Stephen Buck and Marian O’Neil prove that dreams can come through. They opened their own bookshop in 2019, and is nestled in the historic William Street in Kilkenny city. Over the past six years , ‘The Book and coffee shop’ has seen book-launches, plays and recitals. Marian and Stephen have held creative writing classes and also exhibitions. The shop has an extensive selection of rare and second-hand books and offers everything a book lover requires. And it was at this beautiful shop that over 30 people gathered pre-Christmas to hear Anne Kelly read from her newly published novel -The Heir. Anne, is a proud Castlecomer woman, now living in Naas, Co. Kildare. How nice it was for the author that many friends from the mining town of ‘Comer made the journey to her her reading. According to Stephen Buck, it was a pleasure to have Anne read at the store.
From the first word to the last, The Heir by Anne Kelly brings the reader on a journey, immersing us in the lives and happenings of characters whose relationships are entwined in despair, loss, hope and love. Romance and mystery create a most compelling story of an arranged loveless marriage for the main character Elizabeth Wilding to Sir Charles Anderson and the uncertainty over the future for their young son, George. The story unfolds with violence, abuse, deception, alongside the healing power of hope, forgiveness and love. Anne Kelly has created wonderful, intriguing descriptions into nineteenth-century Victorian Yorkshire, and beyond. This book is a page turner, Anne has succeeded in mastering the skill of novel writing, with a natural story telling technique and keen observations to detail.
“We are always delighted to host book readings and I think our space on William Street complements nice intimate readings”, said Stephen Buck.
Anne Kelly told The Kilkenny Observer that she was delighted with the turn out and thanked the book shop owners Stephen and Marian for facilitating the night,
The book is available at The Book and coffee shop.
