Hard
to believe that the 2003 Romantic Times Magazine's Book Lovers
Convention in Kansas City has already come and gone. It was also
the 10th anniversary of the first "Mr. Romance" contest.
Yours truly was scarcely out of diapers when I competed in San
Diego 10 years ago. Ironically, now a decade later I'm almost
ready for Depends!
The first
leg of my journey went off without a hitch, despite a 2 hour delay
at the Akron/Canton airport. I ran into the ex-wife of a friend
of mine who hadn't heard CJ's "Rags to Covers" story
(still waiting for the riches). She must have either been in a
coma or under a rock not having heard that tale! We had plenty
of time to catch up.
I was
bumped up to First Class on the flight, which is the only way
to fly. You really had to feel sorry for the folks in coach. The
flight attendant turned a hose on them when they asked for water.
The wailing and gnashing of teeth was almost sad. I just sipped
my champagne and pretended not to notice.
A limo
was waiting for me me at the Kansas City airport and the chauffeur
was a dead ringer for Morgan Freeman in "Driving Miss Daisy",
I swear! I was whisked away in style to which I could easily become
accustomed. I was told the night before that the hotel had overbooked
and that I might be put at another hotel down the street. Having
no intention of schlepping down the street in a pirate costume
I was ready for a fight at the check-in desk. To my surprise I
was shown to my beautiful room without a problem.
One of
my favorite authors, Bobbi Smith's Cowboy party kicked off the
opening night of the convention. Western attire requested. I forgot
my own motto "Photos Ops first, alcohol second". That
way you don't have have rosy cheeks and glassy eyes in your pix.
I was too busy getting reacquainted with my RT family, most of
whom I hadn't seen in a year. Sean O'Brien was one of the first
cover guys I saw. I've never seen him without a big smile on his
face. His CD is available at Wal-Mart or he's a greeter there
now, after several drinks the details are a tad fuzzy. Sean's
imitation of me in Reno was a little too dead on for me. Sean
will always hate me for being YOUNGER than he is! Remember what
they say about paybacks, Sean. Peter DeCicco looked more buff
than ever. I was having a good hair day/ week so I was happy.
Sylvester
Bowden of Houston was my roommate. He nearly gave me a heart attack
early in the week when I entered our hotel room finding him in
his bed staring at me. He laughed as I clutched my chest and said
"You're not used to having a Black man in your bedroom, are
you?!" I said "I can honestly say NO!!!" and laughed
as well. He is too cool.
I frequented
the Hospitality Suite as much as I could. Sheila Clover, who looked
smokin' HOT of Circle of Seven Production was there showing my
video trailers, "DARK SYMPHONY" and "THE GEMINI
KEYS". My werewolf transformation in "TGK" turned
out really well. Hollywood should be calling anytime now!!!
Tammy
Russutto and Jai Clark manned the Romance Zone booth and gave
away "CJ Pillows". Tireless, hard workers....
The Fantasy
Ball sponsored by Ellora's Cave, with whom I've worked was interesting
to say the least. Some very colorful characters on hand for that
party. I was tracked down by a newspaper reporter Jen Chen who
writes for "THE PITCH" in KC. I could see she was overwhelmed
by it all and didn't know quite what to make of it. Welcome to
my world, Jen!! She was very kind to me in her article. I particularly
liked her description"waist length blonde hair, massive chest".
I'm a fan for life! (I smell a Pulitzer for that article!)
Best
selling author's Heather Graham's Vampire Ball was a big hit as
always. I've known Heather and her husband, Dennis Pozzessere
for 10 years. I remember them talking to me for an hour in San
Diego at Virginia Henley's party when I was a just a wide-eyed
"Mr. Romance" contestant. They didn't know me from Adam
and couldn't have been nicer to me. I have never forgotten that.
Heather has a chic new do and looked as beautiful as ever. Dennis
told me later he now considered me "family". I was very
touched....
Author
of the "Dark" series Sherrilyn Kenyon and I bonded at
the ball. We both were wearing creepy yellow contact lenses and
caught each other's eyes!. Sherrilyn had asked me to appear on
some calendars she produced last year. I couldn't believe how
young looking she is. She looks like a teenager.
