Some Like It Hot
Romanticize your TFOB experience
Romance has always been relatively popular at the Tucson Festival of Books, and the years since the world shut down in 2020 have shown a growth in romance readership like we’ve never seen! In response, the festival has offered a growing amount of romance programming, and you all have really turned out for it!
Romance is such a wonderful, diverse corner of the literary world, with stories about people from all walks of life and a guaranteed happy ending. It’s the perfect genre to explore when you’re looking for something joyful and fun, but that might also have a bit of bite and angst to it. Romance is a great place to explore social issues and tough topics, because no matter what, you know all will end well for our protagonists.
Come hear from 15 presenting authors at 17 panels and workshops across festival weekend!
Some Like It Hot
Our first ballroom romance panel in festival history! Books by bestselling authors Sandra Brown, Casey McQuiston and Rachel Howzell Hall are usually found in different areas of the bookstore. Still, their stories often follow similar paths, and many turn steamy along the way. Viva la difference!
Sunday, March 16 | 10:00 a.m. | Student Union North Ballroom
Moderator: Jeaiza Quiñones
Three romance authors at very different places in their careers come together to talk about romance—where it’s been and where it’s going—and their own places in the progress of the genre.
Want to be ready for the conversation? Casey McQuiston’s newest book is “The Pairing,” a romp across Europe featuring two exes who end up together on the food and wine tour they broke up on the way to years before. And if you haven’t yet picked up “Red, White & Royal Blue,” the sensation that took social media by storm, now’s your chance!
New York Times bestseller Rachel Howzell Hall is well-known in mystery and suspense circles, but she’s just put out a well-acclaimed series opener in the romantasy subgenre. “The Last One” promises to be a delightful venture into a world where a young woman with no memory of who she is must partner with an annoying blacksmith to complete her quest—and get answers.
Sandra Brown’s newest romantic suspense novel, “Blood Moon,” doesn’t come out until March 4, but feel free to explore her expansive backlist. There’s something there for every interest. Brown will also appear at Hot Off the Press a Saturday morning signing event exclusively for Friends of the Festival and sponsors.
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Giggles and Swoons
In “Giggles and Swoons”, masters of comedy Ali Hazelwood, Kimberly Lemming, and Penny Reid discuss the best parts of a romance novel that is as good at the “com” as it is at the “rom”.
Saturday, March 15 | 2:30 p.m. | Koffler 204
Moderator: Jessica West
Love, Arizona
This year we have FOUR romance authors from Arizona (five, if you include moderator Bonnie Callahan). While not all of their current books take place here, it’s good to have all of them in one place!
Saturday, March 15 | 4:00 p.m. | Tucson Room
Moderator: Bonnie Callahan
Workshops!
Working on your own future bestselling romance? Six romance authors will be leading workshops on everything from world-building to comedic timing! Get great advice from some of the best in the business, and meet other local aspiring writers while you’re at it.
Thank you to our incredible TFOB sponsors
Releasing This Week
Here are books coming out today by Festival authors:
Children and Teens
Megan E. Freeman - “Away” - Aladdin
Memoir
Edgar Gomez - “Alligator Tears” - Random House
Allan Hamilton, M.D. - “Cerebral Entanglements” - Post Hill Press
Julie Morrison and Lisa Schnebly Heidinger - “Arizona Friend Trips” - University of Arizona Press
Fiction
Eowyn Ivey - “Black Woods, Blue Sky” - Random House
Nancy Johnson - “People of Means” - HarperCollins
Science Fiction / Fantasy
Kel Kade - “Sanctum of the Soul” - Tor
Mystery/Thriller
Margarita Montimore - “The Dollhouse Academy” - Flatiron Books
Science
Mary-Frances O'Connor - “The Grieving Body” - HarperCollins Publishers