Friday, October 5, 2012

We'll miss you, Angelo.



We just got back from a mini vacation that I was going to blog about, but I'm still too shocked and saddened by the tragic news of Angelo Riguero's murder. I found out about it Sun night when I checked FB and I'm still reeling. I had to read the newspaper story a dozen times before it even sank in. I have tears in my eyes writing this. It's so tragic and senseless and sad.

As you can tell from the pics of him in my FB photo album, he was my favorite Ellora's Cave Caveman. They couldn't have picked a better ambassador to be the face of their company. He wasn't only gorgeous, he was sweet and kind and charming, and a total gentleman.

I first met Angelo when my hubby and I went to RomantiCon two years ago. I spotted him as soon as we walked into the ballroom. He was standing with some of the other Cavemen and I thought to myself, wow, I want him on the cover of all of my EC books! I hadn't gone to any big conventions like that before, so I was way too shy to get a picture with him that first night, or even talk to him much, though I wanted to. Then at the book signing a couple days later I saw that he was on the cover of my print book IF YOU DARE. The other authors all told me that I should have him sign it for me.




My shyness kicked in again, but I realized if I didn't do it, I'd end up regretting it. So, I took a deep breath, grabbed my book and a silver Sharpie and walked over to ask him to sign my book. I was even brave enough to ask for a picture with him. After that, I was all over him. Well, not literally, but I did have to have him sign the EC Cavemen calendars that came in our swag. Which meant I had to get another picture with him. When he came by my table a little while later to say hi, my shyness was still there, but he made me so at ease, I forgot all about how shy I was. We talked about where he lived, how he got into modeling, and one of my favorite subjects, football. I was frantically coming up with stories with long-haired heroes just so he could be on more of my covers even as we chatted!







When we went back to RomantiCon last year, I wasn't nearly as shy about hanging out with Angelo. I wasn't going to miss out on taking pics with him, either. The minute we walked in, he was right there with a big hug for me and a handshake for my hubby. And yes, I got pics with him, lots of them!




When he told me he wasn't working for Ellora's Cave anymore and wouldn't be at future RomantiCons, I was bummed (it was Angelo who got the parties started and kept them going - the man knew how to work a room and entertain a crowd, which is why I secretly gave him the title Captain Caveman), but I couldn't help being excited or him when he told me about the gym he'd started because he was so excited about it, too.

Since he didn't work for EC anymore, I probably wouldn't have met up with him again, although he kept saying when my hubby and I got to Dallas to see a Cowboy game we definitely had to stop by his gym and say hey and take one of his classes.

I'm going to miss PMing with him and reading his FB status updates. The world is a little sadder today without Angelo in it.

And now I'm tearing up again.


*hugs*
Paige

4 comments:

Wynter said...

It's such a sad, senseless loss.

Paige Tyler said...

Wynter - Yes, very.

*hugs*
Paige

Casey Crow said...

Such a lovely tribute.

Paige Tyler said...

Casey - Thanks.

*hugs*
Paige