Sixteen-year-old Mari has learned how to survive loss—but not how to live with it. After the death of her nana uproots her life, Mari is thrust into a world she doesn’t understand: wealth, secrets, and an ancient magic tied to grief itself. When she begins sensing forces no one else can see, Mari learns she is a Bloodwright—someone whose power is forged through loss. As supernatural factions close in and the truth a|bout her family begins to unravel, Mari must decide whether grief will consume her… or become the very thing that saves her. The Bloodwright Chronicles is a young adult fantasy romance series blending supernatural intrigue, slow-burn romance, and themes of grief, belonging, and identity. Across the series, Mari will unravel the mysteries of her family’s past, navigate fragile alliances, and confront the dangerous truth of what it means to be both human and something more. Books will be available for sale and signing. Registration is requested. * By registering, you consent to signing up for the monthly Adult Programs newsletter. Allison Blanchard is a young adult romantasy author and creative writing teacher at Brookwood High School in Gwinnett County, Georgia. She holds a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in literacy, as well as degrees in English Creative Writing and French. Allison is the author of the Forget Me Not trilogy and her newest YA Romantasy series, The Bloodwright Chronicles. She lives in Bethlehem, Georgia, with her husband and their two dogs. When she is not writing or teaching, you can find her with a book in hand, drinking obscene amounts of coffee, and listening to Taylor Swift. Moderator Carrie Deem is an English teacher at North Gwinnett High School, where she also serves as the sponsor for the Young Authors Club and the founding director of the North Gwinnett Youth Writing Conference. She is passionate about growing young writers, public libraries, and YA literature. She holds a lifelong obsession with Scotland & Celtic Lore, which she is weaving into her own writing. She is a member of the National Council for Teachers of English and the Broadleaf Writing Association, and she is passionate about meeting local authors and making new literary connections. If not at a cabin in the mountains with friends, she prefers the comfort of her oversized armchair with a book in hand and a cat on her lap. Presented by Adult Services.