7 Books to Satisfy Your Ireland Wanderlust

Anyone who knows me well knows I’m obsessed with Ireland, and have been for many years. I still haven’t actually made it to the Emerald Isle, but I travel there vicariously as often as I can. If you’re like me and you’ll read just about anything set in Ireland, I’ve put together a list of some of my favourite books to satisfy your desire for sexy accents, lush landscapes, and a bit of blarney. A common theme I’ve noticed about books set in Ireland is the desire for the main character to lose themself or escape. People seem to go there for a fresh start, a new perspective, and a bit of romance or magic - often both. Because of that, all of the books on this list with one exception are romances, and they range from Young Adult to Adult. Here’s hoping you’ll find your next favourite book on this list!

Jewels of the Sun by Nora Roberts Genre: Contemporary Adult Romance with elements of paranormal Buy Jewels of the Sun: Amazon US || Amazon Canada

This book is the first in the Gallaghers of Ardmore trilogy (Tears of the Moon is book two and Heart of the Sea is the third book), which follows a trio of Irish siblings and their ‘destined’ romances. I’ve read all three books multiple times, and they’ve definitely stoked my obsession with Ireland. Jewels of the Sun features Jude, an American who has gone to Ireland to get distance from her past and also to do research for a book on Irish folklore. Not only does she discover the existence of faeries and ghosts, she also finds a charming Irishman she finds impossible to resist. This is my favourite of the trilogy because I related to Jude so much, and I loved how romance, folklore, and magic were woven through the story. This whole series will always have a special place in my heart; you can read more on Instagram about how these books were my introduction to the Romance genre.

Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Buy Love & Luck: Amazon US || Amazon Canada

Addie and her family travel to Ireland for her aunt’s wedding. She’s supposed to fly to Italy after the wedding to visit her best friend, but plans change unexpectedly and she’s stuck in Ireland. She embarks on a whirlwind tour of Ireland with her brother, his Irish friend, and a guidebook that’s supposed to help heal a broken heart. This book is so sweet and charming. It has the perfect mix of complex characters, real emotion, and humour. The relationship between Addie and her brother Ian was a highlight for me. ‘Travelling’ around Ireland with them was so much fun, and it was as much an emotional journey as a physical one.

There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B Jones Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
Buy There You'll Find Me: Amazon US || Amazon Canada

This is another one of those ‘go to Ireland to get lost and end up getting found’ books. Following the death of her brother, Finley travels to Ireland in the hopes of reclaiming her creativity so she can prepare for her interview at the Manhattan music conservatory. When she lost her brother, she also lost her creativity, and she’s having trouble holding onto her faith. Normally I shy away from books with religious themes because I find they can be preachy, but I actually really appreciated Finley’s journey back to finding her faith, among other things. It was done really well, and I loved ‘being’ in Ireland with her, as well as the adorable Irish love interest Beckett (who’s a Hollywood star, so if the ‘famous guy falls for regular girl’ trope is your thing, add this one to your list).

The Upside of Falling Down by Rebekah Crane Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
Buy The Upside of Falling Down: Amazon US || Amazon Canada

Just like I tend to shy away from books with religious themes, I also tend to avoid books that feature characters with amnesia. I can’t remember whether this book was a random Amazon discovery or if someone recommended it to me, but I was sold on the Irish setting.
Clementine wakes up in a hospital in Ireland with no memories. All she knows is what she’s told: she was the lone survivor of a plane crash, and her dad is on his way from America. She doesn’t remember why she was on that plane, what her plans were for Ireland, or anything about herself, her past, or her family. The pressure of trying to remember, paired with nothing feeling right to her, is too much to handle, so when she meets a cute Irish boy visiting the hospital, she assumes a new identity, makes up a story about why she’s there, and asks for his help...which includes fleeing the hospital and travelling to a different part of Ireland. I loved that more than anything, this was a story about discovering who you are and who you want to be, while still honouring your past. The characters were great, and I was completely invested in their story.

