Authors A Through K | Williamson Library, TN (2024)

Abraham, Ken

Following a childhood in the small Pennsylvania town of Clymer, Ken Abraham received his education at Indiana University,Asbury College, and Asbury Theological Seminary. He has been a professional musician, pastor, and motivational speaker. Writing was a part of all these career paths and gradually became his main focus. In addition to his own books, he has collaborated with many popular celebrities and public figures, including Paul Azinger, Dr. Jimmy Allen, and Jim Bakker, for which he has been featured on "20-20," "Larry King Live," and "Good Morning America." He also writes Bible commentaries and study guides. Abraham has authored more than 50 books with sales of more than 2 million copies. Abraham and his family moved to Williamson County in 1997.

Against All Odds: My Story, 2013
Falling in Love for All the Right Reasons: How to Find Your Soul Mate, 2005
The Prodigal Project, Book 1: Genesis (with Daniel Hart), 2003
Dear God, Do You Really See Everything (with Annie Fitzgerald), 2003
Dear God, Thank You for Your Friends (with Annie Fitzgerald), 2003
Dear God, Thank You for Making Me Special (with Annie Fitzgerald), 2003
Dear God, It's Me Again (with Annie Fitzgerald), 2003
Racing to Win (with Joe Gibbs), 2002
Right Thing (with Scott Waddle), 2002
Let's Roll: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage (with Lisa Beamer and others), 2002
The True Story of a Cocaine Drug Lord and His Unexpected Encounter with God (with Jorge F. Valdes), 2000
Payne S. Stewart: The Authorized Biography (with Tracey Stewart), 2000
The Refuge: A Look into the Future and the Power of Living in a Christian Community (with Jim Bakker), 2000
Vestal! Lord I Wouldn't Take Nothin' for my Journey Now (with Vestal Goodman), 2000, 1998
Convicted (with Jorge Valdes), 1999
Jesus Loves Me Devotional (with Angela Abraham and others), 1999
Jesus Loves Me Bible (with Angela Abraham and others), 1999
Fairways: Inspiration for the Golf Enthusiast, 1999
Prosperity and the Coming Apocalypse (with Jim Bakker), 1998
Bringing Out the Winner in Your Child (with Jim Croyle), 1997
Beauty to Last a Lifetime (with Kim Boyce), 1997, 1993
A Tender Road Home: The Story of How God Healed a Marriage Crippled by Anger and Abuse (with Paul and Susie Luchsinger), 1997
Who Are the Promise Keepers: Understanding the Christian Men's Movement, 1997
God Keeps His Promises: Prophecies Fulfilled in the New Testament, 1997
Jesus Teaches Me to Pray, 1997
I Was Wrong: The Untold Story of the Shocking Journey from PTL Power to Prison and Beyond (with Jim Bakker), 1996
Praise and Worship: A Devotional for Little Ones (with Angela Abraham), 1996
Brainstorm: Monsters from the ID, 1996
Levantate Y Pelea: Stand Up and Fight Back, 1996
Zinger: A Champion's Story of Determination, Courage, and Charging Back (with Paul Azinger, 1995
The Burden of a Secret (with Jimmy Allen), 1995
Don't Bite the Apple 'Til You Check for Worms: A Survival Guide to Love, Sex, and Singleness, 1994
Finding Heaven in the Real World (with Stephen Curtis Chapman), 1994
In Process: Devotions to Help You Develop Your Faith (with Kim Boyce), 1994
The Hosanna Bible (with Angela Abraham), 1994
Stand Up and Fight Back: A Young Person's Guide to Spiritual Warfare, 1993
Armed and Dangerous: Straight Answers from the Bible, 1993
The Gamer: An 11-Time All-Star's Inside Story of the Pain, Grit, Guts, and Glory of Life in the Majors (with Gary Carter), 1993
In Focus (with Kim Boyce), 1992
This Isn't the Trip I Signed Up For, 1991
The Disillusioned Christian, 1991
Unmasking the Myths of Marriage, 1990
Positive Holiness, 1988
Ken Abraham's Hot Trax Devotions for Guys, 1987
Ken Abraham's Hot Trax Devotions for Girls, 1987
Promises of the Messiah (with Abram K. Abraham), 1987
Designer Genes, 1986

Acuff, Roy

Roy Claxton Acuff was an American country music singer, fiddler, promoter, and freemason. Known as the "King of Country Music", Acuff is often credited with moving the genre from its early string band and "hoedown" format to the singer-based format that helped make it internationally successful.(Wikipedia)

Roy Acuff's Nashville: the life and good times of country music, with William Neely, 1983.

