Aloha to Janna MacGregor and THE BAD LUCK BRIDE - Book Review

IS MARRIAGE A BLESSING OR A CURSE?

A man of honor, Alexander Hallworth, Marquess of Pembrooke, will not rest until he exacts revenge on the man who destroyed his family. Just one more piece must fall into place for him to succeed he needs to convince his enemy s fiancee, the tragically beautiful Lady Claire Cavensham, to marry him instead.

Lady Claire s curse has always left her one misstep away from social ruin her past three engagements have gone awry, and now her fourth is headed in the same direction. . .until Alex, a man she barely even knows, shocks the ton and Claire by announcing their engagement. What begins as a sham turns into something deeper, and more passionate, than either Claire or Alex could have imagined. But when their secrets are revealed, will the truth behind their union scandalize them both or is their love strong enough to break the curse and lead them toward their happily ever after? 

THE BADE LUCK BRIDE is Book 1 in the Cavansham Heiresses series.  It is available May 2 from St. Martin's Press.

Pembroke Castle in Wales
Image by JKMMX (link)

If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all. - Hee Haw

Lady Claire Cavenshan could join the Hee Haw band with the bad luck that has prevented her from walking down the aisle. Just when she feels confident about prospect number 4, she is blindsided by the Alexander Hallworth, the Marquess of Pembrooke. Her surprise engagement, then wedding, seems to fulfill her dreams ... until the truth emerges to threaten her marriage and happiness.  It will take more than luck for Claire and Alex to negotiate their own HEA.

Janna MacGregor bursts onto the historical romance scene with a heart wrenching story of two fated lovers who find themselves facing down Lady Luck when life throws a few twists and turns. I commend MacGregor for diving head first into the darker side of historical romance. She masters the nuances of Regency life, including the unchecked power the titled nobility can sway over society, only to find the matters of the heart do not follow any rules.  MacGregor's characterizations show some rough edges - rookie mistakes for a debut author. But this author has a talent for prose and she will only improve over time like a fine wine in the Marquess' cellar.

I look forward to more books in the Cavensham Heiresses series.

I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.

Learn more about Janna and her books at jannamacgregor.com.

Cavensham Park
bbc.com

For the month of April, I am giving away a box of books from authors attending RT. To enter the giveaway,

1. Janna MacGregor is participating in Beach Blanket Bingo at RT - her favourite beach is Old Portsmouth Beach in Hampshire, including a medieval Round Tower!  

Do you have a favourite beach town or historic building to ignite your imagination?

2. Comments are open through Sunday, April 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I will be offline from Monday, May 1 - Sunday, May 7.

4. I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 8.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Old Portsmouth's Round Tower
castlesfortsbattles.co.uk

Aloha to Jenn McKinlay, Library Lover's Mystery series, and BETTER LATE THAN NEVER - Book Review

In the latest Library Lover’s Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of A Likely Story, a decades overdue book puts library director Lindsey Norris hot on the trail of a cold case...

When the Briar Creek Public Library holds its first overdue book amnesty day—no fines for late returns—the volume of incoming materials is more than Lindsey and her staff can handle. In a bind, Lindsey drafts the crafternoon ladies to help check in and sort the stacks of books.

But one tardy tome catches her attention—a copy of J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, twenty years past due. When Lindsey looks up the borrower, she’s shocked to discover it was a murdered school teacher named Candice Whitley, whose killer was never found.

Candice checked out the novel on the day she was murdered. Now Lindsey wonders if it could provide a clue to the decades-old cold case. No one noticed who brought the book back in, but could it be Candice’s killer? Lindsey is determined to catch the culprit one way or another, because justice for Candice Whitley is long overdue ... 

Patience outside the NYC Library

Courage, my friends; 'tis not too late to build a better world. 
- Tommy Douglas

Lindsay Norris is building a better world as library director in Briar Creek, a New England coastal town. She transitioned as an academic librarian to public servant, bringing fresh ideas to a traditional institution. Lindsay implemented "Amnesty Day" to encourage patrons to return late and/or damaged books, thus welcoming back the "prodigal" readers.  As her staff struggle with the overwhelming number of returned books, one title stands out - a twenty year old copy of CATCHER IN THE RYE.  After digging up old library records, the staff discover the reader was a beloved high school teacher who was murdered the day she checked out the book. And her murder remains unsolved.

