Monday, July 22, 2013

Avon Rocks the House

Andrea and I attended the Avon RWA cocktail party Friday night.  What a fantastic time we had!  Avon always puts on a wonderful party and this one was no exception.  They had delectable food, delicious drinks, flashing-light party favors and a rockin' photo booth!  Thanks to our friends at Avon Books for the invitation.  We had a great time!





Good friend, Nicki Salcedo from Georgia Romance Writers.  We're sisters of the heart.  Love this woman!











Andrea and RITA winner, Sarah MacLean.













PJ with Carey Baldwin, author of terrific medical thrillers. Happy to hear we have more books coming from this talented author!










Wonderful authors, great friends and really nice people:  Julie Anne Long and Toni Blake!










PJ with the sweet, smart, funny and incredibly talented Tessa Dare.












Sandwiched between two amazing women, Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Cathy Maxwell.













Romance star Lorraine Heath and rising star Jennifer McQuiston!











Nicki Salcedo and PJ with the Super Librarian, Wendy Crutcher.









We rocked the photo booth!  Here are some random shots (the ones fit to print).  ::grin::



Andrea and PJ

















Andrea, PJ, Cathy Maxwell





PJ with the GRW crew...and friends!




















Tessa Dare and PJ making mischief.





What's your favorite kind of party?

Have you ever rocked the photo booth?  What's your style?  Funny or serious?

Who are your favorite Avon authors?

We have signed Avon books and conference swag for three randomly chosen people leaving a comment.  (U.S. and Canadian addresses only)

~PJ
















70 comments:

  1. You are so generous with all the contest. I dont know which authors write for Avon, so here are some favs for whoever their publishers are:
    Susan Mallery, Robyn Carr, Jill Shalivs, SEP, Susan Andersen - you get my "contemporary" drift. LOL.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Pat, Susan Andersen wasn't at this conference though I have met her in the past. She's a doll! The other authors you mentioned were all at the conference and should all show up in our photos before we're finished with conference blogging. :)

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  2. It looks like you had a lot of fun. My favorite Avon authors are Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Julie Anne Long, Rachel Gibson, Julia Quinn & Sarah Maclean.

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    1. Hi Kim! Julia Quinn wasn't there this year. She's the keynote speaker for this year's RWA Australia conference so lots of lucky Aussies will get to see her! The other authors were all in attendance and we managed to snag some signed books from all of them for giveaways. Yay!

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  3. Clearly you all were having a blast. The pics are great.

    Many of my autobuy authors are published by Avon--Eloisa James, Julie Anne Long, Julia Quinn, Tessa Dare, Miranda Neville, Sarah MacLean, Rachel Gibson, Liz Carlyle, Toni Blake, Sophia Nash . . . I'm sure I'm forgetting someone.

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    1. We had such a good time, Janga. That's a great line-up of authors!

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  4. Favorite kind of party...masqurade, I am quiet most of the time, but like funny too. Where does one begin with Avon authors Eloisa, Caroline Linden, ELizabeth Boyle, Cathy Maxwell, Emma Caneaka Gayle Callen,Julianne Long, Julia Quinn, Julia Latham, Sophia Nash, Lorraine Heath................and the list goes on. LOL love you guys

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    1. Georgia Romance Writers had a masquerade party Friday night. I love see all the cool costumes and masks but they are not for me. Being a wearer of glasses makes wearing a mask a royal pain. ;-)

      Thanks! We love you too! :)

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  5. I love photo booths.. and definitely not serious... that's the whole point of photo booths!

    I love Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Julie Anne Long...etc.etc..

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    1. May, there was much merriment inside that photo book curtain! lol!

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  6. I love the Avon line of books--so many wonderful authors! Among my favorites are Eloisa James, Julia Quinn, SEP, and Katherine Ashe.

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    1. Hi Cheryl! As I said above, JQ wasn't there this year but the others on your list were. I have some great shots of all of them!

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  7. i really dont know what publishers are affiliated with what authors, but I see Toni Blake and Rachel Gibson mentioned; they are 2 of my favorites.

    Never made the booth rock and am serious as opposed to funny but I do like a good laugh.

    Gmapeony@yahoo.com

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    1. Toni Blake and Rachel Gibson were both at the conference and we got signed books from both of them.

