Myra Nour Romance Author

Sunday, June 25, 2006

EC party/Part 3 RT. Jeez, it felt like I was never going to get back to this RT blog. I picked up a nasty cold last week and had a reaction to my asthma medicine.Simon and I dressed up as male and female genies for the party. I described our outfits in RT/Part II. When we got there, I saw Michelle Pillow and Mandy Roth. We decided to sit with them and hubbies, since they were the only authors I knew at this point. Plus, they are nice gals. Both husbands were dressed in suits and looked nice.

Funny, because they informed me later they had to twist their husbands arms to get them to wear suits!!EC had the authors line up first to make sure we knew were we were to be situated. Shades of kindergarden.:) I started meeting other authors in line. Cait Miller was dressed in a nice scottish outfit. Patrice Michelle came down the line and introduced herself. Said it might be the only opportunity she had to meet everyone. I thought it was a great idea, and one I'll try next RT. I was feeling a bit awkward. So many new people, my shyness factor rioted its head.

Met a lot of authors, but I don't really want to start naming, I might forget someone. They had each of us go across the stage as we were introduced and escorted by a gorgeous male model. All the models were dressed alike, in tux pants with straps and a hat. No shirt. Cute!! On either side of the stage they had huge screens set up, and as each author walked across, they showed our books. Really nice way to let readers and the public know who we are.

Then we ate dinner. Now I can't remember what we had, but I'm sure it was good. EC had nice decorations, and on the table were chocolate stilettos - yum, with candy mouths strewn around. Of course after that, the dancing started. The music was a nice mix - some popular tunes, hip hop, and even some oldies.

That's when I saw Flash. Oh boy! She was dressed...not sure, but I think it was a sexy bunny. It was sexy though. She's one of the few gals who could have pulled off that costume with her cute figure.

EC's was a Fantasy party, so you were to come as your favorite fantasy. The readers wore a wide variety of costumes, while some EC authors wore various costumes, and some decided to "dress up" - going for the little black dress look. Everyone looked nice.

We had met Maggie earlier, and saw her at the dance. She wore a Renaissance dress and whoa - those boobs were just about outta their containment. True medieval style with the push up and exposed flesh.:) I thought she was shy but the dress made me reconsider!! Kudos to anyone who can wear those styles. I get a bit nervous when I wear a black dress with netting across the breasts that goes pretty low.

Then we saw Renee and Stacy. Renee had told me earlier that they were dressing as harem girls. I couldn't wait to see what they wore, especially since I found out Renee was a costume maker. Wow, the outfits were gorgeous, and Renee's outrageous. It was split almost to her belly button in front, with a bra. There was a whole lotta flesh exposed. Renee is a pretty, Rubenesque girl, so at first I thought - that's a bit much. But then when I saw her dance, I said, "Anyone who can belly dance like that, can wear anything they wish!!" That girl can move!!She told me later she had been a professional dancer years ago, but busted her knees out. Sad.

Simon and I got lots of stares. You can see our photo at:http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/caitmiller1/detail?.dir=afa2scd&.dnm=5f2fre2.jpg&.src=phSimon looked great. My face was chubby. Sigh. I'm allergic to something in the area, because my photos all came out with various amounts of pudgy face shots. Simon took my photo two days before I left and my face looked good! I'm going to post that later on my web site for RT photos, so people can see what I mean.

Anyway, I kept having ladies tell me how much they loved my costume, espcially the head piece - which was one of my old costume jewelry necklaces (I collect them), secured across my forehead. Onyx and silver.

I don't know why Simon kept worrying (before we got to the party) about exposing so much chest. The ladies loved it!! I had so much fun, I forgot to take breaks and danced pretty much the whole time. We left around midnight.OK,

Part 4 will be next blog - covering Thursday and the Vampires of the Caribbean party.Myra Nourwww.myranour.com

RT/Part II. For readers and authors who haven't been to RT, I'm detailing some things in my blog, so you can get more of a picture of how things looked and felt.

I complied Part II of RT blog almost a week ago. I spent a lot of time on it, and then Chris came home. When she headed for the computer, I said, "Don't knock off the blog I'm working on." Sure enough, when I went back in a bit and tried to post it, was gone. She had gone into her Myspace, knocking my blog off. I was pissed!!

So, here I am doing it again. Since she is gone to drill, I'm going to compose and post it before she gets home. I hope I can remember most of what I wrote.

Wednesday morning we were shocked when we went to the lobby and saw a long line of folks at the registratiion. I saw a pretty girl with long braids and thought, "That has to be Flash". After we registered I introduced myself to the one and only Flash. What a cutie.

