Mardel Marketing Director Kelly Black told Christian Retailing that approximately 800 people turned out at the store Nov. 26 to meet Palin and have her sign copies of America by Heart: Reflections of Family, Faith, and Flag—released by HarperCollins three days earlier.

"The event went really well—we had customers camping out the day before," said Black, noting the chain provided four portable toilets for shoppers. "We didn't know what to expect. We just knew we had 500 wristbands to guarantee a spot in line. The wristbands went quickly. We had another 300 (people) line up to take their chances, and we were able to get them all through."

Black added that Palin met with the chain's staff and had her photo taken with several of them, including Mardel President Jason Green. "She seemed to be pleased with Mardel and the accommodations," he said. "She was very gracious in her comments, and the crowd loved her. As far as I know, this was her first Christian bookstore to do an event in."

Mardel's Tulsa location at 9725 E. 71st Street was Palin's second stop on her America by Heart 16-city book tour, which ran until Dec. 3.

The former vice-presidential candidate and former Alaskan governor's first book, Going Rogue (HarperCollins), sold more than 2.6 million copies in 2009 and topped the New York Times best-seller list.

With a first printing of 1 million copies, America by Heart—an "inspirational follow-up" to Going Rogue—"reflects on the key values, both national and spiritual, that have been such a profound part of Palin's life and continue to inform her vision of America's future," HarperCollins said.

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