Aloha to Samantha Grace and RETURN TO YOU

 

She will never forget their past...

He can't stop thinking about their future...

James Montgomery has achieved everything he'd hoped for in life...except marrying the girl of his dreams. After a terrible accident, Selena Ainsley left ten years ago. She took his heart with her and she's never coming back. But it's becoming harder and harder for him to forget their precious time together, and James can't help but wonder what he would do if they could ever meet again.

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New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan's Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40's to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.

When she's not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.

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Samantha is hosting a giveaway at this link ...

... and an excerpt from RETURN TO YOU:

It was near midnight and Selena’s eyes felt heavy. With her head resting on James’s shoulder, she tried to focus on the ending of The Philadelphia Story. Back when they were dating, they used to enjoy watching classic movies, and finding one on the television seemed like the perfect way for them to relax after such an emotional evening.

James looked over at Selena and smiled to himself. If he could freeze this moment in time, he would. For years he had wondered if he’d ever find a woman he could come home to, with whom he could sit like this and simply relax. The woman half-asleep beside him was the only woman he wanted to fit that bill. The credits were beginning to roll, and he gently nudged her with his shoulder. “Hey,” he said softly, “are you still awake?”

“Mmm…barely,” she whispered and then yawned. As much as Selena knew that the bed would be a far more comfortable place to sleep, she didn’t want to leave the security of James’s side. She jumped when he shifted beside her to stand up. A wave of panic hit her as she prayed that he wasn’t getting up to leave. Before she could even voice her concern, James turned off the television and then scooped her up into his arms. “Oh!”

“Don’t get me wrong. I was completely enjoying being curled up with you on the sofa, but I had a feeling your neck was going to kill you tomorrow.” He walked through to the bedroom and carefully held her close as he pulled back the comforter and gently placed Selena down. Without a word, he walked back out to the living room and locked the door and turned out the lights before returning to her.

He didn’t ask permission.

She didn’t extend an invitation.

Neither seemed necessary.

Aloha to Toni Blake and LOVE ME IF YOU DARE

 

USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author Toni Blake continues her new, heartwarming series set in the beachside town of Coral Cove.

When the question is love, the answer is always yes…

Camille Thompson is the best at what she does-closing deals. That’s why real estate developer Vanderhook has sent her to Coral Cove, Florida, where the stubborn owner of the Happy Crab Motel is refusing to sell. Camille’s never had a problem turning a “no” into a “yes”, but then she’s never been so captivated by a man’s sexy smile before.

Laidback Reece Donovan likes life simple. No amount of money - or any other temptation Camille can offer - will convince him to give up the one link to his past. Of course, it would be easier without the powerful chemistry raging between them.

As a fragile romance begins to grow, can Reece trust Camille with his secrets? And when promises are broken, along with hearts, can the charm of Coral Cove help bring them back together?
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USA Today bestselling author Toni Blake’s love of writing began when she won an essay contest in the fifth grade. Soon after, she penned her first novel - nineteen notebook pages long. Since then, Toni has become a RITA-nominated author of more than twenty contemporary romance novels, her books have received the National Readers Choice Award and the Bookseller’s Best Award, and her work has been excerpted in Cosmo. Toni lives in the Midwest and enjoys traveling, crafts, and spending time outdoors. Learn more about Toni and her books at toniblake.com.

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Aloha to Isabel Cooper and THE HIGHLAND DRAGON'S LADY

He’s Out of the Highlands and on the Prowl...

Regina Talbot-Jones has always known her rambling family home was haunted. She’s also aware her brother has invited one of his friends to attend an ill-conceived séance. She didn’t count on that friend being so handsome…and she certainly didn’t expect him to be a dragon.

Younger son of a family of shapeshifting dragons, Highlander Colin MacAlasdair has lived a life free of both family duty and mortal cares. Moving in and out of human society as he wishes, he takes very little seriously—until Regina drops onto his balcony one midnight, catching his attention and his interest. She’s like no mortal he’s ever met, and no matter how hard he tries, he can’t seem to get her out of his head.

Bound by circumstance, drawn by the fire awakening inside of them, Colin and Regina must work together to defeat a vengeful spirit—and discover whether their growing love is powerful enough to defy convention.

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The Highland Dragons Series:
Legend of the Highland Dragon
The Highland Dragon’s Lady
Night of the Highland Dragon

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Isabel offers an excerpt from THE HIGHLAND DRAGON'S LADY .... 

Over the course of his life, Colin had been alone with young ladies in a variety of places: featherbeds, haystacks, and even the occasional riverbank in pleasant weather. Dusty attics had never featured. Yet these places also had never featured Reggie, with her dancing eyes and her hair falling down around her shoulders.

“You’ve got a bit of cobweb,” he said, noticing the strands at her temple. He knelt down and reached out. “Hold still. And, er, brace yourself.”

