Review & Giveaway - - One Dangerous Night

One Dangerous Night

by Cathy Maxwell

The Gambler's Daughters - Book 2

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: March 26, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Elise Lanscarr is furious—her very own sister has married the man Elise had marked for herself. Feeling betrayed, she flees London, determined to return to the one place where everything was once as it should be: her family home in Ireland. But when her stagecoach crashes in a storm, she finds herself cast adrift in the wilds with no one to help but a rough-looking, albeit handsome, stranger—one who has obviously never been informed of the “proper” rules of society.

Christopher Fitzhugh-Cox, the missing Duke of Winderton, has fled all responsibility, preferring the persona of the devil-may-care rake “Kit.” He proudly lives hand-to-mouth, rubbing shoulders with commoners and thieves alike. But while he values his freedom, he’s never been one to leave a lady in trouble—even one as opinionated, albeit intriguing, as Elise.

But this night of booming thunder and flashing lightning is just the beginning of an unexpected, often dangerous, adventure. And two disillusioned souls who have been caught up in their own webs of expectations and disappointments are about to learn that life always holds surprises, and gifts. And all it asks in return is that they risk everything for Love . . . 

PJ's Thoughts:

Okay, I'll admit, I wasn't looking forward to reading this book. After reading A Kiss in the Moonlight (Michael and Dara), book one of  The Gambler's Daughters series, I was fed up with Elise and didn't much care what happened to her. I felt much the same about the Duke of Winderton after reading His Secret Mistress (Brandon and Kate), book one of the A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women series. So then, how did these two unlikeable characters end up being one of my favorite couples? It's all due to the authorial excellence of their creator, Cathy Maxwell. 

First of all, I adore a good road romance and One Dangerous Night is among my favorites. Elise needed to be taken away from her comfort zone and challenged in order to grow. Kit also needed growth from the spoiled, entitled man-boy he was when first introduced in His Secret Mistress. The obstacles faced in their journey offered both exactly what was needed to evolve individually as well as bond as a couple. I loved watching them slowly adapt, change, and grow through the adventures that awaited them. Some were filled with humor, others with danger, and one in particular, for Elise, with heartbreaking emotion. 

I loved the steam between Elise and Kit, the adventure, the dog (especially the dog), and the gradual bond that slowly deepened into much more. I appreciated the way in which their family complications were addressed. There were amends that needed to be made for both and I was satisfied in the ways in which that was accomplished. In the end, I found myself firmly in the corners of two individuals I had heartily disliked, cheering them on to a happily ever after as a couple and as families. 

One Dangerous Night can stand well on its own but for a complete understanding of the events that brought Elise and Kit to where they are at the beginning of this book, I would encourage you to read both His Secret Mistress and A Kiss in the Moonlight. 

Have you read Cathy Maxwell?

Do you enjoy redemption romances?

Are there any secondary characters you'd like to see get their own book?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, March 30 will receive a print copy of One Dangerous Night. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - A Kiss in the Moonlight

A Kiss in the Moonlight

by Cathy Maxwell

The Gambler's Daughters - Book 1

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: March 28, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

To Marry a Duke…

Once there were three Irish sisters—Gwendolyn, Dara, and Elise—who had to fend for themselves when their gambler of a father disappeared, leaving them with an unscrupulous cousin. Dara hatches a daring plan: they gamble what little they own to finance a London season. Her goal: to use their looks and their wits to find a duke to marry for each sister!

It seems her crazy plot might work when the sisters are declared the “Incomparables” of the Season. Dukes and lords line up at their door, but bold women and scandal always go hand in hand. Particularly when Dara’s plans are challenged by the likes of Michael Brogan, who provokes Dara as much as he tempts her. The handsome, clever, and rising politician is definitely not a duke, but he’s determined to teach her about ambition, men, and, above all, love, making Dara wonder if her plans are about to change. 

PJ's Thoughts:

I'm a fan of Cathy Maxwell's books. I love how they make me laugh, sigh, and swoon. She's a master of all three. Her newest, A Kiss in the Moonlight introduces her Gambler's Daughters series and the three Lanscarr sisters from Ireland: Gwendolyn, Dara, and Elise. It's an intriguing journey filled with mystery, danger, unexpected romance, and a heart-wrenching family rift (hopefully to be mended in book two). 

