Another year flew by and it was time for another Romantic Times Book Lovers Convention. I had barely recovered from the last one. This time it was in Orlando, Florida. I should have known I was going to have problems when my biggest suitcase's zipper blew at 12:30 PM the night before I was to leave. Luckily, for me I still had an old, avocado green number out in the garage circa 1965 that saved my ass. It wasn't Louis Vitton, but I didn't feel like making a trip to Walmart at 1AM. I ended up taking 3 suitcases. Hey, one of them was full of shoes and boots and another one carried costumes. I've also learned to push the "one carry on" rule with the airlines. My plastic Spartan helmet for author, Deidre Knight's "Gods Of Midnight Party " sat with me on the plane. I couldn't pack the damn thing. ( Southwest is the ONLY airlines that doesn't charge for luggage, BTW.) The flight was great until the parents with their kiddies got on the plane. I had forgotten that Orlando is the home of Mickey Mouse. The father in the seat ahead of me apologized in advance for the future behavior of his brats. I wanted to say "And, I'm sorry you don't have the balls to control your kids!"

It took me several days to figure out the layout of the hotel where the convention was being held. The main ballroom was in the middle of the complex and there were 16 buildings with hotel rooms surrounding it. I think it was the third day of my stay before I figured out I was a stone's throw from all the festivities. The liquor store was right across the street so I had the perfect location.

I hadn't planned on going to the first party of the convention, but I decided to be the bigger person and attend. Before I knew it I was surrounded by fans with cameras. I had almost forgotten why I was there in the first place. I ended up staying until the very end of the party and made sure everybody got the photo they wanted. Huge romance author and great friend of many years, Heather Graham told me she really should hate me that night. "Your hair looks so much nicer than mine!" she joked. Kudos to my hairdresser, Rayne back in Ohio because I had to agree with Heather. My hair never looked better. It was a smooth as silk and it's never like that!

The next night was the Faerie Ball. For the record I went as an ELF, not a FAIRY! Mary Everett made me an incredible outfit to wear to the event. I lost count of how compliments I received on the costume. The funny thing was I also got so many comments on the fake, rubber ears and shoes that I spray painted gold at the last minute. (Where do you buy ELF slippers, anyway? Payless?) I also got talked into the costume contest somehow. Add this to record, I lost!

I had to race back to my room to change into my Spartan outfit for author, Deidre Knight's "Gods Of Midnight" party. Once again, Mary Everett whipped up another great costume for me. All the "Mr. Romance" contestants were provided with costumes. The other cover models in attendance were sort of treated like redheaded stepchildren and were given cheesey plastic helmets to wear. I added a few accessories to my getup and made quite an authentic looking warrior. Many questioned my RED cape, but Deidre Knight herself assured me that the Spartan gladiators had to earn the cape. So, it was historically correct. The ladies at the party played musical chairs with the cover models. It was the hit of the night.

There was a costume store right across from the hotel. So, a group of us decided to make a pilgrimage over there. Oddly enough, there was a liquor store connected to it. RT alum Diane Duff and I wandered over to check it out. "Get a cart!" she said. I am no stranger to a liquor establishment but have never shopped in one with a cart! A few minutes later the owner of the store was loading up the trunk of Diane's car. Everything else after that is a little hazy.

Friday night was the Vampire Ball. Once again, seamstress extrodinare, Mary Everett made me a spectacular gold brocade, pirate jacket. For anyone who has never attended one of these conventions you just have more fun if you go in costume to the parties. I, honestly don't think I would have had as much fun if I hadn't been in costume and such great ones, at that. My yellow contact lenses caused quite a stir and the dark wig let me get away from the blonde "CJ" persona for a while which can be daunting at times.

Early Saturday afternoon I was to do a photo shoot with lengendary romance photographer and illustrator, Lynn Sanders. I worked with Lynn several years ago in Chicago and she has become a good friend of mine. She also presented me with the painting she did of me for the "Ruthless" novel cover. Artists never do that and it's first thing I'll carry out of the house if it's ever on fire. This time Lynn gave me some printed copies of a painting she did of me with a dragon.

We were to meet at the pool and would decide on where to shoot from there. I didn't want to sweat so I didn't wear a shirt on my way there. Little did I know the commotion that would cause. I will have to say the slight breeze seemed to blow my hair appropriately and all that was missing was Barry White singing in the background. I didn't really notice what was going on until I saw a woman passing me with her jaw literally on the ground saying "Oh my God!" I heard that a few more times on the way to meet Lynn. "WOW!" was also very popular too. Although, I did see a lot of bald headed, pot bellied tourists hanging out by the pool, so I guess I was a refreshing change. It was a good day for me.

The shoot went well. I was really sweating the outdoor lighting which any model will tell you can be very unforgiving. I trusted Lynn implicitly, which is always important in a shoot. She did want me to get my hair wet in the pool but I had to decline since the "Mr. Romance" contest was right after the shoot and there would be not time to dry this mop.

I made it back to my room in time to throw on my black velvet, pin striped suit. I know it was out of season, but I got it on sale and Damn it I was going to wear it!

The "Mr. Romance" contest was probably the shortest and most painless on record. Thankfully, they did away with the "talent" competition several years ago after several audience members started vomiting during some of the "performances". Alas, I think the hey day of the contest may be over. It is just a shadow of it's former self. There was a time when the title "Mr. Romance" would open doors and could take you places. Sadly, those days are gone.

Directly after the show I went out to dinner with Kelli Salkin and Diane Duff for my last night in Florida. The hostess at the restaurant said to me "I love a man who can wear a suit!" Out of season or not it seemed to be working for me. The rest of the evening is a tad foggy. Diane had a "pour your own drink" party in her room and I am not one to turn that down. I told you I was within stumbling distance of all the conventions festivities.

The weekend ended on a sour note. I lost my license at the airport. The guy at check in swears he gave it back to me. So, I told him "If you gave it back to me I'd have it wouldn't I? When they checked my boarding pass they asked me if I had any other photo ID . I must have looked like a terrorist with the 3 feet of blonde hair hidden under my blue bandanna. As luck would have it I did have a copy for the May issue of "Romantic Times Magazine" that had an article in it I had written on romance cover artist, Jon Paul. They ran my photo with my "by-line". I showed it to the supervisor who had to be called. The guy looks me up and down and says "Yea, that's YOU alright!" and I got on the plane. God Bless America!

Many thanks to those who helped me with year's convention. Mary Everett, you're my Guardian Angel. Kelli Salkin, you're always there for me. Diane Duff...well, you just crack me up! Much appreciation to Romantic Times Book Lovers Magazine" for having me back again this year, Carol Stacy, Jo Carol Jones and Kathryn Falk to name a few. Lastly, my apologies to so many of the friends I've made over these past many years who I didn't get to talk to this time. Next year in Columbus we can catch up. It's a 2 hour drive for me. So, I won't have to deal with the airlines. See you there!