All of our participating authors are listed below with their bios, the genres in which they write, the heat level(s) they write (see the legend to the right), and their websites. We encourage you to look through and read about each of the authors as you decide which of them you would like to sit with at our 5th Annual Utah Readers Luncheon coming up on Saturday, October 12, 2019 and make a note of others you would like to meet while there.

Registration opens the morning of April 1st at midnight. Once you have decided with whom you would like to sit, simply click on the button above to register. We look forward to meeting and spending time with each of you and hope you have an experience that you will always remember.

TESSA DARE - Keynote Speaker            

     (Small Town Contemporary Romance)               

TESSA DARE is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty historical romances.

Mixing wit, sensuality, and emotion, Tessa writes Regency-set romance novels that feel relatable to modern readers. With her bestselling “Spindle Cove”, “Castles Ever After”, and “Girl Meets Duke” series, she has had great fun creating heroines who defy the conventions of their time—engaging in “unladylike” pursuits that range from paleontology to beer-making—and dreaming up the strong-willed, sexy heroes who find their hearts ensnared by them.
A librarian by training and a booklover at heart, Tessa makes her home in Southern California, where she lives with her husband, their two children, and a trio of cosmic kitties.

RAEANNE THAYNE

    (Sweet Small Town Contemporary Romance)
RAEANNE THAYNE is a New York Times, Publishers Weekly and USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty books. Her books have won many honors, including six RITA® nominations from Romance Writers of America®, a RT Book Reviews career achievement award and the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence. She has also been named a Romance Pioneer of 2016 from RT Book Reviews. Her stories have been described as “poignant and sweet,” with “beautiful, honest storytelling (that) goes straight to the heart.” She finds inspiration from the beautiful northern Utah mountains, where she lives with her family.

 KELLI ANN MORGAN

    (Western Historical Romance)
KELLI ANN MORGAN recognized a passion for writing when she wrote and directed a play for her elementary school and since that time has devoted herself to creativity of all sorts. Today, she is a full time writer of western historical and contemporary romance as well as children's books, and she moonlights as a Creative Designer - creating book covers and more for other authors- and works as a photographer, jewelry designer, painter, and motivational speaker when time permits.

Kelli Ann's Redbourne family has woven a place in the hearts of her readers and her books can be found on over 100K reading devices world-wide. Her novels are on the sensual side of PG--without the graphic love scenes. She feels strongly that great romance novels are those that make you feel a spectrum of emotion, those that leave you wanting more, and it is her hope that every time you crack open one of her books, that you walk away inspired, uplifted, and wanting more..

ANNIE ADAMS

    (Cozy Mystery)
ANNIE ADAMS is the author of The Flower Shop Mystery series including THE FINAL ARRANGEMENT, DEADLY ARRANGEMENTS and A CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENT. She is a contributor to the Happy Homicides, 13 cozy mystery novellas box sets.  She lives with her husband, two giant dogs, and two, too giant cats in Northern Utah at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains. When not writing she can be found arranging flowers or delivering them in her own Zombie Delivery Van. She's a member of Romance Writers of America, the Utah chapter (President, 2016) and the Kiss of Death chapter of RWA (KOD).  

LISA BINGHAM

    (Contemporary & Inspirational Historical)
LISA BINGHAM was thirteen when she decided she wanted to be a published author, and she reached that goal less than ten years later. Now, Lisa is the bestselling author of more than thirty historical and contemporary romantic fiction novels. Lisa has also been a teacher and a professional theatrical and historical reenactment costume designer--she's considered an expert in both fields. She has been lucky enough to live and study in such exotic locales as Brazil, Mexico, Europe, and the United Kingdom. Currently she lives in rural northern Utah near her husband's fourth-generation family farm. She is married to her sweetheart of twenty-two years and has three beautiful children, an over-protective dog, a burr-laden cat, and a miniature goat who thinks she's a puppy.

IRISH WINTERS

    (Military Romance)

IRISH WINTERS is an award-winning author who dabbles in poetry, grandchildren, and rarely (as in extremely rarely) the kitchen. More prone to be outdoors than in, she grew up the quintessential tomboy on a farm in rural Wisconsin, spent her teenage years in the Pacific Northwest, but calls the Wasatch Mountains of Northern Utah home. For now.

The wife of one handsome husband and the mother of three perfect sons, Irish divides her time between writing at home and travelling the country with her man while - writing. (Seriously, what else?) She believes in making every day count for something and follows the wise admonition of her mother to, "Look out the window and see something!"

