Celebrate Romance Every Day - Iconic Cover Models

From Chris Keniston's February newsletter ...

Y'all remember Fabio, don't you? He held the world's record for most romance novel covers, with his iconic face on the front of 460 romance books. That record was recently broken by a popular cover model from Saratoga, Calif., named Jason Baca. Jason's accomplishment was reported in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Jason is now THE top romance cover model!

Why should I care, you ask? Guess whose cover is number 461? That's right. Saved by a Seal is the cover that broke Fabio's record!

What do ya think of that? I sure hope this sells more books because 100% of author proceeds are being donated to benefit disabled veterans by providing them with service dogs through America's VetDogs.

Mahalo,

Chris 

From America's Vet Dogs,

In 2003, the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind (VetDogs parent organization) recognized the need for an assistance dog program for veterans that would incorporate guide dogs, service dogs, and innovative training techniques. America’s VetDogs was created and incorporated to give veterans easy access to the best services possible to improve their lives.

In 2015, VetDogs expanded its programs to include first responders, including fire, police and emergency medical personnel.

All of our services are provided at no cost to veterans and first responders. Our funding comes from the generous contributions of individuals, corporations, foundations, businesses, and service and fraternal clubs.

Check out the website, vetdogs.org, to learn how you can support this effort to help our veterans.

I am giving away a digital copy of SAVED BY A SEAL to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about dogs - do you have a favorite breed? My family is owned by four Hawaiian cats ... but we often host Pius, a pug, when my friend travels for her job as a Navy surgeon.  All creatures get along!

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 27, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 28.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Celebrate Romance Every Day - RWA, Joy of Writing, and RomVets

This past week, I realized how lucky I am to be part of the romance community.  Kimberly from Book Obsessed Chicks (link) nominated me as a romance "cheerleader".  I lunched with Kati from Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance (link) - we enjoyed Polynesian food at the Taste of Aloha (link). I made lunch plans for next week in Washington, DC, with Melissa, a librarian extraordinaire.

I also received confirmation the Romance Writers of America (RWA) accepted two proposals I submitted for this year's national conference in San Diego (link): 

The Joy of Writing with Cathy Maxwell, Anne Elizabeth, and Julie Rowe

Romance publishing offers exciting opportunities for self publishing, small press, traditional publishers, and a combination thereof to cater to the individual author. The romance industry can also be a cut throat business from negative reviews, stalled sales, and an oversaturated market. Three author stand out as perpetually positive by focusing on the Joy of Writing. Bestselling and award winning writers Cathy Maxwell, Anne Elizabeth, and Julie Rowe share how they focus on their passion for romance while drowning out the negativity which creeps into every author’s life. Each author came to romance publishing by a different road yet they share the same appreciation of the Joy of Writing. Moderated by book blogger Kim Lowe, the authors will engage in a round table discussion of looking beyond book sales as a measure of success and celebrating the creativity process that is the Joy of Writing.

Reporting for Duty - An Intimate Chat with the RomVets: Grace Adams, Tamara Argyle, Heather Ashby, Elizabeth Langston, Caroline Lingaitis, Kim Lowe, and Anna Richland

Military characters dominate romance novels. They have stormed romantic suspense, moved into small towns, battled paranormal creatures, and defined history from Medieval Times to Victorian Era to WWII. A group of women veterans have turned their swords to pens to write romance novels – the RomVets, www.romvets.com. Three Air Force veterans, two Navy veterans, one active duty Navy surgeon, and one Army veteran/Rita winner will share our military experience to ensure military characters are accurately portrayed in any genre. RomVets are also military spouses, brats, and parents, so we offer an extra dimension into the lives of those who serve – airman, marine, sailor, seaman, and sailor. We will teach writers to how to decipher the military’s acronyms, identify ranks from the five services, and safely carry a weapon. 

As the Pointer Sisters sang, "I'm so excited". I am truly blessed to be a romance reader! If you met any of the above bloggers or authors, what would you ask them? One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Saturday, February 13, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 14.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Celebrating Romance Every Day

Lucky guards my convention stash