AUTHOR CELEBRATES 20TH YEAR OF ROMANCE NOVEL

 Author Jacquelyn Cook will be returning to the Eufaula Pilgrimage to celebrate the twentieth year of continuous publication of her romance novel set in the antebellum days of Eufaula, Alabama, and the Chattahoochee River area.. She will be signing the latest edition, "Magnolias" (Barbour Books 2001) at Shorter Mansion on Friday, April 1, 2005, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Central time.

"I have been thrilled by the continuing popularity of my work," says Cook. "I wanted to write timeless stories of lasting value, but I think one reason people like these books is that the charm of Eufaula and its people shines through."

"It all began when I visited the Eufaula Pilgrimage as a tourist is 1982. I fell in love with the town. Doug Purcell took me to Fendall Hall. When I climbed to the belvedere and looked down on the river, I could picture my heroine, Lily, dreaming a steamboat captain far beneath her station in life. I began doing research at Shorter Mansion where Hilda Sexton and the townspeople were generous with help."

The inspirational stories weave fictional characters with the citizens of Eufaula and actual events in the past. The opulent 1850's when many of Eufaula's homes were built, form the setting for the first edition, "The River Between." When it was released in 1985, it sold 100,000 copies nationwide. Mrs. Cook was given the key to the city by Mayor Hamp Graves, Jr.

A series of books followed, continuing the lives of the same characters. "The Wind Along The River" and "River of Fire" tell the exciting events of life and love during the Civil War and Reconstruction. In "Beyond The Searching River," Libba Ramsey searches for her identity and finds her family during the last great steamboat disaster on the Chattahoochee.

"The tea given by the ladies of Eufaula at Fendall Hall in March, 1993, was the most delightful thing that has happened to me," said Cook. "Being in the marvelous mansion that is my Barbour Hall in the books was exciting, but having Judy and Jim McCorrmick dress as Emma and Jonathan Ramsey and Amanda Dunnagan portray my beautiful Adrianna Atherton made it a writer's fantasy come true."

As the books sold out, the rights were bought by other publishers and new editions were printed. The current edition"Magnolias", contains all four stories. It has proved most popular of all.

Mrs. Cook will enjoy talking with readers at the book signing. They can discover more about her at www.jacquelyncook.com. "Magnolias" will continue on sale for a short time at Shorter Mansion.