Romantic Times 2007 was just as much fun (and as exhausting :grinnod:) as last year and the two years before. The past couple of years, I’ve been more involved in RT activities, either as a panelist or volunteering to help host reader events. Then there’s my publisher events I need to attend, so needless to say with all the ‘social’ activities RT has to offer, I HAD to do something to keep track of all the events I “MUST” do before the events I “WANT” to do…hence a spreadsheet was born.
I live and die by this spreadsheet while I’m at RT. If a “MUST” event isn’t on there, I’m in trouble. Barbara, I owe you a coffee. :yes:
I arrived at RT on Tuesday so I could spend some time with author friends and readers before all the events started on Wed.
(Picture: L to R: Annie, me, Joy and Chey. ) I got to chat with Joy of Joyfully Reviewed and hang with fellow anthology buddies, Cheyenne McCray and Annie Windsor. Not only is Chey one of my critique partners, but Chey and Annie were also my convention roommates this year. As roomies, they provided many hilarious moments…ahem, but that’s another story!
That evening, I had a wonderful, entertaining dinner with Rosemary Potter of Rosemary’s Romance Books and several fellow American and Australian authors and readers.
(Picture: L to R: Diane Whiteside, Liz Kreger, Me. 2nd Row: Cathy Clamp and Susan Lyons). At the end of dinner, Rosemary passed out Timtams…can you say…YUM!
(Picture: L to R: Chey, me, Jackie Kessler, Richelle Mead)
Wednesday was spent helping stuff EC goodie bags, adding items to promotion lane (if you look behind Chey and Richelle, you’ll see all the promo items on tables) and getting ready for the evening event: Ellora’s Cave’s kickoff Moulin Rouge party. Oh, that’s ALSO where I got all the EC Cavemen models to autograph a giveaway calendar for one of my readers!
(Picture: L to R: Lorenzo, Brooks and Ryan in the background signing EC calendars)
That evening, the Moulin Rouge party was a blast! Amazing costumes and fantastic decorations lit up the room. EC always puts on the best party! I DID have a black boa to go with my dress, but somewhere along the line, I left it in a chair. D’oh!
(Picture: L to R: Me, Devin, Anna DeStefano and Arianna Hart)
Thursday was my busiest day by far. Here I am at the EC’s author brunch.
(Picture: L to R: Me, Scott Carpenter and Sahara Kelly. By the way, Scott’s the artist who created Susanna’s Seduction’s gorgeous cover!)
I spent part of my morning with my other critique partner Rhyannon Byrd.
The rest of the day was a whirlwind of meeting with my awesome agent, Deidre Knight and participating in three back-to-back panels: Building Love Scenes from the Inside Out, Paranormal and Romance Genres (how paranormal lends itself well to every genre), and moderating the Paranormal Erotic Romance panel. That evening I attended the Nocturne Mixer and then went out to dinner with the Nocturne authors, senior editor of the Nocturne line Tara Gavin and Harlequin VP Randall Toye. Got to know authors Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe better, too…those ladies are a riot!
Friday morning I was a panelist on the Harlequin/Silhouette panel, representing Nocturne along with Caridad Pineiro. I spoke about the Nocturne line and I talked briefly about my own upcoming Nocturne trilogy: SCIONS. Oh, for those who’re interested, here’s the brief description I gave for what Harlequin’s looking for in the Nocturne books:
Dark, sexy, angsty paranormal stories with strong, alpha heroes and heroines who match them. The books have a mainstream feel and world building is key.
At lunch I sat with the ever hilarious Mandy Roth and cheered on fellow EC author Michelle Pillow as she received her RT Award for best Erotic Romance. That afternoon, I attended the Mr. Romance competition and sat close to the stage to take pictures of my buddy Anna DeStefano as she stutted her stuff up on stage with the models.
(Picture: Anna DeStefano and Jason Santiago)
Who knew Anna had this budding actress inside her waiting to get out?
Yes, it was a tough job sitting on the floor, snapping up-close photos of those guys…er…Anna, but what are friends for? :grinnod: Beth Ciotta and Bill Freda were the Mr. Romance hosts and they did a great job again this year. And without further ado……the 2007 Mr. Romance winner was Jason Santiago.
Friday evening was the Western Themed Vampire Ball.
This evening is where I got to hang with the wonderful Crossing Realms crew and friends.
