Aloha to Shana Galen and I KISSED A ROGUE (Covent Garden Cubs Book 3)

Shana Galen is celebrating the upcoming elease of I KISSED A ROGUE, Book 3 in her Covent Garden Cubs series.  This gorgeous cover is available March 1 from Sourcebooks.  Shana joins me for a cozy chat ...

Shana Galen is the bestselling author of fast-paced adventurous Regency historicals, including the RT Reviewers' Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Booklist says, "Galen expertly entwines espionage-flavored intrigue with sizzling passion," and RT Bookreviews calls her "a grand mistress of the action/adventure subgenre." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making. Shana loves to hear from readers, so send her an email or see what she's up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.

Learn more about Shana and her books at shanagalen.com.

Kim: Let’s chat about kisses. What is your favorite flavor of Hershey’s Kisses?

Shana: I would have to say caramel. I love everything caramel. Last year I went vegan, so I don’t eat Hershey’s kisses anymore, but I have found some yummy caramel candies made out of coconut milk that are fabulous.

Kim: How do you come up with your character's names for the historical setting?

Shana: This is always a challenge because I want to use names that are historically accurate, but I don’t want the characters to seem too old-fashioned. Mildred and Archibald just aren’t sexy names to modern readers. So I spend some time looking at lists of people from the Regency period and going over popular names for the time. Brook was actually a popular name for a man. I know now we think of Brooke as a feminine name, but I think it still has a masculine ring. Lila is short for Lillian-Anne, which were also common Regency names. I don’t think a woman would have been named Lila in the Regency, but her family might have given her that name as a nickname, especially if she has a younger sibling who has trouble pronouncing her full name.

Kim: While researching for your Covent Garden Cubs series, can you share a fun fact about Covent Garden and/or Bow Street Runners?

Shana: I think the most interesting facts I learned were about how closely the classes of London lived to each other. Mayfair might have been the bastion of the wealthy and powerful, but it was right next to St. Giles, a very poor area with lots of crime. And while the Bow Street Runners were mostly very honest, admirable men charged with an impossible task of controlling the rampant crime in London, not all were so honest. It’s not hard to understand why when right across from their offices in Bow Street a tavern called The Brown Bear housed criminals who operated freely out of the establishment. Some of the Runners who drank there made deals with the criminals and ran schemes with them. But if it wasn’t for these first “police officers,” London wouldn’t be the city it is today, and it’s certainly much safer than it was 200 years ago.

Covent Garden, 1726

Peter Angelis

Mahalo, Shana, for joining us today ... and congratulations on the new release!

Once she spurned the man…

When the Duke of Lennox hires Sir Brook Derring, England’s best investigator, to find his daughter, Brook intends only to rescue the lady and return to his solitary life. He deals with London’s roughest criminals every day of the week; surely he should be able to endure seeing his first love again—the perfect girl who broke his heart...

Now her life depends on him

Lady Lillian-Anne Lennox has always done her best to live up to her father’s standards of perfection—at the cost of following her heart. When she’s kidnapped and her perfect life is shattered, Lila has another chance. Together, Lila and Brook navigate not only the dark and deadly side of London, but the chasm of pride and prejudice that divides them.

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

1.  What is your favorite flavor of Hershey's Kisses?  Mine is Macadamia Nut which can only be found in Hawaii.

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

More books in the series ...

Aloha to Shana Galen and THE ROGUE YOU KNOW

Bad Boy Inspiration by Shana Galen

When we think about Regency England, we tend to think of the balls, the carriages, the gowns. We forget that for every duke or marquess, there were hundreds of thieves and pickpockets living in the slums of the city. Covent Garden was an area of London with plenty of rookeries, and the thieves who lived there often banded together because there’s protection in numbers. My fictional gang called the Covent Garden Cubs is made up of the leader Satin, his second-in-command Beezle, and an assortment of pickpockets and house-breakers with names like Gap, Racer, and Stub. The gang also has one girl, Marlowe, and I wrote about her in Earls Just Want to Have Fun. Her best friend in the gang in Gideon, and he’s the hero in The Rogue You Know. Gideon is the ultimate bad boy who can cheat, lie, and steal with the best of them. He was orphaned at a young age and had no choice but to steal to survive. Now Gideon wants a different life for himself, and if he can just complete one last job, he’ll have it…or die trying.