She closed her eyes and waited, patient for once in their brief acquaintance. Colin brushed his fingers over her temple, lifting the spider’s web away. Beneath it, the edge of her face was warm and soft, and her hair was like heavy silk. He swallowed, brushed his hand off on his trousers, and noticed that Reggie hadn’t yet moved.

Mostly, at least. Her breasts were rising and falling rapidly, and he could see the quick pulse in the hollow of her neck.

Colin touched his fingers to that spot, lightly, and felt the speed of her heartbeat. Desire was coursing through his own veins, collecting warm and heavy in his groin, but he kept his voice quiet. He could be playful for the moment. He could be human, as she was.

If she let him, at least.

“‘Exciting people,’ is it?” he asked. “You certainly don’t seem calm.”

Without opening her eyes, Reggie shook her head slightly. “No,” she said, drawing the word out.

Colin traced a finger along her collarbone, just above the neckline of her dress. “Are you afraid of me, then?”

Her eyes snapped open at the question. “No,” said Reggie, very definitely. Then she gave him an impish smile, one that went straight to his swelling cock. “Should I be?”

“That depends verra much on who you ask,” he said, and leaned forward to kiss her.

My picture of Glencoe, Scotland

Aloha to Kara Braden and THE DEEPEST NIGHT

Kara Braden joins me today for a cozy chat.  From her bio,
Kara Braden makes her debut in modern romance with a story of love in isolation. She believes that engaging, romantic fantasy can be found everywhere in the world, even in the most unlikely places. With the support of her wonderful husband, cats, and dogs, she writes from her home office outside Phoenix, Arizona, where she spends her time hiding from the sunlight and heat.
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facebook.com/karabradenauthor 

Twitter @KaraBraden 

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Kim:  Tell us about Arizona - what is your favorite sight, smell, and sound?

Kara:  I love those clear desert nights when the full moon turns the world into an alien landscape of silver. The moon is so bright in the desert that you hardly need a flashlight, and all the shades of brown and tan are bleached out, making you feel like you’re on another world. It’s quiet and peaceful, and if you’re far enough from civilization, the stars overhead are a wonder to see.

Kim:  Thank you for your family's service! I know first hand the entire family serves when one is a veteran.  What have you learned as an Air Force spouse that you can apply to your writing career?

Kara:  Thank you for your service, too!  I’ve learned that I love a military hero! My husband served for twenty-one years before retiring, and he went right back into working with the Air Force as an employee of Lockheed Martin. He brings the most unbelievable work ethic to anything he does. Failure or quitting isn’t an option, whether it’s troubleshooting our home network, fixing our sprinkler system, or putting in weekend overtime to make sure his job gets done.

Kim:  Who or what helped you along the path to publishing?

Kara:  I’ve been writing all my life, though it took forty-plus years for me to get published. Thankfully, I’ve had all that time to hone my craft, and it’s all because of my wonderful readers. My readers have given me feedback, encouragement, and critiques that have helped make every story I write better than the last one.

Most of all, though, the credit goes to the two most important men in my life, my father and my husband. My dad used to read to me every night, no matter how late he worked, until we reversed our roles and I’d read to him. When I got older, he bought me a computer so I could write more efficiently, and he’s supported me at every step of the way. And my husband has given me the incredible opportunity to work on writing full-time, encouraging me to keep writing, all while helping troubleshoot my website and funding my trips to conventions.

Kim:  Tell us about THE DEEPEST NIGHT - what inspired it?

Kara:  Richard Armitage.

No, really. Have you seen him? He’s the inspiration for my hero, Ray Powell, from the icy blue eyes and dark hair to the sexy British accent and gorgeous body.

Since I knew I wanted a British hero, I went looking for exotic British settings. I wanted to avoid the three most typical ones — London, a cottage in a little village, or a rainy castle — so I did some digging. That’s how I found the Isles of Scilly. As soon as I started browsing pictures, I fell in love. The islands are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, full of flowers fields, dolphins and seals, and even adorable puffins.

From there, everything else fell into place. A closed bed and breakfast provided the “cabin” in this cabin romance, and the island’s starry skies and fields of flowers were the perfect backdrop for Ray and Michelle to fall in love, one step at a time.

Kim:  What's next for Kara Braden?

Kara:  I have many more stories to tell in this world, especially Preston’s. He’s the brother of the hero from book 1 and Ray’s business partner at their military contracting company, Samaritan International Security. I’ll also be writing Marguerite’s story and hopefully answering some questions about her mysterious past and what brought her to Pinelake.

In May, I’ll be at the 2015 RT Booklovers Convention in Dallas. If you’re going to be there, please stop by to see me!

I’m also excited to announce that I’m co-writing m/m romance under the name Jordan S. Brock with my writing partner, Ray Van Fox. Our first free story, Science and Fiction, is already available as part of the M/M Romance Group’s Love’s Landscapes event (link), and we hope to have our first full-length book out before the end of the year.

