The 2010 RWA National Conference was supposed to be held in Nashville, Tennessee. I was excited about exploring a city I'd only driven through before but torrential rains that led to catastrophic flooding had the folks at RWA scrambling to make a last minute change (the conference hotel was under water). They came through like champs and soon we were on the road, heading south to Orlando, Florida and Walt Disney World.
Tessa Dare turned that 2009 "sold out" frown upside down with a RITA® nomination in 2010!
Eloisa James sure looks excited and with good reason. Those are two awesome EJ books she's
holding!
PJ with the lovely Emily March/Geralyn Dawson at the Harlequin party...which was fabulous! Are you reading Emily's Eternity Springs series?
Chatting with one of my favorite authors, Monica McCarty. She's been an autobuy for me since the publication of her debut book. Love her highlanders!
The lovely and always gracious Debbie Macomber. There are probably a hundred things I'd like to say to her. Unfortunately, about all I could do was smile and think, "OMG! It's Debbie Macomber!"
Catching up with Courtney Milan, Anna Campbell, Lila diPasqua and Delilah Marvelle. What an awesome foursome!
The Avon party was held at the Living Seas Aquarium in Epcot. What a beautiful venue! Enjoying the party are Jeanne Adams, Terri Garey and Sarah MacLean.
Here I am with my favorite Brit, Anna Sugden. Have you checked out Anna's hockey hunks yet?
You may think Anna Campbell and I spend a lot of time hugging and laughing at conferences. You'd be right! lol
Besides being one of my all-time favorite authors, Lisa Kleypas is also one of the sweetest, most genuine people I have ever met. And gorgeous. The woman is gorgeous. Only 38 more days until the release of Brown-Eyed Girl!
Have you ever visited Disney World? What was your favorite attraction?
Are you a hugger? You've probably guessed from the photos that I am so be prepared if we ever meet in person. ;-)
What would you ask your favorite author if you had the chance to meet in person?
I have a package of books looking for a home. One randomly chosen person who leaves a comment will win! (U.S. only)
I have tried to post my comment here three times, PJ. And it was a very good (Long) comment, but I am not going to type it all over again so I will answer all of your questions when I see you at RWA?NYC in a few weeks. Be prepared for a BIG HUG!
ReplyDeleteOuch! So sorry about the disappearing comments! See you in NYC!
DeleteWe visited Disney World through Make A Wish Foundation when my 7 year old was in treatment with chemo for Bone cancer. It was her wish. I loved everything about it. To see the sparkle in my daughter's eyes and the joy on her face from the wonders of Disney brought as much joy to us. That was 18 years ago & my daughter is healthy & beautiful. :) I'm definitely a big hugger. Our whole family is and because of it we're probably spending enormous amounts of time just hugging goodbye. lol That k you for the awesome giveaway chance. Good luck everyone.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
That was 18 years ago & my daughter is healthy & beautiful.
DeleteThe best part of that whole comment! :)
Even though I live in Florida, I've only been to Disney once. We visited Sea World and it was fabulous!
ReplyDeleteHugger? Are you kidding? I love to hug my family and friends and people I've wanted to meet. Oh yes. Just ask my kitties. They will roll their little eyes and tell you (in kitty talk) that their Crazy Cat Lady Mom loves to hug them too. So if I hug you sometime, please forgive me if I share some kitty hair with you. ;-)
I have been email friends with Karen Ranney for a long time now. She is the sweetest lady ever. My husband and I took some "promotional" pictures of one of her upcoming books one year when we were in North Carolina. The book went everywhere. Karen loved the pictures and the funny captions my husband added to them. Since then, he sends her funny jokes here and there to keep her laughing. I would love to meet this wonderful lady in person some day. I guess the thing I would ask her is WHY did it take so long for us to finally meet!
I would be delighted to give your books a new home. There is always room here at Chez Fischer! Thanks for the fun giveaway.
Connie, you may be in Florida but Florida is a big state. It's not like it's a 40 minute drive! Plus, Disney -in my opinion- has got way out-of-control expensive.
DeleteI really do hope you and Karen will have the opportunity to meet in person one of these days.
Florida is a big state and Orlando traffic is nuts. Would you believe we even bought a time share there years ago thinking the grandkids would use it but they haven't and neither have we. Oh well. Live and learn.
DeleteMeeting Karen would be a real thrill!