(Picture: Sitting L to R: Dazzle and Anthony, Standing L to R: Lyra, Charina, Maida, Mary, Jai. Backrow L to R: Steve Rossi, Anna, Patrice, Brian Schell, Gennita Low, Chris Winters, Lysa (behind Chris) Ed English, Lisa and unknown.)
Oh, and the face behind the camera for the above group photo…Miss Rose!
(Picture: Crossing Realms calendar model Chris Winters and Rose)
Crossing Realms created an awesome male model calendar that they sold at RT. Here are a few of the men who were featured in the calendar…some faces will look familiar, I think.
(Picture: L to R: Brian Schell, Bill Freda, Steve Rossi and Chris Winters)
Crossing Realms donated a signed calendar to me for a giveaway to my readers as well!
Saturday was the book signing and I want to thank all of the people who either bought a book or stopped by to tell me how much they’ve enjoyed my stories. It meant so much to me! I met several ladies from my Yahoo loop…and even a reader (Trish) who had provided some great research material to help me create my Cajun bayou background in Embrace the Moon, the novella in the Cajun Nights anthology.
And I can’t forget my OWN fangirl moment…getting a book signed and a picture taken with Jim and Shannon Butcher. I tried to purchase Shannon’s debut novel, but she was all sold out by time I was able to leave my own table and head to theirs. Both Jim and Shannon were very nice!
(Picture: L to R: Jim Butcher, me, Shannon Butcher)
During RT I talked to SO many authors: Kimberly Kaye Terry, Gena Showalter, Jill Monroe, Susan Grant, Sunny, Diane Whiteside, Richelle Mead, Jackie Kessler, Rachel Vincent, Shelley Bradley, Jordan Summers, Joey Hill, Lauren Dane, I also met MaryJanice Davidson’s hubby and fellow co-author for her Young Adult series…and many, many more. I got to hang with several wonderful readers from past RTs: Debbie, Michelle (Dobby) and Barb to name a few. They kept me in stitches!
On Sunday, I spent time with authors and aspiring authors at the Samhain breakfast send off. While I waited for my taxi, I chatted with authors Sasha White, Vivi Anna and Julia Templeton. Then it was…home to crash in an exhausted heap! LOL!
BUT, because I know you all want MORE photos…here are a few more.
EC Cavemen at the Moulin Rouge party
(Picture:Mr Romance 2007, Jason Santiago, and Brooks Johnson)
Several of the 2007 Mr. Romance contestants after Suite Magazine’s water volleyball game:
(Picture: L to R: Brian Schell, Travis Greiman*, Chris Howell*, Chris Winters*, Tamara, Fred Williams*, Ozzie Walle*, Steve Rossi and Evan Scott. ) *2007 Mr. Romance contestants.
(Picture: L to R: Jason Santiago and Chris Winters)
Mr. Romance 2007 and…Mr. Romance 2008? Predictions anyone?
Casting my vote… *g*
Now that you’ve all patiently read though the fun craziness that IS RT week, here’s the best part. I’m going to give away TWO SIGNED calendars:
The first giveaway a Crossing Realms calendar featuring: Sylvester Bowden, Brian Schell, Bill Freda, Jason Santiago, Chris Winters, Evan Scott, Steve Rossi, Julian Fantechi, Isaac Woofter and David Deslandes
The second giveaway is the Ellora’s Cavemen calendar featuring: All the Ellora’s Cavemen: Lorenzo, Brooks, Ryan, Jason, Jordan, Michael, Kino, Rodney, John, Bobby, Julian and Devin.
To be eligible to win, all you have to do is post in the comments section on this blog entry.
And for those who don’t win but would like to purchase a Crossing Realms calendar, you can do so here. I’ve never met a nicer bunch of people than the Crossing Realms crew!
Credit for some of the pictures used in my blog post goes to: Rose G, Kate Douglas, Cheyenne McCray, and Syneca
UPDATED with the winner’s names and a thank you!
Drumroll……
And the two winners are:
1) Judy F (poster #2
2) Joan Woods (poster #14)
I’ve contacted the ladies to let them know they’ve won.
I want to thank everyone who took the time to post a comment. I hope you all enjoyed my write up and pictures from the Romantic Times 2007 convention.
My goal was to share the experience for those who haven’t attended an RT conference–to make you feel like you were there–and to entice those of you who’ve wavered about attending into actually taking that final step to attend next year’s conference yourselves. 
