Cat's Cafe Book Signing

 

Ralls Melotte, retired from his architectural firm in 2019, sat down at his computer and began his first novel, Cat’s Café.  Meet and chat with Melotte, Saturday, November 11, 10:30-12:00 at LaDeDa Books, 1624 New York Ave., Manitowoc.

The book takes readers back to pioneer times when American settlers moved westward into the Rocky Mountains and beyond.  In 1879, in the small rural town of Eagle Rock Idaho, Cat and her husband Patrick run a saloon.  Patrick thought the saloon would be suited to the laborers who lived and worked there; Cat has other plans. When a new bridge connects the two sides of town and the population grows, Cat’s dream of opening a café could become reality.

However, on the morning of July 4, Patrick goes missing, and it appears he may not return.  Cat finds herself running the saloon, navigating challenges once handled by her husband, and forsaking her dream. Complicating matters is a corrupt sheriff who stirs up trouble at every turn.

Commenting on Melotte’s novel, the Kirkus Review stated “The dramatic center of the story – Catherine finding the inner strength to take on a pile of problems – is handled with an engaging sense of compassion…A zesty and occasionally touching story of a woman confronting the crude realities of a new life.”

Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event. Events like this offered free to the public, and help sustain the health of small, independent bookstores.   Individuals not able to attend can have a book reserved by emailing bdenor@lsol.net.