Join us Thursday, June 12th at 6PM to listen to our local honorees, Frye Gaillard (2025 Inductee Alabama Writers' Hall of Fame) and Suzanne Hudson (2025 Alabama Truman Capote Prize Winner).

Frye Gaillard

Frye Gaillard, former writer in residence at the University of South Alabama, is a Mobile native and the author of more than 30 books. His award-winning titles include A Hard Rain: America in the 1960s and The Southernization of America, coauthored with Cynthia Tucker. Gaillard is a 2025 inductee into the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame. His latest book, released this spring, is Heroes and Other Mortals: Stories of Our Better Angels. 

Suzanne Hudson

Suzanne Hudson (rps.hudson@gmail.com) is the internationally and nationally prize- winning author of three novels, a “fictional-ish” memoir, two collections of short stories, and the Truman Capote prize collection. Her short fiction and essays have been widely anthologized. She lives near Fairhope, Alabama, at Waterhole Branch Productions, with her husband, author Joe Formichella.

Join us Wednesday, June 11th to hear Audrey Ingram talk about her newest book, The Summer We Ran. The book is available for pre-sales and will come out on Tuesday, June 3rd! This is a ticketed event, each book sale is a ticket and will guarantee a seat in the Book Cellar.

Purchase the ticket here.

THE SUMMER WE RAN

Does your past define your destiny? Told through multiple perspectives, rich with emotion and immersive dual timelines, The Summer We Ran weaves together a story of lost love, devastating secrets, shocking sabotage, and the painstaking decision two people must make in order to fulfill the futures they each desire.

In the summer of 1996, teenage Tess Murphy’s mom gave her two rules to abide by: keep quiet and stay out of trouble. Her mother landed a new job as a cook at an affluent Virginia estate and didn’t want anything to risk the opportunity, least of all her outspoken daughter. What no one saw coming was Tess falling deeply in love with the boy next door, high-society Grant Alexander.

Over a few wondrous and heat-filled months, Tess and Grant’s love blooms so ferociously it feels utterly impossible that anything can keep them apart, until tragedy strikes and the teenagers find themselves pained by betrayal with little hope to repair the damage that’s been done.

Now, two decades after their epic teenage romance abruptly ended in heartbreak, Tess and Grant are both running for Governor of Virginia, where secrets from that summer threaten to shatter their families, futures, and the love they once shared.

AUDREY INGRAM

Audrey Ingram is the author of The River Runs South and The Group Trip. She is a graduate of Middlebury College and Georgetown University Law Center, and practiced law in Washington, DC for fifteen years. When not writing, she can be found digging in her garden or hiking the Blue Ridge mountains. An Alabama native, Audrey currently lives in Virginia with her husband and three children.

Come join us at Page & Palette on June 10th at 5PM to celebrate the release of BURY OUR BONES IN THE MIDNIGHT SOIL, by V.E. Schwab, bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie Larue.

Secure a signed copy of the book here!

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil

Santo Domingo de la Calzada, 1532.
London, 1827.
Boston, 2019.

Three young women, their bodies planted in the same soil, their stories tangling like roots.
One grows high, and one grows deep, and one grows wild.
And all of them grow teeth.

Join us at Page & Palette for Signing Saturday! On Saturday, June 7th at 1PM, Bishop Barlow will be here to talk about his book, Look in the Mirror. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine as you visit Bishop's table and connect with the author of this magical inspirational memoir. We hope to see you there!

LOOK IN THE MIRROR

I woke up one day in the spring of 2008 when I was nine. What I noticed left me in shock. I saw pieces of hair scattered over my pillow. In a frantic, I called for my parents. As a third grader, I expected to wake up, go through my normalroutine to get ready for school, and then spend most of the day learning math, English, history, science, etc. However, my day started as a nightmare. How could I go to school with a patch of hair missing in the back of my head? What would others say? Little did I know that day in 2008 changed my life to what it is now. My appearance would never be the same. My hair did not stop falling out. I started to look different from my other third-grade classmates. As my hair kept falling out, the number of doctor appointments on my schedule grew. Yet, no doctor in Jackson, MS, could tell me what was happening to my hair. All they could tell me was, “Try putting this cream on your head,” or, “We can inject 30 shots into your head to possibly stimulate hair growth.” It was not until a specialist in Birmingham, AL, looked at my dad and said, “Your son has Alopecia, and I do not know the cause or cure for it,” that I accepted my new appearance. One night, I looked in my parent’s bathroom mirror and accepted what God had in store for me. Sixteen years later, I am finally telling my story. My book, Look in the Mirror, is my journey of living with alopecia, overcoming challenges, and accepting my new appearance while finding confidence in Jesus and His plan. My book also challenges readers to realize that they can find confidence in God and that He can use their story for God’s glory. I hope readers will take away an understanding that God has plans in store for everyone who trusts Him. 

BISHOP BARLOW 

Bishop Barlow is an author and organizational leader who loves ministering to the next generation of students and helping others find confidence in themselves and how God made them. Through his ministry, Know Ministries, he serves inner-city communities worldwide by providing Bibles to children in unreached and underprivileged areas. Bishop loves to write and share Biblical wisdom with others. He is the author of Look in the Mirror and The Truth About Children. He enjoys creating content to help others find their identity in God and share the power of their testimony. He writes for his blog, Away from the Mirror, and creates Biblical lessons on his YouTube channel.

