Aloha to Kyra Sedgwick 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.  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 series finale" 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 find a gang member murdered in Terrell's car.   The gang member has the lawsuit lawyer's card in his pocket.   The lawsuit lawyer refuses to explain.  It is clear to all that someone is controlling the gang.   An ally asks Brenda, "Who would care that Terrell killed the store owner and his grandson?"   The answer provides 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 at this link 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!

2011 Year in Review - Hawaiian Style

It's time for year end lists .... mine includes Hawaiian Proverbs!

He lawai'a no ke kai papa'u, he pokole ke aho; he lawai'a no ke kai hohonu he loa ke aho.
A fisherman of shallow seas uses only a short line; a fisherman of the deep sea uses a long line (reach for what you want).

I began the year stating that I would only blog on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Ha!

I now blog daily plus guest posts at the Reading Reviewer on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Mahalo to the 265 blog followers plus 62 Twitter followers - you encourage me to use the long line!

Lawe i ka ma'alea a ku'ono'ono.

Acquire skill and make it deep.

February brought Hannah Dennsion at this link.  She is the author of the cozy mysteries, Vicky Hill Exclusive, including her latest release, THIEVES!   Vicky Hill continues to hone her sleuthing skills while she charms the readers.  

The series is set in Devon, England where I spent my childhood summers visiting my English granny.  THIEVES! was a fun read that brought back fond memories.

E lawe i ke a'o a mālama a e `oi mau ka na`auao

Take what you have learned and apply it and your wisdom will increase.

In March, I spotlighted Anne Elizabeth's THE PENDULUM at this link.  Tia demonstrates Anne's mantra, "Power up - Destiny is a choice!   Anne Elizabeth is a breath of fresh air in Romanceland!

Ua ola loko I ke aloha.

Love is necessary for life.

In April, Pamela Clare asked me to review BREAKING POINT at this link.  This book blew me away with its realistic portrayal of the Mexican drug wars, a Navy Seal's ingrained training, and love is necessary for life.

I maikai ke kalo i ka oha
The goodness of the taro is judged by the youngest plant it produces.

May brought Laura Harrington's ALICE BLISS at this link.  It is a poignant story of how a girl, her family, and her community react to her father's deployment.   It was a timely read for Memorial Day.

Aia no I ka mea e mele ana.
Let the singer select the song

June brought another non romance book - Elin Hildebrand's SILVER GIRL at this link.   After her husband is jailed for a Ponzi scheme, Meredith found herself alone and broke.  With the help of a reluctant friend, she finds that she could select her own song to sing.

He poho, o ke akamai no ke hana a nui.

Problems happens.  Use wisdom and skill to deal with them.

Deadly intrigue happens in Michelle Diener's IN A TREACHEROUS COURT at this link.  Set during Henry VIII's rein, the protagonists use their skills to survive ... and find love with one another.  I have already received an ARC for the next book, KEEPER OF THE KING'S SECRETS, available in Spring 2012.

‘A’Ole E ‘Olelo mai Ana Ke Ahi Ua Ana Ia.
Fire will never say that it has had enough.


Fire, murder, and the patrons at the Tiki Goddess will never say they have had enough in Jill Marie Landis' MAI TAI ONE ON - her first book in the Tiki Goddess Mystery Series at this link.

Set on the island of Kauai, where the award winning Jill lives, MAI TAI ONE ON delivers quirky characters and laugh out loud adventure on the Garden Isle.  

The last page made my heart swoon.

E lauhoe mai na wa'a; i ke ka, i ka hoe; i ka hoe, i ke ka; pae aku i ka 'aina.

Paddle together, bail, paddle; paddle, bail; paddle towards the land.

In September, I returned to my favorite genre - Regency historicals - with two Sourcebooks authors:

- Shana Galen's LORD AND LADY SPY at this link.

- Leigh Michaels' THE WEDDING AFFAIR at this link.

Both books provided light hearted adventure that required the lively characters to work together to their goals.

A'ohe hana nui ka alu'ia.

No task is too big when done together.

