Romantic Times 2011
April 13, 2011 at 5:00 am 24 comments
Last weekend, I cashed in my Christmas gift, and headed to the Romantic Times Book Lovers Convention. I was a conference virgin, so this was pretty exciting stuff for me.
First off, was the Carina Blogger dinner, hosted by Malle Vallik, Director of Digital Content & Social Media for Harlequin and Angela James, Executive Editor of Carina Press. We had an incredible meal at Nick and Stef’s Steakhouse, and amazing conversation with a great group of women.
(You can click on any of these pictures to enlarge.)
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Back row, from left: Sarah (Smart Bitches, Trashy Books), Malle Vallik, Angela James, Tracy (Tracy’s Place and DIK blog), Mallory (PR/Editor at Carina).
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Katie, showing the really yummy marshmallow hot fudge cake that we shared. |
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Malle, with a piece of lemon meringue pie that was sooo yummy. (Yes, I stole a bite of that, too.)I returned to the Convention on Friday, and joined Holly, Nikki, Lori, Rosie, and Tracy at the Ebook Expo, where we met lots of great ebook authors, including ZA Maxfield, and bought a couple of books. That evening, my blogger partners-in-crime and I were joined by LB Gregg (alias blogger Lisabea from Nose in a Book) and we went to The Pantry, an LA institution, for dinner. This was followed by an evening in the bar, talking and drinking. I had some great chats with Tracy, Beth Kery and Lorelei James (who wore some bad-ass boots). I returned to my room exhausted, but somehow managed to stay up till 3am talking more (about books, of course) with my lovely roommate, author Vivienne Westlake. Saturday was the giant Book Fair, and while overwhelming, it was heady. I had to use the wheelchair to get around, since I could have never managed on my crutches. Holly had my ticket waitig for me when I got to the ballroom, and Rowena helped wheel me around. (Good friends are priceless, let me tell you.) I met too many authors to name them all, but some of my highlights included James Buchanan, Ann Aguirre, Jill Sorenson, Lauren Dane, and Patrick Rothfuss. That night, we returned to the Lobby Court Bar for the So Cal Bloggers and Authors bar bash. Lots of great people came by to hang out: |
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From left: Tracy, Zoe Archer, Nico Rosso, and Nikki |
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From left: Jill (Romance Rookie), KB Alan, Vivienne Westlake, and Lisa Hendrix |
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Sabrina Darby and Jennifer Haymore |
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From left: Beth Kery, Joss Ware (Colleen Gleason), Beth Williamson, Rowena (Book Binge), LB Gregg, and Julie James |
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From left: Rowena, LB Gregg, Julie James, and ? (if you know who she is, please let me know!) |
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From left: Beth Williamson, Lorelei James, Megan Hart, Lauren Dane, and Holly (Book Binge) |
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Lori and Rosie (Nobody Asked Me) |
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Julie James and Beth Kery |
By Sunday, I was dead on my feet! I spent the morning in bed, reading Lauren Dane’s Mesmerized, and listening to the audiobook of Lisa Kleypas’ The Devil in Winter, while I packed.
After we checked out, Vivienne and I, along with my guy and the kid —who was so amped he was practically levitating— had a GREAT lunch at a Peruvian restaurant.
All in all, it was a blast. I’d LOVE to attend RT 2012 in Chicago, but probably won’t be able to make it. However, I’m already looking forward to RWA 2012, which will be in Anaheim. (And, like this year’s RT, I’ll be there for all the socializing!)
Entry filed under: book ramblings, cool blog stuff. Tags: .
1.
LB Gregg | April 13, 2011 at 9:56 am
We are so hot.
And can I just say that going to the Pantry with all of you was one of the highlights of my entire trip? It was. Until the waiter got a little too friendly. Then it was just plain weird.
L
2.
Renee | April 13, 2011 at 10:16 am
SMOKIN’, baby!
Whaa?? I missed that with the waiter. What happened?
3.
LB Gregg | April 13, 2011 at 2:06 pm
He gave me the full frontal prolonged hug. 0_o
4.
Renee | April 13, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Eww. >.<
5.
Holly | April 13, 2011 at 2:38 pm
Twice.
6.