When writing about my bad boy hero, I had plenty of inspiration.

1) Flynn Rider from Tangled

Yes, I know Flynn is animated, but he is the main inspiration for Gideon. Like the Disney bad boy, Gideon is charming, funny, and self-deprecating. Flynn makes no apologies for his lifestyle, and while he may try to hide his sensitive side, his love for Rapunzel brings it out.

2) George Gordon Byron, Baron Byron

Byron was a poet, nobleman, and ultimate bad boy. Described as “mad, bad, and dangerous to know,” Byron titillated the Regency world. He generated enormous debts, had numerous affairs and liaisons, and ultimately died young and tragically abroad. A bad boy with the heart of a romantic is always an inspiration.

3) Danny in Grease

We’ve all seen Grease so many times we forget that Travolta’s character was really a bad boy. He’s dangerous for Sandy’s reputation and just plain dangerous, period. But like any bad boy we love, love wins Danny over and he’s willing to change to be with the woman who means everything.

4) Patrick in 10 Things I Hate About You

I love a bad boy who sets out to corrupt the good girl and then is corrupted by her instead. Heath Ledger is fabulous as the new kid in school who agrees to date the heroine…for a fee. “How do I loathe thee? Let me count the ways.” The banter between Patrick and Kat makes this bad boy movie memorable.

5) Nick Gentry in Worth Any Price by Lisa Kleypas

While Gideon may be on the wrong side of the law and Nick Gentry a Bow Street Runner, Nick definitely serves as an inspiration. He’s a man with a dark past and much to hide, but Charlotte is able to peel away the layers one by one. Her love for him, and his for her, redeems this bad boy and makes us love him all the more.

I enjoyed taking inspiration from each of these bad boys and creating the character of Gideon. He may be a thief and a rogue, but he is also capable of deep love. And that’s what my books are about—characters for whom love changes everything.

Who are your favorite redeemed rogues?

She's beyond his reach...
Gideon Harrow has spent his life in London's dark underworld-and he wants out. A thief and a con, he plans one last heist to finally win his freedom. But when everything goes wrong, he finds himself at the tender mercies of one of Society's most untouchable women-Lady Susanna Derring.

...and out of her depth.
Susanna has spent her life in London's glittering ton, under the thumb of a domineering mother-and she wants out. When a wickedly charming rogue lands at her feet, she jumps at the chance to experience life before it's too late. But as she descends into London's underworld, she finds that nothing- not even Gideon-is as it seems. As excitement turns to danger, Susanna must decide what price she's willing to pay...for the love of a reformed thief.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iBooks
IndieBound

Shana Galen is the bestselling author of passionate Regency romps, including the RT Reviewers' Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Kirkus says of her books, "The road to happily-ever-after is intense, conflicted, suspenseful and fun," and RT Book Reviews calls her books "lighthearted yet poignant, humorous yet touching." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making. Shana loves to hear from readers, so send her an email or see what she's up to daily on Facebook and Twitter. 

shanagalen.com
facebook.com/ShanaGalen
twitter.com/shanagalen
Goodreads link

Sourcebooks is giving away 10 copies of  Shana Galen’s Covent Garden Cubs series starter EARLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN at this link.

To answer Shana's question, I have an affinity for Lord 

Byron - my father enjoyed his poetry and named my brother after him.   Lord Byron's daughter is Ada Lovelace.  From Wikipedia (link),

Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace (née Byron; 10 December 1815 – 27 November 1852) was an English mathematician and writer, chiefly known for her work on Charles Babbage's early mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine. Her notes on the engine include what is recognised as the first algorithmintended to be carried out by a machine. Because of this, she is often regarded as the first computer programmer.

I studied Ada, a DOD computer program named for the Countess, during my initial training in the Air Force. Finally, Bryon's cousin and heir, Captain George Anson, visited the Big Island of Hawaii after inheriting the title of Baron Byron.

Aloha to Shana Galen and EARLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN

His heart may be the last thing she ever steals...

Marlowe is a pickpocket, a housebreaker-and a better actress than any professional on the stage. She runs with the Covent Garden Cubs, a gang of thieves living in the slums of London's Seven Dials. It's a fierce life, and Marlowe has a hard outer shell. But when she's alone, she allows herself to think of a time before-a dimly remembered life when she was called Elizabeth.

Maxwell, Lord Dane, is intrigued when his brother, a hired investigator, ropes him into his investigation of the fiercely beautiful hellion. He teaches her to navigate the social morass of the ton, but Marlowe will not escape so easily. Instead, Dane is drawn into her dangerous world, where the student becomes the teacher and love is the greatest risk of all.

Amazon: link
Barnes and Noble: link
iTunes: link

Shana Galen is the bestselling author of passionate Regency romps, including the RT Reviewers' Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Kirkus says of her books, "The road to happily-ever-after is intense, conflicted, suspenseful and fun," and RT Bookreviews calls her books " lighthearted yet poignant, humorous yet touching." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making. Shana loves to hear from readers, so send her an email or see what she's up to daily on Facebook and Twitter. 

shanagalen.com
Goodreads: link
Facebook: link
Twitter: link

Sourcebooks is hosting a giveaway at this link ...

... and offers an excerpt from EARLS JUST WANT OT HAVE FUN:

“While I do not usually object to a woman in this position,” Dane said quietly, “I must confess something about the dagger between your lips is less than romantic.”

Marlowe reached for the dagger, but he was faster, grasping her hands and pinning them at her side. She lost her balance and settled on top of him, and he pushed her down so that she would fall forward if she tried to swing her legs out from under her.

“What, exactly, are you doing?”

She couldn’t answer, not with the dagger in her mouth, and she shook her head, shaking her arms to indicate she wanted to be freed from his hold.

“What’s the matter? Can’t speak with a knife between your lips? Hazard of your profession, I assume.” He began to rise, sliding her along his body, as he did so. Even beneath the layers of bedclothes, she could feel the strength and power of him. His hands, remarkably strong, held hers at her sides. Nothing she did would free them. He was far too strong. It was times like this she hated being a woman. Gideon would have freed himself easily. He was also tall enough that he wouldn’t have needed to climb onto the bed.

When the swell was sitting, with Marlowe conveniently in his lap, he leaned forward so his face was inches from hers. “Drop the knife.”

She wanted to tell him it was a dagger, a subtle but important distinction, but she couldn’t speak and hold on to her weapon. And she couldn’t think very well with her body pressed against his. Something about their positions made her skin tingle and her belly flutter. She should want to pull away. Instead, she fought the urge to push closer, to rock against him. What the bloody hell was wrong with her?

“Drop the knife or I’ll take it.”

She laughed. Just let him try.

“Very well.”

To her surprise, he leaned closer, his lips moving so near to hers she could smell his breath. Like the rest of him, it smelled clean. She was so intent upon smelling his breath, so intent upon the heat of his body pulsing against hers, she forgot to move her head back, and she jolted in shock when his lips touched hers. What was he doing? Kissing her?

But then his teeth flashed and closed on the dagger’s blade, and she reacted too slowly. He yanked it from her mouth, and she had no choice but to let it go or risk the blade cutting the corners of her sensitive flesh.

“Bastard!” she yelled. He released her hands then, allowing the dagger to drop into one of his. She swung at him, and her fist collided with a satisfying thunk against his cheek. But her satisfaction was short-lived as he recovered easily and flipped her over. Suddenly, she was beneath him on the bed, and all the warmth from the bedclothes and his body were covering her. She bucked immediately, trying to throw him off, but he was solid and heavy, and when his hands grasped her wrists and pinned them to the pillow, she knew she was trapped.

A print of Old Covent Garden Market
George the Elder Scharf (1825)

Public Domain (link)

Aloha to Shana Galen and LOVE AND LET SPY - Excerpt Tour

I am honored to host Shana Galen's Excerpt Tour to whet your appetite for LOVE AND LET SPY, available August 5 from Sourcebooks:

Her name is Bonde, Jane Bonde…

A beautiful and eligible member of the ton, Jane has more than a few secrets: she’s one of the Crown’s most elite agents. She may be deadly, but she doesn’t know a thing about fashion, flirtation, or love…until Dominic Griffyn shakes up her carefully stirred world and asks her to be his bride. He’s exactly the kind of man she’s not looking for. And he’s dangerous, because falling into his arms is so much more satisfying than saving England from her enemies.