Join us at Page & Palette for June’s First Friday Art Walk Signing! On June 6th, Monte Burke will be here with signing his newest book, Rivers Always Reach the Sea. Enjoy a beer or a glass of wine as you visit Burke’s table and meet the author of this fishing book. We hope to see you there!

Rivers Always Reach the Sea

From the New York Times bestselling author of Saban comes an exquisite collection of angling stories that span the twenty-first century.

The thirty-one pieces in Rivers Always Reach the Sea—essays, as well as profiles of some of the biggest names in angling, including Lefty Kreh and Andy Mill—take the reader from the rainforests of Chile to the windswept tundra of Russia, from the remote mangrove-choked basins of Florida’s Everglades to the congested littoral zone of New York City, and to many places in between.

The quarry includes trout, Atlantic salmon, tarpon, bonefish and striped bass, but the real quest is for something else entirely. Told in a voice described by the novelist, Carl Hiaasen, as “funny, wistful, and wonderful,” the stories in Rivers Always Reach the Sea keep the focus on the “why” of the sport of fly fishing, and not the “how.”

Monte Burke

Monte Burke is the author of Lords of the Fly: Madness, Obsession and the Hunt for the World Record Tarpon, and the New York Times bestseller, Saban: The Making of a Coach, a biography of Alabama head coach, Nick Saban. He is also the author of 4TH And Goal: One Man's Quest to Recapture His Dream, which won an Axiom Award for biography, and Sowbelly: The Obsessive Quest for the World Record Largemouth Bass, which was named one of the best books of the year by Sports Illustrated and Amazon, and was chosen for Barnes & Noble's "Discover Great New Writers" program. After a 14-year stint as a reporter, staff writer and editor at Forbes, he is now a contributing editor at the magazine. He is also a contributing editor at Garden & Gun and The Drake.

This June parents seeking a meaningful way to connect with their newborns will find the perfect companion in the new board book by crisis interventionist, humanitarian, and author-illustrator Eleanor Brindle. THE FIRST DAYS blends high-contrast, brain-boosting artwork with heartfelt words to create a beautifully crafted book that nurtures connection and supports early development during those precious first moments with a newborn.

The first days with a newborn are a whirlwind of emotions—joy, exhaustion, and an overwhelming sense of wonder. As a parent herself, Eleanor Brindle deeply understands this transformative time and crafted a book that captures the hopes, dreams, and heartfelt wishes caregivers hold for their little ones. Featuring abstract black-and-white illustrations and evocative language, this book offers a meaningful, shared reading experience for families of all kinds. Inspired by both personal experience and scientific research, Brindle’s work is designed to foster connection and early engagement.

“When my child was born, I created a series of black-and-white drawings to engage with my newborn,” Brindle explains. “Over time, I noticed my baby becoming more responsive to visual stimuli, reacting more quickly and attentively. Seeing this impact firsthand inspired me to develop this book, so other parents could share in the experience.”

Some of the key features of the book include:

• High-Contrast Art for Early Development – Scientifically proven to enhance brain growth and visual development in infants, the book’s black-and-white illustrations are designed to engage young minds.

• Rooted in Expert Psychology – Authored by an international crisis interventionist, this book nurtures

the bond between caregiver and child, laying the foundation for lifelong resilience.

• Support for Postpartum Mental Health – By articulating complex emotions, this book offers new

parents a comforting, shared experience that promotes mental well-being.

• A Multi-Sensory Learning Experience – Engaging both sight and sound, this book supports early

sensory and emotional development.

With its powerful combination of developmental benefits and emotional depth, Eleanor Brindle’s new board book is a must-have for parents, caregivers, and gift-givers looking to celebrate the joy of new life while fostering meaningful early connections.

Need a few book recommendations? Join us for BOOK TALK on Tuesday, February 4th at 6 pm!

Anderson, Tyler, Stacy & Carolyn will share their favorite Autumn reads and upcoming releases. We look forward to seeing you!

Missed the last Book Talk? Click here to see what was recommended!

Book Talk — Page & Palette (pageandpalette.com)

Join us Tuesday, May 27th at 6PM to hear Robert Bailey talk about his newest book, The Boomerang. The book is available for pre-sales and will come out on May 1st! This is a ticketed event, each book sale is a ticket and will guarantee a seat in the Book Cellar.

THE BOOMERANG

John Grisham meets Yellowstone in a gripping political thriller by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Robert Bailey, as one man fights for family against a government with a shattering secret.

The president of the United States has terminal cancer. Chief of Staff Eli James, his faithful consigliere and best friend, is one of the few who know. But just as the president’s condition mysteriously improves, Eli’s hit with another blow: his daughter has cancer too.

Hell-bent on helping her, Eli turns to Big Pharma’s top lobbyist for advice, but their encounter yields more questions than answers. As he races along a twisted trail to the truth, he stumbles upon a devastating cover-up worth billions of dollars—and millions of lives.

