LEXINGTON, Ky., -- The Kentucky Proud Evenings series continues Thursday, Aug. 22, with Lexington novelist Margaret Verble discussing her book of historical fiction, “Cherokee America.” The Fayette County office of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service hosts the free monthly series, which celebrates Kentucky’s rich literary and food culture with author discussions and samples from Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud recipes.

Her own family history inspired Verble to write “Cherokee America,” a Western told from the Native American perspective with a mixed-race woman as protagonist. The author is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. She based her character Sanders Cordery on her great-great grandfather who walked the Trail of Tears. Much of the story takes place on Verble’s family land allotment in the Arkansas River bottoms near Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.

Using humor and an obvious love of storytelling, Verble has added to the standard take on the American frontier, with a perspective that is not the usual Eurocentric view.

No preparation or prior reading is required.

“This promises to be an enjoyable evening for folks who are interested in hearing about the American West through a different viewpoint, or who simply love a good story with heart and humor,” said Diana Doggett, Fayette County family and consumer sciences extension agent.

Kentucky Proud Evenings begin at 6 p.m. at the Fayette County Extension office, 1140 Harry Sykes Way in Lexington.

Make reservations for the event by calling the Fayette County Extension office at 859-257-5582. Verble will also be signing copies of her book, which will be available to buy that evening.

UK Cooperative Extension Service is part of the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, which is dedicated to improving people's lives through excellence in education, research and outreach.