" Best of the Best at Blue Ridge Bookfest "

This was the very first Blue Ridge Bookfest & Author Showcase.
You would never have known it however, as it was totally organized!
The wonderful author Robert Morgan proclaimed it to be, not only
a historical event but a lifelong dream for him. He signed my copy
of his book " Gap Creek " an Oprah Book Club selection, with this
inscription:

" Carol, thank you for coming to be a part of history"















The fest started with a few words from him and then he
introduced bestselling author Sharyn McCrumb......

Who was waiting in the wings.....................

I have been reading Sharyn's books for twenty years, she

is totally responsible for my love of Appalachia and my love

for Appalachian authors..................

Sharyn poses as she signs her books......................

For a devout reader of Sharyn McCrumb, this is wonderful!

This made " Hotlanta " worth it!!!

Sharyn & I discussed her choice of cars.......

" it was the only one that would keep up with the NASCAR Drivers "

she said; Her car tag reads; " ST. DALE "

She wrote a wonderful retelling of The Canterbury Tales in which

fans of Dale Earnhardt go on a pilgrimage titled: " St. Dale"

Kathryn Magendie, author of the wonderful new book

" Tender Graces" and I then attended the presentation

by Vicki Lane, author of The Elizabeth Goodweather

Mystery Series and someone whom I'm fortunate to call

friend.

Here Vicki reads from her book..................

Vicki gave a great presentation and the large crowd was mesmerized!

I wish I lived close enough to attend Vicki's writing class...

Vicki signs her wonderful books for me.........

" Smile Vicki Lane, you're on Carol's Camera"

Then we have showing out for my camera............

North Carolina's favorite Storyteller GARY CARDEN !!

Talking with some of his many fans.................

Kathryn and I next attended Gary's wonderful presentation..

As did author Sheila Kay Adams, who talks with her dear friend

Gary afterwards.................

Author Sheila Kay Adams...... what a brilliant talent she is!

Her presentation was awesome..............

See Vicki Lane to the far right smiling.........at Sheila's storytelling?

The girl tells stories...................

She sings like a songbird and plays...

The Banjo and Guitar........

Not to mention the wonderful books she's written!!

This crowd had a good time !!!!

Vicki and Sheila Kay are good friends and neighbors!

These NC authors are truly a family who love and respect

each other and it was a joy to witness this...

Vicki and Sheila Kay meet up..............

North Carolina Poet Laureate, Kathryn Stripling Byer,

also thrilled to see Sheila Kay............

The last session Kathryn Magendie and I attended was by

Jeff Biggers, whose book " The United States of Appalachia"

is getting rave reviews on Amazon! I don't have the words to

describe how awesome this guy was!! I thought I knew Appalachia

History! Wrong! I heard things from him that blew me away! I would

have loved to have seen Bill O'Rielly sit through this presentation!!!

I bought the book and plan to read it soon!


Here is Jeff Biggers with Kathryn Stripling Byer whom he was

bowing to in honor of meeting her, just before I snapped this pic!

After the fest was over, Kathryn Magendie and I

met Vicki Lane and Gary Carden at the beautiful B&B

they were staying at in Hendersonville and the four of us

walked downtown and enjoyed a wonderful meal and great

conversation about ghost tales, history and books!

I have only one disappointment in my trip to North Carolina.

My "oldtimer's " was in full swing causing me not to do the very

thing I drove 547 miles to do..................

I did not get my picture made with Vicki, Gary, Kathryn or Sherry

Austin even though I was around them a lot and always had my camera!

My heart was broken when I realized this......................

" On The Road Again "

Well.....it's finally here!! I'm heading out to Flat Rock, NC !
I couldn't decide whether to take one or two by each author?
Some two, some one, you know, to get signed. These are going
in the book bag. It's gonna be heavy you think?








Got coffee and audio books and oh yes, a map!

Trunks full! See that heavy book bag? Hubby wants to know

if I plan to come back? You know us women, better too much

than not enough !!

OK, yes this is staged, as I'm obviously not gone yet! If

you see me going down to road, honk and wave!

As soon as I hit the Publish button, this is me leaving !!!

Have A Great Weekend Everyone !!!!!
See you back here next week..................

" A Little of This & A Little of That "

Last week I was a Winner not once but twice!
I was the 100th follower@ The Serenity Gate
and I won a book @ Meanderings and Musings
from Kaye's guest blogger Caryn St. Clair !


Yesterday, I received my prizes! A beautiful journal
from Barbara @ The Serenity Gate and
"Killer Keepsakes" by Jane K. Cleland from Caryn!
Thank you Ladies!












If you did not read Elizabeth Bradley's May 2nd post, Ash & Rain, Two African Grays
@ Elizabeth Bradley's Fiction, please do so, it is a wonderful story!
You can get there from here: http://elizabethbradleyfiction.blogspot.com/












A box from Amazon also arrived yesterday full of goodies!
" Tender Graces" Kathryn Magendie's debut novel and
" Water Witch & Grave Intent" by Deborah LeBlanc !!!

Last week I have a curious thing happen! While searching

for books about Natchez, I discovered a Mississippi author

that was new to me. At Amazon, I found two books written

by RC White.

I ordered both books. Both are set in Mississippi, one on the

Natchez Trace. The day after I ordered them, I got an e-mail

from the author! I was stunned! She had discovered my blog!

Ruth White nor I believe in coincidence. We have learned

we have alot in common and are becoming fast friends. I have

already finished " Devil's Trace" and am half way through

" Ascension At Antioch" I love her writing! She captures

place extremely well and her mystery ability holds me spellbound!

I hope you will add these books to your reading list!

You all know how I love the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee

and Western North Carolina! On Thursday morning I'm headed out!

I will be attending the Blue Ridge Book & Author Showcase in

Flat Rock, NC on May 8 & 9 th.

Friday evening there will be a reception for NC author Louise

Bailey. On Saturday, there will be an all day bookfest with these

authors from my favorites list: Sharyn McCrumb, Vicki Lane,

Gary Carden, Sheila Kay Adams, Robert Morgan!

I also expect to meet Sherry Austin and Pamela Duncan!

Not to mention that Kat Magendie and I are hanging out

at the fest together! Am I blessed or what???

I will be staying at this lovely old Historic Inn!

Flat Rock Inn Bed & Breakfast

In the Carl Sandburg Room................

I'm really looking forward to this......

This is the private porch off the room

I plan on spending time on the front porch too!

I will also visit Carl Sandburg's Home

to see the house and the famous Goats.






That was .....This Is....

The Chimney Sweeps are back. Every Spring they

return and build in this spot and raise two hatching's

of cute little babies!

This little fellow sees his reflection in the Finch

feeder and sits all day looking! Do any of you bird

watchers know what he is??

Hubby and I went to the Mobile Flea Market on Saturday where I bought this plant and forgot the name of it. It blooms Pink Flowers. Do any of you gardeners recognize it?

A close up of the leaves...........

I will be staying in Flat Rock until Monday hanging out! I will take lots of photos and have plenty to tell when I get back! I'll catch up with everyone either before I go or after my return!