The awards
banquet feted the ageless founder and Grand Dame of Romantic Times
magazine, Kathyrn Falk. They had a slide show and had one of a
fetal CJ nearly naked in a loincloth on "The Joan Rivers
Show" from 10 years ago. My hair even scared me!
A particularly
sweet moment came when I saw a woman I had met from Canada, Jennifer
who said it was her first convention and she was dying to meet
her idol, author Suzanne Brockman. Someone else must have heard
that story because at the award luncheon, Jennifer was seated
next to Ms. Brockman. Jennifer waved to me and pointed to Suzanne.
The look on her face was priceless.
Saturday's
Book Fair had me signing "The Ruthless" book cover with
it's author and cover pal Leslie Burbank. Poor Les was being pulled
in so many directions I'm surprised her head didn't explode. Her
very supportive family was there to aid and abet her. Bless them
all! Of course, RT's answer to Robin Williams, Leland Burbank
was there next to me signing his cover "The Soulless"
also written by his beautiful wife, Leslie.
Les told
me Connie Perry didn't have time to make the fake fur robe I was
to wear at the book signing. Connie makes some of the most phenomenal
costumes short of Bob Mackie and had just run out of time. Of
course, I was sitting next to the smoldering Raphael What's his
name who was on the cover of "Elli and the Elfin King".
He was draped in a cape made completely out of peacock feathers
and jewels head to toe. Liberace would have been jealous of that
outfit. There I sat like a bastard at a family reunion. Luckily,
a tight fitting T-shirt and Levis have never let me down.
Also
seated with Raphael was "Elli" herself, Ali DeGray,
daughter of Helen and James Rossburg. Helen, an award winning
author wrote the book. Ali,with hair the color of shiny new penny
at 14 is turning into a stunning young lady. She is the sweetest
teen I have ever met. Ali is a credit to her parents. I promised
to be her prom date in a few years....
I was
told to expect a "surprise" at the convention. Dreading
a "Lifetime Achievement" award, I was surprised to be
presented with the cover painting for "The Ruthless".
They NEVER give those to the models. It is a beautiful painting
and I'm thrilled to have it.My deepest gratitude to Leslie Burbank,
the artsits Cherif Fortin and Lynn Sanders. The more I see Lynn,
the more I love her. Cherif is now a firefighter, but still has
a hand in the business.
The "Mr.
Romance" contest was anticlimactic this year. I was asked
to be a judge at the last minute. Having been a judge before I
anticipated the question. Of course, I agreed and they said "Good!
Your name is already in the program!" Half the contestants
were babies and the other half were renaissance fair guys. After
hearing alot of rumblings from the conventioneers at the tender
ages of the contestants we chose Lennelle Dunbar of California
as "Mr. Romance 2003".
The closing
night of the convention was capped off by a Pajama Party. Kareoke
was the entertainment(?). You've never heard such caterwauling,
unless you've been unfortunate enough to hear that cat put through
a lawn mulcher. Erotic author, Robin Schone's husband, Don sang
well. He proved Robin isn't the only talented one in that family.
Once again, mystery writer, Tina Wainscott's Mom covered my a-
-. She seems to come to my rescue every year! Thanks, Chris! I
took a cue from Hugh Heffner and wore a black kimono robe and
black velvet pants. I've learned a thing or 2 since I was violated
at the Orlando convention's Pajama Party for wearing less.
The week
ended all too quickly and I left with another crack of dawn flight.
They told me at the airport my luggage was 10 pounds too heavy
and would I care to repack. "How will repacking make my luggage
lighter?" I asked. I was given lots of "Ruthless"
T-shirts and promotional items. A $25 charge later I boarded the
plane only to see people with 2 and 3 carry-on bags. Lesson learned.
It was
a great week and I saw so many people I now consider friends and
many I consider family. If you ever get a chance to go to an RT
convention, please do so. You'll be amazed at the number of strangers
there who are really good friends you just haven't met yet. See
you in New York in March!!!!
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