KissCon Weekend Affair

Some of you may recall that last October I attended the Avon KissCon event in Atlanta. That event, like all KissCons before it, consisted of a get-to-know-the-authors panel session followed by a book signing and a VIP reception. There were eight Avon and Harlequin authors in attendance and the entire event took place over the course of a single afternoon and evening. A few months later, when Avon announced they were taking KissCon to the next level with a full three-days of events and 30 authors I knew I had to attend. I'm happy to report that KissCon Weekend Affair in Chicago was everything I could have anticipated...and more! Here are a few highlights. 

You know your weekend is off to a good start when you run into three of your favorite authors your first night there and they graciously pose for a photo. With Julia Quinn, Sophie Jordan, and Eloisa James.








Romance readers are the friendliest people around. Lots of out-of-towners arrived Thursday so we rounded up a group of fellow readers for dinner. By the end of the evening, strangers from around the country had become friends. 

Happiness is discovering you're standing in the hotel check-in line directly behind two newly discovered favorite contemporary romance authors: Mia Sosa and Nisha Sharma. I adored Sosa's Love on Cue trilogy (read my 5-star review of Crashing Into Her). If you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw my 3:00 am post about Sharma's contemporary romance debut, The Takeover Effect. So, so good. 








Twenty-three breakout sessions Friday and Saturday provided plenty of laughter, information, and fun. The "Never Have I Ever" speed round with HelenKay Dimon, Tracey Livesay, Sarah MacLean, Julia Quinn, and Jill Shalvis had us rolling. 

Avon has done a wonderful job of creating an open, friendly, and intimate atmosphere in their KissCon events where readers can comfortably chat with favorite authors at ice cream socials, movie screenings, dance parties, or while leisurely strolling through the hotel. Random photo ops were found everywhere! Here I am with Sophie Jordan and Joanna Shupe. 







And here, with Caroline Linden and HelenKay Dimon. 

I adore romances and I equally adore food. Eloisa James, Alisha Rai, and Jennifer Estep led a lively, and drool-inducing, session called Taste of Romance. I want to eat at their houses!







Jennifer Ryan, Lorraine Heath, Caroline Linden, Beverly Jenkins, and Julia Quinn kept us entertained in the Family Affair breakout session. These ladies write some of the best families around!

Stepping straight from the pages of her upcoming contemporary romance, A Prince on Paper, Alyssa Cole was stunning in the same outfit worn on the cover of her book. She wasn't the actual cover model but she sure could have been. 









You never know when you'll get hungry, right? Not a problem for Lori Wilde; she brought lunch with her in the form of a taco hat! 

Sonali Dev is not only an exceptional writer, she's also one of the nicest women around. And funny. She'll have you smiling in no time. 













Speaking of funny - and nice - Sarah MacLean is high on the list of both. I adore this woman and her books. She's an outspoken advocate for romance and goes out of her way to show her readers how much she appreciates them.  

Brenda Jackson struts the book signing "red carpet" with confidence and sass. I'm enjoying her Catalina Cove contemporary romance series. 












Have you ever met a person who immediately makes you feel like you've known them forever? Here are two of them. Cat Sebastian and Eva Moore. 

This last photo was taken at the airport while I waited for my flight home from KissCon. It isn't author related but was a real thrill for this lifelong Cubs fan so I had to include it. :)








Those are a few of my photo highlights from KissCon Weekend Affair in Chicago. Avon hasn't announced yet if they're going to do this again but I'm hoping they will. It's a weekend of fun I highly recommend. 

Where would you like to see Avon hold a KissCon Weekend Affair?

Which Avon and Harlequin authors would you most like to meet?

Four randomly chosen people who leave a comment before 11:00 PM, April 24 will receive a signed book from KissCon. (U.S. only)

Packing My Bags...With Books!

Spring is just around the corner which means it's almost time to launch this year's Romance conference season. Whether large gatherings or small, romance conferences offer readers the opportunity to meet some of our favorite authors. I'll be attending three events this year: Avon's KissCon, Book Lovers Con, and RWA.  Book Lovers Con (think Comic Con for romance readers) is in New Orleans this May while RWA (Romance Writers of America's annual conference) will be in New York City in July but more about those later. First up on my schedule is KissCon.

With Eloisa James at KissCon Atlanta

Avon has hosted one-day KissCon events in various venues around the country over the past few years. I attended one in Atlanta this past fall. Typically, these events include a Q&A or other fun ice-breaker activity with the 8-10 Avon authors in attendance, followed by a book signing, then a reception where you can chat with the authors as well as meet other readers. This year, Avon has chosen to expand that format with a full weekend of events like pajama party movie screenings, dance parties, panel discussions, and more. Excited romance readers from across the country will converge on Chicago for three days of fun with 31 Avon and Harlequin authors. I can't wait! 

