Days of Blood & Starlight

Normally when I read a sequel I am able to skim/skip a lot of the beginning because the author has to explain  things that the reader might have forgotten about book one. So I was shocked how Laini was able to make the information fresh and new. I did not skip one word of Days of Blood & Starlight I drank every single one in. At first I was sad I could not read it faster but then when I got close to being done I wanted to cry because I didn't want it to be over. I have really come to love these characters and I can not wait for the third book!

Friday Laini's tour brought her to Changing Hands in Tempe! Debbie and I were so excited to get to see her again. We met Laini at Project Book Babe and both started following her blog and soon started talking about her like we were really friends. So as you can guess we were super excited for her signing and Melissa and her husband James came along with Mimi & her crew as well making it an extra good time.  

When I was re-reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone I was inspired by one of my favorite parts of the book to make a t-shirt. I had even forgotten to show Laini, thankfully she noticed and her reaction was perfect!

I turn into such a fan girl at book signings guys, I'm always a little embarrassed after and yet I still don't change. I think in this picture I am telling Laini how I could not stop thinking about Akiva. 

 The guy taking pictures saw me get all comfortable and joked about how I was moving in. So part of me is embarrassed but if I was to do it all over again I would do it the same. And you know why because Laini told me how she wanted the third book to end! Have you seen the movie The Young Victoria? Oh I love it I hope you have. Well there is a scene where Albert is getting excited about his ideas for helping the working class, then apologizes. In response Victoria says "there's no need to apologize for being passionate." Which is how I feel as long as your passion isn't hurting you or those around you.

When I first read about Akiva's widow's peak it wasn't something I had really thought about. So I googled widow's peak and was surprised at how many of my boyfriends have widow's peaks. (Just to be clear not all below are my boyfriends, you know you have to be more than a pretty face.) But can you see who I traced for the model of Akiva?

(Top row Colin Farrell, Jude Law, Daniel Craig, Wentworth Miller, 2nd row Leonardo DeCaprio, Chris Hemsworth, David Beckham & Gavin Rossdale)

I love making t-shirts & bags (in case you have not noticed) my favorite way is using freezer paper I kind of explained how it works here when I made Harry Potter shirts.

The Best Kind of Weekend

Saturday was Stephanie Perkins signing (along with other authors)! I picked Debbie up and she had made lunch for us to eat in the car, little asparagus pizzas. She also held the plate like that for me while we drove to Phoenix. She really is the best sister. 

After the panel all the authors taught classes on things other than writing novels. Steph and Matt de la Pena divided the room and then helped us write a love song. 

Debbie and I were sitting on Matt's side of the room and our group wrote a verse about teenagers finding love in the library. It took us awhile to agree on things because everyone had good ideas but I really liked the final product, I wish I would have taken the lyrics home with me. I can only remember a line from the song but it was about a girl at the library looking for the cute boy she sees there she gets sad when she doesn't see him but turns around and runs right into him. And I am sure there was some kissing in the library later :).

The cute girls in the picture sang it for us and did a really good job. And later we gushed about Stephanie's books together!

Lisa McMann taught us about food display and then did a competition to see who did the best, this is Debbie's plate after we ate some.

Here is my cute friend Jen talking to Steph during the signing.

And here Debbie and I are with Steph, in a very happy making picture!

Sunday when I went to my parents for our regular Sunday dinner I got a surprise from my brother & sister in law who went to Harry Potter land! I am one happy girl!

Monday Debbie, Stephanie and I attempted to go see a movie but being a holiday we ended up shopping instead. After we met up with Mimi for an early dinner/late lunch. It was so much fun to be real life friends!

My Trip To Nerdfighteria

You may think I am joking here but I am not, it is real and I went.

I stole this from Urban Dictionary dot com.

On Wednesday night(this is over a week old now) I went to a book signing for John Green's The Fault In Our Stars. I have read two of his other books besides The Fault In Our Stars, An Abundance of Katherine's and Paper Towns.

Besides being a writer John also does youtube videos with his brother Hank, their channel is called vlogbrothers. Here is a video they did together to explain nerdfightrers etcetera.


I have a lot of respect for the nerdfighting community, they do a lot to make the world a better place. I also have extra respect for John because of this video he did mentioning how he loves Stephanie Perkins Anna and the French Kiss.

I was excited to experience the nerdfighters first hand and lets just say they did not disappoint.
There were programs catered to each city.

There were all kind of nerdy things like a sock puppet show...

Songs by Hank this one is about John's book. He also played songs he wrote about Hogwarts & fish. 

There were also costume changes

and some human electrocution

Then I got to get my book signed and told John that Hank & him are like the boy versions of the Dashwood sisters from Sense & Sensibility. Basically it was just obvious that having Hank around relaxed John and I was happy to see the brothers interact.

Hank drew the fish. 

This & That

First did you see what Mimi gave me for my birthday? And I would like to add that I put those photos up all by myself & just by eyeing it.

Last Friday I went to Kiersten White's book signing at Changing Hands. Her debut novel Paranormalcy came out August 31st and it debuted on the New York Times Best Selling list! Now I probably would not have read this book since I have been very disappointed with the last paranormal teen books I have read. But while complaining my friend Stephanie Perkins told me that Paranormalcy was different, for example although it is a series they don't end on cliff hangers. I trust Stephanie so I gave Paranormalcy a try and she was right it was very different from other Paranormal books I have read. It was funny & flirty kind of Buffy The Vampire Slayer meets Meg Cabot, maybe? I can recommend it to everyone with out any disclaimers, it is clean with out being obnoxiously so.

Kiersten did a great job at the signing she was funny and completely at ease. I had let my friend Espe borrow Anna & The French Kiss just the week before (she finished in one sitting) and she brought it back to me at the signing. So I had to get a picture for Stephanie with both my books & Kiersten. Then we had to gush about Anna Kiersten explaining that it was her favorite & Stephanie was her best friend & I told everyone that I had the first signed copy!

I loved what Kiersten wrote in my book because obviously she has excellent taste & is awesome!

Also for those who have read Paranomalcy on page 217 Reth is describe as "some sort of beautiful Victorian dandy. He even had a walking stick....if he weren't so breathtaking, he would have looked ridiculous."

When I read that I immediately pictured these picture of Henry Cavill even though Reth is blonde, what can I say I always change guys hair color from blonde to dark.

Also I am thinking about cutting fringe (bangs) again and have been asking people what they think, so what do you think?

Speaking of fringe did you know that there is a word for me?
An Anglophile is a person who is fond of English culture

Cheers - Connie

It must have been fate

Stephanie Perkins is having a giveaway and look and how wonderful it is. Go here and enter. Mimi & I saw this P&P it might have been while in line to meet Scott Westerfeld and both wanted it. Stephanie is right who cares if I already have two copies of P&P I still want this one as well.

I am pretty sure I love Stephanie Perkins and it has nothing to do with the giveaway.

I briefly met Stephanie Perkins at Project Book Babe and after found her blog and started following it. It is one of my favorite blogs she is always cracking me up and filling my need for HBM (hot British males). Some may or may not know that a few years back Mimi & I decided that we needed British boyfriends and planned to go to the UK our theme became "UK All The Way". Back in October I was thinking about how much I love the french language (see post) and thought what I really need is a British boyfriend who speaks french. Then I remembered that Stephanie's book which comes out this year takes place in Paris & I was pretty sure her hero was British as well. I made sure to verify and it is true he is British and speaks french, oh la la! And now Mimi, Chelsea & I are going to London, Paris & Scotland in 13 days. And Stephanie just got back from living in Paris this last month and her blog has given us all sorts of good ideas of places to visit. Check out Stephanie's blog it is a grand time & with her book coming out it is going to start getting extra exciting!

As part of the give away Stephanie asked to put one or more of your favorite kissing scenes, I loved hers on her blog and decided to add a few more.

Dear Frankie (oh the sexual tension)


Never Been Kissed (you might want to skip to the 4 min. mark)


Pushing Daisies


Practical Magic (this is really bad quality)


There is a great movie called The Magic of Ordinary Days which has a great kissing scene but alas I could not find it on youtube.

Happy Making

Tonight at Changing Hands in Tempe the author Scott Westerfeld had a signing for his new book Leviathan. Check out this awesome book trailer, (I am impressed with the narrator he has a very movie trailer voice)

I have not read the book yet (just purchased tonight) but after hearing Scott talk about it, I am super excited. And can I just say it is one of the most beautiful books I have ever seen/own. Just check out the inside. Lovely right?

