Welcome to the Reader Soiree!

What do you love most about the romance genre? Let's hear directly from the people who write the stories we cherish. Be ready to ask participating authors their favorite kinds of romance to read and what inspires them to keep writing love stories.

Authors participating (may change before the event):

Kristina Forest

Kristina Forest is the USA Today bestselling author of romance books for adults and teens. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing at The New School and she lives in New Jersey, where she can often be found rearranging her bookshelf.

Tina Gabrielle

Tina Gabrielle/Tina Kashian is an attorney and mechanical engineer whose love of reading for pleasure helped her get through years of academia. She is the best-selling author of adventurous historical romances. Her novels have won the prestigious NJ Romance Writer’s Golden Leaf Award for best historical romance and best book by a NJ Author. Tina also writes the best-selling Kebab Kitchen Mediterranean cozy mystery series as Tina Kashian, and her first book, Hummus and Homicide, spent six weeks on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list. Tina grew up in the restaurant business, as her Armenian parents owned a restaurant for thirty years. English is her second language. Tina lives in South Jersey and is married to her own hero and is blessed with two daughters. Please visit her website at www.tinagabrielle.com to learn more.

Timothy Janovsky

Timothy Janovsky is a queer, multidisciplinary storyteller based in New Jersey. He is the author of over ten male-male romance novels including The Merriest Misters (USA Today bestseller), A Mannequin for Christmas (2026 LAMBDA Literary Award Finalist for Gay Romance), and One Week to Win the Chocolate Maker (Kirkus Earphones Award). His books have been featured in The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Vulture, Cosmopolitan, and many others.

Ava Rani

Ava Rani is a USA Today bestselling author writing messy rich people with HEAs.

The daughter of two immigrants, her Indian-American roots peek out in different ways in all her novels. She loves to write diverse stories featuring flawed characters who have real problems, powerful friendships, and chosen families who support each other.

When she’s not writing, she’s probably traveling the world in search of new wines to stock her cellar and delicious food to satiate her latest craving. Stateside, she lives the city-girl life with her husband, adorable son and loyal labradoodle.

Joanna Shupe

USA Today bestselling author Joanna Shupe has always loved history, ever since she saw her first Schoolhouse Rock cartoon. Her books have appeared on numerous yearly “best of” lists, including Publishers Weekly, Washington Post, Kirkus, Kobo, and BookPage.

She lives in New Jersey with her two spirited daughters and opinionated husband.