RT Booklovers Convention

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/22/obituaries/johanna-lindsey-dead.html

Johanna Lindsey, Best-Selling Romance Novelist, Dies at 67 Over more than 40 years, Ms. Lindsey turned out hot-blooded historical romances set around the world.

Perspective | Stacey Abrams embraces progressive politics. Even in her romance novels. We too often discount the radical power of women’s fiction.

I deeply regret to write that Don died Thursday, August 23 at 10:22 pm. I love this picture of us that was taken a few months after my heart transplant. We have been inseparable since the day we met in college. He was in the hospital for our 43rd anniversary. He died two days after his 64th birthday. Five days after my 64th birthday, as we are three days apart. He is the love of my life and I don't know how I will continue without him. He was so very, very special as those of you who have met him can attest. He has not been able to eat or drink by mouth since December 2017. The last thing he wished to drink was an ice cold Coca Cola. Please have one for him and think of him as you drink it. And don't forget to hug your loved ones. We all need hugs ...

The Changing Face of Romance Novels Some publishers are starting to acquire books written by black, Asian and other minority writers that feature more character diversity, but barriers remain.

The End of an Era: Farewell from RT

Dear Loyal RT Family,

After 37 years of serving the book community with news and reviews, Romantic Times, aka RT Book Reviews, the RT VIP Salon and the RT Booklovers Convention will be retiring effective immediately.

We’ll keep the website live for about a year so that you can still access reviews, award nominees and winners, but there won’t be any new content on the website moving forward. After a year we will take down the website.

Many of you have been with us from the first issue and stood with us throughout the many transitions and transformations we’ve encountered, and we thank you all for your loyal support over the years.

I am very proud of what we have accomplished with RT’s magazine, website and the RT Booklovers Convention — and the great service we’ve provided for authors, publishers and readers. I’m proud of the contributions we’ve made within the book industry and proud of our place in the expansion and evolution of the romance genre.

It has truly taken a village to bring you the magazine and conventions over the years, and I want to thank all of our reviewers, the heart of RT — more than 200 over the years! — for your dedication and loyalty to RT and its readers. I especially want to thank our senior reviewers Kathe Robin and Jill Smith whose decades of service and love of books helped shape our industry. And thank you to Melinda Helfer, who passed away in 2000, for her love of romance novels, the authors and her incomparable contribution to RT.

I also want to thank the many editorial teams over the years whose dedication, talent, professionalism and love for the books and authors made it a pleasure (and fun) to work together.

Thank you to my current editorial and web staff Emily Walton, Kristin Stec and Alyssa Duspiva. I especially want to thank Elissa Petruzzi, YA senior editor, web editor and romance expert, who stuck with us through dating, engagement, marriage, two kids and a move out of New York. Now that’s dedication!

Thank you to Jo Carol Jones, and the entire convention team for your dedication to the RT Booklovers Convention — the booklover event of the year. I wish you all the very best in whatever you do. And thank you to our convention coordinator, Tere Michaels, for organizing great workshops, managing agent/editor appointments and more.

The reviewers may be heart of RT, but Nancy Collazo, our office manager, is the soul! She has been our “fixer” for many years. She kept the minutia of running the company on track with all of the non-sexy responsibilities no one else knew how to do. THANK YOU NANCY, I will miss you most of all. And thank you to Giselle Hirtenfeld/Goldfeder, our advertising guru and RT Review Source manager for your insight and loyalty to RT throughout the years. Her twins were eight months old when she started and now they are in college! And thank you to Kate Ryan for your friendship, love and dedication to the independent booksellers and librarians. You have made a huge difference in our community!

And a HUGE THANK YOU to our subscribers, followers — our fans — without whom none of this would have been possible.

And last but not least THANK YOU to founder and friend Kathryn Falk for shaping the romance genre with your creative vision, fearless leadership and boundless support of authors. We are all grateful for the memories and the many Romantic Times! It’s been quite a ride!