Fabuloua s pics and YUMMY men!! Looks like you had a terrific time! =D
:yes: I am insanely jealous. So many men wow. I bet you did have a great time. If you need a volunteer with the models let me know. I will start saving my money now. Heck who needs a retirement fund. LOL Great job Patrice
Hiya Rose.
Glad I got to see you (and the guys- sigh) at RT last week. I shipped my books home and they won’t be here til Monday. Looking forward to going through the goodies. And I did get some great photos. Printing them off on my color laser was done before I finished unpacking!
OMG. There’s one hot man after another! Patrice you look gorgeous ( as always) I have to go to PA next year =D
Great pictures!! Me and my daughter went to Houston as readers, since we live in Louisiana, I decided it was the best opportunity. I had always wanted to go. I saw you at the vampire ball and asked one of the authors at our table who you were. I thought your costume was fantastic, down to the guns. I got alot of pictures at the Mr. Romance competition, but none like all the others you have!!! Everyone was so nice and friendly at the convention, we really enjoyed ourselves.
Hey Partice!!! THANKS SO MUCH for all your support!! It was a blast hanging with you there also!!! We did have a lot of fun and it was great to hear your input during the photo shoot!!! The gang was awesome and YES, many hot men with hearts of gold!!! Miss ya and hope to see each other in PA!! Maida
ooohhh…i forgot to send ya my LOOOVEEE!! Maida
:X Didn’t Chris Winters just smell yummy??? Imagine my hubby’s face when I told him LOL. Still trying to dig out from under my pile of promo goodies, but not sure how the heck I missed the Crossing Realms calendar!?!
Great pics Patrice! thanks for sharing. I think you look really hot with Chris and he is my pick for Mr. Romance 2008 too! I hope RT comes to Seattle in the future so I can attend and meet you and all the other attendees.
I have never been to the RT but it always looks like so much fun. Thanks for posting.
Wish I would have been able to attend; it looks like everyone had such a great time and wow!…what ‘yummy’ models. Thanks for posting all the wonderful photos.
Hi Patrice!!!!
As always it was a pleasure and a LOT of fun hanging with you at RT!! Can’t wait to do it again!!!!
Hugs
Lisa
Man, you are another babe I met at RT and didn’t mention on my blog. Bad Gena! Was fabulous meeting you, you gorgeous thing.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog and seeing all the pictures. It was almost as good as being there. Looks like a lot of fun.
It looked like you had a lot of fun. I enjoyed the pictures. I am giong to have to make it to the RT convention some year.
i would love to be haging near hunks!
ack that was HANGING :X
Hi Patrice!! It was so neat to see all these pics! You’re beautiful as you all are in the pics! And looks to be having a fab time. And the models, yum! Gosh, this was as close as almost being there! Thanks for all the pics and stories. Loved it!
*sigh* One of these days I’ll make it to RT (for the WHOLE thing). :yes:
Looks like everyone had a blast!
Hi Patrice
fabulous pics! and the cover models are scrumptious looks like a brilliant time was had by all 
Julie
=P
Well, these great looking men definitly inspire quite a few ideas. hmmmm, maybe i’ll start writing.
Rikki
Judy, Dena, Constance, Shari, Joan, Melissa, Cindy, Blackrose, and Cathie, I’m SO glad that you all enjoyed my write up and pictures from RT. One of the reasons I do this is to share the experience with those who weren’t able to attend (to make you feel like you were there)AND to hopefully entice you all to attend RT one year. It truly is a blast!
Marcy, I did have a great time.
Judy F, you MUST go one year. I need to finally meet you in person!
Kay, wasn’t it a blast? And YES, photos ARE a priority. *g*
Nicole, there were many HAWT men at RT this year. Thanks so much for your sweet compliments. You MUST get yourself to PA next year. Joy will make sure to show you the ropes. =D
Judy Cox, it’s wonderful to hear how much fun you and your daughter had. I had fun with my guns, but my handcuffs kept disappearing…LOL! As for the photos, I can’t take the credit…that would go to Chris, Rose, Sunny,Cheyenne and many others.
Maida, you are more than welcome. I had fun at the photo shoot. I hope the picture turned out the way Lisa wanted it. :yes: HUGS!!
Serena, why yessssss, he did smell wonderful and he’s a real sweetie, too. If you don’t win, be sure to get yourself a calendar. The Crossing Realms calendar was very well done!
Dena, vote for Chris next year! Now we just need to make sure he returns.
Cathie, you’re so sweet! Thank you for the compliments. I really hope you could make it to an RT at some point.
