While I was there, I got the change to do a quick interview with one of the speakers, and if you’re a writer, no matter what genre, it’s well worth watching. Check it out below.

Hey there! Delilah Devlin, here.

Sasha gave me access to add my comments to the photos. So I’m taking major advantage here. If you can imagine, we all had some trepidation about spending five days couped up in a cottage with five other authors. We knew each other, some of us better than others, but you never know what happens when the “nice” wears off in close confines.

What happened was magical. We worked hard. Sasha has tons of shots with us parked around the living area with our laptops perched on our knees. We brainstormed new ideas. Talked about publishing woes. Shared advice for getting through slumps. Everyone was very giving and supportive.  

As the groups bartender, I have to say I think the daily Margaritas helped.

Pssst…..I’m not showing any of the photos of the girls with laptops and such because this was a RETREAT, and we were WORKING, therefor it was all sweats and messed up hair, and they only let me take the pictures if I promised they wouldn’t get posted on the internet.

On the last day together, we all talked about how well we’d gotten along together. Sure, we’d learned each other’s faults, but we weren’t ready to kill each other. When it’s women, you never know. We’re planning to do this again next year! 

Isn’t this gorgeous? That’s the view of the lake from the cottage where the retreat was held. This was early one morning when the fog sat on the water. Doesn’t it look like sky stretching from the edge of the lawn?

Almost daily, we powerwalked the two-mile route around the lake. One day, Sasha made the trip alone to take pictures of anything that caught her eye.

While I’m not posting the pictures of us working, I will post this LINK to Delilah’s Blog where she posted some of the pictures she took. *bats eyes*

Oh, and have I mentioned that Delilah and I are going on a Caribbean Cruise in December? Yeah, we’re going to work, and research, and write, and have a damn good time doing it all!

Beware: May cause fits of laughter and uncontrollable snickering.

Snarkalicious Mark Henry’s Revenge of the RT Monster Blog.

Reader Sue’s RT tour

Delilah Devlin’s got a few posts up with pictures on HER BLOG

Paranormal Phenom author Richelle Meads RT report

Sassy Shayla Black Has some pictures up on her blog.

Caridad Pinero has a great RT 09 post and slideshow up.

I’m sure there are many more out there, I just can’t remember where I saw them. There was one in particular with some pictures taken at the Paradise Happy Hour by the pool I would love get copies of…anyone know where it is?

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.

View THE CAPTURE on Megan Hart’s Blog !!

While I did help brainstorm the idea for the mockumentry, Megan and Lauren did all the work. They are the best…go watch it,a and tell them that!

Anyway, I’m home, the cats are pissed at me for going away again, but at least they only knocked over a glass jar and destroyed my Bamboo plant to show their displeasure. They continued to use the litter box, and not my bed as I’d heard several people say happens, so I am thankful.

The conference was great. It was my second time at RT, and it was better- for me – than the first. This year I only went to 2 panels (and only spoke at one). The majority of my time was spent with writer friends who I only get to see once a year, and chatting with readers. I got to meet several readers this year that I’d never met before…Like Debbie (Who said she’d stalk me if I didn’t live in Canada. LOL ) and Jaynie Ritchie (who came all the way from Singapore tot he conference!) . And The Smut Sluts! I got to meet a couple of these playful and fun loving women in person. And LAURIE!! I was thrilled to have this pretty blonde woman walk up and shake my hand at the bookfair on Sat. Then she told me who she was and it was all I could do not to jump over the table and tackle hug her. I’ve ‘spoken’ with Laurie for a couple years now, all online, and meeting in person was great.

There were way more wonderful people than I can mention here. Living in Northern Alberta I don’t get to meet many readers. There’s only one bookstore in my city who likes to have me in for readings and signings, the others are part of a chain and don’t want me to sign because of the “content” of my books. Yeah, like the sex in my books is so much more offensive than the violence in so may others. Whatever. Anyway, the point, meeting readers at RT is a high that I need to keep doing what I do. Hearing from readers who love my characters and stories motivates me to keep writing like nothing else can. Thank you to everyone who has ever spoken up and said hi to me, in person or by email. I love you for it!

I finally met Brava editor Kate Duffy in person this year. I’ve been at several conferences where she’s been, but she’s not my editor, and I’ve never made it a point to meet her. However, this year Kensington held a cocktail party, offsite of the conference, for it’s authors, and I attended. It was one of my top three highlights of the week. Being not shy I just plopped myself down in a booth and started chatting, and Kate was wonderful. I spent several hours chatting with her, and popular Brava authors Helen Kay Dimon, Karen Kelly (I love this woman..such a wonderfully wicked sense of humor)Diane Whiteside, Sylvia Day, and Smart Bitch Sarah! It was a great time, and I loved it all, even the fact that the Red Bulls I was drinking had me wandering the hotel lobby from 4 AM – 6 AM.

Okay, Maybe I can’t blame the Red Bull, since I didn’t drink any of the energy drink the next night yet I was once again up and about from 4- 6:30 in the AM. Maggie the night desk clerk and Rob the night manager were wonderful company. *smile* I guess I’ll just always be a night owl.

Myself and my Allure sisters had our Safari Party on Friday and it was huge success. I signed every book I had, and handed them out to people who knew who I was, and had specific books they wanted as well as some readers who had no clue what I wrote but wanted a free book. *grin* It was great! I have faith that any and all who got a book will enjoy it and hopefully decide they want more time in Sasha-Land and track down my backlist.

I developed a fan girl crush on thriller writer Barry Eisler after attending a panel where he spoke. I’m a big mystery/thriller reader, and this guy is one dynamic speaker. I loved what he had to say about writing and his upcoming stand alone book. I’ve never read any of his books yet, but after listening to him, and surfing his website I know I’ll love them. They seem to be in a similar vein to Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series, and I’m a die hard fan of those.

Another surprise for me was cover model John DeSalvo. I can remember years ago when Sylvia wanted him on her blog skin, and she showed me his website. I wasn’t really hot for the guy. He was your typical cover model. Sure he looked good, but whatever. Well, he was at the conference for the cover model reunion dinner, and I saw him down at the bar after. The man is beautiful in person. He wore a very nice suit and tie, and was utterly gorgeous. A real MAN. Not a boy, or an arrogant peacock, but a man. I got the chance to talk to him a bit and he was a true gentleman, too. A nice treat, and now I can say I’m a girly fan of his too. LOL

At our Safari Party Sylvia decided to tell everyone to come to our Paradise theme party in Orlando next year because I would wear a bikini!!! Did she check with me before spreading this rumor? Nope, not at all. At first I thought it was funny. No way in hell would I wear a bikini….but y’know what? It’s just the challenge I need. I’m always up for a challenge, and I thrive under pressure, so sure, I’ll wear a bikini next year. After all, I’ve been moaning about how I gain twenty pounds every time I write a book, and I want to get back into shape…now’s the time. My cousin has been trying to join a martial arts club here in town, but he didn’t want to go alone. I told him I’d get back to it in the summer, and now I have an additional reason to do so. I love working out, but I lose interest way too fast in just going to the gym. I need to learn and be challenged or I lose interest and slack off. So, back to the dojo it is. After I meet this deadline. LOL

OKay, RT rocked, I had a great time. I’ll post pictures all this week from the writing cave as I work to meet my end of month deadline.