We have a sticker that says, “We sell banned books,” by the cash register, and people often ask about it. Really?, they ask, giving us the chance to talk about the fact that books are still at risk of being challenged and banned. And the books being challenged or banned are often the same books that are making recommended reading lists, hitting the bestseller lists or being handed from person to person as fun or meaningful gifts. For example, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss and middle-grade graphic novel Drama by Raina Telgemeier, all made the top ten most challenged list for 2019.

I often joke that you could run a good bookstore with only books that have been banned or challenged (i.e. targeted for removal or restriction). You’d have Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, — in fact, you’d be able to carry a number of Judy’s books including Blubber, Tiger Eyes and Forever. You could have the Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut and many beloved books that I bet would surprise you. (See Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009)

In our most recent newsletter, Judy talks about how censorship often happens here in the United States: The copies of Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret she gave to her children’s school never made it to the library shelf. Books are challenged, banned, or officially or unofficially restricted, or even vandalized. Books are often challenged for dealing with sex or sexuality, but also for dealing with or depicting a wide range of topics and issues. Often this happens so quietly the people who need the books most never know they exist.

Banned Books Week (this year, September 27 to October 3) celebrates the freedom to read and the value of intellectual freedom. Come in and check out our display of banned and challenged books. Hopefully you’ll find something that delights, intrigues, informs and/or excites you. And if you don’t, we’ll be happy to recommend something.

~ Robin Wood, Social Media Manager

Books & Books Loyalty Club members save 10% on books when they shop in-store and online all year.

But right now, during our September member sale, members get even more perks, making it the perfect time to join the Books and Books Loyalty Club! During September, active Loyalty Club members get:

* 20% off storewide

* 30% off art supplies and 50% off canvases

* 20% off purchases of $20 or more online (Online mention you are a Loyalty Club member in the order comments and provide your member number if you have it to hand.)

* A membership gift

* Free entry into the Summer Art Contest

Not yet a Loyalty Club member? Find out more at Loyalty Club page or by calling or visiting the store any day from 12pm to 5pm.

Thank you to all our new and renewing Loyalty Club members, your support is vital and deeply appreciated.

 

In honor of Bookstore Romance Day (8.15.20), our new virtual book club pick is TAKE A HINT, DANI BROWN by Talia Hibbert, chosen by store assistant manager Gianelle.

Danika Brown knows what she wants: professional success, academic renown, and an occasional roll in the hay to relieve all that career-driven tension. But romance? Been there, done that, burned the T-shirt. Romantic partners, whatever their gender, are a distraction at best and a drain at worst. So Dani asks the universe for the perfect friend-with-benefits—someone who knows the score and knows their way around the bedroom.

Gianelle says Dani gets even more than she asks for. Gianelle writes: “In this fire drill turned fake dating/social media romance, Dani & Zafir’s adorable affection for each other is not a rehearsal. When their trending relationship generates interest for Zaf’s nonprofit Tackle It, a youth program positively addressing emotional needs, they arrange the ideal partnership to keep the exposure. While followers tag #couplegoals to their staged snapshots, Talia Hibbert sets the foundation for an evenly matched union of opposites. She proposes what makes power couples attractive, to each other and others, is their compatibility, respect for each other’s boundaries, and commitment to grow together.

But when Dani asks for baby steps and Zafir responds with whole-hearted, overwhelming honesty about his feelings for her, will they still be a good fit for each other? Of course they will, this is a romance novel. But the realness of these characters, independently successful, yet still flawed, their thoughtfulness and sensitivity to each other’s needs, makes them super relatable and this a must-read. As a bonus, it’s very sexy. 😉”

Our virtual book club is an online, social media opportunity for us to read together even when we’re socially distancing. Join us by reading the book and sharing your thoughts and questions with us by using the hashtag #bbkwbookclub on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Tag us in your #bookstagram-style photos and we may reshare. It’s a fun way to read together and show off your #booklove.

