Thought I’d drop y’all a line in the midst of my tidying and readying for tonight’s party, to give you an update about last night and remind everyone that the contest for a signed copy of Happy Hour of the Damned, an ARC of the soon to be released Road Trip of the Living Dead and bonus a book of the winner’s choice to 2 runners-up end tomorrow night, so head on over to the contest page for details.

The Priest/Kittredge reading/signing was a fine time, except for the drive up to Seattle. Apparently, the mere mention of a possible snow storm–never mind the fact that Washington weather clairvoyants are notoriously fraudulent–is enough to cause the freeways to clog up tighter than a toilet in a Mexican jail. Two and a half hours folks. The trip usually takes 45 minutes. Needless to say we missed the pre-func dinner at Qazi, which we were all mooning over and groaning Naaaaaaaan in the car like a bunch of Indian food zombies. Naanbies, I guess. So as the traffic slowed to a crawl, our stomachs cried out. It was pretty clear at 6:30 that we weren’t getting dinner till after the event.

But…the reading was entertaining and Cherie and Caitlin were chatty chattertains after. I think it had something to do with the microphone. Here they are now (not posing…at all)…

Got a couple copies of Cherie’s new book, FATHOM (in stores now, makes great gifts for you hard to shop for parents, clergy, what have you) which she signed graciously, while I got to talking with Duane and new urban fantasy guy on the block, Mark Teppo. It seems there might be a joint signing with Mark, Caitlin and Moi, come March.

Lest you think we went home hungry–and if you do then you don’t know as at all–we bolted from the UBS and headed over to Qazi for a late supper of naan, butter chicken masala, matar paneer, paneer masala and chicken tikka. I think their might have even been a samosa involved but those were hoarded away by one Miss Kittredge, who stabbed at us with forks between massive mouthfuls. She even grunted a few times. It was frightening.

But hey. Hunger changes all of us.

Anyway. I’m off to the liquor store for the ingredients of my Peppermint Stick martinis and hot buttered rum. The Party is still on and the weather might even hold out for some decent attendance. Keep crossing your fingers!