Keeping Warm with Avon Romance

Good morning!   Another artic blast forced the county schools to open late this morning.   My kids still wake up on time ... so they enjoy unexpected time on the XBox!    That gives me extra time to roam the net.

Yesterday was Super Tuesday for Avon Romance with the release of several fan favorites (link):

Cathy Maxwell and Tessa Dare will be answering Q&As with on Wednesday, January 29, 12 pm at Avon Romance (link).   I've already submitted my question and you can, too, at the link.

Cathy and Tessa discussed rogues in their own Q&A at this link.

Over at The Romance Dish, Cathy shares her thoughts on happiness (link) with giveaweay for THE BRIDE SAYS NO.   The Romance Dish also offers an excerpt from Tessa Dare's ROMANCING THE DUKE (link).

Cathy gives an intimate interview with The Book Obsessed Chicks (link) with giveaway for THE BRIDE SAYS NO.

I save the best post for last .... Cathy investigated the love lives of romance authors for Happily Ever After at this link.  

Loch Tay, setting for THE BRIDE SAYS NO
Public Domain (link)

Don't forget my own two giveaways for Cathy Maxwell:

Book review of THE BRIDE SAYS NO (link) - leave a comment for a chance to win a copy - winner's choice of format.

Burns Night with Cathy Maxwell (link) - leave a comment for a chance to win a Scottish throw blanket  to keep you warm along with a hot Avon Romance!.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Cathy Maxwell and THE BRIDE SAYS NO - Burns Night Celebration

On this day in 1759, Robert Burns was born in Alloway, Scotland.  He became a pioneer of the Romance Movement and Scotland's National Poet.  His birthday is celebrated across the world with Burns Night - a special supper to honor all things Scottish.   

Back in 2004, when my husband worked for NATO in the Netherlands, we were invited by the UK delegation to Burns Night.  At that time, I was a new reader of the romance genre - I was converted by Cathy Maxwell's THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT, set in Regency Scotland   Still, I knew little about Burns.  

The evening opened my eyes to how Burns' poetry rallied the Scottish people at a time when their national culture was suppressed following the Jacobite Rebellion.   Above, the Master of Ceremonies quotes Burns in praising the Haggis served for supper (I opted for the vegetarian entree). 

Scotland. Alba.  She is enchanting.  She enchanted Blake Stephens, an arrogant Englishman who chased after his Scottish bride in Cathy Maxwell's THE BRIDE SAYS NO:

New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell returns with a delicious new series, The Brides of Wishmore

What happens when a bride says no?

He is the bastard son of a duke, arrogant, handsome, a little bit dangerous, and, of course, one of the most sought-after bachelors in London. He is also about to be publicly jilted by some chit of a girl! Blake Stephens' pride isn't about to let him be humiliated, so he charges after his bride to the wilds of Scotland, determined to bring her to the altar.

What happens when the heart says yes?

He is promised to one woman, but discovers his soul stirred by . . . the chit's sister! Lady Aileen Davidson's reputation was ruined ages ago, which is why she's buried herself in the country, but her fiery spirit and bold beauty threaten to bring Blake to his knees, making him wonder if he has proposed to the wrong lass.

And now he must make a choice: marry for honor . . . or marry for love?

Loch Tay near Kenmore, Scotland
Released to Public Domain (link)

Lady Aileen opens Blake's eyes to love - love that he sees in many forms among the Scottish villagers. I referenced how Scotland transforms Blake in my review posted on Goodreads (link). THE BRIDE SAYS NO is available Tuesday, January 28, from Avon Romance.

I believe Blake would quote Burns' MY HIGHLAND LASSIE, O:

Nae gentle dames, tho' e'er sae fair,
Shall ever be my muse's care;
Their titles a' are empty show;
Gie me my Highland Lassie, O.
Within the glen sae bushy, O,
Aboon the plain sae rushy, O,
I sit me down wi' right good will,
To sing my Highland Lassie, O.