Lindsay can't help but initiate her own investigation to satisfy her curious nature. In fact, her friends have already taken friendly bets on how long it takes Lindsay to solve the mystery. Yet Lindsay's inquiries open old wounds for those who loved the teacher and became suspects in her murder. The plot follows the predictable pattern of cozy mysteries - an amateur detective, multiple suspects with personal secrets, a few red herrings, and the climatic unveiling of the murderer.  Still BETTER LATE THAN NEVER is an enjoyable escape into a small coastal town. 

The subplots offers depth to this novel and the series - Lindsay has an on/off/on relationship with Navy Vet-turned-Sea Captain Sully. The children's librarian, Beth, adds comic relief with her literary antics. Lindsay's friends in the book club/craft group cook up tasty treats (and gossip) to counterbalance the underlying concern of a murder still prowling the town. McKinlay makes it easy to assimilate with the quirky characters who populate Briar Creek.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER is Book 7 in McKinlay's Library Lover's Mystery Series.  While this title can be read as a stand alone novel, I recommend reading the series in order. McKinlay is also the author of Cupcake Bakery Mysteries (set in Scottsdale, Arizona) and Hat Shop Mysteries (set in London, England) - I am a fan of all three series.

Natually, I checked out BETTER LATE THAN NEVER from my local library.

Learn more about Jenn and her books at jennmckinlay.com.

Fortitude outside the NYC library

For the month of April, I am giving away a box of books from authors attending RT. To enter the giveaway,

1. What's your favorite library?

2. Comments are open through Sunday, April 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I will be offline from Monday, May 1 - Sunday, May 7.

4. I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 8.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Diane Kelly and ABOVE THE PAW (Paw Enforcement Book 5) - Book Review

The crime-fighting duo of Megan Luz and her K-9 is back―and on the prowl. . .

WILL THEY DIG UP THE TRUTH?
When a rash of college students falls seriously ill after ingesting Molly, a “club drug” also known as ecstasy, Officer Megan Luz and her K-9 partner Brigit are tasked with tracking down the dealers. Going undercover at the university leads Megan closer and closer to infiltrating the drug trafficking ring. But when the investigation implicates her former partner and workplace nemesis, Officer Derek Mackey, Megan’s powers of discernment are put to the test.

OR ARE THEY BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE?
Thwarted when the Feds seize control of the investigation and frustrated by the lack of attention the DEA is putting into the case, Megan continues her own unofficial investigation with Brigit’s help. But when the trail leads them in an unexpected and dangerous direction, Megan and Brigit find their own lives at risk. Can the K-9 team take down those in power? Or are some criminals simply above the law―and paw?

ABOVE THE PAW is the fifth book in Diane Kelly's series featuring Police officer Megan Luz and her K-9 dog partner Brigit - available December 6, 2016, from St. Martin's Press (link).

Public Domain (link)

No man is above the law and no man is below it: nor do we ask any man's permission when we ask him to obey it. - Theodore Roosevelt

ABOVE THE PAW is Book Five in the Paw Enforcement series featuring Officer Megan Luz and her canine partner, Brigit. They patrol the streets of Fort Worth, Texas, as a formidable team - Megan is proficient with the police baton and Brigit has a nose second to none. They have successfully taken down a bomber, murder, thief, and pervert, leading to public accolades as they work the crowd during the Fourth of July celebrations. Despite the scorching heat, Brigit still sniffs out street drugs among the crowd entering the venue. Her nose discovers Molly, a crystalized form of ecstacy that has wreaked havoc at the nearby college campus. As Megan witnesses the effects on a coed, she volunteers to go undercover to catch the drug dealer.

