Adventures in NOLA Part 2

That's my buddy Kwana! 

There is nothing better in this world than meeting up with good friends and RT certainly provided me with the opportunity to meet up with  lots of them.

My other buddy Deborah Blake Dempsey

Then there is that bar I told you about. You know the one that if you stood in one place long enough you'd see everyone? Well there's nothing like cornering Nalini Singh and Karina Cooper stops by with a copy of Delilah Dawson's book.

Then there's the food. Behold Red beans and Rice and Andouille sausage. 

Nom Nom Nom!

Then there was Mardis Gras World. RT and the Publishers did go all out to make sure we experienced New Orleans.

Lyla Bellatas and Damon Suede

I found these two in the darkened pathways of the Haunted Mansion. 

We grooved to a New Orleans Jazz band on the way to see the floats!

Nothing like discovering authors in the floats. Which meant:

Oh look it's Sara Humphrey's! 

And  

Suzanne Brockmann with her writing partner and daughter Melanine Brockmann. I tried really hard not to squeal and I remembered to acknowledge Ed  Gaffney this time. Years after meeting them in Jacksonville and having a total fan girl moment where I pretty sure I was unintelligible, I redeemed myself and got a picture.

Seriously the Jazz band rocked it out! 

There was another part to this event but, the lines were long though the food was good and for a tired girl the best thing I could for myself do was head back to the hotel. Where I ran into:

DeLonn Donovan

And decided I wasn't too tired to venture out into the cold (yes it was cold and windy) for a hilarious dinner, where we closed the restaurant down and shocked the staff.

My first time in NOLA at the RT Booklovers Convention - Part 1

OK that sounds wrong but I have the conference crud and I'm not changing it. A few months back I went to Las Vegas which is another first. until this year I hadn't been west. I've been  up and down the east coast but not west. 

This conference was full of the unexpected. The happy coincidences like finding out that your chapter mate Jessica Souders was also on the plane to NOLA. Or walking into the bar to find one of your favorite cover models and friends, Scott Nova and Hildie McQueen hanging out on the first night.

 The bar  and also the lobby would be the gathering place and the meeting hub of the conference. If you stood in one place long enough you'd eventually see all the people you wanted to and  even a few you didn't expect to see. Unless they were ninjas or wore a cloaking device. The Marriott was on the corner of Canal and Chartes.

From Canal Street it was a quick walk into the quarter or the Picayune Historical District and food. Believe when I say food is a big part of travel for me and Louisiana didn't disappoint. Two blocks down and across the street we discovered The Ruby Slipper Cafe . The makers of Bananas Foster French toast and steamed milk for my tea.

The food is what kept me fueled to handle the RT Booklovers Convention. 

It was an action packed week that started long before I arrived and finished up after I left. It was marked by long lines and a wall of sound that hit you every time you exited the elevators. This RT Book lovers Convention was huge. Masses of writers and readers alike took over the Marriot in a celebration of stories and books. Cover models roamed the halls and author sighting abounded. Check in with me next week for part 2!

Music Monday! (on Tuesday) Cage The Elephant - Ain't No Rest For The Wicked

My theme song since I came back from #RT2014.

Music Monday! No Doubt-Hey Baby