Aloha All from the Sunny Island of Kauai

Jill Marie Landis needs no introduction, but this is an opportunity to gloat over a story I've read and you haven't . . .yet:) TROUBLE IN PARADISE is a deliciously funny story in which mishaps and interference compete with love. It is a race for a big prize.

Place your bets now! And let Jill take you to her beautiful home, Kauai, for a sunny outing to remember.

Stella

Stella has graciously given me her blogging time to send along greeting and let you know that I have a couple of publications out this month. Last year was the first year since 1988 that I haven't had a book out in some form or another. It was a lovely break away from promotion and
deadlines, but now I'm back in the saddle and raring to tell everyone what's up.

On June 10th, DESTINATION: MARRIAGE, a Harlequin anthology collection of contemporary destination wedding stories, will go on sale. I've been teamed up with Jo Leigh and Jackie Braun, two very prolific writers, to bring you three stories of three brides, three weddings, and three destinations.

Romantic Times has given the collection a 4 Star rating. Various review sites quote Harriet Klausner, uber reviewer: "These are three wonderful contemporary romances starring likable couples discovering what they really desire and love in life." I'll take "wonderful." Mahalo, Harriet.

Since Kauai is near and dear to my heart, I set my own story, "Trouble in Paradise" here. It's a light hearted, humorous romp with a touch of spice and quite a few laughs in the bargain.

Talk about a jinxed bride! Carrie Evans gets a bad case of pre-wedding jitters when her dream getaway nuptials appear to be sabotaged by fate. First her groom misses their flight, then her luggage fails to show—with her wedding dress inside—and the "Storm of the Century" grounds their guests on the mainland. On top of it all, her fiancé's great aunt seems to have wandered away somewhere between Florida and Denver. Throw in a missing caterer, a cryptic warning from a mysterious Hawaiian man who Carrie may or may not have seen, and Kurt Rowland, a groom who realizes he is running out of time to convince his bride to say yes all over again.

I don't know about the fabulous ladies of "Running With Quills," but when I set out to write about a place that I know well, like Kauai or California, I tend to shy away because I know there's so much I still don't know about a setting or a culture. I realize there is no way I can do it justice. I'm sure to miss something.

For me it's easier to choose a setting that I don't know well. I'm most comfortable when I can create one. That way, I won't be as likely to miss something vital about a place or its people. I won't have to choose what to put in and what to leave out. Sounds crazy, I know. But for "Trouble In Paradise" I went for it. I used a touch of Hawaiian culture which is still, thankfully, woven into the fabric of the islands the a reason why so many love it here.

The second publication this month is a Western Historical Romance. My first historical in about six years. I'm back in the saddle again and loving it with a book from Steeple Hill entitled, HOMECOMING. I'll be back to tell you more about it later in the month. It will be available on June 24th and can be pre-ordered from your favorite bookseller. For now, please do drop by my website www.jillmarielandis.com. The website has been updated with a new bio, news about my new books, and a scrapbook of fun photos.

Thank you, Stella, for letting me drop by and for the "twist" at the end of "Trouble In Paradise!"

Until my next visit, a hui hou! ('Til we meet again).
Jill Marie Landis