Join us at Page & Palette for Signing Saturday! On Saturday, January 24th at 1PM, Joy Rancatore will be here with her book, Animal Vignettes. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine as you visit Joy's table. We hope to see you there!

Animal Vignettes: Trues Stories of Friendship

Feel the pawprints on your heart as you read stories of gassy puppies, feral chickens and kittens in overcoats conducting life lessons on friendship and perseverance. In Animal Vignettes: True Stories of Friendship, award-winning indie author Joy E. Rancatore honors the pets that have made her a better human. This collection of animal tales celebrates the bond between animals and people with candor, humor, soul and heart. From her earliest maybe-memory of a kitten in a stroller to the pets flanking her as she drafted these vignettes, the author acknowledges the role animals have played in her emotional development. Reminiscent of Reader’s Digest essays and James Herriot’s country vet books, each narrative showcases the power of faith and the empathy produced from bonds with pets. Animal Vignettes is founded on gratitude for friendship. The loss of one of the author’s dearest friends led to this book’s creation as a catalyst for comfort during grief and of connection with others. Because of their heart-core foundation, these tales are best shared with friends—human and animal. With its relatable and sensory recollections of dogs, cats, fish, chickens, hamsters, ponies, horses and more, Animal Vignettes will inspire readers to reflect on their own transformational moments with animals—furry, feathered or finned.

Joy Rancatore

Legacy and identity, founded on hope-filled faith, infuse the tales of the soul written from the heart of Joy E. Rancatore. An award-winning, multi-genre Indie Author, Joy believes extraordinary things await her characters and their tales. She lives in Southeast Louisiana with her loving husband and their two children, where she is guarded and snuggled by a furry entourage of animals.

Meet Dawn Gorsuch on Saturday, January 17th at Page & Palette! 

Stop by between 1-3PM to grab a coffee or a glass of wine and get a copy of Nana’s Magical Garden signed. Come chat with the author and discover your next great read!

Nana’s Magical Garden

Written + Illustrated by Dawn S. Gorsuch

Step into Nana’s Magical Garden… Come along with a curious child as she leads you through her Nana’s enchanting backyard. Each page bursts with hand-drawn illustrations of blooming flowers, busy bees, and fluttering butterflies—alongside delightful surprises like fairy gardens, painted rocks, and other hidden wonders.

But that’s not all—Nana’s fairies love to play hide-and-seek! Can you spot a hidden fairy on every page?

Both a gentle exploration of nature and a whimsical treasure hunt, Nana’s Magical Garden invites children and grown-ups alike to discover the beauty, magic, and imagination that can flourish between a special adult and a child.

Join us at Page & Palette for Signing Saturday! On January 10th at 1PM, Joe Cuhaj will be here with his book, Notable Women of Alabama. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine as you visit Joe's table. We hope to see you there!

Notable Women of Alabama

Notable Women of Alabama showcases the unique journeys and challenges of 50 women who made cultural and societal changes not only in Alabama, but the nation and the world as well.

Women in Alabama have made an outsized contribution to both the state and the nation. Before Rosa Parks, fifteen-year old Claudette Colvin challenged segregation laws on a bus in Montgomery. Georgia Gilmore used her cooking skills to empower and support protestors during the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. Singer “Big Mama” Thornton became the bridge between rock ‘n roll and the blues. After being crowned Miss America in 1951, the “Basque Spitfire” Yolande Betbeze took a defiant stand for women, forcing changes in the pageant industry. Author Joe Cuhaj profiles the unique journeys, challenges and triumphs of these and many more women who have helped shape the cultural and social landscape of not only Alabama but the world as well.

Joe Cuhaj

Local author Joe Cuhaj is the author of 20 books including 13 guides to hiking, paddling, and camping in Alabama and the Gulf Coast, and seven nonfiction history titles including Mobile and Baldwin County-centric titles: Baseball in Mobile, A History Lover’s Guide to Mobile, and Hidden History of Mobile. Joe is currently working on the first book in a cozy mystery series set in a Gulf Coast port city in 1943.

Join us Tuesday, Janaury 6th at 6pm to listen to Gabriella Saab talk about her newest book, The Star Society. This is a ticketed event, each book sale is a ticket and will guarantee a book and a seat in the Book Cellar. You can purchase the ticket here.

The Star Society

Uncover the captivating tale of two extraordinary sisters in The Star Society, a thrilling historical novel that transports readers from the shadows of the Dutch Resistance to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Inspired by the indomitable spirit of Audrey Hepburn, this gripping story follows Ada and Ingrid as they reunite after World War II, embarking on a journey of justice, survival, and secrets amid the backdrop of the Red Scare in Hollywood.

A new name, a new country, and a coveted title as Hollywood's newest rising star: by 1946, actress Ada Worthington-Fox has discarded the life she left in war-torn Arnhem, where she worked for the Dutch resistance before Gestapo imprisonment prompted her to flee after release. But that life is thrust back into the spotlight when Ingrid--the sister she believed dead--shows up on her doorstep.

Politically-minded Ingrid escaped the Nazi invasion of Arnhem and fled to Washinton, D.C. where she became a private investigator. Now, she has been sent to root out communist influences in Hollywood. Her target: Ada Worthington-Fox, the sister she long thought lost to her. Ingrid must hide her true purpose as she shields Ada from sneaky reporters, damaging rumors, and increasing threats, all while fighting to uncover which side her sister is truly on before Ingrid's efforts to help her are too late.