Vintage image of Tresco Abbey, Isles of Scilly
Public Domain (link)

Mahalo, Kara!  I'll see you in Dallas!   Kara is celebrating the release of THE DEEPEST NIGHT:

When everything you love is on the line…

The Isles of Scilly off the coast of England are remote, windswept and wild. They’re the perfect place for Ray Powell to recuperate after the toughest Afghanistan mission the military contractor has ever run. Except instead of the peace and quiet he so desperately needs, he’s faced with a beautiful American woman who instantly challenges his iron control.

It’s best to proceed with caution…

Seeking her own safe haven, Michelle Cole is intrigued and flustered by the intensely compelling and irresistible man.

As their cautious friendship slowly builds into simmering attraction, their hearts and souls are about to be broken open...if they’ll allow it.

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Aloha to Susanna Fraser and A CHRISTMAS REUNION

Susanna Fraser wrote her first novel in fourth grade. It starred a family of talking horses who ruled a magical land. In high school she started, but never finished, a succession of tales of girls who were just like her, only with long, naturally curly and often unusually colored hair, who, perhaps because of the hair, had much greater success with boys than she ever did.

Along the way she read her hometown library’s entire collection of Regency romance, fell in love with the works of Jane Austen, and discovered in Patrick O’Brian’s and Bernard Cornwell’s novels another side of the opening decades of the 19th century. When she started to write again as an adult, she knew exactly where she wanted to set her books. Her writing has come a long way from her youthful efforts, but she still gives her heroines great hair.

Susanna grew up in rural Alabama. After high school she left home for the University of Pennsylvania and has been a city girl ever since. She worked in England for a year after college, using her days off to explore history from ancient stone circles to Jane Austen’s Bath.

Susanna lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and daughter. When not writing or reading, she goes to baseball games, sings alto in a local choir and watches cooking competition shows.

For more information please visit Susanna’s website and blog. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Thank you for having me here on SOS Aloha today!

When I'm trying to get a grasp on the characters in my historical romances, I often imagine what they might be if they were living in the 21st century, with a full range of 21st century opportunities. For example, Will Atkins, the hero of my debut novel The Sergeant's Lady, would still have a military career, but instead of enlisting at sixteen he would secure an appointment to West Point out of high school and become a career officer. His heroine, Anna Arrington, would most likely go into international development or diplomacy.

In my new holiday novella, A Christmas Reunion, the heroine, Lady Catherine Trevilian, is a smart, savvy young woman who's grown up in a politically active family. Her goal at the beginning of the story is to shape the direction of her country by becoming an influential political hostess. If she lived in the 21st century, she wouldn't need to stay behind the scenes, and I picture her getting her law degree and pursuing elective office.

The hero, Gabriel Shepherd, was more of a challenge to slot into a 21st century career. Like most of my heroes and heroines, he has a strong drive to public service and leaving the world better than he found it. But he also has an abiding passion for music and the talent to match. I think if he had every opportunity set before him, including a family who saw music as a respectable career choice and encouraged his gifts, music would trump all else for him. And while he'd probably be happy as a band or choir director, I'm going to dream big on his behalf and make him a rock star who uses his fame and fortune for the greater good...which would make his eventual romance with 21st-century Catherine somewhat in the George Clooney-Amal Alamuddin mode.

Have you ever imagined what your favorite historical characters might've been if they'd been born in our time? Or what you might've been if you'd been born a few centuries earlier?

Lady Catherine Trevilian and Gabriel Shepherd met in the Earl of Edenwell’s household, he the earl’s bastard nephew adopted as an infant, and she the countess’s highborn niece taken in after being orphaned as a young lady. Though not a suitable match by society’s standards, they fell hopelessly in love – but everything ended when they were caught kissing under the mistletoe. To protect Cat from Gabe’s lowborn charms, the earl bought him an army commission and shipped him out of the country. Catherine eventually accepted an arranged engagement, but never stopped scouring casualty lists for Gabe’s name.

Five years later, Gabe is home on leave for Christmas. Catherine and Gabe quickly learn their feelings have not dimmed – and a forbidden kiss confirms they’ve deepened into passion. But with Cat due to be married in eight days and Gabe still far below her social station, it will take a Christmas miracle for the star-crossed lovers to find happiness…

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Susanna offers an excerpt from A CHRISTMAS REUNION at this link.

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Aloha to Jessica Scott and ALL FOR YOU

ALL FOR YOU by Jessica Scott (November 25, 2014; Forever Mass Market; $8.00)

Can a battle-scarred warrior . . .

Stay sober. Get deployed. Lead his platoon. Those are the only things that matter to Sergeant First Class Reza Iaconelli. What he wants is for everyone to stay out of his way; what he gets is Captain Emily Lindberg telling him how to deal with his men. Fort Hood's newest shrink is smart as a whip and sexy as hell. She's also full of questions-about the army, its soldiers, and the agony etched on Reza's body and soul.

