Just off Bayshore Boulevard, the teal-green awning of Florida’s own romance-only bookstore, Steamy Lit, beckons readers inside for a colorful array of sub-genres, from contemporary to historical to dark fantasy and beyond. Whether toe-dipper or tried-and-true romance reader, friendly booksellers stand by to help you find your next not-so-guilty pleasure.
Opened March of this year, the store hosts regular events from a Bad Bunnies book club featuring Latine authors to pop-ups collaborating with other local businesses; everything from live DJs and dance lessons to charm bracelet bars. This weekend’s prime event is Local Author Day, featuring book signings with this talented lineup of Florida-based writers.
• Laugh and cry your way to happily ever after with Orlando-based Ila Sikorksi’s self-described ‘Disney and Swiftie coded’ series of small-town “Merrymount” romances. Set in a fictional New England town, these stories wrap a warm heart in sweet coordinated pastel covers. Catch her signing books 1 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
• Ready for your next spicy, angst-filled, dark fantasy romance addiction? B.L. Lewis launches her “Wolf Queen Chronicles” series this fall, featuring a steamy, enemies-to-lovers slow-burn between a time-traveling witch and a powerful werewolf. Catch her signing books 2 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
• Just in time for spooky season, romantic suspense author Aaliyah Deana (of politician/bodyguard series “Tri State Security”) makes her historical fiction debut with short story “Black Girl Sorciere”, featuring a witch unlocking her powers in 1800s New Orleans. Catch her signing books 3 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.
Look below to check out some of the best book and literary events happening in Tampa Bay between Sep. 11-26. For more (free!) events, check out your local library at hcplc.org/events.
Local author day at Steamy Lit
Time Sat., Sept. 13, 1-4 p.m. 2025
Location Steamy Lit, 2832 S MacDill Ave C, Tampa
Description Opened March of this year, Steamy Lit hosts regular events from a Bad Bunnies book club featuring Latine authors to pop-ups collaborating with other local businesses; everything from live DJs and dance lessons to charm bracelet bars. This weekend’s prime event is Local Author Day, featuring book signings with a talented lineup of Florida-based writers including Ila Sikorksi (pictured), B.L. Lewis and Aaliyah Deana.—Maroon Stranger
Tombolo: Crime Travel Book Club reads ‘King of Ashes’ by S.A. Cosby Thursday, Sept. 11. 7 p.m.-8 p.m. No cover. Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg
Bookends: Pop-Up Bookshop at Ybor Saturday Market Weekly on Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free market. Centennial Park, 1901 N 19th St, Tampa
Tombolo: Queer Comic Book Club reads ‘Special Topics in Being a Parent’ by S. Bear Bergman Saturday, Sept. 13. 12 p.m.-1 p.m. No cover. Allendale Church, 3803 Haines Rd N, St. Petersburg
‘Woman of Many Names’: An Evening with Debra Yates Sunday, Sept. 14. 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. $7 ticket. Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
Tombolo: Middle Grade Book Club (kids + parents) reads “Return to Sender” by Vera Brosgol Monday, Sept. 15. 6:15 p.m.-7:15 p.m. No cover. Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg
Book + Bottle hosts Writer Happy Hour (workshop, writing time, wine) Weekly on Tuesdays. 4 p.m.-5 p.m. No cover. Book + Bottle, 17 6th St. N, St. Petersburg
Tombolo: St. Pete Sapphic Book Club reads “Woodworking” by Emily St. James Wednesday, Sept. 17. 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. No cover. Hawthorne Bottle Shop, 2927 Central Ave, St. Petersburg
‘Hating Jazz’: An Evening with Andrew S. Berish Thursday, Sept. 18. 7 p.m.-8 p.m. RSVP requested. Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg
Author Kimberly Lemming hosts Virtual Book Club: ‘All Superheroes Need PR’ by Elizabeth Stephens Friday, Sept. 19. 5 p.m. $30 ticket. Steamy Lit virtual event, link emailed with ticket
Charm Night at Steamy Lit (jewelry, drinks & snacks included) Friday, Sept. 19. 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. $25. Steamy Lit, 2832 S MacDill Ave. Unit C, Tampa
Steamy Lit hosts Mia Hentzelman (‘The Divorcétante’) and Taj McCoy (‘The Dating Prohibition’) Saturday, Sept. 20. 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. $22 ticket. Steamy Lit, 2832 S MacDill Ave. Unit C, Tampa
‘Aura Alchemy’: An Evening with Amy Leigh Mercree Sunday, Sept. 21. 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. $7 ticket. Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
Steamy Lit: Trope Book Club reads ‘Heated Rivalry’ by Rachel Reid Sunday, Sept. 21. 4 p.m.-5 p.m. RSVP requested. Steamy Lit, 2832 S MacDill Ave. Unit C, Tampa
‘All the Way to the River’: Elizabeth Gilbert Live on Stage Tuesday, Sept. 23. 7 p.m. $46 ticket. Tampa Theater, 711 N Franklin St., Tampa
Book + Bottle: New + Noteworthy Book Club reads ‘All the Sinners Bleed’ by S.A. Cosby Wednesday, Sept. 24. 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. RSVP requested. Book + Bottle, 17 6th St. N, St. Petersburg
Tombolo: Sci-Fi Book Club reads ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ by Matt Dinniman Wednesday, Sept. 24. 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. No cover. Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg
YA By the Bay (young adult reading & book festival, w/ R.L. Stine & other guests) Thursday, Sept. 25. 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Free event. Tampa Convention Center, 333 S Franklin St., Tampa
Book + Bottle: Fiction Book Club reads ‘The Employees’ by Olga Ravn Thursday, Sept. 25. 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. RSVP requested. Book + Bottle, 17 6th St. N, St. Petersburg
Tombolo Book Club reads ‘Culpability’ by Bruce Holsinger Thursday, Sept. 25. 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. No cover. Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg
Steamy Lit: September Romance Book Release Party Friday, Sept. 26. 7 p.m.-9 p.m. RSVP to select your book. Steamy Lit, 2832 S MacDill Ave. Unit C, Tampa
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