Aloha to Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Luncheon - the incomparable Eileen Dryer

Continuing my recap of Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Luncheon (link),  I was honored to share a table with Eileen Dreyer (link):

New York Times bestselling, award-winning author Eileen Dreyer, known as Kathleen Korbel to her Silhouette readers, has published 28 romance novels, 8 medico-forensic suspenses, and 7 short stories.

2012 sees Eileen enjoying critical acclaim for her first foray into historical romance, the Drake's Rakes series, which follow the lives of a group of British aristocrats who are willing to sacrifice everything to keep their country safe. After publication of the first trilogy in the series, she has just signed for the next trilogy, following the graduates of the aptly named Last Chance Academy, who each finds herself crossing swords with Drake's Rakes. Eileen spent time not only in England and Italy, but India to research the series (it's a filthy job, but somebody has to do it).

A retired trauma nurse, Eileen lives in her native St. Louis with her husband, children, and large and noisy Irish family, of which she is the reluctant matriarch. She has animals but refuses to subject them to the limelight.

These words only touch the surface of who is Eileen Dreyer ... she is simply awesome!   I was so awestruck that I didn't take pictures of our table.   But here's a picture of the first time I met Eileen at RT/LA in 2011:

Eileen, left, laughs with Patricia Rice and Cathy Maxwell. And she laughed along with us at the luncheon!   Eileen treated us to a fabulous goody bag:

Zsa Zsa was so excited with the goodies that she jumped into the picture.

So here is a better picture of the "Regency England" themed goodies.  Notably absent are the Scottish Shortbread cookies which I already ate.  

Mahalo to Forever for expediting the ARC for TWICE TEMPTED, scheduled for release in November (link).  I am one lucky reader who will enjoy it now with with my tea! Quoting Eileen, it's a filthy job, but somebody has to do it.

Are you a fan of tea?  If so, what flavor?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's posts wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 3, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 5.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Coming tomorrow ... more romance authors!

Image Courtesy of Barbara Vey
barbaravey.com