Hey everyone! Yesterday was the Cinder & Ella Book Release Ball, and though I was completely exhausted by the end, I had a great time! Since not everyone could go, I thought it would be fun to sort of recap the night.
First of all, I was nearly late for my own party. I had to pick up my kids from school and I cut it a little too close. Then I got stopped by a train on the way. I burst through the door to my house at exactly 3pm and then promptly neglected my children for the rest of the night. (It's a good thing their dad was home.)
The evening started with a walk down the red carpet. We had the fashion show of the century! Everyone looked fabulous!
This was my dress...
And Julie was the winner of our fashion contest with this beautiful gown...
Brian and Kyle both arrived in style as well. Brian is a big boy and was able to dress himself...
while Kyle needed a little bit of Val's help. First he tried to come wearing this...
But Val made him change into this...
Thanks Val! Sorry Kyle, but green crushed velvet only gets a man so far, you know?
Author Cassie Mae received an honorable mention when she made a selfless sacrifice to not show up her date by looking too hot.
Where was Val on this one? ;)
After the red carpet the guests were announced at the door, and the list was long and distinguished! I dare even the Oscars to have such a star stuttered event! The amazing, beautiful, scrumptious, talented, shiver-inducing Santiago Cabrera was kind enough to escort me. Lucky ME! I fell in love with him when he played Lancelot on Merlin, and he made it a permanent love on his show The Musketeers. Be still my beating heart! And also, he happens to be half Chilean just like Ella!
Some others among the guest list included Chase Crawford, Clive Owen, Henry Cavill, Ian Somerhalder, Channing Tatum Matt Bomer, George Clooney, Logan Lerman, Cris Pine, Theo James, Chris Evans, Captain Hook, Daemon Black, Sherlock Holmes, Mr. Knightly, Paul Rudd and many others. Even Toothless flew in from Berk! I think Jensen Ackles won for escorting the most women! He had like six dates! Brittany won our contest for best fantasy date, though, when she showed up with Sam Heughan - the handsome built Scotsman playing Jamie on Outlander!
The ladies helping me judge the competition had a hard time deciding on only one winner for this competition, but in the end the sexy shirtless man in the kilt with the hot foreign accent won out! Never underestimate the power of the kilt!
From there things got crazy and the rest of the night became a blur. There were authors chatting everywhere and it seemed like every time I blinked there was another giveaway happening!
There was dancing...
There was cake...
and then there wasn't cake...
Author Marissa Meyer showed off her sexy feet...
which caused Author Cindi Madsen to confess to an addiction...
while Author Anne Eliot had panic attacks... (curse those time zones!)
don't worry, Anne is doing better. (We fed her chocolate. It cures all.)
That was exciting, but the real party stopper of the night was when Kyle crashed the ball, making a fashionably late entrance after hijacking my Facebook page.
which caused most of the ladies present to swoon...
unfortunately, with Kyle and Brian's history/rivalry, the night only went downhill from there with more than a few classic moments such as these...
It's called maturity, boys. Honestly!
BUT we managed to save the evening by having an awesome fan art contest, which I will post a separate blog about later, and a truckload of winners!
of course, then I ruined it by attempting to read to you...
...and I gave a long-winded, boring speech. :)
And that was about it! Hope you enjoyed the ball, whether you were there in person or experiencing it second hand through this very long, picture-heavy blog post! Thanks everyone! Enjoy the new book!!!