Armed with this deadly secret, Eli goes rogue, fleeing with his family out west. To keep them safe, he forms an uneasy alliance with land baron Nester “the Beast” Sanchez, known for his ruthless power tactics. An epic showdown brews, and it’s the state versus one desperate citizen, willing to risk everything to save his daughter. Can Eli broker a truce with his once allies? Or will there be war in the desert?

ROBERT BAILEY

Robert Bailey is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Jason Rich series, which includes Rich Justice, Rich Waters, and Rich Blood; the Bocephus Haynes series, which includes The Wrong Side and Legacy of Lies; and the award-winning McMurtrie and Drake legal thriller series, including The Final Reckoning, The Last Trial, Between Black and White, and The Professor. He also wrote the inspirational novel The Golfer’s Carol. The Boomerang is Bailey’s eleventh novel. The author lives in Huntsville, Alabama, with his wife, Dixie, and they are the proud parents of three children, two dogs, and two cats.

Join us at Page & Palette for Signing Saturday! On Saturday, May 24th at 1PM, Jo Taylor will be here to showcase her book, Margaret of Thibodaux. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine as you visit Terri's table and connect with the author of this coming of age novel. We hope to see you there!

Margaret of Thibodaux

It is 1974, the last carefree, sultry Louisiana summer before high school begins, when fourteen-year-old Margaret Thibodaux’s world collapses: her daddy asks hometown doctor Muriel to marry him. It's been six years since her mama mysteriously died, and Margaret is convinced that the closer Muriel gets, the less she'll receive bedside visits from her mother—and the more she will fade from their lives. Set on rejecting Muriel’s kindnesses, Margaret grapples with everyone’s delight over the engagement, including her two best friends, Honey and Robert, who think Muriel is nothing short of an angel. But when Margaret visits her mama’s grave for the first time and finds a poem left there—not in her daddy’s handwriting—the mystery of her mother’s death escalates. It isn't until she befriends the local recluse, Jezebel, who has spiritual gifts akin to her own, that Margaret begins to unravel her assumptions, reconcile her grief, and discover a shocking revelation about her mama from across the veil. At once humorous and heartbreaking, Margaret of Thibodaux is a captivating Southern story of longing and self-discovery, told from the perspective of a feisty and determined, yet vulnerable, teenage girl as she learns that love and nurturing can come in the most unexpected packages.

Jo Taylor

Jo Taylor is an obstreperous, retired ER Nurse who is likely an obstreperous writer too. She grew up with three stepmothers (not at the same time). She's lived on a boat and traced her genealogy back to the year 310 (maybe, probably, you know how genealogy is). She's been married for 33 years and all her hero characters are based on her husband, a hero in real life. Her first book, Postcards: Collected Poems and Short Stories, came out in July 2024. Margaret of Thibodaux is her first novel, released on March 18, 2025.

Come to Story Slam on Thursday, May 22nd at 5:30PM and share your stories for a Fresh Start!

Join us at Page & Palette for Signing Saturday! On Saturday, May 17th at 1PM, Jerry Lathan will be here to showcase his book, You Will Be Peter. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine as you visit Jerry's table and connect with the author of this Christian biography. We hope to see you there!

YOU WILL BE PETER

The extraordinary story of a young fisherman who became the Founding Father of Christianity, the most influential and enduring institution in history. He’s one of the most well-known figures in cultures around the world, etched into stained glass, painted in frescoes, even caricatured as standing at the gates of heaven with a long white beard and keys in hand. But long before he was portrayed as a venerated and untouchable figure, Peter was simply known as Simon, a twenty-something fisherman in a far-flung Jewish province controlled by the Roman Empire. Loyal and faithful, impetuous and passionate, Simon’s quiet life is upended by the arrival of a man called Jesus of Nazareth, rumored to be the long-awaited Messiah who would rescue the Jewish people from oppression. When Simon meets Jesus, the mysterious man tells him, “You will be Peter,” a prophetic statement that would slowly transform Simon’s life. Eager to be free of the Romans, Simon joins Jesus in hopes that he can guard this leader who will, undoubtedly, build an army to challenge Rome. But as Simon waits for the army to form, he watches Jesus show a compassion for others Simon has never seen before. The miracles Jesus performs—healing the sick, feeding crowds of thousands—show not a display of military might, but of service and love. Real, relatable and impeccably researched, You Will Be Peter draws on the four Gospel accounts to weave Simon Peter’s story into one seamless tapestry. Readers get a front-row seat to Simon’s three-year walk with Jesus, as Simon watches the Son of Man feed the hungry, raise the dead, upend the status quo and challenge the elite during one of world history’s most pivotal seasons. In perhaps one of the greatest miracles, we can see ourselves in Simon, this ordinary man Jesus chose to accompany Him. Simon wasn’t well-educated, but he was faithful and headstrong. Though he could rush to judgment and use a foul word from time to time, he was the kind of friend who loved fiercely and was doggedly loyal—until he wasn’t. Although he failed, Simon wasn’t cast away from Jesus’ mission. In fact, his failures and subsequent redemption made him a more empathetic and capable rock upon whom the Church was built. With storytelling artistry that transports readers to the first-century world, with the sights, sounds, and smells of that time, You Will Be Peter shares an age-old story told from a new set of eyes: it’s possible for one ordinary person, however unlikely, to change the world forever.