This first book sets up the series with a fair amount of time devoted to each of the sisters. We begin to learn about their personalities, their desires, and how they each behave within the network of their family and sisterhood. I liked them. Well, I liked two of them. Elise has some significant growing to do before she engages my support. I'm eager to see what Maxwell has in store for her in book two. I'm already fully invested in Gwendolyn and her potential hero (he better be her hero!) and looking forward to that journey. 

In this book, it's rule-making, middle sister, Dara (the plain, overlooked one in her opinion) who unexpectedly steps into the romantic spotlight. She and Michael are such a wonderful match. I loved their banter, chemistry, and partnership as they worked together to bring a traitor to justice. Michael really couldn't have found a better life partner. It was so gratifying to watch Dara evolve, accept that she's deserving of love, and finally realize the self-confidence and self-worth that had been outside her grasp. I may have cheered out loud when she finally stood her ground and claimed that which she deserved. 

One of my favorite parts of this book is the beginning of each chapter where the author shares one of Dara's proper rules, followed by flask-carrying Great Aunt Tweedie's less than proper response. Snort laughing may have ensued over more than one of those responses. 

Review - - His Lessons on Love

His Lessons on Love

by Cathy Maxwell

A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women - Book 3

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: January 25, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

Lesson #1: A man, even titled and handsome, cannot be careless forever.

The Earl of Marsden—better known as Mars to all—has lived his life by his own rules…until he is presented with a very big problem in a very tiny package—a baby girl, his daughter cast off by his ex-mistress. Mars won’t let his child be cast adrift, except he doesn’t know the first thing about babies.

Panicking, he turns to a woman for help. Not just any woman, but Clarissa Taylor, village spinster, matron-in-training, and Mars’s greatest critic. Still, who better to tend a motherless child than a woman who was abandoned as a babe herself?

Lesson #2: Life always plays the upper hand—especially when it comes to love. 

Clarissa desperately wishes to not to be beholden to anyone. She has spent a lifetime being pitied by the village. Her plan is simple—to use what the intolerable earl will pay her to become her own woman. It all sounds so straightforward until the threat of scandal sends her and the one man she can’t abide toward . . . marriage?

Mars and Clarissa are about to learn the greatest lesson of all—that sparks always fly when the iron is hot. 

PJ's Thoughts:

Witty dialog, laugh-out-loud humor, emotional depth, and the blending of some of my favorite tropes - marriage of convenience,  enemies to lovers, and opposites attract - make this third book in Maxwell's A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women (don't you just love that title?) series my favorite. 

This book can definitely be enjoyed as a standalone but for those of us who have read the first two books, the pairing of Clarissa and Mars comes as no surprise. These two have been walking a fine line between animosity and attraction for the entire series. Maxwell skillfully guides them from loathing to co-conspirators, to protectors of Mars' daughter, to friends, and finally, to love. I happily cheered them on the entire way as they both learned that appearances don't always tell the whole story, that people can change, and that love sometimes grows where least expected. 

The book's title is certainly appropriate as Mars has much to learn, not only about love but about himself, his priorities, and the importance of focusing on the future rather than the past. But he isn't the only one who evolves. I appreciated the growth of both main characters as their stories were slowly unveiled to one another. There are some twists I saw coming, and others I didn't, that impacted each of them, contributing to how they viewed themselves as well as one another. I liked that the author didn't sugarcoat the difficult decisions that needed to be made and didn't give them any easy answers. Their HEA is one they have to work for which made it all the more sweet in the end. The secondary cast of characters add humor, conflict, and motivation to the overall story, some surprising me and others proving they are exactly as heartless as they appear. I may have cheered a few "just desserts" that are dished out. 

If you enjoy well-crafted historical romance with complex characters, snappy banter, perfectly-placed humor, great chemistry, and life lessons that lead the way to a sigh-worthy happily ever after, pick up a copy of His Lessons on Love. I'm not sure if this book ends the series but wherever Maxwell decides to take readers next, I'll happily follow. 

