Aloha All,

Last month as THE ACCIDENTAL LAWMAN was hitting the stands, I had the pleasure of visiting different blog sites and I extended an invitation to writer friends to send me information on their latest releases so here goes.

Our first visitor is an author who is sure to please. Her books have garnered distinguished awards and much praise. You can find Cheryl St. John on the Petticoats and Pistols Blog site as well as at her own website.

THE PREACHER’S WIFE by Cheryl St.John ( http://www.cherylstjohn.net/ )
is a Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical went on sale June 8. If you’d like to order the book from your favorite bookseller, the ISBN is : ISBN #978-0-373-82813-5

Here’s a little teaser to let you know what THE PREACHER’S WIFE is about:
There was nothing remotely romantic about widowed father Samuel Hart’s marriage proposal. Yet Josie Randolph said yes. The Lord had finally blessed the lonely widow with the family she’d always dreamed of. And she was deeply in love with the handsome preacher, whose high ideals inspired everyone. Surely during their long journey across the western plains to his new post her husband would grow to love her.

Each mile brought them closer to home, yet drove them further apart. Samuel didn’t seem ready to open his heart again. But Josie was determined to be not just the preacher’s wife, but Samuel’s wife.

Drop by Cheryl’s website and see what great things she has in store for readers.

Now that we’re settled in here at home, I’ve got a copy of Cheryl’s THE PREACHER’S WIFE on the nightstand and it’s calling my name.

Until next time, take care.
Jill Marie

Aloha All,
Carol M. from Monroeville, PA., was chosen out a thousand entrants in the Great Hawaii Give Away contest sponsored by Mia King, Jane Porter, Carol Snow, and myself. She’ll be receiving two boxes of gifts and books from the islands chosen by the authors. Congratulations, Carol!

Each of us also has the opportunity to select a winner of an autographed copy of one of our Hawaii themed books. I’ll be sending a copy of Destination: Marriage, which includes a short story set on Kauai, to Kay in Ontario, Canada. Congratulations, Kay!

Don’t forget to sign in on my guest book at www.jillmarielandis.com and you’ll be entered in my quarterly drawings for autographed copies of my latest release. I love reading your comments and do view them all.

Until next time,
Aloha,
Jill Marie

Aloha All,
Finally! The book is out. It seems like forever between the concept of a book and putting in the hours of typing and typing, the editing process, revisions, copy edit reading, promotion plans, cover discussions before the book is finally in stores.

I drove into “town” the other day with my cousin, Pam Nickless, who was here on vacation. We went holoholo (traveling) to get her some supplies and hit the local “hot spots” (if you have been here you are laughing about now). We stopped at Borders in Lihue and low and behold, there were copies of THE ACCIDENTAL LAWMAN on the new bestselling fiction rack where the paperbacks were on display.

I met a great bookseller named Leon who assisted me as I performed a “hit and run” signing. That means I drop by, sign the stock, put “autographed copy stickers” on them and then hope they attract attention. We chatted and then I was off again–before anyone saw me in my tee shirt and shorts and bad hair–the mysterious recluse back to her cave.

What I have actually been doing lately is blogging up a storm on other sites!
Check out these fabulous blogs that feature the best of the best in romance, suspense, western romances and just plain good books:

www.petticoatsandpistols.com
www.runningwithquills.com
www.freshfiction.com

If you navigate around the sites you’ll get to blogs and if you search for me or run down the last half of May dates, you’ll find my entries. They all talk about THE ACCIDENTAL LAWMAN and they offer a chance to win books–if the contest hasn’t closed yet.

On the Orange County Chapter of Romance Writers of America blog at www.occrwa.org
I have posted a column on Advice to Newbie Writers, as well.

Enjoy the beginning of June where ever you are. Summer is just around the corner.
Until next time,
A hui hou,
Jill Marie

Aloha All,
It’s about time I got back to blogging after running back and forth across the Pacific for some R & R and family fun. This month I have a few guest appearances on other blogs around cyberspace, thanks to the kindness of friends and book sites. I’ll be promoting THE ACCIDENTAL LAWMAN, which is hitting the stores by May 26th. Or is it the 28th?

David Mentzer, bookseller extraordinaire here at Borders, Lihue, called to let me know the books are in. I’ll be going into town to sign stock as soon as I have a long enough shopping list to justify the forty-five minute drive.

Hope that you all have time to check out my website and read all about the book. Last week, newsletters should have appeared in your mailbox with the details.

Don’t forget to order a copy this week!
And now, back to blogging.
Jill Marie

Aloha Again,
By now many of you have received my latest newsletter announcing a great opportunity to sign up to win a whole lot of wonderful books by some friends of mine along with a lot of other great prizes.

Mia King, Jane Porter, Carol Snow and I have more than writing in common and that’s Hawaii. We’re celebrating all things book and beach by offering autographed copies of our Hawaii themed novels, 8 in all, as well as over thirty amazing beach and tropical themed gifts for the winner to enjoy.

If you haven’t received my email newsletter, go to
http://www.jillmarielandis.com/contestnewsletter.htm
for details, directions, and photos of the prizes.
Good luck!
Jill Marie

Aloha All,
The website Petticoats and Pistols is having a grand celebration called Cowboys and Outlaws Week that starts today, Monday, and will run to Friday, April 3rd. The lineup of guests will knock your eyes out!