And this month, we are adding a Zoom book club discussion. It will be an opportunity to chat with Gianelle and other readers about TAKE A HINT, DANI BROWN. To keep the discussion interactive, we will be signing up only 10 readers for this first Zoom book club. The live Zoom book club meeting will be Saturday, August 29 at 6pm EDT. In order to join us, you must buy the book from us, in store or online, and sign up below. It will be first-come, first-served and you’ll get more details once you sign up.

If you think you’ll enjoy, TAKE A HINT, DANI BROWN as much as we did, you’ll also want to pick up Talia Hibbert’s first Brown sisters romance, GET A LIFE, CHLOE BROWN. If you buy both books in the same transaction, you’ll get 20% off the two books, until August 31, 2020. Use coupon code BC20 online or mention the deal to the bookseller at the store.

Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day (Saturday, August 29) with us in store or virtually.

Usually held on the last Saturday in April, IBD was postponed this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the past five years IBD has brought together more than 500 independent bookstores across the country to celebrate what makes independent bookstores special.

Read what store founder Judy Blume had to say about Bookstore Day and our wonderful customers at https://booksandbookskw.com/a-letter-from-judy-blume-8-16-20/.

One of our favorite parts of Independent Bookstore Day are the exclusive items produced special for the event. This year, they include everything from kid-sized totebags to a vinyl edition of FACE IT, Debbie Harry’s autobiography, a Bookstore Day-themed candle and a new sock design. Quantities are very limited and you can’t purchase these exclusives until Saturday. We will be offering the exclusives in store and by phone (no advance holds), but since so many stores will be holding their Bookstore Day mostly or entirely virtually, some stores will be selling Bookstore Day products online starting on Saturday. And don’t miss the official Bookstore Day totebag with the wrong date, but a very cool design.

We’ll be open 12n-5p on Bookstore Day, requiring masks, providing gloves and limiting the number of customers in the store at any one time. But make no mistake, it will be a party. We will be holding a raffle, offering some fun giveaways and gift-with-purchase specials. And if you really want to show us the love, become a loyalty club member.

We’ll also be doing a custom picture filter on Snapchat. If you’re in Key West, visit us on Saturday and take a snap and you’ll be able to use the filter in and around the store. If you’re not in town, add us on Snapchat (booksandbookskw) and we’ll send you some fun snaps from Bookstore Day.

Libro.fm, our audiobook partner, is offering a great one-day deal. Pre-order a book from a selected group of titles and get a specific audiobook free (either that same title or another of the author’s works, depending on the title). Details at https://libro.fm/ibd. This promotion is available in store or online, but only on August 29.

Our special Zoom book club meeting will be Saturday, August 29 at 6pm EDT. This will be an opportunity to have a fun, interactive discussion with a small group of other readers and Books & Books @ The Studios staff, lead by assistant manager Gianelle. We will be discussing TAKE A HINT, DANI BROWN, which is our current virtual book club pick. Read Gianelle’s review, find a special offer for TAKE A HINT, DANI BROWN and Talia Hibbert’s first Brown sisters romance, GET A LIFE, CHLOE BROWN, and sign up (required) for the Zoom book club at https://booksandbookskw.com/virtual-book-club-pick-take-a-hint-dani-brown/.

Independent Bookstore Day is sponsoring a full slate of virtual panels and workshops for both kids and adults on Bookstore Day. Details and signup information at http://www.indiebookstoreday.com/.

If you are looking for your closest participating indie or just want to spread the love around, check the map of participating stores at https://indiemap.bookweb.org/.

Have fun out there and let us know what you find. We always love a good #bookhaul.

