Jennifer Ashley accepts her Reviewers' Choice Award

Also receiving accolades were Marianne Mancusi, whose What No Roses? won a Reviewers’ Choice Award for Most Innovative Historical Romance; Joy Nash, who received a Reviewers’ Choice Award with The Grail King for Best Historical Fantasy; and Jennifer Ashley, author of Penelope & Prince Charming, which was honored with a Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Historical Romantic Adventure.

Joy Nash accepts her Reviewers' Choice Award	Marianne Mancusi accepts her Reviewers' Choice Award

During the day, authors hosted workshops, mixers for the booksellers, and various events for fans.  Topics ranged from urban fantasy to horror to thrillers to historicals, but one theme resounded through it all: It’s all about the romance. Each evening brought a theme party, with fabulous music and great costumes.

Bobbi Smith at her morning mixer

Bobbi Smith and Christina Skye kicked off the convention early Thursday morning with a bookseller breakfast called “Trouble in the West.” Bobbi talked about her upcoming release Lawless, Texas, due out in August 2007 and gave the attending booksellers a fabulous goodie bag filled with free books, a sheriff’s badge and much more. The male cover model contestants made their grand entrance in a bid to get to know all the conventioneers.

Following the breakfast, Jeff Buick, who writes for the thriller line, and Deborah LeBlanc, one of Leisure’s horror writers, presented a riveting panel called Body Bags and Toe Tags.  With strong female protagonists and loads of chilling action, their latest releases—Shell Game by Jeff Buick and A House Divided by Deborah LeBlanc—will appeal to any fan of Romantic Suspense.

Deborah LeBlanc	Jeff Buick

At the Dorchester Spotlight presentation Senior Editor Christopher Keeslar and Editor Leah Hultenschmidt highlighted some exciting upcoming projects, including the Immortals series and the new Shomi line, which features action-packed romances with manga-style covers designed to appeal to readers ages 18-35.  A lively audience full of great questions kept them on their toes.

Immortals Team: Leah, Jennifer Ashley, Robin Popp, Joy Nash

Thursday evening concluded with a Fairy Ball, partially sponsored by Jennifer Ashley and Rowena Cherry. The evening consisted of a wonderful dinner followed by a costume pageant, in which American Title finalist Judi Fennell won second place.

Rowena Cherry	Judi Fennell

Colby Hodge autographs a book

Friday began with the “From Sea to the Stars” breakfast hosted by Colby Hodge, Marianne Mancusi and Liz Maverick. It was a wonderful opportunity for booksellers to have some one-on-one time with some of their favorite authors. Colby just released Shooting Star while Liz and Marianne gave away posters and temporary tattoos featuring the new Shomi line. Liz’s book, Wired, will be released in July, and Marianne’s Moongazer will be available in August.

Liz Maverick and Marianne flank a bookseller at their from the Sea to the Stars party	Ms. Mancusi, Maverick and Holby talk with Booksellers

Saturday afternoon the ballroom was filled with 300 authors and thousands of readers at the conventions only event open to the public, an enormous booksigning. 

ATIII winner Jenny Gardiner with former winner Gerri Russell	Bobbi Smith at booksigning
Colby Hodge	Colleen Thompson and American Title finalist Linda Thomas Sundstrom
Diana Groe at booksigning	Jana DeLeon at booksigning
Jennifer Ashley at booksigning	Joy Nash at booksigning
Liz Maverick showing off her Shomi tattoo at booksigning	Marianne Mancusi
Marjorie Liu	Nina Bangs at booksigning

Dorchester continued the festivities by hosting the eagerly anticipated annual cover model contest.  Eight men competed for the title of Mr. Romance, strutting their stuff down the runway and showing the audience just how romantic they could be.  Each dressed as a hero from a recent Dorchester novel, whether he be a rugged cowboy or a fierce Highland warrior. 

Chris Howell with Anna DeStefano	Chris Winters plays a cowboy from Bobbi Smith's Lawless Texas
Cindy Holby and Chris Winters	cover model contestant Fred Williams
model contestant Travis Greiman gets down on the dance floor	cover models Chris Winters and Travis Greiman with Dorchester Direct Sales Manager Diane Stacy
jade lee with model scott perri	Joy Nash with Mr Romance winner Jason Santiago
Mr. Romance contestants onstage	Travis Grieman plays Connie Mason's Highland Warrior

The winners:

• Audience Favorite and “Mr. Congeniality”- A dual award winner, Fred Willimans exhibited a great sense of humor and really wow’d them on the dance floor.
• Honorable mention: Ozzie Walle, whose Latin good looks immediately impressed but who really wowed when he revealed he’s the proud papa of eight children!
• Runner up: Jesse Wildman, a U.S. serviceman who gamely filled in at the last minute. His scores went sky high in the last round when he portrayed an officer returning home to his wife from overseas.  There weren’t many dry eyes in the audience after that one.
• Winner: Jason Santiago, who brought smoldering passion along with a killer smile to every character he played.  As Mr. Romance, he will be featured on the cover of a Dorchester book to be published in 2008.  Stay tuned for details!