To celebrate Burns Night, Cathy Maxwell, and Highland lassies, I am giving away a special throw blanket with the Scottish Rampart design.   To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about Burns Night - do you have a favorite poem?  Have you attended Burns Supper?  Have you (or would you) eat Haggis?

2.  This giveaway is open to readers with a US mailing address.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 1.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 2.   

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Cathy and her books from her website at cathymaxwell.com.   

Enter the chance to win a copy of THE BRIDE SAYS NO at this link.

Book 2 will be available February 25.

Aloha to Cathy Maxwell and THE BRIDE SAYS NO - Book Review

Cathy Maxwell kicks off a new Regency Scottish Romance series, The Brides of Wishmore, with THE BRIDE SAYS NO, available January 28 from Avon Romance:

What happens when a bride says no?

He is the bastard son of a duke, arrogant, handsome, a little bit dangerous, and, of course, one of the most sought-after bachelors in London. He is also about to be publicly jilted by some chit of a girl! Blake Stephens' pride isn't about to let him be humiliated, so he charges after his bride to the wilds of Scotland, determined to bring her to the altar.

What happens when the heart says yes?

He is promised to one woman, but discovers his soul stirred by . . . the chit's sister! Lady Aileen Davidson's reputation was ruined ages ago, which is why she's buried herself in the country, but her fiery spirit and bold beauty threaten to bring Blake to his knees, making him wonder if he has proposed to the wrong lass.

And now he must make a choice: marry for honor . . . or marry for love?

Lock Tay - the setting for THE BRIDE SAYS NO
Released to Public Domain (link)

I think there's a hero in all of us. - John Bubber

The above quote comes from the 1992 movie HERO with Geena Davis, Dustin Hoffman, and Andy Garcia, portraying a journalist, con man, and homeless veteran, respectively. Their lives interest after Davis’ plane crashes, Hoffman rescues the passengers, but Garcia (Bubber) is hailed the hero.

How does a contemporary movie relate to a historical romance? Cathy Maxwell delivers an emotionally satisfying love story with characters, like those in HERO, who are not quite who they seem to be. Lady Aileen thinks she is immune to love after a scandalous divorce. Lady Tara believes she must the center of attention to validate her being. Blake seeks society’s acceptance despite his own financial success. Yet their lives interest in Kenmore, Scotland – a picturesque village on Loch Tay. Ah, the Highlands. Maxwell’s characters are not immune from Alba’s magic as they find themselves wishing for more in this new series about the Wishmore Brides.  

Maxwell takes advantage of every scene to create her own magic.  For example, Blake’s valet unveils his Scottish brogue once they are ensconced in the country house. When Blake comments that he did not realize the valet was Scottish, the valet responds that coming home brings out the best in him.

The Highlands

I find it appropriate that Maxwell sets up the love triangle(s) in Kenmore, Scottish Gaelic for “big head”.  Several characters indeed have large egos that are ultimately humbled by a Corinthian, er, a verse from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Maxwell shines as she humbles her characters – characters who come all varieties: gentry, villagers, beautiful, plain, financially successful, publicly disgraced.   In one particular scene after Sunday service, Blake scans the church yard and observes to the local folk. It is then he realizes that the trappings of London have no effect on the content residents of Kenmore.

Lock Ness

Nuances like these are Maxwell’s strength as she challenges readers to consider who is the hero in THE BRIDE SAYS NO.

Getting back to the quote, HERO opens with the journalist (Davis) accepting an award. She pulls out an onion, peels it at the podium, and demonstrates that no matter how much you peel away the layers, you find nothing new. It is all the same. The scene mocks the public's search for something that may not be hidden but facing them in plain sight. The characters in THE BRIDE SAYS NO also peel back the onion, hoping to find the comfort that eludes them. Yet it takes several lessons in humility for them to realize that love is within their reach. Thank you, Cathy Maxwell, for this endearing adventure.

Recommended read for fans of heartwarming romances. And, of course, readers who appreciate Scotland’s mystique.

