Vicki Pettersson's Blog, page 9

Tour round-up — and what’s next.

Updated to add: I just found out that THE SCENT OF SHADOWS, digital edition, is being offered on Amazon for a mere $.99. Got a friend who hasn’t gotten into the Signs of the Zodiac series yet? Hook ‘em up before they raise the price again. Because they will.

Please forgive my bullet point list of weekend flotsam and jetsam. News has accumulated in the days since my tour for THE TAKEN ended as I immediately embarked on a screen-free family vacation. A quick research trip followed over the 4th of July holiday, and now I’m back in Dallas for a couple of days before I head to New York for Thrillerfest. After that I shall effectively cease professional travel for the year. (Famous last words.)

I did want to share a couple of photos from tour time. The full set of tour photos can be found on the gallery page, so feel free to peruse there if you missed any of the stops. I can’t stress enough how energizing it was to get out and meet readers. This group in Cincinnati, for example:

That’s Allison, Heather, Robyn, Nicole, me, and Jocelynn Drake … who’s trying to take me down with a poisoned apple. (Okay, it’s just a cupcake, as it was Nicole’s birthday and the signing turned into an impromptu party (Sorry, Joseph-Beth!) but look at that smile on her face. It has mayhem written all over it!)

Folks getting into the rockabilly spirit in LA and Redondo Beach (Mysterious Galaxy) respectively:

 

And, eventually, home sweet home. Vegas, baby…

The Rockabilly "dress-up" contestants.

The place was packed, filled with friends and family, yes – but also a lot of new faces. THE TAKEN seems to be reaching out and touching a whole new readership outside of urban fantasy, and for that I’m grateful – both to Harper for getting me into readers’ hands, and for those readers willing to take a chance on a new-to-them author. And I’m eternally grateful to the readers of the Signs of the Zodiac series who followed my zig-zag into paranormal noir, and who’ve embraced it just as fiercely. You guys are the best.

*

Sad note: I was going to plan an additional event for my readers in NY during Thrillerfest, but it looks as though the best time for everyone else is the most work and commitment-heavy day for me: Saturday. I’m going to have to figure something else out for the east coast. I’m so sorry to miss you all this time around.

A round-up of Other News:

There’s a new feature and extensive interview in the online Suspense Magazine this month. So if you missed any of the signings or other write-ups, this is a nice place to catch up. It’s a subscription magazine, but if you email them at editor@suspensemagazine.com, you can get the issue for free!


If you live in Vegas, and missed the Vegas signing, I’ve one last event here this year. Deborah Coonts, author of the Lucky O’Toole Las Vegas Adventures series, will interview me Friday July 20, 12 pm, in the Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway. I use the term “interview” lightly as well. Deb is a wonderful author, we’re friends, and it’s more likely to be a conversation between us … and you. Basically, it’s a two-fer for those of you who want a chance to ask two authors questions at once. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/carrchat.

As for THE TAKEN, here’s a brief round-up of the last month’s events, in case you missed it, or want more info on THE TAKEN, me, rockabilly, Vegas, writing – whatever. It seems I was asked it ALL and then some on this tour. Have at it.

Print media:

Las Vegas Review-Journal – on an expanding readership.


Las Vegas Weekly – with a fab illustration of me killing my antagonist in THE TAKEN. (What? He deserved it.)


Vegas magazine – a short (and quite glossy) recap of my career to date.


Vegas Seven – a more in-depth round-up of the same, along with pointed questions on THE TAKEN, reading influences, and writing.

blogs:

USA Today


Publisher’s Weekly Q&A


The Big Thrill / Thriller Writer’s Webzine


Literal Addiction & Book Monster reviews

Other media and misc.:

KNPR radio, on THE TAKEN.


Radio, on starting a new series. Also with Kim Harrison and Jocelyn Drake


Finally, for fun, the spotify playlist for THE TAKEN. The tour might be over, but you can still get your rockabilly on … and be prepared for book two in the Celestial Blues trilogy: THE LOST, coming in March, and now available for pre-order!

Off to New York … be well, my friends.

Last three cities, last three days …

This is just a quick reminder to those of you in Dallas, Cincinnati, and Las Vegas, that I’ll be concluding THE TAKEN tour this week with stops in your area.