The story unfolds in three parts - Megan's first person perspective, Brigit's third dog perspective, and the unknown villan's third person perspective. It is the same MO for each novel in the series, offering a unique storytelling method that is effective in setting the tone for the mystery ... and allowing Brigit to add her two scents, er, cents. ABOVE THE PAW takes a page from LAW AND ORDER, ripping the plot from the headlines with student overdoses from the club drug (Kelly also added a secondary "ripped from the headlines" plot that revealed itself in the climax - no spoilers here). I applaud Kelly for Megan's dedication to research the drug before she morphs into an epilepsy student with a service dog. I enjoyed Megan's step back in time as she relieved her own college days ... and I relived mine. It also gave me pause as I have a son who is a college sophomore - ABOVE THE PAW hit a nerve that college students are still just kids finding their way. Luckily, Megan and Brigit helped a their coed "friends" make better choices in the face of peer pressure. 

ABOVE THE PAW can be read as a stand alone novel since Kelly offers enough backstory to understand Megan's relationship with Brigit, other officers in the precinct, and even her budding romance with Seth, a hunky firefighter with a bomb sniffing dog, Blast. Seth and his backstory is worthy of his own book in the future. Still, I recommend any reader new to this series to start from the beginning with PAW ENFORCEMENT to see Megan's confidence grow with each story. Luckily, Brigit remains the same comic relief in search of her next belly rub.

ABOVE THE PAW kept my attention - I did not want to put it down. I was a bit sleepy at work after staying up too late just as Megan was making progress in the investigation. ABOVE THE PAW is more than a mystery - it has heart as Megan maintains a "can do spirit" in a male dominated profession. ABOVE THE PAW also offers humor as Brigit shares her thoughts on smelly squad cars, dimwitted perps, and pepperoni pizza.

Recommended read for fans who appreciate realistic characters with a side of dog hair.

I look forward to more adventures with Megan and Brigit.

Learn more about Diane and her books at dianekelly.com.

Check out my review of PAW ENFORCEMENT (link), PAW AND ORDER (link), LAYING DOWN THE PAW (link), and AGAINST THE PAW (link).

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1. Megan goes undercover at Texas Christian University (TCU) - the mascot is the Horned Frogs.  What the mascot of your alma mater or a college near you?

I am a Spartan from the University of Tampa!

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

3. Comments are open through Saturday, October 30, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Monday, October 31.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

True Grit is the mascot of the

University of Maryland - Baltimore County (link).

Aloha to Kiersten Hallie Krum and WILD ON THE ROCKS - Book Review

Reminder: I have a special giveaway for Military Appreciation Month at this link.

Wild on the Road

Driven by wanderlust and insatiable curiosity, Quinn Forrester views every new gig for her mixologist business as another chance for adventure. Until the night she wanders down the wrong hallway and witnesses a mob murder. After a week on the run, lack of funds and few options land Quinn in Barefoot Bay where she takes a job tending bar at the swanky Casa Blanca resort…and hopes no wise guys show up to make her sleep with the fishes. But nothing whacks a low profile like having your Navy SEAL ex-husband walk through the door—especially when he’s the love of your life you left behind.

Wild on the Beach

Discovering his restless ex-wife at Casa Blanca—and still going by his name—is enough to drive Lieutenant Commander Jasper McQueen wild. When she ran out on their marriage, Quinn left him a broken man. Now with his career in jeopardy and his sexy ex-wife at hand, Jasper is ready to chuck responsibility and submerse himself in a hedonistic affair—all sex, zero emotions—with the woman he won’t forgive and can never forget. And this time, when they’re done, it’ll be Jasper who does the leaving.

Wild on the Rocks

But a mob enforcer has tracked Quinn to Barefoot Bay. With her days numbered, Jasper may be her only shot at living through the night—if Quinn can get him to believe in her one last time.

Wild flowers grow where they will - Rachel Lambert Mellon

Krum kicks off WILD ON THE ROCKS with a hold-your-breathe scene with Quinn Forrester running for her life from the mob in New York. Meanwhile, her ex-husband, Jasper McQueen, confronts a biker gang to save a SEAL team member in San Diego. Both escape from their dangerous situations to Barefoot Bay on Florida's West Coast. Their accidental reunion sparks both passion and anger as they confront their lingering feelings for the other.

Krum delivers a high octane romantic suspense that kept me on edge throughout Quinn's journey back to Jasper. She captures the challenges of military life and its impact on personal relationships. I appreciate that neither Quinn or Jasper are perfect ... yet they are perfect for each other. WILD ON THE ROCKS is a sexy beach read with a chaser of adrenaline.  

