Kat's Christmas Wish List 2012

It's that time of year again...

Time for me to unleash the horror that is Kat's Christmas Wishlist 2012 on the unsuspecting world. I always get stuck when people ask me, "What do you want for Christmas?". This year I'm playing it smart and directing them here to I Write, I Read, I Review. Want to weigh in on my most wanted? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

TV & DVD:

It's cold outside. I love to make some popcorn, a cup of tea and settle in with a good DVD. What are my top five choices? Read on to find out.

1. Ghost Whisperer, season #1
Price: $12 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page

Why Do I Want This?:

I'm working on developing the plot for a new light paranormal novel called The Mansion You Stole, and my heroine can see and speak to ghosts. I recall watching and enjoying this show, so I figure going back to it for some inspiration--and to avoid unwanted repetition--might be a great idea.

2. The Mentalist, Season 4
Price: $49.99 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page

Why Do I Want This?:

I have the first three seasons, so getting season four makes logical sense. I'm taking my time going through them, but I love the way Simon Baker's character behaves--he is so playful yet confident (and majorly cute! <3). I don't like having things incomplete, so this is a no-brainer for me.

3. Desperate Housewives, Season 1
Price: $16.50 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page

Why Do I Want It?:

Remember I talked about hating incomplete series collections? Well, I have seasons 2-8 of this show, but Season One has somehow gone missing, and has been missing for years, so I know I need to replace it. Since it's not horrifically expensive, I don't mind that quite so much. 

4. Princess Tutu (Complete Collection)
Price: $34.99 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page.

Why Do I Want It?:

I ended up hearing about this anime somewhat by accident and have kept hearing about it since. My original concept art for Sealer's Promise, back when it was still Moon Dance and didn't have a cover, was referenced from this show. Digging deeper, I've heard fabulous things and have wanted to check it out ever since. 

5. NCIS Season 1
Price: $17.99 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page

Why Do I Want It?:

I watch this series when I go to visit my grandma, and she gave me her extra copies of seasons 2 and 8. As I keep saying, I like 'complete' things, and since I'm always coming and going from my visits to grandma, I've never gotten to see all of this in its proper order. I love the cast for this show and how the cases and their lives intermix, so that's something I would like to change.

Bath & Beauty:

This is generally not my forte, but there are a couple perfumes out that I like and I'd love to get one of them.

Lady GaGa FAME Perfume

I can't seem to find an easy way to order perfume online that isn't fragrancex and they are sold out. Tried this on at Shoppers' Drug Mart and loved the smell, but it's pretty pricey. 

Wonderstruck: Enchanted by Taylor Swift

The description sounds great and while I haven't been able to give this an actual spray, the little scent sheets they had out smelled nice. I'd be equally happy to get this or the original Wonderstruck, which is purple. I dunno what it is with me and perfume lately, but i enjoy it.

*What I DON'T want to find is three bottles of perfume. THat just seems kinda silly. Coordinate, people! :D

Books:

You have NO idea how hard it was to narrow this down to five books, especially since I have adult and YA stuff here. No Idea. But this way, I only have five books I can't race out and buy myself. Yes, there is method to my madness. What did I choose to ask Santa for?

Young Adult:

1. Black City 
by Elizabeth Richards
Price: $13.72 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page.

Why Do I Want It?:

I've heard so many good things about this book, loved the sample I read earlier this year and have totally been dying to get my hands on it. Plus, I've heard people saying that it has a totally interesting take on vampires. As a longtime fan of this paranormal creature, I simply must give my two cents worth on this topic.

2. Meant to Be 
by Lauren Morrill
Price: $15.15 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page

Why Do I Want This?:

Everyone is raving about this book. It sounds extremely sweet and romantic, has a leading guy named Jason (my boyfriend *loves* that) and apparently does a great job of portraying London, which is always a fantastic thing (when a city practically becomes a character) in contemporary YA. 

What Happens Next 
by Colleen Clayton
Price: $14.43 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page

Why Do I Want It?:

As with many books I put on wishlists, I've heard so much good about this one. Yes, it definitely deals with a heavy issue, but the sample that I checked was great and I want to read it. 

Adult:

1. How to Lose a Demon in 10 Days 
by Saranna DeWylde
Price: $11.51 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page

Why Do I Want This?:

Comical paranormal reads are few and far between, so when I hear something is funny that I already find interesting, I'm usually game for checking it out. I came across this book by accident when surfing for different stuff and now I really want to check it out. 

