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Showing posts with label Authors After Dark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Authors After Dark. Show all posts
Monday, August 27, 2012
Contest Winners - AADNOLA Books & Swag
I would like to thank everyone for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About for my recap of my adventures at Authors After Dark and entering the giveaway. A special thanks goes out to my new and continuing Google Connect Followers.
The Winners as selected by Rafflecopter:
CONGRATULATIONS!!
The winners are in order of the prizes 1-5. I am sending the winners an email to contact me with their full name and mailing address. Please email me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com with your information so I can send you the books. You have until Wednesday September 5, 2012 (end of day) to contact me. If I don’t hear from you by then, I will draw another winner.
Thank you and Happy Reading!
Monday, August 20, 2012
#AADNOLA Recap and Giveaway Part 2
I have to admit, writing a recap of my six days and five nights in New Orleans at the 2012 Authors After Dark con is a bit daunting. I did so much and met so many new people... How could I possible capture all of that in a simple recap?! But I will try my best to give you an idea of the trip. You can also see all of my photos from the trip under the PHOTO TAB HERE.
Also, I came home with SO MANY books and swag - keep reading to find out how you can win some of my loot!
This posted ended up being wicked long, so I’ve broken it up over a couple days... be sure to check yesterday’s Part 1.
Day 4: Friday Aug 10
Friday started with a lovely breakfast at Cafe Beignet with Kate, Carolyn Crane, Teresa and Ann Mayburn. These women were definitely some of my favorites at the con. We laughed and I listened as they all talked in “author-speak.”
Once again I attended a number of author panels. Two of my favorites were the Dark Humor panel (see photo, below - I was laughing the entire time) and the BDSM panel. In every single panel I attended the authors were so friendly and open to “group discussion” with the audience.
There was another luncheon on Friday, and I sat with authors Katie Reus and Cynthia Eden. What an enjoyable duo! These women were so friendly and I wish I could have spent more time with both.
In the afternoon, I attended the Steampunk Tea. It was great to see so many people dressed up; however, I did not have anything special to wear, so I felt a little out of place. I did win an awesome prize pack from PJ Schnyder for participating in an old fashion gun fight.
Later that evening, I attended an open bar reception hosted by two wonderful authors: Kris Cook and Melissa Schroeder. I adore both and enjoy chatting with them on twitter. I spent a lot of time visiting with some of my favorite authors and friends (see the photo tab for lots of pictures). The evening ended with a wonderful meal and dancing. Let me tell you - there are some great movers and shakers out there! I finally got to spend time with one of my favorite tweeps, MamaKitty and her friend, MamaMoon. I also visited with author Sasha White, who was hilarious.
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| Me & MamaKitty |
Day 5: Saturday Aug 11
There were no panels or workshops on Saturday. I took advantage and went on a tour of New Orleans’ Garden District. The field trip was hosted by another favorite author, Theresa Meyers. This is Eva (@Txbookjunkie) and I on the bus over the Garden District.
We started the tour at the Lafayette Cemetery 1 with our amazing tour guide Carla Bullion. She told us all about the cemetery and how the tombs function. It was incredibly information. She also took us around to see many of the homes, giving us some history and a few ghost tales. It was SO worth every penny!
That afternoon was the Book Signing. Last year I breezed through this part because I was new to the whole “con scene” and wasn’t prepared. This year I had books and my memory book in hand, and took the time to visit with many of the authors I’d met this week. I was there for two hours and enjoyed the craziness!
Day 6: Sunday Aug 12
I packed up my things and had the chance to visit with some friends one last time. I said a few goodbyes in the lobby, and then had breakfast with some of the great people I’d met this week. I haven’t listed them all during my two recap posts - honestly, I just don’t have the space. But let me tell you, even though they aren’t all named, I adore them all!
I shared a taxi to the airport with Marcela (@bookaholiccat) and we had time to visit in the airport before our flight. I also ran into Mari Freeman, who was on my flight. We didn’t see each other until boarding time. On the flight home, I finished the book I was reading and rested up from an exciting and exhausting week.
