Friday was a very exciting day for my daughter & I. We had the opportunity to meet Kathryn Wall, author of the Bay Tanner mystery series. I have had the newspaper clipping sitting on my couch for the last two weeks so I would not forget to attend her speaking engagement.
One of my favorite things to do is go to the library and look through all the books to find an author that is new to me. I love mystery/horror/thriller books. While looking at the new releases last year I came across the book Sanctuary Hill. The cover looked intriguing and when I read the jacket cover I was excited to learn that the author lived in Hilton Head, SC and based her books around the area. I have lived in SC for nearly five years, but have never had the opportunity to visit Hilton Head. This was a great way for me to be introduced to the area.
After reading the first chapter, I was hooked on the main character, Bay Tanner. I could not put the book down, I needed to know what was going to happen to her next. When I read a book such as this, one that hooks me after the first chapter, I then go to the front of the book to see what else the author has written. I found I was actually reading the seventh book in the series and immediately wrote down the names of the previous books so the next time I visited the library I would know which order to read them in.
I have since read In For a Penny, and And Not a Penny More. Mrs. Wall writes the books in such a way that it is not necessary for a reader to read the series in order. She gives enough background information in each book to catch the reader up and inform them of what they may have missed in previous books without giving away the story lines from previous books.
Mrs. Wall was very friendly as she signed books for eager readers. She spoke openly as she explained the process of becoming an author. She was very engaging and entertaining. After she spoke she took the time to answer my 9-year-old daughter's question, "What is your favorite part about making a book?" Mrs. Wall explained that she enjoyed turning on her computer to a blank screen and starting the process of writing, not knowing what was going to happen, and getting to the end to find out how it ends. I appreciated her taking the time to speak to my daughter. She was also gracious enough to take pictures with us!
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