2. Backstage Pass
by Olivia Cunning
Price: $12.99 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page

Why Do I Want This?: 

Truth: Ever since I finished reading Devoured by Emily Snow I've been totally obsessed with any type of romance where there is a musician involved. The other day another blogger did a post on this, and Backstage Pass is one of the books that was recommended. So I figure, as always, why not check it out? Since I'm writing a music-related romance, the obsession should still be going when Santa drops this under the tree. 

Well, there you have it guys! My Christmas list. :D

Feel free to let me know what you think. I hope this helps my family and friends find the stuff that I want, since half of it would be a pain to get local. No one can say I didn't try! :D

Apocalypse Tour Interview #5: Courtney Summers, Author of This Is Not A Test

On Saturday November 10th, 2012 I attended the Apocalypse Tour stop in Belleville, Ontario. There I got to meet five totally amazing authors, hang out with fellow bloggers, go shopping and have a totally awesome time.

If you couldn't make it to the event, I'm here to give you the next best thing: all week long I will be posting interviews with the five authors who came to the Belleville Chapters. You also have a chance to win some awesome swag by answering trivia from the videos, so make sure you watch them all as they go up!

Thanks again to Megan Crewe, Lesley Livingston, Maureen McGowan, Courtney Summers and Cheryl Rainfield for coming to Belleville Chapters, hanging out with us and taking the time to do these interviews!

Today's guest is Courtney Summers, author of This Is Not A Test. Before we get going, here's a quick look at the book.

Plot Summary:
(Add to your GoodReads)

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actuallywant to live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

This Is Not A Test is one of the best books that I have read this year, and will no doubt be on my top ten list for 2012. I was extremely excited to meet Courtney at Apocalypse Tour last weekend. Want to see the interview I did with Courtney? Just click the play button below. 

Now that you've watched the video, you should be able to answer Courtney's question on the rafflecopter!

What book is Courtney working on now?

To make things super easy, here's the rafflecopter so you can keep your answers up to date:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for dropping by and checking out the interview with Courtney Summers! I'd like to take a moment to thank all of the authors who have been guests on my blog this week. It was great to meet you all!

<-- Click to go to my Apocalypse Tour Recap Post / Giveaway Start!

Cover Reveal: Suddenly Royal by Nicole Chase

Today it is my pleasure to reveal the cover for Nichole Chase's latest novel, Suddenly Royal. This cover was created by the talented Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations. So, without further ado, let's get to the good stuff! :)

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Isn't it pretty? I want her gloves, I love the model's expression and I love how the font and color of the word Royal totally pops against the rest of the cover. Totally fabulous!

Of course, a cover is only as good as the story that it contains. Ready to hear what Suddenly Royal is all about? Got you covered right here:

Plot Summary: 

Samantha Rousseau is used to getting her hands dirty. Working toward a master’s degree in wildlife biology while helping take care of her sick father, she has no time for celebrity gossip, designer clothes, or lazy vacations. So when a duchess from the small country of Lilaria invites her to dinner, Samantha assumes it’s to discuss a donation for the program. The truth will change the course of her life in ways she never dreamed.

Alex D’Lynsal is trying to keep his name clean. As crown prince of Lilaria, he’s had his share of scandalous headlines, but the latest pictures have sent him packing to America and forced him to swear off women—especially women in the public eye. That is, until he meets Samantha Rousseau. She’s stubborn, feisty, and incredibly sexy. Not to mention heiress to an estate in his country, which makes her everyone’s front-page news.

While Sam tries to navigate the new world of politics and wealth, she will also have to dodge her growing feelings for Alex. Giving in to them means more than just falling in love; it would mean accepting the weight of an entire country on her shoulders.

A reluctant royal.

A playboy prince.

Cinderella has nothing on Sam.

Coming January 2013

Dying to check it out? Add it to your to-read list on GoodReads!

You can find Nichole on her website and as @NicholeChase on Twitter.

Thanks so much for having me as part of your cover reveal, Nichole. Your new book sounds great and I am looking forward to checking it out.

Apocalypse Tour Interview #4: Cheryl Rainfield, Author of Hunted

On Saturday November 10th, 2012 I attended the Apocalypse Tour stop in Belleville, Ontario. There I got to meet five totally amazing authors, hang out with fellow bloggers, go shopping and have a totally awesome time.

