Inspired by two young ladies whose life decisions led them along very different paths, local author Karlene Stewart has written a fictional autobiography that she hopes will serve as a positive guide for Cayman’s youth. Families are invited to join Stewart at Books & Books, Camana Bay for the launch of You Can Rise Up on Thursday, June 13 at 7pm.

This free event will include an author presentation, group discussion and book signing.

About the Book

Carla Henderson’s life is one of pain, aggression and tragedy. Much of the ill fate that she experiences is due to her reckless relationship with a man five years her senior who uses his guise of charm and charisma to woo her, then sets out to destroy her to achieve his own agenda. Carla’s own disobedience and disregard for authority helps to steer her into the hands of this villain and along the wrong path.

Carla’s life is juxtaposed alongside that of her childhood friend Aisha. Aisha is the model daughter, the perfect student and lives a very settled life – getting married early and starting a career as a teacher. It is only after the murder of her father and her own near-death experience that Carla comes to the realisation that she needs to rise up out of her dark life and be a better person.

You Can Rise Up is now available at Books & Books.

About the Author

Karlene Stewart is a Financial Services Administrator and the author of two novels—Let My Soul Bare and You Can Rise Up. Her writing has also been published in regional newspapers and international magazines. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Communication for Social and Behaviour Change from the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC), University of the West Indies, at Mona.

For up to date information on all Books & Books events in Grand Cayman, visit www.booksandbooks.com, like Books & Books (Cayman) on Facebook and follow @BooksandBooksKY on Twitter.

• Founded in 1982 by Mitchell Kaplan, Books & Books is exceptionally well-respected in the literary community as one of America’s most successful independent bookstores with three locations in South Florida – plus stores in Grand Cayman, Westhampton Beach, Miami International Airport and the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale.

• Books & Books Grand Cayman is located in the Town Centre of Camana Bay, at 45 Market Street, where it is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00am to 9:00pm. The store number is 345.640.2665.

• Books & Books was one of the first shops to open in the Town Centre of Camana Bay; Grand Cayman’s most vibrant shopping and entertainment destination. The store is designed to encourage customers to explore and creates a sense of discovery with a large section dedicated to Caymanian authors, as well as a vast number of titles of Caribbean interest. A light and airy room dedicated to children has a particularly impressive selection of picture books in addition to toys, educational games and books for kids of all ages. The new and notable fiction section includes New York Times bestsellers, while the art room has a comprehensive collection of architecture, design, photography and gardening books.

• The Books & Books International Visiting Author Series brings renowned authors from around the world to Grand Cayman. The store has hosted more than 100 writers including Salman Rushdie, Michael Ondaatje, Robert Goolrick, Alexander McCall Smith and Dylan Lauren and children’s authors and illustrators such as Mo Willems, Loren Long and Anna Dewdney.

• Sign up to receive Books & Books Grand Cayman’s free, weekly electronic newsletter of special events by visiting www.booksandbooks.com. Scroll down to the Event Newsletters section, type in your email address and select Grand Cayman Events.

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