Aloha to Jillian Stone and AN AFFAIR WITH MR. KENNEDY

It was a historical weekend for me. 

- I finished debut author Jillian Stone's AN AFFAIR WITH MR. KENNEDY, set in 1887 London.  It is the first book in The Gentlemen of Scotland Yard series and today is its release!

- I watched SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS, set in 1891 Europe.

- I watched DOWNTON ABBEY, set in a country estate during WWI.

These stories spanned over thirty years as they shared one common theme - change. The good, the bad, and the violent. Kicking off the change is AN AFFAIR WITH MR, KENNEDY:

London, 1887. Part stoic gentleman, part fearless Yard man, Zeno “Zak” Kennedy is an enigma of the first order. For years, the memory of a deadly bombing at King’s Cross has haunted the brilliant Scotland Yard detective. His investigation has zeroed in on a ring of aristocratic rebels whose bloody campaign for Irish revolution is terrorizing the city. When he discovers one of the treacherous lords is acquainted with his free-spirited new tenant, Cassandra St. Cloud, his inquiry pulls him unexpectedly close to the heart of the conspiracy—and into the arms of a most intriguing lady.

Cassie is no Victorian prude. An impressionist painter with very modern ideas about life and love, she is eager for a romantic escapade that is daring and discreet. She sets her sights on her dour but handsome landlord, but after she learns their meeting was not purely accidental, she hardly has a chance to forgive her lover before their passionate affair catapults them both into a perilous adventure.

Mary Cassatt's TEA

Victorian Society enjoys modern conveniences and modern ideas ... yet struggles with poverty and anarchism.   Jillian Stone delivers a compelling romance that spans several genres - historical, suspense, and even a hint of steampunk.    Read my review on Goodreads at this link.

Mary Cassat's IN THE BOX

Jillian herself is equally compelling.  From her interview with RT Bookreviews (at this link),

Regency seemed like a crowded field (filled with very talented writers). And I didn't want to write about dukes and earls who sit around in gentlemen's clubs and make wagers. I began to notice that a few romance authors were writing in the Victorian period. I was particularly drawn to Amanda Quick's novels, which were historical romance but incorporated mystery, suspense and occult elements. Then I got to thinking about Scotland Yard detectives. It seemed to me that Yard men were always portrayed as bumbling inspectors, five moves behind Sherlock Holmes. So I thought, what if there was an elite group of detectives? I began to do some research and found out that there was a division of Scotland Yard created in the 1882 called Special Branch. I added a dash (as in dashing) of James Bond Steampunk and that was the start of The Gentlemen of Scotland Yard. The heroines in the series are fascinating, progressive Victorian women: an Impressionist painter, an industrialist and a ballerina/jewel thief/spy! 

I am giving away a print copy of AN AFFAIR WITH MR. KENNEDY to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about one modern convenience that you cannot live without in today's modern world.  Now imagine how you would live without it in the Victorian Era.

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 4, 10 pm in Hawaii.   I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 5.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

To learn more about Jillian Stone and her books, including links to purchase, check out her website at www.gjillianstone.com.

Mary Cassatt's SUMMERTIME

Aloha to Kenya Wright and FIRE BAPTIZED

Yesterday my children and I attended the Pro Bowl (at this link).   During the half time show, the NFL saluted military families.   The field was filled with a "parade" of military personnel representing the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy.

Pro Bowl with military personnel

Today I welcome a Navy Veteran turned romance author, Kenya Wright.  From her bio (at this link),

Kenya Wright always knew she would be famous since the ripe old age of six when she sang the Michael Jackson thriller song in her bathroom mirror. She has tried her hand at many things from enlisting in the Navy for six years as a Persian-Farsi linguist to being a nude model at an art university.

However, writing has been the only constant love in her life.

So here we are Kenya is publishing her first book, Fire Baptized, the urban fantasy novel she always wanted to read. This novel is the first book in a series.

