I Have Returned!!
Michelle Willingham and I on the first day!
I was in Anaheim for a week and a half, first for RWA Nationals, then for a Disneyland vacation with my family. It seems like forever since I’ve sat down at a computer and done any writing!! But, the good thing about the break is that I’m back and ready to tackle the mini Prequel to my upcoming series The Call of Duty. (I am breaking my record for most double entendres in the first five pages of a manuscript.)
It was nice to see my writing buddies. The Presents author crew, Michelle Willingham, Lisa Hendrix (who I see all the time, but this week I saw her in Anaheim!) Barbara Wallace, Donna Alward…so many awesome people! I also FINALLY met Emma Peterson, who I cyber met two years ago on Twitter when she gave me my first piece of reader feedback.
This year I got to go to Disneyland with Jennie Lucas (my roomie for the conference!) a group of wonderful Historical authors (all the better to fangirl!) and the Mills and Boon editors. Pictured are Jennie Lucas, Me, Lucy Gilmour, Michelle Willingham, Katy Madison, Julia Justiss, Cara Elliott, Bryony Green, Blythe Gifford, Fiona Harper and Tessa Shapcott. 
It was a lot of fun, so nice to experience Disneyland with a crew of Disney virgins! (Though, because if the pending Presents Secret Baby poor Lucy had to skip a few rides!)
Jane Porter hosted her annual conference tea at a gorgeous resort in Newport Beach. Seriously, it was the most Presents place I’ve ever seen in my life! I think one of my heroes might have owned it. 
Then there was the keynote lunch. There was flan. Jennie Lucas and I, in our eminent sophistication and maturity, made faces for our flan. Here’s mine. He had a carrot mustache. 
Also, conference can make you tense. So, helpfully, D’Leon was there giving massages. Here’s an unnamed Harlequin Historical author making the most of his magic hands. 
And we can’t forget the Harlequin Party, which this year featured a cupcake bar! And, my husband came as my date. The lovely Victoria Dahl took our picture for us. 
One of the most romantic moments may have happened between Sarah Morgan and a little statue called RITA. We think this may have actually been the first time a Presents won a RITA! Sarah won for the amazing Doukakis’s Apprentice, and it was hugely well deserved. Sarah was one of my greatest inspirations when I was reading Presents and starting to think I wanted to write them. I’m so thrilled for her, beyond. The room seemed to explode when her name was called, it was just incredible!
And the second most romantic moment was quite possible between my daughter and Chip. Really, she fell in love with that little chipmunk!
Yet again, I had a wonderful, defining conference and I’m SO glad that I went.
Comments
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Is that your baby girl hugging Chip or Dale? OMG best pic ever! So adorable!
Yes, there she is! She was IN LOVE. She played with him for fifteen minutes. He kept giving her high fives and dancing with her. She LOVED him.
My daughter fell in love with Dale. We went to Goofy’s Character Dinner. It was adorable. She also went on the Winnie the Pooh ride about a hundred times. Conference? What conference? 😀 Sorry I missed meeting you in person this year!
Oh, what fabulous pics!! You and your husband, wow….You two are the gorgeous couple aren’t ya? Love the red dress….and the carrot mustache. Hehe. And the little girl hugs….
Had so much fun seeing you! Great conference. And now, back to the grind…uh, I mean joy! of the work itself.
Love all the pictures!! It all looks like so much fun. I’m plotting now to go next year. Maybe Hopefully.
Kira, Disney was pretty magical. 😉 Sounds like you had fun too! (Was your hair blue, BTW, because I think I spotted you and couldn’t get close enough to tackle you.)
Jackie, aw…go on. 😉
Julia, YES PLEASE. Atlanta isn’t so far from you!
Maisey! Your life has become such a grand adventure! I’m sure you’re getting lots more ideas for books! Thanks for sharing with all of us and letting us live vicariously through you and Haven! And the pic of your daughter, oh my, how adorable is that!
Becky
Thanks, Becky! 🙂 I’m blessed indeed!