Meet Holly Springs author Tamara Ward as she discusses and signs her debut novel, Storm Surge, a light, fast-paced mystery. The event will be held May 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Holly Springs Library off W. Ballentine St. A raffle to win a copy of Ward’s book will be held at the event.

“It’s an honor and a pleasure to be invited to the Holly Springs Library for this event,” Ward said. “I’m looking forward to it, and to meeting readers.

Ward began writing the mystery shortly after resigning from her full-time career to become a stay-at-home mom.

“I needed a break from the baby, and writing this novel not only gave me that escape but created a source of joy and entertainment for me,” Ward said. “Plus, writing has always been one of my passions, and being able to devote some of my time to something I enjoy so much and then having a publisher take my manuscript and turn it into a book – I still feel ecstatic.”

Storm Surge was released by Peak City Publishing in April. The novel follows fledgling reporter Jonie Waters who, on her first news assignment at her new job, discovers her girlhood friend’s body.

Defeating odds and ignoring well-meant advice is her specialty, so nothing can dissuade Jonie from setting out to find the murderer. Though Jonie attracts the suspicions of local police as she finds herself in the middle of other related crimes, she continues her investigation, risking her job, tentative family ties, and the chance of romance with the alluring lead investigator. Storm Surge follows Jonie through cat fights, vandalized laboratories, and klutzy mishaps in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Ward’s novel has been compared to other cozy mystery novels. Sue Levitt, a library assistant with the Holly Springs Library in a review of the book said Storm Surge is “a must read for Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum fans.”

“If you like your mysteries cozy, you’ll love Tamara Ward’s fun, keep-ya-guessing debut novel, Storm Surge,” she said.

Books will be available for purchase at the event. Books also are sold at All Booked Up in Apex, on the bookseller’s website at www.allbookedupsalemstreet.com, and on Amazon. A Kindle version is available for sale on Amazon.

Ward also covers the town council meetings for the Holly Springs Sun.

No registration is required for the event. For more information, call the library at (919) 577-1660.