<B>Authors say UTM is a perfect setting for their novel</B>

We offer our heartfelt gratitude to the faculty, staff and students who made our visit to UTM a memorable experience.

As we spoke with many on campus as research for our novel, The Secrets of Blaney’s Mountain, we were pleased to learn that the school lived up to its claims.

The school is a family. Every teacher knows students by name and we were embraced with enthusiasm and warmth, being made to feel instantly at home.

Special thanks to Bud Grimes. He went out of his way to accomodate us and made our work pleasurable.

Thanks to those who granted us interviews. We gleaned a great deal of information and our story will be more credible because of their time and knowledge shared with us.

Thanks to those who let us in to see the dorm. This was particularly important and we appreciate you letting us into your private living space and talking to us about UTM.

One of our favorite experiences was our visit to Fran Spears and the UTM cheerleaders. They were amazing and we got some great photos.

Thank you for your enthusiasm. We’re still talking about some of those moves.

Last but not least, thanks to all the kids we cornered around the campus and questioned.

My favorite moments were when I asked where you would go on a special date and was consistently answered with looks and the question, “You mean in Martin?”

For those interested in the novel, visit www.CarrieChesney.com.

Your warm hospitality has made us remark that we chose well when we decided to make UTM the setting of our story.
We look forward to a return visit for a book signing.

Carrie Chesney Guelph, Ontario Thomas Lynn Atlanta, Georgia