Tuesday, January 04, 2022

THE LIBRARIAN AND THE LAWMAN (THE LIBRARIAN'S JOURNEY) Kathleen Y'Barbo - One Free Book

Welcome back, Kathleen. What kind of files takes up the most space on your computer? That’s easy. My daughter got married in October, so the answer is photos!

Do you have plans to ever retire from writing? Why or why not? Never! I love the writing even if I don’t always love the process of writing. By that, I mean I sometimes can’t type fast enough to get my ideas down and other times I am typing slow because I’m looking for ideas. Slow down? Maybe someday. But retire? Absolutely not!

Are you a stay at home kind of person, or do you like to be on the road a lot? Yes to both! I love the rare day when I get to be home, but the minute my hubby says, “Let’s go,” I’m gone!

Please share a Bible verse or passage that has had the most impact on your life. Ephesians 3:20.

Do you have a favorite Bible character? Who is it and why? There are so many! Depending on what chapter and verse I’m reading, it seems I can always find some parallels with my own life. I want to be like Ruth and Esther. I have been a Peter, a Paul, but not a Mary (1970s joke/pun intended). I just read the passage where the Lord used a donkey to get a man’s attention. The donkey could see what was in the way but the man couldn’t. Unfortunately I related to that guy, too.

Thanks for the laugh. What has been your favorite time in your life? And why? Right now. And I hope I can say that again tomorrow and the next day and all the way until the day I meet Jesus.

Do you have an e-reader? If so, what kind do you use? When my last Kindle died, I realized that my iPad would work just as well and multi-task, too. I’ve read on iPads ever since.

Do you read mostly print books or e-books? Actually I “read” mostly audiobooks. I listen on my commute to work, while I’m cooking, getting ready in the morning, etc. The only time I’m reading on another device is when I am on my iPad, and that’s generally bedtime reading. Thus, I usually buy the book in both formats and switch back and forth.

Do you like to read books in the genres you write, or do you read only other genres … and why? I’m an eclectic reader. I just finished a Sherry Thomas mystery about a female Sherlock Holmes and am about to begin a nonfiction book called Indistractable (Nir Eyal—a much needed topic!) In the past month, I’ve read The London House (Katherine Reay) The Lost Girls of Devon (Barbara O’Neal), and The 5 Second Rule (Mel Robbis).

Please tell us about the book we’re featuring today. The Librarian and the Lawman is a novella that is included in The Librarian’s Journey novella collection. The story is set in 1936 Kentucky and West Virginia and centers on an FBI agent and a woman who is employed as a packhorse librarian—basically a bookmobile on horseback.

Please give us a peek at the first page of one of the books.

May 1936

Kenova, West Virginia

When Lottie Trent goes to work for Kentucky’s Boyd County Library System as a librarian, the town was aghast. After all, wasn’t she—the only daughter—supposed to remain back in the boardinghouse kitchen turning out the biscuits from the recipe for which her mama was famous?

But while Mama excelled at all forms of cooking, especially baking, despite all her culinary efforts to the contrary Lottie couldn’t even make toast without burning it. Mama blamed the fact that most of the time she was supposed to be paying attention to her cooking Lottie had her nose in a book. When the pastor’s daughter indicates she would like to help in the boardinghouse kitchen if an opening should occur, Lottie jumps at the opportunity to hang up her apron and respond to the advertisement Miss Dorothea Kern, the head librarian had just posted in the local paper.

Though Lottie walked into the library believing she would soon be working there, she quickly learned that while there was indeed a position open there in Kenova, Miss Dorothea knew a fellow librarian on the other side of the state Kentucky state line in need of a new employee as well. The librarian’s job in Potters Creek would be atop a steady horse with a saddlebag full of library books.

“Even better,” was Lottie’s swift response, for the only thing she enjoyed better than a good book was sitting in the saddle of a fine horse. Not that she’d done that since the family moved to Kenova. Oh, but before, when Papa had a stable of horses just north of Lexington where Derby champions grazed in fields of Kentucky bluegrass…

Lottie shook her head, tucking that memory back into her heart where she put those things that she’d promised never to discuss with anyone, not even the family who’d escaped with her on that awful day in May of 1929. With a smile and an enthusiastic thank you to Miss Dorothea for the answered prayer, Lottie left the library with a letter of recommendation—for she was the library’s best customer for the past eight years—and a plan to become a pack horse librarian and never attempt to cook a biscuit again.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet? I’m active on Facebook and Instagram and I also have a Twitter account I check occasionally. Check out my website at www.kathleenybarbo.com for the links to those sites.

Thank you, Kathleen, for sharing this collection with my blog readers and me. As always, I’m eager to read whatever book you’ve written.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=The+Librarian%27s+Journey

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com 

11 comments:

traveler said...

A captivating and wonderful story which interests me greatly. The era and the story is memorable. Thanks. Anne in NM.

Unknown said...

As a teacher of 38 years and counting, I'm VERY interested in this book. I love Historic Fiction books also, so I know I'd love this book. Books, horses, librarian, Historic Fiction are all elements that interest me with this book.

Wendy Newcomb said...

This sounds wonderful, thank you for the chance to win a copy.

Wendy in Nebraska

wfnren at aol dot com

Library Lady said...


I love title of this book.

We have your books in our church library.
I volunteer in the library and have for 43 years.

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to win
your book.

Janet
Florida

von1janet (at) gmail (dot) com

petite said...

A historical which is extraordinary. Librarian, books and more gives me a memorable and great experience. Pearl-NM.

Lucy Reynolds said...

Would love to read and review this one. Sounds so good. Blessings from WV.

Sarah Taylor said...

Sounds like such a very good book! Thank you for the amazing book giveaway Sarah from Ohio Sarahbaby601973(at)gmail(dot)com

Melanie Backus said...

Sounds like a must read!
Melanie Backus, TX

Sharon Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Nichols SC.

Connie Porter Saunders said...

A librarian in Kentucky! How could I not enjoy this story?!?!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

How can a library lover not want to read this novel? Plus, Kathleen Y'Barbo always writes a wellresearched novel.
Perrianne Askew
perrianne (DOT) askew (AT0 me (DOT) com