2026
This year looks like it’s going to be a busy one. Hope to see you at one of my events or tuning in to one of my podcast appearances.
January 13, 2026
What They Never Told Us–Book Talk Tuesday, 12-1 pm
Chicago History Museum Guild Book Club
Chicago IL
The Guild Club invited me to speak about my latest book What They Never Told Us. I’ll talk about the impact the emotional impact of writing about family secrets. From the personal journey of White Like Her to the heartbreaking stories in What They Never Told Us, I explain how both books affected me deeply but only White Like Her changed me. To learn more about the Guild Club and to see a photo from the event copy and paste this link: https://www.facebook.com/TheGuildoftheChicagoHistoryMuseum
February 11, 2026
Family Twist Podcast–What They Never Told Us. Wednesday, 12-1 pm
Family Twist Podcast
Co-hosts Corey Stulce and Kendall Austin Stulce will interview me on their podcast Family Twist. Family Twist explores the experiences of late discovery adoptees and NPEs who are navigating not just the initial shock of discovery but the quieter, longer process of integration and self-understanding that follows. It promises to be a thoughtful and inspiring discussion. Please tune in.
October 10, 2026
What They Never Told Us: Author Talk Thursday, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Riverside Public Library
Riverside, IL
I’ll be discussing my latest nonfiction book, What They Never Told Us: True Stories of Family Secrets and Hidden Identities Revealed. It’s the follow up book to White Like Her. The event is free. Severance Magazine calls the book “a riveting page turner. This book will appeal to anyone interested in tales of family secrets. Signed copies of What They Never Told Us will be available. For more information, contact Lisa Garay http://www.RiversideLibrary.org.
October 18, 2026
What They Never Told Us: Meet the Author Sunday, 3:30–5 pm
The Parched Pug
1590 South Milwaukee Libertyville, IL
The Parched Pug book club will discuss my latest book What They Never Told Us. The event is open to everyone. Come meet other book lovers. You don’t have to be a member to attend. The discussion starts a 3:30 pm. I’ll join the group at 4 pm. Signed copies of What They Never Told Us will be available. For more information, go to this link: https://theparchedpug.com/events
October 22, 2026
The Darkness Surrounds Us: Author Talk
Thursday, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Lake Villa District Library
Lindenhurst, IL
Join me as I discuss the bizarre but true history behind my gothic, historical mystery The Darkness Surrounds Us. Find out how an infamous Michigan island, a mysterious 19th century cult, and the 1918 inspired my horrifying novel. Anyone purchasing a copy of the Darkness Surround Us will receive a free paperback copy of my Door County mystery Peak Season for Murder, while supplies last. For more information, please contact Claire McCully @ cmccully@lvdl.org.
November 10, 2026
What They Never Told Us: Author Talk Thursday, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Schaumburg Public Library
Schaumburg, IL
I’ll be discussing my latest nonfiction book, What They Never Told Us: True Stories of Family Secrets and Hidden Identities Revealed. It’s the follow up book to White Like Her. The event is free. I’ll also be sharing genealogy resources. Severance Magazine calls the book “a riveting page turner. This book will appeal to anyone interested in tales of family secrets. Signed copies of What They Never Told Us will be available. For more information, contact Victor Dixon @ vdixon@stdl.org
2025
November 6, 2025
How to Write Your Memoir Thursday, 7-8:30 pm
About Time Bookstore
Libertyville, IL
Always wanted to write your memoir but didn’t know how to get started? I’ll give you tips on how to get started, how to write about personal experiences, and how to use fiction techniques to enliven your memoir. To register, please click this link, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1739030650489?aff=oddtdtcreator.
September 4, 2025
What They Never Told Us: Special Networking Genealogy Event Thursday, 7-8:30 pm
Aspen Drive Public Library
Vernon Hills, IL
Learn why family secrets are no longer remaining secret. I’ll be sharing stories of family secrets from my latest book, What They Never Told Us: True Stories of Family Secrets and Hidden Identities Revealed. This free event is in-person and online. Signed copies of What They Never Told Us and White Like Her will be available. To register go to: https://cooklib.libnet.info/event/13658160.
March 29, 2025
Author Talk: What They Never Told Us. Saturday, 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Evergreen Park Library
Evergreen Park, IL
I’ll be discussing my new nonfiction book, What They Never Told Us: True Stories of Family Secrets and Hidden Identities Revealed. It’s the follow up book to White Like Her. The event is free. Severance Magazine calls the book “a riveting page turner. This book will appeal to anyone interested in tales of family secrets. Signed copies of What They Never Told Us will be available. For more information, contact Jenna Harte-Wisniewski.
January 5, 2025
Ethical Humanist Society: Author Talk: “How Family Secrets Impact Us Throughout Life.” Sunday, 10:30 – 11:30 am
7574 Lincoln Ave.
Skokie, IL
I’ll be discussing my new nonfiction book, What They Never Told Us: True Stories of Family Secrets and Hidden Identities Revealed. It’s the follow up book to White Like Her. The event is free. Signed copies of What They Never Told Us will be available. For more information, contact Andrea Guthmann.