LIZ ISAACSON

   (Sweet / Christian Romance)
LIZ ISAACSON is a USA Today bestseller, Amazon bestseller, and Amazon Kindle All-Star Author across 2 names and over 100 titles. She writes inspirational cowboy romances. Her western romances have multiple #1 bestsellers in dozens of categories. She loves all things to do with contemporary cowboys, and will write romance in Texas, Montana, Vermont, Wyoming, and anywhere else she can find horses and mountains. She also writes clean beach romance as Elana Johnson. Find out more at lizisaacson.com or elanajohnson.com. 

STANALEI FLETCHER

    (Romantic Suspense/Contemporary Romance)
STANALEI FLETCHER's first writing award came from her high school creative writing class.
The award: A coupon redeemable for a future writing assignment.
The contest: The wildest excuse ever for not turning in a homework assignment.
Her story: UFO abduction.
Many of her stories fall into the romantic suspense genre and are filled with action-adventure woven through dangerous circumstances. But she also likes to dabble on the edge of sci-fi. She's even been fortunate to have her stories final in a few contests.

Stanalei's love of writing romance stems from reading favorites such as Grimm's Fairy Tales,  Barbara Cartland, and Alistair MacLean. She has over twenty years in the martial arts and holds the rank of Sandan, a third degree black belt, in Aikido. After a taste of life on both U.S. coasts, she now reside near the beautiful Wasatch Mountains with her hero, who just happens to be her best friend and husband. Together, they enjoy backcountry dirt trails on a RZR, visiting our National Parks, or exploring museums and ghost towns.

Stanalei is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Utah Romance Writers
Chapter, and the Kiss of Death Chapter of Romance Writers.

HEATHER B. MOORE

    (Historical/Contemporary Romance)
HEATHER B. MOORE is a USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty publications. Her historical novels and thrillers are written under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes women's fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt, the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Utah. Heather is represented by Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret.

JILL SHALVIS

    (Sexy Contemporary Romance)
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis writes warm, funny, sexy contemporary romances and women’s fiction. An Amazon, BN & iBooks bestseller, she’s also a two-time RITA winner and has more than 15 million copies of her books sold worldwide.
Jill lives with her family in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters (Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is mostly coincidental). She does most of her writing on her deck surrounded by more animals than humans. Which is quite astonishing considering she’s a city girl who was plucked from the wilds of L.A. to the wilds of the Sierra’s. Most of her books come from a combination of hard work, cookies, and hot guy pics, and not necessarily in that order.
Jill often travels to reader weekends & conventions where she LOVES getting to meet and hang-out with readers. The only problem being she tends to get lost in her hotels. So if you ever see NYTimes Bestselling author Jill Shalvis roaming the halls, someone please return her immediately. 

JENNIFER BECKSTRAND

     (Amish Romance)
JENNIFER BECKSTRAND is the two-time RITA-nominated, #1 Amazon bestselling Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hillseries, The Honeybee Sistersseries, and The Petersheim Brothersseries for Kensington Books. Huckleberry Summer andHome on Huckleberry Hill were bothnominated for the coveted RITA® Award from Romance Writers of America. Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people and loves writing about the antics of Anna and Felty Helmuth, the Honeybee sisters’ aendiBitsy, and Alfie and Benji Petersheim. Jennifer has written twenty-one Amish romances, a historical Western, and the nonfiction book, Big Ideas. She and her husband have been married for thirty-four years, and she has six children and seven adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.

KIRSTEN OSBOURNE

    (Western Historical/Contemporary)
USA Today bestselling author KIRSTEN OSBOURNE knows how to write romance. Each book is an experience that transplants the reader, indulging them in decadence, intense emotion and sweeping love.
Hailing from the state of Wisconsin, she has lived in Texas for over thirty years as a mother, writer, and wife. Married to the love of her life for more than fifteen years, she knows that true love exists and shares that vision with the world.
She writes contemporary and historical romance as well and also ventures into the realm of paranormal romance. She invites you to join her in her world of fantasy, love, and make believe, no matter the location, where there is always a happily ever after at the end.

STEFANI WORTHEN

    (Sweet Contemporary/Historical Romance)
STEPHANI WORTHEN, a lifelong reader and romance writer, studied Music at the University of Utah where she enjoyed classes in music, reading, composition, and folk dancing and endured classes in physics and math. Originally from Los Angeles, California, she and her husband now reside just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. She enjoys music, genealogy, and handwork. She also loves visiting her six children and 24 grandchildren.

JENNI JAMES

    (Contemporary Romance)
JENNI JAMES is the busy mother of ten kids (7 hers, 3 her hubby's) and has nearly thirty published book babies. She's an award-winning, best-selling author, who works full-time from home and dreams about magical things and then writes about what she dreams.
Even though she was born in Arizona, went to high school in New Mexico--and loves Mexican food more than anything--she lived so many years in England that when she and her children finally returned home she couldn't for the life of her remember how to speak truly American anymore. She gets teased relentlessly on her British accent and connotations--and there are sometimes altogether where she only speaks like a true Englishman for several hours at time without having any idea until someone points it out. Hence the relentless teasing.
Oddly however, when she returns to Britain and no one can tell she's American, she doesn't mind it one bit. The weather, the rolling green hills, the incredible architecture, the immaculate cottage gardens, the memories, the many lifelong friends and houses and villages she's lived in, the balls/galas/parties she hosted while she was there... it's all a second home to her now and a place that has always and will always capture her heart.
Some of her works include The Jane Austen Diaries (Pride & Popularity, Emmalee, Persuaded...), The Jenni James Faerie Tale Collection (Cinderella, Snow White, Rumplestiltskin, Beauty and the Beast...), the Andy & Annie series for children, Revitalizing Jane: Drowning, My Paranormal Life, Not Cinderella's Type, and the Austen in Love Series.
When she isn't writing up a storm, she is chasing her kids around their new cottage and farm in the tops of the southwestern mountains, entertaining friends at home, or kissing her amazingly hunky hubby. Her life is full of laughter, crazy, and sunshine.

AMELIA C. ADAMS

   (Sweet Romance)
AMELIA C. ADAMS (Tristi Pinkston) started writing sweet Western romances in 2015, and since that time, has published over sixty novellas in that genre. Having grown up in the west and being a student of history, it seemed like a natural fit. Her series include Kansas Crossroads, Nurses of New York, River's End Ranch, Mail Order Mounties, and Seven Sons. She enjoys writing strong characters who definitely have their flaws, but who learn from their mistakes and maybe kiss a little along the way.
She lives in Idaho with her real-life hero and their four amazingly brilliant and talented children. As her alter ego, she has presented at writers conferences up and down the Wasatch Front, mentored countless authors, worked as a freelance editor, and run her own publishing company. She greatly enjoys eating tacos, and she may or may not have a tiny little Netflix addiction. You can learn more about her at www.ameliacadams.com

ALYSIA S. KNIGHT

ALYSIA S. KNIGHT says, "I grew up in a small town in Wyoming loving the outdoors, sports, art, and reading Hardy Boys books. After reading them all at least a half dozen times, I started writing my own stories.

I will be honest and say:  
I am the writer who hated English. I can't diagram a sentence to save me. I am a dreamer, storyteller and plotter.
I'm a romantic, and love adventure. I enjoy being around people but could easily be a hermit; as long as I have something to write. I am better expressing myself through writing and hope you enjoy what I write.

I am a storyteller. I write the classic hero story because I think there's a need for more heroes, love, and adventure in our lives. I'm not out to change the world with my writing; I'm just hoping to make your day a little better. "

ROXANNE D. HOWARD

    (EROTIC ROMANCE)
ROXANNE D. HOWARD writes sizzling erotic romance with Boroughs Publishing Group and The Wild Rose Press. She is a U.S. Army veteran, and a Columbia College alumni. She loves to read poetry, classical literature, and Stephen King. Also, she is an avid Star Wars fan, musical theater nut, and marine biology geek. Roxanne resides in the western U.S., and when she's not writing, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, children, and furry companions. Roxanne loves to hear from her readers, and encourages you to contact her via her website and social media.

LORIN GRACE

    (CONTEMPORARY/HISTORICAL ROMANCE)
LORIN GRACE was born in Colorado and has moved around the country ever since, living in eight states and several imaginary worlds. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Graphic Design.
Currently, she lives in northern Utah with her husband, four children, and a dog who is insanely jealous of her laptop. When not writing Lorin enjoys creating graphics, visiting historical sites, perusing museums, and reading.
Lorin is an active member of the League of Utah Writers and was awarded Honorable Mention in their 2016 creative writing contest short romance story category. Her debut novel, Waking Lucy, was awarded a 2017 Recommended Read award in the LUW Published book contest. In 2018, Mending Fences with the Billionaire, also received a Recommended Read award.

MARIA HOAGLAND

    (SWEET ROMANCE/WOMEN'S FICTION)
MARIA HOAGLAND is a bestselling author who writes about hearts, homes, and happily ever afters. She has published over a dozen sweet romance and women’s fiction novels, including two Whitney Award finalists. She currently serves as the chair-elect for the Storymakers Guild.
When Maria is not working at her computer, she can be found combing used furniture stores or remodeling houses with her husband. She loves crunching leaves in the fall, stealing cookie dough from the mixing bowl, and listening to musicals.