|
PNR
took the show on the road to Texas, as Leslie Tramposch (PNR
Managing Editor),
Sara Reyes (Dir. Marketing and Publicity), Cy Korte (Reviews
Editor), and
Barbara Sheridan (Paraphernalia Feature Columnist) arrived at
the Radisson Hotel in Houston
for "The Party of the Century".
Leslie,
Barbara, and Cy,
(Sara is behind the Camera)
Thurday,
November 9th
- The afternoon offered Hospitality
by Kensington Books, BET, Rhapsody Book Club, and Dorchester
Publishing, as well as James and Helen Rosburg's Charity Casino.
Evening brought Dara Joy's Club Manhattan, and the Award Ceremony
where authors, readers and staff alike dressed to the nines
and waited with baited breath
Winners
in the Paranormal Categories were:
Best
Contemporay Paranormal Romance - MIDNIGHT ON JULIA STREET --
Ciji Ware
Best Historical Paranormal Romance - MORE THAN MAGIC -- Kathleen
Nance
Best Contemporary Time Travel - SUNRISE OVER THE MEDITERRANEAN
-- Suzanne Frank
Best Historical TIme Travel - BEYOND THE HIGHLAND MIST -- Karen
Marie Moning
Best Science Fiction Novel - THE RADIANT SEAS -- Catherine Asaro
Best Fantasy Novel - RHAPSODY: CHILD OF BLOOD -- Elizabeth Haydon
At the awards:
Paranormal authors Susan Grant
and Catherine Asaro - Catherine won! |
No that isn't the prize ladies,
that's a stand-up
poster of cover model contestant Rob Adkins! |
Friday,
November 10th
- The day began with Lady
Barrow's Florentine Breakfast, followed by the Saturday
workshops. Readers could opt for the Rising Stars, Paranormal
Romance, E-Publishing and Small Press, Mystery & Suspense,
Aspiring Authors, Special Interest, Category Romance, Published
Author Topics, Multi-Cultural Romance, Historical Romance, Readers,
Booksellers, and General Interest Workshops.
In
the Readers Room, scheduled authors sat at various tables to
talk with readers, distribute promotional materials, and autograph
books. Gift baskets of books and other goodies filled long tables
along the walls. Tarot card readings, massages and aromatherapy
were offered for fun and relaxation.
Rising
Stars sign a pillowcase
for a lucky reader |
More
Pictures from the Readers Room and
Book Seller's Breakfasts
The
fifteen gentlemen competing in the Mr. Romance Competition were
introduced to
the conventioneers and autographed photos for their fans. Readers
had the opportunity to vote for their favorite, the results
which were later tabulated for the reader's choice award which
went to Troy Sutter.
Morning
Paranormal Romance Workshops:
"Time
Travel - A Loving Journey" -
with
Moderator Catherine Snodgrass, and
authors Terri Brisbin, Deb Stover, Sandra Hill, Dee Davis, and
Susan Grant.
Time Travel authors Sandra Hill,
Deb Stover, and
Moderator Catherine Snodgrass. |
Susan Grant |
Dee Davis |
Terri Brisbin |
"Vampires,
Werewolves, & Other Creatures of the Night"
- with
Moderator Donna Rubino, and
authors Susan Kinard, J.C. Wilder, Carolan Ivey, Rosemary Laurey,
Jennifer Dunne, and Shauna Michaels.
Susan Krinard |
Shauna Michaels |
Carolan Ivey and J.C. Wilder |
Rosemary Laurey |
Jennifer Dunne |
"A
Magical Side of Romance: Witches, Fairies, & Such"
-
with
Moderator Carolee Joy and authors
Kathleen Nance, Elizabeth Rose, Julie Kenner, Karen Williams,
Carol Lynn Stewart, and Karen Fox.
Carol Lynn Stewart and Elizabeth
Rose |
Karen Williams |
Julie Kenner |
Carolee Joy |
Karen Fox and Kathleen Nance |
The
morning workshops were followed by a
Roman Holiday Luncheon in the Sam Houston Ballroom
with Sue Grafton, the room was decorated as a crime scene with
styrofoam letters and police tape. Ms. Grafton was available
to autograph books following the luncheon.
Afternoon
Paranormal Romance Workshops:
"Romance
Revisited: Reincarnation, Ghosts, & Soulmates"
-
with Moderator Virginia Farmer and
authors Susan Grace, Tina Wainscott, Barbara Sheridan, Deb Stover,
and Marianne Petit.
"Romancing
the Galaxy: Sci Fi & Futuristics"
- with
Moderator Jennifer Dunne and authors Susan Grant,
Catherine Asaro, Dara Joy, Nancy Cane, Stobie Piel, Karen Fox,
and Patricia Waddell.
Dara Joy |
Catherine Asaro |
Susan Grant |
Nancy Cane |
Stobie Piel |
Karen Fox |
Patricia Waddell |
Following
the workshops the Paranormal Romance listers in attendance ventured
to the
neighboring Shoney's Restaurant for a bite to eat and some chat
time.
More
Dinner Pictures
Evening
brought the Venetian Masque Ball
with Costume Competition and a Banquet.
Winners
of the Costume competition were:
Beth
Ciotta as Sharon Reynolds from Terri Brisban’s THE QUEEN’S MAN,
Randi Quebedeaux as Cecile from Helen Rosburg’s CALL OF THE
TRUMPET
Karen David as Jade from Heather Graham’s WHEN DARKNESS FALLS,
Kelly Smith as Jacqueline from Karyn Monk’s SURREND TO A STRANGER
Betsy Morgan as Julia Flores from Hebby Roman’s MIDNIGHT PROMISE.
That
mystery woman on the left is none other than
PNR's own Sara
Reyes!
Saturday,
November 11th -
the
day began with a Chuckwagon Breakfast
for Booksellers, hosted by Christina Skye and Christianne Heggan.
The final paranormal workshop was entitled "Past
Life Research -Personal Time Travel": Moderated
by Catherine Snodgrass with author and hypnotherapist Melinda
Rucker Haynes. This was followed by an Industry Summit where
publishers and editors talked about their plans and expectations
for the future of publishing.
At
noon guests were treated to the Kensington
25th Anniversary Luncheon which featuring a loving
roast of publisher Walter Zacharius and a rousing tribute sung
by Lady Barrow herself, and BET's 5th Anniversary celebrated
with chocolate cakes shaped as hearts and frosted in pink icing
as a special dessert presentation.
Walter
still has what it takes! An
hour later the heat in the Sam Houston ball room got cranked
up another notch as the contestants for Mr.
Romance 2000 strutted their stuff before a panel
of industry judges including the very popular Mr. Romance 1994,
cover model and actor John DeSalvo.
John
DeSalvo |
|
Mr.
Romance 2000 & Reader's Choice: Troy Sutter
( top left and below)
|
|
In
the early evening conventioneers had their choice of a Booksellers
reception hosted by Elaine Barbieri, Constance O'Banyon, Evelyn
Rogers, Bobbi Smith, and Evan Marshall, Genesis 5th Anniversary
Celebration or Brenda Joyce's "Deadly" Bash.
From
nine til Midnight the Sam Houston Ballroom rocked with
Heather Graham's Vampire Ball 11: "Dead
Man's Waltz". Attendees had the opportunity to
support charities by purchasing dances with the Mr. Romance
contestants. Pretty painless if you ask us <grin>.
|
Dorchester
Editor Christopher Keeslar played
Prince Charming to the lovely Ladies of Leisure.
Author Dara Joy (2nd from the right)
and her web designer,
Cory, line up with other guests to show off their costumes.
That's right, We're Bad! Barb, Cy, Leslie, and author
Holly Fuhrmann. Someone forgot to tell us that we
weren't supposed to have a reflection!
More
Pictures of the Vampire Ball
|
Sunday,
November 12 - For Booksellers the morning began with the
Rising Stars Vip Breakfast.
This
was followed by the main event: The
Giant Book Fair sponsered by Walden Books where
conventioneers and the general public could purchase romance
novels signed by their favorite authors. Gift Basket raffle
winners were drawn and Leisure author Monica Roberts name
was drawn to cut Mr. Romance 1998, Ryan Storm's hair. Hearts
were breaking but all the money went to a children's charity
for kids with cancer. When a reader mentioned to Ryan how
nice she thought the gesture was her replied, "It's just
hair". He's had family members succumb to cancer and
he felt it was a worthy cause.
Writerspace
had a live feed from the Bookfair from 10:30 AM til somewhat
after the 3PM cut off time. Online romance lovers were treated
to some great conversation with the hunky Houton firemen who
were selling their calendars at the adjoing table. Popular
cover models Cherif Fortin and John DeSalvo stopped by as
well as a number of the Mr. Romance contestants.
The
afternoon was filled with fun at the
Country Jamboree, Sweet
Charity Casino, and Celebrity
Memorabilia Auction.
Dinner
was a Texas style barbeque held at poolside. The event concluded
with an evening Rock 'n 'Roll Pajama
Party in the Stephen Austin Ballroom.
Farewell RT until next year. We love you!
|