He’s an improper gentleman who needs a wife…

Tall, dark, and tortured, Dominic Griffyn is haunted by demons from his past. When his stepfather insists that he marry, Dominic allows himself to hope that the beautiful but mysterious Miss Bonde might help him forget his troubles. As they grow closer, it’s clear that there’s more to Jane than danger. She might be just what his neglected heart needs.

Pre-order LOVE AND LET SPY:

Amazon: link
B&N: link
Apple: link
Kobo: link
IndieBound: link
BAM: link
Indigo: link

I am currently reading LOVE AND LET SPY and loving it! Here's your excerpt ....

The door opened, and Carlisle, one of Dominic’s half brothers, entered. “Oops! Sorry.” He stepped back out just as quickly, but not before catching Dominic’s eye and giving his older brother a grimace.

“No, no, Carlisle,” their mother said. “Your father and I will speak in the parlor. You go ahead.” And she tugged the marquess out of the room, leaving Carlisle little choice but to enter.

“I’m not going to ask what that was about,” Carlisle said, “so you’ll have to volunteer the information.”

Dominic couldn’t stop a smile. Carlisle was his youngest half brother and just out of school. At nineteen, he was not yet jaded by the world. But then again, why should he be? He was the son of a marquess, he was handsome with his blond hair and brown eyes, and he was wealthy. Nothing could touch him.

“I’ll give you one guess,” Dominic said, lifting his teacup from the drawing--room side table. He’d always liked his youngest brother. With thirteen years between them, they were too far apart to be rivals.

“The woman who showed up with the babe last week?”

“Your father wants me to marry before I bring more shame on the family name.” He sipped the tepid tea. He’d not even had a chance to taste it before his stepfather launched into his tirade.

Carlisle popped a tea cake into his mouth and reached for another. “Is marriage so bad?”

“I don’t see you rushing into the parson’s mousetrap.”

Carlisle held the tea cake in front of his chest like a shield. “I’m far too young. You’re an old man.”

“Charming to the last,” Dominic retorted.

“Was the babe yours?” Carlisle asked, his mouth full. Dominic rolled his eyes. The boy had no sense of decorum.

“No.”

“Whom do they want you to marry?”

“Does it matter?”

He seemed to consider as he reached for a dainty sandwich. “It might.”

“A Miss Jane Bonde.”

Carlisle dropped the sandwich, and it rolled under a chair. The boy ignored it. “And you refused?”

“I don’t want to marry, and I certainly won’t marry some chit I haven’t even met.”

“But you’ve seen her?”

“I don’t think so.” Dominic avoided social events. He had nothing to say to the ton. He was well aware they looked down on him. He did not need to be reminded of it nightly.

“That explains it then.” Carlisle reached for another sandwich.

Bond in service to the Queen for the London Olympics 2012

Follow the Excerpt Tour  ... 

July 21, From the TBR Pile, fromthetbrpile.blogspot.com, Excerpt One

July 22, SOS Aloha, sosaloha.blogspot.com, Excerpt Two

July 23, Bookhounds, maryinhb.blogspot.com, Excerpt Three

July 24, Urban Girl Reader, urbangirlreader.com, Excerpt Four

July 25, Long and Short Reviews, longandshortreviews.com, Excerpt Five

July 28, The Book Vixen, thebookvixen.com, Excerpt Six

July 29, Cocktails and Books, cocktailsandbooks.com, Excerpt Seven

July 30, Manga Maniac Café, mangamaniaccafe.com, Excerpt Eight

July 31, The Reading Café, thereadingcafe.com, Excerpt Nine

August 1, Broken Teepee, brokenteepee.com, Excerpt Ten

... and enter to win:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/54ca7a5/"

Mahalo, 

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Shana and her books at shanagalen.com.

