WHO: Author Kathleen Grissom.

WHAT: Signing "The Kitchen House."

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday.

WHERE: Books & Greetings, 271 Livingston St., Northvale; 201-784-2665 or booksandgreetings.com.

HOW MUCH: Free with purchase of book ($16).

Kathleen Grissom never set out to write a book set in the era of slavery. In fact, she never set out to write a book at all.

Grissom, a native of Canada, was used to writing short stories and poetry and journaling every day. That was how she'd begun her writing career, and the thought of a full-fledged book never came to her until she moved to a farm in Virginia. While researching her new home, she found an old map of the land she now lived on and noticed a notation that read "Negro Hill." She consulted with local historians, who couldn't determine the name's origin but said a tragic event likely happened there.

To continue reading, check out the full story here.