Some highlights from the signing were...

When Scott was getting ready to show us his awesome book trailer (the envy of all authors(I said this not him)) he was in front of his laptop facing us (the audience) with his back to the screen which a projector was projecting the trailer on. After he got it going he moved and his head and started to cover a good portion of the screen, which made us the audience begin to giggle. Scott then asked "what is going on back there" and turned his head sideways, which the projector caught and he could see his profile covering half the screen. Which of course made everyone laugh more. He said something funny as he moved out of the way and started it again something about watching it with out author face. Britt will tell me, she remembered.

One of my other favorites was a question asked about how he came up with the slang in Uglies like Bubbly making, because he is a man. And I believe his response to the man comment was "spot on" brilliant observation huh. His response just made me laugh.

Debbie will like this, Scott called Tally a butt head.

A girl asked Scott if he received a lot of hate mail about in regards to a certain incident in his Uglies books. Scott said yes but it is just so sweet. He then mimicked the letters saying "Why Scott Why, I hate that you did that but I love your writing." He said he was happy that he could create a character that people cared about and had living in their head. Scott was great I was not only well informed but entertained as well, it was all very happy making.

Mimi, Brittney and I then got in line to get our books signed, while in line we discussed questions to ask Scott while up there. I was nominated to be the spokesperson since I have no problem making a fool out of myself. My first question took a little explaining. You see Scott's books come from questions he seems to always be asking why does this happen, why do we do this, and so on. So I asked him if his inquisitive mind got him in trouble as a child, he told me it was a good question but that he had great parents but that he did upset a teacher of his because she didn't know an answer a student asked and he did. But now I kind of wonder if he even asked his questions or if he just figured them out for himself. Because that what he seems to be doing with his books is answering questions.

Wait back up first I asked him to add la to my name so it would be Connie-la like from Uglies. He did not really understand what I was saying at first because I said it kind of weird and I wish I could remember what he asked me but I looked at him like he was smoking crack from Sherlock Holmes crack pipe. Then I think he re-processed what I said so it made sense and we all laughed at the confusion.

Then we asked about if he ever cast his characters, because I have done a lot of time looking for the perfect Zane. He said no and Mimi asked "because Zane's so special?" Scott had a good laugh over that. He then asked if I had found one, sadly no. He said he didn't cast his characters but he thinks Angelina Jolie would make the perfect Dr. Cable. Which Mimi reminded me that it was one of my picks as well.

***Spoiler***

Scott obviously realized that we were team Zane, not that we hate David but come on. It is like picking Superman over Batman. Superman was born that way he didn't chose it Zane choose, worked hard and risked everything, would David had done that in Zane's shoes? I don't know but there is another important factor here, Zane is HOT. Ok back to what Scott said, he told us that while in Portland everyone was team David and hating on Zane which he could not understand, so again he questioned it and realized...yep he is in hippy land.

There is just something so special about coming home with a arm full of books signed by someone who created a world that you love. Even if you sometimes get mad at him and have to ask "why Scott, why?".

Totally Happy Making

Weekend Getaway

Debbie & I decided Thursday night to take a road trip to Utah for a few reasons but the main one for me was Shannon Hale's book signing. On her blog Shannon wrote,

Next Saturday, June 13, at 5 pm, is the release party for the actor and the
housewife! The King's English, of course, is hosting here in Salt Lake City,
Utah. There will be karaoke and pie. And books. What more could anyone
desire?

And in another post wrote...

I'll give a book to the awesome person who dons the most fabulous apron.

Some might wonder why I would want to drive to Utah for a book signing, well really what more could I desire than pie, aprons, & karaoke? I really don't ask for more out of life? Awhile back I saw pictures from Shannon's Austenland release party on her blog and I have always been sad that I missed it. Doesn't it just look like so much fun? I didn't want to have the same regret.

If you don't know Debbie let me just tell you she is amazingly talented with almost anything crafty. I knew she was going to want to make her own apron and that she would need it to be the best. The only thing she asked for help was an opinion so I went over and gave my opinion on fabric/color choices. When I picked Debbie up Friday morning I saw her apron and words can not describe the cuteness of her apron and the geniusness of Debbie.

I have always loved a good road trip and it was fun to have so much uninterrupted time to laugh, talk & sing with Debbie.

Highlights from the road...