If you couldn't make it to the event, I'm here to give you the next best thing: all week long I will be posting interviews with the five authors who came to the Belleville Chapters. You also have a chance to win some awesome swag by answering trivia from the videos, so make sure you watch them all as they go up!

Thanks again to Megan Crewe, Lesley Livingston, Maureen McGowan, Courtney Summers and Cheryl Rainfield for coming to Belleville Chapters, hanging out with us and taking the time to do these interviews!

Today's guest is Cheryl Rainfield, author of Hunted. Before we get going, here's a quick look at the book.

Plot Summary:

(Add to your GoodReads)

Caitlyn is a telepath in a world where having any Paranormal power is illegal. Caitlyn is on the run from government troopers, who can enslave, torture, or even kill her, or make her hunt other Paranormals. When Caitlyn settles down in a city, she falls for Alex, a Normal (someone without Paranormal powers), which is dangerous because he can turn her in. And she discovers renegade Paranormals who want to destroy all Normals. Caitlyn must decide whether she's going to stay in hiding to protect herself, or take a stand to save the world.

I had a lot of fun chatting with Cheryl at the Belleville stop for Apocalypse Tour. I have not read Hunted (yet), but I have read her novel Scars (and awarded it the Kat's Meow) and that has left me with very high hopes that Hunted will be awesome. Want to watch my interview with Cheryl? Check out the video below. 

Now that you've watched the video, you should be able to answer Cheryl's question on the rafflecopter!

What award does Cheryl tell us Hunted is up for? 

To make things super easy, here's the rafflecopter so you can keep your answers up to date:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for dropping by and checking out the interview with Maureen McGowan! Make sure you come back tomorrow, where you'll be able to watch an interview with Courtney Summers, author of This Is Not A Test!

<-- Click to go to my Apocalypse Tour Recap Post / Giveaway Start!

Click to go to my interview with Courtney Summers! -->

Apocalypse Tour Interview #3: Maureen McGowan, Author of Deviants

On Saturday November 10th, 2012 I attended the Apocalypse Tour stop in Belleville, Ontario. There I got to meet five totally amazing authors, hang out with fellow bloggers, go shopping and have a totally awesome time.

If you couldn't make it to the event, I'm here to give you the next best thing: all week long I will be posting interviews with the five authors who came to the Belleville Chapters. You also have a chance to win some awesome swag by answering trivia from the videos, so make sure you watch them all as they go up!

Thanks again to Megan Crewe, Lesley Livingston, Maureen McGowan, Courtney Summers and Cheryl Rainfield for coming to Belleville Chapters, hanging out with us and taking the time to do these interviews!

Today's guest is Maureen McGowan, author of Deviants. Before we get going, here's a quick look at the book

Plot Summary

(Add to your GoodReads)

In a post-apocalyptic world, where the earth is buried by asteroid dust that’s mutated the DNA of some humans, orphaned, sixteen-year-old Glory must protect her younger brother and escape the domed city that’s been her entire world.

Outside in the ruins, they’re pursued by the authorities and by sadistic, scab-covered Shredders who are addicted to the lethal-to-humans dust now covering the planet. Glory’s quests to transport herself and her brother to safety make up the thrilling and fascinating first volume of The Dust Chronicles.

I had a great time visiting with Maureen at the Ontario Blog Squad Meet, and it was great to see her again at Apocalypse Tour. Check out this video interview where she talks a bit about Deviants and shares how she would survive the apocalypse. 

Now that you've watched the video, you should be able to answer Maureen's question on the rafflecopter!

Name one of the books Maureen listed in her recommendations for our readers. 

To make things super easy, here's the rafflecopter so you can keep your answers up to date:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for dropping by and checking out the interview with Maureen McGowan! Make sure you come back tomorrow, where you'll be able to watch an interview with Cheryl Rainfield, author of Hunted!

<-- Click to go to my Apocalypse Tour Recap Post / Giveaway Start!

Click to go to my interview with Cheryl Rainfield! -->

Apocalypse Tour Interview #2: Lesley Livingston, Author of Starling

On Saturday November 10th, 2012 I attended the Apocalypse Tour stop in Belleville, Ontario. There I got to meet five totally amazing authors, hang out with fellow bloggers, go shopping and have a totally awesome time.

