Confessions of a Canadian Romantic by @elle_rush

When I first started reading romance, I had no idea how big the genre was in Canada. I'm talking about dozens and dozens of romance writers, from sweet to BDSM, shifter to alien, historical to time travellers. I think it has something to do with our long, cold winters. A girl's gotta stay warm any way she can.

One of my favourite Canadian romance event is on this weekend - August 3rd to 5th in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. ROMANCING THE CAPITAL is in its third year, and I'm going to be there. So are over three dozen romance writers - mostly from Canada, but we have some talented authors from the US as well. It's all fun and games and books and more books and food and wine and some books in case you missed them the first two times. Two days of your favourite authors and stories. I cannot recommend it highly enough. (And cheap. Everything is in Canadian dollars. Plus you can play tourist in the country's capital.)

Fortunately, the book fair is open to the public for those who weren't lucky enough to get a ticket. Seriously, if you are a romance reader, keep an eye on your local romance groups (run a search on RWA+your area, see if they have a webpage, and if they do, track that sucker.) A lot of groups have conferences, and almost all of those have some kind of book fair open to the public.

Go! Get that favourite edition of your signed by the author. Grab some swag (trust me - there's always swag). Maybe even pick up a free book or six. It'll cost you an hour of your time, and not only are you supporting your habit, you're supporting those who make your habit possible. It's win-win!

ETA - I had to cancel my appearance at the last minute due to a family emergency BUT everything else I said is still true. Plus, if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, I will have free books all weekend to make it up to you!

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Last chance at $0.99 - PURSUIT (River City Heroes #1)

A year ago, Sergeant Eric Parker gave up his fiancée because of his job as a homicide detective, and he’s regretted it ever since. When an old case throws them back together, he’ll use every trick short of handcuffing her to his bed to win her back.

Bree Collingswood has moved on. Her career is on the upswing, and she’s over the unexpected implosion of her engagement. She insists Eric isn’t on her hot-guy radar any more, even if nobody else believes they are over for good.

When a string of murders in Winnipeg is linked to a single killer, tensions in the city sky-rocket. And when Bree catches the Calendar Killer’s attention, Eric knows the best way to keep her safe is not to send her away again, but keep her closer than ever.

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