Romance enthusiasts and book lovers are invited to the "Spring into Romance Author Panel," hosted by the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library on May 18, 2024, at 1 pm. This engaging event will take place in the Stillion Conference Room. The panel will feature a lineup of distinguished Michigan contemporary romance authors, including Lyssa Kay Adams, Sonia Hartl, Kelly Ohlert, and Meryl Wilsner. These talented authors will share insights into their craft, discuss the romance genre's nuances, and delve into the creative process behind their storytelling. The panel will be moderated by Sara Grochowski, romance novel aficionado and publishing professional. Grochowski's expertise promises to enrich the discussion and provide attendees with a deeper understanding of the romance literary landscape. Attendees can look forward to an afternoon filled with lively discussions, book recommendations, and opportunities to engage with fellow romance enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned reader or new to the genre, this event offers something for everyone. Due to the nature of the discussion, this event is recommended for those readers 18 and over. Don't miss this chance to connect with Michigan authors and celebrate the power of love and storytelling. Mark your calendars for May 18th and join us at the Alpena County Library for a delightful afternoon of romance and literary exploration. Books will be available for sale through Parallel 45 Books and Gifts. This is a free event open to the public, no registration required. *ABOUT THE AUTHORS* Lyssa Kay Adams: Lyssa Kay Adams is the author of the “Bromance Book Club” series. She read her first romance novel in eighth grade after swiping one from her grandmother’s bookshelf and was hooked forever. After a nearly 20-year career as a journalist, her dreams of writing and publishing her own HEAs came true in 2015 with the release of her first novel, "Seventh Inning Heat", followed by the RITA-nominated novella, "Wild in Rio." Today, she writes full-time from her home in Michigan with a pesky, fluffy K9 assistant named Domino who spends most of his day snoring on her desk (that is, when he’s not burying things around the house). Sonia Hartl: Sonia Hartl is the author of YA and adult romance. Her books have been featured in PopSugar, BuzzFeed, Vulture, Book Riot, and Life Savvy, among other publications, received a starred review from BookPage, and earned nominations for the Georgia Peach Book Award, YALSA’s Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books of the Year, ALA’s Rise: A Feminist Book Project List, and ALA’s Rainbow Booklist, and was named an Amazon Editors’ Pick for Best Young Adult. When she’s not writing she enjoys board games with her family, attempting to keep her garden alive, or looking up craft projects she’ll never get around to completing on Pinterest. Sonia's books include "Rent to Be" and "Heartbreak for Hire". Kelly Ohlert: Kelly grew up in the Chicago area but moved to attend Western Michigan University. She stuck around Michigan, hopping from city to city. Her meet-cute involved “borrowing” that hot guy’s baseball cap, and it’s been love ever since. She, her husband(the aforementioned ball cap owner), and their two young daughters reside in the Lansing area, with their menagerie of five fur babies. Aside from the obvious reading and writing, Kelly’s hobbies include belting out show tunes, game nights, losing her cell phone with alarming frequency, and getting outside to enjoy nature. If you meet her, approach with caution. She works from home, and in her cabin-fevered state, has been known to pounce on unsuspecting strangers to leach them of an ounce of adult conversation. Meryl Wilsner: Meryl writes happily ever afters for queer folks who love women. Their books include *Something To Talk About*, *Mistakes Were Made*, and *Cleat Cute*. Born in Michigan, Meryl lived in Portland, Oregon, and Jackson, Mississippi before returning to settle in the Mitten State. Some of Meryl’s favorite things include all four seasons, button-down shirts, the way giraffes run, and their wife. Meryl’s most recent book, *Cleat Cute*, was an instant USA Today bestseller. Their debut, *Something To Talk About*, received multiple starred reviews and was named one of NPR’s best books of 2020. *Jessica Luther (she/her) * Assistant Director *Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library* 211 N. 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