Yet, Ada has her own mission: locating the Gestapo agent who terrorized her hometown and bringing him to justice. But delving into her past would risk alerting the press to a life too personal to expose. As the rising fear of communism threatens everyone, she turns to her sister, believing Ingrid's ties to Washington may be her only hope for success.

But the connections between Ada's elusive Nazi and Ingrid's communist witch hunt might be stronger than they realize. Both sisters share the darkest secret of all, one that risks their very lives if ever exposed. As they come closer to identifying Ada's target and as Ingrid's investigation intensifies, they will need to decide what is more important: justice or safety, keeping silent or taking a stand, and, above all, if their loyalty to one another is worth risking the post-war lives they've fought to build.

Gabriella Saab

Gabriella Saab is an acclaimed author of historical fiction. Her first two novels, The Last Checkmate and Daughters of Victory, have been published in multiple languages and various countries. She graduated from Mississippi State University with a bachelor of business administration in marketing and lives in her hometown in Alabama.

Join us at Page & Palette for First Friday Art Walk! On Friday, January 2nd at 5PM, Tamlin Allbritten, along with the 12 fascinating females featured in the 2026 calendar, will be in Latte Da to sign the FASCINATING FEMALES OF FAIRHOPE. Enjoy a glass of wine as you visit their tables. We hope to see you there!

Every purchase you make directly supports the mission of this nonprofit, ART with a Purpose. The classes, programs, and trainings we do give students the chance to put their thoughts into form and allow the healing process to unfold. Where words can't come easily, the power of ART provides a way through the darkness into the light. 

Tamlin Allbritten

Founder of AWAP, Expressive Art Specialist and Creative Director of this non-profit organization. Tamlin has been an art teacher for over 40 years, she taught for 20 years in public and private school systems, inter city programs and experimental learn through discovery program, The next 20 years of experience was spent with
at-risk individuals teaching youths with addictions, young ladies with eating disorders, veterans and brain injured patients. Tamlin's exposure to teaching in both schools and rehab centers has laid the ground work for this at-risk curriculum. 

Meet Martie Duncan on Sunday, December 14th at Page & Palette! 

Stop by between 1-3PM to grab a coffee or a glass of wine and get a copy of Alabama 100 signed. Come chat with the author and discover your next great recipe!

TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT.

Copies of THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER are available for purchase with a signed bookplate at Page & Palette!

On SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13th at 10AM the acclaimed bestselling author and illustrator of holiday favorites like The Mitten and The Snowy Nap will visit Page & Palette to sign and discuss a new classic, THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER.

Drawing inspiration from the Ancient Greek myth of Ariadne, THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER weaves a heartwarming tale of an adventurous boy and an adorable pug in a Christmas sweater who saves the day.

TICKETS

This is a ticketed event - one purchase of THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER per family is required for admittance. Visit the following link to purchase: https://www.pageandpalette.com/tickets/the-christmas-sweater-ticket-pre-order-dn672

EVENT DETAILS

Before the book signing Jan Brett will do a 20-30 minute drawing demonstration and presentation.

Page & Palette will have extra copies of THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER and select backlist on-sale at the event.

Arrive early! The first 100 families in line will receive a free signed Jan Brett poster.

Jan will do her very best to sign all of the books that time permits. The number of books that Jan can sign per family depends on how many people come to the signing. If time does not permit Jan to sign every book, Page & Palette will have special signed bookplates featuring Jan’s full-color artwork for all of the extra books.

TOUR BUS

Jan’s tour bus will be parked in on De La Mare at 9AM. It’s wrapped in artwork from The Christmas Sweater. You’re welcome to take a photo next to the bus.

MEET HEDGIE

Hedgie, Jan’s favorite friend from The Mitten and The Hat, will be visiting as well. Please bring the kids to have a photo taken with Hedgie!

FAQ:

1) Can I bring books from home for Jan Brett to sign?

-Usually, the expected attendance at events does not allow for books from home to be signed.

However, we are happy to provide as many signed bookplates as you need.

2) Can I have multiple copies of The Christmas Sweater signed at my turn in line?

-Crowd size dictates how many books can be signed per family. Often this only allows one book per family however, we encourage you to make strategic signing line plans with friends. Of course, we have signed bookplates for the rest of your purchases.

3) I can’t wait in the line. What do I do?

-We have beautifully designed signed Jan Brett bookplates for anyone who purchases a book but is not able to join the line.

4) Can I order a book to be signed even if I don’t attend the event?

-Crowd size will determine whether there’s time for Jan to sign pre-ordered books for customers who cannot attend. If we run out out of time, the remaining pre-ordered books will receive a signed book plate. 

We look forward to forward to seeing you at this special event!

ABOUT JAN BRETT

Author of over 40 picture books with over 44 million in print, Jan Brett is renowned for
her exquisite art which is universally recognized as being among the finest in children’s books today. Her detailed and iconic illustrations are often inspired by her many globe-trotting adventures, whether it be to India, Botswana, Japan, or Alaska. Jan Brett’s work has been chosen as “Best Children’s Books of the Year” by The New Yorker, Parents, Redbook, and others, and she has been featured in publications like Romper, The Boston Globe, Travel + Leisure, The Los Angeles Times and more.