Recommended read for fans of heart pumping action, a heroine with mojo*, and an honor-bound hero who deserves a second chance.

(*heroine makes a mean mojito)

I received a digital copy from the author for an honest review.

I am giving away a digital copy of WILD ON THE ROCKS to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about your favorite cocktail.  In college, I loved Long Island Ice Tea.  Thirty years later, I am content with wine.

2. Comments are open through Saturday, May 7, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 8.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Kiersten and her books at kierstenkrum.com.

Aloha to Willa Blair and SWEETIE PIE - Book Reivew

Makenna Stewart flees Scotland for the Big Island of Hawaii intent on making real a cherished dream—-a bakery of her own. Hard work and long hours leave Makenna craving some fun in her life. Her best customer, Greek-god sexy surfer Tom may be just what she needs, but she suspects there’'s more to him than board shorts and a devastating smile.

Retired professional surfer and real-estate multi-millionaire Tom Bensford is there when she opens every morning, but he’'s not craving her magical Morning Glory muffins. Fascinated by the dark-haired, blue-eyed wahine with the creamy Celtic skin and devastating Scottish accent, he’'s never met a woman like her. Too bad he’'s about to destroy her dreams.

To him, it’'s just business. To her, it’'s the kind of betrayal she fled Scotland to escape. Can the island magic in Makenna's heritage save her dream and their romance, or will his secret tear them apart?

Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park

"Place of Refuge"

He kehau ho`oma`ema`e ke aloha.

Love is like a cleansing dew.

- Hawaiian proverb

Willa Blair is known for her Scottish historical paranormal romance.  She changes genres with a modern Scottish lass who escapes to the Big Island of Hawaii.  After a painful break up and regretable job loss in Scotland, Makenna Stewart arrives in Kona to start her life anew among her mother's family.   She opens a bakery, Sweetie Pie, to infuse Scottish recipes with island flavors.  As she builds her business, Makenna finds herself flirting every morning with her first customer of the day.  Tom Bensford seems like a slacker surfer, but he is a real estate mogul and community philanthropist.  He is attracted to Makenna for her Gaelic accent, work ethic, and optimism. Tom holds back from disclosing his real estate business, including owning the building which houses Sweetie Pie, to ensure Makenna likes appreciates his personality, not his bank account.

SWEETIE PIE is a delicious pupu - Hawaiian word for appetizer. Blair delivers a sweet novella that captures the Aloha spirit of the island. I enjoyed following Tom's wooing of Makenna - surf lessons, sunset dinners, up country bar-b-que.  I commend Blair for incorporating Hawaiian culture into the plot.  The creme de la creme was Makenna's Auntie, who suggested baking ginger into her sweet treats to capture Tom's heart.  As Makenna noted, match making is all same in the Highlands or in the Pacific.

SWEETIE PIE was an entertaining escape to the Big Island of Hawaii.  My only complaint is it was over just as I became comfortable with the characters.  I would like to read more about Makenna, Tom, their families and their friends in future books.

I received a digital copy from the author for an honest review.

Learn more about Willa and her books at willablair.com.

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach

I am giving away Hawaiian swag to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway.

1.  Do you have a favorite bakery?  Favorite sweet treat?   I enjoy a chocolate croissant from Bonaparte Breads in Savage Mill (link).

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 13, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 14.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Elizabeth Hoyt and ONCE AND ALWAYS - Book Review

IS THERE A PROBLEM, OFFICER?

Small town cop Sam West certainly doesn't mind a routine traffic stop: speeding ticket, stern warning, and sayonara. With a whopper of a blizzard closing in, that's all he has time for. But the lawbreaker he pulls over is anything but typical. From her mile-long legs to her razor-sharp wit, Maisa Bradley is like nothing Coot Lake, Minnesota, has ever seen . . . and she's about to take Sam on the ride of his life.

BEING BAD HAS ITS BENEFITS

Whoever said blood is thicker than water probably wasn't related to a former Russian mobster. But an innocent mix-up and rumors of stolen diamonds soon have the Russian mob taking an unusual interest in the sleepy little town-and Maisa facing heated scrutiny from a certain tall, dark, and handsome deputy. Sam's dazzling blue eyes beg her to reveal all her secrets, but how much should she tell? Getting snowed in with the sexiest lawman in the frozen north may not be the worst way to decide . . .