 

 

Hello Book Friends,

Independent Bookstore Day, celebrated nationally in April with an in-store party, giveaways, and exclusive merchandise, will be held this year on Saturday, August 29. Okay, we’ll take any kind of celebration we can get, right? And on this Indie Bookstore Day we want to celebrate you, our customers – to thank you for your loyalty and support over a difficult time for all of us. You’ve kept us going. You’ve shopped online, by phone, and in person wearing masks and gloves. You’ve ordered books for yourselves, your families, and your friends. You’ve ordered Starter Libraries for newborns and as birthday gifts for toddlers. You’ve ordered books you’ve read about, both new and old, you’ve had bookish conversations with our staff – and a better staff doesn’t exist – that’s how we feel anyway. So let’s celebrate them too. Hey, Emily, Gianelle, Robin and Lori, we’re talking about you!

This year you can celebrate Indie Bookstore Day at the store, wearing your favorite mask. Or join us online, just follow us on social media and we’ll try and make sure you feel the booklove from afar. How I wish George and I could be there in person. We miss being at the store more than we can say. It’s what our grown children call the vulnerability thing. Something we don’t readily admit to, or even feel. But we’ll be back, that’s a promise. For now, we continue to work from home. Right now we’re in Massachusetts for a month, in a house right across the street from my daughter’s. Our morning walks have grown longer and more vigorous (running the bases at the ball field a few blocks away) since my daughter has been baking and making us delicious dinners.

I’m signing books and George has set up a mailroom on the dining room table so we can get books to you promptly. I’ve promised myself I’ll spend the first hour after breakfast every day working on my family memoir – something I’ve been thinking about for years. It will be from the point of view of the child I was and cover my first thirteen years, the ones that really count. I’m at the notebook stage and have been doing some very rough pieces. I never know exactly what might happen once I start writing. I envision charming illustrations a la Maira Kalman. And who knows, maybe this will help explain what makes a person write. Or maybe it will fizzle and no one will ever see it.

Keep in touch. Let us know what’s new with you. Hope you’re all staying well – glad our Key West friends who have had the dreaded virus are recovering. And whatever you do, keep reading and listening. George just finished reading Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell. He enjoyed it. Now he’s listening to Caste by Isabel Wilkerson and says it’s so smart – an eye opening book that might change the way you think about the U.S. Good for George! When I’m trying to write I’m not reading as much though I’m enjoying The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel. To be honest, I’m addicted to reading everything I can about the virus, and, as if that’s not depressing enough, throw in politics. By the time I finish I’m exhausted. But I’ve just ordered Sue Miller’s new novel, Monogamy. I’ve been a fan of hers since her first book and I’m excited for this new one. Also looking forward to so many books coming out next month.

For now, Happy Indie Bookstore Day to you, our readers! You are loved and appreciated.

KEY LIME CRIME, tenth in the Key West Food Critic Mystery series, by Lucy Burdette comes out August 11. Readers love this fun series because it is like having a local guide — one who just happens to stumble over a murder or two. We had a quick chat with Lucy, who some of you probably know as Roberta, about writing about food, Key West as a setting, and the new addition to her family.

You’ll have the opportunity to ask Lucy other questions during our virtual event with her in conversation with author Deborah Crombie (A Bitter Feast) on Tuesday, Aug 18 at 6PM EDT. Register for the event: Live with Lucy Burdette.

And if you need to catch up on installments 1-9 of the Key West Food Critic Mysteries before jumping into KEY LIME CRIME, we can help with that.

Q: Okay, first things first: You adopted a new puppy recently? Please tell us about her. Have you settled on a name?

A: Yes we did! She’s a nine week old Havanese and after four nights of being in charge of puppy duty, I am wondering if I lost my mind deciding I need a puppy. She is super cute and joyful, which I could use in these grim times, and she’s going to be a great friend. Havanese are the national dog of Cuba, so John suggested the name Carlotta a.k.a. Lottie to honor her heritage. I was leaning toward Miss Jane Marple or Vera to honor women mystery writers, but happy to have John invested LOL.

Q: Where did you grow up and how did you end up in Key West? How did you go from clinical psychologist to mystery writer?