Achurch, Holly

Holly Achurch has been secretly writing for years. Her closet is full of secret stories ready for a little sunlight. A Tennessee Breeze is her first picture book for children. She lives in Franklin, Tennessee with her husband, 7-year-old son, and two dogs, Missy and Harry. She is also an identical twin.

A Tennessee Breeze, illustrated by Leighanne Schneider, 2018

Adamson, Larry

Larry Adamson was raised in Indiana and graduated from Indiana State University in Terre Haute. After teaching and coaching for several years in Indiana high schools he served on the staff of the United States Golf Association in NJ for twenty-four years. He's retired, loves basketball, has two old cars, loves music and travel. Larry has been married to his wife, Barbara, for fifty-five years. He plays a lot of golf, blogs about favorite things from golf, sports, old cars, family and the past. Can learn more at www.larrygrams.com

Just Some Thoughts, 2017

Agarwal, Neeti

Neeti Agarwal has a great passion for activity-based learning. She believes that children learn best when they are engaged in fun and interactive activities that help them explore and discover new things. Neeti is an engineer and has always been fascinated by the way things work. She loves to tinker with gadgets and figure out how they function. This love for problem-solving has inspired her to create stories that not only entertain but also teach children about science and math. Neeti lives in Brentwood, Tennessee, with her husband and daughter, where she enjoys spending time with her family.

Akin, Genie

Genie Akin grew up on a large farm in Franklin, the daughter of one of the largest cattle breeders in Tennessee. On her farm near Lexington, Kentucky, she raises thoroughbred broodmares and racing stock, as well as breeding and selling hunter and jumper ponies. Akin donated the proceeds of her first book, a children's title, Whose Children Are We?, to the Mary G. Copeland Foundation's home for abused and neglected children, which she began in 1994. She wrote a novel about the horse show world under the pen name Ellie Boatman.

Unbridled Injustice, 2005
Whose Children Are We, 1996

Alexander, Deanna

Deanna Alexander is a writer, editor, and proofreader in Franklin, Tennessee, where she is also continuing her online theology study through Dallas Theological Seminary. Deanna has been a volunteer Bible teacher with Evangel Prison Ministries for nine years, since June 2013, helping inmates to know the Gospel message of Jesus Christ through Bible teaching. Beautiful, Brutal Neglected Christian Theology is her first published book. She is passionate about theology and enjoys reading about theological topics, listening to sermons and good Southern gospel music.

Beautiful, Brutal Neglected Christian Theology, 2022

Alexander, Hudson

A native of Franklin, Hudson Alexander began writing for the Tennessean at age 17 while he was still attending Battle Ground Academy. He graduated from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville with a B.S. in communications, having worked summers in radio news at WKDA. Alexander has worked in radio, business, and freelance writing, mostly for Civil War publications. He has been a staff writer for Civil War News. He was inspired to write by the example of his grandfather, T. H. "Alex" Alexander, who was the first nationally syndicated columnist.

Physicians of Williamson County: A Legacy of Healing, 1797 to 1997, 1997

Alexander, Tamera

Tamera Alexander is one of today's most popular writers of inspirational historical romance. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee withher husband, not far from the Southern mansions that serve as the backdrop for many of her critically-acclaimed novels.

From a Distance, 2008
Beyond This Moment, 2009

Alexander, Tasha (1969 - )

Tasha Alexander, pseudonym Tasha Tyska, a former resident of Franklin, now lives in Chicago. In South Bend, Indiana, this daughter of philosophy professors grew up completely surrounded by books. Tyska earned a B.A. in English from the University of Notre Dame in 1992 and lived in Wyoming and Connecticut before moving to Tennessee in 2004. Tyska's degree included a concentration in Medieval Studies in which she focused on history and literature.

The Adventuress, 2015
The Counterfeit Heiress, 2014
Behind the Shattered Glass, 2013
Death In The Floating City, 2012
A Crimson Warning, 2011
Dangerous to Know, 2010
Tears of Pearl, 2009
A Fatal Waltz, 2008
Elizabeth: the Golden Age, 2007
A Poisoned Season, 2007
And Only to Deceive, 2005
Death in St. Petersburg, 2017

Allen, Mary (1941 - )

Mary Allen attended Nashville elementary schools, moved to Williamson County in 1954, and graduated from Franklin High School in 1960. Her poetry has won several awards and has been published by Quill Press, World of Poetry, Great Lakes Poetry Press, and Sparrow Grass Poetry. Allen says that readers should focus on her poems, not her accomplishments. She writes - It is my expressed hope that these poems will be of encouragement to anyone who seeks to use their talents for the betterment of humanity and for the glory of God.

