Thanks so much for everyone who made it last night at Vroman’s!!!! You guys are the best!! And everyone is so cute!! I think my fans are the most stylish ever. Big kisses to everyone who came, including Kady, Adrienne and Heather from the Blue Bloods message boards! And big shout-out to Siddeeqah too!! I loved all your questions!!

I’m getting a lot of emails from people saying the book hasn’t hit your local bookstore yet—it should be in stores now. And the Target books should have a sticker that directs you to the special website. And anyone who can’t buy the book at Target can read the story in three months, when it will be available to everyone. Right now it’s a Target exclusive! Think of it like an Anya Hindmarch purse and a Sigerson Morrison shoe.

And Canadian readers—I hear your frustration. I’m sorry the books haven’t hit your stores yet, but Hyperion’s Canadian account rep SWEARS on a stack of Blue Bloods books that you guys are supposed to get it October 28th also, not December 1st. The information on your bookstore’s computer is old (and wrong). Keep trying. I’m really really sorry about that. If anyone in Canada has found/bought the book at your store, can you email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and tell me where you found it? So I can let all everyone else know?

And now for a real scary story. So, yesterday, I was at the Sherman Oaks mall with my kid, our nanny, my sister and her kid. The kids and nanny were playing a few feet in front of us in the little playspace. Sis and I were gossiping, as usual. When suddenly, ALL THESE PEOPLE BEGAN RUNNING AND PANICKING. And our nanny picked up both kids and yelled, “SOMEONE HAS A GUN!” And we all five RAN into the nearest store with a DOOR that could be locked. I can’t even tell you how scary it was not knowing WHERE to go. Like, WHERE was safe??? We were right by the Bloomingdale’s which looked really “open”. So I chose this jewelry store because I saw they had a door that could be easily locked. We ran in with a couple other moms&kids, told the owner, who locked the door behind us and we all ran to the back room.

Anyway, it turned out that there was a high-speed chase that ended with the gunman running into the Macy’s and the police running after him. (We saw a car with two doors open surrounded by ten police cars in the parking lot.) The got him pretty quickly, and I don’t think anyone was hurt, thankfully. It was just so weird. Completely surreal. Just to see all the people RUNNING—and then the mall completely emptied—and Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s shut their doors with their super-secure aluminum doors. (Hmm: maybe should have run into Bloomingdale’s after all.) I can’t believe this is the second time I have experienced this. When I worked in Wall Street, more than a decade ago, and someone had robbed a bank and the police SHOT HIM DOWN right in the sidewalk in front of our building. During lunch hour. I don’t remember ever running that fast in my life. This was even worse, since the kids were with us. The funny thing was: this time I was really calm because I didn’t want the kids to panic.

What’s just as scary as a gunman, though, is seeing police with THEIR guns drawn out. I remember being just as scared of being shot accidentally as being shot deliberately.

Well, we’re all good. And the kids didn’t even understand what was going on. Mattie told her dad: Someone had gum! But it’s going to be a while until we return to that particular mall.

Be safe everyone! And let me know what you think of the book!

xoxo
Mel

Too many things are happening! I totally forgot to post that I am going to be at the Catalina Island Library tomorrow!

Wednesday, Oct 29, 2008
5:00 PM
Avalon Library
215 Summer Avenue
Avalon, CA 90704

I will be talking Revelations and bringing treats!

Hope to see you!

xoxo
Mel

Lauren Myracle, you suck!

In the best way, of course. Since Lauren is one of the nicest and funniest authors I have ever met. But yes, she SUCKS!

Because Lauren has challenged me and 13 other YA writers: M.T. Anderson, Holly Black, Libba Bray, Meg Cabot, Cassandra Clare, John Green, Shannon Hale, Maureen Johnson, Stephenie Meyer, Kirsten Miller, Sarah Mlynowski and Scott Westerfeld to scare ourselves. And provide proof that we conquered our fear.

Oy. Vey.