Tonight, Tuesday, is Dallas:

A REAL BOOKSTORE – 7 pm

113 Prarie Road, Fairview, TX 75069

*

Wed, June 20th, Cincinnati:

JOSEPH-BETH BOOKSELLERS – 7 pm

2785 Dixie Hwy, Crestview Hills, KY 41017

*

Thurs, June 21st, Las Vegas – 7 pm – with Rockabilly dress-up contest!*

LAS VEGAS CLARK COUNTY LIBRARY – Jewel Box Theater

1401 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89119

*

Friday, June 22, Las Vegas – Vicki will be appearing as herself, in jammies, as she starts her family vacation. Much needed, as she’s now referring to herself in the third-person.

*

Travelogue 7 – Murder By The Book/Houston

So this weekend saw me back in Texas, though Weather was working to foil my signing at the wonderful Murder by the Book on Saturday. My flight was cancelled and I feared I wouldn’t get in at all, but the skies cleared long enough for the next flight to sneak in between storm clouds. James is an awesome traveler, so he booked a car right before we boarded and it was waiting when we landed, which I thought was magic, especially as landing in a Houston summer after departing from San Diego is a bit of a shock.

Like, this kind of shock:

There’s your gratuitous gore on this Monday morning. You’re welcome.

So we arrived at MBTB in good time and was welcomed by Anne, Brenda, McKenna, and Sam. My kneejerk reaction to this store is to drop everything and shop, but they put me to work right away, which was good because there were familiar faces in this audience, and I got a little chatty. (Sam was all, “You’re fine, you’re fine …. okay, now you gotta hurry up.”)

So I obviously took my time and had fun speaking with readers, old and new, and thank Gawd the weather cleared because one family drove all the way from Dallas to see me, as they’ll be on vacation during tomorrow’s signing at A Real Bookstore. (Thank you again, Charles, Abby, and Amy!)

You wouldn’t know it from this photo, but we laughed a lot at this signing. No one here had yet read THE TAKEN, but that didn’t mean they were shy. They asked personal questions, Joanna Archer/Zodiac questions, and we traded stories about living in Texas. This is not a photo heavy post as James was shopping (ahem!) during the signing – opportunist! – which is also what I did while waiting for the car back to the airport. We could have spent the night in Houston but by that time I was longing for my own pillow, and I pretty much didn’t rise again until today.

(BTW, did you know there’s a show on tv called Gator Boys, about alligator trappers who catch the beasts by hand? The fact that I even know this shows you exactly how lazy I was on Sunday. But everyone needs a day off, right?)

I’m settled in Texas for the next couple of days. I’ll be in Waxahachie tonight, and in Plano at A Real Bookstore on Tuesday. It’s my first visit there, but readers at Murder by the Book were raving about what a wonderful store it is, and these peeps are knowledgeable, so I believe them.

I’m off to workout, as that fell a bit by the wayside last week, and to make some progress on the second book in Celestial Blues, THE LOST. I already have a cover for it – which I might have flashed at readers during one or more of my signings – so I’m anxious to return it to my editor asap.

Hope to see more of you soon!

Travelogue 6 – Mysterious Galaxy/San Diego

First of all, is this the freakiest, most Shining-esque hallway you’ve ever seen or what? I swear the damned thing lengthened as I walked down it. The faster I walked, the faster it grew. And the blurriness isn’t even due to craptastic photo-journalism. That’s how the hallway looked, no lie.

I’ll just wait here while you suspend your disbelief.

So, a drive of two hours and change goes quickly on a wide Cali highway with no traffic and mild weather. No blue skies as So. Cal. is currently trapped in June gloom, but it burns off by the afternoon and you couldn’t ask for a more perfect day. Our hotel in San Diego is right next to the Convention Center, which is calm enough on this Saturday, but fast forward a month and it will be Comic-Con madness, and that’s what I’m envisioning as I look out the window at the empty streets — all the friends (and foes … a.k.a., Storm Troopers) I’ve seen on those sidewalks, the buzzing energy of such a large fan con. I’m missing it this year for Thrillerfest in NY, which I’m excited for, but I’m a bit sad about Comic-Con now. It really is special.

James and I take a brisk walk to a spot on the water for seafood tapas and people-watching. Easy times, and it’s nice to breathe the ocean air after so many months of being landlocked in Vegas and Dallas. James responds well to the ocean. It settles him, which makes sense. The tide is the heartbeat of the earth, after all. We vow to somehow spend more time here.