JERRY LATHAN

Jerry Lathan lives in Mobile. He is the founder and owner of The Lathan Company-a historic restoration company which restores landmark buildings, monuments, churches and civil rights institutions-many of which you would recognize from a history book. Some of his projects include the Smithsonian’s Arts and Industry Building and the Nethrlands Carillon Monument at Arlington Cemetery in DC, Selma’s Brown Chapel Church (home of the Civil Rights march), several HBCU colleges and most of the buildings in Jackson Square in New Orleans. In 2010, Jerry led the UNESCO Haiti Earthquake Architectural Team to evaluate the damage to the Presidential Palace. Jerry has received the Louisiana Society Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation and has received a number of awards from the American Institute of Architects. With his expertise in building and reconstruction, Jerry became co-owner of Big Easy Studios in New Orleans in 2011 where he turned empty NASA Michould buildings in to a major motion picture sound stage that filmed ‘Jurassic World’,’Terminator 5’, ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’, and the Wolverine movie ‘Logan’ to name a few. Jerry is the owner of six ‘Carillon Oaks’ senior care facilities for all female dementia assisted living facilities where women live in an open community with first class all inclusive amenities to make each day special for them. Jerry is a graduate of The University of South Alabama where he was named a USA Mitchell Business College Fellow Top 50 Alumni and is a member of the President’s Cabinet. Jerry is now the author “You Will Be Peter” Amazon’s #1 Best Selling Biblical category. The product of ten years of research, the book was the 2023 Best Overall winner of the Paris Book Festival and the New England Book Festival- before the book was released. Jerry has been married for 45 years to his wife Terry. They have two grown children and the Lathans recently became first time grandparents which he loves to share. The Lathans are long time members of Christ Methodist Church in Mobile.

Join us at Page & Palette for an author storytime! On Wednesday, May 14th at 10AM, Laura Grantham will be here to read her children’s book, The Estie Files and meet Estie herself!

The Estie Files

The Estie Files is an exciting children's book series set in the whimsical Whispering Woods forest, where ESD K9 Estie teams up with her clever friend Oliver to teach young forest animals how to stay safe online. Through heartwarming adventures and important lessons, Estie helps her friends navigate the digital world with confidence — proving that staying safe can be both smart and fun.

Laura Grantham

Inspired by their real-life work, I, Laura Grantham, created The Estie Files — a heartwarming and educational book series set in Whispering Woods forest, where Estie and her friend Oliver teach young animals how to stay safe online. With a passion for empowering children through storytelling, Grantham combines adventure, kindness, and important lessons to help young readers navigate the digital world safely and confidently.

Join us Tuesday, May 13th to hear beloved middle grade author Anna James talk about her newest adventure, THE CHRONICLES OF WHETHERWHY. The book is available for pre-sales and will come out on Tuesday, April 29. This is a ticketed event, each book sale is a ticket and will guarantee a seat in the Book Cellar!

CHRONICLES OF WHETHERWHY: The Age of Enchantment 

A brand new magical fantasy series from bestselling author Anna James, filled with seasonal magic and exciting adventure, starring twins Juniper and Rafferty as they brave their new magical abilities, grown from the changing seasons. Perfect for fans of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief, Impossible Creatures, and Greenwild!

ABOUT THE BOOK

In Whetherwhy, everyone has magic inside them–grown from the changing seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. But a rare few are Enchanters: people born with magic in their bones, who can wield all four seasons of magic.

When Juniper discovers she is an Enchanter, she must leave behind everything she knows to begin studying at the Thistledown Academy. And when her twin brother, Rafferty, begins an apprenticeship at a nearby bookbinder to be close to her, he too has adventures of his own.

As Juniper learns how to wield enchantment and hone her magic, Rafferty becomes involved with a mysterious secret society that meets after dark. Monsters are creeping out of the shadows and dangers lurk in unexpected places. Amid night markets and magic lessons, the twins realize there is more to enchantment than they ever imagined. And when dangerous monsters attack, the adventure that follows brings Juniper’s and Rafferty’s paths together again in ways they could never have expected . . .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anna James (she/her) is a writer and journalist, as well as the author of the Pages & Co. series and Chronicles of Whetherwhy series. She was a school librarian before joining The Bookseller as their book news editor. She now writes for a variety of newspapers and magazines, and chairs events at bookshops and literary festivals across the UK. She lives in north London, in a flat full of books.

Rover and Mona Lannigan go on a hike which turns out to be like no other. What transpsires is a story for these or any times. Join them on their mystifying trek through The Cornucopia Forest.

About The Author:

James Usavage has led a life as interesting as the characters he writes about in his books. On his way to a career in medicine, James came to the realization that the life of a doctor was not the one for him, and that understanding set him out on a journey of exploration that spanned the entire United States.

Accompanied by his equally adventurous wife Judy, James spent a number of years criss-crossing the country working odd jobs (everything from car salesman to musician to construction worker to teacher) and experiencing people and situations that would all ultimately lend to the characters, places, and adventures that make up his books.