All in all, AADNOLA was an amazing experience. I look forward to attending cons in the future - and hope to be at AADSAV in 2013!
NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
The Prizes...
1st Prize: Signed books from Pamela Palmer & Jeaniene Frost and a swag pack from both authors.
2nd Prize: the Melissa Schroeder Pack: Signed copy of Callum, a copy of A Little Harmless Sex and a Got Harmless button.
3rd Prize: the Kris Cook Pack: Signed copy of The Secret Diaries Volume 1 and signed swag cards.
4th Prize: AADNOLA Swag Pack: a Tilly Greene tote, Joey W. Hill swag, signed Pamela Palmer swag, signed drink cozy from Mari Freeman, signed swag from Susannah Sandlin.
5th Prize AAD Philly Books: copies of books I received at AAD 2011.
To be entered, please use the RAFFLECOPTER form below. You do not need to be a google friends connect follower of my blog, but it is always appreciated. Contest is open from August 19, 2012 until August 27, 2012 at 12:01 AM EDT. One entry per person. Contest is restricted to US and Canadian mailing addresses only. Five (5) winners will be selected from eligible entries. I am not responsible for items lost in the mail. If you have problems with the RAFFLECOPTER form, please email me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com.
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Sunday, August 19, 2012
#AADNOLA Recap and Giveaway Part 1
I have to admit, writing a recap of my six days and five nights in New Orleans at the 2012 Authors After Dark con is a bit daunting. I did so much and met so many new people... How could I possible capture all of that in a simple recap?! But I will try my best to give you an idea of the trip. You can also see all of my photos from the trip under the PHOTO TAB HERE.
Also, I came home with SO MANY books and swag - keep reading to find out how you can win some of my loot!
This posted ended up being wicked long, so I’ve broken it up over a couple days... the second part of the recap is HERE.
Day 1: Tuesday Aug. 7
I arrived in New Orleans (NOLA) Tuesday afternoon about the same time as my roommate, Teresa D’Amario. The two of us headed to our hotel, The Royal Sonesta, which is located in the French Quarter, right on Bourbon Street. The hotel and staff were AMAZING! Now, if you haven’t been to NOLA before (which I hadn’t), let me say a word about the infamous Bourbon Street... It’s obnoxious - strip and sex clubs, bars, restaurants and booze EVERYWHERE. After 6:00 PM, the street is blocked to traffic and people wander from club to club, bar to bar, drinks in hand. I am glad we stayed here for the con, but it’s NOT a place to take the family!
After we checked in and got freshened up, we met up with some of the others who arrived early. The best was meeting Jen (@RedHotBooks) right away because she is a local and was able to show us around NOLA. Lead by Jen, we went to dinner off the beaten path - I had my first taste of real jambalaya (YUM) and then we walked around Jackson’s Square.
 |
| Teresa D'Amario, Carolyn Crane, KatieBabs, Jen (RedHotBooks), Monica (@ObsuredVixen) |
We hit the famous Cafe DuMonde for some of their beignets and then topped the evening off with Hurricanes at Pat O’Briens. I had managed to hit several of the key French Quarter “must dos” in the first night!
Day 2: Wednesday Aug 8
The con didn’t officially kick off until Wednesday evening, so Teresa, Kate (@KatieBabs aka KT Grant) and I did a little looking around and shopping. We were caught in a torrential downpour, and I had left the umbrella & raincoat I purchased for the trip back in my room. *shrugs*
We also had lunch with several of the bloggers and tweeps I have “met” over the past few years. I sampled some sort of Cajun pasta with a kick. YUM!
The primary reason I like to attend AAD is the casual atmosphere. Now I will insert some personal *SQUEES* I was sitting in the hotel bar with some tweeps, when in walks two authors I was so excited to meet: Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris. I walked over just to say hi and introduce myself without going too fangirl on them. What did they do? - pulled a chair up and asked me to sit with them. We chatted about books, going to cons, kids, and well, whatever. I love when I meet some of my favorite authors and they are so personable in real life. Meet them made my day!
