Conference or Convention- Which One is for Me?

Howdy my friends!

One of the best parts of being a writer is having the opportunity to travel to different places and meet with other writers and readers. It feels as if every month there is a convention or conference somewhere, and I’m often asked by other writers which ones to go to and what is the difference between a conference and convention. At a glance they appear to be one and the same, but look closer and you will find the difference.

Let me start by mentioning how they are similar. Both are events that are a gathering of people that share a similar hobby, interest or profession. They both offer panels or workshops and opportunities to network and meet with others who share the same passions. Cons can be overwhelming, exciting and a hell of a good time.

So how are they different? Conferences are more business or industry orientated. It’s at a conference where you will learn the latest technique, the newest trends, how to do XYZ better. While at a convention the purpose is to celebrate whatever it is that has brought everyone together. Is there still learning or training offered at conventions? Sure, but that is not the sole purpose. Fun times and partying are the main goals of a convention. At least in my opinion. :)

We're not at a conference any more

There is no better example than to describe how I spent my October last year. Actually, let me go back a little further. Every October I attend the Emerald City Writers Conference in Bellevue, Washington. Notice the word “conference.” This is an industry driven event with workshops covering all aspects of a writer’s life from craft and marketing, to taxes and social media. There are pitch sessions available with editors and agents, and lots of chances to network with other authors. We do have our party moments as well. For several years I’ve hosted Drinks Divas and taken attendees to a local hotspot for cocktails. We have a party on Saturday night with a different theme each year, and our raffle baskets have become stuff of legends. ECWC has a reputation of being one of the best writer’s conferences to go to and it’s well worth the time and money.

Last year a week before ECWC I attended Romanticon in Canton, Ohio for the first time. Romanticon is a convention hosted by my publisher, Ellora’s Cave, to celebrate our books and our readers. On the surface both events appear similar. Both were about 300-350 people, offered pitch appointments, had workshop and chances to network. My first clue they were different was on day one when I walked down the hall and saw the twenty-foot tall posters of the Ellora’s Cavemen. Yep.  Definitely not something we have at ECWC. Then there was the display case of souvenirs available for purchase, such as leather handbags and glass dildo key chains. Yes, dildos. Most certainly not items offered at ECWC. So instead of attending workshops on deep point of view I attended BDSM Bingo and learned about phone apps that described different sex positions. See what I mean?

Let me tell you, it was quite the switch going from a weekend spent dancing with sweaty, shirtless men to a weekend talking industry trends with editors of the big publishing houses. Don’t get me wrong, it was well worth the jetlag. I enjoyed myself so much, I’m doing it again this year!

My Thor Sandwich

Conference Guys

Convention Guy

Conventions and conferences come in all shapes and sizes, and not all of them are professionally put together. Do your research, ask your friends before plunking down your cash. Below I’ve listed a few writing-related events I have attended or have heard good things about, but I want to hear about more!

If you see me at an event, say hello and let’s go have a drink. J

Anna- The Super Diva

Conferences:                                                              Conventions:

Emerald City Writers Conference                           Romanticon

RWA Nationals                                                           RomanticTimes Book Lovers Convention (RT)             

BookExpo America                                                    AuthorsAfter Dark

Moonlight & Magnolias                                           RomCon

Pacific NW Writers Association Conference        Wild Wicked Weekend

Rose City Mini-Conference                                     Lori Foster Reader & Author Get Together

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NIGHT OWL EROTICA 4 STAR REVIEW

for
Diva Erin Simone's
Whispers of Night
Immortal Embrace Series
Book 1

I must say, nothing makes an author happier than when a reviewer says they "really enjoyed this book." Writing is a craft that most authors spend hours and hours perfecting to get the story just right before we put it out there for our readers, so when we get kudos it's a wonderful feeling. I have two books out in this series, and a third book coming soon.  If you haven't had a chance to checkout Whispers of Night, I hope you do.  Thank you Night Owl Erotica.

