Book Description
Lanie Sullivan and Isabelle (Belle) Blakely never meet, but the two girls share a fascination for all things Gone With the Wind-especially Belle Watling, a character in the book, and Ona Munson, the actress who portrays Belle in the movie. Lanie meets Ona in 1939, during the three-day movie premiere in Atlanta, Georgia. When Lanie comes between Ona Munson and disaster, Ona rewards her with a gift-a keepsake originally given to the actress by the author of Gone With the Wind herself, Margaret Mitchell. More than sixty years later, as she helps prepare a museum dedicated to Gone With the Wind for its Grand Opening, Belle comes upon letters written to Ona Munson and feels an instant connection to their naive, star-struck author, Lanie Sullivan. As Belle digs deeper into the past through Lanie's letters, her connection grows even stronger- not to mention her curiosity at Lanie's references to a special gift. Margaret Mitchell died in 1949; Ona Munson in 1955. What about Lanie? Belle begins a quest to discover what the gift was, where it is-and what became of Lanie Sullivan. Kathryn Witt's The Secret of the Belles captures the powerful spell Gone With the Wind casts over two young women generations apart. Her writing shows her love for the book and film as well as her careful research. This is a beautiful read, and another amazing tribute to the phenomenon that is Gone With the Wind. -Cammie King Conlon, "Bonnie Blue Butler," Gone With the Wind The Secret of the Belles is a MUST read for any fan of Gone With The Wind. As usual, Kathryn Witt weaves an interesting and suspenseful tale, making us ask along the way, "What is the gift and what did become of Lanie Sullivan?" -Mickey Kuhn, "Beau Wilkes," Gone With the Wind Gone With the Wind fans will love The Secret of the Belles. It is so much fun to read. Kathryn Witt did a wonderful job with the story and characters. Any age will enjoy it, and once I started it, I couldn't put it down. -Sally Tippett Rains, The Making of a Masterpiece, the True Story of Margaret Mitchell and Gone With The Wind
