Students enrolled in Sylvia McDonald’s English classes at Central Alabama Community College enjoyed a treat recently when they met local author Gail Joseph Owen. Owen is the author of “Tara and the Place of Irish Kings,” which the students had read as a part of their English 101 course.

The memoir chronicles the life of Tara, the author’s daughter, a young woman who endured a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis, but refused to let the disease have control. Owen fielded questions from the students and followed that with a book signing.

Loni Boothe of Vandiver said that the interaction with the author encouraged her, “Reading ‘Tara and the Place of Irish Kings’ was an inspiration to me. Then to be able to hear Ms. Owen speak about her life with Tara was very moving. As a mother myself, I applaud Ms. Owen for her faith in life,” she said.