Rendezvous update 2

So, part two of the JustRead Rendezvous 2024 reader event. You can read part one here. After lunch was another reader panel. Kimberley Woodhouse was the moderator of this one. Each author had to pick one of their characters to be and only answer as that character. It was hilarious. Several authors on the panel were suspense writers, and a couple were fantasy. Sara Ella was one of the authors and I loved her answers. She was in character as Alice in Wonderland from her book The Wonderland Trials. While I had read several authors books who were on the different panels throughout the day, hearing all the authors talk and interact made me want to read their books, even though several are genres I don't read. 

 

I forgot to mention that Becky Wade was a keynote speaker in the morning session. I enjoyed hearing her talk, but did not get an opportunity to meet her. I have read and enjoyed several of her books.

Becky Wade

 

with Amanda Dykes

The afternoon kind of blended together.  We had several author panels, a break, and snack. Amanda Dykes was the final keynote speaker, but she also sat at our table during the afternoon (the authors had to move tables for the afternoon sessions). I had sat out one of her books to sign, so when she ended up at our table, I was excited...until I realized I had left it at home. She was very gracious about it and signed a bookmark instead. I enjoyed her speech and she even had several of the authors who were affected by the hurricane come up and speak. It was an emotional time, followed by a few more songs. After that, we had time to get books signed, or buy more books. I essentially sped through the next hour trying to get my books signed, and meet some of the authors (no way to meet them all). And, to entertain you with my wonderfully awkward self, I might have said things like this to the authors, "I would like to meet you." Yeah, I was awkward! 

Books I have read and enjoyed by her:

 

Shelley Shepard Gray is an author I have read books from for years! I love Amish stories and I love her stories. She was on one of the author panels, and she also ended up at our table toward the end of the day. I got to chat with her quite a bit and realized she lives in a neighboring city! She is very sweet and I enjoyed chatting with her and learning a little bit more about her. She found a few bookplates to sign and a bookmark for me before she left. She has written over a hundred books, so I will not share all of hers that I have read, but will share a few favorites.

 

 

 

Next up is Kristi Ann Hunter. I DON'T recommend listening to two audiobooks with similar titles. Before I left for the event, I was listening to In Honor's Defense by Karen Witemeyer. In the car, on the way there, my husband and I listened to Kristi's A Defense of Honor. So, what *could* happen is that you meet Kristi Ann Hunter and tell her how much you and your husband are enjoying her book, In Honor's Defense 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ and she might correct you saying it's A Defense of Honor. I was like, at least I got the right words in there 🤦‍♀️. It wasn't until later that I realized why I kept getting it mixed up! I am going to list three of her books I have read and enjoyed, followed by the two I bought at the event and had her sign. I have only read her historical fiction, but I am excited to read her contemporary novel. I am excited about her newest release as well, Frankly, My Dear Clara. My niece's name is Clara and it's not very common, so I was excited to get a copy.

 

 

Next up is Danielle Grandinetti. We have been blogger friends for years and now she is an author! It was so fun to get to meet her in person. Sadly, I have only read one book by her (sorry Danielle!), but have been meaning to read others.

 

Nicole Deese is the next author I met. Her books are real, gritty, and unforgettable. I took All That It Takes for her to sign as it is one of my favorites of hers. We did not chat long as this was the end of the day. I am putting several other books I have read and loved of hers below.

 

 

 

Next, I chatted with Angela Ruth Strong. I learned that she is a flight attendant and one of her next series will feature a flight attendant. I think that is super cool, especially as that is not something I have seen much of. I can imagine being on an airplane is a GREAT source of inspiration for stories 😂. I really enjoyed chatting with her and getting to know her a little better. I took my copy of Fiancé Finale for her to sign, even though I haven't read it yet.  I have read several of hers and own several more on my Kindle that I need to read.

 

 

Next up is Kimberley Woodhouse. I didn't get a chance to chat with her very long either, but felt like I had spent quite a bit of time with her because of her time on the worship team, and being a moderator of one of the author panels. She is so much fun. I enjoy her historical fiction books and still have quite a few I need to catch up on. I took my copy of A Deep Divide for her to sign.

