Mr. Romance

Each year Dorchester Publishing sponsors the Mr. Romance Contest. All week long, the contestants mix with the convention attendees and try to garner as much support as they can. Then on Saturday, we have the the "Pose Down." For part of the show, the cover models dress as heroes from Leisure Book and LoveSpell novels. This is Eric Trugila, the model who portrayed my Lucian from VEXING THE VISCOUNT.

Eric is studying to be an EMT. When I told him he wanted to be a real life hero, he said he only hoped he'd get to emergencies soon enough to be a hero.



This is Franco D'Angelo on the right. He's a professional wrestler when he's not vying for the Mr. Romance title.



The pic on the left is Constantine. He's from Greece, with a devastatingly attractive accent. He is interested in body building and philosophy. Don't you just hate it when the guy has prettier hair than you do?








Meet Stephan. He has a really big . . . sword, doesn't he? He is portraying Jade Lee's Dragon hero.







Jimmy is an All-American boy who spends his time panning for gold in Columbia (I am not making this up!).






"Well, howdy ma'am!" This cowboy is Charles Paz. He won the competition and let me tell you why. Of course, he's handsome and he has trouble finding jackets that will fit over his muscles because they're so big. But what Charles really has going for him is his personality. He's funny and thoughtful and very sweet.


During the Pose Down, there's a segment where each of the contestants gets a chance to romance one of the female models. Most of the guys went for the dipping kiss or swooping the girl into their arms to carry her off, but Charles took off his jacket, draped it around her shoulders and kissed her on the hand. It was the essence of romance, an unspoken desire to protect as well as possess. It reminded me of something my DH would do. When Charles won, I was on my feet cheering!



The lucky girls with Charles are Erin Galloway, Dorchester's marketing guru, and Leah Hultenschmidt, my own fabulous editor. Look for Charles on a Leisure Books cover sometime in the future!

Special "Thank you" to my friend Christie Craig. In addition to being a hysterically funny romance author, she's a kick-butt photographer. These pics are all hers. Look for her next title GOTCHA in June but you can pre-order it today to make sure you don't miss out by clicking right here! She sent me her DIVORCED, DESPERATE AND DATING to read while I was recovering from cancer surgery and I nearly split my incision laughing!

Romantic Times in Orlando

I'm on the move again! Today I'm blogging over at MyHumbleOpinion sharing a scene that almost didn't make it into VEXING THE VISCOUNT. Be sure to leave a comment or question there for a chance at TJ's monthly goodie basket!



Today, as promised, I'm sharing my RT Convention experience. As you can see from the pic above, the Orlando Wyndham was a lovely place--peaceful, serene, the only riot was in the profuse plantings of azaleas, magnolias and begonias. But if you go inside the Convention Center, it was a whole different animal.

You might just see a pirate kissing a mermaid in the hall outside of Club RT. And inside the club, you could chat with your favorite authors, shop for jewelry and "convention" clothes (lovely shawls and such), have your sketch drawn by an artist who was totally entertaining when he talked and fascinating when he drew, or visit with the companies who offered author promo services.


My roommate, NY Times Bestseller Bobbi Smith sponsored a photo op for S.O.S. (Save Our Soldiers) You could get your picture taken with the hunks who were competing in the Mr. Romance Contest, sponsored by Dorchester Publishing. These guys were not only fine to look upon, they were genuinely nice. (More about them tomorrow!)

After the sun went down, you could dance the night away. At the Vampire Ball, a seriously pregnant gal got up and led the crew in a hysterical rendition of Michael Jackson's THRILLER! (Pay no attention to the date stamp on this photo. That's only one of the many things I don't understand about the camera I was using!)

And you didn't have to be a 20-something to rock the house. The cute vampire on the right is 83 years young! You should have seen them in their fairy costumes! (I was unfortunately having a fight the camera the night of the Fairy Ball. Anyone who has picks from then, please send me some! emily (at) emilybryan.com No spaces. Thanks!)

But one of the biggest thrills of my week was meeting a couple of my "blog touristas." Here are Jane L and Maureen (aka 2nd Chance). What a treat! Jane wore my VEXING THE VISCOUNT button all week and I swear, she spoke to everybody at the convention about my books. Who needs a PR firm when you've got friends like that! Love ya, girls! (Oh! And they both pitched their WIPs and got requests from editors and agents! Woohoo!)


More tomorrow. Please remember to visit me at MyHumbleOpinion today!

The Magical Mystery Tour of the Romantic Times Convention

Tomorrow morning I'll be up at oh:dark-thirty and on my way to the airport to catch a flight to Orlando and the Romantic Times Convention. It's a wild, wacky, always exhausting, never boring week.

