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I’m thrilled to celebrate the first anniversary of the release of Debra DuPree William’s novel, Grave Consequences. Debra is an award-winning author, and I first met her years ago at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s conference. Today, she is part of my writing family. Debra is as Southern as it gets, and sweeter than one of my fried fruit pies. Her writing style is fun because even though there is murder and mayhem, there is also humor with a slice of romance. I asked Debra to share her inspiration for the setting of her novel, Loblolly, Alabama, but before she does, take a peek at the book’s back cover copy.
In 1968, twenty-six-year-old Charlotte Graves wrestles with more than just her decision to return to her hometown, Loblolly, Alabama—she is also fleeing a broken heart, colliding headlong into a second one, and about to stumble onto a deadly secret.
Now settled back in Loblolly, Charlotte is hired to oversee the Woodville County Historical Society, a job she was born for. But no sooner has she banged the gavel to bring order to the first meeting than she is accused of being incompetent to lead the group by her old nemesis, Boopsie Sweets. Later that night, she finds herself arrested by her old beau, the current deputy sheriff, Roan Steele, for killing Boopsie.
After being released on bail, Charlotte uses her skills as a genealogist to leap into the investigation. And when Charlotte goes digging up dirt, she unearths a long-kept family secret. Will it lead to Boopsie’s murderer … or to grave consequences for Charlotte and her family?
For a chance to win a free copy of Grave Consequences, read through the post and comment on something that reminds you of your favorite small town. I’ll announce the winner on Friday, July 29, 2022. And now, welcome, Debra. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your inspiration for Loblolly, Alabama.
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Hello, Shelia and friends,
Thank you for inviting me to be a guest today. Even though I’ve written all my life, being an author isn’t anything I ever dreamed I’d be. I always thought I’d be a professional singer. Opera star, even. Note the word star. Nothing else would do. Don’t we all have stars in our eyes when we’re young?
When I attended my first writing conference in 2014, I was hooked. I returned home with the niggling in the back of my mind to turn my great-grandmother’s story into fiction. I knew I had to choose a standout setting. The first place to come to mind was my lovely little hometown, Andalusia, Alabama, masquerading as Loblolly in my Charlotte Graves mystery series.
Rose Haven, the mansion which is the main location in the novels, was birthed from my late brother-in-law’s old family home. Rose Hill is a beautiful old home located just outside of Andalusia. It was built by Bub’s great-great-grandfather, John Gray Foshee. It’s still there, but is no longer in the family.
If my memory serves me, the library was once only an old home on 6th Avenue in Andalusia. I can still smell the familiar old house-old books aroma that filled my senses when I entered. My favorite books in those days were the biographies inside the bright orange covers. Did y’all read those, too? I think I must have read every one.
The dime store in which Miss Ludie works, was the old Elmore’s Five and Dime. It stood next door to Baxter’s. The candy case and the nut carousel were taken from that store. And Miss Ludie was loosely based on my late sister, Bobbie Foshee’s, mother-in-law, Mrs.Vada Foshee Grissett, who worked there for many years. The coconut pound cake in the back of the book was her recipe.
Fee’s boutique, Soilse (pronounced Sorsha), came from a couple of places in Andalusia. My Daddy managed Baxter’s Shoes where Brooks’ Hardware was later located. The building, including the entire block, has been demolished and a parking lot graces that space now.
The rickety old stairs at the back of Soilse really were just that bad. Mama and I always held onto one another when we went up or down them. The platform wasn’t in much better shape. All gone now for that parking lot. They really needed that parking lot.
The Dairy Queen, known as Tastee-Burger in my novels, is still right where it was when it first opened. It has new owners now, but everyone still talks about their hotdogs with their delicious homemade chili. So, so good! Some things are just too good to change. I’m thankful the DQ is one of those.
The little chapel beside Rose Haven, where many members of Charlotte’s family are interred, is patterned after Brooklyn Baptist Church in Brooklyn, Alabama, just down the road a piece from Andalusia. At least six generations of my husband’s family are laid to rest in that lovely place. The church was started and first pastored by hubby’s four-times-great uncle, The Rev. Alexander Travis, half-brother of Mark Butler Travis, father of Lt. Col. William Barret Travis of Alamo fame.
My husband and I attended the church’s two-hundredth anniversary last year. They spruced it up for this memorial event, but it still has the same old welcoming character. Like Charlotte, I could hear the voices of those who’d come before us as we sat there. What an outstanding day that was. Church services followed by dinner-on-the-grounds. No words.
There are so many more things I could share with you about my lovely old hometown. It is still one of the best places I know to raise children. Even though much has changed, the good news is, the people are the same. Just good, down-home, god-fearing, wonderful folks. Family, if you will.
If you ever find yourself in Andalusia, stop in at the Cottle House and say hello to the FaceBook famous Brenda Gantt. If you’re lucky, she may give you a lesson in biscuit-making. And if you’re near the Country Club, you may smell Sister Schubert baking up a batch of her famous rolls. And don’t forget to stop at Dean’s Cake House for anything yummy, and then scoot to The Bluebird Coffee Company for a great cup of coffee and meet another Debbie Williams. She and her husband Lee have outdone themselves on the décor. You’ll love it. If you’re a writer like me, don’t forget to take your laptop and settle in for a lovely day with some very good people.