Kenya Wright currently resides in Miami with her three amazing, overactive children, a supportive, gorgeous husband, and three cool black cats that refuse to stop sleeping on Kenya’s head at night. 

Kim: I grew up in Coral Gables (a suburb of Miami).  What is your favorite sight, sound, and smell of Miami?

Kenya: That’s awesome that you used to live here!   My favorite sound is people conversing in Spanish. I moved here four years ago to go to University of Miami law school. What I immediately noticed was that a lot of people spoke Spanish. One time I was in Wal-Mart during a thunderstorm. The store’s lights went off. All of the announcements were in Spanish. I had to blindly walk around crowds of people, mumbling the few words I knew. 

My favorite sight is male bicycle riders! For some reason, there are a large amount of men that ride their bikes only in tiny metallic thongs. It is the most amusing thing to witness. When I am feeling down, I drive around and check out the crazy men in the metallic thongs.

My favorite smell is Cuban food! I’m pretty much addicted to fried plantains. 

foodnetwork.com

Kim:  What did the Navy teach you? What was your favorite place you visited (or thing you did) in the Navy? 

Kenya:  I was Persian-Farsi linguist in the Navy. My job was in the intelligence field so if I tell you anything about my job I’m going to have to kill you! (I can’t help it. I love saying that.)

Interestingly, I was in the navy for six years but I never went on a ship or was stationed at a naval base. I was stationed at an army base in Fort Gordon, Georgia the whole time.

The favorite thing I did in the Navy was meet my husband and friends. I’ve now been with my husband for ten years. I’m still in touch with my friends and we try and visit each other as much as possible. 

Kim:  Love this line from your bio, "the urban fantasy novel she always wanted to read" - what qualities do you seek in an urban fantasy novel? 

Kenya:  I seek three qualities in my urban fantasy novel. First, I love mystery, fantasy, and romance. I must have all of those combinations in my urban fantasy novel. Second, I love succulent muscular men in my books, two or more preferably. Finally, I enjoy novels with bigger themes within the story. 

Kim:  Tell us about FIRE BAPTIZED.

Kenya:  Fire Baptized is an urban fantasy novel set in a world where humans have forced supernaturals to live in cages. My main character Lanore is a supernatural college student that stumbles upon a murder and catches the attention of a killer. She spends the rest of the book searching for the killer’s identity so that the murderer won’t catch her.

The novel is not your typical urban fantasy. There are themes of racism and gender discrimination. There are two love interests and Lanore struggles with her feelings for both guys. Additionally, the magic system is based on the Santeria religion, so there is a strong Afro-Cuban influence throughout the book. 

Kim:  What's next for Kenya Wright, other than singing Thriller in the bathroom?

Kenya:  I’m currently writing the sequel to Fire Baptized which is called The Burning Bush. The sequel will be released in July 2012. I’ve also written an erotic paranormal romance novella called Incubus Hunter that will be released on February 13, 2012. 


Additionally, I plan on singing Adele’s Rolling In The Deep for all future bathroom performances! 

Adele singing ROLLING IN THE DEEP

Mahalo,  Kenya, for joining us at SOS Aloha!  Kenya is giving away five ecopies of FIRE BAPTIZED.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about languages - do you speak more than one?   Or, what language intrigues you?

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 5, 10 pm in Hawaii.  

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to J.L. Saint and TACTICAL DECEPTION

On this date in 1856, Queen Victoria signed the Royal Warrant to create the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest award for gallantry. Eight recipients are still living:


John Alexander Cruickshank, 1944, WWII - Atlantic
William Speakman, 1951, Korea
Rambahadur Limbu, 1965, Malaysia
Keith Payne, 1969, Vietnam
Johnson Beharry, 2005, Iraq
Willie Apiata, 2007, Afghanistan
Mark Donaldson, 2009, Afghanistan
Ben Roberts-Smith, 2011, Afghanistan

Willie Apiata and Mark Donaldson in London for
Remembrance Day 2010

Today's guest, J.L. Saint, writes about gallant US soldiers in her Silent Warrior Series:


COLLATERAL DAMAGE (print book at this link and ebook at this link).

