Aloha to Kyra Sedwick and THE CLOSER (part 2) - Almost Series Finale plus Cliffhanger endings

"Lt, have you seen my glasses?"

Aloha!  Last week I asked questions to Mary about our favorite show - THE CLOSER - at this link and this link.  This week, I was scheduled to answer Mary's questions - which I cannot find (just as Brenda often cannot find her glasses, keys, or purse!)  

"You're the only one I can trust."

So I am going to wing it ... Mary and I discussed last Monday's "almost series finale".  I write "almost" because five more episodes return in the summer for Brenda to leave and Captain Raydor to take over the squad for her own show, MAJOR CRIMES.

"What do you mean, almost series finale?"

The "almost series finale" was packed with intrigue and action as we learned more about the Terrell Baylor case - the center of the lawsuit against Brenda and the LAPD.   Brenda and her squad found a gang member murdered in Terrell's car.   The gang member had the lawsuit lawyer's card in his pocket.   The lawsuit lawyer refused to explain.  It is clear to all that someone is controlling the gang.   An ally asked Brenda, "Who would care that Terrell killed the store owner and his grandson?"   The answer provided vital evidence to clear Brenda.  

"Chief Johnson will not be happy with this agreement."

So we should be happy ... but we are not as the lawsuit lawyer still blames Brenda even in the legal agreement.  And it remains a mystery who has been leaking information to the lawsuit lawyer.   It is another cliffhanger 'til June 2012!

"I love a cliffhanger!"

Cliffhangers create excitement and draw viewers (and readers) back to TV (and books).  I remember "Who shot JR?" from DALLAS - it created a media sensation.  The resolution was not so spectacular.   

Granada production of THE FINAL PROBLEM
with Jeremy Brett

Yet the cliffhanger can be subtle - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle allowed Professor Moriarty to escape Sherlock Holmes many times, leading up to the THE FINAL PROBLEM, where Holmes and Moriarty plunged into the waterfall ... readers assumed they died.  Doyle was ready to move onto to new characters but readers were outraged.   So Doyle brought back the beloved Holmes in THE EMPTY HOUSE.

"Holmes, you could have told me you were alive!"

Can you name a cliffhanger in movies, TV, or books?  Did it satisfy you?  One randomly selected commenter at the Reading Reviewer and one from SOS Aloha will win a book choice from my convention stash (Mary recently donated recent titles to refresh it).    This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through  Saturday, January 7, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 8 at the Reading Reviewer and SOS Aloha.

Mary in St. Louis wishes you Happy New Year!

Kim in Pearl Harbor wishes you Hau'oli Makahik Hou!

Mary’s Musings...about SANCTUARY COVE by Rochelle Alers

One night I was having a panic attack about not having a job, not having enough money, not having enough of so much.  So, I am wide-awake and flipping around on the television and wound up on a station I did not even know we had nor could tell you where it was.  The 30 minutes that I stopped and watched were amazing because it was a documentary about how the unemployed can make lemonade out of the lemons created by unemployment.  The main thought was reinvent yourself, chase your dream, or just learn to like the life you have.  Don’t sit around feeling sorry for yourself get a life lift and move on.  Nothing is ever going to be the same, accept it, and find a new goal to achieve and go after.

Then I read SANCTUARY COVE by Rochelle Alers where our main character of Deborah is facing the rebuilding of her life.  Instead of bemoaning all the negatives, she starts to focus on the positives.  It was a wonderful read about how life really does rattle us but heck rattle it back!

Below are Rochelle’s responses to your questions. I hope you enjoy them!

What do you see when you look out your back door vs. what you wish you saw?  When I look out my back door I don’t see a modern two-story ranch-style house with an outdoor kitchen shaded by a towering maple tree, but a houseboat on a picturesque lake bordered by pine trees.  The owners of the houseboat are a retired schoolteacher and her ex-Navy career officer husband who always wanted waterfront property.  Both have downsized from four-bedrooms to two, and they pass the time cooking their favorite dishes, and sitting on the deck reading or watching their favorite classic movies.

 Guilty Pleasure? Every time I complete a manuscript I reward myself with a visit to a neighborhood day spa where I indulge in a hot stone massage, facial, mani/pedi, and reflexology.  Not only does it do wonders for my body but also my mind.  I experience a lot of pleasure with very little guilt.

 Aha Moment?  I’ve had a lot of personal Aha moments, but the one that will never fade began December 10, 1987; it was the day I got the call that a publisher wanted to buy my manuscript.  A year later almost to the day I held a hardcover copy of the book that set off what has become a rewarding career as a published author.         

