Cora Entwhistle has been meandering around in my head for a couple of years. Now she’s in print, so I hope she’ll be meandering around in yours, too. This is my third book, and it’s a compilation of short stories about the same person – Mrs. Entwhistle. You’ll also meet her grown children, Diane and Tommy, her best friend, Maxine, next-door neighbor, Ronnie Sue, and her old dog, Roger.
Mrs. Entwhistle is 78, but you’d better not call her old. She can cope just fine with whatever life throws at her – and it throws a lot. She’s mistaken for a mob trial witness and put into witness protection; she rescues Roger from a kidnapper; she’s trapped in an elevator with six strangers; she wins the Publisher’s Clearinghouse Sweepstakes, even though she never entered. None of this is her doing, as she’s quick to point out, but she can handle it.
Mrs. E. and I got to be great friends during the writing process. Contrary to some opinions, she is not autobiographical, nor are her children based on mine. My children haven’t tried to take away my car like Mrs. Entwhistle’s kids did – at least, not yet – so I want to stay on their good sides.
Come help me launch Mrs. Entwhistle on Sunday, February 26, 1:30-3:30 p.m., at the Gone With The Wind Museum on the Marietta Square. Refreshments, prizes, reading, signing and general hilarity will ensue, and I’d love for you to be part of it.
Plus you’ll get to browse the Museum for free that day. It has the finest collection of GWTW memorabilia in the South. Admit it: haven’t you always wanted to see Scarlett’s dresses up close and personal? And in case “you see it in the windah and you just hafta have it,” there are reproductions for sale.
Should you want to plan ahead: I bet your mom would like a copy of of Mrs. Entwhistle for Mother’s Day. To purchase, go to Amazon Books, type in my name, and have at it.
Doris Reidy 