The is still going strong in . Don't miss out on our final event this evening from 5-8pm in the Tuscany Ballroom, Movie Night! We will be screening The Matchmaker's Playbook Movie by PassionFlix.

The fun at is still going strong, head on down for the Silly Trivia for Awesome Prizes event from 12pm-1:15pm today! Test your trivia skills during a wild, wicked hour of fast-paced trivia fun with hosts, Victoria Blue, Sierra Cartwright, Angel Payne!

There is still one more hour to check out all of the amazing authors at the Giant Book Fair happening in the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in . This is FREE for anyone with a library card! We will see you soon.

The Giant Book Fair is about to begin! Doors open at 11am for full pay attendees and at 11am for single day ticket holders. The festivities will continue all day long with the FAN-tastic Day Events ending at 7:30pm!
Register: http://bit.ly/RTBookloversConvention
Book Fair tickets are $10 at the door or FREE if you show a library card.

Lot's of educational classes happening today at ! Which one are you most excited about attending?

Come meet a crowd favorite, Meg Tilly Author in front of the Tuscany Ballroom RIGHT NOW!

Turn your swag into prizes! Bring your swag and play Swag Bingo for prizes, prizes and more prizes from 4-5pm TODAY! Our hosts Heidi Cullinan, HelenKay Dimon, Elizabeth Hoyt, Tere Michaels, Jill Shalvis, and Damon Suede will cheer you on as you play quick draw against your fellow fans. Match your swag with the boxes on your Swag Bingo card to win! Meet them all at the Giant Book Fair on Saturday, May 19 11am-2pm.

Purchase Tickets: http://bit.ly/2KBpwrO
You can also purchase Day Passes at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino Tuscany Foyer or buy a ticket for the Giant Book Fair on Saturday — $10 at the door or FREE if you show a library card.

A sneak peek into the Peace, Love & Romance Celebration event happening tonight from 8:30pm-11:30pm in Tuscany F room. Will you be there?!

Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over forty romantic suspense, dark paranormals, and contemporary romances. She is a New York Times bestselling author and will be in attendance at the . Make sure you find her on Saturday, May 19th during the FAN-tastic Day Event and get your favorite copy of one of her books signed at the Giant Book Fair

Purchase FAN-tastic Day and Giant Book Fair Tickets: http://bit.ly/2HOQ8DW

You can also purchase Day Passes at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, Tuscany Foyer, or buy a ticket for the Giant Book Fair on Saturday — $10 at the door or FREE if you show a library card.

Come meet Author Diana A. Hicks, Tara Lain and, ZAMaxfield RIGHT NOW in the Tuscany Foyer at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino. They will be here until 1:15pm and are looking forward to meeting you!

The has officially begun! Come meet and play games with some of your favorite authors, Melinda Curtis, Author Brenda Novak, Sheila Roberts, and RaeAnne Thayne during the You Should Be So Lucky Event from 2:45-4:15pm. See what you can win from the real, live one-armed bandit, wrestle a prize from the giant tape ball, roll the dice for goodies, play our special author card game, and enjoy mocktails. You might even win lunch with a cover model! See you there!

Tickets to ALL Events: http://bit.ly/RTBookloversConvention
Day Passes can also be purchased at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino.

Tomorrow is the big day! We are READY for the held at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, Nevada! Last minute tickets are still for sale, so there's no reason to miss out on any of the fun. Day tickets can be purchased at the hotel at registration in Tuscany Foyer.

Purchase here: http://bit.ly/RTBookloversConvention

Indie Soirée SWAG ALERT from Barbara Devlin
Details for on www.rtconvention.com

RAFFLE PRIZE:
Gorgeous Vera Bradley tote filled with: a 7" Kindle Fire, an Amazon gift card, a sparkling tiara, bookmarks, badge ribbons, eyeglass/device cleaning cloth, a Brethren of the Coast necklace by Stone Soup Designs, an ink pen, a koozie, 5 signed paperback books (Loving Lieutenant Douglas, The Black Morass, The Stablemaster's Daughter, Magick Straight Up, A Taste of Magick, and a charming Mr. Darcy doll. Who doesn't want a Mr. Darcy doll? And adds, "and anything else I find to throw in the tote."

SWAG:
Fun badge ribbons, ink pens, eyeglass/device cleaning cloths, bookmarks, and the first 20 readers get a signed copy of Loving Lieutenant Douglas.

Lori Foster first began publishing in 1996 and since then has become a New York Times, USA TODAY, and Publishers Weekly best selling author. She will be signing her books at the Giant Book Fair from 11am-2pm and during the FAN-tastic Day Party from 6:45pm-7:30pm. Do you have your tickets to meet Lori yet?

Giant Book Fair Registration: http://bit.ly/2KBpwrO

News from Reno:
Here I am to set up an interview with one of the The Dispensary staff who are so well trained and professional.
My Cannabis Lovers Handbook is sorely needed, they informed me, to educate people in pain to improve their quality of life.
Compiling a handbook is an exciting venture via my developing Facebook site -- Texas Cannabis News.
The Dispensary, is less than a mile from the Peppermill Resort. CBD salve for topical areas. and liquid drops for ingesting are replacing many over-the-counter products and expensive pharmaceuticals and bring relief and sounder sleeps.

Indie Soirée SWAG ALERT from Sonja Rouillard aka Kate Allure - Sizzling Romance.

Because we're in Reno, Nevada, Kate will have Instant Winner Tickets for a prize from her treasure chest. Everyone wins! Prizes include Kate Allure lunch bags, luggage tags, naughty surprises, and, of course, her swag and candy. Her Royal Wedding Gift Basket includes an ARC of Sonja's ROMANCE READERS GUIDE TO HISTORIC LONDON, English tea, souvenir Big Ben charm and bookmark, sticky note pads, candy and other goodies.

Details for Here: www.rtconvention.com

With SO many amazing activities and authors attending the it's time to start planning your five days of fun in advance. Our Agenda Booklet, FAN-tastic Day Booklet, and the Giant Book Fair Booklet are all available for download online today!

Download Here: http://bit.ly/RT18BookletDownload

Tickets to Giant Book Fair Still Available: http://bit.ly/2KBpwrO
FREE admission if you show a library card!

Indie Soirée SWAG ALERT from Roxanna Rose.

Raffle Prize: a canvas tote, keepsake box, locket, serinity candle, chocolate, assorted tea, a cup and saucer, and a copy of Roxanna Rose's book. Swag: Bookmarks and other surprise mystery swag.

More Details on Here: www.rtconvention.com

Sylvia Day is a #1 bestseller in the New York Times, USA TODAY, and has over twenty award-winning novels translated into 41 languages. She is also a #1 bestselling author in 28 counties. We are SO excited that she will be attending and will be giving away a Rolling Book Bag to the first (full pay) attendees at the Giant Book Fair on May 19th at 10:30am. Badge holders can start lining up in Tuscany 12 at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino at 9am to make sure you snag this amazing gift!

Book Fair Tickets Available Here: http://bit.ly/2KBpwrO and will also be sold at the hotel on Saturday, May 19. Show a library card for FREE entry.

Indie Soirée SWAG ALERT from Marilyn Vix, Author.

Look for Marilyn wearing a black witch hat and cape and a t-shirt that will say "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?" She'll be giving away two books, including "Never Marry A Warlock," and "witchy" oriented swag like: bubble potion bottles, good or bad witch necklaces, potion bottle necklaces and keychains.

More Soiree Details: https://www.rtconvention.com/event/indie-soiree

On May 17th and 18th, the Nevada Health Centers will have their Mammovan parked in the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino parking lot and will be offering mammograms to all Nevada Residents. All attendees can take photos with the van and/or donate to help bring awareness to ! Get a day pass and join us for the day!

