Chicago Author Event In November

Hi My loves

How y'all doing??  Well I'm super excited about this new author event. Remeber when I went to Boston?? Yeah this is going to be even better for several reasons,  You see November is my birthday month and my present to myself will be going to this the weekend before my birthday.  I'm in Chicago for the event and then I'll be heading home right after that.

If you're going to be in the area and attending the event, let me know.  I'd love to hang out with anyone from the area.  And maybe go book shopping.

I'm excited to go because Jay Crownover is going to be there, so is Jennifer L Armentrout, and a few others, including, Alice Clayton, Jillian Dodd, Cora Carmack, KA Tucker and Jenn Sterling (these are just he few names I recognize) there are so many more, I'm not sure where else they are going to be, but the link to the compank is here.

I will be vlogging the event, adn sharing on my youtube, just like I did the Boston event and I can't wait to see what they will have in store for us.

See in November and until then, Happy Reading my loves

Book Adventures: A Haul & A Giveaway (CLOSED): Boston Author Event June 13th, 2015 .@tinareber Bewitching Bibliophile

Hi my loves,

This weekend I took the bus into Boston to go see an all-star lineup of authors that included Tammara Webber, Rebecca Donovan, J Sterling, Jessica Park, Tina Reber, Andrea Randall, Priscilla Glenn, Jillian Dodd, Julia Kent, Michelle Scot, Daisy Prescott, and Charles Sheehan Miles.  The event was organized by Lalone Marketing and was a mostly boutique author event.

Now I will readily admit, I was going to this event because Tammara and Rebecca where going to be there, as far as I remembered I hadn't read any of the other author's works.  Then I looked them up on the kindle and I actually had a few of the books on my shelf (this is what happens when you just keep clicking over several years).  So I made a game plan and a list and I was ready.  I bought my ticket online for $10 plus tax which came to $11.50. then I bought my bus ticket which was $61.00. And off we went.

I picked my ticket up from the Greyhound place a few days early just because I wanted to be prepared and it's a good thing I did too, I got there saturday morning at 6 am like they told me to and they didn't show up until 715 am.  The bus which was supposed to be at 7 am was late, when they looked it up the bus was delayed for two hours where ever the hell it was and that meant I was going to be late going into the city because it was going to be even longer getting there,  Had the bus arrived on time I would have arrived in Boston at 10 am and had plenty of time to walk around and even go to the Prudential Shopping Center (I'm so glad I decided to wait until I was there to purchase my Observation Deck ticket).  But I arrived in Boston at 130 pm when the event started at 12 and Copley Place was on the other side of the South Street Station, not far but with the Gay Pride Parade going on and streets closed to traffic it took an extra $7 in riding around to get to where we needed to go. I'm so not happy with Greyhound and of course lodged a complaint with the Boston Station.

So this adventure wasn't off to the greatest start and I hoped like heck I wasn't going to be on the back of the longest line known to man, however, being late (not my fault) was advantageous in that I missed most of the early rush and had time to talk to the authors without having to sign and run.  The books can be purchased from the authors, with either cash or credit card.  You could also bring books from home, but since I don't own their books in physical form I didn't have any to bring with me beyond Left Drowning by Jessica Park.

The room was set up in a circle and when you entered Jessica Park was the first author to greet you, then Andrea Randall/Charles Sheenan Miles who shared a booth, then Tina Reber, followed by Priscila Glenn, then Jillian Dodd, then Rebecca Donovan, and Daisy Prescott, Julia Kent and the last one before the door was J Sterling and she would be the last author you talk to before heading out into the little water cooler area.  I loved the setup because there would be no backflow and traffic only had one way in and one way out so no skipping here.  I brought cards to share with the authors so they would learn about the blog and the youtube channel.

Once I made it to the Marriott at Copley Place, I was greeted by the great staff at the front and of course, an awesome concierge who made the directions I had written down easy and understandable since I was flustered and afraid I was going to miss it.  I went up the escalator ( and now that I think about it I should have taken pictures of the beautiful lobby and hanging lights, oh well), and right in front of me was the check-in booth, you showed them your ticket (apparently these women were volunteers for the event and locals) and any books that you have brought from home.  I only brought my copy of Left Drowning by Jessica Park which I got at BEA 2013, I got her to sign it for me and chatted for a few minutes then I moved on.

I walked into the room and was greeted first by Jessica Park, after that the first person I went to because I had a choice was Priscilla Glenn, (I skipped around I know) There I got her to sign Emancipating Andie for me and I purchased it from her.

Then I moved on to Jillian Dodd, since I own her books in ebook form I had her sign my author book

and it was gorgeously done.  She has the most amazing dress on and I totally love it!!

