Yes, I did it. I rode a #pasafino in the hills of #puertorico. Our guide was fabulous. They took every precaution. The ride was one of the best experiences. I took a ton of photos. Sharing some now with you.
#thanksgiving #vacation #horsebackriding #vanessarileyhere
The @miamibookfair is amazing. Today is the last day.
On Saturday, I had a chance to share the stage with @_nadinegonzalez and @jayneallenwrites Amazing time, lively discussion on so many topics for #community #blackwomen #survival #hiddenhistory
Thank you everyone who braved the rain to come!!!
The other highlight was @myriamjachancy The discussion on #persistence alone was so impactful. #MarieGuerdaNicolas @guerdanicolas and Myriam had an intimate conversation about #haiti and #survival and #mentalhealth
Thank you to the @miamibookfair organizers and @williammorrowbooks for everything.
#books #blackgirlmagic #bookdiscussion #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileypanel #vanessariley
#islandqueen
And much love to my roadie!!
Something magical happens when you listen to the ocean. It has a lot to say.
#beach #retreat #soul
#ocean #rockcliff #puertorico
#vanessarileyhere #islandqueen #islandgirl
Miami Bookfestival starts Friday!!! Link in bio for tickets.
The 38th annual Miami Book Fair is back and once again in person, starting on November 14-21 in Downtown Miami! Join me as I discuss #IslandQueen and the #Caribbean and more! Looking forward to seeing you all there! Link in bio. #MiamiBookFair #MBF21
See @jayneallenwrites and me @vanessarileyauthor in conversation!!! Come out for a lively conversation!!!
Moderated by @_nadinegonzalez !!!
Please follow and tag @MiamiBookFair so that we can reshare and engage.
Facebook https://facebook.com/MiamiBookFair/
Twitter https://twitter.com/miamibookfair
Instagram https://instagram.com/miamibookfair/
To browse all in-person programs, visit: https://www.miamibookfair.com/
To browse the online programs, visit: https://www.miamibookfaironline.com/
#caribbean #books #bookstagram #bookfestival #miamibookfair #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileypanel
The @bn_kendall having more fun, signing stock and checking out my author friends’ #books on shelves or tables.
The store is amazing. And of course, @jayneallenwrites and I signed books.
@natasha_bowen_ cover #mermaid stopped me and my roadie in our tracks—beautiful!!!
#tbr #tbrpile #bookstore #barnesandnoble @barnesandnoble #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileybn
@bnsunsetmall is awesome. Please stop by. They are open and ready to sell you your next book.
PS: They have signed books
#islandqueen
#aduketheladyandababy #anearlthegirlandatoddler #bridesoflondon
#books #tbr #tbrpile #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileybn
Hope everyone had a wonderful, Thanksgiving!!! Every year, I start prepping on Tuesday to make all the dishes for a big Turkey dinner.
Not this year.
I explored the rain forests of Puerto Rico, hunted #pretoglyphs, then ate a very Caribbean beachy meal.
Most know #elyunque #elyunquerainforest but there are more particularly in the center of the island.
Our guide was an #archeologist #fransicojavier #sojournpr.com was wonderful—tracking the Taino and their way of life, showing us the difference in hills (200-300ft high) and mountains (2000-3000 ft high).
He sited vegetation—flowers, wild ginger, etc. #bananafarm, rituals, and #taino #culture, and remaining #devastionofcoffee by #hurricanemaria
Then we went to #writtenstone to see the rock that looks like a snake and the thousands of year old #pretroglyphs
We finished the day over a lobster dinner. No #turkey this year!
From the Riley house, I wish you joy. Thankful to everyone I’ve met through IG and in person. You are a part of my journey.
#writing #research #puertorico🇵🇷 future #historicalfiction #vanessarileyhere
When in the #caribbean you need to learn about #rum.
Tonight’s sampler is #abuelocenturia #donqgrananejo
#zacapaxo
I’ve tasted smoky, bourbon barrel aged, and all the notes.
#research
#writerslife gold of the #westindies #vanessarileyhere
Saturday was a tour of the secrets of Old San Juan. From roof top hot tubs to cobble streets, we saw it all.
Now I understand how the city was built, expanded, and buried their dead from 1600s to late 1700s.
Our tour guide Andy shared his passion for the #architecture #culture and #history My
#writer ‘s heart was full.
#vanessarileyhere
#oldsanjuan #puertorico #fountains #walkingtour
About last night…
#CBLR21 held a Roaring 20s party and it was such fun. Me and my fabulous road dog had a blast. Everything from feathers to rhinestones were used in the creation of all the looks.
#roaring20s #costume #reader #writersofinstagram #retreat #christianbookloversretreat #vanessarileyhere
Sunday, I visited with @pigcitybooks . The get together was sponsored by @pigcitybooks, @davidsonlocal @bullcityciderworks
We had an amazing discussion and I loved meeting the proud citizens and the newest judge of Lexington!!! #vanessarileyindiebookstore #vanessarileyhere
I answered questions on Bridgerton and Historically Accuracy for The List TV.
