I recently returned from a personal appearance at a charity event in Kingsport, Tennessee. Nobody does a "meet and greet" with the public better than I do. Seventeen years in the romance business has taught me something. At the Women's Expo there I autographed the Men Of Between Your Sheets calendar. I am "Mr. November", after all! ("Mr. May" too for that matter...) They told me from the get go that I would be venturing into the bible belt and may have a problem and couldn't show any skin. Heck, have you seen any of my book covers or calendars? They are mostly "clothing optional". I thought for sure from what I had been told I would be met at the airport by an angry mob with torches and pitch forks preparing to burn me at the stake. To my surprise, the people couldn't have been nicer to me. The scenery was breath taking too. I don't think I have stayed at a nicer hotel either. Hats off to the Marriott.

The Friday night before the calendar signing I somehow got talked into performing in a dinner show they were putting on for the women and authors. It was one of those "who dun it" murder mystery things. It has been a while since I have performed in public, but I managed. Even in the gawd awful get-up they asked me to wear. I have no plans on heading to Broadway anytime soon. The food was good and everyone enjoyed themselves.

They asked me to wear one of my "romance" outfits, so of course, I obliged. I pulled out all the stops hair down and flowing, ruffled shirt, tights, pirate boots, the works. There were literally thousands of women at the expo and all of them talking with that cute southern drawl. I worked with some really top notch authors while I was there. Recent RT magazine's cover girl Lora Leigh, Mary Wine, Angela Knight and thriller writer Barry Eishler were among them. Barry loved meeting all the women and said he'll be at the RT convention in Pittsburgh.

I couldn't sign the calendars fast enough. The fans were more than happy with it, skin and all. The ladies at BYS just asked me to get a e-mail address from anyone who got a calendar which just about nobody had a problem with. Although, one woman said "I'm NOT giving you my e-mail address, but I want a calendar!" A few minutes later she came back and said "I want another one!" I was almost afraid not to oblige her. So, I smiled and signed. I wasn't being paid enough to take a punch. I did make a new fan too. She was a very lively 90 year old lady who also insisted on a kiss. How could I not? She loved her calendar too. Rumors of our romance have been greatly exaggerated.

As I was sitting there autographing I had a copy of "Her Master And Commander" on whose cover I appear in front of me. A woman came up to me and said " I have that book! I went to high school with the author!" It turns out "HMAC" author, Karen Hawkins lives not far from Kingsport. Small world. She gave me her e-mail address to send to Karen, which I did.

I also got to reunite with old friend and former co-worker Christina "Chrissy" Brashear, publisher of Samhain Publishing. She is truly one of the "good people" I have met in this business. It was great to see her again. We hope to be collaborating on an upcoming project soon.

The calendars ran out in record time and nobody seemed to have a problem with CJ's hirsute pecs on his November photo. So, I managed to make it back to Ohio without being singed by villagers and made a lot of new fans.

Later Y'all!