Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Authors I've Met

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 

Favorite Authors I've Met

This week's topic is really Authors I'd Love To Meet, but the truth is I've actually been fortunate enough to meet my handful of favorite authors over the years. There are a few that it'd be nice to meet at some point, but my absolute favorites? That bucket list is complete. Colleen Hoover was the one that alluded me for years but even that meeting finally happened a couple months ago. :) Anyway, I'm switching it up a bit and instead of doing Authors I Want to Meet we're going with Authors I've Met.

1. JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT

I've managed to meet up with JLA quite a few times. She's always friendly, always fun to talk to, and somehow always manages to remember The Husband and ask about him. :)

2. COLLEEN HOOVER

Finally! It took years for me to finally make it to a Colleen Hoover event but it did happen. Me, The Husband and my mom took a little road trip up to Atlanta in August and it was a real highlight in an otherwise rocky year. 

3. KATIE MCGARRY

I met Katie at ApollyCon in 2016 and I just adored her. She was already my favorite contemporary YA author but meeting her and getting a chance to talk for a bit proved what a humble, down to earth person she really is. I felt like I could have sat and talked with her for hours. 

4. KRISTA & BECCA RITCHIE

   

I love these girls! Krista & Becca are the writing duo behind my favorite contemporary series ever - the Addicted/Calloway Sisters series. I adore their characters, love their story telling, and getting the chance to hang out with them (and their mom LOL) was a blast. We even joined them for dinner (along with several others, not just me - ha!) after both events. 

5. K.A. TUCKER

I've been a fan of Kathleen's for several years and getting to meet her was such a pleasure. What blew me away was that she remembered my review for He Will Be My Ruin (that had just recently released) - and even quoted part of it back to me! Um... wow!! 

6. CORA CARMACK

What a blast Cora was! I'd love to do a night on the town with Cora... there's no telling what would happen! LOL She was so funny, so genuine and just so upbeat... love her. I know she's been dealing with some health issues so I hope she's feeling better and able to do what she loves again soon. 

7. SARAH J. MAAS

The line to meet Sarah at YallFest (2014) was barely controlled chaos. We waited longer to see her than any other author at the event. They kept the line moving so there's wasn't much time to talk, but it was still pretty exciting!

8. ABBI GLINES

I met Abbi a couple years ago at a fairly small event in St. Augustine, FL (maybe 30 minutes from where I live). While I was waiting for her talk to start she actually came and sat down right beside me! I struck up a conversation (take that, social anxiety!) and it was great to actually have some one on one time! 

9. TRACY GARVIS GRAVES

Tracy was touring for her book Covet when I met her at a local independent bookstore. It was her first book since On the Island (which I adored) and it was a fantastic, intimate and informal setting to hear her talk about her writing. What's incredible to me is that, even after five years, any time we connect on social media she still remembers me and always asks about my sister (who was also at the signing that night).

10. DIANA GABALDON

As best as I can remember, Diana was the first author I met. That was in 2000 when I was still in the throes of my Outlander obsession. She was touring for The Fiery Cross (the fifth book in the series) and gave such an interesting talk about her research process.   

Have you met any of these authors? 

Top Ten Tuesday: Winter TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme 

created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 

Top Ten Books on My Winter TBR
I never actually make TBRs. I sometimes have a vague idea of what I might want to pick up soon but I am a total mood reader and often don't know what I'm going to read from one book to the next, much less for the next season. But here are the ones that are currently at the forefront - the ones that top my mental list of books I'd like to this winter (December thru February).

The Crown's Fate | Evelyn Skye

The Great Alone | Kristin Hannah

Autoboyography | Christina Lauren

All Closed Off | Cora Carmack

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue| Mackenzi Lee

Alex, Approximately | Jen Bennett

Keep Her Safe | K.A. Tucker

If There's No Tomorrow | Jennifer L. Armentrout

Bittersweet | Sarina Bowen

Say You'll Remember Me | Katie McGarry

What's at the top of your winter TBR?

Top 5 Wednesday: Second Book is Best

Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey at GingerReadsLainey.

Click HERE for a complete list of participants and future topics.

This week's Top 5 Wednesday topic: Second Book is Best

We talk about series that start with a strong first book and then fizzle out.

We talk about series that finish with a bang.

But what about those series where the second (or middle) books are best? 

Here are my favorites.

A Court of Mist and Fury | ACOTAR series
ACOTAR was wonderful and ACOWAR was great... but ACOMAF was simply epic. 

Crash Into You | Pushing the Limits series

I love the entire Pushing the Limits series, but Crash Ito You was a real stand-out for me. 

All Broke Down | Rusk University series

Silas and Dylan's story is the one that really did it for me.

Catching Fire | Hunger Games trilogy

The middle book in the Hunger Games trilogy was the strongest in my opinion and is still my favorite.