Top O’ the Mournin’ by Maddy Hunter
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Buy Top O’ the Mournin’: Amazon US || Amazon Canada

Breaking up all the contemporary and romance books...Top O’ the Mournin’ is the second book in the Passport to Peril series (aka my absolute favourite cozy mystery series). These books follow the misadventures of Emily, a tour guide in charge of a band of misfit seniors from Iowa. Trouble - and death - follow them everywhere they go, and Ireland is no different. What I love about Hunter’s books (besides the fact they’re laugh-out-loud funny from beginning to end) is how vividly she describes the setting of each book without ever overdoing it. You really feel like you’re there. Also, I’ve read all 12 of Hunter’s books and I’ve never once correctly guessed the killer, so she’s a master at weaving a great mystery.

Her Best Laid Plans by Cara McKenna Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy Her Best Laid Plans: Amazon US || Amazon Canada

This novella is from Cosmopolitan’s Red Hot Reads Harlequin line and it’s perfect if you’re looking for a quick, sexy read. Don’t let the 85-page length fool you; this book packs a surprising amount of content, including a fun plot and fleshed-out characters.

Jamie has escaped to Ireland after having her heart broken. She's reconciled herself to a quiet two weeks house-sitting when she meets hot Irish bartender Connor. They both know there can be no future for them, but that doesn't stop them from enjoying each other's company while they can...and by 'enjoying each other's company', let me just say this book is called a red-hot read for a reason! *fans self*

Love and Shenanigans by Zara Keane
Genre: Adult Romantic Comedy
Buy Love and Shenanigans: Amazon US || Amazon Canada

This is the only book on the list that doesn’t involve ‘escaping’ to Ireland, because it features characters who already live there and is written by an Irish author. Love and Shenanigans is the first in the Ballybeg series, which follows the lives, loves, and misadventures of people in the small town of Ballybeg, Ireland.
After discovering the drunken vows they exchanged in Las Vegas almost a decade ago were actually legally binding, Fiona and Gavin find themselves in a bit of a predicament...especially since Gavin was about to marry someone else. Unfortunately (or in this case, fortunately), the divorce laws in Ireland make a quickie divorce impossible, so Fiona and Gavin have to figure out what to do next. If escapist fun is your thing, this book will likely be a hit!

Have you read any of these books? Do you have a favourite book set in Ireland? Have you been to Ireland?

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Wanderlust Wednesday Review: From Bad to Wurst by Maddy Hunter

Check out my previous Wanderlust Wednesday posts

Over the last few years, I’ve talked a lot about the Passport to Peril series by Maddy Hunter. Before I started blogging, I was really into cozy mysteries, and this series was by far my favourite, because the books wove together mystery, humour, and travel. Ten books and several years later, each new release still tickles my funny bone, stirs my wanderlust, and keeps me guessing.

Confession: I’ve never had much interest in visiting Germany. I’m not opposed to it, and I’d happily go if I had the chance, but it’s never held the appeal that certain other countries in Europe have. After reading From Bad to Wurst, I have to admit I’m a bit more interested in visiting Germany! I think it’d be really cool to go for Oktoberfest, see the bands play, drink a ton of beer, and try the food, plus the history nerd in me would definitely love exploring some of the sites mentioned in the book.

If you’re looking to travel vicariously and laugh yourself silly while doing it, I can’t recommend these books enough.

The Passport to Peril series:
Alpine for You
Top o’ the Mournin’
Pasta Imperfect
Hula Done It?
G’day to Die
Norway to Hide
Dutch Me Deadly
Bonnie of Evidence
Fleur de Lies
From Bad to Wurst

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

From Bad to Wurst by Maddy Hunter
Series: Passport to Peril #10
Published: December 8th, 2015
Publisher: Midnight Ink
289 pages (paperback)
Genre: Adult Contemporary Mystery
Acquired this book: Bought
Warning: May contain spoilers                   
{GoodReads || Buy this book: Amazon || Chapters/Indigo}

It's Oktoberfest and the globetrotting Iowa seniors are sharing their Sounds of Music adventure with several oompah bands whose dream of performing in a famous German beer hall is about to be realized. But when a deadly relic from wartime Munich rains disaster on the group, their dreams are shattered—until an unlikely guest offers them new hope.

