Authors and Readers and Books....Oh, My!

One of the highlights of the annual RWA National Conference is the Literacy Autographing.  Held the night before the conference opens, this event is open to the public and features more than 400 authors.  Books are donated by publishers, purchased at face value by readers and all funds raised donated to literacy organizations.  This year, the total raised was $52,309.24.  Those funds will go to ProLiteracy Worldwide, Literacy Action, Inc. and Literacy Volunteers of Atlanta.  Since 1990, more than $825,000 have been raised in the fight against illiteracy.

The Literacy Autographing is wild, crazy, crowded and so much fun.  I wouldn't dream of missing it.  I mean, really, 400+ authors signing books in one room?  What's not to love?  Here are some of our highlights from this year's event.

Andrea here! Besides catching up with some of my favorite people (Sophie Jordan, Julie James, and Sarah MacLean to name a few), I had THREE highlights from this year's Literacy Autographing.

The first two go together as it was the very first RWA Literacy signing for two friends and amazing authors, Manda Collins and Terri Osburn. I can't even begin to tell you how special it was to be there and witness these two lovely ladies signing books!  (PJ chiming in to say this was a special highlight for me too!)

The third highlight for me was getting an autographed book and having my picture taken with one of my very favorite authors, Jill Shalvis. I absolutely adore her books and highly recommend them to anyone who loves contemporary romance!

Back to PJ...

Here are some of my photo memories of this year's Literacy Autographing.




NYT Bestselling author, Carly Phillips!  I'm loving her Serendipity series. The next book, Perfect Fling comes out July 30th.

Jane Porter is not only a wonderful writer but one of the nicest people around. Her next book, The Good Wife will be released September 3rd.

So proud of our Dish contributor and good friend, Trish Milburn.  Trish was one of this year's recipients of the RWA Service Award.  Congratulations, Trish!

Simone St. James, who won not one but two RITA awards for her debut book, The Haunting of Maddy Clare.  











NYT Bestseller, conference keynote speaker and good friend, Cathy Maxwell. When this woman smiles, it lights up the entire room!

NYT Bestselling author and newlywed, Laura Lee Guhrke.  Yes, she was glowing!










It's always fun catching up with romantic suspense author, Kate Brady.  She and I met while waiting for the subway train at the 2009 RWA National Conference in Washington, DC.  At the time she was still a few months from being published. She's now a RITA winner for that first book.  You never know who you'll end up meeting when you strike up a conversation with the person waiting next to you.

USA Today Bestselling author Donna Kauffman writes fun books but we skipped the books and went straight to our opinions on who Bachelorette Des is going to choose in the ABC season finale...if she chooses anyone!  In addition to her books, Donna also writes a no-holds-barred (as in laugh out loud funny) Bachelorette/Bachelor column for USA Today and at her own site.  Check it out at http://donnakauffman.com/blog and the USA Today Happy Ever After blog.  










NYT Bestseller, recipient of the RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement award and one of my favorite people, Vicki Lewis Thompson!

Nancy Berland (owner of Nancy Berland Public Relations) and NYT Bestselling author, Robyn Carr, smart, savvy and highly successful women who are two of the most gracious and down to earth people you'll ever meet.  I ♥ them!









After signing books and posing for photos for two hours, NYT Bestselling author, Eloisa James still looks like she just stepped off the fashion runway. One of my favorite authors, one of my favorite people and this year's RITA winner for best novella!








One more blog to go!  On Saturday, we'll be dishing about the glam shoes and dresses that are on display at the many RWA events and sharing some of our overall conference highlights.  And, of course, giving away more books!  All winners will be announced on Sunday so be sure to stop by to find out if you're one of our lucky RWA winners.

What have been your highlights from our RWA conference blogs?

Do you have a favorite among those pictured that you'd like to meet?

Are you a fan of ABC's The Bachelorette?  If you are, who do you think Des will choose?  (I admit it.  I'm hooked.)  lol

Two randomly chosen people leaving comments on this blog will each receive a package of books and swag from our conference stash.  (U.S. and Canadian address only)

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch...

Or, in this case, the hotel. The hotel bar to be exact. At every conference I've attended there always seems to be that one place where people gather. At romance conferences, that place is typically in the bar. At the Marriott hotels that usually host RWA, the bar is located in an open lobby-like area, an area through which people pass to reach restaurants, meeting rooms, hotel rooms, etc. One of the most important parts of a conference is networking; meeting new people, catching up with old friends, meeting with agents, editors, other writers, conducting interviews or just hanging out and having fun. Here's the view from Pulse, the place to see and be seen at RWA National in Atlanta!

