Happy 241st Birthday, United States Navy!

Stand Navy out to sea, fight our battle cry!
We'll never change our course so vicious foes steer shy-y-y-y!
Roll out the TNT, anchors aweigh!
Sail on to victory, and sink their bones to Davy Jones, hooray!

Anchors Aweigh, my boys, Anchors Aweigh!
Farewell to Foreign Shores, we sail at break of day-ay-ay-ay;
Through our last night ashore, drink to the foam,
Until we meet once more, here's wishing you a happy voyage home!

Blue of the mighty deep, Gold of God's great sun;
Let these our colors be, Till All of time be done-n-n-ne;
On seven seas we learn, Navy's stern call:
Faith, courage, service true, With honor over, honor over all.

Born from the Continental Navy during American Revolution, the US Navy celebrates its birthday this weekend by commissioning its newest ship, the USS Zumwalt, in Baltimore Harbor.  

I am giving away a box of books from authors connected to the Navy:

Diana Cosby, HIS CONQUEST
HelenKay Dimon, CORNERED

Anne Elizabeth, SEAL AT HEART

Kieran Kramer, SWEET TALK ME
Geri Krotow, NAVY JUSTICE

Cathy Maxwell, THE BRIDE SAYS NO

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

plus Navy swag!

To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about the US Navy - do you know any sailors?  Have you toured any ships? 

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

3. Comments are open through Sunday, October 16, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 17 here at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

The Staying Power of Romance Novels

Last week, as I was driving home from a book store, I heard a GEICO commercial on the radio, "GEICO has more staying power than a romance novel cover model".

Oh, GEICO, you don't know romance readers!

GEICO is an acronym for Government Employees Insurance Company.  It spends millions on advertising; many of its commercials are humorous and somewhat irrelevent to car insurance.  GEICO was founded by Leo Goodwin after working for USAA, an insurance company founded by (and for) military officers. Goodwin applied USAA's business model to GEICO, thus demonstrating the military's staying power. 

GEICO may poke fun of romance cover models ... yet military heroes dominate them.  In fact, several reservists are cover models, including Jeremy R.  He attended the SOS America Military Tribute last year at the RT Booklovers Convention. Jeremy is currently deployed to Djibouti, Africa.  Thank you, Jeremy, for your service!

Image by Kimberly Rocha

GEICO has employed several spokesmen in its advertising campaigns, including Maxwell the Pig. He's confident in what he can do with GEICO apps, even as he vacations on the beach. Romanceland has its own Maxwell - Cathy Maxwell, the beloved author of historical romance from Avon Books. What's not to admire about an author who believes "loving well is the greatest adventure of all." Cathy penned 31 novels and contributed to five anthologies - now that's staying power.  Most of her cover models are heroines ... perhaps the heroines are inspired by Cathy's can do atttitude.  Did I mention that Cathy is a Navy veteran?  Thank you, Cathy, for your service!

Book 32 is available May 31, 2016

One of my favorite GEICO commercials features a camel wandering through an office asking, "What day is it?  Hump day!"  I've never ridden a camel ... but romance author Diana Cosby reenlisted in the Navy atop a dromedary!  Ultimately, Diana retired as a Navy Chief and I share chief humor, 

Real Chiefs believe that in the Navy every day is a holiday, every meal is a feast, every payday is a lottery and every muster is a family reunion.

How's that for staying power?  In her second career, Diana penned 9 medieval romance novels with more to come.  Thank you, Diana, for your service!

Diana Cosby, left, reenlists in Tangiers

I hum along to the GEICO's commercial with New York hip hop duo, Salt-N-Pepa, singing "Push It" to the businessman in the elevator, the pregnant couple at Lamaze class, and the exasperated dad mowing his yard. Romanceland has its own "push it" duo - Kimberly R. (right, below) and Janet R. (left). Kimberly is the founder of Book Obsessed Chicks blog, book club, and annual BBQ (link). Janet is a dedicated reader who has never met a romance conference she didn't love. Together, they are an enthusiastic pair who have recommended so many keepers to me. They have also faithfully supported military families through SOS America.  Thanks, Kimberly and Janet, for your infectious smiles!

