Aloha to the RT Booklovers' Convention - Day Three: Welcome Party and Club RT

Wednesday morning began with the Welcome Party:

Join us as we kick off this year’s RT Booklovers Convention with a special salute salute to the Pioneers of Multicultural Fiction with tributes from Brenda Jackson, Sandra Kitt and Beverly Jenkins. Also join us as our Bookseller of the Year is announced.

Kathryn Falk, founder of RT, took to the stage to chat about:

- SOS America, the charity she founded after 9/11 to connect the publishing community with miltiary families

- Lindsay McKenna as the pioneer of Military Romances (she is a Vietnam era Navy veteran)

- Heather Graham for her efforts to revitalize New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina

- Kate Ryan (RT's Bookstores That Care Network Coordinator), whose uncle designed the WWII Museum in New Orleans (everyone who visited the museum raved about it)

- Megan Bamford, Bookseller of the Year, a romance enthusiast from Australia

- and the beautiful tribute to Brenda Jackson, Sandra Kitt, and Beverly Jenkins.  

Kathryn Falk is an excellent speaker.  Her knowledge of the publishing industry demonstrates that she, too, is a pioneer in giving Romance a voice and even a visioin.  I am a better reader for Kathryn's efforts.

After the welcome party, I set up my promo table for SOS America in Club RT - a meeting area for authors, readers, vendors, and raffle baskets.   Above is Damon Suede (center) with his harem.   He has one where ever he goes ...

Felice Fox greeted readers with a smile.

Cherry Adair (not pictured) led the charge to fight cancer with her friends Tina deSalvo and Stella Barcelona.

The lovely ladies from Choc Lit proudly waved the Union Jack.  
I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs.  To enter the giveaway, leave a comment about New Orleans - what do you know about it?  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 

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).