Author Event - North Iowa Book Bash

Oh my heck!  I can't believe I hadn't been to this signing before!  It's located in Clear Lake, IA, which is only about 4 hours from me AND only about 15 minutes from where one of my besties lives!  

THIS was the year, tho.  This year, my book bestie & I joined the amazing peeps at this signing - this was her VERY FIRST signing & I was so excited to experience it w/ her!  AND!  She & our other bestie from college surprised me.  Debi showed up at lunch & then joined us for the second half of the signing!  It was FABulous!  : )  

I had a few authors I was excited to meet/see again, and I also got to meet/discover some new-to-me authors.  And of course get all the books!  

Despite my "veteran at book signings" status, I managed to forget a few important items, like my heavy-duty book bag to carry my purchases w/o wrecking my shoulder, and my signature book!  D'oh!  Thankfully, Target had my back as far as the journal for signatures went (it's super cute, too!) and they did provide a bag... but it did kill my shoulder.  Whoops!  

I met (and got pictures!) with my three favorite authors who were there, and bought a good number of new-to-me authors (but didn't get pictures, tsk tsk tsk).  Sarah & Debi also bought some books & it was just such a JOY to be w/ them when purchasing their first signed books!  Such a blessing!!!

Watch Me Follow is my FAVORITE Harloe Rae book.  One of my favorite books overall, hands down!  And LASS is one of my favorite covers!! 

How cute is Jen's blouse?  I love the color!!

When I got home & was laying out all my books, I discovered that I'd forgotten to pick up Gone For You!  D'oh!!  So, I'll be asking her if I can buy it & have it mailed.  Have you seen that cover?  There's a pretty impressive dimple.  It's hot.  You should go check it out.  ; )  

The haul... SO PRETTY!!!  

Added some new stickers to my laptop, as well!  

I also started this new thing w/ putting some of the stickers in my signature book next to the autographs.  I like how it makes the journals a little more scrap-booky.  : ) 

After the signing, the three of us went out for linner at Applebee's (thanks, Debi!!) & got to catch up for a couple hours.  We hadn't all hung out in person in YEARS!  We were missing our Joyums, but it was a marvelous reunion all the same!  : )  

Debi brought me presents from Florida, too!!  

Oh!  And before I left for the signing, I picked up my mail & then didn't open it til I got to town.  I had my order from H.P. Davenport!!  I love Cam & Jamie & their stories, Unspoken Words & Unspoken Vows!!  Such a great cover, too!!  Also, also, I had an order from Hello Lovely Box & Mr Bear modeled the "signing emergency kit" for me.  ; ) 

I'm SO thankful for this community of authors, bloggers, readers, volunteers, event planners, etc.  When we come together, we have the most AMAZING times!!  

If you ever get an opportunity to go to a signing, and are on the fence about it for whatever reason, I highly encourage you to go.  Meet the authors, buy a paperback or two, get some magnets & stickers & pens & lip balms & other swag.  You'll have a blast!!  

TTFN!

: ) 

Audible - Waiting For Her by Jennifer Van Wyk

Do I have any Audible peeps?

I don't listen to books because I just can't get into them.

I've tried, I promise!

But I think it's AWESOME that the option exists, and that there are so many talented voice actors out there for our stories.  So blessed!!

If you like audio books, check this one out!  

I LOVE this story and author!!  : ) 

Amazon Audible: https://amzn.to/2W55avY

Amazon Audible Worldwide: http://mybook.to/WaitingforHerAudio

Tantor: http://bit.ly/2UEIeDv

If you give it a listen, I'd love to hear what you think!!

TTFN!

: )

Review - Come Back Home Again by Jessica Prince

Come Back Home Again - Hope Valley 2

by

Jessica Prince

Amazon

Instagram

Facebook

I love this series SO MUCH - and we're only two books in!

I fell in love with book 1, Out of My League, right away.

Very thankful to the friend who suggested it to me!!  