Do you have a favorite GEICO commercial? Or a favorite cover model? One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Saturday, January 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 31.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Weekly Winners

We have winners at SOS Aloha! 

Catherine Lloyd's DEATH COMES TO KURLAND HALL
- Debby wins a book choice from my convention stash.

Diana Cosby's AN OATH SWORN
- LSU wins Scottish swag.

Winners, please claim your prize by sending your mailing address to sos.aloha@yahoo.com.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha spirit in Charm City

Wednesday's Warriors - Aloha to Diana Cosby and AN OATH SWORN (The Oath Trilogy)

Diana Cosby is celebrating the release of OATH SWORN, Book 3 in the Oath Trilogy:

Bound by honor to save a country they love…

The bastard daughter of the French king, Marie Alesia Serouge has just one chance at freedom when she escapes her captor in the Scottish highlands. A mere pawn in a scheme to destroy relations between France and Scotland, Marie must reach her father and reveal the Englishmen’s treacherous plot. But she can’t abandon the wounded warrior she stumbles upon—and she can’t deny that his fierce masculinity, Scottish or not, stirs something wild inside her.

Colyne MacKerran is on a mission for his king, and he’s well aware that spies are lying in wait for him everywhere. Wounded en route, he escapes his attackers and is aided by an alluring Frenchwoman…whose explanation for her presence in the Highlands rings false. Even if she saved his life, he cannot trust her with his secrets. But he won’t leave her to the mercy of brigands, either—and as they race for the coast, he can’t help but wonder if her kiss is as passionate as she is.

With nothing in common but their honor, Colyne and Marie face a dangerous journey to safety through the untamed Scottish landscape—and their own reckless hearts…

A retired Navy Chief, Diana Cosby is an international bestselling author of Scottish medieval romantic suspense. Books in her award-winning MacGruder Brothers series are translated in five languages. Diana has spoken at the Library of Congress, Lady Jane’s Salon in NYC, and appeared in Woman’s Day, on USA Today’s romance blog, “Happy Ever After,” MSN.com, Atlantic County Women Magazine, and Texoma Living Magazine.

After her career in the Navy, Diana dove into her passion – writing romance novels. With 34 moves behind her, she was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people she’s met throughout the world. With the release of her 1st book in her new Scottish medieval The Oath Trilogy, An Oath Taken, which hit bestseller lists in Canada and the United Kingdom, as well as the release of the e Box Set of the MacGruder Brothers series, she’s now preparing for the last two books in The Oath trilogy, An Oath Broken – 22 June, and, An Oath Sworn – 23 December, 2015!

Diana looks forward to the years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share this journey.

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

1.  Leave a comment how many moves you have made .... Diana has made 34 in the military!  

2.  Comments are open though Saturday, December 26, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 27.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

More books in the series ...

Aloha to Diana Cosby and AN OATH TAKEN

From Diana ...

Many of you know that I love volunteering my time and energy in helping to make a positive difference in others’ lives. As a military brat, a retired Navy Chief, a former military wife, and a mom of three children who have served in the military—two in the Marines and one in the Army, all who have served in Afghanistan—I understand the demands on members of the military and the impact on their families.

Upon return from combat duty, many Veterans face challenges including depression, PTSD, survivor’s guilt, suicidal thoughts, brain injury, as well as physical issues incurred during deployment. I wanted to do something that would make a difference and help these Veterans. So, I will be donating 100% of my proceeds from the first week of sales of An Oath Taken (8 December 2014 – 14 December 2014) to veterans’ charities and causes that support military service members and their families.

I shared my idea with my editor, and then asked if she could notify me of my royalties after the first week of sales for An Oath Taken. My editor’s response brought tears to my eyes. Kensington Publishing Corp. would gladly do as I asked — and make a matching donation. I'm awed by my publisher’s generosity, more so that I know the money raised will go toward making a positive difference in military members’ lives.

