BABIES IN THE BARGAIN

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN, Winner of 2009 BEST ROMANCE NOVEL at the Preditors& Editors Readers Poll and WINNER of the 2009 BEST ROMANCE at READERS FAVORITE.

99cents at Amazon.com      http://tinyurl.com/6mcd6e3

Short Synopsis:

With only one year left to complete her medical training, Dr. Holly Collier vows not to let anyone mess up her sacrosanct schedule. Especially not Dr. Marc Suarez. The heartthrob of the hospital who used to collect sports’ trophies and nurses’ kisses broke her heart seven years ago.

When a tragic accident transforms the carefree playboy into a dedicated, but novice father to his nephew, Holly gives in to her maternal instincts and turns her structured life upside down for the orphaned preemie. But can she learn to trust Marc again and believe in true love?

Excerpt:

Marc stared at the infant suckling and the gorgeous woman feeding him as if he was her own child. A perfect picture of maternal love. For a moment, he imagined her in a silk dishabille, baring a breast to a hungry child, while his knuckles caressed the baby’s cheek and the mother’s flesh in the same loving gesture.

Blonde and lovely Holly. 

Mesmerized, he sucked in a deep breath and squatted beside the rocking chair, clenching its arm with itching fingers.

Paulito needed a loving mother, but even with imaginative effort Marc couldn’t picture himself married. At least not yet.

Holly could be the closest thing Paulito would ever have to a mother, if...

“Move in with me,” Marc whispered.

“What?” The bottle dropped from her hand. Her gaze shot to him, incredulous and bewildered. “What did you say?” Her voice lowered to a rough murmur.

“Come live in my condo,” he said, with a firm tone to convince himself his request wasn’t completely crazy.

His eyes strayed over her blushing cheeks, her parted lips. He inched closer, unable to resist the sweet temptation...then jerked backward.

Conflicting feelings twitched his insides. His baby needed Holly, the best mother in the world. If she agreed to live under his roof, he swore he'd never take advantage of their proximity in the same house. He’d behave like a gentleman—even like a monk—to make her forget his playboy reputation. And he’d battle his attraction to Holly every step of the way, so as not to scare her away.

“Are you crazy?” Her jaw sagged and her eyes rounded, two beautiful turquoise pools shimmering with uncertainty. 

George Clooney was my model for Dr. Marc Suarez

“I’ve never been more serious in my life.” He stroked the baby’s scalp. “Paulito needs you and you love him.” It was the only possible way he could give his son a loving mother...and protect himself from a noose around his neck and his Abuelita’s nagging.  

She exhaled, her gaze following his fingers’ gentle motion on Paulito’s head. “Of course I love him, but I have my work. I’m as busy as you, if not more.” Her lips pinched as she narrowed her eyes.

“If you move in with me, we could dovetail our shifts and share his care.”

Please, Holly, say yes.

“You and me, living together? Just like that?” She flipped her hand open. “How could you even think about it?”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to imply any...hmm.”

Never.

He blinked. The thought had filtered through his mind, but to his credit, he’d discarded it right away. “It’s just a roommate arrangement. Consider it a business proposal, cross my heart.” With all due respect and no hanky-panky, so help me God.

Marc gazed at her with deep longing. This arrangement would torture him for sure, but to have Holly caring for Paulito, Marc would squeeze every bit of lust out of his system. He silently vowed to maintain his part of the bargain if she agreed.

Iron Gate Dam along the Danube River

If you remember a month ago I started posting about my river cruise along the Danube. With pictures and notes, I shared my visit to Bucharest, Romania, Varda, Bulgaria, and the Black Sea. 

Next we crossed the Iron Gate Dam and encountered three sets of locks along the Danube. The River ship crawled into the locks. The water level was raised to allow the ship to cross to the high level of the river, and then the lock closed behind us and the water level lowered. A fascinating procedure we experienced three times during the same day. The longest locking procedure lasted and hour and a half. We were all on deck watching with amazement. I have seen the same type of locks while crossing the Panama Canal. 

