Celebrate Hawai'i Week - Aloha to Violet Duke

Hula demonstration on Kalakaua Avenue, Waikiki

Reminder: I have a special giveaway to celebrate June at this link.

I have not had the privilege of meeting Violet Duke ... yet ... but I hope to do so at a future conference.  We could not celebrate Hawai'i without this kama'aina (resident):

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Violet Duke is a former professor of English Education who is ecstatic to now be on the other side of the page writing wickedly fun contemporary romance novels. When she's not arguing with her story characters or feeding her book-a-day reading addiction, she enjoys tackling reno projects with her power tools while trying pretty much anything without reading the directions first and cooking 'special edition' dishes that laugh in the face of recipes. Violet lives in Hawai'i with her two cute kids and similarly adorable husband.

Find the latest on her books and weekly giveaways at facebook.com/VioletDukeBooks.

Violet's most recent release is JACKSON'S TRUST:

New York Times bestselling author Violet Duke kicks off her fun and sexy new Fourth Down series with a heartwarming friends-to-lovers romance between a no-strings-attached sports analyst and the hottest damn tomboy he’s ever met.

It’s no secret that sports analyst Jackson Gray doesn’t do relationships. What is a secret, however, is the reason why. Jackson’s life is . . . complicated. And it doesn’t help that his current hands-off “friendship” is with the cute-as-hell new sideline reporter he’s assigned to train. Turns out, not only is the woman damn sweet, she also knows as much about football as he does. Like it or not though, Jackson has to remind himself that sex is the only thing he has to offer . . . until now.

Leila Hart’s fast-growing friendship with Jackson is something she’d never risk, no matter how unbelievably seductive the reward. Becoming an NFL sportscaster has always been the goal, and thanks to Jackson’s fierce support and mentoring, it all finally seems within reach. Problem is, a girl can only take so much of that sexy-as-sin voice whispering dirty, filthy football stats in her ear before she loses all self-control. A workplace romance with Jackson is a disaster waiting to happen, especially for someone with big dreams . . . and secrets of her own.

Military fans heading into the Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium

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

1. Let's talk about recipes - do you follow step by step or wing it?  I wing it!

2. Comments are open through Saturday, June 11, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 12.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Surfer enjoys the waves below Diamond Head

Celebrate Hawai'i Week - Aloha to Jill Marie Landis

Image courtesy of Linda M. 

Reminder: I have a special giveaway to celebrate June at this link.

The island of Kauai - the oldest of the eight islands - was never conquered by King Kamehameha. From Kauai.com,

Twice King Kamehameha had gathered armadas to conquer Kauai, and each time he was met with utter failure – due once to a storm and rough seas, and the other due to an epidemic which crippled his forces. Eventually though, the king of Kauai, King Kaumualii, united forces with Kamehameha, probably to avoid future invasion attempts, and to prevent continuing hostilities and any possible bloodshed which would ensue.

Kauai's independent spirit is alive in kama'aina (resident) romance writer Jill Marie Landis.  From her bio,

I've written seventeen steamy historical romances which I am in the process of publishing in e-book formats, a trilogy of contemporary single title romances entitled the Twilight Cove Series, and five inspirational historical romances. Most recently I've been penning a series of comedic mysteries set on Kauai.

No matter what kind of novel I'm writing, I focus on creating memorable characters, adding the emotion my readers have come to expect, spinning page turning plots and adding the requisite happy endings.

Today we are living the dream in Hawaii on an outer island where I continue to write and dance hula and garden (when I'm not sitting on the beach). Hubby Steve is involved in outrigger canoe paddling. Steve also appears around town playing a form of Hawaiian guitar music known as "slack key."

I can't get enough of the Tiki Goddess Mystery series ...

Somewhere on the North Shore of Kauai near the end of the road you’ll find THE TIKI GODDESS BAR, famous for exotic tropical concoctions by Uncle Louie Marshall, mixologist extraordinaire. There’s a legend behind every drink and each and every one has been approved by a taste testing parrot named David Letterman. Two-for- one Mai Tai Night really packs ‘em in.

As tourists rub shoulders with locals and celebs, the surf hits the beach with a hypnotic rhythm matched only by the beat of exotic drums and the hum of ukulele music floating on the trade winds.

