THE MAGNOLIA SERIES (12 book series)

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When the Gospel of a young Episcopal priest conflicts with the secrets of sex, greed, and power in an old southern community, it can mean only one thing for the youthful outsider.

“The books in this series will teach, edify, and challenge people of faith. They are a treasured resource on just how the church community functions (or malfunctions). The series is popular with book clubs and discussion groups. From prejudice to sexuality, virtually every comfort zone is challenged. Trying to distinguish between the saints and the sinners could lead to some lively dialogue.” Mike Wourms, President, CSN Publishing

Falls City, Georgia is the type of community most folks would want to live in. It could easily be located anywhere in the United States. The people in the town work hard at preserving a certain way of life. Simmering just beneath the manicured lawns and behind the beautiful magnolia trees that sprawl across the village are the secrets of the people who live there. The ideals of the Gospel conflict with a life style devoted to protecting things best left in the shadows. Dennis Maynard weaves a tale in these novels that will leave the reader entertained, inspired, and challenged. You will experience laughter and an occasional tear as you follow the ministry of Father Steele Austin at Historic First Church.

“I was averaging one book a night – they are GOOD. You get started on them and can’t stop until you FINISH and then you want ANOTHER!” Donna Hughes, MIlledgeville, Georgia

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ALL 12 BOOKS

The Magnolia Series (12 book series)

Behind the Magnolia Tree:Book One (The Magnolia Series 1)

Father Steele Austin moves his little family from Oklahoma to one of the most prestigious congregations in the old South. Some of the more influential members of the congregation immediately find him unworthy to be the rector of Historic First Church (Episcopal). He is determined to open the parish’s ministry to those that do not measure up to the unwritten membership standards. Those in power work for his removal. Even the Klu Klux Klan find his ministry a threat to the community norm. Soon the young rector becomes aware of the secrets of sex, power and greed kept by the most pious in the congregation. Readers consistently report that they know someone just like several of the characters that live in Falls City, Georgia. This novel has been described as a real page turner that brings the reader to both laughter and tears – sometimes at the same time. At Historic First Church you will meet a lot of people you already know and a few that you hope never to meet.

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When The Magnolia Blooms:Book Two (The Magnolia Series 2)

Steele Austin is filled with youthful enthusiasm. The idealistic Episcopal priest accepts a call to one of the oldest and most prestigious pulpits in the state of Georgia. His idealism continually conflicts with the determination of the parish leaders to keep things just the way they have always been. Steele, on the other hand, is equally determined to battle bigotry and prejudice, even when masked in tradition.

Father Austin wants to build an inclusive church.. He embraces those that violate the congregation’s unwritten membership standards. The parish leaders want a church that can be a moral example to the world. He is equally determined that the parish leaders must confront their own secrets of sex, greed and power. This puts the young priest and the parish leaders on a collision course.

In this second book in The Magnolia Series, Steele finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation. A priest friend returns home from an adulterous affair only to be accused of murdering his wife. Steele is the only person that believes the man to be innocent.

Almeda Alexander is one of the grand ladies of the local society and the parish. She is also one of Steele’s foremost antagonists. Almeda falls in love with the rector’s new associate priest. It is a love that shocks the community and unites her in a strange bond with the young priest.

“Although I would prefer things to be as they are in ‘Mitford’, I realize that is pure fantasy. I haven’t read a book through so fast since the “DaVinci Code’. Your characters really come alive.” Avis Marie Poovey

You won’t want to miss this, the second installment, of life in Falls City, Georgia.

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Pruning the Magnolia: Book Three (The Magnolia Series 3)

The idealism of Episcopal Priest, Father Steele Austin, continues to conflict with the determination of the leaders of a historic parish. The leaders are unyielding in their desire to keep things just the way they have always been. Steele, on the other hand, is equally determined to battle bigotry and prejudice in the congregation and the community.

In this, the third book in The Magnolia Series, Steele is forced to defend himself against a plot to accuse him of embezzling church funds. Not only is his integrity as a priest being threatened, but there are those in his own congregation determined to see that his new home will be a federal penitentiary.

While defending himself against his latest assault, Steele and his wife, Randi, struggle to decide if they wouldn’t be better off to leave Falls City and accept a call to a new parish in Texas.

Then, an unusual pastoral crisis bonds him to one of his most vocal antagonists. Could this also mark a new day for Steele at First Church?

You won’t want to miss this, the third installment, of life in Falls City, Georgia. You will nod your head with smiles of recognition, enjoy a chuckle and perhaps a tear.

