Aloha to San Antonio - More authors, panels, and cocktails

 

The Avon publicity staff pulled out all the stops with these word bubbles at the Avon book signing event.

I moderated the panel HOW MUCH "REAL LIFE" SHOULD ROMANCE CONTAIN with Claudia Dain, Sabrina Jeffries, and Tammy Falkner.

I also moderated HAPPILY EVER AFTER:  THE HUSBAND'S POV with Sarah Maclean, Lily Everet, Sophie Jordan, Kerrelyn Sparks, and their respective spouses.

Elizabeth Michels and Tammy Falkner get ready for the Sourcebooks party ...

... along with Susanna Kearsley, Sara Humphreys, Cat Clyne, and Theresa Romain.

Toni Blake and Julie Anne Long wait for the River Taxi to whisk us away to the Avon cocktail party ...

... with Miranda Neville, Sophia Nash, and an Avon Addict.

Avon Editor Erika Tsang chats with YA author Jennifer L. Armentrout.

Sophia Nash chats with Jasmin, a children's librarian in San Antonio ...

... and then Jasmin hams it up with Cathy Maxwell.

What word bubble best describes you?  Feel free to make your own!  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 16, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 17.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Elizabeth Susan Phillips (second from right) 

chats with Avon editors.

Aloha to RWA - RomVets' Call to Arms

Last Thursday, the RomVets - veterans who write romance - gathered for our annual Call to Arms ... with pens in hand!   Can you find me in the photo above?  I am not wearing an Aloha shirt!  Last Saturday, several members of the RomVets hosted this workshop:

Not Every Man in Uniform Is a Navy SEAL! Developing Military Characters to Steal Readers' Hearts (RESEARCH)

Speakers: Rogenna Brewer, AJ Brower, Geri Krotow, Heather Nickodem, Jo Anne Pinney, and Taylor Reynolds

A panel of authors who are also military veterans will share information on hot military career fields besides special ops; where to research information for military characters; typical military lifestyles, including deployments; and what it’s like to be a female in today’s military.

Rogenna Brewer (left) kicked off the discussion as the author
who writes about Navy SEALS.  AJ Brower (right) led the charge to promote other military jobs with honorable heroes.

Filling out the workshop is (third from left to right)
Geri Krotow, Heather Nickodem, Taylor Reynolds, and Jo Anne Pinney.

The audience appreciated the RomVets' inside knowledge of military life.

Here's your chance to "nominate" an ordinary job (military or civilian) to become an honorable hero - accountant?  engineer?     One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 11, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 12.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii


To learn more about the RomVets, check out our website at romvets.com.

Despite their father being an Air Force communications offer,
David (left) and Andrew (right) root for NAVY SEALS!

Aloha to RWA - Avon Book Signing

As my children set up the tables for the Avon Book Signing, I took pictures of the authors before the crowds swarmed them!  Above is KC Klein having fun with DARK FUTURE!

Lecia Cornwall's
SECRETS OF A PROPER GOVERNESS

Sabrina Darby's
ON THESE SILKEN SHEETS

Sophia Nash's
BETWEEN THE DUKE AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA

Kristin Miller's
INTERVAMPTION

Mary Hart Perry's
THE WILD PRINCESS

Liza Palmer's
MORE LIKE HER

Maya Rodale's
A GROOM OF ONE'S OWN

Miranda Neville's
THE DANGEROUS VISCOUNT

Katy Madison's
TAINTED BY TEMPTATION

Jennifer Bernard's
THE FIREMAN WHO LOVED ME

Toni Blake's
WHISPER FALLS

Amanda Arista's
DIARIES OF AN URBAN PANTHER

Tera Lynn Childs'
FORGIVE MY FINS

Karina Cooper's
LURE OF THE WICKED

Alice Gaines'
HEAT RISES

Lizbeth Selvig's
THE RANCHER AND THE ROCK STAR

Pamela Palmer's
HUNGER UNTAMED

Lori Wilde signs THE COWBOY TAKES A BRIDE
for Kris from LOVE LETTER, a German magazine!

Lauren Hawkeye's
MY WICKED GLADIATORS

Candis Terry's
SECOND CHANCE AT THE SUGAR SHACK

Carla Swafford's
CIRCLE OF DESIRE

Stephanie Laurens' anthology
IT HAPPENED ONE SEASON

Lynsay Sands'
UNDER A VAMPIRE MOON

One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 4, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 5.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

James Rollins'
THE DEVIL COLONY

Aloha to RWA - Author! Author!

Look who I spotted at RWA!  Above is Julia Quinn (middle) and Stephanie Sloane (right).

Rita Nominee Jill Sorenson (right) 

Canadian Cowboy Vivian Arend (left)

RT's Liz French and Mala Bhattacharjee

Avon's editorial staff who deliver the HEA

Cindy Kirk and Victoria Alexander share
20 Things We Know Now, That We Wish We Knew Then

What do you know now that you wish you knew then?  Yes, its a wide open question ... one randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.   This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 4, 10 pm in Hawaii.   I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 5.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii

Victoria is always a delight!

Aloha to RWA - "Readers For Life" Literacy Autographing

Wednesday's Librarian Day sailed into the "Readers For Life" Literacy Autographing.   From the RWA website at this link,

The "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing has become one of the most popular events at RWA's Annual Conference. Hundreds of romance authors participate in this autographing event, and each year we raise thousands of dollars, which are donated to ProLiteracy Worldwide and local literacy organizations. Since 1990, RWA has raised more than $766,000 to fight illiteracy.

Romance Writers of America is pleased to announce that the 2012 "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing raised $50,963 for ProLiteracy Worldwide, Read OC, and Literacy Volunteers - Huntington Valley. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event so successful!

From Wendy Crutcher at this link.

One more recipient of this good will - the Orange County Public Libraries received the leftover books generously donated by the publishers!

I assisted Stephanie Sloane in securing authors' autographs for her conference bag ... 

Christina Dodd

  

Jayne Ann Krentz is Amanda Quick
and Jayne Castle!

Jill Shalvis is super nice!

Jennifer Haymore hails from Hawaii!

Triple nominee Vicky Dreiling ... 

... laughs with RWA's Honor Roll members
Elizabeth Hoyt and Cathy Maxwell.

RITA Nominee Carolyn Brown

Two time RITA winner (and RomVet) Cindy Dees
(Vivian Arend stickered me as an honorary Canadian)

Diane Kelly adds color ... 

... Laurin Wittig and Christine Trent add smiles!

Sandy Blair in tartan .... 

... Lynn Raye Harris (right) in tiger print!

Debut author Kathy Altman ... 

... veteran writers Kat and Larry Martin!

What would you wear to a literacy signing - pink hair, tartan sash, leopard print, or something else? One randomly selected commenter from this week's blog wins a book choice from my convention stash.   Comments are open through Saturday, August 4, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 5.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

My children pose with Olivia Gates!