They know me well.  ; )  

Hayes & Tempie's story is another EXCELLENT installment in what has fast become one of my new favorite series! This is a second chance tale of healing and forgiveness, and I love love love the characters & pacing! We get all the Alpha goodness we could hope for, a touch of sweetness, some fabulous steamy times, a sassy and mature heroine, and ACTION! 

I fell in love with the first book, Out of My League, and was happy to see that the characters are just as well-woven in this book. Thumbs up & looking forward to the next couple's HEA!! : )

 Have you read these yet?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!!  

TTFN!

: ) 

2018 In Review

WOW!

2018 was another FABULOUS year for books!

My GoodReads goal was 350, and I'm currently sitting at 365. 

That's an average of a book a day.  

WHEW!

*You can check our my Year in Books if you're interested. : ) 

I discovered new and new-to-me authors.

I fell in love with new stories from already-favorites.

I got to MEET and hang out w/ some fantastic ppl!  

All in all, I'm very grateful for 2018.

Here is a highlight reel of some of my favorites.

: ) 

Nikan Rebuilt

&

Lennon Reborn 

by 

Scarlett Cole

I started the year off w/ two ARCs in a STUNNING series by a favorite author.

Each book is moving and beautiful and great for re-reading!!

Watch Me Follow

by 

Harloe Rae

This story sucked me in right away and I became an instant fan of the author.

AND in a crazy awesome blessing, I randomly ran into her at a signing & got to MEET her!  

She's not only got fabulous stories in her head, she's a sweetheart!  

To Cherish

by 

ML Pennock

This is part of a series I fell in love w/ from the author, and it's also one of my favorite covers.  

It's bright, simple, and beautiful!  

My Torin

by 

K Webster

This story was completely unique, heartbreaking, & kept me on my toes.

I fell in love with the writing as well as the characters!

Fighting Weight

by 

Gillian Jones

Emotional, relevant story about fighting the voices in your head, learning to love yourself, and being able to expand that love to include someone else.  

Brilliant.

Lover Come Back 

by 

Scott Hildreth

This is somewhat an autobiography and is simply amazing.

Learning about his life & how he found his passion - and love... Amazing is the only word I could come up with!  

The Hero Society series

by 

Jessica Florence

This series!!!

It reads like a super hero movie or TV show.

The descriptions & characters leap off the page and make you feel a part of this world Jess has created.  Highly recommend checking out this series!  

And then I have quite a few authors who I binged on.  

Some it was 3 books, some it was 20.  

But EVERY SINGLE BOOK by these authors is so good, they're auto-pre-order authors for me. 

I devour their stories as soon as I get them.

I've been blessed w/ ARCs of quite a few, which just means there are two of them on my Kindle after the book goes live.  *grin*  

Susan Stoker

Lani Lynn Vale

Kristen Proby

Anna Brooks

Brooke Parker

Kaylee Ryan

K Street

Kathryn Andrews

Harloe Rae

Jamie Schlosser

Brynne Asher

Aurora Rose Reynolds

CP Smith

Rochelle Paige / Elle Christensen / Fiona Davenport

LK Farlow

Jennifer Vester

Jennifer Van Wyk

Piper & Jack Davenport

KC Lynn

Sydney Logan

Cybill Cain

This was the first story I read by this author, and I IMMEDIATELY read her other two releases because I fell that in love w/ her writing  & story telling. 

WORTH IT.

Chasing Clouds by Kathryn Andrews - she was already a favorite author, but this story blew me away & I couldn't put it down!!  : ) 

In the middle there is book 3 in a series by Ellen Wilder.

This series doesn't get enough credit, IMO.  

It's emotional & deep, fun & sweet.

She also co-writes some of the stories, which brings in characters from a different series.

They cover some heavy subjects, and they do it quite well!!

Pieces of Forever by Heather D'Agostino

I've been so fortunate to chat w/ Heather at several signing through the years & she's so nice!!

This story is one of my favorites from her - it's emotional and full of hope.  : ) 

(I also got to meet the model on this cover & he's super nice as well!!)

Anne Eliot & Ginger Scott are two of the SWEETEST ppl on this planet.