Along the way, we discovered remarkable stone statues from the Neolitihic era of Lepenski Vit, indicating that the area has been inhabitated for at least 8000 years. One of the oldest settlement in Europe.

Here is a huge cliff carving of the Dacian king Decabalus who fought the romans and preferred death to submission.

One can still see the the remains of the Trajan Bridge, the first Roman bridge built over the Lower Danube. Above is a picture of the Tabula Trajana or Trajan's Tablet, the only part that remains of a fortress that was covered by the Danube waters.

Years ago someone sculpted a huge egg. For some reasons --I don't remember the story--it ended here along the River and remained for centuries.

The 84-mile Iron Gate is one of Europe's most impressive gorges. One of the narrowest stretches we had to crossed to go from Romania on the right and Bulgaria on the left, to Serbia.  The river carved this narrow passeway between the Carpathian Mountains and the Balkan Mountains.

The Miracula Church

Stay tune for a visit to Novisad and Belgrade in Serbia, followed by Budapest and Vienne.

And here is my first self-published, contemporary romance

NO MORE LIES that will soon be available at amazon.com as Kindle for only $0.99!!!!!!!!!!

A lie that brings a smile, or a truth that draws a tear.

Night Owl Romance ~ Top Pick

[Prescription for Trust] [NO MORE LIES] was a fantastic read. read.
Got Romance! ~ 4.5 Diamonds
Mona Risk writes a charming story. Keeping the reader entertained with the twists and turns in the plot.
The Long And The Short Reviews~.4.5 Books. Nominated for Best Book of The Week.
[Prescription for Trust] [NO MORE LIES], is full of emotion, suspense, intrigue, good intentions and determination. , depending on which character POV you are looking from. Mona Risk’s
Readers Favorite~ 5 Hearts 2010 Best Contemporary Romance.
If the rest of the books in this string is of this caliber, Ms Risk will find herself with a very successful series on her hands.
Happy Ever After~ 5cups- It is a wonderfully written book about true love and the rarity of second chances. I would prescribe that anyone wanting a lighthearted fast-paced love story should read this book.

Airport security

I travel a lot and have to go to the airport two hours in advance to pass security check. Open the laptop, take off jackets, shoes, belts, watches, any jewelries, and stand legs apart in front of an x-ray machine. What next??

Pilates ideal for Seniors

Sitting in a chair in front of a computer for eight to ten hours a day does not exactly lead to a model figure. Too many writers complain about extra pounds, bulging belly, and heavy butt. Some energetic authors nudged themselves into exercising, walking, swimming, anything to regain their ideal weight. Others like me make perfect New Year resolutions and valiantly keep them for the month of January.
But my life changed when I discovered the world of Pilates and enthusiastically embraced it.
I started Pilates three years ago: two times a week for half an hour each time. I didn't lose weight but gained so much flexibility. The arthritic pain in my arms and hips disappeared. A year later I upped my excercises to three times a week, still half an hour each time. Our classes include from three to ten students. I managed to drag my husband who needed to stretch his muscles after hours of tennis.
There are several types of Pilates. The gym-like that you perform in the middle of a room on a mat, is for the younger generation. I absolutely refused to continue after one section that killed my muscles and almost broke my back.
Then there is the Pilates for Senior: Lying on the Reformer or standing before the Tower, we listen to the trainer instructing us on how to breathe, inhale and exhale, contract the abs or relax the legs while pulling on strings. The strength of the string is adjusted according to the capability--health and age--of the student.

A quick glimpse at the picture below may give you the wrong impression that it's a torture room. But trust me, once you lie on these beds, called reformers, you'll find it the most comfortable way of doing gym movements. The strings pull your legs up, your arms back, while you concentrate on breathing.
The most widely used piece of apparatus, and probably the most important, is the Reformer, followed by the Tower. All exercises are done with control with the muscles working to lift against gravity and the resistance of the springs and thereby control the movement of the body and the apparatus. Pilates quickly became popular with many people, ranging from those who are mostly sedentary to those who excel in athletics.


"The Pilates Method teaches you to be in control of your body and not at its mercy. If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old; if it is completely flexible at 60, you are young.” - Joseph H. Pilates

I like this definition of my age and highly encourage every writer to join a Pilates class.
By the way, all my heroines are fit and exercise.