. . . open his heart to love?

Emily has devoted her life to giving soldiers the care they need-and deserve. Little does she know that means facing down the fierce wall of muscle that is Sergeant Iaconelli like it's just another day at the office. When Reza agrees to help her understand what makes a soldier tick, she's thrilled. Too bad it doesn't help her unravel the sexy warrior in front of her who stokes her desire and touches a part of her she thought long dead. He's the man who thinks combat is the only escape from the demons that haunt him. The man who needs her most of all . . 

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USA Today bestselling author Jessica Scott is a career army officer; mother of two daughters, three cats and three dogs; wife to a career NCO and wrangler of all things stuffed and fluffy. She is a terrible cook and even worse housekeeper, but she's a pretty good shot with her assigned weapon. She's currently pursuing a PhD in Sociology in her spare time and most recently, she's been featured as one of Esquire Magazine's Americans of the Year for 2012.

She's written for the New York Times At War Blog, PBS Point of View: Regarding War Blog, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. She deployed to Iraq in 2009 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn and has served as a company commander at Fort Hood, Texas.

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Jessica joins me for a insightful interview into Army life ...

Kim:  What is your favorite MRE "flavor"?

Jessica:  Tuna Caserole. Don’t ask me why but for some reason, I like that one.

Kim:  Career officers are required to read Professional Military Education (PME) - can you name one that has helped you as a commander?

Jessica:  Justice by Michael Sandel and The Long Road Home by Martha Raddatz. Justice makes you think though the big problems in life and what “right” really looks like. The Long Road Home is a really heartbreaking look at what happens during war when things go really bad not only for the soldiers downrange but for the families in the rear. 

Kim:  How do you relax from Army life, other than writing?

Jessica:  I’ve recently started coaching my daughter’s softball teams. It’s a lot of fun and I really enjoy the kids.

Mahalo, Jessica, for your service to your country!

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Jessica offers an excerpt from ALL FOR YOU ...

Emily watched her friend weave through the crowd of broad-shouldered Cavalrymen and toward the captain. Alone at the bar, Emily twirled her wine in the glass, staring into the swirling pale golden liquid.

She sipped her wine and glanced around the wide open space, feeling the warmth. She was comfortable in this place. A drink after work. A good friend. This was a good life. It was simple. It had purpose. So much better than the complicated mess she’d left behind.

She lifted her glass, savoring the freedom of her rebellion. She might not fit into her uniform just right but she fit here among these soldiers better than she’d ever fit back home.

She saw Olivia gyrating slowly with the captain across the dance floor. Her friend’s movements were slow and sensual, a sultry undulation that spoke of power and of sex. She smiled at her friend’s pleasure. It was enough that Emily could enjoy another’s happiness. She’d come here tonight to relax, to help Olivia celebrate.

“You don’t come here often, do you?”

Emily glanced at the man who’d appeared at her shoulder. He’d been standing with the group of captains that Olivia had just infiltrated.

“Not really,” she said, sipping her drink. She thought about easing away, putting space between where their upper arms touched.

Personal space much? she thought.

“Are you here with friends?” he asked. She caught a heavy scent of beer from his direction, beer mixed with cigar smoke. It was not unpleasant.

She glanced over at Olivia. “Yeah.”

“Not up for company?”

She smiled and finally glanced back at him. “Not really. Thank you though.”

He brushed the tip of his hat with two fingers. “My pleasure, ma’am.”

He swaggered off, leaving her alone at the bar. That had been nice. Too bad she wasn’t interested. Once upon a time, she might have danced but there was something missing from the way he’d carried himself.

He was missing that power that Sergeant Iaconelli wore like it was second nature.

She shook her head and took a long sip of her wine. She’d done nothing but argue with the man but now she was thinking about him in a way that was purely unprofessional.

The heavy iron door swung open at that moment and Emily’s breath caught in her throat.

“Speak of the devil,” she muttered.

Reza Iaconelli stood in the doorway, his gaze scanning the room as though he was taking a headcount. What was it about the man that he was always walking through doors at the wrong time? And this time, his gaze swept the bar and landed directly on her.

His eyes lit up, his mouth flattened. Just a faint flicker, but it was enough to tell her he’d recognized her.

And the familiar hostility was gone.

Her mouth went dry and she took another sip. He wasn’t going to come over. It was going to be fine.

They would keep the rampant hostility and no lines would be blurred.

It would be fine, right?

Except that he was now coming over. Weaving through the crowd, his Stetson adding to his height.

What the hell was she supposed to do about that? The closer he got, the more her stomach flipped beneath her ribs.

She was too tired to fight. And the alcohol would probably allow her to say something that she’d regret come Monday.

His clean white shirt accented his shoulders and made his skin look darker, more appealing. His face was shadowed by the brim of the Stetson.

He was there. A short space separated them. He radiated something—a power.

A rawness.

She was doomed.