Aloha to Shana Galen and SAPPHIRES ARE AN EARL'S BEST FRIEND

An Interview with The Darling of the Ton

By Shana Galen

Thanks for inviting me back to SOS Aloha, Kim. I’m really excited to introduce readers to my new book, Sapphires Are an Earl’s Best Friend, and my new hero, Andrew Boothe-Payne, the Earl of Darlington. Here’s a short interview with Lord Darlington where we discuss everything from opera to gymnastics.

Shana: Lord Darlington, can you tell the readers a bit about yourself?

Darlington: Of course, I’m amiable, witty, and charming. That’s why I’m called the Darling of the Ton. It’s no surprise you wanted to write about me. When did you know you wanted me to be the hero of Sapphires Are an Earl’s Best Friend?

Shana: I think it was the first time you walked onto the page in When You Give a Duke a Diamond. I just knew there was more to you.

Darlington: Let’s revisit that introduction.

She slowed her conveyance, hesitating slightly when she noted one of the gentlemen was the Earl of Darlington, known as the “Darling of the Ton” because of his good looks and affable personality. He had been pursuing her for the last six months, and though she had made it clear in every way she knew how that his attentions would not come to fruition, he had not given up the chase.

Shana: I believe that was Juliette’s point of view. If I’m not mistaken, you were quite in love with her.

Darlington: That introduction was not exactly what I had thought. I will admit I had a minor infatuation with Juliette until she married that lout the Duke of Pelham. But let us speak of something else. Perhaps more about my good looks?

Shana: In Sapphires Are an Earl’s Best Friend, Lily does seem rather affected by your tight breeches.

Darlington: But of course she is. Let’s share that excerpt.

Shana: Lord Darlington, I am conducting this interview, not you. I know in When You Give a Duke a Diamond, you suffered the loss of your mother. How are you coping?

Darlington: I’m fine. It’s my father that is most vexing. The man has been going about Town chasing every light skirt he sees.

Shana: Including Lily, the Countess of Charm?

Darlington: Yes. I thought she had better taste than that.

Shana: Interesting. She has often commented on your poor taste and your preference for opera singers.

Darlington: I enjoy music.

Shana: Of course you do. And what of acrobatics? I seem to recall that you made a promise to stand on your head in When You Give a Duke a Diamond. Do you finally fulfill that promise in Sapphires Are an Earl’s Best Friend?

Darlington: I am certain I have no idea what you mean. If I did make good on such a promise, I certainly cannot give you details. I don’t kiss and tell.

Shana: Kissing? So you admit you have given up for infatuation for Juliette and have fallen for Lily?

Darlington: Not at all. I am simply trying to protect my father from someone after his money and title. If I have been spending more time with Lily lately, it is only because she has so many intriguing secrets. I intend to discover them all.

Shana: Good luck with that, Lord Darlington. Here’s a short excerpt from Lily and Andrew’s first meeting in Sapphire Are an Earl’s Best Friend.

A commotion erupted in the vestibule, near the door where Andrew had stationed himself. The butler, who had been announcing the guests, stepped away and returned a moment later with a woman who could only be described as delicious.

Andrew’s gaze traveled from her tiny waist to her rounded breasts to the pale, porcelain skin of her cheek. Ruby earrings dangled from small shell-shaped ears, reflecting light on the curved slope of a delicate neck. Green eyes flashed at him, and a sensual mouth smiled. He felt his blood warm and begin to pump faster as she gave him a saucy wink.

“The Countess of Charm!” the butler announced, and the drone of voices rose again.

Andrew shook his head. Lily? That was Lily? He watched her glide through the ballroom, seemingly unaware of the attention she created. No wonder there had been a dispute when she’d arrived. Not only was she a notorious courtesan, but she had reportedly caught the attention of—who else?—the Duke of Ravenscroft. Otherwise known as Andrew’s father.

And that was why Andrew was here. He’d wanted no part of London and had been about to return home when he’d heard the rumors—the Duke of Ravenscroft intended to seduce the Countess of Charm and then make her his wife. For the woman who, it was rumored, had ruined the Prince of Wales for other women, no enticement but that of the title of duchess might tempt her into the old duke’s bed. And here she was, probably hoping to lay her claim to that title.

Andrew would make certain she did not.

