Survey says ... Multicultural Romance

Hawaii taught me diversity ...

I discovered Buzzr TV during Winter Storm Jonas. The cable station replays game shows from the 80s - Match Game, Super Password, Card Sharks, and Family Feud with Richard Dawson. During Family Feud's Fast Money, Dawson asked, "Name an occupation that makes people feel good."  

My answer, of course, was romance writer.  Romance creates hope. Romance sparks love. Romance delivers the Happily Ever After.  I intended to write more about this topic ... but a family feud has erupted in Romanceland.  A feud that needs to be addressed. 

Freelance writer Bobbi Dumas posted an article on Kirkus Reviews, New Year, New Reading Resolution, at this link.   Bobbi introduced her month long promotion of Celebrating Diversity in Romance at this link.

Scroll to the second comment to read the questions posted by historical author Courtney Milan. 

Bobbi responded to Courtney in a second post at this link.

Courtney posted a summary of the issues on her own blog, Speaking up against systemic racism in the publishing industry, at this link.  She wrote, If you care about romance and the future of the romance genre, why aren’t you angry with me?

Wendy the Super Librarian adds her thoughts, The One Where Wendy Talks About Diversity, at this link.

I understand Courtney's anger.  I've seen injustice in the military, as an officer and a spouse.  I have witnessed officers and their spouses, who had the means and opportunity to address injustice, simply ignore it.  I have reported unethical behavior to commanders, only to find myself the target of retribution.  I know my actions made a difference, but it was painful to be isolated by my own community.  This happened during my family's last year in Hawaii when my husband was away in Korea.  Two other military spouses kept me sane - NL Gassert, author of Gay Fiction, and D. Renee Bagby, author of Interracial Fantasy/Paranormal Romance. 

Nadja and the Laie Sea Arch

Nadja, Renee, and I met on a weekly basis to tour the island. We would chat about books, TV, and movies. I would share my adventures at conventions. I think they would have enjoyed the 2014 RT Booklovers Convention in New Orleans, especially the Welcome Party (link). RT sponsored the delicious crepe breakfast along with a salute to romance trailblazers, including:

- Lindsay McKenna as the pioneer of Military Romances (she is a Vietnam era Navy veteran)

- Heather Graham for her efforts to revitalize New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina

- Brenda Jackson, Sandra Kitt, and Beverly Jenkins for pioneering multicultural romance.

Sadly, the audience talked through Lindsay's comments. Then, most of the audience walked out after they finished their crepes just as Kathryn Falk took to the stage to introduce the multicultural pioneers.  They missed hearing how these women overcame challenges to bring their stories to life in romance novels.  I was embarrassed that many attendees did not take the time to hear these legends. From this experience, I understand why multicultural writers feel dismissed by the romance industry.

(I will ask RT if they recorded the Welcome Party.  If the staff did, I will encourage RT to post it on YouTube ... it is worth watching!)

Barse's Romance in the Library of Congress
Public Domain (link)

In February 2015, I attended a special symposium, What Is Love? Romance in the Digital Age, at the Library of Congress (link, link, link, and link).  The first panel, Romance Canon, featured multicultural pioneer Beverly Jenkins.  As I wrote on my blog,

I borrowed a pen from the lovely lady next to me - a fan of Beverly Jenkins - so I could take notes. I uncapped the pen just in time to hear Beverly discuss that African American romance has been absent from romance canon. She added that it took Terry McMillan's WAITING TO EXHALE to hit the best seller for the publishing industry to realize black women actually read books (Beverly was very funny in her delivery).

I skipped the second panel to watch the documentary Love Between the Covers (link).  The film spotlighted the everyday lives of several authors, including Beverly Jenkins.  She spoke to the camera (paraphrase), "If readers can accept vampires fall in love, why can't they accept African Americans in a relationship?"  Beverly's comments still resonate with me.

One year later, Beverly's question has been answered with her latest release, FORBIDDEN.  It landed on Sarah MacLean's recommend reads for February in the Washington Post (link),

Jenkins does not shy away from the challenges that Eddy and Rhine and all black Americans face in the 1870s, and the truth of their journey makes this romance even more powerful when Rhine must reveal the truth to be worthy of Eddy’s love. This is historical romance at its very best.

Military friends at RT in Dallas
Tamara Argyle, Sharon Hamilton, Jackson Young,
 Siera London, and Kathy Crouch.

Back to Family Feud.  Dawson asked, "Name an occupation that makes people feel good."  The number one answer, "Nurse."  I immediately thought of Siera London.

I met Siera, a retired Navy nurse, during the 2014 RT Booklovers Convention in New Orleans.  She introduced herself to me as a fellow RomVet at the SOS America promo table. The following year, we bumped into each other at the Library of Congress.  She also attended RT in Dallas, where I invited her to be a guest on my blog (link).  

Thank you, Siera, for your service!

In celebration of nurses and authors, who make people feel good, I am giving away Siera's latest release, A DOCTOR FOR CHRISTMAS: A Bachelors of Shell Cove Romance Novella, to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Siera currently lives in the Florida Keys - what do you know about the keys?  I grew up in Miami, so the Keys were a weekend escape where we enjoyed Key Lime Pie!

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 6, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 7.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

More books from Siera London

Aloha to Susana Ellis and A TWELFTH NIGHT TALE

Time to play Six Degrees of Separation with historical author Susana Ellis in honor of her holiday release, A TWELFTH NIGHT TALE:

1.  Susana's sister lived near me on Hickam AFB.  In fact, our sons attended the same scout troop.  My family also walked their dog, Trusty, during their extended trip off island.