I moved on to Rebecca Donovan who had a great booth, with tons of swag and things, and I purchased the Breathing series and talked about tattoos with her and her booth mate.

I enjoyed myself then I moved past Daisy who had several women she was talking to, and then I went onto Julia Kent. I spent the most amount of time with Julia, we talked about her books, sexual fluidity, our favorite authors, and fave books, including Diana Gabaldon & the Outlander series.   I loved meeting with her and getting the background of the series that was started, I have her books in ebook form then so I had her send me the second book in this new series in trade form and she will sign it for me. Can't get any better than that.

Then I moved on to J Sterling, and I love her potty mouth, she had an awesome headband and she made me laugh, she shared some great stories about her time in Boston and we got along really well laughing about her adventures and her reason for writing her books.  Yep, I had a blast.  I purchased The Perfect Game and picked up some baseball charm swag that I'm going to make into a bookmark on ribbon.  Then as a gift she gave me Seeing Stars which she said was inspired by a trip to see Drake in concert and she was upset that he didn't see her in the audience and immediately fall in love with her. I never laughed so much with someone about something so simple but she is such a great storyteller if her books are like this then I'm going to love them.

Then I went back to the authors I skipped including Andrea Randall who I purchased In the Stillness from her and talked with her for a while as well. Charles was also there and we talked for a bit, I didn't get anything from him because I only had enough left for Tina's book (oops, I wasn't really supposed to spend so much but oh well, that's what the internet is for).

Then I move on to Tina and we talked about travel and books and her plans for the rest of the year.  I got Jacked because I have the other books in ebook form and I wanted the other books but she had sold it right before I got there.  I can't wait to get into it because it sounds awesome.

And that was it, I headed out after and ate at California Pizza Kitchen,  (which was an adventure all of its own), I had a good server named Sam, and I was unfortunately seated near the table that the staff was eating at and learnt more about one of the female servers than I ever want to know about someone whose name I don't know. I really think she was doing it because I was there too, because before she was quiet and now that I was sitting and eating and not looking at them she kept getting loud and talking wild when the manager would go over to talk to them she never talked that loud and they were all talking and laughing.  Her constant "that's racist, that's racist" in a high-pitched voice made me want to slap her so bad, bigotry is different from racist, if you don't know the meaning don't use the word. UGHHHHHHH.  Totally didn't impress me on my first trip there.  Also when another table was seated in the section she tones all the way the hell down.  So I know she knew exactly what she was doing.   I finished eating then I went roaming around the Prudential Mall then headed back to the Marriott to get a cab then wait for my bus home.

It was an eventful day and I enjoyed it despite all the screw-ups that had nothing to do with me. I can't explain how annoyed I get when something goes so wrong and it wasn't because I didn't plan properly or I was late.  I did my part, they really needed to have done theirs, and yeah the driver apologized but that doesn't help that I was two hours behind.

Boston was still amazing to see and even more beautiful than I remember.  I can't wait to go back, this time I'm taking the train.

Have you had any bookish adventures lately?? Share in the comments down below please and we can talk about them.  What books did you get recently??  Are you going to Chicago in November?? I am, it's close to my birthday so this will be my present to myself. I bought my ticket already and I'm buying my airfare later today because it's cheap.  Check it out here

Good Luck to all participants!!  Win an Autographed Copy of JACKED and various bookswag from Tina Reber!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I hope you enjoyed my wrap up. Share down below what you have read and let me know if you're from Boston and what I should do when I go back in July.

BEA 2014: Day 2: Just Keep Walking...

Welcome to Day Two's Recap.

 I got a lot accomplished today including meeting several of my favorite book vloggers from YouTube.

I filmed this video a few times before I finally got it all together.  Today there weren't any breakfast to go to but we needed to be there early so that we could check our bags in and join the line.

Move aside ladies and gents, Donna Hill and Brenda Jackson are signing at the Harlequin Booth. I'm not afraid to mow anyone down.

I got to swing by the Harlequin Booth first thing and picked up the following:
Terry Brisbans'e Yield to a Highlander
Jannice Maynard's A not so innocent seduction,
My Secret Fantasues
Tall Dark and Vampires
Loretta CHase's
Tiffany Reisz The Saint

Then I jumped on some lines and re0united with my co blogger, and her friends, we jumped from line to line and made some serious progress on our book lists. My favorite moment came while I was on the Sublime Christan Lauren line which was right next to the Mark of Athena Rick Riordan line since the Riordan line was long I jumped on Lauren's lime figuring I would make it back to my sister's spot before I needed to be there. Boy did I plan wrong, Riordan's people made that line move swiftly and my sister ended up right next to me, so I jumped in front of her, got my books signed then jumped back in line in time to get my book signed. It was awesome!! Rick's face was hilarious; his rep was like "you can't do that" and I was like yes I can, I've got a ticket and she's my sister so boom!!  We happen to be right in front of the young woman dressed like a character from the book, She totally rocked I probably should have taken a picture,

Damsel Distressed Kelsey Macke she's also a booktuber on Youtube, Make sure to check her out,   This cover is gorgeous.  This year Spencer Hill was the place to be and they were even better with their giveaways, because you had to have tickets and be online otherwise you lost out,  They were strict and I loved them for it.

The lines today were so long and so tiring. I didn't even try to join the line for Heir of Fire. I just kept walking because already people were online for at least an hour and the line kept snaking around. NOPE. I'll wait. It's not that serious. I do want to commend the BEA Staff again because today they really earned their pay.  They kept those lines orderly and knew when to cut them off and made some ballsy calls when they got confronted by upset people; but I really felt like today went well because of them, they coordinated with the reps and made sure everyone was accounted for and it totally worked.

Since you've been gone, which was the booksplosion book of the month.( I learnt that when I opened up the book after Morgan signed it). This one I almost got into a little tussle with a woman over, I NEED people to understand how the buddy system works and stop getting all grouchy when I get there. I was there and went off to get other books my bags are here. I was so close to snapping at her then I just calmly pointed out that my friends had been online already and I was rejoining them. Calm own honey we're all getting books. Jesus Christos people.

I hung out with the women over at Cleiss press, and learnt all about the amazing new line up. I even managed to snag a few books and I can't wait to share them all with you, Make sure to be on the look out for some sweet erotica reviews and giveaways coming up.

In the Press room I picked up Ben Tripp's The Accidental Highwayman. The cover of this books is gorgeous. It sounds amazing an I can't wait to dive right in.  I got the book because I had it on my list and someone left it in the press room, I gave it to the monitor and she hung on to it for me and when no one claimed it by the end of the day, she gave it to me. Sweet!!

I got to meet Sylvia Day, if I'd been thinking I would have brought my Crossfire Series and gotten her to sign them . However the line was too long we didn't have any time to stop and really talk to her. She signed and while she signed you got a few seconds to gush, then it was time to move one.

I was stuck on a few lines this year. However my fellow blogger had made some serious friends on line and they kept switching out, and getting each other so many books. It was awesome because we kept in contact all of BEA and of course afterwards as well so that we can meet up again next year,

My sister asked me to join the Scott Westerfeld line for her, that line was a clustereff of foolishness, it went on forever and I was like Girl I love you but no. So I joined it anyway because.. well. books. She and her new bloggie friends came over 20 mins later and I went over to Hatchette where they were serving beer. It was perfect, my feet ached, I was tired and I wanted 10 mins of silence, but that corona certainly helped.  I got Elin Hildenbrand's newest Christmas book and I was outta there. I switched places again with my co blogger so she could grab a drink as well and then i stayed on line because well ..books.  It ended up working out in my favor. I was the last person in line and they still had books so I went over and asked if he could sign one and the rep was like "whatevs" probably because Scott said yes before she could answer.  I got five whole minutes to talk to him about his body of work and the rumors about movies being in the works for the Uglies series, which I had just begun to read. He was pretty freaking awesome. I see why people love him. He totally sold me on the new book as well.

Grand Total of 57 books, 7 bags, and two kickbutt stamps.

I'm both looking forward to and terrified of tomorrow. It being the thrid day and the first day of Book Con.  The rumors I'm hearing of the numbers of people can't be right and I hope to the gods people are exagerating because NO. Just. No.

Top 14 Things to Know About Me Before BEA 2014

I don't know who started these little memes, but I have seen them on Lexie's blog over at the Poisoned Rationality and on the Irish Banana's Review as well. I'm going to share the top 14 things you should know about me for BEA

1) I'm pretty freaking nice, please talk to me!! I'm one of those idiots who gets around books and forget all social norms like how to talk.  Help me out!! I'm always scared that if I strike up the conversation people will just look at me like a rambling fool.

2) This is my third year going and I'm still pretty clueless. My first year I had no plan and just took whatever they shoved into my hands, my second year I had a plan but hey, still took books like crazy this year I have a plan and I'm sticking pretty close to it.

3) Every year I bring my cards (well last year I forgot them at my aunt's house when we made it to the showroom floor (oops, but for just one day though) and I almost always go home with tons of them. Ask me for a card please,

4) I'm a huge fan of Ellorascave, the first stop I make every year is over at that booth, so I can meet up with the reps, and of course take tons of pictures with those really cute guys. So if you see dreads flying by you on the first day, don't stop me I'm on a mission to kick this party off right.

5) I read mostly romance books, all the subgenres of course,but mostly romance,  I'm a huge erotica, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and new adult fan. If you know of books in those genres let me know now so I can stalk them at BEA, or just add them to the wishlist . Please.

6) Currently in my living space I have 1300 books, Over 650 of them read the rest unread, I should probably stay away from BEA but I'm not going to.

7) I'm a creature comfort kind of gal, I like being able to sit down and relax after stalking the BEA floors all day, it only took one year to learn that suitcases were necessary, that the Center provides shuttles to the train station and that cute shoes don't count for much if they aren't also comfortable.

8) No matter how prepared I think I am, I always forget something, lose something, or forget to charge something. Last year I thought I lost my camera (left it at my aunt's house), left my cards at my parent's house, and of course if they hadn't created charging stations last year, my phone would have been a lost cause.

9) I'm the snack lady, I will forget my cards which are necessary, but I never forget the snacks, like ever, ever. I love my sweets way too much to ever leave them behind.  So if you run out of snacks and need some I'll probably have an extra granola bar, or a chocolate bar or some peanuts. Ask me I'll share.

10) No matter how well I plan, my co blogger always gets cooler books than me. She just goes with the flow and joins a line, goes to a panel, walks by a booth, and I'm always running all over the place. and freaking about sticking to my schedule.

11) I'm a native New Yorker, so I can tell you about some cool cheap places to eat and some fun places to bookshop, as I'll share.

12) Along with being a native NYer, I can be a bit of a sarcastic bitch, and I'm always trying to rein it in because not everyone gets my sense of humor, but I will not hesitate to put you in your place should you act a fool. I'm nice, not a fool so don't push me around or cut me in line. I'm only but so nice ok?? Okay good!!

13) I rehearse what I'm going to say to my favorite authors before I open my mouth, yet every time I meet them I turn into a ninny, so I'm apologizing in advance to all the authors who are going to have me on line in front of you. I'm intelligent I swear!!

14)I'm a chocoholic, and I will be running on little sleep, because New York is way too much for things like sleep, so I'll be caffeinated out to the max, when this happens I turn into Syx from Blossom, if you hear me talking a mile a minute, just tell me to shut up and I will I promise.

So what should we know about you for BEA?? Share down in the comment box and make sure to show some love to the ladies that inspired the post.

See you in a few days at Book Expo!!

BEA 2013 Day 3:

Well my loves it's the last day of BEA 2013 and I'm terrifed of the craziness that's about to happen. Why do you ask?? Well because today is Power Reader day which means that the general public will be walking around on the floor today and quite a few of the publishers will be winding down and packing it in.

Today was Harlequin Day, let me tell you, we had our lists and we were going to get all the books on it goddarn it. The last two days were hectic and we made a bargain of no more than twso bags to carry plus our suitcase.   We were planning to go to a late lunch after the expo was over and we so didn't want to be lugging too may books around. Yeah we so didn't stick to that plan at all!! As you can see below, this was just my section of books.

Let me explain, you see, BEA officially closed at 4, but we learnt from last year's experience, they close way earlier and if you want ARCs that were displays you need to be beisde the booths when they close.  I went back to Sourcebooks who I had been stalking all ceonvention long and the girl said they were leaving at 2, so we could come back then, but when we walked past after 1 most of the books were gone. Heffa?!!!! I so wanted the second book in the Vicious Deep series and I had seen so many of the lovely Carolyn Brown books and several authors I wanted and now they were gone. *I hate everything*.

Mostly we just ran around to booths like Harlequin and pulled up some serious display books. I went back by the Writers Coffee Shop and picked up a few more books on display and then it was time to head over to Quirk books to get the most awesome books ever.

As I was leaving I stopped by Random House and they had a copy of Ebony & Ivy which sounds amazing and the young woman at the booth told me to take, I didn't give her a chance to finish before I ran away with it!!

I'm a native New Yorker and I'm going to confess something shameful...I have never been to the flagship NYC Library..*gasp shock horror* Yeah I know. But today we went and we stopped near the park behind it and enjoyed some music and a light meal from the little resutrant which was packed with people enjoying the warm weather.

So there you have the adventures of Aisha & Akili at BEA 2013. It was another awesome year and now I have to wonder how i'm getting these books back to CT. Book nerd problems.I have pictures, and I'll be putting them up as soon as my camera stops trying to eat my SD card. We had a blast afterwards. 

See you guys later with a Haul from BEA.
Happy Reading