Guest Blogger: Bobbi Smith

Hi Everybody!

This is so exciting! Romantic Times' 25th anniversary! It's so hard to believe all these years have passed. I still remember my first time attending at the Roosevelt Hotel. I had never flown before and I didn't know anyone, but I got on a flight and showed up in New York City! I had paid to attend the opening night cruise, but the flight was delayed and I missed it! Darn!

After the first year, I was hooked. This is definitely the best place to make contact with booksellers and readers. It's always fun. And the hunk contest is a blast. I was so lucky to have David Allen Johnson on the cover of my book HEAVEN. He toured with me and we had a great time. He's a gentleman of the first order. I'm going to the reunion dinner, so we'll see if David shows up. It would be great to see him again.

I've been very excited to be running the Advanced Aspiring Writers' Track. The unpublished authors are an inspiration to me. I still remember the day I finished writing my first book. I was working part-time at a bookstore and went to work that night. I was stocking the psychology section and crying and my friend Margie asked me what was wrong. I told her I finally finished my book. (It had taken me 2 1/2 years writing long hand back in 1980-81.) Margie gave me the best advice ever - she said, "Okay, Stupid! Sell it and write another one!!!" Wow! It had never occurred to me to think past that first book. And now, because I've been so blessed, here I am 25 years later with almost 50 books published. I want to encourage other writers the way Margie encouraged me.

I'm really looking forward to seeing everybody and getting to visit. Writing is a very solitary career, and I miss being with real live people!

This is a fantastic year for me. I'm going to have 4 books out. Wow. What's never happened before! Too cool! My new western is WANTED! THE HALF-BREED coming out in June from Leisure. My hero is convicted of a murder he didn't commit and sent to prison. He manages to escape a chain gang and returns to find the real killer. The heroine has always loved him and helps him track down the murderer.

Zebra already released TEXAS SPLENDOR this spring and this fall Zebra is putting CAPTURE MY HEART, a pirate book, back out after many, many years and Leisure is re-releasing my 4th book RAPTURE'S TEMPEST. If you like hidden identities, you'll love RAPTURE'S TEMPEST. The heroine disguises herself as a cabin boy for the hero, who's a steamboat captain. It's a fun read. I love these stories! And I'm honored that they're back in print again.

Only about 14 days and counting!!! See you soon!

Bobbi Smith