Heart of Louisiana's Second Annual Romance Readers Luncheon
Saturday, September 20, 2008

Our Romance Readers Luncheon has something for everyone. Authors will share their first-hand experiences writing romantic thrillers, historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic comedies, inspirational romance, and more!

Nancy Brandt - Nancy Brandt, who also writes as Honor Cummings, is the author of two published works. Her novel, FABRIC OF FAITH, an Inspirational, was published by Wings e-Press ATTACK OF THE QUEEN, published under the name Honor Cummings, is a Fantasy also published by Wings e-Press.

Toni McGee Causey - Toni McGee Causey has a three-book deal with St. Martin's press. Her first book with St. Martin's is BOBBIE FAYE'S VERY (very, very, very, very) BAD DAY; the chaotic, rollercoaster thriller world of BOBBIE FAYE owes much to Toni having way more experience than she'd like to own up to in the world of trouble-shooting, disaster-prevention and survival. The second in the series, BOBBIE FAYE'S (kinda, sorta, not exactly) FAMILY JEWELS, debuted this May. Toni has also contributed to a crime/mystery/suspense anthology collection and a non-fiction essay collection.

Cherie Claire - Cherie Claire is a multi-published author of several Louisiana-set historicals. Her first novel, A CAJUN DREAM, was published by Zebra Splendor in June 1999. It was a 1999 Holt finalist, a RT Reviewers Choice finalist, and a National Federation of Press Women third place winner. This debut earned a four star review in Romantic Times and was an Amazon regional best-seller. She followed this with the popular "Acadians" historical romance series for Zebra Ballad. Cherie currently writes both historical and contemporary romance.

Eleanor Cocreham - Eleanor Cocreham writes glitzy romance. Her first novel, CHOICE MAKERS, was published in 2008.  The second book in the series, THE RISK TAKERS, was also released in 2008 by Wings e-Press. Both titles reached "Best Seller" status at her publishing house.

Barbara Colley - Barbara Colley is an award-winning, best-selling author whose books have been published in over seventeen foreign languages. MAID FOR MURDER, her first Charlotte LaRue mystery, was nominated by Romantic Times BookClub Magazine for the 2003 Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best First Mystery. Writing under her pseudonym Anne Logan, her romantic suspense, GULF BREEZES, won the 1992 Oklahoma Romance Writers of America National Reader's Choice Award. Barbara's most recent novel is her seventh Charlotte LaRue mystery, WASH AND DIE.  Her sixth mystery, SCRUB-A-DUB DEAD, is now available in paperback. A native of Louisiana, Barbara has lived here all of her life.

Beth Cornelison - Romantic suspense author Beth Cornelison realized a long held dream when her first Silhouette Intimate Moments novel, TO LOVE, HONOR AND DEFEND, hit store shelves in April 2005. Since then she has published three additional Silhouette titles and has been nominated for numerous awards. This fall, look for RANCHER'S REDEMPTION, her next Silhouette Romantic Suspense.

John Foxjohn - John Foxjohn's historical fiction, JOURNEY OF THE SPIRIT was published by L & L Dreamspell. In September 2007, COLD TEARS, the sequel to his first novel CODE OF DECEIT, hit the market and in August 2008, COLOR OF MURDER debuts. John is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, Sisters-in-Crime, and League of Texas Writers. He is a full time writer and speaker and lives in Lufkin, Texas.

Elaine Grant - Elaine Grant writes paranormal, historical, contemporary and suspense. Her first novel, ROSES FOR CHLOE, was published by Berkley/Jove for their Haunting Hearts line. ROSES FOR CHLOE was a 1998 RITA finalist and a Holt Medallion finalist. Her second novel, MAKE-BELIEVE MOM, a Harlequin Superromance, was released in September 2007 and is a Waldenbooks Best Seller and a RITA finalist.  Her third, also a Harlequin Superromance, AN IDEAL FATHER, will be released in 2008.

Hollis Gillespie - Hollis Gillespie is an award-winning, syndicated humor columnist and top-selling memoir writer. She has been a Writer’s Digest "Breakout Author of the Year" and a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. She is also a television writer, NPR commentator, and writing instructor. Her third book, Trailer Trashed; My Dubious Efforts Toward Upward Mobility, releases in August 2008.

Steven Harris - Former Army Intelligence Officer Lt. Colonel Steven Harris' first book, THE ARCHANGEL PROJECT, is set to be released by Harper Collins in September 2008. Inspired by actual classified programs the U.S. Government once pursued to train operatives. The novel is a collaboration with Candice Proctor; writing together as C.S. Graham.

Anne Clayre Mason - Anne Clayre Mason writes romantic suspense and mystery. Her paranormal romantic suspense novella RENAISSANCE WOMAN explores the possibility of reincarnation in Venice, Italy and will be published by The Wild Rose Press in 2008.

Candice Proctor - Candice Proctor, aka C.S. Harris and C.S. Graham, is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than a dozen novels including the Sebastian St. Cyr Regency mystery series written under the name C.S. Harris, the new C.S. Graham thriller series, and seven historical romances. She is also the author of a nonfiction historical study of the French Revolution. Her books are available worldwide and have been translated into over twenty different languages.

Connie Rachal - Connie Rachal's first novel, a historical romance entitled BRIDE OF PASSION, was released in July 2008. Connie is donating all royalties to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to help in the progress toward finding a cure.

Tammy Riviere - Tammy Riviere writes romantic suspense and contemporary romance.  She lives in the small town of New Roads, Louisiana.  Her first novel, FIGURE 8, a romantic suspense, was released in February 2008 by Wings e-Press.

Sylvia Rochester - Sylvia Rochester writes romantic suspense and paranormal romance. Her first novel, THE SWEET SMELL OF DEATH, was published in February 2007 by Wings e-Press. Her second novel, WHEN EVIL LOVES came out in December 2007, also from Wings e-Press. Her third release is COME BACK, MY LOVE, February 2008, from Whiskey Creek Press. Here paranormal title SHADOW OF THE SOUL will be released by Wings e-Press in July 2008.

Josephine Templeton - Josephine Templeton writes historical romance and vampire romance. Her first novel, CONVICTED OF LOVE, a historical romance, was published in February 2007 by Whiskey Creek Press. FOREVER YOURS, a vampire romance, was released by Wings e-Press in May 2008.

Contact Us

Questions about the event can be directed to heartla_luncheon@yahoo.com.