Poetry on Canvas, 1997
A Rose Grows Free, 1994
To Soar Like an Eagle, 1992
Reflections of the Heart, 1992

Allen, McChesney (pseudonym)

Parables of Light, 2020

Allen, Nancy Evelyn (Hatchett) (1941 - )

Nancy Allen grew up on a Bell Buckle, Tennessee farm. Nancy has had varied work experiences as a cosmetologist, a daycare manager, a minister of education, adult group home manager and Baptist Sunday School Board employee. After retiring three times she is now devoted to full-time writing from her home in Nolensville.

Interested in storytelling as early as high school, she only began writing in her later years. Her writing experience is significantly influenced, not only by her work experiences but also by the different places she has lived in the states and in Germany. As a graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, almost all her writing includes a Christian content.

The Covenant Woman of the Old Testament, 2009
The Covenant Woman of the New Testament, 2009
The Covenant Woman of the Bible, 2009
Gathering: Writers of Williamson County, 2009 (an anthology)
Barack H. Obama: Vision to Victory, 2009 (an anthology)
7 Fs for Families, 1984

Allen, Violet Page (1921 - )

Violet Allen was born in Atnip Hollow, in the Camp Branch Community of DeKalb County, Tennessee near Smithville. She spent her early years in the Hollow where she loved the simple caring and sharing life with her extended family. Life in the Hollow had its share of hardships including the death of her father when she was only four. Her mother raised her to appreciate an education. When Center Hill Dam was formed on the Caney Fork River in DeKalb County, many families in the Hollow were displaced. In 1946, Violet moved with her mother and step-father to a farm in Spring Hill, Tennessee, where she still lives.

She became a speech and hearing teacher in Williamson County, eventually named as a supervisor in special education. She retired in 1986, after 36 years in education. Her family encouraged her to write about the history of the hills. With encouragement from her Spring Hill writers group, she pursued the writing of her first book, preserving a piece of Americana dating back to the late 1700s.

My Life in the Hills, 2009

Allen, William Fletcher (1931 - )

Fletcher Allen, along with two brothers and three sisters, grew up on a farm in South Carolina, where he learned to appreciate hard work and high thinking. His large family is the subject of his book. Allen graduated from Furman University in Greenville, SC. and entered a career of writing and editing, a lifetime occupation interrupted only by a stint in the army during the Korean War. He worked on Baptist denominational newspapers in South Carolina, Maryland, and more recently Tennessee. He came to Franklin, Williamson County, in 1987. In retirement, Allen has published poetry and essays.

Plowing Wind and Time, 2007
Telling the Truth in Love: A brief history of the Baptist and Reflector from 1835
Half a Dozen Assorted, editor, 2000

Alonzo, Rebecca Nichols

Rebecca Nichols Alonzo is a speaker about betrayal and the power of forgiveness. Her story has been featured on Dr. Phil, The 700 Club, Lifestyle Magazine, and CNN. She has been involved in ministry, including church plants, youth outreach, Bible studies and missions for over twenty years. Rebecca’s autobiography, The Devil in Pew Number Seven, is the amazing true saga of relentless persecution, one family’s faith and courage in the face of it, and a daughter whose parents taught her that forgiveness is the language of Heaven. She attended Evangel University and is a graduate of Missouri State University. Rebecca and her husband, along with their two children, live in Franklin, Tennessee.

The Devil in Pew Number Seven: a true story, with Bob DeMoss, 2010

Alvarez, Marino C.

Marino C. Alvarez is a professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning of the College of Education at Tennessee State University. He received his MA and doctoral degree (Ed.D.) from West Virginia University. His interest in content literacy stems from his years of teaching Social Studies in middle and secondary schools.

The Art of Educating with V Diagrams, with D. Bob Gowin, 2005
A Professor Reflects on Sherlock Holmes, 2012
The Little Book: Conceptual Elements of Research, with D. Bob Gowin, 2009

Anderson, Mary Trim (1910 - )

Born in Maury County, Mary Trim Anderson grew up in Thompson's Station, attended The University of Tennessee - Knoxville, and received her master's degree from Peabody. She taught English in the Williamson County, Franklin City, and Maury County schools for 44 years before her retirement in 1975. She has served as president of the Tennessee Council of Teachers of English, the Franklin Business and Professional Women's Club, Delta Kappa Gamma Professional Society, and the Williamson County Historical Society. She has made frequent contributions to the annual journal of the historical society and has served as its editor several times, most notably for the 1976 bicentennial edition. Her book was added to the selective historical collection of the DAR Library in Washington, D.C.

Landmarks: The Restoration Movement in Williamson County, 1993

Anderson, Neil T. (1947 - )

Dr. Anderson's grandfather immigrated from Norway to Minnesota, established a farm and built a school for the local children. Growing up on the farm, going to church, walking to school, living a life of hard work and humble means all shaped Neil's life and writing. A stint in the Navy led him to study electrical engineering; he became an aerospace engineer. When God's ministry called, he earned advanced degrees at Talbot School of Theology and Pepperdine University, both in California. For several years he was a pastor, then became a professor of Practical Theology at Talbot. He founded "Freedom in Christ Ministries", an international organization. After his wife suffered a serious and lengthy illness, he began writing of the insights this difficult experience had given him.

The Core of Christianity, 2009
The Path to Reconciliation, 2008
Winning the Battle Within, 2008
Restored, 2007
Experiencing Christ Together, 2006
Extreme Church Makeover, 2005
The Daily Disciple, 2005
Overcoming Depression, 2004
Finding Freedom in a Sex-Obsessed World, 2004
Unleashing God's Power in You, 2004
Freedom in Christ, 2004
Discipleship Counseling, 2003
Breaking the Bondage of Legalism, 2003
Overcoming Addictive Behavior, 2003
Overcoming a Negative Self-Image, 2003
Stomping Out Fear, 2003
Finding God's Will in Spiritually Deceptive Time, 2003
Blessed are the Peacemakers, 2002
Getting Anger Under Control, 2002
God's Power at Work In You, 2001
Stomping Out Depression, 2001
Steps to Freedom in Christ, 2002
Who I Am in Christ, 2001
One Day at a Time, 2000
Real Life, 2000
Righteous Pursuit, 2000
Christ Centered Therapy, 2009
Higher Ground, 1999
Walking in Freedom, 1999
Finding Hope Again, 1999
Radical Image, 1998
Sold Out for God, 1998
Ministering the Steps to Freedom, 1998
What God Says About Me, 1998
Rivers of Revival, 1997
The Common Made Holy, 1997
Freedom from Addiction Workbook, 1997
Freedom from Addiction, 1996
Christ Centered Marriage, 1996
Spiritual Protection for Your Children, 1996
Ultimate Love, 1996
Extreme Faith, 1996
Awesome God, 1996
Reality Check, 1996
Know Light No Fear, 1996
Helping Others Find Freedom in Christ, 1995
Busting Free, 1994
Setting Your Church Free, 1994
A Way of Escape, 1994
Living Free in Christ, 1993
Daily in Christ, 1993
Bondage Breaker, Youth Edition, 1993
Stomping Out the Darkness, 1993
Breaking Through to Spiritual Maturity, 1992
Seduction of Our Children, 1991
Released from Bondage, 1991
Walking Through the Darkness (later) Walking in the Light), 1991
Victory Over the Darkness, 1990
The Bondage Breaker, 1990 revised 2002

Anderson, Wren Smith (1980 - )

Inspired by a seventh-grade teacher in her home city of Knoxville, Tennessee, Wren Anderson began to write plays and stories and to dream of someday writing and illustrating her own children's book. In school, she took art courses as well as her major in advertising from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. After a few years of practical work in sales, she went to Middle Tennessee State University for a Master degree in Business education and then became a Business Ed. teacher in Williamson County high schools. Meanwhile, she sketched, wrote, and dreamed and came up with her first children's book.

Smile Spotters: a Tooth Fairy Tradition, 2016
Sweet Dreams, Anita Bonita, 2008

Andrews, Thomas Brent

Thomas Brent Andrews is a novelist and journalist who has worked for The Lebanon Democrat and The Review-Appeal in Tennessee and the Post Falls Press and Coeur d'Alene Press in Idaho. He lives with his wife Ginny and their two children in Franklin, Tennessee.

The Pot Plan, 2005

Andrews, William Franklin

Emerging wide-eyed and eager to work his way up in the world from a sharecropper shack near Franklin, here is a "country boy" trying different careers, exploring his landscape and his talents and bearing witness to a wide swath of Americana. Pumping gas and cleaning windshields, selling cookware door-to-door, or singing the national anthem for a crowd of ten thousand, Frank never failed to find humor and beauty. His stories have generated laughter and wonder among friends and family.

