Thanks so much to everyone who celebrated the release of my latest novel, Blessed (Tantalize series), and Mari Mancusi‘s latest novel, Night School (Blood Coven series), last Saturday at BookPeople in Austin. Thanks also to everyone who tweeted, blogged, facebooked, talked up, or otherwise made noise about the event!

It’s vampire (me) versus slayer (Mari) as we leap into action, mugging for the cameras.

Vampire bartender Bethany Hegedus greets guests with a toothy smile. Note: Gene Brenek also helped with bartending/refreshment duties/set up.

The menu included cover art cake, raspberry lemon bars (courtesy of Amy Rose Capetta) as well as bat sugar cookies and heart sugar cookies (courtesy of Anne Bustard).

We offered “fairy blood,” “synthetic blood,” and “real blood” at the vampire bar! (Special thanks & kudos to Mandy at BookPeople–very creative!)

Here a closer look at the cover-cake, which Mari coordinated with H-E-B supermarket.

Check out these chocolate chip cookies (courtesy of Gene). A’ la Sanguini’s, the “predator” ones have bacon in them and the “prey” ones don’t.

Anne Bustard is famous for her sugar cookies! Aren’t these bats adorable?

College Station author Kathi Appelt chats with Mari.

San Antonio author Peni Griffin models the new books!

Austin authors Liz Garton Scanlon, Jennifer Ziegler (and Chris Barton in the background).

Kathi with Austin author Jessica Lee Anderson.

Jessica with author-illustrator Frances Yansky.

Austin SCBWI RA and author Debbie Gonzales with Austin author-illustrator Emma Virjan.

Here’s a peek at some of the giveaways, courtesy of Candlewick (Blessed) and Penguin (Night School). We awarded them to folks in the audience who asked a question.

Suddenly, the crowd poured in, and it was time to set down the camera.

Another crowd shot, before everyone settled in for the standing-room-only presentation.

The program consisted of our book trailers, followed by Mari and I interviewing each other and then taking questions from the audience. Note: a number of folks commented that they enjoyed this interactive format.

Finally, we signed books for about an hour and then visited with the readers kind enough to join us. It was an upbeat, jovial, spooky-fun time!

One last shot of author-slayer Mari! What a treat to share the stage with her!

Cynsational Notes

Miss the party? No worries! BookPeople has signed stock of both Blessed and Night School! Swing by the store or call 512.472.5050 to order.

Thank you to BookPeople, Candlewick Press and Penguin Young Readers for your support!

Thank you to Jen Bigheart, the Literary Lonestars & the whole Texas book blogger community! Note: I don’t dare try to list everyone for fear of accidentally leaving someone out, but please do know that you are hugely appreciated!

Blessed will be available from Walker Books Australia and New Zealand tomorrow! See details!

LAST CALL: enter to win the Blessed Grand Prize Giveaway from Cynsations. Deadline: Jan. 31.

Blessed Blog Tour: Interview with Bradley and Giveaway from Pirate Penguin Reads. Peek: “Cursed Internet. Deception was such a readily available snack in the early-to-mid twentieth century.” Giveaway deadline: Feb. 6.

Blessed Blog Tour: Secondary Characters & Giveaway by Cynthia Leitich Smith from Badass Bookie. Peek: “Secondary characters mirror individual qualities of the hero. Illuminate them. Secondary characters challenge the hero. Fuel their growth. Secondary characters comment on the main characters. They help tell the readers what we need to know.” Giveaway deadline: Feb. 4.

Blessed Blog Tour: Top Ten YA Recommendations & Giveaway by Cynthia Leitich Smith from A Good Addiction. Giveaway deadline: Feb. 6.

Cynsational Events

Blessed In-Person Author Tour Schedule in Central Texas and the Northeastern U.S.: sponsored by Candlewick Press. Are you in New York, New Jersey, or the Philly area? Come join me along the way!

Finally

Here are the book trailers for Night School:

and Blessed: