Dogwood Press, a small but traditional publishing house headquartered in central Mississippi, is proud to announce the release in August 2024 of The Amendment, the debut novel from Gautier, Mississippi, author Scott Lenoir.

Originally from McComb, Lenoir, a retired Episcopal priest, was the editor of The Mississippi Episcopalian for 12 years and has written creatively since his retirement, taking part in Coast-area writing workshops, including one presented each year by fellow Dogwood Press author Valerie Winn.

“Mississippi is fertile ground for some of the best fiction writers in the country, and the Gulf Coast, in particular, is proving to have quite a few of them,” said Joe Lee, Dogwood Press editor-in-chief. “Scott is the second author from Valerie’s workshop that I’ve brought onto the team, Candace Cox Wheeler of Biloxi being the first in 2021.”

“What drew me to The Amendment, in addition to the nonstop suspense, is a multi-layered protagonist Blake Weaver. He’s a complicated man, and he has a big heart as well as a fervent desire to protect the people he cares about. And when there’s a score to settle, he’ll tap right into his law enforcement background to take care of business.”

Lenoir had a series in mind from the first keystroke of The Amendment and has a second volume already in Lee’s hands. Blake Weaver and several cast members return for the sequel as well as a third installment.

“Hope is a word of little meaning for those who suffer from depressive disorder like Blake Weaver,” Lenoir said of his main character. “His life was destroyed through self-sabotage and an inability to overcome grief . . . until an unexpected event in his life allows the beginning of a new chapter. That beginning takes place on page one.

“The Amendment is a rollercoaster ride allowing Blake to get a grip on his life while simultaneously losing himself in a dangerous confrontation. A little help from new friends and a lost love make all the difference.”

The Amendment will be released in hardback for $24.95 and be available for download through Amazon Kindle.

 “We expect an excellent response to Scott’s book all over Mississippi and beyond,” Lee said. “He’s ready to hit the ground running, and readers will thoroughly enjoy meeting him. He’s warm, friendly, and, like most Mississippians, never met a stranger.”

Visit dogwoodpress.com for a blog, “The Little Publisher That Could” and more information about all Dogwood Press titles.

 

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More about The Amendment:

When south Mississippi banker and former sheriff’s deputy Blake Weaver learns of the arrest of Philip Mason, superior and abbot of the Christian Center for Peace and Life, he’s elated, sickened, and infuriated all at once. Mason, charged with tax evasion, money laundering, and fraud, loudly proclaims his innocence for the TV cameras. But Blake knows better.

One of Mason’s victims was the late Sandra Weaver, Blake’s beloved wife. Sweet-talked and conned by Mason, Sandra turned against Blake (who was in the throes of a nasty battle with alcohol at the time) and was bilked out of thousands of dollars before taking her life. 

Now sober, Blake doesn’t believe for an instant that Mason will spend a day in prison, much less take the straight and narrow, and his suspicions are confirmed when he recognizes the conman in disguise in his bank shortly after his release on bail. More than willing to take justice into his own hands, Blake crafts a complex plan to finish Mason for good.

An electrifying tale of revenge, redemption, and a good man trying to right a series of wrongs, The Amendment introduces a memorable supporting cast that includes Blake’s quirky love interest at the bank, a youthful Episcopal priest put into an almost impossible position, and a colorful crime family that’s eager to provide a little muscle. But can they stop a determined criminal whose hatred of Blake Weaver knows no bounds?

 

More about Webb

When I enrolled in Webb School in 1969, I had no idea what my talents were outside of working part-time at radio stations. I wasn’t a bad student and didn’t get the highest marks like many classmates, who I knew were much more prepared and smarter than me. However, I bought into Webb’s goals and determined to make my time in Bell Buckle count.

 Two teachers, Flo Norvell and Clement Cook, encouraged me to read and write. I read many novels (required and not required) in my four years at Webb. Reading became a lifetime obsession. 

After graduating from Millsaps College with an English degree, I worked in radio and TV for years, got married, and then felt a call to explore ordained ministry. My grounding at Webb came into play at The School of Theology in Sewanee. I felt six months behind in reading on the first day of classes. I also became more grateful for declamation and oration contests. Perfect prep for the future.

I retired a couple of years ago after over thirty years in parish ministry. I felt the call to write fiction, something I toyed with during active ministry but never got anywhere. I edited the Diocese of Mississippi’s newspaper for a long time, keeping my writing skills going along with homilies delivered every Sunday before retirement. 

Webb School is not for everyone, but enrolling there was a critical step for me. I missed my small-town Mississippi home but was encouraged to stay the course by family and friends.

 I hope my classmates will enjoy reading The Amendment and its sequel when published. The books are a labor of love, sometimes hate. If you write, you understand that dynamic!

All the best to my Webb friends, who became a family during my years in Bell Buckle. The experience changed my life for the better.