The tour hits a sour note when tragedy strikes a guest who knew the musicians' most guarded secrets. Was the death an unfortunate accident or something more sinister? As the group travels from the beer tents of Munich to the fairytale castle of Mad King Ludwig, Emily strives to restore harmony. But with the situation escalating out of control, could the gang be looking at a terrible end to their German interlude?

Ten books into the Passport to Peril series, and I still don’t know how Maddy Hunter manages to write such fun, funny, unique stories. I’m always impressed, always amused, and always left guessing about the mystery until the last minute.

Every time I pick up one of these books, it feels like being reunited with people I’ve known forever. As soon as I started reading From Bad to Wurst, I was happy to have another chance to catch up with Emily, Etienne, and the rest of the gang from Iowa. By now, I can picture them all so clearly it’s like a movie is playing out in my head as I read. In fact, I’d love to see the Passport to Peril series turned into a TV show or movie. I think it would appeal to people of all ages with its smart humour, relatable characters, and the crazy antics of the seniors. Hunter has a knack for taking a story that should seem ludicrous and making it completely, hilariously believable.

As much as I love Emily - and I really do, I feel like she could be my best friend - the scene-stealing seniors really make these books for me. They’re a mixture of old school and teenage mentality in a way. Their obsession with (and knowledge of) modern technology is so amusing, and I love that you can expect certain things from them in each book, but they still always manage to surprise you. I also really enjoyed the parts with Emily’s mom and dad (I laughed so hard over some of the scenes with Emily’s mom and Nana), and was glad to see more of Etienne in this book. The new characters made great additions as well.

From Bad to Wurst is a laugh-out-loud funny (mis)adventure through Germany. Hunter’s descriptions of the places and history are so seamlessly woven in, I felt like I was right there with the gang as they travelled. This is a great addition to one of my all-time favourite series.

Have you read any of the Passport to Peril books? What did you think? If you haven't read them, do you plan to? Do you like cozy mysteries? Have you been to Germany? Is there anywhere you never thought you'd want to visit, but then something (or someone) changed your mind?

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Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I’ve Read the Most Books From

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

~Top Ten Authors I've Read the Most Books From~

JK Rowling: 9

HARRY POTTER HARRY POTTER HARRY POTTER

Maddy Hunter: 9

The Passport to Peril series is one of my favourite series ever. These cozy mysteries are each set in a different place (Switzerland, Ireland, Italy, Hawaii, Australia, Norway, Holland, Scotland, and France, respectively), and not only are they hilarious, but even after 9 books, I've never been able to figure out the mystery. Plus they stir up my never-ending wanderlust, and I get to live vicariously through Emily.

Cecelia Ahern: 8

Ahern is best known for PS I Love You (gaaah my feels), but she also writes fantastic magical realism. I haven't loved her newer books as much, and I even DNF'd One Hundred Names (it just about killed me to do it because I loved her older books so much, but I was bored senseless). She has a few newer ones I haven't read, and I'm going to take a chance and give them a try sometime soon. If you haven't read any of hers but want to, I'd recommend starting with Where Rainbows End (also known as Rosie Dunne or Love, Rosie), If You Could See Me Now (also known as A Silver Lining) or A Place Called Here (also known as There's No Place Like Here). PS I Love You and The Gift are also personal favourites, but be prepared to be punched in the feels.

 

Sarah Dessen: 6

One of my favourite authors since I was about 15. I hate to admit that despite owning all but two of her books, I still haven't read them all!

Sarah Addison Allen: 5

Another author who writes incredible magical realism. The Sugar Queen is one of my all-time favourite books, and I absolutely love Garden Spells. I re-read it recently, and loved it even more than I did the first time.

Veronica Rossi: 5

THIS SERIES. Gah. Perry, Aria, and Roar are characters that will never, ever leave me.

Lilly Avalon: 5

Lilly is a good friend of mine, plus one of my critique partners (and I happen to design her book covers), so I've read pretty much everything she's written!

Stephanie Perkins: 4

Anna and the French Kiss is another of my all-time favourite books. I adore this whole series, plus Stephanie's contribution to the My True Love Gave to Me anthology was adorable and lovely. 

