The Boy Aquarium: Why Sports & Romance Make the Perfect Pair

Romance-Con | Presented by Toledo Library

Rival teams, underdog victories, and banter that leads to more - get a behind-the-scenes look at how authors score the perfect blend of competition and chemistry—no referee required.

At each program, authors will speak, followed by a question-and-answer session. This event is free, and tickets are not required. For other Romance-Con events and offerings, visit toledolibrary.org/romance-con.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Lyssa Kay Adams is the USA Today-bestselling author of The Bromance Book Club romantic comedy series. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Oprah magazine, Men’s Health, Writer’s Digest, and many other national publications. She’s also a Hall of Fame Author with the American Library Association and has been a booksellers’ Indie Next pick three times. Her next book, Courting the Countess, will be published in 2026., followed by a sixth Bromance book the following year. You can find her on Instagram @LyssaKayAdams for information on her upcoming books, her naughty Maltese, and the launch of her new writing school, Grand Gestures University!

Shay Davis is a wife, mother, and a full-time paralegal. She fights on the behalf of others by day, and creates soul stirring Black love stories by night. The busy streets of Philadelphia raised Shay, but she received her education from schools in the neighboring suburbs. The juxtaposition left Shay being labeled as not "hood enough” for the streets, or “proper enough” for the suburbs. Since the successful release of her debut novel, Stay A Little Longer, in July of 2020, Shay has published over ten books, and produced five audiobooks, She has also been nominated for New Black Author of the Year by Black Girls Who Write, Best Novella of the Year by Association of Black Romance Writers, featured in Sistah Girls Book Club Newsletters, featured on Hood Delights Podcast, Brazen Babe Reviews Podcast, and The Black Girl Book Club Podcast. Shay’s biggest accomplishment, to date, is ranking number one on the Best Seller charts for her release of The Marriage Contract and Love After.  

Kristin Lee is a USA Today Bestselling Author, who writes romance novels that include the four S’s Steamy * Sexy * Sometimes Sweet * Swoon-worthy Book Boyfriends. Her books will feature brother’s best friend, forbidden, second chance, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, and protective heroes as well as alpha men. Some of her leading ladies will be sassy, sweet, bossy, bitchy, shy, and geeky. We all have different personalities, shapes, and sizes, so her romance novels will too. Kristin is known for her heartbreaking yet heart melting love stories. 

Kay Shanee is a devoted wife, mother, and teacher on a mission to create a positive narrative for Black Love. With a passion for fostering healthy relationships, she has authored over 58 books, most of which are dedicated to Black Love. Her works promote healthy, loving, sexy, and successful relationships between professional Black men and women. Married to her college sweetheart for over 28 years, Kay Shanee draws inspiration from her own experiences, aiming to showcase that happy and thriving relationships are abundant in the Black community. Since penning her first book in 2018, Kay Shanee has been steadfast in her mission to change hearts and minds about Black Love. She aims to demonstrate that Black Love is prevalent and thriving within our family homes, among couples, children, siblings, and friends. She asserts, “It’s crucial for me to write these stories to remind, encourage, and inspire those who may have lost hope. Black Love not only exists, but it's not an anomaly.” 

ABOUT THE MODERATOR

Eisha Hearn is Manager of the Computers & Media Dept. at the Toledo Lucas County Public Library. With 20+ years of library experience, Eisha’s held leadership roles within Youth Services, Bookmobile Services and Digital Literacy. She believes libraries are vital to all communities; connecting people and resources in ways that benefit everyone. She also unapologetically loves the secret baby trope and wonders why you don't, too.

Sensory Considerations: This program will use artificial lighting.  All speakers will use microphones.

Accessibility Details: Located on the first floor, accessed by elevator and/or stairs. All doors will feature an automatic function or be propped open prior to program start. Tile or low pile carpet throughout the building. Limited free parking is available in the attached garage. 

Please call Public Services at 419-259-5293 to request an accommodation at least two weeks prior to the program date. 

Romance-Con is presented by Toledo Library, with support from Destination Toledo, the official Destination Marketing Organization promoting the Toledo, Ohio region to visitors, meeting and convention business locally, regionally, and nationwide.