Let a terrorist take her? Not over his dead body and damned soul…

Silent Warrior, Book 1

One thing makes Jack Hunter invaluable to his Delta Force Team. The same trait that makes him suck at relationships. Single-minded focus on his career—and honing his ability to never miss a kill.

After a terrorist missile devastates his team and leaves him with only partial memory of a FUBARed rescue mission, he retains only one clear picture no one believes: the last face in his gunsight belonged to a prestigious American businessman. The man’s wife has to know something, but the only way to get to her is go AWOL.

After her husband trades his family to tango with double-Ds, Lauren Collins decides her dogs are better judges of character. She’s unaware how far her soon-to-be-ex’s web of deceit reaches—until the only thing between her, her sons and a killer is a wounded Delta soldier who activates her sorely neglected X-chromosome like nobody’s business.

Their instant attraction is kryptonite to Jack’s injury-dulled edge. Thrust into a world of peril, political treachery and treason, Lauren has no choice but to trust Jack with her life. Even if she and her sons survive, she’s not sure her heart will…

Product Warnings:  Contains a warrior who doesn’t hesitate to lay his body on the line, more than one emotional love story to tug at your heart, and chaos at Chuck E. Cheese.

TACTICAL DECEPTION (ebook at this link).

One tormented soldier. One woman. Eight snipers. Someone’s going down…

Silent Warrior, Book 2

The fallout from the team’s failed mission to Lebanon is still chewing Lt. Col. Roger Weston’s butt. God help them all if the media get wind of the real story. Worse, guilt is eating him alive over a decision that left a fallen warrior’s wife without a husband…and exposed to danger from her radical family.

No matter what, Mari Dalton’s safety and wellbeing—and that of her unborn child—come first.

Mari is certain God is punishing her. She loved the man who rescued her from a windowless cell in Afghanistan, and never betrayed their marriage. But she has never been able to forget her body’s reaction to Roger. The pounding heart, the burning senses, sinful thoughts run wild.

Now she is the target of terrorists bent on destroying the heart of America. As Roger lays his life on the line to protect her, they uncover a plot already in motion to assassinate the President. As the world teeters on the edge of chaos, any hope for a future rests in Roger’s already bloodstained hands…and the quietly faithful woman who holds his heart.

Product Warnings:  Hot action and to die for heroes will leave you breathless. 

Who is the creator of these hot heroes?  From J.L.'s website at this link, 

Never coffee. Always tea. Never beer. Always champagne. There’s more, but hey, gotta save some secrets until after the first date, right?

I grew up in Miami. Went to nursing school in Georgia, where I now reside. I raised and home schooled three great kids. I wrote for nine years before I sold a book, which made me a firm believer that a person should NEVER NEVER NEVER GIVE UP ON THEIR DREAMS.

I'm glad you didn't give up on your dreams! J.L. is giving away one ecopy of COLLATERAL DAMAGE and one ecopy of TACTICAL DECEPTION. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about a "hero" you admire. I admire the Hickam Librarian - she is so passionate about promoting literacy to all military families.

2. This giveaway is open to all readers.

3. Comments are open through Saturday, February 4, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 5.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

The highest honor for the US military is the Congressional Medal of Honor. The most recent recipient is Sgt. Dakota Meyer, USMC, at this link.

Aloha to Weekly Winners and the Pro Bowl

Just a reminder of my other blogs:


ALOHA ON MY MIND, a travel blog at www.alohaonmymind.blogspot.com 


CELEBRATE LITTLE VICTORIES, happy thoughts at  www.celebratelittlevictories.blogspot.com.

We have winners at SOS Aloha!


Lara Adrian's KISS OF MIDNIGHT
- Linda is the winner!

Bellows Beach (book choice from convention stash)
- Jane is the winner!

Amanda Usen's SCRUMPTIOUS
- Stacie D. is the winner!

