Aloha to Rock*It Reads!

Mia Marlowe recently visited Hawaii.  I joined her family for a few adventure on Oahu.   While I shared Hawaiian trivia with her, Mia shared book news with me.  And here's fabulous news from Mia - she's part of ROCK*IT READS.  From its website at www.rockitreads.com, 


Mission Statement — Rock*It Reads members are traditionally published authors committed to bringing high standards and professional quality to their self-published works. Whenever readers see the RIR logo, they know the book they are purchasing is held to an excellent standard of quality. We are Authors You Love with Stories that Rock. 

Monica Burns	Pamela Clare	Lila DiPasqua	Cheryl Holt
Vanessa Kelly	Kris Kennedy	Margo Maguire	Mia Marlowe
Elisabeth Naughton	Sharon Page	Joan Swan

The ROCK*IT READS also lists books by genre so there is plenty to please the discerning reader!   I have a few books from the ROCK*IT READS authors in my convention stash, I am giving away a book choice to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway, 


1.  Leave a comment about ebooks, backlists, and novellas - love them or loathe them?


As a new reader to Pamela Clare's I-Team Series, I am excited to read her new novella, SKIN DEEP.   Plus she offers a short story, MARK AND JULIAN MAKE A BEER RUN.


Sigh.  Alpha Heroes having fun!  


2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.


3.  Comments are open through Friday, June 8, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Saturday, June 9.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii

Mia Marlowe in Hawaii.
I hope other Rock*It Reads authors visit me!

Mary’s Monet Moments in Reviewing... RESCUE ME by Rachel Gibson

When RESCUE ME by Rachel Gibson showed up on my radar to read I was very excited.  I am a fan of Rachel’s books and especially when I found out that we would be visiting Lovett, TX again where Daisy’s Back in Town took place and starts up where Any Man of Mine finished.  Daisy is one of my all time favorite characters so I was thrilled to get Sadie’s story woven into what happened before.

I have read and reviewed RESCUE ME by Rachel Gibson that I received from Avon Publishing.  Now it is time to let someone else enjoy it and provide this copy to one lucky winner.  To be eligible to win please leave a comment on “is there someone you would like to catch up with that has been missing from your life?”.  You must come back on Sunday – June 3^rd to see if you have won and then email me with your address.

As a fan of Claude Monet’s I am always moved by how he took the negatives in his life to make them positives.  No one liked his paintings, they criticized his innovative style, and what he thought was okay he went with.  Life may knock you around but look for the one shining moment in the day and celebrate a Little Victory. 

RESCUE ME by Rachel Gibson

Is there always something more to look forward to?

Sadie Jo always tried to be perfect regardless of the fact that she was not.  Coming from a small town, Sadie knew the rules.  Everyone in town always reminded of what she did not have as opposed to what she possesses.  Sadie skedaddled out of Lovett, Texas as soon as she was legally able and never looked back until now when circumstances are holding all the Sadie destiny cards.

Vince Haven still lives his life under the code of honor that guides every Navy SEAL, keep your life in order and be prepared for what may come.  What started for Vince as a chance of scenery with a quick visit to an aunt wound up getting him committed to life in a small town with some serious benefits.  Ever the prepared man the one thing that Vince never saw anticipated to knock him off his boots was Sadie, a sassy Texan in the most amazing package possible with a great bit attitude.  They tried hard to fight the attraction because both have excessively many unresolved childhood issues to give everything to a relationship.  Yet when they are pushed to the brink of despair every time they pull one another up and show how committed they are to each other.

Rachel Gibson writes from the inner core of every relationship where the truth lives and the love flourishes.

Aloha to FOR LOVE AND HONOR - an Avon anthology celebrating military heroes

Breaking News:  I am a guest blogger at Romance At Random, spotlighting real military heroes for Memorial Day at this link.

Avon is honoring military heroes with the anthology, FOR LOVE AND HONOR:


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

For Love and Honor

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.

FOR LOVE AND HONOR received a starred review from the LIBRARY JOURNAL at this link.    Let's meet one of the authors, Lynne Hinton.

Kim:  I read in your bio (at this link) that you live in Albuquerque - what is your favorite sight, sound, and smell.

Lynne:  I love New Mexico, especially Albuquerque. The Sandia mountains are beautiful and there are lots of great places to be outside to run, hike, and bike. People are friendly. My favorite sight is the moon over the Sandias. My favorite sound is the migration of the cranes overhead in November and in March. And my favorite smell is the tortillas baking at the Mexican Restaurant across the street from where I live. Taste, although you didn't ask, is green chile, on anything.

Kim:  Can you share a "story of others" who inspired you to write?


Lynne:  In a class in seminary a professor by the name of Katie Cannon read some of my essays. On the top of one she wrote
with a bright red ink pen, "You ought to be published." She changed my life.

Kim:  Who or what helped you along the road to publishing?

