BooksBooksBooks 2024 brought over 125 local authors of all genres to readers in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area this September.
I was so excited to make my first appearance at the event, hosted by Mary Walsh and 6 Feet Under Books, and feature my “Birthright of Scars Coloring Book” in addition to the duology.
But my excitement hit rooftop levels when I bumped into several Bookstagram famous authors that I had no idea were local.
One thing readers love about BooksBooksBooks are the raffle prizes. Authors are given raffle tickets to hand out with each transaction, and patrons get to drop their tickets into cups for a chance to win gift baskets and prizes of their choosing.
Many of the gift baskets include signed books, as well as candles, cookies, bookmarks, pens, journals, stickers, soaps, lotions, wine, decorated mugs, book bags, and other items readers are sure to love.
Even the $5 admission grants each patron a bookbag and raffle ticket to start their book haul off with a smile.
Start the journey with me, and meet some of the coolest authors I met at BooksBooksBooks!
L B Knighton - Epic Fantasy
We first met at Chocolate Town Bookfest in 2023, and this time, we were exhibiting side by side. Knighton’s novella-form fantasy series is sans romance, with a focus on friendship and eye-catching visuals that strike me as a blend of Assassin’s Creed and the Witcher universe.
Don’t let the white book covers fool you though. There’s grit in her noble-dark fantasy series, and you’ll soon be able to pick up a full length novel at her table in the next year or two. Absolom’s story is on my TBR! How about you?
Learn more about each featured author by clicking on their photo!
Mystery Romance by Melissa Roos
Catercorner to me you would have found Mystery Romance author Melissa Roos (pictured left). We did a tandem signing once at Cupboard Maker Books in Enola, PA around Christmas of 2023, and finally reunited at BooksBooksBooks.
“Cherry Hollow” is a small town mystery romance that beckons to me from my personal book collection every time I pass my shelf. And her “Black Moon” novel’s cover gives me the thriller vibes I seek.
Nancy A. Hughes
Directly behind me, I met a new face from the Sinking Springs area of Pennsylvania. Nancy writes Mystery fiction and enjoys hiding clues in the covers of her works. Her husband, Bill is the muscle of Nancy’s in-person marketing team and her biggest supporter.
Nancy is very lovely to speak with, as has a nice selection of mysterious fiction to choose from. It doesn’t matter where you start with her books. Her standalones may be enjoyed in any order.
Learn more about each featured author by clicking on their photo!
Mr. Seth Ring - LitRPG & Epic Fantasy author
Sighting the cover of Battle Mage Farmer across the exhibit hall was my biggest surprise of the day. I’d recently been made aware of the series by Book Reviewer Noah Brisk over @noahsbriskreviews and to be honest, because of how much Noah adores the Battle Mage Farmer series, I had a little “star struck” moment.
Seth was super pleasant to talk to, and it’s unfortunate I didn’t get more time to chat with him and explore his table. I really wanted to purchase most of what Seth had on his table, but had to wait the day out as an exhibiting author myself.
Next time. …Next time. Here’s to hoping I run into Seth in person at another local event.
Word of advice from someone with experience:
If you DO spot Seth Ring in the wild around South Central PA, DO yourself a favor by getting yourself a signed copy.
Bonnie Blevins - Military SciFi
US Army Vet, Bonnie Blevins and her gorgeously loaded table kept tantalizing my pocketbook throughout the day. Her “Virgil Team: Evolved One” series was available with some amazing swag that included magnets and stickers of her FMC and other characters.
While I fully intended on taking a keepsake from her table, my photographer duties distracted me at the moment and I left empty handed.
Virgil team is a blend of paranormal, military sci-fi with romance! It’s on my digital TBR and I really hope to bump into Bonnie again soon at another event.
The miniature reader things wood rounds Bonnie was offering are too cute! Make sure you visit her webpage and subscribe to her newsletter to discover where this soldier turned storyteller might show up next!
“Gabriel, the Training of an Angel” has been featured on LoreHaven as a clean, PG and teen appropriate reed. “Blood for Sail” is an Eric Hoffer Finalist and a recommended read by Kirkus Reviews. Diane has also received several other literary awards for her short stories.
Diane Rosier Miles
A little farther down my aisle I met literary fiction author Diane, selling “Blood for Sail” and “Gabriel, the Training of an Angel.”