Mia Marlowe's SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER
- Alba and Cathy P. are the winners!
- Sue is the international winner!

Alexia Fraser (Hawaii Ohana gift pack)
- Shadow is the winner!

Sabrina Jeffries' A LADY NEVER SURRENDERS
- Dani is the winner!

Binnie Syril Braunstein (book choice from convention stash)
- Debby is the winner!

Victoria Alexander's MY WICKED LITTLE LIES
- Diane is the winner!

Winners - please claim your book by sending your book by sending your mailing address to sos.aloha@yahoo.com.

The cheap seats offered to military families
at a discount.

Today I am taking my boys to the Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium.  Actually, I gave the tickets to my husband and children as a Christmas gift but my husband has another commitment.  So I will brave the crowds for my boys! We attended last year and it was fun.  It was just annoying that the game revolved around the TV broadcast - there were several obvious delays for commercial breaks.

Both team practiced on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam.
Note the runway in the background.
courier-tribune.com 

Have you attended a sports event?  One randomly selected commenter will win a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 4, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winners on Sunday, February 5.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii

Zsa Zsa is ready for the game!

Guest Review - Lara Adrian's DARKER AFTER MIDNIGHT

Renee, Nadja, and Ivy

This past week, I ventured out with two other military spouses who are published authors - check out our trip at this link.   During our drive to Ka'ena Point, we chatted about Lara Adrian's DARKER AFTER MIDNIGHT.  In fact, Nadja reviewed it for me and here it is:

DARKER AFTER MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian

Midnight Breed Series, book 10

I really liked and enjoyed this book, but I didn’t love it. Clearly Lara Adrian is doing something right, though: DARKER AFTER MIDNIGHT is book 10 in her popular series after all. I understand that the book was meant to be the last in the series, but Adrian was contracted for two more, which may begin a new arc with the younger characters or next generation.

If you like tall warrior-vampires who wear black and live in secret compounds, then this book, and series, is for you. If you’re into vampires shuttered away during daylight hours who protect the fragile peace between humans and the predators who’d like to nibble on them, then you’ll enjoy Adrian’s books.

I did.

The issues I had with this book partly stem from the fact that I haven’t read the nine books preceding DARKER AFTER MIDNIGHT. It’s tough to write the tenth book in a series about a tight group of people without having a new reader trip over unknown characters left and right. Keeping the warriors and their mates straight almost required post-it notes (especially since they seemed to travel in packs and rarely step out in ones or twos). I was far more interested in the two protagonists, Sterling Chase and Tavia Fairchild, than their friends and family, but I understand that fans of the series want to reconnect with “their” characters.

The two characters that did stand out to me were Rio, because he was physically flawed (no small feat when surrounded by all these awesome males) and Gideon, the geek (I can’t help it, I’m attracted to a man’s mind). I’d love to read Gideon’s story, but I’m afraid he’ll switch into warrior mode and then just become one of the many.

Now there’s a fresh take on vampires I’d love to see developed into a new series: the geek who rescues his damsel from behind a keyboard. Naturally he’ll be tall and handsome, but I’d really rather not have him wear black or combat boots.

One thing that didn’t work for me was the Bloodlust. Throughout the book Chase struggles with his addiction to blood. Bloodlust to a vampire appears to be what binge-eating is to a human. Afraid he won’t be able to stop feeding (and thus killing the blood donor), Chase choses to starve himself instead. This didn’t work for me at all. The willpower versus appetite struggle is a classic, of course; as is the vampire’s fear that he’ll hurt an innocent. This classic trope is sliding into cliché territory. As the majority of dieters know, the easiest way to avoid binging is to have regular snacks.

When Tavia finally convinces Chase that he needs blood, he immediately beats himself up for not stopping after a few swallows. Come on, buddy, you’ve been shot (repeatedly) and knifed and starved and bled, of course, you’re thirsty.

