Dear Readers:

Greetings from Florida! I am residing temporarily in the Tampa area with my children, waiting for housing in Hawaii. This is my hometown, so I am happy to be back with friends and share romance with them! August is a busy month for celebrations….

1. Good bye, Washington Romance Writers (WRW): I bid farewell to my friends at the WRW, www.wrwdc.com. WRW members generously supported military personnel and family members at Fort Meade – thank you! To honor the WRW, I am giving away books from WRW members:
- Jeanne Adams, www.jeanneadams.com, Dark and Dangerous
- Catherine Asaro, www.catherineasaro.com, Diamond Star (CD)
- Mary Blayney, www.maryblayney.com, Traitor’s Kiss and Lovers’ Kiss (ARC duet)
- Diane Gaston, www.dianegaston.com, The Diamonds of Wellbourne Manor (anthology)
- Sally MacKenzie, www.sallymackenzie.net, The Naked Baron
- Cathy Maxwell, www.cathymaxwell.com, Married in Haste
- Alix Rickloff, www.alixrickloff.com, Lost in You
- Kathleen Gilles Seidel, www.kathleengillesseidel.com, Keep Your Mouth Shut and Wear Beige
2. Happy Birthday, Coast Guard! The United Sates Coast Guard celebrates its 220th birthday on August 4. Today’s Coast Guard evolved from the United States Revenue Cutter Service created on August 4, 1790. In fact, the Revenue Cutter Service was the first naval force of our newly established country. Although its primary mission was to collect taxes from smugglers, Coast Guard crews were authorized to rescue distressed ships. The United States Coast Guard plays a vital role in support of homeland security and enforcement of maritime law. The Coast Guard’s motto is Semper Paratus - Always Ready.

In honor of the Coast Guard’s birthday, I am giving away 5 copies of Mary Blayney’s ARC with two books, Traitor’s Kiss and Lover’s Kiss – Mary is the spouse of a retired Coastie. She references her life as a Coast Guard spouse on her website, www.maryblayney.com.

3. Honoring Patriots: During the SOS Military Tribute at RT/Orlando, I asked Scottish author, Cait Miller, to read words from Eye of the Storm by the Scottish band, Albannach:

I wonder what you felt inside as they dragged through foreign streets
The town folk spat venom at you as churchmen took their seats.

Did you think of your Motherland as you stood there center stage?
Or did you feel suppression, dear sir, like an animal in a cage?

When every inch of your body cried out in searing pain,
Did it cross you mind, dear sir, was it all in vain?

Or did your soul break free of the pain and the hurt to a pine-covered glen?
Will you ever know, dear sir, what a hero you became?
Aye, will you ever know, dear sir, what a hero you became?

For me, the words evoked images of American soldiers being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu. For others, the words may remind them of Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, or Afghanistan. But for Cait, the band’s words evoked memories of Scotland’s guardian, William Wallace.

William Wallace became Scotland’s guardian when he won the Battle of Stirling Bridge on September 11, 1297. Eight years later, Wallace was captured, tortured, drawn, and quartered. He died on August 23, 1305. His death inspired others to continue the fight for freedom. In honor of William Wallace, I am giving away the following books about Scottish warriors or set in Scottish castles:

Annette Blair, www.annetteblair.com, The Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Kendra Leigh Castle, www.kendraleighcastle.com, Dark Highland Fire
Elizabeth Hoyt, www.elizabethhoyt.com, To Beguile a Beast
Jackie Ives, www.jackieives.com, A Knight Well Spent
Deborah MacGillivray, www.deborahmacgillivray.com, The Invasion of Falgannon Isle
Sara MacKenzie, www.saramackenzie.com, Return of the Highlander
Cathy Maxwell, www.cathymaxwell.com; In The Highlander’s Bed
Monica McCarty, www.monicamccarty.com, Highland Outlaw
Monica McCarty, www.monicamccarty.com, Highland Scoundrel
Melissa Mayhue, www.melissamayhue.com, A Highlander of Her Own
Andrea Pickens, andreadariff.com, Seduced by a Spy
Bertrice Small, www.bertricesmall.com, A Dangerous Love
Bertrice Small, www.bertricesmall.com, Until You
Veronica Wolff, www.veronicawolff.com, Master of the Highlands
Veronica Wolff, www.veronicawolff.com, Sword of the Highlands

To learn more about Scotland, log onto:

a. Cait Miller, www.caitmiller.com: Her websites include photos of local castles.
Cait’s Scottish accent brought tears to my eyes as she read Eye of the Storm.

b. Albannach, www.albannachmusic.com: “Albannach is Gaelic for Scotsman- that's exactly what we are. Our purpose in life is to share our intriguing culture, history and heritage with you by means of our music."
Albannach’s music inspires listeners to follow William Wallace into battle (and they look like cover models on medieval historicals).

c. Historic Scotland, www.historic-scotland.gov.uk: “Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government and we are charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment.” IMHO, the crumblier the castle, the better to imagine the highland warriors and beautiful maidens. Thus, my two favorite places are:

- Urquhart Castle, guarding Loch Ness and her secrets.
- Caelaverock Castle, a three sided masterpiece that once repelled the English but now guards a nature preserve (Cait has great photos on her website).
d. National Trust for Scotland, www.nts.org.uk: “The National Trust for Scotland is the conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotland's natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to enjoy.” If you like restored manors and beautiful gardens, NTS is for you! My two favorites are:

- Culzean Castle: Constructed by David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassilis, the family bequeathed it to the NTS, including the provision that General Eisenhower could use an apartment for his personal use in recognition of his service during WWII. President Eisenhower took advantage of this gift to play golf and soak up the coastal beauty.
- Culloden Battlefield: The NTS has restored the moor and built an education center to preserve the sacred ground where thousands of Jacobite rebels lost their lives to the Duke of Cumberland.
4. Book Recommendations: From our SOS newsletter readers:

- Kathy from Texas recommends: Nothing but Scandal by Allegra Gray, www.allegragray.com. Kathy writes, “I loved it! It's a British Historical. The conflict between the characters was really outstanding, the romance hot enough, and all in all an enjoyable read.”
Allegra is a member of the RomVets. To learn more about the RomVets, log onto www.romvets.com.

- Kay from Ohio recommends, “Suz Brockmann's TroubleShooter and Seal Team Six stories has given me a better knowledge of the military my 2 nephews are fighting in, and has enabled me to talk to them about their experiences (at least as much as they are willing to share).”

Thank you, Kathy and Kay, for your recommendations!

Readers, send in your recommendations!

5. SOS Links: One of SOS’s volunteers is Mary Gramlich, “the reviewing reader.” She posts reviews on several websites. To learn more about Mary’s reviews, log onto www.marygramlich.com. Her website also links to SOS.

Thank you, Mary, for your support!

Do you have a link to SOS? If yes, let me know and I’ll promote it!

6. Support Soldiers: Several of you have asked for more addresses of deployed soldiers. The list I previously used may be out of date. Now that I am in Tampa, I’ll contact my friends at MacDill AFB (with CENTCOM and SOCOM) to see if they know any units with deployed personnel. Meanwhile, log onto www.ourmilitary.mil and click the icon on the right, “America Supports You”. SOS America Inc. and other registered charities are listed, offering a wide variety of ways to support military personnel and family members.

SOS America Inc. is a 501(c ) charity established by Kathryn Falk, Lady of Barrow and CEO of Romantic Times’ Book Reviews. Kathryn created SOS for the readers, authors, and publishers to support military personnel.

Thank you, Kathryn, for your tireless efforts to support military personnel and their families! You may be the Lady of Barrow, but you are the Queen of our Hearts!
Do you or a friend support the military through a special project? If yes, then let me know so I can recognize and promote it through the SOS Newsletter!
7. Book giveaway: Send your mailing address and three preferences from the above listed books sos.america@yahoo.com. I will mail you at least one book.

Please remember to email the author to thank him/her for donating to SOS. Your email may inspire him/her to donate more!

8. Coming up: We have an exciting fall planned for you:

- In September, we’ll celebrate the Air Force’s birthday
- In October, we’ll celebrate the Navy’s birthday and “things that go bump in the night”
- In November, we’ll celebrate the Marine Corps’ birthday
- In December, we’ll spotlight the Marine Corps’ “Toys for Tots” program.

Of course, we’ll giveaway books for each celebration! Happy reading!

Kim Adams
SOS Military Liaison