Later that evening the con kicked off with a blogger meet and greet, followed by a reception and the Open Ceremonies. We were treated with an amazing bag full of swag, and heard some opening remarks from Mistress of Ceremonies, Joey W. Hill.
Of course, we topped the night off with more drinks at my preferred venue, Pat O’Briens. All-in-all a great day!
Day 3: Thursday Aug 9
On Thursday, the con kicked off in earnest. The day was full of panels, readings, events and mixers. I tended to hit the were/shifter panels, and also attended a couple “featured blogger” events. Lunch featured the reader selected “Bookie Awards.” Here is just ONE of the photos from one of the panels I attended - see the “photo” tab for more!
One of the things I absolutely LOVED about AADNOLA was that everyone for the most part was so completely friendly and accessible - from my peer readers/bloggers to my “rockstar” authors. Just hanging in the lobby - trying to decide what to do for food, a group of us were invited to dinner with Ann Mayburn, Stacey Kennedy, Pip Ballantine, Tee Morris, and Joey W. Hill. It was so casual and so much fun!
We headed back to the hotel for another meet and greet, and then I was off on a tour of the French Quarter with author Adrian Phoenix. She showed us all of the local spots where characters from her Maker’s Song Series hang out. It was very cool to see and hear how Adrian researched and pieced all of the sites into her stories.
The evening ended with a cupcake party hosted by Jeaniene Frost and Pamela Palmer. I have to admit, I was pretty exhausted by this point and hung in the corner with of my favorite peeps, Julie (@JulieYMandKAC) and Marcela (@BookaholicCat).
NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
The Prizes...
1st Prize: Signed books from Pamela Palmer & Jeaniene Frost and a swag pack from both authors.
2nd Prize: the Melissa Schroeder Pack: Signed copy of Callum, a copy of A Little Harmless Sex and a Got Harmless button.
3rd Prize: the Kris Cook Pack: Signed copy of The Secret Diaries Volume 1 and signed swag cards.
4th Prize: AADNOLA Swag Pack: a Tilly Greene tote, Joey W. Hill swag, signed Pamela Palmer swag, signed drink cozy from Mari Freeman, signed swag from Susannah Sandlin.
5th Prize AAD Philly Books: copies of books I received at AAD 2011.
To be entered, please use the RAFFLECOPTER form below. You do not need to be a google friends connect follower of my blog, but it is always appreciated. Contest is open from August 19, 2012 until August 27, 2012 at 12:01 AM EDT. One entry per person. Contest is restricted to US and Canadian mailing addresses only. Five (5) winners will be selected from eligible entries. I am not responsible for items lost in the mail. If you have problems with the RAFFLECOPTER form, please email me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com.
Read part 2 of my adventures HERE!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Thursday, June 14, 2012
AAD Author Spotlight & Giveaway: Jess Haines
Hello Readers! Today I bring you author Jess Haines. Jess says she is a workaholic who loves coffee and chocolate and can't survive without books. She’s originally from New York, but she currently lives in Los Angeles because it is suitably weird enough for the time being. She enjoys karaoke and bad movies, and have a menagerie of animals to keep her company when she’s not writing.
As for her background, she’s worked office jobs from the bottom to the top of the corporate food chain. She’s spent far too much time in the field of law. Currently her day job involves technical writing. That pays the bills, while writing fiction keeps her (relatively) sane. She’s proud to call herself a gamer geek, and probably would have wormed herself into that industry eventually if she hadn't turned herself into a Real Life Author.
Jess is a featured author attending Author’s After Dark in New Orleans. For more information about AAD2012, click HERE.
Also, keep reading to learn more about Jess’s upcoming release, Stalking the Others, and enter to win a copy! GIVEAWAY details are below.
Please help me welcome Jess to That’s What I’m Talking About.
STALKING THE OTHERS BLOG TOUR
Guest Post Stop 8: Vampiric Behavior – Part 2
By Jess Haines
Hello there! Jess Haines here. I’m the author of the urban fantasy H&W Investigations series (HUNTED BY THE OTHERS, TAKEN BY THE OTHERS, DECEIVED BY THE OTHERS, and the upcoming STALKING THE OTHERS).