Dogsledding in Ely, MN

Image from ely.org

The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. - Thomas A. Edison

Deputy Sam West keeps trying one more time to win over Maisa Bradley.  Each time she visits her uncle in Coot Lake, Minnesota, he pulls her over.  Sam tries to charm her and even reminds her of the passion they shared one hot summer night ... but Maisa keeps her distance.   She content with her budding custom dress business in St. Paul ... and she knows they would mix like oil and water.  Her uncle is a retired Russian mobster hiding out in the boonies ... and Sam is a decorated Army veteran. Yet Maisa herself cannot deny the spark between them.   

A blizzard traps Maisa in town along with a mobster's accountant on the run.  Coot Lake erupts into a battleground when the mobster himself comes looking for the accountant.   Sam draws upon his combat experience and enlists local mushers to save the town from the carnage ... and Maisa from her own mobster heritage.

ONCE AND ALWAYS is Northern Exposure meets OK Corral with an ensemble cast ala Ocean's Eleven.  Hoyt starts with a small town romance and infuses action, suspense, and redemption.  Sam is a juxtaposition with a swagger - he confidently pursues Maisa but resists the sheriff's efforts to groom him as his successor.  One deadly patrol in Afghanistan continues to plague Sam.  Yet he relies on his Army training when the Russian mafia arrives in Coot Lake.  He proves to the townsfolk, Maisa, and himself that anyone can overcome bad history.

Глаза́ боя́тся, а ру́ки де́лают. 

Eyes are afraid, but hands are doing the job.

I received a print copy from the author during the Forever Romance book signing at the RWA Annual Conference.

Palisade Head on Lake Superior
Released to Public Domain (link)

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

1.  Leave a comment about Minnesota - what do you know about the Land of 10,000 Lakes?  

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, December 19, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 20.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Julia Harper aka Elizabeth Hoyt at elizabethhoyt.com.  

Other books from Julia Harper ... which I also enjoyed!

Aloha to Sophie Kinsella and SHOPAHOLIC TO THE STARS - Book Review

Sophie Kinsella returns to her beloved Shopaholic series with Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) newly arrived in Hollywood and starry-eyed. She and her two-year-old daughter, Minnie, have relocated to L.A. to join Becky’s husband, Luke, who is there to handle PR for famous actress Sage Seymour. Becky can’t wait to start living the A-list lifestyle, complete with celebrity sightings, yoga retreats, and shopping trips to Rodeo Drive. But she really hopes to become a personal stylist—Sage’s personal stylist—if only Luke would set up an introduction. Then, unexpectedly, Becky is offered the chance to dress Sage’s archrival, and though things become a bit more complicated, it’s a dream come true!

Red carpet premieres, velvet ropes, paparazzi clamoring for attention—suddenly Becky has everything she’s ever wanted.

Or does she?

It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves. - William Shakespeare

I rediscovered the Shopaholic series during our summer vacation.  I read MINI SHOPAHOLIC, Book 6, and posted my review at this link.  MINI SHOPAHOLIC ends with the Brandon family moving to LA.  SHOPAHOLIC TO THE STARS opens in LA with Becky enjoying her rented home in the Hollywood Hills.  The laughs begin as Becky is invited to join "Team Sage" in a charity 10K run.  Although she is only capable of running from the shoe department to the handbag display, Becky embraces the opportunity to shop for the best athletic wear money can buy.  She spots a shoplifter helping herself to cheap socks only to discover the thief is a young starlet and chief rival of Sage Seymour.  Becky's chance encounter become comedic fodder later in the story.  

Meanwhile, Becky gets caught up in the glamorous life of LA. Hobnobbing with celebrities eclipses her shopping addition, giving Kinsella the opportunity to poke fun at celebrity worship, reality TV, and heath food fads.  But as she gains famous friends, Becky looses touch with long time gal pal Suze. Following the predictable pattern of the previous books, Becky comes to grip with what's important in her life.  Once Becky recognizes her own self worth, she rises above the chaos she created to save the day.

