Hogwarts Meets Lord Vader

Two weekends ago, I had the pleasure of slipping through the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area for a book signing.  While the crowd was small, I enjoyed talking with readers and discussing my new series.  If you are looking for a signed copy of Angel's Ink or the books in the Dark Days series, please stop by Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Crestview Town Center in Crestview Hills, Kentucky.

While in the area, I took the time to visit with my family.  It was a great visit.  We went out for dinner and then sat around, playing on our phones, sending strange text messages, and just being the silly siblings that we are.  It was one of the most relaxing, enjoying evening I've had in a while.

The next day, we popped by the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden for their HallZOOween celebration.  This is a chance to wander around the amazing zoo dressed in a costume while picking up treats and seeing cool animals.  Last year, I accompanied Darth Vader through the zoo with his favorite Storm Trooper.  This year, Darth Vader invited me back to the zoo, but his Storm Trooper wasn't available.  However, he did have a contact over at Hogwarts.

The witch was from Slytherin, but she was really nice. She even provided me robes from Gryffindor.  I didn't ask how she got them or how she even got her hands on Hedwig.
And just as before when I took Darth Vader to the Cincinnati Zoo in 2011, he had a great time.  He enjoys the manatee house, but we didn't venture in this year because it's a little hot and he didn't want the interior of his mask to fog up again.  He was nice enough to pose in front of the manatee statue yet again and give me his classic clenched fist stance. 

Also, we passed through the zoo's new Cat Canyon, which is awesome.  Both the mountain lions and the Bengal tigers were laying up against the glass so you you get a very close look at them.  Lord Vader paused for a moment in front of the white tigers for a quick picture.

And finally, I paused in front of the train depot, pleased to see that it is now ready for the passage of the Hogwarts Express.  I am assuming that this is part their preparation for their annual Festival of Lights during the December holiday season.  I will miss that this year.  The Cincinnati Zoo is covered in multicolored, twinkling lights and holiday music.  But I am sure that I will find some awesome holiday spots to decorate in Madison, Wisconsin.

Thanks for popping by today for my random ramblings about my time in Cincinnati.  I'll be back later this week with updates on signings, giveaways, and other random goodness.