With PW Blogger @BarbaraVey at the RT BOOKLovers Convention Book Fair.

This past week was rather…full. Or better yet, replete with lots of great opportunities to meet and interact with fellow writers and readers in both Milwaukee and Chicago.

Kicking off the fun fest was PW blogger Barbara Vey with her first Annual Readers’ Appreciation Luncheon in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee. More than 200 readers and 38 authors including Cathy Maxwell, Roxanne St. Claire and Yours Truly congregated at the Oak Creek Community Center for a lovely catered luncheon. Heather Graham gave the fun keynote talk, regaling us with true tales far stranger than any fiction.

Tempting cupcakes by author Dianna Love.

More than 38 author-donated raffle and door prizes were awarded including my “Tote of Tempting Treats” filled with an ARC of the Tempting audiobook and other goodies. Lastly, the guest authors signed our for sale books. Didn’t make it this year? No worries. Barbara’s already set the date for next year’s luncheon: April 27, 2013, location TBA. Indeed the sell-out event was so successful that next year’s will require an even larger venue. Way to go, Barbara!

Then it was off to Naperville, a Chicago suburb, for my guest reading at our satellite Salon, Lady Jane’s Salon Naperville. Founded by romance authors Tracey Devlyn and Adrienne Giordano in February 2012, the Salon is held every other month in the loft of Le Chocolat, a lovely local chocolate patisserie and coffee bar in downtown Naperville.

My table at Barbara Vey's Luncheon.

Just a few months’ old, the Salon already boasts a robust following of romance readers and writers. The April 10th event hosted five guest authors: Laurie London, Traci Hall, Tracey Devlyn (reading her romance debut, A Lady’s Revenge, Book #1 in the Nexus series), Cherry Adair, and yes, me, reading from Tempting. To learn more about the Naperville satellite and “Celebrate Differences,” the recipient charity, visit their website.

Another Tempting tote was a charity raffle prize at Lady Jane's Naperville.

Last but in no way least came the RT BOOKLovers Convention. Highlights of the con included the Thursday E-Book & Graphic Novel Expo, workshops and panel talks by authors representing every Shade of Gray (so to speak) of romantic fiction, a mind boggling array of theme parties and costume events, and of course the renowned giganormous Saturday Book Fair, open to the public as well as convention attendees.

But there is indeed no place like home. After a week of glamor–or at least makeup, “real” clothes, and daily hair washings–I returned home to New York on Sunday evening pleasantly weary and wonderfully… replete, happy and blessed to be back to this writing life of sweat clothes’ wearing and copious cat cuddling and sitting down every day to write the books of my heart.

At the RT Book Fair with @LenGunnModel, Mr. Romance 2011

©2012 Hope Tarr's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Admission: $5 or one donated romance novel. Net proceeds support an end-of-year donation to a NYC women’s charity.

Lady Jane’s meets on the first Monday of the month unless otherwise noted, 7-9PM, at Madame X (Top Tier).

Guest authors’ books available for sale and signing on-site.

Please note our new website at www.LadyJaneSalonNYC.com.

Never been to a Lady Jane’s Salon!?! Check out our latest press goodness in STARRING NYC.

©2012 Hope Tarr's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Admission: $5 or one gently used paperback romance novel to benefit a NYC women’s charity.

Cash bar with $5 drink specials.

Salon ends at 9PM.

©2012 Hope Tarr's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Lady Jane's Salon Co-founders, Leanna Renee Hieber & Hope. Not pictured, co-founders Ron Hogan & Maya Rodale.

M/our Lady Jane’s Salon, NYC’s first and only monthly romance reading series, turned the Big 0-3 last night, and we pulled out all the stops and then some to celebrate Her Ladyship’s special night.

Guest authors were S.b. Sarah Wendell, Lauren Willig, and Eloisa James!

As in previous years, we made our annual End of Year donation to Women-in-Need.

Chambord Vodka champagne cocktails were the perfect way to toast three very sweet years--and counting!

We also took the opportunity to congratulate our three satellite salons in Denver, Raleigh-Durham and, most recently, Naperville (Chicago area). The latter launches tonight, February 7th. Congratulations ladies–and gentlemen!

Chambord Vodka sponsored the event with fun promo giveaways–iPhone caddies, mints, and hats–and complimentary cocktails served for our birthday toast.

Thanks to our guest authors and attendees, to my Salon Co-founders Leanna Renee, Maya and Ron for making Lady Jane’s an event to which I never fail to look forward, to Chambord Vodka for being a great birthday sponsor, and lastly (but in no way least-ly) to Amy, Karen, Alex and the great staff at our beloved host venue in Soho, Madame X for three great years–and counting.

Guests & Co-Founders take a bow. From left to right, Sarah Wendell, Eloisa James, Lauren Willig, Alyssa Montoya of W-I-N (foreground), Ron Hogan, Leanna Renee Hieber & Me!

Year #4, here we come!

Hope

©2012 Hope Tarr's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

No, not Collen McCullough’s THE THORN BIRDS but A LONG FATAL LOVE CHASE by Louisa May Alcott.

Written in 1866 a few years before Alcott’s revered classic, LITTLE WOMEN, A LONG FATAL LOVE CHASE was never published in Alcott’s lifetime. Deemed “too sensational” (translation: too risque) by her male publisher, the book was shelved among her private papers for more than a century and only rediscovered and published in the 1990′s.

As a middle school student, I adored LITTLE WOMEN and well, A LONG FATAL LOVE CHASE is not it. Written for serialization to keep the author’s perennially impoverished family of Transcendentalist intellectuals out of the poorhouse, the book is more penny dreadful than great novel. Still, the themes Alcott addresses–stalking, spousal abuse, bigamy, and a woman’s right to independence and freedom–resonate with a raw contemporary clarity.

As the title suggests, A LONG FATAL LOVE CHASE doesn’t end happily. Despite the every other chapter cliffhanger (it was meant to be serialized), the only true suspense is for whom the chase will prove fatal. The hastily pulled together ending answers that with no real surprises, leaving the reader not so much satisfied as relieved. Like Alcott’s heroine, Rosamund, we too are weary and ready for the chase to end.

Still, A LONG FATAL CHASE is worth a read for Alcott fans as well as fans of 19th century “women’s” literature, a literary tradition that still fascinates and inspires us today. For a wonderful paranormal YA Victorian Gothic romance in the tradition of Oscar Wilde’s THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (only with a happy ending!), read DARKER STILL by my Lady Jane’s Salon co-founder, Leanna Renee Hieber.

And for a fun and informative treatise on romance novels throughout the centuries, check out my other Lady Jane’s Salon co-founder, Maya Rodale’s, new nonfiction e-book, DANGEROUS BOOKS FOR GIRLS.

Speaking of Lady Jane’s, do join us on Monday, February 6th, 7-10PM at Madame X, for Lady Jane’s Third Anniversary Salon. It’s our third year birthday bash and we’re celebrating with our usual lineup of fabo readers including S.b. Sarah Wendell, Lauren Willig, and Eloisa James! Special EOY contribution to our charitable recipient, Women-in-Need. Sponsors: Chambord Vodka (“Pink Your Drink”) and Beatrice.com.

Happy Month of Hearts & Flowers,

Hope

©2012 Hope Tarr's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

TEMPTING, releasing as an audio and ebook Feb/March 2012.

I’d like to start by sharing one of my favorite quotes by another romance writer you may have heard of, Mary Ann Evans.

“You’re never too old to be who you might have been.” –George Elliot.

You tell ‘em, Mary Ann.

2011 was, in many ways the year in which seeds were sewn for me. Among those, I revived a former second writing career as a travel and freelance features writer. Despite getting a late start, I had ten articles published with EuropeUpClose, WETA’s inReads (interview with Nora Roberts) and RT BOOKReviews Magazine (interview with Julia Quinn), to hit the highlights.

Now 2012 is off to a rock n’ roll start. Check out my Step-by-Step Guide to Visiting Peru’s Machu Picchu published just this month by uber savvy travel site, BootsnAll.

On the romance front, my co-founded monthly romance fiction reading salon, Lady Jane’s, will celebrate its third anniversary (and counting) on  Monday, February 6th at our beloved Madame X. Deets forthcoming but for now, know that with Eloisa James and Sarah Wendell (guest emcee) joining us its going to be quite the par-tay!

My award-winning Victorian-set romance novel, TEMPTING, will enjoy a second life early this year as both an audio and digital release. Please check back for specifics including the links.

Lastly, I have a new Facebook Author page, which will soon replace my profile page, fast approaching FB’s 5,000 friends’ limit. If you haven’t already, please take two ticks to “Like” me.

The winter holiday season may be ended but there’s no reason the “gifts” can’t keep coming. In that spirit, I wish you…

A 2012 filled with fairy tale dreams come true,

Hope

©2012 Hope Tarr's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

To help get in the holiday swing, please take two ticks and check out these contemporary and historical Christmas romance releases. Print copies may or may not be available but all are available as digital releases on Kindle and Nook.

And if you’re in the NYC area, please consider putting Lady Jane’s Salon on your to-visit list. Our winter holidays salon is Monday, December 5th, 7-9 PM where I’ll be guest reading along with my Salon Co-Founder, Leanna Renee Hieber and special guest, Patt Mihailoff. Check out the deets here.

©2012 Hope Tarr's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

A: Absolutely nothing…barring that this month I must give up one to gain the other.

Yeppers, I am headed for Peru–the land of Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail and such–which means I will miss our monthly Lady Jane’s Salon on Monday, November 7th.

Still, while I’m rambling amongst the ruins, there’s no need for you to miss. Check out the deets on the Lady Jane’s blog and prepare to party with three great guest authors: Addison Fox, Jeanine McAdam and Isabo Kelly.

Happy Trails,

Hope

PS Whilst I’m away, please check out my latest interview on Digital Book Today.

©2012 Hope Tarr's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Join us on Monday, September 5th–yes, Labor Day–7:00-9:00PM at Madame X. Our featured guest authors are: Miranda Neville, Anne Herendeen & Katherine Ashe.

Authors books available for sale and signing on site.

Admission is $5 dollars or one gently-used paperback romance novel. Cash bar.

Proceeds from the salon benefit an end-of-year donation to a NYC women’s charity.

©2012 Hope Tarr's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

The August Salon welcomes five fabulous guest readers. Returning to the Salon stage: Dee Davis, Mingmei Yip, and Janet Mullany. Appearing for the first time will be Kathleen O’Reilly and Ken Salikof W/A Maxine Kenneth.

The deets: 7-9PM at Madame X. $5 admission (or one gently-used paperback romance). Cash bar.

Hope you can join us.

For a recap of June’s star-studded Special Salon Event, check out the Salon blog.

©2012 Hope Tarr's Blog. All Rights Reserved.