Wednesday, June 25, 2014

The Dire Wolves - Cover Reveal

 The Dire Wolves Chronicles is a brand new New Adult paranormal romance series that you will want to add to your TBR pile ASAP!  

The Order of the books is: Dire, Dusk, Dawn, with DIRE publishing September 2014!!   

The covers are designed by Cover It Designs with photographs courtesy of CJC Photography.


Dire

 Add it to your Goodreads now!

  About DIRE: Dire: The Dire Wolves Chronicles:

 Gage was the first guy I ever wanted. He was my first crush and my first fantasy, but he wasn't my first in any other way because he never saw me as anything more than a friend— at least not until the night that changed everything. It was all Gage's fault. He insisted we drive through the storm and take the back roads. By the time the storm hit full force we had no chance. One night of snowbound sex changed our relationship forever. The problem was at the same time I caught another guy’s attention.  This other guy happens to be the alpha of a pack of shifter wolves. 

Dusk
  Be sure to look for the next books in the series DUSK & DAWN:  
Dawn

 
Alyssa Rose Ivy- Author Photo 


Alyssa Rose Ivy Bio: Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.         


   


Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Entangled Select - Book Blast


Whether you’re looking for a romance that makes you laugh, makes you ‘walk the plank’, keeps you guessing, or stars your favorite paranormal, look no further. Select books have the single-title stories you crave, and the longer length you need to really get ‘lost’ in a great book. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books are coming next, visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, and like their Facebook page.


Today I'm happy to be featuring Select's June releases:



Available in Print and Digital!

Book Description:
Never in Mac Flannery’s wildest dreams did he imagine Jenny O'Keirna would be the one sent for him. He sees beyond the mad grin the sexy princess of Hansarda presents to the world, and that combination of vulnerability and wicked humor is a siren call he can’t resist. But Sanctify is after them. On the run—and unable to keep their hands off each other—Jenny and Mac devise an insane plan: kidnap the leader of Sanctify, and stop this war once and for all. Unfortunately, they’ve just played right into his hands…


Giveaway


Special $0.99 Introductory Price!
Book Description:

Highland warrior Searc Munro's dark, killing magic must never be known. But when his father’s life is threatened, Searc’s secret is revealed. When Elena Seymour's lineage as the illegitimate daughter of King Henry VIII is discovered, she runs for her life. Teaming up as exiles, Elena and Searc seek refuge in Edinburg. With a series of ritual killings haunting the city and a traitor attempting to assassinate Scotland’s regent, suspicion turns to Searc. Now the two must find a way to trust each other, despite their secrets, before it’s too late.




Special $0.99 Introductory Price!
Book Description:

Going back to graduate school to study ancient languages and mythology is a dream come true for Theodora Fairchild. Falling in love with Grant Proctor is an added bonus. But then Theo discovers that being chosen for the prestigious program has more to do with who she is than what she knows. When evil forces threaten Grant’s life in an effort to tear the two apart, Theo must rely on her wits and wisdom to save her true love and survive the semester.

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

Book One: The Last Rising

Saving souls without any hope for her own redemption isn’t how Phoenix Ice imagined spending eternity. Fed up, she decides her next death will be her last. But when she sacrifices her own life for a sexy Texan in a catastrophic plane crash, she has no idea the consequences will be so great. When the mysterious Ice comes into Turner Alcott's life, he knows she’s the one. If he wants to win her heart, Turner must teach Ice how to forgive herself, and prove that love is the ultimate sacrifice.

Book Two: The Last Awakening

Ex-soldier Greyson Meadows desperately wants to be freed from the nightmares and guilt that haunt him. Arabella's been gifted her mortality and long-gone voodoo magic. She must save her next soul within a week without using magic, or she’ll lose her power forever. When Greyson is confronted by a waif of a woman who forces him to face the truth about his past, he runs fast and hard. Now one will have to give up everything so the other can have peace, but will love’s magic withstand the loss?