Influenced by many of the masters of classic modern literature (Wells, Conan Doyle, Dumas, London, Steinbeck, Hemingway, et al), James even writes longhand as many of them did, and although that may have resulted more from an injury involving a broken glass rod severing a nerve in James’s hand in a chemistry class accident, the fact that the feeling has finally come back to his fingers yet James still continues to write instead of type may shed some light on a love for the classic way of creating worlds with nothing more than pen, paper, and imagination.

“Footsteps in the Attic” is James Usavage’s third published novel and his wife Judy’s favorite of the three. More than just a spouse with a loving recommendation, Judy is also the official transcriber of James’s books from print to type. Together, they have brought the worlds that James Usavage has created to life.

Cheerful puppy, Finn, couldn't be happier with his life. His days are spent doing all the things he loves with his brothers and sisters. Then, one afternoon, Finn gets lost in despair when he discovers he has a spot that looks like a mustache. Could his brothers and sisters give up on him because he is "funny looking?" Join Finn and his family as they work together to overcome Finn's insecurities. Together, with their love and support, Finn learns about identity and self-worth, discovers that being different is what makes him special, and finds confidence in himself.

AUTHOR BIO:

Heather Anderson lives on Florida's gulf coast where her favorite days are seventy degrees and sunny. She has two amazing grown-up kids. When together, they enjoy couch time and movie night. Heather's sidekick and dedicated companion, Zoe, is a happy-go-lucky springer spaniel whose carefree spirit brings smiles and joy to everyone they meet. She is the inspiration for Finn Finds Confidence. Heather considers Zoe a true light in her life.

Join us for Classic Saturday Storytime!  On Saturday, May 3rd at 10AM, Ms. Paula will be reading Little Blue Truck Springtime. We'll sing songs, do an activity and have a fun-filled morning together. We can't wait to see you at P&P!

Meet Agatha Dorn, cantankerous archivist, grammar pedant, gin afficionado and murder mystery addict. When she discovers a lost manuscript by Gladden Green, the Empress of Golden Age detective fiction, Agatha's life takes an unexpected twist. She becomes an overnight sensation, basking in the limelight of literary stardom.

But Agatha's newfound fame takes a nosedive when the 'rediscovered' novel is exposed as a hoax. And when her ex-lover turns up dead, with a scrap of the manuscript by her side, Agatha suspects foul play.

Cancelled, ostracised and severely ticked off, Agatha turns detective to uncover the sinister truth that connects the murder and the fraudulent manuscript. But can she stay sober long enough to catch the murderer, or will Agatha become a whodunnit herself?

About the author

Sandra Shaw calls her writing the "Weather of Words." She reads the skies as a TV morning show meteorologist. She extracts elements of mystery and soul as an author. Shaw's style mixes atmospheric layers of science and suspense, poetry and the supernatural.

Sandra curates her ideas at home in South Florida where she works just as hard as a mother. She's an @aarmy athlete and a servant leader @vouschurch. Shaw is also a member of "The Arena", a group of entrepreneurs, innovators, and futurists. @thearena

"SolHuBod" is her debut novel. Shaw's "Met Mystery Series" is a set of short stories under her pen name, Ziva Bristow.

About Book:

10 year old Mbaye Diagne doesn't see himself as an orphan. He sees himself as the leader of the SolHuBod Club. Every day is an imagined mission around the garbage-laden edges of the African refugee camp. "Hear the Unseen." That's what his dad always said about wonder. Mbaye, his two best friends, and their pet rat comb through the squalor adventurously.

Yet play turns to real horror. The three accidentally stumble upon a darkness with quantum implications. It could separate the SolHuBods from the one they love most. An invisible predator hunts. It's not after what the kids know. It's after who they are: soul, human, body.

Feixing twisties, a sect based on a fish, cyborg students, and masked assassins weave through a constant of childlike hope. But is it enough? Especially as they're spiraling into the fate of humanity?

Join us at Page & Palette to meet and greet the author and cast of GRAYSON AND THE IVY GENIE. On Saturday, April 26TH at 10AM, Kevin Wayne will be here to talk about his book and show the movie trailer coming out soon!

Watch the movie trailer here.

Secure a signed copy for here.

Grayson McCullar is an all-American boy from the big city who visits his grandparents every summer, exploring the woods, playing with his friends, and even building his own treehouse. However, he never imagined that he would meet a Genie that could grant him any wish. Grayson soon learns to be careful what he wishes for.

Grayson and the Ivy Genie is a book and TV series Produced by actor Kevin Wayne and illustrator David Gentry. The first book is ready for pre-orders, and the TV series will begin production in 2025.

Kevin Wayne is an accomplished American actor, director, and producer known for his versatile work in both film and television. With a career spanning several years, he has built a reputation for delivering powerful performances across a range of genres. As a director and producer, Wayne has also shown a keen ability to craft compelling narratives, bringing unique projects to life on screen. In addition to his work in film and TV, Wayne has ventured into the world of literature, authoring his first children’s chapter book series. The series reflects his creativity and passion for storytelling, offering young readers exciting and engaging adventures. His work across multiple mediums showcases his broad artistic talents and commitment to creating captivating experiences for audiences of all ages.