Indie Soirée SWAG ALERT from Susan Griscom - Author

GIFT BASKET:
• Bottle of Vampire Wine in coffin box
• Signed paperback book of Captivated by a Vampire
• Signed paperback book of Rocked by a Vampire
• A Gypsy's Kiss Cup
• An Immortal Hearts of San Francisco Tote bag
• Crown candle holder with candle
• Small picture frame
• Decorative bookmark hook
• Bookmarks

SWAG:
• Free ebook downloads of Beautifully Used and Captivated by a Vampire
• Bottle opener Keychains
• Pens
• Bookmarks

Are you getting excited about the Tuesday, May 15, Indie Soiree?
Details for on www.rtconvention.com

The Giant Book Fair will have HUNDREDS of your favorite romance authors in attendance, amazing giveaways, and will be open from 11am- 2pm on May 19th. Check the link below to see if your favorite author will be in the crowd!

List of attending authors: http://bit.ly/RT18AuthorsAttending
Register Here: http://bit.ly/2KBpwrO

How the Will Work

On Tuesday, 4:45-6:30pm you'll meet 48 Indie Authors who are hosting the event and you'll have a chance to win 48 raffle prizes, many of which have been spotlighted here (see images below).

Find the 48 authors who are hosting the Indie Soiree — all will be wearing a pink scarf and pink Indie Soiree bag so they can be easily identified. Each will have raffle tickets. Meet as many authors as possible and each will give you a raffle ticket.

There will be 4 tables with all the raffle prizes marked Group #1, #2, #3, and #4 (12 authors in each group, see graphic below). They are arranged in alphabetical order by author's last name. Group #1 will display names at the beginning of the alphabet while Group #4 will display authors end of the alphabet. The tickets you collect can be used for any of the prizes. You can drop all of your tickets in one container (for a better chance at winning that prize) or drop your tickets in any of the containers for a chance to win several different prizes. At 6pm we will start the drawings and the winning numbers will be written next to the raffle prize (see poster below). Check the boards to see if YOUR number was selected. If it appears, you are a winner and then pick up your prize!

Scroll through all the Raffle Prizes we have spotlighted thus far.

Come meet Tara Lain on Wednesday, May 15th from 12-1:15pm at her workshop Sink or Swim on how to write write snappy dialogue and bring it to a new level of greatness! Tara, who lives in California, has written 40 novels!

Indie Soirée SWAG ALERT from Brooklyn Ann
Details for on www.rtconvention.com

Brooklyn Ann will be raffling off a Brides of Prophecy gift bag, which will include a Coeur d'Alene bag, a Coeur d'Alene mug, three books in the Brides of Prophecy series, huckleberry tea, hand-picked, homemade huckleberry jelly, bookmarks, a Coeur d'Alene post card, and a Brooklyn Ann mug.

On Friday, May 18th from 10-11am join a panel of USA_Today Best Selling authors (Zoe Blake, Alta Hensley​, Renee Rose Romance​, Sierra Cartwright and Nikki Sloane, Author) discussing Dark Romance. Writers will discuss how far is too far, the essential elements of a dark romance novel and challenges of marketing sensitive material on Facebook​ and Amazon.com​.

In the mood for some Scandaliciois Romance? Then join this bevy of talented authors for a morning of fun and scandalicious shenanigans, Friday, May 18, 10-11am. Swag Bags to the first 100 who attend! LaQuette - Romance Xio Axelrod - Author Victoria Blue Rebecca Brooks Author Sierra Cartwright Katana Collins Sonali Dev Avery Flynn Rachel Grant RS Author Cristin Harber K.M. Jackson, Author, Kimberly Kincaid Harper Kincaid Nancy Naigle Angel Payne: Books, News and Updates, Julie Rowe Author MK Schiller Damon Suede Sofia Tate Sharon Wray Author

Details on RTConvention.com Scandalicious Book Reviews

Throughout the convention held at Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, there will be a Book Swap Table. So, if you receive a book you have already read, you are welcome to swap it out with other attendee's! Are you getting excited about meeting all of your favorite authors? We are!