Guest Post by Author Veronica Rossi

How do you write an intro to one of the greatest people of our time?  Her official title being Veronica Fucking-Badass Rossi.  Our friendship is as true as the ocean.  Cemented from the first moment she saved my life in a lab experiment gone wrong, and reinforced when we ran an organization to rescue animals from being illegally trafficked and killed.

Not only is she my imaginary girlfriend, but she is an amazing author with Under the Never Sky being one of my favourite series ever.  And now here she is, relating the first time we ever met.  Each and every word is as true as the day I was born in the back caravan of a traveling carnival.  I present to you, my friends, Veronica Rossi:

 It’s no secret that Kat and I simply adore Leigh Bardugo. When I first read Shadow and Bone last year, it instantly became one of my favorites. After that, I did what any reasonable reader would do: tracked down all her social media accounts and stalked them to the fullest like the little fangirl that I am. Thankfully, she’s been really cool about it all and hasn’t filled that restraining order… yet. Plus, I had to learn my boundaries after Leigh’s badass display of mind bullet action.

Later when Kat finally started reading Shadow and Bone, she threatened that it better be good or else. And in my best Kevin Hart voice I was all, “Dude, whatever. Shut up. Read it.” Of course, Kat totally fell in love with the Darkling the story and now we’re both super excited for Siege and Storm. Not to mention, we’re still hoping Leigh accepts our proposal to read us bedtime stories for all time.

You may all be familiar with Kendare Blake, author of horror novels, creator of the very huggable Anna Dressed in Blood. But what you may not know is the story of how we met. Long ago, when the earth was flat and before the Cuddlebuggery that you know of existed, Kendare and I met on twitter. In fact, she was one of the very first authors. And I remember thinking what sort of brave-souled author would dare follow me. Didn’t she know that I ate authors’ brains for breakfast and mummified their bodies with the pages from their own books?! But she’s been so awesome and there from the very first beginnings of Cuddlebuggery when no one was visiting the site but our moms.

When Cuddlebuggery was born, Kat and I started going on these wild author adventures and Kendare kinda saved me from Anna snatching out my innards. (Thanks again for that, by the way.) Not only that, but this fierce lady’s got a wicked sense of humor.

Jay Kristoff

We first became aware of Jay Kristoff when he emailed me to introduce himself.  “Who’s this bum!?” I said.  But he was kind of hilarious and adorkable so I replied and the start of a beautiful, beautiful friendship was born.  And by friendship, I mean I am really, really mean to the poor guy and he gave me a horrific nickname in response.

Memories!  Oh, the memories!  Like that time he sent Steph an ARC of his debut novel, Stormdancer, and I totally pretended that Steph wasn’t liking it.  I even sent consoling texts saying, “You know, Steph just isn’t that into high fantasy…”   I still laugh when thinking about that, although normal people have assured me I’m a monster and that what I did was completely evil.

Cuddlebuggery’s One Year Anniversary – A Year in Review

Sometimes it feels like we’ve been blogging forever.  Other times, the fact that it’s been a year completely blows us away.  One year ago Steph and I opened up shop.  We didn’t know what the hell we were doing. (Some days, we still don’t. Ha! -Steph)

We stumbled into the blogging world, blinded by the light.  Drowsy and blinking like newborn babes at all the wonder and possibilities.

Then we commenced with the dick jokes and I don’t think we ever stopped.