Decadently yours,

Erin Simone, Author

Excerpt from review:

" I really enjoyed this book, it was exactly what you want in a paranormal romance. There was sex, violence and lots of angst, action and emotions to make this book a real page turner. You are introduced into a world of good and evil and the fight between the two sides. Rogues and Sexy Alpha Vampire Men! Yum, Yum, Yum!...."

Read more of this great review at Night Owl Erotica:

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Reviews/Kimp-reviews-Whispers-Of-Night-by-Erin-Simone

This steamy vampire romance features an alpha hero who indulges in taboo pleasures with his mate…you’ve been warned.

The Triumvirate of Hotness- X-men: Days of Future Past

Welcome to my first official Decadent Diva post!

As you may have read, I am the super hero girl, so it should come as no surprise that I am now going to dish about the men of X-men: Days of Future Past.

Before I go on, let me specify that this post is not a review of the movie itself. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it. But if you want to talk to me about plot and X-men history, come find me and we’ll discuss in depth over cocktails.

No, this post is about how I, an average (okay, above average)American woman, can feel deep, lustful urges toward three different men. James McAvoy as the younger Professor X is hot, Michael Fassbender’s Magneto- hot, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine- HAWT! And my opinion is not solely because we are gifted with an oh-so delightful view of Mr. Jackman’s naked backside. That was an unexpected bonus much like a sprinkles on top of a sundae, and to the director, I thank you.

But I digress, so please, allow me to break down my affections.

In X-men: First Class James McAvoy portrayed an optimistic, charming young man on the cusp of developing his full powers and enjoying every moment of exploring his abilities. In two words he was frickin’ adorable. Alas, the 1973 Charles Xavier is no longer that man. Broken in both body and spirit, he has lost hope, and that my friends is the tragedy. Professor Xavier is a beacon of hope and to see him so downtrodden makes you want to give him a hug. Right after a nice hot bath. Yep, Professor X has a wee bit of a drug problem in this one, but he bounces back, and to see him triumph over his adversities with the same charm that he had in First Class is why I love James McAvoy in this role. I want more!

Where Charles was light and hope, Erik (Magneto) is the dark and brooding opposite. Watching Michael Fassbender play Magneto gives me goosebumps. That stare. That jaw line! He has a quiet intensity that warns you shit is about to go down but you won’t  know when or how. I love how he can calmly stride into a room in a well-cut suit and fedora and kick major ass with a sweep of his hand. Sigh…yeah, he could totally talk me into joining the darkside.

Then we have Wolverine. Sigh some more. Okay, let’s try to look past the ripple upon ripple of muscles. I said try. With Logan it’s all about his confidence, that swagger. When he walks into a room you know you have to play by his rules or get fucked up. He is the biggest badass there is, and on top of that he has a wicked sense of humor. Wolverine gets the joke. He knows who he is and has never made apologizes for it. But the best- the best!- is we know that underneath all of that gruff and growl, Wolverine is a big teddy bear. He will fight for you to the death and beyond. That, my friends, is an incredibly attractive trait.

Three different men and I want them all.

So, who’s your man? Does your heart beat for charming and optimistic? Does brooding and intense make your panties wet? What about wicked and confident? Or are you a wanton woman like me and want to take them all home as your personal boy toys? Now that’s the story I want to read.

Until the next adventure, my friends!

Anna- the Super Diva!

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Summer For Love Blog Hop - Six $50 Gift cards up for grabs!!!

Summer and Love - what could be better?
VACATION!
So to be entered in for the Grand Prize listed below and the swag and book pack giveaway here just leave a comment with your name, email address, and your favorite vacation spot.
Easy peasy!!! Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GRAND PRIZES

(6) $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Cards

Comment with your name and email to be entered into the Grand Prize drawing. Comments without name and email will not be counted. Commenting on each and every stop will increase your chances of winning.

