To answer your immediate question: yes, that is me pictured with Colleen Gleason. No, I am not winking at you. No, despite all evidences to the contrary, I am not having a poorly timed stroke! I am unfortunately very light sensitive in my left eye and the flash helped me look ever so lovely. Other than that, it is a fantastic picture! 😉
On Sunday we had the distinct pleasure…and it truly was a pleasure…to travel to St. Louis to meet the incomparable Colleen Gleason, author of the page-turning Gardella Vampire Chronicles series.
I thought I’d take a little time today to share the trip with you and will also show you the entries for the photo contest held to celebrate week one of the release of When Twilight Burns.
(Mary, Colleen, and yours truly)
Our dear friend Keri S. agreed to take the helm and drove us on the 3.5 hour journey from Kansas City to St. Louis yesterday for a wonderful day trip. I was so excited when Colleen emailed a few months back saying that she was going to be in Missouri. I determined right then and there that there was no way I was going to miss it.
We left early and took our time driving, enjoying each other’s company and the scenery. Doing so allowed Mary and I to take Keri to our favorite annual anniversary trip restaurant: the Blufftop Bistro of the Les Bourgeois Winery.
But you don’t want to hear about that…you want to hear about Colleen! We arrived early to the signing but didn’t want to be too early since we had already made plans to dine afterwards with Colleen. Unfortunately that meant that we missed the reading which we did not realize was occurring. And so we shopped and did a bit of unsuccessful restaurant hunting and arrived at the book signing around 4 p.m.
(Mary, Colleen, Keri)
Walking in and seeing Colleen was truly like walking in and seeing a dear friend. She immediately made us feel comfortable and welcome and seemed as delighted to see us as we were to see her. She was sharing the signing with author Jennifer Rardin who also had her fourth novel out, this in her Jaz Parks series.
Isn’t that cover fabulous? Like Colleen Gleason, she is blessed with fantastic cover images on all 4 of her books in this fantasy series (female James Bond vs. the undead) and they look really good. Mary will certainly be letting me know as she nabbed the first in the series from Jennifer and started reading it last night. It was a surprise pleasure to meet Jennifer Rardin and she was very nice as well.
The title of the blog post comes from the fact that a Borders’ staff member would occasionally read a little script on the intercom encouraging folks to go meet the authors. At the end she would read “and they don’t bite!”. Which sounded very funny although it might have been more curiousity-grabbing if they had said, “be careful, they just might bite”! 🙂
After the signing we adjourned to a Mexican restaurant (we were supposed to go ahead and save seats and instead ended up several miles past the restaurant with Colleen calling us asking us where we were…quite embarrassing but funny).
Dear readers and fellow Colleen Gleason fans, I can unequivocally say that Colleen is every bit as lovely, in every way, in person as she could possibly be. I was not exaggerating when I said that she makes you feel comfortable right off the bat (odd pun intended). I generally take a little while to warm to people as I don’t feel gifted breaking the ice. I didn’t feel that way at all yesterday. Despite initial nerves courtesy of being a true fanboy, we all fell right into easy conversation. She is charming and funny and full of energy. And anyone who has a Christmas tradition of watching the extended edition of the Lord of the Rings trilogy is automatically made family! So there you are Gleasons, you are now Andersons by adoption!!!
You don’t have to take my word for it (I’m sure Mary and Keri will confirm). One of our photo contest entrants, Kristin B., mentioned in the email with her pictures: “Carl, I’m thinking that you have met Colleen at the signing by now…I’m sure you guys had a fantastic afternoon! You’ll have to tell us all about it! It was a true pleasure meeting her Friday night…she was just as sweet and wonderful as I knew she would be!!! 🙂 *Colleen, safe travels to you…I hope the rest of your trip is smooth sailing!”
We did indeed have a fantastic afternoon and evening. We left with warm feelings and the trip home just flew by!
__________________________
Before we end, let me show you the entries to the photo contest. Though it started off slow, images did finally start pouring in!