© Shana Galen, 2014

To learn more about the Sapphires Are an Earl’s Best Friend preorder gift, check out Shana Galen’s Facebook Page for more information at this link.  Send your proof of preorder before February 28th!

Follow along on the Jewels of the Ton Pre-Publication Tour—with chances to win books and jewelry at each stop! 

2/17 Cocktails and Books – Diamond

2/18 SOS Aloha – Amethyst

2/19 Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance – Citrine

2/20 Romance Bandits – Rose Quartz

2/21 Reading Between the Wines – Ruby

2/24 Ramblings From This Chick – Pink Sapphire

2/25 Stich-Read-Cook – Garnet

2/26 Dashing Duchesses – Blue Topaz

2/27 Romancing the Book – Smoky Quartz

2/28 Books-N-Kisses – Sapphire

SAPPHIRES ARE AN EARL’S BEST FRIEND BY SHANA GALEN – IN STORES MARCH 2014

She Wants Him...She Wants Him Not...

Lily Dawson, dubbed the Countess of Charm by the Prince Regent himself, plays the role of the courtesan flawlessly while her real purpose is spying in the service of the Crown. Her mission now is to seduce a duke to test his true loyalties. She'll do it, even though the man she really wants is Andrew Booth-Payne, Earl of Darlington—the duke's son.

Andrew is furious when he finds himself rivaling his father for Lily's attention. When he uncovers Lily's mission, Andrew is faced with impossible choices. It seems he is destined to betray either his family, his country, or the longings of his own heart...

Early Praise for Sapphires Are an Earl’s Best Friend:

“One of Galen’s most adventurous tales yet. This wild ride of a spy thriller sparkles with banter and radiates passion.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars, Top Pick of the Month

“The road to happily-ever-after is intense, conflicted, suspenseful and fun.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Courage, honor and strength are the qualities which will continue to bring you back to Galen’s series and keep you in anticipation of what’s next. Order early and happy reading!” —Gourmande Girl 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shana Galen is the national bestselling author of fast-paced adventurous Regency historicals, including the RT Reviewers’ Choice The Making of a Gentleman. She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She’s happily married to a man she calls Ultimate Sportsfan and has a daughter, Princess Galen, who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making. Shana loves to hear from readers: visit her website at shanagalen.com, download her free author app for exclusive content and first looks, or see what she’s up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.

Amethyst Pendant

Mahalo, Shana, for joining us today!  I am looking forward to SAPPHIRES ARE AN EARL'S BEST FRIEND!   Here at SOS Aloha, Amethyst is our best friend!   Sourcebooks is giving away an Amethyst pendant plus the first two books in the series:

WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND (link)

IF YOU GIVE A RAKE A RUBY (link)  

To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about the February's birthstone - the amethyst ... I'll give you a hint from the American Gem Society (link):

Amethyst, the gemstone believed by ancient Greeks and Romans to ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus, also is said to keep the wearer clear-headed and quick-witted. Throughout history, the gemstone has been associated with many myths, legends, religions, and numerous cultures. English regalia were even decorated with amethysts during the Middle Ages to symbolize royalty.

2.  Sourcebooks' giveaway is open to readers in the US and Canada.  

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 22, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 23.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Amethyst by JJ Harrison (link)
Creative Commons Attribution (link)

Best of 2013 (part 1) - Historicals

Aloha!  We celebrated Boxing Day by visiting the Montpelier Mansion - check out my photos on my travel blog, ALOHA ON MY MIND, at this link.  

I offer you my top 13 books from 2013 ... or least the first six which happen to be historicals, my favorite genre.  They are numbered in chronological order of release date in 2013:

1.  Jennifer McQuiston's WHAT HAPPENED IN SCOTLAND (Avon)

Link to my blog post.
Link to my review on Goodreads.

2.  Cathy Maxwell's THE DEVIL'S HEART (Avon)

Link to my blog post.
Link to my review on Goodreads.

3.  Shana Galen's TRUE SPIES (Sourcebooks)

Link to my blog post.
Link to my review on Goodreads.

4. Mia Marlowe's PLAID TIDINGS (Kensington)

Link to my blog post.
Link to my review on Goodreads.