It will be a time for resolving a number of mysteries. The first one is whether or not I'll be able to get my suitcase closed. I don't know about you, but packing is part science, part art and mostly luck for me. Fortunately, I cured my DH of expecting me to pack for him on the first trip of our wedded life. I neglected to bring any underwear for him. (Hey! It could've happened to anyone! And the fact that he noticed he didn't have any clean underwear meant I'd bagged a keeper!)

The next mystery is whether or not I'll be able to figure out how to use the digital camera on my own. For things technical, I usually defer to the man with the talent in this area. In this shot, my DH is either trying to walk me through downloading my saved pics or he's angling for a quick peek at my cleavage. Either way, he's my hero!

That little black smudge blending into the couch between us is Susie the Wonder Dog (we wonder what kind of dog she is!) Whenever the Dreaded Suitcase appears she feels the need to stick pretty close to me until the coming catastrophe of my departure is up on her. She also wants to be sure I don't forget that she's good to go. (She's logged enough miles under the airline seat in front of me to have her own frequent flyer number!) Please don't feel sorry for her over being left behind this time. Because I'm gone, she'll be upgraded from the foot of the bed to my pillow so she can sleep next to the DH.

If you're going to RT, please look for me there! I'd love to meet you. If you can't make it this year, I'm going to try to provide you with highlights right here, so please pop back by everyday!

Blind Fortune

Please welcome one of my online friends, Joanna Waugh!

Widowed in her late forties, Joanna Waugh retired from her job installing electric meters to read and write Regency romance full-time. (Unlike the heroines she writes about, Joanna’s choices weren't limited to governess or street walker when it came to keeping a roof over her family's head!) She lives a stone’s throw from Lake Michigan and the Indiana dunes. Her debut novel, BLIND FORTUNE, released in trade paperback from Cerridwen Press in February.

Joanna and I had a chance to sit down with a cup of cyber-coffee recently and talk about things. Help yourself to a cup, put up your feet and join us. As always when I have a guest, my words will be in bold, Joanna will be speaking italics today!

Thanks for inviting me to your blog, Emily. And congratulations on the recent release of Vexing the Viscount. I love the tagline – “you only vex the one you love.” My kind of book!

My pleasure, Joanna and thanks for your kind words about my VISCOUNT. Like my heroine Daisy, I loved vexing my viscount hero. Tell me, what do you love most about your hero?

I’m a fan of stories that start out with the main characters disliking each other, then wind up falling in love. I adore a flawed hero redeemed in the end by his love for the heroine. In the opening of BLIND FORTUNE, Lord Granville is rude and arrogant. The fellow nods off on the couch during a morning call on his prospective bride, for heaven’s sake! Not the behavior of a proper Regency gentleman. Neither is Granville’s response very gentlemanly when Lady Fortuna says she intends to do everything in her power to prevent him from marrying her young cousin. Despite her blindness, Fortuna sees the marquess for what he really is—self-serving and emotionless. As for Granville, he’s never been challenged so directly by a woman before! He thinks Lady Fortuna is a termagant in need of a lesson. But the real lesson is for him—and it’s about love.

Writers come from so many different backgrounds and I have to admit, you are the first I've ever met who installed electric meters! I so admire people who are clever with their hands. Who inspired you to start writing?

As a youngster, I loved biographies of early Americans--George Washington, Louisa May Alcott, Stephen Decatur. But it was Disney’s Swamp Fox television series that prodding me into writing historical romance. I taught myself to type so I could pen my first book, The British Are Coming! It was about an American girl falling in love with a British soldier during the Revolutionary War. Unfortunately, I never finished it. Right in the middle, I got sidetracked by the Beatles.

I don’t know what ever happened to that book. When my folks moved, it probably was tossed into the trash along with the rest of the flotsam and jetsam.

One short story from that time did survive, however. During my Beatles craze I had a British pen pal. We corresponded all through high school, then lost track of one another in our early twenties. A few years ago, Roger found me on the Internet and we started emailing. Back when we used to correspond by snail mail, I’d written a short story for him. Turns out, he’d kept it all these years! I was thrilled when he emailed me a scanned copy. It was fascinating to discover glimpses of the adult writer I would become in the wordy prose of my teenage self.

What fun! Reminds me of the time I cast myself and 3 of my girlfriends in a MONKEES episode. (Wasn't Davy Jones just the cutest thing?) That was probably my first novella, actually, scrawled on a yellow legal pad. Think I was all of 9. Back to adult fiction. What was the hardest part of Blind Fortune to write?

As the title suggests Lady Fortuna is sightless, which meant I couldn’t use visual cues in her point of view. Not an easy thing to do; it was so darned easy to slip up. Thank heaven for my crit group! They would catch me out every time.

