Spaz Goes to A … NOT ANOTHER AAD POST! Philly

August 20, 2011 in Book Cons

Boy. I am still sitting here staring at my computer trying to figure out how to really describe the experience I had at AAD 2011. I told Nat I am still reeling from the event and she told me: “Pictures!” I personally am so over myself and seeing myself in pictures, but I forget that the world does not revolve around me and perhaps you, awesome readers, might not have seen any pictures yet! So, in the hopes that you are not over me yet, here is what I am able to brain dump out allll for you.

First things first, the night at registration I was lucky enough to run in to (accost) Dakota Cassidy, who embraced me with open arms and lovingly offered to give me a piggyback ride to the M•A•C store down the street. We never made it to that M•A•C store, but we’ll always have this photo:

On Wednesday, Mandi of Smexybooks picked me and Jen TwiMom227 up at the Philly airport and Mandi drove us to the DoubleTree in her Van of Fun! She even parallel parked that bitch in parking garage, which was no easy feat. The squee-hugging immediately began in the hotel lobby when we ran in to Bells of Hangin With Bells and Marq of Love To Read For Fun (she loves hugs!! no not really, don’t do it, unless you’re me of course, she let me hug her bunches:P). We met up with Larissa of Larissa’s Bookish Life, Jo Jo of JoJos Book Corner (are her fabulous Mom!), Felicia the Geeky Blogger, and Danielle of Lush Book Reviews. We all had dinner at the hotel restaurant, as seen here in a exhibit A:

The next day, I had breakfast with Mandi and Jen and then headed to the Welcome event. This was an awesome use of time, as we were standing around talking to the —- squeeeee —- authors! We REALLY got prime time with the authors to introduce ourselves and take pictures!! Lara Adrian (not pictured here, booo), Larissa Ione, Nicole Peeler, Carolyn Crane, and Jennifer Estep were a few of my favorites… I mean… DUH! This is evidenced in exhibits B, C, and D:

Oh! And I met Erin Kellison and had to get a picture with her as well! I love her books, and she was so fun! I need Shadowman like right now.

Here at the pre-Welcome event, the Bloggers all got to really meet and take pics with one another too. I can honestly say that these ladies are my Friends. It was amazing how we all just connected as if we’d already met in person before, and not just in the Matrix. We instantly became a giant Book Blogger Family. Here is me with Mandi of Smexybooks and Marquetta of Love To Read For Fun.

And here is one of my most favorite people on the planet, BELLS!! of Hangin With Bells. Seriously, Bells is a true gem and I treasure knowing her.

From the Welcome event, I proceeded to take my foot of titanium fun for the first real walk I’ve had since surgery. I discovered that the museum I wanted to go to, the Mütter Museum, was only 1.2 miles away from our hotel. So I hoofed my way on over and had a nice time walking the streets of Philly, in the NOT 110 DEGREE heat that is Texas. I took photos along the way, but could not take photos inside. For those who are not aware, the Mütter Museum is a medical museum that contains a collection of medical oddities, anatomical and pathological specimens, wax models, and antique medical equipment. It was muyyyyy coooool!

I got back from the museum and immediately got to be Nat on a panel with Larissa Sarah called “I Have a Blog, Now What?” Soooooo I had absolutely nothing to really say on this panel, but we fudged our way through it and just talked about each of our very different experiences. I enjoyed making sly faces at Bells to make her laugh. What Exhibit letter am I on now? Ah forget it, here’s the pic:

And here is where the entire rest of the AAD Convention is a COMPLETE BLUR… So I am just going to give you my Favorites and Highlights and shove in a bunch of pictures I took.

Favorite Panel: Guess the Book from the Sex Scene!