SHOPAHOLIC TO THE STARS hits the spot with laugh out loud action and over the top antics - Becky is clearly a modern day Lucy Ricardo ala I LOVE LUCY.  I particularly enjoyed how Kinsella incorporates pop culture in the storyline. The creme de la creme are the "letters" in between chapters, including Danny's memos to his adoring fans during his "charity" treks (Danny is a rising fashion designer who often gets caught up in Becky's misadventures).

Recommended read for fans of Brit Chick Lit.

I checked out SHOPAHOLIC TO THE STARS from the Safety Harbor Public Library.

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

1.  Leave a comment about celebrities - have you met anyone famous?  I spotted Jessica Simpson, pregnant with her second child, at Turtle Bay on Oahu.  As she passed my table, I reached out to her and said she looked radiant.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, September 12, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 13.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Turtle Bay, North Shore of Oahu

Aloha to Sherry Harris and TAGGED FOR DEATH - Book Review

Starting your life over at age thirty-eight isn't easy, but that's what Sarah Winston finds herself facing when her husband CJ runs off with a 19-year-old temptress named Tiffany. Sarah's self-prescribed therapy happily involves hitting all the garage and tag sales in and around her small town of Ellington, Massachusetts. If only she could turn her love for bargain hunting into a full-time career.

One man's junk is another man's treasure.

But after returning from a particularly successful day searching for yard sale treasures, Sarah finds a grisly surprise in one of her bags: a freshly bloodied shirt…that undoubtedly belongs to her ex, CJ, who now happens to be Ellington's chief of police. If that's not bad enough, it seems Tiffany has gone missing. Now it's up to Sarah to prove that her cold-hearted ex is not a cold-blooded killer…

But finding that treasure can be murder.

I shop at thrift shops probably five times a week. - Macklemore

Sherry Harris, Air Force spouse-turned-cozy mystery author, kicks off her debut series with Sarah Winston, a recently divorced military spouse who finds solace in a bargain.  Yard sale, Craig's List, or thrift shop, there's nothing like a good deal to soothe over the emotional baggage of watching her 19 years of marriage tossed out like stained clothes.  Sarah may have changed her name, and moved off base to the fictional town of Effington, MA, but the wounds are still deep.  She indulges in Angelo's bianca pizza and Boston's fluffernutter sandwich. Sarah also helps friends organize their own yard sales and donating leftovers to the base thrift shop. 

Yet no good deed goes unpunished.  While sorting through a donation bag, she finds incriminating evidence that her ex-husband (and Effington's Chief of Police) may have harmed the young airman (actually, young woman) who broke up their marriage.  Despite the animosity she feels for her cheating husband, she cannot believe he would harm anyone, let alone the temptress who is now carrying his child.  Sarah confronts CJ with the bloodied shirt, only to find herself in the middle of a mystery wrapped in an enigma.

Harris delivers a cozy mystery which is both humorous and heartwarming.  The zany characters reminded me of people I've met through my military travels, bringing a smile to my face.  Likewise, I emphasized with Sarah's determination to stay sane while other women whisper behind her back.  Who hasn't been there, done that?  Harris gives readers a glimpse into the rewards and challenges of military life and frequent moves.  In fact, she spotlights how much time military spouses give as community volunteers, including the "dirty jobs" of sorting donations at the Thrift Shop (Macklemore would be in heaven).  Finally, Harris showcases the charm and quirks of New England from Sarah's perspective as a transplanted Californian.  She often shares how New Englanders pronounce seemingly easy words with their unique dialect.  

TAGGED FOR DEATH offered me a trip down memory lane as I served as a Lieutenant at Hanscom AFB, the inspiration for the fictional Fitch AFB.  I remember it as "Happy Hanscom"; Sarah refers to it as "Fabulous Fitch".  Indeed, TAGGED FOR DEATH is Ab Fab with Sarah mimicking Edina in her goal to put things right.  TAGGED FOR DEATH is an entertaining read with a dash of Colonial cultural and military appreciation.   

I received a print copy from Sherry Harris as military appreciation.  I chose to write an honest review to share the joy I found in TAGGED FOR DEATH. 

