LIVE from the 25th Annual Romantic Times BOOKLOVERS Convention

Being able to network with other authors, editors and readers is an awesome experience and with it being THIS close, I'd totally skip class just to go hang out. And don't forget that on Saturday is the Mega book signing. Be there or be square. lol

Rae

Lorie and Rae,

For those of us who are living vicariously through you this week, can you comment on how attending RT compares to RWA Nationals? 

Is one more useful for new authors than the other, or are they similar?

I could only afford to attend one, and chose this summer's RWA conference instead.......but will watch this thread all week to hear your news!  Have fun!

Gulp.....wings?

??????????

Thanks for your feedback on RWA, and as a newbie author (read: poverty-stricken), it sounds like I picked the right conference for this year.

I'll hope to be able to attend both some year, though!  And thanks for mentioning the PJ Party at RWA, I'll have to pack something fun!

I wish I could be there. Once before I die, I would love to go to one of their conventions.  Right now I'd only be able to go if they held the convention in Phoenix.

Have Fun Rae!

wish I was there....Miss Lauren is....take tons of photos.....tons....ok, back to polishing for the pitch on wednesday

Jules

I so wish I could be there!  Waves of envy are coming at you from the other side of the Atlantic

Liz

Where are you!???   .... doncha know we're waiting for all the delishious details?

Adrian Paul yet?

give him a kiss for me. 

Live from RT…. okay, so not exactly live from any of the events, but I am here and despite how I feel this morning, I am still living.

Sorry I’ve not gotten in before now, but because of the construction I have no net access from my room, and every time I go into the lobby to work I either can't find a place to sit to work and/or get pulled into a conversation, since you know I’m such a quiet gal.  

What a whirlwind. I don’t think I’ve met more people, had more fun, or been more tired in at least a decade.For those of you who’ve had the opportunity to attend the Romantic Times conference, you know exactly what I mean. It’s one of those things has to be seen to be believed.

For anyone who’s yet to have the experience I’ll do my best to explain what I’ve seen and who I’ve met.

Dang, I typed all this stuff to tell you all and the post was eaten by the cyber gremilins in my upload... and now my battery is dying.

I have to go up to my room later to get five minutes of quiet and I'll retype everything I'd just said and repost it about 3. Again, sorry, it's just really crazy here and it's hard to find a free moment to yourself.

I have pics though, lot's of pics.

Lots and lots to post here and I'll even have a link with pictures, but first, I wanted to explain some of them *vbg*.

I took my mom and daughter with me--this was to be a girls day out and what better way than to meet authors and get books autographed--especialy since the three of us are readers and total fan girls of certain authors. Plus, my daughter wanted to know what I really did, aside from sit and play at my computer, and she'd never been to an event like this--neither had my mom.

Off we ventured to Pittsburgh. My 45 minute drive took a whole lot longer because they shut part of the 'parkway' down--which is one of the ways into the Burgh and the easiest route to take to the hotel--and detoured us. Bumper to bumper, start and stop up and down the hills of Pittsburgh Suburbs. 45 minutes turned into two hours.

For me, RT is a lot different than RWA and perhaps I'm spoiled in the fact that at RWA, it isn't very hard to find a Harlequin/Silhouette author. RT is a blended mix of other publishing houses--their authors--their fans--readers and lots and lots of models. Our authors were a little harder to pick out of the crowd.

But I'm stubborn and I knew some of them were there and I was bound and determined to find them. And little by little, I did. The first was Vivi Ana, who'd sold out of her books and Vivi, my daughter said to me after, "Mom, you called her Vivi AnnIE--it was ANA."   I am soooo sorry, Vivi. It was so nice to meet you and I am so glad that you sold out of your books.

After that it becomes a slight blur as to who was next because we jetted up and down aisles looking for people and then we decided to get some water and there she was--Lori Wilde who writes for Blaze and HQN. She's done some awesome discussions with us in the past and I completely adore her.

The poor woman didn't see me coming.

Professionalism went right out the door and fan-girl Rae took her place. The one who squeals and does a happy dance and it took Lori a moment to realize WHO I was and the fact that I was squeeking at her. And of course, I drew attention--haha. Lori, I apologize.

I met Intrigue author Elle James who happened to be sitting beside the one, the only Miss Holly Jacobs, who also got a squeal and a hug. Holly won an award for THE HOUSE ON BRIAR HILL ROAD--it won The Reviewers Choice Award for Best Harlequin Everlasting.

CONGRATS HOLLY!!!

I gave Elle my email address and told her that she had to come to the boards to have fun with us. Told her y'all would love to have her and in time, once she got to know me that I too would 'squeal' in her presence. Maybe I shouldn't have told her that....

I left Holly knowing I'd be seeing her later. We talked to Brenda Novak, who informed my thirteen year old daughter that her son was hot. My daughter isn't into boys and she was of course mortified that her mom and some author were trying to arrange a marriage. She doesn't know how much we all love and adore Brenda Novak or that she's a best-selling author. And somehow, even when I explained all this to her--she still wasn't buying that Brenda's son was hot, and she still didn't appreciate the fact that I was ready to marry her off to a ...boy!

 We spoke to the ever funny Kayla Perrin who had to be reminded who I was and that I was her partner in crime in the limo ride back to the hotel in Dallas. As always, Kayla was hysterical.

I'm forgetting Kate Bridges, who writes for Harlequin Historical and HQN. Kate was lovely as always and my mom was very pleased at the man-fan Kate signed for her. I think he was a cowboy, but my mom claimed it and wouldn't put it down. And she'd only give me quick glimpses of her man-fan.

*sighs*

More tomorrow, I promise!

I'm alive... kinda...

I just got home, like an hour ago, kissed my kids and pet the cat, who was, of course, the first to meet me at the door.

I got off the plane about 6, and by the time my hubby came to fetch me, and we got through the crazy traffic...

I wanted to let you all know that I have stories and pics and finally decent web access... so in the morning, when I can form proper thoughts I'll share. I'd do it now, but I have to go to bed before I fall on my face where I stand.

And I'm back and this will more than likely be my last post as I didn't spend the amont of time Lorie did or see half the people she saw. I'm sorry I missed some of our members.  There's always DC. (The next conference I'll attend )

Okay, where was I? My best friend Stace had to work, so she showed up late. I was a little tired and so was my mom, so we sat down to people watch at this table. Now, don't shoot me, but the cover models really don't do too much for me. I love men, don't get me wrong...but the big beefy biceps...well, let's just say that I like my men real and while these men were breathing and talking...give me my guy in a pair of boxer briefs walking through the house fresh from a shower...you get the idea. That being said...John DeSalvo just kind of does it for me. Without the long hair, he was standing there in a pair of dark Levi's and a tight thermal shirt and I had to stare. Of course my daughter was raving on and on about cover model Adrei Claude's red puma sneakers. She didn't care that he too is beautiful--she only wanted to ask him where he got his shoes--which by the way, she did.

After gazing at John long enough, my mom said, go talk to him, you only live once. It helped of course that I caught Anna DeStefano having a photo op with three cover models, the one reminded me of Matthew McCaughney. That's when we saw the ever evasive host Lorie. I introduced her to my mom and daughter and then...then, this man came strolling by and Lorie stopped him, introduced him as Fred, he handed us cover art he was on and said, "You have a camera, take a picture."

I thought he meant of Lorie and him. Um, no. Being pulled into someone's embrace is almost startling for me. I've been out of the playing field for a loooong time...so I kinda laughed and Lorie snapped the picture. Fred was nice, don't get me wrong, but he just kind of took me by surprise.

So, having survived me photo op with Fred, my daughter and I ventured over ot Andrei and John. Adrei was extremely nice--but I'm not stupid, he was working. Or at least, that's what I keep telling my ego. He's Italian. Easy on the eyes and young. I could've been a cougar. My daughter's raving about his shoes and I asked her if she wanted a picture with him--she said, "okay" sheepishly. We took the picture and he said, "mom's turn." He then looked at my daughter and said, "Your mom is beautiful." Of course, it was the Italian accent that made me swoon, but again, the man was working.

As for John DeSalvo, he was a little more interested in my beautiful daughter. He wanted her picture with him on the website. She was blushing and thought this was totally cool and had bragging rights to take to school that a cover model wanted her on his website and he told her she should seriously consider modeling.

Once that was all done and my daughter and I put our feet back on the ground, I spied LisaJoy. She hasn't made it to our new boards yet, but she promised she'd come back. She explained that her current job has kept her so busy she hasn't had time to breathe and was hoping to make a career switch soon. She missed all of us and would make a grand reentrance.

It was time to squeal again as I met Ks and her sister April. It was so nice to meet her face to face. She's lovely and sweet and she's just like she is here on the boards.

Then it was time to pay for our books and go meet Holly in the lobby. I discovered my daughter hadn't eaten and she was now starving. But her experiences were great and she was grinning from ear to ear because she had books that were autographed to HER. We got in the line, and I just stepped up to the cash register, the power went out leaving us in darkness.

There were two lamps on behind the register and all you could see were glow sticks, cell phones and people were yelling out to each other that they didn't do it. We stood there for what seemed like an eternity, but we were checked out and ready to go. We found Holly and Kim aka KS again and we all giggled as Holly spoke about her car Floyd, her GPS Minnerva and her pups, Ella and Ethel.

Then it was time for lunch. The Pub and Promenade in the hotel had long lines, so we decided to venture out into the city. My daughter spied McDonalds. I whispered, "I cannot take Holly Jacobs to McDonalds."

Holly of course heard me and said McDonalds was fine. But I assured her that Primanti's was around the corner. We all love Primanti's. There were no outside tables, so we had to go in and it was loud and the service was slow, but it gave us time to chat about the boards, about life and giggle--a lot. My daughter was on her best behavior--almost a little too much as she was a little intimidated by a best-selling author. She's talked non-stop about meeting Holly.

Then it was time to say g'bye to Holly and we came home.

And for the pictures--you can find them here or here. The second link is the new eHQ on Facebook.

Rae

Frenchie, the second link is eHQ's new Facebook. You might have to be a member, but they are essentially the same pictures on mine. You haven't missed anything...yet. I don't know how Lorie is going to load hers.

Rae

I'm trying to put them on facebook, but I'll add some to my myspace, the blogger blog, and my blog on here so that people have more options to get to them.

I'm just running slow today, I think I slept like 12 hours all week.

This is me and Chris Winters, Mr Romance 2008.

Chris is a very nice guy, which I mentioned in the post above. Actually most of the models I met (and yes, I did meet them all although I don't have pictures with each.)

Chris is also very smart. He is sexy, versitile, and knows how to make a woman feel like she's got his undivided attention. *fans self* I'm glad he won, because he was one of my top pics of the group.

He took the time to seek out the shy ladies, the older ladies, who wanted to ask for a photo op but hadn't approached him.

Like I said, he's a sweety and fine to boot.

I forgot, it was supposed to be from Take off to Take Down, lol.

Well, I went to bed at 1:40 am the night before I left for RT, and my flight was at 9:15, so I had to be at the airport by 7:45 and I'm an hour away... and my cat decided it was going to be a great pester night, so I slept like 2 hours.

At the airport I met up with editor Susan Swinwood and Aideen Chung who works with our ebook program. We flew in together, and while I didn't realize it at the time Aline (Sarge) was on the same flight. In fact she sat right behind me, lol.

I got to the hotel about 11: 30(ish) but of course check out wasn't until noon, so my room wasn't ready. I stowed the luggage that could lock and lugged my heavy laptop bag around for HOURS until I finally got a room so I could put it down.

Then I freshened up and went back down stairs to do the eBook expo. I have no idea how many people I talked to that afternoon, enough to make me nearly lose my voice, but among them were authors Peggy Webb, Charlotte Featherstone, Amanda McIntyre, Kimberly Taye Taylor, Megan Hart, Lauren Dane, and Delilah Devlin.

More coming after I sort things out.

Thanks FF.  I'm not super photogenic, I usually end up with this freaky deer in the headlights look.  so I'm just glad it turned out as well as the Fabio one. I have another with Mr Romance contestant Luke Walsh (who was adorable) which I will put up shortly.

Oh, and in case you hear or you've heard stories... Yes, I was The Medusa. I'll upload a pic as soon as one of my friends forward me one. (The batteries had died in my camera and I didn't have any handy.)  

Yes/No to whether or not I made the costume. I bought it ready made and embellished the headpiece because it wasn't "oomph" enough for what I wanted. No, I wasn't wearing coloured contacts, my eyes really are that shade. And no, the bodice of the costume was not enhanced, those really are mine. (I'm not sure why I had to clarify that, they aren't huge and they weren't exposed, but you'd not believe how many times I was asked.)

This one is good too.  You should puyt one of these as your icon. You look great.

LOL Lorie....I saw a pic of you with my buddy Lauren, and you're right....you are a cute little thing ( something we both have in common!!!!)  I never leave the house unless me feet are firmly planted in at least four inch heels!  But when your height challenged that's just the way it is!

slippers have heels on them

I once worked with a girl who was 4' 8.5" (when you're that small every half inch counts )

It's the size of your personality that counts

Hugs

Sadhbh 

I knew you were having way too much fun!  ..... I'm soooo jealous! 

sounds like you had a great trip, Lorie .... and a very well deserved break from the daily grind   ..... I'll have to hunt down your other entries for more pics .... now how many costumes did you pack?  ... you said something about Medusa ... and what was all that stuff about wings?! 

I agree ... you look smashing in these pics Lorie!

The post is up, RT day 1. I did it as a blog entry, and I'll have to add the others tomorrow, as I have to stop now, and get dinner started for the Freds.