Yours truly with the one and only Madeline Hunter!

What an amazing weekend!

Not only did my manuscript, Seducing Charlotte, take first place in the New Jersey Romance Writers’ Put Your Heart in a Book contest, but my other Regency romance, Compromising Willa, came in second.

It was my first writer’s conference and I don’t think I could have picked a better one.

Of course, winning helped!

Truthfully though, the workshops were run by big names in romance and each one I attended had real value. I’ll blog about what I learned in the individual workshops in the coming days.

Me with the lovely Jessica Dickstein, who ran the NJ RWA’s 2010 PYHIAB contest.

A major highlight of the weekend was meeting one of my favorite authors, Madeline Hunter, who served as a final judge in the competition.

 After attending her workshop, I ran into Madeline in the hotel lobby the following morning. She was incredibly generous, spending a good amount of time chatting with me about my work – especially the use of conflict and the value of strong, original openings in my manuscripts.

It was also a treat to speak to her about her books.

How often does a reader get to talk directly to the author about a book? I also had a chance to do so with Meredith Duran and Sherry Thomas, both of whom gave workshops at the conference.

With my DC chapter mate Marta Bliese, who won in  the paranormal category.

There were plenty of editors and agents there. They were not so fearsome in the flesh! The industry professionals shared their pet peeves which I’ll write more about soon.

The only downside to the weekend was learning far too late that my husband had set the GPS to avoid toll roads (from a previous trip). No problem – at first – since the directions I had googled were simple enough.

That is, until we overshot the exit on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Let’s just say we took a scenic drive of New Jersey back roads while trying to find our way back to the conference!

The talented author Mia Marlowe has been kind enough to showcase the finalists of the Writing with the Stars contest on her blog.

 I’m showcased today and there’s another very short excerpt from Seducing Charlotte.

Check it out! And leave a comment if you’d like.

I just finished reading Mary Jo Putney’s One Perfect Rose. And I found it to be…well…just about perfect.

When Stephen Kenyon, Duke of Ashburton, finds out he is dying, he sets off on a journey to come to terms with the devastating news. He hooks up with a traveling acting troop and falls in love with Rosalind, one of the players.

Putney’s sensitive portrayal of Stephen’s changing emotions is particularly complex, insightful and poignant. She expertly delves into his maelstrom of emotions: the desperation, fear, anger and, finally, some acceptance. Putney’s excellent characterization also heightens the bittersweetness of Stephen’s relationship with Rose since both of them know time is running out.

Of course, this is a romance novel so there is a happily ever after. The twist of how this happens is both surprising and satisfying. Putney leaves clues along the way but my theory as to what was really wrong with Stephen turned out to be completely wrong!

If you’re looking for a particularly satisfying romantic read, I highly recommend One Perfect Rose.

Next up for me: Mary Wine’s Highland Hellcat. It’s the follow up to To Conquer a Highlander, which I first picked up after Mary was assigned to be my mentor in the Writing with the Stars contest.

Writing With the Stars

 For those who don’t know, I am one of 10 finalists vying for the top prize in the contest: to be published by Kensington Brava!  In the first round, readers of RT Book Reviews vote for the Best First Paragraph and Last Line.

Click here to read all of the entries.

I hope you will consider voting for my entry, Seducing Charlotte. Be warned though, it’s a little spicy! And, if you want to read more,  here’s a sample of the FIRST CHAPTER.

There are only four days left to cast your vote in the first round. VOTING is quick and easy. You can click in, vote and be out in under a minute

I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY hope to move into the next round but I can’t get there without your help!

I truly appreciate your support!