Sunset River Marketplace art gallery in Calabash, N.C. will feature author David Reavis at the next Coffee With the Authors presentation Thursday, March 7 from 10 to 11 a.m. Coffee, tea and breakfast treats will be served.

Formerly a treasury professional, Reavis retired from N.C. State Government in 2011 after 36 years of service, at which time Governor Beverly Perdue bestowed upon him the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine award.

After retiring, Reavis decided to write a historical novel about his family during the Civil War. He has been doing genealogy research for over 35 years. He grew up in the Reavis Homeplace located in Vance County, N.C., built by Samuel Reavis in 1789, which is the basis of his book. In writing his first historical novel, the author says he was inspired by the resilience of the human spirit demonstrated by his ancestors who endured and survived one of the most horrific periods of America’s history. While the book focuses on his own ancestors, the experiences and emotions are universal to any family whose relatives have gone off to fight.

Sunset River Marketplace is a 10,000 square-foot gallery showcasing artists from both North and South Carolina. Almost 200 artists are represented in a broad range of style and genre. Visitors to the gallery are invited to enjoy gourmet coffee, tea and treats while viewing the many works on display.

Included in the space are a full service custom-framing department, a pottery studio, art classrooms for ongoing classes and national workshops, and a regional book section.

Coffee With the Authors events are free to the public; however seating is limited so reservations are required. Call 910.575.5999 to reserve seats.

Sunset River Marketplace is located at 10283 Beach Drive SW in Calabash, N.C. Winter hours are Tuesday through Saturday,10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Starting in April, the gallery will reopen on Mondays.

For additional information, visit the website at www.sunsetrivermarketplace.com.