A group of authors and readers on Twitter decided it would be fun to make baseball-style trading cards for romance characters. And Romance Trading Cards was born. You can find authors who are participating on the website. A lot of them will be attending the RT Convention, as well as RWA’s national conference in New York this summer.

Despite my inherent laziness, I was shamed into encouraged to participate, and once I got started, I had quite a bit of fun making these up. I won’t discuss the hours spent playing with fonts and colors and what-nots, I’ll just let you judge the results. I was only going to do a couple, but I got on a roll picking out stock photos of the guys, and ended up with four heroes done, for three books (if anyone wants to find a nice stock photo for Zach and come up with some stats, I’ll probably make his card up later, I just won’t have time before RT). Now, please remember that I’m not a graphics person! Jeannie Lin was awesome enough to make up some standard borders that we could use, so that was the easy part. Anyway, enough babbling, here they are. Once they’re printed and delivered, I’d be happy to send them out to anyone who asks.

Caleb – Perfect Formation

Richard – Perfect Formation

Connul – Bound by Sunlight

Ryan – Keeping Claire

Not forking out the dough for the RWA Conference this year, with evening wear, suits, high heels and whatever “business casual” means?

Not to worry! Romance Divas is hosting the

Not Going to Conference Conference…

The Conference You Don’t Have to Get Out of Bed For!

From July 28-31, come hang out with some terrific, savvy authors — and you don’t even have to brush your teeth (although, seriously, good dental hygiene gets you extra points.)

We’ll be hosting panels on:

The Power of Three: A crit group tell-all (Paranormal)

Crystal Jordan
Patti O’Shea
Dayna Hart/Rowan Larke

The Lolitas of STEAMED! Present Writing the Steampunk Romance -more than leather corsets and brass goggles!

Marie-Claude Bourque
Theresa Meyers

Whips, Chains, Slings, Oh My: It Really Isn’t About the Toys (BDSM Erotica)

James Buchanan
Joey Hill

The Great Big YA Panel

Rhonda Stapleton
Shannon Delany
Kiersten White
Carrie Ryan
Linda Gerber
Saundra Mitchell
Lara Zielin
Brenna Yovanoff

Register for free at Romance Divas, then come join us on the forums for the discussions, as well as some terrific prizes:
Eden Bradley/Eve Berlin:
1) erotic e-books, THE SEEKING KISS and TEMPT ME TWICE.
2) a synopsis critique in any sub-genre of erotica/erotic romance.
Jax Cassidy:
1) erotic e-books, DEVIL’S HEART and BRUSH STROKES.
2) book cover design or banner ad
Kristen Painter:
copy of her e-book, ALL FIRED UP
Rhonda Stapleton:
1) STUPID CUPID YA Book trilogy
2) a proposal critique (1st 3 chapters and synopsis) for any genre of book, romance or not
K.B. Alan:
1) The choice of one of her e-books: PERFECT FORMATION, ALPHA TURNED or BOUND BY SUNLIGHT.
2) A $25 Barnes and Noble gift card.
Robin L. Rotham: Signed copies of BIG TEMPTATION, ALIEN OVERNIGHT, and ENEMY OVERNIGHT
AJ Chase: copies of e-book CAT AND MOUSE
Inez Kelley:
1) e-book package of both MYLA BY MOONLIGHT and SALOME AT SUNRISE
2) The complete Dirty Laundry Series (3 e-novellas) co-written by Ginny Glass aka Wordsugar and Inez Kelley
Kate Pearce:
1) a three chapter ~and~ synopsis critique-any erotic romance, paranormal romance or historical romance.
2) Winners choice, in either print or e-book format (if available), of a set of the Simply series (there are 5) ~or~ a set of the Cowboys (there are 3) ~or~ a copy of KISS OF THE ROSE-readers choice.
R.G. Alexander:
Winners choice of any two e-books from her Samhain or Ellora’s Cave back list
Nadia Lee:
Critique of 1st chapter & synopsis-paranormal or contemporary romance
Shelley Munro: Winners choice of any one her backlist books from Ellora’s Cave or Cerridwen Press
Ciar Cullen: Winner’s choice of any one e-book on her website.
Voirey Linger: A copy of her e-book RISKING ETERNITY
RF Long:
1) a submission package critique (letter, synopsis and 3 chapters)
2) e-books! (details TBA)
Crystal Jordan:
1) 1st chapter and synopsis critique
2) One copy of any e-book off her Samhain backlist (http://samhainpublis…/crystal-jordan)
3) One copy of IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (print or electronic, winner’s choice)
Jeannie Lin:
1) a first chapter critique, any genre
2) an official BUTTERFLY SWORDS souvenir charm
Elise Logan: Winner’s choice of any e-book from her backlist
Marguerite Labbe:
1) A critique of an m/m story
2) Signed copies of her m/m vampire trilogy MY HEART IS WITHIN YOU, HAUNTED BY YOUR SOUL and OUR SACRED BALANCE
Seeley DeBorn:
One jar of home made body or face scrub, customized to the winner’s preferences and skin type.
For example: Orange Spice Oatmeal, Coffee-Cocoa, Citrus Salt, Lavender Mint, Honey and Flax
Sela Carsen: a copy of her e-book CAROLINA WOLF
Hailey Edwards:
1) a copy of her sweet fantasy romance ebook, EVERLONG.
2) two five dollar MBaM gift cards
Charlotte McClain:
Copy of her two e-books, LOVE TO DECLARE and ROCK STAR’S RETREAT
Cynthia Justlin: (Golden Heart Finalist!) Proposal Critique (3 Chapters and synopsis)-any genre other than erotic
Lainey Bancroft:
1) signed copies of her contemporary romance, THE TROUBLE WITH TESSA and her chick lit romance COZUMEL KARMA
2) Proposal critique (3 chapters and a synopsis) any genre except Steampunk
Tina Burns-Publisher-Liquid Silver Books:
1) a critique of 1st 3 chapters & synopsis
2) 3 be-book prizes for 3 different winners! Winners choice of any one e-book download from LSB library.
Mima:
Winner’s choice of one e-book from her backlist-see her website for booklist.
Taneasha: handmade jewelry by our own Taneasha-details to come!
Barbara Sheridan:
1) Winners choice of one e-book from her backlist-see her website for booklist.
2) Critique of up to 20 pages of either M/M, or M/F romance or erotic romance in various subgenres (contemporary, historical, paranormal or suspense/mystery)
David Bridger:
A copy of his ebook BEAUTY AND THE BASTARD
Victoria Janssen:
3 print books TBA (whatever she finds at the RWA Conference)
Gemma Halliday:
Signed copy of SCANDAL SHEET
Jennifer Leeland/Jennifer McKenzie:
1) copy of her e-book MARKED FOR PLEASURE (Kindle version available upon request)
2) copy of her e-book MARKED FOR DESIRE (Releasing June 29th) (Kindle version available upon request)
3) copy of her e-books The Command Series (Trilogy)
4)copy of her BDSM e-book series (3 from TWRP and 1 from Samhain)
Emily Ryan-Davis:
1) Critique of novella-length (up to 30k) manuscript; any time period, m/f, menage, f/f (m/m not her area of expertise)
2) signed print copies of her anthology: MATING CALL, DRAGON DANCE and DRAGON BOUND
3) e-book copy of CHANGING THUMBELINA
Sabrina Darby:
1) Signed copy of her erotic historical novel, ON THESE SILKEN SHEETS
2) Critique of first thirty pages of any Regency (erotic or non erotic fine, but m/m outside my area of expertise)
Alina Morgan:
1) copy of her e-book The Twilight Deception
2) copy of her e-book The Shadow Unveiled
Debbie Mumford:
1) Critique of a synopsis
2) Winner’s choice of any e-book from her back list.
Kimberly Troutte:
1) copy of her e-book SOUL STEALER
2) copy of her e-book CATCH ME IN CASTILE
Sasha Devlin:
1 pair of hand made writing mitts or gloves-style and color TBD by the winner
Julia Knight
Winner’s choice of one copy of any of her books available in e-book format

