Book●ed has teamed up with TASTE Food & Wine, a popular Chicago shop, to elevate author book signing events with quality wines paired by themes to the books. The launch of BOOKS ‘n’ BOTTLES™ will be Thursday, July 23, 2015 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at TASTE Food & Wine, 1506 W. Jarvis Avenue.

For those who enjoy quality wine as much as quality books, BOOKS ‘n’ BOTTLES™ offers both as authors and readers get to meet in a convivial setting.

“Many new friendships, and even some romances, have started over wine at our tastings,” said Phoebe Snow, owner of TASTE Food & Wine. “We strive to create a welcoming atmosphere in our store and introduce wines that generate conversation.”

The first author to be fêted at a BOOKS ‘n’ BOTTLES™ event will be Susanna Calkins, whose newest book is The Masque of a Murderer. Published by Minotaur Books, it is the third Lucy Campion mystery set in 17th century England. Publishers Weekly called Calkins’s writing “Assured… Calkins’s familiarity with the period and her use of obscure details, such as the fire court set up to adjudicate claims after the Great Fire of 1666, are a plus.”

Calkins, an historian and educator at Northwestern University, will read from her book and talk about the fascinating time in which the series takes place. Reflecting themes in the book, a Rhenish (German riesling) wine and a claret will be featured among the wine options of the evening.

Books will be available for purchase and signing. On-site book sales will be handled by The Book Cellar.