Audrey Taylor Gonzalez

South of Everything: A Novel Audrey Taylor Gonzalez

Description for Sales People: Southern/Christian fiction and Historical are two historically best-selling genres, and this book fits nicely into both categories. Strong elements of magical realism lift this novel beyond a story about familiar themes of racism and religious prejudice in The Old South to a contemporary spiritual and metaphysical realm that will appeal to a broad audience. Comparable books about the American South have consistently ranked high in popularity over the last few years (The Help, The Secret Life of Bees, The Peach Keeper, The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood), proving a strong mainstream interest and fascination with the Deep South. Christian books have experienced a steady climb since 2008, with adult fiction occupying the largest share (40%), consisting of 80% female readers with the largest number (40%) in Southern States."Review Quotes: When I was a young black girl I knew my place was on the other side of the track of limited opportunities. And then there was Missy Sara, that other girl, who was rebuked for her cosmopolitan imagination and urban dreams and was raised up in high cotton, separate and unequaled, asking questions that whites disregarded. That s just the way it was with her and for me. This story will take you south of everything. Deanie Parker, African America singer/songwriter and former president/CEO of the Soulsville Foundation "South of Everything" is a coming-of-age journey with poignant moments, distinct characters, and a powerful message about love in a time of harsh race relations. IndieReader, Starred Review In the hands of an adroit storyteller, magical realism has always been one of the most truthful and compelling forms of fiction. Here, Gonzales proves herself to be master of both the form and her material. A beautiful book. Phyllis Tickle, American author and lecturer, founding editor of the Religion Department of Publishers Weekly Audrey Taylor Gonzalez has written a magical tale about the realities of religious and racial prejudice, transformed by the author's compassion and depth of understanding of the flawed nature of humanity. Jimmy Santiago Baca, American Book Award and Pushcart Prize winning poet and novelist"Publisher Marketing: Set in 1940s Germantown, Tennessee, "South of Everything" is a magical coming of age story about the daughter of a plantation-owning family, who, despite her privileged background, finds more in common with the help than her own family. She develops a special kinship with her parents servant Old Thomas, who introduces her to the mysterious Lolololo Tree a magical, mystical tree with healing powers that she discovers is wiser than any teacher or parent or priest. Her connection with the Lolololo Tree opens her eyes to the religious and racial prejudice of her surroundings and readers will root for her to fight against injustice and follow her heart to meet her fate."

Contributor Bio:  Gonzalez, Audrey Taylor Reverend Audrey Taylor Gonzalez was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1939. In the span of her long career, she s been a journalist, TV host, art gallery owner, racehorse breeder, mountain climber, world traveler, breast cancer survivor, and the first woman to be ordained to holy orders in the Southern Cone of South America at Uruguay s Holy Trinity Cathedral in Montevideo. She s a philanthropist, and mother and grandmother to her own children as well as many people in need that have crossed her path over the years. As a deacon at Calvary Episcopal Church in Memphis, Audrey received the prestigious Juvenile Court Judges Award for Outstanding Service in 2012 and 2014 and she was selected by the governor of Tennessee as a Commissioner on TCCY (Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth). She is the author of three books, the fictional memoir "The Lolololo Tree" and two collections of writings and homilies, "Sermons and Such" and "The Shady Place". "South of Everything" is her first novel. Audrey resides in Memphis, Tennessee. For more information about the author, please visit: www.audreytaylorgonzalez.org.