Local author heralds the release of second ‘Woodbridge' offering

The early premise of Lon Leatherland's first book, "A Town Called Woodbridge," came to him in a dream one night featuring an old mountain storyteller. In the dream, the man "weaving a yarn" was named Arlee Taylor.

Leatherland chose to start his first book, set in the fictional town of Woodbridge, while Arlee was yet an elementary-school student.

After that book had success on a scale that was not anticipated by the Alleghany author, a second was bound to follow. Catching up on the story where it left off, "Woodbridge Revisited" is much shorter than the first offering, which spanned 365 pages. The newest offering is about 144 pages in a smaller format.

"I started writing it in November of 2002 and had it all finished by May of 2003," Leatherland said. He trimmed about eight pages of outtakes, including a section involving building a hot rod that he felt was off the mark.

Even though Leatherland is excited about the second installment, he still suggests that anyone interested in his work begin with the first novel.

"Although it shouldn't be read first, it is a stand-alone book," he said. "I read it again myself last week and enjoyed it even though I knew what was coming.

"This one ties up all the loose ends," he added. "It takes Arlee another six or eight years into his future and grows Sally and Robbie." Leatherland said he feels the second book is a "fun read."

"The folks who have read it have enjoyed it," he said. "This one has some comical surprises in it."

While Woodbridge is a fictional town full of fictional characters, The cover of Alleghany author Lon Leatherland's new book features fictional character Arlee Taylor's childhood cabin home.

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