Aloha to Marina Adair and SUGAR'S TWICE AS SWEET

 

SUGAR'S TWICE AS SWEET by Marina Adair (November 25, 2014; Forever Mass Market; $6.00)

He's trouble she doesn't need . . .

Thanks to a cheating fiancé, Josephina Harrington's perfect life just crashed and burned. Moving in with her overbearing parents is definitely not an option. No, she needs to prove she can make it on her own. And she will-by turning her great-aunt's old plantation house into a destination getaway. She's just not expecting her contractor to be so hands-on-and so totally irresistible.

. . . but everything she wants

Bad-boy golf champion Brett McGraw figured his hometown of Sugar, Georgia was the perfect place to lay low and get his life back up to par. The leggy blonde with a pint-sized pup is the kind of sweet 'n sassy trouble he never saw coming. She doesn't know a nut from a bolt and before long, he's renovating her house . . . as she steals his heart. Can he convince Josephina that his womanizing ways are in the past and he's ready for forever?

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Marina Adair is a lifelong fan of romance novels. Along with the Sugar series, she is also the author of the St. Helena Vineyard series. She currently lives in a hundred-year-old log cabin, nestled in the majestic redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, with her husband and daughter.

As a writer, Marina is devoted to giving her readers contemporary romance where the towns are small, the personalities large, and the romance explosive. She also loves to interact with readers and you can catch her on Twitter at @MarinaEAdair or visit her at MarinaAdair.com.

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Marina offers an excerpt ...

A heat passed through her eyes that told him she liked his touching her, liked being with him. Determined to find out just how much she liked his hands on her, he tightened his grip on her hip, shifting closer until they brushed up against each other. He dipped his head, just enough to let her know his intent.

Her breath caught and suddenly their mouths were only a fraction apart. Their gazes held, neither talking, just sharing breath.

“Brett,” she whispered again, her voice a little thick. “We shouldn’t. I just got out of a relationship and you, well, it’s weird that I don’t even know you but I’ve seen your tattoo and…”

Brett smiled. So she had seen the video. Paid close enough attention to notice his tattoo, which meant she was staring in the vicinity of his ass. He didn’t know if that was a good thing or not. But her dilated eyes and shallow breathing were.

It was the damnedest thing, they were barely touching and yet he was reacting as if they were naked and pressed against each other. Maybe this was what he needed, one night to get her out of his system, then he could forget about this crazy attraction and go back to lying low.

Just one night.

He lowered his head and she went up on her toes. Her eyes fluttered shut. He wasn’t sure who started it, but suddenly they were kissing, her arms on his chest, his in her hair. Their lips brushed once, and then some more. Tender little kisses that made his chest tight and his jeans even tighter.

She gave a small purr of approval that was pretty much his undoing. She didn’t grab or demand, instead cuddling into him all soft and vulnerable. So damn vulnerable. With another sexy sigh she pulled back, just enough so that they weren’t kissing but were sharing breath, staring into each other’s eyes. Hers were huge and unguarded, showing him every damn thing she was feeling.

Brett tensed, waiting—hoping like hell—for her to push him away. End this and give him an easy out.

Too bad nothing about her was easy. She wrapped her arms around his middle, pulling him close enough to bury her head in his chest, and her whole body melted into his. That one move changed the game.

He stood there, stock-still, his hands at his side. His brain raced, trying to figure out what she needed from him. Apparently, it was a hug, because when he wrapped his arms around her, she let go a warm sigh that went all the way to his heart. She held on to him as if she were afraid there was somewhere else he’d rather be. Which should have terrified him, because there wasn’t. He could stand there all night and just hold her, listen to this soft little sounds of hers, which turned him on almost as much as her mouth.

A sure sign that was he was in trouble.

A lot of trouble. 

Aloha to Jennifer Delamere and A BRIDE FOR THE SEASON

Jennifer Delamere joins us for a cozy chat to celebrate A BRIDE FOR THE SEASON:

The youngest child of a Navy pilot and a journalist, Jennifer acquired a love of adventure and an excitement for learning that continues to this day. She's lived in three countries and traveled throughout the U.S. An avid reader of classics and historical fiction, she also enjoys biographies and histories, which she mines for the vivid details to bring to life the characters and places in her books. She resides with her husband in North Carolina --where, when not writing or dreaming up romantic adventures for her characters, she can be found fantasizing about her next ski trip or European vacation.

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Kim:  What do the lyrics from Anchors Aweigh mean to you?

Jennifer:  It’s a rousing song, isn’t it? I love the last line: “Faith, courage, service true, with honor over all!” My dad was a Naval officer, and I know he gave his best in many different capacities. I’m proud of his service.

Kim:  What draws you to Victorian England?