This was hands-down the most fun, most interactive panel due to the authors and the participants. And I will just have you know, Nicole Peeler gives GREAT smut reading. She is a Professional. And when that PBS documentary guy came in, camera rolling, while she was reading one of the smuttiest blurbs my virgin ears have ever heard, she did. not. miss. a. beat. I salute you, NP! Picture above was provided by the lovely PJ Schnyder, I didn’t get a pic with her. I haz a sad. But moving on…

Second Favorite Panel: Pin the Penis on the Founding Father

Do I really need to tell you why this was so fun? I think not!

But here is another shot of my BELLS!, Dren of Dren’s B-Spot, Penny of Penny Pimpin, and Jen. LOVE these ladies!!

THEN, I got to present two awards at the Bookie Awards, here we are all together getting ready to present:

There’s Jennifer Armintrout, Jess Haines, Mandi Smexybooks, Me, JuJu AKA Minx, Jo Jo, and that’s Leanna Renee Hieber in the back, who by the way, is just as gorgeous as her book covers!

Oh, and here we are on another panel, this one was “Bloggers Tell All” and it was awesome talking with each other and also the authors in the crowd. That’s Robin of Intense Whisper, Jo Jo of JoJos Book Corner, JuJu of Loose Knickers and Window Lickers, Me, and Mandi! Thank you Ava Riley for providing this pic of us!

And then there was the Masquerade Ball, and the Steampunk Ball and it was just go, go, go! I ended up getting to meet Alison Pang, and JA Saare FINALLY! I loooove their books so much and they were both so personable and warm. I was just about to say they were both awesome… this is probably where I need to look in the thesaurus for help with overusing awesome. Too late? I also got to meet new-to-me authors like Kristen PainterMelissa Ecker, Cat Johnson, Anton Strout, Lia Habel, Stephanie Julian (What a Goddess Wants - can’t wait to read it!) Sidney Ayers, and dangit! there are too many to mention! But here is another picture I can share with you of Mandi, Jen, Danielle and meee.

Okay Okay Fine! You want to know what another one of my FAVORITE panels was? OK, well check out who was there:

Surprise! It’s another picture with Dakota in it! But look who else! Larissa Ione, Alison Pang, Dakota (does she really need a last name anymore?), Meljean Brook and Alexandra Ivy! Talking about DEMONS! It was AWESOME (er um I mean amazing! or um, awe-inspiring!) and FUN and if you weren’t there you so so wish you could have been.

Oh! And the Book Signing! Holy crap! I wish I’d taken so many more pictures with all the authors, dang it. I walked away with 22 signed books by the authors there, and actually got the famous Trish AKA Picky Me to sign the covers of two Lydia Dare books she created. I kinda went fangirl on her because her cover art and conceptual art is so freaking gorgeous. I didn’t get a picture with her, but you know who I DID get a picture with? You’ll never guess! I’m shameless in my idolatry.

The last night before the Steampunk Dinner and Ball, we were able to take a group shot of us Bloggers. Well, we are missing some :( (Pennyy!!) but this picture CRACKS ME UP so I HAVE to include it. I am looking at it now, for the millionth time, giggling. It’s a classic group shot:

Oh oh oh! and here is me with Penny, since she didn’t make it in to the group shot above. She’s one of my favorite people to talk to and sure enough was one of my favorite people to hang out with, as well.

I want to give an extra shout-out to Mandi of Smexybooks. I felt a true kinship with her, and I mean, she not only transported me to the hotel, but then she took me on the scenic route back to the airport! LOLz were had! Whenever things got crazy and I started to freak out (hellloo spoiler alert! I’m spazstic), I just looked for My Mandi and she made everything better.

And of course I have to give MAJOR L<3VE to Nat, THE Wicked Lil Pixie, who was GREATLY MISSED. I don’t want to own or run a blog, but I sure do have fun writing for this one! I just wish she could have been with me. That’s the only thing that would have made it better for me! Come to TX, Nat! We have cheetos! and puppies!

In summary, I came home with such a full heart, and a tight stomach from laughter, and I am still riding a high from being around so much positivity and enthusiasm. We all were there to share our love for our favorite books, and to learn about new books too – and that is exactly what we did. In the end, the experience is what we make of it, and I am so happy to have had this one.