Brianne Beers of Grand Central Forever Publishing sent me a copy of SANCTUARY COVE to read, review and give away.  To be eligible to win please leave a comment on  “an Aha moment in your life?” then come back on Sunday – January 1^st to see if you have won.  Please remember if you do not come back, you will not know if you won, because I am going to need your address. 

As always I wish you happy reading, encourage you to celebrate your Little Victories, and come back to see what book I am reviewing and offering up for a giveaway.  Do not forget to cast your positive votes for me on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  Your vote matters!

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SANCTUARY COVE by Rochelle Alers

01/12 - Grand Central Publishing - Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages

Do life changes always have to be so difficult?

Deborah Robinson is dealing with a new business, going back home with her children, and living life as a widow.  Her husband died a hero but the road to recovery is not easy when you have to say goodbye to old hurts.  Moving forward is a challenge as well for Asa Monroe who has found some healing to his broken heart in this quaint, Southern town and its easygoing manner. 

Small towns come with their own set of rules and a lack of privacy is the least of the worries that Deborah is dealing with.  As she tries to release the past and move forward she, stumbles over guilt and too many memories from the life she had preventing her from building the life new now wants.  The new bookstore she opens helps and finding Asa working for her exciting.  He does not say much but there is a world of experiences he has also lived that she wants him to share.  Every day they grow closer and discovering all his secrets is a healing balm for both of their hearts as they allow themselves to move toward a future.

Reading about two tattered souls finding each other and moving on with their lives is romance at its finest.  This is a story of two people dealing with real life issues and making the difficult adult decisions everyone has to accomplish.  My only question about this book is did Crystal did a dog or not?

Aloha to Melissa Mayhue and WARRIOR'S REDEMPTION

Let's see if you know naval history ....

1.  On this day in 1812, USS CONSTITUTION captured the HMS Java after a three hour battle off the coast of Brazil.

2.  USS CONSTITUTION is nicknamed "Old Ironside".

3.  On this day in 1860, the Royal Navy launched its the first iron clad warship, HMS WARRIOR.

4.  In WARRIOR'S REDEMPTION, Danielle Dearmon, travels through time from modern Texas to Medieval Scotland.

Scotland.  Sigh.

5.  On this day in 1845, Texas is admitted as the 28th US State.

6.  USS Texas was launched on June 28, 1892 as the first American battleship.

7.  Battleship - a science fiction movie based on the "peg in grid" game - was filmed on board the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor.

8.  The USS Missouri - Mighty Mo - used its nine 16 inch/50 caliber guns to earn 11 battle stars in WWII, Korea, and the Persian Gulf wars.   Mighty Mo now stands guard over the warriors interned in the USS Arizona Memorial.

9.   WARRIOR'S REDEMPTION is Melissa Mayhue's ninth book of time travel to Medieval Scotland.

Scotland.  Sigh.

Speaking of naval history, Melissa has a connection to the US Navy.  She was my guest during Fleet Week 2010 at this link.  I  am giving away a print copy of WARRIOR'S REDEMPTION to one randomly selected commenter:

Will the magic of modern romance help him defeat an evil ancient power?

MALCOLM MACDOWYLT sees himself a failed warrior, haunted by the death of the woman he married to become laird of Clan MacGahan. Neither his Viking heritage nor his claim to descend from Norse gods can restore his confidence in his ability to protect his people. His sister is held captive, her life in jeopardy, and his Magically powerful half brother wants him dead. The last thing he needs is more responsibility, but that's exactly what he gets when his Faerie mother-in-law arrives seeking justice for her daughter in the form of an enticing woman from seven hundred years in the future.

DANIELLE DEARMON has waited fifteen years to discover the life she is supposed to live. She just never dreamed she'd end up in the thirteenth century with a handsome Scot bent on saving everyone but himself.

With the lives of those most dear to him hanging in the balance, Malcolm sets out to battle a powerful evil Magic, only to learn that the redemption he seeks exists only in the arms of the woman he loves.

To enter the giveaway, 

1. Leave a comment about Faerie Godmothers - what would you ask for if you had one?

2. This giveaway is open to all readers.

3. Comments are open through Monday, January 2, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Tuesday, January 3.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

To learn more about Melissa and her books, check out her website at www.melissamayhue.com.

Melissa (right) with Margaret Mallory at RT.

