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Temperatures may have been cool outside Club Meade, but inside, things were getting steamy. Posters of scantily-clad hunks emblazoned with titles such as "Tempted by His Kiss," "Her Warrior Slave" and "Lust in You" were displayed across the room while about 80 people mingled with authors at the Romance Writers Luncheon. The Retired Officers' Wives' Club hosted about 20 romance writers, including several members of the local chapter of the Romance Writers of America, during the May 5 luncheon. "We really couldn't stand not getting together for some food," said Lois Stephenson, ROWC president for the past two years. At the program's close, new ROWC officers were installed, including Rebecca Conover as club president. Open to
the public, the program drew uniformed service members as well as folks from
surrounding communities. The event and meal were a welcome change of pace for
the organization, said Astee Black, a former employee of the American Red
Cross and wife of retired Col. Gorham Black, a former "It's a huge outing for some; they all come out to see their friends," she said. "To see my friends, the camaraderie, it's a wonderful package." The afternoon also provided an opportunity for authors to draw attention to their works. Christine Trent, a historical fiction author, had heads turning when she entered the meeting dressed in a chestnut-colored wig and a court hoop dress. Her costume was modeled after Marie Antoinette, a character in her new novel, "The Queen's Dollmaker." "This is an awful lot of fun," she said. "It's always interesting to see how recognizable Marie Antoinette is." The event was also a chance for authors to meet with fans and sell their novels. One work offered was an anthology of short, military-themed romantic stories called "Operation L.O.V.E" (Locate, Observe, Vector and Encounter). A portion of the profits from the book sales will benefit a charity supporting the children of Special Operations service members killed in action, said Anne Elizabeth, who wrote one of the stories in the anthology. "We have two covers," she said, "the standard cover and the very sexy cover." Clasping one of those sexy covers was Christian Reeves, wife of Maj. Donald Reeves, commander of the 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera). As the meet-and-greet period before the meal ended, Reeves picked up several books from the vendors. Not all of the books she carried were for her, though. Nestled behind the anthology in her arms was a copy of a children's mystery, "The Witness Tree and the Shadow of the Noose" by K.E.M. Johnston, for Reeves' 10-year-old daughter Rysleigh. "I think she'll love it," Reeves said. "She sleeps with her books." Send comments or questions to amccombs@patuxent.com. |
