Aloha to Erica Monroe and THE DETERMINED DUCHESS (Gothic Brides Book 2)

Early this week, Erica Monroe celebrated the release of THE DETERMINED DUCHESS, Book 2 in the Gothic Brides series ....

Death is just the beginning in this dark, chilling Gothic Regency Romance...

After the death of her beloved guardian, Miss Felicity Fields is left adrift, her future uncertain. Grief-stricken, she launches a plan to use her knowledge of alchemy to build a Philosopher's Stone, and bring back to life the woman who was like a mother to her. The last thing this blunt bluestocking needs is the return of Nicholas Harding, the Duke of Wycliffe and rightful owner of her home on the wild coast of Cornwall. He stirs an unexpected passion within her, and Felicity has had enough change in her life.

When they were children, Nicholas never understood his aunt's brilliant but unemotional ward, or her many strange scientific studies. He ought to take her back to London, so she can make a proper society match--except he can't stop thinking about her. But with the line between life and death blurred by Felicity's macabre experiments, can he convince her that she's no longer alone, and her proper place is by his side?

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I met Erica last summer at the RWA Conference in Orlando ... where she took the above pictures!  From her bio,

USA Today Bestselling Author Erica Monroe writes dark, gritty historical romance. Her current series include Gothic Brides (Regency Gothics), The Rookery Rogues (pre-Victorian gritty working class romance), and Covert Heiresses (Regency spies who are the children of a duke). She was a finalist in the published historical category for the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Romantic Suspense, and her books have been recommended reads at Fresh Fiction, Smexy Books, SBTB, and All About Romance. When she's not writing, she's drinking coffee, reading comic books, or watching televison. She lives in the suburbs of North Carolina with her husband, two dogs, and two cats. Visit Erica online at ericamonroe.com.

Let's giveaway some swag!  Tell us what you know about Erica's home state of North Carolina.  One randomly selected commenter wins the swag.  Comments are open through Monday, April 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Tuesday, May 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Beach Blanket Bingo, Julia Day, and THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMEWHERE

Oh, the possibilities!   Who doesn't love the beach, especially in winter!  Kim Rocha and I are hosting a Beach Blanket Bingo at the upcoming RT Booklovers' Convention in Atlanta (link):

Join Annette Funicello (Kim Rocha) & Frankie Avalon (Kim Lowe) for a special edition of Book Cover Bingo. Expect spontaneous singing, dancing, & flirting with lifeguards inspired by the beloved 60s film. Readers will join sun loving authors at their favorite beaches and compete for the book laden gift baskets ... perfect for the sand and surf!

I invited Julia Day to be part of the escapades .... from her bio (link):

Julia Day was born in Tennessee, raised in Mississippi, and now calls North Carolina her home. She has two twenty-something daughters, one old husband, and too many computers to count. When she’s not writing stories or software, she’s traveling to distant places or watching dance reality shows on TV.

The Possibility of Somewhere is Julia’s first YA contemporary romance. She also writes YA paranormal as Elizabeth Langston.

Ash Gupta has a life full of possibility. His senior year is going exactly as he’s always wanted-- he's admired by his peers, enjoying his classes and getting the kind of grades that his wealthy, immigrant parents expect. There's only one obstacle in Ash's path: Eden Moore—the senior most likely to become class valedictorian. How could this unpopular, sharp-tongued girl from the wrong side of the tracks stand in his way?

All Eden's ever wanted was a way out. Her perfect GPA should be enough to guarantee her a free ride to college -- and an exit from her trailer-park existence for good. The last thing she needs is a bitter rivalry with Ash, who wants a prized scholarship for his own selfish reasons. Or so she thinks. . . When Eden ends up working with Ash on a class project, she discovers that the two have more in common than either of them could have imagined. They’re both in pursuit of a dream -- one that feels within reach thanks to their new connection. But what does the future hold for two passionate souls from totally different worlds?

emeraldisle-nc.org

Julia's favorite beach is Emerald Isle, North Carolina:

The tranquil resort and residential community of Emerald Isle, North Carolina, is located about halfway between the states of South Carolina and Virginia. Emerald Isle is located on the western end of the Southern Outer Banks Island called Bogue Banks. Bogue Banks Island is 30 miles long, with Atlantic Beach at the easternmost end, Salter Path and Indian Beach in the center and Emerald Isle on the westernmost end. Emerald Isle’s reputation as a “Family Beach” is well deserved and continues year after year to lure families looking for a peaceful ocean holiday to remember!

