Thursday, July 30, 2015

RWA 2015 - - Back to the Big Apple: Part Four

Sandy Blair, Susan Sey, Suzanne Ferrell, PJ, Joan Kayse


I always look forward to Friday morning of RWA conference week because I know I'll be starting the day with smiles, hugs and much laughter. How do I know this? I know, because Friday is the day that I have breakfast with wonderful friends Suzanne Ferrell, Joan Kayse, and Susan Sey. And this year's breakfast was made even more fun with the addition of Sandy Blair!








Friday morning's breakfast speaker was Julia Quinn, who is not only an accomplished writer but also a wonderful speaker. Her words were humorous and inspirational, moving us to both laughter and tears.








After breakfast, I was off to more publisher book signings. Here are a few photos from Grand Central, Harlequin, Berkley and Pocket:




The husband and wife writing team of V.K. Sykes (she's Vanessa Kelly). I'm loving their new Seashell Bay series, set on an island off the coast of Maine.













Elizabeth Hoyt's Dearest Rogue is one of my favorite books of 2015. And I adore her new haircut!











Have you read Laura Drake's contemporaries yet? Her book, The Sweet Spot won the 2014 RITA for Best First Book.













Stacy Henrie's Of Love and War trilogy is set during World War I. Now that the trilogy is complete, I'm looking forward to reading all three books.













I can't get enough of Paula Quinn's MacGregors!











Second Chance Summer by Jill Shalvis is an awesome beginning to her new series. I can't wait for more!












I'm so happy for Jessica Scott's success. Writer, soldier, wife, mom; this woman does it all!















What do hotel security guards do on their breaks? Read Julia Quinn, of course!











Stephanie Laurens is one of my favorite authors and a truly lovely lady. Also, I never tire of her wonderful Australian accent. Have you ever read about her journey to becoming a romance writer? It's fascinating!  Check it out at her website:
http://www.stephanielaurens.com/about/











I met Marie Force at my first conference in 2009 when she was a debut author. I'm thrilled for the huge success she's achieved since then. She's worked hard for it and never gave up, even when the going was very rough. It's a lesson we can all learn from.









So happy Susan Andersen and I were able to find time in our schedules for a chat. Love her humor! Seeing her at conference always makes me smile.












If you think Kristan Higgins' books are funny, you should meet her in person! Sarah Morgan and Kristan Higgins a/k/a "the photo bomber."













Sarah caught on pretty quick.















And, of course, all was forgiven in the end.












RaeAnne Thayne is one of my keeper authors. I've been reading her books for years and enjoying every one!















If you enjoy paranormal romance, you'll want to check out Jeaniene Frost!












Grace Burrowes was a double RITA finalist this year!












I love Virginia Kantra's Dare Island series so much! Luke's story, Carolina Man was a 2015 RITA finalist.














I brought Jane Porter's new book, It's You home from conference and can't wait to curl up with it.













A newly published author from my city. So happy for Jessica Peterson! Check out her Hope Diamond trilogy.












Friday afternoon, I attended a Tea hosted by Eloisa James. What fun it was!












We gathered at the charming Boise Tea Parlor in the West Village for lively conversation and a delicious assortment of sandwiches, cakes, macarons and, of course, tea. I highly recommend the Provence Rooibos, a no-caffeine tea combining fruity berries with mild lavender. It was delicious!











Debbie Mason, PJ & Vanessa Kelly

Friday evening I enjoyed a lovely dinner out with good friends. The restaurant was next door to a busy fire station which created a fair bit of noise but the food was delicious, the service was good, and the company was outstanding. And I had escargot, which I adore and hadn't had in years. It was fabulous and I savored every delicious bite, even if others may have squirmed a bit at the notion that I was eating snails...and enjoying it. What can I say? I'm weird that way. ;-)





Mary, Stephanie & Kim



Back at the hotel, I made a sweep through the bar and ran into long-time friends, Mary, Stephanie and Kim.










Kim and PJ





I chatted with them for a while then it was off to bed for a good night's sleep in preparation for what promised to be a very busy Saturday!










Are you a photo bomber?

What food do you love that others may consider weird?