From Humble Beginnings: Songs of a Native Son, 2005
From Humble Beginnings: Tales of a Native Son, 2017. Illustrated by Hannah Muriel Andrews, the author's granddaughter.

Armistead, Bob (1952 - )

Bob Armistead was born in Franklin and graduated from Battle Ground Academy. He attended Vanderbilt University on a football scholarship and majored in history. Since graduation in 1971, he has made his home in Nashville, where he has a gallery and related internet business that deal in Civil War art and battle souvenirs. The titles of his works show that his main interest is Civil War history.

Warrior Forrest, 1998
Never to Quit: A Story of Two Confederates, 1993

Asch, Alfred

Colonel Alfred Asch, USAF (retired), lived in Brentwood, Tennessee. He served two tours of air combat in World War Two, flying 70 combat missions over North Africa and Europe. He also introduced automation to the USAF, including contributions to the breakthrough language COBOL. Colonel Asch served 28 years in the USAF and was awarded many military honors, including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, and others. Colonel Asch wrote The Whole Nine Yards...And Then Some, while in his nineties. He passed away in 2013.

The Whole Nine Yards...And Then Some, 2013

Aswad, Shawn

Munzie Luvs Snooty, 2017

Atkinson, Don

Don Atkinson grew up and was educated in the Huntsville, Alabama area. He received his master and doctoral degrees from Baptist seminaries and served pastorates in Alabama and Georgia before coming to serve as an editor and writer with the Baptist Sunday School Board (LifeWay Christian Resources) in Nashville and to live in Franklin. In addition to his work with the Board, Atkinson has served as pastor of Walker Memorial Baptist Church in Franklin. He is also an avid sports fan - the Crimson Tide above all.

Meeting Needs, Sharing Christ, 1995
Celebrating Life, 1989
A Barnabas Lifestyle, 1986

Atwood, Jeff (1964 - )

Jeff Atwood was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and spent his formative years in Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana and Pennsylvania, all of which influenced his outlook on life and family values. His love for writing was born from his affection for books at an early age. His book Our Big, Big God was influenced by conversations about God with his daughter, who has significant mental and physical disabilities. Jeff was educated at Purdue University and has had a career in communications, advertising/public relations, and marketing. He now resides in Brentwood.

My First Message: Amazing Stories of the Bible, 2008
My First Message: Stories of Jesus, 2008
DriveTime Devotions for Women Volume 2, 2007
DriveTime Devotions for Men Volume 2, 2007
Our Big, Big God, 2007
DriveTime Devotions for Men Volume 1, 2006
DriveTime Devotions for Women Volume 1, 2006

Augustine, Peg (1948 - )

Born in Virginia, Peg Augustine attended Scarritt College, earning a degree in Christian education. A resident of Franklin, she is a children's book editor at the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville and pastor of historic Garrison United Methodist Church near Leiper's Fork. Augustine's books for children are affordable, inspirational, and colorfully illustrated stories of Christmas, Easter, and Bible characters.

Every Letter Tells the Story: An Easter ABC, 2003
The First Christmas, 2002
Alphabet Rhymes for Bible Times, 2002
Jesus Says, 2002
The Bible Says, 2002
Paul Says, 2001
Abingdon's Young Readers' Bible Dictionary (with Daphne Flegal), 2001
Counting to Ten with Moses, 2000

Austin, David

My Little World, and I'm a Little Bigger! / "Poetic Tales about the ways that Little People spend their days," 1995

Avery, Nanette

Nanette L. Avery, novelist and short story writer, is best known for her historical fiction, Orphan in America, which earned distinction as one of the “Best Indie Books” by Kirkus Reviews. Recipient of “The Jessica Cosgrave Lifetime Achievement Award”; her historical fiction novel Out of the Rabbit Hutch is a recommended title by the Tennessee Library Association. Drawing upon her experiences and the backdrop of life growing up in the Virgin Islands, she is an eclectic author who transcends many genres.

Blank, 2022
Who,2021
The Colony,2020
Out of the Rabbit Hutch,2019
The Fortune Teller and Other Short Works,2018
A Curious Host,2016
Orphan in America,2015
Sun Safely Alphabet Book: 26 letters to sun safety,2010
My Mother's Tattoo and Other Stories for Kids,2009
Sixty Jars in a Pioneer Town,2008
Once Upon a Time Words: Definitions of Often Read but Seldom Spoken Words,2006