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  8. Sounds like everyone had a good time. I really like Jill Shalvis. and Toni Blake. The only picture booth I remember was when I was a kid at the fair. guess I'm not too adventurous. Thanks for the giveaway.

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    1. Jill Shalvis and Toni Blake are both absolute sweethearts. We ♥ them!

      I hadn't been in a photo booth in over twenty years (probably more). It was so much fun!

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  9. Toni Blake, Jill Shalvis, SEP are some of my favorites. I have never shook a photo booth, but definitely like to laugh and have fun.

    Dawn M.

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    Replies
    1. Laughing and having fun are the only requirements for a good time in the photo booth!

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  10. I too don't know which authors write for which houses (sorry) but I recognize all the ones mentioned so far and have read most of them. I remember doing the photobooth thing when I was young lol. As to parties, it's all about the people!! Thanks for more pics - I'm really enjoying them.

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    1. Glad you're enjoying the photos, catslady. We have lots more to come! :)

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  11. Looks like you ladies had a great time. I really don't keep up with publishers myself. I just know what authors I love and there are so many I can't keep up with those either.

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    1. We had a great time, Quilt Lady. This was one of the best conferences I've attended.

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  12. I like big parties once a year or so, fave is just with family. I haven't been in a photo booth for about 30 years...but I'd choose the funny over serious, I'm thinking.


    Many Avon romance authors that I like, Julia Quinn, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Christina Dodd, Cathy Maxwell, Sarah Maclean, Karen Hawkins, Eloisa James, Sabrina Jeffries, Debbie Macomber, Elizabeth Boyle, and I guess Avon really does publish most of my faves....

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    1. Some of the authors on your list didn't make it to this year's conference and we really missed them.

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  13. Me too about who writes for who. But I love Nora Roberts and Rachel Gibson.

    I have rocked a photo booth and love to have fun.

    Thanks for the giveaways.

    Lynn R.

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    Replies
    1. Nora graciously posed for a photo with Andrea and me. Rachel is so funny!

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  14. I like parties with a casual setting with finger food/snacks instead of a formal dinner. My favorite Avon authors include Lisa Marie Rice and Stephanie Laurens.

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    1. I'm a huge fan of Stephanie Laurens. This is my first national conference that she hasn't attended. She was missed!

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  15. Any party with fun people. I have totally rocked the photo booth, best is funny. Favorite Avon authors are really too many to list, they have some really great ones.\

    Thanks for sharing your photos, looks like it was a blast.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  16. I too don't keep track of where books are published. Rather than limit myself to "favourite authors", let's just say that I enjoy most genres and most authors, and I wouldn't turn down a book or two from any publisher.
    My favourite parties are potlucks so I'm guaranteed to be able to eat something (as I have lots of allergies).
    I have not been in a photo booth since my teenage days, many moons ago, but indeed, I hammed it up with friends.
    I'm glad you guys "rocked it". No matter the occasion, it's great to be with friends: new and not as new.

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    1. I love potlucks! The neighborhood where I used to live had frequent ones and we were blessed with a lot of great cooks. Fun!

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  17. Thanks for the fun post! Those are such fun pics! I like a casual party... seems like everyone is more relaxed and you have more fun. Don't have a favorite "avon" author... if I do, I don't know it :) I look more for the name and not the publisher.

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    1. I enjoy casual parties too. Even though we were dressed up for the Avon party, it was still a very warm, friendly and fun atmosphere!

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  18. What fun pictures! You both look great, as usual. I adore Lorraine Heath, both as an author and a person. She's sweet as pie. And I'm really looking forward to reading McQuiston's books.

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    1. So great seeing you, Trish! You know we adore you. ♥

      I hope you enjoy Jennifer McQuiston's book. I'm in the middle of an advance copy of her next one and it's terrific!

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  19. First of all thanks so much for posting a pic of SEP. I like a party where friends are and we can relax and catch up. YOu look like you had a great time now take a few days and relax...lol I have never been in a photo booth at a party but it looks like fun...the only Avon auhtor I know is SEP but like anything romance suspense and comptempary...


