Reviewer loves message in “Turnaround”

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers’ Favorite….. 5-stars!

In the hope-filled coming-of-age story, Turnaround by Harbert Alexander, a boy’s baseball dreams take him on a fulfilling and unexpected journey of faith. At twelve years old, Cole Adams’s world revolves around baseball and he hopes to become a star baseball player one day. However, his hopes are dashed when he fails to make one of the teams in a new baseball league close to his home in Memphis, Tennessee. Despite his disappointment and the ridicule he faces from a local bully, Cole refuses to give up. His tenacity places him on a path toward the major leagues. As a preacher’s kid, Cole is expected to follow in his father’s footsteps. With courage, he faces each curveball that comes his way while learning to care for those he encounters.

Turnaround is an inspiring faith-based story that adeptly explores many practical lessons about fortitude and selflessness that both young and adult readers will find helpful. It examines relatable experiences and offers useful insight into how to face and overcome challenges. The characters are well-rounded and each plays an important role in bringing out the themes included about resilience and faith. I loved that the work examines the relationships in Cole’s life and offers hope for how he overcomes each obstacle in his life. While the book includes some poignant and life-changing moments, it also involves many uplifting and joyous experiences. Turnaround by Harbert Alexander is a moving and encouraging Christian novel with valuable lessons. Fans will love its main character and will be inspired by his journey.

Turnaround by Harbert Alexander is a moving and encouraging Christian novel with valuable lessons. Fans will love its main character and will be inspired by his journey.

Harbert Alexander loved Christmas stories

The author included a chapter about Christmas in four of his last six books! I read over Harbert Alexander’s “Christmas 1945” chapter in “Soldiers, Saints & Sinners” today. I loved his description of Jackson in 1945! “The Pit Restaurant on South Highland offered dancing and dining with bandleader Hal Strain. At the National Guard Armory, a “hayloft frolic and dance” was 60 cents a head. If you didn’t have a car to get there, you could call City Taxi at 9235 or Stewart’s Cab at 4909. Jackson had three movie theaters, the Paramount, The State and The Met. Bing Crosby starred in East Side of Heaven at the Paramount and also had the No. 1 record album, “Merry Christmas,” which featured his recording of “White Christmas.” There were special Christmas services at First Methodist and First Presbyterian.”

Harbert Alexander Sr. will always be remembered as a fine author: ‘Turnaround’ will be printed for Christmas 2022; ‘Old Trails and Tales of Tennessee’ will be republished

Cover of “Turnaround” by artist Wanda Stanfill is in progress! “Turnaround” is Harbert Alexander’s first novel and last book. He tells the story of a young baseball player, Cole Adams, plagued by a bully in school. Cole overcomes being the small preacher’s kid to find himself playing Major League baseball. Along the way, life sends Cole some serious curve balls. Also, a new cover and some changes to ‘Old Trails and Tales of Tennessee’ are coming. The book was first published in 2004 and remains a collector’s item nationwide.

Enjoyed signing books in Purdy, Tenn.

I had a great time visiting in Purdy and talking about my books, “Echoes and Footprints” and “Soldiers, Saints & Sinners.” And I always have my older books with me as well — six books now and counting. I’m working on my novel now. Thanks for the invitation. Anytime I can talk about West Tennessee history is a good day!

Speaking at Trenton’s Fred Culp Museum

If you haven’t visited the new Fred Culp Museum in Trenton City Hall, you’re missing an interesting foray into history! I enjoyed my visit there, speaking and signing books! Always nice to see old friends and make new ones while I share stories. I’m finishing my latest, “Echoes and Footprints” now and plan on signing books starting in October 2017.

Fred Culp, 90, is the former Gibson County historian who has always been a storehouse of information. Mr. Culp taught history for nearly 40 yearsHATrenton1.

The museum houses a portion of Culp’s vast amount of memorabilia as well as other local historical, literature, photographs, artifacts, and relics. I enjoyed studying some of the collection, and I will certainly return on another visit and spend more time.

The museum is located in the Trenton City Hall at 309 College Street and is open during normal business hours.

Stories exist around every bend

harbert-ames2-2016I love storytelling about West Tennessee history. You’ll find me just about anywhere enjoying myself as I speak to church groups, at Parkers Crossroads and at Ames Plantation. If you have a group that is interested in having me share tales of our history, just let me know. Message me on Facebook or email me here!

I’m hard at work on my next book: “Echoes & Footprints” coming out in 2017. There is always another story around the bend in the road. I can’t seem to stop writing — not that I’d want to anyway. No telling what I’ll find next that is an intriguing piece of history to share with you.harbert-ames1-2016