Page 158 Books is thrilled to host Local Author Night featuring M.D. Buttram, Christy Colebank and Cassie Swindon.
The Wall Builder: Leaving No Stone Unturned by M.D. Buttram is an autobiographical account of his experiences and realizations as he struggles to follow the leading of the Spirit. Understanding gradually replaces disillusionment as he comes to the conclusion that the seminary is but a microcosm of a much larger problem that infects all denominations and impairs Christian unity on a global scale.
In the early 1980s, a young man, recently discharged from the United States Navy, experiences a verbal call from God, saying, "Whom shall I send to unite my people!" Eager to obey but unsure how exactly to follow this call, he enrolls in the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. While there, he is assigned to repair and rebuild the century-old, mile-long, dry-laid stone wall that was originally built by a freed slave affectionately called Doctor Tom. It is while rebuilding the wall that he comes to understand this task as a parable symbolic of the community within that is embroiled in a controversy over the inerrancy of scripture. At that time, the controversy was shaking the foundation of the entire Southern Baptist Convention, with the historical campus and seminary at its epicenter.
About Phoenix Quest by Christy Colebank. A delegation from Mars shows up on Earth, looking to recruit people to join their space program, Vice President, Harold McGrath, calls Cory O'Conner, a test pilot, and tells him he can get him into the program if Cory agrees to cooperate with Harold's plan. Imagine Cory's surprise when he sees the Unicorn and Pegasus not only exist on Mars, but they bond as Companions with the Martian humans. These Martians possess "Talents", using the power of the mind to do amazing things. Cory finds success and love as he moves up in the ranks of the Martian fleet. Finally, he learns what Harold's plan is. How can he carry it out against people who can read your mind?
Christy Colebank has a variety of achievements in writing and illustrating. Her most active period was during the Bicentennial with a cookbook, a historic map, and editing a history of Exeter, RI. She rewrote, with the encouragement of her writers’ group, a science fiction/fantasy crossover about Mars, “Phoenix Quest”. Christy and Bob, her husband, wrote it and she had put it aside for years after his death. Her next book in the Quest series is a prequel, the coming-of-age stories of the Quest characters, “Quest for Talents”.
Cassie Swindon is the author of:
The Wicked Blue In a gender reversal Little Mermaid for adults, follow Axton and Eribelle through a forbidden romance from different worlds. A military merman makes a deal to save a red headed human. After a turn of events during a crazy storm, Axton comes away looking like a murderer. To clear his name, he needs to work with Eribelle or lose the life he has worked so hard to obtain.
The Phantom Ink In a gender reversal Beauty & the Beast, follow Mora and Brody through a grumpy/sunshine story in an enchanted forest. A recluse witch, covered with thorns, needs to break her curse. Enter Brody, who is running toward adventure and away from reality. Brody decides to stick around since the gothic fortress is its own kind of adventure, full of roommates made from origami. If Mora doesn't break her curse, they could both lose everything they've grown to love.
The Never Hour In a gender reversal Peter Pan, follow Piper as she drags Wyshawn through a portal into her version of Neverland. As a 20s something woman who doesn't want to "adult," Piper recruits Wyshawn to do the work for her. If he doesn't beat the challenges, her sanctuary land will be overcome by a shadowy monster. Let's hope the age defying pixie dust is powerful enough to help them.
The Linked Trilogy The first in a completed trilogy, Scorched holds the story of Kyra and Jadox, enemies from the very beginning. When Kyra learns she has fire magic and has accidentally changed the entire world with her anger, she must pair up with Jadox to fix her mistake. A prophecy originated from his homeland states that she may be the chosen one who is fated to be with someone of spectacular power. In the sequel, Severed, Kyra learns that mate might not be Jadox after all- but possibly Isaac, an even worse option. In this world of mythical creatures and elemental magic, the fast paced action and political intrigue keeps each reader engaged.
Cassie Swindon started writing in 2020 when the pandemic broke the world. Her favorite writing partner rotates between her five pets. If it were up to her two kids, they'd take credit for all the ideas in her books and her husband claims he can win any arm wrestle against all the heroes. Born and raised outside of Chicago, she moved to Raleigh in 2012 and despises every piece of pollen to every attack. She has more ideas for future books and has a witchy romcom series releasing in summer of 2025.
Benjamin Bradley is the author of What He Left Behind.
Oak Hill is a sleepy community where nothing exciting ever happens. When a stranger is found murdered in a field, Detective Grace Bingham must partner with a big city detective who broke her heart and fled the town years prior, in order to uncover the explosive truth. After all, everybody has a secret they'd K*ll to keep.
Benjamin Bradley is a member of both Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. He's the author of the Shepard & Kelly Mystery series through Indies United Publishing House and his short fiction has appeared in literary magazines including Reckon Review and Flash Fiction Magazine. He works in public health and homelessness and lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife, their cat Fox, and their dog Harper.
You may also like the following events from Page 158 Books:
- Next Monday, 26th May, 10:30 pm, Romance Book Club-online in Wake Forest, North Carolina
- Next Wednesday, 28th May, 05:30 pm, Nonfiction Book Club in Wake Forest
- Next Thursday, 29th May, 06:00 pm, Author Event: Nell Joslin in conversation with Donna Everhart in Wake Forest
Also check out other
Arts events in Wake Forest,
Literary Art events in Wake Forest,
Trips & Adventurous Activities in Wake Forest.
