Author Event - Amy Plum, Myra McEntire, & CJ Redwine, Plus a Giveaway!

Monday, May 14th shall be forever known as the day that a load of TN book bloggers took over the Green Hills Panera Bread and Parnassus Books.

from the Parnassus website

Myself, Nikki from Books Most Wanted, Hannah from The Book Vortex, Shalena from Writer Quirk, Megan from Myth-illogical, and Lauren from The Housework Can Wait met up 2 hours before the main event was to start for some good food and conversation.  Fun was had by all as we regaled each other with off-the-wall stories and shared some laughs.  The fun was only just beginning, however, as it was soon time to head to Parnassus Books to meet Amy Plum, Myra McEntire, and CJ Redwine.

The event kicked off with a quick introduction from Amy Plum and Myra McEntire as they caught us all up to speed on themselves and their books.

Then, it was time to settle in for some serious book talk.

We also got to hear a little bit from Until I Die and Timepiece.

Next up, it was Q&A time.  Let me tell you, both of these ladies were very inspiring.  I felt so much better about my own writing after they told us about their writing journeys.  One of my favorite tips from Myra in regards to the critiquing process: "Don't be a nut bag."  Wiser words were never spoken, my friends.

Last, but not least, it was time to meet the authors face-to-face, get our books signed, and snap some pics.

This was my first time officially meeting CJ Redwine (I think she was at Ash 2 Nash, but I didn't meet her that day) and I have to say, I am even more excited to read Defiance (if that's even possible).  It was also rather heartening to learn that I am not the only one prone to strange accidents involving meals or social situations.

Me with CJ Redwine

Though it was my 3rd time meeting Myra, it was a pleasure, as always.  This woman is utterly hilarious!  I hope you all will stay tuned, as there is something in the works for next month involving a certain Dr. Who fan we all know.

Me with Myra McEntire (photo credit goes to Hannah)

I was very excited to meet Amy Plum for the first time.  She was one of the first authors to contact me via Twitter when I was still just starting out as a YA blogger, which I still remember very fondly.  She was so nice and very easy to talk to.

Me with Amy Plum (photo credit goes to Hannah)

As always seems to be the case when various members of our group get together, we managed to be amongst the last to leave the store.  We all had a wonderful time getting to know each other better, as well as meeting some truly wonderful authors.

From left to right: Hannah, Nikki, me, Lauren, Shalena, & Megan (photo credit goes to Lauren)

As an added bonus, I have a little souvenir for one lucky US blog reader!  Amy Plum was kind enough to provide 2 signed bookmarks for a blog giveaway, meaning 1 of you will win a signed Die for Me bookmark and a signed Until I Die bookmark. It's my little way of sharing the book signing awesomeness.


Good luck to all those who enter!

Reminder: This giveaway is open only to US entrants.  Please stay tuned for my next international giveaway, which should be available in a few weeks.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

TN Author Event Alert! Coming May 14th...

Heads up TN YA bloggers!  There's a whole lot of awesomeness headed our way!  Amy Plum made a post on Twitter and Facebook about a certain trio of authors who will be coming to Parnassus Books in Nashville on May 14th!  Amy Plum (Die for Me, Until I Die), Myra McEntire (Hourglass, Timepiece), and CJ Redwine (Defiance) are slated to appear.  I know I'll be there!  How about you?

Waiting on Wednesday - February 29, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To participate, simply share that book(s) you are eagerly awaiting the release of and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. Clicking the link above will take you straight to her post and widget.

There have been so many fantastic cover reveals in the past week that I wasn't quite sure as to what I wanted to pick for my Waiting on Wednesday post this week.  I decided that this week calls for a 3 part WoW, just so I can fit in as many fantastic books as I possibly can.

Pick number 1 is the follow-up to one of my favorite 2012 debuts.  Lucky for me, its release date has been announced as October 9, 2012, so I won't have a year-long wait on my hands.

The Unfailing Light by Robin Bridges
Coming October 9, 2012 from Random House Children's Books

From Goodreads:

Having had no choice but to use her power has a necromancer to save Russia from dark forces, Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, now wants to forget that she ever used her special powers. She's about to set off to pursue her lifelong dream of attending medical school when she discovers that Russia's arch nemesis--who she thought she'd destroyed--is still alive. So on imperial orders, Katerina remains at her old finishing school. She'll be safe there, because the empress has cast a potent spell to protect it against the vampires and revenants who are bent on toppling the tsar and using Katerina for their own gains. But to Katerina's horror, the spell unleashes a vengeful ghost within the school, a ghost more dangerous than any creature trying to get in.

Why I'm waiting on it: I simply adored The Gathering Storm and am beyond ready to see what other adventures Katerina has in store.

 
My second pick is the third book in a series, the last two of which I devoured voraciously.  With a release date of October 2, my October to-read list grows even further.

Promised by Caragh M. O'Brien
Coming October 2, 2012 from Roaring Brook Press

From Goodreads:

Gaia Stone has challenged the ruthless regime of the Enclave, she's crossed a terrible wasteland to live in Sylum and even adapted to their strange new ways. But now she faces her biggest challenge ever: leading the people of Sylum back to the Enclave in the hopes that they can find a way to peacefully co-exist. The Enclave has grown even more cruel in the time they've been away, and now Gaia has the added burden of feeling responsible for the safety of the former residents of Sylum as well as her own. Gaia's always been strong-minded, but is she willing to pay the price of being a leader? And what if what's at stake is her and Leon's future?

Why I'm waiting on it: I read both Birthmarked and Prized within a 48 hour period.  These books are one of my most favorite dystopian series and I can't wait to read more.

  
My third and final pick is a 2012 debut.  Not only does the plot sound awesome, the cover is absolutely gorgeous!

Defiance by C.J. Redwine
Coming August 28, 2012 from Balzer+Bray

From Goodreads:

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

Why I'm waiting on it: That plot description has me completely sold.  I can't wait to get my hands on this book.  It already has a home on my "books I would dance a jig for" list.
  

Cover Alert!

There have been some fantastic cover reveals today.  Three upcoming titles all had their covers revealed on various blogs and I couldn't have been more excited.  Think of it as a 1-2-3 punch of awesome, as there is a 2012 debut, a 2nd in series, and a 3rd in series to behold.  Be sure to click on the titles to add these books to your Goodreads shelves and read the descriptions. 

Defiance by C.J. Redwine (coming August 28, 2012 from Balzer+Bray)

Isn't this cover gorgeous!?  The plot description sounds just as amazing as the cover looks.  I'm looking forward to this 2012 debut.

The Unfailing Light (Katerina Trilogy #2) by Robin Bridges (coming October 9, 2012 from Random House Children's Books)

As if the cover wasn't enough, to find out that the sequel to The Gathering Storm comes out this year is the best news I've heard all day!  I had thought I would be waiting until next year.

Promised by Caragh M. O'Brien (coming October 2, 2012 from Roaring Book Press)

I am so in love with this series that I nearly forgot to breathe when I saw Caragh O'Brien's blog post feed on Goodreads.  This cover goes beautifully with the other two in the series and I am sure that the book itself will be as amazing as its predecessors.