Stories, Spirits, & Booksignings — July 2026
July had a DOUBLE-dose of book-signings — starting off Saturday, July 11 at the fabulous Bookmark This Bar, a literal bar and bookstore combo in Rolla, MO ‘where stories and spirits meet.’ (How fun is that tag-line?) This is just brilliant on sooo many levels. Bookmark this Bar is the love child of Jamie and Ryan Cheek, clearly entrepreneurs both brilliant and extraordinaire … and I was super-psyched to get to do an author event there. (Smug grin.) Okay, and not just because I got to sign copies of Chasing Shadows and chat with booklovers, but also because they create their very own specialty cocktails crafted around the books they carry. I mean really. Even if you didn’t make it by while I was there, this is a place you need to check out if you’re the area. And maybe buy a book … or several — you know, to go with the spirits you get to enjoy while shopping. For B-O-O-K-S.
And then, just a week later I got to do another author event at Bedpost Books, owned by Melissa Rowden. It’s a delightful romance book boutique in Republic, Mo, just minutes down the road from all you Springfield, MO folks. It’s also a hop, skip, and one steamy sex scene (a-hem) from my old hometown! And since I had to miss my recent high school class reunion, some of my former classmates stopped by and caught me up on all the good tea I missed. 😎.
So yeah. Bookstores, bars, and reunions with old friends. Not a bad way to spend month, AT ALL. And a big shout-out to Independent Bookstore Owners and creative book event promotors everywhere who make it possible for authors and readers to connect OFF the page, as well as on. Please patronize them!! (The kickback you get for giving them your business is awesome. ❤️)
Happy summer reading!