    Donna

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    1. Hi Donna! I just got home a couple hours ago. I don't think there will be much relaxing this week but I'm planning lots of pool time and sleeping in for next week! :)

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  20. I think I may have rocked a booth or two in my younger days.

    I like any contemp and rom suspense books; really don't know who publishes who and like a casual low key party.

    Natalie's Mama
    lovesthemets@yahoo.com

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    1. I think we all rocked a few photo booths in our younger days. I know I sure did! :)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  21. Avon has so many wonderful authors. Some of my favorites are Julia Quinn, Julie Anne Long, Sarah MacLean, Tessa Dare and Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

    As for parties--I like all kinds of get-togethers. Thanks for the post and giveaway.

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    1. I love all those authors too! JQ wasn't there this year but we have books and swag from the rest of the authors on your list!

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  22. oh, lots of avon authors on my reading lists :) including sarah mclean, Tessa dare, anna Campbell, ann Mallory, Elizabeth boyle, & Loretta chase, among others (not to mention the old authors that I grew up reading who use to write for avon).
    don't recall doing the photo booth thing though might have back in my early teens, but can't help but think fun is definitely the way to go :)

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  23. As long as my friends are around, I'm going to love the party! But I'm not a fan of photo booths, my pictures always come out the worst lol I try to be funny but it just never turns out. So many favorite Avon authors....Julie Anne Long, Sarah MacLean, Eloisa James, Julia Quinn, Cathy Maxwell, Pamela Palmer....just the ones I can think of!

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    1. I'm not all that great at making funny faces either, Ada. Taking photos with Cathy Maxwell was fun. She's great at telling me what to do! lol

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  24. Replies
    1. Hi Leah! We did have a great time. Lots of fun!

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  25. It looks like a good time was had by all.. My kind of party is any party that includes my family and friends...
    I love Susan E Phillips, Toni Blake, Jill Shalvis.

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  26. Favs would be Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Julia Quinn, Jill Shalvis and Nora Roberts, to name a few...but don't limit myself to any one author....
    Don't know tht I ever "rocked" a photo booth but definitely had lots of fun making funny faces for camera with my 3 yr old son way way back when!! LOL!!!! He's now 42!
    Whenever my friend Pat calls she's having a few people over, it always ends up a good time! most times an impromptu get together is the best!
    Mickey Mac

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  27. The only party I've been to recently was a wedding & they did have a photo booth with silly hats! My husband & I both wore one! He looked like he belonged on HeeHaw, but I, of course, looked marvelous! Glad you had such a good time! Avon has lots of great authors. Eloisa James is on the list, I see, and Julia Quinn, Karen Hawkins,Teresa Medeiros, Lisa Kleypas,Lori Wilde,Loretta Chase, Rachel Gibson, Stephanie Laurens, SEP, Victoria Alexander, Sophie Barnes & Jennifer McQuiston. There are others on that list, too!

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  28. I haven't been in a photo booth since I was a kid. I thought that wad the coolest thing back then. I can be funny or serious depending on thr need and my mood. Thank you for the awesome giveaway!

    Wanda Barefoot
    flghtlss1(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  29. Parties are awesome. I love Halloween dress up parties. I can rock a witch costume like no one else ;-)

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  30. I have so many favorites from Avon like Sarah MacLean, Pamela Pamela, Stephanie Laurens, Eloisa James, Julie Ann Long, Lori Wilde...I just plain love Avon authors! I love dinner parties with good friends and family. As for the photo booth, no but I think I could totally pull it off! :)

    Thanks for sharing the pictures and your experience at the conference!!

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  31. My favorite kind of party is one with great conversation, lots of good food, and some great music in the background. I haven't ever attended a party with a photo booth but it seems like a lot of fun. I think I'd try to make it fun and get a bit goofy. Some of my favorite Avon authors are Julie Anne Long, Eloisa James, Sarah MacLean, Tessa Dare, Julia Quinn, and Cathy Maxwell.

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  32. Like Rachel Gibson, Suzan Enoch, ton pi Blake
    Like, disco patrties great pics, thanks
    Kimh

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  33. No wonder you and Andrea were all dressed up at dinner! It looks like you had a fabulous time. I love all kinds of parties, from quiet, intimate dinners for two to big blow out Super Bowl parties. But the best party I have attended all year was the RITA Ceremony on Saturday night when I got to see Eloisa James finally win a well deserved RITA Statuette! What does Rita stand for exactly, PJ?

