A MOST IMPROPER GENTLEMAN won the Regency category of the Golden Heart!  I can't describe the thrill! 

Just got back from the hilarious and wonderful Beau Monde Soiree--where I learned that I won both categories in which I was a finalist in the Royal Ascot!  (The Devil May Care got first in Hot Regency, and A Most Improper Gentleman got first in Regency Historical, with a request for the full).

The Beau Monde Soiree is a costume event, with many ladies attending in Regency attire.  Live musicians play period music, and an expert caller taught us Regency dances.  There were quite a few crashes, much laughter, and at least a FEW moments where it all looked as graceful as in the movies.  

One gentleman joined us, but otherwise ladies (including me) had to dance the gentlemen's part, which only added to the confusion.  Perhaps paste-on mustaches (or to be more historically accurate, paste-on sideburns) would have helped.  

I've posted about all the events of the day at the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood. I can't tell you how great it is to spend some time with Rubies face-to-face!  I love Nationals!!

 

My beloved CP and I arrived in Orlando today for RWA Nationals today, where I quickly ran into Ruby Sisters Liz Talley, Darynda Jones and Tina Joyce.  So nice to hear actual VOICES after a year of blogging together.

Then I headed off for a hilarious dinner with some of the Unsinkables (2010 Golden Heart finalists) on the Disney Boardwalk.  Let's just say the decibel level at our table was a few orders of magnitude louder than at any of the surrounding tables.  And we hadn't had any alcohol.  Really.  Drinks were planned for AFTER dinner.   

Came back to the Dolphin then and collapsed--but not before learning that A Most Improper Gentleman has moved on to the second round of the Molly contest, with perfect scores in the Unsinkable Heroine category!  A nice way to end the day.

Conference events get going in earnest tomorrow, with the Golden Network Retreat, the Literacy Signing, and the Beau Monde Soiree.  I'll be blogging about it all on Thursday at the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood. 

I'm gathering up all my fancy frocks and sexy footwear to head to the East Coast and RWA Nationals! Went through my jewelry box and found my mother's cameo to wear to the Beau Monde's Soiree (where the results of the Royal Ascot will be announced--I'm a finalist in two categories).

Still debating over shoes: potential blisters are a factor, as is the likelihood of doing a face-plant in the middle of the hotel lobby if I attempt heels.  My boring flat sandals may be the wise choice. At least I'll have a pedicure!

Still, I'm very excited--it's like Prom for grown-ups.

NYT Bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries is our guest on the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood blog today!  Stop by and join us!

The Ruby Slippered Sisters are continuing to host guest bloggers from the 2010 Golden Heart finalists (a.k.a, the Unsinkables) from now into August.  Stop by!