Lauren is going to perform the “Thriller” video. Holly Black is going to watch a zombie movie. (But I agree with Lauren: Shaun of the Dead is NOT scary. It is funny. Holly: man up!) Meg Cabot is going to dress up as a fairy for Halloween (Can’t wait for the pics!!). Sarah M. is scared of diapers (who isn’t??? Even I am still appalled I have to change them.) Cassandra is going to eat brains (she’s in book tour in France, lucky gal!).

What am I going to do?

Well. Sadly mine is SO boring and yet SO scary to me. I told Lauren my real biggest fear is going to the dentist. I have to have dental surgery and I’ve been putting it off for about five years now. I always had an excuse: I’m trying to get pregnant, I am pregnant, I have a baby, a one year old, a two year old.  The baby will be eighteen and I still won’t have had the surgery. The reason I don’t want surgery is because I’m scared of DYING from the anaesthesia. That they’ll put me out and I’ll never get up. Arggggh. This is also the main reason I have never gotten lipo. Because of the anaesthesia. (Which have killed other beauty-chasing authors before like Olivia Goldsmith.) Can you imagine??? “She died getting lipo.” She was FAT and DEAD??? LOL!

I’ve never even got up the courage to make the appointment and then cancel. I know if I make the appointment, I’ll have to go. Because I’ll have to make arrangements for someone to take me there and pick me up, and inconveniencing people after I’ve already asked them for a favor (even my husband) scares me even more than breaking the appointment.

My blood is LITERALLY running cold right now at the idea that I am actually going to HAVE TO GO TO THE DENTIST. Arrrgghhh!!!!! Lauren!! (Fist to the sky!)

Okay. I will post a video of making the appointment. I think this Apple Camera built-into my MacBookPro does video that doesn’t it? Otherwise, I’m really Internet-handicapped. As you can see I don’t even know how to post photos on my blog. I don’t think I will be able to get the surgery done before Oct 31st (have you ever met a Beverly Hills dentist who can accommodate you at the last minute?) but at least I can get the appointment in and I’ll post before and after photos when I do go (but since I don’t how to do that on my site, I guess I will have to send them to Lauren. The Taskmaster. I am her bitch.)

Did I mention that Lauren has a new super-scary book out too? It’s called BLISS. Go buy it!

Did you watch the Revelations trailer yet?

Don’t forget – if you buy your copy from Target you’ll be directed to a special website with an extra bonus chapter which you should only read AFTER you’ve read the book! Target has the exclusive on the story for three months!

You can order your copy now from B&N or Amazon!

And don’t forget – tonight! Pasadena! Vroman’s! 6:30! We have treat bags! Oh yes, I’m bribing.
October 28, 2008
Vroman’s Bookstore
695 E. Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91101
Tel: 626-449-5320

And here’s a final quote of the day from Revelations:

Which is actually, the last sentence in the book:

“One day he would thank her for saving his life.”

Now I must return to finishing my other book which is on deadline. The fun never ends, does it?

xoxo
Mel

It’s here! The Revelations trailer!!

Go watch it.

Okay. Are you back now? Isn’t it awesome?? We’ve been working on it for so long. I hired a production company that specializes in animated comic books (they do the Heroes ones on their website too!) and they got some awesome people to write music, hired an actress with this fabulous voice. (Don’t you love how she says “vahhhmpires”). And my cousin, Sigmund Torre, drew the art. He’s a big manga/comic book artist. I wanted it to look a bit like Robotech, my old favorite anime.

Happy Revelations Day! Hug a vampire. Buy some overpriced designer clothes.

xoxo
Mel

Sorry I forgot to put up a quote yesterday. But you can find out lots more about the series in the chat. Join the message boards! It’s a very friendly community! 🙂

And here’s a caveat about the release date: some stores are already selling the books. (Some Targets here and there, Books-A-Million) and some don’t have it out yet. I’m hoping books are in stores this week, (the release date is the date that books are definitely supposed to be out) and if you are in the Los Angeles area, don’t forget to come see me tomorrow night in Pasadena!!!

October 28, 2008
(6:30 PM)
Reading/Signing in Pasadena!

