Quick Post For Some Quick Sharing

Hi All! I know I promised to post earlier about my fabulous Washington DC trip, but I've been working on copy edits for NO CHANCE almost from the moment I returned. Though I hope to have those out in the mail tomorrow, SECOND CHANCE is due this week, so I'm expecting an even busier week.

I did want to share a few of the highlights of my trip with you because it was just so fabulous.

Monday, April 13, my friend, Marie Campbell, and I arrived in DC. It was probably one of the smoothest trips we'd ever had. Everyone was friendly and helpful. As much as I hate to travel, the trip was downright pleasant.

Tuesday, we set off for a day of sightseeing, which included the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, WWII monument and the Vietnam Wall. What incredible sights and how sobering they all were.

Wednesday, we were fortunate to be able to tour a small portion of the White House. Wow, that was so cool. No presidential sightings, but we saw lots of pictures and some very handsome Secret Service Agents.

Wednesday night was the RWA Literacy Signing. My first as a published author. With the exception of three damaged books that I refused to sell because they'd been cut by box cutters, I sold out! Yay! What a blast that was. A massive ballroom with over 500 published authors and thousands of fans. Loved every moment!

After the signing, I met with my wonderful editor and we talked about my favorite subject...writing!

Thursday was filled with meetings. I had breakfast with my fabulous agent. Attended some great workshops and did some work on SECOND CHANCE. The luncheon was fantastic. Linda Howard is not only one of my all time favorite authors, she's incredibly funny. She was the keynote speaker and had everyone in stitches. Oh, and did I happen to mention that RESCUE ME was given away to each attendee, along with her incredible book, DEATH ANGEL? That was just the coolest thing and I'm so grateful to Linda and to Ballantine for that!

Friday was once again filled with workshops and work. The luncheon was great and the keynote speaker, Eloisa James, inspired everyone. Also, I attended the Ballantine party and met some awesome authors and Ballantine associates.

Saturday was cool because it was the Ballantine signing and I had lots of nice folks come by for my books.

Saturday night was the Rita and Golden Heart awards ceremony and as always, I ended up crying during almost everyone's acceptance speech. I love hearing people thank those who have helped and supported them in their career. So many thanked their spouses and I just can't help myself...I tear up every single time. What can I say? I'm a sap and proud of it.

Sunday was great too. Marie and I stayed an extra day and spent hours at Arlington Cemetery. Oh my, such a sobering but inspiring place. I love the respect and dignity that is required there. We saw some incredible sights, but one that astounded me was the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. What discipline those young people have! Loved it!

Monday we headed home and once again, our flight was smooth and enjoyable. I even did quite a bit of work on the plane. And snagged a couple of naps too. Which is very unusual for me since I am terrified of sleeping on a plane. Long story that I'll have to share another time!

All in all, it was a wonderful trip, but I was so happy to be back home with my sweethearts. And they seemed pretty darned happy to see me too. I do have quite a bit of work ahead of me the rest of the year and I am more inspired than ever to go forward. Nationals always does that to me.

Wow, this turned into a larger post than anticipated, but I had to share as much as I could. Every day and every moment was so very special.

Okay, that's it for this time. Since I'll be crunching pages this week to reach my deadline, I probably won't post again until week after next. As always, if you'd like to drop me a note, email me at christy@christyreece.com and I'll try to get back with you as soon as I can.

Until later!

Back in Bama and Working Hard

Hi All! I returned home Monday night, greeted by my sweeties with lots of kisses, hugs and excited barks. I missed them so much! What a pleasure it was to sleep in my own bed and to not sneeze every five minutes. I'm beginning to believe I'm allergic to all hotel rooms.

I'm so behind on sharing news and I'll be honest and say I don't have a lot of time to share now. My deadline for SECOND CHANCE is August 1 and I'm still not done! Also, copyedits of NO CHANCE are sitting on my desk, which are due July 30, so this post will be short. I promise when I get caught up...and I will someday...I'll be more current.

Here are a few things I wanted to share. First of all, I was thrilled that on Monday, July 13, RUN TO ME was a Fresh Fiction Pick over on Fresh Fiction. I was traveling most of the day and didn't have Internet connection, so I didn't get to share the news with everyone. But believe me, I was THRILLED!

Also, Coffee Time Romance and More gave RUN TO ME the coveted CTRR award! Out of hundreds of books they read each month, they choose only a very few to receive this special award. Needless to say, I was THRILLED!

I want to say a special thank you to all my readers who've made this year so wonderful for me. It's been my dream for so long to be a published author, but buying my books, telling me how much you've enjoyed them and recommending me to other readers is beyond a dream come true. Thank you all for being so kind!

Tomorrow, I'll try to take a break and share some highlights of my DC trip. However, those copyedits are calling me.

Until later!

Saying Hey From DC

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to pop in for a brief visit. I'm still in Washington DC for the RWA conference. It's been wonderful. I signed copies of all three of my books at the Literacy signing on Wednesday night. That was so much fun! Several people came by to tell me they'd read one, two or all three of the books. Hearing that people have enjoyed them is just the best thing ever!

However, I didn't get around to any of the authors I was dying to see, so my suitcase won't be filled with books as they usually are. Guess I'll just have to visit the bookstores soon.

On Thursday, at the luncheon, a copy of RESCUE ME was given to each attendee. Oh my, I was thrilled and am so incredibly blessed. That was such a wonderful experience.

In between some great workshops, I'm working on SECOND CHANCE every chance I get. It's due August 1 and I can't wait to finish it up to see how it ends! I so want my hero to have a happy ending. He so deserves it, don't you think?

Copy edits have arrived at my house for NO CHANCE which means within the next few weeks...hopefully by mid-August, I'll be posting an excerpt. I'm so excited about Gabe and Skylar's story. While it's got some really scary parts, it's also just a really sweet love story. I hope you agree when you read it!

After I turn in SECOND CHANCE, I'll get started on LAST CHANCE. I already love my characters. McKenna Sloan is the heroine and you'll meet her in NO CHANCE. I think she's one of my favorite characters ever. Strong and vulnerable at the same time. And Lucas Kane is the hero. He's mysterious and oh so sexy. You'll hear about him in NO CHANCE, but won't meet him until LAST CHANCE. Can't wait to tell you all about him!

Feel free to drop me a line here or at christy@christyreece.com. If I get a chance, I'll get back with you before I get home. If not, I'll try to get back with you next week.

Hope everyone is having an awesome summer and that you've found some great reads.

Until later!

My Weekly Hi

Hi Everyone! Just taking a short break to check in with you. I'm still busily working on SECOND CHANCE. I had hoped to be through with it before I left for nationals, but looks like I'll be taking it with me. So if you're in DC and see my head buried in papers, come by and whisper some inspiration in my ear. Okay?

Thanks again to those who have emailed me with wonderful comments about RUN TO ME. I'm thrilled that so many people have enjoyed Shea and Ethan's story. Also thanks for the eagerness and excitement you've expressed for the trilogy next year. I feel so blessed!

I hope to have an excerpt of NO CHANCE, Gabe's story, up on my site within the next couple of months. So stay tuned for that.

I may not check in again until I come back from nationals. If you're in Washington DC for the conference or for the literacy signing on Wednesday night, be sure to stop by and say hi! I'd love to meet you.

And remember, you can always reach me by email at christy@christyreece.com.

Until next time, stay cool and read lots of great books!