Jennifer:  I love the energy and the industry of the Victorians, particularly in the period of 1850-1870. People often think of the Victorians as stodgy and repressed. But in the early part of Victoria’s reign, a better description is energetic, inquiring, and multi-talented. Those years saw the widespread development of railways, steamships, the telegraph, and photography. I love being able to include these “new” inventions in my books! In A Bride for the Season, a mutual fascination with photography plays a fun role in bringing James and Lucinda together.

Kim:  Congrats on your Maggie. Where is she now?

Jennifer:  Thank you! It was a thrill to win, to be sure. The Maggie award is actually a lovely sterling silver medallion with a magnolia flower on it. I enjoy wearing it often!

A BRIDE FOR THE SEASON

London's most scandalous bachelor has finally gone too far. Caught in a situation that was innocent but too compromising, James Simpson is forced to admit that he must do the honorable thing and marry the lady. Unfortunately, marriage alone will not be enough to appease her father. He won't agree to a dowry unless James can find a suitable husband for the lady's elder sister-the shy and awkward Lucinda Cardington.

Lucinda doesn't care that she is close to being "on the shelf"; she has more serious pursuits in mind. She enjoys the friendship she and James share over their love of photography, but she leaves dreams of romance to silly young ladies like her sister. James does manage to find a match for Lucinda, and his efforts to get them together are about to succeed...until James comes to the distressing realization that he doesn't want Lucinda in anyone's arms but his own.

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Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Eileen Dreyer and TWICE TEMPTED

The fabulous Eileen Dreyer joins me today for a cozy chat to celebrate the release of TWICE TEMPTED.  From her bio,

A retired trauma nurse, Eileen lives in her native St. Louis with her husband, children, and large and noisy Irish family, of which she is the reluctant matriarch. She has animals but refuses to subject them to the limelight.

Dreyer won her first publishing award in 1987, being named the best new Contemporary Romance Author by RT Bookclub. Since that time she has also garnered not only six other writing awards from RT, but five RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, which secures her only the fourth place in the Romance Writers of America prestigious Hall of Fame. Since extending her reach to suspense, she has also garnered a coveted Anthony Award nomination.

Eileen is an addicted traveler, having sung in some of the best Irish pubs in the world, and admits she sees research as a handy way to salve her insatiable curiosity. She counts film producers, police detectives and Olympic athletes as some of her sources and friends. She's also trained in forensic nursing and death investigation, although she doesn't see herself actively working in the field, unless this writing thing doesn't pan out.

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@eileendreyer

Kim:  Where do you keep the RITAs?

Eileen:  Actually, they're on a bookshelf in my office. Now, to be specific, it's the office where I store my research and do business. I have another little cubby where I write, because I found that when I tried writing with my awards sitting over my shoulder, they had a disconcerting habit of chuckling evilly whenever I got stuck. Kind of like, “Yeah, you thought you were so good, romance girl.” So now they laugh at my research books, and in my cubby I can't hear them.

Kim:  What Olympic sport would you be best suited to win a RITA, er, Gold?

Eileen:  I just heard my parents whimper in my head. I come from a family with five boys and athletes all around. My mom and dad coached us all in sports when I was a kid. My mom tried to teach me tennis and my dad tried to teach me golf (that experiment failed when I sent him to the ER for stitches with my backswing). And while my mom had to have me on the softball team for my unnatural ability to hit a ball (my legit batting average was in the .700s. I couldn't hit for power, but I could always dink the ball over the infield. I was lead-off hitter for five years), she put me in short-center so all the other girls could support me. I can catch a ball, but when I throw, even my four-year-old grandson says, “Oh, grandma.”

And that was as close as I got to being athletic. I was even called The Klutz in theater and asked never to dance. So I guess if they had reading, acting, singing or gardening in the Olympics, I might stand a chance to even be at opening ceremonies (I did sing the National Anthem at a minor league baseball game once—it was one of the coolest things EVER). Otherwise, my sport is watching the Olympics from my living room.

Kim:  Which movie director would you like to direct what book from your penned books?

Eileen:  Ooh, that's a good one. If I were to film any of my medical-forensic suspenses, I'd definitely want Christopher Nolan (Memento, Dark Knight, The Prestige—maybe he could also get Hugh Jackman to star...). He just has the touch for suspense.

For my historical romances, I think that the most filmable would be my first Drake's Rakes book, ONCE A RAKE, since it begins on the Eve of the Battle of Waterloo and I'd love to see that filmed. If David Lean was still directing, I'd ask him (think Lawrence of Arabia). But since Tom Hooper is directing now, I'd ask him (who did not only HBOs John Adams, but King's Speech and Les Miserables—which shows he can do scope. And might talk Colin Firth into starring as Jack, although really Hugh Jackman is Jack). If I filmed my newest book, TWICE TEMPTED, I'd ask Neil deGrasse Tyson because astronomy and science are at the heart of my heroines's lives—and I have a mad science crush on Neil deGrasse Tyson. I think he'd love to direct a movie that highlights the contributions of women to astronomy in the late 18th and early 19th century, and Fiona and Mairead Ferguson are not only witnesses but pretend participants. As for the nefarious spies chasing Fiona and Mairead and the lovely relationships they form with Alex Knight and Chuffy Wilde (yes, those who've followed my Rakes, Chuffy is one of the heroes), I figure Tyson is smart enough to ask help from Nolan (and could get Hugh Jackman, although Alex is really Richard Armitage) and maybe Jon Turtletaub, who directed one of my very favorite romantic movies, While You Were Sleeping. Easy, huh?