And they write highly enjoyable (and emotional and heart tugging) stories!

 Speaking of sweet - Michelle Mankin!

She writes rockers & surfers & her stories will also tug at your heart while you fan yourself silly.

; ) 

 LB Dunbar - she has several series in different genres, but this year has been the year of the Over 40 stories & they are GREAT!  : ) 

Amy Daws!!  She also has different series, but my favorite is the Wait With Me series.

SO MUCH FUN!!!

I seriously could go on.

And on.

AND ON!

Because this community of indie (and traditionally published) authors is simply stunningly amazing.

I've been blessed this year.

I got to meet and hug and talk with some of my favorite ppl on the planet.

I got to read some AMAZING stories & share them w/ y'all!

I hope you'll check some of them out - and let me know who you loved this year!

Blessings to you & here's to another fabulous year in 

2019!

TTFN!

: ) 

The Right Mistake by A.M. Guilliams

Hello, my lovelies!  

I don't do a lot of "single book" posts, because I just read so much and do a pretty good job of picking stories that I like.  So that's why I do roundups each month (yes, I know, September & October will be coming out together, sorry about that!).  

But this week I had an ARC opportunity & I loved the story so much that I bought it on release day, too, so I can re-read over & over.  

The Right Mistake 

by 

A.M. Guilliams

This story is swoony goodness, peeps!  

No real drama, characters who are perfect for each other, supporting characters that add to the story... It all just worked together really well & was a huge winner for me!!  : )  

So, since I got to be part of the release blitz & posted links on Facebook, I'm going to post them below as well.  If you're looking for a recovery read or just a great, sweet story, I highly recommend this one!  And, as of this posting, it's 99 cents!  More to celebrate!!  : )  

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39067735-the-right-mistake

PURCHASE LINKS – 99c for a limited time

US: https://amzn.to/2yvBXBe

UK: https://amzn.to/2PWBOgZ

CA: https://amzn.to/2PQClkf

AU: https://amzn.to/2RagNiU

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2O4FmvT

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2DAmULk

 If you do pick this up, let me know what you think!  

I hope you'll love it as much as I do!!! 

TTFN!

: ) 

Author Event - Wild & Windy In The City 2018

I LOOOOVE signings - that's no secret!  

And my favorite evolution of the signing is the Author Event.  These aren't just signings.  These are weekend-long meetings of the minds, and truly are EVENTS.  

This is my third year being blessed to attend WWITC & Nicole & Rebecca & their bevy of volunteers do SUCH an amazing job putting this together.  

Friday night there were author panels, meet & greets, vendors, and an all out dance party going on.

Saturday is the actual signing - a room full of authors, readers, bloggers, all coming together to share in the love of reading, and the love of romance and yes, the love of S E X.  Remember that George Michaels song?  "Sex is natural, sex is fun..."  LOL  Well, sometimes it's fun to read & write about, too!  But the thing that gets overlooked, and sometimes gets the romance industry shamed, is that is't not ALL about the sex.  It's about connections, and love, and how sex plays into that.  (I mean, there are absolutely books that ARE all about the sex, but they aren't the ENTIRETY of the industry, and still deserve respect!)  

So, off my little soap box now... LOL  

Due to my anxiety, sometimes these are hard for me, but this one has been blessed from the beginning, and while I've had moments of anxiety, they haven't taken over.  When I arrived, I was greeted by friends at the door, waiting for a book shipment to arrive.  We chatted & hung out for a bit, and they introduced me to two new friends.  Anne & Ginger very kindly let me hang out w/ them most of the afternoon, and Anne even shared her snacks!!  : )  I ALSO finally got to meet Chashiree Mixon in person & give her a hug!  She was on the phone, so we didn't get to chat, but I was so happy to see her in the flesh!!  :D  

The first panels were Authors That Write Together and Rom Coms & Tear Jerkers.  Rochelle & Elle were on the first (along w/ Michelle, Elisabeth, HQ & M) and Anne was on the second (along w/ Penny, Sara, Lesley, TK, & Kandi).  Ginger & I made sure to cheer for Anne the loudest.  *grin*  ALSO, she shares my soap box about romance & respect.  *beam*  

The second panels were Dark, Dirty & Forbidden and then the Wild & Windy anthology authors.  This is another amazing brainchild of this event - the authors are given a theme (in this case, taking place in Chicago) & then they write a short (shoooort) story or preview to a longer story & run w/ it.  Then we get to have them sign it while we're all here.  It's AWESOME!  

There were all kinds of vendors - candles, LuLaRoe (did I spell that correctly?), book sleeves, artwork... SO MUCH talent!  I'd wanted to buy a thing or two, but w/ my upcoming job uncertainty & the fact that I know there are several books I didn't pre-order that I need to pick up, I had to resist this time.  Hopefully in 2020 when they do the next event, I'll be able to buy all the things!  ;)  

The Meet & Greets are another AMAZING thing that I love about this particular event.  Several authors get together in the conference rooms & mingle w/ everyone.  It's informal & there are picture opportunities & just time to HANG OUT.  I saw my friend Amber out of the corner of my eye as I was headed somewhere & discovered she was waiting for the Kristen Ashley room to open, so I hung out w/ her & her hubs for a bit.  Love love!  We got to chat w/ KA & take some pictures & I love that Amber got to meet her Unicorn Author.  :  )  

The amazing Kristen Ashley.  
She is tall!  And she was wearing these cute strappy heels w/ a thiiiin heel that I would immediately fall over wearing, so her balance is awesome.  : ) 

Then I went on to pop in to Rochelle & Elle's room & they had a BlackJack table set up, so I played a few hands (badly) & had some help from a gal who OMH had a split like 5 ways & it was so much fun to watch!!  Oh!!  And the gals that were sitting next to us at the panels earlier were there, too, which was cool.  One had asked if she could take a picture of my shirt (Susan Stoker's SEAL shirt that is one of my favorite shirts!!) because she loved the quote on the back & her son is in the Navy.  Then she & her group looked up Susan's books & I hope they get hooked bc they're soooooo goood!  <3  

Next up I decompressed a bit & then went on to some of the other rooms.  Got to talk w/ my friend Aimee for a bit & then went to see Anne, Ginger, Michelle, Colton, Lisa, Michelle W & Mr Michelle & Olive & SC & Abbi & T... I didn't know all of them, but it was nice to meet them & I ALWAYS make my Michelles & Lisa & Teresa a priority.  It was so cool that Anne & Ginger were in there, too!!!  

After all the partying, it was time to get back to the room & decompress again & drink my Starbucks (did I mention - this hotel has a STARBUCKS!) & sleeeeep.  

Yes, Mr Bear travels with me.

Now Saturday, I got to hang out w/ Aimee again before getting my coffee, picking up my anthology, grabbing my Skip the Line pass (I won it on the event page - blessed!!!), and then I was able to help Lisa, Michelle & Teresa carry some stuff into the signing room so they didn't have to wait for extra hands.  It feels so good to be able to offer help!!!  : )  

The signing was HOPPIN'!  So many ppl!  But, praise Jesus, my anxiety stayed away for the most part.  I took breaks when needed, and got to see & talk to lots of peeps!  AND!  OMH!  My "unicorn author moment" - I was in line for Amy Daws, and somehow I heard the name Harloe Rae & asked the gal in front of me (Lauren), "Is that THE Harloe Rae???"  AND IT WAS!!!  
She is SUCH a sweetheart!  And it was her birthday!  And I got to meet her & hang out w/ her for a few minutes & I tried really hard not to fangirl, but ... well, this is the smile of someone failing at the not-fangirling part:

(I got to chat w/ her & Lauren a bit on Sunday morning, too, which was great again!  And I wish I would've taken a picture w/ Lauren, too, because her hair was GORGEOUS!)

I made some collages so I wouldn't have to post 1500 pictures, because my goal for this signing was to TAKE PICTURES.  Mission Accomplished.  Now, hopefully the collages will upload correctly... 

