It seems like I had no sooner gotten over the jet lag from the St. Louis trip when I had to start packing for the romance novel conference in Wiesbaden, Germany. (When did I become an international jet-setter?) Once again, Ellora's Cave Publishing flew me first class to promote their company. It's the only way to fly if you have to spend almost 8 hours in the sky. The flight attendant handed me a glass of champagne the second I boarded. I was drunk before the 777 took off. I could hear the passengers in "steerage" aka "coach" crying and gnashing their teeth during the flight. (Hey, I was drunk and paid it no never mind!) Fully reclining seats, gourmet food, endless champagne, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven, if heaven has alcohol, that is.

This was my first time in Europe and I didn't know what to expect. I wasn't disappointed, but the manager and the hotel did reprimand us for not taking the shuttle bus they sent. It was nowhere to be found at the airport upon our arrival.

The hotel was very nice and was several centuries old. OK, so the pillows were very flat and they only gave me one towel. The hotel manager did reprimand me later in the week for leaving my "Do Not Disturb" sign on my door. "Mr. Hollenbach, we MUST clean your room!!!" he scolded. I tried to explain that I wasn't performing animal sacrifices in there and all I really needed were more towels. "We MUST get in that room!" he demanded. I relented and was once again left with one towel and no wash cloth. I was also locked out of my room the next 3 days in a row as well. "Oh, we thought you were checking out on Sunday?" I was always told in broken English.

German food was fine for the most part. It was a tad heavier than I am used to. I couldn't eat most of what they had because I had a cover shoot in New York the day after I got back from this trip. I didn't know what I would be wearing or NOT wearing for the shoot, so I didn't want to chance losing my 6-pack to a pony keg. Not to mention the hotel "gym" was a 6x8 foot room with a very pathetic universal machine that I made the best of. I ended up coming back lighter than I went over, though.

The conference was much smaller than the conventions that I'm used to attending. The romance industry is just starting to catch on over in Europe. Old RT friend, Angela Weiss was the conference coordinator and founder. She did a great job in pulling things together. I did see several convention friends there. Canadian pal and now author, Doreen Fong was on hand. I was the winner of her first "Fantasy Hunk" contest and have gotten a lot of mileage out of that title.

I autographed copies of my "Tales From The Temple" anthology for the German fans. It's been translated. There seemed to be a lot of "Tina's" and "Petra's" over there. One woman's name was "Jljerka". She even pulled out her credit card so I could sign her book properly.( I memorized the numbers and have been using them to shop on-line for weeks now!)

A Frankfort TV station sent a petite reporter named "Tina" and a cameraman to cover the conference. We did an interview which ended with Tina reclining in my lap playing with my hair.

I did get out to do some sightseeing. Angela took me to some of her favorite spots and was the perfect hostess. We went to one of Germany's most famous monuments that overlooks the Rhine River. It was a breathtaking view. We also visited a centuries old monastery that has been used for several movies.

My brother asked me to buy my nephew a cuckoo clock while I was over there. Being the good uncle that I am, I did. We found a store whose front is the biggest cuckoo clock in the world.

It seemed like I had barely gotten used to the time change and over the jet lag when it was time to go home. Another long trip back on the 777, but with endless glasses of wine I managed quite nicely. I didn't go back to Ohio with the rest of my group. I had to get off the plane in Newark and take a cab to New York for the cover shoot the next day. Luckily for me, I have a great friend in the city who puts me up.

The cover shoot for the novel "Her Master And Commander" by Avon Publishing couldn't have gone better. The legendary romance illustrator, Jon Paul who asked me to do the cover did the artwork. I will appear on the cover + on the inside "stepback" cover. He has graciously sent me copies of the finished art which the artists NEVER do. Both paintings are unbelievably beautiful. I hope to feature them soon on the site. And luckily once again, the jet lag hit me the day after the shoot. Somebody was looking out for me. I'll let you know when the novel is out.

It's great to be back. I have to unpack now before the phone rings again and I'm off on another adventure. Stay tuned....

Pictures

Click on the images below to see a full size view (You can drag the large images by clicking and dragging the image)

CJ and Jennifer Martin		An Old German Monistary	CJ and Doreen Foong	More of the monistary
A beautiful German village			Doreen Foong, CJ and	... , CJ and Doreen Foong
Spectacular views of the German countryside.
CJ with the German TV Correspondents		CJ with examples of German book covers	Across the street from the hotel
Surrounded by throngs of his adoring German fans!		Evan Scott, CJ and Sly Bowden	Ellora's Cave's German translator, with editor Chrissy Brasshear and CJ.	CJ still "working" the convention.
SIgning Autographs		and MORE autograhps	and YET MORE autographs!!!! Geez....	CJ with Conference Director, Angela Weiss.

Back at the Monistary, with Doreen Foong   CJ chillin at the family brewery (in his dreams!)   More sightseeing CJ with Sly Bowden The Worlds Largest Cookoo Clock Mr. International Jet Setter, himself....