Fury of the Phoenix Release Party

Last Saturday, I went to the very awesome Cindy Pon's release party at Mysterious Galaxy bookstore for FURY OF THE PHOENIX, the sequel to her debut novel SILVER PHOENIX. I attended with two of my amazing critique partners and fellow San Diego writers, Taryn Tyler and K. Marie Criddle. Plus, Lisa Ritter Cannon from YA Know was there but we just missed each other!

Here is the description of FURY from Amazon, in case you are not familiar with the series (in which case go to Amazon and buy it; go now!).

The Gods have abandoned Ai Ling.


Her mysterious power haunts her day and night, and she leaves home—with just the moon as her guide—overwhelmed by her memories and visions and an unbearable sense of dread. For Ai Ling knows that Chen Yong is vulnerable to corrupt enchantments from the under-world. How can she do nothing when she has the skill and power to fight at his side? A dream has told her where he is, the name of the ship he is traveling on, his destination. So she steals off and stows away on board.


The ocean voyage brings with it brutal danger, haunting revelations, and new friendships, but also the premonition of a very real and terrifying threat. Zhong Ye—the powerful sorcerer whom Ai Ling believed she had vanquished in the Palace of Fragrant Dreams—is trapped in Hell, neither alive nor dead. Can he reach from beyond the grave to reunite with Silver Phoenix and destroy Chen Yong? And destroy whatever chance Ai Ling has at happiness, at love?


In this sequel to the acclaimed novel Silver Phoenix, four lives are woven together and four destinies become one, now and forever.


Sounds awesome, right? RIGHT?! I thought so.

Cindy was joined at the party by seasoned author Nancy Holder, who writes YA horror novels. Her latest is SCREAMING SEASON. Nancy described her typical day of writing horror novels and I thought it was rather funny. She starts each day by watching a scary movie, and then she writes while she's so scared that she's afraid to walk around her house by herself. It helps her get in the right mood, ha ha.

On the signing table is a diorama by a SUPER AWESOME writer and my BFF, LT Host. She made it to win a contest and, of course, she won. This diorama depicts the Gardens of the Golden Palace, which is a setting in SILVER PHOENIX. (Go to the link to see close-up photos on LT Host's blog.)

On the left is Nancy, and on the right is Cindy as they begin their presentation.

Here is Cindy reading a passage from FURY OF THE PHOENIX. (I'm not sure what the "Damn Skippy" sticker is for, LOL.)

 And here I am with Cindy, holding the books she just signed. She looks gorgeous in her Betsey Johnson dress! (Obviously I was NOT dressed up.)

Cindy also treated us to some fabulous treats by Extraordinary Desserts. The chocolate one I tasted had flakes of pure gold! Super fancy.

Although this novel concludes the story of Ai Ling and Chen Yong, Cindy hinted at some other projects she has in the works. I can't wait to see what's next!

CONGRATULATIONS CINDY!!