Lisa, you were SO much fun to hang with. See you next year!
Gena..yes, slap your hand, woman! Even tipsy, you’re still adorable!!
Julie, thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Rikki, it’s amazing how inspirational great pics can be, isn’t it? =D
Looks like RT was a great time. The pictures look like everybody had lots of fun. Thanks for sharing the pictures and comments.
Hi Patrice! Awesome pics! Looks like everyone had a blast.
Great pics!!! I’m glad you had such a great time!!Thanks for giving us a review of the trip!!
Patrice, thanks for your support and friendship, it means a lot to me! I’m glad you enjoyed the shoot, I do love working with these awesome guys.
Can’t wait to see everyone and do it all over again! 
Hugs,
Rose
Sound’s like you had a busy and fun time at RT. I liked your cowgirl/vampire costume. =D You could have captured a guy for your contest winner in that costume.lol :grinnod:
Lucky you would love to have these hunks hanging above my computer!
What great pictures! You look like you had a fun time (I guess I would too if I had been around those guys)
Phyllis, Amy, and Stephanie, I’m glad you enjoyed the pics and write up. :yes:
Rose, (((HUGS))). You’re welcome! I can’t blame you for enjoying all those photos shoots when you have such lovely subjects to work with. =D
Sheila, Thank you! I did have a blast. I always try to ‘dress up’ at least one night at RT. It’s just too much fun not to.
Teresa, if you don’t win a calendar, get one. You won’t regret it! =D
Jeanette,
RT is always a blast! If you’ve never been you should go. I think you’d have a wonderful time. :yes:
Great pictures! Looks like you had a great time with all of the models.
What a tough job Rose has to “have” to take those pictures!
For those of us who weren’t lucky enough to attend…THANKS for sharing!!
It sure looks like a lot of fun!! All those talented authors and models WOW!
Glad you enjoyed yourself!
Not only is Patrice drop dead gorgeous, she’s an absolute sweetheart! It’s enough to make me want to throw my mousepad at her.
=D
((((hugs)))))))))
I had a BLAST and a wonderful time @ RT. Hopefully I’ll be there next year and see and meet new people!
— I’ll also make sure that I get more behind the RT pics!
love you all!
Chris Winters
I’m so jealous. All that eye candy, and they seem to be such nice guys.
Carolyn
yummy men! sounds like it was a fun conference too….
Yummmmm! on the pics & pecs!
Loved Joy’s bunny ears!
Wish I could have attended RT but if I win a calendar – that’s the next best!
Jodi, you got that right…Rose has a tough job! =D
Laurie G, you’re welcome. I want you all to feel like you were there. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Mandy, woman! Thanks for the awesome compliments (she’s been paid in cyber chocolate, everyone! =D )! I had so much fun chatting with you. Can’t wait ’til next RT so we can get together again.
Chris Winters, you’d better be there next year! I’m campaigning already!
Everyone chant, Mr. Romance 2008!
We all believe in the power of positive thinking…and well, being photogenic and a sweet guy doesn’t hurt you, either.
Carolyn,
They are nice guys. :yes:
Sandy, it was so much fun and always is.
Patty, Joy’s bunny ears were a hit. I could find her anywhere in a crowd. She’s such a sweetheart!
Great pictures – I love to put faces to names and these are great! especially u – patrice
Thanks aBookworm! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the pics. :yes:
I’m so jealous – I only get to attend Children’s Lit conferences, and while meeting children’s authors and illustrators is fun, I’d MUCH rather attend an RT conference and meet my very favorite authors….and maybe a hunk or two. Thanks for letting me get a taste of what it’s like!
Kelly, you’re more than welcome. And I’ve only highlighted just a few of the events that happen at RT. There are SO many more. I hope you get a chance to go at some point. You won’t regret it!
Great pics but it looks like you didn’t have alot of fun. I think next year you will need to get out more LOL!
Hey Lucy…yeah, I think I’ll have to shed my shyness next year. =D
I’m so jealous!! Thanks for posting this. At least I can live vicariously through you
Hi Nalini! You’re welcome. You need to GO! You’ll love it! I know it’s a hike for you, but at least it’s a five day conference. =D
Hi, living on the otherside of the world and not being able to attend RT, it’s blogs and reports like these that bring it so much closer to home. Thanks for putting up all those lovely pics. I recognize people I’ve chatted to online, and the eye-candy ain’t bad either. Wishing you every success. Valerie
Oh man, soooooo tempting…
Valerie, you’re more than welcome. That’s why I do this blog. :yes:
Nalini, you KNOW you wanna! =D
Love all your pictures. Looks like you had a wonderful time!