A: I grew up in New Jersey, wandered around for a few years, and then got my PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Florida. I’ve lived in Connecticut since then, which is where I met John. When he retired from his business in 2007, we took a trip around Florida looking for places to retire for his Top Retirements blog/website. I suggested a week in Key West since he had never been. We both fell in love and have not looked back. As for moving from clinical psychologist to mystery writer, oddly enough, it was a pretty natural transition. In both cases, my job is to look at the presenting problem (either a crime or unhappiness), and follow the clues to find the solution.

Q: What’s the most fun/interesting thing about writing a series set in Key West?

A: Everything’s fun about writing Key West! There are so many unusual characters on our island, both full-time and visitors. And all the conflict between the different factions means that I can find plot ideas every time I read the Key West Citizen or the Keys Weekly or Konk Life. I love including real places and people as part of the book. Many of my readers are serious Key West fans and love reading about the island while they are not visiting. In the new book, chef/entrepreneur/writer David Sloan becomes a big character. He was fun to write because there was so much material! And he’s a very good sport.

Q: How do you come up with the recipes showcased in the books? What’s been your go-to recipe while sheltering-at-home?

A: Since Hayley Snow, the main character of the series, is a food critic, the recipes are connected to what she’s eating and reviewing. Some of them are my versions of what I’ve actually eaten in Key West restaurants, such as Baby’s House Salad from Clemente’s Pizza, or the strawberry cream pie with chocolate crust from Seven Fish. And I’ve been making a lot of Scottish dishes for the book I’m writing now. My favorite recipe this spring was a tomato cheese pie with cornmeal crust. I can hardly wait to try that again.

5) What are you reading and recommending these days?

Oh this is hard because my attention span is shot. I’m struggling through STAMPED FROM THE BEGINNING for a book group talking about racism in our country. And three of my blog sisters from Jungle Red Writers have books out this summer that I’m really looking forward to: PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA by Jenn Mckinlay, THE LAST MRS. SUMMERS by Rhys Bowen, and  THE FIRST TO LIE by Hank Ryan. I have a big stack beside my bed and hope my reading gets back to normal soon.

 

Bestselling author and Key West local Meg Cabot is this year’s Bookstore Romance Day Ambassador and she has put together this snazzy video recommending some great romance picks. Bookstore Romance Day is August 15 and we will be celebrating in store and virtually.

For easy reference, here is a listing of the books she showcases in the video that we have in stock in the store or can get from our warehouse:

Royal Wedding (Princess Diaries #11), by Meg Cabot

For Princess Mia, the past five years since college graduation have been a whirlwind of activity, what with living in New York City, running her new teen community center, being madly in love, and attending royal engagements. And speaking of engagements. Mia’s gorgeous longtime boyfriend Michael managed to clear both their schedules just long enough for an exotic (and very private) Caribbean island interlude where he popped the question! Of course Mia didn’t need to consult her diary to know that her answer was a royal oui.

Princess Diaries, by Meg Cabot

Mia Thermopolis is pretty sure there’s nothing worse than being a five-foot-nine, flat-chested freshman, who also happens to be flunking Algebra. Is she ever in for a surprise. First Mom announces that she’s dating Mia’s Algebra teacher. Then Dad has to go and reveal that he is the crown prince of Genovia. And guess who still doesn’t have a date for the Cultural Diversity Dance?

A Princess in Theory, by Alyssa Cole

Between grad school and multiple jobs, Naledi Smith doesn’t have time for fairy tales…or patience for the constant e-mails claiming she’s betrothed to an African prince. Sure. Right. Delete! As a former foster kid, she’s learned that the only things she can depend on are herself and the scientific method, and a silly e-mail won’t convince her otherwise.

Her Royal Highness, by Rachel Hawkins

Millie Quint is devastated when she discovers that her sort-of-best friend/sort-of-girlfriend has been kissing someone else. Heartbroken and ready for a change of pace, Millie decides to apply for scholarships to boarding schools . . . the farther from Houston the better. Soon, Millie is accepted into one of the world’s most exclusive schools, located in the rolling highlands of Scotland. Here, the country is dreamy and green; the school is covered in ivy, and the students think her American-ness is adorable. The only problem: Mille’s roommate Flora is a total princess. She’s also an actual princess. Of Scotland.

