Thursday, July 31, 2014

What Happens in San Antonio - - Part Three


Thursday is a good day at conference with people filled with energy and enthusiasm; not yet hitting the wall of sleep deprivation. That wall is looming in the distance but not here quite yet.  My morning began early at a book discussion breakfast hosted by Eloisa James with Linda Francis Lee the guest of honor and her new book, The Glass Kitchen: A Novel of Sisters, the topic of discussion. It's a beautifully written book that I highly recommend.





Our hostess, Eloisa James.





















Linda Francis Lee, author of The Glass Kitchen.












The breakfast group.  We had a lively discussion and a wonderful time.



Thursday also kicks off conference workshops as well as the publisher book signings.  Here are some photos from Thursday's signings.





Kat Martin

















Jo Beverley


















Mary Jo Putney















Did I mention the book posters displayed on elevators, columns and walls throughout the conference hotel? Here are a few:





Grace Burrowes...






















Jill Shalvis...












And the granddaddy of them all...


Late Thursday afternoon brought a couple more parties.  The first one I attended was the Lady Authors' Rakes and Cupcakes party hosted by Miranda Neville, Caroline Linden, Katharine Ashe and Maya Rodale. The company was good, the champagne bubbly, the tiaras sparkly and the cupcakes delicious...especially the chocolate cupcake with salted caramel frosting.  OMG good!




Here's a photo of historical author Jennifer McQuiston and me enjoying the party.















And here's one of those fabulous cupcakes!















Do you know any Pro Ro's?  I do!  Here are the wonderful founding members of the Professional Romance Fans at the Robyn Carr party.













And here are their Pro Ro rules. Rock on, ladies!




















PJ and Robyn Carr.










Here are a few more random shots to round out the day.






Check out Kay Thomas's awesome purse!

















Trish Milburn (2014 Emma Merritt Service Award Winner), Roxanne St. Claire and Marilyn Baxter













Tina Dick of the German romance magazine, Love Letter with Terri Osburn whose Anchor Island contemporary romances are very popular with German readers.  (American readers too!)












Jennifer McQuiston, PJ and Miranda Neville. Jennifer is the Queen of selfies!










Tomorrow, it's more workshops, publisher signings, breakfast and lunch with favorite authors and the Avon Books publisher party.  Be sure to come back for photos and details you won't want to miss!

For more great photos and conference highlights, check out Kim in Baltimore's travel blog at Aloha on My Mind.

~PJ

How are you at taking selfies?  

Are you a tiara girl?

Are you looking forward to the new Outlander for TV?  An author posted today that she subscribed to Starz just so she can watch it.  Would you?

What's your favorite kind of cupcake?

Do you belong to a book club or book discussion group?  What book are you reading?

If you had an elevator in your office or home, what book cover would you put on it?  

Three people will be randomly chosen from comments posted no later than 12:00am Saturday, August 2nd to win today's prizes.  Those prizes are:

Signed copy of Summer is for Lovers by Jennifer McQuiston (U.S. only)

Signed copy of How a Lady Weds a Rogue by Katharine Ashe (Canada only)

Copy of The Promise by Robyn Carr (International to any country to which bookdepository.com delivers)

BE SURE TO INCLUDE THE COUNTRY WHERE YOU LIVE IN YOUR COMMENT SO WE CAN PUT YOU INTO THE CORRECT PRIZE DRAWING. 





52 comments:

  1. Thank you for the third recap, PJ! I love reading your quips and photos.
    I cannot take good pictures, let alone selfies.
    I'm not a tiara girl and wasn't even into that when a little girl. I played dress up, but had a nurse's white dress and hat, a cowgirl skirt and vest, and Indian/Native American "buckskin" dress made from an old sheet my mother dyed a golden brown, and a pioneer girl's dress and sunbonnet.
    Favorite kind of cupcake....hmmm, I like carrot cake, but never had a cc cupcake. The chocolate cupcakes with salted caramel frosting sound yummy and the photo clinches it.
    I don't belong to a book club, but our little library wants to have one once school starts. I did attend one through church several years ago.
    If I had an elevator at home, I would have such a hard time deciding which book cover to place on the panels. Since my fave book is ROMANCING MR. BRIDGERTON, I will have to go with that oldie, but goodie. Although, Joan Kayse's Roman romance THE PATRICIAN would be a close second.