Kati Rodriguez and Katharine Ashe.  Katharine has an Avon Digital Impulse book, HOW TO MARRY A HIGHLANDER coming out next Tuesday!

PJ catches up with contemporary author, Julie James.  Julie's latest book in her FBI/U.S. Attorney series, LOVE IRRESISTIBLY was released in April.












Talented authors, fashion icons (they are stunning) and good friends Juliana Gray/Beatriz Williams, Karen White and Wendy Wax take advantage of a quiet moment to catch up.

PJ catches up with Romance Bandit, Kate Carlisle, NYT bestselling author of the Bibliophile Mystery series.











Kati Rodriguez and Jenn LeBlanc.  I see mischief brewing in those eyes!

Now this was a fun group!  PJ with Heather Snow (Have you read her books? Sweet Madness is one of my favorite books of 2013.) , Kati Rodriguez and Brenna Aubrey.













Terri Osburn and Tessa Dare.  Good times with two lovely women who happen to be terrific writers!

PJ, Lisa Lin and Katharine Ashe celebrating the Ballroom Blogs!











Double RITA winner, Simone St. James, RITA finalists Kristina McMorris and Tracy Brogan and Maureen McGowan celebrate!

We love our Romance Bandits!  Here are Anna Sugden (Her debut book comes out Sept. 1st!), Tawny Weber (Have you met her Navy SEALS?), Beth Andrews (The next book in her Shady Grove series will be out August 1st) and Suzanne Ferrell (Her new romantic suspense, Seized is getting great reviews).








Another great place to see authors is at the many publisher signings held for paid conference participants. These are popular events so the lines start early and grow long.  It's the perfect time to meet new people as well as catch up with friends waiting in line.  






One of the people I met while waiting for a signing to begin was Australian author Kylie Griffin.  It took her 28 hours to get here!  Kylie's on the right.  On the left is Georgia writer, Tami Brothers.

One of my roomies, talented Young Adult author Marni Bates.











Andrea poses with our good friend and rising star of historical romance, Manda Collins.  Manda's new book, Why Dukes Say I Do (a RT Book Reviews Top Pick) will be released next Tuesday, July 30th.

RITA finalist Lori Austin who also writes as Lori Handeland.











Fans of Carey Baldwin's medical thriller, First Do No Evil will be happy to hear that there are more books in the works for this talented author!

Meg Benjamin (Janga raves about her books) offers a copy of Fearless Love.












I'm looking forward to The Trouble with Christmas, a holiday romance from Debbie Mason (who also writes as Debbie Mazzuca) that releases September 24th.

One of my favorite people, Juliana Stone, shows off the first book in her Bad Boys of Crystal Lake contemporary series.  Book two, The Christmas He Loved Her comes out September 24th.  I"m counting the days until this one!










I'm so excited for this new book from Lily Everett (who also writes as Louisa Edwards). Sanctuary Island is another July 30th release.

Vicki Lewis Thompson is a favorite author and one classy lady.











After meeting Sheila Roberts, I've moved her books up my tbr list. What a sparkling personality this lady has!

I've been a fan of Susan Mallery's books for years. What fun to finally meet her in person!









Where are your favorite places to network?  School?  Work?  The local coffee shop?  Somewhere else?

Do you find it easy to strike up conversations with strangers?

I have a friend who "networks" with other readers in the book aisles of stores by recommending her favorite romances.  Have you ever done that?

Which books coming out over the next month are you most looking forward to reading?

Three randomly chosen people leaving a comment on the blog will each receive a book and swag from our conference stash.  

~PJ

Terrific Templetons!

by Anna Campbell

I love discovering a new Harlequin author!

As anyone who's hung around the Second Helpings reviews for a while knows, I read a lot of category romance. I grew up reading Mills and Boons (Harlequins, although all ours came to Australia via the English office back in those dim, dark days) and I've retained a real fondness for something short and sharp that still gives me my romance fix.

Somehow in all this category romance, I've missed out on reading many Special Editions. Not sure why - maybe the authors haven't crossed my path yet. I've liked the Christine Rimmer books I've read, although again, she's a fairly new discovery for me. Love it when I find an author with a big backlist!

Another Special Edition author who's only recently crossed my path is Karen Templeton. So far I've read two of her books, but I've really enjoyed both, so I thought I'd share them with you here today.

I'm not usually a huge fan of the twofers that Harlequin are bringing out more and more regularly. You know, to get the book you want, you have to buy a second book that perhaps you're not so keen on reading. I suspect they're not quite as prevalent in North America as they are in Australia. But this is one occasion where the twofer thing worked for me. I read the book in the first half of the twofer and then thinking, why not?, I read the second. Partly because it was a continuity The second book was Karen Templeton's FORTUNE'S CINDERELLA and I just loved it.