(Malin P’s entry)
Yes indeed, a submission from Norway! Thanks Malin! Proof that Victoria is popular worldwide!
(Cory W’s entry)
Cory entered again this year, love to see repeat participants. Thanks Cory!
(Kristin B’s entry)
Kristin B, who I quoted earlier, took these pictures.
“Who knew picture taking was so complicated!?! 🙂 I swear everything was against us…the sun, the wind, the hill(didn’t think I might need a ladder)! I even drove out of state for this photo, and the cop didn’t really appreciate my taking up space in a handicapped parking spot(I am not trying to declare myself “Team Handicapped” either…just in case you were wondering) – it’s all about ‘Team Sebastian!!!'”
(Remember folks, no spoilers in the comments for those who haven’t read the book!)
Thanks Kristin. Sounds like your picture taking was quite the adventure!
(Kat T’s entry)
Kat T. sent in this entry modeling both the book and her very own vis bulla tee. Later in the week she got bit by the creative bug and sent in these entries:
Aren’t they great? She mentions in her email that she thought the hair pick was ‘so Verbena’. I couldn’t agree more. Thanks Kat!
(Janet’s entry)
Janet of Fond of Snape came back this year and got the Poppets in on the act. “Even poppets like it, especially girl poppets!”. But whether she is smooching or biting is hard to say!
(Kerry W’s entry)
Kerry W. (Qugrainne) of So Many Books sent in this creative entry. Very well done, thanks Kerry!
And of course Keri’s family–Jeff and the kids–got in on the action again this year and didn’t disappoint (unless of course you were wanting more pics of Jeff sans shirt!).
Proof the When Twilight Burns is so good that even sports history couldn’t garner Jeff’s interest! 😉
Images of Mr. S. on the throne! (Born out of the mistaken belief that I took my picture in the bathroom of our house…or so he claims!). Gotta say, glad this was a ‘shirt on’ set of pictures!!!
And there was no way we could have had the contest with out the kids bringing popular film culture into the mix:
I couldn’t let this go without showing you what Deslily did for fun, using her computer skills in a vain attempt to bring my image up to snuff with the book cover! I love it, thanks Deslily!!!
Colleen and I will be taking the hard task of judging. The random drawing entry will at least be less stressful! Ha!
Thanks again everyone for your enthusiastic participation in support of a wonderful author and her page-turning series!
And thank you again Colleen for being so incredibly sweet and fun. You already had life-long fans but if it is possible to win us over even more you certainly did! Hope we can do it again sometime!
Kristen B is pretty funny LOL! Thanks for including my picture, Carl 🙂
that first photo of Jeff and the kids in front of the tv is hysterical!
that’s a great mask Kat has..not everyone has one of those sitting around the house lol..
Great entries Carl!!…
gosh, does Colleen realize that she looks like Sharon Osbourne ?! I’ve thought it before but these photo’s really make her look like her..I wish I looked like someone as pretty as Sharon Osbourne!
hmmm, that “ponch” you wanted airbrushed out.. doesn’t seem to be in the photo of you and Colleen! (holding your breath??? lol)
Deslily: No, just wore a girdle!!! Just kidding. You do know that black is slimming, right? 😉
Janet: She is indeed, thank you for submitting a picture!
plllssstt!.. black never worked for me!
I think it works best if you put the black over the person’s eyes who is looking at you! Works for me!
Colleen, Mary, and Carl – Keri had the best time with all of you yesterday. I wish I could have made it as well.
Great entries everyone!
I love the poppet’s Janet!
Deslily’s ” slight ” photo alterations are the best. Just awesome.
Kat T’s entries well all I can say is WOW! Is it getting hot in here? 🙂
Kristin B. love the photo as well but what we all want to know is did you eat there and if so how’s the food? 🙂
Lastly, Carl as you know the reason I didn’t go sans shirt this year is because of men like the one in Kerry W.’s entry. No need scaring everyone again with my “gut ” when Kerry W. has a true cover model for her photo. 🙂 Great pic.