I saw Dakota Cassidy pass by but didn't have time to speak to her. Another pretty girl. Beautiful face and hair. Then we went to promo ally to set up. It was a long hallway with tables along it. Each author had about 2 feet of space, which is enough for PR items.

Lunch was OK, a sandwich. It was honoring Borders/Waldenbooks, which was nice. We couldn't find a place to sit at first. They didn't put enough tables out. After a while, they found spaces for people at tables were no one sat. When we sat down, I was trying to see the badge of the lady next to us and was surprised to see it was an editor from New Concepts Publishing.

After talking for a few minutes, I realized it was Jeri, the head editor! She was such a nice lady and we hit it off. Next to her was Barbara, another NCP editor. Jeri told me she didn't have but a few PR items on the table in Club RT, so I brought different ones to her later. For those who may not know, NCP is one of my publishers.

Club RT was set up in a room, which was too small. Talk about cozy! They had tables for authors, with a small sign over the table with your name. Authors switched every 30 minutes with someone new. Around the circumstance of the room were tables set up for publishers. I saw NCP, Venus Press, Siren Publishing, Amber Quill, and there were others as well. Across the front were lovely giveaway baskets from the authors. Scattered throughout the room were vendors selling neat items from beautiful scarves & shawls, to unique book covers. I got so busy I forgot to shop!!

I attended a workshop about pitching to agents/editors. It was good. I finally met Linnea Sinclair, another beauty. I was scheduled for Club RT at 3:30. I was stuck in a bad spot and didn't have anyone come by as I expected. But it was fun watching everyone. I also left to take things to the NCP table so I might have missed someone.

I talked to Brenna Lyons for a bit, what a bright person. I was so shocked when we met, because I expected her to be older. I can't remember if it was her or someone else who told me that Kimberly was selling the chocolate male & female parts. I forgot to mention at the jacuzzi the night before, a lady stopped by to loudly announce she had bought a chocolate "c" lollipop.
I decided I wanted a female one for Simon, that it'd be funny to see his face when he saw his gift. I arranged to meet Kimberly later and picked out a choclolate "p". It was laying on the desk when he came in later, and he was shocked. It was like, "what...?"

Dinner that night was nice, I don't remember what we ate. I think it was honoring RT magazine. Memory getting fuzzy here. They talked about RT mag, how it got started, introduced staff. That's when a light went off and I realized Kathryn Faulk was the lady who asked if Simon was a hunk the day before at breakfast. Jeez!

There wasn't much time between after dinner and getting ready for the EC party. Any time that we had, we were either checking my stuff on promo ally, or talking to people. EC wanted authors there at 8:15 to get organized and take pictures. Darn, I wanted to attend the Belly Dancing present between 8-9, but you can't be two places at once!

We went as male and female genies. I used one of my belly dancing outfits and got many compliments from ladies. I put one of my old costume jewelry necklaces across my forehead - onyx and silver so it matched perfectly. My outfit was black and silver except for the aqua & silver coin scarf on my hips.

I'm going to stop for now. Simon and I have to go do some things. I'll pick up with the EC party in the next blog.

Myra

Saturday, June 24, 2006

RT was a blast/Part 1

Wow, RT was so much fun!! There was also so much going on, I'm going to break this blog into several parts.

Let's start with the arrival. Simon and I got there on Sunday evening. There weren't many folks around, which was kinda nice so we could check the place out. The beach has the softest sand I've ever felt, very nice. There was a nice breeze blowing and continued everyday after. It wasn't too hot, and someone told me there was a cold front.:)

Monday we hung out at the beach, rented an umbrella, so for me, the one who burns, it was great! The water was too cold to swim in, which was kind of surprising. We thought Florida would have pretty warm water by May, but I guess it'd be June before it warms up to where we'd like the temperature. There were a few people swimming, of course. There always are! We still didn't meet anyone.

That evening we went to visit Simon's cousin, Karam, who we haven't seen for many years. He has a very lovely wife and 5 great kids! It was a wonderful visit, and we got treated to Lebanese food. Yum.

Tuesday we were shocked when we came downstairs and found the long line waiting for registration. We met a reader from Toronto Canada. Now that was a drive. I saw a tall attractive girl who I knew had to be Flash. I managed to catch her after we registered, and indeed it was the one and only Flash!! I was amazed at the costumes she wore throughout the week, so creative, sexy, and some just amazing. The Egyptian outfit she wore at the bookfair was the bomb!!!