 

Lia Riley: 4

The Off the Map series is amazing beyond description. I adore Talia and Bran, and Lia's writing is fantastic. These books are honest, bold, sexy, emotional, and totally swoonworthy.

AC Gaughen: 3

ROBIN HOOD. These books turn the Robin Hood legend on its head, with "Will Scarlet" actually being a girl in Robin's band. Tons of action, adventure, heartache, swoons, and feels.

Who are some of the authors you've read the most books from? If you did this week's TTT, feel free to leave your link and I'll visit you in return!

Blog reminders: the cover reveal for my 7th book, Something in the Air, is August 20th, and sign-ups are currently open. I also have 3 giveaways open right now: a wishlist giveaway to celebrate the new design of my blog, plus 2 giveaways from Lilly Avalon!

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Interview with Maddy Hunter, author of the Passport to Peril series

I’ve had quite a few exciting moments in my two years as a book blogger, but I don’t think any of them compare to what I have for you guys today.

I’ve talked about this a few times before, but in case you’ve missed it, one of my favourite series prior to blogging (back when I read mostly romance and cozy mysteries and very little young adult - hard to believe there ever was a time!) was the Passport to Peril series by Maddy Hunter. I discovered them at my library and fell in love from the first book. The characters are kooky and hilarious, the mystery is always tightly woven, and with each book you get to visit a destination that some people only ever dream of.

I was so sad when the series ended after the sixth book. Everything was wrapped up nicely, but I knew I was going to miss Emily and the gang. A little over a year ago when I was doing a Top Ten Tuesday post either about favourite series or books you wished more people knew about, I was looking up the order of the Passport to Peril books and discovered another book was coming out. Thrilled beyond belief, I rushed to Facebook to see if Maddy Hunter had a Facebook page, and she did.

I messaged her and told her how much my mum and I loved her books and how excited we were another book was coming out. Long story short we got to chatting, became online friends, and here I am over a year later interviewing her. To say it’s surreal would be an understatement - how many people actually get to talk to their favourite authors on a semi-regular basis? Maddy is one of the sweetest people I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know, and it’s my great pleasure and honour to share this interview with all of you!

Hi Maddy! Thanks so much for being here today, it’s a real honour to have the opportunity to talk to you about the Passport to Peril series, which has been a favourite of mine for many years.

I know you conceived of the idea of the Passport series when you accompanied a friend's mother on an escorted tour of Switzerland*, but where did the characters come from? 

Some of the characters started out as stereotypes based on a few of the people I traveled with on that first trip. The three Dicks, for instance, were based on three actual men who'd grown up together and were still basically joined at the hip. Bernice made an appearance because there's *always* someone on the tour who's a pain in the neck. Since I decided to write this book in first person, which I'd never tried before, *I* automatically became the main protagonist, so Emily is me. Her character is governed by what *I* would or wouldn't do, so I hope her logical streak comes through! Of course, *I* would never jump off a tourist boat into Lake Lucerne, so she can be a bit braver than I am. 

I needed a foil for my character, so since I grew up with my grandmother and often went on adventures with her, I invented Nana, named after my own Nana. And Jackie, Emily's transgender ex-husband, appeared for two reasons: I'd once worked with a man who later became a woman, and, having majored in anthropology in college, I loved trying to see the world from other people's perspective. I thought it would be fascinating to chronicle the dynamic between Emily and the woman who used to be her husband. Turns out, they're better friends as women than they were as husband and wife! So that's how I initially imagined the characters, but once they leaped onto the page and started talking, they all took on their own personalities. From stereotypes to fleshed out characters. I take no responsibility for it. They did it themselves. 

  

Have you traveled to every destination you’ve written about? And do you travel with the intention of writing a book about a certain place, or do you decide once you’re there whether you’re going to write a book?

I've visited every destination I've written about. Sometimes twice! I've incorporated all my travel since 1999 into the series, so when I go, I know I'll be writing a book based in the area. And if I'm part of a tour, the other guests usually get into the act and try to help me find places to kill my characters. I know it sounds a little warped, but it's great fun. The added benefit of a tour is that I have a viable itinerary to work with. Interestingly though, the books usually take place within a three day time span. I have no idea why it works out that way; it just does. So my reader never sees the group actually completing the whole tour. But trust me. They really do! 

