My Harlequin Moment: Ann Roth

Every year during the National Romance Writers of America conference, Harlequin hosts a themed party for its authors. Do they know how to party! Beautiful decorations in the spirit of the theme, great food and drink, a playful DJ and toe-tapping music.

One of my favorite Harlequin moments (of many-it's impossible choose just one!) was the year Harlequin hosted an Elvis-themed party. The year was 2002 and the location was Denver, Colorado. At the time I was fairly new to Harlequin, having sold my first novel in 1999. The party in Denver was my second Harlequin party, and the invitation that arrived via snail mail suggested that people wear poodle skirts or something '50-ish.

I found something that I thought worked, a timeless, little black dress. (Only mine is navy blue.) I'm sure you all have one of those hanging in your closets. :-) Other than people wearing clothes from a bygone era, I had no idea what to expect.

Back then, in order to get into the party, you had to show your invitation. (That has since changed.) As my roommate and I approached the party location, which was walking distance from the hotel, we were greeted by a very cute Elvis Impersonator and a photographer with an instamatic camera. Elvis was a flirt, too, which made the experience all the more fun. As we posed in front of a honkin' big, pink convertible, the photographer snapped pictures. Me with Elvis, my roommate with Elvis, both of us with him. What fun! (I tried to find those photos to share with you, but sadly, I cannot.)

Pictures tucked carefully into our purses, we headed inside, where someone handed out the coolest party favors ever-sunglasses with wings, just like the ones in 1950's photos. Only these babies were hot pink. Rhinestones sparkled from the wings,  adding bling to the ‘50's look. How cool is that? To this day I cherish those sunglasses. As I recall, we also each got really cool plastic see-through tote bags with bright fake flowers imbedded into the plastic front. (These totes were straight out of the ‘60's, but hey, who cares!?)

So there we were, with our aren-t-we-the-coolest Elvis party favors, in a wonderful venue set up to look like a 1950's soda shop. Vinyl-topped tables, chrome napkin holders, the whole schtick. Sipping our alcoholic beverages of choice (I think I was into margaritas that year), and munching on fabulous hors d'oeuvres. (Whoever organizes those parties and chooses that year's menu deserves a huge, huge thank you. He/she is incredibly good at the job.) The music started. A different Elvis impersonator, equally cute, appeared. This man moved from table to table, swiveling his hips and singing great songs we all knew. With the music pulsing and the mood festive, darned if I (or anyone else) could sit still. Along with dozens of authors, I hurried onto the dance floor, kicked off my heels, and danced up a storm. I must've danced for three hours, pausing now and then for food and water or more alcohol.

Speaking of food, one of the highlights of every Harlequin party is a chocolate fountain you wouldn't believe. Some of the best chocolate I ever ate, and it cascades down a fountain like water. If that isn't heaven enough, within reach are little wood skewers and plates of bite-size chunks of cakes and brownies, fruit, marshmallows and other treats ready to skewer and drench. Some people put several different treats on each skewer, which is both fun and delicious. Immerse the skewer into the fountain, coat the treat with chocolate, and yum! Just writing about it makes me salivate.

I don't recall what time I finally ran out of steam and left the Elvis party, but I'm guessing it was about the time the music stopped, sometime around midnight.

Thank you, Harlequin. That was a night and party to remember forever!

Who out there likes Elvis? Even if you aren't a fan, I'd love to know whether you've seen any impersonators and whether you thought they were any good. Also, anyone who wants to share their chocolate fountain memories, please do. J

Ann Roth
www.annroth.net

About The Author:

Publication didn't come easy for me--just ask my family! After seven-plus years, while I worked full-time as a banker (I have my MBA in finance and human resources management), writing nights and weekends, and countless hours spent hunched in front of my trusty computer while I painstakingly honed my craft, my efforts at last paid off. In 1999 I won the Golden Heart for best long contemporary. Six months later, just four days before Christmas, I sold my first book to Silhouette Special Edition. That book, STRANGER IN A SMALL TOWN, was a 2000 Romantic Times nominee for best first long series novel. Since then I have sold multiple novels to Silhouette Special Edition, Harlequin American and Kensington, as well as an online serialized novelette to eHarlequin, and a novella for a Harlequin anthology.