Review - - Her First Desire

Her First Desire

by Cathy Maxwell

A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women - Book 2

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: April 27, 2021

Reviewed by Santa

She arrived in town, beautiful and bold and declaring that she’s inherited property that  that he has already claimed! As a member of the local Logical Men’s Society, Ned Thurlowe prides himself on thinking clearly and calmly at all times. And it’s clear that the meeting place of the society—a local tavern—is his even if the men have turned it to shambles.

But Ned’s claim is challenged Gemma Estep, who’s announced she’s decided to turn it into some sort of respectable tea garden for the local ladies. Ned challenges Gemma, and in doing so behaves most illogically, for though he wants to dismiss her, he also can’t help but desire her.

Gemma has had enough of men telling her what to do, and she’s vowed to make her own way in the world. And Ned Thurlowe is ruining her plans. Not only has he laid claim to her property, pitting them in a heated fight for its ownership, he’s also arousing in her feelings she’s never sensed before.

And although they argue, they quickly discover they have more in common than they’d each ever dreamed—could their disagreement be turning into desire?

Santa Says:

Her First Desire by Cathy Maxwell is one of this year’s best laugh-out-loud and heart-wrenching romances for 2021. It was a five-star read for me. You need to run out and get a copy, sit back and enjoy the read. Her First Desire is the second book in Maxwell’s A Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Woman series. It can easily be read as a stand alone. 

Her First Desire follows Ned Thurlowe, one of the founding members of The Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Woman and Gemma Estep the woman who is unwittingly about to turn the society and the quaint town of Maidenshop on its ear. Ned, the affable town doctor, leads his society’s meetings and hosts a lecture series at the local tavern The Garland. His dear friend and a father figure Andy, a Society member, always gave him free range there. Gemma comes to Maidenshop to stake her claim to The Garland. Andy, who happened to be her uncle, wrote her shortly before his sudden death stating ‘what’s mine is yours’. Gemma comes to stake her claim and make a clean start away from her dead philanderer of a husband and his family.

A battle of the sexes ensues as the town members take sides. On one are the men of the society - all unmarried - who take great offense to losing their drinking hole, er, meeting place. On the other are the town matrons - a formidable lot - who help Gemma clean up the place. Gemma, a unconventional healer, envisions planting her healing herbs and setting up a lovely tea garden in its place. Not very likely if Ned has anything to say about it. 

Sparks fly as Ned and Gemma butt heads but their hearts and an undeniable heat have other ideas for them. I really did laugh out loud many times and cried for more than just Ned and Gemma. There are quite a cast of characters who live and love in Maidenshop. Go on and pay them a visit; you will not be sorry you stopped by. I have always enjoyed Cathy Maxwell’s books. She truly is a national treasure.

 

Guest Post, Review, and Giveaway - - His Secret Mistress

Back in February, 2008, I gathered my courage, stepped out of my comfort zone, and made the decision to attend a small romance author-reader event a couple hours from my home. The first person I met that weekend was Cathy Maxwell and by the end of the event, I felt that I had not only discovered a new author to read but had also made a new friend. Twelve years later, I still eagerly anticipate each new book Cathy writes and am happy to say our friendship continues to flourish. Her newest book, His Secret Mistress, launches her A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women series. Logical men? Dangerous women? You have to know I'm all over that!

Please give Cathy a warm welcome to The Romance Dish.

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Okay, Romance Dish readers, you and I can talk.  We read loads of historical and contemporary romances. We celebrate every aspect of the genre.  We’ve watched it expand and change over the decades.  We get that paranormals are never about vampires and shape-shifters  but celebrate the outsider--the people who don’t fit in, who have cut themselves off from anything resembling love or trust in the world.

               The high-minded duke is just another name for the person whose position creates a barrier between the real, the honest, the accepting. There isn’t a small town contemporary that doesn’t celebrate second chances, or a new adult that isn’t rooted in the importance of finding one’s self.

And that corporate raider?  Well, he or she needs a wake-up call to realize that a meaningful relationship is the only true currency of value, something you and I already know. We get it.

Recently, a friend asked for a copy of one of my books to read. She is not a romance reader. She is also highly intelligent, a progressive in all matters, and values her feminist credentials.

I think she asked for one of my books to read because, perhaps, I was not what she expected a romance writer to be? I don’t own a feather boa. I rarely talk about my books. I believe I seem sensible to her.  However, I do like bonbons.

Of course, I gave her a book. I gave her TREASURED VOWS, one of many I’ve written where the female protagonist isn’t afraid to face the challenge of living the life of her dreams.  Isn’t that what we all want?

I also included IF EVER I SHOULD LOVE YOU about a woman struggling with the mistakes of her past.  Are they like other historical romances? Yes, yes, and yes.  The tales I write are about characters stepping it up in their lives. They have goals, desires, and love is important . . . because you and I know that how well we love and how well we are loved in return is the only true measure of a fully lived life. 

Of course, my hope is that my friend enjoys the books. My dream is that she joins the legions of us who once looked down our noses at romance novels. We believed books should be critical, challenging, mind puzzles that can be sometimes dismal in their pessimism.

And then we discovered reading should also be fun.  We learned that a happy ending is not a pat on the head but what we dearly wish for in all of our relationships. Most of all, we learned that the pursuit of love is always fascinating and worth the time..

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Woodard Photography Studio

Cathy Maxwell has been in publishing for over twenty-five years. Yes, that makes her a war horse, i.e. she has seen a lot of stuff.  Over the course of that quarter of a century, Cathy has written over thirty-five historical romances, hit the New York Times and USA Today lists, been nominated for or won some nice awards, made dynamite writing friends, and has had the time of her life. Her upcoming book has the old school title of HIS SECRET MISTRESS and will be out February 25, 2020. You can find out more about her at www.cathymaxwell.com Or, if you wish to stalk her, www.facebook.com/maxwellcathy. She usually yaks back.

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His Secret Mistress
by Cathy Maxwell
A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women - Book 1
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: February 25, 2020

At the Logical Men’s Society—an exclusive bachelor’s club—brandy flows like water, bawdy stories abound, and a gentleman tempted to marry is always persuaded to reconsider . . .

Brandon Balfour made the mistake of trusting his heart to the exquisite, strong-willed actress, Kate Addison, with whom he shared one intimate night before fate intervened. Now a decade later, Brandon is a leading member of the Logical Men’s Society—for no woman since Kate has managed to captivate him.

To Kate, the memory of that night still burns strongly, because it was followed by a stunning betrayal. A chance encounter may have brought Brandon back into her life, but that doesn’t mean Kate will ever forgive him. She’s vowed to make him pay—even as she realizes the promises of the young love they once shared are still etched upon her heart . . .

Loving her exiled him.

Trusting him ruined her.

And now, a clash of passions threatens everything each of them ever desired.

PJ's Thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoyed this story of two characters who are given a second opportunity to capture a happy ending that eluded them fifteen years earlier. But, not without facing a whole lot of baggage from their earlier relationship, including each one's misunderstanding of the events of the past, of perceived betrayals. Their journey is filled with humor, snappy banter, heartache, sizzle, forgiveness, and love.

I enjoy characters with life experience behind them. It gives them depth. Kate and Brandon in their younger years wouldn't have been nearly as complex or interesting, while introducing us to them in their mid-thirties brings more of a richness to them, more layers to be unveiled. I felt a connection with them, especially with Kate, and a greater investment in the outcome of their relationship.

Characterization is something at which Maxwell excels and in this book, she gifts readers not only with a complex main couple but with an entire community of fascinating folks. I look forward to discovering more about them in future books and am especially curious to find out if my suspicions about a potential future couple prove true. In the meantime, if you're looking for a fast-paced, smooth-flowing, historical romance that will elicit both laughter and tears, I recommend you give His Secret Mistress a try. 

Have you read Cathy Maxwell's books?

Do you have a favorite?

Do you consider yourself a "dangerous woman?"

One randomly chosen person who comments before 11:00 PM, February 28, will receive a signed copy of His Secret Mistress that I brought home from Coastal Magic.

Must be 18 or older.
U.S. addresses only.

