I love seeing the authors I publish get a first look at their new books, especially when it’s their first one. Exhibit A is Scott Lenoir, whose great new thriller, The Amendment, is just days from release!
An electrifying tale of revenge, redemption, and a complicated but good man (protagonist Blake Weaver) trying to right a series of wrongs, The Amendment introduces a memorable supporting cast that includes Blake’s quirky love interest at the bank, a youthful Episcopal priest put into an almost impossible position, and a colorful New Orleans crime family that’s eager to provide a little muscle.
Doesn’t that sound like fun? Join us at Lemuria Books of Jackson, Mississippi, on Thursday, August 8 at 5 p.m. for Scott’s very first book signing and reading.
And now for your very first look at my new book, which arrives September 1: Raphael’s Men, published by the Mississippi Sports Council of Jackson.
Following on the heels of The Saints of St. Mary’s, which I co-authored with X.M. Frascogna Jr., Raphael’s Men isa biography of the late Bill Raphael and the towering legacy he left at St. Joseph Catholic School in Jackson as both football coach (for a whopping 41 seasons!) and math instructor par excellence. Here’s an excerpt from the foreword of the book, written by St. Joe graduate Gerard Gibert, the host of “Midday” on Super Talk Mississippi radio:
“His math students wanted to ace his rigorous but fair tests, and his football players would absolutely run through a brick wall to deliver wins on the field. As a student or player, you wanted to please him as if he were your own dad.”
I interviewed several dozen former Raphael players, students, assistant coaches, and fellow teachers for Raphael’s Men, and all talked of what they picked up from him: always do the right thing even when no one is watching, give your best effort, rely on your teammates, and always believe you can accomplish more than you ever dreamed possible. It’s a faith based leadership book with a high school football backdrop!
I’ll have copies of Raphael’s Men and The Saints of St. Mary’s at the 2024 Mississippi Book Festival, which moves to September this year to (possibly) avoid some of the Mississippi summer heat. Scott Lenoir, Candy Wheeler, Randy Pierce, and John Floyd will all join me in the Dogwood Press tent.
Speaking of Candace Wheeler, the same day Scott Lenoir launches The Amendment in Jackson, Candy will visit the Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi for a presentation and book signing. If you haven’t caught her in person, she’s a walking encyclopedia of all things Biloxi, which comes in handy with her three great historical fiction novels set there. GZBC is an especially cool place for a book event, so put it on your calendar if you live along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Be sure to visit dogwoodpress.com to order signed copies of our titles, and to catch up with where Scott Lenoir will be signing The Amendment in August and September. Thanks so much for your time. Have a great day, and keep reading!