HarlequinTeen #YeahYA Signing Wrap-Up: Julie Kagawa, Katie McGarry and Aimee Carter

Last night was the night! My sister, Sarabeth of The Next Chapter, and I attended Harlequin Teen's Author Fest at Barnes and Noble in Carle Place, (LI) NY and got to meet a lot of people!
Here's a recap of what happened during the event...

When you first walk into B&N they were all set with a wonderful display of books for everyone to grab! As you can see, the stacks were already low when we got there a whole hour before it started :)

Entrance - So many books were gone already!

Here is the signing table!!!

Waiting for the authors!

While waiting for the authors and their editors to arrive...

Harlequin Teen created this wonderful tee-shirt for the event!
However, my preggo belly did not fit in it, lol! So my beautiful sister got to show it off :)

Front

Back

The crowd!!!
SO many people, of all ages, from near and far!
This is by far one of the best turn outs I have ever seen at this location :)
Shout out to all our booknerds!!! 

The awesome crowd at B&N, Carle Place

Our mom tagged along for the ride...
she was trying to stay out of the way and hide from us and the crowd, but we found her ;)

My Mami patiently waiting on the sidelines, lol

The authors finally arrive!!! 

Julie Kagawa, Katie McGarry and Aimee Carter answering questions

Kady Cross, the author of the Steampunk Chronicles, could not make it - she was sick with the flu :(
We missed her and wish her a speedy recovery!!!

A few author Q&A's... 

A few more Q&A's...

I wasn't able to record any more than these two clips...
however, the Q&A continued for quite a while:

A few more Q&A's that were asked/answered:

- Where does your inspiration come from?

Aimee: is inspired by what she wants to read.

Julie: is inspired by video games, anime and manga.

Katie: is inspired by tiny pieces of herself, her own life experiences,

especially from her teen and high school years, are integrated into her books.

- Where do they get their plot ideas?

Katie: from music.

Julie: It is different for every book.

For the Iron Fey series - Meaghan's character came to her first,

and then the rest of the world-building and story revolved around her.

For the Blood of Eden trilogy - Julie has a side of her that loves the dark and doom of a post-apocalyptic world - so the world-building came first and then that inspired her to create a strong main character that can survive this world.

Aimee: One sentence, just one line, or one lyric, can get her plot going in an instant.

- What are you working on now?

Aimee: is working on a new 4-book series called The Blackcoat Rebellion! The first book in the series is called Pawn and it is being released on November 26th, 2013...

the series takes place in dystopian/futuristic America - when a person turns 17 years of age, they have to be evaluated and are placed on a level - I through VII... one being the lowest and 7 being the highest and most privileged since sevens can be 'masked' to take on the roles of high figures that have passed on... {sounds super creative and intriguing! Cannot wait to hear more about this!} 

Katie: is getting ready to release the third book to her Pushing the Limits series called Crash Into You, which is due out on November November 26th, too! {ISAIAH!}

Katie is also working on a new 4-book series, the first book is said to be released sometime in 2014 - this series is being compared to "West Side Story" meets "Sons of Anarchy"...

here is the summary: 

"A teen boy brought up in the rough and tumble world of motorcycle clubs finds love with a girl raised outside of this world, when he’s tasked with not only protecting her for the summer she visits her father (the leader of the group), but also with preventing her from learning the truth about her father’s past and the gang he used to lead."

Julie: is currently working on numerous projects! 

First, the second book to the Iron Fey's Call of the Forgotten trilogy, called The Iron Traitor, is being released on October 29th, 2013! With the last book being released sometime in 2014 - no title or spoilers for this one yet!

Julie is also working on the last book of the Blood of Eden Trilogy, which will be released sometime in 2014 as well, the title is The Forever Song... and there are no spoilers out for this one out either! {She's really, really good at keeping everything a secret, geesh! lol!}

Julie is also hard at work on her latest announcement: a 5-book series that has also been optioned with Universal Studios!!! Everything about this series is extremely tight-lipped! All that she was able to say was that the first book will probably be released in 2015... and that the story takes place in the present day, where mythical creatures hide amongst us cloaked as humans.

{That's it! What a tease!!!}

And then it was time... time to sign all those books!!!

Julie Kagawa, Katie McGarry and Aimee Carter signing

Also bumped into some fellow bloggers!!!
I met Jessica of Step Into Fiction! She came all the way from Maryland :)

Jessica of Step Into Fiction and I

We were so lucky to have some time with all three of them after the signing!

Julie Kagawa, Katie McGarry, Me, Sarabeth of The Next Chapter, and Aimee Carter

My signed books and bookmarks :) 

And of course I had to ask them one important question!
They all have come up with so many amazing names for all of their characters - especially their boys...
since I already have 2 boys, we're having a hard time deciding on a name for baby boy #3,
so of course, I asked them for help :)  And here's what they suggested:

Aimee: Knox
Katie: Jonah 
Julie: Quinn

What do you think??? :)


We had SO much fun!!!
A HUGE thank you to Kismet Book Tours and Harlequin Teen for letting us be a part of the tour!
And another HUGE thank you to the authors for making it such a wonderful event and taking the time to chat with us even more! They are all such amazing people! 

P.S. - there are more dates left on the tour!!!
Take a look and see which one is closest to you and go!!! :)

*Guest Blogger Review by THE NEXT CHAPTER: The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test #3) by Aimee Carter

TGIF my bookish friends!!!

I am SO very excited today to have a very special 'guest post' to share today!!!

As most of you know, I received a wonderful ARC of The Goddess Inheritance from Harlequin Teen Canada recently - I was so thrilled to be honored with this opportunity, but, so sad that I had not been able to read the series yet. I have heard many wonderful things about it... mostly from my sister! 

And then this idea came about... 

I'd like to introduce you to Sarabeth of THE NEXT CHAPTER!

Sarabeth has been blogging for quite a few years now over on The Chronicles of Sarita - where she shares all of her creative scrapbooking layouts, mini-albums and cards. 

She loooves dinosaurs, chicken strips and, of course, books! 

And has decided to create a separate book blog to share all of her most favorite reads :) 

Yes, we're sisters! Best friends, through thick and thin :) 

But, I rarely share my books with her and she knows why, lmao!

And I am so very happy and excited that she has decided to start reviewing her own reads now too - 

our likes and genres are quite different! And she will surely be able to bring a variety of wonderful things to share with you all too!

And I am so very lucky to have her help me out and review The Goddess Inheritance today for us!!!

You can also view her post here!!!

***Please note that even in the summary provided by various sources have spoilers***

The Goddess Inheritance

(A Goddess Test Novel, #3)

by Aimee Carter

Release date: 02/26/13

Published by: Harlequin Teen

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Romance

Source read: ARC

Summary:

Love or life.

Henry or their child.

The end of her family or the end of the world.

Kate must choose.

During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her--until Cronus offers a deal.

In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of the council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.

With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything.

Even if it costs her eternity.

(back cover reveal 09/20/12)

Sarabeth's review:

"The final battle - it's begun."

Talk about a cliff hanger after reading Goddess Interrupted and thank goodness for The Goddess Legacy to hold me over!  This was by far one of my favorite endings to a series.  A quick page turner for sure!  Aimee Carter nailed it spot on and I couldn't be happier.  I'm so in love with this series that I can't even move on to a new book!  

"A fresh take on the Greek myths adds sparkle to this romantic fable."  Cassandra Clare couldn't have said this any better!

I was always intrigued about the stories of the Greek Gods- Persephone, Aphrodite...even Zues' side of the story; so when I heard that Aimee Carter had created this mythical-paranormal world in the Goddess Test Novels, I was in, no questions asked. 

