Recap: Book Event (RARE 2015)

RECAP: RARE 2015 BOOK EVENT

So I arrived at the Bonaventure Hotel with less than 5 hours of sleep in my body and alone. My book event buddy being unavailable to be there (she was there through her books she left me to get signed though hahahaha). So arrived a few minutes before the book retailer opened, ready to buy two copies of Christina Lauren's latest books.

And there were none. They hadn't been delivered to the right address. So after a few calls, they sent someone grab 18 copies of the said book and me and two other girls kept watch at the book retailer while being in line to get inside for the VIP time and once we saw the guy coming back, two of us rushed to the books.

The other one was really sweet and got inside along with my suitcase which I was really grateful for. :)

So then began the tour for my authors. I will admit that I didn't go see all of the authors present. I was really tired and though I was really excited, I just wanted to do the authors I was set to in the beginning and leave to go to my bed. Below, see proof of how much I needed sleep:

So first stop was Heidi McLaughlin (The Beaumont series, Lost in You series, The Archer Brothers series, The Reeducation of Savannah McGuire). She was really impressed with my pile of books (which was a total of 16 books) because I had my own and my friend Nancy's books to get. She had a few copies on her table and once I passed through them, her assistant had to refilled them. She was nice and told me that her first book in the Beaumont series (Forever My Girl) was going to be a movie and I got really excited. I will definitely go see it and I'm really intrigued to see who will play each character.

So below, you see Heidi signing one of the many copies she signed for me. This one was actually for my friend: 

And this is me and her:

Next stop was with Alice Clayton (Cocktail series, Wild Seasons series). So my pile of books was slightly less big there. I had about 10 books to get signed. She was really sweet and she told me about her new book series that she is co-written with Nina Bocci. The first novel will be called Roman Crazy and should come out next year.

So here's a picture of her with me: 

After that I was wondering who to go see next so I went to see Jennifer Probst (Sex on the beach series, Marriage to a Billionnaire series, Steele Brother trilogy, Searching For series). She was really one of the sweetest authors I met there. She was really excited to be in Montreal and you could tell she was really happy to be there. Bought two of her books but I intend to read more when my bank account allows me.

So of course I had to take a picture with her:

So between two of my authors, I went to see Carina Adams (Bama Boys series, The Bastard series) for my friend. She was lovely and asked me to say hi to my friend and tell her she was sorry she had missed her. I didn't have the time to read her books, but I will try to read them in a near future; I mean, she was just so nice.

Next came Helena Hunting (Clipped Wings series, Pucked series, The Librarian Principle). So I didn't get to finish Clipped Wings before the event. I actually read only a few chapters, but I was really hooked on her writing style that I bought the two books before the event. After meeting her, I finally decided that even if I didn't have that money to buy The Librarian Principle because it was really asking me to buy it and to read it hahaha.

Here's me and Helena: 

After that, I went to search for my friend's authors because I really wanted to be sure I had all of her books signed since she couldn't be there so Sarina Bowen (The Ivy Years series, Gravity Series, Him (co-written with Elle Kennedy)) was next. We spoke a little and I admit that I wasn't sure if I would read her books, but now, I just have to. I wish authors were less nice so I didn't feel like reading their books and keep my bank account happy ;).

Next I went to see J.M. Darhower (Sempre series, Monter in his Eyes series, Forbidden series, Extinguish series). I didn't know that author so it was nice to meet her. I read the summary behind the book my friend bought from her and I might have to add it to my to-read list. She was really nice and so was her little helper. And I have to add this: she had the coolest tattoo on her arm of captain america and Winter Soldier (Bucky).

Next I went to see Shay Savage (Surviving Raine series, Even Arden series, Caged series, Offside). So when I went to see her, she wasn't there, but a cute guy was there. I'll admit that I didn't know if he was a cover model or helper at first, but he was still very cute. So while waiting for Shay's return, he got the book for my friend and we had a little problem to solve before I could walk away with it, but it was all good. They were both nice about the whole thing. And while looking at the stuff on her table, I had my answer; he was a cover model.

