Hi everyone! I made it back from the Lori Foster event in record time. The trip to Ohio was awful. The rain was pouring down so bad there were several cars that had caught water puddles and landed in the ditch. It took over 5 hours to get there, but I did have help driving – my son came with me.
Once we got there, my son and I grabbed a quick lunch, then I was off to find Jambrea, Maya and Amy. And anyone else I might recognize. I spotted Amy right away (she’s the only one I actually knew what she looked like in person!). So I pounce on Amy and she’s got Jambrea and Ali Flores with her. So we chat for a bit, then head into the Barnes and Noble bookstore area in the hotel. Jambrea and I meet several Samhain authors in there. One was SJ Willing (he was the only guy, so it was easy to figure out who he was!). He’s British and has a lovely accent! He’s been ill, but it was very nice to meet him.
I wander into the book rack area (tables actually) and grab several books I want signed and Amy approaches me to introduce me to Maya. OK – I know you know I’m her crazy stalker fan, but I did not behave like a blubbering idiot! I gave her a quick hug and managed to form some coherent sentences!
Then Amy and Maya went back to the big conference room while I waited in line to pay for my books. While in line Jambrea and I met Anne Rainey (she’s beautiful by the way). Then Diane McEntire and Shiloh Walker are introduced. Well, Jambrea knows Shiloh (she’s her stalker/fan!) I’m still not blubbering at this point. Amazing, huh?
Then we head back into chaos – I mean the conference room. This was a very different experience for me from the last book signing. The one in Chicago was orderly and you walked up to each author and had your book signed. This was a free-for-all. WOW!
Jambrea and I met up with Maya and Amy and Ali at their table. I had a chance to talk with Maya and I was not too stupid sounding (I don’t think). And Amy was a good buffer! Thanks Amy! I had Maya sign my copy of Colter’s Woman (I LOVE THAT BOOK) and she was just so sweet. I'm still her crazy stalker fan.
Then the fun really started. Jambrea introduced me to Joy. Joy lives up to her name. She is the funniest person I have ever met. Oh My Goodness. She’s a riot. Well, she takes Jambrea and I to hunt for authors. I get to meet Bianca D’Arc – she was just so nice. All the authors were very nice. We got to chat with her for a while. Her family and her co-workers don’t know that she writes under an assumed name, so we don’t have pictures of her. Jambrea and I have a picture of her arm in it! Very funny!
After wandering around being introduced and getting books signed, we finally took a break and sat down for a while. I spotted Lauren Dane at the table next to us and I had my copy of What Happens in Vegas to be signed, and Anya Bast (who’s story is in this book) comes over and I have her sign it. Then Maya waves for Lauren to come over to the table! EEEK! I waved back and signaled that I would come to her.
OK – so here’s where I turn into the blubbering idiot. I swear to God I left my brain in Illinois or even in Indiana. Hell, it might have been in Alaska! I grab my book and go over to meet her and she’s soooo nice and friendly and comments on my shirt (which was new), so the next words out of my mouth are “Oh and I bought new shoes too”. What a freakin’ dorky thing to say. Sheesh. So then she asks to take a picture (she asks Anya Bast actually), so I think she wants ME to take a picture of THEM. But no, she wants Anya to take a picture of ME and LAUREN. Oh boy. But do I think to go get MY CAMERA? Noooo. See? Me=Dork. No doubt about it. Then I made another stupid comment – seriously I think my brain went back to Illinois – and mention when does her book “Busted” come out. OK – if you know Lauren Dane, you know her next book is called Taking Care of Business. Why did I say “Busted”? I have no freakin’ idea. What a dumbass. Oy. She then politely tells me the name of the book – which I knew but lost my brain – and mentions the other one “Undercover” that are coming out in December. I manage to tell her how much I like her blog and that I love her video blogs, so I think my brain engaged at some point. Jeez… she’ll remember me all right. Oy.
The rest of the time there was spent hanging out with Amy and Maya. Joy entertained us for a while… That woman is hysterical. I think my son is a little in love with her! Then I went with Jambrea to visit with Bianca D’Arc. What a nice lady. We had a lovely chat and she gave us some great swag! More author hunts after that to find some autographs and then back to the table.
The order of these events may be off, but you get the general idea. It was still mayhem and chaos, but so much fun! I loved meeting everyone and getting an opportunity to meet Maya – and no I didn’t drool on her. It was great to see Amy again and I really enjoyed meeting Jambrea and Ali.
This little excursion really made me realize how much I want to go to a full event. So I told my husband that I REALLY want to go to RT in Orlando next year. I am planning on going – with or without him. I told him I’d like for him to go and he and our son can go to Disney or Universal while I hang out at the conference. We’ll see if he ends up going.
That’s it for this trip! Pictures are below!
Valerie
Group Shot:
Top row: Ali Flores, Jambrea Gaff
Bottom: Valerie, Maya Banks, Amy Knupp
Jambrea, me, Ali
Jambrea, Ali
Amy and Joy
Me and Maya
