By Anthony Gaenzle
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. -- Author Julie Compton visited the Barnes and Noble bookstore at Altamonte Springs Mall on Sunday to promote her latest novel "Rescuing Olivia". The Orlando based author spoke briefly to a gathering of fans before settling in at a table to autograph copies of her book.
A crowd began to gather shortly before 2 p.m. when the event was scheduled to start. Fans were able to speak individually with Compton as well as briefly listen to the author en masse.
Fans, like Julie Huff, waited anxiously to meet Compton. “I’ve been dying to meet her,” Huff said. She elaborated, explaining that she had been sick all week, but struggled out of bed because she did not want to miss the opportunity to meet one of her favorite authors.
Kim Allen, who was on vacation from Virginia said of Compton, “She was really down to Earth.” Allen added, “She signed two for me.” She held up two copies of Compton’s novel.
Copies of "Rescuing Olivia" could be seen clutched in the hands of dozens of other patrons as well. Compton’s name could be heard in the context of idle chatter throughout the store.
On her web site she writes that she originally intended to earn a degree in journalism, but opted to go to law school instead. Her passion for writing, however, could not be quelled forever, and she has since had two of her works published.
“I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri,” said Compton. St. Louis is the setting of her first novel "Tell No Lies". She later moved from Missouri making stops in Boston, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, and finally Orlando, Florida. Her latest novel has pieces of life imitating art as well. "Rescuing Olivia", the tale of a biker who sets out to solve the mysterious disappearance of the woman he loves, is set in Florida where Compton currently resides.
For more information on this author and to find out where she will be appearing next, you can visit her website at: http://www.julie-compton.com/.
