Hampstead, NC, March 25, 2023 –(CarryOnHarry.com)– Local Author David Dean joined five fellow southern writers Saturday, March 11 at the 2023 Feast of Authors Luncheon sponsored by Quarter Moon Bookstore of Topsail Beach.
The sold-out event held at Nineteen Restaurant featured presentations, Q&A, and book signings by Dean and Leah Weiss, Donna Everhart, J.G. Hetherton, Heather Bell Adams, and Nina de Gramont.
“The camaraderie and networking with such a great group of authors was amazing, as were the many conversations with the wonderful readers who we got the opportunity to visit with,” Dean said.
During his presentation, Dean discussed the genesis behind writing OBX, his action-packed murder/mystery novel set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and the inspiration behind the strong female lead character Michael Francis. The State Bureau of Investigation agent and mother of three navigates dirty politicians, crooked cops, attempts on her life, crumbling marriage, unexpected romance, and a hurricane on her way to uncovering a serial killer who’s been operating in the shadows for years.
This is the first in a series of books featuring Michael Francis, one of the author’s complex characters who discover their true, authentic selves when faced with unforeseen challenges. Francis is set to appear in the follow-up sequel The Triangle coming out in Summer 2023.
OBX (ISBN: 979-8-218-00862-8) is available at bookstores and retailers like Quarter Moon Books as well as online at Amazon.com.
The other authors offered various takes on the process of writing as well as details on their backgrounds and their books:
Heather Bell Adams is the author of two novels, Maranatha Road and The Good Luck Stone. Maranatha Road won the gold medal for the Southeast region in the Independent Publisher Book Awards and was selected for Deep South Magazine’s Fall/Winter Reading List. Nominated for the Pushcart Prize and O. Henry Award, Heather has won the Doris Betts Fiction Prize, Rose Post Creative Nonfiction Award, Carrie McCray Literary Award, and James Still Fiction Prize.
Nina de Gramont (also known as Marina Gessner) lives in coastal North Carolina with her husband, the writer David Gessner. She’s the author of the acclaimed Meet Me at the River, Every Little Thing in the World, Gossip of the Starlings, The Last September, as well as The Distance from Me to You, which has recently been optioned for a movie. Her latest novel is The Christie Affair.
J.G. Hetherton is the Audible bestselling author of Last Girl Gone, a Sun-Sentinel Top Debut Mystery of 2018, and What Lies Beneath, nominated for the 2023 Beltie Prize for Best Mystery.
Donna Everhart is the USA Today bestselling author of Southern fiction with authenticity and grit, including the Southeastern Library Association Award-winning The Road to Bittersweet. Her fifth novel, The Saints of Swallow Hill, was released in February 2022.
Leah Weiss is a southern writer living in Virginia. Her debut novel If The Creek Don’t Rise was released in 2017 and selected as a Library Reads, Indie Next and SIBA Okra Pick. It was honored as a 2018 finalist for the Library of Virginia’s Literary Fiction and People’s Choice Awards. Her second novel, All The Little Hopes was released in 2021 and was a Library Reads, BAM’s December 2021 book club choice, and named a Best Book for Fall 2021 by Country Living Magazine. It was a 2022 finalist for the Library of Virginia’s People’s Choice Award.
Dean’s novel OBX (ISBN: 979-8-218-00862-8) is set in the popular beach destination of North Carolina’s Outer Banks and introduces readers to NC State Bureau of Investigation Agent Michael Francis as she investigates the murder of an influential politician’s staffer, right in the middle of a campaign. The struggling mother of three finds herself in a gathering storm of cover-ups, crooked cops, drug trafficking, and attempts on her life while she deals with a difficult separation from her police detective husband. In the midst of unexpected and confusing romantic overtures from a prime suspect, an approaching hurricane threatens to sabotage her investigation as Michael chases down a serial killer who’s been operating in the shadows for years, facing human threats more dangerous than mother nature herself in a climactic ending with an unexpected twist.
For more information on David Dean, visit www.daviddeanwriter.com.
Bishop Jephthah Sotabinda’s Newly Released “Divine Verses Volume 2” is a Compelling Collection of Spiritual Messages Offering Divine Insight and Guidance
New York, NY, October 20, 2025 –(CarryOnHarry.com)– “Divine Verses Volume 2: Verses of Truth and Wisdom”: a spiritually rich continuation of divine teachings. “Divine Verses Volume 2: Verses of Truth and Wisdom” is the creation of published author, Bishop Jephthah Sotabinda, a poet, songwriter, and naturopath, dedicated foremost to serving as a messenger of Jesus Christ. From his adolescent years, he explored literary arts through children’s books, poems, and songs, but following his divine calling, he has focused on recording messages from God in his writings, known as Divine Verses.
Bishop Jephthah shares, “The verse-styled publication of the messages of the Lord Jesus Christ continues with volume 2 of the Divine Verses. This volume 2 is a sequel to the first and previous publication of the Divine Verses. As the holy spirit of God continues to impart the messenger of the Lord Jesus Christ, Bishop Jephthah, with the needed godly knowledge, another publication of the Divine Verses has to be born. Like the first and previous publication, this volume is also a thorough portrayal of pure divine truths and wisdom, as it brings absolute clarity on all kinds of truths, be it truths about life, love, or God. But the ultimate truth, which is the truth about God and his Son, Lord Jesus Christ, is the main foundation of the book because it is the highest truth in existence. For the reason that the Lord Jesus is desirous to see that everyone attains salvation, he continues to pass on his messages of truth to his messenger so that those who pay heed to them can be saved.”
Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Bishop Jephthah Sotabinda’s new book inspires readers to deepen their understanding of God’s truth.
Consumers can purchase “Divine Verses Volume 2: Verses of Truth and Wisdom” at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.
For additional information or inquiries about “Divine Verses Volume 2: Verses of Truth and Wisdom”, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Author Denise A. Powis’s New Book, “Just be Yourself and No One Else!” Follows Three Punctuation Marks Who Try to Change Who They Are But Simply Cause Confusion
Copenhagen, NY, October 07, 2025 –(CarryOnHarry.com)– Denise A. Powis, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who enjoys painting, inventing, writing, and gardening, has completed her new book, “Just Be Yourself and No One Else!”: a heartfelt story that follows three punctuation marks who discover the importance of being true to themselves and what they do best.
In 2005, author Denise Powis received a bachelor of science degree from Empire State College, and she has worked for many years in the helping professions as a certified nursing assistant, home health aide, and substitute teacher for special education classes. At the present time, she teaches a Bible study/support group for women. In 1979, she won a 17 Islands National sailboat race.
In “Just Be Yourself and No One Else!”, readers are introduced to a period, an exclamation point, and a question mark who all long for a change of pace and decide to switch places one day. However, they soon discover they are not well suited for performing their new roles, and decide that they were made perfect for their original purpose.
Published by Hawes & Jenkins Publishing, Denise A. Powis’s engaging tale will delight readers of all ages as they discover the importance of accepting one’s self and being true to who they really are. With colorful artwork and a powerful life lesson, “Just Be Yourself and No One Else!” will help boost confidence amongst young readers, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page.
Readers who wish to experience this riveting work can purchase “Just Be Yourself and No One Else!” at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.
For additional information or media inquiries, contact Hawes & Jenkins at 888-430-7450.