During last year's series premiere of the new Hawaii Five O, Chin Ho suggested this Hawaiian proverb for the team's motto. Perhaps Axel from Gwyn Cready's A NOVEL SEDUCTION also adopted this proverb as he attempted to work with former lover, Ellery, in their task - write an "legitimate" article to promote romance books.

A NOVEL SEDUCTION reminded me that contemporary romances are fun reads at this link.  This book was both a tribute and parody of the romance genre 

I ulu no ka lala i ke kumu.

The reach of a tree's branches depends on its trunk.

November brought another contemporary romance to my doorstep.  Gina Robinson's THE SPY WHO LEFT ME demonstrated through humor that a family's unconditional love (tree's trunk) supports the family's endeavours at this link.  In this book, the family's endeavour is national security!   Bonus - it is set on the island of Maui!

'Ike aku, 'ike mai, kokua aku kokua mai; pela iho la ka nohana 'ohana.

Recognize others, be recognized, help others, be helped; such is a family relationship.

From Kelly at SOS America,

"This is a massive thank you for those who sent cards or packages. Hearing back from some that they got tons of mail!"

Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou - Happy New Year!

Kim in Hawaii

What's a blog without a giveaway?!?  One randomly selected commenter will win a book choice from my convention stash (infused with new books!)   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.

December Reading Challenge Wrap Up - 'Tis the Season

I posted a new entry at ALOHA ON MY MIND, Hanaiakamalama - Queen Emma's Summer Palace, at this link.  I have more places to post as I have been touring the island with guests!

I am a guest blogger at The Reading Reviewer, spotlighting Melissa Mayhue's WARRIOR'S REDEMPTION at this link.

December is coming to a close ... I hosted several guests for the 70th Anniversary of the Japanese attack on Oahu, including Pamela Clare and Tara Nina.

I recognized other historical dates, including the 107th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' flight and Apollo 17's moon walk.

Ua ola loko I kealoha (Love is necessary for Life)

I introduced you to a wide variety of "romance" books:

- Jill Shalvis' HEAD OVER HEALS

- Stephen Leather's ONCE BITTEN

- LK Hunsaker's MOONDROPS AND THISTLES

- Terry Spear's DREAMING OF THE WOLF

- Robin Kaye's WILD THING

- CL Parker's CATACLYSM

- Sarah Grimm's AFTER MIDNIGHT

- Catherine Mann's HOT ZONE

- Delilah Marvelle's FOREVER AND A DAY

- Nancy Lennea's LOVE TO THE RESCUE

- Phillipa Ashley's CARRIE GOES OFF THE MAP

- Hannah Dennison's THIEVES!

- Karen Robards' SLEEPWALKER

- Carolyn Hart's ESCAPE FROM PARIS

Civil War soldiers read books.

I embarked in a partnership with PUMP UP YOUR BOOK (virtual book promotions) with:

- Glen Strathy's DANCING ON THE INSIDE

- Frank Zaccari's INSIDE THE SPAGHETTI BOWL 

- Greg Messel's THE ILLUSION OF CERTAINTY

- Charles Rosenberg's DEATH ON A HIGH FLOOR

So many books, too little time to read ... and my most enjoyable read was Andrea Penrose's THE COCOA CONSPIRACY.  Historical romance is my first love and Andrea's Lady Arianna Series makes my heart sing (or maybe it's the chocolate recipes).

How about you - what made your heart sing this month?  One randomly selected commenter will win a book choice from my convention stash (which has been infused with new books released this year).  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, December 31, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 1.

Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou - Happy New Year!

Kim in Hawaii

Deployed soldiers come home
peoplesworld.org

Aloha to Carolyn Hart and ESCAPE FROM PARIS

Last week we chatted about cozy mysteries and one commenter recommended Carolyn Hart.   As it happens, Carolyn joins me today to spotlight her early WWII suspense books.  From her website, www.carolynhart.com,

This month, to my great delight, Oconee Spirit Press is publishing the original manuscript for ESCAPE FROM PARIS.  It has been 30 years in coming but finally the full book is available. 

The year is 1940. As England braces for German invasion and the Nazis devour Europe, two American sisters in Paris risk their own lives to save downed airmen from the Gestapo.

The Trevi Fountain in La Dolce Vita

Also from her website,

Hart met her husband to be, Phil, on a student trip to Europe during her junior year in college. They had a great journey. They are still having a great journey.

