OKay, so I took a bit of a break, and feel so very refreshed. Yes, part of it was abreak from here, but also time off from writing, and time spent in the Florida sun last week at the Romantic Times Booklovers conference.
All of it adds up to a refreshed and ready to work Sasha. I also have to say, this past RT was my favorite so far. I’m not sure if it’s just because *I* was more comfortable, or because of the venue / sunshine / pool bar, or if it’s because I not only got to meet many new people, but also got to know those I’d met before that much better. It was fun, and worthwhile.
I arrived in Orlando on Monday night, and after doing a small bit of volunteer work for the fabulous Jo Carol, we all ended up at the poolbar. (Yes, big surprise) Kathy Love was my bestest buddy that night, and we had a nice chat about life, love and writing…as well as some fun. Did I mention the wine and Corona? 
The next night the fantabulous Lorelie James helped me get started on a bottle of Don Julio before we headed over to Lauren Dane and Megan Hart’s room where they were holding a shindig. Notice I didn’t bring my camera to that either? Go visit Megan’s Blog and watch her slideshow and you’ll get an idea of what it was like. Those girls know how to have a good time.
I got to spend more time with editor extrodinair Angela James, (Thank you very much to her and Marty for the Samhain wine and Cheese social) as well as long time writing friends like Shayla Black, and Larissa Ione.
Cathryn Fox, Delilah Devlin, Myla Jackson,Sylvia Day,Vivi Anna and I (the Allure Authors) Hosted the Paradise Happy Hour on Friday afternoon where we gave away free Sangria and books. The party was held in the pavilion by the pool, and it was HOT! But, readers stuck around and gathered up the goodies. Including early copies of my June release MOST WANTED. Lisa Renee Jones, our final Allure sister, didn’t make it in person, but she was there in spirit.
Beth Willaimson, was my roomy and the poor girl got sucked into posing for me cuz I really wanted to do a photoshoot. The pics turned out pretty good, and we had a great time.
This year I got to know the lovely Richelle Mead better.(She says I’m her second favorite Canadian! *grin*. Which is cool because her first favorite is Michelle Rowen, and she’s awesome) As well as author Mark Henry and his wife Caroline. (be sure to visit Mark and Richelle’s Blogs for great recaps of the week) Most of my Wicked Writers co-horts were in attendance as well. We had breakfast with the readers from our loop who could make it, and they were as fantastic in person as they are online. (LKap, you rock!) Reader DannyFiredragon made it in from Germany again, and Booksellers from all over the world were there. Christina and May from Asia, Rosemary from Australia, and of course the fabulous Sue Grimshaw from the US.
During the big booksigning on Sat, I got to sit beside Smart Bitch Sarah, and she was a sweetheart. She didn’t remember meeting me last year, I had to remind her, but thats okay, she was still a sweetheart. She was gracious and and funny and stuck around even after selling out of all of her books. She also offered to share her sugar coated bosoms with me. *grin*
I’m sure I am forgetting many many people that I got to chat with, and get to know, and I’m sorry. But my not naming you doesn’t mean I don’t remember you the smiles, hugs and laughs. Thank you to every one who said Hi and took the time to make my RT experience in Orlando the best ever.
Here’s my annual slideshow of the conference. I didn’t mess with the order of the pictures, so you can see it from start to finish for me. You might notice a lack of party/dancing/costume pictures this year. Thats not to say I didn’t dance and party, but to say I didn’t bring my camera to those particular events this year. LOL I was more into catching the people every day, with a few spontaneous photoshoots. There is one session I didn’t include in the slideshow, and you’ll get to see that special piece tomorrow. Be sure to come back because it’ll be worth it. :)
If you want to see the slideshow from Last Years RT conference, CLICK HERE.
OMFG. I nearly pissed myself.
I enjoyed watching your slideshow. Thanks for posting it! I’m glad you’re feeling refreshed, Sasha :)
Thanks Jorrie. The time off was much needed. I highly recommend it. :)
OMG! The Mark pictures were awesome. I nearly pissed myself.
