I met Kelley Armstrong this afternoon! Contest for a signed copy of Omens!!!!!!

This afternoon author Kelley Armstrong visited our store to sign books as she was ahead of schedule.  She is, after all, headed to Chapters on the west side for a book signing and meet and greet with the public.  How wonderful of her to stop in.  I wouldn't have expected her to be so casual, both in dress and cordiality, but she was.  Very down to earth and pleasant and extremely patient with those of us who gathered her novels for signature and asked her questions that came to mind.  We'd no idea she was coming so it was a nice treat.

photo by Curtis Lantinga
courtesy of Kelley Armstrong press release

http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/PDFs/KelleyArmstrong-press-kit.pdf

Here's a taste of our conversation:

When asked if she thought any of her books would make it to film Kelley told us the filming of "Bitten" has just finished.  Watch for it soon!!!

Kelley's favourite book that she authored?  Omens (the first in the Cainsville series and her newest release.)  When asked about her favourite book she said it is always her latest release because she believes the more she writes the better they get. (paraphrased).

Twenty-four-year-old Olivia Taylor Jones has the perfect life. The only daughter of a wealthy, prominent Chicago family, she has an Ivy League education, pursues volunteerism and philanthropy, and is engaged to a handsome young tech firm CEO with political ambitions.

But Olivia’s world is shattered when she learns that she’s adopted. Her real parents? Todd and Pamela Larsen, notorious serial killers serving a life sentence. When the news brings a maelstrom of unwanted publicity to her adopted family and fiancé, Olivia decides to find out the truth about the Larsens.

Olivia ends up in the small town of Cainsville, Illinois, an old and cloistered community that takes a particular interest in both Olivia and her efforts to uncover her birth parents’ past.

Aided by her mother’s former lawyer, Gabriel Walsh, Olivia focuses on the Larsens’ last crime, the one her birth mother swears will prove their innocence. But as she and Gabriel start investigating the case, Olivia finds herself drawing on abilities that have remained hidden since her childhood, gifts that make her both a valuable addition to Cainsville and deeply vulnerable to unknown enemies. Because there are darker secrets behind her new home, and powers lurking in the shadows that have their own plans for her.

Her little secret?  When interviewed for Indigo Writers Unblocked Kelley was asked how she reads and what she reads.  She responded with a book she intends to read, "Moby Dick."  The key word is intends.  She has a copy but actually hasn't seen it for three years!  She has actually been saying she intends to read it for 20 years but it just doesn't catch her attention.

When Kelley went to the store front to sign the last of her books a co-worker pointed out that her latest release, Omens, was faced beside some copies of Moby Dick!!!  How's that for destiny?  Do you think she'll read it now?

As a bookseller, we see a lot of books but it is a rare treat when we get to meet the author.  That never gets old!!


I have a contest for my readers.  The first person to respond by telling me the following three things will receive a signed copy of Omens.  

1.  Here's an easy one but it's a test to see if you actually read this post.  ;)  Which classic does Kelley Armstrong intend to read someday?

2.  For which of her books has filming just been completed?

3.  Is she right-handed or left-handed?

Contest open to residents of US and Canada.  Closes in one week - midnight September 11/13.

The fine print:

I would appreciate it if you were a follower but it isn't necessary for this contest.  Please leave your answer as a comment with a means of contact so I can email the winner.  Upon the sending of my email, the winner will have three days to respond with their mailing address or they forfeit the prize and the second person to respond with the correct answers will be awarded the prize.