The Las Vegas Book Festival 2024!

L to R--Mia Heintzelman, Denise N. Wheatley, and a lovely reader...

Happy November, friends! Late last month, I took a trip to Las Vegas to visit my good friend and fellow author, Mia Heintzelman. I was there to celebrate Mia's latest release and attend the Las Vegas Book Festival. Keep reading to hear all about the event and check out pics I snapped with some amazing authors and readers!

The wonderful Vanderpump Cocktail Garden Manager

Mia's latest release, LAST CHRISTMAS CRUSH, hit shelves on October 17th. We had a ball taking the book on a tour of Vegas. We went live on Instagram and snapped pics at the Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, the Sphere, Caesars Palace, the Paris Las Vegas, and several other places. Here we are at Lisa Vanderpump's Cocktail Garden, where we toasted to release day and celebrated with the staff.

Along with Mia's book, we also had a belated celebration for the release of my latest Harlequin Intrigue, HOMETOWN HOMICIDE. In case you missed it, Book 4 in the West Coast Crime Story series hit shelves in October. CLICK HERE for all the book deets, and CLICK HERE to check out an excerpt!

On Saturday, the Las Vegas Book Festival took place! Friends, we had a ball. I hung out at Mia's booth, signing books and swag to give away while Mia sold books and merch (her novels and holiday mugs actually sold out!). 

Our fellow author and friend Meka James was there as well, signing copies of her latest release, LOVE & SPORTSBALL. Both Meka and Mia spoke on a panel where they discussed their books and the various professions characters have taken on in their stories.

Author Meka James

I also had a chance to chat with the lovely Alexis Daria, who attended the festival along with Priscilla Oliveras, Mia Sosa, and Annette Chavez Macias, better known as the 4 Chicas. The ladies spoke on a panel where they discussed their books and inspiration, then signed copies of their latest releases.

L to R--Meka James, Denise N. Wheatley, Mia Heintzelman, Alexis Daria

A huge highlight of the day was connecting with so many new readers! Everyone was so lovely, and it was great to hear how passionate they are when it comes to collecting books and enjoying good stories. Attendees ranged in ages from high schoolers to senior citizens, and the professions ran the gamut. Crime scene investigators, makeup artists, members of the military, you name it!

Then there were the book club members, writing club members, and so many aspiring writers...The good vibes and positive energy sent me home inspired to get back to my WIP!

I honestly could not have asked for a better day. Now on a low note (lol), I was robbed at the casinos both on and off The Strip. But on a high note? I'm already planning on attending the festival again next year. Hopefully I'll display a little more self-control at the slots. 🤣

But away, enough about all that. I'll be spending the rest of the month working on my WIP, which is tentatively titled DEADLY INTENT. It's Book 6 in my West Coast Crime Story series, and I'll be revealing more on the plot as well as unveiling the cover soon (Book 5, PREYED UPON, hits shelves in July 2025). So stay tuned for that, and in the meantime, enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday! I'll see you next month, when we'll be counting down the days until Christmas...🎄