I love a bargain at gently read book stores.

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

1.  What is the most unusual "local" food you have sampled in your travels?  As mentioned in the review, Sarah adapts to the Massachusetts's state sandwich, the fluffernutter:  peanut butter and marshmallow creme usually served on white bread.

When I lived in Boston, I loved New England Clam Chowder aka chowda.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, July 25, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 26.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Check out my interview with Sherry Harris (link) and my review of Book Two in the series, THE LONGEST YARD SALE (link).

Aloha to Susanna Kearsley and SEASON OF STORMS - Book Review

A mystery trapped in time

In 1921, infamous Italian poet Galeazzo D'Ascanio wrote his last and greatest play, inspired by his muse and mistress, actress Celia Sands. On the eve of opening night, Celia vanished, and the play was never performed.

Now, two generations later, Alessandro D'Ascanio plans to stage his grandfather's masterpiece and has offered the lead to a promising young English actress, also named Celia Sands - at the whim of her actress mother, or so she has always thought. When Celia arrives at D'Ascanio's magnificent, isolated Italian villa, she is drawn to the mystery of her namesake's disappearance- and to the compelling, enigmatic Alessandro.

But the closer Celia gets to learning the first Celia's fate, the more she is drawn into a web of murder, passion, and the obsession of genius. Though she knows she should let go of the past, in the dark, in her dreams, it comes back...

A storm brewing in Lanakai, Hawaii

Storms make trees take deeper roots. - Dolly Parton

SEASON OF STORMS was first published in 2001.   Sourcebooks rereleased this title with the following note from Susanna:

This book was first published when emails were rare and nobody I knew owned a cell phone.  to update the story's technology would have unraveled the story itself, so I've left the things the way I first wrote them, and hope you'll indulge me.

I won this book last summer during a Sourcebooks promotion. Although I enjoyed other books from Susanna, the book's thickness - 504 pages - intimidated me.  Last week, I cracked open the book and I could not put it down.  Told from the heroine's perspective, Celia Sands (known as Celia Sullivan in the theater world) is a struggling actress with a dwindling bank account and a roommate moving out.   Her roommate gives Celia one last reading from the tarot cards, predicting an adventure  wrapped in a mystery.  The adventure comes as the leading role in Il Prezzo - The Price.  Written by eccentric poet Galeazzo D'Ascanio, the play will be staged on the same theater he built for the play's muse, English actress Celia Sands.  

Alessandro D'Ascanio, the poet's grandson, hires Celia on the condition she uses her given name.  The fact that the two actresses share the same name will a marketing ploy to spotlight D'Ascanio's restored estate on Lake Garda, Il Piacere del Vecchio, The Pleasures of an Old Man.  Celia enjoys a love/hate relationship with the infamous actress.  Her feckless mother gave her the actress' name on a whim.  As such, modern Celia refers to her namesake as Celia the First. 

Modern Celia arrives in Venice with acclaimed director and surrogate father Rupert.  They soak up the local sights which influenced D'Ascanio during the Great War.  Venice is also where D'Ascanio met Celia the First.  As Celia considers how their romance blossomed along the canals, Kearsley plants the seeds of the coming mystery. 

The story moves to Lake Garda, where cast and crew meet their host, Alessandro.  Half Italian, half English, he asks them to call him Alex but remains distant from his guests.  The cast begin rehearsals in the estate's ballroom while Alex overseas the theater's renovations.  As storms roll in, Gothic elements seep into the story with missing servants, ghost sightings, and clandestine meetings. The mysterious events only intrigue the merry band of actors.  Like true thespians, they immerse themselves in the poet's life by admiring his objects de art, including a chalice stolen by the Fourth Crusade's sacking of Constantinople.  They discover secrets about the celebrated poet, his muse,  and even themselves.

The absence of today's technology enabled the characters to engage in the lost art of innocent pleasures, such as an afternoon drink on the terrace, lively debate at the dinner table, and reading classics found in the poet's library. Kearsley weaves the stories of Sophocles, the Fourth Crusade, and the Great War into the plot as conversations topics, inspiring the actors to reflect on their own lives. 

