by Mary Jo
Anne Gracie has already posted an excellent overview blog of the Romantic Times convention in Las Vegas. So now I'll poke around in some of the corners of the experience shared by Anne, Pat, me, and about 3,000 other people.
The reception was held in the Hotel Rio's Presidential Suite, which was occupied by Kathryn Falk and her honey and used for a variety of special events like the historical event. Impressive, isn't it? And that's not even showing the piano inside!
I've been to many RT conventions over the years, and the event has continued to grow and add new twists. It's the premier con for bringing readers, writers, and industry people together, and it's great exhausting fun. A new feature was pop-up book signings by a cast of different authors. I was one, and the event was beautifully organized. My publisher, Kensington, sent Advanced Reading Copies of my upcoming book, Once a Soldier, and I signed my name on all 44 ARCs ahead of time.
When my time slot arrived, the event was tweeted, and an instant line formed at the pop-up station. A very efficient RT volunteered opened each book to the title page, where I'd signed my name, and the happy people in line presented me with a slip of paper with their names written out so I could customize the book. Did I say efficient??? I signed 3 books a minute for 15 minutes, a record I am unlikely to surpass in the future. <G> I tried to at least have eye contact with each person I signed for!
I've been to Las Vegas before, and though I have zero interest in gambling, I consider the city Disneyland for adults. The themed casino/hotels are deliciously over the top, with pirate battles and water shows outdoors, and interiors of crazed grandeur. I only got to three casinos besides the Rio, but they were pretty dramatic. Once was the Venetian, where I attended a dinner. Naturally there was an Italian theme, as you can see in the picture on the right. (The dinner was excellent, too.)
One night Pat and Don Rice and Anne and I dined at an Irish pub in the Mandalay Bay casino. The food was good, and the collection of whisky bottles behind glass was intriguing. Not surprisingly, I was much taken by this one on the left. Note that the bottle is empty. <G>
I breakfasted with some Kensington people at the Wynn, which is perhaps the grandest of them all. Consider the carousel! My publicist wanted to get a picture of me, so naturally I hid behind a tree. <G> That's the picture at the top of this blog.
After all that crazed casino energy, it was pure delight to get out into the countryside. Anne showed some pictures of Red Rock Canyon, a Nevada state park. My picture below was taken in the visitors' center. An impressive fellow, isn't he? Cat person that I am, I hope he died of natural causes!
The mountain views were splendid, too.
Have you ever been to Las Vegas and visited some of the colorful casinos? As I said, very like Disneyland. Are there any you particularly enjoyed?
To celebrate coming home again, I'll give away and Advance Reading copy of my upcoming Once a Soldier to one person who comments between now and Saturday night. Here's your chance!
Mary Jo, jetlagged but happy