    Thanks again for another fun RWA post.

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    1. Carrot cake is one of my favorites and since it contains carrots I can manage to convince myself that it's healthy. ;-)

      Yes, I could definitely get into the habit of waking up to Joan's gorgeous Roman each morning. *grin*

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  2. I've never belonged to a book club. I think I'm too selfish with my reading...wanting to pick what I read and when. Speaking of selfishness, that shot of those scrumptious cupcakes sure brings out my streak of chocolate covetousness. I believe my favorite would be a plate with all the chocolate choices! Great photos and recap. Thanks, PJ.
    (U.S.)

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    1. I've enjoyed book club discussions and being introduced to authors and books I may not have discovered otherwise but I'm also a bit like you, LSU. I want to read what I want, when I want.

      Have to tell you, those cupcakes were as good as they looked. I only had the chocolate/sea salt caramel combo but there were many others and happy cupcake eaters could be heard moaning and groaning throughout the room. lol

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  3. I was taking selfies before it was known as a selfie. I can even rock one using my DSLR! And I am most definitely a tiara girl. I might even have a selfie wearing one ;)

    Now don't yell at me but I've never read any of the Outlander books. I have Starz, so I might just have to check it out....then I'll probably go back and read the books.

    As for cupcakes, I'm partial to chocolate frosting. OMG German Chocolate cupcakes are soooo good!

    I don't belong to any book clubs. The ones I've looked into don't really read romance. I need to find a romance book club...then maybe I'd join.

    Hmmm, now as for an elevator cover I wouldn't necessarily use a specific book cover. I was thinking along the lines of a bare chested male wearing a kilt. That would work, wouldn't it?

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    1. SuzyQ, I've never read any of the Outlander books either. I just don't like the premise, and it doesn't appeal to me. I didn't put that in my comment because I didn't want to have others throwing books at me. :)

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    2. Suzy and Deb, I haven't read the Outlander books either. There are more of us than you might think. Deb, absolutely no book throwing allowed at the Dish. Soft, squishy marshmallows, maybe, but no books. :)

      Suzy, it doesn't surprise me one bit that you take selfies with your DSLR. I'm convinced you can do anything with that camera and do it exceptionally well.

      Oh, German Chocolate! My absolute favorite!

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  4. I'm poor at selfies. *LOL* I always end up lopping off something or grimacing like a serial killer in my photos. I *do* love tiaras; I think it's why I'm such a British Royal fan--all the bling!

    I do want to watch Outlander--of course, I'd have to buy cable TV AND then STARZ in order to make that happen and that would ruin my Amazon funding. *LOL*

    Cupcakes. Yes. Oh, I mean, favorite flavor? Depends on my mood. Sometimes only chocolate will do, but my favorite flavor of cake is white wedding cake with white real buttercream frosting. YUM. But I also love the pink champagne cupcakes you can make. Yay.

    I don't belong to a book club--because as has been mentioned--many book clubs aren't very romance reading. But I love the Pro Ros and their mission and rules! Great ladies!

    I want the elevator book cover of the one with the highland laird. Claimed by the Highland Laird or something...he was PRETTY. I enjoyed my rides in the elevator staring at him. *LOL*

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    1. I want the elevator book cover of the one with the highland laird. Claimed by the Highland Laird or something...he was PRETTY. I enjoyed my rides in the elevator staring at him. *LOL*

      I noticed familiar faces riding the elevators quite a bit. I wonder if "kilted hero" had anything to do with that? LOL



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    2. Kieran Kramer taught me the trick to a good selfie. I'll share that in tomorrow's blog.

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    3. Ooh, (slapping my forehead), a Highlander cover on my door....yes, I believe that would be my first choice! A brawny Scot in a kilt....YES, first choice, LOL!

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  5. U.S. I don't take selfies. Tiaras are wonderful. I want to watch Outlander. Lemon Cupcakes. Lovely photos. Elevator cover is intriguing.

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    1. I have a bakery near me that makes Lemon mini bundt cakes with lemon glaze. So very good!

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  6. Another great blog, PJ! It's almost as good as being there....but I sure do miss all that fun!! ;-) According to Morgan (my almost 15 year old daughter---as of next Monday), I'm terrible at selfies. LOL I think she may be right, but I still try on occasion.