On the way back to the hotel I see one of the most astoundingly incongruous sights: a homeless man, overflowing garbage bag and beautifully scripted cardboard sign spouting the usual Jesus-speak, seated on a bench in front of the largest, glossiest yacht I’ve ever seen. It has its own helicopter pad, including helicopter. You can flawlessly reapply your lipstick in its onyx sides. Just one of its canvas buoys cost more than this lone man’s entire worldly belongings. His shopping cart is parked not ten feet from this nautical monstrosity.

How on earth can these two things exist side-by-side?

Back to the hotel, and I’m readying for a signing at one of my favorite bookstores ever. Mysterious Galaxy was one of the first places I ever signed and every author I know raves about it and the staff. MaryElizabeth and Patrick were the first indie booksellers I ever met too, and they welcomed me into their store before my first book was even out. I love them, and stop by the store whenever I’m in San Diego, signing or not.

There are a ton of regulars and familiar faces when I walk in the door. It’s pretty informal from the get-go, which I love, and that’s because Patrick’s on deck, and everybody loves him. The whole signing continues that way, and while I do read two of my favorite passages from THE TAKEN, there’s a lot of back-and-forth banter, and laughter, with James and Patrick interjecting comments from their respective corners. I held a tweet-up/coffee klatch a couple of years ago right before a signing here, so I take my time signing and get to catch up with readers I haven’t seen in some time.

And here’s Patrick. The first photo is to show that we can be normal:

But that never lasts long.

 

Author and bookseller: long-suffering allies. *insert heavy sigh here*

I can’t wait to return. If you want a signed copy of THE TAKEN, Mysterious Galaxy is now stocked up, and they do ship. Check out their site for other authors/signed copies too. Everyone signs here. If they can’t get you a book, no one can.

Now I’m en route back to Texas, but Houston this time, and to another favorite Indie. I’ve only signed at Murder by the Book once – last year – but it was a dream come true. I read extensively in crime fiction and these booksellers can find absolute gems. The signing is at 4 pm but I’m hoping to get in early to do a little shopping of my own. I hear the new Gillian Flynn is wonderful, and I’m sad the new Megan Abbott isn’t out yet because she’s an auto-buy for me too. Sean Chercover’s newest sounds epic too, but again, I’m about a week early. They’ll let me pre-order, though. Indies are the best like that.

Travelogue 5 – Redondo Beach/Mysterious Galaxy

This’ll be a photo heavy post as I’m a bit fatigued today, and frankly can’t express the sheer fun of last night’s signing at Mysterious Galaxy in Redondo Beach. It was my first time at this location, though I’m a big fan of its sister store in San Diego, where I’m signing tonight at 7.

Redondo Beach was also the second stop sponsoring a rockabilly dress up contest, but we’ll get to that in a minute because the real star of the show was the live rockabilly band, Seatbelt, who were awesome enough to play for a half hour before the signing.  Tell me this doesn’t look like the hippest book signing you’ve ever seen:

I know. Scott McLean looks like a crooner, but I promise he was rockin’.

What do I really need to say about this picture? It’s an UPRIGHT BASS, Peeps. If there’s a cooler instrument, I don’t know it.

And all of us together:

Amazing and fun guys – I can’t thank them enough for playing for us. Again, there were readers at this event still asking about the rockabilly subculture and life and sound, and they helped me explain it more fully. BTW, I’ll host a dual giveaway of Seatbelt’s CDs along with THE TAKEN when I return home, so four lucky readers can experience Seatbelt’s rockabilly sound for themselves, just because I think it’ll be a cool thing to have on in the background while you’re reading. Kit would definitely approve!

Of course, you can’t have rockabilly music without dancing, and my longtime reader, Shauna, and her husband obliged.

There’s video out there somewhere of them giving James and me a quick lesson. We’ve been saying forever that we’re going to take lessons together, and this was the kick in the pants we needed. Again, when I get home!

And finally, the signing. No chicken story today (thank Gawd) but plenty of laughter, and lots of questions about Celestial Blues and Zodiac. Shauna and I also realized that I inadvertently wrote THE TAKEN just for her – rockabilly + angels…she has the more gorgeous ink on her back, and it happens to be angel wings. (Great minds, right Shauna?)