David Gentry is a Christian artist and independent filmmaker based in Clanton, AL. He has written, directed, produced and edited independent film projects since 2019 through his company, Door Number 3 Films, and has worked with Kevin Wayne on TV series such as Phrase Seven and Broken Ashler. He lives in Clanton Alabama with his wife Kristie, and their dog, Gimli. He is an avid player of Dungeons & Dragons, martial artist, and disco enthusiast.

Hope Has a Name is a transformational guide that empowers readers to rise above life’s challenges by activating the strength within. This inspiring book weaves together biblical principles, personal stories, and actionable strategies to help you overcome adversity, rebuild confidence, and thrive in every aspect of life. With a focus on restoration, resilience, and faith, the book offers a practical roadmap for turning pain into purpose and living a life marked by hope, joy, and triumph.

Author Bio:

Annie is an accomplished author, transformation coach, strategist, and dynamic speaker who is passionate about empowering individuals to overcome obstacles and embrace their God-given purpose. As the author of Hope Has a Name: Activate the Power to Overcome and Thrive, Annie draws from her own experiences and biblical wisdom to inspire others to find restoration, resilience, and hope. With a background in Agile coaching, ministry, and leadership development, she equips people with practical tools and strategies to achieve personal and professional breakthroughs. Annie’s mission is to help others tell their stories, activate their potential, and thrive in every area of life.

Join us at Page & Palette for Signing Saturday! On Saturday, April 12th at 1PM, Dr. Sonya Rogers will be here to showcase her book, Less than Perfect, More than Enough. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine as you visit Terri's table and connect with the author of this inspirational guide. We hope to see you there!

LESS THAN PERFECT, MORE THAN ENOUGH

Packed with touching testimonials, biblical truths, and personal reflections throughout each chapter, this book will help you discover God's goodness, HIS mercy, HIS forgiveness, and HIS protection. It will remind you that no one is perfect, but all are seen and loved. God is good. God is faithful. God is always present.

SONYA ROGERS

DR. SONYA ROGERS has spent decades teaching, coaching, counseling, and mentor- ing individuals of all ages with the hopes of inspiring, motivating, and transforming lives with the intent to share God's goodness and faithfulness. She is the author of numerous articles, case studies, higher education cur- riculum, and poetry. She enjoys delivering motivational speeches and regularly leads small groups that are based on 'Ladyship' and the offering of intimate discussions where ladies feel safe and empowered to worship and share their own personal God moments with others.

Join us Tuesday, April 8th to hear Patti Callahan Henry talk about her newest book, The Story She Left Behind. The book is available for pre-sales and will come out on Tuesday, March 18th! This is a ticketed event, each book sale is a ticket and will guarantee a seat in the Book Cellar.

The Story She Left Behind:

Inspired by a true literary mystery, New York Times bestselling author of the mesmerizing The Secret Book of Flora Lea returns with the sweeping story of a legendary book, a lost mother, and a daughter’s search for them both.

In 1927, eight-year-old Clara Harrington’s magical childhood shatters when her mother, renowned author, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, disappears off the coast of South Carolina. Bronwyn stunned the world with a book written in an invented language that became a national sensation when she was just twelve years old. Her departure leaves behind not only a devoted husband and heartbroken daughter, but also the hope of ever translating the sequel to her landmark work. As the headlines focus on the missing author, Clara yearns for something far deeper and more insatiable: her beautiful mother.

By 1952, Clara is an illustrator raising her own daughter, Wynnie. When a stranger named Charlie Jameson contacts her from London claiming to have discovered a handwritten dictionary of her mother’s lost langauge. Clara is skeptical. Compelled by the tragedy of her mother’s vanishing, she crosses the Atlantic with Wynnie only to arrive during one of London’s most deadly natural disasters—the Great Smog. With asthmatic Wynnie in peril, they escape the city with Charlie and find refuge in the Jameson’s family retreat nestled in the Lake District. It is there that Clara must find the courage to uncover the truth about her mother and the story she left behind.

Told in Patti Callahan Henry’s lyrical, enchanting prose, The Story She Left Behind is a captivating novel of mystery and family legacy that captures the profound longing for a mother and the evergreen allure of secrets.

Patti Callahan Henry:

Patti Callahan Henry is a New York Times, Globe and Mail, and USA Today bestselling author of sixteen novels.

 She’s also a podcast host, and one of those podcasts explores the background of her novel, Becoming Mrs. Lewis, The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis. Her latest novel, Once Upon a Wardrobe, released last October, explores the stories in C. S. Lewis's life that we might see hidden in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Surviving Savannah, a historical novel exploring the true and lost to time shipwreck of the S. S. Pulaski was released last year. 

 She is the recipient of The Christy Award “Book of the Year”; The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year for Becoming Mrs. Lewis. 

She is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly online Friends and Fiction live web show and podcast. Patti was also a contributor to the monthly life lesson essay column for Parade Magazine. She’s published in numerous anthologies, articles, and short story collections, including an Audible Original about Florence Nightingale, titled Wild Swan narrated by the Tony Award winner, Cynthia Erivo. 

A full-time author, mother of three, and grandmother of two, she lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama, with her husband, Pat Henry.

Her newest novel, The Secret Book of Flora Lea, is set outside Oxford in the hamlet of Binsey and is available now with Simon & Schuster Atria. 