It’s hard to deploy and leave ones family, friends, and miss the holidays, more so for those who are placed in harm’s way. But, it’s also a tremendous challenge for the family members left at home wondering every single day if their loved one is alive. And when the family is reunited with their soldier after a dangerous tour of duty, regular family difficulties may seem overwhelming. Many military families need support to stay strong as their soldier receives proper treatment, which is one of the functions of the military charities I support.

Education, proper diagnosis, and treatment are the key to good physical and mental health. I sincerely hope that my 100% donation from my first week of sales of An Oath Taken, combined with my publishers matching contribution, can help returning Veterans as they continue their on-going fight in overcoming personal battles on the home front.

Thank you all for your time, and may God bless our troops and their families!

A retired Navy Chief, Diana Cosby is an international bestselling author of Scottish medieval romantic suspense. Her award-winning MacGruder Brother books are available in five languages. Diana has spoken at the Library of Congress, Lady Jane’s Salon in NYC, and appeared in Woman’s Day, on USA Today’s romance blog, “Happy Ever After,” MSN.com, Atlantic County Women Magazine, and Texoma Living Magazine.

After her career in the Navy, Diana dove into her passion – writing romance novels. With 34 moves behind her, she was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people she’s met throughout the world. With the release of her 6th book in the bestselling MacGruder Brothers series, she’s now preparing for the release of the 1st book in her new Scottish medieval The Oath trilogy, “An Oath Taken,” which will be available on December 8th, 2014. In addition, she’s excited about the upcoming release of The MacGruder Brothers e-Boxed Set on February 24, 2015!

Diana looks forward to the years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share this journey. 

Learn more about Diana and her books at dianacosby.com.

Caerlavorck Castle near the Scottish Border
Public Domain (link)

Mahalo, Diana, for your endless support of military families.  I am giving away Scottish swag to celebrate the release of AN OATH TAKEN:

As the new castellan, Sir Nicholas Beringar has the daunting task of rebuilding Ravenmoor Castle on the Scottish border and gaining the trust of the locals-one of whom wastes no time in trying to rob him. Instead of punishing the boy, Nicholas decides to make him his squire. Little does he know the thieving young lad is really...a lady.

Lady Elizabet Armstrong had donned a disguise in an attempt to free her brother from Ravenmoor's dungeons. Although intimidated by the confident Englishman with his well-honed muscles and beguiling eyes, she cannot refuse his offer.

Nicholas senses that his new squire is not what he seems. His gentle attempts to break through the boy's defenses leave Elizabet powerless to stem the desire that engulfs her. And when the truth is exposed, she'll have to trust in Nicholas's honor to help her people-and to surrender to his touch...

To enter the giveaway,

1.  What would you name your family's castle?  Be creative!

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

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

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

My children playing checkers at Caerlaverock Castle.

Remembering Veterans Day

From the Department of Veteran Affairs (link),

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

Veterans Day is a time for us to remember those who served and sacrificed.   The RomVets, female veterans who write romance books, continue to serve ...

Geri Krotow, Navy Veteran, is hosting me on her blog today at this link.  Learn how you can support her in sending romance books to deployed service personnel.

Diana Cosby, Navy Veteran, kicks off the 5th Annual Food Bank Food Drive Challenge at this link.  Diana is giving away her MacGruder Brothers series to one randomly selected reader who leaves a comment on her Facebook about giving to a food bank.

Jessica Scott, Army active duty, is hosting a fundraiser for Project Sanctuary at this link.   From its website, "Project Sanctuary takes our military families from battle-ready to family-ready by providing six-day, outdoor, therapeutic retreats in a healing environment and ongoing family support services for two years following each retreat."

Wreaths Across America is accepting donations to place a wreath at military gravesites as part of its mission (link), "Our mission, Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out in part by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies a specified Saturday in December at Arlington, as well as veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond."

Readers can support deployed personnel through Operation Holiday Card at this link.

