Give a warm welcome to Abigail Drake, author of The Enchanted Garden Cafe, just released May 1, 2018. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Abigail and The Enchanted Garden Cafe, Book one of the South Side Stories. Psst… Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. What inspired this particular story? My youngest son is a singer. He was once invited to perform at an acoustic night being held in a smoothie bar in an area of Pittsburgh called the South Side. A funky little place called “The Enchanted Garden,” it was basically an old house that had been converted into a shop and smoothie bar. A small garden containing a few benches and plants, was located in the back, hence the name. It has since closed, and I only spent a few hours in this place, but as soon as I stepped inside, the wheels started turning in my head. I could imagine the characters so clearly, and felt compelled to tell their story. Several are based on actual people I met that night at the smoothie bar. Others were inspired by people I met at various places and times in my life, and some have elements of people I consider to be close personal friends. The location was pivotal, however, so much so that I feel it’s kind of a character in my book. Continue Reading →