Local author and former MTSU professor June Hall McCash will speak and sign copies of her debut novel, Almost to Eden, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24 at Linebaugh Library.

The book signing is offered as part of Linebaugh’s Winter Reading Program. The event is free and open to the public. Copies of McCash’s book will be available for purchase.

Almost to Eden is the fictional narrative of an Irish immigrant, Maggie O’Brien, whose life intertwines with members and workers of the historic Jekyll Island Club.

Seeking a new Eden in America, O’Brien discovers that freedom and justice, even in the new world, do not always triumph over wealth and power.

Brian Jay Corrigan, award-winning author of The Poet of Loch Ness, described the book as “a sumptuous trip into the past and a deeply affecting exploration of how that past is forever a part of who we are. McCash weaves a tale of love and heartbreak out of the day-to-day struggle to live a life of decency and honor.”

McCash is the author, co-author, or editor of several nonfiction books and articles.

She is the recipient of eight literary awards for fiction, poetry, and nonfiction from the Southeastern Writers Association and ByLine Magazine.

McCash was formerly a professor of French and humanities at MTSU; she was also the founding director of the University Honors program (now the Honors College) and chair of the Department of Foreign Languages. She is now a full-time writer, living in Murfreesboro.

The eighth annual Resolve to Read Winter Reading Program runs through Feb. 26. Designed for adults and teenagers, the Winter Reading Program rewards participants for the books they read.

Linebaugh Public Library is located at 105 W. Vine St. in Murfreesboro. For more information, call 615-893-4131 or visit www.linebaugh.org.