Book Three: The Last Beginning

Though she’s always hated being a phoenix, Sadie has to admit immortality has its advantages. She’s seen and done more in the last 150 years than she’d ever dreamed of, but she can’t get past the fact that Osiris has done nothing but manipulate her and her fellow phoenixes. Sun god Osiris is ashamed of his role as ruler of the Underworld, but unless he can figure out how to save Sadie, that’s exactly where she’s going to end up. Permanently. He'll help her the only way he can—even if it means she’ll hate him forever.


Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Better When He's Bad - Release Day Launch

BWHB RDL Banner  

So I am so excited about being a part of the Release Day Launch for BETTER WHEN HE’S BAD by Jay Crownover!  I have totally been waiting for what feels like years for this book.  I am definitely setting aside my current read to pick this one up! 

BETTER WHEN HE'S BAD is the first novel in her Welcome to the Point Series published by William Morrow, and imprint of HarperCollins. This book, and the series to come, is one you don't want to miss!!

  Better WhenHe's Bad  

Amazon US ** iBooks ** Barnes and Noble ** Kobo

About  BETTER WHEN HE’S BAD: New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jay Crownover returns with a heart-stopping new series…

 Welcome to the Point. There’s a difference between a bad boy and a boy who’s bad . . . meet Shane Baxter. Sexy, dark, and dangerous, Bax isn’t just from the wrong side of the tracks, he is the wrong side of the tracks. A criminal, a thug, and a brawler, he’s the master of bad choices, until one such choice landed him in prison for five years. Now Bax is out and looking for answers, and he doesn’t care what he has to do or who he has to hurt to get them. But there’s a new player in the game, and she’s much too innocent, much too soft…and standing directly in his way. Dovie Pryce knows all about living a hard life and the tough choices that come with it. She’s always tried to be good, tried to help others, and tried not to let the darkness pull her down. But the streets are fighting back, things have gone from bad to worse, and the only person who can help her is the scariest, sexiest, most complicated ex-con The Point has ever produced. Bax terrifies her, awakening feelings she never thought she’d have for a guy like him. But it doesn’t take Dovie long to realize . . . some boys are just better when they’re bad.
   Welcome to the Point 

 EXCERPT:
 I let out the breath I was holding and took another step closer to her. The water was splashing on the sleeve of my shirt as I reached up to grab both of her cheeks in my palms. “Are you scared of me?” It was the start of the questions I had asked her what felt like a lifetime ago. Her answer didn’t change, but this time when she answered, she was holding back a smile that made my heart hurt. “Terrified, but I kind of like it now.” “Do you trust me?” My voice broke. I had never really trusted anyone but Race and now there was her and my brother and just all kinds of new things making my life so much more complicated and undeniably fuller. “With my life. I trust all the parts of you, Bax. You need to know that.” “You going to go to bed with me?” That made her outright laugh and she reached up to curl her hands around my wrists. “As often as I can and anyplace in between when the mood strikes.” The rest of the blood racing around my system went solidly south. I dropped my forehead so it was resting on hers and the water from the showerhead was cascading down around us. I was making a mess, but I didn’t care because I had her, and she was my home. “Do you love me?” The words sounded so foreign, but so right, when I was saying them to her. She brushed her full lips across mine and the last three months without her faded away. “Do you want me to lie to you or tell you the truth?” I smiled against her mouth and kissed her back twice as hard as she had kissed me. “Lie to me.” She reached up and put her arms around my neck and took a step back, dragging me all the way into the shower stall with her. The water was lukewarm at best, and it made me shiver. So did the fact that she started to impatiently pull the tail of my shirt up over my head. A task made increasingly difficult considering I was now soaked head to toe and the material was clinging to me. “Of course not. You’re the last person in the world I could love.” 
 Welcometo the Point Banner    
GIVEAWAY: There is an international giveaway. It includes 5 prizes for 5 individual winners! 1st $100 Amazon gift card and a signed BETTER WHEN HE’S BAD for 1 winner 2nd $50 Amazon gift card and a signed BETTER WHEN HE’S BAD for 1 winner 3rd $25 Amazon gift card and a signed BETTER WHEN HE’S BAD for 1 winner 4th BETTER WHEN HE’S BAD swag and a signed BETTER WHEN HE’S BAD for 1 winner 5th BETTER WHEN HE’S BAD swag and a signed BETTER WHEN HE’S BAD for 1 winner
Jay CrownoverAbout Jay Crownover: Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men series. She will also be introducing the dark and sexy world of The Point in a new series this summer starting with Better When He’s Bad. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she'll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs.        