Meghan Quinn!!!  Her Instagram stories are FABULOUS, too!

(And I love her blouse!!!)

Colton is SUPER tall (like, my brother is 6'5" & he seemed that or maybe a little taller)!  Michelle Mankin = Wonderful Rock Chick!  And her hugs are also wonderful!  AND she & Lisa introduced me to Anne & Ginger.  Yay!!!

KI Lynn put out a call for the Lavender Balm that we had in our hotel rooms & since I wasn't going to use mine, I brought it down for her.  I also gave her another little package I'd gotten from another hotel.  Hope she enjoys!!  

Amber Nation!!!  I was soooo happy to get to see & chat w/ her a couple times this weekend!!  : )  

I wasn't able to get the Wild & Windy anthology signed by everyone, but it's still a neat concept! (The anthology's authors are given a theme - this year, the setting of Chicago - & then they're all at the signing so you can get the book signed.  And you know how I love multi-signed things.  D'oh!!)  

Liv Morris - She was super nice & her hair is so pretty!  (Actually, that goes for LB, Beth & Marni, too - this is the GREAT HAIR collage!  Mr Beth gets a pass bc of his ball cap! LOL)  

LB Dunbar's Midlife Crisis is one of my favorite books in the series.  Hank... Swoonworthy goodness right there!!  

Beth Ehemann is another on my "super nice & sweet person who I want to be friends with" list.  Heh.  And her husband is fun, too - even if the pictures are blurry!  ;)  I'm pretty sure these two could have their own comedy-reality show/routine if they wanted!!  LOVE!!!

Marni is BFF's w/ one of my favorite authors (K Street) & K had put in her reader group that if any of us went to WWITC we should stop by Marni's table & say hello.  So, I did, and she was sweet!  I wasn't sure about her books, but she explained them so well that I wanted to read them, so I'm going to check them out.  : )  

Jana Aston - she took about 6 selfies, and she looked good in ALL of them!  I, however, am usually a goofy blur.  In general, not in the other pictures of us!  LOL 

AMY DAWS!!!!  If you aren't following her on Instagram, you really should be.  

Tireman - A fan made this for Amy based on her writing cave (Tires Tires Tires) while writing Wait With Me.  That fan is 100% creative!!  

Lacey Black - OMH, I get to see her at various signings & she's just so bubbly, I wish I could've chatted w/ her longer.  

Michelle Warren - She & her hubs are some of my favorite ppl to see at WWITC events.  I make him sign my book every year, too (I don't really MAKE him - I ask politely!).  ; )  

Also, idk if you can tell, but Michelle's earrings are so cute!!

Rochelle Paige - I love everything she writes, and I just love her!  She's one of the first ppl I actually traveled to a signing to see (Indiana, birthday weekend 2013, I think...)

Teagan Hunter is a newfound favorite.

Kristen Ashley, Queen of Indie Romance!

Karla Sorensen, one of the SWEETEST ppl I've ever met.  She makes me smile!!

Elle Christensen - the other half of Fiona Davenport (w/ Rochelle), she's always fabulous to chat w/ & I would love to get to chat w/ her longer when I see her, because she's just one of those ppl you want to talk with.  She also makes me smile.  

: ) 

My Rochelle & Fiona haul.

Mr David R, cover model & Survivor contestant, pre-signed Fortuity & Serenity!  

Wooooot!!!  : ) 

Two of my favorite Elle books!!  

<3 

Anne & Ginger - new friends for LIFE!  They surprised me w/ a bag full of books!
We went to dinner at this cute bar restaurant called Rams, along w/ Melissa (who is an AMAZING cover designer!) & two gals whose names I did not catch, so I need to ask Anne or Ginger!  They were fun, too, and the food was yummy bar food!  : )  
Melanie Harlow writes really great stories & she's always so nice!!  

Whew!  

I don't even know what else to say!  
It was an AMAZING weekend & I'm so blessed to have gone.  
If you have a chance to go to a signing or author event, GO!  
They're so worth the money you might spend!  ; )  

TTFN!

: )