5. Anne Cleeland's THE DAUGHTER OF THE GOD-KING (Sourcebooks)

Link to my blog post
Link to my review on Goodreads

6. Susanna Ives' WICKED LITTLE SECRETS (Sourcebooks)

Link to my blog post
Link to my review on Goodreads

I am giving away a print copy of PLAID TIDINGS (courtesy of Kensington) to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Do you have a favorite historical from 2013?

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, December 28, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 29.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Celebrate Little Victories ... Part Time Job, Romance Conventions, and Hawaii Five O

Aloha!  I am now back to work, part time, where I was employed before we moved to Hawaii.   I am thankful that my boss welcomed me back and remains flexible with my schedule. My job will fund my adventures at this year's romance conventions.  So far, I am signed up for:

Big Book Getaway at the Mohegan Sun Resort in CT, February 21 - 22.  From its website (link),

Friday, Feburary 21, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
> Steamy Stories ~ An Intimate Conversation with Bestselling Romance and Erotica Authors: panel presentation in the Convention Center featuring Avon authors Eloisa James, Laura Kaye and Cathy Maxwell; joined by Lisa Gabriele, author of the S.E.C.R.E.T erotica series.

Saturday, February 22, 11:00 - 11:45 am

> Racy Romance ~ Bestselling Authors Presented by Avon featuring Eloisa James, Laura Kaye, Cathy Maxwell and Lisa Gabriele

Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Luncheon in Milwaukee, April 26.  From its website (link),

Join us as we welcome 50+ authors to Wisconsin ... including NYT best seller Debbie Macomber.

I am sitting with the fabulous Eileen Dreyer!

RT Booklovers' Convention in New Orleans, May 13-18.  From its website (link),

SOS America Military Salute: Kathryn Falk, founder of SOS America Inc., invites all booklovers to join her for this annual salute to military families. Our celebration includes an Honor Guard, barbershop quartet, and special guest speaker, Chief Michael Jaco, retired US Navy SEAL. We will recognize military veterans from the US and its allies plus the extended family who serve back home. Goodie bags will be presented to the military families.

Color Guard at Military Tribute
RT/Chicago 2012

I'm eyeing a few others:  WRW Retreat (link), Book Expo America (link), and RWA Annual Conference (link).  All this travel translates into more books to giveaway!

Speaking of RWA, I receive its monthly magazine and enjoyed this month's issue with Shana Galen's article, IS A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT RIGHT FOR YOU?    I read the magazine at the gym and I almost fell off the exercise bike laughing when I read a quote from Eileen Dreyer,

"My husband once tried to be helpful and filed the paperwork in my office.  I still haven't found it".

This is why I am sitting with Eileen at Barbara Vey's luncheon!

Eileen Dreyer, Patricia Rice, and Cathy Maxwell
RT/Los Angeles, 2011

Hats off to the producers of Hawaii Five O for last night episode, HO'ONANI MAKAU KANE - HONOR THY FATHER.   This episode, airing one week after the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, focuses on an unsolved murder from WWII.   The episode offered a historical perspective of the surprise attack, the internment of Japanese Americans, and the 442nd Infantry Regiment - comprised of Japanese Americans who served in the European Theater.  The 442nd is the nicknamed the Purple Heart Battalion because it is the most decorated unit in Army history.   For an excellent review of the episode, check out this link.

Byodo In Temple on Oahu
Built on the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Japanese Immigrant

The emotional content was gripping ... and I enjoyed the scenes shot on Pearl Harbor ... places I've lived, visited, and posted on my travel blog, ALOHA ON MY MIND (link).  

Well done, H5O, well done!

How was your week?

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

The cast of H50 visited my son's school, Hickam Elementary.
Pearl Harbor is behind the school.

Aloha to Shana Galen and TRUE SPIES

Shana Galen is a busy writer, delivering two historical series to her faithful fans!  She joins me today for a cozy chat to celebrate the release of TRUE SPIES, Book 2 in her Lord and Lady Spy series ...

Kim:  I am sorry that I could not attend RT in Kansas City this year ... but you did!   What did you learn from your fans?    