    I have a tiara, courtesy of Karen Hawkins, and it sits on the shelf above my desk. Hmmmm, maybe I should wear it around the house more often just to remind my family that I am the Queen. Hee hee.

    Outlander....OMG, YES!!!! I cannot wait for August 9th. Everyone has been warned that there will be no talking or interruptions of any kind while I am watching. Every time one of the previews comes on I have a big grin on my face.....and hubby is grinning at me and my reaction. He knows how I feel about Jamie. Good thing he's just a character. ;-) Actually, Billy read the first two books---at my insistence---so he'll probably watch it with me. He'll just have to put up with lots of sighing.

    Cupcakes. You had me at salted caramel frosting. YUM! Anything with salted caramel gets my vote. *wiping drool from my keyboard*

    Those elevator are brilliant!!! I'm not sure I could choose just one cover, but as long as it had some hot Highlander on it, I'd be more than satisfied. ;-)

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    1. I have a tiara, courtesy of Karen Hawkins, and it sits on the shelf above my desk. Hmmmm, maybe I should wear it around the house more often just to remind my family that I am the Queen. Hee hee.

      Definitely, Gannon! It never hurts to remind them. ;-)

      You would have loved that Outlander poster at RWA. It was HUGE! Each time I walked past it there was someone having their picture taken in front of it. Several positioned themselves to replace Claire. Definitely one of the most popular "attractions" at this year's conference. *grin*

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  7. For a 28 year old, I'm terrible at taking selfies. Plus, I'm not really a fan of them either.
    Despite my dislike of selfies, I am a tiara girl! My 2 year old daughter refers to herself as "Princess Harper" and me as "Princess Mom!" ;)

    I've read the entire Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and I'm sooooo impatient for the TV show to begin! It looks fabulously done, and the cast is perfect! I've watched every preview and comicon panel about Outlander that I can get my hands on!

    There is nothing better than Red Velvet Cake Cupcakes! Yum yum yum!

    I'm not a member of any book clubs (my hometown is very small, and very small-minded), but I am a member of multiple author's "street teams." I enjoy being able to spread the word about their great writing!

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    1. Despite my dislike of selfies, I am a tiara girl! My 2 year old daughter refers to herself as "Princess Harper" and me as "Princess Mom!" ;)

      Awww. I love that!

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  8. not good with selfies.waiting for the series to being( outlanders )I like anykind of cupcakes.no I not in a book club. not sure on the book cover it take a few weeks to decided.

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    1. It's hard to pick just one cover, isn't it? ;-)

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  9. I don't take selflies as I don't have a camera on my phone. :) I love the Outlander books but don't have Starz and won't be getting it. Hopefully it will be out on DVDs at some point. Cupcakes, red velvet. I have a tiara; as in my younger days, much younger, I was a beauty queen. Haha, but true. I am reading A Long Time Gone by Karen White. My elevator would have an Eloisa James book on it, probably one of the fairy tale ones.

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    1. Sharlene, I'll be very surprised if it doesn't show up on DVD.

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  10. Loving all the pics! I have never taken a selfie lol. I think I would have tried a tiara when younger maybe but nah, not really lol. I have all the Outlander books in my tbr pile thinking I'd read them when she finished the series, but apparently she is still writing and now I know I would really have to commit to reading nothing else for a while since there are so many and I'm always tempted by a new book. Chocolate most definitely lol. No book club. I want to read what I want when I want and it seems like some book clubs end in squabbles. For the elevator, I would like a collage of covers since I know I could never pick just one but they would have to be historicals :) U.S.

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    1. I heartily approve of your cover collage! :)

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  11. I'm loving all your conference posts, PJ!

    I avoid all cameras. I am not a tiara girl. I always thought the fairy godmother's role was more interesting than Cinderella's. I've never read the Outlander books, although, at the insistence of friends who are major fans, I tried the first one three times. I won't watch the movie. It's just not for me. I love lemon, but I had an Irish Cream cupcake last St. Patrick's Day that I dream about. :) I belong to an online group that reads a romance novel every month, if that counts. The August book is Why Lords Lose Their Hearts by Manda Collins, and I definitely lost my heart to that book's hero. My choice for an elevator poster is the cover of Jo Beverley's Three Heroes. It is my all-time favorite romance cover.

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    1. Oh, wow. That Irish Cream cupcake sounds fabulous!

