RT, Daytona, and the Scamps – Part 4

Now it’s Saturday… no breakfast mixer this morning. Do we “sleep in”? No – not us! Instead, we’re up bright and early for an al fresco meal on the pleasant terrace overlooking the ocean. Five Scamps plus Lori and Susan Stephens met with the Australian booksellers for a fun and interesting meal. Heck – I could just sit and listen to those “Down Under” gals talk with that cool accent. 🙂

The next part of the day was a lesson in endurance – a 4 1/2 hour booksigning!! An enormous room with 100+ authors. Controlled bedlam… Afterwards Lori and Dianne packed up and headed for the airport. Rosemary went into hibernation, and LuAnn, Karen, Susan, and I went in search of food, since we hadn’t had lunch! Back to the hotel as quickly as possible to get a seat for the Mr. Romance cover model competition. Nothing like a little eye candy! It was a great show, and the winner gets to be on the cover of an upcoming Harlequin novel. Kate Duffy of Kensington Publishing and Abby Zidle of Harlequin HQN were two of the judges.

After the “pageant”, it was off to another reception and then on to the Dorchester Publishing Racin’ Rock and Roll party. Racing decorations, good dance music, and pizza and popcorn made for a fun and informal evening. I gave up about 10:45 to go back to the room and pack. It was no easy task to get all our “loot” organized. Lights out at midnight, up early Sunday morning, and off to the airport at nine. A great first RT experience and a fun and productive week. Now I’m off to unpack and get back in the routine. ‘Til next year!