Annette’s Song: A Life of Love, Faith, and Finding Home
Some people move through life quietly. Annette Montgomery was never one of them. She loved hard, laughed loud, and made sure no one left her presence feeling unseen. Raised in the heart of Louisiana, Annette’s journey was one of resilience—of pushing against expectations, of fighting to be herself in a world that often told her she was too much.
From her father’s transmission shop to her mother’s kitchen, from the pews of New Bethlehem Baptist to the bustling streets of Ohio, Annette carried a love so big it could not be contained. She built a home wherever she went, not just with walls and warm meals, but with open arms and an unwavering spirit.
This book was written posthumously by Rev. Renita Marie Green, drawn from the handwritten pages Annette left behind with her brother, Rev. Calvin Montgomery. With Calvin’s stories of his sister and Renita’s divine imagination, Annette’s life was brought to the page—her fire, her laughter, her struggles, and her boundless love.
This is the story of a Black woman who loved without limits, who carried others even when she was weary, who searched for a love she didn’t always find, but never stopped giving. It’s a story of faith—questioned, lost, found again. A story of laughter, of loss, of finding home in the most unexpected places.
Most of all, it’s a story of a woman who refused to shrink, who gave love freely, who lived her life on her own terms.
And now, her song lives on.
In Love, Front of House, Ronald Romeo North offers a deeply personal and thought-provoking exploration of life, love, service, and humanity. Blending humor, hard truths, and heartfelt anecdotes, North reflects on his experiences as a sound engineer, musician, husband, father, and man of faith. With unfiltered honesty, he challenges societal norms, confronts personal and collective trauma, and encourages readers to reconsider their perspectives on love and service.
At its core, the book is an ode to love—not as a fleeting emotion but as a deliberate act of care, patience, and perseverance. North draws parallels between his role as a sound engineer, whose work goes unnoticed unless something goes wrong, and the unsung acts of love that form the backbone of healthy communities and relationships.
Through vivid storytelling, North navigates topics ranging from systemic injustice and faith to the challenges of marriage, parenting, and personal growth. He shares lessons gleaned from the highs and lows of his journey, offering readers wisdom, encouragement, and the occasional laugh-out-loud moment.
Love, Front of House is an invitation to see the world—and each other—through a lens of grace, compassion, and authenticity. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand love in its truest, most transformative form.