I applaud your taste in authors and friends, PJ. I love seeing so many of my favorites smiling for your camera. I've never been to Disney World, but my sister keeps talking about a big family trip to Orlando. I may make it yet. :)
ReplyDeleteI am a hugger in a family of huggers, in a church of huggers, and in a circle of hugger friends. Hugs are grand!
If I could ask an author a question, I'd ask Lisa Kleypas what her next book will be (after Brown-Eyed Girl and Cold-Hearted Rake). (And I'd beg Eloisa James for a few crumbs about her Mayne and Josie news.)
Hugs are very grand! So happy we've had the chance to share them in person, Janga.
DeleteI'd like to ask those questions too. Maybe I'll get an opportunity to do so in NYC!
Great pics, PJ! I remember that conference. It was hot as blazes, I got food poisoning, and then a terrible cold. Yuck! Needless to say, I missed a LOT of that conference.
ReplyDeleteAnd can't want to see you in NY!!
ReplyDeleteYes a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures PJ (again)! I am a hugger most of the time. And I love Disney! It's been years since I've been. When I was young we lived in California and sometimes on the weekend we'd go and buy several Keys - tickets for a certain number of attractions. After we moved to Georgia and we would travel to Disney World at least every other year!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures PJ (again)! I am a hugger most of the time. And I love Disney! It's been years since I've been. When I was young we lived in California and sometimes on the weekend we'd go and buy several Keys - tickets for a certain number of attractions. After we moved to Georgia and we would travel to Disney World at least every other year!
ReplyDeleteI've probably visited 4 days in total but from 3 different trips lol. I love Epcot center but I would really like to see the Animal Park. My family was not a hugging family (because my mom was overly hugged as a child lol) but I think it's a wonderful thing so I do it to those that seem open to it. I'm not sure what I would ask - I'd probably stutter all over the place lol. I guess it would depend on the author too.
ReplyDeleteI have been to Disney World which is great. I Liked back to the future. I would ask my favorite author about his travels and life.
ReplyDeleteDisney World is very special. Iiked so much there as it was my first visit. An author whom I would speak to and ask about research.
ReplyDeleteThe last two times I've visited Disney World, my favorite ride has been Soarin' at Epcot. Our whole family enjoys visiting there. Other favorites are Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean (Magic Kingdom,) Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom,) Maelstrom (Epcot) and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (Hollywood Studios.)
ReplyDeleteI'm from south Louisiana--you bet I'm a hugger! We can't converse without hugging!
Thanks for another fun post.
I've been to Disney World four times, tho it's been over twenty years - I couldn't possibly pick my favorite part - it was so much fun watching the kids experience it. I'd just like to hear authors talk about some of the oddest things that have sparked an idea for a story.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to Disney World, I would love to take my kids. And the kid in me would love to go also. I am a hugger. I love to hug. I hug my kids every day while they will still let me. My son is the best hugger in the world. One of my favorite authors in Kristen Ashley and would love to ask her where she gets her ideas from and if the stories are any from real life experiences.
ReplyDeleteI have been to Disney in Fla several times and am a hugger.
ReplyDeleteWould love to ask one of my fav authors what book will she always remember and why.
patoct@yahoo.com
I have been to WDW 2x and I loved the Toy Story ride! soooo fun!!! Ummm.. I only hug friends and family. I'm very much a personal space maintainer and I would love a force field to enforce that with strangers :) I would love to meet Dean Koontz and pick his brain about the Odd Thomas world. Thanks for the fun post and giveaway!
ReplyDeleteWe used to go to Disney every other year, but haven't been on vacation for 8 years. We are driving down from NY this August. I am sure everything is different now. I liked the Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. I will be at the book signing in NYC this year - maybe I will see you!
ReplyDeleteWe make a yearly pilgrimage to Disney world and the first attraction we go to is Soarin'! It's so much fun! Hugging is always good, right? I would like to know from my favorite author where she gets her ideas about the Harmony folks she writes about! I so enjoy all her characters....I feel sad if I don't enter these contests for my friend...she just loves her romance books!! So I do it for her...if I win, we are both happy! Thank u so much for the great giveaway!!!
ReplyDeleteI forgot to give u my name to above post where I say we make a yearly pilgrimage to disney....it's mickey3214@aol.com....
ReplyDeleteI have not been to Disney. Am a hugger and would love to meet Robyn Carr.
ReplyDeleteGmapeony
Hi, PJ! I look forward to a BIG hug the day we meet! :)
ReplyDeleteI have been to Disneyland and loved it! My husband has been to Disney World several times and likes it a lot. Perhaps we can go together some day.