The owls on her table represent a few important owl characters in “Blood for Sail,” a thrilling story about a South Carolina Pastor who embarks on a cruise to serve as the ship’s chaplain, only to discover that the ship holds a sinister secret that will test his faith and ethics with each twist and turn.
Her other novel is a memoir from the point of view of the archangel Gabriel, when God sends him to study humans in the modern age for a time.
Carrie Jacobs & G Rated Romance
Carrie is your Central Pennsylvania Go-to for clean and sweet stories. If you like Hallmark movies, you’ll like Jacobs’ novels. If you want all the sweet without the spice, you’ll like Jacobs’ romances.
And judging by those covers, I’d say there’s a dash of humor in most of these swoony, small-town contemporaries. Like me, Jacobs began writing stories at the age of three. So we’ve been pursuing our calling since we could walk.
But Carrie doesn’t stop at romance. She also writes articles for a non-profit, and occasionally dips into writing the weird and creepy.
If you’re hunting down signed copies of Carrie’s books, you’re most likely to catch her signing them at Romance Weekend events on Saturdays are Cupboard Maker Books in Enola, PA.
Mark Piggott - Fantasy Steampunk
Mark had a very lovely table with a variety of award winning fantasy steampunk novels to choose from.
He’s been a US Navy Journalist, Chief Petty Officer, and served aboard four air craft carriers during his service. So his sailing adventures are definitely inspired by his time at sea.
He now resides with his family in Virginia, so you’re likely to catch him at book festivals in Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.
K. Iwancio
Best Selling Author of “Romancing the Pages” and other local romances set in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and surrounding areas.
“Romancing the Pages” is about an author who struggles to write romance because she’s never been in love. And so, to better understand the ins and outs of falling in love, her fake dating journey with the town librarian begins.
Iwancio takes pride in writing open door stories, and wherever you find her, she’ll have the biggest smile and something hilarious up her sleeve just for you.
She’s another Romance Weekend staple you can easily find signing at Cupboard Maker Books.
Click on the author images to learn more about that author.
Holly Bush
Holly Bush is a Lancaster resident and author of Historical Victorian England and Prairie Romances that she describes as emotional, sexy, and heartfelt.
She participates in hosting a Lady Jane reading salon at the Cat’s Meow in Manheim, which is either $5 to attend, or the donation of a gently used romance book that will be donated to a women’s shelter. In addition, attendees must pay for their own meal.
Sandy Nork
I first met Sandy at BooksBooksBooks 2023, and was glad to see her again.
She’s a member of PennWriters and a former librarian. Her Risk Series is a heist thriller featuring an organized crime family and a woman sleuth.
The mystery of both books revolve primarily around the disappearance of a valuable musical instrument. But don’t let that, or Sandy’s quiet librarian demeanor, fool you into thinking she’s offering a cozy, small town mystery.
Sandy’s work is fast paced, page-turning, with plenty of twists and turns.
Ashton Lattimore
In addition to all these, I had a first meeting with Ashton Lattimore, offering signed hardcover copies of her Penguin Random House published novel set in volatile pre-Civil War Philadelphia.
Her debut, historical fiction novel is about three young black women converging in a divided city during the abolitionist movement.
I was a little crunched for time as the event was getting ready to open its doors to the public, and I wish I had had more time to chat with Ashton about her work and publishing journey.
I did, however, see a few patrons carrying these gorgeous hardcovers around, and this too, was a book my book budget was begging me for. TBR list it is then.
Ashton’s calm and professional presence was only one clue to her experience as an award winning journalist and a former lawyer. Currently, she’s the editor-in-chief at Prism, a nonprofit news outlet that focuses on serving communities of color. She currently resides in the Philadelphia area, so you’re sure to find her at the Philadelphia Book Festival and other local book fairs.
David E. Gordon
Suspense and thriller author, David Gordon brought his “Cutter” series to the show.
Nothing is worth your life. But is your life worth living? These novels revolve around a billionaire who’s got it all. Until someone makes an attempt on his life and he realizes that all along, he’s had nothing.
If you’re on the path to seeking deeper meaning from your own life, you may enjoy joining Mr. Cutter and Gordon on the suspenseful journey toward personal growth and change.
I’d certainly take a curiosity venture through the Cutter series just to see where this billionaire ends up after waking up. Let’s just hope it’s not too late for him.
Want signed copies of the “Birthright of Scars” duology?
Visit the Events page for upcoming local appearances for 2025 and beyond.
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Coming Soon.