I am looking forward to THE BRIDE SAYS MAYBE, Book 2, available February 25 from Avon Romance.  For now, I am giving away a copy of THE BRIDE SAYS NO to one randomly selected commenter - winner's choice of format.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about onions - love them or loathe them?  I love them, especially Maui's sweet onions.   In fact, Maui hosts an Onion Festival in Whalers Village at this link.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 1, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 2.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about Cathy and her books, check out her website at cathymaxwell.com.

Aloha to St. Andrew's Day with Cathy Maxwell and Scottish Romances

From the lone shielding of the misty island 

Mountains divide us and the waste of seas – 

Yet still the blood is strong, the heart is Highland, 

And we in dreams behold the Hebrides! 

John Galt 1779-1839 Scottish writer 

Today the Scots celebrate their country's patron Saint, Saint Andrew. They will proudly wave the Saltire - the blue flag with a white cross that represents Scotland's independence.  I have been blessed to visit Alba twice ... and I visited Alba after reading my first romance novel, Cathy Maxwell's A MARRIAGE CONTRACT. Cathy is my go-to-author for Regency Scottish Romance ... she always delivers heartwarming moments and humor laced dialogue.

Cathy is sponsoring a special giveaway at Fresh Fiction (link),

I am so grateful for my readers and for the chance to do what I do, I want to celebrate this Season of Gratitude with a special contest.

THREE lucky readers can win an autographed copy of one of my books plus a set of heart shaped measuring spoons. This will make your holiday baking special because we all know love can only be measured by what we put into it, no?

I'll also include a set of bookmarks for my TWO new books THE BRIDE SAYS NO and THE BRIDE SAYS MAYBE. They'll be out on the shelves this coming February and March.

And to everyone--

May your holidays be full of the joy of love!

All my best,

Cathy

Plus Cathy is giving away the same prize here at SOS Aloha! To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about Scotland ... if you could visit one place, what would it be?  A castle?  A city?  A distillery?

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, December 7, 10 pm in Baltimore.   I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 8.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about Cathy and her books, check out her website at cathymaxwell.com.

To learn more about St. Andrew's, check out this link.

Coming in 2014

Aloha to Fleet Week with Cathy Maxwell

On Friday, I am driving to the New Jersey Romance Writers (NHRW) Put Your Heart in a Book conference (link) with Cathy Maxwell.   It is a fan girl's dream come true.  From her bio (link),

You would never believe: That I’ve spent six years in the Navy. I worked in the Pentagon and did a tour with Naval Intelligence. I’ve also managed a watch factory, been a news broadcaster, and done costumes for local theater. Tinker, tailor, soldier, spy.

It's a situation similar to the chicken and the egg - do I admire Cathy for her heartfelt romances?  Or do I admire her service as a Navy veteran, Navy spouse, Navy mom, and now a Coast Guard mom?  It's both ... her experience with military families clearly influence her voice, her humor, and her characters.   Again from her bio,

My favorite quote: From Debbie Macomber, “Attitude is the key . . . each one of us is as successful as we make up our minds to be.”

I am giving away a print copy of FOR LOVE AND HONOR:

Three military heroes . . . fighting to protect their countries, their homes, and the women they love.

In New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell's The Bookish Miss Nelson, it's the duty of daring Army Captain William Duroy to escort Miss Pippa Nelson through enemy territory, bringing her safely home to England. But can he resist falling in love?

In Lynne Hinton's Letters From Pie Town, a New Mexico town couldn't be prouder of its very own Raymond Twinhorse, injured while fighting in Afghanistan. So Trina Lockhart gathers letters from Raymond's friends and family, hoping their wishes will help to heal the man she loves—and bring him back home.

In Candis Terry's Home Sweet Home, Lt. Aiden Marshall returns to Sweet, Texas, after facing the devastation of war. With the help of the entire town—and a tail-wagging companion—the woman he's always loved makes her hero's homecoming all the more sweet.

To enter the giveaway,

1.  I'll have Cathy all to myself for three plus hours on the road ... what would you like to me to ask her?

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 19, 10 pm in Baltimore.   I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 20.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about Cathy, her books, and her adventures, check out her website at cathymaxwell.com.

Coming January 2014