I saw Dakota Cassidy walk by but didn't get a chance to introduce myself to later. She was very pretty.
We didn't have anything to do until night, when we had a Luau. It was held in a room way too small for the crowd, so many of the people were standing around. Simon nudged me and said look who's here, it was two sisters we knew from our San Antonio RWA. I was so pleased to find someone I knew. Diana DeBalko was now an editor for Siren Publishing.
I told her I didn't have any editor or agent appointments because I'm in between books. She said I could submit a proposal to her. That was sweet, but heck, I have enough to do to keep up with what I need to get done for NCP and EC!

We managed to find a table, where we could put our plates down and eat. We met Maggie, who was very quiet. She was by herself, and had come to make appointments as an aspiring author. Later, Deborah and Ron showed up. She's a reader and he gets dragged to RT.:) They were both so funny, we loved it.

After the party, we went to the jacuzzi. We hadn't been there long and a group popped in. These gals were from Newport News, VA, a great place. They were readers/aspiring authors and published authors. There was Lawan, Phyllis, Denise, & Cheryl. They were friends and attended the same RWA group. We also met Sharon, a shy, sweet girl who came later. She is also an aspiring author.

We had very lively discussions about writing. It was fun getting to know these gals, and you'll hear more about them later. Several other people came, but I can't remember names.
I forgot to mention entertainment at the party was nice. They had a group of ladies who presented different kinds of Hawaiin and island dances. I wouldn't mind learning one, they look fun.

That is it for now. Part two coming soon...
Myra Nour
www.myranour.com

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

JOKES/Real ads

I thought it'd be fun to post some jokes since it's mid-week. These were sent by a friend, and are from real newspaper ads!! Enjoy.

Myra Nour
www.myranour.com

FREE YORKSHIRE TERRIER.
8 years old. Hateful little dog. Bites.


FREE PUPPIES:
1/2 Cocker Spaniel, 1/2 sneaky neighbor's dog.


FREE PUPPIES...
Mother, AKC German Shepherd.
Father, Super Dog...able to leap tall fences in a single bound.


FOUND DIRTY WHITE DOG.
Looks like a rat ... been out a while.
Better be a reward.


COWS, CALVES: NEVER BRED.
Also 1 gay bull for sale.


NORDIC TRACK
$300 Hardly used, call Chubby.


GEORGIA PEACHES
California grown - 89 cents lb.


JOINING NUDIST COLONY!
Must sell washer and dryer $300.


WEDDING DRESS FOR SALE.
WORN ONCE BY MISTAKE.
Call Stephanie.


AND THE LAST ONE:

FOR SALE BY OWNER:
Complete set of Encyclopedia Britannica, 45 volumes.Excellent condition.
$1,000 or best offer.
No longer needed, got married last month.
Wife knows everything

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Two great new reviews/To Tame a Werewolf

OK, I just set this blog up, got to see if I can do this right! I want readers to know about the two wonderful reviews I received recently for To Tame a Werewolf. Well, I received them before I left for RT, but haven't posted anything about them.

I'd like to thank Shayley for this great review. The full review can be seen at:
http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2006/April/Shayley-ToTameAWerewolf.htm

Myra Nour has written a wonderful short story that readers will enjoy spending a couple of hours reading. Angela is a take charge woman that loves a bad boy. Connor is a well respected professor that has another side that is definitely more than Angela imagined but one that she will be drawn to. With two characters that compliment each other, this reader was immediately hooked. Although there was a blizzard and freezing cold temperatures outside, the inside of the cabin was smoldering with heat and passion. To Tame a Werewolf is a story this reader thoroughly enjoyed. 5 Angels!

Reviewed by: Shayley for Fallen Angels


Also, thanks to Angel for a great review. Full review can be seen at:
http://www.romancejunkies.com/artman/publish/article_5523.shtml

I thoroughly enjoyed TO TAME A WEREWOLF and highly recommend it to all fans of paranormal genre and especially wolf tales. Connor may seem boring at first, but boy does he pack a punch when he lets loose. Angela is inquisitive and very courageous when she finds out about Connor. She is a top-notch heroine that doesn’t cower or run from the sexy wolf before her. Love scenes are intense and totally sweltering with plenty of sparks to start an inferno. Myra Nour has a reputation for creating characters that are memorable and plots that are intriguing. Her fans will certainly want to pick this one up.

Angel, Romance Junkies. 4 Blue Ribbons

Myra Nour
www.myranour.com
To Tame a Werewolf
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/myranour.htm