Monroe County, Alabama author Lawrence Earl Gulley recently published his 14th novel, 'Wisteria'

Lawrence Gulley with his new book.

Excel’s most prolific author has done it again.

Lawrence Earl Gulley of Excel, who is known far and wide as one of Monroe County’s top tale-spinners, recently published his 14^th novel, “Wisteria.” Officially released on Dec. 16, Lawrence launched his publicity campaign for his new book during last Thursday’s morning show on WPPG 101.1 FM in Evergreen. He followed his radio appearance with successful book-signings at Nichol’s Bait & Tackle, Excel Town Market and Joe’s Place, just outside of Repton.

Lawrence said that “Wisteria” is a “Southern love story about the lives and challenges of two young people from very different backgrounds.” He invites readers to escape their “stressful routines with this simple tale of family, faith and overcoming obstacles with a love that lasts a lifetime.”

Lawrence dedicated “Wisteria” with “love and respect” to Luther Upton, a native of Uriah who is the host of the WPPG morning show. Lawrence describes Upton as a Vietnam War hero, who “never got his due” for his service in the war. Upton served in Vietnam as a U.S. Marine and received two Purple Hearts and a long list of other medals and awards for his service.

For those of you who have read Lawrence’s previous books, you’ll know that he does a lot of name-dropping. Familiar names that you’ll find between the pages of “Wisteria” include Luther Upton; his parents, Sim and Frankie Upton; and his brothers, Ricky and Bobby Upton. Other names mentioned in the book include Mendy Ward, William Cater, Larry Luellen, Cliff Sims, Nick Tatum and many others.

While reading Lawrence’s yarns, it’s fun to piece together the clues he drops about where his fictional tales take place. “Wisteria” is set almost entirely in Monroe and Clarke counties. Real-life locales that are specifically mentioned in “Wisteria” include Monroeville, Grove Hill, the Courthouse Square, the Claiborne-Murphy Bridge, West Claiborne Street, the Jitney Jungle grocery store, Bedsole’s Dry Goods, Barnett’s Hardware, Katz’s Department Store, J.U. Blacksher High School, Monroe County High School and a long list of other familiar locations.

“Wisteria” is Lawrence’s 14^th published novel. His previous books include “Cora Jean (2016),” “Peanut House (2017),” “Buffington (2017),” “Bessie’s Story (2018),” “Redtown (2018),” “Bayou County (2018),” “Brothers (2018),” “Green Briar (2018),” “The Tangled Road Home (2019),” “Layton (2019),” “The Killing of Lois Hardee (2019),” “Sweet Liberty (2020)” and “Alyssa Madison (2021).” If you’ve never read any of these books, I recommend that you start with “Cora Jean,” which is getting attention from movie producers in New York and Hollywood.

Fans of Lawrence’s novels have most likely read all of the books above, but have no fear. Lawrence is already hard at work on his next novel, tentatively titled “A Place Called Home.” If it’s as good as his previous books, then his fans have a lot to look forward to.

All of Lawrence’s books are available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, but you can also pick them up in a variety of other places nearby. I’ve seen copies of them for sale at the Town Market in Excel and at the gift shop at the Old Monroe County Courthouse.