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Local Author Maria Santomasso-Hyde to Speak at the Watauga County Library This Wednesday

Visit the Watauga County Library on Wednesday, May 24, at 6 p.m., for a writing talk by local author of He Gave Me Barn Cats, Maria Santomasso-Hyde.  The public is invited to this free event, and refreshments will be served.  Attend this fun program with questions in mind, as the author plans to leave plenty of time for questions after reading brief excerpts from her book.

 

To learn more about the novel, and to see photos of some of the real-life characters and Valle Crucis setting, visitwww.MariaSantomassoHyde.com.

 

The author graduated from the English Department at Appalachian State University and promptly began her career as a writer – first as a reporter for a daily newspaper and then in public relations.  She now owns Alta Vista Fine Art Gallery in Valle Crucis.

 

Here’s a preview of the book:  After many years of care-giving and too many losses too close together, Maria has a sadness bordering on darkness.  When she discovers her barn is home to a mother cat and kittens, they teach her as only animals can do… but the darkness envelopes her like the fog that blankets her Blue Ridge Mountain home each morning.  She creates a scorecard:  God: 9, Maria: 0.  Her questions turn into anger at God.  Will she learn to trust again?  Will the barn cats help her heal?

 

Reviewers have called this book “a yarn exquisitely told, a raw and truthful journey” (Tom Mayer, editor, The Mountain Times); “engaging… with unexpected perspectives”  (Cathy Pickens, author of the Southern Fried series);”compelling and infused with the heart-breaking and heart-lifting realities of life” (Kurt Rheinheimer, editor, Blue Ridge Country magazine).  One reader of the book, David Pym of Boone, said, “The book is very well written, at times both humorous and heartbreaking, and a compelling read.  I recommend this book on the depth of feeling, pain, joy, conviction, and genuine soul searching Maria allows the reader to witness through her writing.”

 

Signed and personalized copies of the book will be available at the library event this Wednesday, or at Alta Vista Gallery and www.MariaSantomassoHyde.com.  Unsigned copies can be ordered from Amazon.

 

For more information, call the Watauga Country Library at (828) 264-8784.