MADISON – Catherine Knowles was motivated to write her book, “The Doughnut Tree,” after discovering that an African American man was lynched on her property in 1916.

“I decided to do research to find the story,” Knowles said.

The plot of “The Doughnut Tree” follows two main characters, Percy Taylor and Molly Teal, “as they both struggle through a journey of life’s twists and turns that ultimately brings them together,” she said.

“The Doughnut Tree” is Knowles’ first book. Currently, she is writing a prequel to this work about the notorious Madam Mollie Teal.

“When I reach a writer’s block, I take my two dogs for a walk in the woods to a sacred place with the real doughnut tree,” she said. “It’s my private sanctuary for reflection and meditation.”

Knowles has lived in Madison County since she was six years old. Her family moved from Fayetteville, Tenn. After school, she chose a career path in the airline industry and worked for United Airlines as a customer service representative.

Today, Knowles is a full-time writer, storyteller and public speaker.

“Forest Knowles is my husband, who ran a very successful architectural firm,” she said. “He is now a full-time real estate agent/broker and land developer.”

In her free time, Catherine Knowles devotes time to exercise, boating and enjoying the outdoors with her two dogs, Sugar and Hans.

For more information, call 256-656-2364, email cathyknowles@comcast.net or visit thedoughnuttree.net, Facebook/thedoughnuttree, Facebook/Catherine L. Knowles, Instagram @thedoughnuttree or witter @thedoughnuttree.