Thursday was another early morning at this year's RWA conference. My poor roommates. It seems every morning was an early one for me! My day began with a blogger breakfast hosted by Simon and Schuster (who publishes Gallery and Pocket romances) at their beautiful offices. It was informational, energizing, and set the tone for another terrific day. Many thanks to the publisher, publicists and editors for welcoming us into their world and working with us to get the word out to our readers about books, authors and awesome sales. (We all love those special romance deals!)
Everyone looks forward to the craziness of Thursday and Friday. That's when we're all running around like hyped up chickens, bouncing among a variety of informational workshops and the always popular publisher book signings. The publisher signings (not open to the public) are not as packed as the Literacy Autographing (usually), though there are always lines for certain authors, but it often offers more of an opportunity to chat with authors. Here are some photos from the publisher signings:
The marvelously talented - and gracious - Jo Beverley
Lauren Willig's next book, The Lure of the Moonflower (out 8/4) is on Janga's Most Anticipated Historical Romances list.
Toni Blake signs books from her popular Destiny series.
Love Laura Lee Guhrke's books and she's one of the nicest people around.
Have you read Megan Frampton's books yet? Janga highly recommends them.
That's right, folks. It's a photo of me with Lisa Kleypas! (insert fan girl squeal here)
And one of Lisa with Eloisa James. Double the talent, double the fun!
The beautiful Erin Knightley. Because of her awesome packing "how to" video on YouTube (http://tinyurl.com/pbme3qs), I bought packing cubes for this trip. I'm never traveling without them again! I've loved Knightley's A Prelude to a Kiss historical romance series. The Duke Can Go to the Devil was released July 7th and it's terrific!
You never know where you'll find photo opportunities at RWA. Cara Connelly very graciously posed for me as our elevator cruised by the 9th floor of the hotel.
It was fun to see my roommate's name (Lenora Bell), as well as many long-time friends' on the screen during the Avon Spotlight session. So many talented authors came from the 2006 Avon FanLit competition. I'm sure many more will emerge from this year's competition as well.
Do you live in the Memphis, Portland (Oregon) or Chicago areas? Avon KissCon is coming to you!
Workshops, signings and running around the hotel tend to make a body hungry. Luckily for us, Junior's Restaurant is conveniently located behind the hotel and boasts some of the best cheesecake in the city. My roommate, Lisa and I stopped by for a re-energizing lunch before tackling the afternoon signings.
We boast many talented romance authors here in North Carolina, like the wonderful Jeni Burns!
I've so enjoyed Christi Barth's Shore Secrets trilogy, set in New York's Finger Lakes.
It's always a thrill to share a hug with a longtime online friend. Annie is a regular here at the Dish!
I've enjoyed Barbara Devlin's Brethren books and am so happy I finally got the chance to meet her in person. She's a sweetheart!
It's been several years since I last saw Lila DiPasqua. Yes, there were squeals and hugs!
The very talented Christi Caldwell!
How's this for a talented threesome? Jo Beverley, Cara Elliott and Joanna Bourne! You can get "up close and personal" with all of them at their multi-author Word Wenches blog.
Mary Jo Putney's books sit upon many keeper shelves, including mine!
Whose books are on your keeper shelves?
Cheesecake is my guilty pleasure but I rarely eat it unless I'm in New York City. What's your guilty pleasure food?
Three randomly chosen people who leave a comment will receive a signed book from my conference stash.
(U.S./Canada only)
I am waiting for the Willig book too but her OTHER DAUGHTER is out now and I'm loving it!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading that one!
DeleteIf I include the FanLit Alumnae, more than a dozen of the authors in your post have books on my keeper shelves, PJ. I'm loving all your photos.
ReplyDeleteSince it's summer, my guilty pleasure food is ice cream, especially if it is homemade with fresh peaches or strawberries.
I've spent the past two days in South Carolina visiting relatives so, of course, I stopped in Gaffney to buy fresh peaches on the way home last night. I do love fresh summer fruit!