Join us at Page & Palette to meet Author Benjie Nall! On Sunday, December 7th at 1pm, Benjie will be here with his book, 26 Days of Christmas. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine as you visit Benjie's table. We hope to see you there!

26 Days of Christmas

This book uses the alphabet to tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. For instance, A is for angels. B is for Bethlehem. M is for Magi.

Check out the book’s trailer here!

Benjie Nall

I was born in Andalusia, Alabama where I spent my early childhood. I have lived in the south my entire life including Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. I attended Esacabia County Jr/Sr high school from 1966-70. I graduated from Jupiter High School in Jupiter, Florida in 1972. I attended Alabama Christian College and Harding University earning degrees in Bible, Psychology and Physical Education. I served as a youth and education minister in Lafayette, Louisiana and Bellevue, Tennessee. Since 1989 I have lived in Montgomery, Alabama operating an HVAC air duct cleaning business which I own. I have also taught Bible at Faulkner University in the Adult-Evening program. I have been married since 1979 to Kim Petrey Nall. We have four children and six grandchildren. Kim and I are members of the Vaughn Park Church of Christ where we teach Bible classes and I currently serve as one of the elders.

Join us for storytime on Wednesday, December 3rd at 10am to listen to Ms. Paula read MERRY GRINCHMAS, BABY!

Mark your calendar for STAFF PICK’S FOR SANTA’S LIST at Page & Palette!

On TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2nd at 6PM, you’re invited to an open house with our booksellers! While we mingle and celebrate the season, we’ll share books we think make the perfect gifts for everyone on your list. We’ll even have a handful of our favorites wrapped and ready to go under the tree!

It’s going to be a fun, festive evening you don’t want to miss!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kate Hendrickson is a writer and storyteller with a background in journalism and a degree in Mass Communication. Known in her local community for contributing to blogs and magazines, she has always had a passion for writing.

After years in the corporate consulting world, she stepped away to pursue her dream of writing a romantic comedy. You’ll still find her in the consulting space, but her favorite work is creating stories filled with heart and humor. She lives in the Florida Panhandle with her husband and their two sons.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Ali Crawford is the queen of Christmas — a type-A mom with color-coded lists, perfectly wrapped gifts, and a spreadsheet for every holiday detail. Her husband Tommy? He prefers cookies over checklists and believes “winging it” is a holiday strategy.

When the stress of the season reaches a breaking point, Ali and Tommy make a bold move: they switch roles for the holidays. She tackles tall ladders and tangled lights. He signs up for Santa duty. Neither of them are ready for what comes next.

As holiday plans go sideways and missed traditions pile up, the couple must decide what matters most. Can they salvage the season—and their sanity—before Christmas morning?

Join us at Page & Palette for Open House! On Sunday, November 23rd at 2PM, Leslie Anne Tarabella and Morgan Cunningham will be here signing their book. Enjoy a cup of coffee as you visit their table. We hope to see you there!

Join us at Page & Palette for Open House! On Sunday, November 23rd at 11AM, Alan Samry and JD Crowe will be here signing their books and 2026 calendar. Enjoy a cup of coffee as you visit their table. We hope to see you there!

Join us for an Author Storytime and Character Event with THE ELF ON THE SHELF SANTAVERSE!

On Saturday, November 22th at 10AM, Chanda Bell, beloved creator and bestselling author of the iconic holiday brand The Elf on the Shelf, will share her enchanting middle grade novel, THE RISE OF NICHOLAS THE NOBLE.

To help with storytime, The Elf on the Shelf Scout Elf mascot will visit! Guests are invited to enjoy yummy treats, holiday crafts and take pictures with everyone’s favorite elf!

Readers young and old will be captivated by THE RISE OF NICHOLAS THE NOBLE, an epic holiday adventure filled with elves, gnomes, ice trolls, and shape-shifting villains! Discover the marvelous origins of young Saint Nick and the magical creatures of One True North as they battle to save the Lumistella Stone and the spirit of Christmas.

This is a ticketed event - one purchase of THE RISE OF NICHOLAS THE NOBLE per family is required for admittance and picture with Elf on the Shelf. For tickets, click here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Chanda Bell was once a beloved middle school English teacher. Now she is the visionary founder and co-CEO of The Lumistella Company, home to the international phenomenon The Elf on the Shelf. As the author of The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition and other books from the Santaverse brand, she is often referred to as “Santa’s Chief Storyteller." Chanda has brought Santa’s world to life with a Netflix partnership, a traveling holiday musical, and the Elf on the Shelf brand Scout Elf character balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Today, more than 25 million homes have embraced her magical Christmas characters. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her family.

“In the Heart of Dixie, some things are better left unsaid”

The Education of Asa Paxton: Coming of Age in the Heart of Dixie offers an historic view of rural life in the 1930s South through the eyes of young adults – the self-proclaimed “Misfit Clique” – who suffer through puberty's awkward, embarrassing, and sometimes humorous moments. Asa emerges at seventeen a handsome young man, still an outcast because of the company his family keeps. Secrets soon collide with the force of a tornado, threatening to tear families apart and send the innocent to prison – or worse.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After living in Ankara, Turkey, and Pittsburgh, Gary S. Minder landed in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at the beginning of school desegregation. He is one of nearly six hundred graduates from the powerhouse melting pot of Central High School. Over the years he has called Chicago, Boston, Seattle, and Portland home before returning to Tuscaloosa in 2006.The Education of Asa Paxton is Gary S. Minder's debut novel and the first installment of the Haint Blue Series.