So then I went to see Ilsa Madden-Mills (Briarcrest series, Dirty English). She was really nice and if I'm not mistaken, she was there with her husband who was really nice also. Helped her out with the books while she signed the two stacks for me and my friend. I was running out of time for the VIP hour or else, I would have asked her about her upcoming book Dirty English, but I'm still excited to read that book.

And did I take a picture? Of course and here is that picture:

And last but not least, I met Christina Lauren. Well, Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings to be more accurate. These two authors are co-written series like Beautiful Bastards and Wild Seasons. They were really nice and we talked a bit. They liked my Jensen and Jared T-shirt and Christina told me about her upcoming photo-op with Chris Evans (yes, I was extremely jealous),

So here's a picture of me with these two ladies:

So what did I get signed, well, let's find out:

Of course, I got myself and Nancy some swags from there, so look at what authors had to offer us:

Imagine if I had stopped at each author's table how much more stuff I would have. Anyways, I had a great time and talked to nice authors and people. If I wouldn't have been so tired, I might have survived to come back after the lunch break, but I went home and fell asleep,

But before I actually had to go home, I went to give my friend Nancy's books to her work place. Caught her while she was on her lunch break and she was really happy with her signed books so it made me happy.

So that's the recap of my RARE 2015 book event.

Review: Screwdrivered by Alice Clayton (Cocktail, #3)

Summary:

(from goodreads)

Readers back for a third round of the bestselling Cocktail series will enjoy a madcap romantic comedy about bodice ripping and chest heaving, fiery passion and love everlasting. Plus a dash of paperwork filing and horseshi—wait, what?

By day, Viv Franklin designs software programs. By night, Vivian’s a secret romance-novel junkie who longs for a knight in shining armor, or a cowboy on a wild stallion, or a strapping firefighter to sweep her off her feet. And she gets to wear the bodice—don’t forget the bodice.

When a phone call brings news that she’s inherited a beautiful old home in Mendocino, California from a long-forgotten aunt, she moves her entire life across the country to embark on what she sees as a great, romance-novel-worthy adventure. But romance novels always have a twist, don’t they?

There’s a cowboy, one that ignites her loins. Because Cowboy Hank is totally loin-ignition worthy. But there’s also a librarian, Clark Barrow. And he calls her Vivian. Can tweed jackets and elbow patches compete with chaps and spurs? You bet your sweet cow pie.

In Screwdrivered, Alice Clayton pits Superman against Clark in a hilarious and hot battle that delights a swooning Viv/Vivian. 

Also within this book, an answer to the question of the ages: Why ride a cowboy when you can ride a librarian?

Read from: July 14 to July 16, 2015

Read on: Paperback

Review:

We met Viv in the second book of this series. She is Simon's old friend and already in 'Rusty Nailed' I liked her. She had this explosive personality so when I saw this book was about her, I was really happy and pretty excited to start it.

So what did I think of this book in reality? I really love it. It was funny and Viv is such an interesting character. I knew she had a particular personality when we were first introduce to her, but in this book, you finally get just how much. But it's nice to see that even if from the outside, she looks like someone who doesn't need anyone in her life, when you start this book, you realize just how much she is craving for romance. She wants to fall in love.

Getting an insight of her thoughts was really entertaining as she likes to imagine a lot of things through scenarios of romance novels. Each time she meets a guy, her imagination kicks in. So when we are first introduced to Hank, the cowboy taking care of the horses, her imagination is running wild; she truly believes he could be the one. Through the whole book, she tries to get his attention, but he's tough to crack. But if you ask me, I would have just left that one alone. He had no personality and he was just plain blah. I know many would like the idea of him being seen as a "bad boy", but to me, he just acted like a douchebag.

And you're are introduced to the librarian, Clark, who is totally the opposite of Hank. He's proper and I won't lie, he could be a pain the ass, but he was really sweet from time to time. He's a good guy, plain and simple and totally not what Viv looks for.