      The August book is Why Lords Lose Their Hearts by Manda Collins, and I definitely lost my heart to that book's hero

      I fell hard for him too, Janga. Such a good hero. ::Sigh::

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  12. How are you at taking selfies?
    Don't know, never try it.

    Are you a tiara girl?
    Nope. But if it's a 'real deal' kind of tiara, I just might.

    Are you looking forward to the new Outlander for TV? An author posted today that she subscribed to Starz just so she can watch it. Would you?

    What's your favorite kind of cupcake?
    chocolate (w/ nuts sprinkle on top if I can find it)

    Do you belong to a book club or book discussion group? What book are you reading?
    Yes, and too many I might add, can't keep up w/ all of them. I'm going (waaaaaaayy) back in time at the moment, re-reading Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn at the moment (I know.. I know.... :P )

    If you had an elevator in your office or home, what book cover would you put on it?
    Oh, I would change the cover every few weeks, there are too many to just stay w/ one, you see.

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    1. Forgot to answer the Outlander question!
      Oh, yes very much so. I'm a fan of Jamie & Claire. Yes, absolutely, I would do just like she did, subscribe Starz just so I could watch the Outlander.

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    2. Going back in time to re-read Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn is never a bad thing. Good writing is good writing.

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  13. Glad to see that you enjoyed yourselves :) I don't take selfies, not a tiara girl, I like red velvet cupcakes and I want to read Outlander first before seeing it.Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I like red velvet cupcakes but they don't much like me. May be all that red dye.

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  14. no, no, no, chocolate, no, pride and prejudice

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    1. Would that be the book cover or movie poster? ;-)

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  15. US. Don't do selfies. Cannot take photos. I think tiaras are for lovely little girls. I love marble cupcakes and I didn't read Outlander so I won't be watching. I prefer Downton and will wait for it.

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    1. Love Downton! Have you read Thornbrook Park by Sherri Browning? It's a romance set in the Edwardian period on the estate of Thornbrook Park, seat of the Earl of Averford. I haven't read it yet but it's advertised as being appealing to fans of Downton.

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  16. that cupcake does sound good, I'm envious of all the fun you go to have, love the posters - think its so neat that they do that (it must be a special thrill for those authors too). as for outlander -- i'll be skipping, don't have starz & won't get it for that as prob wouldn't watch anyway. (almost forgot: US)

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  17. Sounds like you all had a rocking blast of a good time! Can't wait to read more about the final days of the conference.

    Don't do selfies...my phone is very basic..make calls, get calls!
    I'm going to have to wait for Outlander to hit either Netflix or Amazon Videos. I didn't read the books, but now the more I read about this series, the more I want to read them...but we'll have to wait and see about that!
    Chocolate and Caramel together...how good is that? That chocolate cupcake with salted caramel frosting sounds to die for!

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    1. We had a wonderful time, Karen! Glad you're enjoying the blogs. Two more to come.

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  18. I live in the USA! I don't have a smart phone, so no selfies! Not a tiara girl! Don't watch Outlander - I am not much of a TV watcher. My favorite cupcake is vanilla with chocolate icing. I am in a book club online called HEA book club, for the Harlequin Junkie book blog. This month's book is Single by Saturday by Catherine Bybee. I expect to love it, as I have read all of the books in the series so far & they were really good! As for my elevator door, I would have to have a cover with Paul Marron - Vanessa Kelly's Sex and the Single Earl or Samantha Grace's Lady Amelia's Mess and a Half.

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    1. Good covers, Sharlene!

      I like Bybee's Weekday Brides series. I just finished reading an advanced copy of her August 12th book, Taken by Tuesday. It's another winner!

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  19. What a great post. Thanks for sharing the Pro Ro love.
    I'm getting better at selfies. I have lots of tiaras including the virtual one I wear daily. I don't eat cupcakes but I bake them. If I had an elevator I would have Judd Lauren or Aden Kai from Nalini Singh's Psy - Changeling series or Archangel Raphael from her Guild Hunter series or Cameron Quinn from Nora Roberts' Chesapeake series on it. Regarding book groups, I'm a Professional Romance Fan, so we're always talking about books. Great seeing you at RWA14.
    Stephanie H (Pro Ro)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Stephanie! I'm glad we had a chance to chat at RWA. It's always a pleasure to see you and the rest of the Pro Ro fans!