Your vids are always so awesome Sasha and totally capture the mood from the convention.
Bravo!!
Thanks Vivi. I’m glad you thought I captured the right vibe. This conference was fabulous, and it deserves to be touted as such!
Awesome vid, Sasha!!! My video is uploading now but yours is better. See you next year.
I can’t wait to see yours! And to see you again. Maybe sooner than next year. You never know.
Awesome slideshow, Sasha. Vivi is right, you did capture the mood of the conference. It was great to see you, and I can’t wait to see you again next year.
Those were great!!! It was such an awesome time! I think you ROCK too girl!!!
Big Kisses – just look to your hand to remember…LOL
Ann, it was great to meet you. Glad you liked the conference, and the slideshow.
LKap…it’s easy to take great pictures when everyone was having such a good time.
Oh. My. God.
That is freakin’ awesome! I love it. I wish you’d gotten the duvet sleepin’. But really, that’s a damned near perfect thing. And Lady Gaga. Perfection.
Sasha, I had such a great time with you! Please keep in touch! Let’s tawk. :)
And I NEED the wedding pics. LOL!
Love you, woman!
Glad you liked it Kathy. I was debating on if I should tell the world about your duvet incident. LOL If I’d gotten pictures, you’d have had no choice, but describing it to someone who wasn’t there seemed like a lot of work. LOL
Wedding pictures coming up tomorrow. :D
Loved the slideshow, Sasha! Thanks so much for sharing all your fun!
Wish I could have been there.
Hey, great pics!!! Love the candid shots, LOL. Wish you’d had your camera by the pool that night – but of course it might have gotten wet and then where would we be? Thrown into the pool for sure.
Hope we get to hang out agin sometime, loved meeting you and so many others!!!!
Lilly
Apparently I need to wrangle an invite to the Kensington drink-a-thon next year. Awesome slideshow, Sasha.
OMG, love it!!!
I think I left the cocktail party too soon.
Glad we had a chance to hang out!
Wow! That was awesome Sasha, I was chair dancing the whole way through. The pics of Mark were especially hilarious. Does he know how to work a camera or what? Kinda bummed I wasn’t in it this year after my butt made a showing in your last one, but we can’t have everything can we?
Saskia, I wish you’d been there too! One day we will meet in person!
Lilly! It was great to meet you, and yes, I’ve mixed feelings about not having my camera at the pool that night.
The memories are still all sparkly though. :)
Jaye, I’m sure we can manage to build ourselves a party next year, all we need is people who are open to a good time.
Erin, you missed out! But, we still had our own good times!
Cici! Thats because I didn’t bring my camera to the balls! However, your pic is up on Mark’s Blog.
That was great! Awesome pics and you always pick the best music, too! Was so good to see you!!
That was a wonderful slideshow! Glad you had a great time!
Very cute! Loved watching the slideshow and wish I could’ve popped in to say hello during your happy hour but Orlando is a bit too far north.
The slide show is great! I really enjoyed watching it. Thanks for sharing!
That was fab Sasha!!! I didn’t know who alot of the pics were since I haven’t met you but I shall figure out some. That was the best slide show!!
HI Patrice! Glad you enjoyed it! I think I only got one shot of you in there this year. :(
I think everyone had a great tie this year, Tracy. It was probably the most relaxed RT I’ve been to. Relaxed and happy, and pretty much drama free. :)
S. Desires. It’s really to bad you never made it down. I know you would’ve had a great time with us!
FantasyDreamer. Anytime. :) I love to take pics, and put them together like that.
Caffey. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I started to put names in, but honestly, it was too much work. LOL
PLus, the slideshows more about the vibe and all around good times than who was there.
However, if you want names to go with the faces, be sure to check out the blogs I linked to in yesterdays More RT post. Most of them have names and such with some great still photos so you should be able to put most of them together.