PBS is hosting a special program, NAVY SEALS - THEIR UNTOLD STORY, 9 pm - 11 pm, Eastern Standard Time.  For more information, check out this link.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Boy Scouts lay lei at Punchbowl
National Cemetery of the Pacific

Aloha to Fleet Week with Diana Cosby

We conclude Fleet Week with Diana Cosby - she's the Keynote Speaker on Saturday morning at the NJRW's Put Your Heart In A Book Conference (link).    From her bio (link),

After retiring as a Navy Chief, AGC(AW), Diana dove into her passion – writing romance novels. With 34 moves behind her, she was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people she’s met throughout the world.

Her years of living in Europe inspired Diana to write in the medieval time frame. After watching the movie Braveheart and with her passion for writing complex plots, the idea for the MacGruder brothers series was born.

Sigh.  Scotland.   The sixth book in the series, HIS ENCHANTMENT, will be available December 19.  Meanwhile, I am giving away an autographed copy of Book 1, HIS CAPTIVE:

With a wastrel brother and a treacherous former fiancé, Lady Nichola Westcott hardly expects the dangerously seductive Scot who kidnaps her to be a man of his word. Though Sir Alexander MacGruder promises not to hurt her, Nichola's only value is as a pawn to be ransomed.

Alexander's goal is to avenge his father's murder, not to become entangled with the enemy. But his desire to keep Nichola with him, in his home—in his bed—unwittingly make her a target for those who have no qualms about shedding English blood.

Now Nichola is trapped—by her powerful attraction to a man whose touch shakes her to the core. Unwilling and unable to resist each other, can Nichola and Alexander save a love that has enslaved them both?

To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about how many moves you have made - any drama?  Oh, there's plenty of drama with military moves!

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 Diana and her books, check out her website at dianacosby.com.   

Diana wrote a special post for my travel blog, Hawaiian Travels during Navy Tour, at this link.

Celebrate Little Victories - H50 Season Four Premiere

Hawaiian Blessing for Season Four
cbs.com

As I watch the leaves turn color (and the temperature drops) I have a small ache in my heart for Hawaii.   The best salve came Friday night with the H50 Season Four Premiere.   It delivered non stop thrills, bromance humor, and suspend-belief-moments. It also offered beautiful shots of Bellows Beach, Aloha Stadium, and Steve-the-Navy-SEAL in action.

How can I sustain this Aloha Spirit?

1.   Chat with Navy Vets Diana Cosby and Geri Krotow at the Baltimore Book Festival (link)

Saturday, September 28, Mt Vernon Square, Maryland Romance Writers Stage:

2pm SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER ROMANCE

Terri Brisbin, Diana Cosby, Eliza Knight, Kate Poole

3pm WRITING MILITARY ROMANCE

Robin Covington, Laura Kaye, Geri Krotow, Elisabeth Staab

4pm CRAFT: PLOTTING VS. PANTSING, OR HOW TO COME UP WITH YOUR STORY

Christi Barth, Terri Brisbin, Diana Cosby, Joya Fields, Andrew Grey, Lea Nolan

Geri Krotow

2.   Chat with Navy Vets Diana Cosby and Cathy Maxwell at the NJRW "Put Your Heart in a Book" Conference (link)

Saturday, October 19

8 am:  Breakfast with keynote speaker Diana Cosby

11:15 am:  Cathy Maxwell, "Empowering the Writer within You"

4:00 pm:  Literacy Book Fair

Cathy Maxwell

3.  These veterans-turned-writers will tide me over 'til I can meet (again) Navy Vet Lindsay McKenna at the RT Booklovers' Convention in New Orleans.   She is hosting Navy SEAL Chief Jaco for several events, including the SOS Military Mixer:

The original military romance author, Lindsay McKenna, is bringing retired US Navy SEAL Chief Michael Jaco, who was part of SEAL Team Six. Jaco will be our keynote speaker at his memorable event.

Hawaiian monk seal on the Marine Corps' beach

4.  Meanwhile, I'll drink Hawaiian Fruit Tea to sustain me for the upcoming cold weather.

Did you enjoy any TV shows (new or returning) during this week of Season Premieres?

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Check out new pictures of Kauai (from Linda) on my travel blog, ALOHA ON MY MIND, at this link.