While pulling out of a gas station in Panguitch Utah I started to freak out because this truck was driving and a dog was on the roof. We actually ended up following the truck and the dog got down on the tool box but would get back up on the roof. Nearly causing me to have a heart attack. Mimi maybe you should not look, but I did see the dog made it safely home.

Then in a few miles a cop was slowing traffic down as there was a cattle drive going on.

This guy wanted to take the easy road.
The signing was on Saturday at King's English book store.

Highlights from the signing...

Mr. Darcy wearing an apron

See how cute her apron is she made it the night before with out a pattern. Isn't she the cutest.

Shannon was a riot the whole time but I really loved the story about how some Nuns either emailed or wrote her I want to say emailed something along the lines of them being the wives of their lord but also having crushes on Mr. Darcy/Colin Firth & that they loved her book Austenland. They also gave The Actor and The Housewife a thumbs up! The funny thing is I saw the Nuns at Project Book Babe, Mimi even checked them in. Shannon had gotten them tickets. See my friends from Hobo Skate also got to meet them. (I stole this picture from facebook)

Debbie's apron was one of the finalist and she won a DVD of Nacho Libre signed by the the writers/director.

Then of course we had pie and sang karaoke after Shannon & her husband Dean sang Islands in the Stream. If you have read the book you will understand why. There was a pretty long line so we stayed and sang our heart or lungs out. We were having a lot of fun with the girl in charge who was Shannon's sister and just as nice as could be. Debbie & I had a lot of fun singing I will Survive with her.

After our lungs gave out we got in line to get our books signed. Where I met some lovely ladies who are also twilight fans and we tried to convince them to finish reading The Mortal Instruments series. They also know my good friend Jenny Whipple. It was fun to chat with them.

Then it was our turn to see Shannon, She got up from the table and came and gave us hugs calling us her Arizona friends. We talked about Project Book Babe, I asked her about why she picked the name Bellamy. It was so nice to see her again, I am glad we made the trip. Later that night when we got back I opened my books to see what she wrote...

How cute is she? I just love that Shannon Hale!!!


Highlights of the ride home...

We got stuck in traffic out of Flagstaff and while crawling up a hill Debbie said if she was a vampire she would just pick up the car and run us over the hills.

Speaking of Italy and things we stole...We were driving and Muse came on I can't remember which song but as we were saying how we are excited for New Moon a Yellow 911 Porsche went zooming by.

Edit...you can see picture of Debbie & I singing with Shannon's sister on her blog here.

Looks Like A Beautiful Day

Saturday Mimi & I were talking about how cute Debbie was and I said "I don't know how I got so lucky to have Debbie as my sister." And many times after Mimi does something awesome for me I think "everyone needs a Mimi". Without Mimi & Debbie this stuff you are about to read would not have happened.

Saturday was also the Project Book Babe benefit event that Mimi, Debbie & I volunteered at. We started off the day by having lunch with our friend Tamir and then heading over to the event. Where I sold raffle tickets, Mimi signed people in and Debbie got to hang out with Shannon Hale, as her helper. Once Mimi & I got everyone signed in and the raffle tickets sold we went backstage with Debbie to help out with passing out the raffle items. When backstage Debbie had Shannon's camera and was snapping shots for her. One of my favorite moments was when all the authors were off stage in a huddle Debbie was getting photos and got down trying to get a shot and Shannon said "Debbie just lay down and get the shot" so Debbie laid down in the middle of all these authors and took pictures of them. Edit here is the picture off Shannon Hales blog.I was sad I didn't have my camera at that time to take the picture of Debbie. During the raffle Mimi & I got to be out on stage with all the authors helping with checking the winning tickets and stuff. Then they had the live auction which was just insane!!! They had us stand in front and make sure we did not miss any of the bidders.
Items Auctioned:
Stephenie Meyer's Eclipse prom dress: $5500

Advanced Readers Copy of Twilight: $1500

Epilogue to Forever Dawn: $ 5100

Eclipse Draft: $2600

The Host Draft: $1100

Lunch with Stephenie Meyer: $6500 each - The actually had a draw so two winners each paid this.

The Host Skateboard: $ 1500 - The Host Skateboard was designed by Hobo Skate Company whose co-founder is my friends husband, they are both awesome...I am super excited for them!!!

After the auction they had a special reception for those who bought the 300 dollar tickets. Where they got books from all the authors and then went around and got to get them personally signed. We helped out by writing people's names down so they didn't have to keep spelling out their names. Edit See Debbie and I tearing paper to write down names on. Brandon Mull & Shannon Hale...picture from Project Book Babe flickrOnce things started dying down I went out to my car and got my camera & my Shannon Hale books. While getting my books signed I got to talk to Shannon and man she is so super nice and funny. I also got to talk to another of my favorite authors Janette Rallison, I had already got her to sign my books at one of her signings. Man I know how to pick authors because seriously both Janette & Shannon are SO NICE and funny. Debbie decided that we needed to get a picture with Shannon, Janette and Stephenie. Thankfully it is much easier to have Shannon ask Stephenie to take a picture with us. We helped clean up and load some boxes before leaving. While walking out to the car I saw one of the bands that performed Adam Watts Band and realized I never got one of the signed CD's they were giving away so I had Debbie go ask if they had anymore. He did but he wanted to know if I wanted it signed. When they asked I paused because I didn't want to make them sign it but then realized if I said no would be rude and my pause was rude, so with much as enthusiasm as I could muster I say something like yeah that would be great. But since I don't have much practice at being fake you could totally hear how fake my enthusiasm was. But Adam just laughed and said you can't say no you will hurt my feelings. Well we were all laughing but I did get them to sign it and they were all again very nice and had us all (all being Mimi, Debbie, Tamir & I) laughing. So I got to meet musicians, authors, and help raise money for breast cancer, it was my kind of day!
All the authors from the panel, Shannon making everyone laugh as usual.

Mimi took this picture with out saying one two three or anything...Is it just me or is Stephenie looking at Debbie and smiling.. I love this picture even if I am sticking my booty out so Shannon could put her arm around me.

Here is the one with the one two three and a little less booty.



Here are my books Shannon signed can you read what she wrote? I LOVE THEM!!!
For Austenland she wrote Mr. Darcy thinks you are Hot!!! (how did she know)

Oh and we came home and found out that Debbie had been on the news...Check it out here...In the video Debbie is sitting next to the book babe, in the front row taking pictures for Shannon.

And if you did not see Shannon Hales blog you need to go here and see. The first picture of Debbie and I am Debbie's cute sister Connie. - seriously so nice.

Magic Trick

Late this past Tuesday night Mimi & I decided that we wanted to go to the Breaking Dawn Concert/Signing in Los Angeles that was Thursday night. Did I mention that the tickets sold out with in the first 45 minuets. When I got home I emailed a few people I knew who were going to see if they or anyone they knew were selling tickets. I also checked out eBay and Craig’s list but there were only a few tickets for sell and they were going from anywhere from $90 to $150. The original price was $20 probably $35 with taxes and fees. Wednesday morning I had a few leads by lunch I was down to two, neither where looking very promising. By late afternoon I decided to pull out a magic trick and bippidi bobbidi boo and next thing you know it is Thursday Morning and Mimi & I are off to Los Angeles.


Our seats were amazing in fact they were so amazing we were sitting with Catherine Hardwicke.

Catherine who? You ask. Catherine Hardwicke the Director of the up coming Twilight movie. I believe the woman next to Catherine is also the Producer.

Sorry the picture is so bad but I used my camera phone so I could text it to a friend. Catherine is the blonde, you can see the people lining up to get her autograph.

Mimi & I waiting for the show. This was not a regular signing it was an actual concert. Justin Furstenfeld the lead singer from Blue October started off by playing a couple songs.

Then Stephenie came out and they did a Q & A there were some good questions but some that were repeated. I really wish people would do some research before they asked questions. After Justin came back out and Stephenie & Justin talked about the songs she had picked for her playlists for her books and Justin would play the song. Here is an example. I really enjoyed it even though I did not know Blue October before.

Then it was time for the signing, Stephenie was only signing one book and was not doing personalization so it was going pretty quick. I was debating saying anything or maybe just thank you since we did not have much time. But when I got up to her I asked "Did you ever get the Muse songs uploaded onto your ipod?" she paused for a second and then answered "yes I did thank you so much?" then she said "Oh your Jens friend. It is so nice to meet you." Who knows what I said something like thanks or your welcome. Anyway It was such a great night and the whole trip really did just work out like MAGIC!!!