By now, I'm sure lots of you are yelling at me to ask what particular rock I've been hiding under. It turns out Karen has won TWO RITA awards and is nominated again this year for A GIFT FOR ALL SEASONS. Clearly I've been missing out!

Both of these stories fall firmly into the 'heartwarming' basket of the romance genre. The people are pretty nice all round. Even the not so nice ones have redeeming features. There's not much melodrama or over the top operatic emotion. Instead, you get deeply felt, realistic stories about people finding redemption and love and fulfilment where they least expect it. And life asks them to step up to the plate - show courage and gumption and forgiveness - before they get their happily ever after. Lovely, lovely stuff all wrapped up in beautiful writing and great use of setting. There's a texture of real life about these romances that I really enjoyed. I could imagine these people living next door to me - and they wouldn't spoil the neighborhood either!

I'm not sure if it's an ongoing theme in Karen Templeton's work, but both these books feature women from everyday backgrounds who fall in love with exceptional men. Or at least men who are recognized as exceptional in their world, whereas the heroines while remarkable, are remarkable in a quiet way.

In FORTUNE'S CINDERELLA, rich and handsome Scott Fortune finds that his life and attitudes change in a major way after a tornado traps him inside a wrecked airport. All his previous dreams, ambitions and romantic relationships seem petty, now that he's looked into the face of death.

His companion through this harrowing experience is down-on-her-luck waitress Christina Hastings. Christina is one of life's survivors and she's done it with a smile on her face and impressive guts and determination. Her courage and good humor through their agonizing ordeal so impresses Scott that he decides he can't let her go.

Instead of acting like the original Cinderella and developing an obsession with footwear and a yen for life in the palace, Christina is much less trusting. Scott comes from a world of privilege and money. She's from the wrong side of the tracks. Even as she finds herself falling in love with Scott, much against her better judgement, she knows she doesn't belong with him.

It's an emotional rollercoaster watching these two come together and the ending is lovely. Both Scott and Christina learn from one another and as in all the best romances, they're better, more complete people at the end, not just as part of a couple but as individuals. Big sighs of satisfaction all round!

So after reading this delightful romance, I rushed to the Book Depository to grab another Karen Templeton book. I settled on WELCOME HOME, COWBOY. I didn't realize until I wrote this review that it won the best category romance RITA Award in 2011. I can see why! It's a doozy of a read.

Again, we have an outwardly ordinary heroine. Recent widow Emma Manning is struggling to keep the family farm afloat, but she's pregnant, she's trying to cope with caring for two children as a single parent, she's deeply in debt, not to mention grappling with her grief over the loss of her beloved husband Lee. But for all these troubles, Emma isn't a tortured heroine. She's refreshingly grounded and independent and stubborn. I grew up on a farm and she's very believable as a down-to-earth farmer.

As if she hasn't got enough troubles, Cash Cochran stumbles into her world and shows every sign of causing trouble, however good his intentions. Cash is a world-famous but burnt-out country singer who as a teenager abandoned his home and his best friend Lee for the bright lights. He's back now to make amends to Lee's widow and to the land where he grew up. But how can he make amends when he finds himself helplessly attracted to Emma?

Wow, talk about an emotional punch. Guilt. Forbidden love. Old sorrows and secrets. Not to mention a tortured hero (he's just so tortured, which is one of the reasons he and Emma make such great foils for one another). Cash is really sexy - I kept thinking of Keith Urban when I read it - and he's spent a lot of time running from his demons. His journey toward becoming the man he was born to be is heart-wrenching and unforgettable.

A three hanky read, although there's plenty of humor and some sizzling love scenes, WELCOME HOME, COWBOY is worth hunting down. A lovely affirmation of the power of love and the human spirit.

So are you a Karen Templeton fan? Which ones should I read next? Have you read her RITA nominee this year, A GIFT FOR ALL SEASONS? Do you like reading about celebrities like actors and singers in romance?

PJ here, popping in with an editorial note from the RWA National Conference.  On Saturday night, Karen Templeton won the RITA for Best Long Contemporary Series Romance with A Gift for All Seasons.  It was Karen's third RITA win and secured her a place in the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame.  Congratulations, Karen!

Review - - The Hunter

The Hunter
A Highland Guard Novel
By Monica McCarty
Publisher:  Ballantine
Release Date: June 25, 2013

I'm a proud fan of medieval romance and have been an avid reader of Monica McCarty's books since the publication of her debut, Highlander Untamed, in 2007.  Her attention to historical detail, three-dimensional characters, fast-paced stories, heart-pounding action and heart-melting romance make her an auto-buy author whose books all have places of honor on my keeper shelves.  With each story she writes, she elevates the excellence of her craft.  I can't wait to see what she brings us next!

