On June 15th I attended the San Francisco Independent Authors Event (SFINE). This was an event where independent authors (primarily romance) joined together to sell/sign their books, chat with readers, and more!
Overall it was an AWESOME event! I got to meet some of my favourite authors, and others that I’ve just seen around or have spoken to on Goodreads! It was amazing! But it also made me realize how much I suck at talking to authors. I see them and it’s like I freeze up and don’t know what to say! The woes of an awkward, antisocial girl…
The Full Attendance List
| Katie Ashley? | ?Michelle Mankin |
| Willow Aster | Killian McRae*? |
| Steph Campbell | Leigh Talbert Moore?? |
| Nyrae Dawn ? | Diana Murdock |
| Gretchen de la O | ??Kaylie Newell |
| Jillian Dodd* | Angela Orlowski-Peart |
| Rebecca Donovan | Jolene Perry? |
| Laura A.H. Elliott | Tina Reber |
| Tarryn Fisher | Liz Reinhardt |
| Abbi Glines | Elizabeth Reyes |
| Sarah M. Glover | CJ Roberts |
| Audrey Hart?e | Aleatha Romig |
| S. Holster | Michele Scott (aka A.K. Alexander) |
| Elizabeth Hunter | Charles Sheehan-Miles |
| Colleen Hoover | Angie Stanton |
| Nikki Jefford? | J. Sterling |
| Kimberly Knight | Mary Whitney |
| Bethany Lopez | Ashley Wilcox |
First, I hightailed it on over to CJ Roberts’ table! I had just read Epilogue like two days before, so it was fresh in my mind and I was able to gush about it. Guys, CJ Roberts is AMAZING! Even in person she’s so much fun, so laid back, and just seems like a great person to hang out with!
I already had signed copies of her books, so I didn’t buy any for myself, but I did buy a copy of Captive in the Dark to give away!
CJ Roberts at her table
CJ Roberts and I (blurry photo :()
CJ Roberts’ books
Leigh Talbert Moore and I
Then I mostly wandered a bit. I stopped by Leigh Talbert Moore’s table. It was really cool to meet her because I actually spoke to her on Goodreads like 5 months ago and told her I’d be attending SFINE. I don’t know if she remembered me from then, but I did go up and introduce myself as “The girl she spoke to on Goodreads 5 months ago” LOL! She was so friendly!
Other highlights included:
Meeting Abbi Glines
I didn’t like the one book I read by Abbi Glines (Just For Now), but she is such a sweet woman! I stopped by and chatted with her about her books and asked her which one was her favourite to write (she said it’s a tough call, but probably between The Vincent Boys or Never Too Far).
Meeting Colleen Hoover
Okay, this was where my awkwardness really kicked in. I headed over to Colleen Hoover’s table and was like, “Hi!” and she was like, “Hi!” and then I didn’t know what else to say. Why is talking so difficult?? I finally managed to spit out that I loved Hopeless so much and that it made me cry! Then I was struggling for more to say, so I pointed out that I also enjoyed Slammed and that it also made me cry… Now I bet Colleen thinks I’m a crazy girl who cries a lot.
Chatting With Nikki Jefford?
I haven’t read any of Nikki Jefford?’s books, but oh my god, she is so friendly! We spent like 10 minutes just talking about books, blogging, BEA, TBR piles, and more! This is one of those times where an author’s fun, outgoing, and chatty personality just makes me want to devour her books!
Chatting With Mary Whitney?
Mary Whitney is another new (to me) author I met. When she found out I was a blogger, she immediately checked out my site right there! Then she even e-mailed me an ARC of her new book, Beside Your Heart. It’s about a new adult romance about an American girl and a British boy… sounds perfect for me!
Giveaway
Click to Enlarge
Signed copy of Captive in the Dark
I’m giving away a signed copy of Captive in the Dark to one United States resident! This is one of my all time favourite books, but I have to warn you that it is not for the faint of heart. It is dark, heavy, and very explicit. It’s definitely an adult book, and it’s pretty disturbing. But if that doesn’t bother you, then you’re going to LOVE the book! It’s so powerful, intense, dark, and will really make you think!
Captive in the Dark by CJ RobertsSeries: The Dark Duet #1
Published by: Self Published on July 20, 2011
Genre: Abuse, Contemporary, Erotica, Suspense
Pages: 253
Source: Purchased
Buy on Amazon • Book Details
Rating: ★★★★★
Caleb is a man with a singular interest in revenge. Kidnapped as a young boy and sold into slavery by a power-hungry mobster, he has thought of nothing but vengeance. For twelve years he has immersed himself in the world of pleasure slaves searching for the one man he holds ultimately responsible. Finally, the architect of his suffering has emerged with a new identity, but not a new nature. If Caleb is to get close enough to strike, he must become the very thing he abhors and kidnap a beautiful girl to train her to be all that he once was.
Eighteen-year-old Olivia Ruiz has just woken up in a strange place. Blindfolded and bound, there is only a calm male voice to welcome her. His name is Caleb, though he demands to be called Master. Olivia is young, beautiful, naïve and willful to a fault. She has a dark sensuality that cannot be hidden or denied, though she tries to accomplish both. Although she is frightened by the strong, sadistic, and arrogant man who holds her prisoner, what keeps Olivia awake in the dark is her unwelcome attraction to him.
As crazy as this sounds,this book is right up my alley. So glad you had fun at the event!
OMG, Roberts and Hoover. So jelly right now. You go to all the fun places. 🙂
HOW DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS EVENT? I live in the Bay Area. I really need to keep track of these events.
I totally understand about feeling awkward when talking to people. I’m always surprised when I make sense.
Oh ma gosh this is so cool. Independent authors are wicked awesome! Looks like you had a great time.
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Thank you so much for including me! It was great talking to you and sharing our love of men with accents. : ) Mary
HOLY FUCKING SHIT! I WANT THAT BOOK!!!!
I LOOOOOOVE what she wrote on it because that’s exactly what it is, one of the best mind fucks ever! Wish me luck!
Sorry for all the cursing, I got excited…
It was great meeting you! I’ll be sure to share the giveaway. I’m sorry the photo is blurry. My “assistant” needs a thrashing. LOL
-CJ
LOL Ashley! I would probably have actual tears in my eyes while telling Colleen Hoover her books made me cry 🙂
I’m glad you had such a good time!
I was in SF that day too. CJ Roberts is the bomb! I also enjoyed talking to Aleatha Romig. And I met a great new author, A.K. Alexander. Super fun day!
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Excuse the keyboard smashing, but I’ve been wanting to read Captive in the Dark for months now.
Also, YOU MET COLLEEN HOOVER. I’m slightly (more than slightly) jealous!
That event sounds like it was awesome! I’d probably freeze up too if I ever got to go to anything.
Hi Ashley! It was so nice meeting you. I’m a big time introvert so the fact that you called me outgoing is awesome. I think it’s easier to talk to people when you share a love of reading. Thanks for coming out and making a point of chatting!