On this day in History ... Aloha to Johanna Lindsey!

Johanna's first book .... 

I wasn't sure what I would write today ... so I scrolled through "March 10" on Wikipedia ... and a birthday caught my eye! On this day in 1952, Johanna Helen Howard was born in Germany during her father's service in the Army.  

Thank you, Johanna, for your father's service!  

After her father's death, Johanna and her mother moved to Hawaii, where she met her husband, Ralph Bruce Lindsey.  

Oh, Hawaii.

I discovered Johanna Lindsey while living in the Netherlands - I devoured the romances I found in the American Thrift Shop in Schinnen and the Army Library Annex in Brunssum.  One of Johanna's books still remains on my keeper shelf - UNTIL FOREVER, published in 1995 by Avon Romance:

From the shadows of the past.

Prim and beautiful professor Roseleen White clutches her new prized possession - a thousand-year-old Scandinavian sword. And suddenly, a dream stands before her: a magnificent Viking warrior sworn to satisfy Roseleen's every desire.

Until forever.

Accursed for untold centuries, mighty Thorn is now enslaved to a woman. Yet it is Roseleen who is the true prisoner, held willing captive by a handsome barbarian who sweeps her back to the ancient past on a journey of sensual discovery. But only by banishing him from her life forever can Roseleen free Thorn from immortality's chains - forcing her to make a devastating choice that will either imperil their future or preserve a love more powerful than time.

Do you have a favorite Johanna Lindsey book?  Or a favorite time travel novel?  Or a favorite Viking romance?  One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Sunday, March 12, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Monday, March 13.  

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Below is Johanna's former home in Kaneohe, Oahu.  Check out the article about the house at this link.

Aloha to Kenneth Branagh in WALLANDER (Another BBC Drama) - TV Review

The hits keep coming from BBC .... my local PBS station is currently broadcasting WALLANDER. From PBS.com (link),

Sir Kenneth Branagh, screenwriter, director, and one of the UK’s most remarkable actors, portrays the soul-searching Swedish cop Inspector Kurt Wallander in Wallander, based on the international bestsellers by father of the Nordic Noir genre, Henning Mankell. At odds with his family, friends, and fellow police, Wallander is in his element with serial killers and psychopaths, tracking them across the seaside town of Ystad and the stark farm country of southern Sweden.

The twist - the English speaking drama is filmed in Sweden. The landscape is gorgeous but cold. The producers are not afraid to showcase the (fictional) dark side of this Scandinavian country, including clashes with immigrants. Branagh is also not afraid to show his age - gray hair and sagging body - as his character grapples with failed relationships.  Branagh tackles Wallander with the same passion as he performed Shakespeare in the award winning HENRY V (1989) AND HAMLET (1986).

I enjoyed Branagh with his then spouse Emma Thompson in the time traveling film noir DEAD AGAIN in 1991.

WALLANDER requires the viewer to pay attention from the very start.  Even though it is filmed in English, the British actors immerse themselves in Swedish culture ... and find themselves entangled in an ugly murder.  Wallander finds no reprieve off duty as the murders are often connected to his personal life.  Last week's THE WHITE LIONESS (No. 10) offered some hope to Wallander as he came full circle in solving the murder and helping an unexpected victim. 

Like most BBC dramas, just as I found myself mesmerized by the series, I learn that I only have 12 episodes to watch (3 episodes in four series).  The one bright spot in the limited run - Tom Hiddleston starred as Wallander's protege in the first six episodes.

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

1. Sweden is home of the Vikings, Ikea, and delicious meatballs. Can you recommend a Viking Romance?  I loved Johanna Lindsey's UNTIL FOREVER with a time traveling Viking. 

2. Comments are open through Sunday, February 26, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, February 27.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City