Highlights of the Romantic Times Bookclub Conference

Mom and I arrived home from the 2010 RT conference tired and happy.  Fantastic convention!  I always love the eye candy and, as usual, there were plenty of hunky cover models running around.  This year the very handsome Jamie Ungaro was titled with Mr. Romance in Dorchester’s fun and entertaining cover model contest.  Congratulations to Jamie who (from what I could tell) was every bit as sweet on the inside as he was to look at. 

Kate White fully inspired me in her key note presentation at the awards ceremony.  She is the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan Magazine, the author of a best-selling mystery series and (one of my favorite books) Why Good Girls Don’t Get Ahead but Gutsy Girls Do.  I liked what she said about being a serial achiever and that it was okay for some dreams to bloom later because life got in the way.  That felt encouraging to me since so much of my time was spent in ICU and subsequent recovery last year.

Fire fairies, earth fairies, water fairies and wind fairies graced The Faery Ball this year--the theme was the four elements.  An enormous gorgeous mural served as a backdrop and each-and-every table’s centerpiece was a piece of art.  Some had tiny lights, some had water fountains and some looked like fireworks.  Truly spectacular.  I hoisted mom from her seat and took her through the fairy procession line--not with any chance of placing in the costume contest--but because (don’t tell her) I realized that we’d be escorted by one of the cover models.

The workshops were professional and helpful.  I especially enjoyed the ones that spoke about media relations and feel like I learned a lot.  My biggest impression was that paranormals and young adult are still hot, hot, hot.  I had a blast at the book signing meeting fans and readers and booksellers.  One of my favorite moments was when a woman showed up at my table with an old ARC of Master of Pleasure (my first book!)  What a thrill!

The only party that I am truly sorry I missed was the Mad Hatters Tea Party, hosted two of my friends, Sally MacKenzie and Kristi Astor, along with several other historical authors including Victoria Alexander and Heather Graham. It was held at midnight and quite a smash hit.  Attendees donned cool hats and Alice in Wonderland themed costumes, enjoyed a midnight snack (high tea, of course!), and won awesome prizes.

Overall, an exciting, educational and well-run conference.  I am very much looking forward to 2011 in Los Angeles.

Award winning Author Jessica Trapp doesn’t like to do anything that isn’t fun.  She believes a dynamic romance is one where two opposing characters are transformed into two people who share love and passion.  She writes novels that are striking for their sensuality and strong conflicts between her heroes and heroines.  Her forth medieval romance entitled DEFIANT will be out in December with Zebra Books.  Please visit her on the web at www.jessicatrapp.com