She’s spent countless hours, and yet not nearly enough hours, wondering and reading and talking about C. S. Lewis, Joy Davidman, and their life together.

Jim the chimpanzee is in a terrible mood for no good reason. His friends can't understand it--how can he be in a bad mood when it's SUCH a beautiful day? They have lots of suggestions for how to make him feel better. But Jim can't take all the advice...and has a BIT of a meltdown. Could it be that he just needs a day to feel grumpy?

Suzanne and Max Lang bring hilarity and levity to this very important lesson on emotional literacy, demonstrating to kids that they are allowed to feel their feelings.

Through Styles of Joy, embark on an extraordinary journey blending the excitement of zero-to-one-hundred fandom with thoughtful reflections on joy—yours, mine, and ours. After a post-divorce and post-pandemic “grief sabbatical” took her to seventeen Harry Styles concerts across five countries in ten months, the author reveals how throwing out the rulebook can lead to profound personal joy. This narrative nonfiction series of heartwarming short stories is equal parts anthropological observations, unlikely fangirl manifesto, and reflection on life after loss.

Structured into four colorful yet thought-provoking parts, Styles of Joy prompts readers to examine joy in their own lives while enjoying tales from the author’s own adventures.

1. Cultivate– What brings you joy? Discover how to pay attention and learn to transform everyday moments into celebrations.

2. Adopt – Are you adopting others’ joy as your own? Explore how looking for “joy in the wild” can enrich your own life.

3. Protect – Are you protecting your joy and others’? Learn to maintain a positive mindset and support the well-being of yourself and those around you.

4. Spread – Are you spreading joy? Be inspired by stories of any individual’s power to change the world with simple kindness. Discover ways to multiply joy in your community and beyond, creating a ripple effect that fosters a more connected, vibrant world.

Styles of Joy is a dynamic blend of personal anecdotes and practical wisdom, guiding you toward more joyful living.

Join us at Page & Palette for Signing Saturday! On Saturday, March 29th at 2PM, Terri Thompson will be here to discuss her book, Story Magic. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine as you visit Terri's table and connect with the author of this magical novel. We hope to see you there!

STORY MAGIC

A mother who has lost her faith in magic. 

A teen desperate for love. 

A living, colorful sphere of light to defeat their dark beast.

. . . Because every life is a story, and every story contains magic.

__________________________________

Samantha O’Conor Clark lost her belief in story magic long before her husband left. Now it’s all up to her. She must stay in control. In spite of her efforts her daughter is spiraling, and a vicious beast threatens Samantha in her sleep. 

In the midst of it all, story calls to Samantha. She even thinks she sees Sorchae, the bright fairy from Granddad’s stories. Real or imagined, Sorchae encourages Samantha to write again. 

When bits of her written words bleed into real life, she’s forced to face the magic. But can she trust it when all may be lost for her daughter?

Aisling Clark’s young life has been falling apart. Love must be earned and she works hard for it, but she’s getting tired. At least her boyfriend really loves her. Running away together will solve both their problems. But when life doesn’t turn out the way she expects, hope is lost. Can the bright ball of energy and light bring her back from the darkness? 

TERRI THOMPSON

Terri loves words and has enjoyed magical realism in books and movies all her life. Imagery awakens her imagination and she hopes to share that with her readers. Her award-winning YA novella, Journey to Thélo, is available at bookstores and online retailers. 

Terri is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Pensters, Fairhope, AL.  

Join us on Thursday, March 27th, to hear bestselling author Andrew Lawler discuss his latest book, A Perfect Frenzy: A Royal Governor, His Black Allies, and the Crisis That Spurred the American Revolution!

From Andrew Lawler, the nationally bestselling author of The Secret Token, comes A PERFECT FRENZY: A Royal Governor, His Black Allies, and the Crisis That Spurred the American Revolution , the largely untold story of rebellion in Virginia that uncovers the truth behind mythologized origins of the American Revolution, and complicates the role of British Lord Dunmore, who is commonly portrayed as the villain who burned Norfolk to the ground in the history books. A PERFECT FRENZY will forever change one’s understanding of the American Revolution, and prefigures America’s present-day conflicts around race, gun control, and the divide between urban and rural communities.

The Perfect Frenzy

As the American Revolution broke out in New England in the spring of 1775 dramatic events unfolded in Virginia that proved every bit as decisive as the battles of Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill in uniting the colonies against Britain. Virginia, the largest, wealthiest, and most populous province in British North America was led by Lord Dunmore. But the Scottish earl lacked troops, so when patriots imperiled the capital of Williamsburg, he threatened to free and arm enslaved Africans—two of every five Virginians—to fight for the Crown as the Ethiopian Regiment, the first corps of Black soldiers in American history. Virginia’s tobacco elite was reluctant to go to war with Britain but was outraged at this threat to their human property. Dunmore fled the capital to build a stronghold in the colony’s largest city, the port of Norfolk. As enslaved people flocked to his camp, skirmishes broke out. “Lord Dunmore has commenced hostilities in Virginia,” wrote Thomas Jefferson. “It has raised our countrymen into a perfect frenzy.” With a patriot army marching on Norfolk, the royal governor freed those enslaved and sent them into battle against their former owners. In retribution, and with Jefferson’s encouragement, furious rebels burned Norfolk to the ground on January 1, 1776, blaming the crime on Dunmore. A later patriot investigation, kept secret for sixty subsequent years, concluded that the patriots were indeed responsible, and yet the myth persists to this day. The port’s destruction and Dunmore’s emancipation prompted Virginia’s patriot leaders to urge the Continental Congress to split from Britain, breaking the deadlock among the colonies and leading to adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Days later, Dunmore and his Black allies withdrew from Virginia, but the legacy of their fight would lead, ultimately, to Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. Chronicling these stunning and widely overlooked events in full for the first time, A PERFECT FRENZY offers a striking new perspective on the American Revolution that reorients our understanding of its causes, highlights the radically different motivations between patriots in the North and South, and reveals the seeds of today’s racial divide.