Do you have to do additional research after you’ve traveled?

Normally, when I return from a trip, I buy a guidebook to tell me more about where I've been and what I've seen. I can rely a bit on video that my husband shoots (unfortunately, we have different opinions of what's interesting enough to be on tape), and I shoot still photos (mostly of flowers, which have no mystery value at all, but they're really pretty). What helps me immensely is Googling the area I've visited and being placed right in the midst of it online. Click on the map and boom, you're right there. What a boon! Thanks to Google mapping, I can retrace the whole tour and reacquaint myself with everything I've seen that I've somehow managed to forget or didn't think was important at the time. I have no idea of a plot before I travel. I'm there to be a sponge, soak up atmosphere, and then figure out what to write about. 

Is there a place you’ve been that you consider your favourite?

I absolutely love England. I love the high tea, and the flowers, and the accents, and the pervasive politeness, and the coast of Cornwall, and the history, and the castles. Not so crazy about driving on the opposite side of the street, but it's a small price to pay. And I've yet to write a Passport mystery based in England. I might need to do that. I *did* publish an historical romance entitled, The White Raven, that took place in 18th century Dartmoor. It was the story of a thieftaker and a noblewoman and I became quite enamored with the hero. His name was Cain. Sigh. What a man! 

Who’s your favourite character to write about?

Barring none, I LOVE to write about Nana. She's evolved into a composite of my Irish grandmother and my 90 year-old aunt, and if I'm in a pickle with the plot, she always manages to get me out of it. When she first appeared on paper, she was pretty whacky. I seemed to have included her mostly for comic relief. But after I had a writer friend read a few chapters of the first book and ask the question, "Why is she so dotty?" I realized that I had to flesh her out more and make her less one-dimensional. In doing this, I discovered that Nana wasn't dotty; she was brilliant! She was a woman with lots of life experience, little education, a great deal of practicality, and a hunger for documentaries on cable TV. She's so real to me it's scary! And my mother swears Nana once sat in front of her in church. For a fictional character, Nana obviously gets around.

How do you come up with the clever titles for your books?

My book titles have been a group effort from editors, friends, fans, and me. I'm actually horrible at thinking of titles, so I need lots of help. My brilliant editor at Pocket (Christina Boys) came up with the first two titles (Alpine for You and Top O' the Mournin'), I thought of Pasta Imperfect, an Iowa friend who writes romantic fiction (Anne McAllister) thought of Hula Done It? and G'Day to Die, I came up with Norway to Hide, the editorial board at Midnight Ink provided Dutch Me Deadly, an awesomely clever fan (Christina Ward) thought of Bonnie of Evidence, and another awesome fan (Gail McDonald) came up with the title of the book I'm presently working on, Fleur de Lies. It takes a village!

*If you want to learn more about how Maddy came up with the idea for the Passport to Peril series, she talks about it (and a bunch of other interesting stuff) in an interview with Shelley from Shelley’s Book Case.

Find Maddy Online:

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Alpine for You {GoodReads || Buy}

Top O' the Mournin' {GoodReads || Buy}

Pasta Imperfect {GoodReads || Buy}

Hula Done It? {GoodReads || Buy}

G'Day to Die {GoodReads || Buy}

Norway to Hide {GoodReads || Buy}

Dutch Me Deadly {GoodReads || Buy || My review}

Maddy's latest book, Bonnie of Evidence

{GoodReads || Buy || My Review}

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Review: Bonnie of Evidence by Maddy Hunter

Bonnie of Evidence by Maddy Hunter

Series: Passport to Peril, Book #8

Read my review of Dutch Me Deadly, Book #7

Published: February 8th, 2013

Publisher: Midnight Ink

312 pages (paperback)

Genre: Cozy mystery

Acquired this book: From the author in exchange for an honest review

Warning: May contain spoilers

{GoodReads || Buy this book: Book Depository || Amazon || Chapters/Indigo}

Who kilt Isobel Kronk?

