Aloha to the RT Booklovers' Convention - Day One: French Quarter

From Megan Mulry's Twitter Account @meganmulry:

14-year-old to Mom: Why don't grown ups who are friends have sleep overs?

Mom: They do it's called RT Booklovers Convention!

Last Monday, I arrived in the Big Easy for the 31th annual RT Booklovers' Convention.   As soon as I arrived at the convention hotel, I felt I was with my people.  Kathryn Falk, founder of the RT Booklovers' Magazine, often refers to romance readers as a "tribe" - an apt description of Romanceland.  I connected with author Anne Elizabeth, author Mary Wine, Aussie bookseller Megan Bamford and her delightful hubby Andrew Bamford for lunch in the French Quarter.  

We walked down Chartres Street and stopped in a gem shop.  I bought the Golden Tiger's Eye, Red Tiger Iron, and the Ocean Jasper.  

Chartres Street offers New Orleans charm ...

... and historic buildings.

We lunched at the Chartres House - Megan recommended the Crawfish Bread:

Leidenheimer® french bread topped with our creamy blend of spinach, crawfish tails, mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.

The group also shared fried alligator bites while I sampled the remoulade sauce ... just delicious!

Do you like Cajun Food?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash plus swag!   Comments are open through Saturday, May 24, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 25, on my book blog, SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City 

Coming tomorrow - the Book Blogger Conference hosted by Sarah Wendell (Smart Bitches) and Jane Litte (Dear Author).

Aloha to Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Luncheon (part 1) - Romance Rocks!

Aloha!  I arrived in Milwaukee on Saturday morning for Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Luncheon (link).  Above are the three "coffee" stooges who greeted me at the airport.

The luncheon featured 60 authors with 7 readers at their tables - 480 booklovers celebrating romance! Tracey Devlyn (link), second from left, transported her readers to Merry Ole England. 

Angie Fox (link), holding book, celebrated MY BIG FAT DEMON SLAYER WEDDING with her fans. 

Elizabeth Hoyt (link) played peek-a-boo.

Deeanne Gist (link), second from left, is cute as a button with her fans.

Two "princesses" from the royal table of Susan Elizabeth Phillips (link).  

Jeannie Lin (link) showed off the bento box for each reader at her table.  I loved bento boxes in Hawaii!

Have you visited (or traveled through) Milwaukee?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash ... which has been boosted by the luncheon goody bags.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 3, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 4, at SOS Aloha (link).

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Coming tomorrow ... my table with Eileen Dreyer! 

Aloha to Sandy at the Naval Training Center

In honor of Armed Forces Appreciation Week, Sandy is giving us a tour of the Naval Training Center in San Diego.  

For decades the training center was part of San Diego naval history starting all the way back in the 1920's. 

The Naval Training Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Thanks, Sandy, for the tour!   Do you have any pets?  I have two family cats and four foster cats!   One randomly selected commenter from this week's posts win a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is  open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 18, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 19, 10 pm in Hawaii.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to the Mighty Mo - Gulf War Service

Continuing the tour of the USS Missouri ... above is the gangway that the crew rolled back in BATTLESHIP.

Above is the Tomahawk missile system, installed for the first Gulf War in 1991.

Here is the bow ...

  

... with its famous guns!

Check out the sniper's gauge ... 

... and the lifeboat!

She is mighty proud of her military service!   What do you know about Missouri - the ship, the state, or the river.   One commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers. Comments are open through Saturday, October 27, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 28.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Another tribute to her service in the Persian Gulf

Aloha to Penguin Books!

Aloha to Penguin Books!

He kēhau ho’oma’ema’e ka aloha.

Love is like a cleansing dew.

Uwe ka lani, ola ka honua. 

When the heavens weep, the earth lives.

`A`ohe hana nui ke alu `ia. 

No task is too big when done together by all.

Aloha kekahi i kekahi. 

Love one another.

Ah, the lucky cats out today!  What is your favorite pet?  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 25.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 26.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to Random House!

Aloha to Random House!

Ua ola loko i ke aloha.

Love gives life within.

Pupukahi i holomua. 

Unite in order to progress.

What attracts you to book covers?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open through Saturday, August 18, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 19.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to Kensington Books!

Today I welcome Kensington Books to Hawaii!

Ho`ola`i na manu I ke aheahe.

The birds poise quietly in the gentle breeze.

 Said of those who are at peace with the world, 

undisturbed and contented.

Pili kau, pili ho'oilo.

Together in the dry season, 

together in the wet season.

Said of loving companionship.

 

Ua ola loko i ke Aloha.

Love gives life within.

Do you have a lucky charm?  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 18, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 19.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii 

Aloha to Harlequin Books!

We have a winner from last week - Marjorie!  Let's celebrate the arrival of my boxes from RWA! The wahine 'ekolu (three women) offer a Hawaiian greeting to Harlequin, Mira, and Carina Press!

Lawe i ka ma'alea a ono'ono.
Aquire skill, make it deep.

Kulia i ka nu'u
Strive for the summit.

Onipa'a
(Be) steadfast. 

   

A'ohe hana nui ka alu'ia.
No task is too big when done together.

Lynn, Michelle, and Cindy (first row) are part of the Air Force 'ohana. Geri and Marie (second row) are part of the Navy 'ohana.  The two services come together in Hawaii as Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. They are surrounded by the kukui - the symbol of enlightenment, protection, and peace.

Madame Pele, the Volcano goddess,
requested to review THE SIREN.

What color would  you pick for your lei?  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 18, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 19.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

The Oahu Greeting Committee (left to right):
Hawaii Fortune Cat, Golden Fortune Cat,
Fortune Frog, Tiki God, and
Hawaiian Football (back).