2024
December 12, 2024
The Bookish Hour : Live Thursday, 7-8 pm CT/ 8-9 pm ETS
Click on this link: https://youtube.com/live/A8CikRJ0x08
Hosts Sarah Burr and J.C. Kenny and I will be discussing my new book, What They Never Told Us: True Stories of Family Secrets and Hidden Identities Revealed. It’s live and lively.
October 26, 2024
Horror/Thriller Panel Discussion. Saturday, 4:00 – 7:00 pm
Barnes & Noble
Algonquin, IL
Just in time for Halloween. I’ll be a part of a panel discussion about horror and thriller novels. The event is free. Signed copies of The Darkness Surrounds Us will be available.
November 2, 2024
Author Talk: The Darkness Surround Us. Saturday, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Barnes & Noble
Skokie, IL
I’ll be giving an author talk about my gothic, historical mystery that Publishers Weekly called “a gripping ghost story.” The event is free. Signed copies of The Darkness Surrounds Us will be available.
April 25, 2024
WTTW-TV A Panel Discussion Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Finding Your Roots. Thursday, 3:30 – 5:00 pm
WTTW-Chicago Studio
Chicago, IL
I’ll be a part of a panel discussion led by Brandeis Friedman about identity and DNA surprises. The event is free and live. To register and for details, click on the link: https://interactive.wttw.com/events/2024-04-25-163000/finding-your-roots-wttw-community-conversation
2023
May 4, 2023
Library Journal Day of Dialog: Fiction Thrillers Panel.
Thursday, 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Virtual
I’ll share the panel with Laura Lippman, Heather Chavez, Mick Herron, Anna Pitoniak and Riley Sager.
June 14, 2023
White Like Her: My Family’s Story of Race and Racial Passing
Thursday, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Genealogy Club–Sun City Huntley
Huntley, IL
I’ll discuss my book White Like Her, my appearances on PBS’ Genealogy Roadshow and The Today Show, as well as my documentary film, History of Memory. I’ll share my personal and genealogical journey to uncover my mother’s racial heritage and how tracing her family back to eighteenth-century Louisiana led me to a deeper understanding of race and racial identity and the discovery of a lost family. Signed copies of White Like Her will be available for purchase. For more information, please contact Michele May.
June 25, 2023
The American Library Association’s Annual Conference Sunday, 11-11:30 and noon-1 pm Independent Publishers Group Booth–11-11:30 Sisters in Crime Table–noon-1 pm
Exhibitors Hall, McCormick Place
Chicago, IL
I’ll be signing copies of my forthcoming Gothic, historical mystery, The Darkness Surrounds Us. Be sure to sign up for the SinC drawing to win a book club visit from me.
September 13, 2023
A Bookish Moment Podcast
Wednesday, 3:00 – 3:30 pm
I’ll be in conversation with author Sarah Burr and J.C. Kenney.
September 23, 2023
Popular Creek Author Fair
Saturday, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Popular Creek Public Library
Streamwood, IL
I’ll be signing copies of my Gothic, historical mystery, The Darkness Surrounds Us and copies of my memoir White Like Her: My Family’s Story of Race and Racial Passing. From 2-2:45 pm, I’ll be on a panel with authors James Klise, Melonie Johnson, and Jen Collins Moore. For more information, please contact Hannah Sloan @ authorfair@pclib.org.
October 4, 2023
Cook Memorial Library Authors Out Loud
Wednesday, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Cook Memorial Library
Libertyville, IL
I’ll discuss the historical context behind The Darkness Surrounds Us, my writing process and what inspired the book. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase. For more information, please contact Erica O’Rourke @ eorourke@cooklib.org.
October 10, 2023
Palatine Public Library Author Talk
Tuesday, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Palatine Public Library
Palatine, IL
I’ll discuss the historical context behind The Darkness Surrounds Us, my writing process and what inspired the book. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase. For more information, please contact Carly Thompson @cthompson@palatinelibrary.org.
October 19, 2023
Women’s Exchange Fall Author Luncheon
Thursday, noon – 1:00 pm
Women’s Exchange
Winnetka, IL
I’ll discuss the historical context behind The Darkness Surrounds Us, my writing process and what inspired the book. A boxed lunch will be provided. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase. For more information, please contact Deb Guy @deb@womens-exchange.org.
October 25, 2023
Evergreen Park Public Library Author Talk
Thursday, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Evergreen Park Public Library
Evergreen Park, IL
I’ll discuss the historical context behind The Darkness Surrounds Us, my writing process and what inspired the book. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase. For more information, please contact Julianne Keaty @keatyj@evergreenparklibrary.org.
November 4, 2023
Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore Saturday, 2 – 3 pm
7419 Madison St.
Forest Park, IL
I’ll discuss the historical context behind The Darkness Surrounds Us, my writing process and what inspired the book. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase. For more information, please contact Angie @ 708-771-7243.