“We can’t stand it. The books in your Magnolia Series have been passed around the congregation so much they’re probably worn out. Seriously, we are enjoying them very much.” Dick Stanley – Greenville, South Carolina

“You need to put a warning label on your novels. ‘May alienate spouses and injure ribs!’ We didn’t speak to each other for two days. One while I read your last book and another while my wife did the same. Not quite true – we each quoted a great portion of it to each other. Thanks for a hilarious two days.” Gene Holly – Las Vegas, Nevada.

“I laughed and cried, sometimes at the same time.” Netha Brada – Iowa Falls, Iowa.

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The Pink Magnolia: Book Four (The Magnolia Series 4)

In this sequel, as Father Austin and his wife wrestle with the decision to leave First Church he finds himself embroiled in yet one more controversy. His attempt to meet the needs of those that have been rejected by their own families casts a dark cloud over First Church. The pastoral crisis faced by one of his former antagonists transforms their relationship into an endearing friendship. The book concludes with one of the most suspense filled cliffhangers yet. The reader will be left wanting yet another visit to the colorful people that call Falls City home.

“We can’t stand it. The books in your Magnolia Series have been passed around the congregation so much they’re probably worn out. Seriously, we are enjoying them very much.” Dick Stanley – Greenville, South Carolina

“You need to put a warning label on your novels. ‘May alienate spouses and injure ribs!’ We didn’t speak to each other for two days. One while I read your last book and another while my wife did the same. Not quite true – we each quoted a great portion of it to each other. Thanks for a hilarious two days.” Gene Holly – Las Vegas, Nevada.

“I laughed and cried, sometimes at the same time.” Netha Brada – Iowa Falls, Iowa.

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The Sweet Smell of Magnolia:Book Five (The Magnolia Series 5)

The fifth book in the Magnolia Series follows the Rector’s struggle with trust and betrayal in his own marriage. His suspicions about his wife take a heavy toll on his health and his ministry. He brings a woman priest on the staff in face of the congregation’s objections to doing so. Some reject her ministry totally. Then the internal politics of the Church are exposed even further with the election of a Bishop. Those with their own agenda manipulate the election itself.
Just when you think the tactics of those opposed to the ministry of Steele Austin can’t go any lower, they do.

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The Magnolia At Sunrise: BOOK SIX (The Magnolia Series 6)

On this sixth visit to Falls City, Georgia and Historic First Church (Episcopal), Dennis Maynard takes the readers through so many twists and turns it will keep them turning the pages to see what is going to happen next. You owe it to yourself to discover why The Magnolia Series has become so popular. You’ll be amazed at just how many people you will recognize in these books. As their stories unfold, readers find themselves laughing out loud, wiping away a tear, and nodding their heads. The travails of Father Steele Austin and his beautiful wife, Randi make for a great read. Readers are left with an overwhelming desire for more visits to Falls City. That’s the very reason that the series now has six books.

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The Changing Magnolia (Magnolia, Book 7)

The masters of the great plantations ruled over those they believed to be inferior to them. Their descendants often believe they are entitled to this same position. With divine right they appeal to their wealth and bloodline demanding that the unimportant in their world be subservient to them. In Falls City, Georgia those in positions of superiority utilize intimidation, slander, blackmail, sex and even murder to get their way. In this seventh visit to Historic First Church these powerful people have used their influence to destroy the spirit of their own pastor and his family. As in the previous books in this series, the readers find themselves drawn into the lives of the colorful characters. Most report that they believe several of these church folks live in their own communities. Some readers even see themselves.

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The Magnolia At Christmas: Book Eight (The Magnolia Series)

All the characters you’ve loved, and those you’ve loved to hate, have returned. This eighth book in The Magnolia Series takes the readers back to Falls City, Georgia, just in time for Christmas. All the leading members of Historic First Church are waiting to share the drama of their lives with you. Father Steele Austin continues to minister to people very similar to the ones sitting in the pews next to you. Once again, you’ll know just who they are. Dennis Maynard has produced yet another page-turner that you don’t want to miss. Those that are fans of this series of novels have been waiting for over two years for this sequel. If you are not a fan, you soon will be.

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The Messy Magnolia: Book Nine (The Magnolia Series)

Readers from around the globe are devoted to the books in “The Magnolia Series”. They anxiously await each novel. The characters that live their lives in the congregation of Historic First Church (Episcopal) in Falls City, Georgia have endeared themselves to their fans. Most every reader believes that one or more of the characters reside in their community or are sitting near them in their local parish church. Father Steele Austin’s life and ministry have blossomed in the historic congregation even though they have resisted his calls to include in ministry women, gays, lesbians, and people of color. The antics of the various members that both support and oppose him bring forth laughter and tears from the readers. If you are already a devoted reader, you’re going to enjoy your ninth visit to Falls City. If you are a new reader, begin with Book One. Before you know it, you’ll be reading this book as well.