If you couldn't make it to the event, I'm here to give you the next best thing: all week long I will be posting interviews with the five authors who came to the Belleville Chapters. You also have a chance to win some awesome swag by answering trivia from the videos, so make sure you watch them all as they go up!

Thanks again to Megan Crewe, Lesley Livingston, Maureen McGowan, Courtney Summers and Cheryl Rainfield for coming to Belleville Chapters, hanging out with us and taking the time to do these interviews!

Today's guest is Lesley Livingston, author of Starling. Before we get going, here's a quick look at the book.

Plot Summary

(Add to your GoodReads)

Mason Starling is a champion fencer on the Gosforth Academy team, but she's never had to fight for her life. Not until the night a ferocious, otherworldly storm rips through Manhattan, trapping Mason and her teammates inside the school. Mason is besieged by nightmarish creatures more terrifying than the thunder and lightning as the raging tempest also brings a dangerous stranger into her life: a young man who remembers nothing but his name--the Fennrys Wolf. His arrival tears Mason's world apart, even as she feels an undeniable connection to him. Together, they seek to unravel the secrets of Fenn's identity as strange and supernatural forces gather around them. When they discover Mason's family--with its dark allegiance to ancient Norse gods--is at the heart of the mystery, Fennrys and Mason are suddenly faced with a terrifying future.

Set against the gritty, shadowed back-drop of New York City, this first novel in award-winning author Lesley Livingston's epic Starling Saga is an intoxicating blend of sweeping romance and pulse-pounding action.

I'm really looking forward to reading this one! Below, you can check out my interview with Lesley, where she talks about the book and tells us how she would survive the apocalypse! 

Now that you've watched the video, you should be able to answer Megan's question on the rafflecopter!

List one of Lesley's ideas for surviving the apocalypse! 

To make things super easy, here's the rafflecopter so you can keep your answers up to date:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for dropping by and checking out the interview with Lesley Livingston! Make sure you come back tomorrow, where you'll be able to watch an interview with Maureen McGowan, author of Deviants!

<-- Click to go to my Apocalypse Tour Recap Post / Giveaway Start!

Click to go to my interview with Maureen McGowan! -->

Review: Scars by Cheryl Rainfield

If we're being totally honest, me reading this book started out as a bit of an accident. I had gone to Amazon to try and find a sample of Cheryl's book Hunted, since that was the book she was being featured for as part of Apocalypse Tour. But Amazon did not have a sample of it, and they did have one of this, so I went "Why not?". I love contemporary and I haven't read as much of it this year as I would have liked.

I can tell you right now that Scars grabbed my attention from the beginning and I actually went out of my way to grab a card to order it so that it would arrive in time for the signing. The only reason it's taken me this long to finish up and sit down to write my review is that despite being a shorter book, its design is quite heavy (which is lovely in terms of quality, not so much for my wrists.) I finally figured out that I could read comfortably at our kitchen table, though, and then nothing could pull me from this.

I'm going to try and tell you why I loved this book so much, and why I feel so strongly that everyone should rush out and read it, but I honestly cannot guarantee that words will do Scars justice.

The Plot: (Summary from GoodReads)

Kendra, fifteen, hasn't felt safe since she began to recall devastating memories of childhood sexual abuse, especially because she still can't remember the most important detail-- her abuser's identity. Frightened, Kendra believes someone is always watching and following her, leaving menacing messages only she understands. If she lets her guard down even for a minute, it could cost Kendra her life. To relieve the pressure, Kendra cuts; aside from her brilliantly expressive artwork, it's her only way of coping. Since her own mother is too self-absorbed to hear her cries for help, Kendra finds support in others instead: from her therapist and her art teacher, from Sandy, the close family friend who encourages her artwork, and from Meghan, the classmate who's becoming a friend and maybe more. But the truth about Kendra's abuse is just waiting to explode, with startling unforeseen consequences. Scars is the unforgettable story of one girl's frightening path to the truth.

Dealing with several key issues, Scars is the kind of novel that was bound to either be profound, powerful and moving, or to simply be too much. Fortunately, at least for me, I found it to be the former of these two things. Cheryl tackles the various conflicts and issues going on in Kendra's life with honesty and heart. She knows when to up the pressure or intensity, and when to take a step back or give the reader a glimpse of a ray of sunshine--a sense of hope that tells us despite all she's going through, that Kendra has people she loves and things she is passionate about that are worth living for.