I think Charlotte would approve.
Be sure to check out the Book Trailer at this link. https://youtu.be/i-zUCCnBTC4
About the Author
Author, Debra DuPree Williams, tells stories of faith and family set in the deep south. Debbie’s award-winning debut novel, Grave Consequences, A Charlotte Graves Mystery, has earned praise for its authentic voice, setting, and characters. A classically trained lyric coloratura soprano, Debbie’s first love is Southern Gospel. Debbie and her husband have four sons, a beautiful daughter-of-their-hearts, and two perfect granddaughters. When not writing or in search of an elusive ancestor, Debbie and her husband enjoy life in the majestic mountains of western North Carolina.
Connect with Debra DuPree Williams
I have lived in a few small towns, mostly in New Hampshire. Everyone knows everyone else. You could leave your house doors unlocked. One town on July 4th had a breakfast on the common put on by the men’s club and they would shoot off the cannon every once in awhile. A library smelling of old books, hardware store where people came in to chat and buy a few nails or screws and a volunteer fire department.
Hi Beverly,
Even though I grew up in rural Kentucky, your comment took my back to my childhood. I miss the hardware store where they seemed to know exactly what you needed. The library was also one of my favorite places, and continues to be so, but it doesn’t smell of old books as we are constantly buying new books. We still have parades in my hometown and I love it. We have an annual 4th of July, and Christmas parade and also, the high school football homecoming parade. I feel blessed to live in a small town.
Thanks for stopping by!
Warm regards,
Shelia
Hi Beverly,
Congratulations! You were this week’s winner of Deb’s book, Grave Consequences. Thank you for being a subscriber to my blog. Send a private email to shelia@sheliastovall.com with your mailing address. I’ll have Amazon ship the book directly to you.
Thanks again for being a subscriber to my blog.
Warm regards,
Shelia
What I love about small towns is that everyone knows everyone (mostly), you don’t have to worry about your own safety (as a child). Kids can be kids and play all day. Folks care about each other.
Hi Ann,
Yes. I’ve always felt safe in my hometown. Sady, we still have crime mostly tied to the drug epidemic that is everywhere. Those were the good old days, when no one locked their doors.
Thanks for stopping by!
Warm regards,
Shelia
Ann, you’re so right! Everyone knows everyone and they look out for one another. Loblolly, like Andalusia, is one such place. So is Weldon in Shelia’s novels. Thanks for stopping by!
Debbie
The dime store reminds me of the same type of store in Camanche, Iowa. That is where I grew up and rode my bike on the sand roads to get to that store where there was a selection of candies that you just don’t see anymore. A dime would buy a good half sack full. There was, also a gas station just across the highway from my house who had hand dipped 5 cent ice cream cones. And they were so good on a hot summer day. My Grandpa made a bet with me one time that I couldn’t eat 25cents worth of vanilla ice cream cones. And I won his bet. Those were the days. Good old days.
Eileen,
Oh, I love this! It sounds like a wonderful place. I do remember the dime bags of candies or nuts. Yes! Sooo much for a dime! Did your Grandpa ever make another bet with you? He sounds like a character. I agree—the good old days! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Eileen,
I used to do my Christmas shopping at Kuhn’s five and dime. It was so much fun. It’s also the place where I’d usually spend my 50 cent weekly allowance. Sometimes, I’d visit the drugstore and buy a comic for a quarter and a soda with the other quarter.
Thanks for stopping by.
Warm regards,
Shelai
My grandparents lived in a small town when I was little and I remember walking up to the little diner, which sold candy and things too, and getting to pick out whatever candy I wanted. It was so fun.
Megan,
Wasn’t it fun to visit grandparents? Mine spoiled me rotten! I love little town diners! My novels have one and so do Shelia’s. Just something about the food in a diner.
Thanks for stopping by!
Debbie
Hi Megan,
Diner’s are the heart of a small town. We used to have a place called Mary Lou’s. They had the best fried chicken.
Thanks for stopping by.
Warm regards,
Shelia
In a small town everyone knows everyone and their business! I actually grew up in the country, not really a town, but small in population.
Jan,
That’s true, too. I wonder if that’s what kept so many of us out of trouble! I knew if I’d done anything, my Mama would have known about it before I got home!! LOL!
I lived “in town” and many friends lived “in the country”. But each place was wonderful. Small population.
Thanks for dropping by!
Debbie
Hi Jan,
I grew up in the country too. Nothing is better. It was a treat to go in to town to the Frosty Freeze.
Thanks for stopping by.
Warm regards,
Shelia
I love small towns. I grew up in a small town but went to school in the next big town. My favorite town was Geneva, Illinois just south of my town. It had lots of Antique shops and Swedish days, sidewalk sales. Another small town was near where my parents retired. It had a town square with cannons and a courthouse and quaint stores.
Hi Paula,
Thanks for dropping by. I can’t imagine living anywhere but my hometown of Franklin, KY. It too has beautiful antique shops. If I’m ever in your part of the country, I’ll have to stop in at Geneva, IL.
Again, thanks for commenting.
Shelia
Paula,
Small towns are the best. I love the old town squares. Andalusia and Loblolly both have one. I considers the U if I for gradschool. My voice teacher was a graduate of that fine institution. Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings!
Debbie