Check it out and get ready to party with them!
http://petticoatsandpistols.com/

JEFF SMITH
Great-grandson of Jefferson Randolph Smith II (more commonly known as “Soapy” Smith) King of the frontier con men and Alaska’s outlaw
President of the Soapy Smith Preservation Trust
Soon to be author of Alias “Soapy” Smith, The Life and Death of a Scoundrel

LEIGH GREENWOOD
Has written more than 35 romances
USA Today Bestselling author
Has won numerous awards for his books
Well known for his series books
SOMEONE LIKE YOU is his latest release

LINDA LAEL MILLER
Wears the title “First Lady of the West.”
A regular on NY Times and USA Today lists
Published more than 70 historical and comtemporaries
Has published some books under the pen name Lael St. James
Self-confessed barn goddess
Has long running McKettrick and Stone Creek series
Latest releases are her Montana Creed series Logan, Dylan, Tyler

KATHLEEN EAGLE
Has written over 40 romance novels
Was a Romance of America’s RITA award winner
NY Times Bestselling author
“What the Heart Knows” was chosen by Library Journal as one of the Five Best Romances of the Year
Latest release — MYSTIC HORSEMAN

MAUREEN CHILD
Has written over 103 historical and comtemporary romance
Pen names are Ann Carberry, Sara Hart, Kathleen Kane
USA Today Bestselling author
5 time Romance of American RITA nominee
VANISHED is her latest release.

CAROL FINCH
Has written 73 books under 5 pseudonyms
Of Native American Heritage
Lives on 400 acre ranch with her husband
Latest book — TEXAS RANGER, RUNAWAY HEIRESS

To show just how honored they are are to have these special guests on the blog, they are going to give away a Grand Prize SPA BASKET!

The basket contains: a terrycloth robe, matching flip-flops, a candle and a jar of bath minerals.

Do stop by and visit this great website and get acquainted with these fun, outstanding writers!
Until next time,
Jill Marie

Aloha All,
Okay, so I had to look up the word monsoon to see if I spelled it correctly. When was the last time you used a dictionary? The one I have here is a small Webster’s, paperback, the pages yellow and crumbling with age but at least I know how to work it, unlike the spell-check on this blog space, which is still a mystery to me.

So a monsoon, according to Webster’s yellowed pages, is a seasonal wind or the rainy season of Southeast Asia, neither of which we are having right now here in the islands. It’s just plain old early spring here. We are in slaps (or you might call them flip flops), and shorts, but the rain still has a bit of a bite to it. Anyway, I was thinking monsoon, probably because I’m putting an article together for Tiki Magazine and thinking of the tropics and scenes from old movies like Hurricane and various other black and white classics. Not to mention tropical drinks. Definitely a sign it’s been raining too much lately!

If your in the mood for some exotica, tiki lore, fantasy, island inspiration, check out www.tikimagazine.com

Until next time,
Jill Marie

Aloha All,
All is right in the world again.

First of all, the “stars” are dancing again. Oh the costumes, the dance steps, the drama, the suspense. I have a few favorites already. This round the “celebrities” seem to be either very good or very challenged. And how about that Melissa, the Bachelor’s “ex” fiance? I guess there’s more than one way to mend a broken heart. Put on those dancing shoes and dance!

Secondly, I’m working on my next book already. I’m at the making notes and thinking a lot stage. (As opposed to the writing every day and just purging stage.)

The official title for the manuscript I just finished is HEART OF STONE. Or maybe it’s A HEART OF STONE. I’ll have to find out. Anyway, I’m thrilled that my editor loved the first read. The book is the third one I’ve set in the western town of Glory, Texas, and the first of a new series called The Irish Angels. More on that to come.

Until Next Time,
Jill Marie

Aloha All,

Now that my latest book is finished, I find myself wandering around like a boat without a rudder. Naturally, the next book is percolating in the back of my mind and I’m doing research, but the days seem very long without chunks of time being devoted to stacking up pages. The weather is not cooperating either, or I’d be out at the beach or working in the garden.

There’s a rooster somewhere out back who is nagging for bird seed. Hubby Steve has been working hard at his “rooster relocation program.” Hearing a rooster crow at 3, 4, and 5 a.m. doesn’t sit well with him. Me? I just wear my earplugs and snooze away!

I have been reading and enjoying the eight novel entries for Romance Writers of America’s Rita contest since January. Scores were due this week and I’m all finished with the process. Found some new favorite authors…but since judges must remain mum, I can’t list them here.

Until the sun comes out, I’ll continue working on the promo ideas I have for The Accidental Lawman, which will be on sale May 28th from Steeple Hill. I’ll be sending along a newsletter soon.

Hopefully, I’ll recover from the final episodes of The Bachelor. Ugg.

Until Next Time,
Jill Marie

Aloha All,
One Sunday I decided I’d been writing long enough so my friend, Happy, and I decided to head down to the river with our stand up paddle boards and get some sunshine and exercise.
It’s so beautiful on the river in the morning. There’s a spot where you go around a bend and suddenly the river widens and you have a full view of the three mountains and the waterfalls that are the backdrop of our valley.

If I wasn’t so afraid that I’d drop the camera in the water, I’d take it along and try to get a shot for you.

Right now, I’m going to try to insert the photo directly into the blog, so wish me luck.
By the way, I’m the short one in back on the blue board!

Fingers crossed!
Until next time, take care…
Jill Marie