Wednesday's Warriors - USO's 74th Anniversary and the SOS America Military Tribute

Today is the 74th anniversary of the USO.   From the Library of Congress (link),

At the suggestion of General George C. Marshall in 1940, and with the approval of President Franklin Roosevelt, representatives from existing public service organizations came together to form the USO Inc. Creating the USO were the Salvation Army, the YMCA, the YWCA, the National Jewish Welfare Board, the Travelers Aid Association of America, and the National Catholic Community Service. 

During World War II, more than 1 million volunteers operated more than 3,000 recreational clubs, which were established wherever they could find room. Clubs were housed in churches, museums, barns, railroad cars, storefronts, and other unlikely locales.  

Today's anniversary inspires a new feature here at SOS Aloha - Wednesday's Warriors.   We'll honor warriors and their families at the 12th Annual SOS America Military Tribute during the RT Booklovers Convention, at the Hyatt Regency Dallas:

Wake Up with the Warriors, May 14, 2015, 830 am - 945 am:

Join Kathryn Falk, Lady of Barrow, in saluting our military heroes and their families. Readers will "deploy" to a military location (themed table) hosted by authors connected to the military, including, Heather Ashby, Chanel Cleeton, Delilah Devlin, Lea Griffith, Sharon Hamilton, Elle James, Cat Johnson, Kennedy Layne, Merline Lovelace, Lindsay McKenna, Angel Payne, Julie Ann Walker, and Kimberly Rocha/Book Obsessed Chicks. Plus an Aussie Table with Megan Bamford and a Canadian Table with Julie Rowe to appreciate our Allies!

Your mission includes tasting MREs, navigating the coin challenge, and singing the services' songs, such as: "The Army Goes Rolling Along", "Wild Blue Yonder", "Anchors Aweigh", "The Halls of Montezuma", and "Semper Paratus".

This event is open to readers attending the RT Booklovers  Convention.  Sign up for tickets at this link.  I will also have tickets available at the SOS America Promo Table in Club RT on Wednesday, May 13.

Contact Kim Lowe, sos.aloha@yahoo.com, to host a table or donate door prizes.

Meanwhile, I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Have you visited a USO lounge?  Seen a USO show?  Do you have a favorite USO performer?  

I've seen Gary Sinise perform with the Lt Dan Band as part of a USO tour in Hawaii.   I salute Gary for his support of military families.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 7, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, Feburary 8.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about the RT Booklovers' Convention at this link.

I'll be giving away these Thunderbirds poker chips
at the SOS America Promo Table

Kathryn Falk Recommends (part 2): Lynsay Sands, The Argeneau 10th Anniversary Blog Tour, and ONE LUCKY VAMPIRE

Five years ago, I became a volunteer with SOS America Inc. - a military charity sponsored by Kathryn Falk, founder of RT Booklovers Magazine.   She invited me to her beautiful home in Brooklyn Heights where I noticed she had several copies of Lynsay Sands' SINGLE WHITE VAMPIRE, Book Three in her Argeneau Series:

A romance you can sink your teeth into.

SWM - "Lucern." Successful biographer of family, books recently categorized as "paranormal romance." Something of a recluse. Hates crowds, aggressive women. Doesn't like sunbathing, garlicky dinners or religious symbols. Likes old-fashioned values; spicy Mexican dishes; warm, nice-smelling neck; and plump red lips. Stronger than ten men and can vanish in the blink of an eye. Currently unaware he's seeking a woman to share eternity.

SWF - "Kate C. Leever." Newest editor of Romance at Roundhouse Publishing. Perky, fun. Has recently discovered a legacy author just dying to be broken out. In fact, her career could take off from it. (The tall, dark, handsome writer just needs to be taken to several romance conventions and introduced to his fans . . . and stopped from acting so strange in public.) Dislikes "difficult, rude, obnoxious, pig-headed writers." Currently she's met the man of her wildest dreams.

OH, DEAR.

