Article and Interview by Elise Cooper
The Gathering Table by Kathryn Springer would be great for a Hallmark movie. The characters and the plot are relatable to anyone who has struggled with betrayal. Despite the many bumps along the way, the characters end up having hope after reinventing themselves. Readers realize how new friendships can help with overcoming past secrets.
Meet Jessica Keaton, who was unjustly fired from her job and accused falsely of improprieties. She decided to start anew by accepting a job offer to be a live-in cook and housekeeper for Elaine Haviland. Elaine had fallen, sent to rehab, and while there had a stroke. With Elaine recovering, Jess has her house to herself. While settling in, Jess is bombarded with Elaine’s friends and neighbors. Sienna Bloom is a girl who uses Elaine’s piano to practice for a recital where she can win a scholarship, but also uses the living room couch to sleep. Besides Elaine, it seems that Jess has a lot in common with Sienna regarding secrets and a past life. It is almost like they are The Three Musketeers.
There is also Nick Silva, a neighbor, and the high school coach, who takes an interest in Jess. Although attracted to each other Jess has built walls, which must be torn down. Another character helping Jess realize she no longer wants to be a loner is Christopher Benjamin Gardner, a young man who stutters, has a light case of Down Syndrome, and has become Jess’s sous chef. Jess allows him to venture out and realize he can have a job. His mother Nita, along with her friends, Peg and Marri, nicknamed the Scrappy Ladies, feel the need to protect Jess even though they are busy bodies. All these people, including Elaine who has returned home, help Jess to navigate the feeling of comradeship and family. Realizing she no longer needs to rely on herself she accepts the warmth and caring ways of those around her.
Elaine has also found romance with Matthew Jeffries, a former military Chaplain, who visited Elaine in rehab where they both realize someone in their fifties can find a relationship.
This story leaves a sweet taste in readers’ mouths. The characters are strong people with good values and are very caring. Anyone who wants a feel-good story should read a Kathryn Springer book. These are the type of friends everyone needs.
Elise Cooper: Why did you make Jess, the main character, a chef?
Kathryn Springer: I have this secret dream of wanting to own a restaurant, something I will never do. If I can’t realize my dream, then my characters can. I was also inspired about what happens when people gather around the table together, to hear shared conversations and stories.
EC: What is the role of cooking?
KS: Food is an icebreaker and brings people comfort. It brings people together. They have shared traditions and dinners have attachment to memories. It helps people bond. It helped Jess escape just as the piano helped Sienna escape.
EC: Community is important in this book?
KS: It was like a second family. Jess realizes that there are people out there for her and she is not alone.
EC: How would you describe Jess?
KS: She came from the wrong side of the tracks who had to overcome those unkind to her. She became isolated and a loner. By moving to Winsome Lake, Wisconsin, she reinvents herself and becomes successful. She wants to belong and be accepted for who she is as a person. In the beginning she was distrustful, afraid of failure, but also feisty, strong, sensitive, and kind.
EC: Jess had to overcome people’s cruelness?
KS: There is a character, Libby Tucker, who had to fight off many tribulations in her life. She wrote a diary about being betrayed, and felt her life and career were over. Jess relates to Libby, and is quoted in the book, “She left because it didn’t matter how hard she worked. It didn’t matter that all she wanted was to do the work that she loved. She knew no one would believe her. She knew good things didn’t happen to people like her… Libby’s mistake was thinking she could put the past behind her and start over again.”
EC: One of those characters was Gwyneth Donovan, Jesses former boss who fired her. She seemed to be demanding, difficult to please, and somewhat of a snob?
KS: Jess saw those qualities but also looked on her as a role model. She was the picture of success to Jess. Gwyneth was wealthy, independent, respected, well presented, and had friends in high places.
EC: How would you describe Elaine, Jess, and Sienna?
KS: All wanted to belong, and all have secrets. They did not want to be judged by their past.
EC: How would you describe Elaine?
KS: She is afraid if she is honest, she might lose her friends. She has strength, independence, and is caring.
EC: Why give Elaine a stroke?
KS: It happened to some people I know that were in their mid-fifties. They were in good health and then had a stroke. Some were able to recover.
EC: Nick is the male lead?
KS: He was the small-town high school quarterback who came back home. He has a strong sense of community and family. Overall, a good guy. Because he is now a coach, he has become sensitive to different types of personality. He is also funny and charming.
EC: How about Sienna?
KS: She is broken but wants something more from her life. As the story unfolds, she gains confidence. Jess helped her to trust again. Jess understood her because she was like Sienna at that age.
EC: Christopher was such a great character?
KS: He is tender hearted. I think he added a lot to the story. Jess allowed him to enter her kitchen and life. He is sweet, optimistic, and joyful.
EC: How about Elaine’s love interest, Matthew?
KS: He was not a character who appeared in the synopsis or in my head. He came about as I was writing the scene with Elaine in rehab. I typed the words “knock-knock” and thought who would be there. Matthew walked into the room. Their relationship was unexpected, but why should young characters always get all the romance?
EC: What about your next books?
KS: I am thinking of writing a sequel to this book. There is no contract and of course no release date. I am always thinking how I cannot say good-bye to these characters. They have become my friends over the course of the book. I would love to hear from readers about a second book. They can contact me at https://kathrynspringer.com/contact/. I am also going to self-publish and reissue a women’s fiction that will be out in January as a series of three books. It is the “Staple Hill Café” series make over.
EC: THANK YOU!!
