BUCYRUS — Former Bucyrus resident and author Kim Ten Eyck Workman, has written and published her second book in a series of three under the pen name KJ Ten Eyck.
She will host a book signing event Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at Barnes and Noble in Mansfield.
Many local residents remember Workman for operating her family’s Bucyrus business, Ten Eyck’s Bridal and Floral Shop and greenhouse.
“I am so excited to continue the story of Stephanotis ‘Steph’ Weatherby,” Workman said.
Her first book, “When It Rains,” was published a year ago and her second book, “Storm Clouds Brewing,” recently hit bookstore shelves.
Workman’s first book came alive when she began writing about her dream house.
“It started off small then I kept adding rooms and thought it would be cool to add a secret room. Then I remembered the underground railroad, which I was always fascinated with, that runs under Bucyrus,” Workman said. “The story just kind of took on a life of its own and it became a book.”
Her current book continues the story of Steph and Hank while they deal with the struggles of maintaining a long-distance relationship as Steph tends to the bed and breakfast she opened. An excerpt from the book reads:
Everything is falling into place as Steph Weatherby’s dream becomes a reality. Steph is ready to open the mansion she inherited in Ohio as a bed and breakfast, but mishaps and a ghost begin to drive business away. Determined to be successful, Steph clings to her dream as she struggles to overcome each obstacle. Hank Dawn is back on the Columbus police force again but has found things have changed. Hank has to adjust to working with a new partner, as well as the demands of his job. Steph and Hank are following their dreams, but can they weather the storms that threaten to tear them apart?
Kim has said that she spent a lot of time writing descriptions for the bridal and floral items at the flower shop located at 1300 N. Sandusky Avenue.
“My great-grandparents had a greenhouse on Route 4 North. It was my grandparents who then built the greenhouse on North Sandusky Avenue,” Workman said.
Workman’s parents took over the business in 1959.
“It was just a greenhouse,” she said. “They were wholesalers and sold retail plants until my grandmother and my father went to floral design school in Chicago.”
The business grew into a flower shop and the bridal part of the store opened in 1975. The business closed in 1998.
In 2002, Workman moved to Waco, Texas, when her husband, Robert Workman, became the minister of a church there.
“I will always love Bucyrus and Ohio. I may live in Texas, but I am forever a Buckeye,” she said.
“When It Rains,” and “Storm Clouds Brewing,” are available at all major bookstores and online.
Kim’s third book, “After the Storm,” will be published later this year.
For more information, visit Workman’s author Facebook page.