“When everyone gets a piece of the story, there is nothing better. “
@seguntheprogram @thelistshowtv
The link to the full segment is in my bio. #vanessariley #bridgerton #diversity #tabloid #ladywhistledown #queencharlotte #regency #vanessarileyhere
First panel at @bookmarksnc
@joannalowellauthor @alihazelwood @farrahrochon and I were at the All The Love: A conversation moderated by @brigid_emily
Amazing talk. It could have kept going!!!
My Outfit @hanes leggings top by @eshakti
#bookfestival #reading #romance #bookstagram #tbrpile #tbrstack #romance #historicalfiction #historical #islandqueenhf #bnbuzz #barnesandnoble #newreleases #BNBookClub #reesesbookclub #noshelfcontrol #mustreads #booksbooksbooks #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileypanel
My last stop on this bookstore road trip was @mjudsonbooks in #greenvillesc
This lovely bookstore was a former courthouse.
This multi-story bookstore was adorable. Saw friends books and enjoyed the #brown sugar latte!!!
books #bookstagram #tbrpile #tbrstack #historicalfictionwriter #historicalfiction #historical #islandqueenhf #newreleases #noshelfcontrol #mustreads #booksbooksbooks
Thank you @williammorrowbooks for arranging this trip. Thank Susan and staff for hosting us!!!
books #bookstagram #tbrpile #tbrstack #historicalfictionwriter #historicalfiction #historical #islandqueenhf #newreleases #noshelfcontrol #mustreads #booksbooksbooks #vanessarileyindiebookstore #vanessarileyhere
Island Queen, a story of resilience and heart, is here! Four years of world building, six years of research and I present to you Dorothy Kirwan Thomas (#innerdorothy)!!!
Island Queen is available in Print, E, and audio.
Audio is performed by Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury #Bridgerton)
Art by @tonyaengel1 - Amazing!!!
Signed copies & Events: https://linktr.ee/VanessaRiley
Order a copy: https://bit.ly/islandq All links are in my bio.
@popsugar calls #IslandQueen "the must-read historical novel of the summer."
Buy a Copy! Tell a friend!!!
#biography #colonialism
#innerdorothy
#vanessariley #islandqueen #hats #myinnerdorothy #caribbean #readcaribbean #books #bookstagram #tbrpile #tbrstack #montserrat #grenada #barbados #guyana #historicalfictionwriter #historicalfiction #historical #islandqueenhf #womenempowerment #blackgirlmagic #womensupportingwomen #vanessarileyindiebookstore #vanessarileybn #vanessarileyhere
I love #indiebookstores and I absolutely love @scuppernongbooks !!! Great selection and owners Brian and Steve!!!
Great atmosphere! Saw lots of my fellow authors on the shelf.
#bookstagram #tbrpile #tbrstack #romance #historicalfiction #historical #islandqueenhf #newreleases #noshelfcontrol #mustreads #booksbooksbooks #vanessarileyhere
Had a fabulous time at @hubcitybookshop in #spartanburgsc
The lovely shop was a former #masonictemple
Quaint, homey, and I was able to join the author’s corner where visiting author’s sign the wall!!!
books #bookstagram #tbrpile #tbrstack #historicalfictionwriter #historicalfiction #historical #islandqueenhf #newreleases #noshelfcontrol #mustreads #booksbooksbooks #vanessarileyindiebookstore #vanessarileyhere
At the #lasvegas #bookfestival I was able to present a workshop on writing fiction to Reveal the Hidden #History of Women
#protip
Remember (shocker) women have always existed.
Therefore women can be centered in:
1. A historical setting
2. A historical event
3. A fictionalized Jane Doe
4. A fictional account of a real person
#books #bookstagram #writing #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #historicalfictionwriter #reader #historicalfiction #historical #islandqueenhf #booksbooksbooks #vanessarileyworkshop #vanessarileyhere
At the Greensboro Library, standing in front of a display of @siriaustin and my books. Look at that Unveiling Love, The Bargain, The Bittersweet Bride, The Bashful Bride, The Butterfly Bride, The Bewildered Bride @entangled_publishing Humbling #bookstagram #blackgirlmagic #historicalfictionnovel #historicalromance #book #blackgirlbookstatour #bookstagrammer #booknerd #vanessarileylibrary #bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bookclubofinstagram #bookclub #bookish #kissingbooks #sisterhood👭 #vanessarileyhere
Today I was in @wabe90.1 studio with @rosescottatl Rose Scott on FM 90.1 @npr NPR!!! To listen to the interview click link in my bio (linktr.ee/VanessaRiley ) at Minute 31:58 #HistoricalFiction #IslandQueen
Don’t forget to register: How to Tell OUR Stories through #HistoricalFiction
Live and Virtual Event, July 27, 7pm EST at the Atlanta Historical Center (Link in Bio)
#vanessariley #islandqueen #hats #myinnerdorothy #caribbean #readcaribbean #books #bookstagram #tbrpile #tbrstack #montserrat #grenada #barbados #guyana #Trinidad #historicalfictionwriter #historicalfiction #historical #islandqueenhf #newreleases #reesesbookclub #noshelfcontrol #mustreads #booksbooksbooks
#vanessarileyhere