#ManCandyMonday David Gandy in Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue

I’m in a blue mood! Why? That’s the color of the gown I bought for the RITAs!! So excited. The countdown has now begun, I guess. Less than two weeks until awards night. OMG! I am so nervous and freaking out a little about all the last minute preparations for the conference and awards night.

Since I’m in a blue mood, this is one piece of Man Candy, namely Gandy Candy, that deserves another look. He is soooo handsome. Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone like that on my arm to escort me to the RITAs?

If you can’t see the video below, you can click here!

#ManCandyMonday The Men of Mr. Romance

Wow, was RT fun, but also very very tiring and busy! I have a load of photos to share and I’ll get them up in an album for you for tomorrow. Also made plans for a number of upcoming guests to visit and share their books with you!

But. . . Today is Man Candy Monday and I’m sharing this shot of Len, last year’s Mr. Romance and the runner-up Eric.
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Here are Charles and Len, two former Mr. Romances! I’m also in the shot, working hard as usual (LOL!)
Caridad with Mr. Romance

Hope you enjoyed today’s Guilty Pleasures.

RITA® Nomination for THE LOST and Congrats to all the Finalists!

THE LOST Paranormal Romance from Forever RomanceWow was the first word that came to mind when the representative from the Romance Writers of America® called to say that THE LOST was a finalist for the RITA in the Paranormal Romance category.

Wow! The RITA is the equivalent of an OSCAR in the romance world and my book is a finalist. Wow.

(Can you tell I am still in disbelief and shock and sooooo excited!)

Thank you to RWA and all the judges who took the time to read THE LOST. Thank you to all the final judges who will take their time to read the book.

Many thanks to all of you who have read it and let me know how much you liked it and also, a big thanks to my editors. I hope you will like the second book in the SIN HUNTER series, THE CLAIMED (May 2012), as well.

Wow. A big congrats to all the other RITA finalists as well as all the Golden Heart finalists. I see the names of many friends on both and am totally excited for you! If you want to check out who else is nominated, you can click here to see the list.

Anaheim, here I come!

Readers & Writers Unite with Liberty

Today’s Thursday 13 is a mixed bag. First I’m going to share some news about the awesome Create Something Magical Conference being held by the Liberty States Fiction Writers. Second I’m going to share the 13 things I love about conferences!

If you’re looking for a place to attend interesting panels and social events, get editor and agent appointments, network with industry professionals and readers, take a moment to consider the Create Something Magical Conference on March 17, 2012. If you’re either an aspiring or published author, there are a number of excellent panels on craft and business, editor/agent appointments, lunch with keynote speak Larissa Ione, Lady Jane’s Salon readings, a networking reception and an after-conference party all for $120. Plus you can mingle with readers on the brand new readers’ track!

Readers can attend the Lady Jane’s Salon readings (complete with dessert and beverages), panels with some of your favorite authors, a book club with Larissa Ione and the after-conference party complete with hot finger foods, a DJ and Karaoke! Cost for readers: $40. Yep, you read that right – $40. That’s less than a night out with the girls.

Plus there will be a book fair, free books and other swag, basket raffles (tickets are included with conference registration) and an Sony E-reader giveaway for those who register by February 1.

Registration is now open so mark the date in your calendars – March 17, 2012 – and register!

But for now I’m going to list in no particular order the 13 things I love about going to conferences like the Create Something Magical Conference!

1. Meeting readers! It’s always so great to meet people face-to-face, but the other thing is that I’m a reader and love to talking about my favorite books.

2. Meeting other published writers. It’s great to be able to talk to other published writers and here what’s happening with them.

3. Meeting aspiring authors. I love being able to share the knowledge that I have and being able to pay it forward.

4. Going to workshops. No matter what, I always get something useful from the workshops.

5. Positive energy. Just like the Hunters in THE LOST, it’s always amazing to tap into the positive energy that abounds at conferences. I always feel like my creative power has been recharged.

6. Rubber chicken and limp pasta. LOL! NOT. But I do love the finger foods we have at the receptions.

7. Doing face time with the editors and agents. It’s always nice to chat with them socially and see how they are doing.

8. Editor and agent appointments and panels. Way different than the social thing, but also good for pitching new stories and seeing what’s happening.

9. Hanging out at the bar with friends. Not much of a drinker, but nursing a glass of wine (or a Mudslide) while dishing with friends is always fun.

10. Breakfast the morning after. I usually stay overnight and I love breakfast! I could eat breakfast for every meal I love it so much.

11. SWAG. I love checking out the SWAG and seeing what others are doing.

12. Setting up the night before the conference. It’s always great to work to get everything going and share time with all the wonderful volunteers helping out at the conference.

13. Okay – I ran out of steam. Not sure about #13 but maybe something will come to me.

To visit other Thursday 13 participants, please click here!