BTW, I have Shannon Butcher’s book and it’s great! I loved it and am looking forward to the next one. Love Jim’s too, and have my hubby hooked on him so he buys all of his. *evil smile*
Hey Patrice,
Great seeing you. Sorry was so spacey in the elevator that first day, lol. I was so tired after that whole ER visit ordeal.
Thank you so much for sitting with us and showing support at the award ceremony!
& hanging out at the Vampire Ball. I hated having to leave early, HG always puts on an entertaining show.
Pictures look great. But, I agree with Mandy *chucking mouse pad at screen* LOL
Maybe we’ll see you at RWA.
Michelle =D
Jenna, thanks! I’ve got my hubby hooked on Jim Butcher, too. I’m glad to hear how good Shannon’s book was.
Michelle, no worries. I hope your mom’s hand is all better now. Congrats again on your RT award and thanks for your nice compliments…I’m officially moused!
Thank you, she is! Cast comes off soon. I’ll tell her you wished her well.
LOL on being moused.
Those guys are so hot and very sexy!! I would actually drooling if it were the fact that my niece is sitting down a few chairs away from me, lol!!
Thank you so much for sharing your story and your pictures with us. I did not get to go this year but maybe next time. I did ask all my friends, authors and others to take pics… hmmph most I think sort of forget to either get out the camera or post them … though some were in pictures.
And a change for a calendar is also a great giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity. And YES I had a feeling from the start that Jason Santiago was going to win the Mr Romance. he is probalby the youngest but has the IT factor many other models do not have even at his age. Give him another 5 or 7 years and he will be the hottest thing around, since we have some very favorite models still out there and they are friends too, so I am wanting them to still keep it up awhile but Jason is on his way. Let’s hope success will keep him sweet and balanced and a great guy.
Thanks again.
Lainey
Anya, I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures! The guys are really sweet too. :yes:
Elaine, I thought the calendars would be a fun giveaway…something to keep the winners warm (or inspired) thoroughout the year. =D
I’m happy for Jason too and yes, I did say to him the day he won, “Never change.” Rodney Chatman was still the same nice guy with a broad smile. After winning Mr. Romance last year, he went on to shoot some covers for Harlequin, I believe.
Looks like you had a great time.
Wow, I don’t know how you kept up with everything evan with a spread sheet, and oh, those men, sigh. Lokks like a great time was had by all.
Wow! RT always sounds like a great time and your pictures sure prove it!
Thanks for posting them!
Those were some really great pics! And the M E N…. wow! Makes me wish I went to the convention.
Looks like you had a blast at RT. Seeing all these pictures makes me want to go next year.
Oh gawd, those pictures are awesome! You lucky girl Patrice, and Anna too! Wow, I have to go next year. That’s just all there is to it lol. It looks like so much fun. Please enter me. The calendars have to scorching hot with those guys in them! :yes:
Ingrid, Lisa, Mary, Laura, Diane and Zara, I’m so glad you all enjoyed the pictures. Yes, you MUST go. It’s always a fun time and then you can have your pictures taken with the cover models. :yes:
Thanks for putting up the pics. I love seeing what goes on. I am so going next year.
You certainly were busy bee at RT. No wonder you needed a spreadsheet.
I love the pics and you looked great in the red dress and dressed as a cowgirl/vamp hunter. =D
Clover, good for you! You should go. :yes:
Maria, I wouldn’t have it any other way–staying busy and having fun! Thanks for the compliments on my costumes. It’s like Halloween for grownups. =D
Seems like you guys had a great time at the convention.Sure wish I could have gone.
[...] Patrice Michelle’s RT Round-up. Via Nalini Singh–I have Caressed By Ice already! [...]
[...] 1) Judy F (poster #2) 2) Joan Woods (poster #14) [...]
Finally coming out from under all the stuff I left when I dashed off to RT – just wanted to say how great it was to meet you in person!
Hey Jill! *waves* Thanks for stopping by. It was my pleasure to meet you and your sidekick, Miss Gena. You two crack me up. :yes:
Ellora’s Cave has the best cover models. For those of us who could not be there this year,Thank you for the pictures. I’d love to attend next year and see them in person.
Hey Gayle. I highly recommend RT. I hope you get a chance to go next year! :yes: