Hey, everybody… I hope you all are getting your BBQ on… trust me I am, LOL! I want to also thank you for the well wishes and all the lovely comments about my boo’s prom — BIG GRIN!

However, let’s also take a pause for the cause for just a moment to remember all Veterans out there who made the ultimate sacrifice or who are out somewhere working hard while those of us who are civilians can bust a good, family-cooked grub. I have to always go there because my Dad was a very proud WWII Vet who flew his flag high every Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, even Labor Day… so I wouldn’t feel right not taking a moment to honor the men and women in uniform today.

Also, while I’ve been in the writer’s cave, we’ve got some serious tour stuff lining up First we’re gonna hit Chi-town like crazy… see below (and big ups to my sister author who pulled all this together!)

CHICAGO WHIRLWIND TOUR

Friday, July 11
11:00- 12:15
Sweep Signing at Waldenbooks
Citicorp Centre
500 W. Madison
Chicago, Illinois 60661

Friday, July 11
12:30 - 1:30 (Lissa)
Sweep Signing at Books a Million
144 S. Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60603

Friday, July 11
3:00 p.m.
Stock signing at
Borders on Michigan Avenue

Friday, July 11
3:45 p.m.
Stock signing at Borders on State

Friday, July 11
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Signing/Discussion at Borders in Hyde Park
1539 E. 53rd Street
Chicago, IL 60615

Friday, July 11
8:30 p.m. - until
Come Out and Play with Naleighna Kai
& L. A. Banks
(Sponsored by Da Book Joint)
1925 * 1925 E. 95th * Chicago, IL 60617

Saturday, July 12
Stock signing at Borders in Evergreen Plaza

Saturday, July 12
1:00 - 2:45
Signing/Discussion at Borders in Oak Park
1144 Lake St *Oak Park, IL 60301

Saturday, July 12
3:45 - 4:45
Sweep Signing at Azizi Books in Matteson
134 Lincoln Mall
Matteson, Illinois 60443

Saturday, July 12
5:15 - 6:15
Sweep Signing at Waldenbooks River Oaks
50 River Oaks Centre
Calumet City, Illinois 60409

AIRPORT… whew! Chi-town folks don’t play, dang, LOL!

From there we’re gonna have us a Hueman Experience at Hueman Bookstore in Harlem, NYC–yep, right before the Harlem Book Fair… and then swing on out to San Diego for ComicCon rolling with The Devil’s Candy Store.

At ComicCon I’m gonna team up with The Devil’s Candy Store for my first West Coast appearance at the San Diego Comic-Con 2008. The Devil’s Candy Store sells exotic contraband from impossible worlds and the Vampire Huntress series will be the first world they visit. Tony Swatton of Sword and Stone is building the vampire killing sword, Madame Isis, and its sister dagger, both to be displayed at San Diego this July 24-27. We’ll be auctioning off the one-of-a-kind “hero” sword and you will be able to pre-order the Baby Isis dagger.

Craig Elliott, a Devil’s Candy Store artist, is designing some Vampire Huntress-based jewelry for the show and will be one the concept artists contributing to our limited edition art book, featuring the characters, Damali Richards and Carlos. Artists planning to be in the book are:

• Dave Dorman

• Craig Elliott

• Tom Baxa

• Stone Perales

• Peter Bergting

• Cyril Van Der Haegen

• John VanFleet

• Eric Battle

• Alex Wald

• Ray Frenden

• and Charlie Athanas

So… yeah… it’s been a little crazy behind the scenes, but we’re trying to do a LOT of stuff, rest assured. It’ll be a fun summer! After this gorgeous, picture perfect day today we had here in Philly, I can’t wait! Stay tuned, we’ll be adding dates and places on the regular–meanwhile I’m gearing up for the high school graduation phase… it’s ALL good!

Have a safe and happy holiday, everybody… hugs, Leslie!