

We ended the day with a dance party hosted by Kimberly ... Damon Suede is the Dancing King! 

On Sunday morning, I attended Family Feud with Damon, Sara Humphreys, and Judi Fennell.  I left Damon speechless with my answer to one question ... you'll just have to ask him! The conference ended with a pizza party and fond memories of Romanceland.

I am giving away conference swag to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway, 

1.  Leave a comment about your favorite "game" - Scattagories?  Jeopardy?  Family Feud?  Something else?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, April 4, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, April 5.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City 

Blue Hawaiian

Aloha to the HOT ALPHA SEALS: Military Romance Megaset

The summer is sizzling ... and its about to get hotter with the HOT ALPHA SEALS: Military Romance Megaset, available July 22 at this link (also available for preorder):

12 New York Times, USA Today or Award-winning bestselling Hot Alpha Authors bring you this Military Romance Megaset for your reading pleasure:

THE KISS OF A SEAL by Award-winning Author Anne Elizabeth -- Jessa Grainger's world is rocked by the kiss of a SEAL, SO-1 Link Tyler. It wouldn't be a problem for an ordinary person, but being a Navy Consultant working on the Amphibious Base as well as being engaged to a SWCC man make the situation very sticky.

NIGHT WITH A SEAL (Hot SEALS #1) by New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Cat Johnson --When navigating military red tape begins to present more challenges than the enemy, it makes SEAL Jon Rudnick question his future. So does Alison Cressly, the one woman he can't get out of his head.

HOT BAYOU SEAL by Award-winning author Cindy Dees -- SEAL Ford Alambeaux is a busted up SEAL on his way out of the teams. Trina Zarkos is being tossed out of SEAL training like every other female candidate...until they're thrown together on a way off-book mission to see if she can play with the big boys or not.

DELTA: RETRIBUTION by USA Today bestselling author Cristin Harber -- Fallen Navy SEAL and Titan Group's Delta recruit Trace Reeves wants nothing more than a one-night stand to forget that his twin brother was killed-in-action. But when his one-time fling becomes his high value target, the lines blur between her rescue mission and saving himself.

WATCH OVER ME (An Uncharted SEAL story) by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Delilah Devlin -- Deke Warrick's unsanctioned detail is to keep tabs on a congressman's niece while she vacations in the Caribbean. He's determined to keep his distance, from the beautiful Nicky Martir--until she's snatched from their hotel room.

SEAL'S OBSESSION (A Take No Prisoners story) by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Elle James -- Mission: Halt pirate activities off the coast of Honduras. SEAL TEAM 10's Jack Fischer goes undercover as a deck hand on a medical boat where he finds himself falling for the dedicated Dr. Natalie Rhoades.

The SEAL (a Sex, Lies & Spies novella) by USA Today bestselling author Gennita Low -- Mari Lords is tasked by her father to steal the seal that is an important clue in a round-the-world treasure hunt called The Game. When her opportunity comes during a party, she finds another kind of SEAL, Angel Marcello.

UNBREAKABLE SEAL by USA Today bestselling author J.M. Madden -- Maxwell Tate fights against a psychotic dream world, until he no longer knows what's real. Lacey Adams knows she can't save all of her cases, but can she salvage the unbreakable SEAL?

MISTER BLACK A Billionaire SEAL Story, Part 1 (In the Shadows) by Award-winning author P.T. Michelle --He is Black: a deadly enforcer and masterful seducer. I am Red: a justice bleeder and willing participant. When our secrets converge in a passionate encounter, stepping out of the shadows just might be worth the risk.

STONE HARD SEAL by Award-winning author Sabrina York --When Ryder "Stone" Maddox's meets Lily Wilson--a senator's daughter who is definitely off-limits--he's determined to keep his distance, despite her irresistible allure. But Lily has plans of her own...to put his heart of stone to the test.

SEAL'S PROMISE by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sharon Hamilton --Navy SEAL T.J. Talbot, SEAL Team 3's bad boy, makes a deathbed promise to protect and care for his fallen buddy's wife and child. The only problem is, she hates him.

BREAKING TIES (a SEAL Team Heartbreakers story) by bestselling author Teresa Reasor -- Navy SEAL Oliver Shaker is blindsided when he learns that not only does his wife, Selena, have a life-threatening illness, but she's also pregnant, stretching their marriage to the breaking point.

Mahalo, authors, for spotlighting Navy SEALS!   I am giving away a digital copy of the HOT ALPHA SEALS: Military Romance Megaset to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Real life NAVY Seals are fairly elusive ... so let's chat about other marine animals.  Do you have a favorite?   I'm partial to the Hawaiian monk seal and Hawaii's state fish - humuhumunukunukuapua'a (break it down into the repeated words: whomoo-whomoo-newkew-newkew-ah-pooh-ah-ah). 

2.  Comments are open through Sunday, July 27, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Monday, July 28, assuming I recover from RWA!

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City 

Hawaiian monk seal near Ka'ena Point