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Create Something Magical
As an avid reader who always has herself knee deep in books the only thing more exciting than that release date you have been waiting for, is going to a reader conference. I must say that I am still a bit new to these events but I always have lots of fun. As most readers of romance know that our fellow readers can be few and far between. Walking into a conference I know one thing is that I have at least one thing in common with everyone there. We all share a love for reading. Now tastes may differ but the passion is bright. Not only can you meet that author you love and share a moment with them. You get a chance to start friendship over reading! Over the weekend I attended the Liberty States Fiction Writers- Create Something Magical Conference in Iselin, NJ.
My weekend started out with the lovely Kim Rocha and her Book Obsessed Chicks threw a Sylvia Day House Party! We talked all kinds books and got to know each other a bit. I indulged in the beyond amazing Sangria that Kim made. I will confess the Sangria was the best stuff on earth! I meet some wonderful ladies and had a ton of laughs.
Photos from Kim Rocha
Saturday morning started out with registration and some mingle time before the first reader panel. I attended Romance Family Feud with Laura Kaye, Damon Suede, Shephanie Julian and Elisabeth Staab.
The game was a hoot. The authors polled reader and played like the real feud! Some of the poll answers were not what I thought they would be. I believe the authors had as much fun as the readers!
Next up was lunch with keynote speaker and author Goddess Sherrilyn Kenyon!
Ms. Kenyon was in pain from two bulging disks in her back but she delivered a speech that both made me laugh and cry with a smile on her face. This was special for me. Ms. Kenyon is the author that got me reading romance with her Dark-Hunter series. After lunch Sherry gave the readers a bit of time Q & A time. No, she did not give any spoilers. She had all us readers laughing as she always does. I love this woman!
After talking with Sherry and readers was Naughty Party Games for Wicked Readers with Judi Fennell, Stephanie Julian, Eliza Knight and Cat Johnson! Pictionary for romance reader! Sorry peeps, I was having so much fun that I forgot to take pic!! Just imaginehave to draw your favorite hero! After Pictionary was Book Cover Bingo with Christi Barth, Laura Kaye, Joya Fields and Eliza Knight. What a fun game! I have never been in a panel that was so quite!
The next event of the day was the big book signing! This is the fun part! This is where all the awesome books we have been hearing about all day we get to pick up and get some author time.
Oh my goodness! What a day! And it was still not over yet. After the signing there was a pizza party for the reader and writers! We had to refuel before we rocked out 80’s style with The Book Obsessed Chicks!
Sherry even came and hung out with us for a while. Baskets were raffled off and I was a lucky winner!
I can’t even put into words fun much fun I had at this event. I got to meet some wonderful people who were just amazing. I thank them for sharing their passion for reading with me and willingness to talk with a stranger. Many many hugs to the lovely Kim for letting into her wonderful group of women that are just as fun and crazy, just the way I like!
The Book Obsessed Chicks departing photo. Taken by Kim’s son Daniel.
This woman helped make my weekend awesome! Many hugs KIM!!!
Its a wonderful feeling leaving an event like this knowing you have made friends, have stories to share and are taking home at least a months worth of reading. LOL!
Dark-Hunter Reading Challenge
I am a huge Dark Hunter fan! Sherrilyn Kenyon was one of the first PNR authors that I discovered. I fell in love and devoured the series. I even have my very own bow and arrow tattoo!!! When I started reading about the Dark-Hunters, Ash’s book has been out a few months. Needless to say I had a lot of reading to do. I read 9 books in 2 weeks. That was a record for me at the time. I have read every book, some more than once. If you count all the short stories, there are thirty-two stories in this series to date.
When I finished reading Styxx’s book, I was almost floored. I loved the book so much it made me want to go back from the beginning and get lost in this adventure all over again. So I decided to make my own reading challenge this year!
Welcome to my Dark-Hunter reading challenge!
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1. FANTASY LOVER |
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2. DRAGONSWAN |
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3. NIGHT PLEASURES |
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4. NIGHT EMBRACE |
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5. PHANTON LOVER |
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6. A DARK-HUNTER CHRISTMAS |
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7. DANCE WITH THE DEVIL |
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8. KISS OF THE NIGHT |
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9. NIGHT PLAY |
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10.WINTER BORN |
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11.SEZIE THE NIGHT |
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12.SINS OF THE NIGHT |
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13.SECOND CHANCES |
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14.UNLEASH THE NIGHT |
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15.DARK SIDE OF THE MOON |
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16.A HARD DAYS NIGHT SERCHER |
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17.UNTIL DEATH WE DO PART |
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18.THE DREAM HUNTER |
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19.FEAR THE DARKNESS |
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20.DEVIL MAY CRY |
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21.UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR |
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22.DREAM CHASER |
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23.ASHERON |
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24.WHERE ANGEL FEAR TO TREAD |
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25.SHADOW OF THE MOON |
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26.ONE SLIENT NIGHT |
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27.DREAM WARRIOR |
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28.BAD MOON RAISING |
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29.NO MERCY |
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30.RETRIBUTION |
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31.THE GUARDIAN |
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32.TIME UNTIME |
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33.STYXX |
The goal is to read all the Dark-Hunter books including the shorts in order this year. With a series this big, sometimes you need to go back, revisit a few people and remember how events have unfolded.
According to www.dark-hunter.com and www.wikipedia.com this is the reading order:
I have made a page on my blog under Reading Challenges to keep track of my progress. I will also blog about each book. This is going to be such a fun challenge. To go back and meet all the Dark, Dream and Were Hunters all over again. I can’t wait to fall in love all over again!
So if you are a Dark-Hunter lover and wanting to partake in this challenge. Leave a comment below. Sorry peeps, I am new to the blogging world and don’t know how to make one of those awesome button thingies yet. LOL! Make a shelf on your goodread.com or booklike.com page and put a link to it in your comment. Those of you who complete the challenge, I will put you in a drawing for some Dark-Hunter swag!!
2014 Reading Goals!
A new year is beginning,that means it’s time for more books. As a self-proclaimed avid reader, I love the beginning of the year for setting new goals. This year I wanted to do something different for my reading goals. I want to do more than just set a number of books to read. This year I am setting goals with in the books that I will be reading. Also with starting the book blog this year I want to include that with in my goals. I maybe biting off more than I think I am but I sure gonna give it a try.
So here are my list of goals.
1.To read a total of 80 books. This is the number of books I set for 2013 and achieve that goal. I am not increasing the number because of the other goals I am setting for myself.
2. To find ten new to me authors to read and talk about on the blog.
3. To review at least half of the books I read.
4. To branch out of my reading comfort zone. I started reading contemporary romance this year and have enjoyed it. I want to include reading more contemporary, romantic suspense, and some steampunk added in there.
5. Read my first Nora Roberts book this year.
6. To reread the Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I have read all the books and short stories of this series. After reading Styxx in 2013 (OMG, That book!!!), and reliving some events of the past, I feel it is time to start over again!!
7. And last but not least get caught up on all my series that I little behind on.
This is my list so far. Some goals may be added or changed. That is the way life goes! It’s a start and that is what counts. I am keeping my finger crossed. I will keep everyone posted as to how my year in reading progresses. Good luck to everyone in your own reading goals.
