Harlequin Rocks!

Tonight Harlequin threw its annual party at the Peppermill Casino. It's invite only (authors, agents, industry pros) and the best party of the conference. Picture a mouthwatering chocolate dessert buffet, open bar and dancing until midnight. I tasted my first Cosmo and my first Hypnotic. I also ditched my shoes about halfway through.

Suzanne McMinn (Silhouette Intimate Moments author) told me a guy in the casino, who was watching the authors enter, asked, "Is this a party for lesbians?" I guess he could have easily made that assumption. Mostly women attended. But there were a few men there, including my husband. Trust me though, he wasn't complaining and this more than made up for his accompanying me and playing photographer during my Hayden Bull Run Relay jaunt on Wednesday.

Melissa Benyon who writes as Lilian Darcy for several Silhouette and Harlequin line let me wear her belly dancing coin belt (though it's actually more like a scarf that ties around your hips) while dancing. My list of must have accessories now reads:

1. Light Saber
2. Jedi Boots
3. Belly dancing coin belt

Earlier today we learned the new name for the line that is replacing Silhouette Romance and Harlequin Romance. Drum roll, please.... It's Harlequin Romance. Supposedly that's what readers want. And we want readers to be happy. Readers should always be happy. I also learned at the Harlequin Silhouette authors' forum today that the old Harlequin Romance was actually called Harlequin "Harlequin Romance" and this new line is just going to be Harlequin "Romance". But even though the name didn't really change, there will be new packaging. I just don' t know what that entails yet.

Tomorrow is another full day of workshops plus the RITA awards ceremony. The RITAs are the romance industry's Oscar. My critique partner, Virginia Kantra, is a finalist in the novella category. As I read her story I told her it was a RITA book! It's nice when I'm right:) Oh, and if you like romantic suspense, be sure to check out Virginia's new release, CLOSE UP published by Berkeley Sensation. It's a great read.