BEA Photos (recap 3)

This year, I wanted to take more pictures than the previous year. I think I succeeded....These aren't all the authors I met, but it gives you an idea.

Here is Mary Jane Clark - author of the Piper Donovan mystery series, which I love. This is my second time meeting her. 

I walked by at the right moment and caught this photo of Neil Patrick Harris - he was signing chapter samplers of his upcoming chose your own adventure biography. 

Shannon Hale signing Princess Black, which looks super cute. 

Photo with Jennifer Donnelly and Deep Blue. I loved this book, and I'm so looking forward to Rogue Wave.

The fabulous Melissa de la Cruz. I've met her before at BEA and she's so nice. She's also great about supporting libraries. Excited about the adult spin-off of Blue Bloods.

Jane Lynch signing flats - I didn't know she was going to be there. I just walked into the booth and there she was, so I took a photo.

Jane O'Connor signing the newest Fancy Nancy chapter book. I love Nancy.

RL Stine signing his new Fear Street Book - Party Games. I was sent a copy pf this earlier, so I didn't wait in line, which was really long. I'm glad there are more Fear Street books coming out. Loved them as a teen reader. 

Peter Lerangis signing the third book in the Seven Wonders of the World series. He was super nice. I've been trying to meet him for ages. Every time he comes to the local indie bookstore, the timing is horrible for me. But I met him here! 

Rebecca Serle signing Famous in Love, which I read earlier from an ARC. I stood in line  because I wanted to tell her how much I loved it. I was the first person to read it outside her family/publishing world. I loved it for the bookish aspect of the book (among other things)

Sarah J Maas signing Heir of Fire - I stood in this line for just over 2 hours. Yes, I NEEDED this book. I can't wait to read it, but I need to set aside some time because I know I won't want to be bothered. As you can imagine the line was insane, but she was super sweet and signed SO many books.

Jan Brett signing Animals' Santa, which I read and it was really sweet.  While standing in line, they handed out bags from the book.

E. Lockhart signing We Are Liars (which I still need to read) - I wasn't in line, because the line was HUGE, but snuck in a photo.

Heather Demetrios - I loved Something Real and so looking forward to her new series (although EXQUISITE CAPTIVE is very different - but looks great too)

On the last day, the last stop was the Sourcebooks Booth where I met the lovely Miranda Kenneally. She signed copies of Breathe, Annie, Breath

My VOYA quote is on the back of her book! Which I read on the train ride home and loved (as usual) 

If you went, what authors did you get to meet?

Mysterious Saturday Review: Footprints in the Sand

*3rd in the Piper Donovan series - read my review of To Have and to Kill*

Piper's cousin Kathy's getting married. Not only is Piper the Maid of Honor, but she's also baking the wedding cake for beloved cousin. She and her family travel down early for the week of festivities leading up to the wedding.

Kathy's not feeling very festive as one of her good friends and bridesmaids is missing. Piper wants to make her cousin feel better and asks a few questions. Soon, a body turns up at the beach. It's Shelley. Now more than anything, Kathy wants to know what happened.

However, both potential witnesses are silenced. With Piper asking questions and poking her nose into Shelley's affairs  could she be next one the list?

My Thoughts: I really really like this series - I love the wedding cakes created. I love the weddings. And above all, I enjoy Piper. She sort of fell into the wedding cake decorating, taking over from her mother due to her failing eyesight. Piper's sweet but a little naive. She's at a crossroads in her life. She used to have a recurring role on a soap opera, but her character died. Although she's still interesting in acting the jobs have gotten fewer. I like the little tidbits of Piper's acting life, her auditions  her facebook posts and friends, and her desire for more jobs. She's taking her romance with Jack slow as she's been burned in the past. I really like Jack. He's solid, dependable, and really nice. I'd like to see more of him in the next book.
I loved the descriptions of the beach and the water. It made me long to be there. I found the Amish culture included very interesting as most of it I didn't know. The short chapters with multiple perspectives make this book impossible to put down. I always want to know what's going to happen next. 

Cover Thoughts: I like it, though it differs from the previous two books featuring a wedding cake, which I really liked.
Source: Sent to me for review!!
Fun Fact: 2 years ago, I met Mary Jane Clark at BEA.

Mysterious Saturday Review: The Look of Love

* 2nd book in the Wedding Cake Mysteries - read my review of 

To Have and To Kill *

Piper's life isn't going as planned. When she receives an email asking her to create the wedding cake for Jillian Abernathy in LA, she jumps at the chance.

She's happy to spend a week at the elusive Elysium until she realizes that someone wants to stop Jillian from getting married. Someone wants her dead.

When she arrives at the spa, Piper hears rumors. There are guests not happy with the outcomes of the spa. Memories are reawakened.   Not long after she arrives, a guest is murdered in her private cottage.

 Danger is around every corner. Will Jillian be alive to make it to her big day?


My Thoughts: For my mysteries, I usually read cozies, but there are some authors/series I adore that isn't part of the cozy world. This is one of those series. I adore the multiple perspectives. The short chapters keep me turning the pages long after I should turn off my light at night. The huge cast of suspects always leaves me second guessing my own instincts on the murderer.  The twists and turns make me shake my head in amazement.  I loved this book. I loved the setting. I adore Piper. I'm interested to see where her relationship with Jack might go.  I can't wait to read more of this series! 


Cover Thoughts: LOVE it!


Source: my Library


Similar Read: Weep No More My Lady and A Body to Die For

Mysterious Saturday Review: To Have and To Kill

Piper's life isn't going to the way she imagined. Instead of pursuing an amazing acting career, she's bombing auditions and moving back home with her parents.

Her mom owns a bakery where she makes delicious wedding cakes. When Piper's friend and former co-star, the star of a Soap Opera announces her engagement, Piper promises her mother will make her wedding cake.

However, her mother's having trouble seeing. Instead, Piper takes over the baking. Piper also nabs a spot on the Soap Opera as they wind down shooting in New York City before moving to LA. Glenna isn't following the show. She'll be staying behind with new husband.

As the wedding date comes closer and the last week of the show in New York begins, Glenna's co-star is murdered. It could have been her. It looks like someone might want Glenna to die rather than remarry or someone's targeting the beloved soap opera.

Piper can't just sit around, she wants to help out. When more bodies start falling, she's completely unsure of the killer's intended target.

My Thoughts: The first in a new series and it's as addictive as cake. Piper's smart, resourceful, and determined. I love the blend of the baking world with the acting world. Piper's FBI friend makes a very potential love interest. The short chapters and multiple perspectives make it almost impossible to put down. I kept turning pages because I wanted to see what would happen next. I simply can't wait to see what Mary Jane Clark will cook up next.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable - but I do wish that the cake on the cover was the one that Piper creates for her friend.

Source: My Library.