There was a PBS reporter who came to dinner with us and ended up coming to our hotel room to see what happens when three romance writers pack for a convention with a lot of costume parties. Plus, my roommates were Eden Bradley and Lilli Feisty, two of the Smutketeers, so they had a bunch of steampunk costumes. We had seven suitcases and thirty-two pairs of shoes between the three of us. I must admit, I have not had much occasion to wear costumes in the past twenty years, so that was a bit of a challenge for me, but I think it turned out well. Of course, I had Eden and Feisty helping, so I couldn’t go too wrong.

Mostly, since it was my first conference, I absorbed information and experiences during the day, and had fun talking to people and dancing at night. There were four dance parties, the Ellora’s Cave Paint the Town Red night, Fairy Ball, Vampire Ball and Dorchester’s Prom Night. By Saturday night, we were exhausted and ended up not going to the Prom Night party. After the dancing we went to the hotel bar, where I chatted up the Funeral Home convention attendees. That made for some fascinating conversations, I promise you! Also, those guys are good for a girls ego

I’ll stop babbling now and go with pictures.

Eden and I were able to travel together, and we started the trip off right with a small welcoming committee. When we landed in Ohio, I noticed activity outside my window and looked down. Turned out I was directly over the compartment that the baggage handlers had hooked their ramp up to. We started watching the bags, to make sure ours were there, when the guys noticed us. They hammed it up for us and even managed to jump up and smack my window, then posed when I got the camera out. It was a very warm welcome

Columbus, OH Baggage Handlers

Starting Day One with my roommate, Eden Bradley (left)

The EC dancers escorted the authors across the stage as we were introduced

RG Alexander, me, Eden Bradley

RG Alexander and Eden Bradley getting ready for the Fairy Ball

Lilli Feisty and Me, ready for the Fairy Ball

Eden Bradley at the Fairy Ball

RG Alexander and Crystal Jordan at the Fairy Ball

Me and Eden Bradley at the Fairy Ball

My very first signing

Being attacked by a zombie at the Vampire Ball

Me, Eden Bradley and Lilli Feisty at the Vampire Ball

I think this is my attempt at looking fierce. Not entirely sure

Slightly after the moment that I decided I wasn't going to wear high heels again for at least nine months

And that was the last night. I wore more makeup, dresses and shoes than I normally do in six months, and I met some amazingly kind and wonderful people. And I signed a couple of autographs, lol. Overall, a great experience. I’m excited that RT is in Los Angeles next year, so I can do it again without having to lose two days to travel time.

I think I’m going to take a nap now, while the pics finish uploading, but in the meantime, here’s a book I’m planning on reading, as soon as I can figure out how to get it downloaded.

Night Moves

Eden Bradley

Something about trains had always brought out Kate’s wild side. So far it had been her own dirty little secret—until a sexy stranger catches her sneaking into his compartment looking to indulge her fantasy. But instead of throwing her out, Ian is turned on…and he’s ready to give Kate the ride of her life!