DeleteOn my ever-expanding keeper shelf...Julie Garwood, Nora Roberts, Julia Quinn, Kristan Higgins, Julie James, Mary Balogh, Julie Ann Long, Jennifer Crusie, Lisa Kleypas, Joanna Bourne, etc. I could open my own library!
ReplyDeleteGuilty pleasure? Ice cream!
Mmmmm.....ice cream! I used to live close to Clemson University. Their agricultural department has won awards for their ice cream and runs a retail shop on campus. I especially love their fresh peach ice cream. It never lasts long! :)
DeletePretty much all of them are on my keeper shelves lol. I'm surrounded by books and have totally run out of room. At some point I know I have to start giving more away (I do give some to our American Legion) but my historicals would be the last to go. And pizza - I could eat it everyday and I love them all including anchovies lol.
ReplyDeleteI would happily pass on the anchovies but I do love pizza. It's been hard since going gluten free but I recently discovered a really good gluten free crust so I'm back in the pizza game again!
Deletemashed potatoes
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite comfort foods!
DeleteOn my keeper shelf? Some of the names are Larissa Ione, Carolyn Crane, Tessa Dare, Lorraine Heath, Joanna Bourne, Thea Harrison, Sherry Thomas. As for my guilty pleasure...Potato Chips!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever had chocolate covered potato chips? Even better! :)
Deletetoo many to count on keeper shelves. Some authors are Eloisa James, SAbrina Jeffries, Lisa Kleypas, Elizabeth Boyle, Julia Quinn, Christina Dodd, Julia London, Stephaine Laurens, Jo Beverley, Victoria Alexander..... love cheesecake too
ReplyDeleteThat's a very impressive keeper shelf! :)
DeleteI have so many keeper books it would be impossible to pinpoint a favorite. lol So glad you were able to make the trip. Love seeing all the pics! I hope that one day I can go again.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too, Debbie! I was so happy to meet you at the 2006 signing in Atlanta!
DeleteI have a LOT on my keeper shelf. Some are Karen Hawkins, Suzanne Enoch, Lisa Kleypas, Sabrina Jeffries, Julia Quinn, Sarah MacLean, and Sophie Jordan.
ReplyDeleteI share a guilty pleasure food with you PJ - Talenti :)
PS - It was good seeing you again at the signing.
It was wonderful seeing you, Suzy! Next time, let's carve some time out for lunch or drinks...or gelato! :)
DeleteYes, gelato would be the delectable favorite. Rare but special. Eloisa James, Julia Quinn and Mary Balogh.
ReplyDeleteAnother gelato fan! :)
DeleteI am entranced with your photos and the wonderful time with so many delightful authors who are sweet. My indulgence is a baguette with pesto. Love it. All of the above authors are so special.
ReplyDeleteLove baguettes! Sadly, I can't eat them anymore since having to go gluten free.
DeleteGuilty pleasure always involves sweets. I like pastries, such as cream puffs or eclairs.
ReplyDeleteI have so many authors on my keeper shelf: Judith McNaught, Sherry Thomas, Julie James, Julie Anne Long, Lisa Kleypas, etc.
Eclairs were a special treat when I was young. So good!
DeleteI have many on my keeper shelf. Sherryl Woods, Robyn Carr, Susan Mallery, Roxanne St. Claire, Debbie Macomber, Julie Garwood, Lori Foster, Carly Phillips and Linda Lael Miller.
ReplyDeleteMy guilty pleasure is home made fudge with walnuts. I have it once a year at Thanksgiving.
My brother is the family fudge maker, using my grandmother's recipe. I look forward to a tin of it every Christmas!
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ReplyDeleteMy keeper shelves are full of books by: Julia Quinn, Anne Rivers Siddons, Bronwyn Williams, Mary Kay Andrews, Robyn Carr, Mary Balogh, and Grace Burrowes, among others. My guilty pleasure food is a Napoleon from our local Fresh Market store bakery. Ice cream is a staple around here....
