Musician Jessica James returns to Glitter Bats with a new romance

Jessica James, a musician and romance author, has published a new Glitter Bats novel about bandmates Jane Mercer and Keeley Cunningham, and will discuss the book at Auntie's Bookstore on Jan. 16.

Jessica James has released another novel set around her fictional pop-punk band Glitter Bats and will appear in conversation at Auntie's Bookstore on Jan. 16. The latest book follows keys player Jane Mercer and drummer Keeley Cunningham in a friends-to-lovers storyline. James draws on a long personal history with music, including a bachelor of arts in music from Eastern Washington University and years of choir performance. Her earlier Glitter Bats novel, "For One Night Only," told a second-chance romance and was written during National Novel Writing Month. Key details: - Jan. 16 conversation at Auntie's Bookstore with author Bethany Bennett will include discussion of "For Our Next Song," audience questions and a book signing. - The new Glitter Bats story centers on Jane Mercer and Keeley Cunningham and is described as a friends-to-lovers romance. - "For One Night Only" was written during NaNoWriMo in 2022 and was sold in fall 2023. - Both Glitter Bats novels feature bisexual main characters, and the new book explores family and religious baggage for one character. - James cited listening to artists such as Paramore, Panic! At the Disco, Avril Lavigne and others while writing, and said music informed sensory details in her scenes. Summary: Jessica James continues to blend her musical background with romantic storytelling, using musical settings to shape character and atmosphere. The author will talk about the new book, answer audience questions and sign copies at Auntie's Bookstore on Jan. 16.