Oooh-la-la! Well, it was very fun and exciting, but not what you’re thinking! LOL
Every year the Haltom City Public Library sponsors A Night of Romance close to Valentine’s Day. They invite local authors who write romance. Each year the event has grown and gotten better and better. Huge thanks go Allison Long, the Ourtreach Librarian. She’s a dynamo. Her boss is Lesley Smith, the Library Director. And the lovely volunteers in the Friends of the Library.
A few of the almost 20 authors gathered. These are all friends from NTRWA. Others not pictured, Mia London, CA Szarek, and C Marie Bowen.
Clover AutryImage may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Susie SheeheyImage may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Jerrie AlexanderImage may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Kym RobertsImage may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Carolyn RaeImage may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Lots of the same authors return and our fans come back, too. Nothing like talking with a reader who says, “Oh, I loved X book.” It just makes the hairs stand up on my body (in a good way) and chills shoot across my shoulders (again, in a good way.) LOL
Or when they say, “My book club read it and loved it. Would you consider coming to one of our meetings?” OMG, Of course the answer is, “YES. Just let me know when.”
Writing is such hard work and authors are such fragile creatures, words like those keep us going for the long hard slog of creating a book.
Some authors bring baskets that readers win in the many drawings held throughout the night. The winner of my basket was Ciera Fiedler. Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Some authors read from one of their books.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. This is hard to do. I read in 2016 and was disappointed in my performance. (As a theatre person, I have high expectations for myself.) So, this year I practiced a bunch and I was pleased with my reading. I read sections from, ACT OF TRUST, Book 2 of the Second Chances Series. This is the one where the heroine’s husband was killed on 9/11. I give a portion of the sales of this book to the 9/11 Memorial.org. I was much happier with my reading and several people commented how much they enjoyed it. (You know people don’t have to say anything if they don’t like it. They just smile and go on. LOL)
And we had Chocolate.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.I mean the library staff went all out. Several tables were set out with chocolate fountains, with strawberries, marshmallows, and Graham Crackers. (For Smore making, don’tcha know.)
Both the readers and the authors got roses. Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
They served champagne and sparkling cider. Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
All in all, this was an exciting evening. I only sold one book, but after-all, these are library patrons for the most part who are attending. All my books are in that library, and I felt honor bound to mention that to them. But hanging out with fans and other cool authors was just the best.
Not to mention that since we’ve moved to the lake, it is super easy to get to the Haltom City Public Library. Twenty minutes max.
I’m already looking forward to next year.
Does your library do anything like this? I’ve been to other library book signings, but none matches this one by the Haltom City Public Library. Most of them don’t focus on romance and I think that’s the big difference. What did you do for Valentine’s?
