Schedule
Note: For the Saturday and Sunday events, the library has limited parking on our property. We have arranged for parking at the office buildings and movie theaters across the street. Should you park at the office building, please do not walk through their landscaping. Should you park at the movie theater, please park in their side lot, rather than the lot in front of the theater.
Friday, November 9
Fall into Romance Kickoff Party
6 - 8 p.m. - West End Wine Bar, 601 W. Main St. Durham - Directions (PDF)
Mingle with other fans at the Fall Into Romance Kickoff Party. Light hors d’oevres provided, Beverages available for purchase from the bar. The event is free, but tickets are required. Tickets are available at the Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Road in Durham) starting on October 8th and supplies are limited.
Saturday, November 10
Ultimate Heroes: Stand-up Guys, Real Men, and Heroes Who Make Us Go Hmm...
10:30 a.m. - Southwest Regional Library
Join New York Times bestselling and RITA-award winning author, Virgina Kantra, for a lively discussion of the qualities that make up the ultimate romance heroes. Brooding, sexy, funny, flawed, competent and confident, these are the men who keep us up at night. Kantra is the author of the popular Children of the Sea series, and Carolina Home, her first book in her Dare Island novels, came out in July 2012.
Lunch
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Lunch on your own. View a list of nearby places to eat (PDF).
The Traditional Romance and 50 Shades of Grey
1 p.m. - Southwest Regional Library
Professor Sarah Frantz, from Fayetteville State University, will discuss the phenomenon of 50 Shades of Grey in relation to the traditions of the romance genre, including power relations, depictions of gender roles and (of course) BDSM. Frantz is the editor of New Approaches to Popular Romance Fiction and Women Constructing Men and a contributing author to Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey.
Break
2 - 2:30 p.m.
The Good, the Bad, and the Wanted – the Heroines of Beverly Jenkins
2:30 p.m. - Southwest Regional Library
Join romance author Beverly Jenkins in a discussion of romance heroines, especially the African-American heroines in her historical romances. Jenkins is a beloved author of historical romance, romantic suspense and faith-based women's fiction. Her newest historical, Night Hawk, was published October 2011. Her newest women's fiction, A Wish and a Prayer, was published April 2012.
Break
3:30 - 4 p.m.
An Education in Chocolate
4 - 5 p.m. - Southwest Regional Library
Learn about chocolate in the Triangle in a discussion moderated by local author Laura Florand. The event is free, but tickets are required. Tickets are available at the Southwest Regional Library starting on October 8th and supplies are limited.
Sunday, November 11
The Tale of My Addiction to Romances
2:30 p.m. - Southwest Regional Library
Bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries will give the keynote address to close our romance fan festival, followed by a question and answer session. Jeffries is the author of 20 Regency romances, three novellas and three short stories. She is a regular on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists and is called "The Queen of Sexy Regency Romance." Her newest book, 'Twas the Night After Christmas, comes out October 2012.
Book Signing
4 p.m. - Southwest Regional Library
Books by your favorite local romance authors will be for sale, and the authors will be available for book signings. Participating authors:
Katharine Ashe
Kianna Alexander
Lydia Dare
Jennifer Delamere
Tammy Faulkner
Laura Florand
Sabrina Jeffries
Virginia Kantra
Erin Knightly
Heather McCollum
Emilie Rose
Carol Strickland*
Marquita Valentine*
Claudia Welch
Beth Williamson
*tentative based on book availability
