Yesterday, my sister and I hopped in the car and headed up to Boonsboro, Maryland. If you read secular romance, you probably recognize this as the town that Nora Roberts lives in and has several businesses. One of these businesses is a bookstore. And yesterday, that bookstore was having a signing.
These happen two or three (maybe four?) times a year, and I always think I’d like to go up and participate. It’s about a 90 minute drive, so it’s not awful, and it’s through some lovely scenery. But I’ve never managed to go. Yesterday, though, our very own (former) blogger, Lee Tobin McClain was signing with Nora Roberts (and others) and I realized I couldn’t pass up the chance to go.
Here’s my sister and me as we waited out in the line to get our tickets for the signing. I’m on the left (not the red head.)
We arrived around 11:30, got our tickets by noon and purchased our books. But our group for the signing wasn’t going to get in until 3-3:30. So we had some time to kill. We ate a fabulous lunch at the same restaurant I’d visited when Lee, Danica Favorite, and I met up in Boonsboro a few years ago, and then, finally, it was time.
Of course, first we had to stand in more line. But I will say they have a well oiled machine and we didn’t honestly end up waiting too long. And, well, what’s not to love about spending time in rooms full of books?
Then finally – Lee! (That’s us on the right. All the authors were dressed up for Halloween — lee was a dog catcher.)
All in all, it was a lot of fun and I’m glad I got to go. I came home with a huge stack of books (none inspy, sadly) and more than that had a great day out with my sister. It was like a mini vacation.
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Last Week on Inspy Romance
Monday: Kimberly Rose Johnson introduced us to her new Christmas romance.
Tuesday: Hallee Bridgeman celebrated her 30th release with us.
Wednesday: Jackie Castle asked for our help finding the perfect Christmas cover.
Thursday: Lindi Peterson wondered when the most wonderful time of the year was.
Friday: Heather Gray talked about giving away grace.
Saturday: Marion Ueckermann invited us to fall in love in Africa.
Next Week on Inspy Romance
Monday: Angela Ruth Strong
Tuesday: Liwen Ho
Wednesday: Ginger Solomon
Thursday: Deb Kastner
Friday: Sally Bayless
Saturday: Narelle Atkins
New Releases
October 2019
The Texan’s surprise Return (the Cowboys of Diamondback Ranch) by Jolene Navarro
Sara’s Gift (Small-Town Christmas Wishes) by Kimberly Rose Johnson
Valerie’s Verdict (The Dixon Brothers 2) by Hallee Bridgeman
Nate’s Gift (Small-Town Christmas Wishes) by Jackie Castle
Once Upon a Christmas: Contemporary Retellings of Timeless Tales by Toni Shiloh, Angela Ruth Strong, Jaycee Weaver, and 2 others
Saddle Springs Romance 1-3 by Valerie Comer
November 2019
A Heart Reconsidered (Peacock Hill 6) by Elizabeth Maddrey
The Cowboy’s Belated Discovery (Saddle Springs Romance 5) by Valerie Comer
A Place to Find Love (Front Porch Promises 6) by Merrillee Whren
Always (Imagination 7) by Staci Stallings
Southern Hearts 1-4 by Janet W. Ferguson
Restoring Christmas by Julie Arduini
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I feel like I’d be remiss if I didn’t share a picture of me with Nora Roberts dressed in her pirate garb.
Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
Thank you SO MUCH for coming! It was terrific to see you and to meet your sister. Glad you had fun. Next time, we have to make it a lunch-and-writing day out.
Wow! So much fun!! Sounds like you had an awesome trip!😁
Hi Elizabeth! Thanks for sharing your awesome experience and the pics. Been a fun week with Marion Ueckermann Facebook African Safari, which this morning gave me a chance to reminisce the awesome caves I have visited in three countries on three different continents.
Yesterday spent the day at the Southwest Michigan Writers Conference with my book club buddy Wendy. We meet new and awesome Michigan authors. Meet the Children’s author Mary Morgan, who wrote the National Park Mystery Series and our keynote speaker was Kate Collin, whose first three Flower Shop Mysteries have been made into Hallmark Movies with Brooke Shield. Awesome time. Already looking forward to next year’s conference.
Been raining with high winds all night. Been praying no homes will be washed into Lake Michigan. Remember the 1960s and 1990s when homes were washed away. The Great Lakes are at an all time high. Last week the waves were over the historic lighthouse – 30 feet. Best wishes.
Yes!! We really are close enough to get together now and then!! I will even come to PA if that makes it easier :)
It really was a lovely day!
The Safari on Facebook has been fun for sure! And your Saturday trip sounds like a delight! I’m glad you got to go and had a friend to go with you :)
The rain is good but floods are not – praying the rain stops before that’s an issue.
That is so cool! Maybe I’ll go one year.
It’s worth the trek, I think, if you can make the schedule work!
What a fun trip! Thanks for sharing. We’re experiencing our second power outage here in California for safety reasons – high winds and low humidity. I’m using my husband’s cell phone as a mobile wifi spot to check email :-)
Sounds like you had a great time!! How fun! The closest I’ve come to something like that was when I went with a friend and had Precious Moments figurines signed by Sam Butcher.
Oh man. Those power outages look like a pain. Better than fires but still. Be safe! Praying that you can have power soon.
Oh that sounds fun too!
It really was a great day and I’m glad I went (I almost talked myself out of it.)
I’ve never been to a book signing. It looks like tons of fun! Glad you had a nice day.
I just read one of your books : Loaves and Wishes. It was great to visit in Arcadia Valley. Makes me want to visit! Blessings!
I do that, too, almost talk myself out of stuff. Sometimes, I’m glad I did them, and other times I do wish I’d talked myself out of it!! Lol!!
Ha! Yes – I’ve had those mixed feelings too. But this time it worked out! :)
Oh yay! Arcadia Valley was such a fun series to write.
Sounds like a fun time. I would love to go to a book signing.
Have a blessed Sunday!
It was really fun — I hope you get a chance to go to one some day!
Thanks! You too!
Looks like you had a great time. I have only been to signing for sports stars. (Mainly Cricketers). One year I got a book signed and photo at one end of the Mall and I was with a new friend I had meet at the training session and we were walking back up the Mall and another player was doing a signing only he didn’t have anyone waiting. I promptly bought the book and had it signed and got a much better photo with him.
I have meet a few lovely Authors at different places (some in America and some more locally). Its always a thrill for me.
It was fun! I felt a little bad that u wasn’t wearing a costume since all the authors were dressed up but none of the other visitors were so maybe that would have been weird 😂
Sounds like fun! We try to visit independent bookstores whenever we visit a town that has one. I’ve never been to a book signing, though.
Thank you for supporting indie bookstores! They’re so important.