Unmarked by Kami Garcia Release Event at B&N at The Grove

Ever since I was introduced to the Beautiful Creatures Series written by co-authors Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, I have been following these two authors. I absolutely fell in love with their characters in this series. Since then, these two amazing writers have released their solo books as well. So, you can imagine my excitement when I found out that Kami Garcia was scheduled for an event at the Barnes & Noble at The Grove in Los Angeles. I was absolutely stoked about it, and I knew I cannot miss it! But, of course, this event was scheduled after the weekend I move my daughter in to her dorm up at UC Davis. So, yah, I was in for a very busy five days...hahaha!! But...oh so worth it! Not only that...this Barnes & Noble store is one of my favorite ones to go to, especially because of the amazing events that takes place there. Yes, I do make the drive to Los Angeles for these events!

Well, on September 30, a few friends and and I attended the fun event celebrating the release of Kami Garcia's book, Unmarked, the second book in The Legions Series. We even had another amazing author, Melissa dela Cruz, to moderate this discussion with Kami! What fun this night was! I'm always learning something new about these authors...it just makes me admire what they even more! It also makes me enjoy reading their books even more....and appreciate everything they put into writing these amazing stories that fans loves to read about!

Kami Garcia and Melissa dela Cruz

Kami Garcia

Of course, Kami's partner in crime, Margaret Stohl, was also there to support Kami, as well as several other authors that I have met before and then some. What an amazing night filled with various authors! Several authors joined in for a fun lightning round of questions and answers! And...that was hilarious! However, I had to contain myself since I was holding the camera...hahaha!! Oh the pain of not being able to really let my laugh out...hahaha! The amazing authors that participated in this fun lightning round were: Katie Alender, Lissa Price, Chrstopher Rice, Gretchen McNeil, Robyn Schneider, Eric Shaw Quinn, and Margaret Stohl...as host for this lightning round.

View the event album at: Movies, Shows & Books on Facebook

Just watch the video below for all the fun and laughs that Kami, Melissa, Margie, and all the authors having a great time at it, and you'll see what I was talking about...haha! All their antics and fun banter made this event so lively and enjoyable for everyone! I know I had a good time.

Many thanks to the great staff at Barnes & Noble at the Grove in Los Angeles, California for holding such awesome events at their store!

~~~~~

Now let's talk about Unmarked, the second book in The Legion Series, we are celebrating!

Genre:

Young Adult Paranormal/Supernatural Romance

Horror/Suspense

Series:

The Legion Series, #2

Publish Date:

September 30, 2014

Publisher:

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Synopsis:

The heart-pounding sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller, Unbreakable, by New York Times bestselling Beautiful Creatures co-author Kami Garcia.

He is here... and he could be anyone.

Kennedy Waters lives in a world where vengeance spirits kill, ghosts keep secrets, and a demon walks among us–a demon she accidentally set free. 

Now Kennedy and the other Legion members–Alara, Priest, Lukas, and Jared–have to hunt him down. As they learn more about the history of the Legion and the Illuminati, Kennedy realizes that the greatest mystery of all does not belong to any secret order, but to her own family. With the clock ticking and the life of someone she loves hanging in the balance, Kennedy has to ask the question she fears most: what is it about her past that has left her Unmarked?

   

~~~

Sequel to:

     

Read my review on Unbreakable here!

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**About the Author**

Kami Garcia at SDCC 2013

Kami Garcia is the #1 New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, LA Times, Wall Street Journal, Indiebound and international best-selling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures Series -- and the author of Unbreakable, the first book in The Legion Series, which releases on October 1, 2013. Beautiful Creatures has been published in 50 countries and translated in 39 languages, and it was named Amazon's #1 Teen Book of 2009, and #5 on the Editor's Top 100. The Beautiful Creatures movie based on the novel, released in theaters in February 2013, from Warner Bros., directed by Richard LaGravenese and starring Alden Ehrenreich, Alice Englert, Emmy Rossum, Thomas Mann, Viola Davis, Jeremy Irons, and Emma Thompson. 