The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics, by Olivia Waite

As Lucy Muchelney watches her ex-lover’s sham of a wedding, she wishes herself anywhere else. It isn’t until she finds a letter from the Countess of Moth, looking for someone to translate a groundbreaking French astronomy text, that she knows where to go. Showing up at the Countess’ London home, she hoped to find a challenge, not a woman who takes her breath away.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, by Jenny Han

What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them…all at once? Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

You Had Me at Hola, by Alexis Daria

After a messy public breakup, soap opera darling Jasmine Lin Rodriguez finds her face splashed across the tabloids. When she returns to her hometown of New York City to film the starring role in a bilingual romantic comedy for the number one streaming service in the country, Jasmine figures her new “Leading Lady Plan” should be easy enough to follow—until a casting shake-up pairs her with telenovela hunk Ashton Suárez.

Take a Hint, Dani Brown, by Talia Hibbert

Danika Brown knows what she wants: professional success, academic renown, and an occasional roll in the hay to relieve all that career-driven tension. But romance? Been there, done that, burned the T-shirt. Romantic partners, whatever their gender, are a distraction at best and a drain at worst. So Dani asks the universe for the perfect friend-with-benefits—someone who knows the score and knows their way around the bedroom.

Take a Hint, Dani Brown is also our current virtual book club pick. Read what assistant manager Gianelle has to say about it: https://booksandbookskw.com/virtual-book-club-pick-take-a-hint-dani-brown/

Pride, by Ibi Zoboi

Zuri Benitez has pride. Brooklyn pride, family pride, and pride in her Afro-Latino roots. But pride might not be enough to save her rapidly gentrifying neighborhood from becoming unrecognizable. When the wealthy Darcy family moves in across the street, Zuri wants nothing to do with their two teenage sons, even as her older sister, Janae, starts to fall for the charming Ainsley. She especially can’t stand the judgmental and arrogant Darius. Yet as Zuri and Darius are forced to find common ground, their initial dislike shifts into an unexpected understanding.

Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors, by Sonali Dev

It is a truth universally acknowledged that only in an overachieving Indian American family can a genius daughter be considered a black sheep.

Dr. Trisha Raje is San Francisco’s most acclaimed neurosurgeon. But that’s not enough for the Rajes, her influential immigrant family who’s achieved power by making its own non-negotiable rules:

· Never trust an outsider

· Never do anything to jeopardize your brother’s political aspirations

· And never, ever, defy your family

Trisha is guilty of breaking all three rules. But now she has a chance to redeem herself. So long as she doesn’t repeat old mistakes.

Cinderella Is Dead, by Kalynn Bayron

It’s 200 years after Cinderella found her prince, but the fairy tale is over. Teen girls are now required to appear at the Annual Ball, where the men of the kingdom select wives based on a girl’s display of finery. If a suitable match is not found, the girls not chosen are never heard from again.

Sixteen-year-old Sophia would much rather marry Erin, her childhood best friend, than parade in front of suitors. At the ball, Sophia makes the desperate decision to flee, and finds herself hiding in Cinderella’s mausoleum. There, she meets Constance, the last known descendant of Cinderella and her step sisters. Together they vow to bring down the king once and for all–and in the process, they learn that there’s more to Cinderella’s story than they ever knew . . .

The Rakess, by Scarlett Peckham

She’s a Rakess on a quest for women’s rights…

Seraphina Arden’s passions include equality, amorous affairs, and wild, wine-soaked nights. To raise funds for her cause, she’s set to publish explosive memoirs exposing the powerful man who ruined her. Her ideals are her purpose, her friends are her family, and her paramours are forbidden to linger in the morning.

He’s not looking for a summer lover…

Adam Anderson is a wholesome, handsome, widowed Scottish architect, with two young children, a business to protect, and an aversion to scandal. He could never, ever afford to fall for Seraphina. But her indecent proposal—one month, no strings, no future—proves too tempting for a man who strains to keep his passions buried with the losses of his past.

