The Lori Foster/Dianne Castell Reader/Author Get Together, 2010

This past weekend was spent with women who are so very special to me. I've known them online for several years, meeting them in person for the first time six years ago. Some I see a couple of times a year and others I only see at this event, once a year, yet all are so remarkably special. We sit down after being apart for that year and the conversation just picks right back up, as if we'd never left the table. I feel blessed to have them in my life. I'm also blessed to call Lori Foster and Dianne Castell my friends, but I don't have a single photo with either of them - I think because I see them other times during the year, it didn't enter my mind. Well, that and the fact that neither of them was standing still long enough for a picture!
Unfortunately, I don't have any pics and ALL of them together but here's one of several of us. I have a feeling Stacy took the picture since she isn't in it!
In this photo, top L to R, Kaleen, Niny and Lisa, bottom L to R, Barbara, moi and Judy.

I was fortunate enough to meet one of my favorite authors, HelenKay Dimon, at an RT booksigning in Pittsburgh a couple of years ago, but getting to see her again and actually sit down to visit was incredibly special. Now if I could get a couple of my other favorites, Alison Kent and Jill Shalvis, to make their way to Ohio I'd be over the moon! They feel like old friends, despite never meeting in person and my fingers and toes are crossed that they might be able to make it one of these days. Here's a pic of HelenKay and me.
Just for fun I'm sharing a photo from that very first get together, six years ago. In this pic are (another) Barb, Stacy, Marcie (who we loved having at the "cool" table with us), Judy and me again. Most of us look pretty much the same, plus or minus a few pounds and hairstyles/colors! How fun to look back!
I have more photos on my camera from the weekend, including some from the surprise bridal shower we had for one of the sweetest, most amazing women on the planet, Beth, but the dock that connects to my computer isn't working for some reason so I can't share them right now. Aggravation.

This year's "event" book was THE GIFT OF LOVE and all proceeds from book sales are going to the Conductive Learning Center of Greater Cincinnati. I have a copy for giveaway that's been autographed by all but two authors. Heidi Betts wasn't able to attend and I wasn't able to track down Gia Dawn for her signature. If you'd like your name in the draw for this book, simply leave a comment and you're in! I'll let this one run until Tuesday, June 15. Please send your friends over - if someone mentions your name in their comment, I'll enter your name an extra time for each friend.

Want a copy of THE GIFT OF LOVE? Buzz on over to Amazon and grab a copy. This is a beautiful book and would make an great gift for all of the romance readers in your life.

Thanks for checking it out! I hope that if you've ever had thoughts about coming to Cincinnati for this get together that you'll give it serious consideration for next June!

Laurie