This weekend, I got to explore a little more of the state of Florida and meet a TON of wonderful, awesome readers! I was invited to speak at the First Coast Romance Writers meeting in Jacksonville,

Me and Elizabeth Wilson

FL., which is kinda diagonal across the state from where I live. When I realized I’d pass right through Ocala, FL, to get there, I knew I had to stop at A Novel Idea Bookstore to do a signing with the wonderful staff there (I had met them at a previous RWA conference).

A Novel Idea is a FABULOUS bookstore (in fact, I think they should add the word FABULOUS in their name. Not just because they serve cupcakes and wine at their booksignings, either. Okay, maybe ESPECIALLY because they serve cupcakes and wine at their booksignings). Honestly, they are warm and friendly and welcoming and I can’t wait to go back. Check out these cupcakes Debbie Barao made. AHHHHHMMMAZING. I wanted to eat all of them but that isn’t really cool when there are other people standing at the table waiting for one. 😉

Me and Debbie Barao

She also made awesome carrot cake cupcakes, so clearly, Debbie has mad baking skills!

The booksigning went well–lots of talk about books, shoes, all my favorite things 😉 Here’s some pics (and don’t ask me why I have that weird smile with Debbie, or why I am hanging on her shoulder like some kind of stalker. I think it was because I wanted to stay close to those cupcakes 😉

Me and DJ Kelly Wright

If you’re ever in Ocala, definitely stop by their store! They were sooo nice!

Then I drove up to Jacksonville and spent the day talking writing with First Coast Romance Writers. Had a lot of fun, a lot of laughs, and made some friends. A great weekend road trip all around (and did I mention DONUTS at the FCRW meeting? I think I’ll have a sugar high for days 😉

Shirley