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Mortal Enchantment Blog Tour and excerpt!




You saw my review yesterday and you know how much I really enjoyed this book!  I am excited today to have a special post and excerpt by Mortal Enchantment author Stacey O'Neale.  It's snarky and steamy and a ton of fun! I do so love me some sexy snark.

I know you know what I am saying! 


Guest Post Topic: MORTAL ENCHANTMENT Excerpt

I wanted to pick one of my favorite excerpts from MORTAL ENCHANTMENT to share with you today. The scenes with Rowan and Kalin (my heroine) are my absolute favorites, and I believe, I've picked a goodie for you.
Okay, I'm going to attempt to set the scene for you: Rowan is trying to help Kalin unlock her power. For the first time, things are starting to move in the right direction. Rowan decides he will test her ability to control it. That's when things start to get a bit saucy. ;-)
If he noticed my embarrassment, he never acknowledged it. “You managed to find your center, but do you think you can focus while distracted?”
My body tensed. “What kind of a distraction?” I wasn’t ready. My instincts told me to get the hell out of here. What a jacked-up situation this was.
I’m going to try to provoke you. I want you to stay calm. Let me know when you're ready and remember to concentrate.”
This wasn’t going to end well, but I didn't have a choice. I had to do this. Conquering this would mean I was a step closer to controlling my power. I had to be brave.
I met his stare.
He wiggled his eyebrows.
With a brazen grin, he strolled behind me. I didn’t turn around to see where he went. This was his test. He wanted me to flinch. I stared out into the ocean, watching the waves form. I visualized the warm yellow energy radiating from my skin.
My eyes widened.
Hot breath tickled the back of my neck while fingertips slithered slowly from my wrist to my shoulders. Focus. Stay focused. Every hair on my arms stood. Subconsciously, I let out a low moan. He nuzzled his face into the nape of my neck, running his nose against the back of my ear.
Spinning me around, our eyes locked.
Deep sapphire eyes penetrated into mine. There was something there that I hadn’t seen before. An intensity I didn’t understand. As his gaze shifted to my mouth, everything around us ceased to exist. Oh God, he was going to kiss me. My lips parted in anticipation.
Rowan leaned closer, then stopped abruptly. His face drained of emotion and he crossed his arms. “I should’ve known. We need to start with a smaller distraction.”
No freakin’ way! He was going to kiss me—I was sure of it. Nice, he tried to blame it all on me. I waved my hand in front of me, trying to play it off even though he’d won. “Oh please, that was nothing.”
He smirked. “Really?”
Yes, really.”
Then why are you blushing?”
It’s sunburn.” I pointed to the sky. “In case you hadn’t noticed, we have been standing on a beach in direct sunlight for hours.”

Thanks for reading my excerpt and hanging out for a few minutes. If you have a favorite quote from THE SHADOW PRINCE or MORTAL ENCHANTMENT, I'd love hear it.


 

Book Blurb
Mortal Enchantment spins a unique twist on elemental mythology. This series is not to be missed.” 
Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
 

In Kalin Matthew's world, elementals control the forces of nature. They are divided into four courts: air, woodland, fire, and water. At sixteen she will leave the life she's built with her mortal mother. Kalin will move to Avalon to rule with her father—the elemental king of the air court. Along the way, she's attacked by a fire court assassin and saved by Rowan, a swoon-worthy elemental with a questionable past.
 

Worst of all, she learns her father is missing.
 

To rescue him, Kalin will have to work with a judgmental council and a system of courts too busy accusing each other of deceit to actually be able to help her. But, they aren’t her biggest challenge. With the Midwinter’s Ball only five days away, Kalin must take over her father’s duties, which includes shifting control of the elements—power Kalin has yet to realize.
 

