I knew that this week we would be talking about one of the people that we had the awesome privilege to meet and hang out with at RomCon Jessa Slade. We first heard of Jessa last year when we did the RomCon challenge and I thought she sounds like a really cool person. On the first day of RomCon I was the moderator for the Paranormal Authors talk and Jessa was one of those authors. I do have to admit though that at that time she was a bit over shadowed by my two favorite authors Nalini Singh and Christine Feehan. Later that night Jessa joined us at our table during cocktails, and the rest is as you say history. We got to know her and hang out with the rest of week-end.
So I asked Jessa to write a post about RomCon, why she went last year, and why she is going back this year. So I now turn it over to Jessa…
When I attended RomCon in 2010, I had no idea what to expect. I’d never been to a romance reader convention before last year, and it was the first year for RomCon, so they probably didn’t know what to expect either.
For me, it was love at first sight.
Held over a long weekend at the height of summer, RomCon is like a quick, breathless, slightly illicit rendezvous with a long-lost lover. There is a wonderful intimacy to the days and nights. After all, I already know these people. Well, I don’t KNOW all of them, but I know they are fellow readers, like me, and we have a great love in common: romance novels
Hmm, according to this analogy, RomCon is now a threesome: me, you and our shared love of books.
Except there are hundreds of us, so it’s really an orgy of love story lovin’!
Between the books and the bar, the games and the giveaways, there is always something going on at RomCon. Even the seemingly quiet corners are just a getaway for a happy reader to curl up with her new book.
Last year, I attended RomCon with my first novel in tow. This August, I’ll have the first trilogy of my Marked Souls urban fantasy romance series. And I’m sure RomCon has grown too. I can’t wait to see all the new people and new events. But whatever delights and pleasures and laughs the con will bring, it’s the readers, the writers, and the stories binding them that are always the beating heart.
Hope to see you there! Come find me and claim your set of Marked Souls romance trading cards!
* * *
Vowed in Silence
Possession by a demon cost Jonah Walker his faith, his humanity, and his wife. Once a righteous missionary man, he endures immortality with nothing but a body for battle and a bent for retribution. But his last devastating fight left him wounded beyond healing and his only chance to redeem his soul lies with a fallen woman.
Thrust into a wicked underworld of shadows and sin, Nim Hamlin can’t believe her wanton ways as “the Naughty Nymphette” enthralled a demon…and a damned saint. The world she knows doesn’t deserve deliverance. But the touch of this good man’s hand holds an unholy allure–and she’s never been any good at resisting temptation.
As darkness gathers in the sweltering Chicago summer, Jonah and Nim must conquer the demons of their past to face even fiercer monsters in one last assault. But first they must put aside their doubts and disbeliefs and let their passion for each other burn through the shadows to ignite their furious power…
You can read more about the Marked Souls (where alpha male warriors possessed by repentant demons fight for their souls—and the loves of their lives) at http://jessaslade.com or find Jessa online at http://www.facebook.com/jessaslade or http://twitter.com/jessaslade.
***Here’s the fun part….We have THREE copies of this book to giveaway…Just tell us if you were coming to RomCon what would look forward to most. Meeting the authors in a relaxed fun atmosphere, meeting other readers. Open to US and Canada Only. Giveaway ends on April 17th.
I sure wish I could attend something like RomCom, getting to meet a few of my favourite authors would be awesome. And ofcourse collecting all the stuff and new books and signatures, sight.
Your new book sounds great Jessa, I will have to check it out. Living in Holland, I cannot enter the contest, I wish the others good luck.
Aurian, if you ever get the chance to travel over here, time it for RomCon! BTW you have a lovely romance heroine’s name 🙂
Reading Gals, Romcon was my first time attending a romance convention also. I love the way you described the experience. I felt exactly the same way. Not only did I find instant connections with my fellow readers but also with the authors.
Jessa, you were terrific! I had not read anything of yours at the time and I am so glad you were there. It might have taken much longer to discover your books. You are now on my “can’t wait until the new book comes out” list.
See you at Romcon!
Small typo on the first post. Just ignore the Reading gals at the beginning. . I love this blog but meant to address the comment to Jessa. I’m obviously a reader! *Red Faced*
Laura, yay! Glad to hear I’ll know someone at RomCon this year 🙂 And I’m glad to hear that my running around, waving bookmarks or whatever, helped make a connection with you as a reader. Writers heart readers!
At RomCon I would be most interested in the general experience of everything going on. With authors, I would be interested in hearing where their ideas are coming from. I would like to hear what other readers are finding exciting. I would like to peruse freebies and take in the promotions.
Carol, you typically walk away from reader cons with TONS of books, free and the ones you just can’t leave behind 🙂 Most authors love the chance to chat with readers and hear what’s happening on your end of the story.
Hi Jessa,
I had no idea that RomCon existed or what it is until I read your post on this site. It sounds like a fun romance conference. If I were coming to RomCon, I would most look forward to meeting the authors. I thrive on finding out how other writers craft their stories. I noticed that the 2011 event will have a Victorian Fashion Show. That should be divine! What also intrigued me was the haunted sleepover and the paranormal author tea. Perhaps your intriguing covers will grace the walls of this multi-dimensional conference! Wish I could go but most unlikely. Have a fun time there! May your Marked Souls trilogy make their mark on all the readers there!
I would look forward to meeting authors and getting books signed. I also would love all the free books. 😉
I have to say that meeting Jessa Slade was a highlight of RomCon 2011. She is like an adorable, pixie (rather tall pixie, but just the same…) whirlwind who whisks you along with her enthusiasm, fast, clever wit and energy along with that cute little blush she occasionally gets. I haven’t read her trilogy yet. I was lucky enough to score a copy of Vowed in Shadows, which she graciously signed for me. Now I need to go out and buy all 3 books though since I don’t actually read my personalized autographed books that I love. After reading the first few chapters I decided this was a keeper.
RomCon was a great time and Ms Slade was a contributing factor to it’s success.
Thanks, hope to see you there again next year, most of my group has already bought their tickets.