Winners for the (6) Grand Prizes will be drawn and announced on THE ROMANCE TROUPE blog by June 10th.

Find a list of all stops here!

http://www.theromancetroupe.com/p/a-summer-for-love-blog-hop.html

Decadently Yours,

Diva Jennifer

And if you need a bit of kink in your life, I've got you covered!!!

The books in the Members Only Series can be found here...

Together In Cyn

Haleigh's Ink

A Very Menage Christmas

Duke's Valentine

Orgasm University

Jennifer Kacey is a wife, mother, and business owner living with her family in Texas. She sings in the shower, plays piano in her dreams, and has to have a different color of nail polish every week. The best advice she’s ever been given? Find the real you and never settle for anything less.

Website - http://www.jenniferkacey.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.kacey.7
Twitter - https://twitter.com/JenniferKacey
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6941549.Jennifer_Kacey
Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/jenniferkacey/

What's Your Story?

Yesterday my mum and I were discussing the latest drama in the extended family and I joked with her that “We lead very boring lives, don’t we?” It was an off the cuff remark but it got me thinking, is my life really boring? Sure, I may never have smoked, took drugs, passed out drunk or spent the night with someone I wish I hadn’t. Nor have I ridden a rollercoaster, bungee jumped or been skydiving. I’ve never been married, I don’t have kids. There’s a lot I haven’t done but I have time... don’t expect to find me passed out drunk with a pack of cigarettes on a strangers bed any time soon though!

Things I have done though? Those are awesome. I went abroad for my first time ever when I was nineteen and I did it alone (Washington DC I still love you). I’ve travelled alone many times since then and enjoyed myself immensely. I’ve become a published author not once but six times... so far. I went to University – first one in my family – and I graduated as a midwife. I’ve brought many new lives into the world and escorted some out. I’ve rejoiced and I’ve grieved. I’m educated, independent and adventurous in ways many people will never be. I’ve lived.
So next time I bitch about being single, being boring. Slap me upside the head. My life is AWESOME.

So tell me, what are you proud of?

Rebecca Royce interviews Trent Lancaster

Rebecca: Today, we have ….hmmmm that’s odd I don’t recognize this fellow. Trevor Campbell.

Trevor: It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rebecca

Rebecca: Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t the dubious hero of A Long Road to Love series named Trent Lancaster, until he got dropped for Dan Marshall in book 3.

Trevor: Yes, that is true.

Rebecca: So who are you, where’s Dan, and what ever happened to Trent?

Trevor: I’m Trevor Campbell, Trent Lancaster is dead, and Dan remains with Carrie.

Rebecca: How did Trent die?

Trevor: He was coerced into dropping Carrie and marrying Coco instead. If he didn’t, Theo DeCannon, Coco’s father threaten to destroy Carrie's life until she had no choice but to kill herself. So I agreed to marry Coco and then did horrible things to force the she-devil to break the engagement. I had done it once before, but this time, no matter how outrageous my behavior, she refused to run.

Rebecca: Are you Trent Lancaster?

Trevor: No, I’m Trevor Campbell. Why would you ask that?

Rebecca: Because you referred to yourself as Trent when I asked you how he died. Nor did you actually answer how Trent died.

Trevor: Yes, I’m Trent, but you cannot tell anyone who I am. Carrie is safe as long as I’m dead. DeCannon only threatened to harm her because he knew how much I loved her. So I did everything in my power to prove I’d lost interest in her. And by faking my death, I’ve removed her from DeCannon’s chess board.

Rebecca: So you faked your death solely to protect Carrie?

Trevor: No. I killed Trent Lancaster so I could protect Carrie AND start again, this time channeling Carrie instead of my father. I know I’ve lost Carrie forever. But I wanted to become the man she had seen inside me. A man people trusted and liked. So I had plastic surgery, got a new face, a new ID, and started my life over as a middle class guy in Denton, Iowa.

