2013 Beautiful Trouble Publishing Meet & Greet

As you know, yesterday was the 2nd annual Beautiful Trouble Publishing Meet and Greet. Fantastic, amazing, and spectacular do not even come close to describing the actual event. If you were following my facebook ,you got to experience some of the "Royal Treatment" the readers & authors we're privileged to receive, but I just wanted to give you a rundown of the event as only The Romance Arsonist could!!

 

The event started just after 8:30am. Each guest was announced and greeted by the King and Queen of Hearts(Editor: Barb Wilson and hubby).
Each guest was given her very own crown and swag bag. They went down the line picking up all kinds of awesome freebies just for them. After their bags were full of treats, they were personally welcomed by each of the BTP authors. We were lined up wearing our own Tiaras and shook hands or, in most cases, hugged each guest, because they were just like family.

Throughout the day we had various panel discussions with wonderfully talented authors: Erosa Knowles, Roslyn Hardy Holcomb, Janet Ekford, Sienna Minx, Yvette Hines, Kassanna Dwight, Lisa G. Riley, Billy London, Reana Malori, Violette Dubrinsky, Naomi Jones, Elle Hays, Serenity King, Raelynn Blue, Nikki Winter, Jayha Leigh, Jeanie Johnson, and of course yours truly: Gynger Fyer, The Romance Arsonist!!!

 

In between each panel, we had "ear-gasms," where several authors read a HOT passage from one of their books! :) I read a passage from my book THE BUCKET LIST and lets just say it was well received! LOL!!

http://www.amazon.com/Bucket-List-Dreams-Come-ebook/dp/B009TU4YPE/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372787635&sr=1-4&keywords=gynger+fyer

 

 

Lunch was great!  I had the roast beef, creamy orzo in a cheezy garlic and chive sauce, string beans, salad and strawberry shortcake for dessert. The food was fresh and delicious. There was even a glass of sweet tea already waiting for me in my spot! Ya'll know how much I like my sweet tea :)

 

After lunch we had more panels and ear-gasms. Each author also had their own tables were readers could buy their books and meet with them personally. We were blessed to have lots of free books and gifts to give out from other publishers like Changling Press, and authors who could not be there like Drea Riley, Don Abdul and J.J. Murray.

 

The entire event culminated in a renewal of wedding vows by the King and Queen of Hearts!!! Officiating was our very own Jayha Leigh!! Yep! She's licensed to wed and there wern't any shot guns required. LOL!!!! Yes, I cried as Barb and the "Big Guy" pledged their continued love and support for each other. Awwww it was soooo beautiful. Barb had earlier announced that she had opened her own publishing house where they would not only publish books, but offer a-la-cart services to self published writers.  Looks like the "Grammar Mercenary" as I like to call her will have a busy year!  http://www.taliesinpublishing.com

 

Well, that's it. I wore my killer purple dress and heels all day. So as I write this, I'm resting my feet which were killing me by the end of the day. Kassanna told me to take them off but I thought I could handle it (WRONG). LOL  I met Sienna, Violette, Yvette,  Di Topaz, Naomi, and Erosa along with Erosa's daughter and two wonderful  friends of the BTP family for drinks and dinner. We had a wonderfully enlightened and creative conversation and bonded like old friends.

I woke up this morning happily exhausted! LOL so I plan to take it easy for the rest of today. One thing is for sure,I will never, ever, forget this awesome, life changing convention.  The fans are wonderful!!

Conventions like these are the perfect place for people to gather and meet others who share their same passion for reading interracial/multi-cultural romance novels. It really is like the petfect vacation. They're held in  different cities each year and you get completly spoiled by the writers and publishers. We even had a masseuse doing free chair massages!!! 

If you've never been to one of these conventions, I encourage you to attend. Last year, I attended as a fan; this year I attended as a published author. I can attest that these events can be life changing. I've always written stories but, it was the encouragement I received at last years event which gave me the courage to submit my first book: The Bucket List. It is a moment which has literaly changed the course of my life and I am forever greatful!

My top ten things to do in Atlanta!! ~There's no place like home

In four days this Georgia Peach will be back home in beautiful Atlanta, Georgia for my very first reader conference as a published author!! I am super excited. The long awaited Beautiful Trouble Publishing Eat and Greet will be held in my hometown and it's going to be off the chain!!(to all my readers outside of the US, that means we are going to have a wild, fun and crazy time).
I've decided to show some southern hospitality and give you 10 places you have got to visit when you're in Atlanta.

1. The Varsity: 

This place is special to me because most Sunday's, my dad would pack the family into his pick-up truck and take us here to eat. My favorite meal? Two chili-slaw-dogs with raw onions on the side, an order of onion rings and a medium Frosted Orange or FO as us locals like to call it. Don't forget to get you one of their signature red hats...There perfect if you want to do a little bedroom role play with your mate :)thevarsity.com/‎



2. The Georgia Aquarium: In my opinion, this is the best aquarium in the country. I've been a season ticket holder so I've been to this modern day marvel many, many times and it's never the same twice. My favorite spot is the amphitheater which gives you the best under-the-sea seat in the house. Sit back and watch gigantic whale sharks, hammer head sharks, sting ray and grouper the size of a two year old child, swim and frolic right before your eyes. The other exhibits are just as fascinating. Truly a must! www.georgiaaquarium.org

3. the World of Coca-Cola: If you like Coke products then this will be soda heaven!! located directly next to the Georgia Aquirium, the World of Coca-Cola introduces you to the history of Coke, the products they sell world wide and shows you how the tasty beverage is bottled. They even have a tasting room where you can sample as many and as much of their products from around the world as you want!! Just steer clear of the Italian soda called "Beverly"...It will put some hair on your chest. At the end, you will be given your very own bottle of        Coke! www.worldofcoca-cola.com

4. Fresh to Order (F2O): Although this restaurant chain has several locations. I frequent the one on Peachtree Street any time I'm in Atlanta. It's the best place to grab a quick, fresh bite. Their long plates come piled high with hot, delicious food that can't be beat, and the price is always right.  Try the ribs, or the salmon! yummy and the corn chowder and mushroom bisque are tied as my favorites. Each comes with a mini crescent roll drizzled with honey. ummmm hhhmmmm! The decor is very clean and Ikea Trendy so it's very relaxing. Try the infused tea or the Sangria. My mom now puts fresh rosemary in her tea because she had some at F2O and love it just that 

much! www.freshtoorder.com/locations

5. Atlantic Station: This shopping and entertainment district is still relatively new and is a really nice place to go to shop, dine and have entertainment. They have movie features in the grass covered square on Fridays. There's also a movie theater, Publix supermarket, and a host of nice restaurants. See candy apples and candy being made at Kilwin's or take a short trip around the block to IKEA or Super Target www.atlanticstation.com

If you like something more intellectual. The "Bodies" exhibit is on display for about $25 per adult. It's a unique experience for sure. See the human body from the inside out and discover how it all works! www.bodiestheexhibition.com/atlanta/‎

6. Starlight Drive In: I bet you didn't know Atlanta was one of the few cites left with their own drive in! Yes, it's may seem like a relic of a by gone era but the Starlight drive in gives you more bang for your buck. Every movie is a double feature, and the concession stand is super cheap. You can bring in your own food and have a romantic night out or you can pack up the family with the grill and make a night of it. It's old school movie watching with the stars above. Summers in Atlanta are perfect for the drive in. Get there early because there will we a line of cars but, I promise there is room for everybody. www.starlightdrivein.com/‎

7. Mary Mac's Tea Room: Now this place is southern comfort to me. The decor is down home parlor room  nd the food!!! it's like my own momma is in the kitchen cooking. I haven't had a bad dish in this place. Fried chicken, macironi and cheese, collard greens, corn bread, catfish and shrimp, fried okra, black eyed peas, meat loaf, chicken fried steak and white gravy... could go on but I think you get the point. Besides, any reaurant that has "Pot Likker" on the menu gets an "A+ " in my book. If you don't know what Pot Likker is, it's the left over juice and bits from the collard green or turnip green pot. It tastes like heaven with corn bread and don't forget  to have a glass of  sweet tea! www.marymacs.com/‎

8. Lenox Square Mall: If shopping is your thing,  Lenox Square is the place to go. Not only is this massive space full of high end shops and boutiques, it is the place to see and be seen. You might see a model, celeb, wanna be celeb or even a fierce tyranny! I love to go to Lenox to people watch! This multi-level marvel will have you hooked.The parking is a bit of a nightmare and valet is a bit high in the instep for my tastes but hey it's Lenox! Live a little. www.simon.com/mall/lenox-square

9. CNN Center Tour: See where the magic happens in this 55 minute interactive tour. It's fun and informative. Ever wanted to be a news anchor? Here's your chance...or at least you can pretend. With stage props and mega watt lights, you too can be the nest Anderson Cooper! http://www.cnn.com/tour/index.html

10. Burkhart's Pub: Have you ever seen a drag queen show?? Well, here's your chance! not only is Burkhart's known for their drag shows, the food is pretty good too. Caution, if you don't like gay people, you better skip this venue, but I warn you, you'll be missing out on 3 hours of badd azz  queens doing their thing. Some will even have you looking twice. It's not to be missed!