Looking back, I see now that BLIND FORTUNE was another milestone along the road of my evolution as a writer. And not just because it’s my first published book, which certainly is important! BLIND FORTUNE taught me to think about every word I put to paper.

Fascinating and an interesting exercise in using your other senses. Just for fun, what's your favorite place/thing/person in the world?

I love to walk the Lake Michigan shore as the sun sets over the Chicago skyline to the west. I was born and have lived my whole life within the shadow of the Indiana dunes. I’ve always felt tied to the lake by an invisible umbilical cord. When I spend too much time away, it tugs me back.

As for my favorite person…Without a doubt it has to be my late husband, Gary. He was a great storyteller in his own right. No doubt due to those excellent Waugh genes, which my son also inherited. I loved Gary’s sense of humor. At a party once, he and a friend got into a “joke off.” They traded themed stories back and forth--one of them would tell a joke about a dog and the other would counter--until they exhausted each other’s repertoire. Then they started another topic. We poor spectators laughed until the tears ran down our cheeks.

When Gary lost his eyesight to diabetes, he could have turned bitter. No one would have blamed him. Instead, he worked hard to make others comfortable in his company. And he succeeded. When people met Gary, they often were shocked to learn he couldn’t see. BLIND FORTUNE is a testament to his intrepid spirit.

And a beautiful testament, too. Thanks so much for sharing him with us.

I understand you're going to the Romantic Times Convention this year, as I am. Tell me, do you do the whole fairy thing? If so, describe your costume.

(laughing) No fairy costume for me! If I was to dress up, it would have to be as a fairy godmother. I will be attending the fairy ball, however. Last year was my first Romantic Times Convention and I had a fantastic time! I met loads of wonderful people and hope to meet many more next week. And to encourage folks to introduce themselves, I’m holding a contest just for RT attendees.

Drop by my table at the book signing on Saturday, April 25th and register to win a set of custom-made jewelry. No book purchase is necessary. The winner will be notified by email on Monday, April 27th. To see a photo of the jewelry, go to http://www.joannawaugh.com/Reviews___Promo.html

Sounds like a great way to make some new friends, Joanna! Here's a blurb of BLIND FORTUNE.

When what a lady hears isn’t always the truth, she must learn to see with her heart and trust the rest to…
BLIND FORTUNE
by Joanna Waugh

They say love is blind, but Lady Fortuna Morley doesn’t believe it. Sightless since birth, she can think of only one reason a gentleman would wed her—for the dowry and three thousand pounds a year her father will provide. She’s in London the spring of 1814 to help launch her younger cousin into society, but prefers living quietly in country with her music. The last thing Fortuna wishes is to cross swords with the arrogant Marquess of Granville.

Charles Lowden, Lord Granville, has decided to take a wife. The bride he’s chosen is thirteen years his junior, but meets all criteria. What he won’t abide is interference from the girl’s impertinent cousin, the outspoken and opinionated Lady Fortuna Morley. The woman is determined to thwart the match. Charles is just as determined to charm Fortuna out of her disdain for him.

What neither expects in this battle of wills is to fall in love.

Here are some other ways to connect with Joanna on the web:

Read excerpts from BLIND FORTUNE, on my website

Purchase the book at:
Cerridwen Press
Amazon.com

Be sure to friend me on Myspace
and Facebook

Follow my blog about British customs and traditions at www.joannawaugh.blogspot.com

And last but not least, join my yahoo group

And for my blog readers, Joanna has a special treat!

Leave a comment today and your name goes into a hat for an autographed copy of BLIND FORTUNE. I’ll post the winner tomorrow in the comments section of this article. Be sure to check back!

Thanks again for having me, Emily! See you all at RT!

Thank you, Joanna. I look forward to seeing you in Orlando next week. Well, you heard the woman. Leave a comment or question for a chance to win! Enjoy!

Mr. Romance Contest

Every year my publisher Dorchester sponsors the Mr. Romance Contest at the Romantic Times Convention. That means all week long, aspiring cover models will be mixing with the attendees trying to garner the votes required to be named Mr. Romance (and be featured on a future Dorchester cover!) One of the favorite parts of the competition is the Pose Down. Each competitor appears dressed as a Leisure Book/LoveSpell Hero. Last year, Ryan Gardner appeared as Gabriel Drake, my PIRATE hero. This year, one lucky lad will get to strut his stuff as Lucian Beaumont, Viscount Rutland, my hero from VEXING THE VISCOUNT.

