There was another booksigning in my neck of the woods this past weekend, so I tagged along with my pal and almost-neighbor Michelle, and we met the very young-looking and naughty Jenna Petersen/Jess Michaels for lunch at this cute diner called Palos Gardens, where I proceeded to have a Belgian waffle for lunch, topped with fresh strawberries and a pile of whipped cream. Um um good. I mostly listened as Michelle & Jenna talked shop, finding it fascinating but not personally having much to add to the conversation. Made me realize how much there is to know about the business and how writing is just a part of it.
Then we headed to the bookstore, which was about five minutes away:
The scene of the crime, located @ 6509 W. 127th St. in Palos Hts, IL
The instigaters: Jade, Kimberly, Elizabeth and Jenna/Jess
(Uh huh, they really look like trouble, don't they?)
The shy and retiring Jade Lee (yeah right! Just ask her about Dong) She is a delight, and now I feel I must check out her books. She's got a new series coming out in September(?) which sounds very intriguing.
Newbie author Kimberly Killion, whom I really enjoyed talking to - plus she writes about
Scottish characters AND has Nathan on her cover - srsly, what's not to like???
Elizabeth Hoyt, who wrote the Prince trilogy (LOVED Raven Prince) and has a new
4-book historical series coming out. She also writes contemporaries as Julia Harper
Jenna Petersen/Jess Michaels. Don't know why but I couldn't download my picture of her
from the booksigning in Palos Heights. Operater error...
Anyway, I am a huge fan of her Jess Michaels books, and definitely need to read
her Jenna Petersen books. When, I don't know...
Bookseller Ann! I didn't know until she came up to me that I actually
know her from Lori Foster's yahoo group, the BookJunkys. She is super nice and
knows a ton about romance. It was so cool to finally meet her in person.
yeah that's me (my longer hair making one of its last public appearances) and Ann
Cool DIK chick Shannon, who really isn't buying books these days, well maybe just this one time...
Michelle Buonfiglio a.k.a. my chauffeur hangin' with Shannon, who's holding...books?
****
Fun times, fun times. I find myself getting more and more comfortable at booksignings, and this one was really laid back and easy-going. I love having these opportunities to talk more informally with authors, find out about their writing, their interests, their plans for future books. 'Course they might all think I'm totally weird, and, well yeah they would be right but that's okay; I'm having fun along the way.
This bookstore was great because it's a used bookstore, so I picked up an old Linda Howard I've never read, "Shades of Twilight" (LadyB would be so proud LOL), also "A Whole New Light", a Sandra Brown book Michelle had told me about earlier in the day, and "Vows" by LaVyrle Spencer, my favorite book by her, and one I think Michelle might really enjoy for the closet scene alone.
So that was my weekend. What have you been up to?
Labels: Elizabeth Hoyt, Jade Lee, Jenna Petersen, Kimberly Killion
posted by Stacy~ at 8/26/2008 05:58:00 AM
SQUEE! Looks like an absolute blast, Stace! I'm so jealous that you're getting to hang so much with Michelle!
byDid she pimp Shades of Twilight to you? I actually overnighted by copy of it to her a year or so ago for a column she was writing. I'm so glad you bought it. Webb Talant is one of my favorite heroes.
Looks like you had an absolute blast!
Shoot - I need to move closer to Chicago! Looks like you guys had a great time!!
byJanice
Kati, I wished you lived here. It would be so much fun! Michelle has been incredibly generous with her time, and already she's given me pretty, pretty books. I think I want to be her assistant. She doesn't even have to pay me. I'd do it for free. Actually my friend Beth told me about SoT. She is the one that scolded LeeAnn for never having read LH. I think you and Beth would have a lot of great book conversations. She might do RWA next year, but definitely Nashville in '10 since she lives there.
byOh Janice, that would be so fun! I'd love it if all my favorite friends and authors could live by me :)
That was so much fun. Jade had me in stitches. That woman is crazy fun. And remember that was my last book buying day for... a long, long time. I finished Open Season (Linda Howard) last night, so that is one more book off the list. Of course, it is one of the books I picked up at the ubs. Ah well. I think I am going to start the anthology that I picked up that includes Jade Lee's novella. Did you read the seak peek booklet for her new book, Dragon Earl. omg, I am so hooked. I have to start reading fast so I can knock more books off my list. I need her new book NOW. Well, as soon as it officially comes out.
byLooks like fun. Glad you had a good weekend. We did the Daddy Day Spa thing and went swimming. That's about it.
byLooks like you all had a blast! Wish I could have been at the signing..at lesat I got autographs thanks to the Lori Foster yahoo group!
byWow, looks like you guys had a great time, I'm so jealous!!! Thanks for sharing Stacy!
byOMGosh - that looks so fun! What a great time! (and Raven Prince was my fave of the 3, also!)
byYou should definitely read Jenna's books. They are terrific!
Nobody ever signs in my area :( pouting...
Looks like a great time and that you had a blast!! Wish I was closer, we seldom get book signings in this neck of the woods..........lol.
byWhat fun!
bySo close and yet so far away!
by