Lynne:  I have a wonderfully supportive husband who kept encouraging me when I felt like quitting. When I got an agent, she became a huge source of help and support.

Kim:  Tell us about your story in FOR LOVE AND HONOR.

Lynne:  My story, Letters From Pie Town, is just that, a series of letters sent to a young man in the military hospital after sustaining  injuries in Afghanistan. Each letter gives the reader an inside look at members of the community, Pie Town, which is central to the books, PIE TOWN and WELCOME BACK TO PIE TOWN. It's a love letter, of sorts, from one town to one hero.

Kim:  What's next for Lynne Hinton?

Lynne:  WELCOME BACK TO PIE TOWN is out in July, 2012. And I'm presently working on a mystery series set in northern New Mexico.

Mahalo, Lynne, for joining us at SOS Aloha!  To learn more about Lynne, check out her website at lynnehinton.com.  I am giving away a copy of FOR LOVE AND HONOR to one randomly selected commenter.  The winner may choose an ecopy (available May 29) or print copy (available June 5).  To enter the giveaway,


1.  What is your favorite pie?


2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.


3.  Comments are open through Saturday, June 2, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 3.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii


Continue the celebration of FOR LOVE AND HONOR with Candis Terry at SOS ALOHA at this link.

(05-28-12) Two Great Posts Today with Two Books to Win

Grand Central - Forever is having a double book day.

Don't stop at one post you must go to both and leave a comment on both blogs to win both books.  The theme here is both!

Mary’s Monet Moments in Reviewing... ONE NAUGHTY NIGHT by Laurel McKee

In ONE NAUGHTY NIGHT by Laurel McKee the theme that did keep to ripple through was that love conquers all.  Love protects you when it can, warms you when you are cold, and provides a sense of peace among the chaos of life.

Well the romantic believer that I am I truly believed that Aiden and Lily are a couple that despite everything working against them, love was on their side.  It was not a story book romance as the bumps in the road were mighty hefty to overcome, but I truly felt from the magnificent way Laurel McKee wrote this book that it was going to happen someway, somehow.  Deep sigh right here.

I have read and reviewed ONE NAUGHTY NIGHT by Laurel McKee that I received from Grand Central - Forever.  Now it is time to let someone else enjoy it and provide this copy to one lucky winner.  To be eligible to win please leave a comment on “do you think love can overcome everything?”.  You must come back on Sunday – August 21^st to see if you have won and then email me with your address.

As a fan of Claude Monet’s I am always moved by how he took the negatives in his life to make them positives.  No one liked his paintings, they criticized his innovative style, and what he thought was okay he went with.  Life may knock you around but look for the one shining moment in the day and celebrate a Little Victory. 

ONE NAUGHTY NIGHT by Laurel McKee

Are you really that mysterious or is that just an act to get my attention?

Lily St. Claire was literally plucked off the street and raised up from poverty by the generosity of her adopted family.  The long seeded grudge that they held against the Huntington family was as deeply embedded in her as if she were a true member of the family.  What surprise was she to behold when the one bane of her existence turns out to the joy of her life, Lord Aiden Huntington.

Aiden has always kept his emotions and interests in check, never sharing his secrets.  Being the second son he was able to carry on with the life he wanted as opposed to the one destined to be his older brother’s.  Aiden did indeed carry on until his eyes met Lily’s and time literally stood still.  Never having experienced these emotions before Aiden is not sure what has come over him.  It can’t be anything more than infatuation but the moment he touches her hand the rest he will write down to destiny.

The St. Claire family had many ventures in London both in the theatre and gaming hall.  Lily is an integral part of whatever the family did so her loyalties are tested when Aiden pushes her toward a fall from which she will not recover.  He is handsome and ever so charming but Lily sees beneath this façade to the genuine soul of a poet that is beating just for her.  Having overcome so much in her lifetime, some of which keeps coming back to haunt her can she have both Aiden and her family at the same time?

Laurel McKee starts this new series with sensational characters and a moving story line that will entertain and delight ever reader.

 There is so much I can say about Caridad Pineiro but when I read this snippet about she is donating a portion of the proceeds from her new book, THE CLAIMED, to HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS.   there was nothing I could say to top that.  To learn more about this effort, check out this link.

THE CLAIMED is the second book in The Sin Hunter Series:

Victoria Johnson loves her life. She’s her own boss in a quaint beachside town, and has great friends who keep her grounded. If only they knew who she really is: an heiress to an ancient race who possesses astonishing superhuman powers. It’s Victoria’s duty to restore her clan of Light Hunters to their former glory by choosing the perfect mate. In Christopher Sombrosa, she just may have found him. Strong, smart, and successful, Christopher exudes a powerful energy. Their connection is sensual, irresistible-and forbidden.

