The literacy event was a blast. As usual I helped set it up and then helped run it. We worked hard and sweated a lot when we moved heavy boxes and fixed up the tables. However I got a chance to meet some great new people and had a blast all around.

The literacy event itself was fun. The moment they opened the doors about 40 girls ran, and I mean literally ran for Sherrilyn Kennyon’s table. She was handing out tickets for her publisher hosted party launch of ACHERON, which by the way is coming out on Tuesday. Ms Kennyon also brought along two hunks, I mean cover models to entertain the crowd. Her line seemed to never end and she graciously stayed until the last happy reader left. The only disappointment I had was I didn’t see her coffin purse. I saw it a few years ago in Dallas.

I had a good chat with Brenda Harlen, my favorite Harlequin author. She mentioned she has a new book out and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. My roommate also had me shop for her. It was so funny to see well known authors gush over the fact that Hannah Howell wanted to purchase their book.

I brought my camera with me on this trip. Actually I purchased because of this trip. So where was my camera yesterday? In my room. Darn!

In the end the RWA raised over $58,000 for literacy. Congrats to all who put this together.

Well the trip to San Francisco was a breeze if count the added security I went through with my carryon bags. I brought books and magnets from published authors with me. Well they wanted to see the books, fine with me and wanted to know what set off their system in my second bags which were Tracy Goodwin’s magnets. The staff at the airport was friendly so I had to problem.

I got in San Francisco and discovered I’d not planned my clothing right. I had expected it to be warm. It’s in California isn’t that a warm state? Not so much. My roommate and I bought some sweaters that night to take with us on our tour of Muir Woods and Sausalito on Monday. Good thing we did. The tour itself was fabulous.

Today I battled a second migraine since getting here. I only get them once every 6-8 month. Here I am with 2 in less than 3 full days.  I’m hoping I’m done with them for this trip. Tonight I’m heading out with my roommate to her signing at a local BN. Did I mention that my roommate is none other than New York Times best-selling authors Hannah Howell? We are having a blast!A

Well I’m getting the last of my clothes cleaned, my bags packed and prized for my basked organized to head out to San Francisco early (an I do mean early 4am) tomorrow morning.

I am so excited about going this year as I am every year. However this time around I’ll have something to promote, my up coming release. In the past all I could do is attend the wonderful workshops. I have put together a great basket filled with pampering stuff and will pick up some chocolates in San Francisco

I may not be able to blog tomorrow since I’ll be flying but I’ll try

I hate to say this but Danielle Steel, great author that she is, is NOT a romance writer. I don’t know why the media keep referring to her as a romance writer. She’s a mainstream writer whose stories have romantic elements in them.  Nora Roberts, Hannah Howell and Debbie Macomber are Romance Writers.

Let’s face it she’s a big author with over 500 million copies of her books in print. She’d have to be. CNN recently did an article about her again. This time the article was about the fact that she hates to make TV appearances. She’s out promoting her latest release “Rogue” on the Today show. What’s her issue? She hates to be the center of attention for the media. However she has to do these appearances for her publisher (I’m assuming) and her fans (let’s face it she has tons of those).

I have to confess I have never read a Danielle Steel book. I do have copies of her books but haven’t gotten around to reading them. My mom used to read them because I found copies of her books on her bookshelf.

I just wished CNN and the rest of the media would get their facts straight about romance writers. There are tons of out there but Danielle Steel isn’t one of them right now.

I will confess I am an Olympic junkie. I watch more TV during the Olympics whether Summer or Winter I don’t care, than any other time. Today they are announcing who will carry the Canadian flag during the opening ceremonies. It’s a great honour but also comes with a curse. Every person who has carried it failed to win a medal during their event. Is that true? Do I believe in curses? Not really.

I have heard a few names dropped such as Ian Millar, Adam van Koeverden, Susan Nattrass, Alex Despatie, Simon Whitfield, Kyle Shewfelt, Karen Cockburn and a few more. So who do I think should carry it? Well quite a few of them have great inspirational stories which to me go hand in hand with this honour. What better way to get the youth involved in sport. Karen Cockburn has already done Canada proud by winning both bronze and silver medals at previous Olympics. When she wins gold in Beijing she’ll be one of very few to win three medals in three consecutive games. Both Alex and Kyle have battled injuries. Alex broke his right foot while Kyle broke both legs last year and is still healing. They are both inspiration of endurance and going after dreams no matter what. However my favourite is an athlete that will going to his 9^th Olympic games and hasn’t won a medal yet. It’s Ian Millar. He represents to me what the games are truly about, playing fair and doing your best medal or no medal.

