Hooked on Books! And Signings!

Well I had to admit, that I am truly a bookaholic......just can't get enough of them.....all kinds.... mysteries, fiction, love stories, science fiction, ghost stories, you name it!  And you can always find me hanging out at my favorite spot in Woodstock too.....Foxtale's Book Shoppe.  With the three ladies in the fedoras.....Jackie, Ellen and Karen....the delightful owners and wonderful hostess's of all the booksignings. 

This past Saturday they were welcoming back one of my favorite authors, Susan Gregg Gilmore.  This author was one of the first book signings that I had ever attended.  I was hooked after reading her first book, "Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen".  And Ms. Gilmore was there this month to launch the release of her second book, "The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove". 

With a delightful introduction by owner Ellen, we listened to a very enticing and engaging reading by our author.  

And we learned some interesting details on how she came up with the name for her main character Bezellia.  Ms. Gilmore was invited to a dinner party when she was living in Chattanooga, TN and one of the guests sitting across the table from her was named Bezellia.  It was a family name and it just suited the character in the book perfectly.  The last name was a little easier to come up with, because Susan was living in an apartment complex at the time that was named "The Grove".  It was just a good fit with Bezellia.

Afterwards we had the most tasteful pound cake and ice tea as refreshments.  I hear that pound cake plays a major part in the book, so I can't wait to read it!  I can tell you now that I'm going to have to learn how to make it.....I can taste  it already.  Anyone have an easy pound cake recipe they can loan to me?????

  To read more about the book you can go to Susan Gregg Gilmore's blog at http://www.susangregggilmore.com/book-excerpts/a-girl-called-sister/

"Fireworks over Toccoa" Booksigning

Last night after work I moseyed over to my favorite little bookstore, Foxtale's Book Shoppe in Woodstock and had the most enjoyable evening.  They were having a book signing for Jeffrey Stepakoff, who is the author of "Fireworks Over Toccoa". 

However, it wasn't until I read his bio on their website that I realized why I recognized him.  He is very accomplished and has been writing professionally since receiving his MFA in Playwriting from Carnegie Mellon in 1988. His credits include the Emmy-winning The Wonder Years, Sisters, Major Dad, Disney's Tarzan, and Dawson's Creek (as co-executive producer). And this is his debut fiction novel.

He currently lives with his family north of Atlanta and teaches screenwriting at Kennesaw State University.  Jeffrey and his wife relocated to this area, from Hollywood, after they started their family.   He also mentioned that his wife's grandfather was once Mayor of Toccoa years ago. 

Here I am with some Hollywood royalty!  Can't wait to read the book......Jackie, one of the owners of the book store said she read it in one night.....that's how good it's supposed to be!!!

Book Giveaway!

Check out one of my favorite blogs, READAHOLIC.  This blog reviews some fantastic books on a daily basis.  And because I am addicted to reading, I thought I would share this giveaway with my followers and customers.  They are doing a book giveaway this week for the following novel......

Some girls aren't meant to be "proper". Anna could explain that better than anyone. Even though she was raised to act a certain way, she could not deny her free spirit. She was a "rebel" who didn't play by society's rules. Even though this made her an outcast, she was proud of who she was and stayed true to herself.

Doesn't it sound like a great book to read?  To sign-up for the giveaway go to this link:
http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/2010/04/review-giveaway-confessions-of-rebel.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Readaholic+%28Readaholic%29

Good Luck!

"Dog, The Bounty Hunter" Book Signing

Saturday night was a little unusual for Woodstock and for us too.  We had "Dog, The Bounty Hunter" (Duane Dog Chapman) stop by our local book store to sign his new book, "Where Mercy is Shown, Mercy is Given".  For those of you scratching your heads saying who the heck is Dog, the Bounty Hunter.........he has a show on the A and E Network where he brings in the bad guy who has skipped bail. 

There were about 800 fans that came out and waited in our City Park for him to arrive.  It was 9 pm before his bus arrived and people were cheering like crazy when they saw it pull up!  His wife Beth, Leland from the show and his daughter were with him.  Below are a few photos from the event.  

Here's the tour bus they arrived in for the book signing.

Look in the background of the photo below and you'll see Dog and his wife Beth following the officer on their way into the book store.  Dog had just stopped at the Gazebo in the Park to say "hello" to his fans.

This is the cover of his new book.

And here's me giving myself up for DOG!

What a hardened criminal!!!!!

We had a blast on Saturday and thank the girls at Foxtale's Book Shoppe for bringing Dog to town!

A Great Read.....

Do you ever like to just get lost in a book sometimes?  Well, I had forgotten how fun and relaxing it was to just get lost in a book.  There is a local book store that opened 2 years ago by us.  And we are so lucky to have such a treasure close by.  The name of the store is Foxtales Book Shoppe and I am hooked on their books and events.  Last Thursday they had southern author Wendy Wax there to chat about her new book, Magnolia Wednesdays, and to also sign copies for attendees.  Her good friend Karen White, another well known southern author, was also at the signing.  So it was a special treat for all of us that attended!    If you are looking for some good summer beach reading,or just great books, be sure and check out both author's books the next time you are at a bookstore.

Me & Wendy Wax

Wendy Wax signing for an attendee.

Here is the author's website http://www.authorwendywax.com/ where she lists all of her books.