When Dorchester's marketing guru, Erin Galloway asked me to send her an idea about how Lucian might dress, I forwarded this example. Those of you who've seen THE DUCHESS movie will recognize it as one of Ralph Fiennes' (Thanks, Nynke!) outfits. Then Erin asked me to write a little blurb to describe Lucian so the Mr. Romance Contestant will have an idea how to portray him during the posedown. Here's what I sent her:

Lucian Beaumont, Viscount Rutland is every inch a gentleman. But don't let the silks and lace fool you. Beneath the civilized facade, he's darkly dangerous, a wicked swordsman who's not afraid to get his hands dirty. And he's even more dangerous without that silk shirt since the manual labor of excavating a Roman ruin has honed his body to rival a Roman god's. Best of all, Lucian is a rarity for his age and station. He's a virgin. He's been too busy rebuilding his family's fortune to court a bride, too poor to keep a mistress and too fair-minded to ruin a willing serving girl. But Lucian's a quick study and he's looking for the right woman to instruct him in love--a knowledgable woman who will complete his education and teach him all he needs to know about pleasing her!

Anyone want to apply for the position?

Romantic Times Convention

In one week, I'll be heading for Orlando for the Romantic Times Convention. This will be my 4th time for this mega-party and I'm really looking forward to it. It's part fan-fest, part writers' conference, part orgy (Ok, I generally skip that part, but it's there.) I'll be rooming with Bobbi Smith, NY Times bestseller of too many western romances to count! We'll be working together Monday and Tuesday to put on her Aspiring Writer program of workshops. This will be the 3rd year I've done it and it's always such fun.

Then of course, the convention starts in earnest on Wednesday, with workshops and pitches and networking like crazy. Evenings are filled with parties (some of which are costumed affairs!), mixers and dancing with my girlfriends. There is a Mr. Romance Contest for aspiring cover models and I'm happy to report that one of them will be dressed a LUCIAN, my hero in VEXING THE VISCOUNT! Finally on Saturday, there will be a mega-booksale with so many authors, it makes readers' eyes cross to see us lined up, rank upon rank.

Most of all I'm looking forward to catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. Most especially, I want to meet as many of my online friends as possible. So if you are going to RT, please give me a shout out! We need to connect.

Will you be there?

Meeting a new friend~ C.L.Wilson

Have you ever met someone and felt so instantly comfortable with them, you feel you must have known them in some other place and time? It happened to me this week with C.L. Wilson. She is a debut author with Dorchester (my publisher) who hit the New York Times list with her LORD OF THE FADING LANDS. Cheryl is the most delightful woman--friendly, helpful and totally without ego. Success couldn't have happened to a nicer person. If nothing else has happened here at the Romantic Times Convention, just meeting her was worth the time and expense.

When I first started writing romance, I was amazed by the open-heartedness of the published authors in my writing groups. Even though we are all competing for the same limited number of publishing slots, they were willing to share their best practices and methods with the rest of us. Cheryl epitomizes the best of that generous spirit and I feel blessed to know her. And I hope to get to know her better so I can emulate this remarkable woman in her unselfish attitude toward this business.

Let me urge you, if you haven't already, to go in search of her books, LORD OF THE FADING LANDS and LADY OF LIGHT AND SHADOW. I haven't read them yet, but after meeting her, I'm sure they are magnificent.

Booksigning & New England RWA Chapter Conference

This weekend is the start of my whirlwind of travel and speaking engagements. On Friday, the New England RWA's LET YOUR IMAGINATION TAKE FLIGHT Conference begins at the Natick Crowne Plaza in Natick, MA. I'll be speaking on Saturday morning, giving my plotting workshop (What a Novel Idea!), and then pitching my romantic suspense and paranormal to an editor. Later I'll take part in the mass book signing, which starts at 4 PM. If you're in the area, please stop by! The incredibly talented Susan Wiggs will be joining us.

Then on Monday, I'll be flying to Pittsburgh for the Romantic Times Convention. Monday afternoon, I'll be giving my characterization workshop (Meat on the Bones) for Bobbi Smith's Aspiring Author Boot Camp. Then later in the week, I'll be on a historical panel. USA Today Best Seller, Joy Nash invited me to join her for a brainstorming workshop (Book in 3 Minutes!) which should be great fun. The main thrust of that session is that in order to have a good idea, you need to have LOTS of ideas.

Along with 400 other authors, I'll be taking part in the mass signing on Saturday the 19th from 11-2. If you're in the area, please join us at the Pittsburgh Hilton. You'll see lots of your favorite authors. I'm looking forward to seeing some of mine!

Then I'm home for a week. My parents are visiting from the midwest and our week together will culminate in a trip to NYC and a Broadway show. I hope to drop by Dorchester Publishing while I'm there and visit my editor for a bit.

The rest of April will go by in a blur and somehow I still have to meet my page count for VEXING THE VISCOUNT, which is due August 1st. But as frenetic as my life will be in the next few weeks, I'm feeling extremely blessed. In spite of the jitters associated with speaking and pitching, I'm living my dream and that's no small thing.