Wednesday, June 09, 2010

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

19 comments:

Laurie G said...

I'm so jealous! The authors you mentioned are favorites of mine too.

I have the Power of Love anthology from a couple of years ago. I'd love to be in the running for The Gift of Love an autographed copy!

Great cause, wonderful authors!! Sounds like a fabulous time!

Barb V. said...

The get together always looks like so much fun! I'm glad you all were able to enjoy this special weekend. I need to win the lottery so that I can go some year.

I haven't had a chance to pick up The Gift of Love yet, so I'd love to be entered in the drawing.

Fedora said...

Laurie, thanks for sharing your photos of such a wonderful weekend! One of these years I'd love to be able to join you all! No need to enter me--I have this anthology and LOVED the stories. Good luck, everyone!

CrystalGB said...

What great photos. Looks like a wonderful event. Please count me in the drawing. :)

Judy F said...

hEY THERE. Yikes on the first get together. Seems like a life time ago doesn't it? I feel like we all have been friends forever. Its funny how we all just start right up chatting. Sigh I miss you all already.

I have a copy so don't enter me.
Hugs

Lori Foster aka L. L. Foster said...

Thanks for the great write-up, Laurie, and thank you for doing the troop collection yet again! You rule!
Please tell your daughter that I LOVE my new earrings. :-D

Take care!

Lori

Melanie said...

Glad you had fun at the get together. This book sounds so good and I love the fact that the profits are going to charity, reading it will be so uplifting for that alone.

Unknown said...

I'm so jealous. I'm going to that get together next year!!! I can't wait to meet some of my favorite authors!! :)
I'd love to be in the drawing and have a couple more people to send your way.
Thanks for the Giveaway!

chirth7@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

Hi, I'm Shirley, My daughter Christine H asked me to enter the giveaway. So please count me in!
Thanks, Shundelt@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'm Christine H's best friend Tina I happen to be over here every Friday-Sunday so I'd like to enter too.
Thanks for the awesome giveaway. I'm the one going with Christine next year to the get together. Can't wait! Thanks!

christina101092@yahoo.com

Heidi Duckworth Hard said...

I got this book and LOVED IT! So good luck to those entering and hope you enjoy it as much as I did :) Heidi

Barbara said...

Lovely post Laurie. Love the "first year" picture.

Can't wait for next year and please don't enter me in the contest as I already have my own copy of the book.

Anonymous said...

It's always nice to get together with friends :)
Wish I could have been there this year... hope to make it next year :)

Rebecca Ringler said...

This Get Together is phenomenal! I haven't figured out yet if some of you were already friends from BookJunkys before that first year, but I had so much fun & I hope to attend every year!

Lisa F. said...

This weekend will certainly be different, won't it? It was a great weekend and I'm looking forward to next year!

susan said...

Thanks for sharing the pictures and what a wonderful group you all make. I would love to be entered in the drawing for the book. I think the book would be an inspiration to me right now so please enter my name. You are so wonderful to share your talent and give the proceeds to a worthwhile cause. Bless you and have a good day. susan L.

Anonymous said...

Looks like you guys had a lot of fun. Sorry I was not there.

I would love to read this book.

Anonymous said...

Whoops forgot my name.
Helen L.
gmapeony@yahoo.com

Sarah said...

This is one get together I've always wanted to go to. It sounds like so much fun!! Love the pictures.