BookPeople Presents: An Afternoon with Demi Winters

Book lovers, romantasy fans, and Viking-obsessed readers, this afternoon is for you.

BookPeople Presents: An Afternoon with Demi Winters brings author Demi Winters and fellow fantasy writer Aparna Verma together to celebrate the sizzling third installment in the Ashen romantasy series, Dawn of the North.

This event is completely free and open to the public, making it an easy yes for anyone craving immersive worlds, morally gray characters, and some deliciously dark magic.

• Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026

• Time: 4:00 PM (talk runs about 45–60 minutes, followed by a signing)

• Where: Second floor of BookPeople

Expect an engaging onstage conversation between Demi Winters and Aparna Verma about crafting epic fantasy, building slow-burn romance, and writing heroines who are powerful, complicated, and occasionally at war with the gods in their own heads.

About the Book: Dawn of the North

• Return to the Viking-inspired Kingdom of Íseldur as a new age dawns and old powers awaken.

• The lost Volsik heir, Silla, has finally come home. With a fierce warrior at her side, she must win over the northern jarls, unseat the ruthless Ivar Ironheart, and restore peace to a land of ice and fire.

• But Silla carries a terrifying secret: a shard of a god lives in her mind, twisting her thoughts and steering her actions toward His own sinister agenda.

• Far away on the enigmatic isle of Zagadka, Saga Volsik is held captive and torn between her duty to her sister and the man who stole her away—and now wants to make her his queen.

• As a poisonous mist spreads across the realm and ancient magic stirs, the Volsik sisters must master their powers, face impossible choices, and unite against the darkness threatening to consume their world.

If you love high stakes, lush worldbuilding, and romance tangled with prophecy and power, this installment promises all the angst and atmosphere you could want.

About Demi Winters

• Author of The Road of Bones, Kingdom of Claw, and Roots of Darkness.

• Known for softer female leads, grumpy heroes, and fully immersive fantasy settings.

• When she is not dreaming up new realms and morally gray love interests, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her family in British Columbia.

About Aparna Verma

• Born in Rajasthan and raised in the United States, Aparna brings a global, myth-infused perspective to her stories.

• She graduated from Stanford University with Honors in the Arts and a B.A. in English.

• When she is not writing, she can be found lifting heavy at the gym, dancing to Bollywood tracks, or tucked into a cozy cafe reading ancient myths.

Why You Should Go

• Hear two fantasy authors talk craft, mythology, and romance in speculative fiction.

• Get your copy of Dawn of the North signed and personalized by Demi Winters after the talk.

• Support a beloved independent bookstore by purchasing your book on-site, helping ensure more author events like this keep happening.

Whether you are already invested in the Ashen series or just looking for your next epic romantasy obsession, this afternoon promises sharp banter, sweeping magic, and plenty of bookish camaraderie.