PRAISE

“Gary Minder is a fine storyteller and a sensitive student of the human condition. This is as powerful a debut novel as you are likely to read, written with a deep sense of character and place. Bravo!”

—Frye Gaillard, author of Go South to Freedom and co-author of The Southernization of America: A Story of Democracy in the Balance

“‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ is good advice to remember when it comes to The Education of Asa Paxton. What looks like a sweet coming-of-age historical novel is laced with enough Southern Gothic atmosphere to make William Faulkner proud. ...Humor goes a long way in balancing the experience of a heavier read, and Gary S. Minder strikes a harmonious chord with the sprinkling of jokes amid the serious social issues.”

–Carrie Dalby, Alabama Writers’ Forum

Join us at Page & Palette for an author signing on Saturday, November 15th! Logan Ryles will be here with his book, Line of Fire. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine as you visit Logan's table. We hope to see you there!

LINE OF FIRE

Betrayed. Hunted. Driven by duty.

Born into a legacy of heroes, Ian Hale ascended from the 75th Ranger Regiment to Delta Force, dedicating his life to the cause of freedom. But when a Black Hawk crash ends his military career, he is left searching for purpose—until Sentinel offers him a fresh start. A private military firm known for its high-stakes operations, Sentinel promises danger and noble causes, the perfect match for his skillset. Or so it seems.

Hale’s latest mission is simple: rescue a kidnapped business executive from South Sudan. But when his team is ambushed and slaughtered, leaving Hale as the sole survivor, he’s forced to confront the truth—he’s been set up. Someone wants his team dead, and they’ll stop at nothing to finish the job.

Now, Hale is a man on the run, hunted by enemies who underestimate his resolve. With only his loyal handler, Laney Shaw, to trust, he launches a one-man war for the truth, uncovering a conspiracy that traces back to the very heart of the nation he so loves. 

But Ian Hale was born for this fight, and surrender isn’t an option. It never was.

LOGAN RYLES

Logan Ryles was born in small-town USA and knew from an early age he wanted to be a writer. After working as a pizza delivery driver, sawmill operator, and banker, he finally embraced the dream and has been writing ever since. With a passion for action-packed and mystery-laced stories, Logan’s work has ranged from global-scale political thrillers to small-town vigilante hero fiction.

Beyond writing, Logan enjoys saltwater fishing, road trips, sports, and fast cars. He’s married to crime thriller writer Annie Harlow, and together with their two fun-loving dogs they enjoy a happy life of crafting suspense and mayhem from their coastal Alabama home.

You can contact Logan directly using the button below! He loves to hear from readers.

Join us on Tuesday, November 11th at 4pm to celebrate the new release of DOG MAN: BIG JIM BELIEVES with Dog Man himself!

This will be a ticketed event, a book purchase is required to join our Release Party and meet Dog Man. You can purchase tickets here and pick up your ticket and book on the release date, November 11th.

Join us at Page & Palette for Sharon Durham’s signing! On Sunday, November 18th at 1PM, Sharon Durham will be here with her book, Phillip Must Hush! Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine as you visit Sharon's table. We hope to see you there!

PHILLIP MUST HUSH

Phillip is a funny little bird who goes everywhere with his friend, Sofia, in her backpack. He is always ready for his next big adventure, but his mischievous behavior and inability to understand rules and situations, seem to consistently land him in unforeseen trouble! Phillip finds himself at the Library, where instead of his normal playground antics, he must sit still and not make any noise! The Librarian, Mrs. Shhh, has rules that must be followed, and when Phillip disobeys the signs to "Be Quiet and Shush", he finds himself in BIG trouble! "Phillip Must Hush" is a cute lesson on rule following, owning up to your mistakes and, in the end, missing someone you love when you are alone and ready for an adventure gone wrong to end.  The young reader will enjoy Phillip's funny, playful personality in this rhyming book as well as the ability to engage with the storyline by getting to tell Phillip he must "SHHH" through the use of a cute, repetitive refrain page throughout the story.  "Phillip Must Hush" is the first book in the series, "Phillip's Backpack Adventures".  Watch for Phillip's next big adventure coming soon!

SHARON DURHAM

Sharon is a children's book author living in Fairhope, Alabama, with her husband Robert. She is a member of the Author's Guild. She has just published her first book, "Phillip Must Hush", which is part of the series, Phillip's Backpack Adventures. Sharon anticipates the release of her second book later this year. She graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in Business Administration. Most of her early life was spent with careers in insurance and accounting, and later she launched a long-time career in both residential and commercial real estate. Sharon still holds and active real estate license and is a member of the National Association of Realtors. She enjoys writing, traveling, spending time with her large family of children and grandchildren, volunteering through her church and community, as well as devoting time as an advocate for Compassion International where she is a sponsor for children in need.

