Member event

Hosted by Louise Renault, with readings by author Brenda Tyedmers and Louise. Books will be available for sale and signing. 25% of the author’s royalty from books sold at this event will be donated to Ovarian Cancer Canada.

Please enter by the side ramp entrance.

Please join Jill MacLean and Sarah Emsley at LaHave River Books on the beautiful South Shore of Nova Scotia for an afternoon of readings from their historical novels, The Arrows of Fealty and The Austens, followed by time for a Q&A and refreshments.

The Arrows of Fealty: Haukyn is a serf who owes fealty to the lord of the manor, yet who craves adventure. Warfare in France shows him how armour-clad knights can be brought as low as any serf. His restless spirit untamed, he incites his village to rebel against unjust taxation, and when England’s southern counties march in revolt on London, he witnesses the king grant freedom to every serf in the country. Unimaginable freedom. A freedom that will bring consequences.

The Austens brings to life the story of Jane Austen’s friendship with her sister-in-law Fanny Austen, who lived for a while in Nova Scotia with her naval captain husband during the years when Jane was writing Pride and Prejudice and other novels that would eventually make her famous.

Come join our Sunday Signing series and have a coffee with Danica Roache, the author of our November Book Club pick.

While you’re here, grab a personally autographed copy of Danica Roache’s book, Five Seasons of Charlie Francis.

Award-winning author Vicki Grants launches her latest middle-grade mystery, Death by Whoopee Cushion, recently chosen as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection.

“The science woven into the plot is an interesting means of teaching some basic concepts…An excellent purchase for upper elementary and middle schools for its short, humorous take on murder mysteries.” School Library Journal, Starred Review

“Steady tension, high personal stakes, and uniquely rendered relationships drive the story forward as Grant explores one preteen’s complex feelings about her ‘embarrassing’ parents.” Publisher’s Weekly

“A little science, a whole lot of fun, and much familial affection!” CanLit For Little Canadians

Join us for an informal Thursday evening Meet & Greet with 3 of OC Publishing’s Fiction Authors.

In 2023, Jill MacLean’s first historical fiction, The Arrows of Mercy, was a finalist for the Whistler Independent Book Award sponsored by The Writers’ Union of Canada. This summer, she launched a standalone sequel, Arrows of Fealty, set in 1373.

Julie Strong launched her debut novel, The Tudor Prophecy, on January 25, 2025. The novel is an epic story of resilience and destiny, which takes place during the oppressive, especially to women, reign of Henry VIII. It echoes our present time and shows how only love and courage can undermine the power of despots.

Anne Louise O’Connell’s first novel, Mental Pause, launched on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2013, and won an Independent Publisher Book Award (IPPY). Her next novel, Deep Deceit, launched March 8, 2015 (re-released in 2025) and is the first in the Deep Mysteries series. The second in the series, Deep Freeze, launched on March 8, 2025.

Join for the launch of Trish Joudrey’s debut book, Dancing with the Marigolds: My Twelve-Year Journey in India. Louise Piper will host, Clary Croft will run a Q&A, and refreshments will be served.

Come and chat with Sarah Emsley about her debut novel, The Austens, and Jane Austen’s connections with Nova Scotia.

The Austens brings to life the story of Jane Austen’s friendship with her sister-in-law Fanny Austen, who lived for a while in Nova Scotia with her naval captain husband during the years when Jane was writing Pride and Prejudice and other novels that would eventually make her famous.

Jane chooses art and the freedom to write fiction instead of marrying for money and thereby selling her body and soul, while Fanny chooses to marry for love. Their disagreements about work and family threaten their friendship in a world that is hostile to art and love, and even the idea of a woman making a choice.

Shamanism Workshop: Find your Power Animal, and Enhance your Creativity

The Celtic bardic tradition honoured the earth as sacred and as a source of inspiration.

A bard would spend the night on a mountain-side and receive his next poem in a dream.

Alas, we are not all able to engage in this ancient practice.

However, the next best thing is to find your Power animal; a spirit in animal form who acts as a muse, bringing the artist/writer both inspiration and dedication to their craft.

The author available to sign copies of Tethered Spirits

An Evening of Stories At The Woodside

Step into Halifax’s past with two captivating voices of historical fiction. Bestselling author Donna Jones Alward will share from Ship of Dreams: A Novel of the Titanic, and Brenda Tyedmers will bring us into the world of her debut novel Mrs. Walford. Both stories are steeped in the rich history of Halifax and the early twentieth century.

Following the readings, enjoy a lively conversation moderated by award-winning Dartmouth author Susan LeBlanc (The Nowhere Places).

Local favourite Dartmouth Book Exchange will be on hand with books from all three authors—perfect for taking the stories home with you.

Join us for an evening of history, imagination, and community!

Doors Open at 6:00pm
Readings and Event start at 7:00pm