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The Last Magnolia: Book Ten (The Magnolia Series)

All your favorite characters have returned for your tenth visit to First Church and Falls City, Georgia.Bishop Sean Evans and his partner Rabbi Eze Dolan face new threats of being outed.Colonel Mitchell rallies a large group of supporters to attack the ministry of Father Steele Austin.Chadsworth Purcell Alexander reaches out to Steele for help and risks having his identity exposed.Steele and Randi must decide how to punish Virginia Mudd Willoughby.The Reverend Melvin and Judith MacClaren return to Falls City and raise over a million dollars in one night.Elmer Idle and Rose MacClaren receive a wonderful surpirse.Steele and his good friend, The Reverend Josiah Williams, confront an act of racism directed at them.Almeda Alexander Drummond hosts a wedding reception you don’t want to miss.And, Virginia Mudd Willoughby lives in fear that her husband will discover her secret sins.

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The Beautiful Magnolia: Book Eleven (The Magnolia Series)

Some of the good citizens of Falls City are blindsided by challenges that upend their comfortable life as they’ve known it. Father Steele Austin is clear-eyed about his pastoral response. He does not believe he was ordained to sit in judgment on those faced with issues of sexuality or infidelity. As their priest and pastor, his ministry is to guide them through their pain. Ultimately, he hopes to lead them to discover a new and fulfilling life.
Following Father Austin on these pages could very well mean you will be walking in the shoes of your own pastor, priest, or rabbi.
You don’t want to miss this eleventh visit to First Church. The characters that you’ve learned to love and love to hate have returned. They will once again entertain you with laughter and an occasional tear. Welcome to First Church. We’re so glad that you’re here.

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The White Magnolia: Book Twelve (The Magnolia Series)

Father Steele Austin encounters a sensitive pastoral crisis with one of his assisting priests he’s never dealt with before. Virginia Willoughby’s plan for her new life in Costa Rica is falling into place. She only needs to permanently remove her paramour’s wife. Father Jim Vernon struggles to hide his true identity from the homophobic parish he serves. Howard Dexter’s bigotry is exposed before the entire nation. Almeda Alexander Drummond wants to give the entire town a lesson in Christian ethics. All your favorite characters have returned to give you a smile, a chuckle, and perhaps a tear on your twelfth visit to Historic First Church in Falls City, Georgia.

“From prejudice to sexuality, every comfort zone is challenged. Trying to distinguish between the saints and the sinners could lead to some lively dialogue.” Mike Wourms – CSN Publishing

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ABOUT MY BOOKS & HOW TO BUY?

Dennis R. Maynard is the author of 22 books. Well over 250,000 Episcopalians have read his book, Those Episkopols. 3500 congregations around the United States use Those Episkopols in their new member ministries. Several denominational leaders have called it the unofficial handbook for the Episcopal Church. He is also the author of Forgive and Get Your Life Back. The same number of clergy have used that particular book to do forgiveness training in their congregations. The books in The Magnolia Series are growing in popularity around the nation as readers anxiously await each new chapter.”The novels give us a chance to look at the underside of parish life. While the story lines are fictional, the readers invariably think they recognize the characters. If not, they know someone just like the folks that attend First Episcopal Church in the town of Falls City, Georgia.” Over his forty-two years of parish ministry he has served some of the largest congregations in the Episcopal Church. His ministry included parishes in Illinois, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and California. President George H.W. Bush and his family were members of the congregation he served in Houston, Texas, also the largest parish in the Episcopal Church. He has served other notable leaders that represent the diversity of his ministry. These national leaders include Former Secretary of State, James Baker; Former Secretary of Education, Richard Riley; Supreme Court Nominee, Clement Haynsworth; and the infamous baby doctor, Benjamin Spock, among others.Doctor Maynard maintains an extensive speaking and travel schedule. He is frequently called on to speak, lead retreats, or serve as a consultant to parishes, schools and organizations throughout the United States. His most recent book, When Sheep Attack, is based on twenty-five case studies of clergy that were attacked by a small group of antagonists in their congregations. The antagonists successfully removed their senior pastor, leaving the congregations themselves divided and crippled. The book describes how it happened, what could have been done to stop it, and what can be done to prevent it from happening to your pastor and parish.

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