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  20. How are you at taking selfies? I don't take selfies.

    Are you a tiara girl? I wish I was. Could be cute.

    Are you looking forward to the new Outlander for TV? An author posted today that she subscribed to Starz just so she can watch it. Would you? I actually think I will wait for the DVD. Then I can just watch back to back episodes.



    What's your favorite kind of cupcake? I like chocolate.

    Do you belong to a book club or book discussion group? No What book are you reading? I have just finished re-reading BLEAK HOUSE by Charles Dickens. It's quite ordinary.

    If you had an elevator in your office or home, what book cover would you put on it? Has to be OUTLANDER.

    AUSTRALIA

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  21. Thanks so much for sharing all these wonderful posts from RWA, it's almost like being there in person!

    My selfies are hit and miss, I'm more prone to cutting off people's heads, hehe. If I had the right dress, I'd be wearing my tiara all the time! I don't think we get the new Outlander series here in Canada, so I'll have to wait till it comes out on DVD. Cupcakes- I'm not picky, I love them all. I'm not in a formal book reading group/club but my sister and I talk about books all the time, so I guess we are our own little group. Currently reading (and loving!) Caroline Linden's One Night in London. My elevator would have Karen Hawkins' The Laird Who Loved Me. Although having a life-sized man in a kilt on the doors would be totally distracting and I would have to go and wait for the elevator all the time! *wink-wink*!!! I'm Canadian :-)





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  22. No selfies for me. I am the one taking pictures of everyone else. On purpose.

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  23. We did selfies once because we had no one to take a picture of the three of us when we were visiting a friend. Doubt I will try again anytime soon. I guess my arms aren't long enough.

    No tiaras thank you. Not me.

    Chocolate cupcake with salted caramel frosting sounds like heaven. Will have to find one.

    I am looking forward to Outlander and luckily already have Starz. I am trying hard to read the book before it starts. I have had the books in the series forever, but haven't yet read them. They are so long. I guess I was waiting to be stranded on an island with nothing else to do.

    I have admired the pictures of elevator posters every year. I'd like to see/have a poster for Julie Garwood's RANSOM.





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  24. Hi PJ- It was so great to see you in San Antonio and I'm loving reading about all your adventures there, too. Don't enter me in the drawing, but as to selfies I'm awful at them! I always look like I'm concentrating really hard instead of smiling. : )

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  25. USA

    I've never tried a selfie.

    No tiaras. I'm more a jeans and t-shirt kind of woman.

    I don't have a TV antenna any more so I can't watch Outlander. I have not read the book either. I do own it.

    Milk chocolate cupcake with semi-sweet mini chocolate chips and mint buttercream frosting. Your chocolate salted caramel combo sounds delicious too!

    I do not belong to a book club or book discussion group.

    SUMMER NIGHTS -Susan Mallery I just finished SUMMER DAYS. I'm a little behind on her books.

    Elevator cover -Susan Wigg's Lakeshore Christmas

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  26. I'm not very good with selfies. My arms are too short so something always gets cut off lol I'm better just posing with someone else taking the shot!

    I've never had a tiara but I do believe I would rock one well :)

    So far I haven't gotten into the Outlander craze yet. Haven't read the books so not really looking forward to it, per se, but I could check it out. Doubt I would subscribe just for one show though.

    Cupcakes....well if they're chocolate with any type of sprinkles on them, it's my favorite kind!

    I'm not in a book club but I am in a fan club for Penny Reid and we do group reads of her books and have book discussions. Currently we're not reading anything collectively but we just finished re-reading her first book Neanderthal Seeks Human a few weeks ago.

    There are so many great covers that belong on elevators. Avon has a ton of them. The one cover that always stands out for me is Sarah MacLean's cover for No Good Duke Goes Unpunished with it's fabulous green cover. It's just gorgeous and would look amazing on an elevator door!

    Thanks for sharing all the RWA fun with us! And these amazing giveaways!! I'm from Canada!

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  27. We don't have Starz and it's killing me. My favorite cupcake is one that a shop outside of KC calls Night and Day. It's a vanilla cupcake with chocolate buttercream frosting. It is so yummy!

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  28. I am not good at taking selfies but maybe I will get better at it. I love vanilla cupcakes with chocolate icing. Thanks for the recaps!

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