Kami Garcia has an MA in education, and taught in the Washington DC area until she moved to Los Angeles, where she was a teacher & Reading Specialist for 17 years. In addition to teaching Kami was a professional artist and led fantasy book groups for children and teens. Kami is fascinated with the paranormal, and she's very superstitious. When she isn't writing, Kami can usually be found watching disaster movies, listening to Soundgarden, or drinking Diet Coke. She recently moved and now lives in Maryland with her husband, son, daughter and their dogs Spike and Oz (named after characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

Stay connected with Kami Garcia

Website | Blog

     

Unbreakable (Book 1 of The Legion Series) by Kami Garcia Giveaway

One of the awesome fun things I enjoy doing is going to these book tours, especially when it's withing driving distance. I recently went to one of the tour stops for The YA Legion Tour on October 2nd, launching Kami Garcia's new solo novel, Unbreakable. In addition to seeing Kami Garcia, other authors were also in attendance for the tour. The tour stop that my daughter and I was able to go to was hosted by Mysterious Galaxy bookstore in San Diego, which, at first, wasn't on the original tour schedule. At this particular tour stop, we had the pleasure of having Lissa Price and Nancy Holder joining Kami for this launch party. However, I was pretty bummed out that Amber Benson had to cancel. The night was still filled with fun and laughs as these amazing authors chatted about their experiences in life and in writing. Although it was a school night, my daughter and I had a great time even though we couldn't stay long. So, for those who wasn't able to go to a launch party, check out my post on our fun night when the YA Legion Tour Stopped in at Mysterious Galaxy!

Lissa Price, Kami Garcia & Nancy Holder

Kami Garcia at SDCC 2013

I had the awesome opportunity to have read Unbreakable in advance when Kami Garcia was at SDCC 2013 signing Advance Reader's Copies (ARC) of Unbreakable for fans. As soon as I found out when and what booth, we were in line to to get one and say "hi!" I don't think I can EVER get tired of seeing my favorite authors, especially when new books are released. Check out "my thoughts" at: http://moviesshowsnbooks.blogspot.com/2013/09/unbreakable-book-1-of-legion-series-by.html.

I loved the story! It reminded me a bit of one of my favorite TV shows, Supernatural. Like Nancy Holder stated, "Supernatural meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Kami Garcia is Joss Whedon's talent-sister! I didn't just read UNBREAKABLE; I lived it. When it comes to supernatural suspense, Garcia is the Slayer." I would have to agree!

So, if you haven't read Unbreakable yet, I think you should...that's just me!

But, for now, check out the book trailer!

So, without further ado, let's have a giveaway! Of course we can't have a launch party without swag! And, that's just what I got!

The Giveaway

YA Legion Tour poster signed by
Kami Garcia, Lissa Price & Nancy Holder

1 Winner will receive a signed copy of Unbreakable

1 Winner will receive a signed YA Legion Tour poster

1 Winner will receive an Unbreakable keychain

3 Winners will receive a signed Unbreakable bookmarks

Must be 13+ to enter

U.S. entries only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The YA Legion Tour Stops at Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego, CA

Unbreakable Tour poster

October 2, 2013 was an amazing and fun night as Kami Garcia launched her new solo book Unbreakable, and stops in at Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego, CA! Yay! Along with Kami Garcia to launch her new book was Nancy Holder and Lissa Price, two amazing authors. After having to miss the stop in Barnes & Noble at The Grove on October 1st, I was oh-so-thankful that there was a stop the next day! 

Lissa Price, Kami Garcia & Nancy Holder

So...Mariah and I made our way to San Diego, just in time for the event, too! Whew! Although it was a school night, Mariah came along anyways! I enjoy sharing events like this with her. Plus, we have been going to these events with these authors several times now, and it's always a fun and memorable time. And, Mysterious Galaxy is always a great venue for these events, this time, we visited the San Diego store. 

Photo credit: Mysterious Galaxy bookstore

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Amber Benson, author of the Calliope Reaper-Jones series, cancelled here appearance for this launch party...<sigh> We were so looking forward to meeting her as well, especially being a Buffy The Vampire Slayer fan. 

Kami Garcia

Lissa Price

Nancy Holder

In addition to this fun event, a fun raffle was held after the Q&A and reading. The lucky winner won an Unbreakable gift box with jewelry, swag, and a $50 MG gift card...now, that's an awesome prize! It was great!

Check out the video clips of this amazing and fun launch party!

This fun event began with author introductions and a discussion of their books.

Kami tells of the raffle winner from the October 1st launch party, then gets 
into discussing what Unbreakable is about.


Lissa, Kami and Nancy discusses writing and deadlines. 
Kami even mentions her office.


Our favorite authors discusses word count, number of pages and writing, 
choice of favorite super power and superstitions.

Check out the swag commemorating the launch of Unbreakable! Even got Starters/Enders bookmarks from Lissa Price!