Kim:  What a love story! Can you share some highlights from the trip?

Carolyn:  We were young and eager and enjoyed being together from the moment we first met. The entire journey was fascinating. Perhaps the moment I remember most is when we threw a coin into Trevi Fountain and hoped for happiness. We have shared good times and bad and we still have fun together.

Amelia in Hawaii

Women she admires: Amelia Earhart, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Edith Hamilton, and Georgie Anne Geyer.

Kim:  Most excellent list! Why do these women inspire you?

Carolyn:  Amelia Earhart possessed great courage, Edna St. Vincent Millay understood the human heart, Edith Hamilton celebrated intellectual achievement, and Georgie Anne Geyer never met an adventure she wouldn't take. 

Kim:  Your bio is written by characters from your Henrie O and Death on Demand series. In fact, you have three mystery series.   What draws you to mystery?

Carolyn:  I wrote it before I created my redheaded ghost Bailey Ruth Raeburn. Bailey Ruth would probably say that I am neat and tidy but where is my fashion sense?

Mysteries explore relationships. The point of a mystery is never murder. The point is to understand what led the characters to make choices that will cause trouble in their own lives or the lives of others. Readers read mysteries because they want to live in a world where goodness is hnored, decency applauded, and evil defeated. 

German troops enter Paris in August 1940

Kim:  Then you take a different turn with your WWII suspense novels, including ESCAPE FROM PARIS. What inspired it?

Carolyn:  I grew up during WWII. The war had enormous impact on our lives. Later as an adult I read widely about the war years. I was inspired to write about life in Paris after its fall to the Germans because there was a classic confrontation between good and evil in the efforts of ordinary people to combat the Gestapo. Much of the research was drawn from personal accounts of the war that I read as an adult.

Kim:  What's next for Carolyn Hart?

Carolyn:  I am just starting the 23rd book in the Death on Demand series which features Annie Darling, who owns a mystery bookstore on a sea island off the coast of South Carolina, and her husband Max. Annie's bookstore gives me the chance as the writer to celebrate great mysteries of the past and present. Each story is independent and all explore what happens when ordinary people succumb to evil. The 22nd title, DEATH COMES SILENTLY, will be published in April. HIJACKED GHOST, the 4th in the Bailey Ruth series, will be published in October 2012. Bailey Ruth Raeburn is a lively redheaded ghost who returns to earth to help people in trouble.

Many thanks, Kim, and God Bless you for your efforts for our troops.

Mahalo, Carolyn, for joining us at SOS Aloha!  In honor of your heroes from ESCAPE FROM PARIS, I am giving away a 2012 Calendar from the National Museum of the Air Force - a treasure trove of vintage aircraft!  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about a project from your past that you would like to complete.

I keep lugging around boxes of pictures from assignment to assignment.  It is my goal to get those pictures in albums before we move from Hawaii!

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.   

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, December 31, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

American GIs in Paris

Aloha to Karen Robards and SLEEPWALKER

Last week, I received an unexpected treat in the mail - Karen Robards' SLEEPWALKER.   I am a fan of Karen's historical romances, but I have not had the pleasure of reading her romantic suspenses ... until SLEEPWALKER.   It is a page turning roller coaster with two unlikely partners - Micayla the cop and Jason the thief.   They meet in her uncle's empty mansion and soon find themselves running, together, for their lives.   While romantic suspense is not my first choice of genres, SLEEPWALKER intrigued me.  Scared me.  And satisfied me.  


I met Karen at the New Jersey RWA chapter conference, "Put Your Heart into a Book."   In fact, she was the keynote speaker at breakfast and entertained the audience with her road to publishing.   Karen addresses the same subject on her website at this link.   Just imagine if you were Karen in front of the class!  

Let's play "copy cat" with Karen Robards!


1.  Karen was born in Louisville, Kentucky.  I was born in Louisville.

concourslouisville.com

2.  Karen received $100 for her submission to Readers' Digest.  I won $10 during the Readers' Digest Sweepstakes.

3.  Karen's first book is ISLAND FLAME.  I have visited the Big Island of Hawaii, which is spewing flames of lava from Kilauea.

4.  Karen's Banning Sister Series was published over nine years - SCANDALOUS (2001), IRRESISTIBLE (2002), and SHAMELESS (2010).   I have been reading romance for nine years now.

5.  Karen's website includes a picture of her swimming with a dolphin.  My family has signed up to swim with the dolphins at Sea Life Park.

hawaiimagazine.com

6.   Karen has three boys.  I have three cats.

Meg Ryan in pjs ... just like Micayla in SLEEPWALKER.

I am giving away a hardcover copy of SLEEPWALKER to one randomly selected commenter.  

It’s not that Micayla Lange is afraid of the clinking she hears coming from the first floor of the empty McMansion she’s housesitting for her uncle Nicco. She’s a cop, after all. It’s just that finding out her boyfriend was cheating on her was enough drama for one night. Now she’s alone on New Year’s Eve, wearing flannel pajamas and wielding a Glock 22 as she zeroes in on the unmistakable source of the sound: Uncle Nicco’s private office.

Jason Davis steals things for a living, so unexpected developments are a natural part of the job. Getting caught red-handed by a hot, pigtail-sporting police officer in what is supposed to be a gangster’s deserted house is just one more twist in the game. Kind of like finding incriminating photos in Nicco Marino’s safe, only to discover the cop—and the security cameras—have gotten a real good look at his face.

Unfortunately for Mick, she also got a good look at the damned pictures. Her “uncle” might love her like family, but if he knows she’s seen evidence that implicates him in the murder of a city councilman, she doesn’t like her chances. Which is why she’s having a hard time reconciling her professional instincts with what she is rapidly concluding is an inescapable fact: She’s about to help a criminal get away with a suitcase full of stolen money. And she’s going with him.

Mick and Jason’s race for their lives hurtles them through the dangerous Michigan wilderness on speedboat and snowmobile. As their adventure heats up and their enemies close in, Mick is torn between her duty to the force and the combustible passion engulfing her and her unlikely partner in crime. She’ll have to turn Jason in sooner or later…if they survive. But will they ever get a second chance at love?

To enter the giveaway,


1.  Leave a comment about an embarrassing moment in your life (reference Karen's interview).  


I once sent a review to the wrong publisher - the publicist laughed with me!


2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.


3.  Comments are open through Saturday, December 31, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 1.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii

Manana Island near Mokapu Point

Weekly Winners and Boxing Day

As we close out 2011, I want to make sure all winners have received their books and/or prizes.  


- Mary, BlackRoze, Catslady, and Brenda:  I will mail your books this week.


- Claudia:  Your book is on order.


- Mariska:  You have a prize to claim.


If anyone else has not received her book and/or prize, please let me know at sos.aloha@yahoo.com.

We have winners at SOS Aloha!


First Flight - Book choice from convention stash
- MaryBelle is the winner!

First Thanksgiving - Book choice from convention stash
- Natalija is the winner!

Catherine Mann's HOT ZONE
- Stacie and JBiggar are the winners!
- Alba is the international winner

Delilah Marvelle's FOREVER AND A DAY:
- Kati R. is the winner!

Nancy Lee Badger's UNWRAPPING CHRIS:
- Danny is the winner!

Andrea Penrose's THE COCOA CONSPIRACY
- Dani is the winner!

Phillipa Ashley's CARRIE GOES OFF THE MAP
- Liz is the winner!

Winners - please confirm you would like to receive your book by sending your mailing address to sos.aloha@yahoo.com.

Bargain shoppers and service personnel are winners on Boxing Day - shoppers because of the "After Christmas" sales and personnel because of the UK holiday.  Anna Sugden has an excellent blog about Boxing Day at the Romance Bandits at this link.   It has its roots in feudal lords giving their servants a holiday bonus.   What could be more aristocratic than Prince Charles?   Today I am giving away a 2012 Calendar from Highgrove - Prince Charles' estate.  

To enter the giveaway,


1.  What are you doing on boxing day - Returning gifts?  Bargain shopping?  Back to work?  Back to the gym after eating a box of See's Chocolate?   I think you can guess what I am doing!


2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.


3.  Comments are open through Saturday, December 31.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 1. 


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii