Apr 9, 2012 | Readers, RT Convention, Promotion, Conference |
I'm off to the RT Convention today! It's one week of non-stop fun and partying with readers, authors, and aspiring authors. This is my third RT, and I wouldn't miss it for anything. It's just such a fun time! There will be themed parties (but I'm a party-pooper and have no costumes) and dancing and lots of opportunities for fans to meet their favorite authors. I can't wait!
If you're coming to RT, be sure and look me up. I'll be rolling around a wheelie bag stuffed with books and goodies, and I'll be giving those books away. That's right, free books! I'll be giving them away until I run out, so come and see me and say hi if you want one. (I have to limit it to one per person so I'll have enough to last a couple of days!) I'll also have excerpt books to give away as well.
Don't be shy! Come and introduce yourself. And if you've never been to RT before, be sure to attend the RT Virgin workshop where you'll learn how to get the most out of the experience. I went my first year, and it was helpful! I still have the button they gave me. 🙂
Hope to see some of you there!
Mar 24, 2012 | RT Convention, Promotion, Books |
It's that time, y'all! The RT convention is coming up, and my friends Kimberly Lang and Kira Sinclair are doing another excerpt book with me. But it gets even better, because we've now added a fourth author – friend and debut Desire author, Andrea Laurence!
We'll be giving away these gorgeous books for free! All you have to do is come talk to one of us. We'll even sign them for you! They are filled with yummy excerpts of our upcoming books. Not to mention that sexy cover — done by the glorious, fabulous, wondrous Frauke at CrocoDesigns.
You know you want one. Come talk to us at one of our **events. (I'm not sending these out by request until further notice. I just don't have enough copies to take to events and mail out too, but when I do, I'll announce it here.)
**The very first place you'll be able to get one of these lovely books is at Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Luncheon in Milwaukee on Tuesday, April 10th. The second place is at the RT Convention in Chicago from April 11-15th.
Mar 15, 2012 | Travel, Writing, Conference |
I feel like I've been traveling for weeks, but in reality it was only for two weeks. First up, I went to the Caribbean and took a cruise with the family. Then I came home for three days before boarding a plane again and heading to New York City for the PASIC conference. I met fellow Presents author Jennie Lucas in the airport (we've timed our flights that way twice now, and fortunately it's worked both times) and we shared a car into the city. By the time we got to the hotel, I had only minutes to change for the industry reception taking place at Sardi's later that evening. Not because we were late, but because I was meeting my agent first and going over to the reception with her.
So I mad-dashed upstairs, did a quick freshen up, ditched the travel clothes, and slid into a black sheath and sparkly Steve Madden heels. Back down to the lounge where I met my agent and had drinks and conversation for an hour, then off to the reception a block and a half away. Later, after the reception, Jennie and I changed and headed out into Times Square for a quick tourist moment. Here I am enjoying the sights.
I love New York, and I regretted that I hadn't arranged to stay longer. I'm a bit of a Broadway junkie now. I'd love to just spend a week going to shows, but alas there was no time. The conference was two full days of information so good that my head is still spinning from it all. But I did manage to have a fun time with my fellow authors. For instance, here's a group of us running to the Shake Shack for a quick lunch. The restaurant was so crowded we took the food back to the conference room and had a picnic there.
From L to R is Jessa Slade, Angie Stanton, Jenna Black, Moi, Jennie Lucas, and Erin Kellison. Laurie London took the photograph.
Finally, on Saturday evening, several of us got together for dinner and then went to see Alan Rickman starring in Seminar, a play about writers. Here I am along with Jennie and Laurie London at Cafe Un Deux Trois.
Alan was lovely, as usual, with that gorgeous voice of his, and the play was very interesting. Afterward, we took one last look at Times Square, and then it was off to bed for early flights the next morning. I was at the airport by 7 a.m. and home by about 1:30 that afternoon. I'm already plotting another trip to New York so I can see more shows (Ricky Martin in Evita!) and eat more fabulous meals that aren't from chain restaurants.
Finally, if I have a takeaway thought from the conference (for writers), it's this: the times, they are a-changin'. Educate yourself. You can no longer rely on things being done the way they've always been done. Educate yourself.
Mar 7, 2012 | Travel, News, Books |
Hey, y'all! It's been a crazy few weeks around here. First, there was a book due. Then there were revisions due. And then I spent a week on-board the Celebrity Solstice with my hubby, parents, and in-laws. Tomorrow, I'm off for New York City and a lovely girls' weekend with the fabulous Jennie Lucas. Well, it's not strictly a girls' weekend as we are also attending a conference, but Jennie and I always have such a fabulous time together that it'll be like we took off for a girls' weekend.
One of the best things about selling to Harlequin Presents is gaining some of the coolest friends ever. I truly love getting together with my fellow authors. We always have such fun! Though it'll just be me and Jennie in NYC, we'll still have a good time — and in July, when we all converge on Anaheim for the RWA conference, the fun will be even bigger and better as the other authors join us!
So while I reel with the fact I have to pack again (I just unpacked on Sunday!), I wanted to share some good news I got about Strangers in the Desert while I was in the Caribbean last week. First, Morgan and Whitney dish about the book at the RT Book Reviews website — and I am honored they liked it!
Secondly, I learned that this story was nominated for RT's March Seal of Excellence! It didn't win, but it was the only Harlequin category romance to be nominated. I am so thrilled with this honor! This book is special to me, and I'm very humbled by the reception it's been getting from readers. Thank you so much for loving this book and telling your friends about it!
And now I'm off to sort through my clothes and pack weather-appropriate gear for NY. I'm thinking the tank tops and Capri pants from last week won't cut it.
I leave you with a picture of me on the ship in St. Thomas. That superyacht in the background is something one of my heroes would own. 😉
Feb 21, 2012 | General, Photos, Pets, Life |
If you follow me on Twitter, you may think I tweet a lot of cat photos. And it's true, I do. My furry children are adorable. And they do adorable things. And I must share them.
This is Nimitz at his best. At his best means when he's sleeping. When he's awake, all bets are off. He is the most destructive cat I've ever had in my life. He once knocked an oil painting off the wall. A big one. He stood on the piano and pulled it until the (admittedly old) wire broke. Crazy cat.
I've discovered the most fabulous product, thanks to him. Quake Putty. If you live in an earthquake zone, you know what I'm talking about. This is not something we need here in the South. Unless you have a Nimitz, that is. Quake Putty looks like silly putty. Except that it holds things (like vases of flowers, for example) down on the furniture so your fuzzy wrecking ball can't destroy them. It doesn't harm wood, either, which is great. I have two packs of the stuff. Came in really handy at Christmas with the extra decorations I set out, I can tell you.
Am I the only person with a destructive pet?