Rx in RUSSIAN

He’s a Russian widower with adorable children who need a caring mother, but his heart had sealed when his wife died.

She’s an American divorcee, who lost her illusions about men, marriage and family. She won’t risk being hurt again.

Can love overcome guilt, duty and a clash of cultures?

Buy link at Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Prescription-in-Russian-ebook/dp/B004VGU8CE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1304683753&sr=8-4

OSIRIS’ MISSING PART

Sensual romance but not erotic.

According to the legend, the evil Egyptian god, Seth, killed his brother Osiris, chopped him into fourteen pieces and flung them all over Egypt. Isis, goddess of family, reassembled thirteen of his body parts. Since she couldn’t find his supernatural male member, where his godly power was stored, she reattached a human one.

Isis has always loved Osiris, the charming god of labor, and helps him fight Seth. Together they search for his missing organ so he can recover his godly attributes, but can Isis forgive the sins of his past and their unexpected consequences?

For sale at Jasmine Jade for $5.24

http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9394-osiris-missing-part.aspx

The Young Generation

My four grandchildren requested a cousins' reunion at their loving grandparents' apartment, and insisted on having no annoying parents around. It was deliciously chaotic, noisy, hectic, but so much fun with nightly slumber parties and daily splashes in the pool and the ocean.

How can four children, age 7, 6.5, 5.5 and 5, keep busy? The two oldest girls bonded right away. My 5.5 year-old spitfire wouldn't hear about being left aside and managed to squeeze in every game the two others played, but poor little Dave, being the youngest and only boy, cried and then gave up on the girls and entertained himself.

Playing games on Daddy's iPad at 5

Dave laughed when I said I didn't know how to use an iPad, then he gently said: "I can show you."

But the girls wanted to share in the game and protested, "Not now, Nonna. We're too busy."

What else could they do when Dave asked to be left in peace?

Playing on Grandpa's laptop

Or better tattoo each other until Nonna gasped in horror, and insisted they surrender the markers that could ruin her chairs.

Unfortunately Nonna spoiled the moment by insisting on homework break. Instead they all gathered around the oldest cousin who read them a story.

Then the majority decided that vacation should not include homework or reading, but going to the pool and beach.

Playing in the sand, building castle and digging holes is excellent for the health and better entertainment.

A few minutes later everyone jumped into the pool to refresh and exercise.

Lunch and dinner were a lot of fun without adults around.
 Good thing Grandpa was more understanding and taught them card games.

Everything comes to an end but we will come next year.

It's so much fun at Nonna's place without parents to bother us.

Two kids left on Sunday, and the two other are leaving today.

Osiris' Missing Part, on sale at Ellora's Cave Blush for $5.24

Sensual romance but not erotic.

According to the legend, the evil Egyptian god, Seth, killed his brother Osiris, chopped him into fourteen pieces and flung them all over Egypt. Isis, goddess of family, reassembled thirteen of his body parts. Since she couldn’t find his supernatural male member, where his godly power was stored, she reattached a human one.

Isis has always loved Osiris, the charming god of labor, and helps him fight Seth. Together they search for his missing organ so he can recover his godly attributes, but can Isis forgive the sins of his past and their unexpected consequences?

The Right Place

[Can I ask you to follow my blog, please?]

How often have you heard people saying, “Poor guy, he was at the wrong place in the wrong time?”

Being a thoroughly positive person, I will analyze how being at the right place in the right time affected my life.

I married my husband because we were both at the right place in the right time. We lived on opposite sides of the country, but I spent a vacation with my cousins in a different town and he happened to be visiting friends in the same place and attending the same organized tour where we met. Voila. Many, many years later we are sitting across from each other for better or worse.

My first book was published because I was at the right place in the right time. More precisely at a conference. Picture me walking to a workshop, passing by the room where editors held the pitch session and taking a peek through the door. An editor sat by herself because the writer never showed up. What a waste of precious pitching time. The coordinator asked if I wanted to talk to the editor. I wasn’t planning on pitching, but I decided to give it a try. I sat across from the editor and explained I really wasn’t prepared. “Why don’t you tell me about the story you really love?” Once I started I couldn’t stop, and she said she loved it. A month later I signed my first contract. Four years later, I have five books published the sixth one coming in three weeks, quite unexpectedly, but that’s another story.

