The minute Holly and I found out that Julie James was coming to Los Angeles, we made plans to be there because if you know us…we love us some Julie James. Our love for Julie James was established in 2008 with the release of Just the Sexiest Man Alive. I adored that book to pieces. I adored it so much I forced Holly to read it, and have not missed a release of hers since. We’re just as much in love with her stuff now as we were then.
Friday night, Julie James was in town chatting with People Magazine’s Kara Warner at The Ripped Bodice in Culver City and our book nerd asses were over the moon. If you haven’t been, you really must make The Ripped Bodice, the only exclusively romance bookstore in America, a stop when you’re in LA. Sisters Leah and Bea have created funky, fun atmosphere where you can relax, browse new (and used!) books and be with like minded women who love romance as much as you do. Not to mention spend time with Fitzwilliam Waffles, the shop dog (https://www.instagram.com/fitzwilliamwaffles/). I live about 15 minutes away from The Ripped Bodice, but I don’t get out there nearly as much as I’d like. Which is a bummer, since they offer writing workshops, book signings and all manner of reader/writer events (check out their events page here to see what’s coming up).
It’s funny that we were much more excited about seeing Julie James than we were about People Magazine being in the house but well, I guess that’s not such a surprise considering our book nerd status. Having People Magazine there was just an added bonus.
Leah, Bea and their crew turned The Ripped Bodice into an awesome venue with a Chicago flair and we definitely appreciated their efforts (along with the refreshments, of course. :P). Julie James was welcomed with a good sized crowd. She regaled us with stories of her writing adventures, background on the books she’s written and her inspiration for The Thing About Love. She also took some questions from the audience, then signed some books. It was an all around fabulous book signing, even though my Dodger loving heart was a bit bummed that the Chicago Cubs game was playing in the background. Ha! (H: Sometimes I don’t even know how we’re friends. CUBS 4EVER!!) If you have a chance to attend a Julie James signing, you really must. She’s a wonderful storyteller in person as well as in print. Holly and I enjoyed ourselves immensely.
To celebrate the event, we’re giving away a signed copy of Julie Jame’s The Thing about Love to one lucky winner. Please use the rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!!
Giveaway Alert
Thanks to Julie James, Kara Warner of People Magazine and everyone at The Ripped Bodice for a fun night. It was one for the books and I will definitely be making more time to visit the best bookstore in the entire universe! 🙂