Sourcebooks Casablanca Romance Authors

So for as long as I've known my husband, the only place he ever talks about wanting to see is the Grand Canyon.  Seriously, every time we try to plan a vacation, that's where he wants to go.  And for 27 years, we haven't.  It's not that I don't WANT to see it, I just don't want to see it the way that HE wants to see it. Bad wife.  I know. Next month we are going to the RT Booklovers Convention in Las Vegas.  That's right...we.  I'm bringing my husband with me - it's sort of close to our 25th wedding anniversary - and while we're there we are going to cross the number one thing off of his bucket list and go to the Grand Canyon.  Did I cave on riding a donkey down into the canyon?  No.  Am I camping in the canyon?  No.  Am I standing on that clear bridge that just the thought of makes me queasy?  No.  I decided to go big or go home and we are taking a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon! Kid. You. Not. Neither of u...

Aye! That's my Highland hero! Imagine my surprise when Declan MacGregor and Lady Liadain Campbell's story was nominated for a 2013 RT Reviewers' Choice award for Best Medieval Romance. Yep, I was thrilled. I had already planned on traveling to New Orleans, LA in May to attend the RT Booklovers' Convention so this nomination was clearly an added bonus.  Funny story about that... My sister is coming with me to the convention, and she was thrilled when she heard that  X Marks the Scot was nominated. However, when my 13 year old daughter found out, she wasn't too happy. She was ticked off at mom because she wanted to travel to New Orleans, too. Not wanting to hear the sob stories of a teenager, I did what any mom would do. I told her that if I win, she could come along. Who would've thought in a million years... And that was the end of it. Nothing more, nothing less. I thought I was the smartest mom in the world. And then I won... I was so excited to he...

Last week was the RT Booklovers Convention, held in Kansas City, MO. It was a very fun conference, and it was so fun to meet up with authors, bloggers, and industry friends. Here are a few things I learned: 10: I’m really jealous of Jaci Burton’s genius marketing idea (our room keys!) 9: But, our marketing department came up with some VERY cute stuff, too (our table in Club RT) 8: Hotel elevators/escalators/floor plans never cease to be far too confusing. 7: Visiting a city that is known for its BBQ is really tough when you’re allergic to tomatoes. 6: Pomegranate mimosas match Susanna Kearsley’s The Firebird perfectly ! 5: I really need to suck it up and start wearing my cute shoes, not just comfortable shoes. ;-) 4: Our authors are adorable! Sara Humphreys Gina Lamm Grace Burrowes and her signing neighbor, Monica Burns Megan Mulry Leanna Renee Hieber 3: EL James (yes, that EL James) really knows how to make an impact !...

Next week hundreds of romance authors and readers will beheading to Kansas City for the annual Romantic Times Booklovers Convention . If you're a reader or writer of romance and you've never been, you really have to go. (Just FYI, next year we'll be in New Orleans). This is a really fun convention because it's all about readers and writers meeting and mixing. Lots of authors on the Casablanca blog will be there, waiting to meet readers! I'm participating in several fun events. The first is Wednesday afternoon. It's UNDRESSING THE HERO. Whether they wear cravats, kilts, or cowboy boots, a hero is a hero--and when you meet one, you just know. We'll play an interactive game, where readers undress a life-size hero, piece by tantalizing piece.  Sounds fun, huh? Then I run off to join my friend Deeanne Gist for her workshop, BOTTOMS UP: VICTORIAN WOMEN'S CLOTHING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I get to play lady's maid and help Deeanne dress layer by lay...

Hello everyone! I'm pinch hitting for my friend Anne Elizabeth today. We're here in Chicago at the 2012 Romantic Times Convention and Anne asked if I could post for her on the blog today. I was more than happy to help out my friend. I don't know if everyone knows that Anne had a bit of a mishap. She tore her ACL and fractured her tibia! The poor kid is wheelchair bound but she's still workin' it at the convention. At the RT Convention there are tons of workshops/sessions that are for either readers, writers or librarians/booksellers. For the past few years, Anne has hosted an event for librarians and booksellers called Afternoon Delight. This was year number six and when Anne had a space available, I was only too happy to jump on board. It was such a thrill to be among this group of talented authors. Christina Skye, Angela Knight, C.H. Admirand, Renee Bernard and Anne Elizabeth. We had some super cute tote bags but the coolest part was this cake with all of our b...

I LOVE Spring. I was born at the end of March, which in Chicago can be an iffy time of year—sometimes it’s still snowing, other times it is gorgeous! We’ve been given an early Spring in Chicagoland this year, and it has been wonderful. Here are some of my favorite Spring things: Everything is in Bloom! Trees start to bud and open up, flowers begin to come out of the ground, grass is green… now, my sinuses and allergies don’t always love this part, but it’s nice to look out the window near my desk and see everything looking pretty. Cabin Fever is OVER. I don’t know about you, but after so many months of dreary cold weather, it is such a relief to be able to do things outside. I get to walk around to run errands, or meet up with friends at a coffee shop. Even driving with the windows down seems like a new experience! Holidays! Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Graduations… Spring is a great time for holidays, all of which are a little less intense than those durin...