Celebrate Little Victories - Kerrelyn Sparks, Stephanie Laurens, and Robyn Carr

Joint Honor Guard, representing each service

Every Saturday, I celebrate little victories ... to appreciate the good that came my way.   Today I celebrate a BIG victory following the RWA National Conference.  

On Wednesday, July 25, I attended the Librarians' Day, including a delicious lunch with keynote speaker Kerrelyn Sparks.   Readers were treated to WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE from Avon Romance.  I was still chatting as the catering staff cleaned up around.  Since I was the last reader standing, the staff gave me a box of the extra books.   I am not one to turn down books, especially when I give away books to military spouses.

On Thursday, July 26, the conference keynote speaker was Stephanie Laurens.  Readers were treated to THE CAPTURE OF THE EARL OF GLENCRAE from Avon Romance.   The catering staff placed the extra books in the goody room.

On Friday, July 27, the Awards Luncheon featured Robyn Carr.  Readers were treated to REDWOOD BEND from Mira Books.   Again, the catering staff placed the extra books in the goody room.  

By now, the goody room was overflowing with extra books plus RT Book Review magazines.   Across the street at the Hilton, the hotel staff was setting up the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program for military families to reconnect with their soldiers returning home from deployment.   

The wheels began to turn in my mind.

I asked the RWA staff to donate the extra books to the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program ... and they agreed!  I grabbed a bellman, loaded the luggage cart, and delivered the books to Hilton.   

Last week, RWA forwarded an email from Mr. Wren:

Hello!

I am with the United States Army Reserve Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program. We had a conference in July at the Anaheim Hilton while your conference was at the Marriott.

On Saturday, a woman came to us, from your group, with a HUGE cart full of books to be donated to the Service Members and their families.

They where a hit - we didn't even finish putting the books on display before the table was surrounded by readers! I was hoping to find out who she is and how to get in touch with her so I can pass on the thanks and gratitude of the Service Members and

I contacted Mr. Wren and he replied,

Ms Lowe,

Ah, I'm glad I was able to find you! Thanks for your support - it's gratitude like that which gives our service meaning!

And yes, the books where a huge hit!  And the ones with the
more... eye catching covers just FLEW off the table!

I have a poster-board that is full of notes and signatures from the Service Members and their families showing their gratitude for the donation.

V/R,

Mr Chris Wren
Human Resources Specialist
63rd RSC, Well Being Division 

Love that the "eye catching covers just flew off the table!"  Let's celebrate a big victory for romance readers and military families!   Mahalo, Kerrelyn, Stephanie, and Robyn, for making a difference!

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

To learn more about these fabulous authors, check out their websites,

Kerrelyn Sparks, kerrelynsparks.com

Stephanie Laurens, stephanielaurens.com

Robyn Carr, robyncarr.com

Each service's flag flies over Pearl Harbor