Emily Andrew-Miceli, travel escort extraordinaire, is leading a group of Iowa seniors on a tour of Scotland. And to make the trip even more fun, Emily and her foxy husband, Etienne, have organized a high-tech scavenger hunt. But when one team’s underhanded strategizing brings a cursed dirk into their hotel on Loch Ness, Isobel Kronk — a member of the tour group — ends up dead. Was it the curse of the dagger, as hotel proprietor Mrs. Dalrymple believes? Was it an allergic reaction? Or is there a flesh and blood killer on the loose?

 

The beloved gang from Iowa is back, and this time their adventures take place in bonnie Scotland. The Passport to Peril series has been a favourite of mine for many years, and with Bonnie of Evidence, the eighth installment, I felt like the series had been infused with new life. Something about it felt different, while still staying true to the essence of the series and sticking with what makes the Passport to Peril books so amazing.

I was really excited to see Etienne along for the trip this time, and I thought the addition of Emily’s parents added not only more depth, but also new levels of hilarity to the story. All the old favourites who we know and love from the previous books are back, and at this point I feel like I know them so well they’re like real people. I know how they’re going to react to certain situations, but not in a ‘that’s so predictable’ way - more like they’re friends that you know really well and know their habits, but who still manage to surprise you. And while the humour is familiar, there are new elements too. This is one of those series that never fails to make me laugh out loud.

In eight books, I haven’t once been able to solve the mystery. It’s so tightly woven, and it’s always the last person you would suspect, which I love. I was glad Emily didn’t do too much of the actual sleuthing herself this time and didn’t become obsessed like she sometimes does.

Besides the humour and the mystery, my other favourite part about this series is that I get to live vicariously through other people’s travels. I’ve always been fascinated by Scotland, and I honestly felt like I was there myself. Maddy does a terrific job of dropping in details about a location - interesting facts, descriptions, history, etc. - and I find it all fascinating.

Bonnie of Evidence is definitely one of my new favourites in the Passport to Peril series. Full of humour, suspense, adventure, and wacky, loveable characters, with the lush backdrop of Scotland that will make you want to don a kilt and head for the Highlands, Bonnie of Evidence is a must read.

Find Maddy Online:

{Website || Facebook }

Alpine for You {GoodReads || Buy}

Top O' the Mournin' {GoodReads || Buy}

Pasta Imperfect {GoodReads || Buy}

Hula Done It? {GoodReads || Buy}

G'Day to Die {GoodReads || Buy}

Norway to Hide {GoodReads || Buy}

Dutch Me Deadly {GoodReads || Buy}

Have you read any of the Passport to Peril books? What did you think? Do you enjoy cozy mysteries? How about books with foreign settings?

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Top Ten Bookish People I Want to Meet

 Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. 

Top Ten Bookish People I Want To Meet (Authors, Bloggers, etc.)

I apologize in advance for the extremely long-winded post, but it's not often I get to thank the people who mean so much to me - my online family. <3

 

BLOGGERS

Jessica from Thoughts at One in the Morning, and Molli from Once Upon a Prologue.

It may seem weird to group these two together, but I met them around the same time, and I consider these two girls my best online friends. We have tons in common - besides reading (of course), we're all writers, we like a lot of the same TV shows, movies, and we all share a love for music...oh, and swoonworthy book boys. ;-) I absolutely love these two, and I visit their blogs every single day. They've been amazing friends, and they've both been incredibly supportive of my writing and the crazy journey I've been on in the last year. They're both beta readers for my second novel, The Game Changer, and Jessica actually finished within days of receiving it, which was amazing and exciting. I have future projects planned with both Jess and Molli, and I've pretty much made it my goal in life to meet them 'in real life' someday. The internet is fantastic for bringing people together, but it sucks when you get really close to people and they live so far away!

Kathy from I Write, I Read, I Review

Kat is another blog/reader/writer friend. Funny thing is: she just lives half an hour away. I'm pretty sure she's the closest blogger geographically that I've come across so far. Kat's a sweetheart, and I always love talking books and writing with her. 