As always it was fun everyone.
Sounds like you had a fabulous time meeting Colleen!
Great photo entries, too. I need to figure out a way to ‘Shop my beach pics from last week. It’s not easy to hold the stomach in while helping a 6-year-old build castles in the sand!
Sounds like you guys spent a great time with Colleen. How fun! And, I’m loving all the photo entries. Lots of creative peeps 🙂
Sounds like a crazy good time was had by all, Carl.
My son didn’t know when we had our little photo shoot that he was going to be famous! All the pics are fun…. that Jeff sure has a sense of humor.
I am reading the first in the series, and I am so glad you introduced me to Colleen Gleason!
Thanks for the comments deslily, Carl and Jeff S – especially, makes a girl feel loved. I actually had to borrow the mask, it’s my friend’s, and it’s from Venice from her trip there (yes I am so jealous, I’ve never been farther than Canada – YET), so it’s authentic! It would have been perfect if it was from Rome, huh? I told her I was doing this and she A, ran out to get this book, and B, said “Hey… I have the perfect mask…” I love Kerry W’s entry – yummy! All were very good! What a fun idea Carl – I certainly had fun! Thanks so much for doing it!
I’m so jealous!! I keep trying to get to a book signing, but Chicago is just too much for a day trip when I’m working so many hours. If she would just trip down to Peoria!
The pictures are great!!
haha! those are so fun!
and its so cool that you got to meet her.
What a neat blog you have here! Your header is the coolest I have ever seen! Wow!! Thanks so much for stopping by my place to chat about Zwerger. I feel exactly like you do about her and have stumbled upon some her treasures in second hand shops, too. Do you live in KC? I lived there for several years and absolutely loved it. Nice to meet you and hope to see you again soon.
Willow x o
Willow: Actually I live in Blue Springs, but Kansas City is easier to say for those not familiar with the area. How cool that you happened to have lived here before. Can’t take any credit for the blog header…just happened to come with the theme I picked out when I updated WordPress. But I do love it and it fits in an ironic sort of way. I’ll certainly be back, I enjoyed checking out your blog last night.
JP: It really was pretty special, more so that we actually got to hang out for awhile. I think it is pretty amazing that she would want to take the time to do that.
Stephanie: We certainly couldn’t have day tripped had it been much farther out. Oddly enough the only time I’ve ever been to Chicago was to see Neil Gaiman do a reading and book signing.
Kat: So glad you participated, hope you come back for the next book as your pictures are fantastic and fun. How cool that the mask is authentic, I was going to shoot you an email about that. Glad your friend picked up the book and hope she enjoys it.
Qugrainne: Being on this blog might make him infamous, rather than famous! 😉 It is a great picture, I’m glad he agreed to help you with it. Any news on the NYC front? I think you’ll really enjoy the novels, they just keep getting more intense with each story. Can’t wait to see how it all wraps up in book 5 in a few months.
Iliana: We did! It is really fun to see the creativity of folks with these pictures. I am already wondering what people will come up with for the next photo contest.
Les: I think I’ll have to hire Deslily to alter all my photos! 🙂
Jeff: You guys did great entries this year, very fun to open up and share with everyone. Glad you participated and to tie the Olympics in was really cool. Sorry again that you couldn’t go with us but am glad you let us hijack your wife for the day.
OMG. I am howling. These are made of awesome!
Ah, I was puzzled by all the matching T-shirts… but I guess they’re a reference to the books?
The photos are awesome. Also, I want a mask like Kat’s. (Did you make it, Kat?) Hairsticks I can do…
Kicking_K: Indeed, the tees are in reference to the amulets of strength and protection in the books.
Not that I want to speak for Kat, but I believe she answers your mask question in a comment above. It is authentic from Venice that she borrowed from a friend. It is great, isn’t it?
Carl is indeed correct about the mask. The hairsticks I actually bought from a chainmail maker at the Renaissance fair this year. I saw them and thought they were so perfect – I had to get them!
