#RWA16 Day 1: July 13

The first day of the Romance Writers of America Conference was so much fun! There were over 400 authors at the Literacy Autographing event. I was half an hour late, but I was glad that I made it there with my friend. I never fangirled ever, but I did for this conference. I couldn't help myself. I was really happy and I was in my element.

My first stop was Laura Kaye. I knew she was going to be there so I made a beeline to her table with my friend in tow. Luckily, she wasn't talking to anyone when I got there, so I was able to say hi right away, get a hug, and then a selfie. First fangirl moment!

My next stop was Sorcha Mowbray. She writes really steamy books. Thankfully this time, I could take a photo with her! This was actually the second time we met, but the first time, I couldn't take a photo. 

I don't remember the order from here, but I also met Linda Thomas-Sundstrom. The legend behind the rich world of paranormal romance. She brought her vampire wine and a new addition, which was a ken doll that looked pretty much like the cover model of one of her books. Awesome!

I had no idea that Melissa Cutler was going to be at the signing, so when I saw her, I lost my sh**. Fangirl to the extreme! She's one of my absolute fave, albeit local, author :) So, of course, I bought the book she had at the table, duh :)

Next up was Catherine Bybee. This woman was the epitome of all things goals. She always looked like that woman you wished you could be. She also had an amazing shoe collection that's stored in the most amazing closet. I swear, Catherine is probably secretly royalty of some country.

When I saw Jaci Burton, I knew I had to meet her. I own a couple of her books, but hadn't read them. That sure didn't stop me from telling her that and buying her newest book, though!

Up next was PC Cast. She wasn't the one signing, but she was so excited nonetheless. I was so happy to finally meet half of the duo that was responsible for the series that made me into the bookworm I am now. I wasn't able to chat with Kristin, but I was kind of star struck for some reason. These two are such legends!

I was supposed to meet Brenda at the LA Times Book Festival, but she had already left when I got there. So, when I saw her at the signing, I had to introduce myself because Carlene Love told me I needed to meet her. There she was, with cake pops at her table. Then my friend ended up fangirling, so there was that :)

Finally, I met Sylvia Day. I also have a few of her books, but I hadn't had the chance to read them. But I still came to meet her and she was such a sweetheart. Also, her face and her books were all over the hotel! I totally fangirled and possibly embarrassed myself a little bit. (Okay, maybe a lot.)

Towards the end, I saw a table with Nora Roberts' name on it, but there was no Nora! I was so bummed that I missed her. I didn't even know she was going to be there, but I would have loved to meet such a legend! Even authors I love are fans of her.

Anyway, the whole event was such a blast that I didn't even want to leave. But alas, we had to pay for our books and then go home. My friend and I stopped by In-N-Out before heading to our respective cities.

Stay tuned for Day 2 and Day 3! :)

Giveaway: I posted two giveaways on my Twitter. Check them out below. Winners chosen 7/19/16 (or longer if no one enters lol)
2 Winners https://twitter.com/ariannecruz07/status/754893111717801988 1 Winner https://twitter.com/ariannecruz07/status/754892255987511298

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Review: Game Changer Review

Title: Game Changer
Series: Bomb Squad, #3
Author: Melissa Cutler
Publisher: Penguin Group
Release Date: May 19, 2015
Pages: 311
Buy Link: Amazon

Blurb:

Welcome to Destiny Falls, New York, home of Bomb Squad--an ice hockey team full of rugged military heroes. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has the team captain packing his bags for greener pastures, but saying good-bye to the woman who'd captured his heart is easier said than done...
 
After being wounded in combat, Brandon Theroux lives every day like it's his last. He never could have imagined that the sleek mechanics of his prosthetic leg would open so many doors, including minor celebrity status as a fitness model and a well-earned reputation as a rakish playboy. The only door it hasn't opened is the one to Harper Johnson's bedroom.
 
Harper has too much self-respect to join the ranks of Brandon's "carpe diem" conquests, but when she needs someone to keep the peace in the tavern she owns, Brandon offers his help--as long as she agrees to a very tempting trade. It isn't long before the two realize that a deal struck between friends who can't keep their hands off each other has the potential to be a whole lot hotter than either of them is prepared to handle...

The kind of book is an unpredictable book, and Game Changer would throw you into a frenzy of unexpected situations!

The way this book started, I couldn't imagine how it could possibly go on like a typical romance novel. However, the more I read, the more I fell in love with the characters. It was a slow burn, as true love usually tend to be. I witnessed the characters appreciate each other as human beings, and it was surely something to cherish.

Harper was such an independent woman that she needed no one but herself. I strive to be this kind of woman, but I also fear of loneliness. Harper seemed lonely at times, but Brandon somehow was by her side when she needed him the most.

Brandon was actually younger than Harper and he liked to sleep around just so he could rub it on Harper's face. I didn't realize how sensitive Brandon was until when it counted. The way he repeatedly chanted "You are not alone" almost made me bawl my eyes out when I was reading this book. 

The way Harper blossomed was so beautiful and her friendship with Brandon was something to yearn for. If you like riding an emotional roller coaster when reading a book but still having fun doing it, I would highly suggest this book. 

Read my review of Undefeated here, book 2 of the Bomb Squad series.

Arianne

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Review: Undefeated

Title: Undefeated
Series: Bomb Squad, #2
Author: Melissa Cutler
Publisher: Penguin Group
Release Date: November 18, 2014
Buy Link: Amazon Pre-Order


I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. Quotes in this review may be altered in the finished copy.

Blurb:

Welcome to Destiny Falls, New York, home of Bomb Squad--an ice hockey team full of rugged military heroes. The team's battling a losing streak, but the season's biggest game changer is one player's second chance with the one who got away...

Yoga instructor Marlena Brodie is always up for a challenge, and her new job of snapping Bomb Squad out of their rut is definitely that, even though it means being in close contact with Liam McAllister, her high school crush gone bad. She can feel the damage pouring off of him--but also a wild and sexy strength that calls to her.

The Army turned Liam McAllister into a man, but as a combat medic, he saw far too much to ever be whole again. He's not interested in the civilian world beyond his job as a carpenter, but he never stopped wondering what might have been with Marlena--and it isn't long before she's crashed through his carefully constructed walls. He longs for a new beginning with her, but to be the man she deserves, he'll have to step out of his defensive zone and score the most important play of his life...

Review

I read this book every minute I got. This was one of those books that you would rather read than work for a living. The book you'd rather stay up late for and screw the consequences of the next day at work. Who needs sleep?

This book was like a combination of a couple books I've read in the past. The ex-military reminded me of Jessica Scott's Coming Home series while the rest reminds me of Laura Kaye's Hard Ink series.

Melissa really captured the struggle of a veteran coming back to the civilian world and re-learning how things worked in society. When you read this book, just know that Chapters 16 and 17 were the ones to look out for. I was absolutely into it and I think they were the best chapters in the entire book. It showed just how dysfunctional yet strong Liam and Marlena's relationship was.

Liam had PTSD syndrome and as any man would, he didn't bother sharing his pain with people around him, including his twin Olivia. He was kind of like a Dom, except this wasn't a BDSM story. He definitely had tendencies, though. If he was a real person, I'd still be a bit scared of him even after reading his story.

"And I'm not going to ask you out because I don't have the patience for civilian dating bullshit."

Marlena, on the other hand, was some kind of spiritual sage. She put everything to the universe and she had some weird psychic abilities. Reading this book made me want to go back to doing yoga. The relaxation and the grounding seemed so promising. 

I don't know what else to say to convince you to buy this book, but I promise it's going to be so worth it! Now I should go buy the first book :)


Check out my reviews for the books that reminded me of this story:
Hard Ink Novels
1. Hard As It Gets
2. Hard As You Can
2.5 Hard To Hold On To

Coming Home Novels
1. Because of You
1.5 Anything For You
2. Until There Was You - it looks like I never read this book :(
2.5 I'll Be Home For Christmas
3. Back To You

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