Thanks so much for inviting me to play. This was fun!  If you want to know more about the research for Twice Tempted, it's going up on my website eileendreyer.com.

Eileen (left) with Patricia Rice and Cathy Maxwell
A good time was had by all ...

TWICE TEMPTED

Fiona Ferguson's troubles began with a kiss . . .

It feels like a lifetime ago that Alex Knight saved Fiona from certain doom . . . and stole a soul-shattering kiss for good measure. Wanting nothing more than to keep her safe, he left her in the care of her grandfather, the Marquess of Dourne.

But Fiona was hardly safe. As soon as he could, the marquess cast her and her sister out on the streets with only her wits to keep them alive.

Alex has never forgotten that long-ago kiss. Now the dashing spy is desperate to make up for failing his duty once before. This time he will protect Fiona once and for all, from a deadly foe bent on taking revenge on the Ferguson line-and anyone who stands in the way . . .

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I am giving away a print copy of TWICE TEMPTED to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  What is your best sport?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 29, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, November 30.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City 

Aloha to Mia Marlowe and A RAKE BY ANY OTHER NAME - Interview and Giveaway

Mia Marlowe joins us today to celebrate the release of A RAKE BY ANY OTHER NAME:

Mia Marlowe is a rising star whose Touch of a Rogue was named one of Publishers Weekly‘s Top Ten Best Romances for Spring 2012. Mia learned about storytelling while singing professional opera. She knows what it’s like to sing a high “C” in a corset, so she empathizes with the trials of her historical heroines. Mia resides in Boston, Massachusetts. For more visit www.miamarlowe.com.

Kim:  Congratulations on your RITA nomination earlier this year! I was rooting for you in the audience! Can you share a special moment from that magical night?

Mia: Thanks so much, Kim! It was very special to have Plaid Tidings nominated for the award. My special moment actually came before the ceremony though. My wonderful editor at Kensington, Alicia Condon, took me out for supper at the historic Menger Hotel. This architectural gem was opened in 1859 and has served such famous folk as Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders. Served with timeless elegance, the meal was to die for!

Kim:  I am excited for your Somerfield Park series! Where did you find "research" for the Edwardian era?

Mia: Actually, even though Downton Abbey inspired this series, the setting for Somerfield Park is still my beloved Regency—1817 to be exact. 1816 was known as “the year without a summer” due to a massive eruption of a South Seas volcano which impacted the world’s climate. It also caused the Barrett family, who own the 100,000 acre estate to suffer a devastating financial setback when none of their tenants could harvest a crop or pay their rent. Add to that an unfortunate investment of the rest of the marquessate’s funds in a whaling vessel which sank in a squall and you can see why Lord Somerset needs his son and heir, Richard to marry exceedingly well.

Enter Miss Sophie Goodnight and her father’s bottomless purse!

Kim:  From the book blurb for A RAKE BY ANY OTHER NAME,

And Miss Goodnight isn’t too keen on becoming Somerset’s purse with feet, so she foils their families’ attempts to throw her and Richard together at every turn.

I am laughing already! From where does Miss Goodnight get her grit?

Mia: Sophie was raised in India, where her father made his fortune, so might have picked up a few unusual ideas. Such as, tiger hunts are far more fun than sipping tea in a doily-laden parlor!

Kim:  Yet I suspect that the hero, Richard Barrett, Lord Hartley, has a few noble qualities. How does he stand out among the ton?

Mia: The Barrett’s are not noted for their demonstrativeness, but Richard is fiercely loyal to his family. As his father recovers from a tumble off the manor’s roof, he takes the reins of the estate and tries to solve their financial woes in a way that doesn’t involve him marrying for money. Of course, it’s the done thing when a titled family finds themselves with pockets to let, but Richard isn’t ready to be bought by Sophie’s staggering dowry.

Not even once he falls in love with the lady for herself.

Kim:  What's next for Mia Marlowe?

Mia: The second book in the Somerfield Park series is coming out next May—Never Resist a Rake. Lots of characters from book one return in this story—Porter, the bashful under-butler, and Mrs. Culpepper, the cook he’s smitten with, as well as Sophie and Richard. And I don’t think I could keep the Dowager Marchioness from butting into any book set in Somerfield Park if I tried!

Then in July 2015, I start a new series called the Order of the M.U.S.E (which stands for Metaphysical Union of Sensory Extraordinaires!) It’s sort of a “Leverage” style group of psychics who stand as the first line of defense against objects of a malicious bent being sent to harm the royal family. The Duke of Camden, who heads the Order, believes one must have slipped by them and is responsible for King George III’s periodic descents into lunacy!

