Okay, I’m finally back from the Romantic Times Convention at Orlando, Florida. The convention was held at the Wyndham Orlando Resort and the only thing I complained about with the whole venue was the internet access. It was almost impossible to use it. Slow and I do mean slow, as in I’d click on something and then go have a shower and get dressed and maybe by then the document had opened up. And that was when I could actually log on to the wretched thing. As a result I couldn’t blog about the conference as I’d planned. So now I’m going to try to do a catch up.

What with jetlag and flying from Australia, I always try to go a few days early so I can rest before the conference starts. After a very tiring flight full of lots of little kids (need I say more?) I finally arrived at the resort. It was close to a quarter to one in the morning by the time I got to my room. My body clock was out of whack with the time changes and I just couldn’t get to sleep. So I ordered breakfast at 6am and then went back to bed. By then I was pretty well wiped out as I don’t sleep on the plane. Thankfully I crashed and it wasn’t until lunchtime that I got to check out the resort. It’s lots of plantation style two-story buildings set in 46 acres, with numerous pools and lagoons to break up the grounds. The landscaping is beautiful with tropical plants that I recognize from living in the more tropic Queensland here in Australia, so I felt right at home.

My roommate, Bobbie Cole aka Lyn Cash aka Cash Cole, arrived the next day and we talked ourselves silly until the wee small hours. Why do we do this every conference? Lol We end up so sleep deprived but we only get to see each other once a year so we feel we have to make the most of it. Monday and Tuesday we hit the shops. My favourite pastime. I got presents for everyone at home and went crazy on my little grandson. Sorry, kids, the grandson scoops the pool with presents, but hey, isn’t that what being a grandmother is all about? Spoiling the grandchildren?

Tuesday night was the Ellora’s Cave author party and boy, does this publisher turn it on for their authors. I had a great time. They ended the party with photo opportunities with the Ellora’s Cave male models. *drool, drool* And yes, I did get a photo with the boys but you’ll have to wait for that one. The photographer still has to send them to all the authors. They also took author shots and I’m really looking forward to seeing how those turned out.

Wednesday we jumped right into the whole convention thing, with back to back meetings and greetings. Also attended the ebook fair and then onto the Ellora’s Cave Jungle party that night. Thursday was just as busy. Meeting up with old friends and making new ones.  Sasha White’s greeting left an indelible mark. Lol

Thursday night was the fairy ball. I didn’t dress in costume for this one, although I planned to. Unfortunately I didn’t get my costume finished before I left, so just wore black and silver with my fairy wings and a dash of silver face jewelry to liven up the picture.

They had this delightful pool bar called Gatorville and I was charmed with my dining companions.

Lyn Cash and I headed there for lunch and these little guys decided to join us.

There I am, the squirrel on one side and the ducks on the other, feeding them French fries. Who knew squirrels ate French fries?

Of course, then there was the vampire ball.  No vampire ball is worth its name without a vampire or two, although I met this pretty guy the next day. One of the authors had a blood drive as part of the promo for her book.

Saturday was the print book signing. I got to sit next to Angie Fox. What a delightful person, as well as a great author. And I can’t believe that that was almost the end of the convention. Most people went home on the Sunday but Lyn and I stayed until Monday. It gave us time to share and unwind a bit before hopping those planes for home. A very long flight to get back to Australia but it was worth every bit of the jetlag to attend RT. Now I have to wait an entire twelve months before I can go again. *sigh* But I have some great memories to sustain me until then.

And last, a few more photos for you.

A hug from cover model CJ

Lyn Cash and her own vampire

Ripley’s Believe It or Not building, right next door to the resort

I promise, I did do some work. Well, a little… Okay, this is me trying to get onto the internet. lol