Bending Your Ear

Before I was a writer, I held a job as an environmental specialist that required that I spend hours upon hours traveling from one site to another, cooped up in a cramped truck cab, staring out on the open road.  

Me, somewhere in Alabama :)

For most, this may sound like a form of torture.  No one to talk to, no radio station strong enough to withstand the miles, not even a coworker to be a warm body beside you. But for me, it was bliss.  The very first stop on any road trip was always the same: Cracker Barrel for a book-on-tape and an old-fashioned candy bar.

Both of these were pure indulgence. As the caramel or chocolate or nugget melted in my mouth, my ears tuned to the opening lines of the book on tape, eager to begin.  If the book was particularly good, I’d sometimes find myself sitting in the parking lot of a motel, riveted to the narrator’s often melodic voice, unwilling to leave the cab despite my hours glued to the driver’s seat.  I listened to hundreds of books over the years, some good, some bad, some absolutely amazing. They were my companions on the lonely road—the friends that shortened the miles and made those long, hard days worth it.

Even now, when I rarely hit the road, I still sometimes prefer to have a talented storyteller narrate my favorites to me. Harry Potter just wouldn’t be the same without Jim Dale. Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series came alive thanks to Lorelei King’s skilled interpretation. And Stephanie Meyer’s The Host was absolutely mesmerizing thanks to Kate Reading’s compelling narration.

So I must say, it is with GREAT excitement that I announce my latest news: MORE THAN A STRANGER will soon be available as an audio book! The brilliant and talented Alison Larkin is lending her gorgeous voice to bring Evie and Benedict’s story to life, and I couldn’t be more pleased :)  

So, dear readers, keep an eye out come June 24th . . . as for me, it looks like a road trip is in order!!

Find it on Amazon! 

RT Convention Wrap up

**As seen on Lady Scribes today**

Like Jane, I am absolutely exhausted after the incredible whirlwind that is RT. My, oh my, how I wish my pre-author self could have seen the people I would be hobnobbing with some day—I think I would have died of squee. The best part of it all is that everyone I meet at these conventions are all just so darn nice.

I've always been a bit of an introverted extrovert (make sense?), but it wasn't until I was so beautifully accepted into the fold of the romance community that I really became comfortable in my own skin. These women (and men!) are so lovely and supporting, it makes it easy to walk up to them and introduce yourself. So without further ado, here is my convention, told in pictures in the order in which they were taken.

 

My very first panel!! With Elizabeth Hoyt, Laura Kinsale, (me), Eileen Dryer, Delilah Marvelle, and Renee Bernard. It. Was. AWESOME.

 

Me and my buddy, Laura Kinsale (squeak!)

 

The ever refined and elegant Heather Snow and me in our room before the Rosie Gulch Mixer :)

 

Out to dinner with the Lady Scribes! Julie Johnstone, Samantha Grace, moi, Jane Charles, Catherine Gayle, and Hanna Martine

 

Hanging in the lobby with Maire Claremont and Delilah Marvelle

 

Sneaking a selfie during a nice chat with Heather, Elizabeth, Renee, Maire, and Delilah (what? I want proof I know these talented women!)

 

On top of the world (make that Kansas City) with Sabrina Jeffries and Heather

 

Having a great chat with Tracy Brogan, Elizabeth Essex, and Ashlyn Macnamara

 

I'm sitting amongst a mass of quivering fangirls for Jude Deveraux and Julie Garwood's chat. Okay, so maybe I was quivering too ;)

 

MARY JO PUTNEY!! (Ahem.)

 

Ashlyn, Valerie Bowman, me, and Heather are up to some trouble, I'm sure.

 

Kimberly Kincaid, Tracy, Sara Ramsey, and Jennifer McQuiston enjoying some quality time at the bar. We all met as aspiring authors when we finaled in the Golden Heart contest :)

 

Me and PJ Schnyder rocking the historical ball. Honestly, it takes exactly NO prodding to get me to dress up ;)

 

JUDE DEVERAUX!!!! (I may still be shaking following this encounter)

 

Me and my historical buddies at the Giant Book Fair: Shana Galen, Vicky Dreiling, and Kieran Kramer - what fun! 

 

MARY BALOGH!!! (I think I scared her a little)

 

 And at long last, me and Mr. Knightley on the way home after he picked me up from the airport :)

So who is your favorite author you've met? Or who would you most like to meet?  Would you be a quivering mess, or all cool and collected? (Don't lie - we all know it'd be the former!)