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    1. The RITA award is named for author Rita Clay Estrada who was a founding member of Romance Writers of America and its first president.

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  34. What's your favorite kind of party?
    It has changed through the years, but I think reunion kind of party with some good old pals would be on top of my list (NOT the usual 'class reunion' stuff).

    Have you ever rocked the photo booth? What's your style? Funny or serious?
    Nope, never done that before. :P

    Who are your favorite Avon authors?
    Geez.. that's a tough one! Eloisa James, Tessa Dare, and Sarah MacLean for sure. There are many many of them I like actually. My list would be a long one on this. ;)

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  35. Late to the party! What a fun blog. These pictures are so much fun!! My favorite kind of party is a wedding (of close friends and family... people I know and love). there is just something magical about the romance of it, and the parties afterward are so much fun.

    When first starting reading romance years ago, I would just buy books with Avon on the spine, knowing I wouldn't be dissapointed. Some of my fav's: Cathy Maxwell, Stephanie Laurens, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Tessa Dare, Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Elizabeth Boyle... And more!

    RWA looked like a blast! So happy for all of you who went and had fun.

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  36. Lovely photos. My favorite party is a get together with long time friends for a dinner and then talk for ages. I enjoy books by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Eloisa James and Nora Roberts.

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  37. What a great party this was. I have read that Avon really does it up big here and I’m betting everyone had a ball.

    My favorite party is a relatively small group of people with lots in common. That way, no one ever lacks for conversation. I also think it’s so much more fun when there are just hors d’oeuvres and light drinks. People relax more when it’s not a heavy dinner and the host and hostess don’t want to serve drinks with too much alcohol. I would feel very nervous about my guests getting home if they had had too much to drink.

    I can’t say that I’ve rocked a photo booth since I was a kid when we could get those quickie pictures for a song. Being goofy with a friend and having keepsake photos was such a hoot. I guess the word “goofy” gives me away here. I love laughing and having fun. There’s way too much seriousness in the world already. Leave it behind as much as you can and enjoy life!

    There are so many delightful Avon authors! Naming one over the other is impossible. I do have to say though that I adore my good friend and author, Karen Ranney. She has written so many wonderful novels and simply keeps on keeping on!

    Thanks so much for sharing all of these great pictures and stories of RWA. Everyone obviously had a blast!

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  38. What a wonderful celebration. Your photos are fabulous and everyone looks smashing. I love parties that are reunions. So special and nostalgic. Books by all romance, and contemporary authors and any romance.

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  39. Eloisa James, Julia Quinn.... WHo am I kidding I LOVE them all :)... Now onto my favorite party well with a 2 and 5 year old we have been limited to movie nights and ice cream parties so for right now they are my favorite :)

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  40. I
    prefer a smallm intimate casual party with a few friends, good food, music and cocktails.
    Cathie P.

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  41. What great pictures. I like parties that are not very formal, just fun with friends. I enjoy a lot of the Avon authors and it looks like an awesome night.

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  42. I had so much fun that night, and meeting both of you, PJ and Andrea. You are amazing ladies and I'm so glad I've discovered your blog. Love the pics.

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  43. Parties I like smaller gatherings were you can talk to the people that are present. I like music to dance to but it cant be so loud that you are constantly screaming and struggling to hear what others are saying.

    I'e done the photo booth in grade school. I know they are popular at wedding receptions. my photos are more serious than funny. It goes with my Capricorn horoscope.

    Avon authors I follow:

    Sarah MacLean, Elizabeth Boyle, Lorraine Heath, Tessa Dare, Stephanie Laurens, Cathy Maxwell, Eloisa James, Gayle Callen, Jennifer McQuiston, Julia Quinn, SEP, Sophie Jordan and Laura Lee Gurke

    I do love the Avon lineup of authors!!

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  44. lots of great authors. Can't believe I missed this post. I love Tessa Dare, Eloisa James, and my most favorite is Julia Quinn. Love The Bridgertons-favorite family.
    Lots of great pictures and wish I could be there.
    christinebails at yahoo dot com

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