I have one, possibly two, more signings this year, but thought I'd get some posts out about the ones so far. If I'm going to write, I need to WRITE! ; )
March 18
Wicked In The QC
Rock Island, IL
This one was right in my back yard - didn't have to travel, AND my friend Rebecca went with me. I got to meet a couple authors for the first time, see some friends from previous signings, and have a FABULOUS time.
Bonus - Becks liked the signing so much, she also joined me in Peoria in July!
: )
Jamie Schlosser was a new author. I fell in love w/ her debut, Trucker, and have enjoyed each story after that as well. Her characters are fun & the stories have a lot of heart, heat, and humor - all of my favorite things!
PLUS!
Her husband, Dallas, is the cover model for Trucker. ; )
We also met Winter Travers, who I've been reading & friends w/ on FB for a while, but hadn't met in person until this signing. She's a HOOT!
We hung out a bit w/ Lyssa Layne - she's awesome & her daughter is a great signing assistant! *grin* Lacey Black & CA Harms & several new-to-me authors. Becks took a liking to CC (aka Cheryl) Dragon & bought quite a few books. YAY!!!
May 13
Wild and Windy in the City
Chicago, IL
This signing is EPIC. This was my second year, and it felt like home. This is held at the Westin O'Hare in Rosemont & the location & hotel itself are just beautiful. The atmosphere is very calming, even w/ my anxiety issues & ALL THOSE PPL!
I had some issues on the road, and almost threw in the towel. I was having such horrible anxiety due to some other things going on... But I'm really very thankful that I went.
Altho I prefer staying in the venue hotel, I don't always get to do so. THIS is one of those times when I'm ever so grateful to be able to. From the moment I walked in & ran into Rochelle Paige & Elle Christensen (aka, Fiona Davenport), to meeting fellow bloggers, models, and authors outside regularly, to riding the elevator w/ models (who sometimes get a bad reputation, but all the men & women I've met have always been super kind & friendly to me, so PTL!) - I'll say it again, it feels like home.
Friday night there were parties, a buffet, panels & karaoke. I hopped around to various rooms, but spent the most time w/ three (now four) of my favorite ladies, one of their husbands & a very sweet model from LA who does a great job staying in character - WITH a British accent!
Zach & Teresa <3
Michelle Mankin & Lisa Anthony
I have sooooo much love for these two!
Warren & Zach
I kept calling Warren "Mr Michelle" because he's Michelle Warren's hubby.
SUCH A FUN GUY & A SWEETHEART!
Jonny James, Wander Aguiar, Dylan Horsch & ... idk who is on the end, sorry!
Rochelle Paige, Elle Christensen, Lisa Suzanne, Hilary Storm, JM Witt
FAAABULOUS stories shared!
Ryan Michelle, River Savage, MN Fogery, Wander, Sapphire Knight, Victoria Ashley, Hilary Storm
(I may have switched a tag there...but I think that's right!)
Saturday was the signing & it's HUGE. Ppl everywhere! The room gets warm & I get flustered a lot, but it's still amazing being w/ "my peeps." ; ) And staying at the venue also means I can grab my pre-orders, fill my bag up & take the books to my room, able to come back & fill it up again! And again... and again... Whoops. LOL It also allowed me the flexibility to chat w/ my authors & peeps here & there & leave my books to be signed as they have time when they're super busy & I have a lot of books (*cough* Rochelle & Elle *cough* *grin*)!
Beth & her husband are AWESOME.
Her smile is one of my favorite things to see at signings.
: )
Melissa Brown
Unwanted Stars is one of my favorite books!
I do not like this picture of myself, but Stacey is adorable & funny & nice & I love that I get to see her at signings & bug her on FB. ; )
Tessa Teevan
She is a fellow Sherrilyn Kenyon fan & she turned me on to this really awesome library app so that I can save money on SK kindle books. *grin*
Savannah Stewart
She is so much FUN! I never get to spend enough time w/ her at signings, but I'm always SUPER EXCITED to see her & get hugs!
Oh, gosh, Dylan & Hilary.
I feel like I'm stalking them sometimes. They are just so funny together that if I'm at a signing where they are, I HAVE to say hi. And they're always super nice & take a picture w/ me & sometimes make goofy faces that I can treasure always. *grin*
River Savage - she came to us this day from AUSTRALIA and she had to have been exhausted, but she was sweet & has an amazing selfie game. And the cutest dimples! : )
Also, you can't see it, but she was wearing this kickass lavender kimono that was beautiful!
Elle & Rochelle
I kinda tear up about them.
EVERY story of theirs, individually & together as Fiona Davenport, makes me happy.
I can one-click, recommend, share, pre-order, have multiple copies of their books with confidence.
AND I just love them as ppl. *grin*
I got to meet a long-time reader friend, Amy, along w/ seeing friends I'd met before at signings & new ones as well! One of my British bookie pals asked me to pick up a couple books for her from Callie Hart, who happened to have Jonny James at her table since he did a couple covers & I believe co-wrote one of the books. Aside from just enjoying being able to do something nice for someone, I was thankful because otherwise I don't know if I would have gotten to meet them. I was really impressed by Jonny's humility & humor on Friday's panel, and was happy to be able to share that w/ him!
And also get a picture. I mean, he's nice AND cute (and omh super TALL!), bonus! : )
Callie was such a sweetie - I got there at like the very end of the signing time, and they'd been go go go & hadn't had much to eat, even, and were still just so absolutely gracious.
HIGHLY impressed.
It was a long day, but so much fun!!
And now I'm going to sign off before I talk your eyes off anymore. LOL
Tune in next time for recaps of Cleveland & Writers On The River in Peoria!!
ttfn!
: )
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