Rebecca: Never heard of the town. Why did you go there?

Trevor: Because my half-brother, Sam, had moved there. I hoped, we could be friends now that I was a different person. We’ve a great deal in common. 

Rebecca: And did you?

Trevor smiled: We did. The only problems we had is I accidentally fed him several plates of pic rectums and fell in love with his girl.

Rebecca: How do you accidentally feed someone pig rectums? 

Trevor: The butcher said he had fresh bung. I asked him what that was, and he replied ‘a poor man’s calamari’.  I love calmari and the price was great, so I bought all he had and cooked up calamari for everyone at Dani’s restaurant.

Rebecca: And who is Dani?   Trevor: She’s Sam’s girl. Tall, blonde, gorgeous, confident, capable, kind…She is impossible not to love, so I try my hardest to love her as a friend.  But it’s hard not to hug her when life gets crazy, when her dreams are about to crumble, when someone she cared for dies and Sam’s acting like a jerk…

Rebecca: What happens?

Trevor: I’m sorry, but Liza said she will write me a truly horrible ending if I tell you what happens. So I should probably leave before I spill the beans and lose the great life before me.

Rebecca: I’m sorry to see you go. But I have to say, you are very different from the former Trent. (Here's a poster Liza made of the former Trent)

Trevor:  *frowns*  That's not funny. Losing the only person who loved me, broke me. I didn’t want to live without her. Then a priest rescued me from the sidewalk…but you can read about it below. However, I will say I fundamentally changed that day. I hated the man I’d become, and I had to change. So by channeling Carrie, I've become the man she always thought I could be.

Climbing Out of Hell 

 Book 4 of the series

A Long Road to Love

Romantic Comedy

Billionaire Trent Lancaster has destroyed his relationship with the only woman who ever loved him. Now we discover the full truth of what happened. 

He actually had reasons for his behaviors.

Still, there is no going back. Trent has lost Carrie forever, but he would rather die than marry Coco, so he does just that. Trent gives away most of his possessions, fakes his death, and starts over with a new face and a better attitude in a small town in Iowa where his half-brother Sam is sheriff.

Losing his true love has fundamentally broken Trent to his core. His only chance for happiness is to become the better man Carrie had always seen inside him.

True change is not easy. Can Trent grow up and become a man we can love?

Excerpt

“Stop it! Get off of me!” Carrie screamed.

Trent couldn’t lose the only woman who had ever loved him. He covered her protest with his mouth, certain if they made love, everything would right itself.

As he fumbled with the zipper of her pants, the limo jerked to the right and came to a halt. Seconds later, someone yanked him out and slung him to the sidewalk. He stared up at his half-brother storming around the car, returning to the driver’s seat.

Tires squealed as the car pulled out in traffic. Once the vehicle disappeared from sight, Trent focused on himself. His right knee seared with pain and his head throbbed from slamming against the concrete. He sat up, so people would stop walking over him. New York City pedestrians were like marching ants. They stopped for nothing.

He stared at the four lanes of bumper-to-bumper honking traffic.

Carrie and his limo were gone.

Along with everything good in his world.

For one glorious month, life had been perfection. Well, he’d thought the first week was hell, but compared to his life now, it had been Nirvana.

He’d lost Carrie forever, broken a love he’d thought impervious to damage. Due to a stupid error he’d made months before, a cascade of problems had rained upon him. Trying his hardest, he still failed to protect her from the blow back.

Tears streamed down his cheeks for all to see. Normally, he’d be horrified to allow common people to gawk at him, but his self-respect and pride had been stripped away when Sam had to pull him from his limo to save Carrie.

From him.

He’d almost raped her—the only woman he had ever wanted. He thought if they made love, she would forgive everything he’d done. But he had broken the unbreakable and she wanted nothing more to do with him.

He buried his face in his hands and sobbed, knowing there was no way back to his month of happiness. Everything good in his life was gone.

A gentle hand touched his shoulder. His heart leapt in joy. Carrie had returned and forgiven him. But, no. He stared up at an old man in black—a priest—studying him with concern. “Are you ill? Do you need help?”

He opened his mouth, intending to declare himself beyond help, but stopped. Maybe the man could be of assistance. “I think I need an exorcism.”

Links

Released May 1, 2014

Book Four of the series:

A Long Road to Love

Climbing out of Hell

Amazon

 “Easily, the best of the series!”

Other books in the A Long Road to Love series

Book One

Worst Week Ever

Amazon

“Love this book and couldn't stop laughing from beginning to end.” 5 stars – Alves - Amazon

Book Two

Oh Stupid Heart

Amazon

“Be warned though, this book is completely different from The Worst Week Ever. Yes, there is still humor, dry wit, situations that you would think...NOT AGAIN but this one humanizes Trent more.” 5 stars - Brian’s Mom – Amazon

Book Three

Coming to Reason

Amazon

Once again, Ms. O’Connor has written a brilliant book about the complexities of relationships, good and bad. Again, to me, the book is the best break up book EVER and it left my heart singing in the end. Best.Book.Ever…

Other Books by Liza O’Connor

Saving Casey  

Ghost Lover

Liza O’Connor

Author Bio:

Liza lives in Denville, NJ with her dog Jess. They hike in fabulous woods every day, rain or shine, sleet or snow. Having an adventurous nature, she learned to fly small Cessnas in NJ, hang-glide in New Zealand, kayak in Pennsylvania, ski in New York, scuba dive with great white sharks in Australia, dig up dinosaur bones in Montana, sky dive in Indiana, and raft a class four river in Tasmania. She’s an avid gardener, amateur photographer, and dabbler in watercolors and graphic arts. Yet through her entire life, her first love has and always will be writing novels. She loves to create interesting characters, set them loose, and scribe what happens.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT 

LIZA O'CONNOR & UPCOMING BOOKS:

Liza's Blog and Website   Facebook   Twitter

Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter for the $50 Gift Card.

Plus, at each stop 1 commenter who requests a book and leaves their email will win one of the following:

Worst Week Ever

Oh Stupid Heart

Coming to Reason

Ghost Lover

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ride the Mustang by Desiree Holt

All the Decadent Divas welcome back, Desiree Holt! Woo Hoo!!!

SEALs have become such a romantic figure, totally masculine, very patriotic, taking great chances to serve our country and very sexy to boot. Ride the Mustang is Book #1 in SEALs Going Hot, a series I have written with Brenna Zinn, Cerise Deland and Samantha Cayto. Hope you will be on the lookout for all of them.

Please leave a comment. One lucky person will win a $10 Amazon GC.

Two hot stories in one hot volume!!!

 And here are the links for the book:

http://www.amazon.com/Ride-Mustang-SEALs-Going-Hot-ebook/dp/B00KC7HWSO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1400814082&sr=1-1&keywords=Ride+the+Mustang+desiree

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Ride-the-Mustang?keyword=Ride+the+Mustang&store=ebook

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-ridethemustang-1510209-147.html

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/ride-the-mustang

Back In The Saddle

When Molly Hayes' marriage fell apart, she ran home to Hayes Ranch to lick her wounds. What she really wants to lick is foreman Chance McDaniel, the star of all her erotic fantasies. But he had never given her the time of day. Why would he give her his nights?

Kink is a mild term for the kind of sex Chance McDaniel enjoys. But he's learned the hard way not all women can handle his darker desires. He aches to give Molly the ride of her life but fears she'll shy away from his wilder ways.

Will the past become a stumbling block or will both Molly and Chance, once wounded, climb back in the saddle?