Release Day Review: Dead Waters – Anton Strout

February 22, 2011 in Reviews

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Anton Strout’s Website
  • Publisher: Ace (February 22, 2011)
  • List Price: $7.99 US
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0441020119
  • ISBN-13: 978-0441020119

Buy Dead Waters at:

Simon Canderous, of the Department of Extraordinary Affairs, is used to fighting vampires and zombies. But the strange murder of a professor has everyone stumped. And it’s making some people crazy. Literally.

Simon Canderous is thinking business as usual when the body of a professor is found, but being a member of the DEA means the case is anything but normal. It’s a strange case (aren’t they all ?), considering the victim drown, yet has not a drip of water on him. The pressure to solve this murder is high, because the victim happens to be a former friend & co-worker of Simon’s boss.

Dead Waters is the forth book in the Simon Canderous series & by the end of it, Simon totally went beyond boyfriend material, skyrocketing into sainthood he did. The action starts right in the first chapter & refuses to let up right until the very end. It’s full of twists & turns, as usual with a Simon novel, but this one has more focus on Simon’s relationship with Jane. Yes, I still have my hate on for Jane. Ahem.

The ending my friends will have you alternating with wanting to hunt down Anton Strout to demand book five & wishing you had your very own Simon. I have yet to decide on what course of action I would like to take with Mr. Strout, I am bordering on strangling him & applauding, because he totally throws us fans for a loop.

I may have even tweeted threats. I have a thing for my boy Simon, can you tell? Either way, I liked the way it all took place & made me look forward to the next book even more then I normally would have. Cliff hangers usually irk me, but this one was brilliantly written.

If you haven’t read the series, I strongly suggest it. Dead Waters is what Urban Fantasy is all about, action.

Anton Strout – Lupercalia (Short Story)

February 11, 2010 in Reviews

  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • List Price: $7.99 US/$9.99 CDN
  • Publisher: DAW; Original edition (February 2, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0756406145
  • ISBN-13: 978-0756406141

Buy A Girls Guide To Guns & Monsters at:

Thirteen urban and paranormal tales of strong women, armed with weapons they are not afraid to use, as well as fists and feet of fury, who face monsters and bad guys-and are not above rescuing men in the process.

Lupercalia is a short story (page 92-113) by Anton Strout, in the anthology A Girls Guide To Monsters. Mr. Strout doesn’t have a blurb about the book, so I harrassed him to provide me with one on the spot:

Lupercalia is the story of a young NYU student and modern day love gone wrong with a dash of demonic cherub drowning

The young NYU student, Leis, who’s had a ton of relationship issues and sets out to right that wrong and kick some cherub arse. She drags along her roomate Helen and the two set out to confront Cupid. At risk of ruining a short story, lets just do this:

  • Leis is a freaky bitch
  • Helen is an unlikely heroine
  • Cupid’s a pimp

If you are a fan of Anton’s writing, check out Lupercalia for something totally different. Even if you want to smack the crap out of Leis.  Anton’s writing is filled with enough action to make you wish this wasn’t a short story but a full length.

Deader Still – Anton Strout

January 23, 2010 in Reviews

  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • List Price: $7.99 US/$ 8.99 CDN
  • Publisher: Ace (February 24, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 044101691X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0441016914
  • It’s been 737 days since the Department of Extraordinary Affairs’ last vampire incursion, but that streak appears to have ended when a boat full of dead lawyers is found in the Hudson River. Using the power of psychometry—the ability to divine the history of an object by touching it—agent Simon Canderous discovers that the booze cruise was crashed by something that sucked all the blood out of the litigators. Now, his workday may never end—until his life does.

    In the Department of Extraordinary Affairs, there is a wipe-board that keeps track of the last vampire sighting in the City. After a boatful of dead lawyers is found on the Hudson River, Simon is convinced the lack of blood all points to vampires which gives him the duty of clearing that office wipe-board. Since the last book, Simon has also become part of the FOGie’s, which lets him work outside all the red tape of the DEA. Because of that very group, Simon now has to give orders to his mentor Connor who isn’t very happy with Simon and this new addition is driving a wedge deeper into their relationship. Add to the mix, Jane is now developing a new power and spending a lot of time with someone Simon doesn’t trust very much.

    I absolutely loved Deader Still! From the names of the brochures put out by the DEA to the drama surrounding Connor, I couldn’t put this book down. Anton Strout has an incredible character in Simon, you never know whats going to happen next. Simon is someone you could know, just because he has extraordinary “powers” doesn’t mean he doesn’t have to deal with real life issues (red tape at work, friendship strain & relationship issues). The end of this book makes me glad I picked up the series the month before the 3rd books release, cliff hanger ending and all!

    Buy Deader Still at:
    Chapters/Indigo
    Amazon
    Barnes & Noble

    Anton Strout’s Website

    Dead To Me – Anton Strout

    January 11, 2010 in Reviews

    • Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
    • List Price: $7.99 (US & CDN)
    • Publisher: Ace (February 26, 2008)
    • Language: English
    • ISBN-10: 0441015786
    • ISBN-13: 978-0441015788

    A new urban fantasy featuring a man working on the right side of law-with talents that come from left field. Psychometry-the power to touch an object and divine information about its history-has meant a life of petty crime for Simon Canderous, but now he’s gone over to the good side. At New York’s underfunded and (mostly) secret Department of Extraordinary Affairs, he’s learning about red tape, office politics, and the basics of paranormal investigation.

    But it’s not the paperwork that has him breathless. After Simon spills his coffee on (okay, through) the ghost of a beautiful woman- who doesn’t know she’s dead-he and his mentor plan to find her killers. But Simon’s not prepared for the nefarious plot that unfolds before him, involving politically correct cultists, a large wooden fish, a homicidal bookcase, and the forces of Darkness, which kind of have a crush on him.

    When Simon is called to help Connor stop a rampaging ghost in downtown Manhattan, they soon unravel something pretty big. Ghosts are turning up all over and they can’t remember how they died or who they were, with the help of one such ghost, Irene they try and figure out who is draining these ghosts and what the purpose is.

    I have to tell you, when I read that Simon has the ability to touch things and gain knowledge from them, I wasn’t exactly thrilled with the idea. I’ve read books where the main character had the ability and  I wasn’t happy with the way they did the power. Mr. Strout did justice to this power, when used Simon basically goes into lack of sugar shock (hypo). It made the power one that was “believable”, something that could happen. Simonpreviously used his power to help criminals gain priceless pieces, but now he’s on the good end trying to read things for the DEA and learning to use his powers with the help of his mentor Connor (who I didn’t really like at all, he irked me).

    Simon is a very likeable character, you can feel his guilt at using his powers for bad and feel how hard he is trying to help everyone, even if it gets him into some pretty bad situations. Nevermind his sex life, poor guy can’t touch anything without gloves on or he is transported back into their lives. Imagine having to live through someone elses sex life!? It’s enough to make you go insane, or remain single for the rest of your life. No wonder he has the hots for a ghost! Simon uses sarcasm but you can tell he is good people, he is constantly trying to save someone be it a ghost or a cultist.

    There are a lot of snort worthy moments, Simon and Connor are attacked by a magic bookcase (every readers worst nightmare). And there are characters you want to hear more about, like Ms. T the resident coffee-ground reader. All in all, a great start to a UF series that’s so different from the rest you can’t wait to read more!

    My Rating: 4/5

    Visit Anton Strout on his Website (He’ll be here next month to talk about his third Simon book!)

    Buy Dead To Me at:

    Chapters/Indigo

    Amazon

    Barnes & Noble