Shana:   I missed you, too! I don’t think I saw you at RT or RWA this year. I hope you’re coming to RT in NOLA. I think RT just reminded me that my readers are fabulous. They’re really fun to hang around with and go all fangirl about favorite authors like Julie Garwood just like I do. Readers also told me they can’t wait for TRUE SPIES, so I hope I don’t disappoint.

Shana at RT/2012 in Chicago.

Kim:  I am also sorry that I could not attend RWA in Atlanta ... but you didn't.  What did you learn from your fellow authors?

Shana:  The fun thing about RWA is seeing all my author friends. I had breakfast with the girls from the Jaunty Quills, and we laughed and joked and even dis a little bit of planning for the blog. I also met with some authors to plan a short story anthology we’ll put out in October. It can be fun, after years of working alone, to collaborate with authors you like to read.

Shana volunteered at RWA/12 in LA.

Kim:  You contribute to two blogs - The Sisterhood of the Jaunty Quills and Peanut Butter on the Keyboard. What at the rewards and challenges of being a member of both blogs?

Shana:  Actually, I contribute to three blogs because I’m also a member of the Casablanca Authors blog. The JQs and the PBKMoms are very different blogs. At the PBKMoms, we just blog when we have time, and we blog about stuff that might not be appropriate for a blog like the Jaunty Quills.  Most of our posts have little to do with writing and a lot to do with topics moms and grandmothers and even women in general find relevant. PBKMoms came out of the fact that we were all emailing each other for advice anyway, so why not make the conversation public? We’re excited we have some regular readers. The Jaunty Quills is more a place for readers to come and learn about books, writing, Mia Marlowe’s fabulous travels, Kristan Higgins’s funny stories, and so on. Behind the scenes, the JQs are much more business-oriented in that we want to make sure we have something new for readers every day.

Kim:  I am excited to review TRUE SPIES - tell us about it and what inspired it.

Shana:  TRUE SPIES came about because readers asked for more after LORD AND LADY SPY. That was supposed to be a stand-alone book, but I might have ended in such a way as to encourage readers to want another book. They did, and not only am I releasing TRUE SPIES, but there’s another LORD AND LADY SPY book coming in 2014 (LOVE AND LET SPY). Plus, Blue got a novella, THE SPY WORE BLUE, which went on sale in August.

TRUE SPIES is a nod at the film True Lies with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis. Like in LORD AND LADY SPY, TRUE SPIES is about an estranged married couple. They are trying to save their marriage as well as England and the royal family from a madman and his nefarious plots.

Kim:  What's next for Shana Galen?

Shana:  The last book in the Jewels of the Ton series will be out in March. It’s Lily’s story and titled SAPPHIRES ARE AN EARL’S BEST FRIEND. Thanks so much for having me back!

TRUE SPIES BY SHANA GALEN- 

IN STORES SEPTEMBER 2014

He's Getting Tired of Deception...

Baron Winslow Keating is honor-bound to finish one last mission as an elite spy for the Barbican group even though he just wants to go home and be with his family. But after years of secrecy and absence, his daughters hardly know him and his wife has given up on him...

She Wants to Try a Little Intrigue...

Lady Elinor has had enough of domestic boredom. She contemplates an affair with a rakish spy, only to discover a world of intrigue and treachery that she never knew existed. Even more shocking, her neglectful husband is suddenly very attentive—quite the jealous type—and apparently there is much more to him than she ever knew...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shana Galen is the author of fast-paced adventurous Regency historicals, including the Lord and Lady Spy Series, the Jewels of the Ton Series, as well as the Sons of the Revolution Trilogy. A former English teacher in Houston’s inner city, Shana now writes full time, and is working on more regency romance novels! She’s happily married to the Ultimate Sportsfan and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making. Shana loves to hear from readers: visit her website at www.shanagalen.com or see what she’s up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.

To Purchase True Spies:
Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Books-a-Million

IndieBound

Chapters/Indigo

iBookstore

Sourcebooks

I posted my five star review of TRUE SPIES on Amazon (link) and Goodreads (link).  Sourcebooks is giving away a print copy of TRUE SPIES to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment - do you have a favorite "spy" movie?  

2.  Sourcebooks' giveaway is open to residents of US and Canada.

3.  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