Kathryn gave me a copy and said, "I'm in the book!".   Kate, the editor, takes her author, Lucern, to the RT Booklovers' Convention, where they meet Kathryn.  This is a hilarious romp through Romanceland that yields an eternal love.   Five years later, Lynsay is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Argeneau Series. Avon is hosting a fabulous blog tour to usher in the newest Argeneau novel, ONE LUCKY VAMPIRE:

Yes, Nicole Phillips has miraculously survived what appear to be three separate death threats from her ex-husband-to-be. But no, she does not need protection. At least that’s what she keeps telling everyone. But when her new housekeeper arrives complete with a sexy build and a no-nonsense attitude, she can’t help but feel a little safer. That is, until the passion between them heats up and she knows she’s really in trouble.

Jake Carlson never wanted to be immortal, or a vampire, in the first place. Turned during an emergency by Vincent Argeneau, he’s been living his new life away from the clan as a bodyguard for hire. That is, until Marguerite Argeneau reappears with a new job opportunity: undercover protection for a family friend…as a housekeeper. But when he discovers his beautiful new client is tougher than he first thought, Jake thinks he might be the one in need of protection. Just not the physical kind.

With two weeks until her divorce proceedings are final, Jake must do everything in his power to keep Nicole safe and happy… he just hopes he can keep ahold of his heart in the process!

Buy Link

About the Author:

LYNSAY SANDS is the nationally bestselling author of the Argeneau/Rogue Hunter vampire series, as well as numerous historicals and anthologies. She’s been writing stories since grade school and considers herself incredibly lucky to be able to make a career out of it. Her hope is that readers can get away from their everyday stress through her stories, and if there’s occasional uncontrollable fits of laughter, that’s just a big bonus.

Visit her official website at lynsaysands.net, including an excerpt for ONE LUCKY VAMPIRE at this link.

Avon is sponsoring a fabulous giveaway .... 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kathyrn Falk Recommends (part 1): SALINGER and THE STORY OF FILM: AN ODYSSEY

Kathryn (left) at RT/Chicago 2012

I spent the weekend at Lora Leigh's RAW in Hagerstown (link). It gave me the opportunity to chat with romance readers (who happen to be military veterans) to brainstorm ideas for the SOS America Military Mixer at the RT Booklovers Convention, May 14-18, 2014, in New Orleans (link).   I called Kathryn Falk, founder of RT Book Reviews and SOS America Inc., to coordinate our ideas.   We not only chatted about RT next year ... but what's happening now on TV and movie theaters.     I'll quote from her Facebook posts:

SALINGER:

RUN don't walk to see the new film SALINGER. 

This documentary of the life of J.D. (Jerry to his friends) is a writer's movie -- what influenced him to write "Catcher on the Rye," the demons he drove away ( WW II and the loss of Oona O'Neill to Charlie Chaplin), his need for innocence, his writing bunker where he'd live with his characters for days on end -- will haunt you. And, you will love this biographical film even if the subject never speaks.
The stories about his adversity to publicity are surely unique.

Of course, we're curious about Salinger, as one reviewer gave out as a reason to see the film. But the so-so reviews across the board should not discourage the public. The critics misjudged its power.

The film revealed that new works by J.D. will begin to be released between 2015 and 2020. They are expected to shake up the literary world.

THE STORY OF FILM:  AN ODYSSEY

If you love films, TED TURNER /TCF -- every Monday night -- is presenting "The Story of Film: An Odyssey." Chapters 1 and 2 have aired (covering film history up to early 20s and silent films) - but the series continues until October. These documentaries are the equivalent of a college course on every aspect of film-making. You will learn about the directors, stars, writers and the creative people behind the camera.

The contribution of women writers is finally recognized and their disappearance for the most part, after the 40s, is explained (men needed jobs!). Rare coverage and the contribution and influence of early foreign films is also included in Part 1. 

Camera movements, lighting, and many tricks and innovation of this creative trade will furnish viewers with a new regard for the art of film-making. 

TCM is showing some of the films discussed each Monday night, illustrating all the information gleaned from this detailed presentation. The series is more academic that the Tycoon Film History series that aired a few years ago. For a Masters Degree in Film -- tune in every Monday

Mahalo, Kathryn, for your insightful recommendations!   Have you read CATCHER IN THE RYE?  Are you a film buff?  One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my conventions stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers. Comments are open through Saturday, September 28, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 29.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City