Join us at Page & Palette for First Friday Art Walk! On Friday, November 7th, from 5PM, Vicki Armitage will be here with her book, Steering Currents, as well as the newest Chicken Soup for the Soul: Pets,Pets, Pets! Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine as you visit Vicki's table. We hope to see you there!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Pets, Pets, Pets

So many pets! Furry, feathered, scaly... flying, walking, swimming, slithering... indoor, outdoor... tame, wild... tiny, gigantic. They're all inside these pages.

Readers of all ages will love these 101 true, entertaining stories. They celebrate the laughter, love and lessons that animals bring into our lives, and the incredible bond between people and their pets. Pets provide us with companionship, comfort, understanding, and then there are those times when we sit back and laugh at their quirky personalities. They also make us the best versions of ourselves.

Whether you're a proud pet owner or simply an animal lover, these humorous and heartwarming tales will reaffirm the deep emotional connection we share with our beloved pets and the lasting impact they have on our lives.

Chicken Soup for the Soul books are 100% made in the USA and include stories from as diverse a group of writers as possible.

Vicki Armitage

Vicki Armitage of Fairhope, Alabama is one of 101 worldwide authors selected for Chicken Soup for the Soul's Pets, Pets, Pets edition.

Vicki is the author of Steering Currents, a Memoir. She attended Harvard Business School, was a featured guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show, was selected and attended Aspen Words literary festival multiple times.

Join us at Page & Palette on Sunday, November 2nd at 1PM to meet Jane and Michael Frederick with their book, Contemporary Southern Vernacular. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine as you visit Jane and Michael’s table. We hope to see you there!

CONTEMPORARY SOUTHERN VERNACULAR: CREATING SUSTAINABLE HOUSES FOR HOT, HUMID CLIMATES

More and more people are flocking to the warm, sunny states of the American South, but the hot, humid climate presents a unique set of challenges to those building or renovating a home. Fortunately, veteran architects Jane and Michael Frederick are sharing the knowledge they’ve accumulated through nearly four decades of designing homes in the Coastal South, offering accessible guidance to anyone looking to create their dream home.

This guide will allow readers to:

• Explore how the unique characteristics of Southern vernacular houses were incorporated into seven different building forms—Single House, Creole Cottage, I-House, Shotgun, Beaufort Freedman’s Cottage, T-House, and the Dogtrot—and how these forms inform contemporary design;

• Discover how the precepts of Southern vernacular architecture—refined over generations to respond to the local climate, materials, and context—offer time-tested direction for guarding againstmold and rot, minimizing hurricane damage, reducing energy consumption, and overcoming other challen ges of creating residential buildings in the South;

• Identify how using the vernacular concepts gives a project a head start on sustainability;

• Learn from nine sustainable, resilient residential case studies, complete with photographs and design sketches; and

• Become equipped to have thoughtful, knowledgeable discussions with designers, architects, and builders on detailing a sustainable, resilient house. Believing that well-designed homes create happier, healthier lives, the Fredericks show how great home design not only honors the needs of the homeowners but also connects them to the land and its history. They provide the clear advice and guidelines needed for creating resilient, sustainable Southern homes that will last a lifetime (and beyond).

Jane and Michael Frederick have run their architectural firm, Frederick + Frederick Architects in Beaufort, South Carolina, for more than thirty-five years, focusing exclusively on how the Southern vernacular traditions can merge with the latest technology for optimal building in hot, humid climates. They’ve won numerous awards for their residential designs and have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Southern Living, Garden &; Gun, and This Old House, among many other media outlets.

JANE FREDERICK

Jane Frederick, FAIA, was the 2020 president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). In 2023, Jane was awarded the AIA South Carolina Medal of Distinction, the highest award given by the chapter. Jane holds a bachelor of architecture from Auburn University and is a LEED- accredited professional. She is also a fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. She has been featured in Madam Architect and has written extensively on sustainability, resiliency, and building in hot, humid climates in such publications as Architect, the Statehouse Report, the Beaufort Gazette, and South Carolina Architecture. Jane is also an international speaker and has been a keynote speaker at the AIA conferences.

MICHAEL FREDERICK

Michael Frederick, AIA designs AIA award-winning custom residences that provide lasting value and truly celebrate the region’s architectural and natural heritage. Knowledge of historical and vernacular architecture coupled with a keen ability to combine timeless architectural truths with current advancements ensures Michael’s designs always exceed client expectations. Michael holds a bachelor of architecture from Auburn University. He is a member of the AIA and is both an LEED- accredited professional and a Living Future– accredited professional.

Join us at Page & Palette for Signing Saturday! On Saturday, October 25th at 1PM, Cherith Fluker will be here with her book, Secret Birmingham. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine as you visit Cherith's table. We hope to see you there!

SECRET BIRMINGHAM: A GUIDE TO THE WEIRD, WONDERFUL, AND OBSCURE

Grab your curiosity and get ready to uncover Birmingham’s best-kept secrets. In Secret Birmingham, local writer Cherith Fluker leads you from the ordinary path to explore the surprising stories that make the Magic City unforgettable.

Birmingham’s civil rights history is powerful and well-known, and there are so many more tales waiting to be discovered. Did you know the city is the birthplace of Veterans Day? Or that it’s home to Vulcan, the world’s largest cast-iron statue, proudly watching over the city?