Coastal Magic Author Spotlight & Giveaway - - Cathy Maxwell

PJ & Cathy - Buns & Roses 2017

Welcome to my third Coastal Magic Convention spotlight! Today, I'm happy to welcome historical romance author Cathy Maxwell to the Dish. I met Cathy in person almost 12 years ago, at a reader-author weekend event in Columbia, South Carolina. It was the first time I had ventured out of my comfort zone to attend such an event and I was nervous, not having any idea what to expect. How lucky was I that Cathy Maxwell was sitting at the event registration desk when I walked into the hotel. Her smile lit up the room and within minutes (honestly, probably seconds), she had me laughing and feeling like we had been friends forever. If there's a better representative for the fun to be had at a reader-author event, I have yet to meet them. Come join us at the Coastal Magic Convention in Daytona Beach. Is there a better place to be in February than on a Florida beach?

Cathy's zest for life shines through in the many roles she has filled in her career. Beginning as a news broadcaster, she decided she'd rather make news than report it. That led her to the U.S. Navy, specifically Naval Intelligence, as well as time at the Pentagon. After her military career ended, Cathy pursued writing and now has 40+ published novels and novellas to her credit. Many of her books have been on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists and nominated for various awards. She has also been honored by the Washington Romance Writers organization with the Kathleen Gilles Seidel "Legend" award for her service to this RWA chapter.

Cathy's next book, His Secret Mistress is scheduled to be released February 25, 2020, launching her new Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women series. 

At the Logical Men's Society - an exclusive bachelor's club - brandy flows like water, bawdy stories abound, and a gentleman tempted to marry is always persuaded to reconsider...  

I love the sound of this new series! His Secret Mistress is currently available for pre-order.

You can discover more information about Cathy and her books at her website and engage with her online at Facebook and Twitter. 

 Welcome back, Cathy! 

Venturing Out into Romancelandia

By roving cub reporter Cathy Maxwell

I don’t even know where to begin with this blog. I’ve been wrestling with it for over a month. PJ suggested I give you all info on what I learned from all my travel this summer—New Orleans, Paris, Berlin, San Diego, Kansas City . . .  Well, actually, she was thinking of my yakking about Europe, but why limit the subject? I have a great life and it is one you can have as well, because I traveled with romance readers.

PJ & Cathy

So, part of what I want to say is what I learned through my travels about what we are reading in romance and another part is to encourage you to join in the fun. There are conferences all over the country, all over the world.  I even travel alone, because once I arrive at the conference, I’m among readers who will soon be new friends. 

Where to start? Let’s just dive in. This is a hodge podge.  Sorry, not sorry:

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With German authors in the Green Room

Romance readers are discerning readers, no matter where you go.  Whether I’m in New Orleans or Berlin, readers want bold emotion, great conflict, and strong writing.  I was interested in the number of European readers who are happy to read in English. They want the full emotion of the words and believe they can only receive it reading in the writer’s language.

Kerrelyn Sparks and I had a great workshop on what makes for a great hero.

They may be right. I had the opportunity to talk to several translators They were wonderful fans of romance and shared that the hardest part of their jobs was not translating words but conveying the emotions the writer meant.  The job called for a complete understanding of social mores in both countries, a thorough grasp of romance tropes, and healthy respect for the genre.

I suggested that US readers would be interested in books by German and French authors. That idea was challenged.  They wondered if US readers would want to read a book about a farm girl in Germany.  To be honest, most of the books presented by the German authors were about German girls going to New York City and, yes, I would want to read that book.  Wouldn’t you? Certainly, I have enjoyed the romantic comedies written about young women in London or the fun chick lit (is that term still viable?) set in Ireland. I like reading about different cultures.

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Lunch out with Lorraine Heath and Kerrelyn Sparks

When I was in New Orleans at Booklovers Con, my table at the signing was located down from Karen Marie Moning and close to Charlaine Harris. 

Book Lovers Con

Rumor has it that paranormal is on the wane but that didn’t appear true from where I was sitting.  The lines were long for both writers.  Plus, my wonderful friend Kerrelyn Sparks sold out.  Lickety split.

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Elizabeth Hoyt

Speaking of Booklovers, they will be in Nashville next March www.bookloverscon.com.  I hear you protesting.  You would love to travel to a conference and have a grand time like you see from all the social media posts on the romance sites. However, you don’t have anyone to travel with.  