ReplyDeleteOh, that sounds so good!
DeleteI have so many authors on my keeper shelf: Julia Quinn, Mary Balogh, Eloisa James, Erin Knightley, Tessa Dare, Julie Anne Long, Lisa Kleypas, Kaki Warner, etc., etc.
ReplyDeleteI can't resist cheesecake! Yum! There's cheesecake in my frig right now.
Did you know that tomorrow is National Cheesecake Day? That's right. It's your sworn duty to celebrate by eating cheesecake! :)
DeleteThe best thing about ebooks? There's SO much more room for my keeper shelf!! I've got a ton of fabulous ladies on mine -- mostly historical but plenty of others. In addition to many of the ladies pictured today (awesome photos from all of RWA btw, PJ): Grace Burrowes, Jennifer McQuiston, Jill Shalvis......
ReplyDeleteRight there with you on the e-books, Glenda!
DeleteI'm keeping JD Robb's In Death series so I can read it again.
ReplyDeleteDark Chocolate is my guilty pleasure - tho right now I can say it's good for me - til they change their minds!
Julie Garwood, Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Nora Roberts, Elizabeth Lowell, Jeffery Deaver, Dean Koontz.... Just to name a few :) these are my keeper as I have them in paperback and on my kindle. I love cheesecake!!! I haven't found a flavor that I didn't like. In fact, I think a visit to the cheesecake factory is in my immediate future :)
ReplyDeleteI have waaaay too many keepers! I am a fan of both historical romance & contemporary romance & there are so many good books out there! I will second the choices of Glenda!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving all these photos. I love Lila DiPasqua's books. I'm so sad I missed this event. My keeper shelf has almost all the Authors pictured here. Also JR Ward, Beatrice Small, Sabrina Jeffries, Karen Marie Moning, Monica McCarty & so many more. Needless to say I have soooo many books andno room formore bookcases. I can't get enough of Lemon Merangue pie.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
I'm loving all these photos. I love Lila DiPasqua's books. I'm so sad I missed this event. My keeper shelf has almost all the Authors pictured here. Also JR Ward, Beatrice Small, Sabrina Jeffries, Karen Marie Moning, Monica McCarty & so many more. Needless to say I have soooo many books andno room formore bookcases. I can't get enough of Lemon Merangue pie.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
I'm loving all these photos. I love Lila DiPasqua's books. I'm so sad I missed this event. My keeper shelf has almost all the Authors pictured here. Also JR Ward, Beatrice Small, Sabrina Jeffries, Karen Marie Moning, Monica McCarty & so many more. Needless to say I have soooo many books andno room formore bookcases. I can't get enough of Lemon Merangue pie.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Love all the highlights and pictures PJ. Even though I was there, I missed so much. Nice to catch up through Romance Dish. I especially like the picture of us. A keeper for me! :)
ReplyDeleteWas so much fun seeing you at RWA15, PJ. Johanna Lindsey, Karen Hawkins, Sabrina Jeffries, Lorelei James, Cherise Sinclair and a bevy of others are on my keeper shelf. I keep adding more and it becomes harder to name favorites. My guilty pleasures have changed, but right now I'm on a kick that includes Klondike bars and TastyKakes.
ReplyDeleteYumm I love cheesecake myself you should go to Olive Garden in Octoberish they have an amazing pumpkin cheesecake!
ReplyDeleteMy guilty pleasure would have to be brownies! Especially fudge ones :)
Pride and Prejudice, One For the Money, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire, Twilight...tons of books!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all your fun pics! I see you found Lisa Kleypas and Eloisa James both of whom are on my keeper shelves, along with Jill Shalvis, Gena Showalter and Kristan Higgins just to name a few. That cheesecake looks so scrumptious, it's one of my guilty pleasures too along with anything chocolate! :D
ReplyDelete