As Rowan attempts to train her, a war looms between the four courts. If Kalin fails, her father will die and the courts will fall, but the betrayal she’s about to uncover may cost her even more...
Available Exclusively at Amazon eBook for $2.99 and Paperback for $8.99

Before you read MORTAL ENCHANTMENT, make sure you check out the FREE prequel novella, THE SHADOW PRINCE!



Every sacrifice has consequences.

Sixteen-year-old Rowan has spent most of his life living among the mortals—learning to control the element of fire, impatiently awaiting the day his vengeful mother, Queen Prisma, will abdicate her throne. When he finally returns to Avalon for his coronation, his mother insists he must first prove his loyalty to the court by completing a secret mission:

Kill Kalin, the half-human, half-elemental daughter of the air court king.

Willing to do anything to remove his mother from power, he agrees to sacrifice the halfling. He returns to the mortal world with his best friend, Marcus, determined to kill the princess. But as he devises a plan, he starts to question whether or not he's capable of completing such a heinous task. And what price he will pay if he refuses?
Available for FREE on Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Also available in PRINT from Amazon

FRAGILE REIGN (Mortal Enchantment #2) – releasing November 18, 2014



Author Bio
Stacey O'Neale lives in Annapolis, Maryland. When she's not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, blogging, watching fantasy television shows, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.
Her career in publishing started as a blogger-turned-publicist for two successful small publishers. Stacey writes young adult paranormal romance and adult science fiction romance. Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.
Stacey loves hearing from readers. Follow her on Twitter @StaceyONeale, look for her on Facebook, Pinterest, and GoodReads. You can also visit her blog at http://staceyoneale.com/.

Monday, June 9, 2014

Mortal Enchantment by Stacey O'Neale - Review



Author: Stacey O'Neale
Publication Date: May 5, 2014
Publisher: Phoenix Reign Publishing
Genre:  Fantasy/Paranormal YA
Age Recommendation: 14 and up
Rating: 5 stars
Book Description:

In Kalin Matthew's world, elementals control the forces of nature. They are divided into four courts: air, woodland, fire, and water. At sixteen she will leave the life she's built with her mortal mother. Kalin will move to Avalon to rule with her father—the elemental king of the air court. Along the way, she's attacked by a fire court assassin and saved by Rowan, a swoon-worthy elemental with a questionable past.
Worst of all, she learns her father is missing.
To rescue him, Kalin will have to work with a judgmental council and a system of courts too busy accusing each other of deceit to actually be able to help her. But, they aren’t her biggest challenge. With the Midwinter’s Ball only five days away, Kalin must take over her father’s duties, which includes shifting control of the elements—power Kalin has yet to realize.
As Rowan attempts to train her, a war looms between the four courts. If Kalin fails, her father will die and the courts will fall, but the betrayal she’s about to uncover may cost her even more


My Review:

For 16 years Kalin Matthews knew this day would come.  The day the half breed daughter of the Elemental King to the Air Court leaves her mother, her friends, and the only home she has ever known to live with the father she has only met in her dreams and take her seat as Princess in Avalon.

"My life was about to change in every conceivable way, and I was thinking about my menu options.  I rolled my eyes.  It was time to get serious.  Today was the big day.  My last day in the mortal world for who knows how long.  But most importantly, the last time I would see my mother." 

Kalin is an interesting character and I will admit to having a bit of trouble connecting to her.  She has a tendency to go off half cocked at times, I'm not sure if it is naivety or just her desire to make things happen now instead of later, perhaps it is a bit of both.  In the end though this trait doesn't take away from the book for me and I can see that in coming books she is going to have a chance to grow into her character and become a truly badass take charge heroine.  

"I was instructed to wait here for my father's knights to return while they checked on the travel preparations.  They should have been back by now.  I decided it didn't matter; I didn't need them."

Considering our hero, Rowan, I think she is totally who she needs (who he needs her) to be.  She is determined, she is independent, she is spirited and while those same traits can get her into trouble they are the traits that will also get her through the difficult challenges she faces.  

And speaking of Rowan, helloooooo swoon worthy hero!  


First off let me say if you haven't read The Shadow Prince yet you want to do that.  You want to put everything down and run to read this novella.  Not only will it set things up for Mortal Enchantment but you will get your first look at Rowan and from his point of view; that is something you really really want to do.  Rowan is an amazing character.  Now I must preface everything by telling you that I have a serious thing for troubled bad (good at heart) boys and Rowan fits that description to a T.  His story is one that will break your heart and make you want to grab him in a fierce hug and whisper "it will all be okay" then turn around and smack him upside the head after.  The strength in this character and his devotion to his people and his friends is truly inspiring.  While you may want to shake him every now and then you can't help but fall for the boy who chooses the harder right over the easier wrong!  

"My stomach twisted like a pretzel.  Rowan shifter closer; his body now directly in front of mine.  With his free hand, he waved them on as if welcoming the challenge.  Rowan was either the bravest person I had ever met or the most stupid."

Stacey O'Neale builds an amazing world, her description of the Air Court lands, the dress of the Fae, the action through out each adventure keeps you turning pages and anxious for more.  Her writing style is easy to read, I never felt like she was dragging on (Dicken's style, you all know how much I loathe that, haha) when spinning her weave describing Avalon.  The transitions make sense and the story never gets lost in the romance, in fact I think my only complaint is I would have enjoyed more of a build up between Kalin and Rowan.  That said you SHOULD read The Shadow Prince first so that you have a sense of Rowan's feelings for Kalin and an understanding of how and why their relationship in  Mortal Enchantment works the way it does.  

This is a definite read in my opinion if you are a YA book lover and a great read for both our younger teens and adults!   

Here's where to grab a copy and your good reads link:

http://www.amazon.com/Mortal-Enchantment-Stacey-ONeale-ebook/dp/B00K5UCVQQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1402345076&sr=1-1&keywords=mortal+enchantment

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mortal-enchantment-stacey-m-oneale/1119466462?ean=9781499372533

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20740634-mortal-enchantment?from_search=true

and if you haven't read it your links (and Goodreads link) to a FREE copy of the novella The Shadow Prince (GET IT!)



http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=the%20shadow%20prince&sprefix=the+shadow+pr%2Cdigital-text&rh=i%3Adigital-text%2Ck%3Athe%20shadow%20prince&ajr=2

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-shadow-prince-stacey-oneale/1118892874?ean=2940045744997

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20542942-the-shadow-prince?from_search=true

 *STOP BY TOMORROW FOR A GUEST POST BY STACEY O'NEAL!*

Stacey O'Neale started her career in publishing as a blogger-turned-publicist for two successful small publishers. She loves to write stories with swoony paranormal heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.

When she's not writing, she loves blogging and fangirling about books on twitter. Occasionally, she leaves her computer to go outside.
 

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Ten Things I Learned From BEA




BEA, it's like the pinnacle of the book convention world; when I found out I was going to be able to attend I basically went straight into panic mode.  What had I gotten myself into, I hadn't (in terms of other bloggers, still haven't) been blogging long, I had images of  'Running of the Brides' going through my head.


I just knew I was going to get taken out when I was headed for the first book, it was clear I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  So that said here are:


10 things I learned from BEA

1. Plan, Plan, and Plan some more
        Seriously, ask questions, ask all the questions, ask them before the day before you leave (i.e. shorts are not appropriate BEA wear, lol.), ask people who have gone before you!  It's overwhelming, it's huge, and no matter what you can not do it all so plan things out.  Follow your favorite authors, find out where they will be and the times they will be there.  Use the BEA app, look at publishers websites, ask fellow bloggers.  I had a plan (a spread sheet) created before I left and I changed it every morning and after I got back to the hotel late at night, so make your plans, but don't let them rule you.  You need a guideline, you need to know what you want most because you can't get it all, but don't be upset when you have to make changes.  


