Fresh FIction Box Not To Miss

Sandi Shilhanek | Readers ‘n ‘ritas

November 14, 2010

As I started this I was reflecting on the first day of Readers ‘n ‘ritas 2010. It was a rather full day that started at home. with attempts at prepping my home and family for a weekend without me. The dogs I think understood fairly well what was happening, but my son said, “you didn’t tell me you were going away for the weekend.” My response…”what do you think I’ve been talking about for the last several months?” Oh well!

Got to the hotel and finished prep work for the actual convention. Finally the convention started, and while I worked registration it sounded like the party in the room behind me was in full swing. Thanks to a great team I was able to sneak in for a few minutes here and there, and got hugged by Dakota Cassidy, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Dianna Love. Could it get better than that?

Well, for me it could. For several years now I’ve been fascinated with the works of Tara Taylor Quinn. Her current work is a four book series titled The Chapman Files. When Tara arrived I was pretty excited to be the first to greet her. I got a few minutes of private time with her, and expressed my disappointment that The 4th Victim was not going to be available until after she was gone. Next thing I knew I had my very own personalized copy straight from the author’s hand! I almost cried!

As I went to sleep on Friday I wasn’t dreaming of sugar plums and fairies, but rather murder, mayhem, werewolves, and hunky chefs….all things I can read about from the talented brains of the writers who attended Readers ‘n ‘ritas this weekend.

I awoke on Saturday raring and ready to go. What a great surprise to come to breakfast to find 3 more books waiting on me. After a breakfast of brownies and coke…the “true” breakfast of champions it was off to the author lounge for some quiet time with Louisa Edwards and Tara Taylor Quinn.

That was followed by being a part of a lively panel discussing e-readers and are they really the wave of the future. A break followed that…whew!

Lunch where I sat with Tara Taylor Quinn, and managed to win her gift basket centerpiece. Can’t tell you what I won as it’s still all wrapped up to make for easier transport home. Off to be on a panel with the ever funny Dakota Cassidy, and Louisa Edwards.

Now it’s time to buy more books! What a great selection, and wonder time to chat with the authors why I get my books signed. Dianna Love, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Laura Griffin, Lauren Willig, and others couldn’t have been friendlier and now I’m wondering when the next time they’re coming to town so I can become a “stalker. The night came to a close with a costume ball. I’d never been to one before and it was a fun lively time hosted by Candace Havens who is one of the most bubbly people I’ve ever met..

Thanks to all the Readers ‘n ‘ritas committee members for their hard work to make this the best event, and I look forward to seeing you all next year.

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sandi shilhanek

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