Who would you like to see carry the Canadian flag during the opening ceremonies at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games?

I’m sorry but this is not only disgusting but disgraceful. This monument represents those who have lost their lives so that the ones who defaced it can keep the lifestyle they currently have. This is the way they say thanks?

This isn’t the first time that a Canadian monument honouring our heroes has been defaced. A few years ago after partying at the Parliament hill some youths decided to use the veteran memorial as a urination stall. They were steps away from where the Unknown Soldier rests. These youths were caught on camera and charge.

I hope they find the culprits of this disgrace act and punish them as well.

I spent a busy weekend on the road but didn’t drive. That’s right I attended my younger cousin’s wedding outside Toronto. I drove down with my niece and parents on Friday and returned with my sister on Sunday. It was a quick trip down and back. The wedding was simple yet beautiful. The bridal party wore black dresses and the bride has a gorgeous corset dress with black trimming.  I was asked to read during the ceremony which I did gladly. The important part is that my cousin is happy.

Now this week I have to get a rush on my edits and then get ready for San Francisco. I’m not going to print up the handouts since I’m still uncertain which workshop I’ll attend and don’t want to weight down my bag either. I’m looking forward to seeing friends again and to make new ones.

I’m truly not impressed with a decision that RWA has taken in regards to the up coming conference. When I registered for the event they asked me if I wanted a print handout or CD. I prefer the print so you can follow along with the workshop presenter. Well it seems the RWA board and/or staff has decided that cost is too high. When did they decide this? Months after opening registration. They sent out a quick survey about this issue in June. They have now comeback saying that the majority wants to go paperless so those who registered asking for it and are expecting it won’t get it. How much of a majority was this win? Well no one knows because they are refusing to share this information.

Ok so I have to print my own copies of 279 pages pack it and hope like hell it won’t increase my luggage weight over the minimum now enforced by air carriers. Have they refunded us the amount of this cost? No. Are they sending out a clear and precise note to everyone who registered that they are to print their own copies? Nope, the note they sent told us we could now download the handouts and hidden deep in the email was a tiny little note about not having handouts at the conference.

However what truly ticks me off is that the downloads aren’t protected. So anyone can go in and download these workshops. Here I have gone and spend several hundred of dollars on this conference and they are giving this away before the event even takes place. I’m sorry but come on. At least protect them with a password or something that is given only to conference attendees and then open it to everyone else long after the event.I hate to say this but the RWA board and staff truly messed this up and they are going to have to deal with angry conference attendees. The only problem is that they won’t hear most of the complaints it will be the poor volunteers manning the registration desk who are going to get an ear full.

What are my plans at this time? Well I’m looking into seeing if there is a location near our hotel that could make the copies at a good price. Do I plan to complain to the right people? You bet I do. 

I had a nice and busy weekend. On Saturday I attended my publisher’s open house. It was fun. I met with the owner, Carole Spencer, editors, copy editors, fellow authors Jacqui Morrison & Vanessa deHart and St-Martin Press latest start Opal Carew and her husband. We celebrated another great year for LBF Books and Lachesis Publishing and the soon to be launched Sinful Moments Press.

I look forward to see the coming growth of Lachesis Publishing, LBF Books and Sinful Moments. Here’s to another great year

TEMPTED TIGRESS is Anna Marie an opium addict/runner and Zhi-Gang the Emperor’s Enforcer story. It takes place in China. This is a wonderful book. It took me time to get into, but that’s because I wasn’t used to the exotic location. Once I got used to it I fell in love with the locations and characters.

Ms. Lee has a wonderful and sensual voice. The sex scenes aren’t graphic or erotic in my opinion but they are quite sensual.  I truly enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to read more from this author. If you want to read something hot or sensual then pick up a copy of TEMPTED TIGRESS during your bookstore trip.