 

 

 

Next up is Becca Kinzer. I did not own her books but have read both of them. I am also excited to read her newest one coming out next year! I don't remember what we chatted about, but I bought her book Dear Henry, Love Edith and she signed it. She also gave me super cute post-it notes that match her book Love in Tandem :).

 

 

Can I just tell you that it took me ALL day to get up my nerve to go introduce myself to C. C. Warrens. She is my favorite suspense author and I have read all her books, with the exception of her kids books. I did buy her first kids book and plan to read it. I enjoyed meeting her and her husband, but would have loved the opportunity to chat with them longer. I was so tired and felt so awkward, I didn't have a clue what to say. Most if not all of her books have been 5-star reads for me.

 

 

 

Lisa Phillips is an author that I had books on my Kindle for years and never read, until this year. Then I binged her Sanctuary series and wondered why I had waited so long to read her books. She also led worship and it was fun to see her playing her guitar and singing, then getting to talk to her about her books. I grabbed Cold Dead Night while I was there and got it signed. I love her accent and could listen to her talk all day. She was also memorable on the author panel where they had to stay in character, she was a killer 😂 (she writes suspense books).

 

 

Elizabeth Goddard is another suspense author whose books I enjoy. I have been reading her books for at least 8 years (she has written a lot), but I wasn't tracking them on Goodreads that whole time so I can't remember which of her earlier books I have read and which ones I have not. We had a very short conversation and I had her sign my copy of Present Danger. We have the same phone case so I called us phone buddies, LOL! 

 

 

 

Laura Krooswyk is a blogger that I met at the event. We used the Band app for communications for the event, and someone had asked for social media handles, and we listed our blogs. I told her I would go follow her blog and then realized she didn't have a follow button. Once I told her that, she fixed it and I became her first follower, so she came up and introduced herself. We enjoyed chatting and now she has an Instagram as well. Her blog is here and her Instagram page is here. Head over and see what she's about. If it interests you, consider giving her a follow.

Charity Henico is a Bookstagrammer that I have been interacting with for a year or so. We had two quick chats (because, hello, we were trying to meet the authors!), but it was great meeting her in person. I love her reels and posts. If you are not familiar with her, check her out as well 😀.

Last, but not least is Melissa Glor. We have been blogger friends for years, following each other's blogs. Then, I was in a book buddy read with Melissa and another Bookstagrammer, and I was friends with Melissa on Instagram. I did not connect that they were all three the same person until we were at the event! Melissa's blog name is Melmo and I think I started following her on Instagram after connecting with her as Melissa in the band app, LOL! Regardless, we got to chat several times and it was great meeting her and her mom at the event! You can check out Melissa's blog here and her Instagram here.

I realized this morning that I am missing a picture of me and Carrie Schmidt! Carrie is one of the first bloggers I started following and aspire to be more like. You might know her as MeezCarrie or Reading Is My Super Power. She also runs the JustRead Tours, which I blog for. It was fabulous getting to meet her after being online friends for several years. Carrie's Instagram is here. One other blogger I met but didn't get a picture with is Kimmie, we have also been blogger friends for several years. Her blog is Travelers Wife 4 Life and her Instagram is here. 

I have been wiped out since coming back from the event. Apparently, after an event like this it is hard to acclimate back to real life. I have found that to be true. I think, other than carrying a lot of good memories, and great books home, I brought an unwelcome thing home too. I am pretty sure I have a cold and haven't felt well for two days. I am hoping it passes quickly and I regain my energy back. Traveling always wears me down, so that could be part of it. Anyway, if you have never been to a reader event like this, I HIGHLY recommend it. Next year's event is in St. Louis and Jaime Jo Wright and Toni Shiloh are slated to be the keynote speakers. If you have followed my blog longer than 5 minutes you know I love Jaime's books and have read them all. I have also enjoyed the books I have read by Toni. I leave you with details for two reader events for next year.