What accents do you never tire of hearing?


 Two people leaving a comment will receive a package of books.

(U.S. addresses only)

46 comments:

  1. Stephenie Laurens is one of my favorite Authors. I have read every book she's written. Especially the Cynster family books. Awesome writer. I haven't eaten anything others might think strange. Yet. lol The Scottish & Irish brogues I could listen to forever.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love those Scottish and Irish brogues too, Carol!

      Delete
  2. Love the French accent (Gilles Marini - sexy). Love turnips.
    Love seeing all the author photos.
    patoct@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know I've had turnips - probably as a child - but don't remember how they taste. Might have to try them again one of these days.

      Gilles Marini. ::sigh::

      Delete
  3. PJ this was wonderful! For the those of us who were not so lucky to spend the week at the conference these pictures paired with a little something specific to that author only is refreshing. Your awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad you're enjoying the recaps, Cathy! It was great seeing you at Sabrina's get-together!

      Delete
  4. PJ, have been loving your retrospect! Is there anyone you DON'T know in the romance community? All I know, is I'm blessed to know YOU and always enjoy spending time over bacon with you and the peeps. LOL on the security guard. I would have watched then interviewed him about what he thought :D And that Kristen Higgins,....she's a photobomber from way back. We have one of Suz, Susan and me in an Atlanta resturant and there she is in the background, like a cute sweet litte praire dog :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ROFL at the prairie dog comment!

      I took the photo of the guard from inside one of the elevators. It would have taken me 20 minutes to catch another elevator to get back down to him to ask questions. ;-)

      I love our RWA breakfasts but wish we'd been able to chat more. Large table + noisy room does not equal cozy conversation.

      Delete
  5. PJ, I was SO happy we were able to spend quality time with you at RWA. You are such wonderful person and a true advocate of romance. AND the best romance photographer around!! XOXO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, thanks, Vanessa. I always enjoy quiet time I get to spend with you and Randy.

      Delete
  6. PS. I love the photo-bombing/Kristan pic. That gal is such a rascal.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I so enjoyed all of your pictures, Thanks for getting photos of Kristan and Jill. No, I don't photobomb, but Kristan seems good at it!

    I like the British, Australian, and French accents.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I believe Kristan has had a fair amount of practice! LOL!

      Delete
  8. These pictures make me miss everyone! Thanks for the pictures of Sarah and me! We had so much fun sitting together!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had fun watching the two of you, Kristan. It was obvious you were having boatloads of fun together!

      Delete
  9. The only downside of signing books is that it limits my photobombing. I'll try to do a better job next year. : )

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love eating lamb and every time I mention that to family and friends they all give me grief about how they don't like it. Oh well.
    I love Australian, English and Scottish accents the most. I think I need to listen to an audiobook with an accent after I finish here.
    Thanks for sharing your experiences. I really want to attend next year.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Next time I want to hang with you...you went to the best places to eat. I lucked out only about half the time. Did find a sweet french cafe across from Bryant Park for Sunday brunch. (Le Pain Quotidien) I have no idea what it means in french. But it was very good food! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annie, I lucked out in that many of my meals outside the hotel were with NYC locals. They knew the best places to go. Glad you found a good place for Sunday brunch. If I remember my high school french correctly, that means Daily Bread.

      Delete
  12. I do photobomb but only rarely and with people who are good humored. I eat pretty much anything so love escargot, tripe, civet processed coffee. And I love a French accent.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't believe I've ever had tripe, at least I don't remember it. Glad to meet a fellow escargot lover! :)

      Delete
  13. I do photobomb but only rarely and with people who are good humored. I eat pretty much anything so love escargot, tripe, civet processed coffee. And I love a French accent.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I rarely photobomb, but it's can be great fun to see the results of others techniques.
    I don't think I eat anything weird, but I do like a liverwurst (my grocery store brand) which current members of my family wrinkle their noses at (my parents liked it too).
    I love all accents - especially if I can understand what is being said, but sometimes that doesn't even matter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some people are quite skilled. ;-)

      I love liverwurst! I don't eat it often as it's very high in fat but, boy, do I love it.