Eight Second Ride

Jessie Wade is a tough as nails sheriff until bull rider Kyle Mitchell ends up in her jail. With his bone-melting good looks and seductive voice, he knocks Jessie's defenses down one by one and awakens the sensuous woman she's hidden beneath her uniform. But Jessie can't afford to be soft. Or allow herself to fall for a cowboy who's never in one town longer than it takes to ride a bull.

Kyle never backs down from a challenge, but after a passionate night with Jessie, he realizes there's a hell of a woman behind the handcuffs and badge. Can Kyle convince Jessie he can take her for more than an eight-second ride?

Eight Second Ride

Kyle Mitchell wanted to pry his eyes open but someone was pounding a drum inside his head so hard he was afraid to see daylight. Not only that, but whatever he was lying on was harder than a concrete floor and killing his back. He needed aspirin and coffee in large supply. He tried to raise his hands to press them against his aching temples but something jerked his right hand and prevented him from lifting it. Now he opened his eyes. And wished he hadn’t.

Unfortunately this wasn’t the first jail cell he’d been in, but he was pretty sure it was the worst. And he was pretty sure it hadn’t been modernized in the last fifty years. One wall consisted of the usual arrangement of bars with a portion of it hinged for a door. The sleeping arrangement, rather than a crummy cot that would have been a vast improvement, was a flat piece of wood with a mattress on it so thin he was sure he’d be able to see through it. And it was the kind that pulled down from the wall on chains.

And speaking of chain, he yanked at his right hand again and discovered he was handcuffed to one length of chain.

Damn! What the hell had happened? What had he gotten himself into now?

Squinting against the brightness of the light from the ceiling lights he looked down the length of his body.

Boots. Check.

Jeans. Check.

He clapped his left hand over his waist in a sudden panic.

Champion belt buckle! Okay! Check.

Shirt. Check.

He rubbed a hand over his square jaw, feeling the stubble of yesterday’s beard growth. Testing everywhere on his face he discovered his nose was tender but not broken, but the rest of his face felt as if a bull had stomped on it.

Wait. Was that what had happened? The last thing he remembered was lasting the full eight seconds on Sodbuster before landing in the dirt of the rodeo arena. Everything else was a blur.

“Well. It looks like you’re finally awake.”

The voice was pure music, soft, with a faint drawl. Squinting through the bars he thought for a minute his heart was going to stop beating. In the hallway looking in at him was about five-foot-four of the most breathtaking woman he’d ever seen. Dark blonde curls tumbled down to her shoulders, framing a lightly tanned face with emerald green eyes peeking out from thick, thick lashes. The stiff fabric of the uniform shirt she wore couldn’t conceal the lush ripeness of her breasts any more than the pants hid her mouthwatering curves.

But what really shook him up was the star gleaming from its place of prominence on her shirt, right over one of those nicely rounded breasts.

Holy hell! This was the sheriff?

He looked at her and something inside turned over. He had an urgent need to see this woman naked in his bed, but not the way he did with the usual women he rolled in the sheets with. Not an eight-second ride and done. No, even in his pitiful condition he could imagine making slow, soul-searing love to her. Everything from his balls to his brain went on instant alert.

Don't forget to leave a comment below and you could be the winner of a shiny new $10 Amazon GC!!!

Known the world over as the oldest living author of erotic romance, and referred to by USA Today as the Nora Roberts of erotic romance, Desiree Holt

is three times a finalist for an EPIC E-Book Award (and a winner in 2014), a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio as well as twice a CAPA Award winner for best BDSM book of the year, and winner of the Holt Medallion for Excellence in Romance Literature. She has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and in The Village Voice, The Daily Beast, USA Today, The (London) Daily Mail, The New Delhi Times and numerous other national and international publications.

“Desiree Holt is the most amazing erotica author of our time and each story is more fulfilling then the last.” (Romance Junkies)

Learn more about her and read her novels here:

www.desireeholt.com

www.desiremeonly.com

www.facebook.com/desireeholtauthor

Twitter @desireeholt

Pinterest: desiree02holt

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