Wednesday Reads and Pictures from Dragon Con

I didn’t take many pictures while I was at Dragon Con, but I did get some selfies in the Walk of Fame (where you can also get celebrities’ autographs), just like I wanted.

And technically, two of them weren’t selfies (someone else took the picture). But I got to meet these people (with PROOF!) and that’s what really mattered. At least to me.

Don't you love his Reverse Flash shirt?

First, I stood in line for Tom Cavanaugh. He was supposed to show up at 10am (according to his sign), but didn’t show up until almost 11. And he had an 11:30 panel! I was 15^th in line and wasn’t sure I’d get my picture taken before he had to leave. But luckily, I did. However, I was so flustered, I ended up going to the wrong panel after. I wanted to go to his panel (Arrowverse) and ended up at the S.H.I.E.LD panel. Just as well, the Arrowverse panel the next day included John Barrowman. And any panel with John Barrowman is a better panel—haha!

Before that Arrowverse panel, I went back to the Walk of Fame to see if Brandon Routh was going to be there for a selfie. I was told he was on his way, so I got in line. He’s the spitting image of my character, Sam (who is the vampire hero in the book I’m currently writing) and I told him so, too! He was sooooo nice. And tall!

On the last hour of Dragon Con, I went back to the Walk of Fame to see who had stuck around. John Barrowman was still there, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to spend $40 for a selfie (I did get my picture taken with him last year). But my daughter was there and she asked if I could spend $20? I could do that!

And this is what happens when John Barrowman takes control of your phone camera.

So much fun!!!

Here’s what I finished reading this week:

Book #32

Dates read: August 24-29
Title: Marriage Not Included
Year of publication: 2013
Author: Lynn Cahoon
Genre: Contemporary romance
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 199
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Won from author (I think)
Blurb from book: Lauren is headed back to school, this time not as a fun-loving coed but to achieve her dream of turning the family farm into Idaho’s first Heritage Seed Center. Selling organic produce at the local farmers market, she meets Miles. After an unexpected act of kindness toward her daughter, Lauren agrees to one date.
    As a VP and heir apparent to HN seeds, the family business, Miles unknowingly holds the future of Lauren’s farm in his hands. Lauren’s looking for anything but a romance. She’s got too much on her plate to risk the distraction.
    But he plays the one card Lauren can’t resist, family. Miles needs Lauren and her daughter to feel at home. And Lauren needs Miles and his large extended family more than she knows. But can she forgive the one betrayal that would ruin all of her plans for the future?
    When an organic farming activist meets the heir apparent for the corporate farm that’s buying up the small famers all around her, she only agrees to one date to thank him for a kindness to her daughter. Will she be able to stand firm when he offers her the world, in exchange for selling the only home they’ve ever had?
My thoughts: Can’t say much for the publisher when the blurb had three spelling errors (I corrected two because they were too glaring). I don’t know how I won this book, but I have met the author and this book is signed by her, so I’m guessing I won it on FB or something (because it’s not something I would normally have stood in line to get). I’m always willing to give contemporary romance another try and this book was short. Yes, it’s romance and it gave me the good feels and all, but I still like more in my books. Oh well… You straight contemporary readers will eat this up, though, I’m sure.

Book #33

Dates read: August 29-September 3
Title: Firewall
Year of publication: 2014
Author: Sonya Clark
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Magic Born #3
# of Pages: 230
Paper or plastic: Nook book
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Goodreads: Trancehacker Tuyet Caron could have left New Corinth for good, but instead uses her magic and risks her life on a daily basis to help the Magic Born. She's been careful to avoid capture, but a careless glance at a video camera brings her face to face with the Ranger who let her go.
    Captain Dale Hayes let Tuyet walk away once, but he won't make that mistake again. When faced with the ultimate choice, however, he chooses her with barely a thought. But that also means siding with the Magic Born and becoming a fugitive in the eyes of the law.
    Tuyet and Dale plan to flee, but are caught in a deadly riot that kills innocent people. Outraged, the pair vows to bring an end to the Magic Laws, regardless of what that means for their own safety.
My thoughts: Lots of tension and action and romance. This was a really good book and a nice ending for the trilogy. I think if I had realized it was JUST a trilogy, I would have bought and read this book sooner. My bad. Perfect book to read while standing in lines at Dragon Con!

I would have had more books read if I hadn’t developed a splitting headache on the ride back home. Man, those things are a killer for wanting to do anything. Five hours into our trip it finally went away (no thanks to the Tylenol I took, though), but I just wasn’t about to risk it returning by reading. I settled on seeing the scenery instead.

A lot of people litter. Did you know that? It’s sad.

So… It’s a new month. Got any goals you’re shooting for? I’m going to tackle my WIP again and hope I can figure out how to end that thing. Of course, we leave on our vacation (yeah, another one) in 15 days, so let’s see if I can continue writing then. I hope so!

Happy Reading!

Stacy