My Decadent Weekend Post

Last weekend, Writers for New Orleans, led by Heather Graham, was hosting a conference at the Hotel Monteleone with a book signing on Sunday. My SIL (and BFF) Hannah came down and we spent the night at the Hotel Monteleone with Cecile from All I Want and More.

Cecile and Hannah got to New Orleans bright and early. We walked around the French Quarter and had lunch, then went out for a few drinks in the evening. We had a blast talking about books and blogging and life in general. Here we are on Bourbon Street - okay, you can barely see us but I promise that's us...

(Cecile, Me, and Hannah)

It was Southern Decadence weekend, so we were expecting to see huge groups of over-the-top gay men, but we really didn't see as much as I thought we would. I tried to get a picture of the guy dressed in high-heeled boots, a feather headress and a boa, but my camera's pics came out too dark. I guess because I live here it didn't occur to me to take a lot of pictures; Cecile took a ton, so I'm looking forward to seeing her pics.

Then, Sunday was the book signing at the hotel, and beforehand we met two other bloggers for brunch at The Court of Two Sisters:

(Parajunkee, Hannah, Cecile, Autumn, and Me)

Our waiter was fun, and we had breakfast and mimosas! After breakfast we headed back over to the hotel for the book signing. There were several authors, but I mostly hung around Kathy Love's table, as she had several PNR books I was interested in:

I picked up a couple of books from her vampires in New Orleans series, and had her sign a contemporary I already owned. She was very sweet and fun to talk to.

I also met LA Banks, who was super-nice. She'd already run out of the first book in both of her series by the time I got there, so I didn't pick anything up as my book-OCD would not allow me to get the 2nd book in a series signed without having done so with the first book.

There were several baskets being raffled, and Hannah and Autumn each won a basked full of books and goodies!

After the signing, we stopped back in the hotel's Carousel Bar (it spins!) and had a drink before everyone headed home.


It was a great weekend and I hope we can get together again soon!!!

A Bookishly Decadent Weekend: O.O

So, big plans for this glorious 3-day weekend:

Cecile and Hannah are coming in tomorrow night and we're going to hang out in the French Quarter. I'm pretty sure Parajunkee has decided to join us as well :) Of course, there WILL be drinking involved. And maybe some ogling...it is Southern Decadence weekend :)

Sunday is the Writer's For New Orleans book signing, and a few more local-ish bloggers are meeting up for brunch and books.

August Wrap-Up (It's a doozy!)

Ever since I came back from vacation, I've been feeling like I'm behind in my reading. I don't know why, I just feel off. I did get some great reads in though:

1. Alpha - Rachel Vincent (5 stars!) - will be posting this review soon :)
2. Awakened by a Kiss - Lila DiPasqua (3.5 stars)
3. White Heat - Brenda Novak (3 stars)
4. Georgia's Kitchen - Jenny Nelson (3 stars)
5. Bring on the Night - Jeri Smith-Ready (5 stars!)
6. Deceived by Desire - Larissa Lyons (3 stars)
7. Comfort Food - Kitty Thomas (5 stars!)
8. Ecstasy Unveiled - Larissa Ione (4 stars)
9. Sin Undone - Larissa Ione (5 stars!)
10. Dangerous Desires - Dee Davis (4 stars)
11. Seduced by a Highlander (4 stars)
12. The Satin Sash - Red Garnier (2 1/2 stars)
13. Never a Bride - Ava Grey ( 2 1/2 stars)

I'd say I had a pretty eclectic month!

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I had a personal milestone this month - my baby started Big Girl School: Pre-K 4, next year is Kindergarten. She's been so excited all summer to start school where her big sister goes. Another milestone, my oldest is a senior in high school this year (he didn't want his picture taken). Here's the Littlest Book Addict in her school uniform:

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August 29 marks the 5-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. As much as I don't want to think about it, it seeps into my mind this time of year. I couldn't figure out why I was thinking so much about it recently and then I looked at a calendar and realized why. I wasn't going to write a post about Katrina this year, I want to forget. I purposely did not write about it on my personal blog either. But I started thinking, and couldn't stop. If you're interested - here's my post about my survivor's guilt.

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This weekend is the Writers for New Orleans author event and multi-author book signing - a few of us are getting together Sat night for drinks and Sunday for brunch at The Court of Two Sisters for brunch before the signing. If you think you'd be interested in either, contact me at bookaddictpatti at cox dot net - we'd love to meet you!!!

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And, totally random but I love it so much I have to show it off - my new purse and wallet:

I did buy it in August so technically it can go with this post :) I love Mexican sugar skull and Dia de los Muertos art, so when I saw this in a shop in the French Quarter I had to have it. It's a small messenger bag - holds my kindle or a book (not both), wallet, checkbook and sunglasses - not too big at all...

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New Orleans Author Event

Last year I saw a post over at Cecile's place - she had attended a multi-author booksigning here in New Orleans. It looked like fun, and I was disappointed that I missed a signing here in my fair city...I was thrilled when I found out this is not a one-time thing!

Author Heather Graham hosts a yearly author workshop here in New Orleans over Labor Day Weekend - Writers for New Orleans. This year, a few bloggers have decided to meet using this event as an excuse (like we need an excuse, right?). I don't know where most of you Book Bloggers hail from, but if you're anywhere near New Orleans, why don't you think about coming in over Labor Day weekend? The loose plan is to meet for dinner and drinks Saturday night (location to be determined) and maybe have coffee or brunch before the 11:30 booksigning at the Hotel Monteleone.

The schedule of events can be found here. Some of the authors attending thus far are:
Helen A. Rosburg
Heather Graham aka Shannon Drake
L. A. Banks
Corrine De Winter
Silver James
J. A. Konrath
Lisa Mannetti
Michael Meeske
Linda Conrad
Mary Sella
F. Paul Wilson
Kate Poole
Harley Jane Kozak
Kathleen Pickering
Tina Wainscott aka Jaime Rush
Kathy DePalo

You can bring your own books and they'll have books for purchase as well. Hey - it's a 3-day weekend, think about coming, it's going to be fun! If you can't come Saturday night for dinner (and drinks!), just come for the signing on Sunday or vice versa...

At this point it's all pretty much still loosey-goosey as far as plans go, but if you're interested, e-mail me at bookaddictpatti at cox dot net!