Whisked away into the land of the Gods, your emotions travel like a roller coaster with excitement, fear, confusion, frustration, hate...but most of all you feel the passion of love and understanding.  We were left with Kate being kidnapped by Calliope after finding out literally moments before that she is pregnant-talk about a jaw dropping cliff hanger sheesh!  Needless to say I was honored to have been passed this ARC and even more so to share my thoughts on it.  Thank you, Margie (Bumbles and Fairytales)!!!!!

“Sadness doesn't equal weakness, sweetheart. If anything, it shows the love you have inside of you, and nothing stronger in this world exists.”

Kate Winters is a strong heroine who we should all admire.  Although she has her share of waterworks going on - she regains her strength and belief in love and continued seeking out the good  giving her the drive to try to do what is right.  Although extremely stubborn at times, she always makes a valid point and I would indefinitely be Team Kate all the way!  Henry (Hades) said it perfectly "I love you.  Even if you are frustratingly good sometimes."  

Ah Henry.  What an amazing couple.  Henry is also tried in this book and must keep his act on to protect Kate and the baby.  His role may seem a bit "off" at some parts but he proves to be the perfect God for the Underworld, an incredible husband and the perfect father for little Milo.  His passion for Kate is simply real and you feel it with them.

“I don't need to be ancient to be worth something.” 

At the end Kate must figure out who she really is in the midst of all the Gods who have been around forever, those who have the experience.  All Kate wants to do is figure out how everyone can just survive.  How can she get her family back.  She also has the most difficult decisions to make that will be crucial to her survival, her family and humanity.  She is poked and prodded, deceived and tested all at the same time.  Poor Kate is constantly reminded of her downfalls because she isn't experienced with any of this...at all.  As the secrets unfold in this tale, even I became saddened and frustrated-how will Kate ever figure this out!  I was clutching my blankets in bed while reading as she was tried and tried, again and again.  

Although he was the reason they were going to into battle, I was intrigued by a newly developed relationship with Cronus - although evil, he did bring some things to surface that was necessary.  Of course being selfish and manipulative as he was, will only get you so far and he did get what he deserved.  

I was curious about a promise made with James (Hermes, her best friend) and furious with Zues' manipulation upon his children and wife.  I was frustrated with the decisions forced upon Aphrodite and in awe at the choices even Kate's mother had to endure!  I'm also not going to lie to you and tell you I did want to give little Calliope a smack down each time her mouth opened.  I became to understand Persephone's tone in the series - as her long lost sister, who wouldn't have some of these issues to begin with.

There is a significant death that I won't go into detail about, however, there does have to be a balance and it was a necessary. The act of giving and sacrificing always comes with a cost.

“Live this love now," I whispered. "And never stop.”

There were so many times I wanted to leap into the book and take care of the things Kate was missing...however, we learn that each action of all the characters was crucial in understanding the big picture-what would you do for life and love.  

***** I gave The Goddess Inheritance 5 stars 

and it absolutely holds a place close to my heart! *****

PS - My favorite part of the book, 

the last page written by the very talented Aimee Carter:

"And so the GODDESS TEST series concludes - for now."

OMG-is there hope for more?  

Perhaps Henry's side of the story

or a little Milo novella adventure?  

Fingers crossed people!

Pre-order your copy today: Barnes & Noble/Amazon

Author Aimee Carter:

I attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and received a degree in Screen Arts and Cultures (a fancy way of saying I was forced to watch a lot of old movies) with a sub-concentration in Screenwriting. I write. I watch a lot of new movies. Read a lot of books. Tweet too much. Love dogs and have two spoiled Papillons.

FAQ / Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

______________________________________________________

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, Sarabeth, for sharing your review with us today :) 

Please, be sure to check out her new blog... The Next Chapter... today!!! 

http://costhenextchapter.blogspot.com/

______________________________________________________

GIVEAWAY

We are giving away a paperback copy of THE GODDESS INHERITANCE!!!

Giveaway rules:

- Fill in the Rafflecopter.

- Must be 13yo or older to enter.

- International. As long as The Book Depository delivers to you ;) 

Thank you! and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway