Wednesday's Warrior - A Tribute to Bertice and George Small

Last night Kathryn Falk announced the passing of Bertrice Small on Facebook.  Above is a portrait of Bertrice and her beloved husband, George, first published in the RT Magazine. George passed several years ago and now they are together.

I have shared the story of how I discovered romance ... I was living in the Netherlands and cleaning out the American Spouses' thrift shop.   I was drawn to a historical romance cover ... and the rest is history.  After devouring the romances in the thrift shop and even at the library, I wondered into the Stars and Stripes Bookstore, asking the manager if she carried Romances.  She shared her own favorite author - Bertrice Small.

Three years later, in 2008, I met Bertrice and George Small at the RT Booklovers' Convention in Pittsburgh.  George came to the convention to attend the SOS America Military Tribute. He was so dashing in his original WWII uniform, below, to the left.

Actually, I used George's WWII picture, taken outside Reims, France, as a promotion for the tribute, "Come Meet Mr. Romance 1945".   To this day, I remember Bertrice sighing at this picture, claiming he was the inspiration of her books.

Last year, the Romance Writers of America (RWA) honored Bertrice with the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. Although Bertrice could not be in San Antonio to accept the award, she spoke to the audience in a video.   She looked frail then ... but her poor health could not detract from all that she has accomplished in the romance industry.  From her bio (link),

She is the author of 54 novels, with one in production and another almost finished. They will be published in May and October of 2013. 42 of these novels are Historical Romance, 6 are Fantasy Romance, and 6 are Erotic Contemporary. She has also written 4 erotic novellas. Her novels include THE KADIN (pronounced Kah-deen), and the beloved series "The O'Malley Saga" and "Skye's Legacy". A New York Times bestselling author, she has also appeared on other best-seller lists includingPublishers Weekly, USA Today, and the L.A. Times. She is the recipient of numerous awards including Career Achievement for Historical Romance; Best Historical Romance; Outstanding Historical Romance Series; Career Achievement for Historical Fantasy from RT Book Reviews; a Golden Leaf from the New Jersey Romance Writers chapter of Romance Writers of America; an Author of the Year (2006) and Big Apple Award from the New York City Romance Writers chapter of RWA, and several Reviewers Choice awards from RT Book Reviews. She has a "Silver Pen" from Affair De Coeur, and an Honorable Mention from The West Coast Review of Books. In 2004 Bertrice Small was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by RT Book Reviews magazine for her contributions to the Historical Romance genre. And in 2008 she was named by RT Book Reviews along with her friends Jennifer Blake, Roberta Gellis and Janelle Taylor, a Pioneer of Romance.

No doubt that Romanceland will post tributes to Bertrice as a trailblazer in this genre.  But I will always remember her as the blushing bride of a proud veteran.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Bertrice and Fabio from her website

Aloha to RT Convention Virgins and SOS Military Mixer

I just received the November issue of RT Book Reviews by way of Hawaii - Ohio (inlaws) - Maryland.    In her monthly column, Kathryn Falk gives readers a sneak peak at special events for the RT Booklovers' Convention, May 14-18, 2014, in New Orleans:

More stars are signing up for the Book Fair.  If you love Suzanne Brockmann's books, this is your opportunity to make her acquaintance.  Air Force veteran and military spouse Kim Lowe is planning a fabulous Sunday, May 18,  SOS morning party.  We will invite all military authors to appear on a panel and we also invite anyone in the military, military spouse and readers of the military romance to join us.  The original military romance author, Lindsay McKenna, is bringing retired US Navy SEAL Chief Michael Jaco, who was part of SEAL Team Six.  Jaco will be our keynote speaker at his memorable event.  Be sure not to miss Sunday morning!

Kathryn also noted that she and Kelli Salkin are working on a convention manual for RT Virgins.  Kathryn asked me to submit my thoughts ... and I share them with you today!

I am one lucky reader with Nalini Singh and Julie James.

Three Bs to a fun filled RT Convention ...

I attended my first convention in Daytona Beach/2006.   As a reader-new-to-romance, I embraced the opportunity to jump right into the convention.   So I deployed my "boot camp" training ...

1.  Be Friendly.  I knew no one before the convention .... and I came home with several friends.  I struck up a conversation with other readers in line, at tables, and even at a piano.   On my way to an evening party, I spotted a cover model playing the piano in the foyer.   We chatted about his music ...  the piano player is Mark Johnson, Mr Romance 1996!   I love seeing his smiling face each year at RT!

While standing in line for the book fair, I chatted with a woman from St. Louis ... Mary Gramlich, the Reading Reviewer (link). Since then, we have roomed together at several conventions, encouraged each other to start our own blogs, and shared publisher info with the other.  SOS Aloha would not be what it is today if I had not chatted with Mary in line!

The convention now offers the RT Virgin Workshop - this gives newbies the chance to meet each other.   Use this opportunity to schedule a time to meet for coffee, stand in line, and/or help each other dress for the fabulous parties!

Can you guess who are these historical authors?

2.  Be Flexible.  In 2006, I was so awestruck that I often dawdled over the promo material ... and arrived last to the reader parties.   When I discovered the room was packed, I pulled out the schedule and looked for other panels.  I still remember the Romantic Suspense workshop with Allison Brennan, Brenda Novak, Patricia Potter, and Christina Skye.  I won a book from Patricia .... and scored a chat with Christina.   That chat meant more to me than any prize from the readers' parties.

The convention offers a wide range of interactive events - take advantage of them!

Christina Skye, Brenda Jackson, and Robyn Carr

3. Be Free.  Come meet the SOS America volunteers at our information table in Club RT.   We are giving away US Flag pins to readers and "veteran" stickers to those who served.   If you don't have a partner for the larger events, you can join us in line ... I'll be sure to introduce you to the authors I know! And, of course, mark your schedule for the SOS Military Mixer on Sunday, May 18, 9 am - 11 am - all are welcome.   The schedule includes open fellowship, posting the colors, the National Anthem, each service's anthem, Chief Jaco as our guest speaker, sharing stories from military families, retiring the colors, and closing fellowship.   We'll have goody bags for all military families.

Veterans post with Steely McBeam at RT/2008 in Pittsburgh

Do you have a helpful hint or convention story to share?  One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash.   Comments are open through Saturday, October 5, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on  Sunday, October 6.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about RT's magazine and convention, check out its website at rtbookreviews.com. 

Only at RT will you see Cathy Maxwell wear an elephant's nose ...
with Eileen Dryer and Patricia Rice.