Who knew murder and mayhem existed in paradise?

Learn more about Jill Marie Landis and her books at jillmarielandis.com and thetikigoddess.com.

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

1. Leave a comment about your favorite tropical drink - alcoholic or not.  I love POG - Passion, Orange, and Guava juice.  I also enjoy Mai Tais!

2. Comments are open through Saturday, June 11, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 12.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Celebrate Hawai'i Week - Aloha to Mitchell Charles and THE KINGDOM OF OCEANA

Reminder: I have a special giveaway to celebrate June at this link. 

Seas the Day!  June 8 is World Oceans Day at this link!  In honor of World Ocean Day, along with Celebrate Hawai'i Week, Mitchell Charles joins us today ... from his bio (link),

Mitchell Charles' love of the ocean and its miraculous creatures began at the age of 12 when his father taught him to SCUBA dive. From his first adventure 50 feet (15 meters) beneath the Caribbean Sea he was hooked.

Mitchell's inspiration for The Kingdom of Oceana was born of exploring the spectacular coastline, lush valleys, and vibrant coral reefs of the Hawaiian Islands. On these excursions, he imagined what Hawaii was like hundreds of years ago. Before Captain Cook arrived from England. Before the golf courses and hotels. Before the ukulele and the Mai Tai became icons of Hawaiian culture. He dreamed of a time when the islands were an undiscovered magical paradise.

These days, Mitchell divides his time between Southern California and Hawaii. He has two teenage children and a dog named Magic.

Learn more about Mitchell at kingdomofoceana.com.

Kim: The obvious question - what is your favorite sight, sound, and smell of Hawai'i?

Mitchell: I love the natural beauty of Hawaii -- away from the hotels, golf courses, and luaus. The Hawaiian islands are magnificent and diverse. The verdant rainforests, snowcapped Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, black sand beaches, towering waterfalls, and vibrant coral reefs are breathtaking. But most beautiful of all is the aloha spirit of the Hawaiians. In my experience, they are a warm, gentle people, who live in harmony with the land and sea. Also, they have great reverence for the magical creatures of Hawaii – the kohalas (humpback whales), manos (sharks), honus (sea turtles), and pueos (owls). In Hawaiian culture, it’s believed that many of these animals are the people’s aumakua, their family or ancestral gods. I have a Hawaiian friend who’s aumakua is the shark. When he goes spearfishing, he always throws back his first catch, as an offering.

Kim: Can you share a Hawaiian proverb that inspires you?

Mitchell: Mai Huli`oe I Kokua o Ke Kai -- Never Turn your Back to the Ocean. I’m an avid SCUBA diver, snorkeler, and underwater photographer. I’m also learning to surf. These activities can be dangerous if you don’t treat the ocean with respect.

Kim: What would you like readers to learn from THE KINGDOM OF OCEANA?

Mitchell: I’d like them to get a sense of the magic and beauty of Hawaii. I’d also like them to think about the environmental challenges and our responsibility to preserve our oceans and protect the endangered aquatic wildlife.

SURFER 

SHARK TAMER 

FIRE WALKER 

EXPLORER 

TEENAGER 

HERO

Five Centuries Ago, On the Island Now Called Hawaii, There was a Kingdom Filled with Adventure, Beauty, and Magic. When 16-year-old Prince Ailani and his brother Nahoa trespass on a forbidden burial ground and uncover an ancient tiki mask, they unleash a thousand-year-old curse that threatens to destroy their tropical paradise. As warring factions collide for control of Oceana, it sparks an age-old conflict between rival sorcerers that threatens to erupt-just like Mauna Kea, the towering volcano. With the help of his ancestral spirit animals, his shape shifting sidekick, and a beautiful princess, Prince Ailani must overcome his own insecurities, a lifetime of sibling rivalry, and a plague of cursed sea creatures brought forth by the tiki's spell. Can peace be restored to the kingdom? Can Prince Ailani claim his rightful place as the future king of Oceana? ONLY ONE CAN RULE.

I am reading (and loving) THE KINGDOM OF OCEANA ... review to come!  I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash, plus Hawaiian swag, to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about your favorite sea creature - mine is the Hawaiian monk seal!

2. Comments are open through Saturday, June 11, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 12.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City