Karen Cecil Smith
Karen Cecil Smith is a biographer, poet, and award-winning children's picture book author and novelist. Her first book, a biography entitled Orlean Puckett: The Life of a Mountain Midwife (1844-1939), is about a Virginia woman who gave birth to and lost 24 babies before becoming a midwife. Although Orlean Puckett delivered over a thousand babies in her community, she was much more than a midwife. She was a strong mountain woman who carried food to her husband John and other Civil War deserters who hid out in the hills from the Home Guard. She was a loyal neighbor and friend who fed anyone who came to her door. Although she couldn't read or write, Orlean Puckett was a wise and humorous woman. Using extensive research and interviews, Karen was able to recreate and preserve the life of this incredible woman.
An Old Salem Christmas, 1840 is a children's picture book and Karen's second published work. This book tells the true meaning of Christmas, as seen through the eyes of a young Moravian girl. The North Carolina Society of Historians honored An Old Salem Christmas, 1840 with the Clark Cox Historical Fiction Award.
Karen's third book and first novel, Pillow of Thorns is set in 19th century North Carolina. It is based on an actual, sensational murder case and tells the story of an exotic young beauty who stood trial for poisoning her wealthy, older husband. This book was also a recipient of the Clark Cox Historical Fiction Award.
Karen has completed a second children's book, An Old Salem Easter, 1850, and is currently in search of a publisher.
“If a rooster crows while you're thinking about a man," the fortuneteller had once told Maria, "then he's the one you'll marry.”
“There won't be separate stalls in heaven.”
“If decorum allowed, she would take tea at the hotel. Once inside, she might run into a rich northern gentleman who had ridden in this very coach. If only she could touch something colored blue for luck before entering the building! "Touch blue and your wish will come true." That, along with the rabbit's foot she always carried in her pocket, would almost ensure such a meeting.”
“I don't have but two teeth, but thank the Lord they both hit together.”
“First month honey. . .Next month pie. . .Third month. . .Get out here and work, you damn bitch, same as I.”
“I would have been glad if it had been the Lord's will to let one of my children live.”
“She reached out her arms to Blackie. The beautiful siren was calling her weary sailor safely to port.”
“Child, there's a sayin' every fishmonger has. When you buy land, you buy stones. When you buy fish, you buy bones.”
“Biscuits are rough, potatoes are tough. I pray to God we all get enough.”