As
many of you are probably aware from the many Facebook posts, I attended Lori
Foster’s Reader and Author Get Together (RAGT) in Ohio over the weekend. It was my
first experience at this particular convention, as well as my first experience
of really being able to participate as an author. I have Darynda Jones to thank
for that.
Speaking
of Darynda Jones . . . She was my bunk mate. Bless her. Not entirely sure she
will ever agree to do so again. I’m kidding. She’s an amazing woman, and I’m
very lucky to be able to call her my friend. Just look at how she represented Team
CLP!!! She made me look good, but then again, my T-shirt made her look
pretty damn spectacular in this pic as well. LOL! Right behind her is the bed
where we “slept” with each other. *waggles brows* If those walls could talk . .
. they might have whispered words of condolence to the incomparable Mrs. Jones. *snort*
But
Darynda wasn’t the only one representing Team CLP at the convention. Check out
these gorgeous hotties!!! No, your eyes are not deceiving you. That's Gayle Donnelly and Robyn Mackenzie (authors of the Blood Feud series) on either side of Darynda Jones, and on the end, is the admin of my Parker's Pimpin' Posse street team and owner of Jitterbug PR, Alicia Justice.
The original NOLA girls were back together again. Robyn Mackenzie, me, Gayle Donnelly, Patricia Dechant, and Britta Urquhart. We are so LOUD when we're together, mostly because of all the laughing which tends to draw even more people in.
There was debauchery to be had . . . and booze. Patrón might have been a culprit. In my defense, I don't recall purchasing very many of the margaritas and shots that found their way in front of me. Pretty sure there was a conspiracy going on, but I got wise to it after that first night. Think I'll just take this opportunity to add a bit of a disclaimer *clears throat* No NYT and USA Today bestselling authors were harmed in the making of this adventure, but we annihilated some onion rings and beer cheese sauce. Patricia Dechant, aka C. S. Maxwell, obviously had a lascivious affair going on with them, and I've got the proof. Have a look here:
Darynda and I were quite entertained.
Friday was our dear friend, Britta Urquhart's 40th birthday! That's her . . . down there . . . standing up . . . with all the, um, blue shirt between Robyn and Gayle's heads. She looks FABULOUS, doesn't she???
So fabulous in fact, that she ended up handcuffed to cover model extraordinaire, Billy Freda!! The poor dear . . .
*disclaimer* Blame Patricia Dechant for the blurry photos. My bestie cannot take a clear pic to save her life. This was a theme. I kid you not.
Obviously, I was afraid for Britta, and being the amazing friend I am, I had to help get her out of those handcuffs. Otherwise, how would I get in them? You see the type of sacrifice I'm willing to make for my friends?
I'm sworn to secrecy on the topic of Britta's expression in this pic, but LOOK at how determined I am to set her free. My devotion knows no bounds. True story.
They were plastic cuffs for chrissakes and NOTHING was working. I was understandably worried that Britta might be handcuffed to a gorgeous cover model for the rest of her life (read: I might never be handcuffed to a gorgeous cover model for the rest of my life).
And then Scott Nova showed up to save the day. Naturally, I shoved those other two out of my way, used them as stepping stones to get at Scott, and then assumed the position . . . for my photo op, of course. My hero!
*girly swoon*
Psst . . . Scott Nova is a total fangirl. Even asked me to autograph his abs so he could have it tattooed there, but I refused because tattoos are forever, but our love affair might not be - on my side, not his. True story. Ask him yourself.
However, THIS love affair will last a thousand lifetimes. Ladies and gents, let me introduce you to Robyn Peterman, author of How Hard Can It Be? and Pirate Dave's hot little mama. Go to that link and check her out. This lady is the total package, and I wanted to stick her in my pocket and steal her away. She wouldn't have complained. As you can tell by the pic below, she couldn't keep her hands off me. It was quite embarrassing how badly she wanted my body. Accosted me and all . . . (pay no attention to the Michelin man that found his way around my waist - apparently, I'm irresistible).
As is Robyn, so I gave in. And our love affair began. Don't tell Darynda or Scott or Patricia or Billy or Brandon (the bartender). It'll break their hearts.
But the absolute BEST time I had was when this gal was on the scene. Jowanna Delong Kestner, admin of Pimpin' Reads and the designer of my website. Jo couldn't say ANYTHING without causing me to double over in side-splitting laughter. I love her! I love her! I love her! And she represented, too . . .
I never wanted RAGT to come to an end, but alas, all good things must. After all, I have copy edits for book #2 in my Million Dollar Duet, A MILLION GUILTY PLEASURES, waiting in my inbox with a hot deadline. Plus, being around all the word lovers, talking about plots, characters, and story arcs is THE most important part of conventions because it stokes that spark into a full-on inferno and I MUST write 'til I die, which will never happen because writing makes me feel alive. And with that, I'm out.
FLYAS!
~C~