      Delete
  15. I use to be the only one that took picture and after about 40 years I've given it up and let others take the pictures. Not so much weird as others don't usually like them - anchovies, liver, and escargot. French, Italian and Scottish.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't like anchovies but I love liver and onions...and, of course, escargot.

      Delete
  16. I am not a photo bomber. I do love accents of all sorts. I am wracking my brain trying to think of weird foods I enjoy. But I'm coming up empty. Perhaps it's because I'm from south Louisiana, and the typical things we eat seem weird to others but not at all to us!

    ReplyDelete
  17. PJ, it was so great to meet you, in person, at last.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you for the updates on Nat'l. I was on the fence about going, but I had a book scheduled for release (today) and just couldn't do it all. Next year I will plan the book release either before or way after. :D
    I don't eat weird food, but I LOVE peanut butter on hot dogs (aka nutty pups). If you spread the bun with pb and then place the hot hot dog on it and let it all melt together. Yum.
    Hope to see you next year!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for sharing your story and pictures of the conference, PJ!

    I don't photobomb, but I have a Standard Poodle who is notorious for photobombing. We have a lot of pictures with a big Poodle head in the front! As far as accents, I never tire of listening to an engineer I work with who is from Scotland and now lives in the US. I may possibly be guilty of asking him extra questions while on conference calls. (blush) I am another one who likes anchovies. I was raised in a family of fishermen/women and I am the only one who will eat anchovies.

    ReplyDelete
  20. YES, I photobomb and ya know what? when it's happening, people don't want to be in the pictures but then see later that its a very special memory to have of the moments spent together! love doing video too with my Tab! Watching OUTLANDER on TV lets me fully enjoy the Scottish and Irish brogues by real Scots and Micks! Can call them Micks cause I AM one!!! LOL!!! weird foods? Don't think I eat anything strange....maybe sushi?....and BOY OH BOY!!! am I with you on the liverwurst side!!! Haven't had it in years...but do love it like you!!!! Mother Goose brand is the best!!! Mick Mac

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks for sharing all the RWA pictures. I never photobomb, but I know a lot of people do.

    Any accent is nice, but you can't go wrong with a British or French accent.

    ReplyDelete
  22. No I am not a photo bomber. I am not a very adventurous eater. Now I like a good Irish brogue.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I don't ever photo bomb, I don't really like for my picture to be taken. I like eating the small sweet pickles with mashed potatoes. I never get tired of hearing the western (cowboy type) accent.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I hate having my photo taken so no not a photo bomber lol! Oh and food that others might think is weird is pumpkin ice cream! I love it come October I eat pumpkin everything :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. that was sure some all star line up!!! soooo jealous :) I loved the Lays Wasabi/ginger chips that they debuted last year. No one I know likes them, so they're all mine! I'm not a photo bomber, mainly cuz I don't really let people take my picture! I luuuuv Australian and Scottish accents. Oh yum!!!! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Always taking pictures of my daughter and nephews. I love liverwurst too.
    Natalie's Mama

    ReplyDelete
  27. Love all these pictures, PJ!! It looks like you've had an amazing time!!

    I'm no photo bomber - I try to avoid the camera if anything. :-) As far as unusual foods... hmm... I love asparagus, and artichokes, actually most fruits and veggies. Except for okra. Thirty-eight years in the South and Texas (yes, they are different in many ways- ;-) ) and I still can't stand the thought of eating okra. And accents? Scottish, Irish, and Australian top my list. I actually get to hear an English accent quite a bit since my mother-in-law is British.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hahaha I am an UNINTENTIONAL photo bomber!
    I can put BBQ sauce on almost anything!
    Scottish, British...Any accent. I LOVE accents!

    ReplyDelete
  29. More great pictures! PS I got Jill's last book at the signing! I love Australian, English, Scottish & Irish accents. I don't mind a good "y'all", either! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  30. I don't think I've ever done a photo bomb, at least not on purpose. The only food that I eat that people might think is weird is avocado on toast. My sister and I both love it and we have our mom to thank. :D I love listening to Scots and Irish accents, and whenever my former boss talked, I hung on his every word - he was French Canadian and that accent was adorable.

    ReplyDelete