Opal | Lux series

I *love* the entire Lux series and wouldn't be able to pick a favorite, but Opal (#3 in the five book series) is where the stakes were truly upped. There was more suspense, more action, more relationship development, and that final scene... unforgettable.

What's your favorite second (or middle) book from a series? 
Let's discuss!

Top 5 Wednesday: Fantasy Books I Want to Read NOW

Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey at GingerReadsLainey.

Click HERE for a complete list of participants and future topics.

Y'all know that I don't typically reach for fantasy - I'm all about contemporary - but there are a few exceptions. A couple fantasy series have totally hooked me. And there are a couple upcoming releases that have me pretty excited because of the synopsis or the author. So here are the Top 5 fantasy books I'm most excited for!

A COURT OF WINGS AND RUIN

Sarah J. Maas

This is a given, right? It almost feels like cheating because it's probably on everybody's list. But, yes, A Court of Wings and Ruin is the one that has me with full-on grabby hands. I mean, with the way ACOMAF ended... I need to know what happens next. 
And because Rhysand.

THE CROWN'S FATE

Evelyn Skye

The Crown's Game was one of my surprise favorites last year. The Russian setting pulled me right in and the ending left me desperate for the next book. I must know what becomes of Nikolai, Vika and Pasha!

GIVEN TO THE SEA

Mindy McGinnis

A world threatened by an impending tidal wave that can only be held back by the ritualistic death of a young woman born to make that sacrifice. Throw in some magic and a pair of star-crossed lovers... I'm there! 

WINTERSONG

A. Jae-Jones

As soon as I read the synopsis and saw mention of the Goblin King I was sold. And I'm sure it had nothing to do with my flashbacks of the movie Labyrinth with a fierce David Bowie as the Goblin King. Nothing at all.  

ROAR

Cora Carmack

I adore Cora's contemporary novels. Her Rusk University series is among my favorites. I can't wait to see what she does with fantasy.

What fantasy book are you anticipating most?

Top Ten Tuesday (on a Thursday): Authors I've Met (and The One I Want to Meet)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme 

created by The Broke and the Bookish.

I was super excited for this week's Top Ten Tuesday topic but I was swamped all day and just didn't have the time to post. So, even though it's Thursday, and even though I'm two days late, I'm playing anyway. :)

I love having the opportunity to meet favorite authors. I mean, authors are my rock stars. So, being able to meet them, to have a few minutes of one on one conversation (about books or about anything at all), is pretty awesome and never gets old. Disclaimer: I'm not playing by the rules (again) this week. I couldn't narrow it down to 10 so I quit trying. 

Corinne Michaels | Harper Sloan | Alessandra Torre | T.M. Frazier

I met all of these lovely ladies at Sassy in Savannah in 2015. I actually went with the express purpose of seeing only two authors (Krista and Becca Ritchie) but because so many others would be in attendance I took advantage of the opportunity to get lots of books signed and meet many authors who were so kind and so friendly. (Not pictured but also met at that event: Natasha Boyd, Aurora Rose Reynolds, Leddy Harper, Seth King, and Aly Martinez.) 

Lauren Oliver | Gayle Forman

YallFest (2014) was the first *big* author event I went to and is still one of my favorites. There were a few signings happening the day before the real deal and that's when I was able to meet both Lauren Oliver and Gayle Forman. Gayle was so friendly and when I told her that my husband had also read If I Stay, she signed the book to both of us. :)

Diana Gabaldon | Tracey Garvis Graves

I can't be sure, but Diana Gabaldon might have been the first author I ever met. This was waaay back in 2001 or 2002 when she was touring to promote The Fiery Cross. I was still fairly obsessed with the series at that point so meeting her was pretty epic. Tracey Garvis Graves is still one of my favorite author meetings. She was having a signing at a small local independent bookstore (in 2013, I think) and my sister and I went together. The turnout wasn't huge so it was almost like hanging out with a friend. :) Tracey talked, answered questions, signed books... it was just such a fun, relaxed event. And what's most impressive, to this day she still remembers me, asks about my sister and we've actually talked/joked about meeting up for wine and dessert the next time she's in town. 

 

 

K.A. Tucker | Cora Carmack | Rebecca Donovan | Molly McAdams

ApollyCon 2016 was an amazing event! So. Many. Authors. It was a book lover's dream. I loved getting to meet K.A. Tucker. I had the review I'd posted as part of the blog tour for He Will Be My Ruin and asked her to sign it. She took a look at it, said she remembered it and was able to quote part of it back to me. Um, wow. Cora Carmack... what an awesome person! I just adored her sparkling personality. She's the kind of person you just know you could be best friends with. :) Rebecca Donovan was sweet and kind and, it must be said, absolutely stunning in person! Molly McAdams was so great to talk to. I had just recently taken part in the blog tour for To the Stars and she was sweet enough to sign my review. And, as with K.A. Tucker, with a glance she remembered reading it and was able to talk about points I'd mentioned in the review. I was so taken aback (and excited!) by that.

Sarah J. Maas | Abbi Glines | Katie McGarry

Confession time: At the time I met SJM, I wasn't even really a fan. I had *just* started Throne of Glass (actually, my bookmark was in the book she signed and I told her not to lose my place LOL) so I wasn't even halfway through my first book by her. But I was like, oh cool, I'm reading her book and she's here, I'll get it signed. Little did I know what was to come a couple years later (hello ACOTAR and ACOMAF!). I've mentioned before that the Rosemary Beach series by Abbi Glines is my book crack. I inhale those books. And when I learned that she was attending a book event close by I couldn't miss it. I had something of a fangirl moment when she came and sat down next to me while waiting for the conference room she was using to open and we chatted until she went in to set up. Definitely an author meeting highlight! :) When it comes to YA contemporary, Katie McGarry is my #1. So I was thrilled to meet her at ApollyCon last year. She is so incredibly down to earth, so genuine and I felt like I could have pulled up a chair and talked to her all day. I would truly love to meet Katie again.

Krista & Becca Ritchie

I've had the pleasure of meeting these amazing, talented, funny, gifted young women twice now and I just adore them. They write my favorite NA contemporary series (you might have seen me mention the Addicted series a time or fifty?) and having the chance to spend some time with them is such a blast. I first met them in Savannah in 2015 and met them again last year when they were at an event right here in my city. Both times they met up with a few readers for dinner after the event and it was amazing to just sit back and chat about anything and everything (book related or not). I should also mention that their mom happened to be at both events and Gina is an incredible lady who is so supportive of their career.

 

Jennifer L. Armentrout

My love for Jennifer Armentrout has no end. I adore her and her incredible story telling. I mean, the woman created Daemon Black. LOL She has given me sooo many hours of entertainment and escape and enjoyment. Her books are so addictive and she is one of my *very few* auto-buy authors. She's also funny and friendly and so genuine. Each time I've met her she's taken the time for a bit of personal conversation, making a quick connection, and I love that about her. 

Now on to The One I Want to Meet...

I've been lucky to meet all of my favorite authors... except one. Colleen Hoover. It's just never worked out. But one day it will happen. I'm coming for you, Colleen! :)

Have you met your favorite author?  

Surprise Announcement & Cover Reveal! ALL CLOSED OFF by Cora Carmack!

   

I really love Cora Carmack. And I really, really love her Rusk University series. It feels like I've been waiting for All Closed Off (Stella's story) for a looong time - and it's finally almost here! I'm so excited for its release and so excited to be taking part in sharing the announcement for the cover and release date! Read on, friends, and learn more about All Closed Off!

From New York Times bestselling author Cora Carmack, comes the highly anticipated fourth standalone title in her Rusk University Series, ALL CLOSED OFF! A passionate story and journey, get ready to be mesmerized with Stella’s story! ALL CLOSED OFF is coming your way May 1, 2017!

 

Cover Design and Photography by Kelsey Kukal-Keeton at K. Keeton Designs

ABOUT ALL CLOSED OFF 

(Releasing May 1, 2017):

Stella Santos is fine.

Maybe something terrible happened to her that she can’t even remember. And maybe it drives her crazy when her friends treat her like she’s on the verge of breaking because of it. Maybe it feels even worse when they do what she asks and pretend that it never happened at all. And maybe she’s been getting harassing emails and messages for months from people who don’t even know her, but hate her all the same.

But none of that matters because she’s just fine.

For Ryan Blake, Stella was always that girl. Vibrant and hilarious and beautiful. He wanted her as his best friend. His more than friends. His everything and anything that she would give him. Which these days is a whole lot of nothing. She gets angry when he’s there. Angry when he’s not there. Angry when he tries to talk and when he doesn’t.

When Stella devises an unconventional art project for one of her classes all about exploring intimacy—between both friends and strangers—Ryan finds himself stepping in as guinea pig after one of her subjects bails. What was supposed to be an objective and artistic look at emotion and secrets and sex suddenly becomes much more personal. When he hits it off with another girl from the project, Stella will have to decide if she’s willing to do more than make art about intimacy. To keep him, she’ll have to open up and let herself be the one thing she swore she’d never be again.

Vulnerable.

   

 

✦Add it to your Goodreads ✦

   

 

Don’t Miss All of Cora’s Standalone 

Rusk University Series Titles!

 

ALL LINED UP

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** iTunes

ALL BROKE DOWN

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** iTunes

ALL PLAYED OUT 

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** iTunes

About Cora Carmack: Cora Carmack is a twentysomething New York Times bestselling author who likes to write about twentysomething characters. Raised in a small Texas town, she now lives in New York City and spends her time writing, traveling, and marathoning various TV shows on Netflix. She lives by one rule: embrace whatever the world throws at you and run with it (just not with scissors).   
       

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