That’s Shauna, Stephanie, and bookseller, LeAnna. Mysterious Galaxy always brings out the best readers. Can’t wait to do it again tonight!

Travelogue 4 – LA/Dark Delicacies

I land in LA and always wonder why I don’t live here. The cool breeze shifts around you even in the least welcoming atmosphere – in this case, the LAX porte cochere – and the world seems a bit softer. I’m comfortable driving in LA so we rent a car, but it’s smaller than I expect so I feel like Fred Flintstone motoring down the side streets. My heels are bruised by the time we reach the hotel. That said, it’s fun zipping through LA neighborhoods when you don’t have anywhere to go, so I enjoy the scenery and happily comment on everything from the roadside taqueria with a line around the corner to the grand gates of the Korean embassy — though my husband is a bit sick to his stomach by the time we arrive at the hotel. I instruct the valet to park my rental right next to the custom lime green lamborghini out front … but warn him that it has the shittiest turning radius of any four foot car I’ve ever driven. James rolls his eyes and drags me into the hotel.

My room has Swarovski crystals around the peep hole. I know I’m going to like this place.

I do not like the $80 lunch, and would almost rather lick one of the stars on the Hollywood walk of fame.

I do like the Bettie Page store, blocks from the hotel, and accidentally buy a new dress.

After an impromptu business meeting in the lobby, I ready for my signing. At one point I think I might be the only author ever late to a signing because they keep fucking up their pincurls, but I get it somewhat under control, and off we go — though James insists on making fun of my hair flower, which sticks up too high off my head. I need it for my snood, so I ignore him. It’s hard being rockabilly, I think, sniffing as he drives — proceeding to make me carsick on the trip.

Dark Delicacies is one of the cutest, most macabre shops I’ve ever seen, and I could lose myself in there for hours. If the Addams Family owned a store, this would be it. The owner, Del, has hair past his shoulders as white as virgin snow and I’m sure he used a spell to get it that way. He and Lisa welcome us, and I want to explore, but then I see this:

Remember Jessica from one of my previous posts? She eyed Kit’s dress on the cover of THE TAKEN and recreated it from scratch. Found the material in downtown LA and …oh, who am I kidding? I have no idea how she did it. But she did, then she made the effort to come all the way to my signing and she was just gorgeous. She glowed.

As for the signing itself, it’s the first time I didn’t actually read from the book. Instead I told a story about when I was a showgirl. It involved a chicken. You kinda had to be there.

Friend and fellow native Las Vegan, Stacey, showed up and recommended an old-school steakhouse, The Smoke House, just across the street from WB studios, and since Jessica and I were all dolled up, old Hollywood style – and ravenous – we all went together. She’s with her husband, Eric, who was so fun, and I’m with James … but I’m kinda with Stacey too as I’m grabbing her thigh under the table, which is why we’re smiling so big.

Stop making fun of my flower.

Anyway, that’s kinda how I do a book signing. Make people dress up. Talk about being upstaged by a chicken. Eat steak. Pedal home and collapse into bed.

Today? Redondo Beach – another rockabilly dress-up contest, and a local rockabilly band, the Seat Belt Sounds. I’ll be there at 7 pm to do a little swing dancing before the signing.

I know. The rockabilly element in THE TAKEN has taken on a life of its own. This is just not normal. This is … well, this:

(Favorite scene Evah — two points if you can name the movie. Hint: “He’s all growed up, all growed up, all growed up!”)

Travelogue 3 – Release Day! Dallas, TX

Release day! What a buzz. I know I’ve done this seven times now, but it never gets old. So many well wishes from readers and friends on twitter and facebook — and a few of these in my text messages too:

That’s my friend, Melissa, whom I worked with it both Jubilee and Folies sending me some love from Vegas. It really was a great day.

It was also a busy day, starting with a morning tv interview at Time Warner’s “Conversations Cafe.” I’d no idea what to expect as it was my first media event in Dallas, but one studio is much like the next, so off we went. Question: Why are green rooms never green?

So Cheryl Nason interviewed me, and thought it was warm under the lights (I dare you not to wilt in the Dallas humidity – phew!) she made me feel right at home. Often interviewers won’t have read the entire book, and I’m never offended because – hey, man – they have their own agenda. But Cheryl surprised me — not only had she read it, she loved it. Like many, she was fascinated by the rockabilly aspect to the book, and she was enamored of the way the paranormal interwove with the real life locale and noir aspects. By the end of the interview we were talking about having drinks together (with Deb Coonts, whom we both know and love, but Deb isn’t yet aware of this) and about our ballet backgrounds. Good times.

