Aloha to the RT Booklovers' Convention - Day One: French Quarter

From Megan Mulry's Twitter Account @meganmulry:

14-year-old to Mom: Why don't grown ups who are friends have sleep overs?

Mom: They do it's called RT Booklovers Convention!

Last Monday, I arrived in the Big Easy for the 31th annual RT Booklovers' Convention.   As soon as I arrived at the convention hotel, I felt I was with my people.  Kathryn Falk, founder of the RT Booklovers' Magazine, often refers to romance readers as a "tribe" - an apt description of Romanceland.  I connected with author Anne Elizabeth, author Mary Wine, Aussie bookseller Megan Bamford and her delightful hubby Andrew Bamford for lunch in the French Quarter.  

We walked down Chartres Street and stopped in a gem shop.  I bought the Golden Tiger's Eye, Red Tiger Iron, and the Ocean Jasper.  

Chartres Street offers New Orleans charm ...

... and historic buildings.

We lunched at the Chartres House - Megan recommended the Crawfish Bread:

Leidenheimer® french bread topped with our creamy blend of spinach, crawfish tails, mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.

The group also shared fried alligator bites while I sampled the remoulade sauce ... just delicious!

Do you like Cajun Food?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash plus swag!   Comments are open through Saturday, May 24, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 25, on my book blog, SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City 

Coming tomorrow - the Book Blogger Conference hosted by Sarah Wendell (Smart Bitches) and Jane Litte (Dear Author).

RWA Finale

Aloha!  We have a winner from last week's posts - CKCrouch!


The batteries in my camera ran low (and I left my charger in Hawaii).  Elf from THE READING ADDICT (at this link) took some pictures for me: 

Yum ... "cover" cookies at the Kensington Party!

Happy Hour with Cara Elliott and Vicky Dreiling
at the Grand Central Publishing signing.

Barbara Vey also took excellent pictures, which she posted on BEYOND HER BOOK (at this link).   I borrow this picture of my friend Anne Elizabeth ... 

... and I tease you with one more from my camera - Julia Quinn!

A good time was had by all!   Now I am frantically cleaning house as my mother arrives this week for an extended visit.  If you came to visit me, what would you like to see in the State of Hawaii?  Remember the six accessible islands (oldest to youngest, Northwest to Southeast):  Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and the Big Island of Hawaii.  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 11, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 12.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii

Moving trucks flood my neighborhood ... 

.... the movers who packed my husband's stuff!