Historical Trivia ... and late birthday wishes

I enjoy historical trivia ... on this day:

In 1910, Theodore Roosevelt becomes the first U.S. president to fly in an airplane. He flew for four minutes with Arch Hoxsey in a plane built by the Wright brothers.

In 1942, during the Battle of Cape Esperance, United States Navy ships intercept and defeat a Japanese fleet on their way to reinforce troops on Guadalcanal and destroy the Allied airfield.

In 1984,  Kathryn D. Sullivan becomes the first American woman to perform a space walk during a mission aboard the Challenger.

Speaking of air and space, I missed the Air Force's 69th birthday on September 18 during my blogging break.  I set aside a box of books to giveaway to celebrate the youngest service within the Department of Defense - these authors are connect to the Air Force as veterans, spouses, brats, or parents. 

Delores Fossen, THE MARSHAL'S JUSTICE
Lorraine Heath, WHEN THE DUKE WAS WICKED
Shirley Jump, WHEN SOMEBOYD LOVES YOU
Merline Lovelace, THIR TIME'S THE BRIDE
Catherine Mann, SHELTER ME
Crista McHugh, TELL ME TRUE
Pamela Palmer, A LOVE UNTAMED
Tracy Solheim, RISKY GAME

plus the anthology WAY OF THE WARRIOR with Suzanne Brockman, ML Buckman, Anne Elizabeth, Lea Griffith, Catherine Mann, Kate Serine, Tina Wainscott, and Julie Ann Walker.

I am giving away the above books to one randomly selected commenter from all posts in October.  to enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about airplanes, space travel, or the Air Force - do you know someone who flies an airplane?  Would you like to go up into space like Wolowitz from the Big Bang Theory?  Do you know anyone connected to the Air Force?  Or do you have your own historical trivia to share?

2.  Due to shipping costs, this giveaway is open to US residents only.

3.  Comments are open through Monday, October 31, 2016.  I'll post the winners on Wednesday, November 2.

We celebrate the US Navy's birthday on Thursday, October 13 - 241 years strong!

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Missing Man Formation

Celebrating our 5th anniversary at SOS Aloha!

This week is the 5th anniversary of SOS Aloha!   I created SOS Aloha in March 2010 as a means to stay connected to Romanceland after moving to Hawaii.  I've tried different things along the way (author interviews, blog tours, and book reviews), giving me the opportunity to find my own voice.

I thank Mary, the Reading Reviewer (link), for encouraging to create this blog.   I also appreciate Terri, Bodice Ripper Novels (link), for teaching me how to format links and add pictures. Finally, I thank my followers for making SOS Aloha a fun place to visit!

Treasures in the sand 

To celebrate our fifth anniversary, I share five fun facts about me ....

1.  I hail from Safety Harbor, Florida (link).   Contemporary romance author Shirley Jump lives nearby (link), often posting pictures of the Tampa Bay area on Facebook.

2  I attended the University of Tampa (link).  Paranormal author Maggie Mae Gallagher (link) is also an UT alum.

3. I was a math major ... and so was Romantic suspense author Julie Anne Walker (link).  

4.  My first assignment was Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts (link).  Mia Marlowe also lived in the Boston area (link).  

5.  I traded my active duty dog tags for a military spouse ID card ... just like many members of the RomVets, veterans who write romance (link).

Lucky guards the books

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

1.  Leave a comment with a fun fact about you.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 14, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 15.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Check out my travel blog, ALOHA ON MY MIND, at this link although I have posted any recent travels.  Still, you can trade real snow for virtual sand in Hawaii.  

Sunset Beach

Happy 223rd Birthday, United State Coast Gaurd!

Yesterday was the the Coast Guard's 223rd Birthday ... let's continue the celebration!  From the Coast Guard's website (link),

The U. S. Coast Guard is simultaneously and at all times a military force and federal law enforcement agency dedicated to safety, security, and stewardship missions. We save lives. We protect the environment. We defend the homeland. We enforce Federal laws on the high seas, the nation's coastal waters and its inland waterways. We are unique in the Nation and the world.

The Coast Guard's official history began on 4 August 1790 when President George Washington signed the Tariff Act that authorized the construction of ten vessels, referred to as "cutters," to enforce federal tariff and trade laws and to prevent smuggling. Known variously through the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as the "revenue cutters," the "system of cutters," and finally the Revenue Cutter Service, it expanded in size and responsibilities as the nation grew.

Coast Guard Lighthouse at the foot of Diamond Head

Shirley Jump delivers a delicious coast Guard hero in THE SWEETHEART RULES:

Rescue Bay veterinarian Diana Tuttle is a great single mom, but she has a harder time taking care of herself. Having been burned in the past by her son’s noncommittal father, the last thing she wants is a man who isn’t in it for the long haul—until a foolish one-night stand from her past walks back into her life.

Coast Guard Lieutenant Mike Stark has never wanted to settle down. But when his ex-wife leaves their two small children on his doorstep, he is forced to become a family man in a hurry. His return to Rescue Bay, Florida and fatherhood isn’t easy, but reconnecting with Diana makes the challenge all the more worthwhile. Except becoming the long-term lover she has in mind may be one commitment too many…

Luckily, when Diana’s and Mike’s pasts begin to threaten their future, the Sweetheart Sisters have the perfect scheme to make this second chance last a lifetime.

I am giving away a print copy of THE SWEETHEART RULES to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about the Coast Guard - have you seen any of its ships, helicopters, or personnel up close and personal?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 16, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 17.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Shirley and her books at shirleyjump.com. Shirley will visit us in September to celebrate the release of THE SWEETHEART SECRET.