Shiarra has been having a pretty bad time of things lately. She’s here with some of her friends (and otherwise) to tell you about it. The H&W gang are going to continue grilling Royce about some common misconceptions about vampires. (Head over to A Great Book is the Cheapest Vacation if you missed the first part.) Over to you, Shia!
*****
Shiarra: I don’t think you were very forthcoming with that last question.
Royce: You’re not wrong about that.
Sara: It’s funny how he thinks being obtuse is the same thing as being mysterious.
Arnold: I maintain my position that he should be truthful about this stuff for science. The people deserve to know!
Royce: Mage, you, of all people, should be more educated than the rest of this lot about my kind. Didn’t your mentor teach you anything about other supernatural creatures?
Arnold: Of course, but the focus was on the ones I was going to be interacting with on a regular basis. You know, elves and other fey, mostly. Oh, and planar beings.
Chaz: What are fey? And planar beings?
Arnold: Fey are magical critters. Fairies and pixies and stuff.
Shiarra: And planar beings?
Arnold: The animals magi use as familiars. They aren’t from this plane of existence. We have to summon them here. Hence, planar beings.
Chaz: That sounds like a lot of work.
Arnold: It is.
Royce: Are you quite finished?
Shiarra: I don’t know, I’m getting tired of asking you questions you won’t answer. At least Arnold isn’t afraid to tell us all his magic secrets.
Arnold: Well, not all my magic secrets. They wouldn’t be so secret if I shared everything about how I work my mojo.
Royce: Fine, fine. I’ll make an effort to be more forthcoming.
Shiarra: Jeez, don’t get too excited…
Sara: Hey, let’s take advantage of this while we can. So do vampires crawl up the walls?
Royce: You people have some very strange ideas about vampires.
Shiarra: C’mon, you promised to answer.
Royce: Very well. I suppose we could, if the wall was strong enough to support our weight and the vampire was old enough to have developed the strength to pierce the rock or plaster with their fingers.
Chaz: You can’t grow claws?
Arnold: Or cling like a spider? Or a gecko or something?
Royce: In case it has escaped your notice, the change into a vampire doesn’t include growing Velcro on our fingertips. And my nail technician generally doesn’t approve of filing my nails into claws. I imagine my PR people would also have an issue with the image that would represent to the general public.
Shiarra: Wait a sec. You have a nail technician?
Chaz: I’m imagining a dude with a hack saw and a bunch of electronic equipment—
Shiarra: No, no, no. He’s talking about someone who does manicures and pedicures. God, I can’t believe I dated you for almost a year.
Sara: Neither can I.
Royce: Nor I.
Shiarra: Gee, thanks, guys.
Arnold: To be fair, I was kinda thinking the same thing.
Sara: Why does a vampire need manicure? I mean… you’re kinda… dead, aren’t you? Stuff doesn’t still, er… grow, does it?
Shiarra: Ew. I never thought of that. Now I want to know, too.
Royce: It depends. When we are changed, our bodies are usually locked into a mildly enhanced version of what we looked like when we were alive. If we do something to change that version of ourselves, such as cutting our hair, it will eventually grow back.
Chaz: What if you cut something else off?
Royce: Don’t even think about it, you flea-infested mongrel.
Chaz: Come here and say that to my face, buddy.
Arnold: Wow. I just realized why vampire chicks who were turned hundreds of years ago can have such flawless legs.
Sara: What.
Arnold: …err.
Chaz: Wait, what?
Arnold: Honey, I don’t mean it like—
Sara: Not amused, here.
Arnold: No, seriously, I wasn’t joking around—
Shiarra: I think you’re making things worse on yourself.
Sara: You and I need to have a talk.
Arnold: Babe, I’m sorry. I just meant I’ve seen a few vampires come by The Circle now and then, and they usually wear skirts and stuff that shows off their legs. If they were made back in the day and when they’re turned they were all hairy, it makes sense that they can shave or wax so they can pull off the Gothic sex kitten look so many of them shoot for.