You’ll wander past the Heaviest Corner on Earth; explore a peaceful Japanese Garden honoring Birmingham’s sister city, Hitachi, Japan; and learn about the city’s sky-high dreams of a dirigible docking station. There’s even a sculpture honoring Frank Stitt, Birmingham’s own James Beard Award–winning chef, who helped put the city on the culinary map.

From quirky landmarks to rich cultural connections, Secret Birmingham is your guide to the unexpected side of this booming Southern city. Locals and first-time visitors will discover new reasons to fall in love with Birmingham’s charm, history, and hidden treasures.

Adventure awaits, and this book is your compass.

CHERITH FLUKER

Cherith Glover Fluker is an Alabama-based writer and blogger with a deep-rooted connection to Birmingham’s culture and community. While she has built a career in education, she balances it with her passion for writing. She regularly pens stories for her blog, WhatCherithInks, and has also written for LakeLife 24/7 Magazine; Chicken Soup for the Soul; Food, Wine & Travel Magazine; and Motherly. Cherith is married with two young adult children.

Join us at Page & Palette on Saturday, October 18th at 10AM for Michael’s Shoemakers signing with his book, Sacred Strains of Praise. Enjoy a cup of coffee as you visit Mark's table. We hope to see you there!

SACRED STRAINS OF PRAISE

In this busy, fast-paced, complex, and oftentimes troubled existence, our experiences can make us cynical, discouraged, and even unbelieving, making it easy for our connection with God and His Son, Jesus Christ to wane. Sacred Strains of Praise is a collection of spiritual poetry and beautiful photography that not only helps the reader find or restore our association with God and yoke us with Christ, but through reading examples of how others glorify God and praise Jesus, we too will find the desire to worship the divine. Indeed, this collection contains the stories, psalms, and celebrations of our lives that honor God and reverence Jesus. Join the authors, Michael Parker and Michael Shoemaker, on an odyssey as they search for God, dictate the experiences of life's journey, and discover Jesus through personal and others' spiritual experiences. Within these pages, you will find yourselves transported, touched, enriched, and inspired.

MICHAEL SHOEMAKER

Winner of the Utah State Poetry Society's Book of the Year Award in 2021, Michael Parker’s poems and book reviews have appeared in magazines worldwide.

Poet and photographer Michael Shoemaker received a Living Waters Award in Poetry at Blue Lake Christian Writer’s Conference and is a three-time nominee to the Best of the Net Anthology Awards.

Join us at Page & Palette for Signing Saturday! On Saturday, October 11th at 1PM, Hollie Luckie will be here with her book, Searching for Sunshine. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine as you visit Hollie's table. We hope to see you there!

SEARCHING FOR SUNSHINE

You know what they say— when everything’s falling apart, move to the beach and marry the grumpy boat captain you haven’t seen in over a decade. After losing both my teaching job in the city and my grandmother, I feel like I have no idea what to do with my life. If that isn’t bad enough, I just found out my grandmother left me with one more challenge— the only way I can take over the hotel where I spent every summer growing up is by finding a husband for the next year. I’m devastated, but when Wyatt Robinson finds me crying in my car, he proposes a solution I don’t know how to say no to. It’s been less than twenty-four hours since I arrived back in Crestbrook Cove, and suddenly I’m married to a man who definitely has gotten a lot hotter since the last time I saw him, and I’m now responsible for not one but two failing local businesses. Between organizing epic bachelorette weekends, renovating the High Tide Hideaway Hotel, and giving Wyatt’s charter boat business a much-needed makeover, I’ve got more than enough to keep me busy until next summer. The only problem? The more time I spend with Wyatt, the more I’m convinced that a year with him won’t ever be enough, and I don’t think either of us is ready to admit that this marriage might not be as fake as we planned.

HOLLIE LUCKIE

Hollie Luckie is a small town girl that wholeheartedly believes in happily ever afters. Between teaching and writing romance, she is always getting lost in a fictional world. She resides in Alabama with her high school sweetheart, her dog, and her own farm of quirky farm animals. You can find Hollie on Instagram at @authorhollieluckie or on Goodreads.

Join us October 7th at 6pm for Sean Dietrich’s launch event of Over Yonder. This is a ticketed event, each book sale is a ticket to be allowed into the building and doors will open at 3pm. The ticket does not guarantee a seat at the Book Cellar. Seats will be first come-first serve in the Book Cellar, but seating will be available in Latte Da, along with speakers and TVs throughout the store to view and listen to Sean’s talk.

Blue Mullet - Fairhope, Alabama-based band steeped in traditional, contemporary, and gospel bluegrass - will play before Sean’s event at 4pm.

Over Yonder

It's never too late to find your purpose.

Woody Barker steps out of prison planning to live out his years on his houseboat docked on the Alabama Gulf Coast. As a defrocked priest with a heart condition and an ex-wife who still runs his life, he needs peace and a path to redemption.

Caroline Boyer is seventeen, pregnant, and stuck in a loop of bad choices. At her mother's deathbed, Caroline finds herself at the center of an unexpected plot that has the potential to turn her world upside down. At the funeral, she discovers a father she's never known . . . Whether she likes it or not, her life will never be the same.

Soon Woody, Caroline, and an emotional support goldfish named Gary are on a grand adventure through the Deep South. Chased by the men who are desperate to learn what Caroline's mother told her before she passed away, they use every skill they have as a new family to stay one step ahead of danger. To make it worse, former parishioners of the church that cast Woody out are determined to throw him a welcome home party. As Caroline and Woody look for answers and try to avoid disaster, they also learn how to redefine family, hope, and faith they thought they'd lost.

