Yes, Virginia...There is an Opelika

Last weekend, I traveled to a city just outside of Auburn, Alabama called Opelika. I'd heard of it before, but to my knowledge, I'd never been there.

Some weeks ago, I was contacted by Marion Sankey, president of G.O.S.S.I.P. (Gathering Of Spiritual Sisters In Peace) Book Club (see top left photo), and my presence was requested for their June meeting. During my online exchanges with Marion, I introduced her to the writings of my daughter, bestselling teen author, Brittney Holmes, and suggested that they have us both join them.

Marion took the idea back to the book club, and the rest became history. What began as a regularly scheduled book club meeting turned into something more. Much, much more. In addition to the book club members, approximately fifty other members of the Opelika community joined me in a private room of the Hampton Inn Suites to enjoy some tasty finger foods and to discuss One Prayer Away, their pick of the month. And while I was fellowshipping with them, Brittney was in the open dining area of the Hampton, discussing her debut novel, Living Consquences, with nearly twenty of the area's teen and young adult readers. Both Brittney and I had a marvelous time with these groups.

And the fellowship didn't end there. On Sunday morning, we attended worship services at Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church, pastored by Rev. Clifford E. Jones. The majority of G.O.S.S.I.P.'s members are also members of Greater Peace. We had a wonderful fellowship there and was able to sell a few books at the close of the service. To cap off the weekend, Brittney and I were treated to a delicious meal at Red Lobster before hitting the road to head back to Atlanta.

What a delightful experience! Brittney and I had a blast and we met some lovely people in the process. Everyone who knows me knows that I feel particular blessed when I get the opportunity to make appearances with my daughter. She's become an old pro in the almost three years that she's been a published author. I'm so proud of her.

And G.O.S.S.I.P. Book Club was a gracious host! This book club puts Opelika on the map, for sure. I am already looking forward to returning to meet with them in the near future. They are preparing to read Three Fifty-Seven A.M. in the coming months, and I can hardly wait to hear their feedback on that one!