Vroman’s Bookstore
695 E. Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91101
Tel: 626-449-5320

I will be discussing Blue Bloods III: Revelations! Come by for fun treats!!

Aannnd here’s the second-to-last quote of the day!

“Schuyler had to tell another lie.”

Don’t forget – if you buy your copy from Target you’ll be directed to a special website with an extra bonus chapter which you should only read AFTER you’ve read the book!

You can order your copy now from B&N or Amazon!

Hope to see all you Angelenos and Pasadenos tomorrow!

xoxo
Mel

In honor of the impending publication of Blue Bloods III: Revelations, I will be chatting with the awesome members of the Blue Bloods message boards! Come chat with me on Sunday, October 26th at 1PM PST/4PM EST.

You have to be a member of the boards to chat.

I’ll be talking Revelations, what’s in store for the series, and whatever else you want to talk about!

And we’re still taking applications to join The Committee – to plan the Masquerade Ball being thrown by the fab Scottsdale, Arizona Public Library on Friday, November 7th at 7:30 PM! We’re going to have so much fun! First of all, it’s semi-formal! Don’t you love a chance to dress up? I’ll be wearing my new Philip Lim dress with sparkles (if you go to Holiday collection and go see the multi-colored shift with the jewels on the neckline that’s mine!) and my patent four-inch heel Louboutin stiletto Mary Janes (mine are in black). Unless I go shopping between now and then, that is. I’m kind of sickly addicted to netaporter right now. Dangerous 1AM shopping sprees!

Aaaand here’s your Revelations quote of the day.

“This is all my fault.” – Bliss Llewellyn

Books are out in a couple of days! And don’t forget – if you buy your copy from Target you’ll be directed to a special website with an extra bonus chapter which you should only read AFTER you’ve read the book!

You can order your copy now from B&N or Amazon!

And now we’re off to the preschool Halloween carnival. Mattie is a banana. Yellow on the outside, white on the inside! LOL! My friends (who don’t have kids and remember me from my angry Asian journo days) asked, “Are you going to be making that joke all day at the festival???” Oh yeah!!

xoxo
Mel

Attention Target Shoppers!!!

I have a very special Revelations promo to tell you about today. If you visit any Target store to pick up your copy of Revelations, you’ll receive access to a special website, with a secret chapter excerpt from the book, exclusive for Target guests!

And I urge you to read the story only AFTER you’ve read the book.

And today’s Revelations quote is:

“ABOMINATION!”

Yup. That’s it. Abomination! Who’s yelling it? Who’s abomination? Who? Why? What? 🙂 Because of course, Books are out October 28th! You can order your copy now from B&N or Amazon! Or buy it from Target to get that secret chapter excerpt!

Anyway, yesterday I was at the Borders with Mike, and we saw this book PAUL OF DUNE, yet another in the ghost-written continuation of the Dune story, helmed by Frank Herbert’s son Brian. I bought one of these books a few years ago (I think it was “BUTLERIAN JIHAD” or some such title. Dune fans are snickering now) and while it was okay…it wasn’t the same. Kind of like a black and white version of a Cinemascope full-color Panoramic movie. Like watching Lawrence of Arabia on your iPhone. So I didn’t buy any of the other books.

But now—Paul of Dune!! How can you resist it? Instead of continuing the story beyond Heretics of Dune, this is the story after the first book and BEFORE Dune Messiah. So, I picked it up, and then put it down again. No. I should content myself with the first six books. I’m glad the story is continuing, because, hello, I love sequels, and I mean, why not? But I can’t read them. Because I want it to be JUST like the first six and these are just, well, not. Not that there is anything wrong wtih that—some ghost-written continuations are fine. Like, um, the Robotech novels. Which ROCK. Well. Maybe they rock because they didn’t start out as awesome pawesome books.

People always ask me how I knew Mike was “the one.” (Don’t you love how girls talk? We always talk of “the one” as if our future husbands were Neo.) Anyway, I knew Mike was “the one” when I discovered he had also read all six books of the Dune series. Because he’s the ONLY guy I’ve ever met, who’s read and loved Dune…and was CUTE!

