Booksigning on November 16, 2007 with Vicki Lewis Thompson at Mira Mesa (San Diego)

"Cheers for Writers" Author Panel on November 18, 2007 in Burbank, CA

Book Party For When Good Things Happen To Bad Boys, Brava April 2006 release

Behind The Scenes Of Viva Las Bad Boys!, Brava August 2006 release

Behind The Scenes Of Your Mouth Makes Me Crazy, Brava July 2007 release

The launch party for Viva Las Bad Boys!, August 2006 at Zola in Washington, DC

Scenes From the Literacy Signing at the RWA Conference in Atlanta, July 2006

The cool display.

The crowd.

Vicki handling the tough questions.

Talking about romance novels.

HelenKay with fellow authors Vicki Lewis Thompson, Eden Bradley and Leigh Court.

Vicki answers a few questions.

Signing a few copies of YOUR MOUTH DRIVES ME CRAZY.
 

My office threw a fantastic party to celebrate the release of my first book, When Good Things Happen To Bad Boys. Food, drink, friends...and a few surprises. In addition to buying 50 copies of the book to giveaway to guests, my partners blew up my Viva Las Bad Boys! cover for display. Here's a shot pre-party of the book display and cover.

Here's one with a bonus – a photo of my handsome hubby James. And, yes, this is just about the worst photo of me ever.

Lawyers, lawyers, lawyers. It's tempting to tell a lawyer joke here. Maybe the one that goes: What do you get if you put 100 lawyers in the basement? But, I'll refrain. Instead, let me assure you the folks you see here are talented and clever and just the people you need and want on your side if the worst happens.




By the way, the answer to that joke above is: A whine cellar. I like that one but not as much as: What's the difference between a lawyer and a vulture?* But, I digress...A great time was had by all. I'm eternally grateful to all who attended and to Pat, Cindy, Jeff, Kevin & Vince – my supportive partners.

* Lawyers accumulate frequent flyer points.

Viva Las Bad Boys! takes place at the fictional Berkley Hotel and Casino and follows three couples during an unexpected blackout. Some people have suggested a casino blackout isn't realistic...uh-huh, not so fast. In April 2004, the hubby and I vacationed in Las Vegas. We stayed at the beautiful Bellagio, which is now a favorite get-away spot.

Look how pretty:



Now, look how dark – yeah, Bellagio experienced a four-day blackout while we were there. I refuse to believe there is a causal connection between those two items, by the way.


After two nights without electricity, Bellagio shipped us across the street to Paris to finish out the vacation. Lovely, what with the electricity and all, but not Bellagio.

My first Brava single title is set on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai, one of the most beautiful places in the world. I have the great fortune of being married to an incredible man who grew up in Hawaii. My in-laws still live there. So, we visit...and visit...and visit.

The beautiful Waimea Canyon – a location I used in the book:


My adorable hubby in front of the beautiful Waimea Canyon. It's hard to know which one is more impressive:

A few wild chickens – these critters play a minor role in the book, so this is to prove they exist:

The spectacular Princeville coast:

The view from our hotel:

This one of my hubby and his dad is actually from a trip to the North Shore, which is on the island of Oahu, not Kauai. I'm including it because I think they're just too cute for words:

 

The launch party for Viva Las Bad Boys! had it all – great food, terrific friends and an amazing location at the party room share by the Washington DC restaurant Zola and the International Spy Museum. Here's me with a martini and my husband – a pretty terrific combination if you ask me...

Dear friends Laurie and John Harmon.

My Washington Romance Writers (WRW) buddy and retreat roomie, Laura Armstrong. She made me laugh the first time I met her and on every single time since. It's just a shame I didn’t get a photo of her handsome hubby.

Friends posing with my book – that's the kind of thing that makes me all warm and happy inside.

Lili and Cat can tell you the best pages of Viva Las Bad Boys! Word has it they held a dramatic reading while on vacation at the beach this summer.

My family. My parents, family friends the Maclays and my brother Scott and his wife Steph all drove miles and miles to show their support – thank you all!

Isn't everybody cute?

My dear friend Melissa Sabatine. We worked on Capitol Hill together years ago. The amazing bouquet of flowers is from my in-laws – thank you!

Books and authors and authors together for charity – try to think of a better event. This year was the first year I participated as a published author and signed some books of my own. What incredible fun. Meeting all those folks I chat with online was a terrific bonus. First, look at those crowds!

And more people...

Meeting fellow author Jordan Summers. This certainly isn't the best photo of me, but isn't Jordan adorable?

With Dafina and Kimani Press author Ann Christopher. She's an author, mother, lawyer – and did I mention that she's a truly lovely person as well as a talented writer?

Alyssa's By The Book blog is one I read every single day. It was great to meet her and put a face with a name.

I love Alison Kent's books. Adore what she's done with my website. Somehow I managed not to hug her to the point of suffocation...but just barely.

Here I am with RITA winner Stephanie Feagan. She's a classy lady and a terrific author.

More Later...