Aloha to RWA in NYC - Avon Romance Cocktail Party

standardhotels.com

I attended the Avon Romance cocktail party at the Standard Hotel/High Line.  The hotel straddles the elevated railroad converted into a green park.  From Wikipedia,

The High Line (also known as the High Line Park) is a 1.45-mile-long (2.33 km) New York City linear park built in Manhattan on an elevated section of a disused New York Central Railroad spur called the West Side Line. Inspired by the 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) Promenade plantée (tree-lined walkway), a similar project in Paris completed in 1993, the High Line has been redesigned and planted as an aerial greenway and rails-to-trails park. 

We enjoyed cocktails on the patio, offering a panoramic view of NYC's skyline.  Notice the mix of old brick and new steel in the Meatpacking District.

Across the river is New Jersey ...

... and a peek of the Statue of Liberty.

The stars shined bright with Gayle Callen, Laura Lee Guhrke, and Lucia Macro.

  

Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Eloisa James smiled in the wind.

The wind also unfurled Old Glory.   Do you have a favorite green park near you?  One randomly selected commenter from my RWA recaps wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Saturday, August 8, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 9.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Sunset over Manhattan

Aloha to Dallas - Avon Book Signing, Paris Style

Avon's heroes greeted readers in the hotel lobby.  Kathryn Falk mentioned during the Welcome Party that the poster included the books of Avon authors attending the convention.

On Friday afternoon, Avon hosted a book signing event, A Night in Paris ... Texas:

Tout arrive en Texas! Y’all are all invited to join the authors of Avon Books for an exclusive, kick-your-heels-up adventure in the City of Lights…right here in the Lone Star State, home of “The Second Largest Paris in the World!” Join us for a trēs romantique interlude featuring all your favorite Avon, William Morrow, Harper Voyager and Harper Teen authors (list TK), who will be signing copies of some of their most beloved books—just for attendees of the RT Booklovers convention. Be our guest and enjoy beaucoup de vin delicieux, compliments of our co-sponsor Little Black Dress Wines, and a variety of tray-passed sweets and French-style treats! All sweetness and Light, just for one night!

I stocked up my convention stash with Avon Books!

 I also enjoyed the sweet treats, including the macaroons!

Do you like macaroons?  One randomly selected commenter from my RT posts wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Sunday, May 31.  I'll post the winner on Monday, June 1, at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to San Antonio - More authors, panels, and cocktails

 

The Avon publicity staff pulled out all the stops with these word bubbles at the Avon book signing event.

I moderated the panel HOW MUCH "REAL LIFE" SHOULD ROMANCE CONTAIN with Claudia Dain, Sabrina Jeffries, and Tammy Falkner.

I also moderated HAPPILY EVER AFTER:  THE HUSBAND'S POV with Sarah Maclean, Lily Everet, Sophie Jordan, Kerrelyn Sparks, and their respective spouses.

Elizabeth Michels and Tammy Falkner get ready for the Sourcebooks party ...

... along with Susanna Kearsley, Sara Humphreys, Cat Clyne, and Theresa Romain.

Toni Blake and Julie Anne Long wait for the River Taxi to whisk us away to the Avon cocktail party ...

... with Miranda Neville, Sophia Nash, and an Avon Addict.

Avon Editor Erika Tsang chats with YA author Jennifer L. Armentrout.

Sophia Nash chats with Jasmin, a children's librarian in San Antonio ...

... and then Jasmin hams it up with Cathy Maxwell.

What word bubble best describes you?  Feel free to make your own!  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 16, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 17.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Elizabeth Susan Phillips (second from right) 

chats with Avon editors.

Aloha to RT Booklovers' Convention - Day 5: Avon Krewe Book Signing

The Avon Krewe delivered smiling authors, sparkly shoes, and delicious cupcakes! 

 Jennifer McQuiston

Zoë Archer

 Lorraine Heath

Jennifer Bernard and Toni Blake

Candis Terry

Kim Harrison and Jeaniene Frost

 Pamela Palmer

  

The RT Staff made these shoes ... 

... kudos to them for their creativity!

Last, but not least, the delicious cupcakes! 

What flavor cupcake would you pick?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's posts wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 31, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Bonus question - this bride comes from one of Avon's beloved historical authors (not at RT).  Do you know which one? 

Aloha to Avon Books!

Let's extend a Hawaiian greeting to Avon Imprints!  Mahalo to the Polynesian Voyaging Society (at this link) for the proverbs.

He ho'okele wa'a no ka la 'ino. 

A steersman for a stormy day. 

A courageous person.

Ho'okahi ka 'ilau like ana. 

Wield the paddles together.

Zsa Zsa joins the fun!

Ola i ke ahe lau makani. 

Life is in a gentle breath of wind. 

Said of a breeze on a hot day.

Komo mai kau mapuna hoe. 

Dip your paddle in.

Ke kai lipolipo polihua a Kane. 

The dark-blue ocean of Kane.

Ka manu kahea i ka wa'a e holo. 

The bird that calls the canoe to sail.

O na hoku no na kiu o ka lani. 

The stars are the eyes of heaven.

Pae mai la ka wa'a i ka 'aina. 

The canoe has come ashore. 

Hunger is satisfied; desire fulfilled. 

Hu ka makani.
The winds roar.

Have you paddled in a canoe?  Sailed a small craft?  Dove in deep water?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's comments win a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 18, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 19.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Today's greeters are (clockwise) Hawaiian Fortune Cat, 

Tiki god, Fortune Frog, the three Fortune cats, 

and Honu the Turtle.