 

emeraldisle-nc.org

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

1. What is your favorite "gem" - emeralds? rubies? diamonds? I like 'em all!

2. Comments are open through Sunday, February 19, 10 pm in Baltimore. 

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, February 20.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City 

Marilyn loves diamonds ...

Aloha to Tracy Solheim and ALL THEY EVER WANTED

Romance stands apart from other genres in publishing with its author-to-reader connections.  Given romance is predominantly written by women and read by women, it is not surprising that these women nurture relationships within Romanceland. I discovered Tracy Solheim when Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance featured FOOLISH GAMES, Book Two in the Out of Bounds series (link). After several email exchanges, I learned:

- the series is set in Baltimore 
- Tracy grew up as an Air Force brat
- Tracy and I are members of the same sorority, Delta Gamma
- Tracy worked for NBC Sports at the Seoul Olympics 
- We each have a son who is an Eagle Scout

We met at RWA 2014 in San Antonio ... and I adore her books! Tracy is celebrating the release of ALL THEY EVER WANTED, Book Two in the Second Chances series (and shares the same setting as FOOLISH GAMES) ...

In the new Second Chances novel by the author of Back to Before, even love might not prove strong enough to save a man’s promising future from a woman’s hidden past...

All he ever fought for...

Aspiring congressman Miles McAlister has dreamed of representing his hometown of Chances Inlet, North Carolina, since he was a boy. So when he’s asked to help run his mother’s bed and breakfast he moves home and rolls out his campaign at the same time. But political stardom isn’t a given, especially when he’s expected to compromise the very ideals he’s trying to uphold. Making matters worse is the inn’s stubborn, and distractingly beautiful cook. He’s loved and lost before, so falling for Lori Buchman is not part of his plan.

All she ever feared...

Lori just wants to do her job and be left alone until she can safely move on. The last thing she needs is to get involved with her boss’s son. Miles proves to be too sexy to ignore, however. Their heated fling elicits feelings deeper than either anticipated. But everything about Lori is a lie. She’s harboring a secret that’ll destroy Miles’s career, and when the truth gets out it’s going to shock Chances Inlet to its core, forcing Miles to make the hardest decision of his life.

Currituck Lighthouse at sunset in Corolla, NC
Image by Nophun201 (link)

I am currently reading (and loving) ALL THEY EVER WANTED - review to come!  It is the perfect escape from the political hogwash ... but make sure you vote! I am giving away a copy of ALL THEY EVER WANTED - winner's choice of format - to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about North Carolina - the setting for ALL THEY EVER WANTED.  What do you know about the Tar Heel State?

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Tracy and her books at tracysolheim.com.

 

Hump Day News - State of Romance, Avon Roamnce's KissCon, and Optimism

Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina
Released to Public Domain (link)  

Aloha!   For the evening crowd ....

Today is the 111th anniversary of the Wright Brother's first flight at Kitty Hawk.   To celebrate, State of Romance visits North Carolina this link.

I dedicate the first paragraph to Mary Gramlich, the Reading Reviewer, who has taught me how to relax during air travel.

Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk
Public Domain (link)

Avon kicked off its KissCon in Seattle last month.   From Avon's own publicist, Jessie Edwards:

I’m so pleased to share this fun reel from the Speed Round of our first ever KissCon: An Avon Affair in Seattle—a grand event that took place just before Thanksgiving and featured 14 Avon authors, including Julia Quinn, Rachel Gibson, Sarah MacLean, Ilona and Gordon Andrews, Laura Kaye, Lorraine Heath, Lori Wilde, Elizabeth Boyle, Cathy Maxwell, Sophie Jordan, Jennifer Bernard, Julie Brannagh, and Darlene Panzera. In the speed round, the authors were asked some wild and wacky questions by their intrepid publicity director. They only had 3 seconds to answer. What did they say???

Check out the video at this link.

KissCon will be visiting Sarasota, FL and St. Louis, MO in 2015.   Mary has already signed up for KissCon in St. Louis.  I'm waiting for KissCon to come to Baltimore.

Sharing ice cream with Cathy

Notice who is has the biggest smile in the video ... the always optimistic Cathy Maxwell.   She is spotlighted in Fox News' online article, Thankful for the Gift of Optimism, at this link.

Thank you, Cathy, for keeping me grounded.  I think the Wright Bros. may have been related to your ornery relatives!

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 any of the following  ...

... what you know about North Carolina

... any romances set in North Carolina

... how you relax on air travel

... you favorite Avon Author

... any "ornery" relatives in your family

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, December 20, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 21.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

North Carolina is home to Fort Bragg
Image released to Public Domain (link)