Saturday, November 23, 2013

Book Signing with True Blood cast in West Hollywood

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Last Monday night I attended a book signing for the book TRUE BLOOD: STEVE NEWLIN’S FIELD GUIDE TO VAMPIRES. The signing was held at a small book store called, Book Soup in West Hollywood. It's a friendly, little bookstore right on Sunset Boulevard that is home to over 60,000 titles, specializing in art, film, photography, music, controversial non-fiction, and literary fiction, as well as international magazines at our outdoor newsstand, NewsMews.

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Attending the event were the authors, Michael McMillian, who plays Steve Newlin on True Blood and Gianna Sobel, Associater Producer. But that's not all, two additional cast members attended the signing, Deborah Ann Woll, Jessica Hamby and Anna Camp, Sara Newlin.


Michael McMillian, Giana Sobel, Anna Camp and Deborah Ann Woll

The book signing began at 6pm, but a few of us had been invited to interview Michael and Gianna about the book before the signing. Below is my short interview with Michael and Giana filmed just before the foursome lined up for the book signing. Michael and Gianna weren't able to provide much information about Season 7, sadly, but it still was a fun conversation. I asked each of them about how the book came to be and what each of them are doing now.


See more photos from this event by going to the Vault Photo Gallery.


Michael McMillian and Gianna Sobel at Book signing of their book.Here's a little about the book: The vampires and otherworldly creatures that call Bon Temps, Louisiana home often clash with humans, one of which was their self-appointed nemesis: sweet-talking, bible-thumping Reverend Steve Newlin. A hater of all things supernatural, Newlin developed a demented journal, his Field Guide to Vampires, which chronicles all he knows about these “Creatures of Satan” and how to kill them. The journal fell into the hands of vampires Eric and Pam who defaced it in a most disrespectful and snarky manner. Packed with untold insight into key storylines and several compelling characters, True Blood: Steve Newlin’s Field Guide to Vampires is an endlessly entertaining read that perfectly captures the tongue-in-cheek humor that has made True Blood a hit.

And, here's an inside look at a page in the book:

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Click here to purchase your copy of this delightful read.


photo source for inside look: shelf-life.ew.com

Amanda Foundation Halloween Event - The Big "Bark" Theory

First published on The Vault: TrueBlood-Online.com

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On Sunday night, October 27, 2013 I attended The Amanda Foundation's annual Bow Wow Beverly Hills Halloween event. This year the title of the event was The Big "BARK" Theory because the event host was Kaley Cuoco who plays Penny on the show, "The Big Bang Theory."

It was held at the same prime location as in the past at 2 Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Teri Austin and Tracy Jones put on a great event for all the many animal lovers who attended. Pets, of course, were welcome and some were even dressed up  for the annual Halloween costume party. It was a fun time that also included silent auctions, great food, drink and music for all.

I arrived in time to watch Kaley Cuoco receive the "Worthy of Love" award from the head of the Amanda Foundation, Teri Austin.  Teri also spoke about a doberman who desperately needed an operation on his leg and she asked for attendees to donate for that operation.  I'm happy to report that our furry friend will be having the needed operation as many who were in the audience stepped up to contribute.

Kaley Cuoco and Teri Austin

Many celebrities attended to show their support for The Amanda Foundaiton in addition to Kaley Cuoco, such as Melanie Griffith, Jade Tailor, Glenn Hughes, Abri van Straten, who came with his wife, True Blood's Kristin Bauer van Straten.

Kristin being interviewed by the press.
 Kristin arrived later than most as she had just come from another charity event.  She told me she had also just flown back from Tulsa, OK earlier that day where she had appeared at a Halloween event on Saturday night.  She sure is a busy lady.

However, that didn't keep her from being very friendly and generous with her time to all.  She posed for the photographers and then gave interviews to all those that wanted one. Kristin is such a caring and genuinely giving person, I wasn't surprised a bit.

Lucky me, got to "hang out" with Kristin and Abri for a bit and I asked her if she knew anything about True Blood Season 7  and when it would be starting production? Just like all the other cast members I've asked, she said she knew nothing and that she hadn't heard a thing from HBO yet about a start date.  She did say that she expects production will start up in early January, as has been reported. I chatted with her and Abri for a while and they told me that they are about to leave for a vacation in Tahiti.  I'm sure this is well deserved as Kristin has been very busy making lots of public appearances during True Blood's hiatus, so I wished them the best for a wonderful holiday.

Kristin Bauer van Straten and Abri van Straten At 2013 Amanda Event
Kristin and Abri van Straten

Go to The Vault Photo Gallery to see more photos:

Below are three videos from the event.

The first is one I took amidst the crowd of photographers of Kaley Cuoco getting her "Worthy of Love" Award, (sorry about the shaking; it was very crowded).



The next two are of the photographers shooting photos of Kaley and Kaley on the red carpet:

Kaley Cuoco on the red carpet



Kristin Bauer van Straten on the red carpet




Please consider supporting The Amanda Foundation by donating to save the life of a god or cat.

You can make a direct donation to The Amanda Foundation here :