Contemporary romance will sweep into The Writers Centre this month. On Saturday, October 26th, 3.30 p.m., local author NG Peltier will read from and discuss The Dating Countdown, the latest book in her Island Bites series.
Fellow local author Caroline Mackenzie, author of One Year of Ugly, will lead the discussion, which will be followed by a book signing.
The Dating Countdown marks the third in Peltier’s romance series, with the first and second titles, Sweethand and Don’t Go Baking My Heart, released to popular acclaim and wide international readership.
Peltier expressed keen anticipation for the upcoming event, saying, ‘I’m excited to chat with readers and see what their thoughts are and the questions they may have for me on my process and characters. Remi and Maxi’s story has been brewing in the background since Book One, so I’m so glad we get to spotlight these ladies… to see the juxtaposition between how they each navigate their sexualities and internal conflicts.’
There are familiar characters who make appearances from Books One and Two in The Dating Countdown, but Peltier emphasised that this newest offering retains a uniqueness all its own.
‘I think the main difference here is the heat level,’ she said, adding without hesitation that ‘the spice factor kept going up with each book, which organically happened and felt right for the characters.’ Caroline Mackenzie was similarly enthused about the unique places The Dating Countdown explores, and the way in which it crafts a compelling, enjoyable setting. ‘It’s great to read a queer love story that engages with heavy matters in a fun, digestible, relatable way,’ she said.
Mackenzie expressed pride in the work Peltier has done as a romance writer living and working in Trinidad, saying, ‘We should be able to tell romance stories about people from all walks of life in a way that brings joy. Natalie’s doing this, and seeing the range that we Caribbean writers can produce is very exciting.’
Paper Based Bookshop, housed in The Writers Centre, will have copies of The Dating Countdown, as well as Sweethand and Don’t Go Baking My Heart, for sale on October 26th. Copies of Mackenzie’s One Year of Ugly will also be available for purchase, and attendees are encouraged to bring their previously owned books by both authors to be signed.
All are invited; the event is free and open to the public.
The Writers Centre, 14 Alcazar Street, St Clair, is the home of the Bocas Lit Fest and the Paper Based Bookshop.
