The Book Trotters met Tuesday evening, March 4 in the Tank Room at Times Ten Cellars in Lakewood to discuss the March book selection, “River of the Arms of God.” 

A first time indulgence for this club was the book’s author attending the meeting and leading the discussion.

Irene Sandell, retired Texas history teacher and author of three historical novels, including “River of the Arms of God” joined the Book Trotters and shared insight from the author’s viewpoint into the book’s characters as they were developed.

The story is of two women trapped by family circumstance and social mores in the harsh Texas frontier.

Sarah, sold by her father, is held captive by and suffered at the hands of Eli in the mid 1800s.  One hundred years later Kate is the wife and emotional prisoner of a rancher in those same Texas plains.

The book was a finalist for the Willa Literary Award honoring outstanding literature featuring women's stories set in the Western United States.

To celebrate Texas—appetizers like “Texas Caviar” and brie from the Brazos Valley Cheese Co. were served along with barbecue sliders.  Dessert was a Texas sheet cake and Bluebell Ice Cream.