Palmetto Publishing has announced the release of 7 Years Lost, a new novel by Dale Givens that tackles the emotional issue of grandparent estrangement. Set in North Alabama and inspired by real-life situations, the book highlights a family crisis that research indicates affects approximately one in five grandparents in the U.S.
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The story centers on Alex and Darla Griffin, a retired military couple who move from Tuscaloosa to the foothills of the Appalachian Plateau with the aim of staying involved in the life of their eleven-year-old granddaughter, Elizabeth. Initially welcomed into the family home by their daughter-in-law, Claire, they cherish moments filled with kickball games and family dinners.
However, as time passes, underlying social, cultural, and religious differences begin to fracture their relationships. Small misunderstandings escalate into outright exclusion, leaving the couple marginalized in Elizabeth's life. The narrative builds towards a pivotal letter, held in a lawyer's office, designed to be opened on Elizabeth’s eighteenth birthday, containing the thoughts and feelings her grandparents were never able to express.
7 Years Lost was published on October 1, 2026, and is available for purchase on platforms like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Givens, a retired U.S. Army veteran and Registered Nurse, draws from his personal experiences to portray the struggle many families face regarding grandparent estrangement. With about 10 to 20 percent of grandparents reportedly estranged from at least one grandchild, the novel resonates with a broad audience. Givens and his wife, Charlene, have been married since 1982 and have two children and five grandchildren.