But even if he comes out as the good guy, when Viv and him meet, it clashes as they don't see eye to eye about the house situation. She doesn't like to be told what she can or can't do and he is really set on following the rules when it comes to restructuring a house on the historical register of the city.

When Viv and him are arguing over the house, it made me laugh because they are both stubborn. Their relationship between the two of them changes a lot in the book. Sometimes they fight, sometimes, they talk like friends and other time, you can tell they are lusting for one another even if most of the time, you can tell she's trying to ignore that. Through their nightly calls, you get what Viv calls 'Nighttime Clark' who is slightly more loose. Let's say there are a lot of innuendos during those calls.

I'm trying to do this review without any spoilers so I'm stopping here, but I will just add that I enjoyed this book a lot. We had cameos from Caroline, Simon, Mimi and Ryan and it just made me smile because I really love them.

I'm sure you will enjoy reading about Viv and I think we can all see a big of ourselves in her when you read her thoughts, her needs and her dreams, etc.

Oh, I just need to add one point to this review:

I missed Clive's epilogues though. This cat is just hilarious, but I guess it's normal since it would be weird to add that to Viv's story, but still.

Review: Rusty Nailed by Alice Clayton (Cocktail, #2)

Summary:

(from goodreads)

In this sequel to Wallbanger, the second book in the Cocktail series, fan favorites Caroline and Simon negotiate the rollercoaster of their new relationship while house-sitting in San Francisco.

Playing house was never so much fun—or so confusing. With her boss on her honeymoon, Caroline’s working crazy long hours to keep the interior design company running—especially since she’s also the lead designer for the renovation of a gorgeous old hotel on Sausalito. So with her hotshot photographer boyfriend gallivanting all over the world for his job, she and Simon are heavy-duty into “absence makes the heart grow fonder” mode. Neither has any complaints about the great reunion sex, though! Then Simon decides he’s tired of so much travelling, and he’s suddenly home more. A lot more. And wanting Caroline home more, too. Though their friends’ romantic lives provide plenty of welcome distraction, eventually Caroline and Simon have to sort their relationship out. Neither wants “out of sight, out of mind,” but can they create their own happy mid-ground cliché?

Read from: July 8 to July 13, 2015

Read on: Paperback

Review:

Caroline and Simon. I really love the way these two interact with one another and what to say about their friends? There's not a dull moment in this book.

In this sequel, you get to see how the relationship between the two of them is evolving through drama, humor and sexy moments. Through all of this, you get to see them struggle as their routine changes and they try to work around it.

I think that the reason I enjoyed this so much is because through Caroline's eyes, you get to see the struggle that we all go through whenever a new development happens in a relationship. You see her doubt and it makes her so much more relatable to the readers in my opinion.

Simon's character is probably one that changed the most since book one, but I really enjoyed that we got a glimpse of his past life when he goes to his High School reunion and I was glad that Alice Clayton gave us that because I believe it gave us an insight of who he was back then and it helped him make-up with things he had long repelled due to the tragedy that occured in his life.

Simon and Caroline are both changing and it clashes from time to time, but you can tell that they love each other and you just want them to work out their problems because, let's face it, they are perfect for one another.

And what about their friends? Oh yeah, some drama occurs for them too and Caroline and Simon are stuck in-between while trying to work out their own drama. I just love every characters in this book because they are all funny and bring something interesting to this story. Before starting this book, I hadn't realized how much I missed all of them.

And what to say about Clive? Can anyone say they don't like that cat? I really adore him and I was really impatient to get to the end of the book to see his chapter.

And as much as I enjoyed this book, I will admit that the beginning went really fast. They fastforwarded it in small bits just so we saw a little where their relationship was at until they reached the present moment, but I would have loved to have more details. I just felt like we might have missed some important details.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The development of the characters, the interaction between each of them and the author's writing made this into an amazing story.