SO much fun to meet Carl, Keri, and Mary! We had a ball and laughed and talked and ate. And Carl gave me the most awesome present…I’ll be posting about it on my blog once things settle down.
I love the hairsticks. When my first book came out, a friend sent me a really pretty letter opener that she said reminded her of the stakes/sticks in Victoria’s hair…I love the hairsticks idea. I was thinking about trying to find some and give them away as prizes on my blog.
Thanks for all the great pics! You all are so talented. Especially Jeff. (Whom I’m very sorry I didn’t get to meet in person too.)
Oh, Carl, viewing those pictures WAS almost as good as viewing the Olympics! I don’t envy you your task of choosing a winner. Could there be a tie, perhaps?
Alright, these pics are just awesome! I love them! I’m so envious of your trip to meet Colleen, Carl! I wish I could’ve hopped on a plane and met the both of y’all. I swear, one day we have to have a blogger convention somewhere. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a picture of Mary either…y’all make a great looking couple 🙂
And Deslily, you’ve proven yourself to be a master at the art of photoshop 😉
very cool!
I love all the pictures with the books!
It was great to meet Colleen in person. I really enjoyed the chance to relax and chat with such a lovely person.
Carl does look slimmer in that picture with Colleen (alas the same can’t be said about me); although, I believe Carl was pushing his tummy out a little extra for the beer gut look in his “book cover” picture. 😉
I have had a busy week and have only read the first few chapters of Jennifer’s Jaz Park book, but I am enjoying the read! I am already looking forward to the 2nd book.
And of course, I was so pleased to hear the Colleen’s 5th Gardella book is ready to go (or almost)!
Great pictures!…I always enjoy checking them out! Carl, so glad to hear you had a fantastic time with Colleen…knew you would(it takes me forever to warm up – but I didn’t have any trouble at all either)! Somebody thinks I’m funny!!! Thanks Janet! 🙂 Jeff…Sebastian served me the special!!! 😉
i met colleen at her recent signing at borders in brighton, mi. she really is as kind and friendly as you say. i felt like i was meeting a friend i hadnt seen in a long time. she just opens up and pulls you right in.
my husband kept saying she looked like sharon osbourne too.
It’s so fun that you finally got to meet Colleen in person. All the pictures are great!
Tanabata: It was cool. Hard to believe a week has flown by since then. Although they came in at the last minute, I too am thrilled by the pics.
Lori: That is great! She really is just like that, isn’t she?
Kristin: You didn’t leave the car in the handicapped spot did you?
Mary: Maybe Deslily can get to work on your picture if you’re not happy with it sweetie. She can give you rockin’ abs like the ones in my picture! 😉
Jules: It was a very fun day.
Chris: Yes, it would be fun to all get together. You’d have to bring me some fresh seafood though since you’re that close to a source!
Bellezza: There would need to be a many-ways-tie to ease the decision making! 🙂
Colleen: Again thank you, it was tremendous fun! The hair sticks are a fantastic idea. Glad you liked the gift, it was fun to put together.
Kat: That is so cool, I really need to attend our Renfest this year…I say that every single year and never go!
You know, I am really disappointed. I bought all the previous books in the series around here but the bookstore doesn’t have the fourth one. 🙁 I even went out of town today and looked for it. I am very unimpressed with my bookstore! I am going to have to order it online, but whenever I order online I have to get the free shipping and one thing leads to another… decisions, decisions…
That stinks…I certainly understand the online temptation, I can never just order one thing. Do you want me to keep an eye out for a copy of that as well?
She seems like a total sweetheart, and just from seeing her webcast and shooting quick messages back and forth, she seems every bit as nice as you say Carl. You’re so lucky to have met her! She gets so many bonus points for liking one of my favorite novel heroines, Vicky Bliss, whom too many I speak to have never heard of, unfortunately. Kudos again on the coverage!
The suspense is killing me… and my friends keep bugging me now too… any idea when a winner will be chosen? : )