Book Expo America 2014 Recap

This was my third time attending BEA, and I think it was my favorite so far. Since this is also the first time that I was over 18, I was able to travel to the city by myself and really do it on my own. I think that was really good for me, I was able to meet more people and really do everything that I wanted to do. Yet, next year I would like to bring someone with me because it’s nice to split up the events. I would also like to stay in the city on year but that would probably be when it moves to Chicago if I attend it then.

The first day I showed up at the Javit’s Center around 8 oclock. Checked my bag, and picked up my press badge. All things that I’ve done in previous years. But I have to say, I was annoyed that the Expo didn’t have lanyards this year. (pins can ruin shirts) 

 

Most of the day I attended signings, where I met some awesome people.The best way to meet other bloggers, authors, and other book professionals is in the autograph lines. They’re in line for the same book so they have a similar interest as you which is always great. I met a ton other young adult bloggers that way. Everyone of them was super nice and fun to talk to! That has to be my favorite part of BEA, all the people that you get to meet.

Scott Westerfeld

 

The second day I got to see Scott Westerfeld and Kiera Cass (a couple of my favorite authors!) I was so excited to see them. I even got a picture with Kiera. This was my second time I’ve met her. The first was at a BEA four years ago, before the Selection even came out. Here’s the picture from 2011 compared to the picture from this BEA.

2011 (when we got lanyards)

2014 (landyard-less)

*fun fact - I actually wore that purple shirt to BEA this year (the first day) and Melissa Mar complimented it*

 

On Friday I also got to meet Lauren Oliver for the first time which was INCREDIBLE. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Lauren Oliver and all her books. I waited on that line for an hour and was one of the first people on line for the signing. However, I completely forgot to get a picture with her or even just a picture of her signing my book. That one of my top BEA regrets.

 

The last author that I was really excited to see was Cora Carmack. I have been working on her street team for All Lined Up and was really excited to FINALLY meet her! I got to meet a few of the other street team members at BEA. It was great getting to meet the people that you work online with for months. That is another highlight of the things you can do at BEA. Sadly I missed the Cora Carmack panel at BookCon.

 

Since this post is getting long I’m going to write about BookCon in another post. I actually brought from friends to BookCon. They only attended BookCon and not BEA. They are going to write (or make a video) about their experience and what they thought of the event. The two of them are actually going to take over a day on With A Book! I’m pretty excited about it. Can’t wait for you guys to meet them. Their introduction post will be up on Thursday!

Blog Tour Review: All Lined Up by Cora Carmack and GIVEAWAY

 

All Lined Up
By Cora Carmack

Amazon/BN

Summary:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack follows up her trio of hits—Losing It, Faking It, and Finding It—with this thrilling first novel in an explosive series bursting with the Texas flavor, edge, and steamy romance of Friday Night Lights.

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.

Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.

And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

 Review:

Every book by Cora Carmack seems to get better and better and All Lined Up is no exception. It has the usual hilarious banter and fun romance that Cora’s books usually have. While reading in public places I had to really concentrate on not laughing out loud. This book is just that funny. Yet, it’s also more than just a funny story.  

All Lined Up follows Dallas and Carson. Both are just starting to live at a four year university the first time. Dallas as a freshman and Carson out of community college. I was just finishing my freshman year at school as I read All Lined Up so that aspect of the book was really relatable for me. All Lined Up truly captured the feel of college life, everything from stress from classes to crazy football games. Not all New Adult books really feel like novels about college students however, this one did it perfectly. 

Cora’s characters are also very real. They do awkward things and feel like real people in college. I enjoy how they are not always perfect, it’s more realistic. The romance in All Lined up is so sweet and fun to read. I loved every second of Carson and Dallas together. Especially how they first met. It was something I could actually see happening at a college party.

You don’t have to like football to love All Lined Up. This is a novel for anyone looking for a quick and hilarious romantic read. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and anything else Cora Carmack writes.

About the Author: Cora Carmack

Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Here's a link to the rest of the All Lined Up Blog Tour. Make sure you check it out! There's some great guest posts, review, and character interviews! http://wp.me/p2jI8L-Pe



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