|
Martin County Has a New Author
The Mountain Citizen, December 28, 2005 by Gary Ball
Martin County has a new, published author in Mary E. Preece..... Mrs. Preece poignantly recalls her life growing up in Martin County and some "memorable characters" who impacted her and her peers. "In This Valley I Grew: Life on Blacklog and Happy Hollow".... has received rave reviews as an excellent nonfiction piece of Appalachian literature. .........
BLACKLOG - Childhood in the mountains of Appalachia years ago meant children were exposed to a number of memorable characters growing up. Unfortunately, When years pass, so do the memories of these folks.
This fact prompted Mary E. Preece to write "In This Valley I Grew: Life on Blacklog and Happy Hollow." The book was published and released Dec. 12 by PublishAmerica.
"In This Valley I Grew: Life on Blacklog and Happy Hollow is a well written and crafted work of contemporary nonfiction that fits our specialty like a glove," PublishAmerica executive director Miranda Prather said. "PublishAmerica primarily publishes works by, for or about people who face a challenge in life, and who overcome it by turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones. We believe that Mrs. Preece is a promising talent in this field."
Reviews have been very favorable.
"After reading all of Mary's stories, you can't help but love the wonderful people who lived on Blacklog Road in Happy Hollow," said Saundra Julian, author of "Goldie". "Like an old, black-and-white movie, In This Valley I Grew entertains the reader without the razzle dazzle of modem-day hype."
David Rosenberg, author of "No Shortage of Evil" , describes how the book takes you back to simpler times when life was paced slower, saying the book "welcomes the reader with homespun stories about Appalachian living. The author recalls people, events and circumstances that, on the surface, seem primitive and harsh. Her unpretentious style warms the heart as she presents an era where jobs were scarce and wages were low; where people lived from" the land; and where application of the Christian ethic of "loving thy neighbor as thyself' often made the difference between surviving or starving."
For those who grew up in eastern Kentucky or southern West Virginia, this book promises "a trip back home," said Lawrence County native Delbert R. Caudill, author of "Watermelon Hill."
"She writes of a simple life, a hard life, but her love of that life shows through vividly in her writing," Caudill said.
Joyce Ann Edmondson, author of "The Listening Tree" and "Falling Petals" also had high praise for Preece's work.
"The book is the heartwarming epoch of an Appalachian family its early beginnings and present realities - related at times in the style and dialect of this mountainous region. The author is an educated woman in the sense that she knows what it is to be 'poor in spirit' and remain rich in spiritual and cultural values she can pass along to her children and grandchildren ...
As a reader born and raised in the South by parents who experienced the hardships of World War II, I could relate to many of the people arid' experiences she wrote of in such a charming way," said Edmondson.
Preece said she wanted to thank all. her family and friends for their encouragernent. "I want to thank my husband, Kenny, for putting up with my computer time, my children, Kent and Kelli, and my sisters and to Marlene Wells, who has been one of my best supporters with such kind words over the years to keep writing."
Preece said she also appreciated the support of another author with.. Appalachian roots, Shutta Crum, who, lives in Ann Arbor, Mich., and who has had eight children's books published."
"I've written about 'colorftul' characters and I felt the memories of these people would be lost," Preece said yesterday afternoon at her home.
|