Royce: I’m not sure if I should be amused or concerned that he’s put this much thought into the subject.
Sara: Not. Amused.
Shiarra: He’s a guy. They notice those things.
Chaz: Yeah. We really do.
Shiarra: Wasn’t talking to you.
Chaz: What? I can’t have an opinion?
Shiarra: No.
Arnold: Sorry, honey. I’ll never look at another girl’s legs again.
Chaz: Good luck with that, man.
Sara: You stay out of this!
Royce: I suppose the mage has a point. Like other people, we do have to put some effort into maintaining our appearance.
Shiarra: Huh. Who knew?
*****
You can learn more about Shiarra and the rest of her friends in HUNTED BY THE OTHERS. For the next stop on the blog tour, be sure to visit the official STALKING THE OTHERS blog tour calendar!
You can also visit me on the web:
Thanks again for having me and the gang over, Jen!
*****
You can also find Jess:
BOOK SIGNING
Saturday, July 07, 2012 at 2:00PM
3512 W. Magnolia
Burbank, CA 91505
Stalking the Others (Zebra/Kensington Publishing, July 3, 2012)
Once, she was one of the good guys–or as close as a New York P.I. can get. Then Shiarra Waynest was drawn into the world of the Others. Every faction has its own loyalties and agenda. And Shia’s recent betrayal by her ex-boyfriend means that she may be on the verge of becoming a rogue werewolf at the next full moon.
Of course, with all the threats against her, Shia’s not sure she’ll live long enough to find out. The enigmatic vampire Royce wants her back in his clutches, as do two powerful werewolf packs, along with the police. Instead of going into hiding, Shia is enlisting the aid of her enchanted hunter’s belt and every dirty P.I. trick she knows. If she’s going down, she’ll take out as many of her enemies as she can–and hope that in the process, she keeps whatever humanity she has left…
GIVEAWAY Thank you, Jess, for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About. Jess & Kensington Publishing are graciously giving away fifteen (15) copies of Stalking the Others during her blog tour. To enter, please fill out the rafflecopter form below, and visit the others sites on the tour for more chances to win! Winners will be announced after the blog tour is over, and Kensington will mail the prizes to the winners directly. For more information about the blog tour, please visit Jess’s website.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Contest Winner - Melanie Card
I would like to thank everyone for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About for my AAD Feature Author Spotlight and interview with Melanie Card, and I want to specially thank Melanie for stopping by and Entangled Publishing for graciously giving away one (1) e-copy of Ward Against Death.
Every person that commented was entered into the contest - one entry per person. The winner were selected using random.org.
The Winner is:
Froggy
CONGRATULATIONS!!
I am emailing the winner. Please email me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com to verify your email address so that the publisher can email you the book directly. If I do not hear from the winner/s by Sunday June 17, 2012 by the end of the day, I will select another winner.
Thank you all so much for coming by and Happy Reading!
Monday, June 11, 2012
AAD Author Spotlight & Giveaway: Melanie Card
Hello Readers! Today I bring you author Melanie Card. Melanie has always been drawn to story telling. In fact, she says she can’t remember a time when she wasn’t telling a story in her head or on paper. In grade school, she had journal writing time which she turned into story telling time, weaving tales of magic and adventure that mimicked the fairy tales and myths that she loved to read. It was there, with the help of two very special teachers, that she nurtured this love and started her journey as a writer.
Melanie writes fantasy, paranormal romance, and everything in between, seasoned with a good dash of adventure and mystery. Join her on her tales of magic, adventure, and romance.
Melanie is a featured author attending Author’s After Dark in New Orleans. For more information about AAD2012, click HERE.
Also, keep reading to learn more about Melanie’s release, Ward Against Death, and enter to win an e-copy! GIVEAWAY details are below.
Please help me welcome Melanie to That’s What I’m Talking About.
Twimom: Melanie, welcome and thank you for stopping by.