Disclaimer: Caridad is a member and founder of the Liberty States Fiction Writers and is currently serving as the Secretary for the group.

Create Something Magical Conference

Guilty Pleasure Adam Bruno Sin Hunter

Crazy day today! Still recovering from the great Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference. Had a blast, but got home and got back to work. Today I’m sharing a slightly different Guilty Pleasure: Adam Bruno, Sin Hunter.

Adam is the hero in my upcoming release, THE LOST, which will hit shelves on July 26th. THE LOST is the first book in the exciting new paranormal romance SIN HUNTERS series.

Here’s a little blurb about Adam.

Adam Bruno is no ordinary millionaire. The heir to an ancient race possessing a dark, powerful magic, he can shapeshift and create energy. His gifts make him a living weapon and have forced him to live in seclusion. But now an inhuman force hunts down Adam-just when he finds someone who makes him feel more human than he ever imagined possible . . .

Adam Bruno Sin Hunter


This photo is from the Romance Trading Cards that I’ll have available at the RT, RWA, Authors After Dark and Deadly Ink conferences as well as assorted signings. I hope you’ll be able to come by and visit, but if not, you can send an SASE to the following address to receive the trading cards that I’ve done:

Caridad Pineiro
10th Floor
666 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017-5621


Hope you all have a great Monday!

Fun Friday! Countdown 24 hours!

So excited. Only one day left until the Liberty States Fiction Writers conference. I’m on my way later today to help with conference set-up and to hang with all my friends. Please remember that tomorrow’s book fair is open to the public. If you’re in the area, please drop by to say “Hi!”

Barnes & Noble will be handling sales at the book fair. Your membership rewards card will be accepted for B&N sales.

When: March 19, 2011, 5:30–7:00 P.M.
Where: Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel
515 Route 1 South & Gill Lane
Iselin, New Jersey 08830
Phone: 732-634-3600
Fax: 732-634-0258

Additional Authors Attending the Book Fair:

Mary Janice Davidson
Jonathan Maberry
Virginia Kantra
C.H.Admirand
Tina Gabrielle
KA Mitchell
Kathy Kulig
Melina Morel
Chris Redding
Tere Michaels
Shelley Freydont
J. Hali Steele
Cris Anson
Debra Mullins
Lois Winston
E.F. Watkins
Judi McCoy
Sarah Wendell
M. Kate Quinn
Judi Fennell
Caridad Pineiro
Karen Bostrom
Adele Dubois
Stephanie Julian
Trudy Doyle
Lisa Verge Higgins
Jenna Kernan
Jennifer Hubbard
Alison Formento
Keri Mikulski
Veronica Lynch
Erika Sands
Linda J. Parisi
Donna Bolk
John Richard Thompson
M. Flagg
R.A. Vaughn

I’ll have pictures from the conference for you next week! Hope you all have a great weekend.

Thursday 13 – Conference Tips!

On the 19th I’ll be at the wonderful Liberty States Fiction Writers Create Something Magical Conference. It’s a great event with some awesome workshops and 20+ editors and agents taking pitches. Plus, there are going to be a bunch of gift baskets, including one with a Kindle, some nice giveaways and a book fair that’s open to the public. If you’ll be in the Woodbridge, NJ area that Saturday, please drop by. The book fair is from 5:30 to 7 pm on March 19th.

So with that conference at hand, today’s Thursday 13 is all about some conference tips. Here goes.

1. Have a business card at hand, even if you’re not published. You want to start making connections and people need to know how to reach you.

2. Mingle. Make connections.

3. Don’t mingle. LOL, yes a little bit of a contradiction, but you need to learn body language. If two people are close together and in a serious discussion, it’s not the right time to butt in.

4. Enjoy yourself. Yes, it’s work, but it’s also a chance for you to unwind.

5. Choose your workshops carefully. Make sure they are ones that fit a need that you have.

6. Dress professionally.

7. Dress comfortably. You can do 6 and 7 and it’s important to find that balance. If you’re not comfortable, those vibes carry to others.

8. Don’t drink too much. You can’t believe how often I’ve seen people break this rule.

9. If meals are being served, choose a table where you can meet new people.

10. If you’ve got the time to spare, stay after the conference ends and the fun time begins. It’s part of networking, but it’s also part of finding time to share with other creative people. It can be really rejuvenating.

11. Prepare your pitch. Stand in front of a mirror or sit with a friend and practice it. See if it sounds natural.

12. Don’t be nervous in front of the editors and agents. They don’t bite. Really they don’t.

13. Have fun! You’ve probably spent some money to attend, travel, stay, get new clothes, etc. Take the time to enjoy yourself a little.

Hope you found these tips helpful! Hope to see you at the book fair!