Olive, the first published work for North Shore author Linden Carroll, will be shared in an upcoming reading and book signing at Black Bond Books in Ladner.
It will be held on Sunday, Oct. 28 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Olive is a story of human endurance spanning more than four generations from the end of the 19th century through to the Second World War during the almost-total destruction of Southampton, a port city in southern England.
Carroll said Olive is the spine of this historical novel. Ostracized at birth by her family, Olive’s life is that of an opportunist and black marketer. She uses her sex, guile and music skills to move up, but there is a price to be paid and the children bear the cost.
Olive demonstrates the impact one woman had on those whose lives she touched.
“I started on the book about five years ago and left my job three years ago because I wanted to write,” said Carroll. “The book is a story of human endurance and one woman’s impact on four generations of people. Both in England and Canada I have spent a lot of time with the elderly as a companion, listening to their stories. They are the inspiration of the book. The characters are fictitious, however the actual events are based on fact and the story itself is built on a structure of history about the south of England.”
Olive is developed through Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd. of London, U.K. and is available through Amazon.ca, Amazon.com, Indigo, Barnes & Noble and WH Smith.
Carroll said she has done several readings and signings throughout the Lower Mainland.
“I’m focusing on the smaller book shops. I think there is a definite need to support them,” she said. “We are living in a time of economic and technical change and we are losing touch – losing personal touch – and Black Bond Books provides that personal touch.
“Thank goodness they are supporting authors and allowing book signings. I’ve spent some time in Ladner. I love Ladner Village and the friendliness and we need to nurture an environment like this. I’m looking forward to meeting people and sharing this book.”
Later this year Carroll will be releasing her second novel, also historical fiction, entitled Full Circle.