I also got my first big job because a recruiter called the Chemistry Department’s Lab looking for soon-to-be graduates, and I happened to answer the phone. He insisted I come for an interview although I wasn’t graduating for another six months. They offered me a part-time and later fulltime job. I took an early retirement a few years ago from that company.

Editors often mention not to base a story on coincidence. Is being at the right place in the right time a coincidence? Fate? Part of our destiny or as a friend of mine often tells me: it is meant to be.

What’s your opinion on that subject? Have you been at the right place in the right time? Did it make a difference in your life?

Rx in RUSSIAN:  Fyodor Vassilov is a Russian widower, surgeon and officer. Duty demands that Fyodor provide a mother to his four little boys and marry a woman who loves children and big family. Jillian Burton is an American pediatrician on a mission to improve medical conditions in Belarus. Jillian blames herself and her ex-husband for their son’s death, and has lost her illusions about men and marriage.

When they work together for six months in his hospital, their fascination with one another shocks them both. Can attraction and love overcome guilt, duty, and a clash of cultures?

Excerpt:

In spite of his good sense, Fyodor wanted to impress the lovely Dr. Burton. He wanted her to think the best of his hospital...and its director.

“We can raise and lower the bed with this handle,” he added with pride.

Jillian approached the bed and rotated the handle. A metallic screech filled the silence. Damn bed. Fyodor hoped she didn’t notice his blush as she played with the handle. Why did he feel as if he must pass a test? It wouldn’t have bothered him to admit weakness in front of an older colleague.

“I’ll add automated beds to the list of equipment to be shipped to your hospital,” she said, her tone calm, revealing no arrogance or criticism. “Dr. Vassilov, I’ll do my best to modernize the place while I’m here.”

“Spacibo bolchoy. Thank you so much.” He wanted to hug her, kiss her, tell her he was happy she wasn’t the well-aged expert his government had promised as visiting physician. If she conducted business in this highly professional manner, it would be a daily pleasure to work with her.

He studied her oval-shaped face with its serious expression and lingered on her high cheekbones, delicate straight nose, and the chocolate brown strands that curled on her shoulders. A daily pleasure indeed.

Her eyes widened as she leveled a business look at him and dug two white teeth into her lower lip. “If there are things you specifically need from me, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“I will keep your offer in mind. Spacibo bolchoy, Jillian.” His gaze swung to her delectable mouth. “I hope I may call you by your given name?”

She nodded and smiled. “Of course, Fyodor. No need to be formal when we’re going to work together for six months.”

He liked the way his name trailed on her lips. Fy-o-dor. Like honey. Her accent glided over his skin, caressed his heart, and stirred a desire he thought he had well under control.

Nyet. Stop there, Fyodor. His smile of admiration faded.

The lovely American was out of reach as far as he was concerned. He had an altogether different mission, a father’s duty to find a good mother for his children. A well-disciplined officer and doctor, he always performed his duty, no matter what it cost. His glance swayed toward Jillian. The cost of performing his duty was escalating by the minute. Regret knifed through him, and he repressed a sigh.

If you like to travel and love to read, come and enjoy my international romances. I will take you around the world through stories that simmer with emotion and sizzle with heat.


Rx IN RUSSIAN at Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Prescription-in-Russian-ebook/dp/B004VGU8CE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1304683753&sr=8-4


BABIES IN THE BARGAIN winner of 2009 Best Romance Novel at Preditors & Editors and winner of 2009 Best Contemporary Romance at Readers Favorite.
Rx FOR TRUST, winner of 2010 Best Contemporary Romance at Readers Favorite and 2011 EPICON

All books available at amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mona+risk&sprefix=mona+risk

Golden Heart Finalist: Autumn Jordon

Autumn Jordon is a 2009 Golden Heart finalist with EVIL’S WITNESS, a Romantic Suspense set in the beautiful mountains of northeast Pennsylvania. It’s on sale now at the White Rose Press.