If you’d like to be notified when my books come out, please sign up for my newsletter at miamarlowe.com!

Thanks for having me today, Kim!

Mahalo, Mia, for your always enchanting visit!  Given the multiple references to "purse", I share this picture with you!   

I am reading (and loving) A RAKE BY ANY OTHER NAME:

A Reluctant Lord. A Resistant Lady. A Superfluous Fiancée.

And a Devastating Family Secret…

When Richard Barrett, Lord Hartley, is abruptly called home to take the reins of the estate, he discovers the extent of the family’s financial straits. The remedy: marry the heiress their families have picked out for him. Unfortunately, he’s already planned to marry someone else.

Miss Sophie Goodnight isn’t too keen on becoming his purse with feet…and she sabotages all attempts to woo her. But when Lord Hartley discovers the shenanigans in his father’s past, he realizes that deciding between two beautiful women is the least of his problems.

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Aloha to Sally Orr and THE RAKE'S HANDBOOK (Including Field Guide)

Debut author Sally Orr joins me for a cozy chat to celebrate the release of THE RAKE'S HANDBOOK (INCLUDING FIELD GUIDE):

Sally Orr worked for thirty years in medical research, specializing in the discovery of gene function. After joining an English history message board, she posted many, many examples of absolute tomfoolery. As a result, a cyber-friend challenged her to write a novel. Since she is a hopeless Anglophile, it's not surprising that her first book is a Regency romance. Sally lives with her husband in San Diego, surrounded by too many nerdy books and not enough old English cars.

sallyorr.com

@OrrSally

facebook.com/SallyOrrWriter

Goodreads link

Kim:  I'm glad to meet a fellow Anglophile - how did you become one?

Sally:  As a child, my grandmother cared for me when my parents were on vacation. There was very little to do around her house, so I started reading her books in the basement. I devoured books by Austen, Elliot, Dickens, etc., including a struggle through The History of the English-Speaking Peoples by Winston Churchill (never again). I became a Sherlock Holmes fan first, and after traveling to London, the hopeless Anglophile was born.

Kim:  We are curious about places authors live - can you share a favorite sight, sound, and smell of San Diego?

Sally:  Christmas in San Diego is unique. I love it when people decorate the palm trees with lights and bobbles, like a regular Christmas tree. The result can be somewhat pathetic, but it has the charm of trying. Regardless of the result, the ridiculous palm trees are still a symbol of hope and joy.

Kim:  Thank you for your service in medical research! What did you learn from this career that you could apply to being a successful writer?

Sally:  Since I write historical romances, the value of research comes to mind first. But more importantly, success in either profession comes from learning how to handle failure. Take your blows, learn, and put yourself out there again. Eventually, you’ll reach your goal.

Kim:  Tell us about The Rake's Handbook Series - what inspired it?

Sally:  The first book was loosely inspired by the BBC’s version of the Elizabeth Gaskell book, North and South. The series is about the three men who wrote The Rake’s Handbook: Including Field Guide.

The hero of the first book wrote the handbook section, the second hero published the handbook, and the third hero wrote the field guide section. Of course, all three men find nothing but female trouble after the book is published.

All three books are light-hearted romances. In the first book, the hero is a rake who vows to reform, while the heroine is trying to recover from the loss of her husband. He finds it very hard to change his ways and behave like a proper gentleman, which she finds amusing. Readers should fall for the very naughty hero, while laughing along with the heroine.

Kim:  What's next for Sally Orr? 

Sally:  A really fun book titled: When a Rake Falls. It’s about a hero who enters a daring race to Paris by balloon to impress his father. He hires a balloon owned by a scientist, who has a daughter that helps him with experiments on the atmosphere. Of course when the balloon lifts off, only the hero and daughter are on board. So they decide to perform the experiments together. Hmm, I wonder if they reach Paris?

The Rake’s Handbook (Including Field Guide)

By Sally Orr

Sourcebooks Casablanca

November 4, 2014

ISBN: 9781492602118

Mass Market Paperback $7.99/£5.99

The definitive guide to seduction…

The Rake’s Handbook was written on a dare, and soon took the ton by storm. Now its author, Ross Thornbury, is publicly reviled by the ladies—who are, of course, forbidden to read the handbook—but privately revered by the gentlemen. Unfortunately, Ross’s notoriety is working against him and he flees London painfully aware of the shortcomings of his own jaded heart.

Spirited young widow Elinor Colton lives next to Ross’s country estate. She’s appalled not only by his rakish reputation, but also by his progressive industrial plans. Elinor is sure she is immune to Ross’s seductive ways. But he keeps coming around…impressing her with his vision for England’s future and stunning her with his smiles.

How does one resist the man who wrote the manual on love?

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