This is me changing it all up at midnight 

2. I don't just have a book problem, I have a totes problem too
 Seriously, who knew! 

3. Take a deep breath and then take another, and another, and another.  
     So Yeah, it's not like a mosh pit or the running of the brides, but it is busy and it is crazy at times.  People will nudge you out of the way, they will stick their arm in front of you trying to get to the same book you are, they will cut the line.  But you know what, it isn't going to help anything by being that person, don't bite some one and start the zombie apocalypse (yeah, some lady actually did that a past year...well not the apocalypse part, cause that would have just been too cool.), don't get mean and nasty.  I can't say that you will get ever book you want (I know I didn't) but think about all the ones you do get, think about all you are going to have to read when you get home, that one book, it isn't going to change things.  It will come out eventually and you'll get to read it.  It's like I tell my girls:  You get what you get and you don't make a fit!  I know how much you paid to be there (boy do I), I know how much you may have wanted that book early, but is it really worth being the mean girl over it?  And remember MAKE YOUR PLANS  Know what is most important to you before you go in!

4. Treat your water like it is the last bottle on earth!
           Let me just put it this way:

 BATHROOMS

The lines are long everywhere,  you're schedule is going to be packed, go before you get there, that's all I am saying!  

5. Bring snacks, but basically don't plan to eat for 3 days
       See Item 4 for explanation.  Pack easily eaten snacks in your tote: granola bars, protien bars, trail mix, crackers.  Of course I had all that, but I still managed to eat only one meal a day, dinner.  And yet somehow I managed to put on weight....go figure.  

6. Shoes!
     You will hear and see this advice every where, but if there is one piece that you need to remember and remember well:  Shoes matter.  Make them comfy, be sure you have worn them before and you know you can walk, skip (don't run ladies) speed walk, and stand in them for hours.  If you can get them to match your clothing (remember business casual, no shorts!) all the better, but comfort comes first!  

7.  Take a rolling bag and store it at the convention.
      It's three dollars a day and you are going to want it.  Don't be that person dragging their tote on the ground behind them.  First, it gets in the way of everyone walking around you and second, really you do just look like a jerk.  Now, I admit finding the time (See #4) to get down to it can be a challenge, but you will have spare moments (because you aren't waiting to pee and eat!) to run down there and drop off books and you are going to want to.  I don't care how strong you are, lugging 4 totes full of books around for 6 or more hours is going to break you! 

8.  Know which books are your priority!
       I know I have already said this, but I can't say it enough.  You need to know before you go what is the most important to you.  You can not, try as you might, get all the books, know what you really want and make plans to be in those lines early.  Know what publisher they are from, know where they are in the building and get to them fast.  You may have to line up an hour ahead of time (heck I waited 2 hours for one book that was a MUST HAVE because I knew it was going to be a long line) and make sure if it is a ticketed book that you get that ticket, don't wait in line expecting to get one if you don't have a ticket.

 These were my priorities

9.  Get there early!
    People start lining up at 0700 and you want to have time to plan with your friends, (trust me on this) the morning of.  Get there early, get a spot in line and then go take turns checking your bag, getting coffee (really you don't want to: See #4, but if you must...oh and according to Maureen Johnson the coffee, even at the Starbucks, in the Javits center is blech!), going to the bathroom.  And get there especially early on BookCon day, as people started lining up at 0530 this year.  


           
   The line for BEA/BookCon (Saturday)

10.  Make Friends and Laugh!
              Yes the books were awesome, yes the authors made me fan-girl, yes being in NY was cool (although I didn't actually see much of it), but meeting up with people I was already friends with, meeting some of my blogging heros, and making new friends that was the very( I hear you  N.H. Kleinbaum, I know the use of the word very is lazy, but pttthhhwwww) best part of it all!  I met some amazing people who had me laughing through out the day.  We plotted and schemed together, we helped each other out, we held lines, we got books that others couldn't get because they had to be some where else, we talked family, blogging, BEA, and everything in between.  Stick your neck out a little and say hello to the person next to you in line, you never know what that one word can change!  These ladies down here and a few more that weren't in the pictures, they rocked my BEA and I am beyond blessed to know them.  So if nothing else, if it all falls apart and that one book that you wanted more than any other book falls through your hands, don't get upset, don't look at your adventure as having been all for naught, look around you, look at the people next to you, hand them your card, stick out your hand, give them a smile and say hello because in the end that really is the VERY best part!