Another thing that I think was fantasically done was how Cheryl turned the question of who had abused Kendra into a mystery, since Kendra could not remember / was repressing the memory until she was ready to face it. The way that this made every male character suspect--both to me and to Kendra as she struggled to deal with the fact that her abuser had started to stalk her, really helped me connect with the book and with Kendra. I felt like we were "in" that aspect of the story together, both trying to figure out who had committed this atrocious crime. 

What makes this all the more powerful is that, at least in my case, I started out curious and wanting to find that out, and my need to figure it out, and to find out what would happen to Kendra, grew more and more intense the longer I read and grew to care about her as a character. There's a point in the book where Megan (the love interest) says something about liking Kendra because she doesn't bullshit. Megan values her honesty and that same trait is what makes her so able to powerfully narrate this story. As I kept reading, I went from simply wanting the 'truth' to wanting to know, for certain, that Kendra would find a way to not only survive but actually, truly live. 

That's some pretty strong stuff.

The Characters: 

Kendra is the heart of this story, and that makes perfect sense since this is truly her story to tell. She stands out so strongly from the rest of the cast--and I want to be certain to point out this isn't a writing flaw--and I think that this was used to good effect to show a bit of the isolation she felt carrying around everything she was dealing with. I really liked Kendra. I found her very brave despite all she had been through.

The supporting cast was equally well done. The way that our perceptions of characters, while seeing them through Kendra's eyes, could shift was very clever. I particularly liked her therapist, Carolyn, her girlfriend Megan and her mentor / friend Sandy. I also thought that her shifting relationship with her parents, and the parallel between their need for things to look perfect and Kendra's need for the truth were both interesting layers. They definitely brought forth some memorable results. 

The Romance; 

I think that the relationship between Kendra and Megan was well handled. It played a valid and important role in the story, but it did not take the story over or become the central issue. Megan does not provide any sort of 'saving' to Kendra. She does, however, show something good and real and happy that makes it clear to the reader that Kendra can have good things in her life--including the love of a girlfriend--if she has the strength and courage to live each day and let her life move forward. 

I don't read a ton of same-sex romance. This isn't so much an on-purpose slight as it is a seeming genre slight. I read a lot of Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy and it's just not common there. What I can say, as with when I read Will Grayson, Will Grayson, is that I had no trouble connecting with this couple and cheering them on. Their romance was sweet and well done, and both tied in with the main plot and allowed some breathing room from it at times. (While we are never totally free of Kendra's issues--and we shouldn't be here--the balance struck to keep the book readable by a diverse audience was handled well.)

I think Carolyn sums it up best in the book when she is talking with Kendra about Megan: "Love is love." I found this a bit ironic since it was actually something I had said when talking to my mother about readintg this and she was a bit puzzled about the couple. I smiled when I saw it. 

In General: 

Scars is an extremely well written novel. It is thought provoking, heart-wrenching and yet allows the reader to come away with a sense of hope. For anyone who has suffered abuse, felt criticized or misunderstood by loved ones, etc. this book can provide hope. For those who have not been there, it is the sort of book that can provide guidance, understanding and a path to empathy. I think this novel is extremely well done and would not hesitate to recommend it. 

Scars is a recipient of...

1. A main character whom I wanted to see succeed: in learning the truth about her abuser, in finding ways to be happy, and in finding ways to (gradually) heal and live her life.

2. A strong set of secondary characters who felt compelling and real even though they were, at times, kept at length or shaded by Kendra's perceptions. 

3. A compelling plot that kept me turning pages. I could not put Scars down. 

4. A romance that was sweet and endearing, which did not undermine, trivialize or weaken the main focus of the novel. 

5. A book that I believe may truly be able to help people. I had two friends who cut back when I was in high school. I wish I'd had something like this that might have helped me understand them better, and which might have guided me in how to be there for them rather then pretending I did not hear the conversation they were having at the sleepover we were at. Looking the other way isn't something that helped anyone.

Apocalypse Tour Interview #1: Megan Crewe, Author of The Way We Fall

On Saturday November 10th, 2012 I attended the Apocalypse Tour stop in Belleville, Ontario. There I got to meet five totally amazing authors, hang out with fellow bloggers, go shopping and have a totally awesome time.

If you couldn't make it to the event, I'm here to give you the next best thing: all week long I will be posting interviews with the five authors who came to the Belleville Chapters. You also have a chance to win some awesome swag by answering trivia from the videos, so make sure you watch them all as they go up!

Thanks again to Megan Crewe, Lesley Livingston, Maureen McGowan, Courtney Summers and Cheryl Rainfield for coming to Belleville Chapters, hanging out with us and taking the time to do these interviews!

Today's guest is Megan Crewe, author of The Way We Fall. Before we get going, here's a quick look at the book.

Plot Summary:
(Add to your GoodReads)

It starts with an itch you just can't shake. Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat. A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in.

And then you're dead.

When sixteen-year-old Kaelyn lets her best friend leave for school without saying goodbye, she never dreams that she might not see him again. But then a strange virus begins to sweep through her small island community, infecting young and old alike. As the dead pile up, the government quarantines the island: no one can leave, and no one can come back.

Those still healthy must fight for the island’s dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest.

Because how will she go on if there isn't?

Poignant and dizzying, The Way We Fall is the heart-wrenching story of one girl's bravery and unbeatable spirit as she challenges not just her fears, but her sense of what makes life worth living.

Sounds great, doesn't it? Well, below you can check out my video interview with Megan to learn all about it and how she would survive the apocalypse!



Now that you've watched the video, you should be able to answer Megan's question on the rafflecopter!

What book gave Megan a nightmare and inspired her to write The Way We Fall?

To make things super easy, here's the rafflecopter so you can keep your answers up to date:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for dropping by and checking out the interview with Megan Crewe! Make sure you come back tomorrow, where you'll be able to watch an interview with Lesley Livingston, author of Starling!

<-- Click to go to my Apocalypse Tour Recap Post / Giveaway Start!

Click to go to my interview with Lesley Livingston! --> 

RECAP: Apocalypse Tour + Giveaway!

Yesterday afternoon I got to go to Belleville Ontario to attend the Apocalypse Tour. I was invited by Chrystal from Snowdrop Dreams of Books and we were met at the Chapters by Ciara from  Lost at Midnight Reviews and Emilie from Emilie's Book World.

Chrystal and I got to the Chapters around 12:30 and decided that we would do some shopping first so that we could spend time with the authors when they arrived. I found it really fun to be looking around a Chapters with someone else who was there to buy books, too. I normally go with my family or my boyfriend, Jay. They are extremely supportive of my blog, but they are not actually readers, so the experience is very different.

Finding any books we were missing for the signing was super easy--the nice people at Chapters had set up a display near the signing table with the books so that people who came to meet the authors would be able to pick up the books if they wanted them. (And who wouldn't--we had an absolutely awesome line-up of fantasy, apocalyptic and dystopian YA authors present and the chatter and fun at the signing table made it very inviting.) From what we were told, the distinct thing about the Belleville signing was that, aside from the four book bloggers present, all the people who bought books for themselves or as gifts were likely new readers. I thought that was pretty cool.

(from left to right: Lesley Livingston, Megan Crewe, Maureen
McGowan, Courtney Summers and Cheryl Rainfield..
Photo credit: Chrystal.) 

We had a bit of extra time between finishing shopping and the authors arriving, but that gave us all a chance to chat. Chrystal and I went back to see whether Chapters had all of the Wondrous Strange books but they were missing the first one.

By the time that we came back,. the authors had begun to arrive. It took a bit of finesse, but I managed (with some help) to get all the books I had brought or bought organized so that they could be signed.

As I approached Lesley Livingston, I noticed she had a book with her. We realized that it was Wondrous Strange and I mentioned that I'd wanted to get the trilogy but that book one was sold out. She turned to us, said she had brought it for a giveaway, and went, "Congradulations!", handing it to me. So Chrystal ran back and grabbed the other two books and once I had them all together I got the whole set signed.

Thanks, Lesley! 

This worked out fantastically well since the overall turn-out to the Belleville event was small and cozy, and the rest of our little group already owned and / or had read the book.

Lesley's signing was pretty interesting. She has different colors and different little messages for each book, and I had five books of hers with me after what had just happened. For anyone curious, the messages for each book are:

Wondrous Strange: "Love, luck, joy, and good hunting."

Darklight: "Faerie tales are NON-fiction."

Tempestuous: "Magick time!"

Once Every Never: "Tempus Fugit!" (Time flies)

Starling: "En garde!"

If you want to see the signatures, make sure you check out my recap video where I take the time to share them all.

My Video Recap with all my signed books!