A member of a secret group of elite warriors serving Robert the Bruce in the fight for Scotland's freedom, Ewan "Hunter" Lamont is unquestionably the best tracker in Scotland.  The chieftain of a small clan, he's dedicated to Scotland's cause and firm in his belief that women belong at home, not secretly acting as couriers for the church in Scotland's battle with the English.  That's a belief that will be tested time and time again when he meets a feisty Italian nun by the name of Sister Genna.

A lady by birth, Janet of Mar has allowed everyone to believe that she was killed in a bridge explosion during her ill-fated attempt to rescue her twin sister from the English.  Now known as Sister Genna, Janet lives in the disguise of an Italian nun while acting as a courier for the church in their attempt to aid the Scots in the battle with England.  She's met Hunter before and is both intrigued and infuriated by the man with whom she shared a passionate kiss; a kiss that has both Janet and Hunter running for emotional cover.

When Sister Genna/Janet goes missing, Ewan is sent to find and rescue her.  This time, though, he knows that the woman he seeks is no nun, however that doesn't make her more accessible.  In fact, it makes her less so as the Bruce has promised her hand to another - a fact of which Janet is not aware - and Ewan will not steal a woman meant for another, no matter how his heart yearns for her.

Janet is determined to use her wits, her strength and her considerable skills as a soldier for Scotland.  If she decides to take a husband, and in her mind, the possibility of doing that is extremely remote, it will be her decision and her's alone.

"You can't seriously be considering becoming a nun?"
After what had just happened, it sounded just as implausible to her.  But she would do what she must.  "If that is my only alternative to marriage."
"You make marriage sound like a death sentence.  Would it really be so horrible?"
She thought of her family.  Yes, it would be.  How could she explain?  How could she make him understand what to him - to most men - must seem unnatural?  "I would lose myself."

Ewan's heart belongs to Janet but will he also give her his respect?  Will he turn his back on a lifetime of honor and duty to embrace this woman he loves?

Will Janet lower her emotional shields enough to offer Ewan her love and trust?

Surrounded by danger and the English army, will they live long enough to make it back to the Bruce?  And, once they do, will they find the courage to risk losing all they hold dear by going against his edict that Janet marry another?

Join Janet and Ewan on this dangerous, highly-charged, deeply emotional journey of honor, love, betrayal and forgiveness in tumultuous 14th century Scotland.

Are you a fan of medieval romance?  Any medieval books you recommend?  Have you read Monica's books?  Which one is your favorite?

Three books by Monica McCarty are up for grabs today.  We have one unsigned copy of The Hunter offered by TLC Book Tours.  We also have an unsigned copy and a signed copy of The Hunter from the Dishes' conference stash.  We will randomly select one person who leaves a comment for each of the three books.  (U.S. and Canadian addresses only)

~PJ

Review and one giveaway copy of The Hunter received from TLC Book Tours.  Other stops on this blog tour can be found by clicking here.






You can find more information about Monica McCarty and her books at her website and connect with her at Facebook and Twitter.  

Avon Rocks the House

Andrea and I attended the Avon RWA cocktail party Friday night.  What a fantastic time we had!  Avon always puts on a wonderful party and this one was no exception.  They had delectable food, delicious drinks, flashing-light party favors and a rockin' photo booth!  Thanks to our friends at Avon Books for the invitation.  We had a great time!





Good friend, Nicki Salcedo from Georgia Romance Writers.  We're sisters of the heart.  Love this woman!

Andrea and RITA winner, Sarah MacLean.













PJ with Carey Baldwin, author of terrific medical thrillers. Happy to hear we have more books coming from this talented author!

Wonderful authors, great friends and really nice people:  Julie Anne Long and Toni Blake!










PJ with the sweet, smart, funny and incredibly talented Tessa Dare.

Sandwiched between two amazing women, Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Cathy Maxwell.

Romance star Lorraine Heath and rising star Jennifer McQuiston!

Nicki Salcedo and PJ with the Super Librarian, Wendy Crutcher.









We rocked the photo booth!  Here are some random shots (the ones fit to print).  ::grin::

Andrea and PJ

Andrea, PJ, Cathy Maxwell

PJ with the GRW crew...and friends!

Tessa Dare and PJ making mischief.

What's your favorite kind of party?

Have you ever rocked the photo booth?  What's your style?  Funny or serious?

Who are your favorite Avon authors?

We have signed Avon books and conference swag for three randomly chosen people leaving a comment.  (U.S. and Canadian addresses only)

~PJ