Andrew Lawler

Historian Andrew Lawler is the author of national bestseller The Secret Token, about the lost colony of Roanoke, and Under Jerusalem. As a journalist he has written more than a thousand newspaper and magazine articles for, among many others, the New York Times, Washington Post, National Geographic, and Smithsonian. He is a contributing writer for Science and contributing editor for Archaeology magazines. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

What does it mean to be different? When Johnny Cruel is born with strange appendages on his back in the 1930s South, the locals think he's a devil. Determined to protect him, his mother fakes his death, and they flee. Thus begins Johnny's yearslong struggle to find a place he belongs. From a turpentine camp of former slaves to a freak show run by a dwarf who calls herself Tiny Tot and on to the Florida capitol building, Johnny finds himself working alongside other outcasts, struggling to answer the question of his existence. Is he a horror, a wonder, or an angel? Should he hide himself to live his life? Following Johnny's journey through love, betrayal, heartbreak, and several murders, Boy With Wings is a story of the sacrifices and freedom inherent in making one's own special way-and of love and the miracles that give our lives meaning.

Fairhope Living writer Alan Samry’s best magazine writing is now in his new book, Mapping Fairhope: Legends, Locals, and Landmarks. The book compiles articles published in the magazine, along with the photographs that originally accompanied each story.

Everyone from newcomers to long-timers will find something to enjoy.

Legends include the Fairhope Pier, People's Railroad, historic accommodations, the American Legion building, early African American schools and churches and more.
The Locals section highlights the people who make up Fairhope: founding families, creatives, and difference makers, like Lynn Oldshue, Ben Raines, Skip Jones, Lisette Normann, Cecil Chrstenberry, and more. Samry also covers local events, from Arts and Crafts and Mardi Gras to Christmas traditions and the city’s best charity events.
In Landmarks, Samry explores historic town plats and subdivision maps, uncovering the histories of areas like Volanta, Quail Creek, and Houstonville.

Join us at Page & Palette for Signing Saturday! On Saturday, March 22nd at 12PM, Amie Remington will be here to discuss her independently published book, The Art (and Science) of HR. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine as you visit Amie's table and connect with the author of this legal guide. We hope to see you there!

THE ART (AND SCIENCE) OF HR: A Legal Guide for New Managers, CEOs and Leaders in Between

So much has changed in the past five years. Employees are in the driver’s seat now. How
they experience your workplace can make or break you. This reality, coupled with ever-more-
complex workforce issues, means your risk of making costly mistakes is higher than ever.
Creating the right kind of culture—one that keeps employees engaged, builds trust, creates
belonging, and, frankly, makes them less litigious—is crucial.

To create such a culture, leaders need training, and that includes training on HR issues.
Therein lies the problem. Employment attorney Amie Remington says few leaders get this
kind of training. That’s why she’s created this readable, to-the-point resource for keeping your
employees engaged and your company out of trouble. For example, you’ll learn:

• Common mistakes even well-meaning leaders make that could land them in hot water
• Tips and tactics for creating psychologically and physically safe working conditions
• Why generosity and fair pay are expressions of gratitude (and how they help
your company thrive)
• How to handle those talented “producers” who display bad behavior
• The unwritten rules of social media (for example, why friending an employee
can have disastrous consequences)
• How to capitalize on employees’ talents and strengths to create efficiencies,
reduce turnover, and improve retention
• Tips for avoiding landmines in sensitive areas like sexual harassment,
microaggressions, politics, religion, and more
• Guidelines for navigating the maze of state and federal laws governing
workplaces to ensure compliance and reduce risk

The Art (and Science) of HR is written for new and seasoned leaders at every level. Filled
with tips and tactics, sprinkled with compelling stories, and rounded out with helpful resources
for further reading, it’s a “must-have” for any company seeking to thrive in a rapidly changing
world.

AMIE REMINGTON

Amie Remington is an attorney with 25 years of experience in labor and employment law and human resources. She speaks nationally on how companies can create cultures of engagement and minimize their legal risk.

Join us in celebrating the release of SUNRISE ON THE REAPING, the fifth book in the Hunger Games series!

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 18th, at 5 PM for an unforgettable release party filled with thrilling activities, trivia, snacks, costume contests, and much more!

Reserve your copy by pre-ordering here

We can't wait to see you there!