After that, I spoke by phone with a journalist from Las Vegas, and I did know what to expect there. John Prysbys is a total pro, and we’ve chatted before. He was very supportive of my first series, and enthusiastic about this one too. You do meet some good people in this business.

I also learned that THE TAKEN went into a second printing on release day. That was amazing news!

Finally, my first signing in Dallas. And look who I encountered walking in the door… reader Wendy, whom I met last year at the Readers&Ritas event in Dallas. She posed with me by the downstairs display so I wouldn’t have to do so alone.

I’d never been to this B&N before, but bookseller Cody was warm and welcoming, and kinda let me do what I wanted — which meant ignore the podium and sit campfire style with readers. I kept the mic, though (cuz you can take the girl out of the show, but you can’t take the show out of the girl!)

Professional.

Not professional.

Now I’m en route to DARK DELICACIES, in Burbank/LA. I’ve never been to this indie store before, so I’m excited to sign there. It’s also the first store sponsoring a rockabilly dress up contest, so I’m going to try to perfect my victory rolls as soon as I hit the hotel. I also just found out that the Bettie Page store is just down the street from said hotel, so I foresee a visit there in the next day or so. My reader Jessica V (from yesterday’s post) may be there, and if you remember she recreated Kit’s dress from the cover of THE TAKEN. I need to do my best to be worthy of that.

Meanwhile, if you can’t make a signing, here’s a bit more info on THE TAKEN:

* First four chapters, read for free!

*USA Today Interview – Happy Ever after.

* Vampire Book Club blog post – Back the the Beginning.

* Fangtastic post – giveaway.

Release Day!

I had a wonderful chat with readers last night, and though it was a day early, all of the readers seemed excited and knowledgeable about THE TAKEN. Jackie and Larissa ran the chat, and it was so nice to put dulcet tones to names. I’ve met Jackie in person before, and will again in Cincinnati, but Larissa was only previously known via her pixels. She has a lovely, throaty laugh, and it got a good workout. The readers, too, were fabulous. I noted a lot of familiar names – and I was remiss in saying hi to everyone; I’m so sorry about that! – but things were moving so fast between the chat room and the live call that I was a little frazzled. But what a great way to start off tour week!

And today is release day!

I’ll be at the Barnes & Noble at 7700 West Northwest Highway here in Dallas tonight for my first official tour stop! I love bookstores. I love booksellers. I spend all year in a pretty small bubble, keeping busy with writing and family and travel, so I’m looking forward to finally speaking with others about THE TAKEN.

And want to win a copy? I did a guest blog at Fangtastic Books – post in the comments for a chance to win.

Finally, an aside: I’ve been working on this trilogy since 2009. That’s a long time, right? But I created a series bible for it, poured myself into a year’s worth of writing, and all along was dreaming of THIS day, when this brand new series would hit the shelves. I never considered showing it to any other publisher outside of Harper because even though the marketplace is quickly shifting under our feet, I trusted them. And because my editor there, Diana Gill, really is second to none. And so here we are, and the book is online, in B&N, and with those amazing indie stores. Those who were given the chance to buy-in by Harper did so, and I can’t thank those booksellers enough!

Anyway, I’ll post the pictures from today/tonight’s event in the next travelogue, but don’t forget, three stores are sponsoring rockabilly dress-up contests, and check this out, some readers are already prepared:

These are photos taken by a reader named Jessica … though I started calling her Jessi-Kit, because she took the dress worn by Kit on the cover of THE TAKEN and has sewn her own version of it! I can barely thread a needle, so needless to say, I’m gobsmacked. She’s coming to one of the California signings, and I can’t wait to see this baby in person. You can bet there’ll be pictures!

Remember, the stores sponsoring the dress up contests are:

Dark Delicacies, this Wednesday, June 13

Mysterious Galaxy in Redondo Beach – Thursday, June 14 – and they’ll also have a live rockabilly band at 7 pm! (Come swing with me!)

and the Las Vegas Library, June 21st.

Some of my Urban Fantasy readers have said they’re looking forward to putting away their fangs and pulling out a pencil skirt, and I agree – it’s so much fun. I hope to see some of my regular readers soon!