With dry humor and compassion, beloved writer Sean Dietrich highlights the good of humanity and the light that's always just around the corner.

Sean Dietrich

Sean Dietrich is a columnist, humorist, multi-instrumentalist, and stand-up storyteller known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared on The Today Show and in Newsweek, Southern Living, Garden and Gun and Reader’s Digest. His column appears weekly in newspapers throughout the U.S. He has authored eighteen books and over four thousand columns. He tours his one-man show throughout the U.S., makes appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, hosts the Sean of the South podcast and he’s a really nice guy.

The Book of Outcasts is a short story collection featuring dynamic characters in surreal, often imaginative worlds. The stories run the gamut; in one, the narrator is stripped of his job, his apartment, and his civil liberties for refusing a brain implant; in another, a compulsive gambler is so desperate to repay his debt he robs a casino; in a third, a writer, tormented by a pernicious doppelganger, goes to all lengths to exact revenge. There is also a film festival operator framed for ghastly murder on The French Riviera; a game show host who profits off a deadly pandemic; and a former nightclub comedian who gets abducted by aliens and taken to a planet where cannibalism is the norm.

Several of these stories were previously published. "The Failure" made Best of Across The Margin 2021. "Whose Pandemic Is It Anyway?" was anthologized in The Rabbit Hole Vol 5. Still others were published in literary journals such as The Binnacle, Void Magazine, and New Works Review.

Join us at Page & Palette for October’s First Friday! On Friday, October 3rd at 5PM, Wyatt Waters will be here with his book, The Watercolor Road and 2026 Calendar. Enjoy a glass of wine as you visit Wyatt's table. We hope to see you there!

WYATT WATERS

A prolific painter, renowned watercolorist Wyatt Waters has painted about as long as he has been alive — starting with lessons before he was school-aged until earning a master’s degree in art at Mississippi College, where he received the Belleman award for art and creative writing. In his unrelenting quest of becoming a better painter, Wyatt draws on the influences of masters such as John Singer-Sargent, Edward Hopper, and William Hollingsworth.

Waters works solely on location – preferring the challenges that both plein air and watercolor present. His philosophy is “if it is interesting to see, it can be a painting.” This approach has led to the recent release of The Watercolor Road | Painting and Writing through the American South, as well as the publication of seven very successful books including Another Coat of Paint, Painting Home, An Oxford Sketchbook, and in collaboration with Mississippi restauranteur, Robert St. John, A Southern Palate, Southern Seasons, An Italian Palate, and A Mississippi Palate. Additionally, Wyatt can be found on Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s television series, Palate to Palette, with St. John — a traveling culinary and art series set in Italy and Mississippi.  He has also illustrated covers and interiors for 17 other books through various publishers.

 A recipient of the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, the Mississippi Institute for Arts and Letters (An Oxford Sketchbook), and the Mississippi Library Association’s Special Award (A Southern Palate), Wyatt and his work have been featured in numerous magazines such as Plein Air, American Artist, American Watercolor, and Arts & Antiques.

Ever the teacher, Wyatt conducts workshops throughout the Southeast, as well as in Italy and the Caribbean. He served two years as a faculty member for Plein Air South — an annual gathering of regional plein air organizations and painting groups.

Wyatt has had numerous solo exhibitions at museums such as MS Museum of Art, Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, Meridian Museum of Art, and Jackson Municipal Gallery. His work can be found in both corporate and private collections, including those of two former presidents and several U.S. senators. He also is a past president and founding member of the Mississippi Watercolor Society and has had paintings in the national exhibitions of the National Watercolor Society and the National Society of Painters in Casein and Acrylic.

Open since 1999, Water’s eponymous gallery is located on the brick streets of the Olde Towne business district in Clinton, Mississippi and was recently recognized as Best Gallery in Mississippi by Mississippi Magazine.  The Gallery features the catalogue of his original work and giclée prints. Following Wyatt’s belief that art is for everyone, the Gallery houses a gift shop where a variety of affordable imprinted gift items can be found, including prints, books, stationary, and apparel.

When they are not traveling, Wyatt and his wife, Kristi, reside in Clinton, just around the corner from the Gallery.

Join us at Page & Palette for Signing Saturday! On Saturday, September 27th at 1PM, Beverly E. Thorn will be here with her book, Before I Lose My Own Mind. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine as you visit Beverly's table. We hope to see you there!

BEFORE I LOSE MY OWN MIND: NAVIGATING LIFE AS A DEMENTIA CAREGIVER

In Before I Lose My Own Mind, Thorn - a psychologist and end-of-life doula- provides an honest vision of caregiving that is tender, open-hearted, and genuinely useful. Filled with resources and insights on advance planning, clinical trials, support groups, death with dignity, grief, recovery, and more, this book is a roadmap for all caregivers, whether they're family or friends, spouses or children, professionals or novices.

BEVERLY E. THORN

Beverly E. Thorn, Ph.D., is the author of hundreds of articles, three books and four workbooks on coping with chronic illness. Currently professor emerita, she is a former caregiver for her husband during his dementia, and is also a certified end-of-life doula. She continues to publish, speak, and conduct workshops nationally and internationally on managing chronic illness.