2.  I've shared my adventures around the island of Oahu with my friends (and authors) NL Gassert (link) and D. Renee Bagby (link).

Renee, NL, and Ivy at Ka'ena Point.

3.  D. Renee Bagby featured Susana on her "D. Renee Bagby Presents First Chapters" (link).

4.  Susana is a a member of the Maumee Valley Romance Writers of America - MVRWA (link).  

5.  The MVRWA also includes Rue Allen, a member of the RomVets (link), "military women who have turned the sword to pen".     

6.  I am also a member of the RomVets - I traded my military keyboard for a blogger's forum to promote romance authors like Susana Ellis!

RomVets at RWA/2012

A TWELFTH NIGHT NIGHT TALE is available November 21:

A wounded soldier and the girl next door find peace and love 

amidst a backdrop of rural Christmas traditions. 

Without dowries and the opportunity to meet eligible gentlemen, the five Barlow sisters stand little chance of making advantageous marriages. But when the eldest attracts the attention of a wealthy viscount, suddenly it seems as though Fate is smiling upon them.

Lucy knows that she owes it to her younger sisters to encourage Lord Bexley's attentions, since marriage to a peer will secure their futures as well as hers. The man of her dreams has always looked like Andrew Livingston, her best friend's brother. But he's always treated her like a child, and, in any case, is betrothed to another. Perhaps the time has come to put away childhood dreams and accept reality…and Lord Bexley.

Andrew has returned from the Peninsula with more emotional scars to deal with than just the lame arm. Surprisingly, it's his sister's friend “Little Lucy” who shows him the way out of his melancholy. He can't help noticing that Lucy's grown up into a lovely young woman, but with an eligible viscount courting her, he'll need a little Christmas magic to win her for himself. 

Susana is offering a special grand prize on her website at susanaellis.com.   Meanwhile, I am giving away my own "Christmas Magic".  Since all roads lead to Hawaii, I am offering up my last Hawaiian ornament.  To enter the giveaway,

1.   Leave a comment about "Lucy" - do you know anyone with that name?  I don't ... but I LOVED LUCY!

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 23, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, November 24.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Celebrate Little Victories - Moving across the Pacific (and the Continent, too)

Mary Gramlich, the Reading Reviewer (link), inspired the title for this semi-regular feature.  She once reminded me to appreciate the little victories in our lives .... and I am thankful for those who assisted me during our recent move:

- My neighbor Christine, who gave me the use of her second car after we shipped ours.  Her husband is currently deployed yet she found the time to assist me many times.  She also accepted my leftover cleaning products, toiletries, and other stuff that I could not ship.  

Christine is a Scentsy consultant - if you are interested in brightening your home, contact me at sos.aloha@yahoo.com and I'll connect you with Christine.

- Cat advocate Barbara, who coordinates the Hickam Ten Lives (link).  Her tireless efforts to rescue abandoned pets inspired me to join the team.   My family fostered 6 other cats (not all at once) plus our two own cats.

Barbara gave me the cat on the left as a farewell gift.   I bought the bank on the first night in Maryland.

  
- My teenagers, Andrew and David, who assisted me in packing our household and cleaning our house.   My oldest thinks it will be easier for him to go off to college as he has less possessions. Just wait, Andrew, just wait 'til you have a family!

- My peeps - Nadja, Renee, and Kory - who kept me sane.  They are military spouses and book enthusiasts who thought outside the box.   They are not only my friends, but rock stars in writing.

Nadja is NL Gassert (link).   Her debut novel, THE PROTECTOR, was a finalist for the 2009 Literary Lambda Award.   Nadja taught me to open my mind and not let the challenges of military life to get me down.   Nadja's first language is German ... but she is the best reviewer in English!

Renee is D Renee Bagby (link).  I quote from her website,

Magic, dimensional travel, other worlds, and things that go bump in the night fuel my imagination and dominant my books. The emotions are raw and the love is real. If you think you can handle it, "Leave Your Reality Behind" and come visit mine.

Renee has attended several of the same conferences as I have ... so we talk the talk about Romanceland!

Kory is my personal rock star as she assumed responsibility for the Hickam Library Friends.   This volunteer mission was hard to let go ... but I know it is now in safe (and sane) hands!

I will miss Nadja, Renee, and Kory!

- We flew Honolulu - Denver - Baltimore.   On the last leg, I sat in the emergency exit row with more leg room (my teens were two rows behind me).    The last passengers - three blonde moms - boarded the aircraft, two sitting next to me and the third in front of us.   They asked if I would switch so they could sit together.  At first, I was hesitant to give up my great seat ... but I did because I believe in good karma (Nadja would be proud). The flight was smooth and early - an extra bonus after a long night of traveling.  The "three blonde moms" were visiting a high school friend for the weekend.  They had one purpose for their trip - cheer on their friend who was battling cancer.  I was taken back by their generous spirit ... and realized that I, too, have friends like them.   

Everyone should have fairy-god-friends!

- Finally, I thank my in laws as they are currently hosting my teens (rather than them sit in our empty townhouse).   My in laws live in Ohio and plan to take my children to a Reds game, the NFL Hall of Fame, and back-to-school shopping.   My in laws have also been the recipient of my mail, including boxes from RT and RWA.   My teens will bring my mail back (including the boxes) so I will restart the "convention stash" in September.  

Do you have any little victory to celebrate?

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

PS I posted my first set of pictures from Maryland on my travel blog, ALOHA ON MY MIND, at this link.