Last Night I had a great time at a book signing and panel discussion at Powell's Books. The evenings guests of honor were authors Mark Henry, Mario Acevedo, Cherie Priest and Caitlin Kittredge. Portland was the last leg of a week long road trip tour billed as The Paranormal Bender Tour. It took the group from Las Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, finally here to Portland and then off to Seattle.

Mario Acevedo led the panel discussion and our tired authors shared interesting insights about how their early inspirations in writing, how long on average it takes each member to write their books to why you don't let Mario book the hotels. If you do you end up in a joint on the scary side of town that "smells like ass" with windows that no longer lock because they've been tampered with from the outside. Mario's new book JAILBAIT ZOMBIE is out and in my hot little hands. Though I still need to read the previous three books in his Felix Gomez series.

Cough drop popping Mark Henry managed to get ill during the tour. Poor, insanely crazy guy. I haven't read HAPPY HOUR OF THE DAMNED yet but his current release ROAD TRIP OF THE LIVING DEAD is sitting here on my desk staring at me. I look forward to reading his work. That man has a lightning fast twisted wit that just begs for some sort of vehicle to run over unsuspecting readers. Books be it.

Caitlin Kittredge is just downright adorable. She can swear like a biker with a very sweet almost innocent voice. Her series has been on my TBR shelf as I've slowly been getting through it. I do believe I will most definitely have to move NIGHT SHIFT and PURE BLOOD higher up my list. I've been assured that I don't have to read the Nocturne City series in order but heck, I have them all I might as well. SECOND SKIN is her most recent release.

Cherie Priest is still new to me but I must admit I've taken a shine to her. Like the rest of her group she is scary bright and creative. I picked up her new novel FATHOM which is out in HC right now. She's mostly know for her Southern Gothic and some Horror. I can't wait to bury my nose in FATHOM book.

I'm disappointed in the low audience turnout of current and potential fans. Especially since three of the four authors are local NW authors. Only 28 people came to see them. I was sure that because there were four of them there that we would have more people. As tired as this group was from the tour they were fun to spend time with. I may not have read their work before last night but that will change soon.

You can find more blog entries from this group and many more paranormal and urban fantasy authors on The League of Reluctant Adults.