Reading For Fun: My trip to UtopYA 2014

I had the time of my life in Nashville for my second UtopYA convention. This year it was held at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel. I was expecting it to be similar to last years convention, but I was wrong. There were so many authors, bloggers, cover models and all around book lovers that I didn't get a chance to meet everyone. This of course gives me the excuse to get my tickets for next year. HAHA So please join me as I relive some of the highlights of my trip to UtopYA 2014.

Thursday

I was lucky enough to take my mom and sisters (Cassie & Terri) along with me. We had an 8 hour drive, so we left at 5am. The excitement was the only thing that kept our eyes open that early.

After check in, we had the Reader Abduction. Now picture this, you walk into the room and all you hear is cheering and see everyone lined up to greet you (Oh yeah, they handed you a head band with two little aliens on it). The energy was contageous and uplifting. We played games for prizes and had raffles. I was lucky enough to win a Quinn Loftis prize. Woot woot!

Thank you to Carol and Adam Kunz, Quinn Loftis, Tiffany King and everyone who made the party so much fun! And I want to give Tonya Rupell from Stone Soup Designs a shout out!

Friday & Saturday

Opening announcements, then keynote speaker Sylvia Day. I enjoyed her speech immensely. I was fortunate enough to get her book autographed and my photo taken with her.

The rest of day 2 is a blurr. I ran around all day, into the evening at the author signing and started all over on Saturday morning. I met as many authors as possible. I felt like I was 16 all over again. My final book count was 169 books.

Here are some of my favorite fangirl moments!!

Chanda Hahn

Brenda Pandos

Karice Bolton

Kristen Day & Nancy Straight

Cover Model Jesse Daniels

R.K. Ryals

And of course meeting my blog partner and friend Justine

Justine Vandale

The Awards

I was so happy and shocked to be nominated as blogger of the year. I had the honor of sitting next to author Mary Ting and N.L. Greene during the awards. I may not have won, but I felt like a winner.

Dance & Fun

R.K. Ryals

Brenda Pandos

Morgan Wylie

I even had my cards read by the wonderful Eva Pohler!!

There are so many others...I will be posting photos on other posts.

I would like to say a special thank you to Janet Wallace for hosting the UtopYA convention. I not only met many authors and book lovers, but I had my first girls trip with my mother and sister. It was a trip I will never forget.

And now for the GIVEAWAY!