Author Talks Series

Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: 2019/05 - May

The Friends of Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library has launched its ambitious Author Talks, a 25th Anniversary Speakers Series.

 The list includes returning favorite Ron Rash and Highlands author Diane McPhail (whose new novel, “The Abolitionist’s Daughter” was spotlighted in the April issue of Laurel), along with many new authors who represent writers of various genres and subject matters. Their books are available at the library.

The talks will take place on selected Fridays at 3:00 P.M. in the Library›s Meeting Room.  There is no charge for attendance.

The first writer scheduled to appear is Bill Shuey, slated for May 10.  After 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and a career in the nuclear power industry, Shuey turned his attention to writing, turning out the westerns “The Cattlemen” and ”Retribution,” as well as the murder mystery, ”A Killing in Dogwood.” The latter is set in a small Missouri town loosely based upon the town where Shuey grew up. He’s also authored a non-fiction series of books, The Unholy Dilemma Trilogy, which explores the issues at the heart of the Old Testament, the New Testament, and The Qur’an.  When he’s not writing, Shuey travels around America with his wife.

Author Michelle Gable visits on May 24.  She’s the author of the New York Times bestseller “A Paris Apartment,” and its sequel, “I’ll See You in Paris.”  Most recently, she authored the bestseller, “The Summer I Met Jack,” a fictionalized account of the true story of Alicia Corning Clark and her dalliance with John F. Kennedy.  In 1950, a young, beautiful Polish refugee arrives in Hyannisport, Massachusetts to work as a maid for the Kennedys, one of the wealthiest families in America.  Alicia is at once dazzled by the large and charismatic family, in particular, the oldest son, a rising politician named Jack.

Alicia and Jack are soon engaged, but his domineering father forbids the marriage.  And so, Alicia trades Hyannisport for Hollywood, and eventually Rome.  She dates famous actors and athletes and royalty, including Gary Cooper, Kirk Douglas, and Katharine Hepburn, all the while staying close with Jack.  A decade after they meet, on the eve of Jack’s inauguration as the 35th President of the United States, the two must confront what they mean to each other.  Gable has left it to her readers to determine which parts of her tale are fact and which are fictitious.

Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library is located at 249 Frank Allen Road.  For more information about the Author Talks series, call (828) 743-0215.