Recommended read for fans of historical fiction, modern Gothic romance, and Italian culture. 

Conquest Of Constantinople By The Crusaders In 1204
Public Domain (link) 

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

1.  What do you know about Venice, Lake Garda, and/or Italia?  

As I learned from SEASON OF STORMS, the Fourth Crusade to Jerusalem stopped in Venice for provisions.  After a series of political manipulation, the Crusaders joined the Venetians in sacking Constantinople, creating the Great Schism between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Eight hundred years later, Pope John Paul II apologized, 

"It is tragic that the assailants, who set out to secure free access for Christians to the Holy Land, turned against their brothers in the faith. The fact that they were Latin Christians fills Catholics with deep regret."  

Yes, I love history!

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, July 18, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 19.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Check out my review of Susanna's other modern Gothic novels, THE SPLENDOR FALLS (link) and THE SHADOWY HORSES (link).

Aloha to Marilyn Pappano and A PROMISE OF FOREVER - Book Review

Sergeant First Class Avi Grant's return to Tallgrass, Oklahoma is a long-deferred wish come true. With her final tour in Afghanistan over, Avi can focus on her future-a job here at home and a family of her own. There's just one thing she has to do first: visit her beloved commanding officer's widow and share her grief. The last thing she expected was to feel an instant attraction to the woman's son. Too bad the sexy surgeon is impossible to ignore . . . and even harder to resist.

The sting of his parents' divorce still niggles at Ben Noble. So when a warm, funny, and beautiful young sergeant arrives, mourning his stepfather's loss as strongly as his mother does, Ben can't help but feel conflicted. If his parents taught him anything, it's that love doesn't last-especially with a career soldier. But try as he might to keep his distance, Ben begins to see that Avi-and the spark she brings to his life-is the stuff forever is made of. As Avi's leave ticks away, can Ben convince her to take a chance on forever with him?

Fort Sill, Oklahoma, 1930s
Public Domain (link)

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.  - Mahatma Gandhi

A PROMISE OF FOREVER is Book 4 in the Tallgrass, Oklahoma, series.  Tallgrass is home to the fictional Fort Murphy where a group of Army widows have formed the Tuesday Night Margarita Club to find solace among their own. Sergeant First Class Avery (Avi) Grants arrives in Tallgrass to visit the widow of her commanding officer who died during her recent deployment to Afghanistan.  She does not expect to meet, let alone find herself attracted to, the widow's estranged son.

Ben Noble holds onto his resentment towards his mother, who left her husband, his sisters, and him to marry an Army officer. He reluctantly leaves his lucrative surgery (and bachelor life) on the weekends to rebuild a relationship with his widowed mother.   Ben is surprised by his instant attraction to the Army soldier who holds his mother - and the man who broke apart his family - in high esteem.

Pappano delivers a quiet drama of family, romance, and grief.   The title plays upon Ben's feelings towards towards the broken promise of forever as he comes to grips with his mother's abandonment.  In contrast, Avi relishes her parents' long marriage.  She looks forward to finding her own promise of forever once she returns to Fort Gordon, Georgia.  She plans to finish her military service and start a family.  If only she wasn't distracted by Ben who is solidly planted in Oklahoma with his medical practice and his tight knit sisters. 

Pappano hits the target by painting a realistic picture of military life - the rewards, the challenges, and the unexpected. I commend Pappano for creating two honorable characters whose careers and families impeded their relationship ... or so it seems.   

Pappano also depicts Tallgrass as a comfy small town to delight readers.  She brings out the splendors of Oklahoma in contrast to the recent news of tornadoes and floods.  Pappano makes it a desirable place to live and love.   

I have not read the previous novels in the series but felt right at home in A PROMISE OF FOREVER.

Recommended read for fans of sweet contemporary romance, unlikely lovers, and military life.  

I received an ARC from Forever Romance for my honest review.

Fort Sill Change of Command
Public Domain (link)

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about Oklahoma - what do you know about it?  I grew up in Miami and often attended the Orange Ball Parade.  I remember the Oklahoma University Sooner band marching proudly in the parade. 

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, July 11, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 12.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Marilyn and her books at marilynpappano.net.

Check out my interview with Marilyn at this link.