November brings 2 best-selling authors to Sumter County Museum

Fall is a great time to curl up with a book, and the Sumter County Museum is introducing two authors and their books in November.

New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey will join the museum for a book signing and talk on her latest novel "Christmas in Peachtree Bluff" at 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 1.

"Christmas in Peachtree Bluff" is a heart-warming novel that speaks to the strength of a family and Christmas as a time to celebrate this family's resilience and love.

Book synopsis: Frustrated by her daughter's belligerent behavior toward her during the Thanksgiving holiday, Caroline leaves Vivi in Peachtree Bluff during the intervening weeks before Christmas with Ansley and her husband, Jack, in hopes some time apart will calm Vivi's temperament. The Murphy sisters and their families return to New York while Ansley and Jack prepare to leave town with Vivi on a long-planned cruise just ahead of a major hurricane heading toward their coastal town. Their plans to evacuate fail, however, when Jack shocks Vivi with a family secret, and she runs away and is not located until it's too late for the three of them to leave the island in time.

After the hurricane, the Murphy sisters become frantic to get back to Peachtree Bluff to make sure Ansley, Jack and Vivi are safe. Unable to travel by air or car because of flooding and closed bridges, the sisters and their families travel by water on Caroline's yacht, the Starlite Sisters. The sisters' reunion with their loved ones in Peachtree Bluff in the aftermath of the storm begins a restoration of both family and the town, proving the truth in words written in a poignant letter by Ansley's great-grandmother, found behind a damaged wall after the hurricane: "If we let them, even our largest challenges can be our greatest allies."

This free event will be followed by a wine and cheese reception. Sumter Books-A-Million will be on site with copies of the book for purchase.

On Monday, Nov. 15, New York Times bestselling author Karen White will join the museum for a special luncheon presentation of her book "The Attic on Queen Street" at 11:30 a.m.

The last in White's popular Tradd Street series featuring psychic medium Melanie Trenholm is a hauntingly spectacular finale.

Book synopsis: After the devastating events of the past few months, the last thing Melanie Trenholm wants is to think about the future. Why, when her husband, Jack, has asked for a separation - a separation that might have been her fault? Nevertheless, with twin toddlers, a stepdaughter leaving for college soon, a real estate career to resume and a historic home that is still being restored, Melanie doesn't have much time to wonder where it all went wrong - but that doesn't stop her from trying to win him back.

Their relationship issues are pushed aside, however, when longtime nemesis Marc Longo comes to them with a proposition: allow their Tradd Street house to be used as the filming location for Marc's bestselling book, and he will help Jack reestablish his stalled writing career. Despite Melanie's hesitation, Jack jumps at the chance. But Melanie's doubts soon prove to be well founded when she uncovers ulterior reasons for Marc wanting to be back in their house - reasons that include a hidden gem so brilliant that legend links it to the most famous jewel of all, the Hope Diamond. But Melanie has an unexpected ally in protecting the house and its inhabitants - the ghost of a Civil War-era girl warns her of increasing threats to her family. But she's not the only spirit who is haunting Melanie. A malevolent ghost seems determined to stop Melanie from investigating the decades-old murder of a friend's sister, and this spirit will stop at nothing to protect its secrets - even from beyond the grave. Melanie and Jack must work together to find the answers before evil spirits of past and present destroy everything they love. - KarenWhite.com

The event luncheon includes a hard copy of the book and is $30 for members of the museum and $35 for the public.

To purchase tickets, visit www.sumtercountymuseum.org, call (803) 775-0908 or stop by the museum at 122 N. Washington St., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.