Alabama Irish

About The Book:  Brian was raised on "the wrong side of the railroad tracks" in inner-city Alabama. Now, at nineteen, with a troubled past and juvenile record, Brian struggles to earn a living and find a life purpose. When he journeys to New York on a chance trip, Brian meets and falls in love with Shannon; a bright eyed, aspiring actress from California. Brian returns to Alabama stirred by Shannon's courage and passion for life. With a new zest and reason for living, Brian is determined to turn himself into a man worthy of her love. Unable to afford college, Brian discovers the Os Guinness Scholarship, which provides free tuition to Pepperdine University for Irish students who desire to train for Ireland's ministry. With some innovative thinking, Brian fakes his Irish citizenry, accepts the scholarship, and moves to Southern California to attend school and pursue Shannon.  However, when Brian visits Alabama, all the lies come crashing down and Brian comes face to face with a past he thought was finished. Now, Brian must make a choice: lose Shannon by spinning more lies and choosing vengeance in hopes of putting his past to rest. Or choose honesty and forgiveness and embrace a new life with the only woman he ever loved.  Alabama Irish will make us sit back and laugh, then lay the book down and cry. But in the end, we'll be reminded that no matter our pasts, the possibility to find true love again is never lost.  (This coming of age love story teaches readers the necessity of honesty and openness in the pursuit of loving, long-lasting relationships.)

About The Author:  This amazing young man needs to be checked out,  so hop over to his website and learn more about him.  James Russell Lingerfelt was raised on a cattle ranch in a northeast Alabama town of 750 people. Literature was his high school emphasis, gravitating toward the writings of Emerson, Thoreau, and Longfellow. He started at point guard on the varsity basketball team, served as president of the student government, and was the first recipient of the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership award at his high school. His writings have been featured in A New Mode, The Elephant Journal, Elite Daily, and The Good Men Project. Lingerfelt keeps readers briefed at his blog, Love Story from the Male Perspective, which garnered over 5 million views within one year.  Lingerfelt is currently helping spearhead The Alabama Film Education Initiative, which is developing the state's first standard high school film curriculum. The program is predicted to help bring an estimated $4.6 to $6 billion into Alabama before the year 2025.  He received the DeKalb County's Top 40 Leaders Award by The Time's Journal in April 2016, and he's raising funds for his first major feature film My Home's In Alabama. Talent attached consists of actress Sandra Lafferty (Walk The Line, Hunger Games, Selfless), music Grammy-nominee David Hammonds (Executive Producer for Norman Blake), and Red Sky Studios, which will oversee post-production.   If you would like to write James Russell Lingerfelt or book him for a speaking engagement, see Contact above. He is represented by The MacGregor Literary Agency.

My Thoughts On The Book: I was a  a  huge fan of Lingerfelt's first book, The Mason Jar, I could not wait to get this book for review.   As an Irish Alabamian the location and subject were near and dear.  In Lingerfelt’s novel is such a surprise for romance readers.  I am not a huge journal entry reading fan.  I write in a journal, but am not fond of reading others. ...but I was captivated immediately.  I fell in love with the story’s hero, Brian,  as a high schooler.  As a teacher of high schoolers I was drawn to his lack of drive in school....but these are the students I am always drawn too.  As I read on I so wanted Brian to succeed.  Uncle Mike was my hero when he encouraged young Brian to begin journaling. I remember well my first journaling experience.  From the first Brian does you can see him come to life.  I felt as if I knew each one of these characters personally.  They sprang to life on the page and I love it when an author can master that.  This was an awesome read and I encourage anyone who loves  a good "coming of age" story, a good romance, and great character development to read this.  I promise you will not regret it.  Thank you so much Mr. Lingerfelt for giving me this opportunity.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from William and Keats Publishing and James Russell Lingerfelt, the author.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”