What a great evening!!! After this fun Q&A, reading and discussion, the signing began. We always have so much fun at these amazing author events; and, each event always has something new and fun to be discussed and launched! If only it wasn't a school night, we would have loved to hang out a bit longer at Mysterious Galaxy to chat with them. 

Getting ready for the signing!

I remember meeting Nancy Holder at a teen book fest in Ontario, CA in 2011! After two years, I finally got my pick with her signed. I read her book Crusade, co-written with Debbie Viguie...an amazing story! I finally got the last two books in this series and signed, too! 

It was also so much fun to catch up with Lissa Price since last we saw her at the L.A. Times Festival of Books! 

Mariah with Lissa Price

Jasmine with Lissa Price

Photo op w/ Lissa Price, Kami Garcia & Nancy Holder

View the photo album of this fun launch party at: 

The YA Legion Tour Stops at Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego

I also was lucky to see Kami Garcia at SDCC 2013 and get a signed ARC (Advance Reading Copy) of Unbreakable. After reading it, I was hooked! I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book!

Check out my review at: Unbreakable (Book 1 of The Legion Series) 

JASMINE's THOUGHTS on Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

Supernatural meets The Da Vinci Code in this action-packed paranormal thriller, the first book in a new series from New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia. 

I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.

When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn't know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy's room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible to protecting the world from a vengeful demon - a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother's place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon -- battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, best-selling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels.

Unbreakable will be available October 1, 2013

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Mysterious Galaxy

iBookstore

Check out the book trailer!

About the Author

Kami Garcia at SDCC 2013

Kami Garcia is the #1 New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, LA Times, Wall Street Journal, Indiebound and international best-selling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures Series -- and the author of Unbreakable, the first book in The Legion Series, which releases on October 1, 2013. Beautiful Creatures has been published in 50 countries and translated in 39 languages, and it was named Amazon's #1 Teen Book of 2009, and #5 on the Editor's Top 100. The Beautiful Creatures movie based on the novel, released in theaters in February 2013, from Warner Bros., directed by Richard LaGravenese and starring Alden Ehrenreich, Alice Englert, Emmy Rossum, Thomas Mann, Viola Davis, Jeremy Irons, and Emma Thompson. 

Kami Garcia has an MA in education, and taught in the Washington DC area until she moved to Los Angeles, where she was a teacher & Reading Specialist for 17 years. In addition to teaching Kami was a professional artist and led fantasy book groups for children and teens. Kami is fascinated with the paranormal, and she's very superstitious. When she isn't writing, Kami can usually be found watching disaster movies, listening to Soundgarden, or drinking Diet Coke. She recently moved and now lives in Maryland with her husband, son, daughter and their dogs Spike and Oz (named after characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

Stay Connected:

Website
Blog

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Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Pinterest

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NOTE: Review contains NO spoilers

My Thoughts

First off, I had the amazing opportunity to get an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of Kami Garcia's new book Unbreakable at SDCC 2013! Thank you Kami!! I was stoked to even have it signed by her! It is always so much fun to visit favorite authors at events! 

So, yes, I read this amazing new story by Kami Garcia! It definitely was a page turner. I was drawn in to Kennedy's plight into the supernatural. Kami immediately pulled me in to Kennedy's world of ghosts, spirits and demons with the events that followed after the death of Kennedy's mother. As I read the book, the characters, especially Lukas and Jared Lockhart, reminded me of one of my favorite shows Supernatural. With all the plot twists and clues, I couldn't put the book down. I just had to keep "riding" along with the characters to solve this mystery. All is not what it seems as each of these characters, especially Kennedy, comes to find out. These characters are only teenagers thrust into this dark supernatural world with only journals that was left to them to guide them. 

Kami Garcia did an amazing dark world in which these teens are thrown into a world that they are not really ready for, especially Kennedy. Told in Kennedy's point of view, she learns about that there is more in the world that can hurt her...and it is not only ghosts. Her characters are so well developed that I completely enjoyed their individual personalities. There is no mistaking that they are teenagers...making mistakes, learning from it, and having to grow up fast under the circumstances. The plot will take readers into the dark and supernatural world of ghosts and demons...along with secrets.

Yup! Unbreakable is definitely an action-packed, fast-paced, creepy, suspenseful and thrilling "road trip" for these young hunters... and readers! I absolutely enjoyed going on this "road trip" with Kennedy, Lukas, Jared, Alara and Priest! I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in of The Legion Series by Kami Garcia!

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars