The book signing will take place on Saturday, April 10, 2027
4-6 PM
Hilton Garden Inn
Hamilton, NJ
Meet Our Keynote Speaker
Leticia Gomez
Editor-at-Large for DAFINA/KENSINGTON BOOKS
& Founder and Principal Agent of Savvy Literary Services
Leticia Gomez is an Editor-at-Large for Dafina Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing
Corp., which focuses on high-quality fiction and non-fiction that centers on race, identity, and its impact on our experiences. She is also the founder and principal agent of Savvy Literary Services, a Texas-based literary agency that specializes in bringing culturally diverse voices to the forefront. She has helped her clients secure deals with the largest publishers in the world and has seen several of her projects successfully optioned for TV and film adaptation. Leticia is actively seeking to acquire fiction and nonfiction in all genres from mainstream authors as well as stories for marginalized communities with a focus on voices of color.
Additional Book Fair Participants
| Name | Bio |
|---|---|
| Maria K. Alexander | Maria K. Alexander is an award-winning contemporary romance author of the Tangled Hearts and Pelican Bay series. She writes about smart and sassy women and the tortured and sexy men who aren’t afraid to go head-to-head with them. Together, they’ll overcome tragedy and fears on their journey to falling in love. Her heartfelt stories have strong connections with family and friends and often involve tantalizing food and laugh-out-loud moments. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, and when not writing, she reads, bakes, plays pickleball, visits the beach, and watches romantic comedies. You can keep in touch with Maria at https://mariakalexander.com. |
| Christi Barth | USA TODAY bestselling author Christi Barth earned a Master's degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage. A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes award-winning contemporary & paranormal romance, including the Naked Men and Aisle Bound series. |
| Ruth Casie | Ruth A. Casie is a USA Today bestselling author of historical romance filled with adventure, intrigue, and heartfelt emotion, where love is earned and partnership is equal. Her stories feature strong heroines, honorable heroes, and richly layered worlds readers want to return to again and again. |
| Carla Conti | Carla Conti is a journalist-turned-true crime author whose second book, THE JACKLIGHTER, returns to a case Conti first covered as a young reporter. In THE JACKLIGHTER: Murder, Betrayal, and Justice in Pennsylvania's Endless Mountains, Conti reconstructs the decades-long fight to understand a 1976 hunting-camp death ruled an accident, and uncovers a murder confession that never reached either jury. Her debut, CHAINED BIRDS: A CRIMEMOIR, is a decorated true crime memoir of corruption, gang violence, and the fight for justice inside America's federal prison system. It won a host of 2025 True Crime prizes, including Best Crimemoir from AudioBookReviewer for Carla's own audiobook narration. Carla serves as a conference speaker and panelist, and gives workshops on nonfiction writing and the ethics of true crime storytelling. She writes about her books, the true crime genre, and writing life at CarlaJeanConti and on Substack. Carla lives near Philadelphia with her husband, who supports her true crime habit. |
| Nancy Herkness | Nancy Herkness is the award-winning, best-selling author of twenty-three romance novels and has sold over 1 million books. She graduated from Princeton University with a degree in English literature and creative writing. A native of West Virginia, Nancy now lives twelve miles west of the Lincoln Tunnel with two tabby cats. |
| Elaine Insinnia | Elaine Insinnia’s recently published fictional memoir is: You Go, Girl! Game on for a Grandmother and her Granddaughter. Her plays include Always Split Aces and Eights, chosen by playwright John Guare as the winner of the Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival, Belles Rebel, which won the Kean University alumni award, Exiled, commissioned and produced by Abingdon Theatre, NYC, Cut Strings, finalist in the Father Hamlin contest produced at Abingdon Theatre, NYC, Vincie, Nora’s Playhouse, NYC, Leap of Faith, Luna Stage, and Left Out, developed by ASOTO, a professional women’s playwriting collective of which she is a member. Elaine, former Language Arts teacher, is also the published author of books and articles in education, technology, and theater. |
| Elizabeth John | Elizabeth John is the award-winning author of tender romances with a touch of intrigue. Her Waves of Forever series delivers sweet, small-town romantic suspense filled with heartfelt emotion and just the right hint of mystery. After retiring from a rewarding career as an elementary school teacher, Elizabeth now lives her dream of writing full time. A lifelong animal lover, she shares her New Jersey home with two rescue dogs—each with a quirky personality—and one very tolerant cat. When she’s not writing, Elizabeth enjoys knitting, gardening, researching family ancestry, or relaxing at the beach with a good book. She is a member of Liberty States Fiction Writers, New Jersey Romance Writers, and Sisters in Crime. Elizabeth loves connecting with readers. Learn more or sign up for her newsletter at www.elizabethjohn.com. |
| Tracey J Lyons | Tracey J. Lyons is a Publishers Weekly and Amazon publishing bestselling author who sold her first book to a major publisher on 9/9/99 the day everyone thought computers would crash! Tracey has written for Kensington Publishing, Avalon Books, Waterfall Press, and Harlequin’s Love Inspired line. Her novels—small-town, sometimes quirky, contemporary and historical romances—have been finalists in contests such as the Bookseller’s Best, the Reader’s Choice and New Jersey’s Golden Leaf. During her 26-year publishing career she has presented workshops covering topics on the craft and career of writing. An upstate New Yorker at heart, she loves cooking, dabbling in watercolors, and features New York State in all of her novels. You can learn more about Tracey’s books by visiting her website at www.traceyjlyons.com. |