Chase wasn’t the first to almost succumb to Bloodlust, which made me wonder why these guys didn’t have a system to deal with the occasional overwhelming need/want for blood. If you don’t trust yourself to stop feeding before killing the donor, bring a buddy who’ll stop you in time. You’ve been around for a few hundred years, and you know how important it is to not leave corpses in your wake, but you haven’t secured a regular source of food yet?

I had no issues with Dragos, the villain. He was the standard megalomaniac out to rule the world. I skipped a few of his pages. Since DARKER AFTER MIDNIGHT is the climactic book in the series, Dragos finally met his match, i.e. he was ashed. The ending worked for me, but I have a feeling regular readers and long-time fans of the series would have liked to see a grander end to Dragos. It was too quick, too easy, too over and done with.

All in all, I did enjoy this book. The writing was flawless. Lara Adrian knows what she’s doing, no doubt about it. It’s difficult to dock her points for world building events that were set in motion many years ago in book 1 of the series when vampire angst over feedings wasn’t cliché yet.

B+

Mahalo, Nadja, for your review!   I am giving away another copy of Book 1, KISS OF MIDNIGHT, to one randomly selected commenters.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about series - are you willing to jump into the middle of one?  Or do you read the backlist first before reading the newest release?

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 4, 10 pm in Hawaii.   I'll post the winner on Friday, Feburary 5.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Makaha Cave - home of the shapeshifting shark

Aloha to Victoria Alexander and MY WICKED LITTLE LIES

Each cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage. 

 ~Catherine Douzel

Victoria Alexander is like a cup of tea - warming, comforting, and fulfilling.  Today's post explores my love affair with Victoria Alexander's books.

First book I read from Victoria Alexander:  THE HUSBAND LIST (at this link).  It introduced me to Victoria's humor and her entertaining Effington Family.

Favorite book before her recent release:  THE LADY IN QUESTION (at this link).     Favorite passage from this book (contains spoiler):

"Calm? You wish me to be calm! Bloody hell, my housekeeper just killed my husband! I've married my butler, and all of my servants are spies! Spies! " Fury shot from her eyes. "I shall never be calm again."

My husband's favorite book from Victoria:  THE PRINCE'S BRIDE (at this link).   He read it while waiting for me - he chuckled at the heroine's reluctance to wear glasses!

Entertaining meal with Victoria:  At the 2011 RT Booklovers' Convention - from my blog (at this link).

Cathy Maxwell and I joined Victoria Alexander for lunch. The home baked cookies were literally "hot" items which disappeared quickly from the buffet. We mentioned it to a passing sous chef who delivered a tray just out of the oven for us ... talk about personal service! Victoria shared tidbits about her upcoming books ... I can hardly kiss and tell. But I did squeal with glee (and so will you).

Dressed as a Saucy Siren

And one of those books was MY WICKED LITTLE LIES - available January 31:

Evelyn Hadley-Attwater has it all—a genteel Victoria life replete with loving husband, ball gowns and elegant parties. No one, including the man she married, suspects that she was once “Eve”, a spy for England’s most enigmatic intelligence agency. Summoned for one final assignment, the excitement of her former life and memories of her mysterious, flirtatious boss “Sir” prove too tempting . . .

Adrian Hadley Attwater is a respectable, dignified gentleman. But even the most proper gentlemen have secrets of their own. Secrets from the rest of the world, from their families, from their wives. Secrets that have a price. Now, as the veil of secrecy frays, a tantalizing game of cat and mouse will test the bounds of unfailing love . . .

You can read my thoughts on MY WICKED LITTLE LIES on Goodreads at this link.   I am giving away a print copy of MY WICKED LITTLE LIES to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  What do you enjoy for an afternoon treat - tea or coffee?  sweet or salty?

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, January 28, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 29.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

The Langham
london.langhamhotels.com

To learn more about Victoria, check out her website at this link.

To learn more about Sinful Family Secrets series, check out Victoria's interview with  Helena, the Dowager Countess of Waterston, at this link.   Naturally, Victoria served tea.

To reserve your room at the The Langham, use this link  (I recommend Room 327).  For afternoon tea, use this link.

