ITW ThrillerFest XVIII Conference

January 18, 2023

May 30 to June 3, 2023
Sheraton Times Square
New York City, NY
Featuring 2023 ThrillerMasters Charlaine Harris and Walter Mosley, 2023 Spotlight Guest Jack Carr, 2023 Spotlight Guest Oyinkan Braithwaite, 2023 Silver Bullet Award, Michael Connelly, and 2023 ThrillerFan John Berylson.

Bouchercon

August 1, 2022

Bouchercon Mystery Conference
September 8-11, 2022
https://www.bouchercon2022.com 

Historical Romance Holiday Cookie Hop

November 24, 2020

 

The amazing Heather McCollum, along with 30 historical authors (including me!), have a Historical Romance Holiday Cookie Hop planned for December 4-12, 2020.

Each author will share their fav cookie recipe and provide a fun, interesting historical fact about holiday traditions. 

To participate, all you have to do is hop from site to site collecting cookie recipes. Make a list of authors with their cookies and e-mail it to Heather@HeatherMcCollum.com, with the subject line -“Historical Romance Authors are Sweet” - for a chance to win a $150 gift card!

The list of author sites are located: https://fb.me/e/btl0eqqmQ (full details below!)

Have fun--and good luck!

 

Cookie Recipe

This recipe has been in my husband's family for generations. We make Pa's Kuchan every Christmas. It's delicious and a big hit with the family. A few years ago, my Doberman decided that he wanted to sample the amazing scent emanating from the kitchen counter and he pulled the entire log off. He ate the WHOLE thing. All he left behind was tiny aluminum foil crumbs for us to find.

NOTE: Contains walnuts

DOUGH PREP
4 cups all-purpose flour
½ lb butter
2 tablespoon sugar
2 egg yolks (keep egg whites for later)
2 ounces of yeast
1 scant cup of warm water (slightly less than one cup!)

- Add yeast to warm water and let it stand while cutting butter into the flour until the mixture is coarse.
- Add unbeaten yolks and yeast mixture. Mix together until dough leaves sides of bowl (~5 min).
- Divide into 4 balls.
- Let dough rest (resting softens the dough) while preparing nut filling.
- Preheat oven to 400℉.

NUT FILLING
1 lb walnuts
½ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sugar (to taste)

- Heat milk, then add walnuts. Stir until milk is absorbed.
- Remove from heat.
- Add sugar and vanilla.

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER
- Roll one dough ball into a rectangle.
- Spread filling over the dough, evenly.
- Roll it up, jelly-roll style.
- Brush slightly beaten egg whites on top of the roll.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and then place the roll on the cookie sheet.
- Bake 10-15 minutes.
- Let stand for 20 minutes.
- Cut the roll into one-inch pieces and enjoy!

 

Fun Historical Tidbit

Would it surprise you to learn that the tradition of a Christmas tree didn't exist in the Regency era? Christmas trees were a German invention. However, in 1800, Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, brought one to Court, but the custom didn't stick until the mid-1800s.

What happened in 1848? The Illustrated London News published an engraving of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert (of Germany!), and their family around a decorated Christmas tree. 

Voila! A global custom was born! 

 

Next step. . . 

Ready to HOP to the next cookie stop? Click --> https://www.facebook.com/events/368460541094815 

  1. Hop to each link (posted on 12/4), which will take you to a historical author’s FB page, website, or blog. While you’re there please like, follow, or sign up for a newsletter if you wish to stay up to date on our new releases and author happenings.
  2. Learn a fun historical fact and discover a new cookie recipe on each site.
  3. Collect all the names of the cookies, paired with the names of the authors, and e-mail the total list to Heather@HeatherMcCollum.com. Make sure to put Historical Romance Authors Are Sweet in the subject line. The list must be turned in by 11:59 PM ET on December 12th.
  4. One grand prize winner, of a $150 gift card, will be selected randomly from those who collected and turned in the name of all the treats by the deadline. The winner must respond within 24 hours to claim the prize, and we will announce the winner hopefully by noon ET on December 13th. So authors will have their own giveaways and will post their own winners on their sites

