On the 25th of October, I attended Authors At The Armouries in Leeds. This was the biggest book event I have ever been to. To be fair, it was also my second ever one, haha. My first being Authors Behind Bars in Shrewsbury last November. Unless meeting Tulisa at a Waterstones signing counts, if so, it was my third, not second lol.
It was such a good day, I had purchased the Saturday Treat tickets. I knew that going for 2 full days would be too much for my body, so I just went for the one day. To say I was overwhelmed and overstimulated when I got there is an understatement. There were like 200 authors and what seemed like a billion readers. It was packed, which, to be fair, is amazing to see since most of the authors are indie authors. For someone like me, who doesn’t go to the supermarket on weekends because it’s too busy, it was a lot. My anxiety was soaring, but my auntie came with me and I was able to push it down and enjoy myself. Being someone who has a few chronic illnesses, pain is a huge factor in stuff like this. I was limping by the end of the day. I was in so much pain; I know I pushed my body too far, but I figured I’d just spend the next week recovering. It was worth all the pain I felt. It’s now the 29th as I write this, and I have a terrible cold. I guess being in a room with that amount of people and having a very low immune system, it was a no-brainer that I would end up poorly. Again, still worth it.
I will post the video here which shows my haul, and then if you’re not interested in more than that you don’t have to keep reading. I think you should though!
In the Treat bag that came with the ticket, we had a voucher for The Butterfly Book Club, where you got a book for £5! Bargain! You had the choice between one of the McGowan Mafia series books by Effie Campbell or Monsterland Mayhem by Lexi C. Foss. You can still purchase these on the Butterfly Book Club website if you are interested. I chose Monsterland Mayhem, but then I also bought for full price both of the McGowan Mafia books too. It was a day to treat myself, so why not lol.
I stupidly didn’t realise that Dark Escapes and Dark Enemies were by Effie Campbell and that I could have got her to sign them!
I then queued up to see the beautiful sweetheart that is Miss Harleigh Beck. I had 3 books that I wanted to get signed, and then I purchased two while I was there. I purchased Kitty Hamilton and Counter Bet. I didn’t have these, and they were the only ones left as Harleigh had sold out. Harleigh, as usual, was super sweet and kind. I love meeting her.
I also popped over to Effie Campbell’s table and purchased Unwell, which I ARC read and wanted to have a physical copy of and also Burn For Me, which I haven’t seen before, but I liked the look of the tropes.
I then stopped by Melissa Huxley’s table, and was intrigued by her books, especially when she told me that they have pet bunnies and they are based on her bunnies. I hadn’t heard of Melissa before, but she writes Omegaverse, and I was rather intrigued. It’s not a genre I read a lot of, but I am looking forward to reading more. I believe she had a deal if you bought 3 books, so obviously I did. I got the two that are set in the Firehouse and one hockey one. I’m looking forward to reading these. Have you read them or read Melissa Huxley before? If so, let me know! I didn’t get a picture with Melissa, and yes, I am kicking myself for being too nervous to ask.
At 11:30, we were able to go over to the next building, which had more authors in it. I was excited for this building because I knew this was where C.J. Riggs was, and I was super excited to meet her. As soon as we went through the doors, I knew Riggs was in the corner, and I jumped in her queue. I wasn’t going wandering until I had seen her lol. She was so lovely, and so was her wife. Honestly could have chilled with them for ages if she hadn’t been signing obviously. She was also so stunning, I felt like a troll next to her, haha. I took all my books with me to be signed, but I did have a preorder for a special edition of Desperate Run and No For An Answer that I picked up while there, and they are stunning!! You can see them in the video I posted further up.
I then went and found Miss Luna Peters. Fun fact: I have an interview with Luna, which will be published on the first of November. So obviously I had to go and meet her in person! She was so lovely, me being the tool I am didn’t even introduce myself to her, thankfully she recognised my face from my social media, but I am such a tool. I bought a copy of each of Luna’s books while I was there, and she signed each of them in the matching colour to the covers, which I just loved! I got Never Let Go and Never Gonna Lie, which are Age Gap romances in her The Forbidden series and then I got her Christmas novella, The Bookworm Who Stole Christmas, which is also an Age Gap romance.
I then went and got my copy of Desperate Run signed by the lovely M.L. Burns. Stupidly forgot to get my special edition that I picked up from Riggs signed by M.L. Burns as well.
I wanted to buy some books from Jodie King, but by the time I was able to get to her, her card machine had stopped working, and she was cash only. I know for next time to make sure I take cash with me. I still have a picture with her, which was nice.
I also purchased 2 books from Stephanie Marie. I got Savage and Wrath. Again, this is a new author to me, and I liked the look of the books, though. Then I stopped by Hazel Black’s table and picked up Darkest Descent, which is a taboo romance. I haven’t read any of Hazel’s books yet, but I have seen my friend Jodie talk about them, and if Jodie recommends them, then they will be good. I then stopped by Laura Rossi’s table, and the covers of her books spoke to me, plus they are mafia romance, so yeah, I grabbed them, haha. I stupidly didn’t get pictures with Stephanie, Hazel or Laura because I get nervous asking lol.
I also got to see the beautiful Jodie, who I met on TikTok. I met her IRL for the first time at ABB last year, so it was lovely to see her again. I also met Emma, who I met on Instagram, which was so lovely too.
It was a fabulous day. Did you go? If not, would you like to go?
I think I want to go again next year.
Have you read any of the authors I have mentioned? I’m super excited to read some of the books by new authors to me.
Anyhow, I know this has been a long post, so if you are still here, thank you.