Afternoon tea at The Langham
londonhotelsinsight.com

Aloha to Binnie Syril Braunstein - Author, Publicist, and Friend to the Romance Community

Cullinan Diamond
mostinterestingfacts.com

On this date in 1905, Thomas Evan Powell discovered the Cullinan Diamond, weighing 3106 carats, near Pretoria.  The Cullinan was presented to King Edward VII for his birthday.  It is now mounted in the Sceptre with the Cross as part of the British Crown Jewels.

The Crown Jewels of Romance!
Binnie is in the back row, second from left.

Today's guest is a special gem to the romance community - Binnie Syril Braunstein.  She joins for me for a cozy chat!

Kim: You live in the Baltimore area - can you share your favorite sight, sound, and smell?|

Binnie: My favorite sight is the Washington Monument - Baltimore's monument, that is - on Mt. Vernon Square.

My favorite sound is the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra!

My favorite smell is the enticing aroma coming out of the stacks at McCormick's (in Baltimore County).

Mt Vernon Square
freelargephotos.com

Kim: You kindly sent me several of your romance books during my R&R.  Can you tell us about your books and your path to publishing?

Binnie:  One day, on the way to my job as a librarian, I heard words in my head: "He was ugly. Very ugly." I didn't know who was ugly, or why, but I scribbled down some notes when I got to work. Eventually, I had written a short story, which later turned into a modern version of "Beauty and the Beast," with the theme, "I love you the way you are." It was eventually published as a short story in Woman's World, along with quite a few others. My second book also started out as a short story, but was eventually published as my first book, The Color of Love.  After that, my first short story, which had turned into the book of my heart, was published as Out of the Darkness. The third book, Baby Love, was published later. All three books are set in Baltimore.

Kim: You also write other forms of fiction - what are they and what inspires them?

Binnie: I've written many short stories, 49 of which have been published. The first one was a Christmas story about a woman slated to spend Christmas alone... and then encounters unexpected company. My second published story was about a single mom and the guy across the hall, set against the background of a New York blackout. It was called, "Once Upon a Time, There Was a Purple Dragon."

I wrote a couple of dog stories, both about couples where one person loved dogs, but the other wasn't so easy to convince. One story dealt with a woman expecting to spend New Year's Eve alone: "Champagne for One." And one of my favorite stories was about a woman so tired of the singles scene that when a man calls up and asks her for a date, she turns him down.  But she then agrees to "phone dates." As you can tell, I love the short story format! All of my short stories except one were romances.

I've also written poetry. My writing career really started out when I wrote six poems dedicated to a friend who had died.  I designed the book, had it typeset, copies printed, and copyrighted it, and gave copies to my late friend's family. The day the book went to the printer, those fateful words, "He was ugly, very ugly," came into my head.

Kim: You also branched out into other areas of publishing, namely publicity. What are the challenges and rewards with fast-changing social media?

Binnie: I started out doing publicity for myself and branched out when a fellow romance author asked me to help her. One of the challenges is that each author I work with is different, wanting different things. Typically, I custom design plans for each author, all the while keeping to my mantra, "Champagne publicity on a lemonade budget."

Kim; If a reader is interested in your writing, or an author is interested in your services, how can they contact you?

Binnie: My books are available on the out of print market, in places like Paperback Swap, etc. An author who is interested in my publicity service, Press Kit Communications, can contact me via email: BSBGC@aol.com.

Glorious Baltimore!

Mahalo, Binnie, for joining us today at SOS Aloha!  I know I will see many of Binnie's clients at RT in Chicago.   I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. Have you ever reacted to an idea that popped into your head? 

I met Binnie at an idea that popped into my head - the Fort Meade Old Fashioned Tea Party (at this link).

Sally MacKenzie (left), Diane Gaston (right)
and me at the tea party!

2. This giveaway is open to all readers.

3. Comments are open through Saturday, January 28, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 29.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

The Cullinan Diamond atop the sceptre.