Janice Holt Giles

Recounts the story of writer Janice Holt Giles who, at age forty-one while working a day job as a secretary, published her first novel about a couple living in Appalachia.

~American Literature

It is interesting and inspiring to learn of the hardship Giles endured to become a writer, and that writing was as important as breathing to her

~Booklist

Stuart's Janice Holt Giles, thoroughly researched and beautifully written, is the definitive literary biography of one of Kentucky's and America's finest writers of historical fiction. To paraphrase the brilliant and multitalented subject of this book, Stuart's biography is enduring as Kentucky's hills and a great deal better than plumb.

~Bowling Green Daily News

When the last word of the biography is read, the reader feels very close to Janice Holt Giles.

~Columbia Magazine

An engrossing, engaging and illuminating biography.

~Filson Club History Quarterly

Stuart's knowledge of Giles's work, both the stories themselves and the effort and anguish Giles exerted in completing them, is impressive.

~Journal of Appalachian Studies

Stuart has written a biography about a truly remarkable woman who overcame numerous obstacles to become one of the state's most beloved authors.

~Kentucky Monthly

Now, readers can gain new insight into one of the state's best-selling authors, thanks to the sure-handed study, Janice Holt Giles.

~Lexington Herald-Leader

In this admiring biography, Stuart draws from Giles's personal papers to trace her progression from observer to chronicler.

~Library Journal

Stuart has covered every aspect of Giles' life — the good times and the bad times.

~The Voice-Tribune

The biography Giles justly deserves.

~Tulsa World

The fascinating and inspiring story of one of Kentucky's most successful writers—one that was popular during her lifetime and continues to be one of our most read authors. Watkins has recreated her life, one filled with great drama, remarkable successes, and devastating failures. Above all, this is a book about a fully-lived life.

~Wade Hall