Next up was Megan Crewe, author of The Way We Fall. (Click here to see my Waiting on Wednesday for that last year.) I had grabbed the book shortly after it's release and it had promptly gotten sucked into the abyss also known as my bedroom, but I found it a few days before the event and brought it with me to get signed. I have a great respect for people who recognize and value just how dangerous a virus can be, and I found it very interesting learning how the idea for the book came to her. (Want to find out? Read on to learn how you can... ;) )

Next up was Maureen McGowan, whom I had the pleasure of meeting last weekend at the Ontario Blog Squad Meet Up 2012. It was really great to see Maureen again and to have her sign my copy of her dystopian novel Deviants. I picked that up while we were at the Chapters, since I wanted to support / thank Belleville Chapters for hosting the event. (I think I spend around $100 total on books yesterday.) I feel a certain kinship with Maureen, because we both have characters whose emotions are connected to potentially dangerous powers. I'm really looking forward to reading Deviants and seeing where we match and where we're different.

One of my favorite books of 2012. 

The next author I met was Courtney Summers, whose apocalyptic novel This Is Not A Test was one of my favorite books read this year. She signed my copy of This Is Not A Test and the copy of Cracked Up To Be that I got for Christmas last year.

The last author I met, and admittedly the person I spent the longest chatting with, was Cheryl Rainfield. That's a bit of a story, but I'll try and keep it brief.

Before leaving for Apocalypse Tour, I spent the last week researching all of the authors who were going to be there. I'd read This Is Not A Test. I owned The Way We Fall. I'd met Maureen McGowan the weekend before. (And should have met Lesley, too, but the event last weekend was HUGE and I had a bit of trouble sorting through everyone!)

Cheryl was the real 'mystery'. So I went online to get samples of everyone's writing for my kindle. I checked out Deviants and Starling no problem, but Hunted was not there. Instead, I found that Cheryl had written a contemporary YA called Scars, and decided to check that out to get a feel for her writing instead.

In short: I was completely hooked and ended up ordering it and Starling via Amazon (leaving Deviants and Hunted for Chapters purchase.) Fortunately, Amazon was punctual as ever and my books arrived right when I needed them to.

Cheryl and I at Apocalypse Tour.
Thanks for the photo, Chrystal!

I probably chatted with Cheryl, off and on, for 45 minutes to an hour of the time we were at the event. Between discussing Scars, writing, books we liked, how reality and fantasy can and should blend to help get important themes to wider audiences and our dogs there was definitely a lot to say.

I think one of the most interesting things that came up was the talk we had about how varying experiences can connect people and how books can help to bridge any sort of misplaced gap, granting a reader the ability to find understanding, or even empathy. I've never faced the issues Kendra has (cutting, sexual abuse, being a lesbian)... But that doesn't mean I've never been bullied. Doesn't mean I've never felt anger or sadness or frustration that boiled to a point where I had to find a way to let it go. Doesn't mean I've never feared rejection from someone I liked as a teen--or ridicule for liking someone. (In terms of popularity, I was at the shallow end of the dream pool.) Our discussion lead to the thought that in this way, contemporary can mirror fantasy or science fiction, since all fiction is essentially a chance to try being someone else and getting to live in their skin.

I could probably write a whole post about or conversation, but since I don't want this to run too long, I'll sum it up by saying that I was very glad to meet Cheryl and that chatting with her was both interesting and inspiring. I came away with a lot worth thinking about.

To all of the authors who attended the event, I would like to say that it was totally awesome meeting you. I had an absolutely fantastic afternoon. I'd also like to thank Chrystal for inviting me and Ciara and Emilie for keeping an eye on my stuff when we grabbed Darklight and Tempestuous, helping come up with the surprise and being fun to hang out with. :)

Now, when Chrystal put up her recap she mentioned I have a surprise for you all. Ready to find out what it is?

Time For The Surprise...



In addition to interviewing a different author each day this week, I also have a totally awesome bundle of swag for you all to try and win. Here's how it's going to work:

My apologies to the one person who posted with their e-mail. I realized that method would not work for the kind of giveaway setup I want to use.

Here's how this works. Each day, there is going to be a post with an author interview. Each interview has a piece of information in it that is the answer to the question I have set up about the author listed. To get your bonus entries, come and watch each video and fill in the answer in the message box with that author's name.

The blog comment question is:

How would YOU survive the apocalypse?

I hope that clears things up! Here's the rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!