| Tracey Lyons | Tracey J. Lyons is a Publishers Weekly and Amazon publishing bestselling author who sold her first book to a major publisher on 9/9/99 the day everyone thought computers would crash! Tracey has written for Kensington Publishing, Avalon Books, Waterfall Press, and Harlequin’s Love Inspired line. Her novels—small-town, sometimes quirky, contemporary and historical romances—have been finalists in contests such as the Bookseller’s Best, the Reader’s Choice and New Jersey’s Golden Leaf. During her 26-year publishing career she has presented workshops covering topics on the craft and career of writing. An upstate New Yorker at heart, she loves cooking, dabbling in watercolors, and features New York State in all of her novels. You can learn more about Tracey’s books by visiting her website at www.traceyjlyons.com. |
| Michael McLaughlin | Michael J. McLaughlin, MD, is the award-winning author of many short stories and several thriller novels, including No Harm Intended, Fugue, Woods, and Extinction. Following earlier careers as a surgeon and the owner of a medical writing business, he now writes in New Jersey, where he lives with his family and two enormous rescue dogs. He strives to create characters that will inspire his three daughters and scare their boyfriends. Learn more at mclaughlinbooks.com. Follow on social media @mclaughlinbooks. |
| L.G. O'Connor | L.G. O’Connor spends her free time spinning fantasy, contemporary, and mystery stories that touch the heart with themes of family, redemption, forgiveness, and above all, hope. Besides writing, L.G. is a Mayo Clinic & Board-Certified Wellness Coach and Book Coach. She’s passionate about connecting with readers and loves food, antiques, and excellent coffee. Follow L.G. on Instagram @lg_connor, or on her website: www.lgoconnor.com |
| Linda J. Parisi | Linda J. Parisi enjoys creating unforgettable characters and putting them in untenable situations, much to their dismay. She is the winner of many awards for her paranormal romances, including the NJRW Golden Leaf Award and the HOLT Medallion for Speculative Fiction. She has fulfilled a lifelong dream and released her debut novel with Harlequin Heartwarming. And she has now sold her second, to be released in August 2027. Her most recent release is a Romantic Suspense garnering excellent reviews. She is the current President of Liberty States Fiction Writers, has served on the boards of other writing organizations, and is currently a Mentor for RWA. She loves to travel, tries to bake, and lives in New Jersey with her son Chris, daughter-in-law Sara, and Audi and Archer, a pair of pooches who had her at woof! |
| Caridad Pineiro | Caridad Pineiro is a New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of heart‑pounding romantic suspense, emotional contemporary romance, and addictive paranormal fiction. With nearly two million books sold worldwide, Caridad is known for delivering twist‑driven plots, unforgettable heroes, and the kind of edge‑of‑your‑seat tension romance readers crave. Her popular K‑9 romantic suspense series and small‑town contemporary romances have earned her a devoted global readership. A champion for writers, Caridad is a founding member of Liberty States Fiction Writers and a frequent presenter at national writing conferences. Discover new releases, bonus content, and reading guides at Caridad's website. |
| Paula Scardamalia | Paula Chaffee Scardamalia is an author and book coach who loves helping other writers write their stories and life discoveries using her experience and knowledge as well as intuitive tools such as dreams and the tarot. She’s the author of the mythic contemporary romance, The Tempting Voice, and a romantasy, In the Land of the Vultures. She also has written three nonfiction books on writing and the creative life, Enchanting Creativity, Tarot for the Fiction Writer, and the award-winning Weaving a Woman’s Life: Spiritual Lessons from the Loom. Divine Muse-ings is her weekly newsletter on writing, creativity, dreams, and tarot. She lives with her husband in an 1840s Greek Revival farmhouse, constantly in need of TLC, in the foothills of the Catskills. |
| Kristina Sternesky | Kristina Sternesky is a lifelong resident of Woodbridge Township, NJ. She holds a Masters of Communication and Media from Rutgers University and has over a decade of government communications experience. She is the lead coordinator of a local writer’s group and enjoys bringing people together. Outside of her writing career, Kristina enjoys exploring the world with her husband and child. She can often be found pulling together a costume for the next Renaissance Festival, or obsessing over a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. |
| Suzanne Trauth | Suzanne Trauth is the author of the award-winning novels The First to Die and What Remains of Love, as well as the Dodie O’Dell mystery series, numerous plays, and non-fiction books. She spent many years as a university professor of theatre and currently serves on the board of Mystery Writers of America - New York Chapter. She is also a member of Sisters in Crime, the Dramatists Guild, the League of Professional Theatre Women, and Liberty States Fiction Writers. When she is not writing, she coaches actors and serves as a celebrant. She lives in Woodland Park, NJ. www.suzannetrauth.com |
| Jennifer Wilck | Jennifer Wilck is an award-winning Jewish contemporary romance author for readers who are passionate about love, laughter, and happily ever after. Known for writing both Jewish and non-Jewish romances, her books feature sexy heroes, sassy and independent heroines, witty banter and hot chemistry. Jennifer’s ability to transport the reader into the scene, create characters the reader will fall in love with, and evoke a roller coaster of emotions, will hook you from the first page. She is currently published by Harlequin Special Edition, The Wild Rose Press, and has several self-published titles. She is a frequent speaker at book clubs and organizations, and has appeared on several podcasts. |
| Stacey Wilk | Best-selling and award-winning author, Stacey Wilk, writes romance that hooks you heart and soul. She published her first novel in 2013. Since then, she’s published another thirty-five so women everywhere can slow down and indulge. They certainly deserve it. When she isn’t writing, she’s standing in front of groups large and small to educate, entertain, and motivate. Her love of speaking began earlier than her love of writing. She even earned a degree in Speech, Theater, Communications. To see what she writes next join her newsletter - https://bit.ly/2A0jEFk Or visit her website – www.staceywilk.com |
More book fair participants coming soon!