But one night changes everything…

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, by Becky Albertalli

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.

Two Rogues Make a Right, by Cat Sebastian

Will Sedgwick can’t believe that after months of searching for his oldest friend, Martin Easterbrook is found hiding in an attic like a gothic nightmare. Intent on nursing Martin back to health, Will kindly kidnaps him and takes him to the countryside to recover, well away from the world. Martin doesn’t much care where he is or even how he got there. He’s much more concerned that the man he’s loved his entire life is currently waiting on him hand and foot, feeding him soup and making him tea. Martin knows he’s a lost cause, one he doesn’t want Will to waste his life on.

Geekerella, by Ashley Poston

Part romance, part love letter to nerd culture, and all totally adorbs, Geekerella is a fairy tale for anyone who believes in the magic of fandom. Geek girl Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, the classic sci-fi series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for a new Starfield movie, she has to enter. The prize? An invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball, and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. With savings from her gig at the Magic Pumpkin food truck (and her dad’s old costume), Elle’s determined to win…unless her stepsisters get there first.

Spoiler Alert, by Olivia Dade (publishes 10/6/20, available for preorder)

Marcus Caster-Rupp has a secret. While the world knows him as Aeneas, the star of the biggest show on TV, Gods of the Gates, he’s known to fanfiction readers as Book!AeneasWouldNever, an anonymous and popular poster. Marcus is able to get out his own frustrations with his character through his stories, especially the ones that feature the internet’s favorite couple to ship, Aeneas and Lavinia. But if anyone ever found out about his online persona, he’d be fired. Immediately. April Whittier has secrets of her own. A hardcore Lavinia fan, she’s hidden her fanfiction and cosplay hobby from her “real life” for years—but not anymore. When she decides to post her latest Lavinia creation on Twitter, her photo goes viral. Trolls and supporters alike are commenting on her plus-size take, but when Marcus, one half of her OTP, sees her pic and asks her out on a date to spite her critics, she realizes life is really stranger than fanfiction.

No Judgments, by Meg Cabot

When a massive hurricane severs all power and cell service to Little Bridge Island—as well as its connection to the mainland—twenty-five-year-old Bree Beckham isn’t worried . . . at first. She’s already escaped one storm—her emotionally abusive ex—so a hurricane seems like it will be a piece of cake. But animal-loving Bree does become alarmed when she realizes how many islanders have been cut off from their beloved pets. Now it’s up to her to save as many of Little Bridge’s cats and dogs as she can . . . but to do so, she’s going to need help—help she has no choice but to accept from her boss’s sexy nephew, Drew Hartwell, the Mermaid Café’s most notorious heartbreaker.

No Offense, by Meg Cabot

Welcome to Little Bridge, one of the smallest, most beautiful islands in the Florida Keys, home to sandy white beaches, salt-rimmed margaritas, and stunning sunsets—a place where nothing goes under the radar and love has a way of sneaking up when least expected…

A broken engagement only gave Molly Montgomery additional incentive to follow her dream job from the Colorado Rockies to the Florida Keys. Now, as Little Bridge Island Public Library’s head of children’s services, Molly hopes the messiest thing in her life will be her sticky-note covered desk. But fate—in the form of a newborn left in the restroom—has other ideas. So does the sheriff who comes to investigate the “abandonment”. When John Hartwell folds all six-feet-three of himself into a tiny chair and insists that whoever left the baby is a criminal, Molly begs to differ and asks what he’s doing about the Island’s real crime wave (if thefts of items from homes that have been left unlocked could be called that). Not the best of starts, but the man’s arrogance is almost as distracting as his blue eyes. Almost…

Meg Cabot’s newest book, the second in the Little Bridge Island series, No Offense, will be available August 11. Books & Books is hosting a virtual evening with Meg and Emily Henry, author of Beach Read on the 11^th at 7pm. (Details and registration at https://booksandbookskw.com/cabot-no-offense/)

Special thanks to Bookstore Romance Day, Meg Cabot, and Avon Books.