Let’s welcome Autumn and learn more about her new book.

Blurb:
Stephanie Boyd’s world crashes when she and her children witness a blood bath. To escape the wrath of the Russian Mafia, she has no choice but to help the FBI uncover the mafia’s mole inside the U.S. Treasury. While on the run with the handsome agent who is willing to die for them, Stephanie learns the meaning of love.

Agent John Dolton’s break in solving the case that cost him everything is a couple of kids and a beautiful widow. But keeping them safe seems impossible when their every move is foreseen by their enemy. Stephanie and her children soften the loner’s heart and John vows not to fail to protect the family he loves.

What inspire this particular story? Any anecdote behind it?

The idea for Evil’s Witness came about because of an incident that occurred at my family’s trucking company. Tractor trailers are high-jacked more often than you might imagine, and we’d hauled loads of currency for the U.S. Treasury. I simply put the two together and then thought what would happen if the robbery was witnessed by a small town woman. If the heists were conducted by the mafia, how would she get away from them, save her children? Where would she hide?

Excerpt of Evil’s Witness: Rapid gunfire and cries pelted the air, coming closer. Stephanie didn’t look back. She had to escape. She had to live for Bobby’s and Em’s sake.

Can you describe your heroine: Does she look like someone you know physically? Did you give her some of your character, values, aspirations? What makes her special?

No. Stephanie is her own woman. Before I write a word of a new book, I’ll scan my character picture file. I’m always on the lookout for interesting faces. I’ve bought magazines just for the pictures of certain models. I’ll add a unique attribute: a scar, mole, or a certain mannerism. Maybe a disability. So, before I start, I have a great visual of my characters.

Stephanie is small town divorcee with kids. I’m small town, and yes, I went through a divorce with four children at home. It’s her determination to make a life for her and her kids that makes her so special.

Can you describe your hero: Does he look like someone you know physically? What are his best traits? What are his flaws? Did you fall in love with him while writing the story?

I found John Dolton in my character file too. He does have my dear husband’s dark mocha eyes though. He's a tortured soul. John, not my husband. To read why he is, skip over to my blog http://www.autumnjordonsnotes.blogspot.com/ His back story was posted on June 9, 2010.

Because of the man he is and the job he does, John has lost everything. When he finds the key witness he’s been longing for, Stephanie Boyd, who can help him nail the SOBs who took everything from him, he’ll do anything to protect her. Little does he know in the process Stephanie, and her children, heal his heart and he’ll fall in love for the second time. And yes, like, Stephanie, I definitely fell for him. Oh, John has a quirk. If you read the excerpt below, you will find it.

Excerpt of Evil’s Witness: Bean counter. Morse’s words haunted Randall, along with the memory of the dead Sheriff’s stare.
The phone he held rang relentlessly.
No answer. Randall hit the off button and slammed the phone down. Like a wild beast, he paced his office, waiting to be executed.


Tell us about the setting.
The story takes place in my backyard, in the Blue Mountains of Northeast Pennsylvania. Bodies are found in these beautiful surroundings.

Did you have to do special research for your story?

I already knew about the trucking industry so the basis for the plot was a no-brainer. I did however interview local and state police concerning their parts in working with other law enforcement agencies. I also interviewed the local director if the FBI concerning his job and the witness protection program. He confirmed a plot point of the story to actually have had happened within his own agency, settling a concern with critique partner. The mole in EVIL’S WITNESS could happen.

To make contacts, all you need to do is pick up the phone and say I’m a writer and I have a few questions about …. Would you mind answering them? You’ll be surprised how easy it is to get people to open up.

A bit of advice however, have your questions written down with the most important ones first. You are taking up the interviewee’s time and you don’t how much of it they can offer.

How long did it take you to write the story?

This story took me a year to write and then some to tweak, tweak, tweak.

Do you work with critique partners?

Normally I write the entire story and then I’ll send the story out to readers/critique partners. After I get their feedback, I’ll edit, edit, edit.

Do you prepare an outline?