With Beverly Jenkins at KissCon Atlanta

Of course, I'll be taking lots of photos to share with you all when I return along with bringing home books and swag for giveaways. That's where you can help. I've listed below the authors who will be attending KissCon Weekend. I'll have limited space in my luggage to bring back signed books for Dish giveaways so, tell me, from which of these authors would you most like a signed book? Thanks for your help!

 





Tessa Bailey
Alyssa Cole
Sonali Dev
HelenKay Dimon
Jennifer Estep
Lorraine Heath
Lori Foster
Megan Frampton
Jeaniene Frost
Sophie Jordan
Brenda Jackson
Eloisa James
Beverly Jenkins
Tracey Livesay
Julie Kagawa
Eva Leigh
Caroline Lendin
Julia Quinn
Vivienne Lorret
Sarah MacLean
Charis Michaels
Jill Shalvis
Alisha Rai
Jennifer Ryan
Cat Sebastian
Sally Thorne
Nisha Sharma
Joanna Shupe
Mia Sosa
Marie Tremayne
Lori Wilde 

There are still a few tickets remaining for the KissCon Weekend Affair. You can choose from the Saturday only ticket at $75, Friday + Saturday at $150, or Friday, Saturday, Sunday at $185. Ticket sales end March 29 or when capacity is sold out. Visit the KissCon website for more information about tickets, authors, and weekend events. 

*Note: The deadline to book hotel rooms at the KissCon discounted rate is March 15. 


Have you ever attended a reader-author event? 

Do you plan to attend one this year?

Which author(s) would you most like to meet?

KissCon Atlanta

I attended my first Avon KissCon over the weekend. For those of you unfamiliar with this event, KissCon is a fun-filled day with Avon and Harlequin romance authors held in various cities around the U.S. When I discovered this fall's KissCon would be held in Atlanta - an easy drive for me - I knew I had to go and I am so happy I did!

Saturday kicked off with morning tea with Eloisa James at Tea Leaves & Thyme in Woodstock, Georgia. What a lovely tea room. The food and tea were delicious and the company couldn't be beat. 

Terri Osburn and Andrea 

Terri Osburn and former Disher, Andrea wearing the fun and fabulous fascinators each person attending received. 

Fashionably dressed Eloisa James arriving for the Tea.












And check out her adorable shoes!

A few of the goodies...

My friend's wonderful husband dropped her off on his way to the nearby Highland Games and graciously posed for a photo before he left. There's just something about a man in a kilt, am I right, ladies?








The KissCon events began at 1:00 Saturday afternoon with a fun Q&A with the authors followed by a book signing. Authors attending were Maya Rodale, Cat Sebastian, Brenda Jackson, Maisey Yates, Beverly Jenkins, Tessa Dare, Jeaniene Frost, and Eloisa James.

One of the highlights of the day for me was meeting long-time Dish reader, CherylC! 

Another highlight was reuniting with original Dishes, Buffie and Andrea. Many hugs were exchanged! 

Brenda Jackson was signing copies of her new book, Love in Catalina Cove (out later this month). Watch for my review - and a giveaway - next week!

Maya Rodale was signing copies of her new Gilded Age historical, Duchess by Design (out today!). 









After the book signing, those of us who had purchased tickets to the VIP reception meandered across the street to Foxtale Book Shoppe for food, beverages, books, and a chance to visit one-on-one with all of the authors. 

Beverly Jenkins and I went to the same university and discovered while chatting at the VIP reception that we were on campus at the same time! 

With the wonderful Eloisa James and my good friend, J. Perry Stone. I'm loving Eloisa's new Wildes of Lindow Castle historical romance series!










Tessa Dare, Cat Sebastian, and Avon Editor, Erica Tsang. 

With Eva Moore, whose book, Stripped Down, released yesterday. 










Several of us rounded out the evening with dinner at the Century House Tavern in Woodstock. Delicious food, great service, and what a fun exclamation point for a fabulous weekend! This is one of our dinner tables. Let me just say they were wise to seat us in the corner. ;-) 

If you're ever in the area, drop by the Century House for a bowl of Butternut Squash Soup. It's amazing!









If you have the opportunity to attend a KissCon event, I enthusiastically recommend it. Next April will be the first full weekend KissCon event in Chicago with 30 Avon and Harlequin authors. I'd love to see you there! Click here for more information about the event.  


Have you attended any of the KissCon events?

Who would you most like to meet at KissCon?

Are you going to KissCon Weekend in Chicago next April?

I was in raptures over my Butternut Squash Soup. What's your favorite fall food?

One randomly chosen person who comments on this post before 11:00 PM, October 24 will receive a signed Tessa Dare tote bag (unsigned bags available for purchase on Zazzle) and a signed copy of The Governess Game. (U.S. only)

One randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on this post before 11:00 PM, October 24 will receive an Eloisa James tote and a signed copy of Born to be Wilde. (U.S. only)