Writers On The River 2016

2016 is my Year of Signings, and I am LOVING it!  

The photos above are of me w/ one of my adored author-friends, A.D. Ellis, and the book she signed for me, my favorite of hers - Zach.  I love that she added a note from Zach!!  That was SUPER unexpected and cool!!  *grin*  : )  : )  : )  

Writers on the River took place in Peoria, IL, which is only a couple hours from me, so I hopped in the car & headed off about 10:30.  Picked up breakfast & Starbucks (of course) & was on my way.  Sadly, I realized partway through my trip that I'd forgotten my autograph book, which normally goes w/ me to all my signings.  *sad*  Still, I have 3 more signings this year, so hopefully I'll catch most everyone again!  : )  

The signing was held at Par - A - Dice casino & hotel.  Very nice hotel!  I might end up going back to stay there for a weekend away.  The room set up was very nicely done, also.  Quite a good turn out, it seemed, but the room never felt overwhelming (well, other than my normal overwhelmed in a room full of ppl)!  They had a swag table set up while we waited to go in, so I picked up some pens & cards & bookmarks.  I have a couple new decorating ideas for my library... : )  

 And yes, that IS a little bottle of Smirnoff that was in my pre-order bag from C.A. Harms.

Why, thank you!  

*grin* 

It was a really fun time, and I enjoyed seeing some familiar faces (A.D., Michelle Lynn, Mia Kayla, LB Dunbar, A.M. Wilson) and meeting some new ones (Catherine Scott, Lisa Suzanne - she was giving away cups, so pretty!, Donya Layne, Kennedy Layne - she had the BEST set up, which her husband put together for her)!  AND!  FINALLY MEETING one of my ... I know, I know, I have lots of favorite authors, and favorite author-peeps.  So, saying she is one of my favorite authors AND favorite peeps... it fits, too.  CP Smith - I love every single one of her books, and I adore her personality.  She & A.D. were the reason I made sure to get to this signing, even tho I'd just been to Des Moines a couple weekends ago.  

Just hearts.  

*HEARTS*

: ) 

 LB Dunbar - awesome author, Chicagoan, has a FABULOUS smile, super sweet heart, and I love this picture, even tho my shirt appears to be pinching me (it wasn't) or I have an alien boob (I don't, as far as I know).  : )  

Kennedy Layne & part of her awesome display.  

Her reaction, her tight hug & bright smile & the way she introduced me to her friend who was w/ her at her table... It gave me warm fuzzies & made me feel like ... idk.  It was sweet.  And made me a little ferklempt.  And I appreciate each & every author-friend who does that, because I'm there to support THEM and meet them & encourage THEM, and when they actually know who I am & hug me tight & are happy to see ME?  Seriously, I feel blessed.  (But I was reminded by another awesome author-friend that I might need to make sure ppl know it's me a little bit more, because she didn't realize it was until I posted something later on FB... whoops!  Her comment was ALSO super sweet & I got a little ferklempt, AGAIN.  LOL)

Anyway!  It was an awesome and amazing time, I'm so blessed to get to see each of these ladies (and guys - don't want to leave out Scott from the DM signing or any other awesome guys who also write amazing books!), some multiple times.  I joke about stalking them.  *grin*  But I love being part of this community, in my own small way, and want to do what I can to promote and encourage the purveyors of these wonderful stories.  Their hearts are warm & welcoming, and I want to share the same.  : )  

And there was SWAG galore (my favorite, lip balms - CP's was BLUEBERRY!  Awesome!).  Kennedy gave me a signed coffee mug (hello, veins are filled w/ coffee, so this was perfect!) and hand sanitizer spray thingy.  Michele Shriver had hockey pucks & fudge!  All these authors go above & beyond w/ their swaggy goodness.  Keep it up!  Much appreciated!  *grin*  

 Framed is my favorite CP book, and one of my favorite covers.

She designed it herself, and it turned out AWESOME!  : ) 

The Kennedy Books up top there (next to my boy, ZACH) I won from A.D. & they are HEAVY.  LOL  I'm glad she brought them rather than shipped them.  I'm sure I wouldn't want to pay however much THAT would have costed!  

Next up is Sweet Home Chicago, in August.  That week is going to be SUPER interesting, as I'm going to Arkansas w/ Mom on Sunday, coming back Tuesday/Wednesday, picking up Leyton & heading to Chicago on Thursday & then the signing on Saturday.  Wheee!  I may be a little loopier than normal at that signing, just warning any bookie peeps who see me there now... LOL  

Happy Sunday!  I hope you're hugging your loved ones, telling them you love them at any and every opportunity, and being blessed!  

TTFN!