Have a happy weekend everyone!
xoxo
Mel

Today’s Revelations quote:

“Humans broke their vows every day with no consequence…While it was tradition for vampire twins to bond on their twenty-first birthday, Mimi saw no reason to wait until then.”

Ooooh!

Books are out October 28th! You can order your copy now from B&N or Amazon!

My friend sent me this link from the Times which I thought was really interesting and confirmed what I always believed. When times are tough, we like to escape into frivolous, fanciful drama. Btw, did anyone else feel really moved when Rachel Zoe’s hubby Rodger bought her “Dylan McKay’s Porsche” as an anniversary present? First off, it was so sweet that he knew his wife so well…and secondly, I mean, DYLAN MCKAY’S PORSCHE!!

I always remember that scene from the old 90210 where Dylan drives up in his Porsche and then gives Kelly (or Brenda, I can’t remember which girl was looking at him, since of course, I always imagined MYSELF in their place), and he has that smug, cocky, don’t-you-love-me-because-I’m-beautiful grin. And you’re thinking YES! YES! YES! Sigh.

Any chance we can bring those sideburns back in style? I always thought skinny boys with sideburns were really cute. Blame 90210. And I was totally a Dylan girl. I mean, a kid who lived in his own house? (Remember because his parents were divorced and no one took care of him, SOB!) I was once featured in the Columbia Spectator (our lovely college newspaper) on a story about kids who gathered together and watched the show. And there were the “ironic” fans, who loved the show because “it’s so bad it’s good” and then there were the “true fans” who just loved the show because it WAS good, period. Guess where I fell in the category? Yup, I’ve never been a big hipster poser. I thought the ironic fans were lame. Who needs to hide behind a veil of irony to appreciate 90210? Losers!

Meanwhile, all you guys are like….Dylan McKay?? Who??? Talk to me about Ethan Ward!!! LOL!

And High School Musical 3 is coming out—and how much do we love the trailer???

xoxo
Mel

Today was a very big day at Casa Blue Bloods. Of course, I can’t tell you WHY it’s a big day at CBB. But just know that it was a big day. And hopefully we will have some BIG news to share very soon.

And in honor of today, I give you a quote from Revelations about loffff. Or love, but I prefer to think of it as loffff, in a Transylvania accent.

“Yeah, I do love her.”

But I can’t tell you WHO said it because…well, that would spoil the book. As if the book is a piece of meat that, if left out too long, will gather flies. For me, knowing the ending doesn’t spoil anything. Like life, reading is a journey, not a destination.

You can order your copy now from B&N or Amazon!

Now I must go back to GIRL STAYS IN THE PICTURE, which is due on Friday. What’s scarier than a deadline???

xoxo
Mel

Today’s Revelations quote is about family.

“Um, I think you and I might be sisters?” – Bliss Llewellyn

Sistahs are doing it for themselves! Uh-huh, uh-huh….Or if you prefer, We ARE Family, I got all my Sistahs with me… Lots of good memories dancing to this song at a myriad of weddings, usually with my sister (and brother—who is a metro) or with a myriad of bridesmaids in black strapless Vera Wang.

Books are out October 28th! You can order your copy now from B&N or Amazon!

Today I am not going to buy the crocodile Nancy Gonzalez I’ve had my eye on. Or the crocodile Lambertson Truex. Or the crocodile Jimmy Choo Ramona. The Nancy Gonzalez I think is the most reasonable purchase, since it is a third of the cost of the Lambertson and the Jimmy. But still, I just got the new Chanel. I think that should last me at least six more months, don’t you? Unless I get a YSL “Uptown” bag. Which I am sorely tempted to do because I was in New York and my good friend Moll was carrying one and it looked so chic on her arm and I kind of wanted it. I’m a bit of a fashion vampire. I see things on other people and I covet, covet, covet them. Fashion by osmosis!

xoxo
Mel