A member of the Shadow Hunter clan, Christopher has defied his own father to lead his people away from affliction and violence. Yet he cannot ignore his duty to carry on his ancient bloodline. Stunningly beautiful and brimming with an erotic life force, Victoria is everything Christopher ever hoped for in a mate . . . but as a Light Hunter, she’s his mortal enemy. Together, they could unite their warring tribes. But murderous factions on both sides don’t want peace-and they’ll stop at nothing to keep light and darkness apart forever.

To learn more about Caridad and her books, including links to purchase, check out her website at www.caridad.com.

I am giving away one copy of this book to a randomly selected winner on Sunday June 2nd.  To be eligible you must leave a comment on "what would you do with a super power?"  Please come back to see if you have won so I can get your address to ship the book.

Contest Winners for WE 05-25-12

I know we always sound old when we are saying it but seriously can you believe it is Memorial Day weekend?  Time really does fly when you are trying to make it stand still or just hesitate for a minute or two.

While this is a somber day of remembrance I also see it as a day that we are celebrating the brave men and women who served.  I am blessed that those in my family that were involved in the military came home successfully and lived full lives past their enlistment.  I have also mentioned before that my hero was my Aunt Jane who lived to be 90 and every year made sure she took part in some event celebrating her participation in WWII.  She was a firecracker that is for sure and served proudly but always said with a chuckle that it was to get away from her sister more than due her country’s duty. 

So to this week’s winners please send an email with your home address to marygramlich@yahoo.com so I can get these out to you. 

Gina Robinson – Diamonds are Forever: bn100

Jill Shalvis – Lucky in Love: Lorylee and Annabellspet99

Julia Quinn – On This Night: DJ in Denver

 

Pop Culture Saturday: A long time ago ...

We have winners from last week!


- Season Finales:  Johanna wins a book choice from my convention stash.


- Diamond Jubilee Celebration Hop:  CBails wins a book from my convention stash.

A long time ago ... thirty five years this weekend ... in a theater far away  ... Miami's Dadeland ... I joined my friends for an afternoon movie.  I had no idea the theater was only showing a new Sci-Fi movie, STAR WARS.  I went in kicking and I came out cheering.

I remember the words floating in space, introducing us to the rebellion.  I remember the music changing tempo. I remember it was more than space fights and alien creatures ... it was freedom fighting and human compassion in an alternate universe.  

STAR WARS changed our perception of science fiction, deep space, and special effects.  What is your favorite sci-fi story?  One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Friday, June 1, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Saturday, June 2.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii


Another film with heart, soul, and aliens is BATTLESHIP .  The aliens are more akin to Star Wars than most other alien invasion films.  Check out my review at this link.

Mary’s Monet Moments in Reviewing... A NIGHT LIKE THIS by Julia Quinn

I am a Julia Quinn fan and state so openly.  Every year I look forward to her latest book and overall there have been very few misses for me.  A NIGHT LIKE THIS is a complete romantic home run and so enchanting I could not put it down.  The Smythe-Smith Family is as entertaining as the Bridgerton’s were and have a wonderful sense of fun around life experiences.

I have read and reviewed A NIGHT LIKE THIS by Julia Quinn that I received from Avon Publishing.  Now it is time to let someone else enjoy it and provide this copy to one lucky winner.  To be eligible to win please leave a comment on “tell me a special night you cannot forget?”.  You must come back on Sunday – May 27^th to see if you have won and then email me with your address.

As a fan of Claude Monet’s I am always moved by how he took the negatives in his life to make them positives.  No one liked his paintings, they criticized his innovative style, but what he thought was okay he went with.  Life may knock you around but look for the one shining moment in the day and celebrate a Little Victory. 

A NIGHT LIKE THIS by Julia Quinn

Smythe-Smith Quartet Series , #2

 

Will my heartfelt dreams ever be fulfilled?

Running, hiding, and always looking over your shoulder are no way to live.  Both Daniel Smythe-Smith, the Earl of Winstead and Anne Wynter have been chasing and trying not to be noticed for too many years.  Daniel is finally free of his demon, or so he hopes and finds Anne just when things are looking up is no coincidence.

Anne’s poor decisions created a situation where she cannot reveal her true identity.  She needs the governess job she holds to make sure she can survive and still looks over her shoulder every moment of the day.  Daniel is more than a distraction for her; he is a complete and total obsession.  The feelings are mutual for both of them and they know the obstacles.  The question becomes which one will have the good sense to stop a relationship before it starts.  Anne will allow one kiss to hopefully put a stop to it all but that one moment of bliss is the heart of every magical moment either of them could have imagined.

Daniel will pursue, Anne will taunt, and both will make wishes upon stars in the night.  But will any of it fulfill their desire to be together.  What Daniel wants he normally achieves but this time the hurdles are society as well as family with both proving to be daunting opponents what the heart wants.  When Daniel becomes Anne’s protector and they both show how strong they are together perhaps, the walls between them can come down.

Julia Quinn has the ability to take the written word and turn it into a magical experience.  Readers are always treated to the joy of romance and the passion that comes from the simple touch of a hand.