I start with a kernel of an idea or a great first line. I free write for maybe three chapters, getting the feel of the main characters. Then I step back and write a synopsis. I then use the synopsis to keep the characters in line while I finish the story. Often they want to go in another direction. I’m always open for discussion and sometimes they do add an element to the plot I hadn’t originally thought about. After THE END is typed, the real work begins. The tweaking and editing. Thank goodness I love this part of the process too.

When do you write?

Every minute I can. My motto has always been, Word By Word, Line By Line, Page By Page. I’ve completed five novels keeping the saying in mind.

How do you promote your books?

I’m on a three month blog tour for EVIL’S WITNESS over the next three months. Your readers can check my website (http://www.autumnjordon.com/) for dates of where to find me. I’m also on Face Book, MySpace, Twitter and my own blog to generate interest in the book. Every letter that is mailed by my DH and I has an EVIL’S WITNESS sticker on it and I do include bookmarkers inside. You never know where you’ll reach readers. I also plan to do book signings.

What is the worst part about writing?

When the muse goes missing, but I don’t sweat it anymore. I know eventually the perfect piece to the plot will come to me.

Here are the links to buy EVIL’S WITNESS:

The book is available both in e-format and paperback.
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/evils-witness-p-4075.html
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/evils-witness-paperback-p-4090.html

Excerpt:

John peered through the tilted mini-blinds into the lieutenant’s office. He studied the woman inside who sat on a couch, sandwiched between two kids.
A mental checklist ticked off in John’s mind. She was small, maybe a hundred-twenty-five pounds. Her arms and legs were scratched and bruised. If he had to guess, he’d say she was about five-six. A few light brown strands had pulled free from her ponytail and framed her tan face. The way she held her head, watching her children sleep, he couldn’t tell the color of her eyes.
Suddenly the little girl woke and scrambled into her mother’s lap.
Mesmerized, John watched the woman Zohara identified as Stephanie Boyd cradle her daughter, smoothing her hair and whispering into her ear— just like Julie had done with Katie.
Fury, as familiar as the air he breathed, flickered fresh in John and he fingered the rubber band he’d worn on his little finger for the past two years.
He punched the anger away.
He couldn’t deal with his demons now.
“They watched while their father was murdered,” Zohara said, pulling John back to the conversation.

I’m giving away a prize to one lucky winner this weekend-- June 17 through Sunday the 19th at 8p.m. EST. I'll post the winner Sunday evening at 10 p.m.

Rome: Day One

We landed in Rome early in the morning and were supposed to be taken straight to the ship to start our Mediterranean cruise.

The handsome young man who greeted us—too bad I didn’t have my camera available—had dark curly hair framing his face, attractive features la Roger Federrer and a cheerful smile. He apologized for the fact that we wouldn’t be able to board the ship before noon. To compensate for the inconvenience, Princess Cruise had arranged for us and other early birds a complementary guided tour of Rome while our luggage was transferred directly to the ship. Who could ask for a better deal? I forgot the lack of sleep, uncomfortable plane seat and exhaustion of the long trip.

Here are some of my pictures of Rome taken between 9:00 and 10:00 am from the so-comfortable tour bus before driving to Civitavecchia, the closest port to Rome.

Vittorio-Emmanuele Monument.

The Forum.

The famous Piazza d'Hispania with the unending steps and the church on the top. We didn't stop to look at the gorgeous view.

Here approaching St. Peter's Square.

As the bus circled around St Peter's Cathedral, I noticed there was a Sunday Mass celebrated on the piazza. Two large screens on each side allowed the congregation to view every detail.

The Pope would step on the third balcony from the right to give his blessing every Sunday at 10:30 am.

I thought I had a picture of the Colliseum but apparently my camera didn't click fast enough as the bus toured around the famous arena.

Romanticon: Saturday

Saturday started with a delicious leisurely buffet breakfast around the indoor swimming pool. When I say leisurely, I mean it. I was there from 8:00 am to 9:30 am chatting, signing programs for various people and asking authors to sign my program. This was one of the neat ideas the EC organizers came up with. There were several pages with authors and models' names followed by a couple of lines for each author to write a friendly word and sign it. A great keepsake of the Romanticon and a nice way to remember our fellow authors.

