2015 Romance Novel Convention Swag Bag Giveaway

August 26, 2015 06:30 PM Posted by juliannadouglas

Since attending the 2015 Romance Novel Convention about a month and a half ago, I've brought you a 5-day series on my adventures there, as well as interviews with three of our RNCasanovas, Zack Williams, Paul Gunn, and Orestis Papapetrou. If you haven't read the interviews yet, be sure to check them out. All of these guys are awesome people who, IMHO, definitely deserve lots of love and attention from my fellow romance readers and writers.:-) Now as promised, I'm bringing you a huge RNCon prize package giveaway.

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Categories: Giveaways

Tags: Heart of the Season, Jimmy Thomas, Orestis Papapetrou, Paul Gunn, Romance Novel Convention, Zack Williams


July 2015 Book of the Month & Giveaway

August 24, 2015 06:00 PM Posted by juliannadouglas

My favorite five-star read for the month of July is the fifth novel in a long-running, epic historical fiction series that is filled with romance, adventure, mystery, Scottish Highlanders, details of life in Colonial America, and a touch of science-fiction in its time travel element. Yes, I'm talking about the amazing Outlander series. I just can't get enough of my most beloved romantic hero, Jamie Fraser, and the love of his life, Claire. These two have captured my imagination in a way that few character's do, and I would literally read anything the author chooses to write about them. In the more than two decades since I started reading this series, no one else has been able to supplant them as my favorite romantic couple. Theirs is a love worthy of legendary status. In this volume, though, their daughter, Brianna, and her now husband, Roger, are front and center as well, afforded nearly as many scenes as Jamie and Claire. While theirs perhaps isn't quite as compelling of a romance as Jamie and Claire's, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading about them. The narrative of this book seems to ebb and flow between more exciting scenes and quieter moments, but in spite of the slower parts, I still found myself eager for the next book when this one ended. That's why I'm naming Diana Gabaldon's The Fiery Cross as my July Book of the Month. If you enjoy historical fiction, historical romance, or time travel stories, and haven't read this wonderful book yet, you should definitely give it a try. Keep reading to learn how you can win a copy for your own library.

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Categories: Book of the Month, Giveaways

Tags: Diana Gabaldon, Outlander


Hump Day Hunks -- Orestis Papapetrou

August 12, 2015 03:40 PM Posted by juliannadouglas

Orestis Papapetrou

As with my previous two nominees for this title, I had the privilege of meeting today's Hump Day Hunk at the Romance Novel Convention at the end of July, where he was one of the RNCasanovas. I actually didn't officially meet him until Day 4 of the conference. Even then, we were both so busy, we only got the chance to interact briefly a couple of times. Somehow, at the earlier events, he always seemed to be on the opposite side of the room from where I was, so I didn't get to know him quite as well as some of the other guys. However, I did hear a number of comments from other ladies in attendance, and I can say that he was a fan favorite with many of them.:-) He only moved to the U. S. about six months ago to pursue his modeling career, and he also works as a personal trainer. He's originally from Cyprus, so he has that Greek Adonis look going on.

At the photo shoot on Sunday, though, he looked equally comfortable in the roles of cowboy and cop, so I would say he's pretty versatile and could easily take on the guise of your favorite romance novel hero.:-) So without further ado, let me introduce this week's Hump Day Hunk, Orestis Papapetrou. Orestis graciously agreed to an interview with me, so I hope you enjoy!

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Categories: Hump Day Hunks, Interviews

Tags: Orestis Papapetrou, RNCasanovas, Romance Novel Convention


Hump Day Hunks -- Paul Gunn

August 5, 2015 06:27 PM Posted by juliannadouglas

Paul Gunn

I had the privilege of meeting today's Hump Day Hunk at the Romance Novel Convention a little over a month ago, where he was one of the RNCasanovas. If memory serves, he was the first one of the guys with whom I had the opportunity to interact at the Kick-Off Party when he stopped by the table where I was (momentarily) sitting alone, while my friend JossiLynn went to get a drink. When she returned, we both enjoyed conversing with him. The next night at the costume ball, when he saw me in costume, he said he should have dressed as Khal Drogo to match me, and I think he would have been great in that role. He's a bubbly, outgoing charmer, who seems like he's always up for almost anything. He has a smile and the type of personality that lights up a room, and he's very good at improvisation.

In addition to modeling, he has worked as a singer, dancer (including Chippendale's), actor, stuntman, emcee/host, and voice-over artist. It's too bad that voices can't translate to text, because he definitely has one of those memorable voices that is perfect for hosting and voice work. (You can check out some of his videos at his website if you want to hear for yourself). He strikes me as a very zen and all-around fun guy. That's why I'm naming Paul Gunn this week's Hump Day Hunk. Paul graciously agreed to an interview with me, so I hope you enjoy!

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Categories: Hump Day Hunks, Interviews

Tags: Paul Gunn, RNCasanovas, Romance Novel Convention