Local author B.J. Vaughan has traveled many miles from her Kinston home, but her closeness to the land and its heritage is never far from her mind and heart.
A recent new career direction — writing — has given her an outlet for honoring this heritage. The latest result of her efforts is her second Civil War historical novel, “Blue Waters,” which she will discuss in a presentation March 7 at Lenoir Community College.
A wine and cheese reception, free and open to the community, will give an opportunity to meet and chat with her, listen to her discuss her books and have them autographed. Both “Blue Waters” and its prequel, “Muddy Waters,” can be purchased at the event.
A graduate of Grainger High School, Vaughan did her undergraduate study at the University of South Carolina and ECU where she earned her bachelor degree. She further studied at Spalding College in Kentucky, the University of Marseille in France, and Scuola Internazionale di Grafica in Italy.
Vaughan taught art history and painting for years before tackling her first novel. Now working on her fourth, she has discovered that extensive travel, her love of history and a lifetime of reading provide ample inspiration for fictional plots and likeable characters.
Her particular interest is the Civil War period, and that history in Lenoir County is a passion she shares with her uncle, Dr. Lonnie Blizzard, known as the premier historian on the First Battle of Kinston in December 1862 in Lenoir County.
Both “Muddy Waters” and “Blue Waters” are set in this period in North Carolina, and Vaughan draws on much of Blizzard’s research of historical facts, local and family stories to flavor her writings.
In her new novel, love is personal; war is not, especially in North Carolina, 1865-1867, during the reconstruction. With a love they are certain will transcend all else, southern belle Penny Kennedy marries Union Officer and attorney, Ryan Madison, despite the condemnation of those around them.
The initial days of wedded bliss end abruptly when Marcus, the man who courted Penny for years in anticipation that she would marry him, is arrested for murder, and Ryan is assigned to prosecute him.
As hard as this development is for Penny to tolerate, she will discover worse things await her before Ryan and she can attain the life they desire in each other’s embrace.
The reception and book signing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. March 7 in the Heritage Place of the Learning Resources Center at LCC. For more information, contact LCC Learning Resources Center Director Carenado Davis at 252-527-6223, ext. 504 or lrcinfo@lenoircc.edu.
Reception/Book Signing
6 to 8 p.m. March 7
Learning Resources Center
Lenoir Community College
231 N.C. 58 S., Kinston
Wine and cheese; discussion with author; signing session
Free
Info: Carenado Davis at 252-527-6223, ext. 504 or lrcinfo@lenoircc.edu