I am posing here with my editor Helen Woodall who came all the way from Australia.

Around noon we attended the Author Mania. Readers brought their own books and asked the authors to sign them. Betty Hanawa and I brought our bears to show them around. My bear is dressed like a Russian general, General Sergei, the hero of TO LOVE A HERO. It was given to me by my friends at Writers at Play when I signed my first contract. Betty's bear wore glasses and played on his guitar.

Editor Helen Wodall invited her froggies to an Australian lunch of vegemite served on bread and butter. We had Tim-Tam for dessert.

Helen and Tracie, an author from Down Under, sang the Aussie national anthem at the end of the lunch and Helen distributed little gifts, kaola bears and others. Thank you, Helen, for a lovely time.

Did I mention that our videos trailers were playing non-stop in a dark room called Voyer for the occasion? I sat there for a few hours watching many trailers. A big round of applause to my friend Fran Lee who created several of these trailers including the one for my FRENCH PERIL. Before dinner many of us gathered at the bar to chat, drink or munch on snacks and salad.

During each event, Ellora's Cave models pulled raffle tickets for baskets and incredible gifts, and personally delivered them with a smile and a kiss. Those guys were awsome, handsome, fun, and so helpful. Too bad we were not allowed to take one home.

Saturday night's big event was the appreciation dinner. You should have seen the pretty outfits displayed there. Joysann was sitting at my table and took a picture of our group that you can see on Publishers Weekly with her own report.

After a delicious dinner, EC publisher Raelene Gorlinski handed a star trophee-Rising Star-to new authors who published their first books in 2009 and to authors -Super Star-who thrived in a special field. (example Best Matchmaker in a book) ... Later, the authors recognized the fantastic staff of Ellora's Cave with special gifts. Here is Betty Hanawa showing her Rising Star.

If you like to travel and love to read, come and enjoy my international romances. I will take you around the world through stories that simmer with emotion and sizzle with heat...and introduce you to yummy hunks.

RT last report

On Wednesday, the Ebook Fair:

Posing with my husband before signing my book cover for French Peril on Wednesday afternoon.

My friends from the Writers at Play stopped to visit and buy my book. Terri Garey, Rita award winner book, Dead Girls Are Easy, is a fabulous book, a must-read for anyone who likes paranormal or simply likes a great book. And Janice Lynn, multipublished author for Mills& Boon. Janice writes my favorite medical romances .

My critique partner, Helen Scott-Taylor, came from England to attend the RT convention and meet her editors at Dorchester. Her book, The Magic Knot, was last year winner of the American Title contest. I hope you all read The Magic Knot.

On Saturday, the Book Fair:

Janice Lynn signing her medical romances : The Heart Surgeon's Secret Son and The Doctor's Meant-To-Be Marriage.

Terri Garey signing her new book

Olivia Gates flew all the way from Cairo, Egypt, to receive an RT Best Book Award for her Silhouette Desire: The Desert Lord's Baby

On Friday, at the luncheon celebrating the 60th anniversary of Harlequin:

Janice posing in front of a poster representing a book cover from the 50s.

Mona and Olivia next to the same poster.

On Friday night, at the Vampire Ball:

Terri Garey, Mona Risk, Janice Lynn.

At the RT Convention, I met readers I only knew through various blogs.

I was happy to introduce my husband to my writer friends.

The RT convention was a great way
to promote our books. Here I pose with my book, TO LOVE A HERO, with people who were promoting books for TV.

I hope you have enjoyed all the pictures I posted.

As we are coming to the end of my presentation for the RT Convention 2009,

please take the time to look at my video trailers for To Love a Hero:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE5eXfUznGw

And for FRENCH PERIL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBVTnTfOGkE&feature=related

I hope you had the opportunity to read my books. To Love A Hero is in paperback at Cerridwen Press. French Peril is an ebook and will be printed in paperback next month.

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN will be released on July 3, 2009 both as ebook and paperback by The Wild Rose Press.

Thank you for your comments.