So let’s hit the road, shall we?

LIVE phone chat tonight!

Not long now — THE TAKEN is out tomorrow, and I’ll be doing a Q&A/signing at the Barnes & Noble in Dallas (7700 West Northwest Hwy) at 7 pm tomorrow night, but today I’m getting a chance to talk about the book early with readers.

Jackie from Literary Escapism and Larissa from Larissa’s Bookish Life have teamed up, and will be putting my heels to the fire regarding the new series and my new characters, Grif and Kit — and you can too!

We all hope you’ll join us tonight, Monday, June 11th, at 8:30pm EST. They’ll also be giving away a signed personalized copy of THE TAKEN, to be delivered after June 20th, to one lucky participant.

Here’s more information, but the call-in number is:

Call-in Number: 724.444.7444

Call ID: 93065

Hope to talk with you tonight!

Travelogue 2 – Plano, TX.

Even though I now live in Dallas part-time, this still counts as a travelogue as I don’t drive much in the area, generally leaving that to James – husband and default chauffeur. However, James has abandoned me for the greener pastures of soccer and beer with friends so I’m left to navigate my own way into Plano, and to the DFW Tea Readers event, Boas & Tiaras. Have tiara, will travel.

At any rate, it’s easy-peasy lemon squeezy, with light traffic on a Saturday that’s only sporting fifty percent humidity. As you expect of Texas, Plano sprawls. Shopping centers abound. Take away the trees and humidity and this could be Vegas except we don’t have one of these:

 

Why don’t we have one of these?

Look close and you can see some tiaras sparkling in the sun. The first think I did was find Sara of Fresh Fiction to say hello. She and Gwen run the site, the group, and have been incredibly welcoming to me since I moved to the area. I’ve met so many great readers because of them and some – like Jeanie and Louse -  are present today.

But the first person I see when I walk in the tea room is the fab Deborah Coonts. We’re friends because we both live in Vegas, and have series set there. In fact, she’s interviewing me in July for the Henderson Library’s Chat series, which is funny to us both. We joke that we should just invite readers to have a couple of cocktails with us, we’ll tell them anything they want. I really love Deb and am so happy to see her today.

I find my table – one author at each, six or so readers, so it’s real intimate – and every reader there is a Texas native. None of them have read my work yet … until one, Debbie, remembers that she has read and enjoyed SCENT. I give her obviously faulty memory a pass as she reads c. 130 books a year. I wish I could read that much!

I’m looking for Pam Palmer because I love her and haven’t seen her since RWA last year. But before she arrives THE Ms. Kerrelyn Sparks comes over to introduce herself to me, which is awesome because not only do we share a publisher, NOW I can stop pretending that I know her. Because I’ve done that for years. “See, James. That’s Kerrelyn’s book.” “Do you know her?” “Well … we have the same publisher.”

Like, I totally name drop to my own husband, but she’s now saved me from that and I’m so happy I gush.

After that, Pam Palmer arrives and I gush again. Such a good person, and I’m so happy for all her success.

Then I eat this.

Not the book, just the rest.

And, btw, it was as hot inside the CA as it was outside. Must have been all the boas. Swear, women were molting by the end of it, but they didn’t seem to care because the talking, the food, the laughter, the giveaways — it was all so fun that even the Texas humidity couldn’t – ha – dampen the fun.

As for me, I got to sign a ton of THE TAKEN, and three days before the official release for these readers. I don’t know who was more excited, me or them (I’m guessing me, though).

After that, the authors signed books:

Sorry it’s fuzzy, but as I’m IN the pic, it’s obviously not my fault. But here’s Deb Coonts, Pam Palmer, Kerrelyn Sparks (WHOM I KNOW, PEEPS), Diane Kelly, Moi, and Lorraine Heath, whom I’m pulling on, but she really doesn’t want to sit next to me, so she’s pulling back. So no pic for you, Lorraine.

Deb and Pam obliged me, though.

I’m learning/playing with Instagram so I can post to Twitter while on tour, so that’s why they get the snazzy special border. Fancy border for fancy girls.

All in all, a memorable time and a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Thank you, Fresh Fiction!

Next up: a phone call with readers on Monday, and then THE TAKEN’s official release Tuesday, where I’ll be signing at B&N here in Dallas. The tiara is being put away, but the travel continues.