Decatur Book Festival #dbf2014 #books @JFrenchAuthor @0jkbarber0

My kids haven't gone with me to the book festival in a couple of years. After last year's haul of books, they decided to tag along with me. There weren't any sessions they (or I) wanted to attend, which made the whole visit much simpler and shorter. Lack of funds didn't hurt either.

At any rate, my son and I both agreed we had to find Jonathan French and get his newest book - The Errantry of Bantam Flyn. We were easily successful on that, and son was happy to have gotten to meet an author he really likes. Directly next to Mr. French was a husband/wife pair, J.K. Barber. They quickly caught my daughter's attention with their run down of the books they'd written. My daughter came away with a 3-in-1 book of their first series (Chronicles of Aronshae). From what we were told, there are only 550 of it printed (no plans to print more) and she got it signed by the authors AND the artist. I think she got an awesome prize there.  The third book is by just the wife.  Hopefully, the kids will put up a review of the books on their site later.

We also hit up a couple of the used book booths. I found 4 books for $10 at one spot, my daughter got 2 at the same location. We also picked up 6 at another stall (3 for $10). Some are for gifts.

After that (and lunch) we'd run out of our pocket money, so we headed home where it was much cooler.  Just in case you're interested, though, my understanding is that Jonathan French will also be at the CONjuration Con in October.

Review: Mindspace Investigations Novels @AHughesWriter

Another one of the authors I met and talked with at the +Decatur Book Festival .  A Georgia native, Alex Hughes isn't necessarily new on the scene, though she "only" has 3 books at Amazon.  I read Sharp and Clean, novels in the Mindspace Investigations series.  There is a novella called Payoff that I have yet to get to.  The next in the series is due out in the first half of next year.

I don't always like to do a synopsis, you can read that from the author without my twists on it.   I will state that it is based in Atlanta, in the way distant future.  If you're a resident, you'll easily recognize many of the landmarks she goes through during the stories.  The primary character is very flawed and telepathic.  If you like the tortured male lead character, he'll fit right in. 

Clean gives you a basic history and starts the series.  You learn fairly quickly that the lead character needs help, a lot of it.  He is working as a contractor with the local police department.  Story one takes you through solving a difficult and harrowing case.  Story two picks up where the first one left off and leaves you waiting for the third.  You will leave the series anticipating what's to come, but not knowing how it will happen.

I finished both books within 3 days. (A rather rare occasion that I had the time.)  So, now I sit and wait for the release of the next book.  If you're into sci fi/crime type books, definitely a good read.  I look forward to seeing where Ms. Hughes goes from here.

Decatur Book Festival #dbf2013

2013 DBF Signed Books

My kids were supposed to go with me Saturday, but my daughter decided before getting out of bed that she'd pass.  My son decided 10 minutes before leaving that since there was really only one session/pair of authors he wanted to see, that he'd pass.  For some reason, he didn't want to be stuck wandering with me and listening to all of the others I wanted to hear.  Especially since his session was the first one of the day.

At any rate, I heard some authors who are apparently well known, but not to me.  I talked with some authors who are not small but building a base and to one that has a very small base.  All were fascinating.  For sessions, I went to Rick Yancey & D.J. McHale at the teen stage.  I brought back books for my son from this session.  I saw Alex Hughes and Lev & Austin Grossman.  I visited with Johnathan French, Guy Cote, Robert Jay, Georgia Romance Writers (several good ones there), J. K. Barber and more.  I spent an entire day wandering downtown Decatur and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I also watched the Emory acapella group Ahana sing. I recorded the songs and put them on my YouTube channel.  Just scroll down, they're under both "Music" and "Recent".