I’m back from RT…all while lugging 130 lbs of luggage to and from the airport! At least I got my strength training work out in, but…never will I bring so much luggage again! LOL!
As always RT was a blast! Not only was it a “fantastic” setting (who wouldn’t love Daytona??!), there were a ton of opportunites to meet and speak with editors and agents and readers alike. I got to meet the wonderfully sweet author Joey Hill, the very nice agent Kristin Nelson, and the charming and friendly couple from the Knight Agency Deidre and Judson Knight. Deidre even gave me a sneak peak at the cover for her next book (it’s HOT folks!). I spent lots of time with my buddies Rhyannon Byrd and Debbie Smart, Cheyenne McCray, her wonderful mom Karen, Mackenzie McKade, and hanging and partying with several other EC authors and readers, including Danny who brought me an awesome chocolate bar all the way from Germany!
One of the things I did this year during RT was volunteer to help with the events. I was asked to help host a Readers’ Jeopardy game with Heather Graham and Christine Feehan. What a blast that was! I would love to do it again next year. I also was fortunate enough to moderate the Paranormal and Erotica panel that included authors: Cheyenne McCray, Angela Knight, Laurel K. Hamilton, Kate Douglas and JC Wilder. That was a great time, too!
I also spent some time in Club RT and while I was there one of the readers I got to meet was Vikky aka Drunkdruid (her online name). I was thrilled to finally put a face with a name. The booksigning went well…my cowboys flew! LOL! During the signing I also got to meet the very sweet Beaty from the RBL Romantica group as well as a very nice and friendly Michelle Buonfigilo from the Romance B[u]y the Book Review site. There were a ton more people I met but I’m writing this with a tired mind, so please forgive if I’ve left someone off.
A new event that was offered this year was the Faery Ball. It was hosted by Cheyeene McCray and Eden Robins along with several other authors who helped fund the sit down dinner. The whole faery “court’s” costumes were fantastic! (see pic below). Another fun event that RT puts on is the 2006 RT Cover Model Competition. This year was extra special for me because I got to see several of the Ellora’s Cavemen cover models I had met from the previous year involved in the 2006 RT cover model competition as well as other friends involved in putting on the show. Andrei Claude (2005 Mr. Romance) was back this year helping host a portion of the show. Bill Freda (2003 Mr. Romance 1st Runner Up) was this year’s Emcee and he did a great job engaging the crowd with his charming charisma, keeping us entertained. And then there was Mr. Rodney Chatman. What a super guy! He won the 2006 Mr. Romance Competition and I must say the look of complete shock on his face when they announced him the winner was so endearing…you gotta love a man that looks like Rodney does and he still remains humble! (as an aside…just like with last year’s 2005 winner Andrei Claude, I’ll be interviewing Rodney as soon as I can touch base with him! ) 
Also, another cool thing that happened during the Mr. Romance Competition event was past cover model Evan Scott asked his girlfriend Tamara McHatton to marry him in front of the audience. When he went down on his knee on the stage we all cheered. Tamara was in shock and taken completely by surprise, but of course she said yes amid a huge standing ovation by all of us “romance” readers and writers. What better place than a Romance Competition to ask your girl to marry you, eh? I loved it! Click here to see pictures of Evan asking Tamara! (aaaaaawwwww!) It was by far my most favorite Mr. Romance Competition of the past three years I’ve attended.
So, without further ado, cause I know you all are waiting on them 
, here are a few fun pics for you.
Ellora’s Caveman “Bobby K” eating a nacho
Mr Romance 2005 Andrei Claude chillin’ with me in the sun
Mr Romance 2006, Rodney Chatman, posing for EC pics with fans
Jason Santiago, Andrei Claude and Devin Yala
Brooks Johnson, CJ Hollenbach and Rodney Chatman signing Ellora’s Cavemen calendars for fans
Joe Gruber, Jason Santiago, Bobby K and Bill Freda signing Ellora’s Caveman calendars for fans.
Cover models playing volleyball! I can’t believe I missed this, must’ve been working ;) . Thankfully one of my writing buddies didn’t miss it and sent me this great shot!
Thanks to Linnea Sinclair for sharing this photo, here’s a pic of Bill Freda as one of the hosts of the RT 2006 Mr. Romance Competition.
Rodney Chatman’s “winning” pic from the Mr. Romance 2006 Competition
Here is the RT 2006 Faery Court. Their costumes were amazing!
My first critique partner and best bud, American Title Winner, author Janice Lynn 
Author Anna DeStefano and me at the book singing.
Look ma, I really do have books to sign. *g* Here’s me signing books at the book fair. Thanks to Cait Miller for this photo!
What a view I had from my hotel room. Yep, it’s a gorgeous sunrise!
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Thank you for sharing your RT experiences with us fans who didn’t get to go, LOL I feel deprived! Sounds like you had a wonderful time, of course there’s no way you couldn’t have with all those sexy EC men available
by Christine Dionne
on May 23rd, 2006 at 12:07 pm
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Wow! Certainly wish I could have been there after reading your interesting experiences and Oh!!! seeing those photos of those SEXY men. Boy! Had to cool off a bit after looking at those. What a fabulous time for everyone. Hopefully next year will be my chance to be able to join in this fabulous time at RT. Thinking positive and looking forward to it.
by Shari C
on May 23rd, 2006 at 12:23 pm
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It looks like you had a blast at RT!! I realy want to go next year.
by Diane
on May 23rd, 2006 at 12:32 pm
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I wish I could have been there to see everything and everyone. Thanks for sharing the photos & your RT experiences with us. Hope you have a wonderful summer.
by Carolyn
on May 23rd, 2006 at 12:47 pm
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Glad you had a fabulous time. I love the photos.
by Jenny
on May 23rd, 2006 at 12:59 pm
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Patrice,
Look like you had a wonderful time love the sunset scene. Congratulation on your win A TASTE FOR CONTROL finalled in the FF&P RWA PRISM ! Really miss you guys while you were gone!
