Louwanne Courtney hosted the Forest Hills' book club January meeting with her special guest, author Kathleen Kent. Guests munching petit fours around Louwanne's dining room table stopped in mid bite when the tall beauty entered. Ms. Kent, ever gracious, acknowledged everyone before beginning her talk.
The Heretic's Daughter is a historical novel about Martha Carrier, Ms. Kent's great-grandmother back 9 generations. Martha was one of 19 women and men hanged rather than confess to being a witch. Martha not only professed her innocence, but harshly admonished her judges not to listen to "these girls who are out of their wits". According to Kathleen's grandmother; Martha was not a witch, merely a ferocious woman. Read more excerpts about Martha on Kathleen's website: www.kathleenkent.com.
Kathleen painted vivid pictures for the group explaining her research, her writing process and remembering how stories of Martha were handed down the generations. Kathleen generously stayed to sign books and visit. So many words to describe Kathleen Kent come to mind, but "gracious" heads the list. Read The Heretic's Daughter and her latest book, the prequel, The Traitor's Wife, both top recommendations from the Forest Hills' book club.
Hostess Eileen Grass and her book club friend, Josephine Brown, invited Dr. Annick Swenson, one of the main characters from the February book selection, A State of Wonder, by Ann Patchett, www.annpatchett.com. The two book club friends filled out the paperwork and waited at the Dallas BookWorld Enchanted Portal for Dr. Swenson's arrival. Many book characters will not travel to the RealWorld, but Dr. Swenson knows no boundaries.
When Eileen stood to introduce her guests, several hor d'oeuvres fell off laps and one wine glass shattered when the seventyish, very pregnant Dr. Swenson lumbered into the room. She greeted everyone gruffly while heaving herself into her chair.
Eileen and Josephine had prepared questions which Dr. Swenson answered abruptly. When book club members caught their breaths and started to question Dr. Swenson she seem to catch her stride, gain control of the room and lecture. One member was heard to whisper, "Why do the super intelligent have no personality and are obnoxious?" Of course Dr. Swenson heard and annihilated her.
Members expressed many opions of Dr. Swenson's life, work and decisions, but all agreed they hope more BookWorld characters will have the strength to travel through the Enchanted Portal and visit us in the RealWorld. Most important, all wished Dr. Swenson a sequel to A State of Wonder. Finally, a smile on the woman's face.
Please note no pictures are available of Dr. Swenson since RealWorld cameras cannot capture BookWorld characters.
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