 

PARTICIPATING AUTHORS

Alanna Lucas

 www.alannalucas.com

Amalie Howard

https://amaliehoward.com/

Amy Jarecki

https://amyjarecki.com/historical-romance-cookie-hop

Amy Rose Bennett

https://amyrosebennett.com/historical-romance-cookie-hop/

Christina Britton

http://christinabritton.com/

Deb Marlowe

 www.DebMarlowe.com

Diana Lloyd

 www.DianaLloydBooks.com
 E. Elizabeth Watson

https://eelizabethwatson.com/happy-holidays/

Elizabeth Langston

https://elizabethlangston.net/holiday-hop/

Elizabeth Keysian

https://elizabethkeysian.com/2020/12/04/historical-romance-cookie-hop-prize-draw/

Eliza Knight

 www.eknightauthor.com

Heather McCollum

https://www.heathermccollum.com/historical-romance-holiday-cookie-hop-2020/

Jacki Delecki

https://www.facebook.com/JDelecki

Jane Charles

https://www.janecharlesauthor.com/christmas-fun

Janna MacGregor

 www.jannamacgregor.com

Jennifer Siddoway

 www.jennifersiddoway.com

Jerrica Knight-Catania

 www.jerricasplace.com

Jessica Clements

https://www.jessicaanneclements.com/holiday-hops 

Kate Parker

www.KateParkerbooks.com/holiday-cookie

Kathleen Bittner Roth

https://www.facebook.com/Kathleen.bittnerroth.author

Liana De la Rosa

www.lianainbloom.com 

Lori Ann Bailey

https://loriannbailey.com/rugelach/

Madeline Martin

http://www.madelinemartin.com/2020/12/wwii-carrot-biscuits/

Nadine Millard

https://www.facebook.com/nadinemillardauthor

Patricia Kiyono

http://www.patriciakiyono.com/post/historical-romance-cookie-hop

Renee Ann Miller

https://reneeannmiller.com/category/blog/

Samantha Grace

https://www.samanthagraceauthor.com/holiday-cookie-hop

Tara Kingston

https://www.facebook.com/TaraKingstonAuthor/

Tina Gabrielle

https://www.facebook.com/TinaGabrielle

Tracey Devlyn

https://traceydevlyn.com/events/63/historical-romance-holiday-cookie-hop

 

REMEMBER: Email your completed list of author names, with their treat names, to Heather@HeatherMcCollum.com with the heading: “Historical Romance Authors are Sweet” to be entered into the $150 gift card grand prize random drawing.

 

**No purchase or sign up necessary to enter. Participation is completely voluntary. Your e-mail address will not be shared or added to any lists unless you specifically sign up for a newsletter list. Winner must be at least 18 years of age and have an e-mail address to accept the gift card.**

Career Author Summit

January 2, 2020

May 16-17, 2020

I'll be joining 120 other authors for this immersive 2-day conference in Nashville, TN. The list of speakers is amazing. So many of my favorite industry professionals. Sorry, this event doesn't feature a book signing. It's all about the business of writing!

https://thecareerauthor.com/summit/

Facebook Party

January 12, 2019

Join 12 of your favorite historical authors (including moi!) for an evening of fun and giveaways.

Where: Touch of Intrigue's Facebook Group
When: January 17, 4:00-10:00 pm EST
Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2094957640569799/ 

Books & Love Bites Reader-Author Get Together

January 12, 2019

Hosted by Anderson's Bookshop and Romantically Inclined Reviews. I'll be at Irish Times in Brookfield with these 3 lovely ladies.

Details:
Tickets: $32
After a brief introduction, each author will offer remarks on their book and the publishing process. This will be followed by time to mingle and enjoy appetizers and drinks. Toward the end of the event, you will have the opportunity to get your books signed by the authors. Additional books by these authors will be available for sale that night and can be signed.

The Cozy Cottage at Irish Times
8869 Burlington Ave
Brookfield, IL 60513

Sign up: http://lovebitesandersons.brownpapertickets.com 

Spring Fling Book Signing

May 21, 2016

Over 90 authors will descend on Schaumburg, Illinois to participate in Chicago-North RWA's Spring Fling Conference and Book Signing. Hope to see you there!

May 21, 2016
3:00 - 5:00 pm
Hyatt Regency Schaumburg

Reader Author Get Together #RAGT16

March 14, 2016

Lori Foster's Reader-Author Get Together
Cincinnati Marriott North
6189 Muhlhauser Rd.
West Chester, OH 45069

Book Signing
FRI June 10: 3-5pm
SAT June 11: 3-5pm

FB Party - More Than One Night

September 29, 2015

I'm so excited to help my longtime bud, Nicole Leiren, celebrate the release of her debut novel, MORE THAN ONE NIGHT!

Join the fun here.

 

FB Party - Rakes for Readers

September 29, 2015

Come help me celebrate Kathleen Bittner Roth's newest release, Josette! The event is sure to be tons of fun with a name like Rakes for Readers!

Join the fun here.

FB Party - One More Haunted Evening

September 25, 2015

One More Haunted Evening Facebook Party -- Help me celebrate Ava Stone's, Jerrica Knight-Catania's and Jane Charles's new release!

Join the fun here.

 

Catch a Bunch of Authors at Aurora Public Library!

September 12, 2015

Local authors gather for this FREE annual event. Panel discussion, chat with the authors, and book signing.

1 - 2 pm panel discussion
2 - 4 pm author fair


Location:

Richard and Gina Santori Public Library of Aurora
101 S. River Street
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 264-4100

Directions: 

http://www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/locations/main-library/ 

Keeper Books Tour - Coming to Chicagoland!

June 8, 2015

6 New York Times, USA Today & Amazon bestselling authors converge on Chicagoland to chat with readers, read live excerpts from their newest releases, and answer questions about anything and everything writing-related.

 

MEET THE AUTHORS:

  • Dianna LoveNew York Times bestselling author of romantic suspense, urban fantasy and young adult sci-fi
  • Denise SwansonNew York Times bestselling author of cozy mysteries and contemporary romance
  • Mary BuckhamUSA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and non-fiction writing craft
  • Adrienne GiordanoUSA Today bestselling author of romantic suspense and romantic mysteries
  • Hildie McQueen, Amazon bestselling author of contemporary romance, historical romance and paranormal/fantasy romance
  • And me!  Tracey DevlynUSA Today bestselling author of historical romantic suspense and historical romantic mysteries.

TOUR LOCATIONS & DATES:

June 8, 2015
Schaumburg Township District Library, 11 am - 1 pm
Mayslake Peabody Estate, 7 pm - 8:30 pm

June 9, 2015
Lady Jane's Salon-Naperville, 7 pm - 9 pm

June 10, 2015
Acquaviva Winery, 6:30 pm - 8 pm

June 11, 2015
Coal City Public Library District, 6:30 pm - 8 pm

Full details on Keeper Books Tour website -- http://www.keeperbookstour.com 

Book Mouse & Hank's Farm Restaurant Author Dinner

May 8, 2015

Dinner discussion with New York Times bestselling author Denise Swanson and me!

May 8, 2015
5:30 p.m.
Fee: $25  (Includes dinner, salad bar & non-alcoholic beverage)

Hank's Farm Restaurant
2973 N. State Route 71
Ottawa, Il. 61350
815-433-2540

Lady Jane's Salon-Naperville

April 7, 2015

LIVE Readings from Amy Alessio, Mary Jo Burke, Rebecca L. Frencl, Gina L. Maxwell, J. Leigh Bailey & Kate Meader
Tango Grill
2nd Floor (elevators available)
5 W. Jackson Avenue
Naperville, IL

RSVP:
http://ladyjanessalonnaperville.com/rsvp/