Melanie: Thank you so much for inviting me here today.
Twimom: You’ve recently started a new YA/Adult paranormal series, Chronicles of a Reluctant Necromancer, with the first book, Ward Against Death. Can you tell us a bit more about this intriguing world you’ve created?
Melanie: The story takes place in a world reminiscent of 16th century Europe in Brawenal city. Brawenal is a major hub for culture, politics, industry, commerce, religion, and crime. The port city sits on the side of a dormant volcano, in tiered rings down to the sea and has an ancient history that’s left a maze-like sewer system beneath it and a strange cemetery on it’s outskirts. In this world there’s magic and mystery, assassins and necromancers.
Twimom: And what is up next for the Reluctant Necromancer?
Melanie: Book two, Ward Against Darkness, where Ward and Celia get into even more trouble with more undead creatures and evil necromancers and there relationship gets even more complicated.
Twimom: Do you enjoy writing genres outside of the fantasy and paranormal genre? If so, what other genres do you enjoy writing?
Melanie: I haven’t written outside of the fantasy or paranormal genre. I’ve tried, but something magical always seems to slip in. The thing I love about fantasy and paranormal is that there are elements of other genres within it. Certainly there’s action and adventure, in Ward Against Death there’s mystery and romance. Depending on what I’m writing will determine how much of the other genres flavor my story.
Twimom: I understand - I always look for and enjoy a little fantasy/paranormal in my reading. You are a featured author at the Authors After Dark Con in 2012. Why AAD? What are your favorite aspects of AAD?
Melanie: I’m relativity new to conferences so I picked AAD because I’d heard some great things about it and that it was relatively small. I want to make sure I have the opportunity to spend time with people, have conversations, and make friends. I can be quite shy so I think a more intimate con will be less overwhelming for my first time out.
Twimom: I always like to ask authors about their reading habits... What types of books do you enjoy reading? What was your favorite read in 2011 and/or so far in 2012?
Melanie: I enjoy reading all types of books, although I read mostly fantasy or paranormal romance (adult and YA). My favorite read last year was Grave Witch by Kalayna Price. For 2012 so far, I’d have to say Graceling by Kristin Cashore was fabulous.
Twimom: What upcoming 2012 releases are you most excited to read?
Melanie: I look forward to Kalayna Price’s and Kristin Cashore’s new releases, as well as Maria V. Snyder and Deborah Cooke.
Twimom: Melanie, once again thank you so much for taking the time to tell my readers a little bit about yourself and your writing. It was wonderful chatting with you. I look forward to seeing you in New Orleans!
Melanie: Thank you so much for having me. I look forward to meeting you, too!
You can find Melanie on line at
Ward Against Death (Entangled Publishing, August 2011)
Twenty-year-old Ward de’Ath expected this to be a simple job—bring a nobleman’s daughter back from the dead for fifteen minutes, let her family say good-bye, and launch his fledgling career as a necromancer. Goddess knows he can’t be a surgeon—the Quayestri already branded him a criminal for trying—so bringing people back from the dead it is.
But when Ward wakes the beautiful Celia Carlyle, he gets more than he bargained for. Insistent that she’s been murdered, Celia begs Ward to keep her alive and help her find justice. By the time she drags him out her bedroom window and into the sewers, Ward can’t bring himself to break his damned physician’s Oath and desert her.
However, nothing is as it seems—including Celia. One second, she’s treating Ward like sewage, the next she’s kissing him. And for a nobleman’s daughter, she sure has a lot of enemies. If he could just convince his heart to give up on the infuriating beauty, he might get out of this alive…
GIVEAWAY Thank you, Melanie, for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About. Entangled Publishing is graciously giving away one (1) e-copy of Ward Against Death. Please leave your comments for Melanie by Wednesday June 13, 2012, at 9:00 PM EDT to be eligible for the contest. One entry per person, the winner will be selected from eligible entries using random.org. Contest is open internationally; please leave your email address so I can contact you. Thank you to Melanie and Entangled Publishing for this great giveaway!
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