Author Events: Meeting Ingrid Hoffman, celebrity chef

Monday night my mom and I went to a book signing. Now usually a book signing is something I go to with a friend (if I can get one to come with me) or by myself but my mom came along this time because she knew who the author was. Ingrid Hoffman, a celebrity chef was promoting her book, Latin d'Lite. She has a cooking show called Delicioso that airs on Univision and she also has a show on The Cooking Channel called Simply Delicioso and my family has seen a few of her show’s episodes so I am sure my brother and sister would have liked to come too but the signing was at 7 and my mom works late so we went straight after work.

The store, Books & Books, doesn't do any advertising for their author events so I wasn't surprised that there were a lot of empty seats at the signing (especially since it was a Monday night). I mean the only reason I knew about it is because I receive emails directly from the store and then I told my mom about it. Despite the small group the signing was great. Ingrid was very laid back and honest and she had a lot of energy as she went through her presentation. She not only talked about the book itself (why she decided to create it and what it was about) but she took us all through the makings of the book, the behind the scenes, and she had pictures to show us on a slideshow.

It was very informative and interesting to learn and see how much work actually goes into making a cook book and oh my god A LOT of work goes into making a cook book. I already knew from following fiction writing authors online and going to signings that publishing a book requires WORK and perseverance and dedication but creating a recipe book involves on top of that other things you wouldn't need for regular books like photographers, a food stylus, studio, test kitchens, props and of course FOOD. Lots and lots of food. If you have ever seen the movie Julie and Julia you know how long it takes just to pick and test the recipes that are going to be in your book well now picture that process with the addition of the elements I just listed. I know regular books can involve photographers and models and other things to make an image look great but that’s almost always for the exterior, the book cover, well a good recipe book has pictures of food on the INSIDE of the book too.

Mexican Port Pozole

This was definitely one of my favourite author signings to attend and not just because we got free food (Wahoo Ceviche). The signing went beyond what I expected. The topics that were touched on were – publishing restrictions in regards to Latinos and Hispanics, the impact of big industry farming, the problem with hunger in America, schools based on cooking helping disadvantaged youth to succeed, jobs in the food industry besides being a chef, ingredients from the 1920 and 1800s that no longer exist along with other things I am sure I have forgotten.

After the presentation and chat there was the signing. I always buy a book when I go to a signing and Ingrid signed it and personalized it for my mom. My mom in fact had reached the store before me and she told me she got to have a long chat with Ingrid about her touring and I made sure she got a picture with her. I am happy my mom got this experience, she works so hard and always seems busy and doesn't really go out often (I think I get my introversion from her maybe) so I am happy I was able to share this with her. She said she couldn't believe she got to meet Ingrid and I am happy she did.

Latin burgers with caramelized onion
 and jalapeno relish and red pepper mayonnaise

Sorry I have no images from the actual event (except one with my mom and Ingrid) I left my camera in the car and my phone camera doesn't work.

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Author Highlight: Melissa Marr

The first book I ever read by Melissa Marr was discovered on the book shelf of my university's Barnes & Noble. I noticed the title first Wicked Lovely as the book was placed spine out and picked it up. My first thought was that the cover was gorgeous, which made me instantly weary because I didn't want to buy the book just because I thought the cover was pretty. I read the synopsis and was interested but still wasn't sure if I was being objective and placed the book down. The next time I returned to the store I picked up Wicked Lovely, read the first chapter, and bought the book.

Melissa Marr is one of my favourite authors because she writes books about complex characters set in modern day times that are enshrouded in worlds steeped in legend and folklore. Her Wicked Lovely series is about faeries that could be over nine hundred years old but don’t feel any less real then my friends and family because like us they have motivations, fears, desires and goals. They have pasts that shape them. Her Graveminder novel is about inhabitants of a town where certain rituals must take place or the dead won’t stay buried but what connects the reader to the story are the characters that tell it. Characters who have been thrust into roles they may not want to play but are the only ones who can.

Along with publishing novels Melissa has also published the manga series Desert Tales and has been published in several anthologies such as Teeth, Love is Hell, and Enthralled which she co-edited with Kelley Armstrong. Her latest YA novel Carnival of Souls will be released September 4th. From the information released so far this story sounds like it's going to be another fantastic world filled with an intriguing ensemble of characters.

Photo by Loch Marr

Melissa Marr grew up believing in faeries, ghosts, and various other creatures. After teaching college literature for a decade, she applied her fascination with folklore to writing. Wicked Lovely was her first novel. Currently, Marr lives in the Washington, D.C., area, writes full-time, and still believes in faeries and ghosts.

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Author Hightlight: Cinda Williams Chima

Cinda Williams Chima is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers, the first book I read by her was The Warrior Heir and that was an amazing book, in fact, it was downright fantastic. I loved it so much that I quickly went through the whole Heir Chronicles. Each book is fast pace and intriguing and they will pull you in until the end. While reading them I felt as if my whole life had become the world of the series and I would suggest that anyone who can get their hands on the first book to get it now.

I have also started reading the Seven Realms Series and at first thought that maybe it would not be as good as the Heir Chronicles but it is just as great. And these series at times may seem the same but are completely different, they both keep you on your feet and her writing is different, it is compelling, fast pace and everything you would expected from a fantastic, fantasy author.

I must tell you Ms. Chima, thank-you for these books. I can’t even come up with the words to say how much they mean to me. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next.

The Heir Chronicles


Unreleased
Titles (tentative):The Sorcerer Heir and The Enchanter Heir
Release Dates: Unknown

The Seven Realms Series


Unreleased
Title: The Crimson Crown
Released Year: 2012

Click on the book covers and links to be taken to each book's information page on the author's website.

Cinda Williams Chima began writing romance novels in middle school, which were frequently confiscated by her English teacher. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling Heir series of young adult fantasy novels. A graduate of the University of Akron and Case Western Reserve.

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