 

If you think fake dating in paradise sounds like fun, you’re going to love Priscilla Oliveras’ ISLAND AFFAIR. We always enjoy featuring books that showcase our quirky island; this one is perfect for the beach. We had the opportunity to ask Priscilla a few questions about her Key West inspiration, what’s coming in book 2 and what she’s reading these days.

Q: Where did you grow up and where’s home these days? Why did you decide to set ISLAND AFFAIR in Key West?

A: My dad was in the Navy, so our family lived in multiple places, from Panama to Texas to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Florida. We moved to Key West the summer before my 7th grade year, and I lived there until I graduated high school and left for college. These days, home is in north central Florida, but I’ve always wanted to take readers to the island I’ve thought of as “home” since my adolescence. With the KEYS TO LOVE series, I finally get a chance to do that.

Q: As Key West opens back up after closing to tourists during the Covid-19 pandemic, what’s one place, thing or experience that visitors shouldn’t miss in Key West?

A: Wow, it’s hard to only pick one. To pack as much as possible in one evening, I’d say head to Mallory Square’s Sunset Celebration. That way they can be awed by nature’s nightly watercolor painting across the horizon, entertained by a bevy of street performers, and then wander over to El Mesón de Pepe for a tasty meal and dancing.

Q: Island Affair is book 1 in your KEYS TO LOVE series, what can you tell us about book 2? Will it follow characters we’ve already met, travel up the Keys?

A: In Book 2, we’ll definitely see more of the Navarros and another Navarro familia dinner. ANCHORED HEARTS is Anamaría’s second-chance romance with her high school sweetheart, Alejandro Miranda, who left Key West right after graduation and is now an award-winning adventure-commercial photographer. Their story takes place in Key West, with a few different local spots highlighted. Readers will get to touch base with Luis and Sara, spend a little more time with Enrique (who’s good friends with Alejandro), and even meet Enrique’s potential love interest.

Q: We often get asked for light or funny reads. What might you recommend for someone who is looking for a bit of escape?

A: For readers who enjoy rom-coms, a few of my definite recommends are Mia Sosa’s THE WORST BEST MAN, Farrah Rochon’s THE BOYFRIEND PROJECT, Lyssa Kay Adams’ UNDERCOVER BROMANCE (book 2 in the fabulous BROMANCE BOOK CLUB series), and debut author Yaffa S. Santos’ A TASTE OF SAGE. Three other June releases I’m excited about are Vanessa Riley’s A DUKE, THE LADY AND A BABY, Kristan Higgins’ ALWAYS THE LAST TO KNOW, and Jasmine Guillory’s PARTY OF TWO.

Q: At what point in your career did you get your MFA (had you already published a novel)? What advice would you give writers considering an MFA?

A: My MFA thesis manuscript actually became my first published novel, HIS PERFECT PARTNER. I’d been writing off and on for about twenty years before I started my MFA program at Seton Hill University (SHU). By then, I had reached a time where my kids were grown (two off to college,) and I could really focus on my writing, professionally. SHU’s program proved to be a turning point for me, definitely in a positive way.

For those considering an MFA, my first advice is to do your research; find out what type of creative writing the program encourages. Not all, in fact not too many, encourage genre fiction. SHU’s Writing Popular Fiction (WPF) program is all genre focused, that was important to me as a romance author. Plus, it’s a low-residency program, which allowed me to enroll and take classes while living outside of the Greensburg, PA, area, and around my day job schedule. Finally, I’d also consider your post-graduation goals. Meaning, do you want to teach, publish, edit, all three? Will the MFA program(s) you’re considering help you achieve your goal(s)? For me, SHU’s WPF program helped me hone my craft, learn about the business, and practice juggling author life responsibilities like deadlines, while also providing a credential to teach at the college/university level.