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Passport to Romance Reader Appreciation Event

Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America is sponsoring the Passport to  Romance Reader Appreciation Event on October 27, from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Bellevue Westin Hotel.

If you’re a fan of romance novels, come out for this “booktail” party! It’s free and open to the public. More than 40 fabulous authors will be signing books. There will be cover models! Stop by and say hello to Wayne, Terrence and Shane!

Even if you cannot attend the Passport to Romance, you can still vote in the Passport to Romance Cover Contest. Voting is open through October 19. Click here to view the covers and vote for your two favorites.

I hope to see you in Bellevue. Here’s a list of other authors who will be participating.

• Beverly Jenkins
• Damon Suede
• Elizabeth Hunter
• Julia Quinn
• Anna Alexander
• Pam Binder
• Carmen Cook
• Jami Davenport
• Tammy Dennings Maggy
• JC Hay
• Joanne Jaytanie
• Shirley Penick
• Tolden Rhys/Hanna Rhys Barnes
• Olivia Waite
• L.E. Wilson
• Arwen Paris
• Sally Brandle
• Asa Maria Bradley
• Jasmine Silvera
• Joleen James
• Gerri Russell
• Crista McHugh
• Marie Tuhart
• Tess Thompson
• Augustina Van Hoven
• E.L. Roux
• Jacquolyn McMurry
• Aliyah Burke
• Madeline Olson
• Jaycee Jarvis
• Piper J Drake
• Liv Rancourt
• Josie Malone
• Danielle Annett
• Kathy L Wheeler
• Sabrina York
• Brent Archer
• Marie Tremayne
• Marie Harte
• Jodi Ashland
• Last Kiss Comics
• DJ Holmes
• Kerry Blaisdell

No Dog Left Behind - A network of heroes

Animal rescue efforts have grown from local shelters that take in strays and abandoned pets to sophisticated networks that transport animals to new homes and bright futures aboard airplanes.

Talk about inspiration for an author!

I recently read an article on ConsumersAdvocate about one such organization. Pittsburgh Aviation Animal Rescue Team (PAART) works to transport at-risk animals by networking with other rescue groups, shelters and adoption organizations. To maximize efficiency of their efforts, PAART fills their planes with food and supplies, often providing desperately needed supplies for shelters that are over-crowded, which often leads to euthanizing healthy animals.

Transporting pets and animals via airplanes may seem extreme, but consider a geographic area that has been hit with a major disaster such as a hurricane or flood. In a case like this, the region is not able to provide resources for the sudden increase in lost or abandoned animals. Relocating these animals to a region not impacted by disaster offers more resources and individuals who are able to rehome and/or care for them.

I’m sure my readers would fall for a strong, alpha hero in a contemporary romantic suspense novel, like my Grayce Walters series, who showed a soft spot for animals. A pilot who volunteers with a fictional organization based on PAART sounds good to me!

Regency treats - Ice Cream

When July gets hot, ice cream is one of the best ways to cool down! But what about during the Regency, in the days before electric freezers? Some people were able to save ice from the cold months in “ice houses,” and use those for ice cream during the summer. Ice would also be transported from Norway and other colder countries to England to make icy treats.#Regency #icecream

What's on the menu - Jellied eels

Do you like Jell-O? Well, how about trying some jellied eels? During the Regency, eels would be served in clear gelatin as a delicious part of your meal. #Regency #dinner

Jane Austen's Favorite Home-brewed Mead

Jane Austen’s favorite recipe for home brewed mead:

To every gallon of water put 4 lbs of honey, and for 20 gallons add as follows: 2 oz of nutmeg, half an oz of mace, half an oz of cloves, 2 ozs of race-ginger, all just bruised, and sewed up in a linen bag; then add a large handful of sweet briar with the above, boil it all together for an hour, skimming it all the time it boils; then drain it off. Add a little balm to it, if it does not work, turn it and let it stand a day or two. Then add the juice of 6 good lemons, with the rind of them and your bag of spices in the barrel. Stop it up close for 10 or 12 months. Then bottle it for use. You may add some more spices if you like it.

– From Martha Lloyd’s Household Book