Hugs!!
Lisa
by Lisa Risdon
on May 23rd, 2006 at 1:11 pm
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Hi,glad you had fun at the RT. I wish I could have been there. Maybe next year. Loved seeing the pictures of the sexy men.
by Anita Yancey
on May 23rd, 2006 at 1:16 pm
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I’m so glad you had a blast Patrice. I’m sure it was a little quite without Anya there. I met you last year at ‘05. I was the lady doing the editor appointments. I’m planing to go to TX next year. Not as far from St. Louis as FL. The pictures are oh so wonderful. The proposal was the highlight, I’m sure.
by Daun Ann Korty
on May 23rd, 2006 at 1:21 pm
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even to one that didn’t go, those guys look *drools* yummy!!
Lois
by Lois
on May 23rd, 2006 at 2:03 pm
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Wow! Sounds like you had a blast. And those delicious models…yum. I hope to save enough for next year.
by Lisa T
on May 23rd, 2006 at 2:25 pm
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Lucky you, getting so close to all those EC cavemen and models, Patrice. Maybe next year I’ll be able to join in on all the fun.
Congrats on your Prism nomination for a Taste of Control!
by Pam Pellini
on May 23rd, 2006 at 2:45 pm
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Great pictures Patrice
Thanks for sharing!!
by Nicole
on May 23rd, 2006 at 3:04 pm
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Thanks for the RT report! I love to read about the fun you had and look at the pics. Almost like being there yourself.
by Paula
on May 23rd, 2006 at 3:07 pm
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I enjoyed reading your RT report, makes me feel a little bit like I was there. Gonna try and make it over the pond next year and be there too! We’ll see. The pics are beautiful…so many lovely men, and that sunrise is magnificent.
Thanks!!!
by Valerie Bongards
on May 23rd, 2006 at 3:35 pm
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OH Patrice I am so jealous. You rock getting those pictures. The sacrifices you make for your fans. LOL Thanks for sharing.
by Judy F
on May 23rd, 2006 at 3:55 pm
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Oh my! The pics of the cover models are fabulous! Bobby K and Rodney are so yummy! Lucky you and all the other conference-goers who got to mingle with them!
Thanks so much for the pics! I would love to go one of these years!
by Sara A.
on May 23rd, 2006 at 4:02 pm
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Patrice,
It sounds like you had a blast and I am so jealous. I wish I could have gone this year but hopefully next year
Renee’
by Renee M
on May 23rd, 2006 at 4:13 pm
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Sounds (and looks) like you had a wonderful time. Thanks for sharing.
by Christy
on May 23rd, 2006 at 5:14 pm
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Patrice!!! So wonderful for you to share all that with us. This year it made it the closest it could be to being there. Hearing about your luggage (I’d assume it must be heavier if I left with all the books I would buy, LOL) from all the readers and authors you met and of course to the Mr. Romances. Those pics are so beautiful!! Thanks for sharing it all with us and huge congrats in your finals and reviews for Taste of Control and Ty’s Temptation! Cathie
by Cathie
on May 23rd, 2006 at 5:29 pm
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It certainly sounds like you had a grand time. Thanks for telling us about it and for sharing the photos!
by Little Lamb Lost
on May 23rd, 2006 at 5:29 pm
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wow, i dont think id come home with out some of the models WOOHOO
you are sooooo lucky
im glad you had a good time
by blackroze
on May 23rd, 2006 at 5:52 pm
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Congrats.
by Michelle
on May 23rd, 2006 at 6:03 pm
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Oh fantastic pics - the first site I’ve seen of the RT. One of these days I’d love to get there. Thanks for a chance to win too.
by jeanne S.
on May 23rd, 2006 at 6:09 pm
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Sounds like you had a wonderful time (which seems to be the consensus!). The pictures are great. Thanks for sharing!
by Jodi
on May 23rd, 2006 at 11:51 pm
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It sounds like a wonderful time and the pictures were gorgeous.
by Maureen
on May 24th, 2006 at 3:23 am
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WoW, I loved the pictures of the models. Thank you for sharing them with us and I’m glad you had fun.
Sheila
by Sheila
on May 24th, 2006 at 12:37 pm
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Hi Patrice,
Luuuv the pics thankyou so much for posting them Looks like everyone had a blast I would love to able to get there one day
Cheers
Julie
by Julie
on May 24th, 2006 at 7:40 pm
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Wow it looks like a lot of fun! Wish that I could have been there. I seen another picture of Bill Freda fom RT and he is gorgeous,one of my favorites. I also seen a pic of you and Anna dancing & having fun. You looked so pretty. Thanks for sharing your pics and fun time at RT.Hopefully next year it will be in another great location.
by Dena
on May 25th, 2006 at 6:10 am
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Thanks for posting great photos! Wish
I was there!
I am glad you had great time!
by Ivka
on May 25th, 2006 at 6:25 pm
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I volunteer to be towel girl for that volleyball game next year!
by kaisquared
on May 29th, 2006 at 3:23 am
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Hmmmm…Methinks Patrice has a thing for all those gorgeous guys. *g* I have that pic with you and Bill up on my blog now.
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Sounds like you had a great time. I so wish I could have gone. Thanks for sharing your stories and those yummy photos!
by KimW
on May 29th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
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okay, time for a new blog entry. It’s June 2nd! *g*
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[…] « Back from RT! | Home | […]
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Hi Again,
went to read interview with Andrei Claude,nicely done and interesting!
Love pictures of Evan proposing! That must have been something to see!
Ivka
by Ivka
on June 4th, 2006 at 5:00 pm