Mary’s Musings...about HOT RAIN by Kat Martin

When I first began reading HOT RAIN I could tell there was going to be some suspense and a little romance but wow I never expected this much.  I am as previously stated on numerous occasions a passionate Kat Martin fan and love every book she has written.  There are favorites but I try not reveal those.  HOT RAIN is about being determined to solve a mystery when the police won’t continue the search and the character of Allie is so strong that I admire how she marched forward not knowing where it was going to take her.

Kat’s assistant has been so helpful in getting this set up and she included for your viewing pleasure an Excerpt: http://katbooks.com/Hot%20Rain.htm#Excerpt and Video:

http://katbooks.com/Hot%20Rain.htm#Video

I am proud to let you know that I received a copy of HOT RAIN from Kat Martin to be given away.  The author is also running a contest in conjunction with my blog and one Kindle edition of Hot Rain will be awarded to one lucky WINNER. To be eligible to win please leave a comment on  “would wouldn't you do to get closure on a mystery?” then come back on Sunday – January 1^st to see if you have won.  Please remember if you do not come back, you will not know if you won, because I am going to need your address. 

As always I wish you happy reading, encourage you to celebrate your Little Victories, and come back to see what book I am reviewing and offering up for a giveaway.  Do not forget to cast your positive votes for me on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  Your vote matters!

Purchase Links:

Barnes and Noble: paperback: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-rain-kat-martin/1103286731?ean=9781420123975&itm=1&usri=hot+rain

Nook/ebook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1103286731?ean=2940013802155&format=nook-book&itm=1&usri=hot+rain

Amazon: paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Rain-Kat-Martin/dp/1420123971/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1323810718&sr=8-2

kindle edition: http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Rain-ebook/dp/B006IT1YOI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1323810718&sr=8-3

Indiebound:  paperback: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781420123975

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HOT RAIN by Kat Martin

01/12 (Original Publication 2002) - Kensington Publishing Corporation, 416 pages

Are you brave enough to stay and love me?

Mary Alice Parker watched as her best friend and roommate died in a horrific explosion.  Not getting anywhere with the police Allie takes the case on and starts her own investigation.  This is not the best move but friendship is priceless and everyone needs closure.  After some snooping and searching, Allie finds herself as a stowaway on a yacht that is set for ports unknown.

Allie is terrified when she is caught and fears what the two men standing in front of her are about to do.  To Allie’s surprise the captain Jacob Michael Dawson steps up to save her.  Jake looks like trouble surrounded by a stunning package but can Allie trust him not to hurt her.  He is very clear about the danger they are in and tells her to behave but Allie has her own ideas and most of them involve escape.  When escaping proves to be not an option Allie starts to realize Jake is not the enemy he may in fact just be her salvation.

 She has put the pieces of what the yacht was really carrying and just how much danger they are in.  When things go from horribly wrong to downright horrific Allie finds herself stranded in the jungle with Jake knee deep in mud and bugs and her only thought survival.  Once Jake tells her what is really going on she tries to believe him, but still there is the doubt that perhaps he is playing everyone.  When Jake and Allie enter the belly of the beast, they must lean on each other and being held through the night sure does help ease the pain.

Reading any Kat Martin book regardless of the genre always provides you with the romance and adventure in perfect proportions.  This book was published in 2002 and the writing style of Ms. Martin has changed over time.  However, her ability with character building and relationships come shining through.  A must read for all Kat Martin fans!

Aloha to Sara Luck and SUSANNA'S CHOICE

Today is my privilege to spotlight Sara Luck and SUSANNA'S CHOICE.   From Sara's bio,

Sara Luck has lived the life that other novelists write about. A retired school teacher, Sara taught in Alaska, 200 miles above the Arctic Circle. She has traveled to every state in the United States and has watched Bowhead Whales breaching in the Chukchi Sea, cavorting Dahl Sheep in the Brooks Range, leaping cutthroat trout on Oregon's McKenzie River, roaming grizzly bear and mountain lions in the Absorka Range in Wyoming, and dolphins at play from her beach home at Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Married to NY Times Best Selling novelist, Robert Vaughan, Sara has for over 30 years been Robert's research assistant, editor, librarian, sounding board, and story consultant.

The genesis of Susanna's Choice came from one of those research projects. Sara discovered the The Journals of Alfred Doten – 1849-1903, a remarkably detailed account of life in Virginia City and Gold Hill, Nevada, during the heyday of silver mining in such mines as the Comstock Lode, Consolidated Virginia, Belcher, and Ophir. When Robert didn't get as excited about the story prospects of this find as Sara did, he told her to write the book herself. She did just that, and Susanna's Choice is her debut effort, but she promises there will be many more to come.

Robert is a retired Army Warrant Officer with several notable decorations.   That makes Sara a "retired" spouse and a welcome guest to SOS Aloha!   I am giving away a print copy of SUSANNA'S CHOICE to one randomly selected commenter:

Set in the tumultuous frontier days of the American West, this thrillingly authentic debut novel illuminates the passionate choices of one woman’s heart.

A chance encounter . . .

Wealthy entrepreneur Rab Trudeau is seething mad. A Nevada newspaper is printing fraudulent stock prices that could force his silver mine to close. Posing as an investigator from San Francisco’s Great Western Detective Agency, which he happens to own, Rab travels to Nevada to uncover who’s behind the false claims. Soon after stepping off the train, he rescues a beautiful woman from an oncoming carriage—and in one blinding moment, both are consumed by the powerful strength and seduction of their embrace.

An uncertain destiny . . .

An aspiring writer for The Pioneer, Susanna agrees to interview the stranger whom everyone is talking about, and is shocked to discover he’s Rab Trudeau—the gentleman who saved her life. Promised in marriage to the wayward son of the couple who raised her after her parents died on a westward-bound wagon train, Susanna fights her overwhelming desire for Rab. But as the mine scandal heats up and turns violent, Susanna must make an impossible choice—one that could bind her to Rab forever or destroy any hope of their future happiness.

To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about the American West -  I enjoyed several vacations in Colorado Springs!

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Monday, January 2, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Tuesday, January 3.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Mary’s Musings...about THE DUKE IS MINE by Eloisa James

As a child I did not read allot of fairy tales or live the life of someone who had the chance to think a prince would come for me.  My mother being the realist made sure I understood someone was going to take me but that it would not be a hero as not one wants what would now be labeled as having a learning disability.  A prince did not come and rescue me but someone that does on most days take the good with the bad.

The reason I bring this up is the discussions that have surrounded the character of Rupert in THE DUKE IS MINE.  He is mildly disabled, highly emotional, and not treated very well by those around him including his father and future bride.  At first I thought it was a situation of sisters making fun of someone but this goes way beyond something uncomplicated as that.

I truly loved this book for the romance between Quin and Olivia but was disturbed by this depiction of Rupert.  But, if you think about it are we better at dealing with those that are not “like us” now than they were before?  We yell at bad drivers, walk around those that may have issues we fear, and exercise caution with situations that require us to embrace the disabled.  This is not to say we are not concerned or kind people but sometimes I think we may need to stop and ask ourselves if could be more open minded and embrace the situation differently.  This includes me because at times my patience are short with someone who may need to take more time to explain something and I just want to move on.

So if the objective of this book was meant to make us think about our actions and not be so critical well Eloisa James has hit home with me.

Avon, an Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers provided me with one copy of THE DUKE IS MINE by Eloisa James to be given away.  To be eligible to win please leave a comment on  “what was your favorite fairy tale ?” then come back on Sunday - January 1st to see if you have won.  Please remember if you do not come back, you will not know if you won, because I am going to need your address. 

As always I wish you happy reading, encourage you to celebrate your Little Victories, and come back to see what book I am reviewing and offering up for a giveaway.  Do not forget to cast your positive votes for me on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  Your vote matters!

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THE DUKE IS MINE by Eloisa James

12/2011 - HarperCollins Publishers - Mass Market Paperback, 400 pages

What happens when what you anticipated to occur does not?

Miss Olivia Mayfield Lytton has been promised to a titled man since before her birth.  It is not the relationship she seeks but duty calls when a there is the possibility of a title in your future even when you are not suited to the position.  Now Olivia’s twin sister Georgiana would fit the role perfectly but she being born seven minutes later negates the point unfortunately. 

The nuptials are postponed as Olivia’s future husband fulfills his duty to his country in the military.  With time on her side Olivia and Georgiana travel to find Georgiana a husband, which just might be Tarquin Brook-Chatfield, Duke of Sconce.  However, if he is looking at one sister to be his wife, why is he kissing the other one?  Quin has had one disastrous marriage and trying to avoid another by not letting his emotions rule his decision.  With Olivia’s lips pressed to his that is not as uncomplicated a feat as it should be.  Quin’s heart will not listen to anything he is saying and the passion he cannot control is making him do illogical things, which he does not believe in.  Quin knows she belongs to another but that is not going to stop him from chasing after her and convincing everyone including Olivia that destiny brought them together.

Eloisa James knows how to hit every romantic note written.  She brings the love on in waves so that it warms your soul and melts your heart at the perfect time.  I was a little put off by the treatment of one character but if this is historically accurate than the reaction was probably accurate.