 

Katie from The Hob

I met Katie through Molli just a few months ago, but in those few months I've come to love her to bits. We've had some hilarious and borderline ridiculous conversations on Twitter, but also some pretty deep conversations. I like being able to get 'real' with people, even when you're online friends and live so far apart (she's even farther than Jessica and Molli). I've always wanted to go to California, and visiting an amazing online friend sounds like a good excuse, right?

Sharon from Obsession With Books

Sharon was actually one of the very first people to offer to help me promote Blue Sky Days last year (I just went to her blog to check, and the first post she did for the book was October 11th - almost a year ago!). She's one of the sweetest people I've come across, she always has a kind word, and I can tell she has a lovely, gentle, loving soul. Plus she's very patient when I ask her incessant questions about Australia lol

AUTHORS

JK Rowling

Do I really need to explain this one? JK Rowling is just...she's...there are just no words. I can't imagine the world without Harry Potter. I can't imagine my life without Harry Potter. I'm seriously sitting here getting teary right now, that's how much Harry Potter means to me. Even though I'm afraid I'd be a crying, squeeing, ridiculously embarrassing fangirl if I ever met her, I'd like to shake her hand (ok, I'd actually like to give her a great big hug), and say thank you from the bottom of my heart for not only creating a world which I've escaped to countless times, and characters I love as if they were real people, but also for making me want to be a better writer.

Nora Roberts

For the last decade or so I've been saying I want to be Nora Roberts when I grow up. She's so incredibly talented and prolific, she amazes me. I've read so many of her books and loved every single one of them. If I could have even half her talent someday, I'd consider myself lucky...and maybe half her success too? A girl can dream. ;-)

Maddy Hunter

Maddy is another of my favourite authors, but she's one of the rare ones I actually consider a friend. I happened upon her Passport to Peril series at the library several years ago, and both my mum and I read them all. I was so sad when the series ended, but last year I was doing a Top Ten Tuesday post and was double-checking the order of Maddy's books and saw that she had another one coming out. I was so excited, you have no idea. I immediately went to Facebook to see if she had a fan page, and long story short, we got chatting, and she is so nice, so supportive, and just overall wonderful. I have to admit, it's incredibly surreal every time we have a conversation or she 'likes' something of mine on Facebook - I still get a bit starstruck! Plus, she's been incredibly supportive of my writing, which amazes me, because most of the traditionally published authors I've gotten to know via Twitter, Facebook, and blogs...well, it's not that they necessarily look down on indie authors, but I've never really seen any of them show any indie love or support, but Maddy's been awesome about cheering me on, and it means so much to me. PLUS, her books are incredible - hilarious, full of mystery, lovably kookie characters, and fantastic settings. They always temporarily ease my wanderlust because I get to live vicariously. I think it would be so awesome to tag along with her someday on one of her research trips, and to pick her brain about how she comes up with ideas.

 

Sarah Dessen

 When I was fifteen or sixteen, I read Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen. It was like she had written it just for me. That book was about me. I connected with it on such a deep level, and I still consider it my special story. I'd like to say that I've read all of Sarah's books, but I'd be lying. I've probably read about half of them (Along for the Ride is my next favourite to Someone Like You), but I intend to read them all. I would have already except that I didn't start reading YA again until last year. Since this post is already getting really long, if you want to read more about my love of Sarah and her books, I dedicated an entire post to her a year ago May - Early Inspiration - or - Why I Love Sarah Dessen.

 

Sarah Jio

I discovered Sarah last year around the time her debut novel, The Violets of March, debuted. Since then, she's become a favourite online presence. She's incredibly sweet, and she not only answers tweets, she's actually initiated a few (which I've found is rare for big authors.......and on a geeky fangirl note, I remember each tweet she's sent me, because, again, it's so incredibly surreal and exciting for a book lover to talk to someone whose books you love). Sarah seems like such a down-to-earth person, and I'd love to just hang out with her for a day in Seattle, talking books and writing and life.

 

So there you have it. The top ten bloggers and authors I'd love to meet. Who would you meet? Have you already met any of your favourite authors or bloggers?

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