3 Author Book Signing and Contests

The 3 author book signing went well today. I got a total of 6 books signed, 4 were my copies, 1 was my sisters and the last 1 was is going to be a birthday gift for my cousin.

Kimberly Derting

 Ellen Schreiber

 Cynthia Hand

Were all really cool and I hope that I they will be coming back to WA again when they tour.
Learned that Cynthia Hand will have 3-4 books for her new series, working on book 3 and finishing up with editing book 2 and the other two, I don't remember if they gave a number, Ellen did say she is now contracted for book 8 and 9 for the Vampire Kisses series and she is working on the next book for the series. Kimberly said some new information about her books will be released next month, I'm guessing around the time of her next book on February 15th.
Next book signing will be for Cherie Priest on her new urban fantasy book "Bloodshot" which I was able to get a hold of an ARC, I really liked it. It was a good change from romance and just a lot of action, smart ass comments, sleuthing, thievery and evading the government.

A few contests that I have found are:
Courtney Allison Moutlon author of Angelfire out 2/15/11 has a contest up for ARC's of the books
http://courtney-allison.blogspot.com/2011/01/fear-reaper-giveaways-week-9.html

Ilona Andrews is having a contest of cover flats of the next book
http://www.ilona-andrews.com/2011/01/15/win-a-cover-flat-of-magic-slays/

Claudia Gray is giving away a signed paperback set of the 1st 3 books in the "Stargazer" series
http://claudiagray.com/blog/?p=263

Copy of the Evermore and Radiance
http://us.macmillan.com/smp/promo/readwithyoursister

An artistic competition for the signed "Iron King" series
http://juliekagawa.blogspot.com/2011/01/queen-is-coming-contest-and-giveaway.html

Book 3: The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Book 3 in my quest to read 3 new authors for a book signing

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

I would give this book 4 stars
It really had my heart race like crazy! I have never read any of these types of books, murder mystery or true crime type of books, but I'm glad it was a young adult version and not an adult one. I can't really handle those types of books or movies even. The suspenseful type makes me too anxious. After I was done I reading I was really motivated to take self defense class, but I have always wanted to do this. The target for the murderer is young attractive teenage girls in the Buckley, WA area. Which I am only around 45 minutes from that area and although I am not a teenager it still makes you think about being in potential vulnerable positions and I want to be able to fight back against anyone who might threaten me.  
On another note I did like both of the characters, Violet the one who can sense dead bodies and Jay her best friend since they were 8 and now feeling are turning into something more. He is supportive and her rock when she finds a dead body in Lake Tapps.
The creepiest part was the book goes into the mind of the murderer and him searching for his victims and how he is able to manipulate them with a few choice sentences. Scary!
I will be reading more of her books the next book is out February 15th The Desires of the Dead.
I will have to ask how many books she plans on having in this series?
And if she had any issues with writing from the POV of the murderer?

Next book I'm reading in Bloodshot by Cherie Priest
I happened across an ARC and she is also another local author and doing a book signing as well in February.

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Book 2 of 3 in my quest to read the 3 authors I'm going to a book signing, but have never read any of their stuff

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

I read this book in 6 hours without any breaks, not even a bathroom break. I started the book and didn't put it down till after 3am (good thing my husband was at work)
I will give the book 4.5 stars
Clara the female lead knows she has a purpose, one thing she was meant to do in her life as an angel. Her angel Mom and angel brother pick up and move the family from sunny California to wild Wyoming in the middle of the school for her to help her figure out what her visions mean about this boy she is suppose to save from a wild fire. The boy Christian from her visions is perfect, popular, hansom and nice but is dating the most popular girl in school. Clara is faced with dilemma after dilemma, her hair starts glowing and she is starting to come into her powers as the vision date gets closer and she needs to learning how to fly and carry the weight of a human boy. Then steps in Tucker, the rugged jerk on the surface, but really the nice guy type that does all sorts of things from teaching ski lessons to river rafting instructor. Soon she has to make a choice, go against fate or follow fates path. 
I like Clara's personality, she understands what she must do but she starts seeing things that she would like to do. She isn't a weak character, not the strongest I have read. She struggles through choices and learning all her angel stuff.
Christian is considered the god that you should only worship and completely unobtainable. We don't really get to know him very well in the book and he gives Clara confusing signals
Tucker defiantly comes of as the jerk, but as Clara gets to know who he truly is, you really start to like the guy and do get as torn between what guy she should end up with. Her destiny or her choice.
http://www.cynthiahandbooks.com/books.php

I will need to ask the author how many books will be in the series. I know there will be a sequel it left her at a fork in the road and a decision to make.

3 New Authors- Once in a Full Moon

So there is a book signing on the 15th that I have decided to go to, but I have read any of their books, so I decided to pick them all up and start reading them
Book 1 

Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

It took me 2 sittings to read and I would give it 3.75 stars (out of 5)
I didn't like the main character Celeste 100%. I think she is a really great person, but weak when it comes to peer pressure. She is all about what her friends think and I think she should have stood up and let go of the social boundaries that were holding her back from seeking her true love.
Other the other hand her love interest Brandon, I loved 100%! Poor guy is such an amazing gentleman and he gets the shitty end of the deal ending up becoming a werewolf and he is so understanding about her social dilemma. Although I do like his werewolf personality
I will read the rest of her books in the series. I do want to know how many will be in the series and if they will continue on from where she left off.

The next book to read will be
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand 
then
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting