Do you think free wine, strawberries and chocolate are compatible with serious but fun discussions on feminism in history? If so, do I have a totally free event for you to enjoy this coming weekend! On Friday, September 23rd, I’ll be appearing at the Baltimore Book Festival to give my BAD GIRLS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD talk at 5pm. It’s Ladies’ Night Out on that first day of the festival, and if you’re looking for a carnival for smart people, you found it. Authors will be giving away free books galore, not to mention other prizes. I’ll also be appearing on Sunday afternoon at 3pm on a panel entitled “How Historical Fiction Changed The World” and again at 4pm to give a reading from my latest work and give away an Egyptian themed basket that will include a copy of Lily of the Nile. I hope to see you there and hope you spread the word!

I’m featured in June’s issue of Romantic Times Book Reviews as one of 8 authors “on target for bestsellerdom.” I wish! Luv Ya Right Back, RT!

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I’d welcome questions from fans, friends & family.

I have a disturbing tendency to fall apart when introduced to people that I admire. It’s happened to me on more than one occasion, often with hilarious results, culminating in humiliating stories which my friends delight in retelling. There was the time I met a certain Vice Presidential candidate and was so flustered that I forgot his name and said, “Good Luck…Mister…”

Even when I manage to introduce myself without having a melt-down, I inevitably turn and walk face first into a potted plant. Just yesterday, I met a woman I admired. She takes care of sixteen cats. And what did I say? Did I express my appreciation for people who give generously of their time and money to care for helpless animals? No, I said, “Wow, I thought I was crazy taking in three cats…”

Way to go!

Now, I have the good fortune to know a number of NY Times Bestselling authors, but I was lucky enough to have met most of them before I knew this fact so I didn’t have as much of an opportunity to crash and burn. However, this weekend, I will be signing books with a number of super-star authors, including Nora Roberts. Now, even if you haven’t ever read her books, you’ve probably heard of her. This is because she’s easily the most prolific and probably the hardest working author in commercial fiction today. And even though we write in different genres, I am awed by her, so chances are good that I’m going do something horribly embarrassing.

To add to the pressure, the event is going to be videotaped with a live stream interview. As part of virtual event, readers can pre-order books to be personalized by any of the authors in attendance, so I encourage you to participate and to send your good karma my way in the vain hope that I will remain cool & collected and that I don’t do something that will end up on YouTube as a cautionary tale…

I’ll be making a presentation in time for Valentine’s Day entitled Love, Monsters & Mythology. The handout for it is here. It’s worth looking at for the pretty pictures.