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Author Talk | Leara Rhodes

Join author Leara Rhodes as she discusses her historical novel "Spancil Hill."

Discover Cahey’s story - His love of Ireland had always been his saving grace—but now has become his greatest hindrance. So much has been taken from Cahey: his family, farm, education, and the love of his life. Still, there’s one thing they can’t take away: his remarkable ability to understand horses.

Follow his journey - Leaving behind his friends and a thriving business in Galway, Cahey embarks on a journey to New York and struggles to find his way. He quickly discovers he is not alone. He bands with other Irish, Scottish, and French immigrants to build a life away from everything he once loved.

Can he overcome his obstacles? Being Irish creates many problems, even in New York. Finding out how severe those problems are could change his life forever. His fear is—can his survival skills and love of horses be enough to become the most sought-after horse trainer at the Vanderbilt American Horse Exchange in 1901? 

Registration is recommended. 

Books will be available for purchase and signing. 

Leara Rhodes previously worked as a journalist, technical writer, and editor of the alternative newspaper, Creative Loafing. She received her master’s degree and doctorate from Temple University and taught at both the University of South Carolina in Columbia and as an Associate Professor Emerita of Journalism and International Communication from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. During her academic career, she was awarded a Fulbright to Haiti. In 1999, Leara was inducted into the Georgia Magazine Hall of Fame, the first educator in Georgia to be invited. Her first historical novel, Spancil Hill, was published in April 2024 by Old Fort Press in Savannah. The second novel, The Darkest Midnight in December was released last month. When she is not writing, she is gardening, baking, and spending time with my family and friends. She loves live music and follows several bands in the Athens area and is active in community theatre. 

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