Holly | April 13, 2011 at 11:43 am
Is it me, or does that shirt make me look like a giant blueberry?
I had a great time with you this weekend, Renee. It was so lovely to spend time with so many wonderful readers and authors.
7.
Renee | April 13, 2011 at 12:04 pm
It’s you. You look adorable. As always.
After the crappy start to the year that I had, it was SO fun, and SO needed to get out with friends and just have a good time. I’m glad we got to spend so much time together!
8.
Christine | April 13, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Hey Renee.
I read this post in my feeds on my phone early this morning and came back to comment. I LOVE your photos and recap of your time at RT. I’m so glad you guys had so much fun. One of these days I’m going to get in on the SoCal fun. With some East Coasters in tote, of course.
xo
9.
Renee | April 13, 2011 at 6:15 pm
That would be AWESOME, Christine!
East meets West would be loads of fun.
10.
Wendy | April 13, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Woot! More pictures! Can’t wait for RWA in 2012 in Anaheim. I plan to sleep in my own, comfy bed. Not that I’ll get anymore sleep than I usually do – but maybe it will be a more restful sleep……
11.
Renee | April 13, 2011 at 6:16 pm
You were greatly missed, Wendy!
Already looking forward to RWA12!
12.
Chris | April 13, 2011 at 4:14 pm
It sounds and looks like an absolute blast!
13.
Renee | April 13, 2011 at 6:17 pm
It was!
14.
Lori | April 13, 2011 at 10:03 pm
It was a really great time! I’m so glad we all got together, and got to meet such wonderful authors and other bloggers, too!
And how on earth did you miss the friendly waiter? It was a little on the creepy side.
15.
Renee | April 13, 2011 at 10:15 pm
It WAS. OMG, so much more fun than I could’ve ever hoped!
I just remember him making some comment at the beginning like, “oh no, all women”. I guess I was a bit oblivious. lol
16.
orannia | April 14, 2011 at 1:23 am
Fantastic recap and photos Renee – thank you! I so would love to go to one of these cons. You all look like you’re having the most amazing time! Hmmm. Maybe I could start saving for RWA 2010…
17.
Renee | April 14, 2011 at 8:06 am
Thanks!
Oh, it would be AWESOME if you came to RWA 2012, here in Anaheim. I only live 30 min away from there, and I have a guest room… (Serious offer, sweetie. And, you know the So Cal Bloggers and Authors would. Do. You. Up.)
18.
orannia | April 17, 2011 at 2:10 am
Thank you
It would be so lovely to see you all. Need to work on those finances!
I have been to Anaheim – twice actually (when I was a teenager). I loved Disneyland!
19.
nath | April 14, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Wooohooo! LOL, great gift from your guy
Seems to me you had a blast 
Nothing more fun than good friends, good authors and good talks 
How many books did you come home with?
20.
Renee | April 14, 2011 at 9:16 pm
Surprisingly, not as many as you’d think! I really tried to restrain myself. The haul:
Ann Aguirre’s Shady Lady and Enclave
Jill Sorenson’s Stranded with Her Ex
Courtney Milan’s Unveiled
Joanna Bourne’s Spymaster’s Lady
ZA Maxfield’s The Pharaoh’s Concubine (ebk)
Misty Malone’s The Consort (ebk)
and 1 more I can’t think of. I know it was a historical, but I can’t remember which one!
Also, a copy of Patrick Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind for my guy. (He already had a mmpb,but this was a trade I got signed.)
Yeah, he’s pretty awesome.
21.
Hilcia | April 15, 2011 at 9:30 am
Everyone looks gorgeous and it looks like you all had a blast! Great post and LOVE the pictures! Was that Lori? I finally got to pick out Lori out of a picture *waves*…
And, Renee you look wonderful!
22.
Renee | April 16, 2011 at 11:25 pm
Thanks, Hilcia! It was a lot of fun, and the company was great.
23.
~ames~ | April 17, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Looks like fun was had by all! I love seeing pictures from blogger meet ups.
24.
Tracy | April 18, 2011 at 12:10 pm
Awesome post and pictures, Renee!
I had so much fun at RT and hope we can do something like that again soon.
Wow – you got a picture of me I actually like! (with Zoe, Nico & Nic!) lol