Description
Santa Rosa Beach author Arlon Jay Staggs–known for his writing for the New York Times’ “Modern Love” column–has three upcoming local book signings for the release of his debut novel, a Southern romcom inspired by his mother’s actual meet-cute romance, “Leta Pearl’s Love Biscuits” (Koehler, October 7, 2025).
He will be signing books on the porch at Sundog Books Seaside on Oct 11 and 18, and will be the featured storyteller at the Emerald Coast Storytellers event on Oct 16, both of which are in Santa Rosa Beach.
Arlon’s novel is an ode to Southern food and football, and was inspired by real-life events: like his protagonist Trudy, Arlon’s mom was a teacher who fell in love with the football coach who taught across the hall. Arlon’s background growing up as a gay son of a football coach in Alabama influenced themes in his novel such as how small-town social politics influence how we present ourselves, what we hide, and how we relate to others.
A laugh-out-loud romp with a smidge of Southern magic, Leta Pearl’s Love Biscuits confirms that true love–like the best biscuits–takes some heat to rise.
It’s 1982 in Bailey Springs, Alabama, where secrets aren’t just whispered-they’re baked right into the biscuits.
Trudy has kept her head down since high school, when her unexpected pregnancy and marriage to star-quarterback Jimmie Beaumont scandalized the town. A few years later, after Jimmie’s tragic demise, folks still haven’t forgiven her and blame her for his death. Now engaged to a blue-blood politician, Haskel Moody, Trudy’s back in the spotlight-especially after taking a job teaching chemistry to save his campaign for mayor.
As Trudy encounters old high-school ghosts, she also confronts Coach Shug Meechum, whose laid-back charm and infuriating grin incite more than just her frustrations. Meanwhile, Trudy’s mother, Leta Pearl, has been giving some chemistry lessons of her own-slipping her mysterious love-inducing biscuits to men in town to advance her own agenda.
In Bailey Springs, football, tradition, and appearances often mean more than truth. So, when secret recipes are uncovered, and new desires collide with a long-buried tragedy, Trudy must decide if she’ll play by the rules or risk everything for the life she wants.
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