It is work to find a traveling partner. I agree with you—which is why I enjoy traveling to conferences because I can go alone. I hop on a plane, go to the hotel, and start making friends by turning to the person next to me and asking, “What are you reading?”

Charis Michaels photobombs Cathy and a French reader

If you are an introvert, use strategy. My advice is to join some of the social media boards like The Romance Dish or Old School Romance Book Club or Contemporary Romance Book Lovers. Truly, there are dozens of fan sites for these books we love to read.  










Start interacting online, let people know you are going to a particular conference and want to know about any meet ups planned.  It really is that simple and they are fun.  How do you think I met PJ? Or Gannon? Or so many others.  Half of the battle is just showing up. Photo below: with the fabulous Bridget Costedoat whom many of us know from romances pages on FB.  

Cathy & Bridget

Other great conferences include The Historical Romance Retreat  www.HistoricalRomanceRetreat.com  Dress for tea, for the ball, for chatting up your friends.  This is an intimate event with loads of fun activities and is usually held at the beautiful Mission Inn in Riverside, CA. Another conference with the same flavor will be Romancing the Gold Coast www.RomancingtheGoldCoast.com  in Glen Cove, NY.

Two fan favorites to consider are Lori Foster’s Reader Author Get Together www.ReaderAuthorGetTogether.com in Cincinnati, OH and Coastal Magic www.coastalmagic.com in Daytona Beach, FL. I believe Lori’s event leans more toward contemporary. Coastal Magic started off promoting paranormal romance but includes all subgenres now. I will be at the one in 2020.  After all, it is Florida in February. Let me know you are coming at www.facebook.com/maxwellcathy and I’ll be your friend.

Also, let me put in a plug for Mid-Continental Public Library’s Romance GenreCon www.mymcpl.org/events/romance It is romance celebration of author panels, fun games, events, and writing classes and everything is free. Yes, free.  It is also located in one of my fave cities on this earth, Kansas City. Please, check it out.

This is just a small list of romance travel opportunities. You can find more at www.romancerefined.com  A list of romance events is listed under “Resources.” The list also includes one day book signings in fun places. I prefer events where I can mingle but if you just want to meet your fave author, go.  Some of these are also held in exotic, fun locations which brings me to overseas conferences . . .

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I’ve been to reader conferences in Australia, Paris, and Berlin.  In Paris and Berlin, there were enough workshops in English to keep me happy. I also enjoyed the locations. They were in spots the locals go. Photo below: Panel of Australian Annie West and French authors Marianna and Carine Pitocchi at Festival du Roman Féminin in Paris. 

In Paris, the Festival du Roman Féminin www.facebook.com/FestivalDuRomanFeminin was right off Paris’s Chinatown district or Quartier Asiatique. Need I say the food was phenomenal? The location was also a short Metro ride to the all the tourist sights, but I felt I was a part of the city.

East Berlin

              The Love Letter Convention www.loveletterconvention.com  was held in East Berlin this year which gave me a bit of a charge.  It was also close to some dynamite shopping.  Besides sightseeing, I also took in a show - something I like to do whenever I travel. 

Everyone was excited about Cathy's panel!

            
  The Australian Romance Readers Association www.australianromancereaders.com.au will be holding one day luncheons and book signings in five different cities over a two week period. Two keynote authors will be traveling to all five cities. Next year it will be Susan Donovan and Darynda Jones. That will be a fun adventure. Those two are a good time.

              Australia itself is magic. There is no language barrier and the Aussies are welcoming. Plus, there are a host of fabulous romance writers such as Anna Campbell, Anne Gracie, and Stephanie Laurens for you to meet.

In all cities, the authors, organizers, and attendees could not have been more generous or inclusive. Trust me, I have blundered about and people have been kindness itself when I realize I’ve charged too forward. I also come upon close groups of friends who hadn’t known each other until they attended a conference. Now, they look forward to seeing each other at events.  Just like in the States.

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              So, are you feeling the itch to do some conference traveling? Trust me, whether it is over glasses of wine or sitting on a beach, talking books is fun with friends.

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, October 18, will receive a package of four Cathy Maxwell books. (U.S. addresses only)