Join us on Thursday, September 25th at 6pm to listen to Ivan Maisel talk about his book, American Coach. Enjoy a glass of wine or a specialty cocktail as you listen to Ivan’s talk. We hope to see you there!

American Coach: The Triumph and Tragedy of Notre Dame Legend Frank Leahy

Award-winning sportswriter Ivan Maisel brings the forgotten legend of Notre Dame head football coach Frank Leahy back to life, based on rare and complete access to Fighting Irish football historical archives and the Leahy family.
 
When Frank Leahy retired from Notre Dame after the 1953 season, he had the second‑best record in the history of the game (107‑13‑9, .864), second only to Knute Rockne, his college coach and mentor. Seven decades later, he still does. Rockne created the image of Notre Dame, then a small Catholic university in a remote town in northern Indiana, as the premier college football program in the nation. But it was Leahy who secured that image, with six undefeated seasons and four national championships in an 11-season span. By achievement alone, Leahy should be as beloved as Rockne, who nearly a century after his tragic death remains a legend. Yet Leahy is virtually forgotten today, in many ways a victim of his own insatiable need to compete and win.

The University of Notre Dame granted Ivan Maisel rare and complete access to its voluminous cache of historical material, and Maisel has the cooperation of Leahy's family, enabling him to tell the rich story of an archetypal coach who was a celebrity in his day. Leahy made the cover of Time magazine and befriended presidents and movie stars alike. Leahy brought innovation to a program reluctant to change anything Rockne had done. But Leahy rankled opposing coaches and clashed with the priests at Notre Dame who sought to make the university as elite in academia as it had become on the field. These conflicts, coupled with the toll that Leahy’s innate drive demanded of his health, brought his career to a premature end, hampering his legacy in the years to come. And what a legacy: only Nick Saban and Bear Bryant have won more national titles. The records of iconic coaches such as Bobby Bowden, Woody Hayes, and Eddie Robinson pale in comparison. Not only the Notre Dame fanbase but all college football fans will be hungry to rediscover a man and an era, the story of how Frank Leahy cemented Notre Dame’s status as the defining program of college football.

Ivan Maisel

Ivan Maisel has covered college football for more than four decades, most prominently at ESPN from 2002-2021, where he wrote for ESPN.com, appeared on television, ESPN Radio and on podcasts. He also served as Editor-at-Large for ESPN College Football 150, the multi-platform history project that in 2019 commemorated the sesquicentennial of the sport. Prior to joining ESPN, Maisel covered national college football for Sports Illustrated, Newsday, and The Dallas Morning News. Most recently, he served as Vice-President, Editorial, and part-owner of On3, a new college football website/app. Maisel left the site in June 2023 to focus on writing books but retains his ownership. He has been honored nine times for Best Story by the Football Writers Association of America, and twice by The Associated Press Sports Editors, which in 2019 named him one of the 10 best sports columnists. He has written five books, including I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye, a memoir of dealing with grief after the death of his son in 2015. Maisel earned a bachelor’s degree in American Studies at Stanford University in 1981.

Join us at Page & Palette for Signing Saturday! On Saturday, September 20th at 1PM, Leila Owens Morris will be here with her book, The Practice Round. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine as you visit Leila's table. We hope to see you there!

THE PRACTICE ROUND: LESSONS, LAUGHTER, AND LIFE’S LITTLE MULLIGANS

"The Practice Round" is a heartwarming and humorous collection of true-life tales and reflections by Leila Owens Morris. Through her love of golf and life’s unexpected lessons, Leila shares stories that celebrate resilience, wit, and the beauty of embracing imperfection. With a sharp sense of humor and a touch of Southern charm, she navigates marriage, family, and everyday mishaps, leaving readers both laughing and inspired. Whether recounting tender moments with her beloved dogs, hilarious escapades on the farm, or poignant lessons learned from her parents, this book invites you to see life as one big practice round—a chance to play, learn, and finish strong. Perfect for fans of heartfelt memoirs and lighthearted wisdom. A slice of life, "The Practice Round" with its mixture of humor and heart, will enliven you.

LEILA OWENS MORRIS

Leila Owens Morris was born and raised in a small town in south Alabama, where her love for nature and the outdoors was nurtured. She took up golf as a youngster, often playing the course with her father and brother and hitting thousands of balls on the practice range. She attended Huntingdon College, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in finance and played tennis for the college. Leila later completed her master’s degree in Business Education at Auburn University, and her career has spanned the diverse fields of auditing, café ownership, and teaching. In her free time, she has continued to work on her golf game and has also enjoyed hiking, bicycling, and kayaking (taking several hiking and biking trips in and outside of the country over the years). Leila is known for her cooking and likes to entertain, often using vegetables from her backyard garden in recipes. Her love of cooking has further combined with her sense of community, as she has prepared meals for the church congregation for years and has a longstanding practice of taking meals to parishioners, friends, and neighbors. Leila additionally enjoys music and has devoted decades to singing in the church choir. Her music room at home is complete with a baby grand piano, flute, guitar, and violins, and she has recently taken up watercolor painting. In light of her creative nature, it was only natural that Leila would eventually be compelled to put to paper the countless and relatable memories and anecdotes of her childhood and beyond that have made an indelible impression on her life.